Friday, December 30, 2016

2016: Best Year Ever in Sports

As the year comes to a close I thought it fitting to look back at some of the highlights. No I'm not going to talk about the very upsetting news that saw Donald Trump somehow become our new president. (I believe this election was one of the most significant events in American history since 9/11, yet perhaps I'll save that rant for another day.) For now I've simply accepted that those things are out of my control, and happiness is best achieved thru ignorance. Instead I'm going to focus on the years highlights of sports.

I have discovered that one of the best escapes from political news is that that of professional sports. It brings me great joy and entertainment, and sometimes tribulations, to followed these leagues, watch these games, and root for my teams. I also enjoy to follow the sports news, the standings, the scenarios, the players, coaches, trades, business management, the stadiums, the atmospheres, and so much more that comes with the industry. It's truly a world in it's own, the perfect escape from the day to day grind of work. It's thru sports that millions achieve identity, peace, and happiness.

My favorite sports to follow annually are the NFL, EPL, and the UCL however I also tune in to the other mainstream leagues such as NCAA basketball, NCAA football, and the MLB. The NBA not so much, and have no care whatsoever for the NHL. I also don't pay much attention to the MLS, Golf, Tennis, Racing, etc. In that respect my post might be a little biased to my preferences yet I still believe it's a solid case.And the case that I intend to make here is that the yeare 2016 was one of the most memorable years in sports.

Super Bowl 50: Peyton Manning walks off into the sunset

Sport: Football (NFL)
Teams: Carolina Panthers vs Denver Broncos
Date of Event: Feb 7th, 2016
Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Result: 24-10 Broncos win the Superbowl
Significance: I watched this game at my neighbors house and was rooting for Peyton Manning. While I despise the Colts, I've often enjoyed Peyton's comical personality. He practically had all the records, yet had only one 1 Super Bowl championship with the Colts in 2006. He lost with the Colts in 2011 and with the Broncos in 2014. At the age of 39 this was perhaps Peyton's last chance to play on the big stage. And while it was his team that won the game, most notably the defense and on Miller who won MVP, it was still accredited to Peyton getting his team there. The Broncos easily defeated Cam Newton and the Panthers to win their 3rd Super Bowl title. Shortly after Peyton Manning retired and thus can added a 2nd trophy to his career as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Villanova wins NCAA Basketball Championship

Sport: College (Basketball)
Teams: Villanova vs North Carolina
Date of Event: April 4th, 2016
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
Result: 77-74 Villanova wins the championship
Significance: I remember I chose not to watch this championship game because I had money on the line thru a bracket pool and I did not want to go thru the stress. I had been following the March Madness tournament the past few weeks and was pulling for my team IU to go far, yet they lost in the Sweet Sixteen. I had selected North Carolina to win the championship and could win the jackpot of 200$ if they won. They were the favorite going into the final match-up against Villanova. It became one of the most dramatic basketball finals of all time. Villanova won the game with a last second three point shot that sealed them their 2nd championship. I was devastated with the result since I did not win the jackpot, however it was still a very memorable game.  


The Unlikely Leicester City wins the Premier League Title

Sport: Soccer (EPL)
Teams: Leicester City Football Club
Date of Event: May 2nd, 2016
Result: Leicester City wins their first ever English Premier Title
Location: England
Significance: The previous season Leicester City had just barely survived relegation at the bottom of the table and were at 5000-1 odds to win the championship. However under the new management of Claudio Ranieri, the team developed a fighting spirit of counter-attack. They were led by their quick strikers Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez who scored in almost every match. Vardy went on an 11 game streak with a goal scored, establishing a new record. Many felt it was a fluke, yet time after time, they defeated many of the best teams and continued thru the winter and into the spring at the top of the table. On May 2nd they secured their championship title with 2 games to spare. They finished 10 points clear of 2nd place. There was no fluke, controversary, or question about it that they had deserved the title. It truly made for one of the greatest underdog stories in sports history.

