Tuesday, March 1, 2011

My Apologies


Just wanted to let everyone know that I apologize for the lack of attention towards the blog as of late.  I had a lot going on over the weekend and yesterday especially.  I still plan on debating the Beibster with R. Duke as soon as possible.  As soon as we get it done, I will let you all know ASAP.

Much Love,
Lion

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Greatest Baseball Game Ever Pitched

I'm sure some of you have seen this video, or heard the story.  But if you have not seen this video, it actually has Dock Ellis giving his account of what happened.  Nothing else left to say but...enjoy



Much Love,
Lion

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Look and Sound Don't Match

First off, I have to give Sherrod the nod on this one...thanks for sharing.  If there ever was a more confusing video when it comes to the appearance of a guy and then the voice...I'm not sure I have seen one.  His name is Dallas Green and he originally started is a punk/metal band called Alexisonfire out of Canada.  Then a few years later started his solo stuff called City and Colour which is what I am showing you all now.  A lot of you have probably heard one of his songs and never really have seen him.  He sings the song called "The Girl", but that is not what I am showing you all, I am sharing a video called "Love Don't Live Here Anymore"... Hope you enjoy...


Much Love,
Lion

Monday, February 21, 2011

The Oscars...2011


I am not sure how many of you all take the time to watch the Oscars, but typically you get roped in somehow.  Whether it is your wife, girlfriend, sister or mom...you end up watching it.  I personally don't mind it, but like most people I usually only care about the best picture category.  Looking back in the past 5 years, I am not entirely sure the "academy" has gotten in right.  Some people talk about them being paid off and a lot of behind the scenes wheeling and dealings going on to select the best picture, but whether it happens or not....they typically do not get it right (in my opinion anyways).

Let's start in 2006 shall we...
- Crash (winner)
- Brokeback Mountain
- Capote (should have won)
- Goodnight, Good Luck
- Munich

Now personally, I think Capote should have won.  Crash was good, don't get we wrong, but it didn't have that best picture quality we all look for.  I am pretty sure everyone thought that Brokeback Mountain should have won (and yes I saw it, just like every other movie that were selected) but I didn't think it should have won Best Picture just because it was so racy and put everyone up in arms.  Capote was just a great movie all around and Phillip Seymour Hoffman did a fantastic job and sold the movie as a whole to me.  The other two, didn't really stand a chance in my opinion.  Munich was way to slow, and Goodnight, Good Luck was good, but I just don't think it did it for everyone.

2007
- The Departed (winner)
- Babel
- Letters From Iwo Jima
- Little Miss Sunshine
- The Queen

I actually have no problem with this selection.  The Departed was a fantastic movie, had everything you looked for in a great movie.  It seems like, typically, best picture usually ends up being some huge, blockbuster, epic movie like The Queen.  Since Helen Mirren one Best Actress for her role in The Queen it seems like that movie really was destined to win Best Picture.  But luckily, they got this one right.  I don't really have anything else to say about Babel or Letters From Iwo Jima...they were both good movies I suppose, just not my style.  I absolutely loved Little Miss Sunshine, if that had won, I would have been perfectly OK with it.  I thought Steve Carrel as a gay uncle/brother that was on suicide watch from a crazy/typical family taking a girl across a few states in a busted out VW Van was hysterical...not to mention Alan Arkin is one of the funniest people ever in that movie.  Best all in all...2006 got it right I think.

2008
- No Country For Old Men (winner)
- Atonement
- Juno
- Michael Clayton
- There Will Be Blood (should have won)

This really bothered me a lot for some reason.  I really like No Country For Old Men, but There Will Be Blood was just a completely better movie in my opinion.  Better acting, a better story, better ending...I just see zero flaws in it.  I don't even want to talk about the other movies from '07 because they don't hold a candle to the other two that were nominated.  It really only came down to those two to begin with in my opinion...but they swung and missed it I think.  There Will Be Blood was hands down the better movie.

