Buggy Eyes and a Big Butt, part fifteen: Movies 256-287

Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to: Here is part fifteen of his continuing 2016 rundown......

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV

256
The Wailing (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Do Won Kwak, Jung-min Hwang, Jun Kunimura
writer/director: Hong-jin Na

A police officer investigates an outbreak of a suspicious disease that coincides with sightings of a mysterious man living in the woods.

Eerie with an incredibly nerve-wracking ceremony. If you are looking for horror with gore, guts and a quick pace, looks elsewhere.

double feature pairing: The Exorcist

257
Child’s Play (1988) ★ ★ ★
stars: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent
director: Tom Holland

A criminal — and apparent sorcerer — projects his spirit into a doll just before the cops gun him down. Pity the mother who gives the doll to her son. Save the son because he is in some serious shit.

Hilariously dated but still a lot of fun.

double feature pairing: Dead Silence

258
Man vs Snake: The Long and Twisted Tale of Nibbler (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Tim McVey, Dwayne Richard, Enrico Zanetti
directors: Tim Kinzy, Andrew Seklir

Nibbler is an arcade game that has a top score of one billion points. It takes about 40 hours of gameplay to reach that number. It’s weird to call these men athletes, yet there is a physical and mental toll that impresses as well as causes wonder about how smelly that room is.

There is some interesting drama about two-thirds in. The documentary is so focused on glorifying Tim McVey that it ignores someone who did even better. Maybe that guy didn’t want to be interviewed. Can’t imagine why not.

double feature pairing: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

259
The Other (1972) ★ ★.5
stars: Uta Hagen, Chris Udvarnoky, Martin Udvarnoky
director: Robert Mulligan

Twin farm boys possess a power and a secret.

This story of a supernatural Goofus and Gallant doesn’t fare well after 44 years. The slow pace might have worked in its favor then. Now, it telegraphs a reveal we are all too familiar with. The ending is worthwhile, even though it takes a little too long to get there.

watch The Good Son instead

260
Terror Train (1980) ★.5
stars: Ben Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hart Bochner
director: Roger Spottiswoode

Choo! Choo! All aboard the terror train! Don’t let the name fool you. It’s really a murder train.

I’ve got a feeling this movie was old hat in 1980. It was somewhat enjoyable in is awfulness, the bizarre acting of David Copperfield, and for the few minutes it made me think about The War of the Roses.

When an fire extinguisher is used in any movie I’m reminded of the part in The War of the Roses when the family Christmas tree is on fire and Michael Douglas is frantically reading the fire extinguisher instructions. Funny stuff. I’m smiling about it now.

watch The War of the Roses instead

261
Fort Tilden (2014) ★ ★ ★
stars: Bridey Elliott, Clare McNulty
director: Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers

Harper and Allie are going to the beach to meet a couple guys. Distractions within and beyond their control make it a trip more difficult than it should be.

Early segments reminded me of situations that could pop up in Broad City. The movie suffered for a bit because of those connected dots. Fort Tilden came into its own and resolved quite nicely.

tv pairing: Broad City

262
Pontypool (2008) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly
director: Bruce McDonald

There’s a… well, I’ll call it a zombie outbreak for the ease of illustration, even though the outbreak doesn’t technically fall into that arena. Like how people are wrong in calling 28 Days Later a zombie movie. It isn’t, but it’s lumped into that category anyway…

The people of Pontypool are consumed by an infection that is spread in an unknown way. An early morning radio team tries to make sense of it all.

The movie take place almost entirely in the radio station. It’s a unique and intense way of bringing some life into a familiar genre.

double feature pairing: Talk Radio

263
The Whole Truth (2016) ★ ★
stars: Keanu Reeves, Renée Zellweger, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
director: Courtney Hunt

A son is on trial for killing his dad. It’s not a question of did he do it, but what is he hiding?

To those who have never seen a cinematic murder trial, you will be blown away! To everyone else, you can figure what he’s hiding almost immediately. Even though your first guess is probably wrong, because the movie wants you to think you’ve figured it out, your second suspicion isn’t.

watch …and justice for all. instead

264
Re-Animator (1985) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton
director: Stuart Gordon

A scientist brings back the dead in hilariously gory and just plain funny ways.

double feature pairing: Evil Dead 2

265
The Girl on the Train (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson
director: Tate Taylor

The trailer wants you to think this is a crime thriller about a missing woman. It’s that on some level. It’s also something more. The who-done-it is predictable. The performances, particularly Emily Blunt’s, are reasons enough to watch.

double feature pairing: Source Code

266
Onionhead (1958) ★.5
stars: Andy Griffith, Felicia Farr, Walter Mathau
director: Norman Taurog

Some asshole decides to join the Coast Guard after his crush rejects him. He eventually learns one lesson but never gets comeuppance for his actions and gets the girl at the end anyway because the ‘50s.

watch A Face in the Crowd instead

267
The Adventure of Shelock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (1975) ★ ★
stars: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman
writer/director: Gene Wilder

Sigerson Holmes works a case and sing songs.

