by: Tim Wakefield (w/ Tony Massarotti)
If I only make one point in this blog post it’s that I don’t like being lied to. The author is listed as Tim Wakefield. The subtitle is “My Life with Baseball’s Most Confounding Pitch.” So imagine my surprise to find that this book is written entirely in the third person. Hell, Wakefield is quoted in his own book. The author wouldn’t need to quote himself because he is the one saying it! What a crock.
As a biography, this book is fine. It focuses on the amazing career of Wakefield while also delving into previous Red Sox seasons. I liked that Massarotti didn’t ignore what else was going on at the time around Wakefield. That is as important to his story as anything.
Nothing made me laugh harder than this line right here. I forgot how exciting it seemed at the time but just how terrible it all was in hindsight. Good thing Theo Epstein drafted well:
"Fortified during an off-season in which club ownership and management committed in excess of $200 million to long-term contracts for outfielder J.D. Drew, shortstop Julio Lugo, and Japanese pitching import Daisuke Matsuzaka."
Monday, January 30, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Movie Review: The Help
This movie was quite different from the book. Understandably, there can’t be as many plot lines because there simply isn’t time to explain everything. That being said, the 2 moms (Skeeter’s and Hilly’s) seemed like entirely new characters… in a good way. Allison Janney plays Skeeter’s mom and she’s awesome in everything. They make her more likeable than the book. And Hilly’s mom is hilariously senile and plays a bigger part than in the book.*
This is definitely a film you should see. All the actors are at the top of their games and it feels real. My girlfriend couldn’t believe that this was set at the same time as Mad Men because of just how different life in Mississippi was. You might feel rushed if you’ve read the book recently because they have a lot to cover but it makes the 2 1/2 hours fly by.
*Is it racist if I only mention 2 white women in a movie about black maids? How about this -- I thought Constantine was really weird.
4 out of 5
This is definitely a film you should see. All the actors are at the top of their games and it feels real. My girlfriend couldn’t believe that this was set at the same time as Mad Men because of just how different life in Mississippi was. You might feel rushed if you’ve read the book recently because they have a lot to cover but it makes the 2 1/2 hours fly by.
*Is it racist if I only mention 2 white women in a movie about black maids? How about this -- I thought Constantine was really weird.
4 out of 5
Monday, January 23, 2012
Book Review: The Help
by: Kathryn Stockett
As many of you know by now, this book was rejected by 60 literary agents before Stockett found someone willing to represent her. It’s amazing to hear that considering just how great this book is. I’d love to see some of those earlier drafts. Revision is an author’s best friend.
The Help is a fictional story of black maids working for white families in 1960s Mississippi. It is told from 3 different perspectives: 2 black maids and a young white woman. For those of you who have seen the movie (or just the previews) they were played by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Emma Stone.
As someone who was born well after the civil rights movement and north of the Mason/Dixon line I found this book extremely interesting. It was exceptionally insightful into what both races were feeling during that time of immense pressure and change. It even managed to be sufficiently frightening when violence – or the fear of it – erupted.
You may notice I keep saying “It” and not giving Stockett any sort of recognition. I thought the book was great but in my version there was a little personal essay tacked on at the end. She just came across as so conceited that I don’t want to give her any credit. Of course, she can feel free to continue writing from other people’s perspectives but stay away from the other b.s.
As many of you know by now, this book was rejected by 60 literary agents before Stockett found someone willing to represent her. It’s amazing to hear that considering just how great this book is. I’d love to see some of those earlier drafts. Revision is an author’s best friend.
The Help is a fictional story of black maids working for white families in 1960s Mississippi. It is told from 3 different perspectives: 2 black maids and a young white woman. For those of you who have seen the movie (or just the previews) they were played by Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer and Emma Stone.
As someone who was born well after the civil rights movement and north of the Mason/Dixon line I found this book extremely interesting. It was exceptionally insightful into what both races were feeling during that time of immense pressure and change. It even managed to be sufficiently frightening when violence – or the fear of it – erupted.
