Dawn of the Dead

Dawn of the Dead is by far my favorite movie of all time. When people ask me for a good horror movie Dawn of the Dead is the first movie I suggest. There's something about it's comic book like nature that I love that makes it so original and definitive of the golden era of horror movies.

Dawn of the Dead is the second installment of George A. Romero's living dead movie series. The movie was filmed outside of Pittsburgh in the winter of 1977. Most of the zombies in the film were actually fans of George Romero's work and were paid $2 along with a cup of coffee & a doughnut. 

 

Dawn of the Dead opens up right in midst of a pandemic from the zombie outbreak that began in Night of the Living Dead. The movie follows the lives on the run by a news producer named Francine, her news traffic copter pilot boyfriend Stephen "Flyboy" Andrews as well as special op agents Peter & Roger. 

As the news keeps coming in of rescue stations going offlinem Flyboy and his girlfriend Francine take to the sky to find refuge. At this time Peter and Roger are clearing out an apartment complex that is storing the living dead. 

While clearing out the apartments a guy in the special ops unit by the name of "Wolly" losses it and starts blowing away anything that moves. After clearing out the apartment complex Roger informs Peter he has a friend with a helicopter and that there on the run.

It is here in the film when the group is on the run that we are first introduced to the fantastic make up and special effects work of the Tom Savini. The attention to detail on the zombies make up and the brilliant special effects through out the film really defined Tom Savini as the master of his field. Since Dawn of the Dead, Tom Savini has gone on to do make up and special effects in Friday the 13ths, Creepshow and Day of the Dead.

After a few zombie encounters and a few pit stops along the way Flyboy, Francine, Peter and Roger discover a mall infested with zombies. After setting up shop in the mall the gang set out to fortify the mall. 

This idea of fortifying a mall in a zombie apocalypse I think is awesome. I would love to roll around on a segway and blast away some Zombies before hitting up the Food Court.

While fortifying the mall, Roger, the gunslinger of the group, gets infected after being bitten a few times. After losing Roger, the group begins to develop acute depression and the cabin fever that would be associated with a long subdued encapsulation from a zombie apocalypse.

I find the mental impact of a Zombie apocalypse portrayed in the film to be so insanely accurate. Your mind would eventually get so bent from lack of activity as well as the knowledge that most if not all of your loved ones are Zombies. Not too mention the constant groaning you would hear from the zombies that would circle your fortified location which over time would grow short of supplies.

Before long though the groups' presence at the mall is discovered by a large traveling gang of motorcycle raiders after spoting the group's helicopter on the roof of the mall. 

As far as what happens in the rest of the movie I am not going to tell you any further to what happens. You yourself will have to get out and rent/buy the film and enjoy it on your own terms. 

I would happen to suggest however to watch George Romero's series of zombie films in order from Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Land of the Dead and Diary of the Dead to get the full history of the series.

COPS

I can say without a doubt in my mind that "COPS" is the greatest reality TV show of all time. For 20 years FOX has brought the cream of the criminal crop to our idiot boxes every Saturday night. Anytime I hear that "HUHHHH!" from the theme song "Bad Boys" by Inner Circle, my mouth begins to water for White Trash & Speed Freaks as if I were Pavlov's Dog.

Basically, I use the show as positive reinforcement in my life. No matter how bad life gets I can always put on the TV and say to myself "Well, at least your not being caught in Drag stealing copper wire from a construction site and insisting your buddy Steve said you could borrow it."

There are times when I question myself though, especially when they bust prostitutes. I'll sit there in my plastic fantastic furniture expecting Cindy Crawford and when it turns out to be a Ernest Borgnine look a like in pumps I kind of get disappointed as I try to look past his/her's Adams Apple as I gaze into the bounty of their Crustache questioning myself Would Ya? But that's neither here nor there....

One thing that still perplexes me still to this day though is why does at least 85% of the people on the show lack the ability to wear a common everyday T-shirt? Are there lack of T-shirts in these communities to go around? Is it something Medical like a deficiency towards cotton? 

Whatever the case may be there is one thing that is always guaranteed and that is the presence of Mullets on COPS. Yea, you might be saying "This Kid is still talking about Mullets?" and yes I am because I am infatuated with the idea of keeping your neck warm but yet emulating Goose's hair from Top Gun in the Front.