I got a couple big laughs from this. I was mostly keeping an eye on the time. Fans of Mel Brooks’ movies should check this out.

watch Zero Effect instead

268
Norman Lear: Just Another You (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Norman Lear
directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady

Norman Lear evolved network television (back then it was simply called television) into a place where important social and civil issues could be discussed.

I think the documentary could have eased up on the extensive set pieces which featured a child actor standing in for Lear (He’s a kid at heart!). Listening to Lear as he recorded his audiobook isn’t as interesting as hearing stories in an interview. And I don’t need to watch people watching clips of his shows. Still, he’s an important person in television history. If this is the only documentary we get, it’s good enough.

double feature pairing: The TV Set

269
Carnage Park (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Ashley Bell, Pat Healy, James Landry Hébert
writer/director: Mickey Keating

A couple bank robbers and their hostage find themselves trapped in the desert playground of killer.

The first half has the pace and feel of a Tarantino knock-off. The second half grinds to the crawl of a home invasion movie. Each part was fine.

watch Breakdown instead

270
Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic Four (2015) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Mark Sikes, Oley Sassone, Alex Hyde-White
director: Mark Langford

The Fantastic Four is the only movie Roger Corman made that was never released. Pretty amazing considering all the low budget hash he has slung.

It’s an interesting story. The documentary’s structure and presentation of the ultimate reason why the movie will never get a legitimate release is muddy.

double feature pairing: Lost in La Mancha

271
The Intervention (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Melaine Lynskey, Cobie Smulders, Jason Ritter
writer/director: Clea DuVall

A group of friends come together for a weekend to suggest that two of them should get a divorce.

Excellent performances and a bow-less resolution keep a few contrivances from mattering.

double feature pairing: The Big Chill

272
Finding Dory (2016) ★ ★
stars: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill
directors: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane

Everyone’s favorite forgetful fish has remembered she has parents.

I understand Finding Dory is an obvious title to a Finding Nemo sequel, but I’m calling the bad title police. No one is looking for Dory.

Anyway, one good thing about a main character who suffers from short term memory loss is that you don’t have to pay close attention to the movie. They will repeat any important plot points.

watch Blackfish instead

273
A Bigger Splash (2015) ★ ★.5
stars: Tilda Swinton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ralph Fiennes
director: Luca Guadagnino

A famous rock star rests her voice in Italy with her boyfriend when her former producer and lover crash their solitary.

Good performances and character stories. I lost interest after a while.

watch Sexy Beast instead

274
Doctor Strange (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton
director: Scott Derrickson

A neurosurgeon survives a car crash that irrevocably damages his hands. Looking for a miracle, he finds salvation in magic.

The Marvel movie universe has gone cosmic, and it works. I am burned out on origin stories, but in this case, it’s necessary and comes off rather well. It even takes a fresh approach on the third-act spectacle of dudes fighting as a city crumbles.

double feature pairing: Edge of Tomorrow

275
Gimme Danger (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Iggy Pop, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton
director: Jim Jarmusch

The story of The Stooges. It is so much the story of The Stooges that it’s barely acknowledged that Iggy Pop has a solo career.

It’s a must see for fans of The Stooges.

watch Filmage: The Story of Descendents/ALL instead

276
Morris from America (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Lina Keller
writer/director: Chad Hartigan

Morris and his dad are Americans living in Germany. He has a hard time fitting in with kids his age. When he meets Katrin, he tries a little harder.

One of the better coming-of-age stories. The father and son scenes are great. I prefer Craig Robinson as a dramatic actor.

double feature pairing: In Bruges

277
Ordinary World (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Billie Joe Armstrong, Selma Blair, Judy Greer
writer/director: Lee Kirk

Perry gave up his band to have a family. He’s wondering if he chose wisely as he turns 40.

