- The Hunger Games is an awesome film.
- Many seem to be missing the point with regards to the death of Trayvon Martin.
- Peyton Manning is a coward.
- And, I’m Aaron Goins. All my thoughts on these topics and more (including a preview for WrestleMania XXVIII and the matches that should be on the card)… in The Highlight Reel!
NEWS and NOTES
**So, um… has anybody heard of this movie that is out right now? Something about games and being hungry?
The biggest story in the entertainment world right now is the tremendous success and phenomenon that is The Hunger Games. Originating as a trilogy of books by author Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games jumped onto the big screen on March 23rd with the third-largest opening weekend of all-time. Earning $155 million dollars over three days, The Hunger Games only trailed the final Harry Potter film and The Dark Knight for largest opening weekend in cinema history.
I learned about The Hunger Games through my Pedagogy of English class last semester. After reading the first book of the trilogy, I found myself bordering on indifference with the series. The book was clearly light years ahead of the last young adult novel series that became a pop culture phenomenon. The Hunger Games trumped Twilight in every way. However, I didn't care for it the first time. Then, I read The Hunger Games a second time. In that second reading, I came to appreciate the satire within the novel. From the villainous take of our reality television viewing society to the overwhelming control of our government, the satire within this futuristic tale of a young girl torn between two loves and a fight for survival practically drips off every page. I loved the book, have already read Catching Fire, and look forward to Mockingjay with great anticipation. As great as the book was though, could the movie possibly live up to the high expectations? In short, yes it did.
The Hunger Games was a terrific film. I hate that guy who compares the movie or the television show to the original source material because it is impossible for a movie or TV show to get every specific detail perfect. Therefore, I am going try my best not to criticize the movie based on the little changes made between the book and movie. For the record, there were many events involving minor characters and events in the book left out in the film. That happens in every film or television adaptation. But, I am going to try my best to judge the movie on its own merits. I will simply say that both the film and the novel are very different and unique takes of a terrific story.
As for the film (possible spoilers ahead), I loved the journey of Katniss Everdeen from District 12 to the Arena. Jennifer Lawrence played the role perfectly. She was hard because life made her hard. Katniss only cares for her family, her friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth), and returning home. I wish the film fleshed out the romantic element between Katniss and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) more thoroughly. I believe that the romance and internal love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale will develop more in the next film. Instead, The Hunger Games film firmly established President Coriolanus Snow as the main villain of the film franchise with an outstanding performance by Donald Sutherland. As Katniss and Peeta survived the Games, (I told you spoilers were ahead. I warned you.), the seething in President Snow was something of pure cinematic magic. I loved it. Jennifer Lawrence and Donald Sutherland were two of many outstanding performances in The Hunger Games. Elizabeth Banks was incredible as the gorgeous blonde I will always think of as Miri (from Zack and Miri Make a Porno) transformed into the absurdly colorful chaperone from the Capitol, Effie Trinket. Woody Harrelson did a great job as Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, Haymitch. In addition, in a brief role, singer Lenny Kravitz showed great acting skills as the sympathetic make-up artist Cinna.
The film was not perfect. It was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. However, for a big screen adaptation of a very well crafted novel, The Hunger Games excelled. If you have read the novels, I do not see any reason why the movie would disappoint. The key elements remained unchanged while characters came to life on the big screen in a beautiful way. For moviegoers who have not read the novel, the film creates a fantastic story of survival in a futuristic society where survival and a high quality of living only belonged to the elite. The Hunger Games deserved every penny it earned at the box office and lived up to the hype. It was a fantastic film adaptation of a great book.
**WrestleMania XXVIII (28 for non-Romans) occurs this weekend from Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Billed as “Once in a Lifetime,” the main event picture features a dream match announced one year in advance, a dream match for the WWE Championship that has been mid-card fodder, and a third encounter between two legends that absolutely nobody wants to see. Therefore, much like WrestleMania 26 and 27, this year’s event will be a spectacle bordering on being unwatchable.
