Birds of a Feather

Unscripted NFL Power Rankings
2013 Week 13

Birds of a feather flock together. It's an old adage that certainly seems to be the case in this week's Power Rankings with 3 different teams with avian mascots occupying Top 10 spots (here's a hint, they're not the Falcons or the Ravens). That's what makes the match this week between the Eagles and Cardinals so interesting. Philadelphia has been pleasantly surprised with the quarterback play of Nick Foles, but they have yet to beat a team with a winning record; if they can win at home versus Arizona, then they're contenders beyond their division. Likewise, after coasting through 4 straight wins to a 7-4 record, we are all quick to more highly regard the Cardinals, but their only victories against winning teams have come against a meandering Week 5 Panthers who hadn't found their mojo yet and last week against a Colts team that is seemingly falling apart.

The Bengals have been winning despite their QB, but Dalton is going to have to improve in upcoming games with the equally enigmatic Chargers, Colts, Steelers, and Ravens. In Kansas City, the Chiefs need to be scrambling to fix their defense. While their turnover differential was never going to hold, it wasn't supposed to fall apart this much. Finally, with two matches with the Saints on the horizon, the Panthers need to be sure not to overlook the Buccaneers this week as they work to develop consistency on offense. So how are all these teams ranking, along with the 49ers, Seahawks, Saints, Patriots, and Broncos? Let's get to it; hike!

Nipping at #10's heels: The Colts & Cowboys

Fly Like an Eagle

Unscripted NFL Power Rankings
2013 Week 12

Nipping at #10's heels: The Lions & Bears

Feels Like Carolina

Unscripted NFL Power Rankings
2013 Week 11

Nipping at #10's heels: The Bears & Eagles

Every Rose Has It's Thor

Review: Thor: The Dark World

I can't help but wonder here at the start how many critics have titled their review "A Thunderous Good Time" or "Thor Hammers Out a Hit". I love a good pun, but that's often the hardest part about writing a review - coming up with a good, unused title!

Making a sequel to a hit film (like Thor or The Avengers) is, I imagine, much harder than simply watching that film and then telling other people your opinion; the most difficult bit obviously being able to create a movie which exceeds - or at least matches - the first film. Examples of sequels falling short of their predecessors come out almost every other weekend. I'm sure you can think of a couple right now, off the top of your head. Go ahead; name a few...

Uh huh... Yep.. Oh, I hadn't thought of that one...

See? We all know this is the case, which is why it can be such a pleasant revelation when a sequel is actually engaging and entertaining. Is Thor: The Dark World such a surprise? My answer is: well, pretty much. Allow me to explain.

This is a Post About Football

Unscripted NFL Power Rankings
2013 Week 10

2013 Fall Movie Reviews - September

Slowly, but surely, I am catching up on writing these reviews! Below is the review of Prisoners, soon to be followed by a review of Don Jon. And look for reviews of Gravity and Captain Phillips coming soon as well!

Brutal & Beautiful

Review: 12 Years a Slave

Guest Reviewer: Kyle Kuzemchak

I wanted to give a short review to a movie that isn't getting the internet hype that Gravity and others received:

When the trailer for 12 Years a Slave premiered, I instantly predicted that it would win the Academy Award for Best Picture. Now that I've seen it, I agree with my past self, as this movie will be hard to beat. Three of the main actors will definitely get nominations, and all have a chance of winning.

In 12 Years a Slave, a free black man who was born, raised, and educated in the northern United States during the 1800s is captured and sold into slavery.

The acting was the best part, led by Chiwetel Ejofor (will get a Best Actor nomination), but also starring an amazing debut from Lupita Nyong'o (will get a Best Supporting Actress nomination), and appearances by acting powerhouses like Paul Giamatti, Michael Kenneth Williams, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Brad Pitt, and Michael Fassbender (who is a major contender for Best Supporting Actor).