Well, not a game I’d classify as one of the greatest ever played, but sure
wasn’t unhappy with the outcome. Had a great time over at my parents’ place,
eating too much, hanging out with the Dalys, trying not to gnaw my nails off
entirely watching Big Blue absolutely dominate that first half.and yet still
come away down one and giving the Pats the ball to start the second. Told my
dad when they punted late in the 2nd quarter, “They’re gonna let Brady pick
them apart and score, then go down by eight in the third and have to start
throwing more.”
Sure enough, they did. I don’t care how big a Giants fan you are, you hadda
be watching that offense do nothing possession after possession, then settle
for field goals, wondering, “Are they gonna choke?”
Luckily, this is the Eli Manning I was happy to see the Giants deal for back
on draft day and pass on the chance at Phillip Rivers. Rivers may have great
stats, but I always thought Eli could be the type of QB the Giants have
needed since Phil Simms retired. Calm, no nonsense, efficient, and smart.
No, he’s not the stat machine Peyton is, but.who’s got more rings and more
MVP awards in the game that really counts? Who’s got the better playoff
record? Who’s still got far fewer postseason starts, with the chance to keep
getting better with more time left in his career?
Something else. And, I tweeted about this last nite to Adam Schefter. Hey,
before people start lionizing Tom Coughlin as some legendary head coach, let’s
remember, for the past 2.5 seasons, he’s been coaching for his job on a
regular basis. Deservedly so. Yes, he earned credit for the 2007 Super Bowl
season. But by the same token, he absolutely deserves the criticism that
comes from having his team totally fall apart around him in the wake of the
Plaxico Burress debacle, and then two second-half collapses during the
regular season that *earned* him his place on the hot seat. This year? Let’s
take off the Giants fan hats for a minute and look at this season. 9-7. That
was it. And, that includes two horrendous losses to a Redskins team that
wasn’t going anywhere, a reprehensible loss at home to the Eagles-a severely
beaten up team playing with their backup QB, and that miracle game in
Dallas, where they were losing by 12 with 3:30 to go. Dallas doesn’t choke
(which they did a *lot* this season), year is over and done with right
there. I know, I know, it *could* have been an ugly ending to the season.
But, that’s something to keep in mind. This Giants team is pretty talented.
But are they, with the beaten up secondary and Justin Tuck not being 100% a
good portion of the year, and the various injuries on offense, *better* than
the teams that absolutely folded like lawn chairs after starting 6-2?
Nope, and that’s the point. Coughlin was hailed by retired QB Steve Young a
few weeks back after the Atlanta win as a “great motivator.” Okay, fine.
Where was that motivation the past three seasons? I know winning the big one
gives you the free pass the following year, I don’t mind that. But Tom
Coughlin has been on the hot seat repeatedly in his Giants career for one
reason-he belonged there. His teams weren’t performing.
Listen, winning a Super Bowl is hard. Everyone knows that. But.other Super
Bowl winning coaches have gotten fired. Mike Shanahan won two in a row and
still got fired. John Gruden won a Super Bowl and got fired a couple seasons
later. It happens. And, if your team has a habit of being streaky and
inconsistent (and, a 9-7 regular season finish this year, I would bet my
writing career, would have been his last had he not won the division.
(Largely thanks to the choking ways of the Cowboys and the Eagles absolutely
turning in the underperformance of the past ten years).
This year was all about Eli Manning. His ability to bear down and do things
on 3rd down you rarely see this frequently. I’m not about to go jumping for
joy about Kevin Gilbride calling the offense, either. Let’s face it-you don’t
draw up that David Tyree miracle catch from their last Super Bowl meeting
with New England, and you don’t draw up yesterday’s Mario Manningham grab
late in the 4th, either. The Giants offense, which looked amazing against
the Falcons and Packers, was far from potent today. If Wes Welker catches
that gimme touchdown? In all likelihood, game over. Tough to say whether or
not the Giants offense would have scored another TD had Bradshaw gone down
in the final minutes, too. I think it’s accurate to say the Pats gave them
the score, because it made sense. But besides that first quarter touchdown
and some nice, individual passing plays, did you ever get the feeling the
Giants O could take charge? Nope, and I really think a better coached team
would have run away with this thing early. Not often you get those kinds of
gifts and possessions with the opportunity to tear out a team’s throat. And
yeah, penalties are part of the game. But this Giants offense was going up
against a pretty poorly rated D. Middle of the pack in points allowed? Okay,
let’s just take that stat. Giants drives were bogging down regularly, they
were inconsistent moving the ball, they got a 2 point gift on a Patriots
penalty in the end zone. Hardly what we saw in Green Bay 3 weeks ago, was
it?