All the comforts and forced situations of a formulaic romantic comedy. I actually enjoyed it. Billie Joe “Green Day” Armstrong turned in a decent performance.

double feature pairing: The Family Man

278
Wild Oats (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Howard Hesseman
director: Andy Tennant

Eva doesn’t know what to do when a $50,000 life insurance check arrives in the amount of $5,000,000. Her friend Maddie says, “Fuck it. Let’s travel.” Eva agrees.

A fun romp with funny people. It’s ends like you might expect, but the way there isn’t as expected. Also, you don’t see too many movie championing the career of a teacher.

double feature pairing: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

279
A Band Called Death (2012) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Bobby Hackney, David Hackney, Dannis Hackney
directors: Mark Christopher Covino, Jeff Howlett

Two years before the Ramones, there was Death. Now called the first punk band, Death was formed by three brothers from Detroit. David’s unwavering defiance to keep that name kept them from an audience. 35 years later, the audience found the music.

It’s amazing the power music can have.

double feature pairing: The Punk Singer

280
Our Kind of Traitor (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Ewan McGregor, Naomie Harris, Stellan Skarsgård
director: Susanna White

Some regular folks on a vacation decide to assist a Russian bookkeeper in defecting to England.

A very traditional spy thriller. If you’ve never seen one, you’re gonna love it!

watch Moscow on the Hudson instead

281
Dog Eat Dog (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Matthew Cook
director: Paul Schrader

The trio of criminals decide to up their game by kidnapping the baby of a debtor.

This movie is 20 years too late to be anything interesting. It’s always good to see Willem Dafoe in the mix.

watch Three Men and a Baby instead

282
Army of One (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Nicolas Cage, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Russell Brand
director: Larry Charles

Based on the true story of the guy who went to Afghanistan to find Osama bin Laden by himself.

You know what I miss? Nicholas Cage, the comedian. And to some extent the “out there” Nicholas Cage. This one displays them both wonderfully. If you do not feel the same way about Nicolas Cage, there is nothing here for you. It is as absurd as the story it’s based on. So much fun.

double feature pairing: Zero Dark Thirty

283
Nerve (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Emily Meade
directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Vee decides to break out of her comfort zone by signing up for a dare-based game funded and run by those watching online.

oh, these goddamn millennials and their internet games. Don’t bring your logic, just the edge of your seat*.

*an exaggeration. It’s a better movie than I thought it would be.

double feature pairing: The Game

284
Moonlight (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Travante Rhodes
director: Barry Jenkins

The three actors listed above play the same character at different points in his life. The casting director should get a major award for finding three individuals who could make their respective performances imprint and/or reflect on each other, building a character to a point where you can see the hurting child in the eyes of the grown man.

double feature pairing: Half Nelson

285
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Andrew Garfield
director: Mel Gibson

There was a man so steadfast in his faith and country that he served in WWII as medic and refused to kill or carry a weapon.

There aren’t many people with that much conviction. Tough to believe, but there it is. The movie is a little corny and incredibly brutal. Vince Vaughn makes an excellent drill instructor.

double feature pairing: Letters from Iwo Jima

286
The Handmaiden (2016) ★ ★.5

stars: Min-hee Kim, Kim Tea-ri, Jung-woo Ha
director: Chan-wook Park

Two Korean con artists conspire against a Japanese heiress. Not everything is as it seems.

It’s beautifully shot. But if you are going to make me watch the first half of the movie again from a different perspective show me that it was necessary and not just to wake me up.

watch Groundhog Day instead

287
Arrival (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
director: Denis Villeneuve

The government enlists the aid of a linguist to decipher the noises coming from one of the twelve alien crafts that have appeared on Earth.

Really good, potentially great. I’m so used to movies taking cheap shortcuts that when the dismissed aspects of this story turned out to have weight to them, I realized that maybe the full appreciation of this movie wouldn’t come until a second viewing.

book pairing: Trees

Counters:
287/366 movies (31 movies off pace)
38/52 movies directed by women

TOP THREE

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

The Pencilstorm Rundown (Literally & Figuratively) on the 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominations - by Ricki C.

(author's note: I wrote this blog back in late October, but with one thing & another, it didn't run until now.  In light of the recent "Presidential" Election, I now believe the nominees inducted into the Rock Hall will be Tupac, Journey and Joan Baez.)

Longtime Pencilstorm readers are well aware of my problems with ther Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: from the Concept, to the Implementation, to the Selections for Induction; allow me to summarize…….

