Saskatchewan Finally Does It!!!

After 18 long years, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are once again Grey Cup Champions!

Coach Kent Austin had to be feeling a sense of deja vu when the Riders hit the field in Toronto. In a twist of fate, the '89 Cup was held in Toronto, the Riders had won it, and Austin was on the team as a star player!

The game was a tough one, and both teams came out to win, in front of over 52,000 screaming fans at the Rogers Centre. Winnipeg was especially impressive, considering their star quarterback Kevin Glenn was out with a broken arm and the rookie Ryan Dinwiddie was in.

By the time the first quarter was over, Winnipeg had 3 points on the board, but the Riders came back full-force with 10 in the second. Though the province was "bleeding green", many will likely point out that the Rider offense should have been stronger, and I agree with that. Yes, in the end we won the Grey Cup, but that's not going to stop people in Manitoba from letting us know that we got it just by the skin of our teeth! Still, it was a hard-fought war that I think the Riders wanted just more. Kerry Joseph was in tears as he handed his mother the game-winning ball at the end, while Coach Austin was splashed with Gatorade.

With a final score of 23-19, the 95th Grey Cup is sure to go down as a war between prairie neighbours. I'm sure that Regina is simply going ballistic right now, and rightfully so. No more jokes about Hell freezing over when the Riders take the Championship, or "I'll believe that when the Riders win the Grey Cup!" With our heads held high, we have the right to be proud. But so do the Bombers, because they impressed many when doubters said it'd be an easy win for Saskatchewan, which it wasn't.

Man, a new government in office, Christmas around the corner, and the Riders win the Grey Cup? What's next, a winning 6/49 ticket for yours truly? Jennifer Aniston, Uma Thurman, and Jenna Fischer all accepting my marriage proposals? Well, I guess stranger things have happened......(like us winning the Cup)

Keep 'em laughin',
Derek

Come Support Little Owen!

On Saturday night, December 1, at the Rink in Conquest, the Conquest Merchants hockey club are hosting Casino Night & Silent Auction. This is an annual thing that the team does to raise funds for the club, but this year they are also raising money for Owen Clarke.

Owen is 1 1/2 years old, and he has recently been diagnosed with cancer. The poor guy is undergoing chemotherapy, something no person should ever have to go through, let alone a child who can barely walk.

There's going to be a cash bar, and lots of cool items to bid on in the silent auction, including autographed NHL memorabilia.

The Merchants are giving Owen and his parents, Shayne and Helen, a minimum 25% of all proceeds from the event. But if it results in a huge success, the more will go to help the little guy.

Let's do what we can to help the Clarke family. Now that we're in the holiday season, we should all feel the spirit of giving, especially in this trying time for Owen and his family.

So mark your calendars and come on down to Conquest. Good times, good friends, and for a good cause!

Conquest Merchants Casino Night & Silent Auction
"For Owen"
Saturday, December 1, 7:00 PM
Conquest Rink

Come one, come all!

Keep 'em laughin'
Derek

Just Before The Big Game!

I found this lengthy gem on Rock 102's web site. Not sure exactly who wrote it, but it's very creative, no doubt about that!

Enjoy!

‘Twas The Night Before Grey Cup

Twas the night before Grey Cup, and all through the Dome,
Not a creature was stirring, but the gophers back home.
The players were nestled and snug in their beds,
While visions of Grey Cup Rings danced in their heads.

When out on the field, there arose such a clatter,
Kent sprang from his bed to see what was the matter,
Away to his window, he flew like a flash,
Threw aside the Green Curtains, and Silky White Sash.

And what did he see with his wondering eye?
But a sea of Green Revelers and a furry brown guy.
“That looks like Dominguez, and Flick and Fantuz!”
“Its way after curfew! Do they want us to lose??”

So, out of his room and down to the field,
Coach Austin stormed out with a fury to wield.
As he went through the tunnel, the ground shook with a beat,
From the dancing and prancing of ten thousand feet.

“Hey Coach,” cried a voice, “Whatcha doing down here?”
It was Szarka and Schultz, and they were handing out beer!
Chucky and Chick were grilling up Dogs,
With Burgers being served by O’Day and the Hogs.

