LWFS

Okja WAS good, as was The Host (and, for that matter, Snowpiercer). Haven't yet seen Parasite, but I wanna. More to the point of the thread, though... hey, Double Switch/41Forever/lovers of the good old stuff: https://www.criterionchannel.com/The Criterion Channel

Edgy MD wrote: =LWFS post_id=27235 time=1574819271 user_id=84] This young-fan-driven revisionism is flummoxing. Unless you're talking denim and a t-shirt, black and royal clash-- and have always clashed-- like Joe Strummer and his in-laws. Whatever, man. If someone claims the dropshadows are due for a comeback, though, my blood vessels will strain to keep their contents contained. I thought you had been a lonely defender of blue on black in a past thread.

This young-fan-driven revisionism is flummoxing. Unless you're talking denim and a t-shirt, black and royal clash-- and have always clashed-- like Joe Strummer and his in-laws. Whatever, man. If someone claims the dropshadows are due for a comeback, though, my blood vessels will strain to keep their contents contained.

FINALLY, a Papamiento speaker on this godforsaken staff.

Last year's offense could be a mirage; he's never shown that level of slugginess at any level, and it's tough to see any evidence of change-in-approach from the batted-ball data. That said, even if his power blacked out, he'd still be a positive glove-side addition.

Kent 22% Country Time 19% Sheffield 15% Abreu 7% Bell/Valverde/Putz <1%

You know the one. You know the one? The ostensible "satire," getting a wild mix of great notices and is-this-in-good-taste pearl-clutching? The one with writer-director Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, What We Do In The Shadows) guiding the ship... AND playing the imaginary-friend Hitler? Y'know, this one? https://www.jweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/10-18-19-jojorabbit1-e1571691665515.jpg> Since I saw it last week and have finally allowed myself to read the reviews, I've seen it described in multiple places as "Moonreich Kingdom," which is certainly a bit glib but not altogether inaccurate. It's certainly assembled as lovingly-- licensed and expertly-deployed German versions of Bowie and the Beatles, sharp production design, sure-handed lenswork-- as any Wes Anderson tweefest. It's also got a little of the same smirky charm and feel. The reason I dubious-quote-marked "satire" above is that the film's jokes are a little less bone-crunching than you'd like from a proper one, which limits its effectiveness as such... in a way, for all its ambition in tonal-bridging, when it comes to the humor and the pathos, it seems to be swinging for singles and gap hits-- observational notices, moments of touching rapport, playful comments on the historical goings-on-- rather than big, looping Oscar-y home runs. There's a lot of interesting dramatic things raised here with the character arcs, not all of which are explored fully. The main character's arc is interesting and rewarding, but others ring less true, and range from flat and pointless (Rebel Wilson's slapstick Nazi-youth matron) to why-God-why (Sam Rockwell, doing a weirdly sympathetic, Teutonic, cracked-mirror version of what he did to Oscar-winning effect in Three Billboards...). Almost all of the principals' performances are excellent; Scarlett Johansson as the lead's mother is nimble and nuanced in a way she's rarely allowed to be in her recent projects, Tamsin McKenzie (who was GREAT in the excellent family-off-the-grid drama Leave No Trace) is subtle and effective as a Jewish refugee, and the kids (notably, lead Roman Griffin Davis and his round-faced buddy Archie Yates) are adorable-without-being-cloying AND possessed of crazy-precocious comic timing. There's a zesty surreality to the movie that's very much a Waititi thing and also matches its protagonists' 10-year-old viewpoint... yet, there's also a disjointed thing going on that sorta maybe hobbles the thing in spots. Much like this summation, the film's a very mixed bag. It's also very much worth seeing. I'm still not sure where I ultimately land on the thing. Und du?

Honestly, I would wager, like, a finger or two BVW spending most of his browsing time in the Wacha/Nova/Smyly aisle of the store.

Are you thinking of ex-Nets-and-Johnnies-PF/amateur gunslinger Jayson Williams?

