Bloody Mary at Regionals

To me it would seem incredible if any 6 players could come in 10th place out of 23 teams at a regional level tournament after being seeded last. It becomes even more improbable when 4 of those 6 players are new to the sport and are playing in their first ever tournament. Bloody Mary, a group of players from Queen Mary that was literally put together a day before the tournament won 4 games over the weekend to finish in 10th place at the South Eastern University Regionals, playing with only 6 players the entire weekend!

While we did have 4 players new to the sport, we had two vets who might of been the best two players at the tournament. Including myself, we were led by Rob Schumacher, one of the top players for Fire of London and potential player for the German National team. Rob and I knew we could carry our team for at least our first two games and see what happens from there. After waking up at 6:30AM on Saturday, Dan and I got to Victoria Station and had some McDonalds for Breakfast (first time abroad.) We met up with Rob, Andy, John and Lawrence to complete the squad, sadly realizing that we were going to be playing with 6 all day. On the train ride, Rob and I came up with the zone defense for the weekend and we spent the rest of the time playing Mao, a really sweet card game that will also make a great drinking game

We got to Chichester around 9:30 which was a little early for our 11:00AM game. We decided to hit up Witherspoons for a little more breakfast and a pint. Wanted to stay loose for the first game. After finding the fields, we saw that we were matched up against the Kent B team, who had numbers and jerseys as opposed to our 6 players with reddish shirts. Kent B was nice enough to start with 6 players on the field although I knew they should play with 7. They struggled to move the disc in the windy weather and we got a lot of quick scores working the short field. We jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the time they put 7 on the field.

They ended up scoring 1 point but not managing much else. It was a good warmup game for us as Rob and I were getting our throws in while trying to find the new guys in the endzone. I barely played any defense because I felt bad...this team didnt stand a chance. The final score ended up being 13-1.

Next we had the number 1 seed in our pool, Reading. This team was a lot better and was led by a super tall kid Alex and and super ginger handler known as Ginge. This game required a little more effort. We kept Andy and John on the handlers while Rob and I defended the middle and Dan and Lawrence watched deep. Ginge was moving the disc around and we were having trouble holding the force, something that is detrimental when you are playing a man down. We battled and after being down 5-2, we battled back to close the gap.

In the second half I realized that their offense ran through Ginge so I decided to just mark him. This was very successful and it limited them to only one score the rest of the game. After tying the score, we were set up with the disc on universe point. After a long huck went out of bounds, we had them trapped on their endzone sideline. We got the disc back and were able to punch it in with myself hitting Dan for the the game winning pass on a short bullet over the middle to take the game 10-9. Our win moved us into the 16th seed from the 23rd and set us up for our crossover with the 9th seed. Reading did not seem too happy to lose to a team with 6 players.

Our matchup in the crossover was with Kings, a legit team that are established in the region. We actually warmed up for this one and I felt the best I had felt all day but it didnt seem to matter in the beginning. We started to play a little more conservative which was not working and Kings jumped out to a 3-0 lead.

Now let me introduce you to Huck Fest 2010, England Style. Rob and I would work the disc to around the middle of the field and I would take off. They had a couple solid players but I made a couple nice grabs to bring the game closer. We still had trouble on defense, as a better team knew how to work the disc with only 6 defenders, especially when we just couldnt hold the force. I was getting a little frustrated, especially when I didnt come down with a couple of the hucks in the first half. Finally focused and angry, I started to come down with everything that came my way. I even had a dirty flick huck that Rob made a beautiful catch on to keep us in the game. However it looked like the magic was about to end. With the score at 9-6, we scored to close it to 9-7 only to have the horn sound. Game to 10!

While not taking things too seriously, I told our team that this point would be our last of the day so we cant save anything. Rob and I stressed holding the force and to run our asses off. We got a turn and I made the first of three consecutive posterizations in the endzone to make it 9-8. Starting to believe, we got another D and I had one of my sickest catches over 3 defenders to tie the game. 9-9 pulling the disc. Kings was very cautious and worked the disc all the way up the field to about the goaline. What seemed like the game, Rob made a HUUUGE layout block in the endzone. I knew this was it. We worked it up and Rob sent another floaty flick that I was determined to come down with. Another sky and a little celebration! We couldn't believe we pulled off the comeback victory. Kings seemed even in more disbelief. The spirit circle afterward you could tell they couldn't believe what happened.

We thought we were done but we ended up having another game. We were tired of enough playing with 6 people all day, it didnt seem like we had it for this last one. We actually jumped to an early lead with some hucks from Rob to myself as Kent A were a little surprised by our team. Eventually they realized our plan and started to take it away. I still had some nice grabs as well as Rob but it wasnt enough. Kent was a cool team and they gave us our props but we fell 13-8. This put is in 9th place going into Day 2.