So, not to be overly critical, because all that counts is getting the W when
there’s only one game left to play. They did it, and deserve the congrats
and the free pass the coaching staff gets next year. But lets at least be
honest about how this team played over the entire season, remember why it
was that the coaching staff were getting hammered by fans and pundits alike,
and remember that the Giants are the first 9-7 team to win the Super Bowl.
Giants have two Super Bowl wins with Coughlin and Manning. Belichik and
Brady are now only 3-2 in Super Bowls, but.wouldn’t you want the Patriots
kind of consistency and a *shot* at having Coughlin and Manning in *5* title
games as opposed to going 9-7, 8-8, 8-8 over the past couple of years?
I know what I want, and that’s for a Giants 2012 team that should only get
better to get at least 10 regular season wins, play tough game-in, game-out,
and make the playoffs. The D should be improved, as Jason Pierre Paul keeps
getting better, Osi and Tuck get time to heal up in the offseason, the
secondary can get back to 100%, and management shores up the LB position.
There’s the draft, and a good corps of receivers we can add to. Maybe some O
line help and finding a piece or two to help out at tight end. We just won a
Super Bowl-and there’s plenty of room to improve. We don’t have to win three
in a row, but I’d sure like the chance to be in the playoffs as regularly as
a team like the Steelers or Patriots have been the last several years,
wouldn’t you? I’m a lifelong Giants fan. I bleed blue. But I’m also a
realist. The playoffs are where the Giants have made noise, and getting
there regularly?
That’s the kind of thing that usually keeps your coach off the hot seat.
Well, finally took the fight out of this wicked head cold, and just in time.
Will be at my folks’ place today, rooting on the Giants and hoping to see
them hoist another Lombardi trophy. Sure didn’t expect them to be playing
for the whole enchilada after a sub-par 9-7 season (in which it
seemed-rightfully so-that Tom Coughlin was coaching for his job every week),
but sometimes, you just get hot at exactly the right moment. So, here’s
hoping for a 2007 repeat.
If not, it won’t be so bad. I like the Patriots well enough, and I’ve always
thought Tom Brady played to win more than Peyton Manning, who Brady is often
compared to in terms of all-time greats. Manning, IMO, has always played for
glossy stats, and I think it cost him a playoff game the night after Brady
and the Pats won in an epic passfest, and Manning went out to try and put up
matching numbers, with a pass-at-all-costs mindset, and it backfired. So,
either li’l brother Eli gets his 2nd ring (one more than Peyton, despite all
those great Colts teams and him having a ton more playoff starts), or Brady
gets a fourth, which Peyton will likely never match. And, of course, one of
the best things about this Super Bowl? It’s Rex Ryan free! :D
Enjoy the game. I don’t take many days off, but Super Bowl Sunday is always
one of ‘em, usually for good reason. If tomorrow ends like the 2007 SB did?
It’ll be for great reason.
Hawkeye
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Currently listening to: Tupelo by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
No exaggeration (though a hat tip to Jewel.) Got a head cold that I probably
can’t entirely blame on Pam (although she did get it first), but she went
out tonight with a friend and I’m here wondering if I should change my
living will.
Anyway, while I endeavor to keep mucous from getting all over my space bar,
here’s a quick update on what’s happening on this end.
My novel, Torn to Pieces, is being proofed by friends and fellow authors, as
we ready it for release on Kindle, NOOK, and whatever other e-book options
exist. Not being a Kindle or NOOK user myself, I’m sure there’s other means
of getting e-books into the hands of readers, so feel free to clue the blind
guy in on what’s available by dropping me an e-mail.
As well, we’re scheduling the photo shoot for the CHASERS upload (if you
missed the chance to download it for free for Xmas, relax, it’ll only be .99
cents when we put it up again). That one generated some really nice
responses, and to everyone who gave it a look-see and commented, you have my
thanks.
