Lionel Messi Is Good at Soccer

Is he the greatest of all time?  Probably.

TPSG Top 10 Movies of 1971

Continuing with my look at the best movies of years gone by.

Top 10 Movies of 1971:

1. The French Connection - Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey
2. A Clockwork Orange - Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee
3. Dirty Harry - Clint Eastwood, Harry Guardino
4. Shaft - Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn
5. Carnal Knowledge - Jack Nicholson, Candice Bergen
6. Diamond Are Forever - Sean Connery, Jill St John
7. Bananas - Woody Allen, Louise Lasser
8. Play Misty For Me - Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter
9. The Last Picture Show - Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges
10. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson

"The French Connection" was the clear best film of 1971, it cleaned up at the Oscars, and who can forget that chase scene?  "A Clockwork Orange" is a cult classic for a reason, it's very disturbing to watch but it does all seem to have a point.  "Dirty Harry" was the first and the best of the Dirty Harry Callahan series, I loved it.  "Shaft" IMO is probably the best of the early 70's blaxplotation films.  "Carnal Knowledge" is one of Mike Nichols best films, Jack Nicholson is great in this one too. "Diamonds Are Forever" is an early and entertaining James Bond film.  "Bananas" is classic early Woody Allen.  "Play Misty For Me" is one of Clint Eastwood better early films as he battles stalker Jessica Walter.  "The Last Picture Show" is an interesting look at the coming of age in a small dreary Texas town. While I admit that "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" is no cinematic masterpiece, it is a terrific children's movie.  

John Oliver on FIFA

John Oliver was right on FIFA.

POTpourri

• Why the intense hate for President Obama from so many conservatives?  
• I contend that historians will be very kind to the Obama Presidency. 
• What is worse, voter fraud or voter suppression?   
• Juan Pablo Montoya wins the 2015 Indianapolis 500.  
• I do agree with Rand Paul on a few things.  He's not fit for the Presidency though.
• We really need changes to the way we police people in this country. 
• Where have you been hiding Xenia Deli!  
• Shouldn't bankers be held accountable for their crimes? 
• Could the World Cup be headed to the U.S. in 2018 or 2022? 
• The hypocrisy from those in the supposed party of "morals" is quite appalling.  
• How about those Republican Governors everybody!  Ugh. 
• Men who drink coffee everyday have a lower rate of erectile dysfunction.  
• The media appears desperate to bring down Hillary Clinton. 
• RIP John Nash, Anne Meara & Marques Haynes. 
• How about we not let Republicans rewrite the Iraq war fiasco. 
• It may just be time for a financial transactions tax.  
• Pope Francis calls protecting the earth a requirement of Christianity.  
• Is it just me, or do Republicans really seem to hate the poor for some reason?
• I wish that more people would take a closer look at Bernie Sanders for President. 
• Are Republicans a clear and present danger to the Catholic Church? 

Pole it!

Just because!

AZ Tidbits

• Arizona is about to boot thousands off of welfare.  
• Phoenix Suns will be selecting 13th in the upcoming NBA Draft. 
• Arpaio racial profiling to cost Arizona taxpayers $51 million.  Embarrassing. 
• Governor Ducey is off to a less than impressive start. 
• Arizona competitiveness continues to plummet.  
• What happens when you elect an ideologue as Superintendent of Schools? 
• Arizona legislatures and constituents at odds over Climate Change. 
• Is James Harden the best basketball player ever from an Arizona school? 
• Ann Kirkpatrick set to take on John McCain in 2016 Senate race. 
• There is a reason that Arizona politics has a horrible reputation. 
• Arizona State golfer Jon Rahm wins the 2015 Ben Hogan Award. 
• No question about it, Arizona needs more quality jobs. 
• I suspect several Sun Devils & Wildcats will be selected in the 2015 MBL Draft. 
• Is Arizona in the midst of a mental health crisis?
• Who are the Arizona Coyotes going to select in the NHL Draft?  
• The number of Arizona marijuana initiatives double. 
• Could the Arizona Cardinals be moved to the AFC West?  
• The Phoenix job market is steadily declining. 
• Arizona State is still in play for Thon Maker!  
• Could the Phoenix Suns move to the Talking Stick Resort? 
• Did you know that Phoenix is the only state capital with over 1 million people?
• University of Arizona baseball coach Andy Lopez announces his retirement.