The main event is the first bout between John Cena and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The storyline for this match is based on the seemingly legit animosity between John Cena, the face of World Wrestling Entertainment, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a former wrestling great who went Hollywood and only returned to the business when he needed the audience. As much as I dislike John Cena’s Superman act, I hope it is in full affect on Sunday because I do not want to see John Cena lay down for Dwayne Johnson. I have said it plenty of times. Dwayne Johnson only returned to professional wrestling to find those fans who believe in The Rock because, without them, his movie career was flat-lining. He needed that rub that only came from professional wrestling and Vince McMahon gave it to him last year at WrestleMania XXVII. Now, Dwayne gets the ultimate push to his movie career with a win over the top draw in professional wrestling today when he defeats John Cena at WrestleMania. Let’s not be naïve. Vince McMahon always books his wrestlers to look inferior to anyone who comes from Hollywood or outside of the wrestling world. Floyd Mayweather, Akebono, Mickey Rourke, Mr. T, Alice Cooper, Donald Trump, Lawrence Taylor… the list is endless. Dwayne Johnson, actor, will be the latest entry on this list when he defeats John Cena at WrestleMania.
The aftermath of this match is also extremely predictable. For those naïve enough to say that Vince McMahon would never feed his top star to a Hollywood actor, I figured out the game plan around five minutes after the match was announced last year. John Cena will job to Dwayne Johnson. Dwayne Johnson will return to Hollywood with the wrestling audience believing he cares for them when he only wants their movie-going money. Then, John Cena will have the rest of the roster fed to him so that the kids who love Cena will still believe in their unstoppable hero. WWE is so obvious that I just spoiled the main event for WrestleMania and the booking for the next six months.
The Undertaker will go 20-0 after he beats Triple H for the third time on the biggest stage of them all as they are set to fight inside Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania. Much like last year, this match has no logical reason for occurring. Triple H wants to end the streak, even though he could not do it last year, and avenge Shawn Michaels, even though he could not do it last year. Oh, and speaking of Shawn Michaels, he is the special guest referee for this year’s match to add a hint of doubt that The Undertaker will continue his streak. Vince McMahon will not allow anything to happen to his beloved Undertaker’s streak. Undertaker will go 20-0 in a bloodless, neutered Hell in a Cell match that, while it may be a terrific match, is a match nobody will care for seeing.
WWE Champion CM Punk will defend his title on Sunday against Chris Jericho. While this match seemed like an easy Punk victory because of Jericho’s commitments outside of the ring after WrestleMania, Jericho’s recent contract extension now makes this match a toss-up. I still believe that CM Punk will score the victory. However, I would not be surprised if Jericho wins the strap at WrestleMania to prolong this feud. Meanwhile, Sheamus is going to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania. I do not believe for a second that Bryan will be champion coming out of WrestleMania.
In the WrestleMania undercard, WWE will determine one general manager for both shows with a 12-man tag team match between Team Teddy Long - United States Champion Santino Marella, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, The Great Khali, Zack Ryder, and Booker T and Team John Laurinaitis - David Otunga, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, The Miz, Mark Henry, and Drew McIntyre. This massive match for guys to get a WrestleMania paycheck is easily set up for John Laurinaitis to put his character on both shows. I support it. The Intercontinental Championship will be on the line as champion Cody Rhodes defends against The Big Show. While I believe Cody Rhodes is one of the best things in WWE today, Big Show will win the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania. Divas Champion Beth Phoenix and Eve Torres will face Kelly Kelly and Extra’s Maria Menounos in a tag match that nobody wants to see or has any reason for happening whatsoever. Add the fact that Menounos, currently on Dancing with the Stars too, has broken ribs and this match really has no reason for occurring at all. I am going on a limb and saying that Beth Phoenix will score the victory for her team. In another match occurring for no reason, Randy Orton will reign supreme over John Cena’s sloppy seconds as he will defeat Kane at WrestleMania.
I do not believe that WrestleMania XXVIII will rival II, IX, XI, or XXVI in terms of worst WrestleMania of all time. However, I think that the best this event can hope for is to become one of the forgotten events of WrestleMania history. An event with matches nobody cares for, non-existent feuds, and celebrities all over the event just for the sake of namedropping is not what WrestleMania is supposed to be. This event will be another shining example of everything that is wrong with World Wrestling Entertainment.