I headed back to London for a legendary all you can eat Sushi dinner and then headed back to campus to get some sleep/stay up till close to 3am playing a little drunk twister. Whatever! I woke up a little before 8am to meet Dan downstairs. Unfortunately, Dan decided to be a fucking pussy and not wake up. So I took the subway and the train to Chichester myself. Luckily we had reinforcements with Sytske so we would still have 6, but if only we could actually get 7 players. I got there late and got to the fields to see that we were down 4-1 to Mohawk B, playing with only 5 players. After Mohawk scored again I rushed onto the field and proceeded to wreck shit. They didnt realize who this guy was and we scored 4 quick points to tie the game. I was pretty driven and angry giving my usual douche comments on the line like "I dont lose to B teams" and "Dont let that kid even think that he can actually D me." I think our team found it funny.

Either way with the wind calm, we were able to get more of our team involved and we took the lead. Mohawk B battled to keep it close but they couldnt stop me and we ended up winning something like 11-9. This set us up with the rematch against Kent I. And this is when it stopped being fun. They knew what we were about and they had two guys hanging deep, and three people on the handler. Sytske made some nice grabs for a couple scores but we couldnt hold the force and Kent scored easily every time. We pretty much gave up and didnt really appreciate Kent going nuts every time they got a D and scored. Good job guys, you are scoring on a team with 6 players who have never played together before...cool. Rob and I were not happy as we ended up losing 15-3. We ended up having to play one more game for 9th place which I didnt really want to cause it was freezing but fuck it.

The team we played also only had 7 but they had some talent. I got a little pissed off in this one as I didnt come down with a couple hucks that I should have. Once I took the pants off it got serious. We battled to take half and the game ended up being to 9 as the horn sounded. We had the disc on universe point and Rob hit me with a huck 10 yards outside the endzone. I hit Sytske who caught it right outside the endzone who then hit Andy for the win. However Sytske threw from the endzone so it was called back. She ended up turning it over after the kid crept closer to me during the stoppage. i could of called a violation but I just really didnt care at this point. We ended up losing 9-8 to finish the tournament in 10th.

Overall I was pissed we lost but we still finished 10th place out of 23 teams at Regionals with only 6 players the whole weekend. Incredible! 4 of those players never having played in a tournament before. Even more incredible! This may be my only tournament with Queen Mary/Bloody Mary but it will be something I will always remember. Once of those ultimate tournaments you will never forget.

And to think if we actually had 7. Maybe a match up against Matt Hartwig's St. Andrews in Nationals.

1-2-3 BLOOD

Nate Grefe's Top 10 Movies of the Decade

Ok so you think you have read it all....well you haven't. Nate Grefe is many things and to keep things PG rated, I won't mention any of them. He does posses a gigantic movie binder that holds an impressive collection of movies that I could really use right now in London. Anyway he has seen enough movies to make a list of his own and I must admit, it is quite good (for example, Michael Clayton is not the number 1 movie of the decade.

The thing lacking in all these lists is another type of opinion. I bring you four 18-21 year old male versions of the best movies of the decade. I would love a female opinion or someone who has graduated college. O well....enjoy



The idea for this list was spawned back in December when I read the A. V. Club’s “Best Films of the 00’s.” (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-films-of-the-00s,35931/) I was confused as to how such a list could be so inaccurate and misguided. The first page alone, which lists the top 50-36 movies, has several movies that are clearly some of the best of the all time, much less the decade. As a movie fan (and admitted movie-snob), I took it as a personal affront and made the claim that I could make a much better list. Well, Jake “Chief” Rainwater took me up on that claim and so now I have tried to present a more realistic countdown of the best films of the decade. Just as I was offended by the A.V. Club’s list, I’m sure that people will have issues with my list. The question is how do you define the “best” or “greatest”? These movies are the ones that I enjoyed the most and was most impressed with. There are movies that may have been more visually thrilling, or funnier, or had better action… but these were the all-around top ten in film achievement.

I was going to do a top 50, but I started and realized that the A.V. Club has a paid staff to do those kind of things, and I, as one person don’t have the time. I have a list of the 50, but only write-ups for 10. So here are the top ten greatest movies of the decade. Ranking 50 movies is hard, and I’m not going to get them in perfect order. The top ten are the ones that I feel most strongly about and I am most certain of their ranking order. As I count through the 50 it gets harder (or impossible) to rank them perfectly. So think of the list as a “movies you have to see” countdown. Starting at number one and counting back, you should try to watch all of these movies as soon as possible.

