the press box Blog

The Vatican just released a new statement on the possibility of alien life in the Universe.  Basically it says it's okay to believe in E.T.'s and that believe doesn't contradict one's faith in God or Christ.    The story is everywhere.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080513/ap_on_re_eu/va
tican_aliens

What does this mean to you?

It's movie time!

Before I get to the summer blockbusters, let me give you some quick reviews of my recent trips to the silverscreen.

-Ironman.  Robert Downey Jr. saves the day and becomes a box office hero.  I've always liked this guy and I'm happy that he's happy.  Not your typical superhero tale. The good guy is really a bad boy who turns over a new leaf when his life's at risk from his own creation of wmd's.  The bad guy is not a super villain, but good ole USA weaponery in the wrong hands.  Most moviegoers and critics missed that politico message.   Good fun and it stays true to the comic book lore.  Stick around til the end of the credits for the sequel setup.

-Speed Racer.  It didn't make money at the box office the first weekend and that's ironic because in the movie there's a line from Speed about racing isn't about making money!  I loved the cartoon as a kid waking up early before school to watch each and every episode( Marine Boy too.)  The critics panned this film, but I enjoyed it.  Visually it's amazing.  The plot had to be explained in long form which makes for a long movie, but it stayed true to the 'toon and had some moments that brought back memories and a smile.  Remember when you see this, it's like a cartoon so the racing scenes aren't supposed to look "real."  And really folks, what movie with chimps doesn't make you laugh?  

Go Speed Racer!

-The Forbidden Kingdom.  Everybody was Kung Fu fighting! Jackie Chan, Jet Li and two very attractive actresses,  Liu Yi Fei and Lie Bing Bing kick, jump, kick and jump again.  The usual excellence in martial arts choreography and some beautiful location scenes.   Don't feel bad if you missed it.  Worth a Saturday night in front of your high def tv.

-Baby Mama.  Huge Tina Fey fan.  Funniest chick in the biz(watch 30 Rock).  Again reviews were not great but I really liked this movie.  Several funny and laugh out loud moments.   I went in not knowing who was in the flick, besides Fey and Amy Poehler, so I was surprised by Steve Martin and Greg Kinnear.   Martin turns in a classic performance and Kinnear is always solid.   Strongly suggest you see this movie as it continues to linger in the box office top 5.

Okay, now to the movies I can't wait for this summer.

-The Dark Knight.  The Joker as he should be.  A totally insane and murderously maniacal villain.  I suggest you read "The Killing Joke"  before seeing this movie.  Heath Ledger's lasting legacy.

"Wait'll they get a load of me!"

-Hell Boy II.  Remember when Ron Perlman was "The Beast?"  The first movie was so original.  One of the best of 2004 and a brilliant escape film from genius director Guillermo del Toro.

-Tropic Thunder.  Downey Jr. will make you forget he's Ironman.  Ben Stiller never disapoints me. I've forgiven him for "Mystery Men."  Blue Steel!

-Hancock.  Once again Big Will comes to the rescue near the 4th of July holiday.   The trailer is all the buzz and looks good.  Big fan of Jason Bateman.

Prove it to me:

-Indiana Jones and the yada, yada, yada, skull something or other.  The ending of the 3rd one was perfect with our hero riding off into the sunset.  Why take a chance at ruining it?  Note to Harrison Ford, it wasn't fun watching Sean Connery play 007 at the age of 53 so why should it be fun watching you play "Indy" at 65?

-Get Smart.  Steve Carell was hilarious as "Brick" in "Anchorman",  charming in "The 40-yr Old Virgin",  Oscar worthy in "Little Miss Sunshine", not so good in "Evan Almighty" and I have yet to see "Dan In Real Life."    I'm a big "Smart" fan and so are a lot of other children of the '60's.  His "Office" persona is so overwhelming that I'm just not sure he can pull of a role that won Don Adams 3 Emmy's.  If he doesn't put his mark on this role, "Kaos" will ensue.

