Tom Cruise Grants Blogger Interview

Yesterday, Paramount released War of the Worlds. Mr. Tom Cruise is currently on a promotional tour for the film so 21st Century Paladin was extremely fortunate to have one of Hollywood’s biggest stars agree to an interview.

After his recent controversial comments on the Today Show, his publicist, Ms. Pat Kingsley, advised against the interview but after I promised that my Uncle Sidney’s daughter would play the harp at the upcoming Cruise-Holmes wedding. She consented.

However, I did have to sign an agreement stating I would not ask any questions about his height, his weight, his eating habits, his false teeth, his platform shoes, his bizarre conspiracy theories or his hair. Everything else was fair game.

Movie: Batman Begins

I was told to expect something different from the standard Bat-fare. Perhaps it was the switch to Christopher Nolan (Momento) from Burton and Schumacher. So even though Marvel signed off on the project, Batman Begins was more an early biography than comic book tale.

The story began with a young Bruce Wayne living in his palatial mansion with his family. The story shouldn’t be new to anyone so when his parents are murdered, it isn’t so much a shock as a let’s-see-how-Bruce-copes thoughtline. It’s a gritty and cold world where Bruce undergoes his rebirth, but one that helps you see why he can’t help but be a solitary figure.

For the first time I watched a movie in an IMAX theatre and I must say the sound and imagery were superb. My only complaint was that I was too close to the screen. During closeups I couldn’t help but notice every imperfection on every face. Next time I’ll arrive earlier.

The plot unfolds well with only a bit a traversing and the characters play their roles adequately. But compared to Batman movies of the past, this one goes past the action and conflict to help us better understand the person behind the black mask. And that, is a good thing.

7.5 out of 10

25 Greatest Americans, Supposedly

I just love lists, rankings, charts, tables, graphs and all that stuff. So naturally I’m drawn to the quantifying of America’s greatest resources… our people.

Before getting to the list, we’ve got to remember that political correctness is a disease of the mind and has spread to the four corners of our great land. The Discovery Channel is no exception. But what is this? These weren’t their choices?!? A vote you say? I’m aghast. But really, maybe I’m not.

How would I rank them if I were czar? Well, for one thing, I’d only vote for people whose efforts benefited America not merely themselves. There goes Oprah, Lance Armstrong and Muhammed Ali. Even though Gates has given great amounts of money to charity, others have given more (R.G. LeTourneau).

But heck, if it were up to me the list would likely be full of amazing individuals that no one had ever heard of. Maybe the list should be full of the names of our soldiers. People who are paying the ultimate price for our country.

Bogut Leads the 2005 NBA Draft

Now that the draft is over and the teams have their players, what of those devastated souls who came out early to find that nobody would play with them?

Being a Kentucky fan, I could have counseled Azubuike and Morris better than whoever it was that gave them their “free” advice. Forde has it right when he writes:

You guys could have been part of a 2006 national championship contender at the University of Kentucky – maybe even the preseason No. 1 team. Instead you wake up today as young men without a team, or a grasp on your dream.

Even the NBA owners did a better job ignoring the hype about”upside.” Instead they selected 11 seniors in the first round, up from 4 the previous year. Maybe they’re starting to catch on?

My only gripe is that no team took a chance on Chuck Hayes. The under-sized power-forward did nothing but win. He took MVP honors at Portsmouth and was on the winning team in the Chicago camp. Here’s hoping Hayes doesn’t give up and can someday make the league.

Update: Oops! I almost forgot to add a link to The Sports Guy’s annual Draft Diary! Always a must read.

Movie: Coach Carter

When I saw the trailer for Coach Carter, I knew immediately that I wanted to see it; not necessarily in a theater but definitely on video. It turns out that it didn’t take long for the movie to take that trip.

I’m a huge fan of basketball. I grew up in Kentucky after all. But other than Hoosiers every single basketball themed movie has disappointed. My hopes were high when I put the DVD into place. Now that it’s over I have to tell Coach Carter, “I’m sorry sir. I know Hoosiers, and you are no Hoosiers.”

First of all, let me say the film did have a few touching moments. Most memorable was when hard-core gangster Cruz came crying into Coach’s arms after his cousin was murdered. But on the whole it was too formulaic. “Troubled kids performing poorly meet strict but inspiring leader who leads them to victory.” Perhaps I’m just getting old, but little surprised me in this film. Yet, if you are a big fan of the game you might enjoy it.

5.5 out of 10

Dojo Info 6/28/05

1. Radiohead’s album OK Computer has been named the best of the past 20 years by US music magazine Spin.
   I’m a huge fan of Radiohead and I absolutely love OK Computer, but top of the last 20? Wow.
2. Opting Out in the Debate on Evolution
   The know-it-all scientists are so fervent in their defense of evolution that they won’t debate it anymore. This despite the fact that not a single transitional fossil has ever been found.
3. How to Disappear Completely
   I know space is becoming precious but this is ridiculous.
4. The Ultimate Basketball Shoe
   “We’ve designed the ultimate sneaker, complete with flat-screen TV and diamond inlays.” Finally!
5. Review: Trivia stump smart search engines
   Ask.com and Answers.com are looking to steal a bit of Google’s pie by answering specific questions better than the leading search engines.