10. Gladiator (2000)

Few directors can capture an audience like Ridley Scott, and Gladiator is his masterpiece. Alien and Blade Runner are classics and two of my favorites, but they simply don’t appeal to modern audiences in the same way. People nowadays want instant gratification and action, and Ridley Scott deliver just that in Gladiator. Russell Crowe plays Roman general Maximus, who is leading his armies against Germanic barbarians during the height of the Roman Empire. The power struggle leads to the death of his family and his enslavement as a gladiator: one who fights for sport. Maximus’ struggles to survive and avenge his wife and son take him from dilapidated Spanish cells to the glorious Roman Coliseum. This movie is filled with truly epic battles that attract bloodthirsty simpleton moviegoers much like gladiator battles attracted primal Roman citizens. What makes the film great (and earned it a Best Picture) are the incredible acting performances from Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, and Ridley Scott’s skillful portrayal of humanity in an inhumane profession.

Highlights: Joaquin Phoenix; opening battle scene; every other battle scene

9. In The Valley Of Elah (2007)

Tommy Lee Jones has made a living in the 2000’s by playing old men and he does another superb job In the Valley of Elah. It’s almost as though writer/director Paul Haggis prepared this film just for Jones. He gives one of the most powerful and moving performances I have ever seen on screen and it’s a shame he didn’t get the Oscar. But when you go up against Daniel Day Lewis that will happen. Jones plays Hank Deerfield, a war veteran who receives the news that his son has returned from Iraq and has gone AWOL. Suspecting something is wrong, Hank decides to investigate, and as he digs deeper into his son’s disappearance he encounters deception, sin, and sadness. The film doesn’t have an anti-war message, it simply tells the story of a determined man dealing with the changing times and unchanging primal effects that war has on men. Perfectly raw performances from Susan Sarandon and the always-amazing Charlize Theron perfectly compliment Tommy Lee Jones’ outstanding performance. In The Valley of Elah tells a story that keeps you riveted and emotionally invested about as well as any movie I’ve ever seen.

Highlights: every second that Tommy Lee Jones is onscreen

8. Gangs of New York (2002)

Daniel Day-Lewis is the greatest living actor. And if you question or doubt this, just watch his multiple films on the list, starting with the amazing Gangs of New York. From the opening scene of Gangs you will be hooked for the entire 2 hours and 47 minutes of it and never experience a dull moment. Loosely based on the true story of the gang wars in New York City around the turn of the 20th century, the film opens with a reenactment of the Battle of Five Points. When Bill “The Butcher” Cutting, perfected by Daniel Day-Lewis, kills a rival gang leader Priest Vallon (Liam Neeson) in battle, Vallon’s son escapes and survives to grow up in an orphanage and ultimately return to Five Points to avenge his father. Leonardo DiCaprio’s role as the son Amsterdam Vallon began his onscreen love affair with director Martin Scorcese, and with the energy that he brings to Scorcese’s seedy New York sets it is easy to see why. Despite good acting from DiCaprio, Brendan Gleeson, and Cameron Diaz, Daniel Day-Lewis steals the show and makes the movie an unforgettable experience. Lewis’ “Butcher” is one of the greatest movie villains of all time and his ferocious humor and bloodthirsty intensity are as horrifying-yet-fascinating to those around him as they are to viewers. Scorcese’s historical epic has aspects of introspection into politics and the nature of democracy and liberty but it is violence that rules on the mean streets of New York. Violence is a necessary part (if not a way) of life for all the characters in Gangs of New York, and Scorcese puts his cameras inches from the gratuitous violence to draw the audience into his bloody world. In a time where Saw VI and Hostel II draw audiences it’s nice to see that America’s greatest director can still produce a violent masterpiece of operatic proportions.

Highlights: Daniel Day-Fucking-Lewis; The Butcher’s knife throwing performance; when Lewis uses a pig carcass to explain to DiCaprio how to kill a man

7. The Departed (2006)

The Departed is probably the most riveting mob thriller I’ve seen, and as Jake Rainwater says, it is Scorcese’s best film. I haven’t seen the Chinese Internal Affairs that The Departed is based on but it deserves a shout-out simply for coming up with a unique and intriguing story.The dialogue is vicious and funny at the same time, and the wonderful actors all excel in their deliveries. Jack Nicholson is superbly demented as paranoid mob boss Frank Costello, giving one of the best performances of his illustrious career. Leonardo DiCaprio has grown on me over the years and he absolutely kills as the tormented undercover cop Billy Costigan. Matt Damon is fantastic, Mark Whalberg is perfect… the list of great acting performances in this movie goes on and on. This collection of incredible performances is what makes this film Scorcese’s best. In the past, masterpieces like The Aviator, Raging Bull, and Taxi Driver had been carried by incredible solo performances. This is not at all a criticism, and I believe that those films are some of the greatest of all time, but the sheer number of characters in The Departed allows for more plot twists and opportunities. In the end, Martin Scorcese directs this film in a way that gives it intensity and an air of cockiness that guarantees to captivate audiences. The Departed has it all suspense, action, humor, thrills. And if that’s not enough the fiery performances and mind-blowing plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Highlights: DiCaprio’s first meeting with his shrink (Vera Farmiga); Alec Baldwin; intro voice-over with Nicholson