The Dark Horse:

-Wall.E.  Pixar hasn't bombed yet.  I saw the trailer and I have to admit, I might sneak into this one.  Did I say that?

Wait for HBO debut:

-You Don't Mess with the Zohan.   Another Adam Sandler flick.  "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry", "Click", and  "The Longest Yard."  Need I go on?  Why should he?  I'd rather watch dvd's of "Happy Gilmore" and "Billy Madison." It may surprise, but I doubt it.  Maybe he'll get in a fight with Drew Carey. (Bob Barker reference)

-The Incredible Hulk.  I'll watch only if they play that sad, walking away music they used in the tv series.  Oh, and if Edward Norton goes all "Fight Club" on Brad Pitt.   The first rule of "Fight Club"....you know the drill.

-Sex and the City.  Wasn't this on HBO to begin with.  That's where it belongs!   What next, a "Soprano's" movie?  How bout, "Curb" or "Flight of the Conchords" or really old school, "Dream On."   I wouldn't mind seeing a "Larry Sanders" reunion.   HEY NOW!

-Narnia.  I've seen this before.  It was called "The Lord of the Rings!"     Precious!

Enjoy the popcorn!  And please silence your cell phones.

Your local nine is on a tear lately with some late inning heroics.   Lance Berkman is playing like an MVP and the rest of the offense is scoring just enough runs to make you forget about the team's still shaky starting rotation and bullpen.

Most importantly, they're back above .500 and within reach of first place.

Question is: Are the Astros really that good(beating the Nats and Brewers at home should be expected) or is this team building up false hope?

At least they're peeking our interests.

Former UH RB Anthony Alridge (Fox26 blogger) wasn't drafted but he did sign as a free agent with the Denver Broncos.

All the best Quick!

One things for sure, Texans fans are hungry for a winner!   I was at Draft Day at Reliant Stadium and there was an impressive showing of fans and friends.   Heck, folks were even tailgating!

However the good times were dampened a bit for a few Texans when Team 32 drafted offensive tackle Duane Brown of Virginia Tech.  The reaction we got was mixed.  Some didn't know who Brown was, others were looking for more of an impact player and some a few with sports knowledge put their trust in Gary and Rick.

I happen to think it's a solid choice with potential, although I was a big fan of RB Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois. 

The Texans made up in the RB category when they picked West Virginia's Steve Slaton on day two.  Jury's still out on this kid labeled by many scouts as a "one dimensional"  outside rusher.

It will be interesting to see if the two db's picked (molden and barber) on day two will help the team sooner than later.

And of course I'm a huge fan of Washington State QB Alex Brink.  He's no Drew Bledsoe and he's not Ryan Leaf, but he did end up as Wazzu's leading passer in yards and TD's.  The kid is tough and his guts will make him a fan favorite...if he makes the team.

Grade C+ 

Greetings Earthlings,

There have been a lot of blogging on Global Warming/Climate Change lately.   I was surfing the net and found this item.

The Ten Commandments of Mother Earth:

I. Thou shalt love and honour the Earth for it blesses thy life and governs thy survival.

There's a big showdown Saturday night and I'm not talking about Game One between the Rockets and Jazz.

It's in the ring between Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe.   Both of these guys mean business and i expect this to be the fight of the year (so far).

Calzaghe is from Great Britain and promises to prove himself the best boxer pound for pound.   The super middleweight champ says, "I'm going to kick his butt in front of all his fans.  I'll smash him to pieces and show everyone just how good I really am."

Dems fighting words!

The 41yr old Hopkins is a legend and future HOFer.  "The Executioner"  always brings his Philly flavor to the squared circle.  He's won his last two fights, beating Winky Wright and Antonio Tarver for the light heavyweight title.

I watched a preview to this bout and let me tell ya, it's gonna be a donny brook in Sin City!

It's not TV.  It's HBO.

Shout out to all boxing aficionado's,  who ya got?

The other night the Astros got a tremendous performance from  starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez.

After the game,  manager Cecil Cooper said Wa-Rod had great "mound presence."