My absolute favorite thing on COPS though are the Crackheads/Speed Freaks. They have the best attire and the most fabulous outlandish stories. I saw one episode when one of these prodigies explained to the Fuzz that the reason he was hanging out at a closed Gas Station @ 4am was because he just got married to Elvis's daughter and his brand new Baby Blue Roles Royce just broke down. That alone is worth it's weight in gold.

Finally, I have a theory when it comes to COPS and that theory is no matter what time of the day it is you can find COPS on TV. Whether it be on FOX, CourtTV, UPN, or even G4 COPS is on somewhere in the world. 

Do the Dew!

I love Mountain Dew! I would even go to the extent to say my love for Mountain Dew borders on an A&E "Intervention" addiction level. There's just something about the taste, the look, the feeling of diabetic shock you get after pounding a 12 pack in less then 2 or 3 days & the way it can glow in the dark that makes you feel like it's radioactive! Either way any Mountain Dew addict could testify to these feelings.

Before I go any further with this blog I do have to address the unfair stereotype that is associated with us Mountain Dew Drinkers. That Stereotype is that we are all a bunch of 4chan pursuing nerds that live in our Mom's basement that play Dungeons and Dragons every Friday and Saturday Night with our Babylon 5 Role Playing Group. This is obviously not true because we can't live in the basement because we are allergic to the molds down there and you know what Dungeon's & Dragons is so 1976 and as for Babylon 5 that's for Dorks, I watch Battlestar Galactica, thank you very much!

One of my favorite things about Mountain Dew though is that their advertising is directed to "Extreme Athletes" when I'd say that easily 3/4 of Mountain Dew drinkers are the furthest thing from Jesse Owens (wow, could I have picked a less relevant athlete?) as they barely get off of the couch from playing video games. Don't get me wrong, I ain't hating cuz I'm definitely part of that 3/4 and pretty damn proud as my addiction to both Mountain Dew & Fallout 3 is quite obscene.

Now there are many people out there who believe in the urban legend that Mountain Dew kills your sperm count. It is indeed a myth but either way I could careless because I don't want any mini me degenerate assholes running around bothering me while I play video games, watch porn and drink Mountain Dew (in any order, I'm not picky). Frankly if the myth is true then hell I'll drink 7-11 Super Gulp after Super Gulp till I'm as impotent as a.....ah I got nothing, you come up with something clever here!

I will say however there are some Mountain Dew heads out there who's dedication to the delicious soft drink that just flat out scares me. As you can see there are a few who take it to the extreme as evident in the picture above of a Mountain Dew Can Christmas Tree even though it brings a tear of jealousy to my uncontrollable twitching overly Computer/TV and Book reading exposed strained eye.

You maybe asking yourself "Well, What about Mello Yello?" I myself can not speak on the behalf of Mello Yello as I have never drank it seeing as A) I don't live in the South & B) I didn't live in the 70's no matter how bad I wanted to. Mello Yello, I feel is the Bastard cousin of Mountain Dew who never achieved anything in life just like Dr. Pepper and his High School dropout brother Mr. Pibb. Whatever the case maybe I will accept donations of both Mello Yello & Mr. Pibb from any free wheeling charitable philanthropist who is willing to help a worthy cause.

On a more serious note though I would like to dedicate this blog posting to the memory of Bea Arthur. Bea Arthur captured our funny bones as Dorothy Zbornak on the hit sitcom "Golden Girls." Earlyier this year as I do every year on New Years Day I gave my picks for the annual Celebrity Death Pool. On that list this year I joked about Bea Arthur as one of my picks, I unfortunately was right. When I heard the news of Bea Arthur's passing I was absolutely shattered as I'm sure most of the world was as we realized that we lost one of the true comedic greats. All one can say is there is an Angel up there some where with some sweet shoulder pads with the greatest comedic timing ever. Bea, Thank You for Being a Friend!!!

The 2009 New York Mets

The 2009 Major League Baseball season not only ushers in another season into the New York Mets storied franchise but it also Starts a New Chapter with the new Citi Field. The build up for this stadium has been a long desired dream for any New York Mets fan yet also a sour victory as many will truly miss Shea Stadium no matter how much of a dump it was.

Citi Field features many different styles of stadiums from yesterday to today. It is a state of the art stadium that gives a 360 degree view of the entire stadium. Citi Field also introduces many more different food options and well as numerous CLEAN restrooms. All of which are what Met fans are looking forward too.

I will say however that I will miss getting my shoes doused in urine as I sloshed through the flowing river that were their bathrooms. I will also miss the feelings of Vertigo that anyone would get as they rode the escalators of death.

