I sure wish Broog had eaten the entire reel of film, preferably the original master, before I got to the theater for this dud.

Blitzen is rolling along

I haven't posted much since the original mention but a good deal of progress has been made with the framework project though I still am nowhere near ready to post code. Rest assured that much time and thought has gone into it; the PHP is streamlined and tested, the CSS is primitive yet correct, new pages are simple to add, and page content is easily authored and maintained (a major goal, trust me). While programmers who've created more substantial systems might look at Blitzen as trivial (and they're probably not wrong), I'm laser-focused on my client's requirements and also quite happy with the state of things.

Royalty-free stock photo and image sources

Two good ones, at least: iStockphoto and stock.xchng [via Mark Paschal]

Today's movie: Something's Gotta Give

This Jack Nicholson/Diane Keaton movie was good, really good; I'd say it even had a chance to be on some all-time top romantic comedy lists but missed by just a bit. Nicholson plays his public personna: the wealthy ultimate womanizing bachelor still dating under 30 beauties at 63, with the concept of commitment and relationship utterly foreign to him. Keaton plays a mid-50s-ish divorcee, a leading playwright who's given up on finding someone to shop at her store (to paraphrase one of her lines).

Nancy Meyers has a history with romantic comedies--Father of the Bride, Baby Boom, What Women Want--so Something's Gotta Give doesn't come out of the blue but she's certainly taken her game to another level since divorcing former writing/producing partner Charles Shyer prior to Women. While I've no reason to believe that this is autobiographical, one can easily draw a line from her circumstances, throw in demonstrable creativity and get a character in Keaton's Erica that Meyers understands. And being a longtime Hollywood professional, she's surely met many men like Nicholson's Harry Sanborn!

As I said, this is almost an all-timer, which certainly makes me happy to have spent $15 for two tickets. The plotting is believable and the way we get to the (admittedly inevitable) ending has unpredictable twists, the characters feel real and developed, the dialog is funny and crisp. The main supporting roles are done well too: Keanu Reeves in his first post-Matrix role as Nicholson's doctor and a much younger man who falls for Keaton, Amanda Peet as Keaton's daughter and Nicholson's original romantic interest, and Frances McDormand plays the encouraging, snarky, intelligent sister who pushes Keaton to remember that life is for the living.

So what quibbles did I find that make me say Something's Gotta Give is almost but not quite great? There are three main reasons. First, towards the end after what is the first false ending (when Harry comes to the rehearsal of Erica's new play), Meyers simply skips the action ahead six months and this feels artificial and out of step with the rest of the movie. Second, Peet's character is the only one that doesn't feel real and in the second half seems written simply to support the plot rather than organically do the job. Last, I wonder why there isn't a single less than beautiful person in the entire movie--the closest is a somewhat chunky Jon Favreau in a cameo as Nicholson's chief assistant--and I see this a true flaw in a movie which argues, at its core, that model-style beauty isn't necessary for love. Even so, where a classic would rank above 95 on a scale of 100, I'd rate Something at 90±2.

Surely recommended

Trojans are Number One

No matter what the BCS computers or regulations say, USC's complete domination of Michigan in the Rose Bowl today showed that the voters were right when they chose the Trojans in the top spot for the final pre-Bowl polls. Three touchdown passes from Matt Leinart (24 of 34 for 331 yards and zero interceptions) to Kerry Colbert and Lendale White and a pass from stud receiver Mike Williams back to Leinart, nine(!) sacks and an interception by the SC defense. If the coaches voting the ESPN/USA Today poll had any balls they'd cross out the 2 at the top of their ballot and put a 1 in big black marker, then write USC next to it.

I surely agree with Elliot Robertson!

Another year, another question

The last page has been turned over on another calendar
Another faux important milestone has been passed
Fix the collar on your shirt, flick the dirt off your shoe
Watch the woman with the floppy orange hat throw her
Hands in the air--does she even care?

The Earth rocks here and there in and out of the
Ring of Fire and the Man in Black has passed into
Another plane of existence, singing songs his Momma
Taught him, to a new audience no less appreciative
Of talent and passion--does he even care?

The telephone rings in another room and no one
Hears either end of the conversation though the
Conversants give their all to embed purposeful thought
Into the other's mind and evoke another reaction,
Precious partings of a company--do they even care?

The clocks strike 12, midnight midnight midnight, and
In another timezone people kiss, people hug, people
Grab onto one another and the stop to fix their clothes
When someone shouts to pump up the volume
But no one does--do we even care?

Can we see Reality and understand Time or are they
Another Illusion borne out of the fundamental disconnect
Between the Rider and the Horse? I play another hand of
Cards with a dealer I can't see behind a TV screen
Showing a 22 men running--do I even care?

