Kris Allen on "Ellen"

So I saw Kris Allen perform a couple songs on "Ellen" yesterday.  That guy won American Idol??  They must have really been hurting for talent this year.  I didn't watch any of this season so I may have missed some dazzling performances of his, but he just didn't seem like anything special to me.  I admit that he is more talented than myself, but if he was the winner of the entire competition, then Sanjaya probably would have had a fighting chance this year.  Kris Allen makes Ace Young looks like Marvin Gaye.  Remember Ace Young?  The cute guy who survived elimination after elimination even though he was out of his league talent-wise until he finally delivered a great performance only to be voted off the next day.  To be fair, he was probably in the most talented season of Idol- season 5- which produced the talented Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, and Katherine McPhee as well as the charismatic Kellie Pickler (supporting Taylor Swift on her current tour), Bucky Covington, and the winner Taylor Hicks. If Yamin or Daughty were in the contest this year they would have cleaned Kris Allen's biological clock.  And they finished third and fourth respectively.  Now I can't say for sure because I didn't watch the season, but American Idol looks to be going down the tubes.  I only wish Danny Noriega could have had a crack at this year's talent.  That guy could sing and perform and he was super interesting.  And I may never see him perform again...

Magic 107 Cavs 106

I never intended myself to be a sportswriter on this blog, but I have too much to say about the epic Game 1 between the Cavs and Magic.  During the first three quarters I was fuming and preparing my rant on how David Stern must have told the refs to make sure that both the Cavs and Lakers advance to the finals, but I don't think that's true.  Stern may have more on his mind than a Kobe-Lebron showdown.  But both the Lakers and Celtics did seem to get a lot of help from the officials on the way to the finals last year, though.  So we'll have to see how this series goes.

If I had the chance to say one thing to the officials, I would tell them that Lebron James is already the best player in the world and doesn't need every call to go his way.  He's the last player that needs it.  Dwight Howard's 6th foul was a joke.  I think it's wrong for refs to overlook fouls to keep stars in the game, but I can't believe they would call that on Dwight. Lebron's spin move didn't draw a foul either.  Charles Barkley pointed both of those out in the post game.  And you Cav sympathetics- don't you dare try to use Dwight Howard's screen on Mo Williams as an example of a call that went Dwight's way; that was just being consistent. Every shot Ray Allen took in the playoffs was opened up by a moving screen.  Refs aren't calling moving screens and shouldn't start now.

If I had the chance to say one thing to David Stern, I would advise him to be more liberal in enforcing the "flop fine."  The NBA announced that it would review all games and fine players for flopping.  There have been so many flops gone unpunished (*cough* Rondo *cough*).  A good place to start might be with Lebron with about 28 seconds left in the 3rd.  Pietrus drives on Lebron (who DID have good position) and gives him a little bump which send Lebron FLYING.  Not that any fine would make much of a dent in Lebron's pocketbook, but making the fine public would set an example and hopefully cut down on flopping in these playoffs.

Two final thoughts.  Lebron had some great, clean blocks on Dwight Howard.  But he was able to do so be playing away from Rafer Alston.  How dangerous would the Magic be with Jameer Nelson?  Lebron could maybe match up on Courtney Lee and leave him open, but Lee can score and if he doesn't, Van Gundy can sub Pietrus (who is playing GREAT).  It's too bad that Nelson can't play now.  He could be a great part of a CHAMPION Magic team if he were healthy.  But even without their All-Star PG, they've got a great chance.  I love how this team is playing now.

Final thought.  Play of the game: Courtney Lee stealing the ball and DUNKING on Lebron on the open court.  If that was in Orlando, the building would have gone ballistic.

Return to the Blog

I'm BACKK!!!  I offer my sincerest apologies to all of my followers (assuming I DO have followers outside of my wildest dreams).  I have neglected this blog for far too long and I offer no excuses!  I hope to update this regularly (even if I don't have anything to say) just to let you know that I'm okay.

In my absence, I have been pondering my role as a critic.  I have grown increasingly skeptical of the use of violence, drugs, and sex in entertainment as of late.  I personally think they should be excluded from entertainment, but censorship is not the way of this country so I will probably not get my wish.  I can only hope that musicians, filmmakers, and other artists will see the potential harm they cause to the youth of this world by saturating it with harmful content.

What I can do is 1) control what I consume and 2) speak my mind on this blog.  I have made a personal vow to give up movies that use violence or combat as entertainment (this includes Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars).  I am especially worried because so many children view these movies.  I don't think glorifying the use of the sword is a good idea, especially when there are so many (equally gratifying) ways to be entertained.

I am conflicted, though.  In reviewing "Adventureland," should I comment on the deft comic subtleties of Jesse Eisenberg and the entrancing story-telling?  If the answer is yes, then I am recommending a movie that I believe portrays alcohol and drugs as a gateway to romance (something desirable).  I don't think the reinforcement of that message is healthy for our youth.  Kids get drunk and high enough as it is!

I have come to a conclusion.  When I review something, I will do it just as I did in the last paragraph.  I will give credit where it is due, but I will be just as quick to tell you what's wrong with the movie (because I do, in fact, have all the answers).  Feel free to skim or skip my sermons, I realize that I am just submitting opinion.  I just feel like I should submit it.  That's what blogs are for!

If you are in need of prayer for anything let me know.