2009
- Slumdog Millionaire (winner)
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
- Frost/Nixon
- Milk
- The Reader
 - (should have won) The Wrestler or The Dark Knight - neither were nominated for Best Picture

First off...2008 can suck it, because the two best movies from 2008 were not even put up for Best Picture in my opinion.  How can you leave out The Dark Knight and The Wrestler??  2008 was a huge disappointment and I don't care to dwell on this pathetic cast of movies...I fell asleep to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk is another movie about the uprising of gay rights, Frost/Nixon was alright, I never actually saw The Reader (but based on the name, it should have remained a book) and Slumdog Millionaire was good, but give me a damn break. 

2010
- Hurt Locker (winner)
- Avatar
- The Blind Side
- District 9
- An Education
- Inglorious Basterds (should have won)
- Precious: Based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire
- A Serious Man
- Up
- Up in the Air

Hurt Locker was by all means a fantastic movie, and I can see why it won Best Picture.  But let's be honest, it was just another take on a typical war movie.  Avatar was the biggest blockbuster success in recent memory and was a fantastic movie also and could have easily won.  The Blind Side was a cheese-puff movie about a white family taking in a black kid from the streets and him making it to college and eventually the NFL (let's be honest, if Rudy wasn't even nominated, Blind Side wasn't gonna win). District 9, absolutely loved the movie, not sure what else I can say.  An Education (didn't see it, nor did I care too).  Precious was also a very good movie, could have easily won and if it had...it wouldn't have bothered me to much.  A Serious Man was alright, movie dragged out to long and the ending was one of the worsts ever.  Up...what can I say about Up...possibly the most depressing first 15-20 minutes of an animated movie I have ever seen and all in all...I really wasn't a fan of this movie (sorry to my girlfriend, because this is her favorite movie).  Up in the Air was good, not great or unbelievable.....but OK.  But the movie Inglorious Basterds was unreal...the acting, the story, cinematography, setting, plot....I seriously could not get enough of this movie (maybe I am partial b/c Brad Pitt was from Maynardville, TN).  Either way, I think it should have won Best Picture. 

2011
- 127 Hours
- Black Swan
- The Fighter (should win)
- Inception
- The Kid's Are Alright
- The King's Speech (will probably win)
- The Social Network
- Toy Story 3
- True Grit
- Winter's Bone

Now I am going to be honest...I have not see all of these movies, so I can't say with 100% what movie I think should win....(haven't seen Black Swan, The Kid's Are Alright, The King's Speech or Winter's Bone yet).  Good luck to whomever has to pick The Best Picture out of that group of movies, because out of the six I have seen, it is really hard to say which one I liked the best....but it was probably The Fighter.  I am not going to go into to much detail about any of the other movies until the award is announced....but I am pulling for either The Fighter or True Grit.  I loved 127 Hours, Inception, The Social Network and Toy Story 3 and it was hard for me to pick The Fighter out of just those, much less four more movies I haven't seen yet.  Here is to hoping they get it right for a change...but I guess in the grand scheme of things...everyone have an opinion....and unfortunately mine does not matter when it comes to the Oscars.


Much Love,
Lion

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Debate To Come.....Justin Bieber


Yes, that is right. Skinned Lion will debate Justin Bieber in next weeks showdown.  Stay tuned...

Radiohead To Release New Album


Out of nowhere and without much hype surrounding them as of late, Radiohead is releasing their 8th album. It is available for pre-order right now and it will be released as a download on February 19th (tomorrow). 



Much Love,
Lion

Thursday, February 17, 2011

What Should Skinned Lion Debate?


Both of us at Skinned Lion have a vast knowledge on a lot of stuff.  We are wanting to hear from you all on what we should discuss next.  So far we have taken on The Greatest Villain of All-Time as well as the American League vs. the National League.  Next up, well, it's up to you all.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Cake releases new album

I am not entirely sure how this slipped passed me, but nevertheless I found out about it.  The new album titled Showroom of Compassion released in mid-January.  I picked out one of my top two songs from the album and posted it here for you all to listen to.  I am a Cake fan and I highly recommend this to you all.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

