All posts by Rev. Kaiser

TV

Preview: AMC’s ‘Hell on Wheels’

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So let me start this off by saying AMC can do now wrong in my book. With home runs like The Killing, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and The Walking Dead any new show they put out is at least worth a first watch…with the exception of Rubicon. Seriously though, was anyone able to pay attention to that show any longer than 3 episodes? Well, obviously not. Anyways, I’ll give them a free pass on that one since they rolled out The Walking Dead soon after.

Their next big show, Hell on Wheels, is a story of vengeance set in post-Civil War United States (That is the Reconstruction Era for all you history buff’s. Click HERE to learn what you should have already known from grade school, or visit your local library!) during the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. The show is centered around a Confederate soldier named ‘Cullen Bohannon’, played by Anson Mount, whose search for the Union soldier who brutally raped and murdered his wife brings him to work on the railroad.

Anson Mount is seen here hugging his ‘Crossroads’ co-star Britney Spears.

Also starring in the show are my three of my boys: Colm Meaney (STAR TREK: TNG SON! F Deep Space Nine!)  Ted “It puts the lotion on the skin or it gets the hose again” Levine, and Common (for all you white kids out there, he’s a rapper).

Levine plays the man in charge of building the section of railroad and who hires Cullen, while Meaney plays the opportunistic business man Thomas ‘Doc’ Durant, the driving force behind the construction of the railroad. The show also stars actress Dominique McElligott who is part of the team of surveyors mapping the railroad’s course, all the while taking care of her sick husband.

Here is the latest trailer:

Looks pretty sweet and definitely worth a watch if you ask me… Which you if you are reading this you obviously are, SO WATCH IT!!!

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2011 NHL PLayoffs: ‘Bruins vs. Flyers’ – After 2 Games…

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What the F is going on in Philly?!?!?5 goalie changes in 9 games?!? Really??? You might be able to convince me that the temporary goalie change after the game was 2-2 was justified by a “hurt wrist”, but I have it on good authority that Boucher actually had to go change his depends after crapping the bed and blowing a 2 goal lead……..allegedly…What? Prove me wrong sir!

That stat is just absolutely ridiculous.  I would try to come up with something positive to say for the Flyers after the first 2 games, but I’m coming up blank……Ummmm, “Good job on keeping game 2 close after suffering a game 1 blow-out?” OH! The offensive looked to have some life with 54 shots on goal in game game 2…even though only 2 went in the net.

As for Boston, Vezina finalist Tim Thomas is the star of the series so far.  The dude bounced back to be lights out after letting in 2 early goals in game 2, and finished with 52 saves. If Thomas continues playing at this level, and consistently receives the same support in front of him that he got in both games, then Boston representing the East in the Stanley Cup Finals is almost a sure thing.

With that said, I’m going to change my prediction: Boston in 6 Boston in 5.

Other Series:
– 2011 NHL PLayoffs: ‘Capitals vs Lightning’ – After 2 Games…
– 2011 NHL PLayoffs: ‘Canucks vs Predators’ – After 2 Games…
– 2011 NHL PLayoffs: ‘Sharks vs Red Wings’ – After 2 Games… 

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2011 NHL PLayoffs: ‘Sharks vs Red Wings’ – After 2 Games…

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Well well well, it looks like the Sharks CAN play defense after all. I guess I should start this off with a much deserved apology to one Mr. Dan Boyle who I openly criticized in my Grizzly Bomb debut. Just like the great Donald Trump, I’ll fully take credit for the turn around in not only his play, but the teams recommitment to defense, and assume it was because they took my criticism to heart.

In all seriousiocity (yes I make up my own words as well, cause I’m that awesome), Boyle has been a defensive machine by blanketing and frustrating Zetterberg and Datsyuk in the offensive zone. Another thing I’ll take credit for is the return of Niemi’s spine. The dude appears to be back to his old form only letting in 2 goals in the first two games, as opposed to the 6 he let in during the first two games against LA. It’s these two 180 degree turns in the play of San Jose that have put up 2-0 in the series.

So what’s going on with Detroit? What happened between games 1 and 2? Even though they played a very solid game through out, the game 1 loss was nothing more than a bad bounce on shot tossed toward the net in hopes of something good happening. Not really much in game 1 to dissect and criticize. Game 2 on the other hand is a completely different beast. The wings came out just plain flat for the entire game. Not even in the final minutes of the third did you see much desperation or jump in their steps to try a tie it up. I would have expected to see the ‘Game 2 Wings’ in game 1, after 8 days of rest. Not after a day of rest and a game 1 overtime loss.