Stuff Out’a My Head 2 is in the works, which I’m really jazzed about, because
with the growing acceptance of e-books, now I don’t have to worry about the
cost of printing if I want to make the thing 300 pages.or more. I guess once
we format it, I’ll have a better idea, but I’m going to put in a lot more
than I was able to with Stuff 1.
So, that’s it. Just a quickie report so loyalists don’t think I’ve abandoned
the blog completely. Next update’ll likely concern the upcoming release of
my debut feature film, The Bunker, and what international fests/markets it’ll
be offered at. Yep, international film markets, The Bunker is headed
overseas!
‘Til next time.
Hawkeye
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Currently listening to: Immigrant Song, covered by Karen O feat. Trent
Reznor & Atticus Ross, from Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (which I highly
recommend.)
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Like horror? Mystery novels? Thrillers? Well, click FOLLOW here & keep up
with everything the blind guy’s doing-including breaking new ground in the
film industry:
Not too many folks in the Winners column this year, but a few managed to
claw their way across the line. So, here goes.
1) Herman Cain
Loser. Announced his bid for the republican nomination for president. Took
the country by storm (and surprise), quickly rising to the top of the polls.
Then, rumors of affairs, accusations of sexual harassment, and a series of
embarrassments drove him to the sidelines. Welcome to politics, Herman.
Maybe try running for a House or Senate seat first next time.
2) Albert Pujols
Winner. At 41, in all likelihood he’ll be well, well past his prime, but the
contract he just signed with the California Angels will still be paying him
more than 25 mil per season. Who knows? By then the economy might even turn
around. Which leads us to…
3) Anybody looking for a job.
Losers. Let’s face it folks, the stimulis plan was a disaster, and it’s been
three years. The man at the top and his economic policies blow. My guess is
even the most rabid Bush-haters’d trade 2011 for 2005, with it’s 5.3%
unemployment rate and a booming housing market. As the twitterverse would
put it: #EpicFail
4) ebook authors
Winners. E-publishing is finally viewed as legitimate, and as a result many
quality writers have been able to carve out a spot for themselves without
the hassle of needing an agent to beat down the doors of a traditional
publishing house. Unfortunately, this also leads to…
5) ebook readers
Losers. No, not the Nook, Kindle or other devices-I’m talking actual
readers. Human beings. All you folks who like to turn a page, be it pulp or
pixels. The market’s been flooded with more garbage than the average river
near a chemical plant, and trust me, no matter how many .99 cent offerings
you plod through, there are a lot of non-quality writers doing the same
thing they did when self-published chapbooks were the order of the day.
True, they’re no longer killing trees. Just brain cells.
6) The Indianapolis Colts
Losers. Sure, they may get their own version of Aaron Rodgers in Andrew
Luck, who’ll learn behind Peyton Manning. But boy, how the loss of one guy
really put this franchise into the toilet. Sure, other guys have been hurt
and put on IR, etc. But…come on. This team started the season in pretty
decent shape aside from quarterback. Until a couple of weeks ago, they were
looking like they’d match the Lions from a couple seasons back and go
winless. (The Tennessee Titans sure wish they would have). Still, the
biggest reason the Colts are losers? Simply because of how quickly they were
exposed without Manning under center. In 2012, I expect the bulls-eye to be
on a still-recovering Manning, regardless of how risky it’s been to blitz
him in the past. Put him on the sideline for a couple series, this team isn’t
just different, it’s gutted.
7) Casey Anthony
The only person to make this list in both categories, Winner and Loser.
Sure, she got away with the murder of her child. In doing so, however, she
avoids prison only to face death threats and be the most hated woman in the
United States. Probably some other countries too-and she doesn’t even live
there.
8) The Occupy… movement
Losers. “What?!” you say. “But…look at what they accomplished!” Exactly.
They burned bright, burned brief, and…where are they now? They’ve been run
out of almost all their encampments. They managed to tick off the very
people they wanted to have on their side. They’re getting virtually no ink
at present, and my guess is they probably won’t be able to recapture the
media’s attention without doing something extreme-which would only
marginalize them further. So, yeah, for a short time they held the world’s
attention. But you know what? Justin Bieber has more staying power. What’s
that tell you about the mark Occupy… has left overall?