Happy Memorial Day!

TPSG 2015 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

Seeing as the draft lottery has now come and gone, it seems like an appropriate time to post an NBA Mock Draft, so here goes:

1. Minnesota Timberwolves - Karl Anthony Towns - C - Kentucky
2. Los Angeles Lakers - Jahlil Okafor - C - Duke
3. Philadelphia 76ers - DeAngelo Russell - PG - Ohio State
4. New York Knicks - Emmanuel Mudiay - PG - Congo
5. Orlando Magic - Kristaps Porzingis - PF - Latvia
6. Sacramento Kings - Justise Winslow - SF - Duke 
7. Denver Nuggets - Mario Hezonja - SF - Croatia 
8. Detroit Pistons - Stanley Johnson - SF - Arizona 
9. Charlotte Hornets - Trey Lyles - PF - Kentucky 
10. Miami Heat - Myles Turner - C - Texas 
11. Indiana Pacers - Willie Cauley Stein - C - Kentucky
12. Utah Jazz - Sam Dekker - SF - Wisconsin 
13. Phoenix Suns - Frank Kaminsky - C - Wisconsin 
14. Oklahoma City Thunder - Cameron Payne - PG - Murray State
15. Atlanta Hawks - Kelly Oubre - SF - Kansas 
16. Boston Celtics - Bobby Portis - PF - Arkansas 
17. Milwaukee Bucks - Devin Booker - OG - Kentucky
18. Houston Rockets - Jerian Grant - PG - Notre Dame
19. Washington Wizards - Kevon Looney - PF - UCLA
20. Toronto Raptors - Montrezl Harrell - PF - Louisville 
21. Dallas Mavericks - Delon Wright - PG - Utah
22. Chicago Bulls - Justin Anderson - OG - Virginia 
23. Portland Trail Blazers - Rondae Hollis Jefferson - SF - Arizona 
24. Cleveland Cavaliers - R.J. Hunter - OG - Georgia State
25. Memphis Grizzlies - Tyus Jones - PG - Duke
26. San Antonio Spurs - Terry Rozier - PG - Louisville 
27. Los Angeles Lakers - Rashad Vaughn - OG - UNLV 
28. Boston Celtics - Jarell Martin - PF - LSU 
29. Brooklyn Nets - Christian Wood - PF - UNLV 
30. Golden State Warriors - Norman Powell - OG UCLA

Towns and Okafor seem certain to go 1-2, it's just a matter of who the Timberwolves want more.  I hear more positives about Towns at this point so he got my nod, I hear that Flip Saunders is really high on Okafor too though.  The Lakers will take whichever of the two that makes it to them.

My guess on the Suns comes down to Sam Dekker, Frank Kaminsky, Bobby Portis or Devin Booker, a lot kind of depends on who drops to them.  All 4 of these guys could fill a needed role for the team though, that being toughness and outside shooting.

On another note, I'm hoping the Timberwolves can package their 2 second round picks (31 & 36 overall) to move back into the first round to select Tyus Jones, he'd be a perfect fit for the Wolves.  