Another area of concern that surfaced in game 2 was the health of Johan Franzen. The dude is definitely not 100% right now, and the knee is keeping him from living up to ‘The Mule’ nickname he has and getting the production from him that they so desperately need. The one bright spot for Detroit right now is Jimmy Howard. So far in two games he’s stopped 79 of 83 shots for a .952 save percentage.  Hopefully returning home to Joe Louis will spark the Wing’s offense and give Howard the help he needs.

All in all, this series is shaping up to be as good as what everyone thought it would be going  in. Game 2 was a bit more physical than I think people expected, but hey, that just makes things that much better. I’m still sticking with my prediction of Wings in 7……… for now…..

They should just do this…

For more on the NHL Playoff – CLICK HERE.

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2011 NHL Playoffs: ‘Capitals vs Lightning’ – After 2 Games…

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If you would have told me that Tampa Bay would win both games one and two, AND steal home ice advantage from the number 1 seeded Capitals, I would have punched you right in the mouth and told you to go back to your home on Whore Island.

While I thought the Lightning would certainly win ONE game, I can honestly say I didn’t see them winning two ON THE ROAD. So much for me trying to establish myself as an accurate predictor of playoff outcomes. Oh well.

So what is the key to Tampa Bay’s success? Easy – Their Penalty kill and overall defensive play has been nothing short of spectacular. They have found away to completely disrupt the Capitals offensive rhythm, and capitalize on their mistakes with timely goals. In game 1 they shut down Ovechkin, holding him to a whopping 2 shots on goal. Between the two games they have also successfully killed all 11 Capitol power plays.

Also worth a mention, Dwayne Roloson, at age 41, has also shown to still have a little something left in the tank. So far just enough to keep the Capitals from finding the back of the net. And finally Vinny Lecavalier. This dude came to play this series outperforming superstar Ovechkin with 2 goals and 2 assist in the 2 games.

So where do we go from here? The Capitals have dug themselves in quite hole here, with any momentum carrying over from the Rangers series gone. The game 2 loss in overtime, due to a bad line change after tying the game with a minute left, is certainly going to be a monumental hurdle to overcome. But, given all the talented firepower on the Capitals have, I believe they’ll come back. So as to not completely abandon ship, I’m just going to revise my original prediction to Capitals in 7.

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2011 NHL PLayoffs: ‘Canucks vs Predators’ – After 2 Games…

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The only reason why this series is tied 1-1 is due to the amazing play of Pekka Rinne. In game two the dude flat-out robbed Vancouver with some spectacular sprawling Hasek-Style saves, denying several would be goals, two of them in overtime.

After two games it’s quite clear that the Canucks is the far superior team. Nashville’s offense has been anemic at best, while their power play has been down right awful. Every Nashville pass and entrance into the offensive zone was more painful to watch than an episode of Scrubs… That’s right I said it. I f–king hate that show. “Oh look I’m an awkward doctor just trying make sense of this life I’ve chosen…” Blah blah blah – Who cares.

Anyways, going forward I think Nashville can possibly steal one more game on the back of Rinne at best, but it’s doubtful. I fully expect Vancouver to come out in game 3 and finally flex their regular season muscle.

Still saying Canucks in 5 (or 6).

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2011 NHL Playoffs – Round 2: Eastern Conference

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Well since we all know the Eastern Conference is inferior to the Western Conference, lets not even bother talking about the race for second place. Instead, lets talk about something more important…

THE ROYAL WEDDING!!!

Ima kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiding. How about this instead?

 Let’s look at the East.

Washington Capitals vs Tampa Bay Lightning

This series is a no-brainer. The Capitals showed they are firing on all cylinders when they dismantled the Rangers in the first round. The Caps were able to get significant production from from supporting cast members like Arnott and Knuble in addition to the multiple point put up by Ovechkin and Semin. To make matters worse for the Lightning Michal Neuvirth is coming into this round boasting a 1.38 GAA and 0.936 save percentage. One thing that does need to be said about the Lightning is what an amazing job Steve Yzerman has done. He has turned Tampa Bay around and crafted them into an EASTERN CONFERENCE playoff contender.

Prediction: Capitals in 5

Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins

This will be the series to watch in the East for competitive, grind it out, physical hockey. Both teams are coming off of hard fought 1st rounds that went to game sevens, so hopefully that intensity carries over. With the goalie carousel going on in Philly and a banged up Pronger, I think Boston has the advantage going into this series. That being said, lets not forget Boston found a away to blow a 3 game lead and let the Canadians take them to the brink.

Prediction: Boston in 6