POTC, Tennis and Soccer
What a difference one week makes! This weekend was unlike the last one as far as the sporting events and movies are concerned.
POTC
--------
We started the weekend by watching POTC:Dead Man's Chest on the Friday night. That being the first evening of the movie, even finding a parking spot was difficult. I have never seen that lot so full. In spite of the movie being screened every half hour, the hall we were in was full (no surprises there). Last time we saw a movie with such a crowd was "Spiderman". Anyway, I would not be surprised if everyone was disappointed with the movie. Not that I had unreasonable expectations but the movie felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on the success of the first. The curse of the sequels! The bad guys are a bit gross, keira knightley cannot act, neither can Orlando Bloom and three way sword fights with POTC theme are not enough to make a great movie. But if you liked the first helping, you do not have a choice. You will watch this one no matter what I or anybody else says. But *if* you have a choice, if you go to the multiplex and are not able to decide between POTC and Superman, go for the Superhero. Save POTC for DVD. DVD will be out in 6 months and the next movie next summer by next summer if not this holiday season.
(Possible spoiler in next paragraph, nothing related to story though)
When I used to buy comics in primary/middle school (ok part of high school too) I used to take a quick look at the end frame to see that "The End". Anything that had "to be continued.." was not worth it. For movies, it is only worth it if the name of the movie is "Lord of the Rings" or "Kill Bill". You can wait for dessert if you have a nice fulfilling dinner. In fact, the wait is recommended, appreciated and necessary. You cannot serve some tomato soup to a hungry person and ask him to wait much longer for the dinner. That is cruel. Hopefully the dinner will make up for this disappointment.
Tennis and Soccer
--------------------
But then last week, tennis results were not so good. And this week could not be any better.
Mauresmo won her first Wimbledon. I did not care really before the match, but it was a good comeback and Amelie's " I don't want anyone to talk about my nerves anymore" made me realize more that it was a very well fought match. Justine was not at her best and if she keeps on making excuses for her defeat, it will be tough to support her in future. This time it was "I was feeling tired" (Then DON'T play the smaller tournaments.)
Then Germany-Portugal was good too. Scolari is another excuses expert. He needs to realize that at this level there are other great players playing too. German goals were great and so was Figo's pass. It was excellent football from an inconsequential match. Except for Ronaldo's pathetic attempt at diving, the match was one of the better ones that I have seen.
That brings us to Sunday morning's "Breakfast with Wimbledon". Nadal had breakfast with us also. I had an omlette, he had a bagel. Ok ok, I am being mean to him, the kid is learning fast and even smiled at the end of the match. I will have second thoughts in not supporting him in future (when he is not playing Roger that is.) Overall a great match. Just loved the quality of tennis. Will we get to watch Fed-Nadal at Cincy this year? I get too excited just thinking about it.
And then the World Cup Final. I wanted Italy to win and had picked them as the winner just before the QF started. Frankly, I liked the way France played today. They looked like the better team in the second half and in extra time. They had more energy than the Italians. In their semi, I liked Portugal's game over France but I guess Italy was destined to win today(mathematically :) ). After their PK losses in 1990, 94 and 98 and snatching a loss from the jaws of victory against France in Euro 2000, it was nice that they won. Their defense has been stellar.
Just one question will remain though, Why ZZ, WHY? No matter what he said, we wanted you to be there. We wanted to see you after the match. We wanted to say goodbye. Well, you have your memories of France 98 and Euro 2000 I guess. But a header in the dying moments today would have shot you up above all the sportspersons I respect. Still within the first 10 is not so bad :). Have a great time in whatever you choose to do. Join MLS maybe to have some fun ;)
POTC
--------
We started the weekend by watching POTC:Dead Man's Chest on the Friday night. That being the first evening of the movie, even finding a parking spot was difficult. I have never seen that lot so full. In spite of the movie being screened every half hour, the hall we were in was full (no surprises there). Last time we saw a movie with such a crowd was "Spiderman". Anyway, I would not be surprised if everyone was disappointed with the movie. Not that I had unreasonable expectations but the movie felt like a cheap attempt to cash in on the success of the first. The curse of the sequels! The bad guys are a bit gross, keira knightley cannot act, neither can Orlando Bloom and three way sword fights with POTC theme are not enough to make a great movie. But if you liked the first helping, you do not have a choice. You will watch this one no matter what I or anybody else says. But *if* you have a choice, if you go to the multiplex and are not able to decide between POTC and Superman, go for the Superhero. Save POTC for DVD. DVD will be out in 6 months and the next movie next summer by next summer if not this holiday season.
(Possible spoiler in next paragraph, nothing related to story though)
When I used to buy comics in primary/middle school (ok part of high school too) I used to take a quick look at the end frame to see that "The End". Anything that had "to be continued.." was not worth it. For movies, it is only worth it if the name of the movie is "Lord of the Rings" or "Kill Bill". You can wait for dessert if you have a nice fulfilling dinner. In fact, the wait is recommended, appreciated and necessary. You cannot serve some tomato soup to a hungry person and ask him to wait much longer for the dinner. That is cruel. Hopefully the dinner will make up for this disappointment.
Tennis and Soccer
--------------------
But then last week, tennis results were not so good. And this week could not be any better.
Mauresmo won her first Wimbledon. I did not care really before the match, but it was a good comeback and Amelie's " I don't want anyone to talk about my nerves anymore" made me realize more that it was a very well fought match. Justine was not at her best and if she keeps on making excuses for her defeat, it will be tough to support her in future. This time it was "I was feeling tired" (Then DON'T play the smaller tournaments.)
Then Germany-Portugal was good too. Scolari is another excuses expert. He needs to realize that at this level there are other great players playing too. German goals were great and so was Figo's pass. It was excellent football from an inconsequential match. Except for Ronaldo's pathetic attempt at diving, the match was one of the better ones that I have seen.
That brings us to Sunday morning's "Breakfast with Wimbledon". Nadal had breakfast with us also. I had an omlette, he had a bagel. Ok ok, I am being mean to him, the kid is learning fast and even smiled at the end of the match. I will have second thoughts in not supporting him in future (when he is not playing Roger that is.) Overall a great match. Just loved the quality of tennis. Will we get to watch Fed-Nadal at Cincy this year? I get too excited just thinking about it.
And then the World Cup Final. I wanted Italy to win and had picked them as the winner just before the QF started. Frankly, I liked the way France played today. They looked like the better team in the second half and in extra time. They had more energy than the Italians. In their semi, I liked Portugal's game over France but I guess Italy was destined to win today(mathematically :) ). After their PK losses in 1990, 94 and 98 and snatching a loss from the jaws of victory against France in Euro 2000, it was nice that they won. Their defense has been stellar.
Just one question will remain though, Why ZZ, WHY? No matter what he said, we wanted you to be there. We wanted to see you after the match. We wanted to say goodbye. Well, you have your memories of France 98 and Euro 2000 I guess. But a header in the dying moments today would have shot you up above all the sportspersons I respect. Still within the first 10 is not so bad :). Have a great time in whatever you choose to do. Join MLS maybe to have some fun ;)
posted by Nikhil at 11:09 PM
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