Highlights:
- Trav's arrival in Austin
- The Colin Kaepernick Deal
- Marvel Comics in 2016
- Deathstroke as the antagonist in the Battfleck Movie
- The One Star Stitcher Review
- South Kongress Merchandise
- College Football Kickoff
- Cam's budding acting career
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertainment. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Fan X Fan Show: 'Suicide Squad' Review (w/ Ted Colunga of Countdown City Geekcast)
No Flash, No Preacher... no problem! DC messed around and put out a hit, so it's only right we take the time to break down the rights, wrongs, high and lows of 'Suicide Squad'! This week, my guest Ted Colunga of the 'Countdown City Geekcast' and I discuss lost high school years, how binge watching affects family time, and the greatness that is the Comic Con experience. After the formalities, we talk some 'Man of Steel' and 'Batman v. Superman', his undying optimism, and my everlasting pessimism, on our way to 'Suicide Squad'. We get into Will Smith's return to the summer blockbuster, what could have been with Tom Hardy, the new Joker/ Harley dynamic, and ALL THE THINGS THEY LEFT ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR! You'll hear us pray to the altar of Viola Davis, admit 'Avengers 2' was kinda trash, and try to figure out how to get BET 'Uncut' in 2016 on this week's Fan X Fan Show!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Fan X Fan Show: 'The Flash' 217 - "Flash Back"
Time travel makes our heads hurt! On this week's episode, Barry thinks he's found the way to move on par with Zoom and the Reverse Flash, and of course it involves mucking up time as we know it! We revisit the Season 1 episode "The Sound and the Fury" and things get out of hand way sooner than they should have! We talk track coaches, sports science, The Michael J. Fox vehicle "The Frighteners", and really, really good looking CGI. Barry violates the rule of leaving his phone unlocked, Wally finally does something useful, and we tell you all a bit about our upcoming weekend in Dallas on this week's Fan X Fan Show!!!
Friday, February 5, 2016
Fan X Fan Show: 'The Flash' 212 - "Fast Lane"
What happens when two men that can ramble for hours have WAY less time than that to operate? Well magic, naturally! Trav and I were both on a bit of a time crunch, but when you do a show about defying physics, you make it work. The show opens with some housekeeping duties, as far as how to contact us, and the many places you can give us feedback. I also touch on the next few months of the podcast, including some things that'll be happening during SXSW. On this week's 'The Flash', we deal with small time hoods getting their just due, team betrayal, and get to see Barry at his most heroic! Joe goes through all 16 stages of Daddy Hell, Iris does her best Lance "Un" Rivera impression, and we tackle Barry's cause vs. Wally's desire, both in the show and in the comics. We put our science brains on and try to figure out volcanic suffocation, and get a glimpse of Earth-2's dopplegangers (KILLER FROST!) Tom Cavanagh continues to shine, playing the same guy in vastly different ways. Listen, learn, and enjoy!
Fan X Fan Show: 'The Flash' 211 - "The Reverse Flash Returns"
Reverse Flash is back! From the future! Again! For another ti... you get the picture. We get to live the genesis of Thawne discovering the present day Flash as Barry deals with his own time issues, most notably Patty's last few days in Central City. She's not the only one on borrowed time, as Francine's McGregor's gets closer to terminal status. Cisco has stunner shades that help him to control his powers, but at what cost? And we get to see what happens when you go visit your grandparents over the summer and have a thing or two to show your schoolyard bully when you get home. Oh, and some guy named Hunter Zolomon appears. We talk "Legends of Tomorrow", Superman's cleaning bill, and why if you include the homies in your lie, TELL THE HOMIES RIGHT AWAY! All this and more on this week's Fan x Fan!
Friday, December 4, 2015
Fan X Fan Show - CW's "Arrow" (Flash Crossover Episode)
SPECIAL CROSSOVER EPISODE!!! Sorry, I was the kid who loved when Robin AND Batgirl showed up on the old shows... Trav and I talk this week's "Arrow", as the team up with our Flash Cast to defend people with wings against a guy who takes credit for all the dope things that happened throughout history. We try to wrap our heads around this universe's time travel rules, I try to get Trav to understand Kendra already gave up the box to Cisco, and we both try not to blow a basket over the white Egyptian ruling class. There's a little despot attempted rape, mineral collecting, and we turn our he-man woman hater powers toward a certain baby momma. AND I get to explain a he-man joke Trav missed (DOUBLE HE MAN!) All this, getting a warranty for your work gloves, keeping your girlfriend "happy", and Oliver being player/ coach of the year on this week's deluxe Fan x Fan Show!
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Fan X Fan Show - CW's "The Flash" (Season 2, Episode 8)
Before we get into the greatness that was "Legends of Today", we tell you what we did yesterda.... uh. that last two weeks, as we didn't have an episode to cover. Travis (@travlord) is enamored with the alternate WW2 outcome universe show "The Man in the High Castle", and I talk about my love affair with "Fargo". We talk BRIEFLY on "Marvel's Jessica Jones", as we intend to really go in on i this weekend. After some fun discussion, we get into the heart of this week's episode. We try to rationalize a hot, ambiguously ethnic reincarnated priestess residing in Wisconsin, the guy who gave Abraham the match for the burning bush and possibly told King Arthur "let's make the table round, and how shooting folks holding what LOOKS like a gun is even bad for fictional cops. I'm admittedly WAY behind on "Arrow", so there were welcome surprises from Ollie, Speedy, Felicity and the crew. Also - BABY MOMMA DRAMA is on deck! All this, and Carter "Mr. Steal yo Girl" Hall on this week's Fan x Fan show!
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Fan X Fan Show - CW's "The Flash" (Season 2, Episode 6)
So... let's talk about this ass whoopin'! In this weeks episode "Enter Zoom", Barry is humbled, word to the Iron Sheik! We get more Barry/ Patty Romance, a closer look at the work that is Earth 2, and some intentionally horrible acting. Also, we talk about some of the very best beatdown ever caught on film. And... another excuse to talk pro wrestling! You'll hear our excitement from the jump. And remember - tell a friend to tell a friend!
Monday, November 9, 2015
Lone Survivor - Who Will Win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament?
Seth Rollins' leg essentially fell off (how he still slammed Kane is beyond me) so now WWE has booked a tournament to crown a new champion. Here's why each participant will win (and lose) the tournament for the WWE World Heavyweight title.
Roman Reigns
Why he'll win: He's the chosen one
Why he'll lose: This makes it look like he's the chosen one
Roman Reigns was on the fast track to superstardom... until folks realized it. He's a product of being the "it" guy during the "yes" movement. He's taken awhile to get his promos and in ring work to a point that the crowd doesn't try to derail him. Has put on some really good matches, and you can't say enough about him and Brock at Wrestlemania earlier this year. But you feel a reaction brewing: "he only got the title because Rollins was hurt!" making him a kind of lame duck champ. He may very well win, but for his sake, lets hope it's reserved for the Royal Rumble or Wrestlemania against an already established champion.
Big Show
Why he'll win: He's the largest athlete on the planet
Why he'll lose: He hasn't been an athlete since 1998
Big Show's the definition of washed. He's a good guy, works hard... his time has just passed. He's against Roman in the first round to make Roman look strong. Because picking up the Big Show is a big deal. Or was... for Cena's first US title win in 2004.
Cesaro
Why he'll win: He's probably the best athlete they have
Why he'll lose: He's foreign, but NOT THAT FOREIGN
Cesaro is strong, explosive, captivates the crowd, keeps his nose clean... he's what you'd want in a champion. Too bad for him he's Antonio Cesaro and not Anthony Cesar, from New York. Vince McMahon isn't behind him, so no matter how good the matches are, he's pigeonholed.