6. No Country for Old Men (2007)

In my opinion, hands-down the best movie the Coen brothers have ever made. I’m usually skeptical as to whether movies can be better than the books that they are based on, but this is one clear exception. Cormac McCarthy’s great novel is brought to life on the screen through the Coen brothers’ unique direction and exceptional screenplay. I just re-watched the movie and I cannot recall any character in the movie raising their voice. So how could No Country for Old Men possibly be described as an exciting thriller? The trick is how mundane everything seems in the film, from the bleak Texas highways to the lazy interactions between small-town locals. In presenting the story in an un-sensational style, the Coen brothers have made extraordinary events seem relevant, enthralling, and even plausible in their viewers’ lives. The calm of film does nothing to extinguish the fiery performances from Josh Brolin and Javier Bardem. Brolin’s savvy cowboy Llewelyn Moss is methodically pursued by the truly terrifying Anton Chigurh (Bardem), one of the greatest screen villains of all time. What you will remember from the movie is Bardem’s chilling smile and his calculating, bloody murders. What really makes the film great is Tommy Lee Jones’ performance and his narration as Sheriff Ed Bell. Bell’s narration serves as a backdrop to the conflict between Chigurh and Moss while Bell himself attempts to piece together a string of mysterious murders and eventually protect Moss. No Country for Old Men presents a very dreary view of our modern desensitized and impassionate society where things are worse but people care less. Bell’s bleak narration doesn’t speak to the present, but instead tells stories of the older, better days and muses on human nature. Jones’ drawling deadpan mesmerizes the audience and there is no way that you will walk away from this movie without asking questions or discussing it: always a great sign.

Highlights: Jones’ speech to end the film; Bardem’s quarter-flipping scene in the gas station; the Brolin-Bardem hotel shootout

5. Mystic River (2003)

Clint Eastwood has been a staple of Hollywood for 50 years and now in the 2000’s he has finally perfected the art of film. While he does more directing now, his appearances in Million Dollar Baby and Gran Turino reassured everyone that he had only gotten better with time. It’s a bold claim to say that directorially Mystic River is his best film, but I think I’m ok with it. The movie would not be the same without amazing performances from Sean Penn and Tim Robbins, and good work from Marcia Gay Harden and Kevin Bacon. The film opens with three boys playing aimlessly on the streets of Boston when a man (John Doman) comes up and takes Dave away. It turns out that the man is pedophile and Dave is emotionally physically abused, leaving him in a fragile mental state. Tim Robbins plays Dave Boyle to perfection as a quiet, haunted man who is implicated in the murder of daughter of the powerful and mysterious Jimmy Markum. Markum is played with shocking passion and intensity by the always-fantastic Sean Penn. I would say that Penn’s performance, if not his best, is probably his most memorable. The energy and raw emotion that emanates from his Markum when his daughter’s death is confirmed is chilling and moving at the same time. All the performances are spot-on, but Penn and Robbins really do steal the show. Mystic River is one of my all-time favorites and I could go on for pages praising every aspect of it, but that’s because every aspect is great: writing, directing, acting are all flawless.

Trivia: Brendan Harris is played by Tom Guiry who also played Smalls in The Sandlot

Highlights: Robbins-Harden “vampire” conversation; Penn being held by police in the park; Penn-Robbins confrontation by the Mystic

4. The Dark Knight (2008)

It’s hard to describe what makes this movie so universally appealing and great at the same time (people are dumb and these two characteristics rarely align this successfully). How do you take a movie quite simply about Batman versus the Joker and make it a masterpiece? Well, the answer is the blossoming director Christopher Nolan and the unforgettable generational icon Heath Ledger. Chris Nolan burst onto the scene in 2000 with Memento and has continued to make some of the most exciting and best movies of the decade. Christian Bale “stars” as Bruce Wayne, the Batman, putting Bale’s unparalleled talent for portraying bottled emotion on display. I put “stars” in quotations because while Bale headlines the film, it is Heath Ledger as the Joker who steals the show. Ledger’s Joker is one of the greatest characters of all time and sadly, the last in a long line of amazing performances from Heath Ledger. The smeared makeup and the grimy hair give an unforgettable image to Ledger’s riveting performance as a disillusioned psychotic. The Joker systematically begins to tear the city apart with no regard for law or reason simply to produce an anarchical, disorderly society, claiming: “I’m an agent of chaos.” Batman struggles to foil the Joker’s twisted plots with some help from Aaron Eckhart (Harvey Dent/Two Face) and Gary Oldman, reprising his role as Commissioner Gordon. It’s hard to imagine a film where Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman are overshadowed, but Bale and Ledger outdo themselves. Nolan builds on Batman’s film noir roots to make his characters tormented and ultimately: human. The first time we see Bale without his mask he’s not doing anything heroic, he stitching up his bruised and dog-bitten body. But after all Batman has never been the typical comic book hero and in postmodern Gotham Batman’s humanity and inherent goodness are the ultimate weapons against the Joker’s cynical reign of terror: “Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight.”

