"Steeler Nation" on NFL Network

I saw this great mini-documentary on NFL network today on the history and true meaning of Steeler Nation - the large group of rabid Pittsburgh Steeler fans like myself that have Pittsburgh and their beloved Steelers deep in their hearts regardless of where we might live, be it S'Liberty, Long Island or South America.

The typical gridiron lineage was drawn from the Rooney family history, the Steel Curtain heyday of the '70s and of course, Myron's Terrible Towel which is often featured in most Steeler related features. What separated this effort from all the others was the sociological angle it took regarding the economical and industrial impact the people of Pittsburgh have endured over time as it relates to widespread geographical fandom. It takes the usual steel town blurbs of smoke-filled skies and blue-collar dreams and prosperity and digs further to uncover the sudden industrial decline of the '80s that sent many folks packing to other cities, with the glory filled memories of Bradshaw, Swan and Noll long behind them. As the team began it's initial resurgence in the '90s with the introduction of new head coach Bill Cowher, a new hope was reborn, awakening deep feelings in the hearts and souls of those displaced Pittsburgh refugees. There were moments when destiny appeared to be in place, making the "One for the Thumb" almost certain reality, only to fall short in the end. Undaunted, the fan base kept growing and growing, blazing through the United States like brush fire through fields of brown grass as the team persevered and continued it's quest for glory. Fans from all over the country were showcased, many pictured in front of their town's own Steeler bar, crowded en masse, clad head to foot in black and gold. The true culmination of both Steeler team greatness and true fandom finally came during that memorable Super Bowl XL in Detroit as the stadium was unbelievably packed by the Steeler Nation faithful.

...between the great Steeler footage shown, the dynamic link made between the great city of Pittsburgh and its undeniable impact it has on the people that live there, be it briefly or all their life...and seeing that trophy being hoisted by Coach Cowher one more time as the yellow towels twirled in the background...i gotta' say, it brought a little tear to my eye. Look for it if you have NFL Network or find a friend that has it and check it out...

"No Country For Old Men" aka No Sleep For Scared Mike

So, i watched "No Country For Old Men" today...amazing...simply amazing. It's a deep, cerebral film that is probably still too fresh in my mind to review it with any decent perspective. I was eager to finally see it being a big Coen Brothers fan and given all the awards and accolades bestowed upon it. Simply put - "No Country For Old Men" makes "Fargo" look like "The Big Lebowski".

I can't get into the plot and storyline but i will say it has every classic, essential aspect of what makes a great action, drama, and thriller movie, all wrapped up into one crazy film. The acting performances clocked in by the three male leads - Brolin, Jones & Bardem, are nothing short of brilliant. After seeing his first scene, you quickly forget Brolin was the older brother from "The Goonies", as he brings amazing clarity and realism to his role as Llewelyn Moss - Vietnam vet, victim of circumstance and all-around bad-ass. Tommy Lee Jones brings the sense of authenticity and grit you'd expect him to, playing a small-town Texas sheriff like he'd been wearing the badge all his life. There is something about that stoic, leathery face of his...it reads like a road map, giving him a certain unmistakable character as he continues to be one of Hollywood's most reliable actors of our time.


...and lastly...and not that i could forget him if i tried - Javier Bardem as Anton Chigurh...perhaps one of the most low-down, heartlessly ruthless and all-out full-blown creepy psychotic badmen in all of cinematic history. There is no doubt his acting performance is worthy of his Oscar...but make no mistake...they gave it to him out of fear. This character will haunt my dreams for the next few weeks...i'm sure of it...prompting me to plug in a nightlight for the first time in over 25 years. It is with total honesty that i admit - if i were to encounter him walking towards me down the middle of the busiest street at Disneyland loaded with plenty of witnesses on the sunniest day of the year and at the same time, i happen to be walking past a police officer, Chuck Norris and '70s era Jack Lambert - i'd still shit myself.
...see this movie.