Game of Thrones is Back!

This past Sunday Game of Thrones returned with the season 4 premiere Two Swords.  It was a decent appetizer to the main course to come.  I'm not going to go heavy on spoilers, but wanted to pick out the top 5 best moments in the episode. 

5. Joffrey's exchange with Jamie Lannister
Very brief but once again the actor Jack Gleeson puts on display why everyone loves to hate his character.  Condescending to the max as his Uncle/Dad Jamie tries to lay out the security plans for his wedding.  You can see Jamie trying to not argue with the twerp all the while he insults him by bring notice that Jamie hasn't accomplished anything.  This kid is screaming for a beat down.

4. Introduction of the Thenns
For those that may have been disappointed last season that Styr the Magnar of Thenn wasn't introduced.  It was made up in spades as viewers met the Thenns, and it's easy to see why Tormund Giantsbane doesn't like them.  Props to the make-up artists and casting of the actor Joseph Gatt.  I didn't think that guy could play a creepier character than his Albino from Cinemax's show Banshee.  Yet here you have it tall and creepy and no one you'd want to turn your back on.  His question to Tormund of why the meat down South of the wall is so well fed, then you see what he's actually roasting!  Pretty great intro to an insane character.

3. The Queen of Thorns
I'm not sure if Diana Rigg got nominated for any awards last year for her role as Olenna Redwyne better known as The Queen of Thorns.  But let's be honest she should have!  Every time she's on screen she slays it.  Whether it's picking out jewelry with her granddaughter Margaery Tyrell or meeting Brienne of Tarth for the first time.  She just makes you chuckle or smile with her way with words.  I just hope she's featured even more than season.  If she's not called for find something for her to do she's awesome.

2. The Hound & Omar
This came close to being number one.  I'm feeling the Lone Wolf & Cub thing that the Hound and Arrya Stark have going on.  But it was the intro to the scene that had me like okay now!  While Arrya was trying understand the Hounds honor system.  Where he's willing to kill a child on command, but won't rob someone?  He answers with "A man has to have a code" now anyone that's ever seen The Wire knew exactly who said that first.  Now I don't know if show creators David Beinoff and D.B. Weiss made a conscious effort to channel Baltimore's stick-up artist Omar. But it worked, and then to see He and Arrya tear through the Lannister scum for some roast chicken!  It was an awesome way to end the season 4 first episode.  Now they'll totally blow my mind if you have the citizens of Westoros exclaim "The Hound's coming".

1. The Red Viper
I try not to fall into that category of those that read the books, and let it taint my enjoyment of the show.  It's easy to fall into that trap, but I couldn't help but be utterly excited to see the character of Oberyn Martell the Red Viper.  When Pedro Pascal was cast I know plenty were probably like who?  But let's be real outside of Sean Bean who really knew any of the actors from Game of Thrones.  Point is they nailed it, and his intro gave you all you need to know about the character.  He's lustful, smooth, and totally bad ass.  While frequenting the local brothel The Red Viper and is paramour Ellaria Sand (the excellently cast Indira Varma) he happens to hear someone sing the Rains of Castamere.  In that moment with his confrontation with some Lannisters you know what he's all about!  It was early in the episode but still to me stood out as by far the best moment.  The intro was capped off with his exchange with Tyrion Lannister "Tell your Father I'm here, because the Lannister's aren't the only ones to pay their debts" BOOM.

There you have it there was plenty of good stuff Daenerys encounter with her dragons, Jon Snow at the Wall, Sansa in the God's Wood, Jamie and Brienne's exchange.  But I'm just super stoked for this season which the creators have exclaimed is the most action-packed.  It was a pleasing morsel looking forward for more to come.
 

The Black Experience
by William C Walker Jr.


In honor of Black History Month 2014 I figured I'd share the short video I made for my church's black history month program.  While I tried to do a good job to cover some historic and memorable moments in black history. There's truly no way to fully capture the entire black experience in a short video montage or even a whole month to be honest.  Our history is deep and rich, it's why we need to embrace it and celebrate throughout the year!  We can depend on others to take it seriously or even care it's up to us as people to be proud of where we've been and where we're going.  When I see things like the Michael David Dunn trial the man who shot and killed an unarmed black teen after a dispute over loud music, it's hard to feel like much has changed.  But we've come a very long way from slavery to now and when I think about all that we've been through as a people it's been remarkable.  I hope you enjoy the video as much as I enjoyed making it.

New Year New Changes

New Year New Changes
January 20, 2014
By William C Walker Jr.


So much has transpired since my self imposed hiatus from my blog I wasn't even sure what I would post about.  My quest for an even keel football season started well flew out the window by Week 6, and then pretty much ended where I began.  As it became apparently clear I was staring another season of mediocrity from the 3rd year in a row 8-8 Dallas Cowboys.  I saw some really bad movies and some pretty great movies as the year closed out, but I still didn't go nearly as much as I typically do.  I stayed fired up from a bunch of political stories, and couldn't fully grasp the sheer stupidity involved on both sides in regards to the healthcare website roll out.  So I figured I might as well just try and think out loud on what I'd like to actually achieve with my blog this year.

