Category Archives: Not Sports

“From Swofford to Delany”: A Romantic Comedy

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Yesterday, the Washington Post had a feature on the professional rivalry between ACC commissioner John Swofford and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, dating back to when the two attended North Carolina together. Obviously, this lent itself to one entertaining (and completely fictional) romantic comedy idea. Do with this preview what you will…

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Trailer starts with a panoramic view of Chapel Hill, and this song rising up:

 

Voice-over announcer: “Jim Delany was a star point guard, living in the moment.”

“John Swofford was a Southern academic… and a football player.”

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“But despite their differences, they both shared a common bond; one they’d battle over for the next 40 years…”

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Build a Better Offseason: College Football Fan Recommendations for the Week of April 29

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Stone' Sublimely Self Righteous Ale Would Be a Perfect Pairing With Saturday's Kentucky Derby

Stone’ Sublimely Self Righteous Ale Would Be a Perfect Pairing With Saturday’s Kentucky Derby

College football’s offseason is a little over three months old already, but that means there’s still five months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to Fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and other, non-college football sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale, by Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, CA (Black IPA, 8.7% ABV)

Stone’s aptly named beers — especially the IPAs — usually smack you in the mouth with rich, hoppy flavor, and this one’s no exception. Thick and floral, the Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale seems to create the perfect balance between aggressive hops and some delicious malt. Personally, I’d say the best place to give this one a whirl is at the actual brewery down in Escondido (just north of San Diego proper). But if that’s unrealistic for you, Stone beers are pretty generally available from your local distributor everywhere but West Texas, the Dakotas and Montana. In Southern California specifically, though, you have the best chance of finding it in 22-oz. bottles, four-packs or on draft (very select locations).

Book

“Under the Tarnished Dome,” by Don Yaegar and Douglas Looney (1994)

By no means is this book a perfect examination of Notre Dame football in the 80s and 90s, but if you want a real, uncensored glimpse at how the program returned to prominence under former coach Lou Holtz, this is probably your best bet. Admittedly, there’s a lot more Holtz smearing that goes on there than anything else, but at the same time, you get to experience how his personality flaws as a coach greatly altered the foundations of the Fighting Irish. Rather than indulging in the typical Notre Dame myth-making, the book chooses to cast these notions aside in the pursuit of something sinister. With first-person accounts from over 120 former players, the claims here carry some mighty weight. If you’re an Irish fan, I’d avoid, but for others, it’s an interesting look at the program’s rarely-examined faults (some of which still apply today).

Movie

Raging Bull (1980)

I’d argue (probably to minimal resistance) that Raging Bull was Robert DeNiro’s best role, really for a variety of reasons. His character, Jake LaMotta, is a many-layered, flawed one, who takes and gives punishment to an equally-astounding extreme. For director Martin Scorsese and cinematographer Michael Chapman, the key is capturing the raw power of these moments without losing out on the complex human element — something they do to perfection in every single frame. More than just a sports movie (it would not have received its acclaim to-date if it could be boiled down to that simple a concept), it’s a movie about what drives an individual, for better or worse.

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Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of April 15

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Have You Watched Ready for Love on NBC? If Not, Feel Free to Avoid it Like the Plague

Have You Watched Ready for Love on NBC? If Not, Feel Free to Avoid it Like the Plague

College football’s offseason is about three months old already, but that means there’s still nearly five months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to Fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and other, non-college football sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Hop Henge Experimental IPA, by Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR (Imperial/Double IPA, 10.6% ABV)

Looking at the ABV on this one, you’d assume it’s an extremely powerful and bitter double iPA. And yet instead, it’s probably the smoothest double I’ve ever had, with a mix of citrus and caramel notes that completely mask those traditional attributes. On the bottle (it comes primarily in the 22-oz. variety), it explains that the hops have not even been named yet, and based on the unique flavor, I wouldn’t doubt it. Trying to avoid hyperbole as much as possible, this is among my favorite DIPAs, and if you’re west of the Mississippi River (where its distribution is concentrated), you need to find yourself a bottle. For those in Oregon, you may also be able to find it on tap at select locales.

Book

“The Accidental Billionaires,” by Ben Mezrich (2009)

For those who’ve seen the critically-acclaimed 2010 film The Social Network, this is the book that movie is based off of. And not just loosely. While it’s obvious why films cannot always adapt every element of a book when preparing a screenplay, this one manages to do so with some impressive accuracy, yet you can still experience both stories independently of each other as well. The book is written in the same timeline-focused format as the film, following the relationship between Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin from before the site’s establishment through the damaging lawsuit between the two ex-friends later on. It’s not a simple read, but a quick one nonetheless, for those inclined to get a bit more of the backstory on a site they likely use every day.