[1/1/1, 1/1/2, original inspiration via Garret]

Hasta la vista, 2k+3

Another year, another list: Bill's Best of 2003

Football coaching merrygoround: Bye, bye Bill Callahan

After waiting an extra day to allow his son, a freshman QB at UCLA, to focus on the Silicon Valley Bowl, the Raiders announced that Bill Callahan was not offered a new contract and will not return for a third season as head coach. ESPN says that he'll likely head down to Florida and join Gruden's staff in Tampa Bay. A bad day all around for the Callahans as Brian's team could not muster any punch and lost the bowl game to Fresno State. Looking to the future, ESPN's Len Pasquarelli posted an interesting column yesterday breaking down the seven current openings and he forecasts Dallas offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon or former University of Washington coach Rick Neuheisel as the new front for Al Davis; he dismisses Dennis Green as a man who would love the job but won't be able to close a deal with Davis.

The Stepford Wives' Faith Hill

Why am I not surprised that country singer Faith Hill has a featured role in the coming comedy remake of The Stepford Wives (teaser trailer, which is a faux ad much like the one for I, Robot)? She is probably a nice enough person, certainly I've never met her and cannot comment on that, but between her perfect marriage to fellow singing star Tim McGraw and perfect children and her so good she looks manufactured appearance, it's almost satirical that she's been cast as the perfect robotic wife in this film.

Football coaching merrygoround: Tice stays, Spurrier goes

Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs wondered what all the fuss was about and pointed out that he never said anything less than supportive of head coach Mike Tice. After the way their season ended, you might expect some changes in the defensive coaching staff, so it's probably fortunate that defensive coordinator George O'Leary resigned a couple of weeks ago to take the head coaching job at the University of Central Florida.

Surprising no one but confusing many with a non-denial denial that he'd resigned, Steve Spurrier did resign as coach of the Washington Native Americans after two years where pretty much nothing went his way despite mucho dinero for players and facilities provided by baby owner Dan Snyder. Though that moeny apparently also came with plenty of suggestions regarding how Spurrier out to spend it. Not nearly as pleasant an experience as all those years where he was more or less worshipped at that little college down in the Sunshine State.

Today's movie: Me Without You

From 2001, this is a small English movie that mainly comes across as an author's attempt to disgorge the emotional aftermath of a childhood friendship that spoiled. Me Without You was written and directed by Sandra Goldbacher (following up her Minnie Driver debut feature, The Governess), though I could be reading more into this than really ought to be. Mark it down as a character study rather than a story film.

Michelle Williams (yes, the blonde from Dawson's Creek) does her best English accent, adds a few pounds and darkens her hair for most of the movie, playing Holly, the slightly mousy next-door neighbor and best friend to Anna Friel, taking the part of the gregarious, daring and not 100% connected to reality Marina. The only other names are Trudy Styler, Mrs. Sting, as Friel's loopy, slutty mother and Kyle MacLachlan as a college literary theory lecturer who beds both of his students. The film is composed of sequences in five different years--1973, 1978, 1982, 1989 and 2001--showing the growth of the girls and their friendship.

Not really recommended unless you want to relive your English '70s and '80s upbringing as a female

Football coaching merrygoround: Tick tock, Bill Callahan

Over in Oakland the players are in full revolt and one can only wonder how many grains of sand are left in Callahan's hourglass. Turns out that when he suspended Charles Woodson before the Charger game, the other DBs nearly refused to play in protest and only calming words from Woodson stopped them. That would have been one amusing football game to watch, though, had they gone through with it.

Butch Davis, on the other hand, appears to have saved his job running the Browns for at least one more year but only by throwing three of his offensive coaches--offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and running backs coach Todd McNair--into the void. Interesting that the firings focused on offense since the defense didn't seem all that great either. To compare one macro-level measure, the Browns scored more than 20 points only three times (winning all three) but gave up more than 20 points eight times, losing all eight.

No word out of Minnesota yet regarding Mike Tice and given the second half collapse you have to expect some movement from the team. Perhaps, as in Cleveland, the head coach will stay but be forced to dismiss some top assistants. The offense wasn't completely in synch, even with the 6-0 start, but in the end you can point the finger directly at the defense as exemplified by the two touchdowns given up to the Cardinals Sunday in the last two minutes to blow an 11 point lead that would have meant 10 wins, the NFC North and a home playoff game next weekend.

You're not alone in your car

Even if you think you are. Helpful technology is becoming unavoidable and will be used in ways that won't make you happy. Privacy, as John Robb points out is rapidly disappearing into the corporate bank account.

Football coaching merrygoround: Say Sayonara Gregg and Dave

A busy day for the disposal gremlins as Gregg Williams and Dave McGinnis join Jauron looking in from the other side of the window. Williams, for who knows what reason, turned down a contract extension after last season and made it very easy for GM Tom Donohoe to not offer a renewal; presumably this means that the infamous Kevin Gilbride will also be emptying his office. Down where everybody sweats 24/7, the entire coaching staff is looking for a new drinking fountain as McGinnis compiled a "Look Ma, no hands!" 17-40 record in 3.5 years. Booya, indeed.

Minor update: Dave Wannstedt got a two year extension, one year longer than mentioned in the previous post.