Cool Pics

POTpourri

• Minnesota Timberwolves win 2015 NBA Draft Lottery.  
• Death sentence for Boston Marathon Bomber.  
• American Pharoah wins the 2015 Preakness Stakes.  
• RIP B.B. King & Garo Yepremian. 
• The truth about climate change is not pretty.  
• Is Fox News really helping Republicans?  
• Paris Roxanne needs to be on your radar.  As does Anastasia Zagrebina. 
• There really is an easy way to curtail the number of abortions.  
• The Minnesota Vikings appear to have had a nice draft. 
• Taylor Swift tops the latest Maxim Hot 100 list.
• Let's not forget who is responsible for the Iraq mess & ISIS.  
• Color me intrigued by Charlotte Hope as Myranda in "Game of Thrones".  
• The New England Patriots culture of cheating is hard to overlook.  
• Are you familiar with Scott Walker's record in Wisconsin?  
• Could Kansas get any dumber?   Doubtful.  
• Are you familiar with Ronald Reagan's record as President?  
• Will American Evangelicals take heed of Pope Francis' warnings? 
• Spin ranks the Top 300 albums of the past 30 years.  
• Marco Rubio & Jeb Bush stumbling already in 2016 Presidential race.
• Red States are beginning to pull us all down.  Pay attention people!
• Complete Billboard Music Awards winners list here.  

It Was A Nice Run David Letterman!

I grew up watching David Letterman, he will be sorely missed!

TPSG Top 10 Movies of 1972

Continuing with my look at the best movies of years gone by.

Top 10 Movies of 1972:

1. The Godfather - Marlon Brando, Al Pacino
2. Deliverance - Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight
3. Jeremiah Johnson - Robert Redford, Will Geer
4. The Poseidon Adventure - Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine
5. The Candidate - Robert Redford, Peter Boyle
6. Super Fly - Ron O'Neal, Carl Lee
7. Play It Again, Sam - Woody Allen, Diane Keaton
8. The Getaway - Steve McQueen, Ali MacGraw
9. What's Up Doc - Barbara Streisand, Ryan O'Neal
10. Cabaret - Liza Minelli, Michael York

"The Godfather" is arguably the greatest film ever made.  Who can ever forget that banjo player in "Deliverance"?   "Jeremiah Johnson" is a great western by Robert Redford.  I think that it's safe to call "The Poseidon Adventure" one of the greatest disaster movies of all time.  "The Candidate" is a great look at early 1970's politics.  "Super Fly" is one of the better blaxploitation films of the 1970's. "Play It Again, Sam" is yet another great Woody Allen film.  There's nothing like Steve McQueen cool in "The Getaway".  "What's Up Doc" is a lot of fun.  "Cabaret" is more than a musical, don't let that scare you away.

USA! USA! USA!

AZ Tidbits

• MLB Draft is less than a month away. Diamondbacks pick first. 
• Is water rationing coming to Arizona? 
• I really need to get to Antelope Canyon one of these days. 
• Here's a good site listing upcoming Phoenix area concerts. 
• Arizona does have a lot of must see landmarks.  Check them out!
• New Arizona Governor Doug Ducey is already not polling very well. 
• Diamondbacks sign C Jarrod Saltalamacchia to minor league deal. 
• You can follow construction of Sun Devil Stadium right here. 
• Has Arizona finally soured on Joe Arpaio?  Let's hope so.  
• Yes, Arizona is still full of crazy lunatics.  
• The University of Arizona does have a few selling points. 
• Jose Benavidez Jr retains his Light Welterweight title. 
• It's getting hard to ignore the influence of the Koch Brothers in Arizona. 
• Apparently, Arizona does get an occasional tornado. 
• Hillary Clinton & Jeb Bush are in a dead heat in Arizona. 
• Are you wondering about 10 ways that Arizona has influenced the world?  
• Arizona leads the nation in college cuts and tuition increases. 
• Why are there cameras in those fake cactuses? 
• Michael Phelps headed to Tempe to live and train.  
• WNBA suspends Brittney Griner for 7 games. 
• Should it be snowing in Arizona in the month of May?  