Lebron James brings Cleveland their 1st title

Sport: Basketball (NBA)
Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors
Date of Event: June 9th, 2016
Location: Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
Result: Cleveland Cavaliers won game 7 (93-89)
Significance: A couple years ago Lebron James left the Miami Heat to return to his first home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. His intentions were to build a new team and bring the city of Cleveland it's first ever championship (that goes for baseball and football as well). The previous year they had lost to the new rising power that was the Golden State Warriors. Led by their superstar shooter, Stephan Curry, it appeared the Warriors were clear favorites to repeat as champoins. However Lebron had other plans. Despite falling to a 3-1 series deficit, Lebron led his team to become the first to overcome such a deficit and go on to win the championship. It was a remarkable comeback and a well deserved title for Cleveland. It was their 1st ever championship and Lebron's 3rd championship as a basketball player. I've become a great fan of his, and consider him to one of the all time greats, still with much ahead of him to accomplish.

The Pragmatic Portugal win their first Euro Cup

Sport: Soccer (UEFA Euro Cup)
Teams: Portugal National Soccer Team
Date of Event: July 10th, 2016
Result: Portugal wins championship 1-0
Location: Stade Saint Denis, Paris, France
Significance: The legacy of Cristiano Ronaldo could only be completed with a title for his national team. However it seemed a long shot since Portugal's team did not compare to the star power of other European nations. At the beginning of the tournament it appeared France or Germany were clear favorites, yet Portugal somehow managed to get out of the group stage by three consecutive draws. In the knockout stage they found ways to wing matches thru penalty shootout or late goals. It was quite a suprise when they made it all the way to the final, yet many predicted France would win. I remember watching this final match at Adam's house, and was going to be okay with whatever the result. I had always been a fan of Ronaldo and Portugal, yet would have liked to see France win because of the Ruiz. The game was an exciting one, and took an unexpected turn when Ronaldo got injured in the opening 20 minutes. Portugal were able to unite as a team and find a way to score a late goal in extra time that would defeat France. It was a shocking victory for Portugal over the host nation. Ronaldo had finally helped Portugal win it's first championship and brought further glory to his name.

Michael Phelps dominates at Rio Olympics

Sport: Swimming (Olympics)
Athlete: Michael Phelps (Team USA)
Date of Event: August 2016
Result: 5 gold medals and 1 silver
Location: Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Significance: After a sub-par performance at the 2012 London games, Phelps was determined to return to swimming and finish his career on a high note. He arrived with great focus and went on to win 5 gold medals and 1 silver medal in his swimming events. He happily retired at the Rio games to become the most decorated Olympian of all time.


Simeone Biles wins 5 medals at Rio Olympics

Sport: Gymnastics (Olympics)
Athlete: Simone Biles (Team USA)
Date of Event: August 2016
Result: 4 gold medals, 1 bronze medal
Location: Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Significance: At the age of 19 she had missed the previous Olympic games in London. Ever since she had gone on to become one of the most decorated American gymnasts of all time. All that remained to cement her career was an Olympic medal. She went on to dominate as expected winning 4 gold medals in the team competition, indiviudal all around, vault, and floor exercise and a bronze in the balance beam.


Usain Bolt achieves the Triple Triple at Rio Olympics 

Sport: Track and Field
Athlete: Usain Bolt (Team Jamaica)
Date of Event: August 2016
Result: 3 gold medals
Location: Rio de Janiero
Significance: Usain Bolt arrived at his 3rd Olympic with intentions to acheive the triple-triple. This meant 3 more gold medals in his events of the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. He brought his usual flare and happy personality to the games and shocked the world when he once again won each of his events. He became the only sprinter in history to win 3 consecutive gold medals at different games, and to go 9 for 9 on each of his events. Bolt retired as one of the greatest sprinters of all time at the Rio games.