9) Drew Brees
Winner. Breaking a record is one thing, but breaking a record that’s stood
for 27 years, and was held by one of the greatest passers of all time in Dan
Marino…with another game left to add to it? Well done, sir, well done.
10) Creators & Intellectual property holders
Losers. You’d think that congress wanting to crack down on piracy would be a
good thing, at least in principle. But, this SOPA bill is so poorly crafted
that you now have creators and rightsholders clamoring for its defeat. No
wonder congress’ approval rating is lower than Mel Gibson’s…
and, just outside the Top 10…
11) You-if you like readin’ horror stories
Yep, for fans of extreme horror, I’m leaving up CHASERS, my grim Xmas tale,
for an extra week. Scroll back to the last column, or click here and grab
it:
Thanks for stopping by, here’s wishing you a safe and healthy New Year’s,
and all my wishes for everything in 2012 to be positive for you! (Well,
maybe not an HIV test, but still…)
Well, it’s here. Long time comin’, but we’re now going back and forth with
companies over foreign rights to The Bunker. Of course, this isn’t the part
I’ve been looking forward to, but it’s the last step in getting the film
released internationally.
Russell’s been talking with the interested companies, making notes about
each offer, etc. Lots of stuff we like, some things’re a little iffy, and
there’s a few items we don’t. Me? So far, I don’t think there’s been any
surprises. Foreign distribs may want a title change. Always knew that was
possible, doesn’t really bug me. Maybe some work to be done on the
performance clauses. Not really my thing, so I’ve weighed in, it’ll be up to
those guys to work that part out. Still a lot of questions on the
deliverables, but at least there, it doesn’t look like anything that’s going
to be too tough to nail down quickly. Current expected delivery date? Feb.
15. Could mean I dump one song, or maybe not. Will depend on what happens
between the band and yours truly over the next 2 weeks.
It’s early in the process, but I don’t think we’re going to have too many
problems getting a deal hammered out by year’s end, which has been our goal
since AFM. With The Bunker finally out of the way, time to get working on
the next project, which I’ve already started on. I feel pretty sure folks
who are long-timers (and I’m talking-back to the comic book days) will get a
kick out of it. More details coming soon, maybe around mid-January. After
the holidays.
Which are absolutely *torturing* my inner-workaholic…
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Currently listening to: Bottoms Up by Nickleback
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Don’t follow me on Twitter. I’m telling you not to. And you know you’re too
weak to defy me…
So, proof positive I haven’t abandoned the blog, just been so swamped under
that the blog fell not just to the back burner, but entirely off the stove.
Been shooting a lot of music video stuff, and working with a band and a solo
musician on two songs for an upcoming project. Not being a musician (I
played the cello in HS, but that was about the last time I picked up an
instrument with any level of competence), that’s been alternately thrilling
and frustrating, but great progress is being made.
As for the horror. On the video shoot a couple of weeks ago, we dragged out
my casket (yep, it’s a real authentic post-mortem 1 room apartment), and
shot a little anniversary shout out for the fine folks at LatinHorror.com.
You can check it out here:
Very happy to contribute to the anniversary well-wishes, and to do something
creative in just 20 seconds. The whole run of videos will be shown prior to
the Anthology Film Archive event next week in New York City, so if you’re
gonna be there, you can wait. If not? Click the link and let the guys at LH
know you dig it.
Big announcement coming in the next day or two, been finalizing arrangements
for the past few weeks. Keep checkin’ in, I’m chompin’ at the bit about this
one.
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Currently listening to: Diffuzion – Dbd (While You Can)
I know I’ve been talking about the music video for a while –and that’s about it. It’s been hectic, trying to get everything done with the band, with the sets we’ll be reusing for another shoot, etc. But we’ve got the footage on the drive now, and Brian, one of our still photogs, supplied us with a whole CD full of high-res images to go through, so here’s a couple of behind-the-scenes pics from the shoot.
Tomorrow I’m meeting up with our makeup F/X artist to pick up some new gory goodies, and we’re going to talk about some more work I’m throwing his way for the next shoot. I’m hoping we can arrange that before Zombiecon in mid-October.