Highlights: Opening heist; Joker’s pencil trick; Hans Zimmer’s score; Batman’s “interrogation” of the Joker

3. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

One of the most controversial films of all-time and certainly of the decade, Brokeback Mountain fearlessly faced controversy and a somewhat limited release. Don’t forget that this movie was released under the conservative Bush administration and in the midst of gay rights controversy (the film was not released at malls near my Southern Virginia town). The screenplay was written by Larry McMurtry, an excellent Western author, based on the tragic short story by Annie Proulx. Brokeback Mountain tells the story of two poor cowboys who meet in 1963 while traversing the Wyoming wilderness herding sheep. Their friendship blossoms into a romance that would be forbidden and despised by their friends and families were it ever to become public. When the summer ends, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) part ways, not see each other for years until both are married. They maintain their romance on post-marriage “fishing trips” which slowly tear their families apart. Gyllenhaal and Ledger both deliver powerful and emotional performances, the best of their careers. Ang Lee directs a masterpiece of a film that has beautiful scenery, beautiful music, and an attention to feeling that allows the audience to become invested in Ledger and Gyllenhaal. Every change in demeanor, every shift in position, and every twitch of the eyes is captured in Lee’s close camerawork and long takes. This is not some “gay cowboy movie.” From a moving and emotional screenplay and incredible acting performances comes a movie that is unashamedly romantic movie. One of the greatest romantic tragedies I’ve ever seen.

Highlights: Ennis’ visit to Jack’s family; Gustavo Santaolalla’s soundtrack; Ledger and Gyllenhaal together and apart give utterly incredible performances

2. There Will Be Blood (2007)

In the opening scene of the There Will Be Blood we are introduced to Daniel Plainview attempting to mine for silver and ending up lying in the mud and the dark, alone and injured. Paul Thomas Anderson’s masterpiece follows Plainview’s quest for the American dream of wealth in the oil boom of the 1890’s. Daniel Day-Lewis plays the insatiable and demonic Plainview, a man who will stop at nothing to dominate all around him whether they stand in his way or not. It would be hard to pick one but an argument could certainly be made that this is Lewis’ best performance. You spend every moment Plainview is onscreen holding your breath waiting to hear what he will say next. Naturally the fantastic direction and script from Anderson provide an excellent base to work from but Lewis (again) steals the show with some help from Paul Dano. Dano plays Eli Sunday, a small-town preacher whose religious fervor almost matches Plainview’s passion for power; almost. Filmed in the same bleak area of Texas as No Country For Old Men, Blood primarily takes place in a poor and desolate village that uncomfortably welcomes Plainview’s derricks and his jobs, but primarily his money. Plainview seduces the townsfolk with talk of bread and wealth with his adopted son H.W. Plainview at his side. H.W.’s father was killed in one of the frequent accidents surrounding the oil business, and his son nearly goes the same way when pressure builds and an enormous spout of fire nearly destroys Plainview’s primary derrick. An oil-soaked leaves his injured son to watch mesmerized as the well burns late into the night. Lewis’ cold, calculating, and nearly inhuman behavior keeps him free of attachment or close relationships. When a long-lost brother (Kevin J. O’Connor) turns up Plainview is uncertain how to act and just when he begins to relax he discovers O’Connor is an imposter. Lewis delivers a titan of a performance and his passion and ferocity are enthralling and terrifying at the same time. His vindictive final explosion of rage in his mansion at the end of the film produces one of the greatest scenes in movie history. There Will Be Blood is the ultimate tale of “reach exceeding grasp” and Plainview’s ascension to wealth and fame go hand in hand with his spiral into alcoholism, rage, and depression. A slow-moving but intense American epic about the limits of man’s limits and sins, There will Be Blood is a mesmerizing and timeless instant classic.