Quick, possibly dumb question: any reason he isn't on-salary in Boston? Frayed Knot wrote: Flushing native, former first round draft pick (22nd overall by Toronto in 1990), and former Oakland, Cleveland, Atlanta, MFY, Texas (and Oakland again) hurler Steve Karsay https://nypost.com/2019/11/17/ex-yankee-steve-karsay-to-interview-for-mets-pitching-coach/will interview for the NYM pitching coach job The 47 y/o Karsay worked in the Indians org from 2012-2018 then spent 2019 as the Brewers bullpen coach. His previous accomplishments in Queens involved pitching for Christ the King HS and later serving up a certain post-9/11 HR to Mr. Piazza He's done so much for this city already. I remember thinking that Hefner-- when not hurt-- was getting the most out of whatever little he brought to the table, skills-and-stuff-wise. Perhaps my memory distorts facts.

Hey, good news! It may be Jeter AND Schilling AND Clemens!

Y'all yell "YAAAS" or "NAW," I'm all like "Eh, MAYbe" Say I'm splitting the uprights like my name was Pat Leahy I feel like these people are reviewing something other than the movie we're talking about.

I'm a big Drunk History afficionado, myself... and I think I preferred the Octavia Spencer version of this story. The one we paid to see was solid and earnest... but REALLY earnest, and contrived in spots (there's some... singing which may or may not be diagetic). Liked the Cynthia Erivo main performance a LOT; she wrings genuine emotion from the audience without emoting. Both YoungerPooper and I came away disappointed that they didn't include more of her action-hero third act (Civil War spy/raid leader). Basically, it's dignified, and it'll play in classrooms. Which is... something less than what we were hoping for.

The first film in six years by always-interesting writer-director Kasi Lemmons (Underrated and unsettling Eve's Bayou, sideways mystery The Caveman's Valentine). Also, somehow it's the first damn feature about Harriet Tubman! YoungerPooper and I made a dad-daughter date of this last Friday night. In the words of the old me-go spiritual... oh, Lord, I got thoughts. But first... anyone else going Underground?

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: They are running together for me. I can remember Ryota Igarashi was a real disappointment given he came with the best bonafides while guys like Ken Takahashi who came with little fanfare was actually pretty reliable for a while Between junky Ken and junkier Hisanori (as our fifth starter/long man/erstwhile closer... basically, crafty lefty Lugo before Lugo was Lugo), we're 2-for-2 on Takahashis, really. Back to the thread topic, though... the Pirates have their own Alonso-lite blocking first base, so if we offer Dom Smith for Manny Margot, who blinks?

Post-peak Kevin Appier warn't too piqued, either. Now, what we got for 'im... well, I'm glad our team helped in its own, indirect way in funding affordable housing. If we're not signing Wheeler, and we're not in for-REAL-for-real on Cole/Strassy, the best way to improve that fifth starting slot this offseason might just be to trade Dom Smith for Manny Margot and sign Grandal.

Zack Wheeler is, like, good. He's just been playing for a team that minimizes how good he looks to people who don't know what to look for. Ouch. Didn't mean that to come off quite so bitchy. Peak Matlack was damn fine pitcherin'. Wheeler was 28th in the NL in ERA+. The guy who was #1 is a free agent, too. And that's before we even get to Cole and Strasburg. Take the draft pick and upgrade. ERA+ ain't exactly defense-independent. And Wheeler is "tops" (actual #1) in how poorly he was served by the team's defense among 2019 NL starters (worse than Jake or any of the other Mets, too), as measured by RA9def. It ain't as big an upgrade pool as you think.

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Wheels is going to get dirty stinking rich this winter. I'd really like him back Incredible, but true. What's even more incredible is that Wheeler wasn't even one of the NL's top 20 pitchers this past season. Must be a dearth of FA pitchers. Jon Matlack is rolling over in his grave even though he's still alive. Even more incredible: he actually WAS one of the Major Leagues' top 20 pitchers by ERA+, FIP, and fWAR (and top-20 in the NL by bWAR both years). By most measures, actually. Over the last two years, actually? He's pushing for https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2019&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=&rost=&age=&filter=&players=&startdate=&enddate=top 10. He's second to deGrom in the majors in suppressing HR rate over that time. Zack Wheeler is, like, good. He's just been playing for a team that minimizes how good he looks to people who don't know what to look for.