Last year the few people that have followed my post commented on the length, so I guess I'll start there.  I'll try to keep it short and sweet.  But I'm also realistic when it comes to who I am and what I like to do.  I love to write, and I'll admit I can go on quite a rant or ramble depending on the topic.  So no promises but I'll try to keep it concise.  To my friends and fellow commentators your observations have been noted, maybe not fully implemented but noted and that's a start.

My biggest issue from 2013 was maintaining consistency not just in terms of this blog but pretty much in multiple aspects of my life.  I've never been a firm believer in making a New Year's resolutions seeing how you'll be consistent for about a week and then you're back to eating junk or skipping the gym.  Or whatever thing you said you wouldn't do which you're currently doing now.  So instead of outright proclaiming I'M GOING TO WRITE A BLOG POST EVERYDAY IN 2014! I'll just say I'm going to try and simply be consistent in 2014.  Already I'm facing change and the prospect of the unknown before the month is out.  But rather than cave under the pressure or shrink from the winds of change, I'm going to embrace it trusting in God and knowing that greatness lies ahead.

Gravity!
By. William C. Walker Jr.

October 21, 2013

Gravity starts with this brief caption of what it's like in Space, and how it's impossible to live there.  Then you're hit with this extremely intense and bombastic score very similar to the way Inception started.  And like Inception this was a film that I absolutely love.

Rarely does a film that gets a ton of Oscar buzz and rave critical reviews live up to the hype.  That was apart of my mindset going into seeing the film Gravity this weekend.  I remember reading the premise, and thinking: Good grief that sounds boring.  Why in the world would I want to see that?  Yet then I saw the first trailer:

and I couldn't deny the tension it seemed to create.  Still I had my doubts.  How much enjoyment could I get from what clearly appeared to be Open Water in space?  So against my own instincts I went in, and I'm extremely glad I did.  I'm not going to get tread into Spoiler territory just give the basic plot line.  Sandra Bullock plays Dr. Ryan Stone an astronaut clearly on her first mission in Space.  While George Clooney plays Lieutenant Matt Kowalski a veteran astronaut on his last mission in Space.  While on a routine mission disaster strikes and these two astronauts find themselves in an impossible situation to try and survive. Bullock's and Clooney's characters are archetypes that are pretty straight-forward nor original, however Bullock and Clooney do a superb job in their performances.  

It's important because when you don't have many other characters to play off of it matters if I care about the two leads that are in the film. Both Bullock and Clooney do a great job in making me care about their characters.  When it hits the fan you find yourself cringing and gripping your seat as the beautiful carnage takes place around them.  I say beautiful because Alfonso Curaron does a masterful job and directing this film.  If he isn't nominated for an Oscar (let alone the favorite) it'd be a bigger crime than Affleck's snub from last year.  There are shots in this movie that are flat out gorgeous to be hold, but the favorite move he uses is this intense P.O.V. perspective he displays from Sandra Bullock's character.  It literally transports you into her shoes and this madness is happening around her.  But it's not in this dizzying Paul Greengrass kind of way that makes you motion sick and you question as to what's happening?  I could literally probably write pages on how much I loved this movie, but people say I write too long, so I'll keep it brief.  At one point Bullock's character remarks about a Hell of a Ride, and though you may not see from the previews that's indeed what you're in for when you see Gravity.  I don't know if it's because my expectations where tempered due to all the praise, but I'm happy that it was proven to be well deserved.

Chess Not Checkers

Chess Not Checkers!
By William C. Walker Jr.

(Warning contains some explicit language)


October 21, 2013

So why did I use that infamous scene from that great movie Training Day?  To highlight the approach that President Obama seemed to be taking during the government shutdown and in general when dealing with House Republicans.  Now am I saying that President Obama is acting like Denzel Washington’s character in Training Day?  No I’m not, but I do believe he’s always looking at the bigger picture and understanding that he has to stay at least a move ahead of his Republican opponents a lot like chess.  So after just over two weeks of the Republican initiated government shutdown, it’s over and the President’s tough stance seemed to work.  I can honestly say I’m not sure what the Republicans strategy was.  I don’t even think they know what their strategy was except to be one not based in reality.  I mean this all started because they wanted to destroy Obamacare (The Affordable Care Act).  Yet after pointless vote after pointless vote that they knew would never get through, they decided to shut the government down.  Never mind the countless number of government workers they would have to be furloughed, or the countless number of low income families that would be punished, they were going make a statement.   Now did the President immediately cower to their demands on negotiating on Obamacare?  No he didn’t nor should he, it was the signature piece of legislation during his first term.  He fought to get it through the house and senate and he did; it was attacked in the Supreme Court yet made it through deemed constitutional, and finally the GOP’s last ditch effort to defeat it was during the 2012 election.  It was a clear cut choice in the matter if you wanted to keep Obamacare you’d vote for the President, if you wanted any chance of repealing it you would vote for the Romneybot 2012.  The people spoke and the President was re-elected.