Sheamus
Why he'll win: He's got a title match in the pipeline
Why he'll lose: He's got a title match in the pipeline
Bad haircut, bad gimmick, indifferent crowd aside... it defeats the purpose of having the MITB briefcase if he already has the title. So nah.
Alberto Del Rio
Why he'll win: They've invested a ton of money into him
Why he'll lose: That was hush money, not "let's build" money
Del Rio returned to clean Cena the hell up so he could go on vacation. He left because he had to slap the shit out of a staffer that said some slick race stuff to him. But apparently the WWE folks talk so crazy, they gave Del Rio money to keep it on the hush. It would just be too much too soon. Unless it wasn't. He's carried the title, and been a decent to good champion before, and his in ring stuff has only gotten better over time. So... it's possible.
Stardust
Why he'll win: He's a supervillain
Why he'll lose: He lost to a superhero, The Arrow, who didn't even use arrows to beat him
My man crush on Cody Rhodes has been over for a while. Great talker, made to talk like a crazy person. Great wrestler, made to wrestle in a crazy jumpsuit. His time was 2013, and it's 2015. So maybe one day... but not this day. Or year. damn.
Kalisto
Why he'll win: He can fly
Why he'll lost: He's a guy in a mask not named Oscar or Glenn.
Kalisto is gonna look really good getting tossed around by Ryback in this opening match. That's all I got.
Ryback
Why he'll win: He's really strong
Why he'll lose: Dassit
Ryback's injuries, and failure to catch on when he's not barking at the crowd, seem to have relegated him to the midcard permanently. He's going to hit some strong power moves in this opening round, but i can't see him getting past Del Rio.
Titus O'Neil
Why he'll win: He's worth million of dollars
Why he'll lose: Those are Toys R' Us Geoffrey Dollars
Titus is probably the most authentic ambassador WWE has outside of Cena. He's eager to talk to kids, teens, college athletes, and is a good spokesman for the joys of fatherhood. You just wish he'd started in the ring ten years earlier. He's in his late 30's still working out the kinks. Maybe one day, but no time soon.
Kevin Owens
Why he'll win: He's the best healthy main roster performer
Why he'll lose: He's too "healthy" for the body fetish front office
Owens could legit win this. He's great in the ring, maybe better on the mic, and owns his character. The only thing would be his physique, and if they'd go against the norm of the body builder look they typically require of their top top guys. Honestly, I'd love to see him as champion.
Neville
Why he'll win: He's the man that gravity forgot...
Why he'll lost: ... but whoever hands out height did not
Talented, amazing to watch, great build... he's just not very tall. Even smaller champions like HBK were tall enough to stand face to face with their challengers. A culture change would give him more country, but not for the time being.
Wade Barrett
Why he'll win: He's a damn king
Why he'll lose: His kingdom is the pre-show
WADE BARRETT SHOULD HAVE BEATEN CENA AT TLC WAY BACK AND WHEN CENA DROPPED THOSE CHAIRS ON HIM IT WAS LIKE DROPPING ALL HIS DAMN HOPES AND DREAMS AND WHY AM I TYPING SO LOUD?
Dolph Ziggler
Why he'll win: He's great in the ring for years
Why he'll lose: and it's gotten him 1.5 title reigns
It's just not in the cards man. Truthfully, there's another guy in the same tourney he just started feuding with, and that's still got to play out. So nah.
The Miz
Why he'll win: Nah
Why he'll lost: Because
The Miz has found a nice spot in WWE where he's playing himself, and gets to be on TV all the time. We're just a long way from Wrestlemania 27. So... yeah.
Dean Ambrose
Why he'll win: He's the top babyface not named Roman Reigns
Why he'll lose: He's the top babyface not named Roman Reigns
The only way Dean gets the title is if he turns, or Roman turns. While possible, Dean JUST gave Reigns his blessing to go after the title, and a change of heart this soon, even with the injury, seems crazy. But... I'm not saying it won't happen.
Tyler Breeze
Why he'll win: He's the latest call up and that would be a way to put even more eyes on NXT
Why he'll lose: It's the absolute longest possible shot ever.
I like the kid, his gimmick, his matches. It would just devalue everyone else that's longer tenured, and in most cases, better in the ring and more over.
Who I think will win: Kevin Owens
Who I want to win: Cesaro
Who doesn't have a shot in hell: Show, Sheamus, Stardust, Kalisto, Neville, Miz, Breeze
Roman Reigns
 |
| "This one's for one and all, it's so good to feel all y'all..." |
Why he'll win: He's the chosen one
Why he'll lose: This makes it look like he's the chosen one
Roman Reigns was on the fast track to superstardom... until folks realized it. He's a product of being the "it" guy during the "yes" movement. He's taken awhile to get his promos and in ring work to a point that the crowd doesn't try to derail him. Has put on some really good matches, and you can't say enough about him and Brock at Wrestlemania earlier this year. But you feel a reaction brewing: "he only got the title because Rollins was hurt!" making him a kind of lame duck champ. He may very well win, but for his sake, lets hope it's reserved for the Royal Rumble or Wrestlemania against an already established champion.
Big Show
 |
| hits everything but the right note |
Why he'll win: He's the largest athlete on the planet
Why he'll lose: He hasn't been an athlete since 1998
Big Show's the definition of washed. He's a good guy, works hard... his time has just passed. He's against Roman in the first round to make Roman look strong. Because picking up the Big Show is a big deal. Or was... for Cena's first US title win in 2004.
Cesaro
 |
| When you should be world champion, but your boss thinks the world is Cali to NYC |
Why he'll win: He's probably the best athlete they have
Why he'll lose: He's foreign, but NOT THAT FOREIGN
Cesaro is strong, explosive, captivates the crowd, keeps his nose clean... he's what you'd want in a champion. Too bad for him he's Antonio Cesaro and not Anthony Cesar, from New York. Vince McMahon isn't behind him, so no matter how good the matches are, he's pigeonholed.
Sheamus
 |
| "Listen Fella... I'm really, REALLY trying!" |
Why he'll win: He's got a title match in the pipeline
Why he'll lose: He's got a title match in the pipeline
Bad haircut, bad gimmick, indifferent crowd aside... it defeats the purpose of having the MITB briefcase if he already has the title. So nah.
Alberto Del Rio
 |
| What Graddad thought was coming when they called Riley the N word in school |
Why he'll win: They've invested a ton of money into him
Why he'll lose: That was hush money, not "let's build" money
Del Rio returned to clean Cena the hell up so he could go on vacation. He left because he had to slap the shit out of a staffer that said some slick race stuff to him. But apparently the WWE folks talk so crazy, they gave Del Rio money to keep it on the hush. It would just be too much too soon. Unless it wasn't. He's carried the title, and been a decent to good champion before, and his in ring stuff has only gotten better over time. So... it's possible.
Stardust
 |
| How creeps asked "where my hug at?" in 1984 |
Why he'll win: He's a supervillain
Why he'll lose: He lost to a superhero, The Arrow, who didn't even use arrows to beat him
My man crush on Cody Rhodes has been over for a while. Great talker, made to talk like a crazy person. Great wrestler, made to wrestle in a crazy jumpsuit. His time was 2013, and it's 2015. So maybe one day... but not this day. Or year. damn.
Kalisto
 |
| Hidden character in 'MK X1 - Luchality' |
Why he'll win: He can fly
Why he'll lost: He's a guy in a mask not named Oscar or Glenn.
Kalisto is gonna look really good getting tossed around by Ryback in this opening match. That's all I got.
Ryback
 |
| "feed... me... to a bigger name!" |
Why he'll win: He's really strong
Why he'll lose: Dassit
Ryback's injuries, and failure to catch on when he's not barking at the crowd, seem to have relegated him to the midcard permanently. He's going to hit some strong power moves in this opening round, but i can't see him getting past Del Rio.