**The NFL has gone PG. That was my thought after the NFL announced penalties regarding the New Orleans Saints’ incentive program known as the bounty program last week. New Orleans head coach Sean Payton was suspended by the league for the entire 2012 season, former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was suspended indefinitely, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was suspended eight games, and the team was fined $500,000 and docked second round draft picks in 2012 and 2013. The punishment from Commissioner Roger Goodell set a new precedent on punishment for a franchise. Also, I believe this punishment will ultimately signify the end of the NFL as we know it.
Defensive stars are penalized enough by the league for their hard hits; hard hits that the league celebrates hypocritically. The Saints were only doing something that every other team in football, from the professional level to the pee-wee level, has done since the beginning of time in offering an incentive for defensive players to play extra hard on the field. Offensive players have incentives added to their contracts all the time without a second thought given. However, you call it a “bounty” and suddenly it is the worst thing in the history of the sport. The NFL “powers that be” overreacted to the story and made an example of the New Orleans Saints in the process. The NFL has ultimately dealt itself a deathblow. The Pro Bowl is an offensive spectacle that everybody hates. Now, it is what we can expect because every quarterback knocked on his butt can simply cry “bounty” and have the opposing defensive flagged unnecessarily in response. This monumental penalty neutered defense in football. The NFL will look back on this day as the day the sport was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Some peace-loving hippies act as if the New Orleans Saints deserved the penalty. Thankfully, the majority of the sports world and the players in the NFL, past and present, believe the penalty was too harsh. Michelle Beadle said the penalty was “stupid harsh” when describing how ridiculously over the top the suspensions were while former player Marcellus Wiley said, “My biggest bounty every game was my paycheck” when talking about how a mere incentive program did not change the mentality he or other defensive player had towards the game. Football is a violent game with inflicting pain and intimidation serving as the ultimate goal of every defensive player. With the black cloud of bounty programs looming overhead, every defense in the league will now have to think twice before playing as hard and physical as possible because the NFL is now PG. Roger Goodell’s penalty for New Orleans changed the game forever.
**One of the big rumors in the sports television world right now is that three of ESPN’s most popular personalities are nearing the ends of their respective contracts. Sideline reporter Erin Andrews and SportsCenter host/radio host Scott Van Pelt are two of the people at the end of their deals. More importantly though, SportsNation host Michelle Beadle has reached the end of her contract. Considering she is immensely popular with legions of fans, you would believe that resigning Michelle would be common sense, right? Well, I think an event last week signified that Michelle Beadle’s days with ESPN are numbered.
After the 37th installment of the Michelle Beadle Podcast, Michelle and producer Jacqueline Purdy announced they were taking a break from the pod cast. “Taking a break” from anything 99.9% of the time means it is not coming back. With her podcast leaving, I wonder how much longer I will have my beloved Michelle Beadle hosting SportsNation. SportsNation is dead without Michelle Beadle. Charissa Thompson shows that every time she attempts to fill Beadle’s heels.
Michelle Beadle is my favorite sports personality, by far, and everybody knows that. I understand that she has aspirations bigger than sports television too. Michelle shined when she hosted Live with Regis and Kelly last year. However, it would be a major mistake by both parties to end this business relationship while BeadleMania is hot. If ESPN is smart, they will give Michelle huge money and a side project (perhaps a radio show or a sports talk show of her own) to keep BeadleMania with the World Wide Leader in Sports. I would make the move if I were in the shoes of ESPN management. In addition, I would make a big offer to Scott Van Pelt because SVP is a great radio host and eats a lot of hours for ESPN. As for Erin Andrews, I thought she was overrated and a dime a dozen before she reached new levels of fame from her peeping tom video. Then, she spread those ugly and hateful rumors about Michelle Beadle at last year’s ESPY Awards because she did not like Michelle’s frank honesty or rising success. Therefore, now, I know I’d love to see Erin Andrews go away. As long as ESPN does the smart thing and resigns Michelle Beadle, I will be a happy sports fan regardless of what happens with the other two.