1)    Unlike sports, rock & roll does not lend itself well to the Concept of halls of fame.  Sports achievements are pretty much quantifiable: how many games won or lost, batting averages, yards gained, Super Bowl victories, three-pointers made in a single game, how many days or nights (or weeks) were played in soccer until a goal was scored, etc.  Much of rock & roll is based on heartfelt ephemera: The Syndicate of Sound’s “Hey Little Girl” is – on the Ricki C. Planet – JUST as important to rock & roll as the entire Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album.  (And more exciting.)

2)    Implementation: SOMEBODY shoulda thought ahead 30 years ago in 1986 when the Rock Hall started inducting performers that SOMEDAY the well was gonna run dry of TRULY DESERVING members of a HALL OF FAME regarding musicians and rock & roll acts; that somewhere the choices were gonna start to get sketchy.  C’mon, let’s face facts: The Beatles and The Rolling Stones (and even Led Zeppelin) are one thing, Kiss and Deep Purple are quite another, which leads us to…..

3)    The Nomination/Induction Process: Why does there have to be 8 or 9 inductees EVERY YEAR?  (Other than the fact that The Rock Hall WANTS/NEEDS to throw a Big Concert every year for some Big $’s, but that’s pretty much the story of EVERYTHING in rock & roll in the 21st century, so what else is new?)  I was almost MORE comfortable with the nomination/induction process when the performers had to have been invited to Jann Wenner’s home for dinner at least once, and display their impeccable table manners to Mrs. Wenner before they could/would be considered.  (Examples: David Crosby, Billy Joel, Sting.)  All of which brings us to the latest pale, weak stew of nominees……. 
 

The 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominations

Tupac Shakur, Janet Jackson, Chic, Chaka Khan, Joe Tex:  Pretty much every year I am accused of racism in rejecting all of the Black Nominees to the Rock Hall.  And every year my defense is the same, there are MANY, MANY black performers who belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Chuck Berry (without whom rock & roll MAY NEVER HAVE EXISTED), Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, etc.  If somebody – Berry Gordy Jr., for example – would like to establish a R&B/Rap Hall of Fame in Memphis (where the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame SHOULD HAVE BEEN BUILT, by the way, but that’s another blog for a different time) or Detroit (the original Motown), I would happily see those performers inducted.  I am sorry, but I was only a hippie for about 20 minutes back in 1969 and therefore do not subscribe to the kum-by-yah, politically-correct view that music is music: rock & roll is NOT r&b/rap and vice versa.  I don’t see anybody clamoring to induct country acts like Garth Brooks or Eddie Rabbitt into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, let alone Buck Owens, Steve Earle or Lyle Lovett (all of whom might actually DESERVE it.)  I view this as pandering, as reverse racism of the Highest Order.  (And while we’re on the subject, where are the nominations for The Chambers Brothers or Living Colour: ACTUAL black rock & roll bands?)

Steppenwolf, The J. Geils Band:  I saw both of these bands live in their rock & roll primes.  My view, INDUCT THEM NOW.  (And I sometimes wonder why nobody ever brings up the connections between The J. Geils Band and Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.  I firmly believe Peter Wolf, Magic Dick & Da Boston Boyz loomed mightily as an influence on the young Mr. Springsteen.)  

The MC5, Bad Brains:  C’mon, the INVENTORS of a rock & roll style/sub-genre (punk crossed with metal) The MC5 vie for induction the same year as a band that was – at best – a minor sidenote to that style almost 10 years later?  Again, I must cite reverse racism.  Otherwise, where are the nominations for Black Flag, Fear or The Circle Jerks?  Further, if The MC5 had been from New York City or San Francisco (or – perhaps more accurately – if they hadn’t literally and/or figuratively pissed all over Jann Wenner’s Rolling Stone magazine and Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditoriums back in the day) they would have been nominated & inducted back in 1994, their first year of eligibility.  The Stooges were inducted into the Rock Hall in 2010 and The MC5 is still waiting in 2016, 13 YEARS after the first time they were nominated?  Really, I just have to laugh.

The Cars: One of the ten best debut albums of all time, probably the best New Wave/skinny-tie power-pop band (along with Blondie) ever invented?  Induct them now.

Joan Baez: ROCKIN’!  Didn’t she used to date that nice Zimmerman boy from down the street in Hibbing, Minnesota about five DECADES before he won the Nobel Prize in Literature?