Titus O'Neil
 |
| ".. we all know what it is." |
Why he'll win: He's worth million of dollars
Why he'll lose: Those are Toys R' Us Geoffrey Dollars
Titus is probably the most authentic ambassador WWE has outside of Cena. He's eager to talk to kids, teens, college athletes, and is a good spokesman for the joys of fatherhood. You just wish he'd started in the ring ten years earlier. He's in his late 30's still working out the kinks. Maybe one day, but no time soon.
Kevin Owens
 |
| "you just gonna eat all the drums & leave me with the flats?" |
Why he'll win: He's the best healthy main roster performer
Why he'll lose: He's too "healthy" for the body fetish front office
Owens could legit win this. He's great in the ring, maybe better on the mic, and owns his character. The only thing would be his physique, and if they'd go against the norm of the body builder look they typically require of their top top guys. Honestly, I'd love to see him as champion.
Neville
 |
| "See him, over there? he's got a better shot!" |
Why he'll win: He's the man that gravity forgot...
Why he'll lost: ... but whoever hands out height did not
Talented, amazing to watch, great build... he's just not very tall. Even smaller champions like HBK were tall enough to stand face to face with their challengers. A culture change would give him more country, but not for the time being.
Wade Barrett
 |
| confidently walking to the midcard abyss |
Why he'll win: He's a damn king
Why he'll lose: His kingdom is the pre-show
WADE BARRETT SHOULD HAVE BEATEN CENA AT TLC WAY BACK AND WHEN CENA DROPPED THOSE CHAIRS ON HIM IT WAS LIKE DROPPING ALL HIS DAMN HOPES AND DREAMS AND WHY AM I TYPING SO LOUD?
Dolph Ziggler
 |
| when you stay late and find out the next day they cut OT |
Why he'll win: He's great in the ring for years
Why he'll lose: and it's gotten him 1.5 title reigns
It's just not in the cards man. Truthfully, there's another guy in the same tourney he just started feuding with, and that's still got to play out. So nah.
The Miz
 |
| "so... you're saying there's a chance" |
Why he'll win: Nah
Why he'll lost: Because
The Miz has found a nice spot in WWE where he's playing himself, and gets to be on TV all the time. We're just a long way from Wrestlemania 27. So... yeah.
Dean Ambrose
 |
| the face of a man that... well, he looks unhappy |
Why he'll win: He's the top babyface not named Roman Reigns
Why he'll lose: He's the top babyface not named Roman Reigns
The only way Dean gets the title is if he turns, or Roman turns. While possible, Dean JUST gave Reigns his blessing to go after the title, and a change of heart this soon, even with the injury, seems crazy. But... I'm not saying it won't happen.
Tyler Breeze
 |
| when you netflix and chill, by yourself, in public |
Why he'll win: He's the latest call up and that would be a way to put even more eyes on NXT
Why he'll lose: It's the absolute longest possible shot ever.
I like the kid, his gimmick, his matches. It would just devalue everyone else that's longer tenured, and in most cases, better in the ring and more over.
Who I think will win: Kevin Owens
Who I want to win: Cesaro
Who doesn't have a shot in hell: Show, Sheamus, Stardust, Kalisto, Neville, Miz, Breeze
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Fan X Fan Show - CW's "The Flash" (Season 2, Episode 5)
After a week of character heavy conversations/ developments, "The Darkness or the Light" episode sees the STAR Labs Team back on the Hunt for Zoom. Blind dates, doppelgangers, and Speed Mirages! A new hero is named, a future hero is introduced, and the Star Trek "red shirt" trope is revisited via a newspaper editor. We begin our "Who is Zoom?" discussion, which I'm sure will continue until it's revealed. AND NEW THEME MUSIC! All this, and some Supergirl/ Gotham talk - tell a friend to tell a friend!
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Fan X Fan Show - CW's "The Flash" (Season 2, Episode 3)
This episode was recorded on "Back to the Future" Day! This week, we talk Biff's Sports Almanac, Star Wars, new ITunes reviews, and "good ol' boy" comic fans, before we get into the good stuff! The Snarts have a family crisis, and Flash team are on the case! Time paradoxes, exploding heads, old relationships, new relationships, new heroes? All this, and the return of a former villain, all this week!
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Subscribe to the South Kongress Podcast on ITunes!
Before today's show goes up a bit later, subscribe via ITunes so it's waiting for you when you're ready!
South Kongress Podcast on ITunes
South Kongress Podcast on ITunes
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
We're a Podcast Now!
 |
| We're pretty calm to be going so fast. |
On your IPhone/IPad, open the "Podcasts" app, tap "search", then type in "South Kongress". And you'll see me, in superhero form. After you chuckle, subscribe!
If you don't use ITunes, the RSS feed can be found here.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Drake is Tony Montana, Future is also Tony Montana - "Me and My Friends" talk "WATTBA" (Part 2)
Author's Note - this is not an "out of 10 review" because everyone does that now. Part 1 of the conversation can be found here.
"Digital Dash" - prod. by Metro Boomin, Southside
Chris Little: Future Floated, Drake was cool, production was fire.
Cameron Hawkins: Yeah, the production was crazy
Miles Burton: Metro Boomin really letting people know he's still here! Future tap danced all over that damn song man, that shit really make me wanna be fake kinda drunk in the bar dabbing, or hitting that DJ Esco. Also, Drake is on the song too. Cool. Metro Boomin is important. I like that Young Drizzy threw a tiny jab at the (Dream) chasers in it though. "I might take Quentin (Miller) to follies." That's a massage spot in Philly.
CH: "You hate your life just be honest!"
MB: "Massage" in air quotes.
"Big Rings" - prod. by Metro Boomin
CL: That chorus is STOOOPID. The Future shot was on there.
CH: "You just a battle rapper"
CL: "You just a battle rapper/ I'm an official Trapper!"
MB: "Big Rings" is the second best song on the tape. 'Nuff said."
CH: I think the production is great, again.
"Live From the Gutter"- prod. by Boi-1da, Metro Boomin
CL: I didn't like this song. Production was smooth though.
CH: I don't like it's placement.
MB: Future danced all over this once again. This shit make me want to mask up and go get them niggas. However, I don't have any beefs or even know who "them niggas" is. Also, I live in South Texas. Too hot for masks man.
CL: Should have been in the middle, or close to the end.
CH: It's solid, but Drake being live from anyone's gutter is laughable any time.
MB: It does break the hype music transistion; it shouldn't have been right after "Big Rings".
CL: "Gotta kill witnesses cause Miles' beard sticking out" *Hov voice*
MB: Drake probably picked up Sean from the gutter when they were getting closer before Ashley was rolling at a party and kissed Sean. Remember, they were getting back cool and Spinner was jealous? Word to Degrassi Street.
CL: (texts 5 yelling face emojis)
"Diamonds Dancing" - prod. by Metro boomin, Allen Ritter, Frank Dukes, Mikey Rodrigues
CL: No need to ask about #4 Cameron Hawkins.
MB: Yeah Cam, skip that. I can't be too hype at work right now. If it's not the best song of 2015 TO ME, it's a close second.
CH: Lol go to!
CL: "Scholarship" is fire
(I post a screenshot of "Diamonds Dancing" in the group)
CL: DAMNIT CAM I TRIED TO SKIP IT (3 yelling face emojis)
MB: Metro Boomin is very important.
CH: So, ok.
CL: Future set the tone off right.
MB: VERY IMPORTANT
CH: Future FLOATED
MB: Now I have to listen to the whole song twice
CH: And really. REALLY? Drake had an outro that lasted 3 minutes. Being apex selfish hurt Drake. Being "Perfect Cell" Drake.
CL: I appreciate hurt Drake.
