This Is It Really Was

My family and I went to see the new film dedicated to Michael Jackson using archive footage taken during rehearsals for the "This is It" show in London. Regardless of whether someone loved, hated or could simply care less about Michael Jackson the man this is a must see film.
Personally I have always been a fan of Jacksons music since i first heard him back in 1969. I can still remember rushing home that Sunday night to watch the Jackson 5 perform "I Want You Back" on the Ed Sullivan Show. In the last years he became more of a cartoon of his former self and was identified more by what the press and tabloids had to say than by his work. This movie takes it's audience back stage with a seldom seen perspective and slams you head on with the realization and memories of what Michael Jackson was and has always been, a phenomenon.
One of those once in a lifetime shooting star that trancends all boundries and comparisons to others. In fact, my wife Dannielle and I, upon leaving the theatre bounced other entertainment super stars off of one another. We came up with Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis and all of the extremely talented contemporaries of today. The closest I could think of was Elvis. He had Michael's charisma. He had a voice so unique he could sing upbeat rock & roll while still having the ability to break out the emotional soul filled ballad. Unfortunately for the fans Elvis sang other writers song while Michael wrote almost all of his himself. While Elvis had his gyrating hips Michael Jackson could dance with the greatest dancer not only of his own time but with the best ever. And that barely scratches the surface of his incredible talents as a composer, songwriter and choreographer.
Simply put Michael has been an entertainment super nova for all of us lucky enough to have been born in his time. "This is It" as a film and as a tribute to that talent hits the mark like now other movie of its kind ever has before. It brings up raw emotion as its audience literally applauds as if Michael were there in front of them in a live concert. My wife pointed out, very adeptly, that it was the first time she had ever been to a movie where the entire audience sat in still attention through the entire credits as it came to a close. Seriously not a soul moved. It was as if everyone was transfixed by what they had just witnessed.
I literally felt my emotions for a good half hour after we had left the theatre. If a person likes music and has a couple of hours free he, or she, would be doing themselves an immense diservice not seeing "This is It" in the theatre. Trust me you will be swept away.

There Can Be No Joy in Dodgertown

The sun didn't shine brightly this morning. Instead it hides behind the the grey clouds of dispair.
As I pass other people all I see is their blank stare.
The children aren't playing the games they played in spring.
The boys we love aren't playing for a World Series ring.
Yes, a saddness has engulfed us, our heroes have gone away.
We are left wondering what could have been had the Phillies only been slain.
The memories are thick and full and the joy we had was real. Andre won in so many last gasp ways and Matt and Manny too.
It simply ended before we were ready to lose our Dodger Blue.
Yes in Dodgertown all are welcome to join in the Dodger fun but for now there can be none.
There can be no joy in Dodgertown for those clouds are hiding the sun.

The Hunt for Red in October

It happens every October. No, not Halloween, Major League Baseball's post season playoffs. Like every year there are story lines galore and this years post season is no different.
I have been writing these little blog updates all season and have mentioned, in detail, the Camelot like season the Dodgers have had. They are not alone. The Angels and Yankees have been right there all year long. The Angels the consensus pick to win the American League West didn't disappoint even up against an exciting lineup trotted out there by the Texas Rangers and the Yankees who return to the playoffs with this years best record in the Majors. This is the first Yankee team to go this far without Joe Torre in a very long time.
With the Yankees playing host to the Angels in the American League it will bring a fresh face to the playoffs following last years faceoff between Tampa Bay's Rays and the Red Sox from Boston. It will be a repeat performance between the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies and the two time Western Division Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ok, enough is enough. Here is how I see it. This season, as I have written here before, is and has already been a magical year in LA. Now, I believe the next couple of weeks will be more destiny than trial. As competitive as these games will be the conclusion is right in front of us. That conclusion is revenge. The Phillies manhandled the Dodgers last year but much has changed. Yes Pat Burrell, a huge bat in last years NLCS is gone. Long time Dodger nemesis Brad Lidge has been far less effective of late and Jimmy Rollins hasn't been displaying the pop he brought into last year's matchup. As big as those differences are the biggest changes are on the Dodgers side of the diamond. Casey Blake has become a leader in the clubhouse and a clutch performer in the field. The middle of the infield last year was held down by a Rafael Furcal fresh off of back surgery playing at about 75% and Blake DeWitt who spent as much time in triple A as he did on the big club. They have been replaced with a healthy Furcal playing his best baseball all season at shortstop and a combination of All Star and Gold Glover Orlando Hudson and hot hitting Ronnie Belliard holding down second. Last years pitching staff was held down by Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and a sore armed Takashi Saito trying to close out games. This years staff led the National League in ERA due in part to the coming of age of Clayton Kershaw, A healthy Randy Wolf and a bullpen as dominant as any I've seen in a long time anchored by not one but two shut down closers in George Sherrill and Jonathon Broxton.
Yep revenge is the word and destiny will be the result. It has been playing out all year like a typical Hollywood story line and in a cinematic fashion the Phillies will be the vanquished foe the hero must get past to fulfill his ultimate destiny.
Think this is my own dilusion? Ask yourself this. When was the last time you saw a National League team trade for a designated hitter in August? Obviously Jim Thome was brought in that early to be a powerful left handed bat bringing virtually no value to the table until the fall classic is under way.
As our story plays out the Dodgers will revenge the wrong doings of the petty crook like Spiderman slinging his web on a thug robbing a liquer store. The real foe as this story plays out, to it's ultimate conclusion, is the Dodgers all time nemesis the New York Yankees.
Yep it brings us to this. Sorry Angels. Sorry Phillies. This is the Dodgers as Spiderman and the dreaded Yankees played by the Green Goblin. It is destiny. The script has been written and the cameras are ready for the director to holler "Action".
After a season like this one there is only one final conclusion..... "May I have the envelope please"? "And the winner is ..................."