Crandall cooked Hot Wings, Joseph grilled steak,
While Cates, Holmes, and Hughes helped Makowsky serve cake.
“This is nuts!” Austin shouted, “It’s one-thirty AM!”
“I expected some revelry, but this is mayhem!”

Eric Tillman tapped Austin, “ You’re not Eagle Keys -”
“But I’m not Berry, or Gotta, or Gregory – so PLEASE!”
“You’re all waddling around here like Wascana geese!”
“And in need of a dance coach like Donald Narcisse.”

“Now, you’ve all had your fun, so back to your rooms.”
But then Austin’s nose picked up the barbecue fumes.
Then Green Is The Color rang out through the air,
As Congi and Boreham played Banjos with flair.

On Davis, on Johnson, on Coach Ritchie Hall,
Even old Alex Smith flashed a smile after all,
On Lloyd, on McCullough, on Hunt and on Perry,
On Kornegay, Frazier, and yes, even Kerry.

The skydome then filled with a soft greenish glow,
And the whole Rider Nation set poised for a show.
An S and a wheat sheaf then formed in the air,
And a smile took the place of Coach Kent Austin’s glare.

Then everyone there, the players, the fans,
They formed a big circle by all holding hands,
Then right in the centre appeared the Grey Cup,
Which Fairholm and Ridway and Elgaard picked up.

They handed it over to Ritchie and Kent,
Who called Kerry and Eddie, and off the Cup went.
It was passed round the field, past heroes to present,
While Gainer dug holes for the Blue Bomber Pheasants.

That music was heard coast to coast people say
And they say Rider Pride grew three sizes that day.
Everyone left there dreaming of Blue Bomber doom.
And they sent all the Banjos to Troy Westwood’s Room.

GO RIDERS GO!
BRING HOME THE CUP!

Dedicated to every man, woman and child with a severe case of Rider Pride!

Gangster Flick Lights up the Screen

"American Gangster" (2007)
Directed by: Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator)
Starring: Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Josh Brolin, Cuba Gooding Jr.
Running Time: 157 minutes
Rut's Rating: 5/5

Crowe. Washington. Scott. Crime premise. That was all I needed to know. I first saw a preview for "American Gangster" back in August, at the good ole Galaxy Cinemas in Saskatoon. Right away, I knew this was a film that I needed to see, and that I was likely to love it. As it usually turns out, which is about 98% of the time, I was right. I eagerly watched and fell in love with it. It was everything that I thought it would be, and more. I know I must sound really gushy right now, but there's just something about finally seeing a film after months of anticipation that erupts excitement out of me. Its happened many times before, with movies like "Freddy vs Jason", "Walk The Line" and "The Departed". I'd follow the movie for months, whether it was in the middle of shooting, post-production, whatever stage it was at. I'd look forward to it more and more until it was finally released, and I've never been disappointed. (I'm currently pumped for "I Am Legend", starring Will Smith and being released December 14)

"American Gangster" is the true story of Frank Lucas, a Mob driver who takes reign of the criminal operations in Manhattan when his boss dies, and is played deviously wonderful by Denzel Washington. Lucas thrives on the role of Mob Boss, he loves having the power that comes with the position. He begins a drug trafficking business that sees a better product hitting the streets but at a lower price, building Lucas an empire that soon sees him able to buy his own mother a mansion in the hills. Frank is cold, calculating and ruthless, but another side of him shows his integrity and pride he has for his family. He mirrors this somewhat split personality throughout the course of the film. He can relax with family on a Sunday afternoon, and at the same time *SPOILER* douse a man in gasoline and light him on fire before emptying several bullets into him, as evidenced in the very first moments of the film. Washington is an acting marvel here; its very interesting and enjoyable seeing his portrayal of morally-corrupt men of authority, such as in his Oscar-winning role in "Training Day". He doesn't just portray Frank Lucas, he becomes him, in a role that I wouldn't be surprised to see receive another Best Actor Oscar nod for Denzel.

