March Madness

Various thoughts on stuff from the past week...

1) We went to a screening of the new Spike Lee movie, 'Inside Man'. When we saw the trailer for this, the predominantly African-American crowd gasped when they saw it was one of his 'joints' in the same manner as the Jewish middle classes did when, some months previously, a trail for Woody Allen's 'Match Point' came on. And, in all honestly, neither flick lived up to the audience's excitement. We had to sign a waiver saying we wouldn't discuss the movie with anyone (the things I do for you) and I briefly considered asking the guy from the film company if I would be permitted to think about the film in my head after watching it but decided against it as he had no sense of humour whatsoever (not necessarily a bad attribute when listening to me). I've never been a huge fan of Spike's work though certainly admire his talent of being present at any New York sporting event for free. His latest film is set on Wall Street and I inadvertently was an extra when this was shooting last year. Sadly, I don't think I made the final cut in the edit (story of my life). The story of the film focuses on Clive Owen taking down Christopher Plummer's bank. Denzel Washington - he with the best voice in movies - and Chiwetel Ejiofor - he with the best name - try and solve the attempted crime as a grizzled Willem Defoe looks on while Jodie Foster acts like Jodie Foster: annoying and opinionated. Clearly I can't say much more - I'll be hunted down and forced to listen to James Blunt's album - but it's confused and its major problem is that you don't root for any of the characters but rather root for your watch to speed up and the end credits to roll. Great cast. Grating film. It also contains the strangest soundtrack to a movie I've possibly ever heard: perhaps the Dragnet theme was intentional but it wouldn't surprise me if the finished version is different to the print I watched. Do yourself a favour and don't find out.

2) Thankfully, 24 hours later, the new season of The Sopranos returned to HBO. The last episode was in June 2004 which was so long ago, you could have gotten married in the interim (oh...). Season Six is technically the beginning of the end (12 episodes now and the last 8 to follow at the start of 2007) and it started with one of their sensational montages where you see how time has elapsed (in Sopranos world, the calender moves on as in real life) with your favourite players. As ever, the dialogue was whip-smart, two people have already died (one in comical fashion, the other far more tragically) and the cliff hanger also makes you want your watch to speed up but for entirely different reasons to the above posting. Is it the greatest TV show of all time? Quite possibly. It's certainly the best programme of my lifetime and if the rumours of a spin-off film are true then everyone might as well give up and go home. Or at least wait in line for opening day.

3) The first World Baseball Classic is taking place over on the West Coast, in addition to Japan and Puerto Rico. We've reached the semi-finals stage and, rather amusingly, the USA haven't made it. Even funnier, Cuba has done and if they win it, I'd like Bush to award the trophy to Castro. The WBC has come in for plenty of criticism (don't play it in March, don't play the Yankees stars...and that's from the guy who owns the team!) but it seems clear to me that it's here to stay and will be a pretty big deal in two cycles time. USA were fairly woeful throughout (save for a 17-0 spanking of South Africa which ended early due to the mercy rule) but I don't believe they were favourites to win this just because they invented the game. I mean, do we English cricket and football fans expect to win every World Cup we enter?

4) College basketball has its two weeks in the sun at this time of year with the aptly named March Madness. 64 games get played for the NCAA Championship and we'll be down to 16 by tomorrow night. CBS is offering every game live online to satisfy people at work. The genius inclusion is the 'Boss Button' which brings up a spreadsheet if you believe your passion for the sport could get you fired. Check it out below - but make sure your employer isn't around...



Crucially, what elevates March Madness from merely being kids playing basketball are the millions of people around the country who participate in office pools and play the brackets to win money and honour amongst their peers. It's quite a sight as die hard fans and ignorant punters make their predictions and hope to retain some interest by the time the Final Four rolls around. We didn't go with perceived wisdom (favourites always seem to fare badly) and plump for the likes of Duke, UConn, Memphis or Villanova but rather plucky Boston College to become National Champion. They needed 2 overtimes to overcome unknown Pacific College in the First Round so I fully expect blood, sweat and tears as we approach the National Championship game on April 3rd. And, yes, before you ask, that's just in our living room.