American League vs. National League.....the showdown


The debate for what division is better is very simple and won’t take to much time for me to complete.  The American League has been far and away the better division since divisions came into existence.  I know what everyone will say about the AL having the DH, but I don’t know how many people know that a NL coach actually suggested it  and it was backed by NL coaches before any AL coach ever made a push for it starting in 1906 and then again in the 1920’s.  So that should put the notion to bed about the AL and the DH.  But if it doesn’t, it still has no barring on the outcome of games between the two divisions.  During inter-league play if it is in an AL park then both teams get the DH and if a game is played in a NL park, then both teams go without the DH.  Same goes for the World Series, if the home team is NL then there is no DH for either team and if the home team is AL then there is a DH for both teams.  Now, here are the reasons that the AL is more dominant and just a better division all around; out of the 106 World Series that have been played, the American League has won 62 of them compared to the NL’s 44.  That alone should supplant the AL’s overall dominance.  The American League also has the best rivalry in all of baseball between the Yankees and Red Sox (even though I hate both of these teams) and not to mention some of the most storied franchises ever.  I am not here to harp on one particular team like I know the other person will do with the Atlanta Braves, but one team doesn’t make a league good, they can make it more interesting for you as a fan, but they don’t make the league better.  I love the Tigers, but I honestly believe that the AL is a better league in all aspects except maybe pitching...overall our everyday players are far more talented than the AL.  These are the points that I stand behind.

Much Love,
Lion




The MLB debate between the NL and AL will forever be linked to the designated hitter.  It is fascinating that a billion dollar professional sports company would basically give the fans two different products.  Simply put the DH has split the sport of baseball into two separate entities each vying for the same goal to be World Series Champions.  The DH first hit the stage on April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became major league's first designated hitter. He walked against Luis Tiant of the Boston Red Sox with the bases loaded.  The AL has since used the DH to replace the pitcher/worst hitter in your lineup for every game played under AL baseball rules.  It is not baseball at its truest form.  The NL on the other hand is played traditionally with the pitchers batting because they are on the field and in the lineup.  I like the idea of both but there needs to be unity in the sport with or without the DH. As for the debate the NL may not be as flashy with all the hitting but its the little stuff in where the NL succeeds.  The pinch hitting, base-running and management of the game is much more intricate and important.  The NL is Americas Pastime.

Enough about the DH, it has been thought for many years that the AL is better than the NL.  There were stretches of AL dominance but for the past few years the shift of power has swayed.  In the past few years the interleague splint has shown the NL steadily closing in on taking over and this year may be the time it happens.  For years the AL had the upper hand on pitching , but with the addition of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Zach Grienke along with the already stellar pitchers and rising stars the NL has taken over.  It is difficult to compare stats of batters in the opposing leagues due to the DH spot giving the AL batters more opportunities for success.  So you have to look at which league has the best players which is a near wash.  For debate purposes here is my list of the top players by position.

NL  / AL

1st Base - NL > AL Miguel Cabrera had a statistically better year than Pujols but he is thought of as the best player in baseball and with Joey Votto, Ryan Howard and Prince Fielder the NL is superior 

OF - NL < AL  Overall the AL simply has a better crop of OF

2nd Base - NL> AL This is NL destruction Robinson Cano is the best 2nd baseman in baseball but he is the only one of the top 10 in baseball that resides in the AL

SS  - NL > AL  Once Again not even close Jeter is old Hanley and Tulo are the best and so is the NL.

3rd Base - NL < AL  Chipper Jones is my favorite player all-time but the AL has more talent no question.

C  -  NL = AL  This is kind of a cop out but if Buster Posey has another big year i don't see much separation in the leagues.
Overall all NL > AL

NL is Best

Go Braves,

R. Duke

New Mumford and Sons Song....

I just found this and couldn't wait to share it with everyone. Apparently they played an "Untitled" song before their performance on the Grammy's.  Below is the video for their new song....(some of you might have to give the video a minute to pop up, just fyi)

Much Love,
Lion

Friday, February 11, 2011

Knoxville, TN is back at it...

Just when I thought Knoxville couldn't get anymore redneck....this happens.  Also, it is impossible to find the original video now since Youtube has taken it down.

Much Love,
Lion

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Votes Are In...


It appears that Skinned Lions next debate will be between the National League and the American League. Stay tuned this week to read our arguments. Also, sorry for the delay, I have been under the weather since Monday and I haven't had the necessary motivation to get this debate under way.