Ex Machina

Ex Machina - starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Issac & Alicia Vikander. If you're a fan of sci-fi movies I think you'll like this one.  As a matter of fact, I think it's probably the best film I've seen this year so far.  It's about a tech coder named Caleb (played by Domhnall Gleeson) who wins a competition to spend a week at the private retreat of his employers recluse billionaire CEO (Nathan, played by Oscar Isaac).  It doesn't take long for Caleb to surmise that the trip was about more than spending a week with the reclusive CEO.  He was being given the chance to help test out Nathan's new Artificial Intelligence technology.  That's an offer of a lifetime to a coder like Nathan.  To make matters more interesting, the A.I. technology comes in the form or the beautiful Ava (played by Alicia Vikander).  The question then becomes, what's real and what's not real?  Is Ava flirting with Caleb?  Is Caleb falling for Ava?  Is Nathan telling Caleb the complete truth about the reasons behind his being picked as winner of the "contest"?   Does Caleb outsmart Nathan?  All these twists and turns keep you heavily invested and engaged all the way throughout the film.  Gleeson, Isaac, Vikander all do nice jobs in their respective roles, I also really enjoyed Sonoya Mizuno as Kyoko (when you see her you'll understand).  I'm also becoming a big fan of Alex Garland, his list of credits is becoming very impressive, both as a writer and now as a director.  I highly recommend this one, give it a watch!

I'll give it 4 out of 5 stars (*****).  

Daniela Tamayo

They don't come much hotter than Daniela Tamayo.

Best TV Shows of the 2014-15 Season

The 2014-15 television pretty much comes to end this week so I thought it appropriate that I rank my Top 10 Television shows for the 2014-15 Television season.  So without further adieu, here goes:

1. The Walking Dead - AMC
2. The Americans - FX
3. Man Seeking Woman - FXX
4. Better Call Saul - AMC
5. Louie - FX
6. American Crime - ABC
7. Grimm - NBC
8. Modern Family - ABC
9. Gotham - FOX
10. Brooklyn Nine-Nine - FOX

I did not include any of the pay TV channels, otherwise "Game of Thrones", "House of Cards", "Orange is the New Black" and who knows what else would have made the list.

"The Walking Dead" and "The Americans" are the clear top of the class.  "Man Seeking Woman" was the funniest show of the year, I loved that they were willing to take so many chances.

I think this is a pretty solid Top 10 list.  The next 3 after this top 10 would be "Vikings", "Secrets and Lies" and "Black-ish".   It was a good season for television.

It was also a good year for new shows, look at the Top 10 list above, 4 of the 10 are new shows.  Keep it up networks!

As for the cancelled shows that I will miss?  "CSI:  Crime Scene Investigation" is probably the most notable, but truth be told, it was running out of steam, it was a nice run though.  I wish "Battle Creek" had been given more time also, it showed a lot of promise.  

Jon Stewart Takes on Fox News

Fox News really made this one too easy for Jon Stewart.  Why anyone trusts anything that so-called news agency says is beyond me.  They have morphed into nothing more than the propaganda wing of the Republican party.

The Daily Show

POTpourri

• The Jade Helm conspiracy proves Republicans are still as crazy as ever. 
• Are for-profit prisons really such a good idea?  
• Keep an eye out for Rachel Barnes, she's gorgeous! 
• By any measure, Obamacare is a great success. 
• The NFL comes down hard on the Patriots for Deflategate. 
• The influx of music festivals is a welcome addition to Las Vegas. 
• Christian churches should look in the mirror to explain the decline in Christianity. 
• Why does Missouri want to keep people in poverty? 
• As if we didn't already know that the Benghazi hearings were a political witch hunt.  
• Here's an interesting ranking of the Marvel movies. 
• Katrina Mezenova really needs to be on my radar. 
• Conservatives really need to re-think their stance on Obamacare. 
• It's good to finally see some GOP push back against the Koch brothers.  
• Elizabeth Warren & Bill De Blasio make some great points. 
• Resorts World Las Vegas breaks ground on new Chinese themed casino. 
• Ted Cruz seems to have a hard time showing up for work. 
• Republican stance on campaign cash seems a bit skewed to me. 
• It's amazing how out of touch so many on the right have become. 
• Chris Christie called out on his stance on Social Security reform plan. 
• I feel horrible for the Jacksonville Jaguars newly drafted Dante Fowler Jr.
• How come there is no accountability for the job creators? 
• The television networks cancellation lists arrive.  
• I really hope that Mark Dayton is on Hillary Clinton's VP list. 

