Paulie's Platform

Disgraceful and Ungrateful

pauliesplatform — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 11:28:01 +0000

Today I am embarrassed to be a Boston Red Sox fan. The display put on last night by the supposed “most knowledgable fans in baseball” toward Manny Ramirez was an absolute joke.

Manny returned to Fenway Park for the first time since his controversial exit from Boston in July 2008 and the best “Red Sox Nation” could do to thank him for helping bring two World Series home was boo him?

Are these people sitting in Fenway last night serious? This is a disgrace. I don’t care what Manny did on the “business” side of the game toward the end of his time in Boston. Yes, he forced a trade. But that’s part of the game and all players are the same in that vein. Business always comes first. Any sane fan knows that and should accept it.

For his on-field contributions, Manny should never be booed. Without his work, it’s 91 years and counting to another championship. And that’s what last night’s return should have been about- a tribute to Manny’s play, the World Series wins and standing ovations to honor it.

Instead, most Red Sox fans took the “I am going to feel morally superior” route and booed him because they didn’t like his attitude. You know what I say to those fans? Fuck you and crawl back in your shell and never go to Fenway Park again. The team doesn’t need fans like you.

Some would say that Johnny Damon got booed when he returned, despite his contributions, because he didn’t want to be in Boston so Manny should get the same treatment. Huh?????

That is a totally different situation. Johnny Damon played out his contract and then put himself on the free agent market, as was his right. Johnny got booed because he publicly stated during the process he would never sign with the Yankees and then he turned around and did just that as soon as they offered him more money. That’s called being a traitor and turncoat who doesn’t keep his word. Plus he went to the Yankees which in the world of Sox fans is the ultimate sin. Damon deserved to be booed for that. His on-field contributions were never a question. His Game 7 grand slam is what put the Red Sox in the 2004 World Series.

The way I see it, Damon would have been okay with Fenway fans except for two things: he put his foot in his mouth and signed with the only team that would cause him to be booed. And those were the only two things he could possibly do to get the reception he got.

But back to Manny. He deserved the hero’s welcome that Pedro and Nomar got in their returns to Fenway. Pedro was the King of Fenway upon his return with the Mets. The difference between him and Damon? He didn’t state that he wouldn’t sign with the Yankees and he ultimately didn’t. He signed with the Mets instead, which was totally fine.

It’s an embarrassment that the boos for Manny grew with each at-bat. How soon people forget how things were before Manny got here.

Baseball is a game and when a hero returns he should be treated accordingly in relation to what he accomplished on the field. Nobody did more for the Sox in the last 10 years than Manny.

Sadly, the fans sitting in Fenway last night forgot that and instead acted like the ungrateful, selfish beings that they are. They criticize Yankees fans as being arrogant and entitled? In this case Sox fans are no better. They showed last night how stupid and petty they can be as well.

DVD Review: Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire(2009)

pauliesplatform — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:05:17 +0000

A difficult watch but well worth seeing. That’s how I would describe my experience watching “Precious.” I remember seeing the trailer for this movie before it came out and thinking: “what was that?” The movie does not disappoint in that respect. The story really is like watching the fallout from a train wreck but the performances are outstanding. Mo’Nique’s performance as Mary Jones really came down, for me, to three key scenes. She is extremely powerful in each and it is clear why she won and deserved the Oscar for supporting actress. You can just feel the tension on the screen whenever she is there. Her presence in this film is both terrifying and heartbreaking. Mary Jones is capable of unspeakable acts, yet she seems not to know (or understand) the damage she’s causing until she’s forced to face the dire consequences of her choices near the end of the film. First time star Gabourey Sidibe is excellent and convincing as Precious. She becomes the character and portrays Precious’ struggles in a realistic way. Excellent support is offered in the performances of Mariah Carey and Paula Patton who are both great. The message of this film seems to be that education provides hope and that hope allows people to move forward in order to overcome any obstacle and better themselves. It is a positive overall statement that could easily be lost in the nightmare that is Precious’ existence. It is to director Lee Daniels’ credit that this message is ultimately able to shine through a story that sometimes is too much to take.