Movie

Synecdoche, New York (2008)

This one’s a bit “artsy,” so turn back now if that’s not your cup of tea. In short, main character Caden Cotard (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) is in the middle of a life crisis when his wife leaves him and as a result, he dives into what becomes a lengthy and all-consuming theater project. As the film goes on, the concepts of reality and fantasy continue to blur, calling into question everything both Hoffman’s character and the audience believes to be true. Rather than a twist ending, it’s an interesting character study that keeps you engaged, and ultimately wondering how the whole thing plays out. Continue reading →

Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of April 8

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This Week's Recommendations Lead Off With New Belgium's Rampant Imperial IPA

This Week’s Recommendations Lead Off With New Belgium’s Rampant Imperial IPA

College football’s offseason is about three months old already, but that means there’s still nearly five months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to Fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and other, non-college football sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Rampant Imperial IPA, by New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, CO (Imperial/Double IPA, 8.5% ABV)

While watching the Syracuse-Michigan game at the Long Beach Yard House on Saturday, I was obviously disappointed. However, drinking this beer at least brightened my spirits a bit. It pours as a light IPA and drinks like one too, but you can surely taste quite a bit of hops with each gulp — plus that rewarding, stinging kick that stems from having a slightly higher alcohol content. Rampant is one of New Belgium’s most recent varieties, so it’s possible that its distribution area could grow over time. But right now, it’s mostly available in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming, with limited availability (draft or bottle) on the entire Pacific Coast, Midwest, plus parts of the Southeast.

Book

“Primary Colors,” by Joe Klein (1996)

This thinly-veiled commentary on the Clinton presidency was originally attributed to an anonymous author; no doubt adding to the intrigue. But what really hooked readers into Klein’s “Primary Colors” was how incredibly accurate his portrayals of our country’s key political figures were (while still maintaining the fun air of “fiction”). This, of course, in turn fueled speculation and accusations that an insider (such as Klein) was the author, which he eventually revealed later that year. Beyond the back story though, it’s a great (and easy) read that gives you a full view of the time period’s various policy-making parts, while supplying some laughs along the way, too.

Movie

Beerfest (2006)

Yes, it is a Broken Lizard film, so right off the bat, you’ll find all the usual suspects and tropes of such a product. But nonetheless, getting past all that, this movie is a love note to beer, drinking games and (perversely) the German culture. Without giving too much away, the Wolfhouse brothers (Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske) end up at a diehard’s alternative to the touristy Oktoberfest, called Beerfest. After being thoroughly embarrassed by the competition’s competitive drinkers, they create an American team to compete in the following year’s contest. Obviously, hilarity ensues all along the way, especially from the inappropriate Gam Gam (Cloris Leachman) and Barry Badrinath (Jay Chandrasekar). When I first saw this movie freshman year of college, my friends and I tried to make it a drinking game: a shot of beer for every time someone on-screen drank. I would not recommend this to anyone.

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Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of April 1

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Syracuse Punched Their Ticket to the Final Four This Weekend; You Should Probably Watch Them in Atlanta

Syracuse Punched Their Tickets to the Final Four This Weekend; You Should Probably Watch Them in Atlanta

College football’s offseason is more than two months old already, but that means there’s still six months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and other, non-college football sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

HopDevil IPA, by Victory Brewing Company in Downington, PA (American IPA, 6.7% ABV)

HopDevil IPA isn’t overly expensive or generally unavailable, so some may be surprised by just how full-flavored this beer ends up being. A traditional American IPA in every sense, it mixes the right amount of hops with a delicious aroma that combines floral and fruity notes while still maintaining a bold sense of character. Going down smooth, drinking HopDevil is not a chore, but rather, an enjoyable exercise you can easily pair with something as simple as a warm afternoon. You can find it pretty much nationwide (possibly excluding the south), either on tap or more commonly, at your local adult beverage retailer.

Book

“The Postmortal,” by Drew Magary (2011)

For a writer that specializes in an especially profane brand of humor (certainly not complaining), Drew Magary seems to conjure up a pretty realistic sense of helplessness and sadness here in his first foray into fiction. Without giving too much away, Magary’s main character, John Farrell, lives in a world where they’ve just discovered the cure for aging. And as many pieces of science fiction have shown before, the consequences for positive developments fail to always remain that way. When I first read this book last year, I couldn’t put it down, and wrapped it up in a matter of three days. Plan accordingly.

Movie

Orange County (2002)

When I first saw this movie as a 14-year old, I don’t think I quite appreciated what it was; a smarter, more clever comedy about college than many of its peers. It’s not an amazing film by any means. Rather, it’s just a lot better than many movies that came out around that time, especially those others involving Jack Black. Here, he plays sideshow to Colin Hanks, who is predictably dry and pessimistic, counter to Black’s zany antics. In particular, Black’s exchange with firefighters about a fire he started still draws some serious laughs from this end of the couch.