You may notice I keep saying “It” and not giving Stockett any sort of recognition. I thought the book was great but in my version there was a little personal essay tacked on at the end. She just came across as so conceited that I don’t want to give her any credit. Of course, she can feel free to continue writing from other people’s perspectives but stay away from the other b.s.
Friday, January 20, 2012
For the love of Pete Pedro Pierre ...
If you haven’t heard, Cleveland Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona is being held in his home country of the Dominican Republic for falsifying information. What information? His name (Roberto Hernandez Heredia) and his age (31, not 28 as he has stated). What is even crazier is that Carmona Heredia isn’t even the first MLB pitcher to get caught this offseason.
The man formerly known as Leo Nunez pitched for the Marlins this past season before getting held up in the DR and charged with falsifying information. His real name? Juan Carlos Oviedo. Age? 29, not 28 as he has claimed.
Two players with Hall of Fame credentials, Vladimir Guerrero and Miguel Tejada, were both busted within the past 5 years of lying about their age. Tejada claimed to be 2 years younger than he was and Guerrero said he was 1 year younger than actuality. It’s crazy to consider just how many other players may be disguising themselves as well.
I understand that there simply aren’t the same opportunities in the DR and Cuba for talented athletes. But to lie to this extent? Thinking no one will ever find out? That’s just ignorance. If you can play, you can play. And believe me, teams will pay.
The man formerly known as Leo Nunez pitched for the Marlins this past season before getting held up in the DR and charged with falsifying information. His real name? Juan Carlos Oviedo. Age? 29, not 28 as he has claimed.
Two players with Hall of Fame credentials, Vladimir Guerrero and Miguel Tejada, were both busted within the past 5 years of lying about their age. Tejada claimed to be 2 years younger than he was and Guerrero said he was 1 year younger than actuality. It’s crazy to consider just how many other players may be disguising themselves as well.
I understand that there simply aren’t the same opportunities in the DR and Cuba for talented athletes. But to lie to this extent? Thinking no one will ever find out? That’s just ignorance. If you can play, you can play. And believe me, teams will pay.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Book Review: Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist
by: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
I saw the Michael Cera/Kat Dennings Nick & Norah in theaters a couple years ago and I thought I should finally get around to reading the source material. Turns out there were quite a few liberties taken in the movie.
Remember how the whole film was a race to find the band Where's Fluffy?'s secret show? Well, in the book they just happen to randomly go to a club and it turns out the band is playing there that night. No race, no search, no anything.
And remember how half the movie was trying to find Norah's friend Caroline who Nick's friends were supposed to take home but they lost her? Well, in the book they just take her home and there is no mention of her again.
Also, the girl Tris who is supposed to be the antagonist in the movie is much more 50/50 in the book and she's written as someone who was looking out for Nick's best interests when she broke up with him. (Yeah, I know how that sounds but it's actually true.)
The book is written by 2 writers (Cohn & Levithan) each voicing one of the characters. The story moves back and forth with each chapter switching viewpoints from Nick's to Norah's. It's a pretty light read and is most definitely written with the "Young Adult" in mind.
I saw the Michael Cera/Kat Dennings Nick & Norah in theaters a couple years ago and I thought I should finally get around to reading the source material. Turns out there were quite a few liberties taken in the movie.
Remember how the whole film was a race to find the band Where's Fluffy?'s secret show? Well, in the book they just happen to randomly go to a club and it turns out the band is playing there that night. No race, no search, no anything.
And remember how half the movie was trying to find Norah's friend Caroline who Nick's friends were supposed to take home but they lost her? Well, in the book they just take her home and there is no mention of her again.
Also, the girl Tris who is supposed to be the antagonist in the movie is much more 50/50 in the book and she's written as someone who was looking out for Nick's best interests when she broke up with him. (Yeah, I know how that sounds but it's actually true.)
The book is written by 2 writers (Cohn & Levithan) each voicing one of the characters. The story moves back and forth with each chapter switching viewpoints from Nick's to Norah's. It's a pretty light read and is most definitely written with the "Young Adult" in mind.
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