MB: "YOU KNOOOOW/WHAT I NEED/FROM YOOOU, WHEN I GET HOOOME!!!/ YOU BETTER NOT BE ON THE PHONE/ TALKIN' UP A STORM LIKE YOU USUALLY DO/ TALKIN' TO YOUR FRIENDS LIKE YOU USUALLY DO/ TELLIN' THEM I NEVER SPEND TIME WITH YOU/ IT'S HARD TO FIND THE TIME, WE BEEN/ Sippin' on Dom Perignon for no reason... Poppin tags, upper echelon for no reason...
CH: Being "how can your life be worth living if I'm not in it" Drake. Oh, Chris, it's him at his best.
CL: He makes singing to these women great. Perfect description Cameron Hawkins.
CH: Like, if "Hotline Blng was on Cinemax instead of TBS, it would be "Diamonds Dancing".
MB: Cam, don't disrespect. No shde to my youngin, but "Hotline Bling" is so fucking terrible.
CH: It's forgiveable... "(Diamonds Dancing) is... He went full James Caan in "Casino" on that.
"Scholarships" - prod. by Metro Boomin
CL: "I rock Kentucky Blue, on these heauxs"
CH: So here - why not just put this on the tape twice and toss "Live From the Gutter" in the waste bin???? And the flexibility - THEY CAN SAY THE SAME HOOK AND BOTH KILL IT MAN. "Metro Boom make it BOOM, on these heauxs!"
"Plastic Bag" - prod. by Neenyo
MB: really the worst song.
CH: My thing - I know it's not for ME.
CL: It's trash.
CH: Cuz strip clubs don't make sense to me.
MB: Cam, it might be because I don't like the shake joint.
"I'm the Plug" - prod. by Southside
MB: REALLY I'M THE PLUG!!!
CH: So like, this is the Drake I want rapping.
CL: Drake's verse on this song was great.
CH: Big Sean supa dupa flow drake. What beat is is a riff of? Off DS2?
"Change Locations" - prod. by Noel
(name excluded): I don't have enough money to fully appreciate "Change Locations" but i like the song a lot, EXCEPT how high and nasal Drake's voice is during the "Me and my friends" part. "SIXTY naked bitches no exaggeration"?! Nigga, I've only had two a couple times. This nigga had thirty times more bitches than me at one time, no exaggeration.
CH: Buying bottles still silly though.
"Jumpman" - prod. by Metro Boomin
MB: the second best song if we're in the club. Second or third worst outside the club.
"Jersey" - prod. by Metro Boomin, Southside
CH: AGAIN - just put this on twice and get "Live from the Gutter" outta here
MB: Future really making wonderful music. "Extendo Extendo Extendo, the (clip) gotta hold like thirty!... YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU POPPIN'!"
CH: This really could have been on "DS2".
"30 for 30 Freestyle" - prod. by 40
CH: Uh... Did Drake really say there's a conspiracy to get him out the paint?
MB: He really said that. By the old niggas though, not his peers. I don't think it's true, but he was fucking rapping on that shit.
 |
| Metro Boomin, Manu Ginobili, Chicken Wings. Yes. |
"Digital Dash" - prod. by Metro Boomin, Southside
Chris Little: Future Floated, Drake was cool, production was fire.
Cameron Hawkins: Yeah, the production was crazy
Miles Burton: Metro Boomin really letting people know he's still here! Future tap danced all over that damn song man, that shit really make me wanna be fake kinda drunk in the bar dabbing, or hitting that DJ Esco. Also, Drake is on the song too. Cool. Metro Boomin is important. I like that Young Drizzy threw a tiny jab at the (Dream) chasers in it though. "I might take Quentin (Miller) to follies." That's a massage spot in Philly.
CH: "You hate your life just be honest!"
MB: "Massage" in air quotes.
"Big Rings" - prod. by Metro Boomin
CL: That chorus is STOOOPID. The Future shot was on there.
CH: "You just a battle rapper"
CL: "You just a battle rapper/ I'm an official Trapper!"
MB: "Big Rings" is the second best song on the tape. 'Nuff said."
CH: I think the production is great, again.
"Live From the Gutter"- prod. by Boi-1da, Metro Boomin
CL: I didn't like this song. Production was smooth though.
CH: I don't like it's placement.
MB: Future danced all over this once again. This shit make me want to mask up and go get them niggas. However, I don't have any beefs or even know who "them niggas" is. Also, I live in South Texas. Too hot for masks man.
CL: Should have been in the middle, or close to the end.
CH: It's solid, but Drake being live from anyone's gutter is laughable any time.
MB: It does break the hype music transistion; it shouldn't have been right after "Big Rings".
CL: "Gotta kill witnesses cause Miles' beard sticking out" *Hov voice*
MB: Drake probably picked up Sean from the gutter when they were getting closer before Ashley was rolling at a party and kissed Sean. Remember, they were getting back cool and Spinner was jealous? Word to Degrassi Street.
CL: (texts 5 yelling face emojis)
"Diamonds Dancing" - prod. by Metro boomin, Allen Ritter, Frank Dukes, Mikey Rodrigues
CL: No need to ask about #4 Cameron Hawkins.
MB: Yeah Cam, skip that. I can't be too hype at work right now. If it's not the best song of 2015 TO ME, it's a close second.
CH: Lol go to!
CL: "Scholarship" is fire
(I post a screenshot of "Diamonds Dancing" in the group)
CL: DAMNIT CAM I TRIED TO SKIP IT (3 yelling face emojis)
MB: Metro Boomin is very important.
CH: So, ok.
CL: Future set the tone off right.
MB: VERY IMPORTANT
CH: Future FLOATED
MB: Now I have to listen to the whole song twice
CH: And really. REALLY? Drake had an outro that lasted 3 minutes. Being apex selfish hurt Drake. Being "Perfect Cell" Drake.
CL: I appreciate hurt Drake.
MB: "YOU KNOOOOW/WHAT I NEED/FROM YOOOU, WHEN I GET HOOOME!!!/ YOU BETTER NOT BE ON THE PHONE/ TALKIN' UP A STORM LIKE YOU USUALLY DO/ TALKIN' TO YOUR FRIENDS LIKE YOU USUALLY DO/ TELLIN' THEM I NEVER SPEND TIME WITH YOU/ IT'S HARD TO FIND THE TIME, WE BEEN/ Sippin' on Dom Perignon for no reason... Poppin tags, upper echelon for no reason...
CH: Being "how can your life be worth living if I'm not in it" Drake. Oh, Chris, it's him at his best.
CL: He makes singing to these women great. Perfect description Cameron Hawkins.
CH: Like, if "Hotline Blng was on Cinemax instead of TBS, it would be "Diamonds Dancing".
MB: Cam, don't disrespect. No shde to my youngin, but "Hotline Bling" is so fucking terrible.
CH: It's forgiveable... "(Diamonds Dancing) is... He went full James Caan in "Casino" on that.
"Scholarships" - prod. by Metro Boomin
CL: "I rock Kentucky Blue, on these heauxs"
CH: So here - why not just put this on the tape twice and toss "Live From the Gutter" in the waste bin???? And the flexibility - THEY CAN SAY THE SAME HOOK AND BOTH KILL IT MAN. "Metro Boom make it BOOM, on these heauxs!"
"Plastic Bag" - prod. by Neenyo
MB: really the worst song.
CH: My thing - I know it's not for ME.
CL: It's trash.
CH: Cuz strip clubs don't make sense to me.
MB: Cam, it might be because I don't like the shake joint.
"I'm the Plug" - prod. by Southside
MB: REALLY I'M THE PLUG!!!
CH: So like, this is the Drake I want rapping.
CL: Drake's verse on this song was great.
CH: Big Sean supa dupa flow drake. What beat is is a riff of? Off DS2?