Duke as #1 Seed?

pauliesplatform — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:28:40 +0000

It always amusing to watch the fortunes of the Duke Blue Devils when NCAA tournament time rolls around. Because they are the “great white hope” of the sport they are always treated royally by the selection committee. This year they look to have the easiest road to the final four in Indianapolis with the likes of Baylor, Purdue and struggling Villanova as the other high seeds in the South region. Contrast that with Syracuse, which won the Big East regular season and was shipped out west as the top seed. In order to get to Indy, they would have to knock off Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt and Kansas State, a much tougher road on paper. Now, of course you can say paper means nothing and that we have to see how the games play out. That’s true. But for purposes of this argument can somebody explain to me why a team like Duke, whose conference was unusually weak this year, gets an easier time of things than Syracuse, who blew through the toughest conference this year? Wait, I know the answer- they’re Duke and everybody else isn’t. This school gets treated like the Yankees every year in this tournament and what have they done lately to deserve it? The answer is nothing. They haven’t been to a Final Four since 2004, haven’t won a title since 2001 and haven’t reached a Sweet 16 since 2006. They are now at the point that they are surviving on reputation alone. In short, they ain’t that good. I think West Virginia, the #2 seed in the East deserved Duke’s #1 seed for their body of work which included winning the Big East tournament title. When asked last night on CBS’ selection show why Duke was treated better than Syracuse, tourney chair Dan Guerrero said Duke winning the (watered down) ACC Tournament was a big factor while Syracuse lost in round one of the Big East. (to Georgetown, who ended up in the Big East Final with West Virginia) If conference tourneys are so vital then don’t you have to pick West Virginia over Duke as a #1? After all, West Virginia played in the best conference in America this season but no one cares because they don’t start the wide-eyed choirboys of Coach K and don’t produce giant TV ratings. The fact that TV ratings and not merit contribute to who goes where in the tournament is sickening. It really makes the selection committee look foolish. But since the NCAA has tied their wagon solely to CBS and this tournament, certain biases are an unfortunate reality in the business of creating ratings. Hopefully Duke makes an early 2nd round exit again and is exposed as the frauds they are so that the truly good teams get the exposure they deserve.

No More Nomar

pauliesplatform — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:30:10 +0000

Nomar Garciaparra retired yesterday and it was a sad day in Red Sox Nation. He signed a ceremonial one day contract in order to retire with the team with which he grew his legend, the Boston Red Sox. Things did not end well for Nomar in Boston. He turned down a 4-year, $60 million dollar contract before the 2004 season and was such a malcontent throughout the entire season that GM Theo Epstein felt he had to trade him away for the team to succeed. Epstein turned out to be right and, looking back, Nomar is lucky that he was. Otherwise, the love shown to him in his return yesterday might have went a lot differently in the hearts and minds of the Nation. Garciaparra is now remembered fondly as one of the great Red Sox. There was a time when he was considered as good as Alex Rodriguez and an even more complete player. But an Al Reyes pitch that broke his wrist had an effect on him for the rest of his career. He was never the same player after that. Yes, he was still productive on the field but never again the superstar he once was as additional injuries began to take their toll. In the end, he gets a pass in the minds of Red Sox fans everywhere because the man he was traded for, Orlando Cabrera, ended up being an important part of ending the Red Sox’ 86-year World Series championship drought. For that reason, Nomar will always be hailed as a great Red Sox. But, just imagine for a minute how his legacy would stand had he whined all of 2004 and then the team not won the World Series. I have a feeling the love-in that took place at his retirement ceremony would have gone on much differently, if it happened at all. I love Nomar, but his is a cautionary tale that athletes who turn down big contracts sometimes come to regret their decision. What was sad about yesterday is not that he was leaving baseball, but that he could have stayed on one of the biggest stages for his entire career and been identified as a Sox lifer but chose not to. He could have been Fisk or Yaz or Dewey but, in the end, money got the best of his legacy. I’m sure Nomar is not asking anyone to cry for him but, from my perspective, he could have been so much more than he was if he stayed in Boston for his whole career. That’s why I’m sad today.

Restaurant Review: Smokin’ Rock BBQ (Rocky Hill, CT)

pauliesplatform — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:59:33 +0000

Smokin’ Rock BBQ is an unexpected find on the I-91 corridor in Rocky Hill. You’d never know this place was serving up some outstanding barbecue just by driving by. It’s part of a local bar, The Rock Cafe at 944 Cromwell Ave., and the barbecue operation serves as its kitchen. Now, I’m not sure if some of the other reviewers on this page have actually eaten here. Make no mistake- the barbecue here is very good. Portions are plentiful and there is a lot variety on the menu. I’ve eaten here several times as it is close to work and it is always top notch. Some highlights: beef brisket or pulled pork sandwiches with spicy BBQ sauce, (served with one side dish) are moist and served on a buttered bun. The full rack of St. Louis style ribs, (with two sides and cornbread) is a huge, satisfying meal. The Rock has excellent sides including baked mac & cheese, giant breaded onion rings, coleslaw, corn fritters and baked beans, and a hidden gem- the fried chicken fingers. This appetizer is a meal in itself even as a half-order. You can choose your sauce to go with it, whether it be spicy or mild BBQ, honey mustard or buffalo. I was blown away by how good these all white meat tenders were. They were hand battered and not greasy at all. Definitely a great start to any meal. They offer three types of sauces for the BBQ meats- mild, spicy and mustard. You really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose here. The service is fast whether you eat in or take out. Large takeout orders are generally ready in 20 minutes. Prices are a bit steep but the old adage that you pay a bit more for quality applies. Tasty barbecue is seemingly hard to find in the Central Connecticut area but the Smokin’ Rock is a nice addition to the field.