Meaning he had great command on the hill, he was in control of his game and he knew what to throw in certain situations to certain hitters.

That night in my sports minute I joked my date said I had great "mound presence"  as a wink and a nod to Cooper's analysis.

The story was made up.  It was a joke!  It got a good laugh from the studio, and yet I caught some grief for it.  Some folks have dirty minds.   

Which got me to thinking.....some people need to Lighten UP!

(Actually I'm more offended that I haven't had a date in months!)

Yours truly,
Lenny Bruce

Did ya hear that  "The Simpsons"  are back on the air in Caracas, Venezuela?

Apparently the station there lifted the show from it's 11-am time slot because it "violated regulations"  aimed at protecting children.

So, after some thought, the station has put Bart, Homer, Marge and Mr. Burns back on the air....at 7pm.

In it's old 11am time slot?

Baywatch Hawaii!

D'oh!

Seems like Astros SS Miguel Tijada is two years older than we all thought he was! He admitted to lying about his age when he first came up to the majors.   Now this is a common practice among Latino ballplayers.  For Tejada it was a quicker way out of his poverty stricken home in the DR. The actual age of many Latin American players is an inside joke around many major league clubhouses.

At least he's not this dude,

Danny Almonte lied about his age and was busted during the Little League World Series.  He said he was 12 and had false documentation to back it up.  Come to find out later that he was actually 14.  His team had to forfeit their wins and a third place finish.  His performance, including a perfect game, was erased from the record books.

No such punishment for Tejada, but he let this coast for how many years?  C'mon Miguel, you coulda let this cat out of the bag a long time ago.  Shaddy, but nothing to be ashamed of.

Besides he's off to a youthful start this season.

When's the last time you lied about your age and why?

Houston honored another sports legend the other night.  Hakeem Olajuwon forever immortalized in front of Toyota Center.

The Dream joins Biggio and Bagwell in front of Minute Maid.....

and the Texans have the Bull guarding Reliant Stadium...

Who else deserves a statue in Htown?

Big Ups and congrats to Crystle Stewart of Fort Bend County. After winning Miss Texas USA, she came on FOX Sports Xtra and got some FOX 26 karma for the Miss USA Pageant in Las Vegas.

Well, the karma worked (and she doesn't look shabby in a swimsuit or evening gown) and she won the title!

Here she is....Miss USA!

Forget about the Big Dance, here's my final four in sports couples.

Who are your winners?

Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian.

Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo.

Tom Brady and Gisselle.

Tiger and Elin.

Posh and Becks.

You Make the Call.

When I stepped into Reliant Stadium I could hardly recognize the joint.   The transformation team did a great job in turning a football stadium into a basketball arena.

The media seats were awesome!  I have never been so close to the team's bench.  I had to dodge some of Tom Izzo's spit as he chewed out his players.  It was almost uncomfortable being so close, I felt I was eavesdropping on private conversations.

The atmosphere outside was missing the "buzz" of a big event,  but the scene inside made up for that.  Tracy McGrady, Magic Johnson, Sage Rosenfels, Amobi Okoye and Steve Mariuchi  were the celebs I sighted.  How did "Mooch" get better seats than Magic?

Longhorns fans dominated the crowd, but it was cool to see the smattering of Memphis Blue in the ocean of Burnt Orange Friday night.

Aside from some crazy NCAA rules (you had to drink your beverage in the "official cup" of the Tournament)  it was a cool experience.   And that's not even counting Sunday's game.

If you were able to attend the game, let me know your impressions of the action, arena and atmosphere.

Spring is in the air and so is Mr. Spaulding.

My bold picks for October:

AL East: Red Sox.

AL Central: Cleveland.

AL West: Angels.

WC: Mariners.

American League Pennant: Mariners over Red Sox.

NL East: Atlanta.

NL Central: Cubs.

NL West: Dodgers.

WC: Mets.

National League Pennant: Dodgers over Braves.

World Series: Mariners over Dodgers.

Play Ball!