My Thoughts on the Miscarriage of Justice That Took Place In Cincinnati, Ohio, October 2nd, 2011

After watching the travesty of justice that took place yesterday, during the Buffalo Bills/Cincinnati Bengals game, where a text-book catch by Bills receiver Stevie Johnson was deemed incomplete, when clearly, through multiple-angles of replay, all the requirements of a catch, as defined in the NFL rulebook, was obviously met.  Yet, after Head Coach Chan Gailey threw out his red challenge flag, you, as a fan, all allegiances aside, knew the play on the field would be over-ruled, and the Bills would get the first down, push forward and score, either a touchdown or field goal, or, at the very least, eat up enough clock to severely hamper the Bengals opportunity for a comeback.  After several minutes under the booth, the ruling was made, “ruling on the field stands.” 

What these officials did was directly impact the outcome of a game with their flagrant abuse of ethics.  The official who made the initial call, and who then lobbied his call vehemently to the head official conducting the replay, clearly had ulterior motives in mind.  I care not to guess what those reasons might or might not be, but seeing the Bills were up by 7 and apparently driving for another score, any hopes that Cincinnati would get close enough to win or lose by 3 or less were certainly in jeopardy.  This may or may not explain why this official would miss clear pass interference, defensive holding calls, and offensive holding calls numerous times throughout the game.  Then as he decided to so passionately defend his call, those with the most limited of psychological understandings could tell, for whatever the reason(s) may be, this man was definitely nervous about the outcome of that replay.       

So many announcers are/will be saying today and throughout the week that it’s the Bills own fault for not winning the game, that the now first ranked Bengals defenses deserves its credit.  Both of these arguments are extremely valid.  However, the much maligned Buffalo defenses, rightfully so with the number of yards they’ve given up through four games, put the Bills in the position, to overcome the (this season) high powered offense’s inability to move the ball consistently against the Cincinnati defensive unit, to win the game in spite of all the non-calls, long plays to rookie sensation AJ Green, and that ineffective offense still.  These arguments do not care to take into account that the Bills still had a seven point lead when this call was made, were moving the ball, eating up precious time and up until this point had strung a nine minute, albeit field goal, scoring drive on their previous offensive possession.  All signs pointed to one of those games where the better time that day did not win, as mistakes do kill good teams and bad teams alike.  But the Bills were in position to end the game essentially.  They either ran off enough time to make a comeback extremely difficult, or they, which seeing it should have been first and ten with great field position, the more likely outcome was an extreme time run-off being capped off by another field goal, or perhaps a touchdown, in any case Buffalo would’ve owned a ten point lead at minimum, with very little time remaining for a possible comeback.

It’s a shame that things like this take place in sports.  Would it have been different on any other day?  I have to say that this one, in this writer’s opinion, corrupt official, is in the minority and the call would have been made correctly the next hundred out of a hundred times.  It was that easy of a call to make. 

Yet, they blew it, and whether or not, most likely not that they apologize to the Buffalo Bills organization for such a miscarriage and yes travesty of justice is to be seen.  Most likely though, they’ll come back with the typical fallback use when a call is not overturned, “We couldn’t see any conclusive evidence to change the ruling on the field,” in which case they would be lying, in the most cowardice of ways, as referenced earlier, the catch was so obviously correct it’s amazing that anyone could get it this wrong.  In fact the NFL, although an explanation I’m assuming will be sought after, would be better off offering no comment, as apologies are a blight against the game and to confirm what the officials did, defend the judgment in any manner whatsoever seems to do nothing but commit perjury.  In any case, the Bills, having their best start to a season in three + years, now and will continue to bear this pockmark upon their record.    I hope this young group of men; these Buffalo Bills wear this injustice as a badge going forward and remember that no lead is safe, that a bad call can change any game.  I hope this group wears this badge, posts this blog-posting up upon their walls and in their hearts, do whatever they need to do, to refuel an “Us against the World” mentality going forward.

Again, it’s a shame it came to this. 

Conan The Barbarian

I went to the movies yesterday, hoping to see the new remake of Fright Night, one of my all-time favorite films.  I’m not a friend of the remake/rehash scene, but I am interested in seeing alternate perspectives.  This is the case here.  I’m very curious to see how the new film compares to the original.  However, when I looked the information up on-line, well, I must have jotted down an incorrect show time.  While in line, I realized Fright Night had already started, with the next closest showing being in 3D, of which I’m really not a fan.