DVD Review: White Heat (1949)

pauliesplatform — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:47:19 +0000

“White Heat” could very well be the greatest gangster movie ever made. In many ways it laid the groundwork for some of the genre masterpieces that came after it such as “Bonnie & Clyde” and “Goodfellas” but it definitely can stand on its own. This movie has it all starting with James Cagney, who stars as homicidal killer Cody Jarrett and gives a stunning performance from start to finish. Virginia Mayo is his double-crossing wife/moll, Verna; Edmund O’Brien is Vic/Fallon, the man watching Jarrett’s every move and, of course, there is “Ma” Cody’s mother, played by Margaret Wycherly, who is as deranged as Jarrett. At times it’s in doubt as to who really is in charge of the gang. This movie takes you on a ride all the way to the “top of the world” and never lets up. The plot percolates from the first frame with a variety of twists and turns and double crosses that are now routine in gangster films. But for a film made in 1949 it was seemingly ahead of its time. It combined elements of film noir, the heist film, the double crossing damsel and the psychotic mind of a killer. It all adds up to required viewing for anyone interested in gangster films. This is one of the classics that makes the lore of old Hollywood and the studio system so special. It makes you yearn for those days when movies could be so simple yet entertaining.

Movie Review: The Messenger (2009)

pauliesplatform — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:00:14 +0000

“The Messenger” looks at the casualties of the Gulf wars from a different and unique perspective, that of the people at home on American soil. Ben Foster stars as Sgt. Will Montgomery, an Iraq war hero who has returned home to serve out his last three months of duty. But he has a most difficult job assigned to him- notifying the families of soldiers killed in action that their sons or daughters are dead. It is a thankless task that may just be the most difficult job Montgomery has ever been assigned in the military. The first 45 minutes of this film are gut wrenching as director Owen Moverman shows the overpowering scenes of grief when the soldiers notify the next of kin. (Look for an outstanding cameo from Steve Buscemi) It is an incredibly emotional experience that puts us, as the viewer, right in the living room of the grieving family. It is a perspective rarely, if ever, delved into at such a deep level in movies. That is what makes the film so great. Woody Harrelson gives an academy award nominated supporting performance as Captain Tony Stone, the man assigned to help teach and advise Montgomery on how to deliver such difficult news. Harrelson is a grizzled veteran soldier who drinks too much, probably because he’s been performing this necessary task far too long. Stone has had both moments of serene reflection and violent explosion on this roller coaster he’s ridden for years. For him it’s about delivering the information to the next of kin and getting out of there with no emotion involved in the process. He tells Will it’s easier that way and it is a very clear truth as we watch the notification scenes unfold. But Will ends up falling for one of the widows of the deceased, Olivia Pitterson, played by Samantha Morton. The scenes between Olivia and Will are deliberately underplayed as neither one is sure if their mutual attraction is the right thing to be feeling. They want to reach out to each other but are both gun shy, albeit for different reasons. Olivia because of her guilt over hardly letting her husbands memory cool and Will because he knows he is defying Stone’s directives and breaking protocol. This is one of the better acted movies of 2009 and should have received a best picture nomination. It was not widely seen during its release but is highly recommended, along with “The Hurt Locker,” as must see films about the Gulf War and it’s residual effects.

DVD Review: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (2009)

pauliesplatform — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:06:15 +0000

The Star Chamber. Narrow Margin. The Presidio. These are the previous suspense/crime films, all of them entertaining, made by Peter Hyams. He is the director of “Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.” What happened to this guy and his ability to direct? A guy that once had a good handle on the crime drama genre picture has apparently lost it. This is a complete and utter disaster of a movie. It has every bad cliche’ and plot device known to movies. The holes in this script (written by Hyams and based on the 1956 film by Fritz Lang of the same name) are so big you can’t even measure the size of them. It is obvious that this is not close to the 1956 original, which is well thought of by critics and fans alike. This movie is so bad, so fast that you know this is a train wreck after 15 minutes. So the question must be asked: why would Michael Douglas associate himself with this mess? Finding that answer has to be one of life’s great mysteries. The movie only gets a star because Douglas does what he usually does and has fun with it. The problem is he has absolutely nothing to work with. This movie looks and feels like a network movie of the week and its other two stars, Jesse Metcalfe and Amber Tamblyn, are only worthy of TV movies anyway so I guess the casting, besides Douglas, was appropriate. I have nothing good to say except that this is one of the silliest movies I’ve ever seen. And considering this is a drama, that ain’t a good thing. Worst movie by far of 2009.