Tomorrow night, I’m hooking up with two of the band members, too, and the lead singer for another group who’s interested in getting a video shot. I caught the band a couple of weeks back in Naples, we shot some performance footage, and now I’m hoping we can start working out the details for one of their originals. Between festivals and some upcoming travel, it might be hit-and-miss, especially since they’re scheduling a bunch of gigs. Still, I think we ought to be able to make it happen.
Okay, back to the grind. Got more cast and crew to schedule. As Pam and I get to go over the raw footage and stills, we’ll be uploading more pics here and then into a Facebook gallery. Check back for links to that once it’s posted.
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Currently listening to: Rebels by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
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Speaking of Facebook, if you’re there, give us a Like or become a friend or whatever it is people do when they connect. I’m at:
Ellie Soderstrom conducted one of the best interviews I’ve ever been a part
of, and the comments and questions keep on comin’. If you haven’t checked it
out, head on over to:
http://tinyurl.com/3v5ge9d
I’ve got three shoots lined up this week (word is getting out with local
bands), but I’ll be checking in regularly. You got a question? Post it.
Comment? Let Ellie know what you think. This is a real fun Q&A, and she runs
a very cool site.
I know I’ve been talking about the music video for a while –and that’s about it. It’s been hectic, trying to get everything done with the band, with the sets we’ll be reusing for another shoot, etc. But we’ve got the footage on the drive now, and Brian, one of our still photogs, supplied us with a whole CD full of high-res images to go through, so here’s a couple of behind-the-scenes pics from the shoot.
Yours truly giving DP Eric Valdes the lowdown on what I want in the next
shot. Alex Wilson is seen running docu-cam.
“Listen, it’s simple. Alex, you fall off the catwalk and land face-first on
the concrete floor. Eric, you dolly around him in a circle Matrix-style.
What’s so tough about that?” Okay, not quite, but we did get a good take. I
was happy, at least…
Eric doing a little hand-held, stalking Monique (actress Stella Ruiz)
through a creepy warehouse.
Tomorrow I’m meeting up with our makeup F/X artist to pick up some new gory goodies, and we’re going to talk about some more work I’m throwing his way for the next shoot. I’m hoping we can arrange that before Zombiecon in mid-October.
Tomorrow night, I’m hooking up with two of the band members, too, and the lead singer for another group who’s interested in getting a video shot. I caught the band a couple of weeks back in Naples, we shot some performance footage, and now I’m hoping we can start working out the details for one of their originals. Between festivals and some upcoming travel, it might be hit-and-miss, especially since they’re scheduling a bunch of gigs. Still, I think we ought to be able to make it happen.
Okay, back to the grind. Got more cast and crew to schedule. As Pam and I get to go over the raw footage and stills, we’ll be uploading more pics here and then into a Facebook gallery. Check back for links to that once it’s posted.
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Currently listening to: Rebels by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
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Speaking of Facebook, if you’re there, give us a Like or become a friend or whatever it is people do when they connect. I’m at:
Sure, I could’ve titled the blog, Here Comes the Rain Again, or Like a Hurricane, or even, Blowin’ in the Wind, but I decided not to. Rock You Like a Hurricane is already getting played to death on local radio, so consider yourself lucky—I’m not adding to the problem.
I work out of South Florida. Tropical storms and hurricanes come with the territory. It’ll be a hassle if we need to resched the music video shoot planned for this week, but it won’t kill us. Sucks, but what can you do? Pretty much everyone here is in the same boat. Actors, my crew, everybody. This happened with The Bunker, not once, but twice. Bad weather ripped up our shooting schedule and tossed it, quite literally, into the wind. Not only that, but an equally brutal winter storm trashed a shoot up in New York/New Jersey, so for me, it’s nothing new.
It’s quarter of 7 and I’m running on about 5.5 hours sleep, which ain’t all bad, considering. Already sent out e-mails to start figuring out what kind of juggling will be necessary to work around everyone’s availability. We were shooting some stuff last week when one cameraman had to change dates, but we still got some good stuff for The Bunker documentary. Now the sets are being repurposed for something new, and between now and the maybe-landfall predicted for Thursday, I’ve got time to do some more building.
Let the rain, wind and splinters bring it on.
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You on Facebook? Give these pages a like & keep up to date with what’s going on with the world’s first blind feature film director:
If you’re into Farmville, I got a hurricane I can send you, starting later this week. :P
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Currently listening to: Every Me, Every You by Placebo