There's almost no way the signs could have been relayed that fast WITHOUT using video. And what's the less-egregious alternative, since they didn't have anybody on base? Guy in CF stands with world-record-speed texting fingers? Beltran deeply implicated in Astros sign stealing scandal. https://nypost.com/2019/11/14/mets-carlos-beltran-played-key-role-in-astros-sign-stealing-report/https://nypost.com/2019/11/14/mets-carlos-beltran-played-key-role-in-astros-sign-stealing-report/ Excerpt: Mets manager Carlos Beltran may be in hot water after a report said he helped plan the Astros' alleged illegal sign-stealing system during the 2017 season. I mean, on the plus side... so was Alex Cora. Which is a pretty good portend for this year, right?

Koo was Koo-rean. We were lousy with junkballing Takahashis (Hisanori 4 Eva!) and rocket Ryotas right after CitiField opened. A regular Valentinaissance.

Yep. Hell, even taking into account our KazMatses and such, the Mets seemed to have at least as high a hit rate among Japanese FAs as with domestic editions... though Shinjo was the only half-decent position player we ever had, IIRC.

SMOKE OUT THE HO'DOUT

It's the use of real-time streaming video that takes it beyond the pale, right? I mean, like video dude, I'm all ABOUT stealing signs with your eyes, ears, and what's behind/between them.

well, you're wrong on Brodie and Beltran was a good hire. Maybe he'll be bad, hell, anything can happen. I've said this elsewhere but if we're going to have a separate thread about a worthless podcast and three people who's opinions I don't respect, i'll say it again. Assertion isn't an argument. If you're going to keep saying things like "you're wrong on Brodie" or "Keith Law's a hack," you should probably back it up with something, or your other arguments start to wither around 'em. Brodie made several different player moves (Cano/Diaz trade*, signing Lowrie**, signing Familia***) that seemed questionable at best at the time, and ended up backfiring. That the team eventually succeeded to some extent despite these moves doesn't countervail the badness of those moves; one could argue that how badly the moves cost a playoff-contending team with limited resources makes them doubly-damning. You could say the same about going the half-measure route during the leadup to the trade deadline. Shit-talking the NL East before the season, and being consequently somewhat mealy-mouthed about accepting his responsibility for the team during low ebbs (a LOT of "organizational failure" and "it's on the organization" rather than "it's on me," IIRC) was probably... related to lack of experience. Chair-throwing and screaming at subordinates on multiple occasions within earshot of reporters... ditto. Perez is an ESPN colleague, which I can't help but think influences their views that he deserved the shot. This definitely occurred to me. I mean, I don't think it's the reason they feel this way, but I think it has to play into the degree of the vitriol. * It should not escape notice that this deal very nearly included Jeff McNeil as a damn throw-in, instead of Gerson Bautista. ** His former client. His injury-prone-during-the-extent-of-his-business-relationship-with-BVW former client. *** For three years, and 10 per... before the market for relievers was set. Guys like Miller and Ottavino who would likely have been better fits for the, um, defensive strategy our team used, were readily available for comparable or lesser prices later in the offseason.

The video's pretty damning. Also worth mentioning: that a current player/ex-Astro (Fiers) is going on-record with this assertion is HUGE. The Astros (non-respond) [urhttps://http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28066522/ex-astros-pitcher-mike-fiers-team-stole-signs-camerawww.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/28066522/ex-astros-pitcher-mike-fiers-team-stole-signs-camera]respond: [On] Tuesday, the Astros released a statement. "Regarding the story posted by The Athletic earlier today, the Houston Astros organization has begun an investigation in cooperation with Major League Baseball," it said. "It would not be appropriate to comment further on this matter at this time." At the winter meetings, Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said the team wanted to gather facts before discussing the matter further. "I have heard what you all have heard, which is allegations," he said. "This isn't the first one I heard and it's not the first one you all have heard. Like I said, I think the best course of action is not to speculate right now. We are going to look into it with cooperation of the MLB and we will find out what there is."