Much Love,
Lion

Monday, February 7, 2011

Who Is Ready For Some Movies?

Below you will find a list of movies that are scheduled to be released this year and in 2012 by their release dates. If there was as trailer available, then I posted it, if not I gave you a link to IMDB to get more information of the movie itself.  Now I did not post every single movie that is coming out, but instead, movies that I thought the majority of our readers would take an interest in. I am sure I probably left some good ones out that I am not aware of, but I hope I pinpointed some of the better ones. Hope you all enjoy the list.

Much Love,
Lion
 

2011


Cedar Rapids - February 11th


I Am Number 4 - February 18th


Hall Pass - February 25th
 


Rango - March 4th


The Adjustment Bureau - March 4th


Battle: Los Angeles - March 11th


Elektra Luxx - March 11th


Red Riding Hood - March 11th


Black Death - March 11th


Paul - March 18th


Sucker Punch - March 25th


Your Highness - April 8th


Scream 4 - April 15th


Apollo 18 - April 22nd


Thor - May 6th


Priest - May 13th


Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - May 20th


The Hangover 2 - May 26th


X-Men: First Class - June 3rd


Super 8 - June 10th


Green Lantern - June 17th


Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon - July 1st



Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - July 15th


Winnie the Pooh - July 15th


Captain America: The First Avenger - July 22nd

Cowboys and Aliens - July 29th


Horrible Bosses - July 29th


The Smurfs - August 3rd


The Darkest Hour - August 5th


Conan the Barbarian - August 19th


Warrior - September 9th


Moneyball - September 23rd


Real Steel - October 7th


The Thing - October 14th


Tower Heist - November 4th


Immortals - November 11th


Rise of the Apes - November 23rd


Hugo Cabret - December 9th


Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - December 16th


Untitled Sherlock Holmes Sequel


The Rum Diary - No Release Date (2011)


2012
They are listed in order in which they are scheduled to be released, but these are subject to change so I left the release date off. 


Saturday, February 5, 2011

Super Bowl Prediction by Skinned Lion


Lion's Prediction

I am sure all of you were eagerly awaiting this post on our blog...well you don't have to wait any longer.  When breaking down this match-up it is honestly one of the more evenly matched Super Bowls I can remember.  You have two great quarterbacks in Rodgers and Roethlisberger and if I am to give an edge in this match-up, I am unfortunately going to have to say Roethlisberger.  He has lead him team to two Super Bowl titles and you really can't argue against his success in the playoffs. When is comes down to the running backs, I am going to shock some people and actually pick Starks over Mendenhall.  I know Mendenhall is the more experienced back and has also won a Super Bowl and this completely goes against what I just stated above, but I am going with my gut on this one and say that Starks will end up being the more productive back this game.  Wide receivers are a complete coin-flip, but I am going to give the edge to the Packers core strictly because the Steelers secondary outside of Polamalu is very suspect and can be exploited...watch out for James Jones in this game, a lot of attention will be put on Driver and Jennings and Jones will be the beneficiary of some open looks.  The big question is what defense to pick, and as I said early, this match-up is the closest to two exact teams in a long time...but I am going to give it to the Packers. Their secondary will be the reason they win this game, and yes I know Clay Matthews is excellent and their d-line is good also...but their secondary is going to be the key to this game. Sam Shields and Tramon Williams are two names that you will frequently hear during the game, so remember where you heard that. I look forward to this Super Bowl more than most others because I sincerely hate the Packers because they are in my beloved Lions division and it pains me to say this....because here is my score prediction...