"Change Locations" - prod. by Noel
(name excluded): I don't have enough money to fully appreciate "Change Locations" but i like the song a lot, EXCEPT how high and nasal Drake's voice is during the "Me and my friends" part. "SIXTY naked bitches no exaggeration"?! Nigga, I've only had two a couple times. This nigga had thirty times more bitches than me at one time, no exaggeration.
CH: Buying bottles still silly though.
"Jumpman" - prod. by Metro Boomin
MB: the second best song if we're in the club. Second or third worst outside the club.
"Jersey" - prod. by Metro Boomin, Southside
CH: AGAIN - just put this on twice and get "Live from the Gutter" outta here
MB: Future really making wonderful music. "Extendo Extendo Extendo, the (clip) gotta hold like thirty!... YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT WHEN YOU POPPIN'!"
CH: This really could have been on "DS2".
"30 for 30 Freestyle" - prod. by 40
CH: Uh... Did Drake really say there's a conspiracy to get him out the paint?
MB: He really said that. By the old niggas though, not his peers. I don't think it's true, but he was fucking rapping on that shit.
Drake is Tony Montana, Future is also Tony Montana - "Me and My Friends" talk "WATTBA" (Part 1)
Author's note - everyone does "week of" reviews - decided to let this one marinate, then discuss it with like minded folk.
Once I find a movie I like, I can watch it time and time again. A few examples - "Step Brothers is one of the start to finish funniest things I've ever seen. I feel like I find something new each time I watch. "Friday After Next” certainly isn't as GOOD as "Friday", but the shift in storytelling, and the supporting cast just work for me. "Blade", the first great Marvel movie, is a basic cable staple, and when it's on, I watch start to finish every time, commercials included.
One movie I watch, but never finish, is "Scarface". Hood classic, late bloomer, Spike TV's favorite go to, the story about Cuban criminal turned American criminal turned coked out corpse, is a movie I both love, and find hard to enjoy in it's entirety. Whenever Scarface is on, I stop the movie right after you see the tiger in the garden. He made it. Tony Montana rose to the top, got the girl, and the ridiculous pet. Fin.
So my relationship with the super popular film parallels the relationship I have with Drake's music. I'll preface this by saying, its all pretty good. There really hasn't been anything he's released I didn't "like" upon hearing. The issue is timing. "So Far Gone", Drake's first mainstream mixtape, is maybe the most important collection of music to me personally. To set the stage:
I had just recently graduated college, and had a well paying job. I'd been seeing a girl for about four years, and we'd just moved in together. Over the course of about four months, it just fell apart. There was nothing specific, it was just the change from living with/ around friends, and going to just the two of us, didn't work at the time. So the next few months were, in a word, intense. I was out every night. I was drinking more days than not. I had never really dated, so I was getting used to the whole dinner/movie drinks aspect of early 20's adulthood. But I figure this was how everyone else was living, so I should embrace my newfound freedom.
I didn't really talk to anyone about the situation for a time. It's hard to talk about things in your head going bad, when you have more control over your life than before, especially at a young age. But the fun, wasn't always fun. You become accustomed to sharing your space, your thoughts, meals with that other person. So, to cope, there's the alcohol. There are the parties, the bars. There's poor dieting and a lack of exercise. You want to exist in a space where you don't worry about what isn't happening anymore, but you want to control as much of every other aspect as you can.
So word of mouth starts talking about "So Far Gone", and how this kid from Canada can really rap/ harmonize. I give it a run. I'm immediately floored. The bars are strong. The cadences are crisp. The "ballads" as they were, REALLY work. But the best thing about it - it's just so unapologetic in it's selfishness. It's "808's and Heartbreak" if Kanye could naturally produce an alto. The entire crux of it is "how am I supposed to handle all these good things happening to me?" and I could understand, start to finish. It was about being the pressures of being desirable, asking people to fix things you ruined, and most importantly, nothing is really my fault.
So it's difficult for me to dive into the deep end of any other Drake project. The music has progressed, and for all intents and purposes, he's BETTER today at singing and rapping. But "So Far Gone" was my crutch, my doctor, my friend. I don't need that tarnished, because it meant so much at the time.
On the opposite end of that is Future. I want to hear every Future record made ever. I want the stuff he tossed in the garbage, the stuff that didn't make a mixtape cut. Whereas Drake's first big project is the very best of "Scarface", Future is the extended cut. It's all so painful. It's sex, drugs, and rock & roll, but if Roger Troutman smoked Newports and had his jaw wired shut. I love it. It's dark, even when it's being lighthearted. I understand being around people that don't have your best interest at heart, self-medicating, and well, crazy dealings with women. Everything he has to say, even if I can't internalize it, I want to know about it.
"DS2" is phenomenal. It's blood and guts, the whole way through. "Is Rap music destructive?" Is always a hard conversation for me, because like most things, it's how you internalize it. I'm pretty sure at least 15 people died over the course of 18 songs. MAD BIRDS got flipped. So many pints of lean were consumed! But it's the way you present the subject matter. People forget Nelly's first single was about a damn drive by, because of the sing-songy nature of the hook. HE CAME OUT THE GATE KILLING PEOPLE! So when Future has the confidence to title a song "The Percocet & Stripper Joint", neither of which I'm really fond of, and I can't stop listening, I know whatever the subject matter, he's going to present it in a way I just want to hear more. It's real artistry - no matter the specifics, it's crafted in a way that even if you don't live it, you can SEE it.
Perhaps the biggest hook to Future's music is how it deals with women. It's certainly not embracing any type of one on one relationship, but the why out weight the "WTF?" for me. It's common knowledge Kayne's "808's" and "MBDTF" were inspired by ex girlfriends (to varying results), and a common idea is that "Yeezus" was hyper sexual because it was created while his wife was pregnant. So when Future opens with "you'll fuck a bitch nigga for the fame, won't you?/ you'll give that pussy up to a lame, won't you?" you have a pretty good read on who's being referenced. So even it the relationships aren't the one's your parents would approve of, you see real world events inspire language and code, making the music more authentic. In 2015, this is the only artist who's every word I'm hanging on. In the same way that I replay the hotel chainsaw scene in "Scarface" 5 or 6 times every time I watch. Up until the Tiger. Because there's really no movie after that. I'm convinced.
The "What a Time to be Alive" group conversation is in part 2.
| |
Once I find a movie I like, I can watch it time and time again. A few examples - "Step Brothers is one of the start to finish funniest things I've ever seen. I feel like I find something new each time I watch. "Friday After Next” certainly isn't as GOOD as "Friday", but the shift in storytelling, and the supporting cast just work for me. "Blade", the first great Marvel movie, is a basic cable staple, and when it's on, I watch start to finish every time, commercials included.
One movie I watch, but never finish, is "Scarface". Hood classic, late bloomer, Spike TV's favorite go to, the story about Cuban criminal turned American criminal turned coked out corpse, is a movie I both love, and find hard to enjoy in it's entirety. Whenever Scarface is on, I stop the movie right after you see the tiger in the garden. He made it. Tony Montana rose to the top, got the girl, and the ridiculous pet. Fin.
So my relationship with the super popular film parallels the relationship I have with Drake's music. I'll preface this by saying, its all pretty good. There really hasn't been anything he's released I didn't "like" upon hearing. The issue is timing. "So Far Gone", Drake's first mainstream mixtape, is maybe the most important collection of music to me personally. To set the stage:
I had just recently graduated college, and had a well paying job. I'd been seeing a girl for about four years, and we'd just moved in together. Over the course of about four months, it just fell apart. There was nothing specific, it was just the change from living with/ around friends, and going to just the two of us, didn't work at the time. So the next few months were, in a word, intense. I was out every night. I was drinking more days than not. I had never really dated, so I was getting used to the whole dinner/movie drinks aspect of early 20's adulthood. But I figure this was how everyone else was living, so I should embrace my newfound freedom.