**Peyton Manning is now officially a Denver Bronco. After deliberating for a few weeks, Peyton Manning chose to sign with the Denver Broncos for $96 million over five years. With that, the Denver Broncos became instant Super Bowl favorites and seemingly forgot about their cult hero Tim Tebow as Denver traded Tebow to the New York Jets for a few draft picks. While Peyton’s move to Denver looks good on paper, so many other teams appeared to be a better fit for Manning. That is why I sum up Peyton Manning’s move to Denver with a statement I never thought I would say: Peyton Manning is a coward.
It is a controversial statement. Peyton Manning is a coward. How can I call a man coming off four neck surgeries who participates in arguably the most physical and violent sport out there a coward? Peyton is not a coward in the sense that he is afraid of the game. I call him a coward because the reasons he turned down better fits showed a man afraid of confrontation.
The San Francisco 49ers would have punched a ticket to next year’s Super Bowl if Peyton Manning signed with them. I believe that connection would ultimately worked that well. The rumor is that Peyton Manning did not want to go to the NFC with any team because he did not want to be in direct competition with his brother Eli Manning and the New York Giants. That rumor also stood as one of many reasons why the Washington Redskins never stood a chance. The Miami Dolphins also appeared to be a perfect fit for Manning. He owns property in Miami and is good friends with legendary Dolphin Dan Marino. However, Manning would battle Tom Brady and the New England Patriots twice a season. So, Manning avoided that confrontation in the AFC East. The Brady Factor and the Eli Factor kept Manning from doing business with the New York Jets. The Tennessee Titans offered Manning a lifetime contract and immortality in the Volunteer State. However, that would mean two games against the Indianapolis Colts annually in a confrontation Peyton Manning simply could not handle.
Peyton Manning has seemingly an easy path to the NFL Playoffs in Denver as the Broncos appear far ahead of their divisional competitors in Oakland, Kansas City, and San Diego. However, as long as New England, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Houston are still in the AFC, a playoff berth is all Denver will get. The Super Bowl is an unrealistic dream for the Broncos. It was with Tebow and it is with Manning. For a man who wants another Super Bowl victory, Peyton Manning could have made his quest for another ring a lot easier by facing his fear of awkward confrontations.
**With the signing of Peyton Manning to the Denver Broncos, Executive VP of Football Operations John Elway and head coach John Fox finally got the chance to do what they wanted to do for over a year as they traded quarterback Tim Tebow. The Broncos shipped Tebow to the New York Jets for some draft picks. Now, Tebowmania takes sketchy passing, virginity, devout faith, and an undeniable ability to win to the New York Jets and their brash, boisterous, trash-talking, underachieving team. However, Tebow is not the quarterback (at the moment) as the Jets just gave quarterback Mark Sanchez a three-year extension worth $40 million. The quarterback controversy in New York has already begun and it is still March. By the time Sanchez has thrown five incomplete passes, the masses will be screaming “Tebow!” and the Jets will continue their freefall back to mediocrity. A team with two quarterbacks is really a team with no quarterbacks. I am a fan of Tim Tebow and I believe that Mark Sanchez can be a success in the NFL too. However, both men cannot coexist in New York. Tebow vs. Sanchez will make for a great media story and poor QB play in 2012.
**Season two of The Walking Dead recently ended with some of the most exciting television in years. Main characters died with sheer brutality. There was the introduction of new characters and locations. Also, the mysterious words of Dr. Jenner from season one finally were revealed when Rick revealed his dark secret to the remaining survivors. The final moments of season two were a roller coaster ride.
I have to say that I still, almost a month later, am annoyed to no ends by the sudden death of Dale (played by Jeffrey DeMunn). Dale was the last semblance of humanity left in the survivors of The Walking Dead. He was kind, caring, and a good soul; the white hat in a world of every growing shades of black and gray. Dale died as the result of Carl, the 12-year old annoyance/son of Rick and Lori Grimes, freeing a walker from a pit of mud instead of killing it. The incident helped Carl finally realize the severity his own actions can have on others. However, it also took away one of the most beloved characters in The Walking Dead television universe. Thankfully, Dale’s death was not the only death to occur in the final episodes of season two. The psychotic Shane (played wonderfully by Jon Bernthal) finally left us when Rick killed Shane in a field after Shane brought Rick out there to kill him first. The death of Shane was a popular one but also served as a major plot change in the world of The Walking Dead. Not killed by a walker, Shane came back as a walker and was shot dead by Carl. This showed that anybody and everybody could become a walker without contact with a walker.