NBA Age to Be ’19′

As I’ve written recently about the Pros and Cons of raising the minimum age limit for entering the NBA, it looks like the increase from 18 to 19 is being met with something less that open arms.

Both Lute Olson and Roy Williams don’t think the change “will have any affect at all.‚Äù Other analysts agree.

The point they seem to be missing is that 19 wasn’t Stern’s target. It was 20. But in the process of haggling with the player’s union I’m sure he thought 19 was a step in the right direction. The move from 19 to 20 is likely to be a goal when this collective bargaining agreement runs out.

If anyone is to blame here it’s the union. Most experts have agreed that there are more early entrants to the NBA who have crashed and burned than there are high-profile players like Kobe and KB who’ve beat the odds so fabulously.

Promoting Suicide Now a Crime in Australia

It’ll cost you about $100 grand if you’ve got a Web site with suicide instructions. Kinda crazy in our day and age that we have to make laws against things that it seems a hundred years ago was common sense. What’s up next? A campaign that cries, “Chopping up kittens for a souffle is wrong!”

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn

I’ve just completed the Memory, Sorrow and Thorn series by Tad Williams and do you know what I think? I think it’s even better than Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

Tolkien blazed a fiery trail for all who would come after him. Now writers like Williams have the opportunity to build on that legacy and create epic tales that capture your imagination while weaving in enough authentic touches that you believe in their story as if you’d been there.

I could write pages about this series but it would all amount to the same thing. If you like grand, expansive stories that pit good-hearted, ordinary people (people like you and me) against the epitome of selfishness encompassed in all the evil trappings, you need to read these books.

There’s little doubt you’ll think it well worth your time.

Let There Be Silence

It seems almost more science-fiction than reality, but it’s an incredible concept that is going to be available for consumers in the near future. No more barking dogs? Crying babies? Where do I sign up?

Freedom of Religion, Not in Vermont

It seems the state government in Vermont is overstepping its bounds because they are not allowing Shawn Byrne to register this vanity plate. I wonder is ALAHRLZ would get the hook as well? Whatever clerk or manager that denied this plate should be ashamed.

The Michelangelo Code?

You’ve heard of the DaVinci Code, now there’s the Michelangelo Code. But it’s not a book, it’s a discovery by some doctors who believe that Michelangelo hid some anatomy secrets in the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling.

I’m not saying they’re wrong but it seems to me to require a bit of imagination. Color me skeptical.

Most Memorable Movie Quotes of All-Time

Much like last week’s Best Movie Scenes Ever, we now have AFI’s Top 100 Movie Quotes.

Looks like they’ve caught most of the big ones. Here’s a few I thought might be included:

• “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.” – It’s a Wonderful Life
• “Just the facts ma’am.” – Dragnet
• “You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. Take the red pill and you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.” – The Matrix
• “It’s good to be the king.” – History of the World Part I
• “It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we’ve got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark, and we’re wearing sunglasses.” – The Blues Brothers

Here are some memorable lines from some of the more pop-culture oriented movies:

• “Alllllllllrightythen.” – Pet Detective
• “Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? Oh, it looks good on you though.” – Caddyshack
• Clark: “I con’t believe you’re actually standing here in my living room Eddie. I never thought the day would come.”
  Eddie: “Yeah, I’m excited about it too.” – Christmas Vacation
• “Yippy-ki-yay mother-fu**a.” – Die Hard
• King Arthur: Now stand aside, worthy adversary.
  The Black Knight: ‘Tis but a scratch.
  King Arthur: A scratch?! Your arm’s off.
  The Black Knight: No it isn’t.
  King Arthur: Then what’s that then.
  The Black Knight: I’ve had worse. – Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• “That’s a fact, Jack.” – Stripes
• “I’ll be your huckleberry.” – Tombstone

By the way, I got a few of these from Useless Movie Quotes. It’s a fun site.

Spurs Take NBA Trophy

Game 7 was a hard-fought battle. End of the first period, Spurs by 2. At the half, Detroit by 1. Third period? All tied up. The difference in the 4th was the Spurs defense. Detroit wasn’t able to get good looks while Duncan and Ginobili were hitting their shots.

So for the second time in three years the team-oriented Spurs are champs. While I was rooting for Prince and the Pistons, it wasn’t a heart-breaker to see San Antonio take it. They’re a good bunch guys with none of the bad attitude players that taint much of the leage. Heck, the best part is that it wasn’t the Lakers, right?

Dojo Info 6/23/05

1. 50 Smartest things you can do with your money.
   Giving money to the ACLU is strangely absent from this list. (I kid, I kid!)
2. Trust thy Internet neighbor
   With identity theft on the rise (more cases just this week) it’s becoming harder and harder to trust the idea of dealing with people solely online. Are they really who they say they are?
3. PBS Documentary to Blast Abstinence Education
   The documentary was funded by Playboy. Do you know what’s in your kid’s sex-ed classes? Guess who aired the program, that’s right PBS. Do they really deserve our tax dollars or should they seek their own funding like other politically motivated organizations?
4. The Supply-Side Experiment of 2004
   Last year taxes were cut, so the governments tax revenue went down, right? Wrong.
5. Godwin’s Corollary – Everything Is Nothing
   Perhaps few and far between, some on the left don’t like the kind of (hate) speech that comes from their political leadership.