Despite these sentimental feelings, Citi Field couldn't have come at a better time either. After 2 historical end of season collapses in 2007 & 2008, the Mets ended their seasons falling out off first place (Just like Shea's escalators) and out of the playoffs. The 2008 season stung more because the division rivals the Philadelphia Phillies went on to win the NL and then the World Series.

Nothing hurt more though then the 2006 season when the Mets destroyed the NL East by taking the divison by 12 games and then ended up losing the NLCS to the Cardinals in Game 7. 

The Catch

Game 7 featured Endy Chavez's Amazing Catch in which when I saw it in action I thought at the time that this was the sign of destiny that the Mets we're gonna win another World Series. Endy Chavez could run for Mayor of New York City with the Resume of Marion Berry and I would still vote for him.

The Main Problem the Past Two Seasons has been the Bullpen and Health. In 2006 the Mets were an offensive powerhouse as well as a lights out bullpen. In 2007 and 2008 the Mets offense was strong but were weakened by injuries and a Bullpen that ran as smoothly as a one legged prostitute. 

(Heilman leaving in disgrace, not uncommon)

The first step General Manager Omar Minaya took this past offseason was to ship out Bullpen Bums Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman and in return received Sean Green, JJ Putz and OF Jeremy Reed. 

Green is a big guy that pitches with power and is the Bullpen Bridge to the 8th inning Set up man Putz. Putz was Seattle's closer for the past few years and will share Closing and Set up opportunities with the Mets biggest offseason acquisition Francisco Rodriguez who replaces an injured Billy Wagner.

Returning to the bullpen are crafty lefty Pedro Feliciano and Brian Stokes. Accompanying them are Submarine Side Armer Darren O'Day and Rookie Bobby Parnell.

The re-tinkered Outfielding Core looks solid with Rookie Daniel Murphy in Left Field, Carlos Beltran in Center Field and Ryan Church in Right Field. I think Daniel Murphy will be the biggest break out player and could be a candidate for Rookie of the Year. If Church is healthy he is an X-Factor both in the Field and at the plate. And Beltran is phenomenal when healthy.

Backing them up are a solid crew in Marlon Anderson, Jeremy Reed, Fernando Tatis and recently signed Gary Sheffield. Sheffield throws a wild card into the mix. I love Murphy & Church on the corners and I love Tatis filling in here and there in their place. 

(Gary Sheffield's Rookie Season)

Granted it's great to have many options on backups and that Sheffield will be great for games with a DH but how many games will he play? He's apparently a good teammate but has a tendency to cause waves in the office then the clubhouse. He's also good trade bait, historic hitter with a cheap price tag. Time will tell.

The Mets' infield the past few seasons has been good but they have suffered from injuries. 2 years ago it was Carlos Delgado and last season was Luis Castillo. This year I can see them healthy for the most part but I think Delgado's numbers could go down due to his age. 

Jose Reyes will lead the league in Triples and Runs due to Citi Field's cavernous corners. Castillo will have a bounce back season and I think will win the MLB Comeback Player of the Year. 

As for David Wright it is hard to say, I hope he will stay on track with rising numbers season numbers but I think he might have a tough season with the new stadium which is supposed to be even more a Pitcher's Ballpark then Shea.

The pitching I think will benefit the most with Citi Field. Johan Santana will be a Cy Young candidate especially with the strong bullpen backing him up. John Maine will struggle and will rely on his defense and the field to get him through games, I just don't think he's 100% healthy.

Oliver Perez will have another up and down season. Mike Pelfrey will be dominate and will start making a name for himself. And I believe Livian Hernandez will also have an up and down season with a few injuries here and there but thats why Omar Minaya invested in young starting pitchers in the minors.

I wouldn't mind seeing Pedro Martinez signing with the Mets again. He is a good leader in the clubhouse and could get you 4 quality innings out of the bullpen and in spot starts. 

The Mets look great on paper but so does Atlanta and Philadelphia. I think Phillies will have problems with pitching and health towards the end of the season. And I think Atlanta will be a much better team this year with improved pitching but with mediocre offense. 

I think it will be neck and neck between the 3 in the NL East with Florida not too far behind. The Mets could end up with the NL East Championship or the NL Wildcard. No Matter What I see the Mets making the Playoffs No if's, and's or But's.

I think the Mets will end up winning the Division and the Conference with a 92-70 record. And I think they might end up playing the Red Sox in the World Series.