Packers 21 - Steelers 17


R. Duke's Prediction


Unfortunately another year has rolled by with my beloved Redskins watching the Big Game from the comfort of their own homes.  What do you know once again evaluate the Steelers.  The model franchise of the NFL makes it presence known once again in Superbowl 45 (I’m not roman nor do I know roman numerals).  The Steelers are exactly what they always are great defense and a powerful running game with a side of burger. They will be matched up with the Pack another model franchise that knew what they had in Aaron Rogers.  I refuse to mention #4 because isn't everyone tired of him.  Much like the Steelers they have a great defense, an exceptional QB and a running game proving to be a force.  Match ups I'm going with Rogers over Big Ben, I understand the ring's and the experience are in Ben's favor but I believe Rogers is simply a better QB.  Clay Matthews will take full advantage of how long Ben holds on to the ball causing a fumble and helping his defense get at least 3 sacks in this game.  Rogers has the tools and the weapons to expose the Steelers through the air with a banged up Polamalu.  I’m not sure of the health of Driver so I’m gonna go with Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings putting up big numbers.  Running game is a wash for me I think both teams will run often early with mild success to set up the passing game, but this game will be won through the air.  Steeler’s injury concerns and the speed and playmaking abilities of the Packers defense will result in the big turnovers to win this game.

Packers 24 Steelers 17

And I’m not just differing my opinion for argument sake.  This truly is the most evenly matched Superbowl that I can remember but you gotta go with your gut and stick with it.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Greatest Shirts in Baseball Ever

I just stumbled across this today and wanted to share it with everyone. Unfortunately not every team is represented with these Nike shirts, but nevertheless, they are awesome and I want to own them all. You can go to the Nike website and purchase them for only $20, but it appears they only have a few left right now.   Nike.com

Much Love,
Lion


From top left "Rollie Finger" "Ozzie Smith" "Reggie Jackson" and "Randy Johnson

Keith Hernandez 

Mike Schmidt

Goose Gossage

Ferguson Jenkins

Kirk Gibson

Jeff Bagwell

Kirby Puckett not Johan Santana

Don Mattingly

Ozzie Guillen

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Beavis and Butthead Are Returning to TV


Some of our childhood icons are returning this summer to MTV. 
Whenever I have more information, I will post it...but for now, just enjoy some Beavis and Butthead



Much Love,
Lion

National Signing Day....What Does It Really Mean?


I know a lot of people around where I am from absolutely love National Signing Day and turn it into almost a holiday celebrated by SEC fans all over.  I admit, I did more than my fair share of investigating the scene and finding out what the scoop was on some of the top players around the country and where they might end up, but I am not really even a college football fan per say...I don't have a team I passionately root for like Tennessee or Alabama (shout out to my older brother).  In the grand scheme of things, the majority of these players want to one day make it to the NFL and play in a Super Bowl.  Now I understand for certain fans, National Signing Day is like NFL Draft Day for college fans, but I just don't understand all the hype surrounding it.  There was a great article written on Yahoo Sports about players that are on the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers (who are obviously in the Super Bowl) and what colleges they went to.  It states that 41 out of the 106 players on the rosters attended conferences outside the 6 BCS conferences.  Of the 41 players, 15 attended the MAC of all conferences and the only conference that had more players was the SEC and it had 18.  I know a lot of you won't like this article because you could care a less about the NFL, but it just goes to show that National Signing Day doesn't really mean much in the big picture, if college recruiters can miss out on that many players that were good enough to play for Kent State or Miami of Ohio, but not good enough for Florida or Auburn....what does it really mean?  I guess it all just depends on what part of the sport you enjoy about football.  I am not here to say the NFL is better than College Football, but if you are a college fan, you are putting a lot of stock in an unproven 18 year old kid to help your team one day....when someone down the road from somewhere like Arkansas State just recruited a player that will end up playing in a Super Bowl.  Take it for what it's worth...

Much Love,
Lion

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Dark Knight Rises - Updated News

The new Batman movie titled The Dark Knight Rises has had some recent developments with its cast and characters and I just wanted to share it with everyone.

Much Love,
Lion




Anne Hathaway will play the new Catwoman (a.k.a. Selina Kyle)












Tom Hardy will play Bane










Joesph Gordan-Levitt
(casted and rumored to play The Riddler, Hush, Dr. Hugo Strange, Deadshot, or Harvey Bullock)





Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Pat Bateman


Name - Patrick Bateman

Occupation - Mergers and Acquisitions, Peirce & Peirce

M.O.  - Torture and on occasion a bit of Cannibalism

Victims - " I just had to KILL a lot people"












 "Fuck the Yuppies"

From the mind of acclaimed author Brett Easton Ellis comes the one and only sociopathic and psychotic serial killin' son of a bitch Patrick Bateman.  An eccentric 27 yr old Vice President at Peirce & Peirce, a Manhattan based firm. He is meticulous in every aspect of his life from the way he keeps his body fit and skin clean to the focused violence which goes into the destruction of his victims.  
                                                                                 
"There is an idea of a Patrick Bateman; some kind of abstraction. But there is no real me: only an entity, something illusory. And though I can hide my cold gaze, and you can shake my hand and feel flesh gripping yours and maybe you can even sense our lifestyles are probably comparable... I simply am not there."