Highlights: bowling alley scene; Plainview’s exorcism in Sunday’s church; really just every time Lewis is on screen

1. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)

First of all, let me say that without the other two movies included included, this film is not really the best of the decade. So this ranking is really for the trilogy as a whole, which I feel is unquestionably the greatest film event of our generation and Return of the King is simply the greatest film of the three and of the decade. The Helm’s Deep scene in The Two Towers is amazing, but the battle for Minas Tirith is the most epic conflict ever seen in film. The special effects are flawless and the audience has no problem slipping into director Peter Jackson’s fantasy world of Middle Earth. From J.R.R. Tolkein’s literary genius, Peter Jackson created a world unlike any other in the mountains and fields of New Zealand. But what really makes the movie more than the average visual effects-driven action-fantasy flick is the humanity of the characters, whether they are actually human or not. Every actor gives it their all in the final film (actually I’m not convinced Orlando Bloom can act) and while Viggo Mortensen and Sir Ian McKellan give their usual good performances, it’s the Sam-Frodo dynamic that captures the hearts of audiences. Elijah Wood (Frodo) and Sean Astin (Samwise) are tasked with destroying the ring of the dark lord Sauron by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom deep in the dark lord’s territory. Sauron unleashes his vast and fearsome armies on the world of men just as Sam and Frodo reach the sinister land of Mordor. The film crescendos not when the two armies clash, but when Frodo and Sam reach the interior of the volcano. Mortensen leads the remnants of the armies of men to the Sauron’s gates in a desperate effort to give Frodo more time and their efforts come just in time for Frodo to complete his monumental task. The film does not have too many endings, no matter what idiots say, and Frodo’s goodbye may be the most touching moment of the entire saga. While other films in the decade have produced better individual acting performances or more insightful messages, Peter Jackson’s epic masterpiece has humor, intensity, action, sadness, and suspense all bundled together in perfect harmony. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the greatest film event of the 2000’s and The Return of the King is the grandest and most satisfying of the trilogy.

Highlights: Frodo and Sam’s encounter with Shelob (the giant spider); Riders of Rohan’s charge into the Orcs and the battle with the Oliphants; Frodo’s goodbye

Spoon in London

(The black boxes are videos...duh!)
This was definitely a highlight night in London. Tuesday February 16th brought fellow Jive Turkey Braeden Eastman to London to witness another legendary Spoon concert. This would be my 5th Spoon show and maybe it was my favorite. To go through the rankings before this show, we start with...

Number 1: October 2007 Freshman year college at the Electric Factory in Philadelphia- This was the moment when the band became one of my favorites. It was my second time seeing them and they were amazing. Best set list I have heard them perform. I was also able to get the set list for it. Crews consisted of Kiwi, Timbo and Jack.

Number 2: Summer 2008 at Prospect Park in Brooklyn with the White Rabbits. Amazing venue for a show and one of the best opening sequences from them. The energy on the first two songs, "They Never Got You" and My Mathematical Mind" was mind blowing. Ducky foolishly missed an incredible show. Crews consisted of Edward Van Small, Jeff Feldman (Original Spoon Legend) and fellow Spoon and Metric fan Hannah ZL.

Number 3: Summer 2007 in New York City. I forget the exact park where the concert was held (Battery Park maybe?) This was my first time seeing them and it was a free concert. I didn't know Spoon too well but this was the first time seeing them and it got me seriously into them. Epic HP crew consisting of Feld, Hannah ZL, Grace, Melissa and Lydia. What made the night was even though we got soaked, we had one of the most legendary Edison Diner visits ever. And trust me, that is saying a lot.




Number 4: Spring 2009 in Lancaster Pennsylvania. A solid venue but the show lost value because we had to watch from the balcony cause some of us were not 21. We didnt have the best view but it was still a great show. Some new songs were played as well which was pretty cool. Crews consisted of Ducky, Jack, Shuttle, Pepe and Lillie


Anyway back to tonight. After getting some dinner, Hillary, Braeden and myself hit up the tube to Camden Town. Braeden didnt actually have a ticket for the show but we were hoping that we could find one outside the show. As soon as we got off, some shady guys were offering to buy and sell tickets. After some hilarious fight between these two scalpers, obviously competing business men, Braeden paid a little extra for a ticket to an incredible show.

We got into the Electric Ballroom which is an awesome venue just a little after doors opened at 7:30. After an initial celebration, followed by purchasing a beer (I love being legal), we moved to the front of the floor right in front of the stage. I knew this was going to be good. While it was my 5th time seeing Spoon, there was a little extra excitement with this show. The new album, the show being in London, seeing it with two people who had never seen Spoon all added together.

(Note: Videos are of lower quality because they wouldn't fit on the blog otherwise. I might post some of the better quality ones on facebook or something.)

Around 7:50, the White Rabbits came on and put on an incredible show. They were amazing and their performance was just as good as Spoon's. Not a terribly well known band but their first two albums are definitely worth checking out and they are incredible live. My second time seeing them but I was up close for this one.

Highlights include my two favorites "The Plot and "Percussion Gun



After switching sets, Spoon came on around 9:00 pm and delivered an incredible show that may rival the concert at the Electric Factory. I always try to guess what the opening song will be and I was thinking maybe something from the new album Transference but right away, Spoon established that this was going to be a special show. No sooner had they taken stage when the opening guitar chords from "Don't Make Me A Target," their opening track from their 2007 album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. I was completely caught off guard but knew I was in for something good.