I didn't really talk to anyone about the situation for a time. It's hard to talk about things in your head going bad, when you have more control over your life than before, especially at a young age. But the fun, wasn't always fun. You become accustomed to sharing your space, your thoughts, meals with that other person. So, to cope, there's the alcohol. There are the parties, the bars. There's poor dieting and a lack of exercise. You want to exist in a space where you don't worry about what isn't happening anymore, but you want to control as much of every other aspect as you can.
So word of mouth starts talking about "So Far Gone", and how this kid from Canada can really rap/ harmonize. I give it a run. I'm immediately floored. The bars are strong. The cadences are crisp. The "ballads" as they were, REALLY work. But the best thing about it - it's just so unapologetic in it's selfishness. It's "808's and Heartbreak" if Kanye could naturally produce an alto. The entire crux of it is "how am I supposed to handle all these good things happening to me?" and I could understand, start to finish. It was about being the pressures of being desirable, asking people to fix things you ruined, and most importantly, nothing is really my fault.
So it's difficult for me to dive into the deep end of any other Drake project. The music has progressed, and for all intents and purposes, he's BETTER today at singing and rapping. But "So Far Gone" was my crutch, my doctor, my friend. I don't need that tarnished, because it meant so much at the time.
On the opposite end of that is Future. I want to hear every Future record made ever. I want the stuff he tossed in the garbage, the stuff that didn't make a mixtape cut. Whereas Drake's first big project is the very best of "Scarface", Future is the extended cut. It's all so painful. It's sex, drugs, and rock & roll, but if Roger Troutman smoked Newports and had his jaw wired shut. I love it. It's dark, even when it's being lighthearted. I understand being around people that don't have your best interest at heart, self-medicating, and well, crazy dealings with women. Everything he has to say, even if I can't internalize it, I want to know about it.
"DS2" is phenomenal. It's blood and guts, the whole way through. "Is Rap music destructive?" Is always a hard conversation for me, because like most things, it's how you internalize it. I'm pretty sure at least 15 people died over the course of 18 songs. MAD BIRDS got flipped. So many pints of lean were consumed! But it's the way you present the subject matter. People forget Nelly's first single was about a damn drive by, because of the sing-songy nature of the hook. HE CAME OUT THE GATE KILLING PEOPLE! So when Future has the confidence to title a song "The Percocet & Stripper Joint", neither of which I'm really fond of, and I can't stop listening, I know whatever the subject matter, he's going to present it in a way I just want to hear more. It's real artistry - no matter the specifics, it's crafted in a way that even if you don't live it, you can SEE it.
Perhaps the biggest hook to Future's music is how it deals with women. It's certainly not embracing any type of one on one relationship, but the why out weight the "WTF?" for me. It's common knowledge Kayne's "808's" and "MBDTF" were inspired by ex girlfriends (to varying results), and a common idea is that "Yeezus" was hyper sexual because it was created while his wife was pregnant. So when Future opens with "you'll fuck a bitch nigga for the fame, won't you?/ you'll give that pussy up to a lame, won't you?" you have a pretty good read on who's being referenced. So even it the relationships aren't the one's your parents would approve of, you see real world events inspire language and code, making the music more authentic. In 2015, this is the only artist who's every word I'm hanging on. In the same way that I replay the hotel chainsaw scene in "Scarface" 5 or 6 times every time I watch. Up until the Tiger. Because there's really no movie after that. I'm convinced.
The "What a Time to be Alive" group conversation is in part 2.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
'Fan, Not a Fan Podcast' - CW's "The Flash" Part 1
A friend and I reflect on the first season of CW's "The Flash, from pretty different perspectives. We talk themes, characters, previous shows/ movies, and dig into why some of the directions taken were made.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Just (Gorilla) Press Play - South Kongress Wrestlemania 31 Preview (Part 2)
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| Where the Big Boys Play button. |
Just (Gorilla) Press Play - South Kongress Wrestlemania 31 Preview (Part 2) can be found here.
Icon vs. Guy who's wrestled a long time - Sting vs. Triple H
I have two buddies that try to tell me how great Sting is, like I didn't see Sting matches in the 1990s. The best work Sting ever did was standing in the rafters and pointing his bat at the nWo. Which isn't a shot - that shit was fire. But some would have you believe Sting's last match was against Ric Flair in 2001 on the final Nitro. Not so fast yo. Sting was half stepping in TNA collecting big checks all through my adult life. And Triple H - he's cool. His in ring work since Wrestlemania 28 has been good to great just about any time out. So what if i can't stand the guy on my television? They've had 6 months plus to plan this match out, and both are protective over their legacies/ portrayals, so I think this match will be a welcome surprise. And well... Sting HAS to win, right? Triple H is over big footing guys he shouldn't, right? RIGHT? Who the hell knows. I'll roll with the special attraction, and not the guy I'll be changing the channel on for the foreseeable future. Also, for you two, 50 and Josh... Sting isn't trash. Often. Winner - Sting
 |
| This Happened. LOOK! LOOK! IT DID! |
Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Title - Daniel Bryan v. Stardust v. R-Truth v. Dolph Ziggler v. Dean Ambrose v. Luke Harper v. Wade Barrett (c)
It's been ten years since the first "Money in the Bank" ladder match. The day I declared "SHELTON BENJAMIN IS THE FUTURE!!!" and was proven very, very wrong. When you have a billion guys on the roster, and you don't want to downgrade all of them, this is what happens. For reference, I've been on the Cody Rhodes bandwagon since Legacy, even before. I've written words on words about just how great Daniel Bryan is. Ambrose has a great upside as long as he isn't fighting in the gimmick of the week match against Bray Wyatt. R-Truth, for all the, uh... acting... he does, gets credit for maintaining excellent physical condition, and maintaining a damn job all these years. Luke Harper was hot toward the end of the Wyatt family run, has an amazing look, and looks like he can WIN A DAMN FIGHT. Ziggler is a victim of his own bravado, but deserves more than he's been given, and Barret? The champ? HE AND THE NEXUS SHOULD HAVE BEATEN JOHN CENA BACK IN THE DAY AND I STILL FEEL A WAY ABOUT THAT BULLSH... sorry, got in my feelings a bit there. For reasons I'll detail a bit later, I see Bryan winning this match, and returning a certain level of prestige to the IC Strap. I think Stardust and Ziggler will have the standout performances though. Winner - Daniel Bryan
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| There aren't enough flame emojis for the 'Dust Alternate uni. |
Singles Match for the United States Title - John Cena v. Rusev (c) w/ Lana
I haven't been this excited for a John Cena match in 3 full years (when the Rock rightfully whooped that ass in Miami) and I'm genuinely hyped for this. Rusev is great. He's tough, he can move, his kicks look like they hurt, his promos seem genuine, he's imposing, even his "Russian Nationalist" gimmick seems believable because the disdain with which he speaks about America... he's not out there telling any old lie! He's coming from a place of truth, just real enough to piss people off. He hasn't been running through the competition like Goldberg's streak, but he takes the very best shots from his opponents, survives it, and finds ways to win. He's just great to watch. Lana, also, doesn't hurt the cause. She's a great mouthpiece for him, with her tone, and inflections, and oh so tiny business suits. John Cena is - what do you even have to say? He puts on great performances in big matches. His promos leading up to this have been serious in tone, WHICH IS ALL WE'VE EVER ASKED THE GUY TO DO! The first match they had was just excellent, so I feel they'll go above and beyond here to give the people a show. Cena kicks off his "award tour" by regaining the first singles title he put on his mantle, minus the played out spinner gimmick. Winner - John Cena
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| America is trash, this is my lady, I'll mess you up. Cool? |
Now, I'm predicting both Bryan and Cena to win their matches, and titles, largely because of my main event prediction. WWE is going to transition those titles from afterthoughts to the big deals, because of this...
