To The Wonder – on demand

Posted on April 14, 2013 by susan

To The Wonder is the latest offering from director Terrence Malick which is out in theaters now (Friday, 4/12/13).  Malick directed the interesting and critically acclaimed movie The Tree of Life starring Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain.  It was a bit dark and twisty and this movie is different.  It is very much an “art house” movie, offering beautiful scenery, mostly in Oklahoma with some Paris, France scenes thrown in for good measure.  It stars Ben Affleck as Neil, Olga Kurylenko as Marina and Rachel McAdams as Jane.  Kurylenko also stars with Tom Cruise in Oblivion and yes, she is a Bond girl!  Rachel McAdams (love her) has very few scenes in the film.  The main characters are Neil and Marina who fall in and out of love.  Parts of it are in French with English subtitles.  There is not much dialogue, more swirling scenes and looks, glances, and innuendos.  Very different film, typical of Malick.  Can’t really say if I would recommend it or not, watched it on demand (same day as in theaters).  Very talented director with hugely talented cast, but gotta say, much prefer Ben Affleck in the likes of Argo and The Town.  Oh well, not a bad viewing from the comfort of one’s sofa.


Posted in Blog, celebrities, movies, pop culture | Comments Off on To The Wonder – on demand

To The Wonder – on demand

Posted on April 14, 2013 by admin

To The Wonder is the latest offering from director Terrence Malick which is out in theaters now (Friday, 4/12/13).  Malick directed the interesting and critically acclaimed movie The Tree of Life starring Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain.  It was a bit dark and twisty and this movie is different.  It is very much an “art house” movie, offering beautiful scenery, mostly in Oklahoma with some Paris, France scenes thrown in for good measure.  It stars Ben Affleck as Neil, Olga Kurylenko as Marina and Rachel McAdams as Jane.  Kurylenko also stars with Tom Cruise in Oblivion and yes, she is a Bond girl!  Rachel McAdams (love her) has very few scenes in the film.  The main characters are Neil and Marina who fall in and out of love.  Parts of it are in French with English subtitles.  There is not much dialogue, more swirling scenes and looks, glances, and innuendos.  Very different film, typical of Malick.  Can’t really say if I would recommend it or not, watched it on demand (same day as in theaters).  Very talented director with hugely talented cast, but gotta say, much prefer Ben Affleck in the likes of Argo and The Town.  Oh well, not a bad viewing from the comfort of one’s sofa.


Posted in Blog, celebrities, movies, pop culture | Comments Off on To The Wonder – on demand

Roger Federer to play Swiss Indoor Tournament

Posted on April 13, 2013 by admin

Roger Federer has announced he will in fact play at the Swiss Indoor Tournament in his hometown of Basel, Switzerland.  Earlier when he announced his reduced 2013 schedule, this event was not included.  There has been speculation that it had to do with money (really, like Fed needs the money?) but it now appears he will indeed play his hometown tournament.  He was a ball boy at this event when he was young and has always been a huge supporter of this event.  Gotta say, is there a classier, more loyal guy in all of sports than Roger Federer?  (Maybe Peyton Manning is his equal, or close, anyway).  Great news for tennis fans, and especially those in Basel!  Looking forward to Roger returning to action in Madrid, before he heads to Roland Garros for the French Open.


Posted in Blog, events, rumors, sports figures, Tennis | Comments Off on Roger Federer to play Swiss Indoor Tournament

The Masters – Day 3

Posted on April 13, 2013 by susan

Day three at The Masters in Augusta, moving day!  Well, moving began early this morning when Tiger Woods received word he had been given a two shot penalty and went from -3 to -1 to begin round 3.  (Don’t get me started on this, see earlier post!)   Anyhow, Tiger came out and moved, from -1 to -3 and trails the leaders by 4.  He is not out of it yet, let’s see if he can work any magic tomorrow!  Way to go Tiger…not caving but preserving and moving!

Leaderboard went through so many machinations today it was almost impossible to keep up with!  After round 3, the leaderboard is as follows: B Snedeker and Angel Cabrera at -7, final pairing for tomorrow’s round 4.  Justin Day, today’s leader, faltered down the stretch and is at  -5.  Ahead of him, Adam Scott at -6.  Aussie, Aussie, Aussie as Marc Leishman is also at -5.  Three Australians round out three of the top five.  Freddie Couples took a nose dive and finished at E.  Matt Kuchar is at -4 and Tim Clark and Tiger Woods are at -3 and will tee off together for the final round.  Rickie Fowler, Steve Stricker, Lee Westwood and others are at -2.  Going to be a great finish tomorrow at Augusta National.  Anything is possible and do not count Tiger out!  Very disappointing day for both Rory Mcilroy and Phil Mickelson.  Rory finished at +5 and Lefty at +8.  Have to think these two are out of it.  The fourteen year old from China, Guan, had a tough day and finished his third round at +9.

