Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Warning: No sports ahead. I'm taking one blog off, or trying to, after days of nothing but negative energy coming through the inbox. You can guess why..

Are you watching any of NBC's new shows? I always root for them; we need a few more hits.

Here's my take so far:

Journeyman: Compelling lead actor, well made, but I just have trouble watching anyone not named Marty McFly go back and forth in time (though if you know a woman who loves sentimental, romantic stories, you can't go wrong with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour in Somewhere in Time). I'll give Journeyman another go, but I'm not sure I'll last...

Life: After the incomparable Band of Brothers, I'd watch Damian Lewis in a Ramen noodles commercial. This is a quirky show, and needs a better title, but I'm all in for Life...

Bionic Woman: good reviews, big hit, so I wanted to like it, but just couldn't get into it. As a kid, I watched the Bionics in wide-eyed amazement, but now I just roll my eyes. I miss Lindsay Wagner and Lee Majors...

Chuck: If you can suspend all disbelief, this is a very entertaining show. Anytime you have a guy managing the "Nerd Herd" at "Buy More", and he suddenly downloads all the government's top secrets into his brain, you're in for a wild ride. It's better than it sounds...

That's it. Only four new shows. I like that strategy better than throwing a bunch of crap at the wall to see what sticks, which is what NBC used to do. Oh yeah, Friday Night Lights and 30 Rock start this week. If you're one of the "dozens and dozens" of people already watching, thank you. If not, get on board. These shows make me believe in the power of television to both inspire and make us laugh...

I'm currently reading John Grisham's Playing for Pizza. It's no Firm, but so far I like it. It's the story of an NFL football player so humiliated by his post-season choke-job, he moves to Parma and plays for an Italian team with a bunch of guys who live up to the title of the book. Anytime someone relearns love of the game, I'm a sucker. It's one reason Jerry Maguire is so high on my movie list...

Interesting health book came my way recently titled "Eat Stop Eat". The author is a respected nutritionist who says losing weight is easy, and you don't have to give up any of your favorite foods. His answer: fasting one day a week. He makes a compelling argument with many documented health benefits, but it's not for me. I believe it would work, but I need my daily feedings every day. If you're interested, there's an online version at http://www.eatstopeat.com/

Just picked up Bruce Springsteen's Magic. I walked into the store during an Ed Wilson verified downpour, but nothing was stopping me on release day. Reviews are beyond good. USA Today gives Magic 4 stars on a 4 star scale, Rolling Stone 5 out of 5, Entertainment Weekly grades it an A and uses the M-word: Masterpiece. I've only played it once, but it took me back to high school. It's classic Springsteen along with a fully engaged E Street Band...

Just watched The Insider again. What a phenomenal, yet somehow mostly overlooked movie. Russell Crowe and Al Pacino couldn't be better. This belongs along side All The President's Men...

I bought We Are Marshall on DVD. I liked it even more on second viewing. My father finds Matthew McConaughey really annoying, but even dad liked him in this. I'll bet Bobby Bowden loves this movie, and after seeing it, you'll love Bowden---or at least respect him...

My father and I went to see In the Valley of Elah at the theater. Riveting. You bible readers know the title comes from where David battled Goliath. This is not an action movie, it's more like a murder mystery and commentary on the mental and moral price some soldiers pay for going to war in Iraq. Tommy Lee Jones is the best he's ever been, and that's saying something (see: Fugitive or Lonesome Dove). Charlize Theron is unrecognizable, but proves again the Oscar was no fluke. The gal can act. A-

Did you make it to the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus this year? You know how they claimed it was all new and improved? They were right. Big upgrade. Kids loved it, especially those nutbars in the motorcycle sphere...

Another hit with the kids: Charlotte's Web at the Des Moines Playhouse. If you have a kid 10 & under, you can't go wrong. Plus, if your kids are like mine, they could use a few minutes away from the computer and video games, to see something that's actually live!...

If there's a nicer guy working in the Major Leagues than Tim McClelland, I haven't met him... (oops, that was kind of sports. I better stop now. I can't contain myself.)

Thanks for reading.
Keith

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Isn't the player from the state of Iowa in that book? I remember somebody talking about it and saying that he was thinking about having his character from the state of Iowa.

Keith Murphy said...

Good point. I should have mentioned that. Yes, the central character, Rick Dockery, played football for the Iowa Hawkeyes and calls Davenport home.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you're one of the few people I know of who likes "Friday Night Lights", Keith.

I'm not sure why, but most of my friends and co-workers seem to think the show is stupid, but I really enjoy it. Maybe it's because I'm more of a sports fanatic than any of them.

It's not an NBC show, but do you ever watch HOUSE? That show is great.

-Jt

Keith Murphy said...

JT,

I do watch "House". It's on my TiVo list. Hugh Laurie owns that role, and it's hard to believe he's faking an American accent, and he's the dad in Stuart Little.

Keith

Anonymous said...

I'll blog about sports.....

In response to your question on if Holliday was safe or out, the real question that needs to be asked is did Barrett get into fistacuffs with the right fielder for not getting the ball there sooner or just a little higher so he could have caught it with ease??

Anonymous said...

Keith,

I have to agree with you. Hugh Laurie does own that role. It really is hard to believe he's putting on an American accent.

I was forced to watch "Stuart Little" with my girlfriend and I'm just not fond of seeing him playing as anything other than a sarcastic villian type. He's a phenomenal actor, though.

Anonymous said...

Keith,

Maybe you've already mentioned before when Friday Night Lights first came on tv, but if not, the book is awesome. I had to read it for a class in college.

I just got Playing for Pizza, but haven't started it yet.

GO CUBS!

Anonymous said...

Keith,

Do you have any predictions for the MLB Playoffs?

Last night Josh Beckett looked solid and untouchable and I was impressed. I look forward to seeing what the Red Sox do and hopefully watch the Yankees crumble.

I'd like to see the Cubs do some damage in the National League. My Braves didn't make it, but that was expected. It'd be nice to see Chicago vs Boston in the World Series.

-Jt

Anonymous said...

If the Colorado Rockies don't win the World Series, I will shoot myself in the nads 10 or 11 times at point blank range with a BB gun.

Anonymous said...

Let me be the first to say that you're going to be in an enormous amount of pain, buddy.

The winner of the World Series is going to come from the American League. There is no question about that.

-Jt

Anonymous said...

Come on Rockies!!!!

Anonymous said...

It's a great feeling when I see the Yankees crumble as hoped and expected.

I think it's ridiculous for Joe Torre to most likely be losing his job after he's done great things for that organization in his 12 years.

I am hoping to see A-Rod leave, though. I'm a Red Sox fan and a die hard Mike Lowell fan, but if we let him walk, it'd be a nice add if we could somehow get A-Rod to sign with us.

I'm just hoping now Boston can handle Cleveland, they are looking hot.

Diamondbacks over Rockies in 5.

- Jt