He lives his life with a constant insatiable urge to be the best better than everyone. From the need to have the best table at the trendiest most expensive restaurant to having the most desirable business card of his co-workers.  His disgust for man eventually turns violent when he just can no longer hold back the urge to kill.

"I've killed a lot of people. Some girls in the apartment uptown uh, some homeless people maybe 5 or 10 um an NYU girl I met in Central Park. I left her in a parking lot behind some donut shop. I killed Bethany, my old girlfriend, with a nail gun, and some man uh some old faggot with a dog last week. I killed another girl with a chainsaw, I had to, she almost got away and uh someone else there I can't remember maybe a model, but she's dead too....."

Once the killings began they just grew more violent and torturous.  Many whores and vagrants were amongst his first victims, killing them because of the ease of access and his disgust for them.  Being charming, rich and handsome it was easy for him to find a girl at a bar, take her home and cut her head off.  One of the most memorable moments of the movie happens when he is having sex with a couple whores and looks at himself in the mirror and begins to flex and point at himself. I believe that scene shows the true humor in the excess of his arrogance which makes his killings somewhat funny.  I know it sounds sick to say it’s funny to watch him slay people but it actually is very funny.  It was funny to watch him chase around a whore while blood soaked with nothing but clean white sneakers on wielding a chainsaw trying to take her down a peg. And that is simply something you can’t say most movie villains. It is truly difficult whether to categorize American Psycho as a horror or a comedy but it’s easy to call it awesome.  So, if you haven't seen it you must watch it.  I highly recommend it, even though it may be difficult for some to watch.




Patrick Bateman is obviously a better villain he is not only a murderous psychopath but hilarious. 

R. Duke

Best Villain - Shooter McGavin

 


Profession: Professional Golfer
Power: Six-Shooter & Arrogance
Arch-Nemesis: Happy Gilmore






Shooter McGavin is by far and away the most unassuming Villain of all-time. Shooter stars in the movie Happy Gilmore and is the ultimate jackass. He is a clean cut, professional, well dressed, classy golfer that is loved by kids, adults and grandparents alike, but in reality couldn’t give a rats ass about them. He is in it for the money, the woman, and the prestige of being the worlds greatest golfer and will stop at nothing to get his gold jacket to prove it to everyone. Shooter is arrogant, dumb, classless in his pursuit of dominance, an excellent golfer, and most of all a scumbag to his very core. He is not your typical villain in the sense, but rather someone you love to hate. As portrayed in the movie, he is not physically imposing or smart, but a villain in the sense that he does everything in his power to make sure Happy Gilmore does not become the better player. Here are some examples of villainess: 1) he buys Happy’s grandmothers’ house and threatens to burn it down and piss on the ashes, 2) he dedicates his play in the tour championship to Chub’s memories before Happy can, 3) hires a crazy fan to torture Happy in the pro-am tournament with Bob Barker and thus causes Happy to get into a fist fight with Bob Barker and suspended from play, 4) hires the same crazy fan and in return he drives a Volkswagen and hits Happy on the fairway and causes him to lose his long drive. Those are just some of the examples of Shooter McGavin.

Now I am sure that the other part of Skinned Lion will disagree, but I feel that Shooter McGavin is the best villain of all time for three simple reasons; he is the best jackass antagonist in any movie, you end up enjoying Shooter’s antics more the Happy Gilmore, and for the sheer fact that every time he makes a putt he busts out the six-shooter. 

I leave you with this video clip to assert my opinion of Shooter McGavin being the best villain. I hope you all agree with me on this one.




Much love,
Lion

Monday, January 31, 2011