War Machine Movie

War Machine is the 2017 Netflix movie that centers on General Glen McMahon who takes over the war in Afghanistan.  This is a satirical look at General Stanley McChrystal who took charge of the Afghan war in 2009.  Pitt’s character, while sincere in his belief that the war can be won, doesn’t always utilize great judgement.  McMahon and his staff try their best but it is a losing cause that is ultimately doomed when Rolling Stone is allowed to follow them for a story.  Laying out the details of their private conversations leads to McMahon’s firing.  This movie lays out all the issues leaders must deal with in the political and military minefields when navigating the different arenas .  Brad Pitt, Ben Kingsley (Afghanistan President) and the rest of the cast do a very good job.  The movie is enjoyable and while it is maybe not as based in comedy as you might be led to believe it still delivers an entertaining movie. 

Dunkirk Movie

Me and my pop watched Dunkirk last night.  Very good movie.  Based on real-world events, it follows efforts to evacuate 300,000 British Army personnel from France after it fell to the Germans.  The three phases of the operation, air, naval and ground, are followed giving you a good feel for what went into making it happen.  The plot and action are pretty straightforward in their presentation laying out the issues the British had in attempting to retrieve their soldiers while also looking at the real possibility that England itself could suffer the same fate as France. 

I am not sure how to describe it properly but this movie isn’t over acted.  They do act but the dialogue doesn’t get in the way of the story.  The action and actual situations are allowed to play out keeping up the suspense that seems to grow as the movie goes along.  Dunkirk has a different feel than most movies in a good way.  I think if the premise is something you think you might like you definitely go see this movie. 

2011 Topps Opening Day Baseball Hobby Box Break

I didn't reconnect with card collecting until late 2011 so I missed out on the 2011 Topps Baseball Opening Day Cards.  I did however get into the 2011 Topps Football cards, and those in fact were my first post on trading cards.  Over time I've come to like this design even more.  The photos on the cards are also first rate, a trait I've seen consistently with Topps cards.  This all led me to grab a hobby box for some fun.  The box had 36 packs with seven cards per pack.   

 I like the Opening Day cards due to the reduced checklist size as well as a good price point.  I know some don't care for them due to the lack of real hits but I like them. The memories are also a big part of boxes like this.  Seeing what players that were once big as compared to today or seeing players on different teams.  All part of the fun.  

There were plenty of inserts.  My favorites were the Superstar Celebrations and Presidential First Pitch cards.  These add a nice variety to the set as a whole.  I really enjoyed these cards and given the chance to get more I'll definitely do it.  It was fun to grab a box from the past that I've never been able to experience before.  Great stuff.

BREAKDOWN:
252 - Total Cards
9 - Superstar Celebrations
7 - Blue Parallels
6 - Topps Town
6 - Presidential First Pitch
6 - Spot the Error
5 - Opening Day Date Stamped
4 - Under the Lights
3 - Opening Day Stars (3D)

   

Paul George Traded to Oklahoma City Thunder

Paul George was traded this weekend to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.  What a steal for the Thunder.  While it is doubtful George resigns with the Thunder, they didn’t really give up anything.  I like Oladipo but was surprised that he couldn’t average more than 15.9 points per game in an offense that lost Kevin Durant.  This was a perfect opportunity for him to step up and it didn’t happen.  Sabonis was a rookie last year who didn’t put up very good numbers (5.9 PPG/3.6 RPG 39% FG%) but is still young at 20 years old.  The Indiana Pacers were in a horrible spot and it was getting worse by the day.  Still, you had to think there was a better trade out there somewhere.  Hopefully Oladipo and Sabonis thrive in Indiana and it is a moot point. 

What does OKC get out of the deal?  Three things.  They show Russell Westbrook, a free agent after this season, they are working to make the team more competitive.  They have a better chance of resigning Paul George where they had a very slim chance of landing him in 2018 free agency before the trade.  And the Thunder mustbe viewed as the possible number two team in the Western Conference.  The Spurs have not done anything to get better, Houston did Chris Paul but Clippers are not expected to be as good next year.  You have to think a team with basically just Russel Westbrook that won 47 teams last year has a shot with George.  Are they are a threat to the Warriors?  No.  But if they could make it to the Conference Finals this would be a huge win.  A lot of basketball games between now and then and then they have to hope they can keep one or two of their superstars.  Still this was a very good trade for the Thunder. 

Matt Adams Excels - Freddie Freeman to Third Base?