The setting of season two became overrun with walkers in the season finale as the group had to evacuate Hershel’s farm. Andrea (played by the lovely Laurie Holden) separated from the group in the melee at the farm. She was saved by a mysterious cloaked figure holding two armless walkers on leashes named Michonne. Rick firmly established himself as the group leader with a newfound aggression while also revealing to the survivors a secret he learned during the season one finale: everyone is infected. Learning the information from Dr. Edwin Jenner in season one, Rick told everyone they are infected and then dared them to leave the safety of the camp with a statement that showed Rick had grown the set Shane wanted him to grow: “If you’re staying, this isn’t a democracy anymore.” The final shots of the new camp with a massive prison looming close by only fueled the fire for season three to get here.
After the death of Dale, many were left thinking that The Walking Dead might be on the verge of jumping the shark. However, the death of Shane and introductions of the prison and Michonne have reaffirmed that The Walking Dead is the best show on television today. I cannot wait until October and the start of season three.
**Helio Castroneves broke a winless streak that dated back to September 2010 by winning the IndyCar Series season opener at St. Petersburg, Florida on Sunday, March 25th. Taking the lead late from Scott Dixon, Castroneves led the final 26 laps in route to winning the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Going into the event, the only men mentioned when discussing the championship were four-time series champion Dario Franchitti and two-time runner-up Will Power. Franchitti ended the season opener with a 13th place finish while Power finished 7th after starting from the pole. Neither man was a factor late.
If I had to place money on the drivers I believe will be the championship contenders in 2012, I believe that this year is the year Will Power finally breaks through. His road course skills have improved dramatically since his career started. Plus, I just do not see Dario Franchitti’s dominance lasting for another season. If I had to pick another dark horse contender, I think Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan both are going to compete with renewed vigor that could see them contending for a championship late in the season while Scott Dixon is hungry for the success his teammate has had since 2007. Ryan Hunter-Reay could be an outside threat for that championship from the Andretti Autosport camp. The championship picture is wide open though and not the two man race that early season take has made it seem.
In looking at the 2012 IndyCar Series season, this year is an important year for the sport of open wheel racing. IndyCar is debuting a new car (the DW12) and is welcoming Chevrolet and Lotus to the sport as engine providers alongside Honda. If Sunday was an indication, Lotus will be a non-factor as their five entries all suffered from mechanical failures while Chevrolet remained a question mark even though they appeared in Victory Lane with Castroneves. More importantly though, the IndyCar Series is coming off the sudden death of Dan Wheldon. Along with losing one of the most popular and highly decorated drivers to death, IndyCar lost their face as Danica Patrick moved to NASCAR. Now is the season where IndyCar needs to create new stars by embracing the amazing talent and personality within the sport. Helio Castroneves, Will Power, and Tony Kanaan are among the most talented drivers in the sport and have personalities that fans can embrace. However, drivers like James Hinchcliffe, Ryan Briscoe, Ed Carpenter, and Ryan Hunter-Reay also have large personalities with which fans will gravitate. Unlike NASCAR, where the “powers that be” frown on personality, IndyCar Series is full of spirit among its competitors and would be best suited to embrace and promote that. IndyCar cannot dwell on the passing of Dan Wheldon because it will only remind fans of one of the darkest days in the history of the sport. They cannot dwell on Danica Patrick’s exit. IndyCar must look to the future and their current roster of stars or else risk losing their current fan base. The 2012 season is going to be the most important season in IndyCar Series history. With so much on the line, race victories and a championship are almost second nature as establishing the survival of the sport is the ultimate prize in 2012.