Second came "The Mystery Zone," which is one of my favorite songs off the new album. Britt Daniel is warming up nicely in this one.


Next came the one two punch of The Beast and Dragon Adored" and "My Mathematical Mind,"
two of my favorite Spoon songs. Sorry for my singing in the background, but it is a concert. I just love when Britt struts the line "Cool!" and points his finger in Mathematical. Great guitar work.

The 5th song was "The Ghost of You Lingers" which is nothing special in my book and probabaly one of my least favorite Spoon songs but still enjoyable in concert. Next they went from the new album with "Is Love Forever?" which has definitely grown on me. Such a great song live, and while I didnt like it at first, I am starting to hear the catchy nature of this short pop song which I earlier thought had none. Opinions change.

They went back to Ga with "Don't You Evah" which was a song I hadn't seen them perform live the past few times I saw them. They followed this with "Small Stakes" which is hands down one of my favoirte Spoon songs to hear live. Check out Eric Harvey on the keyboards play with his head under the instrument.

The followed with a cover of a song called "Love Song." I didn't hear the original band and there was nothing special about this one.


What seemed like the halfway point in the show, Spoon kicked off the second half with the single off their new album "Written In Reverse." Amazing live.

They stayed with Transference and played "Who Makes Your Money" with help from Stephen Patterson of White Rabbits. The rest of the show fucking incredible. They played "The Way We Get By" which I had never heard before live, followed by "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb," and more back to back Gimme Fiction with "They Never Got You," maybe the best song of the night and "I Summon You."

They would end their first set on stage with Rhthm & Soul," Got Nuffin" and one of my all time favorites "Black Like Me." The guitars on "Got Nuffin" was another highlight of the show.


The Encore really put the finishing touches on a memorable Spoon concert in London. They opened with "The Underdog" which is one of the most popular tracks. Surprised me a bit with "Nobody Gets Me But You" from the new album which was pretty good live. They came next with the classic "I Turn My Camera On" and ended with "Jonathan Fisk."


Another legendary Spoon concert! I snagged the set list, bought a bootleg Spoon shirt for 5 pounds and ended the night with Lamb Doner. What could be better?

Music Review- Spoon: Transference

I am no music expert. So if you want to read a real review from someone who knows what they are talking about check out Jeff Feldy's review in the Harvard Crimson.
http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/2/2/daniel-transference-spoon-reverse/

This is me attempting something. Anyway Enjoy

Also I will be seeing Spoon perform in London on February 16th so check back from something about that.



Spoon’s seventh studio album, Transference, is a deviation from the band’s previous style and success. What should be a springboard to stardom, Transference is a step in a different direction from their previous 2007 release Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and it doesn’t feel like the right one. While the album provides the listener with incredibly talented musicians playing some fresh music, little stands out on Transference, which fails to live up to their previous efforts. Spoon fails to capture the edge and swagger that is prominently featured on their prior albums.

Spoon, known for delivering ear opening, captivating beginning numbers that entrances the listener such as “The Beast and Dragon, Adored” and “Don’t Make Me a Target,” tones it down with “Before Destruction,” a low budget and muddled sounding introduction that doesn’t build to a climax or really set a tone for the rest of the album. That is the problem with Transference; there is no clear connection, theme or direction to the album. Transference feels more like a collection of songs with no cohesive ties, making it difficult for the listener to latch on.

Highlights include the first single off the album, “Written in Reverse” which is quintessential Spoon; sharp and jagged sounding with lead man Britt Daniel pouring it on with showy guitar work and heartache in his wailing voice. “The Mystery Zone” is a cool head nodding classic Spoon song where Daniel varies the pace with great guitar riffs that make it hard to keep still. The best song might have been “I Saw the Light,” if not for the three minute instrumental that concludes the song, slamming the breaks on the accelerating sound and build up in Daniel’s voice. “Goodnight Laura” is an emotion filled and surprisingly beautiful song, with profound lyrics from Daniel over just a piano that is less a ballad and more a lullaby, or even a heartfelt goodbye.

The rest of the album, however, is rather disappointing, deficient of the typical drive from past albums that attracts the listener almost immediately. Great guitar work on Transference is not supported by the usual catchy melodies and lyrics from Daniel. Little pop numbers like “Is Love Forever?” and “Trouble Comes Running,” are mediocre efforts from the band. These are simple songs with little that grabs and features dull lyrics and melodies. Some songs just seem to be thrown onto the album like “Out Go the Lights,” and “Nobody Gets Me But You,” that don’t go anywhere while other songs like “Who Makes Your Money” don’t seem to fit the album at all.