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Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of March 25

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This Week's Offseason Guide Leads of With Triple Voodoo's Inception Belgian-Style Ale

This Week’s Offseason Guide Leads of With Triple Voodoo’s Inception Belgian-Style Ale

College football’s offseason is more than two months old already, but that means there’s still six months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and other, non-college football sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Inception, by Triple Voodoo Brewing in San Francisco, CA (Belgian Tripel, 8% ABV)

Calling Triple Voodoo’s Inception a pure Belgian Tripel would be oversimplifying it too much — as the brewing company itself even calls out. Its Belgian-style ale contains all the characteristics of a traditional Tripel, but with a completely different brewing composition. More hops and a darker finish manage to merge all the best qualities of Trappist ales and IPAs, pleasing fans of either with a unique blend of flavors. Even with all that boldness, it still manages to go down smooth — a surprising, yet welcome aspect of the brew. Unfortunately for most readers, this one’s only available in California (Northern and Southern), but if you’re out here, it’s easy enough to find it on draft or in 22 oz. bottles.

Book

“How Few Remain,” by Harry Turtledove (1998)

Admittedly, you may want to check out Turtledove’s “Guns of the South” prequel first, but I don’t believe it’s an absolute necessity in reading this one. For fans of alternate history, “How Few Remain” is an incredibly detailed an well-researched look into what could’ve happened had the Confederacy won the Civil War and continued to exist south of the United States border (the Mason/Dixon line, in this case). Turtledove obviously has a background in military research, with an emphasis on battles and tactics within this alternate second Civil War, but what I found most intriguing was the societal impacts and the depth in which he alters known historical figures. This is the first in a series of nine books (spanning from this war through World War II), so you may end up getting hooked. But if so, you’ve been warned, and also encouraged to do so.

Movie

North By Northwest (1959)

There’s no point in “reviewing” this film at any length, because so many others have already done so in much better fashion than I could ever hope to. But for those who don’t spend a ton of time with movies made prior to the 70s or so (surprisingly, many of these people do exist), I’d highly recommend North by Northwest. It’s an Alfred Hitchcock film, sure, but what you get instead of a pure-play thriller (as would usually be his norm) is a fun, yet suspenseful spy drama. Incredibly well-written, it’s also aided by the acting chops of the legendary Cary Grant, who puts in (in my opinion) one of his career’s best performances here.

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Build a Better Offseason: Recommendations for the Week of March 18

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Among This Week's Non-College Football Highlights: Knee Deep's Hoptologist DIPA

Among This Week’s Non-College Football Highlights: Knee Deep’s Hoptologist DIPA

College football’s offseason is two months old already, but that means there’s still a little under six months until the 2013 season. It’s an eternity for any college football fan, and while many of us indulge in watching other sports, it just can’t compare to fall Saturdays.

With that in mind, we bring you the latest installment of our weekly feature, “Build a Better Offseason.” Every seven days or so, we’ll provide recommendations on what to do with all your free time now that you’re not all-consumed by college football, specifically focusing on beers, books, movies and sporting events. There’s also “this week in shame,” which you can view at the bottom of each piece.

Beer

Hoptologist DIPA, by Knee Deep Brewing Company in Lincoln, CA (Imperial/Double IPA, 9% ABV)

Enjoy hops? Like, a lot of hops? Knee Deep’s Hoptologist DIPA is exactly what you’re looking for. From both an aroma and taste perspective, this beer is chock-full of hops, as well as a generous selection of citrus flavoring. While I’d certainly characterize the finish as “bitter,” I’d assume you already know what you’re getting into if you grab a brew like this, and thus, embrace that element. Availability-wise, this one’s actually not as difficult to find as you’d assume. If you’re in California, you should just be able to stop into your local BevMo to find it (especially in Southern California) in 22 oz. bottles. But Colorado, Idaho and Ohio also have it pretty well-stocked (at least according to the brewery’s web site, anyway).

Book

“The Silver Linings Playbook,” by Matthew Quick (2008)

Yes, most people know this story at this point after watching the critically-acclaimed film starring Bradley Cooper and America’s Sweetheart, Jennifer Lawrence. But while the movie stays true to parts of the book, the novel’s narrative does go much deeper into the sadder and more violent parts of protagonist Pat Peoples’s life. Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, the book is an easy, yet powerful read, a smart and personal look at mental illness and how our society’s perception of it all is a bit off-base. Don’t look at it as preachy — the book is far from it. Rather, see it as educational for those of us who don’t personally deal with these issues on a daily basis.

Movie

Accepted (2006)

I feel like this movie is never really talked about, which is odd, because I believe it’s one of the better roles star Justin Long has ever played. He’s a believable underdog, and an inspired leader — not the best leader, of course, but certainly fits the bill this film calls for. With a PG-13 rating, what Accepted lacks in typical tropes comedies of that time period throws out, it makes up for in creating jokes that actually land (raunchiness aside). In that regard, Long’s quips fall perfectly and effortlessly as a commentary on the state of Greek culture and academic culture at many institutions. I would never sit here and call this movie “great,” by any means, but if you’re looking for a surprisingly prescient and honest look at mid-00s college culture, it’s tough to top Accepted.

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