Moneyball, Deadlines and Mick McCarthy

I'm currently re-reading Moneyball by Michael Lewis. A book about how Billy Beane and a bunch of amateur baseball theorists used alternative thinking to turn conventional baseball wisdom on its head and profit from others refusal to do so. It's a truly fascinating book even if you know literally fuck all about baseball. In its way of questioning all pre conceived notions of player value I think there are a few things that could be applied to football with today being deadline day.

On a similar theme The Ebouetown Heat had a truly awful week in Fantasy Football and I think I may have to play my Wild Card and completely over haul my rag tag bunch of underachievers. It's time to rethink as it turns out picking a solid team with little capacity for individual expression and a tendency to scrap out 0-0 draws won't get you too far in Fantasy Football. I guess it isn't anyone's fantasy to be Mick McCarthy... probably not even Mick McCarthy.

Peace,

Steve

You Can't Take It With You

Happy Bank Holiday everyone. Whether you've been at a Music Festival watching the bands that defined my teenage years (I can't believe I missed Blink 182) or down the Portuguese Food Fair I hope you've had a good one.

Today we were conversing about death and taxidermy (I'm very dark) and an interesting point came up. Is it possible to leave something in your will to a famous public figure? For example, if someone was a huge Flo-Rida fan could they leave their fortune to Flo so he could use it to continue to put out hit records? You would of course have to be careful with Flo. He loves giant watches and unless you were very specific he might just spend all your earthly goods on acquiring yet another giant watch.

Seriously if anyone knows the answer to this question then hit me up in the comments or on Facebook. I am very keen to leave everything I own to a Hip-Hop star with more money than sense.

Peace,

Steve

Gateway Drug

And if you enjoyed the film...

There's plenty more Scott Pilgrim stuff out there for you to enjoy. As I mentioned yesterday the books kind of give an alternative and far more in-depth retelling of the same basic story. I would implore you to pick them up from your nearest book shop, Amazon or fine comic book retailer. There's a section in Book 5 that is omitted from the film that has both great art and acts as a narrative gut punch. Basically (even if you're a comic book virgin) if you liked the film you will LOVE the books.

If you like video games (and if you like Scott Pilgrim there's a decent chance you do) then there's also a game out to coincide with the movie. The graphics remind me of a wonderful time when games characters weren't surly scales or mad professors who shout out you for not losing enough weight / being stupid. Here's a little trailer.

If I owned a games console that wasn't a Nintendo Wii I would totally buy it.

There's also soundtracks, plushes, t-shirts... The whole shebang!

This is the last post of unofficial Scott Pilgrim week here at Steveitude Towers and I hope I've managed to convey just a little of my enthusiasm for the project. I don't like to shill myself for anything I'm not personally involved in but new and original films like this deserve to be seen and if we don't go and support them then I guess I'll just have to see you outside the mass suicide after the first screening of Norbit 2.

Peace,

Steve

The Review

Let it be known, I Lesbianed Scott Pilgrim vs The World. A quirkier, more energetic, more inventive film you will not see this year or pretty much any year. And the thing is as a long time fan of the books it actually managed to really surprise me. Wright and co-writer Bacall only had the first two volumes and a rough outline of the series to go on when they wrote their script and you can really tell as they provide their own spin on the material. It's actually an adaptation rather than a word for word, shot for shot deal (see my minor quibbles with Watchmen). Yes it loses the development of the relationship in place of making it seem a more short term thing and the minor characters don't get so much back story but there was never going to be a way of squeezing six books of stuff into one movie. The minor characters don't even really suffer because of some tremendous casting. The movie Young Neil I thought was especially good and actually had an interesting mini arc as well as some great one liners. Speaking of one liners the film was much funnier than I expected. They're funny graphic novels but here the jokes (physical and non physical) come thick and fast. I don't want to drop any spoilers but the ending with the 'extra boss' is just perfect and I'd like to see O'Malley maybe feature him in a little one shot. Finally, the move from book to screen actually gives us the music and it is as insanely indie and cool as you would expect. Broken Social Scene, Beck, Metric, Frank Black...

All in all it's an absolutely outstanding film and is completely deserving of both your time and money. I'm also delighted to say it was completely sold out so get there early blog fans!
5 STARS!
Now I'm going to sit here and pray for a sequel.