Kraftwerk, Journey: I’ll not be dignifying these nominations with comment.  Again, WHY do 19 acts need to be nominated and 8 or 9 INDUCTED every year?  The small pond of deserving Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees is getting shallower every year, gentlemen of the Rock Hall.   

Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam: See above, yawn……

Yes, ELO, Depeche Mode: See above, all Hackmeisters of The Highest Order.  Jeff Lynne was an infinitely better producer than he was songwriter or bandleader.  Induct The Move first.  And Yes – whether they meant to or not – spawned the likes of Styx and Kansas, which alone invalidates them gaining entrance to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.  SOMEBODY needs to be held accountable for these atrocities in the name of rock & roll.

The Zombies: Really, The Zombies – who recorded a nifty little album called Odessey & Oracle, you mighta heard of it – await induction into the Rock Hall after The Hollies were inducted in 2010?  That couldn’t have anything to do with Graham Nash being in Crosby, Stills & Nash and those Jann Wenner dinner parties I referred to above, could it?  The British Invasion bands are CRIMINALLY overlooked while the likes of The Dells and Chicago gain induction.  Gimme a break, induct The Zombies, NOW. – Ricki C. / October 23rd, 2016. 

Show and Album Preview: N.P. Presley and The Ghost of Jesse Garon - by Jeremy Porter

Show Preview & Album Review: N.P. Presley and The Ghost of Jesse Garon

Lexington, Kentucky is a hidden gem in the independent music landscape of the southern-Midwest. Once you've had your fill of UK Wildcat basketball, beautiful horses grazing in bluegrass pastures, and some of the tastiest bourbon in the state, you'll find a welcoming music scene rich in camaraderie, talent, spirit and diversity. It's hip without being hipster, it's small without being townie, and it's steeped in the kind of culture that smaller cities can't support and larger cities lose in the masses. Venues like The Green Lantern, Al's Bar, and the newest, beautiful addition - The Burl - support bands like Those Crosstown Rivals,  Josh Nolan, Bryan Minks & The Kentucky Sons, Paper Bridges, and the great Justin Wells, among many others.

Not lost in the shuffle is N.P. Presley & The Ghost Of Jesse Garon.  N.P. and his 7-piece band will make the three hour drive north to Columbus this Tuesday to open for The Goddamn Gallows (Yeah Detroit!) and Gallows Bound at The Shrunken Head.  

N.P. (or Nate as I call him when he buys me drinks) is no stranger to rock and roll. His mom was cousin to none other than the King himself, Elvis, and toured with him in the 70s. Nate gets his snarl from Elvis, and some of his swagger too. Starting in the early '90s Nate led one of Lexington's greatest exports, the punk band Infected, through 20+ years of off-again-on-again touring and recording before forming The Ghost of Jesse Garon in 2014. 

In 2016 the band released their first full-length Broken Fantasy and it's chock-full of Kentucky Rock and Roll, edgy alt-country, and rockabilly punk. N.P.'s growl leads the way through 10 tracks, with a backbeat that's just ahead of the guitars and baritone sax, and sweet, sweet harmonies by Heather Parrish adding a nice varnish to the beautifully rough under-surface. I think the band shines brightest on "Only Time Will Tell," a fully-realized pop-rock-soul number that channels The Hold Steady with the main riff but lays a gritty vocal hook and call & answer harmony on top of that. "Won't Slow Down" is another strong one: a pop-punk almost-anthem with a growling, breathy vocal on top of driving, chunky guitars. The opening track "Dream While You Still Can" is a dark, acoustic, Americana number that recalls the underappreciated Massachusetts band Angry Johnny And The Killbillies. "Road to Insanity" and "It's a Fact" are rockabilly tracks that evoke Elvis' swingin' hips days.  The whole package is a bit of a goulash of a couple styles - but it's a cohesive set, not disjointed or unfocused. It's incredibly engaging with no filler and no lulls to open your attention to distractions. Fans of Social Distortion, X, The Replacements, Hank III, the Fat Wreck Chords bands, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Naked Raygun and more will all dig this release.  

N.P. Presley and The Ghost Of Jesse Garon are playing Columbus on Tuesday, November 15th opening for Goddamn Gallows and Gallows Bound at The Shrunken Head, 251 W 5th Avenue.  Doors are at 8pm.  Get tickets here:  https://nppresley.bandcamp.com/  
 
N.P. Presley and The Ghost Of Jesse Garon:
http://www.nppresley.com/
https://www.facebook.com/nppresley
https://nppresley.bandcamp.com/

Thank you. Thank you very much.  

