Benjamin Grimm

I think Iron Man has become my favorite. The others that stand out are the first two Spideys and X-Men 2. I did really like Dark Knight, but my own personal bias says that no DC movie can compare to a good Marvel movie.

Or maybe they're puffing him up for his July 31 trade value. I read some speculation recently that the Mets may pull a summertime deal for Matt Holliday if the A's fall out of contention.

Mets' top prospect Brad Holt ready to audition in exhibition games BY Adam Rubin DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Monday, March 2nd 2009, 9:55 PM PORT ST. LUCIE - The most famous person born in Albemarle, N.C., (pop. 15,680) is country music artist Kellie Pickler. The Mets prospect born 15 weeks later, who grew up five minutes from Pickler's home, may soon rival the former "American Idol" contestant for that distinction. Tony Bernazard, the Mets' VP for player development, labels 22-year-old righthander Brad Holt the best starting pitching prospect in the organization. The Mets used the 33rd pick in last June's draft, a compensatory sandwich pick between the first and second rounds for losing free agent Tom Glavine to the Braves, to select the 6-4, 194-pound Holt out of UNC-Wilmington. After signing for $1.04 million, Holt dominated with the Brooklyn Cyclones. He led the New York-Penn League in ERA (1.87), strikeouts (96), strikeouts per nine innings (11.9) and opponent's batting average (.171). Mets officials say he's ahead of Mike Pelfrey, the ninth overall pick in 2005, at the same stage. "He's got Pelfrey's talent," Bernazard said. "... He's the top pitching prospect. As a starter, he's the best." Holt isn't in camp, but he should now begin making limited Grapefruit League appearances on loan from the minor-league side as the Mets reopen after an off-day. The Mets sent 15 players, including pitchers Oliver Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz, Pedro Feliciano, Nelson Figueroa and Elmer Dessens, to the World Baseball Classic. Holt should open the season in the Florida State League, but could rise to Double-A Binghamton by the All-Star break and the majors by September. Mets scout Marlin McPhail, who has unearthed such middle-round gems as Bobby Parnell out of Charleston Southern (ninth round, 2005) and Ty Wigginton out of UNC-Asheville (17th round, 1998), was on to Holt early, before he took off as a junior and other teams became fully aware. Holt lost his first game of his junior season against Jacksonville, then won a school-record 11 straight decisions to close his college career, including a one-hitter at Northeastern in 33-degree weather, when his fastball was popping at 95-97 mph. Holt could dominate hitters with that fastball, which meant he arrived in Brooklyn with a raw slider and changeup he had hardly used. Holt's concentration during bullpen sessions centered on improving those offspeed pitches. "As everybody has talked about, I didn't really have a breaking ball going into it - or much off-speed period," Holt said. As for the connection to Pickler, Holt actually attended a different high school from the musician, but his cousin Summer remains in touch with the country-music star. And Cy Young, not CMA awards, eventually will be Holt's focus. "Baseball, fishing, golf is pretty much it for me," Holt said. "Anything outdoors." I fear that Holt is most likely to be trade fodder some time this summer. I hope he sticks around and gets a rotation spot. Whoever gets the fifth spot this year will probably still be vulnerable to a challenge next spring.

Too soon to say if he'll really be "the catcher of the future" but it's nice to at least have a candidate for that position. It seems the Mets have been light on catching prospects (other than Jesus Flores) for a long time. Here's hoping Thole is the NL Rookie of the Year in 2011.

I haven't seen it since it was in the theaters. I remember liking it a lot more than the first movie, which was dreadful. I'm not big on Star Wars or Star Trek. I used to enjoy the original series in its reruns on Channel 11, but I've never even seen any of the subsequent series. I know who Captain Picard is, but I don't think I could name a single other character who wasn't in Captain Kirk's crew.

Maybe he'll displace Luis Castillo during the 2011 season.

I went with Raiders. The differential in the 80's in Indy's favor was greater than the differential in Dusty's favor this year.

I'll have to think about this one. In the 1980's I would have voted for Raiders without hesitation. But I actually rewatched both of these movies in the last year, and the second time around I enjoyed Tootsie more. So do I vote on how I liked them THEN, or how I like them NOW? Hmmm...

I haven't seen either of these movies in about twenty years, but I remember liking both of them. I remember liking Bull Durham more.

Edgy DC wrote: Tweach his own, but I'm surprised anyone can find BB to be totally virtue-less. That's some of the best music of the twentieth century there --- as much Memphis Soul as Chicago Blues (and Aretha brought the Muscle Shoals sound). Simply as a delivery system for that music, I dig it. I also like seeing Landis use other filmmakers as actors. I guess I'm not that into music. I mean, I know I'm not!

Back to the Future. It's not a great movie, but I didn't like Blues Brothers at all.

Both movies feature currently-in-the-closet male leads.

Didn't like Empire, didn't see Robocop, therefore won't vote in this one.

Jaden Smith is set to star in a remake of "The Karate Kid," to be produced by his daddy, Will. The long-rumored project is moving forward with a 2009 shoot date, according to Variety.

I loved Ghostbusters when it came out. It gets my vote.

I'm not really a fan of Field of Dreams, but it wins this matchup.

I had a friend in college who wouldn't watch any James Stewart movies because Jimmy was a Republican who palled around with Ronald Reagan. Me, I don't worry about the political beliefs of the actors in a movie. I take their performance for what it is.

I'll have to make it a point to reread Watchmen.

And from Marvel and DC, it looks like 2009 will be bringing us X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Watchmen.

It does look that way. Me, I've never liked moronic comedies, but I seem to be in the minority.

I voted for ET because I loved it in 1982. Now, it does nothing for me.

I might watch Terminator. I don't think I'd watch Naked Gun.

Well, the Bradley Effect will adjust for that.

TransMonk wrote: Scrooge. I don't deny it.

Bride. I'm no fan of the Ralphie movie.