Meanwhile, Lucas' operation is being studied and trailed by Richie Roberts, a New York cop who becomes an outcast with his fellow officers for not taking a bag full of unmarked cash for himself. He comes to believe that someone is climbing the ladder of organized crime, even above the Mafia families, and that a black power player has risen to the top of the drug underworld. Fellow Oscar winner Russell Crowe plays Roberts, and does so with maticulous authenticity. I've read that Crowe requested the use of audio tapes of the real Richie Roberts, in order to perfect his voice tone. I'm not sure what the real Roberts sounded like, but Crowe does a brilliant job. Even his body language told me, "This guy is a cop". Just by the way he walks and carries himself, he's a man of authority, even if he's surrounded by corruption and crooked police officers. Russell Crowe has really been impressing me lately, but his penchant for great method acting dates back to 1999, in Michael Mann's "The Insider".

The film is brilliantly directed by Ridley Scott, who knows his action and drama extensively. It's also shot wonderfully: 1970's New York never looked so authentic in its drab, everything-jammed-together atmosphere and environment.

"American Gangster" is an epic. With its ending credits hitting the screen at exactly the 2 1/2 hour mark, some may say it could've had maybe 15 minutes or so shaved off in editing, but I sincerely believe that it didn't need one cut or edit in its finished state. And the 2 1/2 hours flew by for me. Maybe that's because I was looking forward to it so much. That might be the case, but I was just so incased into the story, I never looked at my watch or anything like that. The mirroring image of Lucas running his drug empire while Roberts continued his investigation was enough to keep me from even think of getting bored. That is how good this film really is. If you're looking for an incredible story and great performances, then look no further. But if it's just a bang-bang, shoot-em-up flick you want, I can point you to the nearest Blockbuster. In all honesty, there really isn't that much shooting and killing in the film, but when it does occur, it grips you and sometimes comes out of nowhere.

This is, to put it bluntly, just one of the best movies that I've seen in awhile. The year 2007 has been fairly scarce as far as incredible, story-driven films go, but there has been a handful, albeit a small one. "American Gangster" is definitely one of those. I'm a huge fan of crime films (Scarface and The Departed, most notably) and this one now joins the list. I strongly urge you to see this in theaters, as I don't believe renting it can give you the whole experience, unless you have a $5000 home theatre package with a 60" TV and 12 speakers with surround sound. Nevertheless, seeing it in a packed house at a theater is a great experience, because you don't have any stupid kids talking or texting on their cell phones. Man, I hate it when theater owners let those kind of kids in, especially when its an R-rated film and these kids are 13 years old, at the most.

For a movie that almost never happened, "American Gangster" has turned out to be one of the best in years; see it for yourself and I'm sure you'll agree.

Keep em laughin',
Derek

Health (S)Care Doc Opens Eyes

"Sicko" (2007)
Directed by: Michael Moore (Bowling For Columbine, Fahrenheit 9/11)
Starring: Michael Moore, dozens of frustrated, angry Americans
Running Time: 123 minutes
Rut's Rating: 4.5/5

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore is loved AND hated by many. Many see him as a guy who's not afraid to stand up for what he believes in, while others classify him as a loudmouth who makes films to just showcase his opinions on politics and the state of the world. As for me, I see him as a brilliant documentarian who has provided the world with gripping, emotional, sometimes funny documentary stories. Yes, the man has his opinions, but so do all of US! He's just the only one who isn't afraid to voice it, and if that means voicing them through critically-acclaimed and Oscar-winning documentaries, such as "Bowling For Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11", then so be it. He's not shoving his theories on the Bush administration down our throats, and he's not ranting and raving on the horrors of gun violence in America. With "Sicko", much like with his other work, Moore takes the story to the people that matter, and the people that are affected the most - American citizens.

"Sicko" focuses on the state of America's health care system, where ill people are denied health insurance and HMO horror stories run rampant. Moore talks to many people who have had a loved one die because big corporations have denied them coverage. These true stories are surprising, emotionally charged and terribly large in numbers. Workers who helped at Ground Zero on 9/11 talk to Moore about their health conditions and reveal that insurance companies won't cover them, which to me was horrifying. These people volunteered on the day that will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in American history, and they can't have their medicine or treatment looked after? Insane.

But true. Sadly, sadly true.