Are the Bucks as Good as they Looked Against Nebraska? Baver Answers

Colin:  Wow. Are we that good or was Nebraska that over rated?

Baver: A little of both. When an Urban Meyer team breaks out of a slump, they usually do so in grand fashion. And Urban teams typically play their best in the highest profile games. Since the start of the 2014 campaign, Ohio State has faced 10 teams that ranked in the top 12 nationally. OSU is 9-1 in those games, having scored 40 or more points in 8 of the 10. It helped too that Nebraska suffered from the Wisconsin hangover….we know all too well what that can do to a team. But honestly….no one is going to mistake this Cornhusker team with Tom Osborne’s teams of the 90’s.

Colin:  What did you see on offense that was different previous weeks?

Baver: I think they did a better job of mixing up the play calling and the execution was damn near perfect. All of the key offensive pieces seemed to finally be in sync with one another. My guess is that the offensive coaches and players spent a considerable amount of time working to get their rhythm and timing back in the days leading up to Saturday’s beat down. On another note, true frosh Binjimen Victor, who can fly, ran several deep routes. Although they didn’t throw long to him, NU had to account for him, and this helped soften things up for the short stuff. The Buckeyes had the NU defense off balance all night and things just snowballed.

Colin:  And the defense...

Baver: It didn’t look like Ohio State made too many changes from a schematic standpoint; there was just a ton more energy than we’ve seen in awhile. Unlike Wisconsin, and Penn State (to an extent), Nebraska had no success running the ball. They then tried to throw the ball deep several times; again, no success. Overall, Nebraska’s offense simply couldn’t match up against an Ohio State defense that was bringing it, play after play. This is an OSU D that will again see several underclassmen being picked in the early rounds of the next NFL draft. You don’t want to face them when they are clearly motivated.

Colin:  OK, we are on a collision course with Michigan for a spot in the Big Ten title game. Can anything mess this up?

Baver: Possibly Sparty rising up and playing their best game of the year against Ohio State like they did last year. Or Michigan screwing around and losing to Iowa on Saturday. If that happens, the Bucks not only need to win out, but will need the Nits to lose another game as well. But, yeah….I’d put my money on the winner of that game….The Game….heading to the conference title game the following Saturday.

Colin:  Give us an update on your picks and games / lines you will be watching this week.

Baver: Treading water at 14-17 against the spread, but 6-3 ATS picking the Ohio State games, hitting 6 of the last 7. Does Urban take it easy on his former assistant who’s now leading the Terps? Not sure he can afford to with the possibility of OSU winning out but still not making the B1G championship game. I like the Bucks to cover the 29 ½; the call: Ohio State 45-13. Mississippi St is playing better and catching too many against Bama. Take the Bulldogs and the 29 pts against the nation’s best team….I foresee a Bama 21 to 24 pt win. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Nebraska free-fall; take the Gophers getting a touchdown in Lincoln.

The NCP "Are Sick" and Had to Call Off Work So No Browns Blog Tonight.

Actually, that's not entirely true. They did tell their 3rd shift manager, Mr. Johansen, they had food poisoning and couldn't work Thursday at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery but he said, "If I see you guys writing your stupid Browns blog you are both fired."

So no blog this week for the Thursday night game, Browns v Ravens.

You can still follow them @northcoastpossee because Mr. Johansen doesn't know what twitter is. 

What Now America? What NOW? How About a Mixtape? - Wal Ozello

By Pencilstorm contributor - Wal Ozello

We have a strict rule here among us Pencilstorm contributors - no politics.  Even with the tumultuous Presidential election, I stopped myself from blogging about it.  After Tuesday's results came in my facebook feed lit up and it's been crazy ever since.  Both sides are still talking about what America needs.

You know what America needs now?  Some good ol' rock n roll.  So I made a mix tape for you America.  Enjoy!

American Girl - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Liberty - Journey

Rockin' In  The Free World - Neil Young

For Those About To Rock, We Salute You - AC/DC

Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry

Paradise City - Guns N Roses

American Idiot - Green Day

Right Now - Van Halen

Rock In America - Night Ranger

The Rising - Bruce Springsteen

Star Spangled Banner - Jimi Hendrix

Feel free to add your own in the comment section below.  It's time to rock.

Wal Ozello is a science fiction techno-thriller novelist and the author of Assignment 1989 ,  Revolution 1990, and Sacrifice 2086. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.