Matt Adams

In May the Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Adams giving up a low level prospect.  Adams is filling in for Freddie Freeman while he is on the disabled list.  All indications were that Adams would be traded at the deadline once Freeman was available to return.  Adams has outperformed his past numbers putting up a .299/.354/.634 stat line in 34 games for the Braves.  You couldn’t ask for much more.  That said, this team is still not that good and will celebrate if they can hold on to second place in the division but they aren’t even looking like a .500 team yet.  I would think they’ll still be in “sell” mode come the trading deadline adding players who can provide help at need positions.     

But there are now rumors that Freddie Freeman may move to third base to allow Adams to stay in Atlanta and in the starting lineup.  This is where I get worried.  While Adams’ play is a big surprise, moving Freddie Freeman to third base seems like a huge risk.  He is a stud  on a long term contract and the face of the franchise.  Moving him to a position that is more difficult defensively makes me worry that any struggles he may have in the field would bleed over to his appearances at the plate.  He played the position in high school but that was some time ago. 

Atlanta really needs to think this through.  Is Matt Adams really the Braves have seen in limited time

Freddie Freeman

or is he the guy St. Louis traded away due to a .271/.315/.453 stat line while striking out every 4.3 plate appearances in 486 games with St. Louis?  It obviously puts the Braves in a bind.  You don’t want to get rid of a guy playing this well but I think they need to look at the possible consequence.  I have nothing against Matt Adams but I’d rather have Freeman at first and hitting well and use Adams as a nice trade chip.  There are plenty of needs on this team so there is no reason to keep him if he won’t start.  For now I’ll hope he keeps hitting and Atlanta can find a team needing a 1B or DH come the trade deadline. 

 

 

 

Skillet's New (ish) Album Unleashed is a Great Hard Rocking Listen

I’m still a CD guy and purchased Skillet’s Unleashed album after getting hooked on their single Feel Invincible.  Whether online or in the car I’ve listened to Feel Invincible over and over -  a lot.  I’ve listened to the entire album many times now and I’m really enjoying it.  This takes me back to their Awake album with how easy it is to listen to the entire CD.  Feel Invincible made it to #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, their first ever to chart at #1.  It has also been used by some of the major sports leagues as part of promos and advertising.  The single Back from the Dead is featured as part of Marvel Comics’ ad campaign for their Monster’s Unleashed comic book series while the song Stars is featured on the soundtrack for the movie “The Shack”.  I missed an opportunity to see Skillet live earlier this year and I’m really kicking myself.        

I describe Skillet’s sound as driving rock –energy willing you forward with a head banging enthusiasm.  They’ve had big albums in the past with Comatose and Awake though their last album Rise didn’t have quite the same success.  Comatose brought Skillet to prominence in the rock scene with the help of singles Whispers in the Dark, Rebirthing, and Comatose leading the way.  The album Awake had their biggest hits prior to this album in Hero, Monster and Awake and Alive.  I can’t get into technical nuances of music but I know what I like and this album is very good.  If you like this album definitely check out Comatose and Awake.  Skillet is a Christian rock band but don’t let that scare you away.  This is an excellent album that should be listened to if you enjoy rock. 

Atlanta Hawks Trade Dwight Howard

The Atlanta Hawks traded Dwight Howard and the number 31 pick to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli and the number 41 pick.  The Dwight Howard signing didn’t look good before last season and it didn’t look any better after the season.  Howard never seemed a fit for their offense and his signing contributed to the loss of Al Horford in free agency and Horford was a much better fit.  Howard finished the year with a 13.5 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 1.2 BPG stat line while logging just under 30 minutes per game.   

 I like Dwight Howard and he deserves tons of praise for a great career.  But if you don’t have a team of shooters around him, his offense which consists of playing around the rim is very limiting.  He’s still a very efficient scorer shooting 63% from the field but he works better with a spread offense.  A movement oriented offense needing a big that can shoot is not his thing.  Howard is only 31 and I hope he can find success in Charlotte.

I hope Plumlee can give Atlanta something, anything.  He is making $12M per year but his stats are not anywhere near what you’d expect for someone making that much money – 2.5 PPG, 2.1 RPG in 10 minutes per game last year.  Belinelli is a shooting guard who should at least be a nice bench asset.  He can shoot the three and give you ten points per game.  He has one year left on his $6M deal. 

What’s next:  How hard will the Hawks pursue free agents Paul Milsap and Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason?  Where do they see the team moving forward?  Dennis Shroder is the PG and face of the franchise if those two aren’t re-signed but there won’t be much else left around him.  I’d hate to see Atlanta starting over but that may well be what they are doing.