Connecticut Shooting

My condolences and prayers to the families of the victims of the recent shooting in Connecticut. 

"I Wish I Was James Bond"

With Skyfall's America release here is a little tribute someone put together set to Scouting for Girl's "I Wish I Was James Bond". I love how the song sounds like its from the point-of-view of a 12-yr old who is watching James Bond with lines like "Kissin' all the girls, blow the bad guys away."

As for Skyfall? Great movie. Javier Bardem is a great villain and the cinematography is amazing. Probably the most beautifully shot Bond movie. Judi Dench also gives a great performance.

Here is the trailer:

Les Miserables International Trailer

We finally get to hear Russell Crowe sing. Seems to be straining a bit with "One Day More". Though that could be a result of their use of "live singing". 

Being a Tom Hooper movie the historical sets look amazing. 

Addams Family Musical

Saw the Addams Family musical yesterday a month or so ago. It was pretty funny though the plot was kinda mediocre. After having seen Christina Ricci's (amazing) sadistic deadpan take on Wednesday it was kind of odd seeing her go into love mode.

The songs were fun and okay. Few were what I would call classics but they were fun to listen to and watch. My favorites were probably "When You're an Addams", "Pulled", and "Happy/Sad". "When You're an Addams" is classic Addams Family. Aside from that and a bizarre song around the table, not much I can remember.
However, if any song has a chance of outgrowing its broadway origins and becoming a standard on its own right its the one performed by Gomez to Wednesday, "Happy/Sad".
Here it is, performed by the actor I saw, Douglas Sills, with Cortney Wolfson as Wednesday.

THIS is why I love musicals. Take a plot -any plot. A plot about 19th century Russian Jews, a Beast living in a castle, or a strange, bizarre, pseudo-undead family and give it the right song (or songs) and you have something that speaks to all of us.

Look at the lyrics:

"I'm feeling happy, I'm feeling sad.

A little childish, a little Dad.

I think of all the days you've known.

All the ways you've grown.

See you on you're own, and then

I'm happy and sad again."

For some reason, I just love that verse.

So, is it worth the price of admission? Not sure about that. Maybe the soundtrack on iTunes, or at least the songs "Pulled", "When You're an Addams", and, definitely, "Happy/Sad".

UPDATE: I should note, I found the above video on youtube, I did not record it.

Day 3 at the Olympics

Swimming: The "Star-Spangled Banner" played twice today for the US with Missy Franklin and Matt Grevers taking the Gold in the Women's and Men's 100m Backstroke. America's Thoman and Soni won the Silver in the Men's 100m Backstroke and the Women's 200m Breaststroke, respectively. All leaving the US with 4 medals in swimming today, 2 Golds, 2 Silvers. Agnel's France had another win, getting the Gold in the Men's 200m Freestyle. Japan won 3 medals, all Bronze, in the Women's and Men's 100m Backstroke and the Women's 200m Breaststroke.
Tomorrow's Swimming finals will be the Women's 200m Freestyle with Missy and Schmitt, the Men's 200m Butterfly with Clary and Phelps, 200m IM with Leverenz and Kukors. US will also be competing in the morning for a qualification in the 4x200 Meter freestyle Relay

Gymnastics: The US Men's came in 5th today, not getting a medal, while the Chinese won the Gold with Japan getting the Silver and Great Britain the Bronze. Tomorrow at 11:30 (EST) the US Women's Team plays with Jordan Wieber, giving her a second chance after failing to get into the Individual All-Around.

Basketball: (Will Update Later after US v. Angola game)

No Soccer games today but tomorrow the US will play the PRK in Women's Soccer at 12:15pm.

Day 2: France's Swim Team has good day; American underdog gives Chinese a good sweat in Table Tennis

France's Swim team had a good day winning a gold medal in the Men's Freestyle Relay and another one in the Women's 400m Freestyle.

The US secured one with Dana Volmer.

But the US beat France at Men's Basketball.


Now, one story that picquet my interest was the story of Ariel Hsing, a 16-year old girl from California playing Table Tennis* for Team USA. After defeated a world champ in her second Ms. Hsing, Ranking 115th worldwide, played her 3rd round and went up against the "second-seeded" player and 24-year veteran of the game, Li Xiaoxiao. A very mis-matched game and she did lose, but she lost after 6 rather close games in the match. If you are going to lose a game, at least make your opponent sweat. And it appears she did.
She will be going back home after this but she said she may want to come back in 4 years. So I'd keep an eye on her.
Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_21187713/mark-purdy-san-joses-ariel-hsing-makes-most

Post-script: The US has never won an Olympic medal in Table Tennis while the Chinese are the undisputed masters. The Men's singles player Timothy Wang lost yesterday. The Women's Team plays later this week, not sure who will be on it. . . yet.

Congrats to all the members of Team USA. If you ever read this. not matter



*Table tennis=Fancy name for ping-pong

US Olympics, Day 1 (or is it Day 2?)

First there was the Opening Ceremony. Pretty good, over-the-top, but what Opening Ceremony isn't?
For me the highlight of the opening ceremony was watching James Bond and the Queen. Wow, just wow.


In the games today, US and Colombia played and Abby Wambach was apparently "hit" in the face. Here is the video:

The more I look at it the more it looks intentional but I haven't played soccer since elementary school, so, I'm probably not the best judge.
The US won the game by the way, 3-0 with Abby Wambach scoring the second goal after the hit. 


Michael Phelps finished in 4th Place in the 400m IM with Ryan Lochte winning the Gold.


Kazakhstan's Vinokourov came out to win the Men's Cycling Road Race.


France beat North Korea in Women's soccer 5-0. 
Our girls already played France Wednesday winning 4-2 and will play North Korea on July 31st.




Tomorrow:
   -Women's Cycling Road Race at 630, airing on NBC
   -Tennis continues at 630, airing on Bravo
   -US plays France at 930, airing on NBC Sports


Once the Olympics are over, we'll be back to our irregularly scheduled stuff on movies and what-not.


GO TEAM USA!