Keep This Guy

pauliesplatform — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:49:30 +0000

If I’m the Boston Red Sox, I’m not dumping Mike Lowell because he’s looked at as a spare part. The team needs offense and if Lowell proves he’s healthy in spring training, he can give it to them. Maybe he doesn’t have a position but he is big time insurance if healthy. Insurance for whom? Who else but David Ortiz? I am from the school that thinks the days of the great Big Papi are gone forever. It was a nice run while it lasted but he’s off the juice now (I think) and he was awful last season. Lowell is the guy that can step in and be the DH if Ortiz falters. If I’m Theo Epstein, I’m not cutting Lowell loose in a trade for at least the first two months until I see if Ortiz is done or not. Epstein has called Ortiz out this winter and said that his return to dominance is needed for this offense to succeed. Epstein still thinks Ortiz can do it. The pitching staff is outstanding but, in my mind, the offense is a serious question. If Ortiz can’t provide 35 HR and 120 RBI (which he was not close to last year) where is the guy that scares other teams in the line up? I’m not saying Lowell is that guy alone, but if you platoon him at DH with Ortiz then you’ve got a chance for very solid production from that spot rather than a powerless black hole in the middle of the order. Ortiz had a lot of trouble with lefties last year. Lowell bats righty. This scenario is just screaming “platoon” unless Ortiz returns to his previous level. Lowell may be diminished in the field but still knows how to pepper the Green Monster with doubles. I’d be very careful before cutting this guy loose and letting him go DH for somebody else when he could solve a lot of problems in Boston. I think Lowell understands the situation. If Terry Francona could guarantee him a certain number of at-bats from various positions (1B, 3B, DH), I think Lowell would be on board to accept a role as a super sub. If you’re Epstein and Francona you have to give it a try to see what happens. Not doing so could be a risk that ends up hurting the team. Sometimes the solution to a problem really IS at the end of the bench.

Frozen in Time

pauliesplatform — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:06:30 +0000

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the greatest event in sports history all of us should stop today to consider the moment and what it meant when it happened. I’m talking, of course, about the United States Olympic hockey team’s monumental upset of the Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, NY. The win put the team on course to the gold medal which they won two days later by beating Finland, 4-2. Considering the time and place in which it occurred, the Soviet upset is a moment that will never again be equaled. It’s significance can never be surpassed because of what it meant to America at the time. I was only 10 when it happened but, like countless others, I remember where I was when the 4-3 victory happened. Now that I am older I can fully comprehend why it was so important. The Soviets were the best team in the world, full of hockey professionals. The U.S. team was a bunch of amateur and collegiate players that had never accomplished anything close to the Soviet machine. Unlike today, the U.S. didn’t send NHL players to the games to compete for medals. That has seemingly been forgotten as the years have passed following the Miracle on Ice. It is the incessant need for Americans to always win at everything at the Olympics that professionals were introduced after the hockey team failed to repeat it’s miracle in subsequent years. That’s why it can never again happen the way it did. Now we are on equal footing with the rest of the countries- all just a bunch of pros fighting for the gold medal. All the drama is gone. A win by the pros now will never mean as much as the Miracle on Ice did. That’s because it took place on American soil with less than 10,000 people in the arena and in the heart of the Cold War. It was at a time when the United States and Russia were both solely focused on one thing- outdoing the other in any situation. Well, it’s safe to say that we won that battle because nothing the Soviets ever did in any area, whether it was politics, the space program or innovations, will ever be remembered quite like the Miracle on Ice. It gave Americans hope that things could be better again, that democracy could triumph over anything, as 52 hostages sat in Iran and nuclear tensions were on the minds of the citizens of both nations. For one night it was just about hockey and the Miracle on Ice showed that dreams can come true. It’s something we’ll never see again unless the USOC goes back to amateurs and collegians, an idea highly unlikely now that the professional “genie” has been let out of the box. The USOC should consider it, though. Imagine what it would have meant to America to have a moment like that again now, today, when our country is in a quagmire of two wars that have dragged on way too long. The Miracle on Ice will never be surpassed because it was the first event of it’s kind. But the possibility of an encore isn’t such a bad thing either. We all could use it so let’s at least remember the moment fondly today as it turns 30.