Two days earlier I had read an article online, as I bounced about using StumbleUpon. It talked about the positives and negatives surrounding 3D.  The article basically said that 3D is not packing the punch many had thought it would, that moviegoers were not getting appropriate value for their $12 or $13 admission price, to which I have to agree.   Personally, I keep giving 3D a chance.  I want to find that perfect 3D film.  Yet lately, after numerous disappointing outings, I’ve given up hope that, at the present time, the technology can work the way we all, I believe, want it to.  The article then made claims that Conan The Barbarian looked really good in 3D.

I’ve seen the original Conan films starring Arnold, but it’s been so long since that there is really no point to compare the two.  Instead I wanted to see a well-plotted and interesting storyline, jam packed with action that oozed through the screen.  The film didn’t disappoint. 

Conan The Barbarian delivers a bloodied and extremely violent product.  Entrenched in action scene layered upon action scene, the barbarian way of life, the atrocities of war and a world where life is basically boiled down to making war and making love is brilliantly displayed.  The world building in this film is amazing, as it draws from both historical and mythological references.

I liken this film to a video game, with sequential challenges and trials thrust upon the hero.  As Conan solves one challenge another takes its place, gradually increasing in difficulty until a culminating battle scene, that provides both retribution and resolve.  The series of challenges in Conan can be compared to Hercules and his many trials.  In fact it’s so comparable that I highly doubt it could possibly be coincidence alone.

Conan’s quest begins as a simple revenge plot.  The character was built upon, “ A young warrior vows vengeance upon his father’s executioner,” an idea that is the crux for both character and plot.   

Along the journey though we see that the revenge plot has evolved into a story about revenge & liberation, as Conan states his belief, “No man deserves to live in chains.”  Conan travels the world battling injustices, freeing any prisoners and/or slaves that he comes upon.  Despite being drawn as a lone-wolf type, he does make friendships along the way, a quality that assists in character development.  

The traditional barbarian is seen having a particular mindset: The relentless warrior that chooses death over admitting to his flaws and limitations.  While Conan is, without a doubt, capable of handling his own affairs, we see his character deepened by his ability to swallow pride and ask his friends for help when it’s needed.

The traditional barbarian is also seen as a man that lives life to the fullest, on and off the battlefield.  In addition to being a perfectly defined warrior, he’s shown drinking his share of mead, laughing and arm-wrestling with friends and being popular with the ladies.  This aspect of Conan’s character changes though, after he meets the pureblood woman.  He initially treats her like a pawn, bait to snare his enemy, yet as the story progresses, we see expressions of genuine affection, physical attraction that then blossoms into a mutual love shared between the two. 

I make this point despite the fact he does leave her at film’s end.  One may claim that this departure signifies that his love was in fact superficial.  However I view this departure as the last piece to his evolution. 

A warrior is primarily an Id ruled being, but here Conan acts selflessly, leaving his “love,” in order to continue his war against injustice.  This ending is commonplace in mythological lore.  Selflessness is one of the keys that push a character’s legacy forward, from hero into legend or god-like status.  It’s very interesting then, that Conan, in a sense, achieves the thing the villain here wanted most of all.

Conan’s character is fully drawn out, as is the overall plot of the story.   His character development is deeply entwined with the progression of the overall storyline, where his evolution is essential to his ability to overcome each challenge and eventually avenge the deaths of not only his father and his people but also all those who have died at the hands of injustice.

I’m a big fan of mythological stories and tales in general, so this movie fits well for me.  However, I return to the question I began this article with: “Will a 3D movie ever come close to its potential?”

The answer is yes. 

As one of 3D’s biggest detractors, I have to say that Conan The Barbarian should be the poster-child for all 3D films to come.  Every section of the film is 3D relevant, whether it’s the ash and embers of a fire, a scrolling panorama, a mountainous expanse or the intricacies of battle, each nuance is thrust out from the screen and the audience is literally swept into this world. 

I was at the point where I didn’t think it would ever be done.  I knew it had to be possible, but I truly began to feel that this would become one of those technologies with promise never realized.  I’m pleasantly, extremely pleasantly surprised at what I saw in Conan The Barbarian. 

The outcome is as close to spectacular that I’ve seen yet.  Perhaps there are others I haven’t seen, nevertheless this is the first time I’m actually recommending that audiences go and see the 3D version of a film. The only moviegoers who may not like the vividness shown here are those who either don’t like or may not feel comfortable seeing numerous instances of graphic violence and bloodshed.  If you feel this describes you, well then I probably wouldn’t recommend Conan The Barbarian to you, especially not in 3D.