OK, guys, who wins tomorrow?  Will it be Snedeker or Cabrera, Adam Scott, Leishman or Scott, or will Tiger make one of his patented miracle moves tomorrow on Sunday?  Stay tuned…it will be fantastic…it always is at The Masters!

Final round coverage begins tomorrow at 2:00 pm EST on CBS.


Posted in Blog, events, golf, sports figures | Comments Off on The Masters – Day 3

Atlanta Braves over the Nationals 3-1

Posted on April 13, 2013 by susan

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals today in the nations capital, 3 -1.  Tim Hudson out dueled Stephen Strasburg and the red hot Braves show why the off season changes they have made are going to make them a real force in this year’s MLB race.  The offense that has been sorely missing the past few seasons has been addressed and it now compliments the outstanding pitching the Braves have always been know for.  Look out National League, the Braves are going to be a team to reckoned with this year!  GO BRAVES!


Posted in baseball, Blog, events, sports figures | Comments Off on Atlanta Braves over the Nationals 3-1

Kobe Bryant out 6 – 9 months after surgery

Posted on April 13, 2013 by susan

Word is Kobe Bryant will be out six to nine months after surgery to repair his torn Achilles after suffering this season ending injury in last night’s game (victory over the Warriors keeping LA Lakers’ playoff hopes alive).  What a sad ending to what has been an outstanding year for Kobe, in spite of all the ups and downs and criticisms of the Lakers.  Kobe has single handedly willed his injured and stumbling team into playoff contention.  Will Kobe be back?  Of course, yes, Kobe will never let this be the ending to his storied career.  Godspeed Kobe, and look forward to seeing you in Lakers uniform next year!


Posted in basketball, Blog, events, sports figures | Comments Off on Kobe Bryant out 6 – 9 months after surgery

Bad news Saturday, Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant

Posted on April 13, 2013 by admin

WOW!  I woke up this morning and just knew something was not right.  It was like there was a dark cloud looming but I did not know why.  After taking care of a few necessary errands, I got home and found out why!  What a bad day for Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant.  First, Tiger Woods has been accessed a two stroke penalty for an incorrect drop on the 15th hole yesterday during his play yesterday.  He signed his card in good faith and only found out this morning around 9:30 am that he had been given this penalty.  The “problem” was apparently brought to the officials by a TV viewer.  Really?  My response, get a life!  Even David Duval, former golf great who played for GT, has tweeted that Tiger should DQ himself.  Excuse me please!  Tiger did not intend to sign a card that was incorrect.  He thought he was OK.  After a review, officials at The Masters have determined that his drop was a violation (something to do with yardage, “BS”) and Tiger has accepted the penalty and will play on!  YES…I hope he wins the damn tournament.  Instead of being at -3, three strokes off the lead, he now begins today’s round at -1, five strokes off the lead.  He will still tee off at 1:45 pm EST today.  The rule is tricky and convoluted but Tiger has accepted the ruling and will play.  GO TIGER!

Then, to add insult to injury. Kobe Bryant has suffered a torn Achilles in last night’s close victory over the Warriors…Lakers 118 – Warriors 116.  It was on a move he has made so many times in his seventeen year career that one simply cannot equate this with anything but just a freak accident, bad luck, whatever.  He will have an MRI today and likely surgery and will miss the postseason (provided the Lakers make the playoffs).  What a shame.  Kobe has played so many minutes this year and has literally willed and carried the Lakers to this point.  They have been the victim of so many injuries, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, World Peace, Steve Blake, I mean really?  What other team has gone through this level of injuries to so many key players?  Kobe has tweeted his anger and frustration but has vowed this will not be the end for him.  This injury marked the end of the careers of both Charles Barkley and Shaq O’Neal.  Not Kobe!  He will be back, he will NEVER allow himself to end his illustrious career in this manner.  Will the Lakers still make the playoffs?  Two games remain,  They are in 8th place with two games remaining.  One on Sunday and the final one on Wednesday.  They currently hold a one game lead over the Jazz (but the Jazz hold the tiebreak).  The Lakers make the playoffs but without Kobe, not likely going to make it past first round.  Really a shame.  I look for Kobe to return next year at the age of 35 better than ever with typical “mamba” fierceness and determination.

As far as both Tiger and Kobe, stop it all you haters.  It is a disgrace!