**After 19 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones announced that 2012 would be his final season as he will retire at the conclusion of the 2012 baseball season. Jones is starting the season on the DL after knee surgery. While his best days have lost since past, Chipper Jones is still one of my favorite players to root for in Atlanta. Deserving to go into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in my eyes, Chipper Jones played the game like one of the elite in an era of tainted stats without the suspicion of steroids looming overhead. Jones has 454 home runs, over 1500 RBIs, and over 2600 hits in a career that has seen Jones win an MVP in 1999 and 7 All-Star appearances since 1993. While Chipper only has one World Series ring to show for a legendary career in Atlanta, I will never place blame on Jones for those postseason failings. I am happy to see Chipper remain a Brave for life. Thank you, Chipper, and have one last great season.
**I apologize to everyone who followed my premature recommendation in my last edition of The Highlight Reel. The Doritos Locos Taco did not live up to the hype. While a tasty treat, it was not the world-changing event I predicted. A better experience is a regular taco and Doritos on the side. Sorry, kids.
**On April 28th, I celebrate my birthday with the release of the Top 50 Most Beautiful Women in the World list. 2012 will be no exception as work is already underway in determining who are the hottest of the hot. I cannot wait to reveal the sexiest blog of the year on April 28th.
CHEERS and JEERS
Superstar of the Week: Tiger Woods
After three years, Tiger Woods is officially back. On Sunday, March 25th, Tiger Woods won the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida by five strokes in his final tune-up before the 2012 Masters. It was Tiger’s first victory since September 2009. His 72nd career PGA Tour victory came 924 days, 108 tournaments, and 72 different winners since his previous win at the BMW Championship. More importantly though, it was Woods’ first victory since the Thanksgiving 2009 car accident that led to scandal, a divorce, loads to porn stars and Waffle House waitresses coming out of the woodworks, and a freefall the likes of which we have never witnessed in American sports.
I am glad to Tiger Woods playing competitive golf again. A win for Tiger Woods is a win for golf. With the Masters less than two weeks away, Tiger Woods looking like the Tiger Woods of old (even for only a day) is a huge draw for a major event that does not need extra drawing power. I don’t believe Woods is the favorite to win. It is not a Tiger vs. the field situation. However, even struggling last year, Tiger was in contention late in Augusta. It will be nice to see Woods as a legit contender heading into the first major of 2012. A trip to Victory Lane did wonders not only for Tiger Woods but also for golf itself.
Jerk of the Week: George Zimmerman
The murder of 17-year old Trayvon Martin has captured the attention of the nation. On February 26th, Martin was walking home from a convenience store when Zimmerman shot and killed the young man. Zimmerman, a member of the neighborhood watch, claimed that Martin looked suspicious and lately claimed self-defense as justifications for the murder of the young man. Allegations of racial motivations and police misconduct have flourished since the murder because Sanford, Florida police have still yet to arrest Zimmerman for the murder.
I am not going to play the race card in this tragedy. Lord knows it has been played enough. This story remains a hot button topic because of the racial tension that comes with the murder of a black man by someone outside of the black race. The reality, in my eyes, is that race is a secondary issue. The real injustice is that this young man was murdered by a trigger-happy individual thinking of himself as Dirty Harry. Then, the police did not even slap Zimmerman on the wrist. Zimmerman is still a free man as of this minute. That, THAT, is the real cause for concern. George Zimmerman could have murdered anyone at that moment. Granted, I highly doubt this story would be a national story without the racial tension serving as the spark plug for debate. However, the truth is that Zimmerman could have and would have killed anyone in that position. He was a man looking for power in his life who found it behind the barrel of his gun. Justice for Trayvon Martin will only come with the arrest of his murderer. Race has nothing to do with a case of unjustified murder going unpunished.
POWER RANKINGS - Top Five Matches That SHOULD Take Place at WrestleMania XXVIII
5. Zack Ryder vs. Kane - Extreme Rules (Kane injured Ryder. Ryder should seek revenge and not a bit part on Team Teddy.)
4. Kofi Kingston vs. R-Truth vs. Justin Gabriel vs. Santino Marella vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Jack Swagger vs. The Miz vs. Mark Henry vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Alberto Del Rio - Money in the Bank Ladder match (A 12-man tag belongs at the Survivor Series. Money in the Bank belongs at WrestleMania.)
3. Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho (Orton punted Jericho in the head in 2010. That’s why Jericho disappeared. Shouldn’t Jericho want revenge for losing a year of his career?)
2. The Undertaker vs. NOBODY (If he can not do anything physically to help build a meaningful feud, The Undertaker should not be a part of WrestleMania. It’s over. Go away.)
1. CM Punk vs. Triple H (Punk should have stayed gone for months with the WWE title. Triple H should have never forced Punk to return or killed his momentum with Kevin Nash’s involvement. Their match from September should be happening now. The anticipation would be at a fever pitch.)
BIG A RECOMMENDS…
Battle Royale - currently available on DVD
With The Hunger Games phenomenon at fever pitch, America finally has the first official release of one of the greatest films in Japanese cinema history as Battle Royale was released in the United States. Many critics of The Hunger Games state the similarities between both The Hunger Games and Battle Royale: children killing children for the amusement of adults, an all-powerful government, and the downfall of society. While I do not deny the similarities, I also do not allow the similarities to stop me from enjoying one on their own merits. After all, criticisms of Battle Royale can occur just as easily. The concept of an all-powerful government and people killing each other for the amusement of the public come from films like The Running Man or Death Race 2000 and novels like The Price of Peril. So, for everybody complaining about The Hunger Games being a “Battle Royale rip-off,” I simply say SHUT YOUR MOUTH! Everything, if you look hard enough, is a rip-off of something else. Just enjoy the movies and be quiet.
As for my recommendation, I have loved Battle Royale since I got my copy shipped in from Korea in 2004. The movie is outstanding. Violent, bloody, comical, over-the-top, Battle Royale is a very fun trip into a very bleak world. The performances of Masanobu Ando, as the psychopath transfer student Kazuo Kiriyama, and Takeshi Kitano, as the teacher/games master Kitano, are well worth the price of the DVD alone. For everybody that loves The Hunger Games, I encourage you to find Battle Royale and give it a watch. It is a fun film with all the violence that a PG-13 rating forced The Hunger Games to omit and subtitles to boot.
WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEK…
Racism will never die in this country.
As I said earlier, George Zimmerman deserves to go to prison for the murder of 17-year old Trayvon Martin. The Sanford, Florida police department has done nothing to Zimmerman since the shooting because they believe that the shooting was in self-defense. It is a ridiculous story and one that needs correction immediately. However, I believe that Zimmerman needs to go to prison and pay for the murder of a 17-year old man. I do NOT believe this was a racial-motivated crime. George Zimmerman wanted to feel special, carried a big gun, and played John Wayne in his neighborhood. Trayvon Martin paid the price for Zimmerman’s inadequacies as a man.
The media have taken this story and turned it into a story about race more than murder. The usual suspects who come out in cases where the race card gets played are out in full force as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have appeared in Florida calling for justice. The Black Panthers have placed a bounty on the head of George Zimmerman (a bounty that Roger Goodell does not support). Geraldo Rivera is blaming hoodies for Martin’s death. The entire story has turned into a tale of racial injustice first and cold-blooded murder second.
I cannot speak from the point of view of African Americans. I have not and will not suffer the injustices African Americans have suffered through in the history of racist America. However, in looking at this story, I cannot help but think how race is not the motivating factor for outrage in this case. This young man was murdered in cold blood. Then, Zimmerman got away with it under the guise of self-defense. People like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are using this as another place to play the race card and it sickens me. They should be crying foul about the murder of a young man, not a young black man, going without punishment. However, if Trayvon Martin were any other race, they would be nowhere near this case. The men who say they are for equality are the first to play the race card whenever it is most opportune. As ignorant as it is to judge another man, woman, or child by the color of his/her skin, it is equally ignorant to play that race card in a place it does not belong.
George Zimmerman needs to go to prison for the murder of 17-year old Trayvon Martin; not because it was a racially motivated crime as the media and the carnival barkers would have you believe, because he killed a young man in cold blood. That, above all else, is the main point of this story and it is ignored with every passing minute.
RIP Trayvon Martin. You deserve justice… justice I fear you’ll never get.
- Aaron Goins
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