Moore takes a look at the health care systems in other countries, such as France, Britain, and makes a stop in our neck of the woods, Canada. He meets a woman who drives from Michigan over the border to Ontario so she can get free health care; with the way the American system works, her actions seem justified. Moore discovers that the health care systems in these other countries is astounding, and wonders just what exactly is wrong with his own country of America. He also finds out that the only place on American soil with universal health care is Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where prisoners receive better treatment than the average American. So Moore loads up several boats with the people he meets throughout the film, including the 9/11 workers, and they set sail for Cuba. They don't receive care at the actual prison, but are flabbergasted when they're all more than taken care of by a local hospital. A 9/11 worker receives her medication at a cost of $0.05 US, compared to the $120 she pays at home. The rest of them are treated and taken care of with high-quality care, and needless to say, they are very surprised and impressed.

The question that Moore is asking is "What's wrong with us?", concerning the United States. In the richest country in the world, they deny people coverage and sacrifice essential health services in order to maximize profits. The film was eye-opening to me, and makes me proud to live in Canada. I think this is some of Michael Moore's best work, and I find it hard to believe that people will criticize it. Moore isn't lambasting George W. Bush, he's showing you the facts about his country's health care system. It's impressive and at times emotionally draining.

We may complain about our own health care system a lot, but I don't think people will do so as much after seeing this film.

- Derek

Costner Is a Multilayered Killer

"Mr. Brooks" (2007)
Directed by: Bruce A. Evans (writer of "Stand By Me" & "Cutthroat Island")
Starring: Kevin Costner, Demi Moore, Marg Helgenberger, William Hurt
Running Time: 120 minutes
Rut's Rating: 3.5/5

For years, people have seen actor/director Kevin Costner in many good-guy roles, much like in "Dances With Wolves", "The Bodyguard", "JFK" and "The Untouchables". Now, at age 55, Costner is only now starting to branch out, and flips that good-guy image upside down in "Mr. Brooks", a killer thriller about a man constantly wrestling with his inner demons and only kills because its a "disease" that he has.

Earl Brooks, played by Costner, is a top executive who receives a "Man of the Year" award. He's a loving husband and father, but he's tormented by the spirit of his alter ego, Marshall, played with calm and witty eeriness by William Hurt. Its this alter ego that drives Brooks to partake in his secret hobby, killing people. In doing so, he is calculating and flawless, never leaving a trail and having been successful in hiding this "illness" he has had for years. Suddenly, he's alerted that someone saw him commit a murder. A perverted photographer, played by comedian Dane Cook, is the witness and tells Brooks that he wants to accompany him when he goes out to kill again. Brooks reluctantly agrees. Now personally, I'm not a fan of Dane Cook. I thought he was a wrong choice for this movie, my point being proven when it seemed obvious that he was trying to be the "comic relief", in a movie where none of that is needed, nor should be allowed. You'll see what I mean.

Mr. Brooks tries balancing his home life, where he begins to have problems with his daughter, who's growing up too fast it seems, and his night life, driving around looking for more people to kill with his alter ego Marshall in the back seat and photographer Smith (Cook) up front. On the trail of his killings is Detective Tracy Atwood, played with a hard-nosed intensity by Demi Moore. Atwood follows a puzzle of clues and blood, looking for Brooks, who is known to authorities as the "thumbprint killer". She has her own problems to deal with, including the divorce she's going through and the fact that one of her prisoners has escaped from custody.

The movie keeps your attention, and Costner's portrayal of an emotionless man with many skeletons in his closet is the heart of the film, and at times brilliant. William Hurt as the alter ego Marshall complements Costner well; they play off each other greatly and its an interesting display of two minds becoming one. "Mr. Brooks" is arguably one of the most well-written screenplays I've seen come to life, and the performances of Costner, Hurt and Moore only help increase the emotion of it.

Its enjoyable, thrilling, and keeps you inthralled until the last shot.

"Mr. Brooks" just killed your weekend boredom.

Keep 'em laughing,
Derek

Phoenix & Wahlberg Own The Screen

"We Own The Night" (2007)
Directed by: James Gray (Little Odessa, The Yards)
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Eva Mendes, Alex Veadov
Running Time: 117 minutes
Rut's Rating: 3.5/5

Family loyalty is put to the test in "We Own The Night", a suspenseful drama that focuses on two brothers from opposite ends of the law, set against the backdrop of New York in 1988.