Neymar brings Brazil the Gold Medal

Sport: Soccer
Teams: Brazil vs Germany
Date of Event: August 2016
Result: Brazil beats Germany on penalties
Location: Rio de Janiero
Significance: After their humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup, Brazil was determined more than anything to win the gold medal. They were able to recruit their superstar Neymar, to lead the nation to glory. The team was able to sail thru the group stages and arrive easily at the final match, which fittingly so was once again Germany. Yet this time the game was not so easy, and Germany posed a serious threat. After a 1-1 tie, the game went to penalty shootout. It seemed with so much pressure on Brazil, the favor would surely go to Germany. However instead the Brazilian team were able to stay composed and after a German player missed his shot, the game lay at Neymar's feet. With the whole world watching and the pressure of his entire nation on his shoulders he put the ball in the back of the net to win the game for Brazil. The crowd erupted in such great jubilation that is surely can be remembered as one of the most iconic moments of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Chicago Cubs break the Curse

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Chicago Cubs vs Cleveland Indians
Date of Event: November 2nd, 2016
Result: Cubs win Game 7 (8-7)
Location: Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
Significance: For the first time in 108 years the Chicago Cubs had made it to the World Series. It was also a significant game for the Cleveland Indians, who had not won the Series in 68 years and had the 2nd longest drought after the Cubs. However the nation was truly pulling for the Cubs to finally break the legendary curse of the Billy Goat. And it seemed it was in their favor as they had the best team of hitters and pitchers. Yet the terrible fortune reappeared for the Cubs throughout the series, as they went down 3 to 1 games against the Indians. However under the management of Joe Madden the Cubs did not fold. They were able to win their next games and force a game 7 at Cleveland to decide the champions. It was perhaps one of the most dramatic and exciting world series game in baseball history. The Cubs got off to a great start yet once again blew it in the later innings as the Indians tied it and forced the game to extra innings. At which point it began to rain and a postponement was put into affect. After an hour the Cubs came out of the locker-room not willing to give up, yet eager to fight even more. All it took was one inning for them to secure the game and win their first championship since 1908. It was a truly inspiring moment and I was glad to have witnessed it all. I was very happy for the Chicago Cubs. 

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Movie Review: Rogue One

I was quite excited that yet another new Star Wars film was being released at Christmas time. Seems it has become a new tradition around Christmas time, to watch a new epic release in theaters (it's usually been either Lord of the Rings or Star Wars). This time it was a branch from the Star Wars saga, the first of many stand-alone films to be produced by Disney. There are many who are opposed to this idea of Disney cashing in on the Star Wars franchise with new spin-offs, yet I'm all for it. I love the Star Wars universe and as long as they stay true to George Lucas' concept, I say the more the merrier.

The film Rogue One is not so much a stand-alone film, yet rather a gap filler between Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith and Episode 4: A New Hope (which according to the story line is 20 years). Therefore this film serves as an Episode 3.5 in providing new material to better connect some dots. In Episode 4 the Rebel Alliance has stolen plans from the Death Star and are plotting to destroy it. However we don't know how they got those plans. In this film Rogue One the story demonstrates how the Rebellion is able to obtain the plans leading directly to the start up of Episode 4.

The Plot

The film's main protagonist is a girl named Jyn Erso (played by the very attractive Felicity Jones). Her father was a scientist forced against his will to design the death star. In a final act of disobedience he created the Death Star with a flaw, and sent the message to his daughter in hopes that it could be destroyed. Jyn is hesitant to join the rebellion at first yet after receiving her father's message she becomes intent to fight against the Empire. She thus joins the rebellion and leads a brave campaign to steal the plans.

My Review

At first I thought the film's first hour was somewhat dry and slow, and I was hoping to see much more action. However this changed after witnessing the final battle scene, which must have gone on for about an hour. I realized at that point, that the first hour serves as a great build-up compliment to the excitement to come. The battle scene was full of old school references and was quite reminiscent of the Battle of Endor in Return of the Jedi.

The special effects were at just the right level, not overdoing it too much, the way the prequels did. I thought the film did very well in bringing back the Episode 4 characters thru use of CGI. This was done most notably for Grand Moff Tarkin, some of the Rebel pilots, and Princess Leia. Darth Vader played a minor role in the film, yet certainly had his wow moment at the end which was true to the character's form.

I would highly recommend this film for both new and old Star Wars fans. I think it was even better than last years Episode 7: The Force Awakens. Yet I think that's mostly my bias because it dealt with old material that I grew up with. Nonetheless I would certainly consider watching this film a 2nd time in theaters and can't wait to add it to my collection.