Vacation Trailer

Is it crazy that I'm excited to see the new "Vacation" movie?  It can't be good can it?



It opens July 29, 2015.

TPSG Top 10 Movies of 1973

Continuing with my look at the best movies of years gone by.

Top 10 Movies of 1973:

1. The Exorcist - Linda Blair, Max Von Sydow
2. American Graffiti - Richard Dreyfus, Ron Howard
3. The Sting - Paul Newman, Robert Redford
4. Enter the Dragon - Bruce Lee, John Saxon
5. Serpico - Al Pacino, John Randolph
6. Live and Let Die - Roger Moore, Yaphet Kotto
7. Papillon - Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman
8. Magnum Force - Clint Eastwood, Hal Holbrook
9. Bang the Drum Slowly - Robert DeNiro, Michael Moriarty
10. High Plains Drifter - Clint Eastwood, Verna Bloom

Thanks to Linda Blair, "The Exorcist" is one of the all time great horror films.  "American Graffiti" perfectly captures the early 1960's.  Paul Newman and Robert Redford are the perfect teaming for "The Sting".  "Enter the Dragon" is arguably the best martial arts film ever made.  Al Pacino as "Serpico" is a tremendous film, it's a great story too.  "Live and Let Die" is one of the better Roger Moore 007 films.  "Papillon" ranks as one of the better prison movies ever made.  You can't beat Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry Callahan in "Magnum Force".  "Bang the Drum Slowly" is a highly under appreciated baseball movie, it really pulls at the heart strings too.  "High Plains Drifter" is yet another top notch western from Clint Eastwood.

Maher on Rand Paul & Jade Helm

Stupid is as stupid does.

2016 Presidential Field Update

Here's where we stand:

Democrats:

1. Hillary Clinton
2. Bernie Sanders

Republicans

1. Marco Rubio
2. Rand Paul
3. Ben Carson
4. Ted Cruz
5. Carly Fiorina
6. Mike Huckabee

I'm a big Bernie Sanders fan, I love his populist stand on the issues.  That being said, he has no chance of beating Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.  My hope is that he keeps Hillary honest and keeps her from pivoting too far to the middle. We don't need a centrist at this point in time, we need a populist who will fight for the middle class.

On the Republican side, how about we rule out Carson, Cruz and Huckabee right now.  They may play well with the far right base, but in a general election most people see them as the extremists that they are and they will they will have no chance.  Rand Paul stance on the issues will not get him the nomination, they are not in touch with anyone but the libertarian wing of the party and that's not large enough.  Carly Fiorina lacks any qualifications whatsoever for higher office, I can only think that she is eyeing the VP slot (as a female contrast to Hillary Clinton).   So IMO, that only leaves us with Marco Rubio.  The problem with Marco Rubio (and any eventual Republican nominee) is that he will need to move to the right to appease the high dollar donors on the right and that will not appease the more rational middle (and left in a general election).

What am I saying?  To me, it's looking like a Clinton/Rubio matchup AND a cakewalk to the Presidency for Hillary Clinton.

Of course, there could be another 8-12 Republican announcements before all is said and done. 

New Angels!

New Victoria's Secret Angels!!!

