Monthly Archives: October 2015
A Trial Listen
Steven Spielberg’s new film, Bridge of Spies, starring Tom Hanks begins its theatrical run this week.
The legendary director, who has taken us on rides through the heroics and tragedy of war to a park with genetically-engineered dinosaurs to the open sea with a supreme predator to treasure-mapped adventures, has taken his camera and storytelling expertise to the high-stakes game of negotiation.
An ordinary lawyer protecting a captured enemy of war with the American legal system as his defense during the Cold War may not sound terribly exciting, but the story (based in truth) just may lead us all to experience the movie that critics are raving about.
While the trailer looks exciting, the music takes it to another level…the Spielberg-level.
Movie soundtracks can make or break a film. In special cases, the perfect score can define a film, characters, story and/or concept.
A powerful soundtrack can bridge the gap between action and inaction…
or between staying home and going out to the theater.
No Lions in Paris
(EPA)
Dutch tourism to France may be at an all-time low next summer.
The Netherlands soccer team suffered a devastating 3-2 loss today against the Czech Republic, who were not very kind visitors in the Amsterdam Arena. Missed opportunities for goals throughout 93 minutes, porous defending in the back and Robin van Persie’s miscalculation that resulted in an own goal sealed their fate.
It should be noted van Persie did score against the Czech Republic, along with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Since the Dutch were hanging by a thread of hope and a prayer (a must-win game and Iceland victory) before kickoff, the odds against their qualifying for the playoff to then qualify to the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament in France were very high.
Still, the Oranje players and dedicated fans (myself included) had faith in an epic turnaround.
Despite injuries to key players (including, but not limited to Arjen Robben, Jasper Cillessen and much of its defense), it was expected that the Netherlands would be able to control its games and earn enough wins and ties to book its ticket to France in the summer of 2016.
They didn’t.
“…Netherlands finished fourth in the group and failed to qualify for the European Championships for the first time since 1984…”
–Tom Webber, Goal.com
Great teams in all sports experience injury woes that can paralyze their chances at grand success. Some of these teams manage to squeeze out wins, even when the odds were all against them. Even though the Dutch have had their pitfalls throughout its history (internal turmoil, lack of motivation), they have also had moments of glory and the best kinds of shock-and-awe. Just last summer, the Dutch finished third in the World Cup.
And this is where this defeat stings the most.
The expectations were and are sky high for this squad, as in a championship-level altitude. Some of the best players in the world are on this team. Let’s take a closer look with their age in parenthesis:
- Arjen Robben (31)
- Wesley Sneijder (31)
- Robin van Persie (32)
- Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (32)
- Rafael van der Vaart (32)
The fact is those listed above, a golden generation in their own right, have world-class talent, pace and vision. Age has not slowed them down. However, the reason for listing the aforementioned players who define the explosive and creative offense identity of the Dutch is to acknowledge that this was the last UEFA Euro tournament they could have competed for within their peak years.
As a tried-and-true Dutch fan for more than 15 years, it’s painful to even concede this reality.
The final score today was a disqualifying loss, but the opportunity to play for and potentially win a defining European championship was the real loss and it was (and is) gut-wrenching.
There are many questions to be answered in the coming days, weeks, months:
- Is head coach Danny Blind to blame when he had such a limited, bleak chance of success?
- Who will be the head coach for the 2018 World Cup qualifying?
- What players listed above will be leading the Dutch towards the next World Cup in Russia?
- Aside from Daley Blind, can the Netherlands find high-quality defenders?
- How quickly can this team fix its problems and return to playing world-class soccer/Total Football?
Fortunately, the KNVB’s current golden generation has a proficiency for answering its harshest critics every couple of years. They have one more chance lift a trophy to solidify their golden Oranje legacy.
From Russia, with love of strength and the World Cup trophy, 2018 is the mission of a lifetime.
Happy Monday!
In my scarecrow dreams,
When they smash my heart into smithereens,
Be a bright red rose come bursting the concrete.
Be a cartoon heart,
Light a fire, a fire, a spark
Light a fire, a flame in my heart.
We’ll run wild,
We’ll be glowing in the dark
Coldplay has many, many hit songs. Some are slow and emotional and others build to a celebratory pinnacle. “Charlie Brown” combines both of these dynamics for a sound (and reaction) of inspiring brilliance.
This is especially true live in concert…
I was lucky enough to see this Coldplay tour in the picturesque setting of The Hollywood Bowl in May of 2012. The environment was just like the video above. It was crazy awesome.
Have an Animated Week!
O George, Where Art Thou?
Movies from the early 20th century are exciting because of the high-quality of writing, cinematography and acting from these pioneering days of the movie business. What we enjoy today was made possible because of the risks and excellence in storytelling from decades earlier. Films from its earliest years are some of the industry’s greatest achievements.
It’s no wonder contemporary writers, directors and actors return back to that original “golden era.” Think The Rocketeer and The Artist.
The Coen brothers are the latest to reminisce, explore and highlight this treasured time in the major motion picture business. They are once again teaming up with this small-time actor George Clooney (O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Burn After Reading, Intolerable Cruelty).
Here’s the first trailer for, “Hail, Caesar!”
When does this movie arrive in theaters?
The future.
(Specifically, February 5, 2016)
Jimmy's Daily Planet 