Murphy's Law

Hello again, hello. I'll start with movie reviews, but nothing from the Jazz Singer.

"Hoax". Who knew? Richard Gere really can act. Intriguing true story of a guy who bluffs his way into the biggest book advance of the time. Indisputable proof that if you act as if you belong, most people will believe you, even if you're falsely claiming to have Howard Hughes' autobiography. Nothing about inappropriate kissing. B


"Reign Over Me". Who knew? Adam Sandler can act. This movie about the post-traumatic stress of 9/11 is both funny and heartbreaking. It also features great music by The Who, Springsteen, and Pearl Jam. Uneven but unforgettable. Bring tissues. A-


"Fracture". Who knew? Anthony Hopkins can act. Everyone knew. Hopkins at his slimy, condescending best and Ryan Gosling again proving there's life after The Notebook. These two make a decent movie very good. Did you see "Primal Fear"? It's a lot like that. See if you can figure out the big twist. B+

Saw two of those movies in Kansas City with Jenny. You can't beat The Plaza for a weekend getaway, especially if you Priceline a hotel, only window shop, and remember to go see the Royals. It's too bad the Royals no longer have any shot at a winning season because Kauffman Stadium is great place for baseball...

How long does Greg McDermott need to review Mike Taylor's conduct?...

Last time out I mentioned baseball couldn't get more backed up at Raccoon Valley Little League. WRONG. Since writing that, Noah started building an ark out there...

How can the Cubs spend so much money and start so poorly? It's not the year...

If you've ever dreamed of taking swings at Principal Park, you can do it Monday night. All you need is a ticket and some nerve. Anyone who wants to can sign a waiver and get in the box. Show up between 4:30 and 6 pm...

I think it's easy to take for granted how fortunate we are to have the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines. I took in two day games last week and that's just a fantastic facility. Every upgrade works...

Same could be said---should be said---for the Drake Relays. Bravo...

I interviewed the beautiful and talented Lolo Jones tonight. Lolo is a Des Moines Roosevelt grad who just won the U.S. Indoor 60 meter hurdles championship. I like Lolo even more after she hit me with the "Blue Steel". She knows "Zoolander" is brilliant, not stupid, which means Lolo is not only fast, she's quick...

As required by sportscaster law, I went to Peggy's to celebrate the Relays. Yes, I paid my respects to the Godfather, John Walters. You stay on the good side of the man who can have any person removed at anytime...

I have Andy Garman to thank for buying me an outrageously priced $5 beer. Thank you, Andy. This almost makes up for the time I paid for Andy's Steak-N-Shake order in Indianapolis. That dude can eat...

Andy Fales had Shawn and me laughing so hard we nearly fell down. He was recalling a story he did for our newscast when he first started about an Olympic trainer. Through an unfortunate miscue, the only portion of Andy's report that aired was the trainer massaging Andy's thigh. The video just froze with the guy's hand inside the bottom of Andy's shorts. It was all harmless, but left Andy paler than Nicole Kidman. He was sweating on air like Albert Brooks in Broadcast News or Patrick Ewing at the free throw line...

Did you read Gregg Doyel's column at CBSsportsline.com? Brace yourself Hawkeye fans:

Todd Lickliter, Iowa: I'm stifling a yawn, but don't look at me like that -- competing Big Ten coaches are even ruder. They're stifling laughter. Lickliter was perfect at Butler. I mean, perfect. He was an alumnus, he was liked, and he was as dynamic as he needed to be to recruit in the Horizon League. At Iowa? Wrong guy, wrong place, wrong time. The Hawkeyes need a charisma infusion to restock a program that had slipped under Alford. Lickliter, who has never worked for a bigger league than the Horizon, doesn't have it.

It's one guy's opinion, and I disagree. I think Lickliter is the right man at the right time. Just don't expect much this season. His cupboard's as bare as the one McDermott opened at ISU...

Rick Majerus accepts the head coaching job at St. Louis?! Wonder when he'll back out of that. I'll never forget calling him about rumors he'd succeed Johnny Orr at ISU. Majerus said he'd almost do it just to eat that Bar-B-Que at Hickory Park...

I finally started watching Seinfeld on DVD. That show is actually funnier than I remember, and I thought it was darn funny. It's interesting to see on DVD because it reminds you that a minute or two is chopped out of episodes in syndication. I don't know what got into Kramer on stage, but man is he a riot on this show...

Can't knock Dr. McDreamy. Patrick Dempsey seemed like a nice guy at the Iowa Speedway and found time for his fans. All of them female. I hate that a guy in his forties has hair like that. (note: Bachman's in his fifties)...

Local blues band, Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts, will appear live on SoundOFF. These guys can really play. Go to www.mattwoodsmusic.com to listen...