Football coaching merrygoround: Jauron gone

Maybe in this season of all things Lord of the Rings, his name rhymes to closely with the Dark Lord's. Maybe it was just that he raised expectations beyond anyone's ability to deliver with 13 wins in 2001. Most likely the bottom line was five years, 35-46 and 22-43 without that one spectacular year, one playoff game which the Bears lost. No matter which reason you point to, Dick Jauron is gone as the head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Meanwhile, the outlook is getting worse for Bill Callahan. Bad enough to lose to the Chargers yesterday in a game where only special teams managed to score and the QBs combined for a rating of 20 but with the pre-game suspension of Charles Woodson and Charlie Garner, he seems to have completely lost the team. Reminds me vaguely of the stories about Richard Nixon drunkenly rambling through the White House in the Spring and Summer of 1974, talking more to the portraits on the walls than to his staff.

Down in Miami, though, Dave Wannstedt seems to have convinced owner Wayne Huizinga--a man who knows trash thoroughly, after all--that he deserves another year. The Mustachioed One will need to give up some of his authority to a general manager to be named later but I've never been a fan of giving one person both jobs anyway, plus he gets a one year extension ensuring that if the new GM wants to drop kick him after 2004, Wannstedt will get a hefty parting gift.

Atlanta is getting started with the interview process; so far Rich McKay is focusing on experienced defensive coordinators and the 49ers' Jim Mora, who lost out to Dennis Erickson last year, is one of three names listed, along with St. Louis's Lovie Smith and and New England's Romeo Crennel. Focusing on defense makes sense to me since a healthy Michael Vick, the RB combination of Duckett and Dunn and a quality free agent at wide reciever (calling Terell Owens!) mean that the Falcons should be a top offense next season. Also nice to see that two of the three named candidates are men of color.

Nick Saban, everybody's favorite college to pro jumper the last couple of off-seasons, is of course named as a candidate for the Bears' job if the money can be worked out; I do wonder if the losing coach in the Sugar Bowl mashup will decide to make the leap. Dennis Green is generally seen as the Man Most Favored by Al Davis and may be ready for an NFL return after two years fishing, and I think the Raiders could use his style (not to mention a few quality starters under the age of 30). The other rumor I've heard so far is that Jim Fassel, having left the Giants with all of four wins this season, will replace McGinnis down in the desert.

Also: There is now a master page up for this season's amusement, linked over there on the left in the site navigation bar under Articles.

Football coaching merrygoround: NFL regular season ending, time to fire coaches

For the third year I'll try and track the coaching and general manager changes in the Land of Not For Long. Bill Cowher still has the longest active streak going but with another out of the money finish ending tonight at Baltimore I'm doubtfull he'll be able to say that when training camp opens; earlier this year Mike Shanahan was on the hot seat but the Broncos have really picked up steam so he'll have another year to continue developing Jake Plummer into John Elway II. The Giants already said goodbye to Jim Fassel and Atlanta booted Dan Reeves. Others questionable to return:

• Miami's Dave Wannstedt: announcement on his future due by Tuesday but Wayne Huizinga has given him money to sign talent and four years but not so much as a conference title game appearance to show for it
  
  
• Buffalo's Gregg Williams: teams are supposed to get better as the season goes on, not explore the deeper and deeper regions of bad
  
  
• Washington's Steve Spurrier: Coach and the wife apparently not happy living la vida DC and are ready to say Manana
  
  
• Oakland's Bill Callahan: first to nearly worst in one year but will he convince the Man in Black that 12 players on IR is the reason?
  
  
• Chicago's Dick Jauron: since Ditka left, the Chicago coach is a perennial candidate on this list
  
  
• Arizona's Dave McGinnis: a goner per ESPN but as long as Bill Bidwell controls the franchise don't expect the Cardinals to even challenge for a playoff slot
  
  
• Cleveland's Butch Davis: unable to develop either of two quality QBs, given plenty of draft picks, Davis could not improve on last year's wild card game loss
  
  
• New Orlean's Jim Hazlett: another perennial candidate because, once again, he couldn't get over the hump and into the playoffs; he was able to hang on after last year's disappointment but will another 8-8 record be Last Call in the French Quarter?

On the GM front, Falcons owner Arthur Blank showed good instincts by hiring second generation footballer Rich McKay as general manager earlier this month while Lions owner William Clay Ford did not by saying he hasn't considered firing Matt Millen despite a big mouth and terrible record. Down in Tampa Bay, the decision to allow McKay to sign on in Atlanta shows that Jon Gruden appears to have convinced the Glazers that he should have near complete control of football operations.

Later: What the hell happened in Minnesota today? After starting the season with six straight wins, the Vikings finished 3-7 and missed the playoffs. By losing to Arizona, of all teams. By one point with literally no time left on the clock! How could Dante Culpepper and Randy Moss let their season slip away to arguably the worst team in the league? Mike Tice improved from last year's 6-10 and this was only his second full season but is his job in jeopardy? The Vikings' website lists many front office personnel but none with the general manager title; Rob Brzezinski, their Vice President of Football Administration, seems to come closest and perhaps he'll take the fall instead. Green Bay goes to the playoffs as the NFC North champs, hosting the Seahawks next weekend.