Overall, you have a mixed bag that falls way short of big expectations from one of the most talented and overlooked bands out there. While it may not compare to the albums preceding it, Transference is a different kind of Spoon. One that may not taste right immediately, but develops your palate with further helpings.

Overall Rating: 2.5/4

Spring Ultimate- Past and Present

For the past two springs, I was a Dickinson Jive Turkey with the aspirations to make it to Regionals. I still remember freshman year at Sectionals in the horrible weather at Edinboro. We had in my opinion, the best Jive team in our history. In still what I would rate as one of my hardest losses at college, or in my career perhaps was losing to Bucknell 15-12 with a bid to Regionals on the line. We fell behind 5-0 before calling a timeout. In a brutal up-down wind, we battled back with a couple breaks but we couldnt get that final upwind break. That Jive 2008 team could have done something at Regionals with two weeks of hard practice under their belts. Instead it is the season of 'what ifs'

The 2009 spring season for The Jive Turkeys flourished as fast as it deteriorated. Coming off our possibly greatest and my personal favorite win in Jive, a 13-12 thriller over NYU (which should be a whole blog post in itself) , we got beat up in the semis by an athletic Georgetown team. A 13-4 shellacking where we lost Jack Colicchio for up to 6 weeks, one our best players to a broken collarbone. Tracko had carried Dickinson to an upset over James Madison with 7 goals in pool play.

That was the precedent set for 2009. Lot of talent with a chance to be better than 2008 but like that year, bad luck. We came into Savannah without Jack but added Chappers, the image and legend of the Jive Turkeys. On the second point of the tournament against that same Bucknell team, Ducksworth Mazzoli toar his ACL while making a great catch in the endzone to tie it at 1. He was also one of our best players who was done for the year. That doesnt just hurt the team talent wise, but it is losing a teammate. You wont be practicing, training or playing with them. You both dont share the same aspirations to make it to Regionals. The loss of Tracko and Ducks meant the loss of probably our two best defenders. For a team as thin as we were, we were put in a hole that would of taken a miracle to dig out of.

We represented ourselves well at 2009 Sectionals yet we thought the whole time: what could of been? We had an incredible win over Penn State who for more than anything, I am so happy to all the seniors on our team who I knew that meant so much to them. The 2009 Jive class was the last of an era. They had started with the team that was a different kind of Jive Turkey and for better or worse, saw the transformation of the team from one era of Jive Turkey's to the next.

We lost to Edinboro in what was a foreseen conclusion but we battled for it. Still, that win over Penn State for our seniors ended the season on a good note.

For this Spring 2010, I am not a Jive Turkey. I will be again but for this season, I am not. This is probably one of the hardest things I had to sacrifice coming abroad. I will miss the 2010 Spring Season more then I can describe. A last chance to push for that goal of making regionals with Seniors Ducks and Andy Schachter, who I have played the majority of my games as a Jive Turkey with. This is one of the most exiting times for this team who I believe have an abundance of talent from top to bottom. The impressive development showed by the Sophomores and the incredible raw talent of our Freshman class has the team set up well for the future as well as now.

All I can say about 2010, I will be listening, digging out every piece of information and eagerly watching what you guys can accomplish, which is a lot more than what a lot of people think. 2010 has the talent and complexity of a team that can go far and a make a run for a regionals birth. And as selfish as this may sound, 2010 will put our team in an even better position for 2011.

So I am in London and I am finally playing Ultimate. I may not be attached to one team like the Jive Turkey's but I am playing with goals and aspirations. This Spring season is more about me getting better than the success of my team. That will be the focus come Pike/Phillly 2010 Club and Dickinson Jive Turkey's 2011, but for now I am focusing on me.

Queen Mary did not have a team but that didn't stop us. We will be entering a group of players numbering somewhere in the single digits to Student Regionals next weekend. CANNOT WAIT for that. So I guess I did make it to college regionals after all. I have played in the Indoor Nationals in Glasgow, Scotland this past weekend and will have a full blog post on that. Incredible weekend! I have practiced twice with Clapham, a club team in England that has had numerous success and recognition over the past few years.

Both two hour practices I have attended for Clapham were the best 2 hour sessions of frisbee I have had. The pace of the drills, the talent around me and the expectations for this team, all combine for some serious ultimate. This Thursday I did a track out with Colin, Britney and Lindsey and besides an early 800 got my butt whooped all around the track. But hey, thats the starting point for 2010. This Sunday I will finally get a chance to play outdoor 7 v.7 with one of the two Clapham teams. The competition is supposed to be great and I should have 2-3 games. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS. Yea ok you get the point. Things are heating up after a slow start for frisbee here in London. Check back for updates. Time to start making moves.

P.S.- Schachter: I want my JMU preview sometime before the tournament

Go Skim Milk!