AZ Tidbits

• Arizona drops into the bottom 10 of per capita income.  
• Scottsdale name one of Top 10 Cities to Relocate To.  
• It appears we have another joke of a Governor.  
• Apparently, Arizona does get earthquakes.  
• Why does the U.S. congress want to block an Indian Casino in Glendale? 
• Ouch Archie Bradley!  That even hurts to watch.  
• Workplace deaths soar in Arizona. 
• My thoughts and prayers go out to Kirk Gibson!  
• WTF would Arizona State cancel the Undie Run? 
• Does Arizona State have a chance to land Marvin Bagley III? 
• Is Sheriff Joe Arpaio wasting more of our tax dollars? 
• Former ASU QB Taylor Kelly to get tryout with the Arizona Cardinals. 
• Arizona government slammed in 2015 Environmental Report Card.
• Is John McCain vulnerable in 2016?  
• Apparently Bruce Halle is the richest person in Arizona. 
• Downtown Phoenix to be ESPN headquarters for the college football championship.  
• Tucson awarded a bowl game for 2015.  
• Hillary Clinton is close with most Republicans challengers in Arizona. 
• Maricopa judge rules that Arizona Dreamers should get in-state tuition. 
• Should public money really be used to fight marijuana legalization? 

Johnny Depp in Black Mass

I'm really looking forward to Johnny Depp's portrayal of Whitey Bulger in the upcoming release "Black Mass".



Depp could really use another hit after a series of misses too.

POTpourri

• American's support for marijuana legalization hits all time high. 
• My heart goes out to the people of Nepal.  
• Bernie Sanders announces 2016 Presidential run. 
• Floyd Mayweather defeats Manny Pacquiao in a yawner.  
• American Pharoah wins the 2015 Kentucky Derby. 
• Mike Huckabee, Dr Ben Carson & Carly Fiorina announce 2016 Presidential runs. 
• Stephen Curry wins the 2014-15 NBA MVP Award. 
• I refuse to believe that Chris Christie had no connection to Bridgegate. 
• FHM declares Michelle Keegan the 2015 Sexiest Woman in the World. 
• Here's a must read for all Republicans!  Want more? 
• Are you aware just how much damage the plutocrats are doing? 
• Is it my imagination or is Tamron Hall getting hotter by the day?
• No, guns do not make us safer.  
• RIP Verne Gagne, Calvin Peete, Marv Hubbard & Jayne Meadows. 
• Andrew Wiggins named NBA Rookie of the Year. 
• Every pick of the 2015 NFL Draft can be found here. 
• 2015 NFL schedules released.  
• The Tecate Girls were the stars of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. 
• Why jump off a perfectly fine building?  It makes no sense. 
• GOP is worried that their Hillary hate is peaking too soon. 
• ISIS started losing when Muslim's started fighting back. 
• Bruce Jenner "officially" comes out as transgender. 
• Please be leery of anything that Peter Schweizer has to say.  
• How is that Republican congress working for you? 
• A governor with Presidential ambitions is a death knell to any state. 
• It's really hard to believe that Michelle Bachmann was a member of congress.

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner is easily the hottest of the Kardashian/Jenner clan.

Final TPSG Draft Thoughts

• Take it for what it is, but here are some much too early draft grades. 
• 3 former Arizona high schoolers drafted. 
• 4 Gophers selected, that's a great sign for the Gopher football program.  
• The Vikings defense got better in the draft.  
• I really liked the Jets, Falcons, Jags & Ravens drafts. 
• I'm thinking the draft may have found it's new home. Well done Draft Town.
• I really love the Nate Boyer story.  
• The Cardinals appear to have found their new return specialist. 
• Randy Gregory & Shane Ray provided cautionary tales to college stars. 
• 4 Sun Devils drafted.  Hopefully, Taylor Kelly gets an UDFA opportunity. 
• No Arizona Wildcats drafted.  They are a young team though. 
• I really liked the Vikings draft.  2 immediate starters, a couple sleepers.
• The UDFA market is off and running! 
• I wasn't overly impressed by the Arizona Cardinals draft.  
• Why didn't the Cardinals address their QB problem?  
• Until given reason not to, do not doubt Steve Keim.  
• T.J. Clemmings was a great value pick in round 4 for the Vikings. 
• Godspeed to Rick Upchurch!  
• The whole La'el Collins situation was fascinating to watch play out. 
• I suspect that David Johnson will have the biggest rookie impact for the Cardinals.