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| May see this again, REAL soon... |
Singles Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Title - Roman Reigns v. Brock Lesnar (c) w/ Paul Heyman
Man, I see an ass kicking on the horizon. I mean a shellacking. Roman Reigns is going to catch the biggest fade of anyone ever. I'm saying this, and I LIKE Roman Reigns. Other than his trash ass promos, I like him in the ring. I've gotten over the idea that a guy needs 50 moves to be great. Just Look at Lesnar. He hit John Cena with the same move 14 times at Summerslam, and no one with a shred of credibility complained! Even if die-hard fans were more behind Reigns, Brock Lesnar is simply at the peak of his powers. I never took issue with him showing up part time. I watch Boxing. I watch MMA. I watch seasonal sports. Seasonal shows. There's something to be said for having to wait to see things. Netflix binging is great, but the anticipation that comes from delayed satisfaction... there's no replacing that. So now that Brock has signed up for 3 more years, if he only shows up 12 times a year, I have no problem there, and I'm sure I'll enjoy each and every time. My prediction is that Reigns is booed out the building, defeated handily, and Brock leaves Wrestlemania the best part time champ you could ask for. The IC and US titles become big deals, with the roster chasing Cena/ Bryan, and those titles headlining the house shows/ TV events other than the ones Brock appears on. Top to bottom, it's a pretty good card, and this year sure looks like a win for the WWE. Winner - Brock Lesnar
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Just (Gorilla) Press Play - South Kongress Wrestlemania 31 Preview (Part 1)
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| Time to play button the game |
It's been awhile, but now seems like a fitting time to pick the keys back up and do a little writing. It's just after SXSW, and days before the Texas Relays, so that means... to quote a certain wife of a certain video game music producer... it's WRESTLEMANIA! This year's a bit different, as it's the first time we won't be attending the live event in a few years. But, this gives me a better opportunity to watch this like I watch the rest of the shows. I tend to get a bit lost, being around all those people, taking in all the different sights and sounds, so this year will feel a bit closer to home. So, after all this prefacing, let's cover the card match by match, and try to get a feel for the winners, losers, and happenings of this year's event.
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| Hardest gang in Cana- I mean Swi- nvm. These guys can go. |
Fatal 4 Way for the WWE Tag Team Titles - New Day (Big E/ Kofi Kingston) v. Los Matadores v. The Usos v. Cesaro/Kidd (c)
If nothing else, this is a great way to put some energy and athleticism into a show that, on the surface, seems to lack it. All four of these teams are athletic, with the champs and New Day both having a nice mix of speed and power. As competitors, I'm a fan of all four teams, even though I dislike the Los Matadores gimmick, and LOATHE the New Day gimmick (side note: white folks chant "new day" ironically.... it's that bad) to the point that I can't actually CHEER the guys on. The Usos are, to me, the "it" team right now. The can move, their offense is believable, and they seem to really shine in pay-per-view matches. I'd much prefer a standard tag match between them and the champs. Tyson Kidd should be applauded for accepting a long term demotion to NXT, making guys look great, and making the most of his return to the main roster. I hate seeing Cesaro slotted as anything other than a top tier singles guy, but he's held his own as what I'd call the complimentary piece of that team. I'm picking the champs to retain in a very fast paced, hard hitting match. Winners - Cesaro/Kidd
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| "Just wait on it!" - Migos |
Randy Orton v. Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins is making the most of his opportunity as a major player in WWE. Cliche as it sounds, I think it's the biggest compliment you can bestow on a guy. He went from (by design) the third wheel in the hottest act in wrestling, to the top in ring heel in wresting almost seamlessly. What more impressive is that he did this during the transition to long, drawn out promos that people would groan at in chat rooms and Facebook groups. He was an indy darling, a minor league all star, and is now in position to have a major role in the world's largest wrestling promotion for years to come. He put on size, adapted to WWE's in ring style, but kept enough on his athleticism to still stand out. You believe he's a snake, but that if need be, he can hit you in the mouth hard enough to make it count. Plus, a Jon Stewart co-sign doesn't hurt. In many ways, he's what Randy Orton SHOULD be. That's not to say Orton is bad by any stretch. But I don't look at this match as Orton being the big star Rollins gets to test himself against. This is the Rollins show, and he's almost at that level where, win or lose, he's going to come out looking stronger than before. These two are so good in the ring, you know you'll see magic happen, hopefully it isn't lost in the shuffle of all the higher profile matches. Going into a Mania match with the MITB briefcase, and the uncertainty in the main event (we'll get there) I see Rollins losing clean to a kind of returning conqueror Orton. Winner - Randy Orton
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| Not a big fan... but them jerseys though... |
AJ Lee/ Paige v. The Bellas
I don't watch 'Total Divas'. I watch PLENTY of terrible "unscripted" things, but that isn't one of them. But I can say this - as the Bellas have gotten more famous, they've gotten SO MUCH BETTER in the ring. Whether it's the new found attention, or the pressure of the NXT Women breathing down their necks, they've taken their craft way more seriously than before. AJ and Paige? You don't have to question their skill set at all. With the show being as long as it is, you hope they get enough time to really go out and show what they can do. AJ jumped on twitter and told her bosses the truth about the world, and in my experience, that very rarely produces the desired results, so it's tough to pick her team to win. However, eventually the Bellas have to lose, right? They always seem to come out on top if for no other reason than to be more annoying the next go round. So perhaps, to show there's no hard feelings (yeah right) the better team gets the nod. Winners - AJ Lee/Paige
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| Andre hovering over MAD create-a-players |
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Cesaro won last year, and he's on the pre-show this year. This won't get many words from me. I hope Mark Henry eliminates a bunch of guys, Axel does something hilarious, and the guy I'm picking to win has a good year after he wins. Winner - Damien Sandow (Mizdow)
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| My finger being the 1, to signal the 1, in 21-1 |
Bray Wyatt v. The Undertaker
I was in the building when Taker lost his first Wrestlemania match. It was the largest crowd of silent people this side of Mecca. I was pretty sure it was the very last time we'd be seeing the Undertaker in a WWE ring, and I was fine with the send off. Now, he's back. It all just seems so forced. I dig Bryatt Wyatt as a character, as an athlete, as a performer. He moves great for his size, has a great look, and just seems like he could mess you up if need be. It's certainly a natural fit for the psychedelic cult preacher to want to take down the local immortal Specter. It's just about a year too late. There's really no reason to have the Undertaker lose this match, as starting a negative streak for a guy that is a special attraction lessens the special. And Bray can talk that hot shit the very next day and have his mojo back. Have to go with the Dead Man here. Winner - The Undertaker
Come back Friday, 3/27, for my picks in the IC Title Ladder Match, US Title Match, Icon vs. That One Guy Match, and the WWE World Heavyweight Title Match!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Pudding Pops, Pusha T and Paramount Pictures - Bill Cosby? Not your Father.
I went to a Hannibal Buress show earlier this year. I knew him as an SNL writer, and a supporting character on the show 'Broad City' I rave about. Buress is my kind of comedian - he's in the know. Well read, but not removed from urban culture. In a crowd that mostly early 30's white men and women, I was one of the few reciting the Pusha T songs that played during the pre show. You can't control your audience, but you can control what you give them. In a post Dave Chappelle world, it was nice to have a comedian that operates in a space similar to mine.