Bobby Green, played with scary-good intensity by Joaquin Phoenix, is a nightclub manager with dreams of making it big. He's confident, but not quite bordering on arrogant. Bobby may have a joint every once in awhile, but even he's oblivious to the drug dealers and violent criminals who hang out in the club. He loves his girlfriend Amada, played by Eva Mendes, giving an average performance. Phoenix is an acting machine; he didn't just play Johnny Cash in "Walk The Line", he became him. And its no different here. Phoenix shows a side of his acting ability that we don't see from most actors of his generation, and its damn impressive.

On the other side of the spectrum is Bobby's family. Brother Joseph Grusinsky, played by Mark Wahlberg, and father Burt Grusinsky, played by Robert Duvall, are police officers in the NYPD, and warn Bobby that there is a drug war going on, and that sooner or later, he's going to have to choose a side. Duvall is impressive in his role; he's a veteran and you really see that fatherly bond he has with Joseph, and the strained one he has with Bobby. Wahlberg is equally impressive, if not more, but I got the feeling he was pretty much playing the same role he had in "The Departed", minus the Boston accent. Granted, he was nominated for an Oscar in that role, but we don't need to see the same thing twice. Still, he's great and his scenes with Phoenix are fiercely intense.

"We Own The Night" sort of reminds me of "The Departed". It deals with the good versus the bad, betraying trust, knowing where your loyalty lies, Hell, even the theatrical trailer I first saw back in August had me thinking it was a secretly-made sequel. But it doesn't intentionally try to be that film. Director James Gray creates a tense, realistic atmosphere where you don't know who's around the corner and your closest friend could be your nearest enemy.

The only negative thing I have to say about this film is that its predictable at times. When one thing happens, I saw the next thing happening in my head. That's not to say that the film is terrible, far from it, because when something tragic happens it still shakes you. The other thing is that I would have liked to see Wahlberg more. You'll know what I'm talking about in the first 30 minutes of the film. A few more scenes with his character would have made for a more balanced view between Bobby/Joseph.

Besides that, the film is enjoyable. I especially liked the soundtrack, and Joaquin Phoenix is fast becoming one of my all-time favorite actors. He's dedicated and takes this role seriously. I read that between takes on the set, Phoenix would get into character by hurling insults at Robert Duvall in order to create a realistic tension between father and son. Duvall was upset, of course, but that just makes for a more tense confrontation on the silver screen.

You'll enjoy "We Own The Night" if you appreciate great, suspenseful performances by dedicated actors. The story is intense, violent, yet somewhat predictable, but that's not exactly a downfall. There's real drama in this film and I think that's missing from a lot of run-of-the-mill movies.

Til next time,

Keep 'em laughin',
Derek

This Isn't an Election, It's a Steel Cage Match!

This coming Wednesday's provincial election is the culmination of weeks and weeks of mud-slinging verbal abuse between Sask Party Leader Brad Wall and Sask NDP Leader Lorne Calvert. As shown in last Tuesday's debate on CTV, Calvert and Wall can't seem to get along and should probably never be kept in the same room together. Sask Liberal Leader David Karwacki, meanwhile, comes off as the little brother who wants to do what his older brothers are doing. While Calvert and Wall fight it out with accusing TV ads and smear campaigns, Karwacki simply takes his message to the voter and asks them to make a choice. Maybe that's the genius of it, maybe it'll be his downfall, I don't know. Personally, I think the Liberals will be lucky if they even get a seat on Wednesday night.

Let's take a critical look at that TV leader debate. First off, why did the producers of this think it was a good idea to put all three men in the same room? What were they going for? A distinguished version of Springer? When someone was able to get six seconds in to talk on his own, one or both of the others threw their 2 cents in and went on a separate rant. Karwacki looked like a well-dressed referee as Wall and Calvert traded verbal fists left and right. Overall, I thought the whole thing came off as unnecessary and childish at times. Don't get me wrong, it was one of the most entertaining things I've seen in awhile, but ultimately it didn't serve as a platform for voters to make up their minds before Election Day.

I'm not sure what's gonna happen on November 7. I'm still not sure on who I'm gonna vote for. I think the best thing for every voter to do is ask themselves, "What Saskatchewan do I want to live in?" Visit the websites, look through each party's respective platforms, and make your choice.

'Til next time,

Keep 'em laughin',
Derek