Posted in basketball, Blog, events, golf, Human Interest, sports figures | Comments Off on Bad news Saturday, Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant

The Masters – Day 2

Posted on April 12, 2013 by admin

Quite a day for round two of The Masters at Augusta National.  Swirling winds were in play under blue skies and sunshine that cleared after early morning rain.  Storms came through the area after passing through Atlanta during the night but by midday, it was beautiful.  Very interesting round of golf with some nice storylines.  Jason Day, the Aussie played a brilliant round of golf to finish atop the leaderboard at -6.  Tiger Woods played a beautiful round of golf but his score did not reflect his play by the end of the day.  He suffered a cruel twist of fate on the 15th hole when he hit what appeared to be a gorgeous approach shot that hit the flag pole, took a huge bounce and then rolled into the water.  Tiger elected to drop from the previous spot outside the green and then hit the perfect approach shot to bogey the hole, if there was ever a “good 6” on this par 5 hole, that was it.  Unfortunately, it seemed to effect the play of Woods on the last two holes and he went on to bogey the 18th as well, dropping to -3 after being tied at -5 for the lead earlier.  The old guy, Freddie Couples at 53 seems to simply know his way around this golf course, and he sits at -5 along with yesterday’s leader, another Aussie, Marc Leishman.  Angel Cabrera and Jim Furyk are at -4 and Brandt Snedeker, Adam Scott, Jason Duffner, Lee Westwood, David Lynn, K J Choi and of course, Tiger, are all at -3.  Rory had a nice day today and pulled to -2.  Mickelson struggled and finished round two at +3.  Last year’s champion, Bubba Watson also finished at +3 and will play this weekend.  The cut line is at +4 and the young fourteen old sensation from China, Guan, finished at +4 and will also be around for the weekend.  He is the youngest player to ever make the weekend at Augusta National for The Masters.  He also suffered a cruel twist, receiving a one shot penalty on the 17th hole for slow play after being warned earlier in the day.  He would have finished at +3 but with the penalty shot, came in at +4, still making the cut.  He was visibly upset, but handled it like a 21 year old, not a mere eighth grade teenager which he in reality is!

The weekend weather should be spectacular and the golf looks like it is going to be special as well.  Round three coverage begins tomorrow at 3:00 pm EST on CBS.  Cannot wait!!  Still pulling for Tiger Woods!  Shake if off and get it done Tiger!


Posted in Blog, events, golf, Human Interest, sports figures | Comments Off on The Masters – Day 2

Day 1 at The Masters!

Posted on April 11, 2013 by susan

Butler Cabin, azaleas and dogwoods in bloom, it is finally spring and The Masters began today at Augusta National Golf Course.  After the first round of play (with the rain holding off until later tonight) the leaderboard looks as follows: Marc Leishman – 6, Sergio Garcia -6, Dustin Jonson – 5, David Lynn – 4, Rickie Fowler -4, G. Fdez-Castano -4, Trevor Immelman -4, Fred Couples -4 (age 53, way to go Freddie!), Matt Kuchar -4.

Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, and Adam Scott all finished the first round at -3.  Tiger Woods shot a 70 for -2 as did Jason Day.  Phil Mickelson came in at -1 and Rory Mcilroy finished at E (even par) for the day.  The fourteen year old phenom from China, Tianlang Guan shot a 73 for +1 and defending champion, Bubba Watson had a rough day, finishing at +3.

Live coverage of round 2 continues tomorrow on ESPN at 3:00 pm EST.


Posted in Blog, ESPN, events, golf, sports figures | Comments Off on Day 1 at The Masters!

Day 1 at The Masters!

Posted on April 11, 2013 by admin

Butler Cabin, azaleas and dogwoods in bloom, it is finally spring and The Masters began today at Augusta National Golf Course.  After the first round of play (with the rain holding off until later tonight) the leaderboard looks as follows: Marc Leishman – 6, Sergio Garcia -6, Dustin Jonson – 5, David Lynn – 4, Rickie Fowler -4, G. Fdez-Castano -4, Trevor Immelman -4, Fred Couples -4 (age 53, way to go Freddie!), Matt Kuchar -4.

Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson, and Adam Scott all finished the first round at -3.  Tiger Woods shot a 70 for -2 as did Jason Day.  Phil Mickelson came in at -1 and Rory Mcilroy finished at E (even par) for the day.  The fourteen year old phenom from China, Tianlang Guan shot a 73 for +1 and defending champion, Bubba Watson had a rough day, finishing at +3.

Live coverage of round 2 continues tomorrow on ESPN at 3:00 pm EST.


Posted in Blog, ESPN, events, golf, sports figures | Comments Off on Day 1 at The Masters!