The show was really, really good. He covered a wide range of topics - music, sex, race, violence, drugs... all the things we laugh about, cry about, and stay up at night contemplating. That, coupled with the fact that we brought in a few flasks, made for a fantastic experience. Months later, Buress did what lots of comedians do - he took a very real situation, deadpanned it, and waited for the crowd to react. Bill Cosby, famous TV dad, legendary comedian and crotchety old Black guy, spent YEARS stressing that, in many cases, we as young Black people were our own worst enemies. "pull up your pants, use your suffixes, turn your hat around" the whole nine. I've had this argument with parents, kids, teachers, hell, strangers, about the validity of such a statement. I could write an entire post on the intricacies of who's at fault there, but that's for another time. Before I talk about Bill Cosby being the scum of the earth, I want to explain to you my adoration of Bill Cosby. I'm a 28 year old Black Man from the east coast with a college degree. I fucking love Bill Cosby. I love Bill Cosby for the Huxtable family. This was a Black family of Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, and dedicated students. They weren't "holier than thou" people. They made being educated seem NORMAL, like that's the way things were supposed to be. Even when light skinned Elvin decided showed up to lead Sondra astray, Elvin came from an educated family, so even if his common sense was gone, he had the tools to help people out in the world.
Even heavier than that, 'A Different World' was, and still is, mandatory viewing for children Black, white, and in between. I've seen every single episode front to back, and they still hold up. I've never seen LIFE on screen the way Hillman was given to us. The place was alive, teeming with ideas, hunger, fear... it was what I wanted from adulthood before I even knew what adulthood was. Looking back on it as a person older than those characters now, you see the ignorance the apprehension, the desire for understanding. It was a look at life after high school, but before the world really begins, that hasn't been replicated since.
So Bill Cosby, or Heathcliff Huxtable, or Debbie Allen, or Carmen Finestra, someone, was definitely a surrogate parent for me. But arrogant ass that I am, when people start talking crazy, I start separating the characters from the men behind them. BILL COSBY HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF RAPE FIFTEEN TIMES MAN. Now, I knew that, Weez and Travis probably knew that (hey guys) I'm certain Miles knew that, and Bradford and Chad knew that, because they know everything. I'm at the barbershop Wednesday, like I typically am on Wednesdays, and we started talking Cosby after the story came across the HLN ticker. I'll tell you something about Black people, if you weren't aware - we are VERY SLOW to condemn our successful individuals. Because we claim them as our own successes, it's very hard for us to throw them away. I had a spirited discussion which ended with me being called a coon because I choose not to listen to Michael Jackson anymore. Without getting into too much detail, MJ's catalogue is great, and I'd never tell anyone else they shouldn't partake... but I'm cool over here. So the first reaction from a woman in the shop was "that's a shame, someone trying to get Bill Cosby." In a very even tone I responded "this is the 15th time he's been accused of rape or sexual abuse." The two barbers nodded their heads, and that was the extent of the conversation. You damn near have to kill a Black baby while entering a white woman to have the Black community turn against you!
So understand my shift in feelings if you will - Bill Cosby, who told us to "act" a certain way for years and years, had access to channels other Black actors/ artists never did, because of the wholesome image he portrayed. Here's where it gets a little dark. How does a Black man, albeit a world renowned one, get accused of rape that many times, and most folks NEVER EVEN HEARD ABOUT IT? Because that's an image organizations work hard to maintain, because they can make a fucking MINT off that image. There are people who do bad, bad things that you'll never know about, because they mean too much to someone in power for that information to be as widespread as it should.
Who knows what'll happen from here - maybe Bill Cosby's life finishes out in prison, maybe he goes broke paying off lawsuits, maybe he "gets away with it" and spends his remaining days in a big house on a pile of money. Just be aware that the things we grew up on, the things that shaped us, were at least in part put out there to turn a profit. Don't let Bill Cosby ruin Heathcliff Huxtable. Or 'Ghost Dad'. That guy was a Saint.
Bonus - Me at the Hannibal Buress Show - Gibberish Rap x Ballerinas
The show was really, really good. He covered a wide range of topics - music, sex, race, violence, drugs... all the things we laugh about, cry about, and stay up at night contemplating. That, coupled with the fact that we brought in a few flasks, made for a fantastic experience. Months later, Buress did what lots of comedians do - he took a very real situation, deadpanned it, and waited for the crowd to react. Bill Cosby, famous TV dad, legendary comedian and crotchety old Black guy, spent YEARS stressing that, in many cases, we as young Black people were our own worst enemies. "pull up your pants, use your suffixes, turn your hat around" the whole nine. I've had this argument with parents, kids, teachers, hell, strangers, about the validity of such a statement. I could write an entire post on the intricacies of who's at fault there, but that's for another time. Before I talk about Bill Cosby being the scum of the earth, I want to explain to you my adoration of Bill Cosby. I'm a 28 year old Black Man from the east coast with a college degree. I fucking love Bill Cosby. I love Bill Cosby for the Huxtable family. This was a Black family of Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, and dedicated students. They weren't "holier than thou" people. They made being educated seem NORMAL, like that's the way things were supposed to be. Even when light skinned Elvin decided showed up to lead Sondra astray, Elvin came from an educated family, so even if his common sense was gone, he had the tools to help people out in the world.
 |
| No funny quips here... except "jammin' on the one!" Loved that. |
Even heavier than that, 'A Different World' was, and still is, mandatory viewing for children Black, white, and in between. I've seen every single episode front to back, and they still hold up. I've never seen LIFE on screen the way Hillman was given to us. The place was alive, teeming with ideas, hunger, fear... it was what I wanted from adulthood before I even knew what adulthood was. Looking back on it as a person older than those characters now, you see the ignorance the apprehension, the desire for understanding. It was a look at life after high school, but before the world really begins, that hasn't been replicated since.
 |
| When being smart became being awesome! |
So Bill Cosby, or Heathcliff Huxtable, or Debbie Allen, or Carmen Finestra, someone, was definitely a surrogate parent for me. But arrogant ass that I am, when people start talking crazy, I start separating the characters from the men behind them. BILL COSBY HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF RAPE FIFTEEN TIMES MAN. Now, I knew that, Weez and Travis probably knew that (hey guys) I'm certain Miles knew that, and Bradford and Chad knew that, because they know everything. I'm at the barbershop Wednesday, like I typically am on Wednesdays, and we started talking Cosby after the story came across the HLN ticker. I'll tell you something about Black people, if you weren't aware - we are VERY SLOW to condemn our successful individuals. Because we claim them as our own successes, it's very hard for us to throw them away. I had a spirited discussion which ended with me being called a coon because I choose not to listen to Michael Jackson anymore. Without getting into too much detail, MJ's catalogue is great, and I'd never tell anyone else they shouldn't partake... but I'm cool over here. So the first reaction from a woman in the shop was "that's a shame, someone trying to get Bill Cosby." In a very even tone I responded "this is the 15th time he's been accused of rape or sexual abuse." The two barbers nodded their heads, and that was the extent of the conversation. You damn near have to kill a Black baby while entering a white woman to have the Black community turn against you!
 |
| How Black folks treat Black celebrities with "issues". |
So understand my shift in feelings if you will - Bill Cosby, who told us to "act" a certain way for years and years, had access to channels other Black actors/ artists never did, because of the wholesome image he portrayed. Here's where it gets a little dark. How does a Black man, albeit a world renowned one, get accused of rape that many times, and most folks NEVER EVEN HEARD ABOUT IT? Because that's an image organizations work hard to maintain, because they can make a fucking MINT off that image. There are people who do bad, bad things that you'll never know about, because they mean too much to someone in power for that information to be as widespread as it should.
 |
| Hold up... YOU want ME to pull up MY pants??? |
Who knows what'll happen from here - maybe Bill Cosby's life finishes out in prison, maybe he goes broke paying off lawsuits, maybe he "gets away with it" and spends his remaining days in a big house on a pile of money. Just be aware that the things we grew up on, the things that shaped us, were at least in part put out there to turn a profit. Don't let Bill Cosby ruin Heathcliff Huxtable. Or 'Ghost Dad'. That guy was a Saint.
 |
| HOW WAS THIS EVEN A THING? |
Bonus - Me at the Hannibal Buress Show - Gibberish Rap x Ballerinas
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
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