Peace,

Steve

Scott Pilgrim vs The World

It's here. Scott Pilgrim takes on the UK today. Why should you go see it? I spent many words in this month's Gallery telling you why. Here's the intro:

'How many times have you been sitting through some kind of generic rom-com and thought to yourself ‘this could definitely do with some more kick ass action’? If you’re like me then the answer is probably every time. Instead of Hugh Grant getting delightfully befuddled how about Hugh Grant whipping out a delightful samurai sword (No Weddings and Lots of Funerals?). Instead of Kate Hudson trying to annoy Matthew McConaughey into dumping her how about she just kicks him in the face (How to Hurt a Guy in 10 Days?). Instead of whatever happens in 27 Dresses there are just lots of explosions? Allow me to introduce Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The rom-com for the Nintendo generation.'

The film has had hugely positive reviews but relatively poor Box Office in the States. Let's prove we're not like them, the same audience who didn't tune in to Arrested Development. The same audience who continue to fail to watch 30 Rock. Let's show some national pride and get to the local movieplex!

Peace,

Steve

Tomorrow's Excitement - TODAY!

How can you not want to see this?? Expect more pleading, demanding and rhetorical questions over the next couple of days.

Peace,

Steve

4-4-2 Weddings & A Funeral

Having sporadically starred for 'Sexiest Player in the C-League' Phil Scullion's 6-A Side team 'Hugh Grant is Sexy' you can imagine my delight when watching Sky's coverage of the Fulham v United game I noticed  England's greatest ever actor of all time sitting next to England's current manager.

I like to think he was doing research for a part in a new film...

4-4-2 Weddings & A Funeral


Hugh Grant plays a bumbling but talented Premiership footballer with a fit Page Three model girlfriend. However, despite being near the top of the game he has never reached his full potential in his professional or personal life because of his nerves and bumbling nature. These problems are exasperated when four of his teammates marry their Page Three model girlfriends and his manager and long-time mentor dies. A new manager comes in and although at first he seems a bit strict maybe it's this tough love that can help him finally achieve his career goals and take his girlfriend up the aisle.

And if that doesn't have you salivating then I guess your name isn't Phil Scullion.

Peace,

Steve

Adolf Shitler

This is definitely something to look forward to. Also, as a fan of trailers in general I am delighted by the concept of a pre-trailer.

Peace,

Steve

That 'Friday Feeling' Feeling of the Week: Hungry

It's Friday and that means it's time for that 'Friday Feeling' Feeling of the Week. Our 'Friday Feeling' Feeling of the week is Hungry. I am currently hungry for dinner. This will soon be resolved though because Miss Nicki Wray has been chained to the oven for most of the day and is cooking up some kind of chicken related secret feast.

Why not take a moment to think about some of the things you're hungry for:
- Food
- Success
- Fame
- Change

Don't you feel better for it? Good.

Peace,

Steve

Resist

Eddie Argos of Art Brut fame has recently launched a side project called Spoiler Alert where he and his band write and perform songs about DC Comics heroes. As you might imagine this is right up my alley. In researching this I came across his other side project Everybody Was In The French Resistance...Now. In a stroke of genius they offer responses to pop songs of the past. The above video is my favourite and is a response to the psycho stalker Avril Lavigne anthem 'Girlfriend'. Enjoy.

Peace,

Steve

Igneous Cat Toilet

If there's one thing that is sure to bring joy to the heart it's the image of a cat drinking from the toilet. Nic didn't believe me when I told her he did this but we can see here who was proven correct (NOTE: The answer is me.)

Is a cat drinking out the toilet the type of thing you're likely to see in the first issue of 'IGNEOUS Magazine' launching this October? I'm not sure. You best join the group HERE so you can be the first to know the definitive answer.

In case you're confused by this collection of sentences I will be contributing to the first issue of the magazine put together by the luscious Mr. Elliott White and the alliterative Professor. James Jackson. Have no fear Gallery fans I'm still there too, this is just some extra fun stuff.

Peace,

Steve

Back... Again!

Why?

Alright stop, collaborate and listen...

Hello Steveitude fans. It's been a long time but we've dusted off the old typing pad and we have returned to provide you with your daily (probably not), weekly (there's a chance), monthly (unless I get really slack) dose of Steveitude. Where have I been all this time? Find out here. But don't bother yet. Keep reading! 

As you may have noticed we've spruced things up a little bit since last time you popped your cute little faces in. There's a snazzy new background, a reduced blog list consisting solely of people I actually know (If you have a blog and I know you then please get in touch and you could see your name on the side of my page!), a search bar and even ads for Amazon products that supposedly are relevant to my site. Click through them and order many things so that I receive gift cards galore. 

Anyway, we're back, we mean business and we have plenty of exciting stuff coming up here over the next couple of months. Music, movies and other things that are good. So stick around, check back often and become a follower. 

What does the picture at the top of this post mean??? You'll find out.... Soon enough. 

Peace,

Steve