                After all of this you would think the Republicans would learn, well this guy’s not going anywhere and no matter how petulant or irrational we act we still don’t fully get what we want.  Yet no they were digging their heels in and they were going fight.  I don’t believe they learn from history nor look at the grand scheme of things.  It was almost 2 decades ago when there was last a government shutdown under the Clinton Administration. It hurt the Republican party then and it appears it will hurt them now.  The Republican party approval rating is at an all time low.  Granted no one in Washington is winning anything in terms of popularity.  But in terms of who’s getting the blame in regards to this latest fiasco, it’s the House Republicans.  Blame that they 100% earned with their 2 year old temper tantrum tactics.  I would give them credit if their foolishness actually worked.  But as this graphic that Rachel Maddow presented once the government re-opened shows, for all their antics they got zero return.

The reality however is even though the President’s handling of this matter may be like a chess master this isn’t a game.  Things like the sequester, government shutdown, and debt ceiling affect real people.   Jobs are lost and fearful questions like of how will we keep paying the mortgage or feed our kids?  These are questions that many families face everyday, they’re not pieces on a board to be moved around or deemed expendable so you can make a statement.  I just hope we all keep this in mind when Election Day roles around in 2014.  When we all have to opportunity to let Republicans know there’s consequences for your actions and this isn’t some game.

Though this is a hilarious clip

Nothing Like Beating Philadelphia!!!!
By. William C. Walker Jr.

October 21, 2013

There’s nothing like a Monday morning after the Cowboys beat the Eagles!  Ah yes to hear the bellowing of angry Eagles fans as they express their disgust of the latest Eagles defeat is like music to my ears.  Being in such close proximity to the city of Philadelphia, it brings a unique perspective as being a Cowboys fan.  Leading up to the game this past Sunday all you heard was how great Nick Foles is, and was going to be.  Just the latest back up QB in Philly to be anointed the next Van Brocklin based on a sample size smaller than an appetizer at a 5 star restaurant.  Yes Nick Foles looked awful if he wasn’t being sacked or running at about 2 miles per hour he was throwing an incomplete pass.  In a game that was built to be a wild shootout for 1^st place in the NFC East turned out to be a defensive dog fight.  Why wouldn’t you think it was going to be a shootout?  The two teams playing make up 2/3rds of the League’s worse defenses statistically.  Philly clocking in at dead last 32^nd, while Dallas wasn’t much better at 30^th.  The over for the game I think was 56 points, the way the teams played it would’ve taken 3 games to reach that.  Also you had the 2^nd highest scoring offense in Dallas, and the 4^th highest in Philadelphia.  So what happened to the offensive fireworks?  I guess no one told the two defenses that it was supposed to be an offensive game.

Yet here we were going into the halftime with a 3-0 nothing score, it was a throwback to the hard nose grind them out games from when I was introduced to the Cowboys/Eagles rivalry.  When it would usually come down to one or two plays.  But just like then I still relish in victory over the Eagles.  It’s not just that for the first time this year Dallas finally wins 2 games in a row, and it’s not because they’ve beaten every team in this weak division.  It’s that for at least a day, and probably for the week, I get to hear obnoxious Eagles fans cry of how sick of their team they are.  All the trash talk from throughout the week is silenced.  You see unlike Dallas who have actually have MULTIPLE Super Bowl trophies, Philly has absolutely none.  So when they play the Cowboys they get so fired up because it’s their Super Bowl.  Eagles fans will always accuse Cowboys fans of living in the past off of the glory years of the 90s when the Cowboys had the triplets of Aikman, Irving, and Smith.  And yes we do but guess what that’s what football is it’s history and you remember those that win over those that lose.  So even over your decade of dominance under the Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb era, when the Eagles would win division title after division title how many Super Bowls do you have.  (Brief pause for an answer)… … … Oh that’s right NONE!  So yes I relish in a victory over the Eagles, because it’s just another reminder of Cowboys Win and Eagles Suck!

Even Keel Out The Window

Even Keel Out The Window
By William C. Walker Jr.

October 7, 2013

I’ll be honest that’s me not going to lie, even keel Dallas Cowboy’s fan William Walker Jr. loudly went away.  So we’re now at week 5 of the NFL season and after one of the most exciting football games I’ve seen.   Even keel went out the window.  Face it I was acting like a damn fool!  And I loved every second of it.  There’s a saying baseball is America’s pastime but football is America’s passion.  It’s the truth you can’t just sit still watching a football game.  You jump you shout you high five and signal touchdown as if you’re an official there on the field.  If you can sit still during a football game either your team sucks or you just don’t care about football.  I realized that as I was watching the shootout between the otherworldly Peyton Manning and Tony Romo in Dallas that it’s just not fun being even keel.  Sure you could sit still and calmly take in the exciting plays lightly clap and comment on a job well done.  But this isn’t golf where you can’t speak above a whisper.  This is football where you see bone crunching hits at race car like speeds.   So excuse me if I choose to holler at the top of my lungs when my team scores a TD.

                So that brings me to my experience on Sunday afternoon.  I’ll be honest after the debacle in San Diego where Phillip Rivers picked this defense apart throwing over 400 yards and throwing 3 TDs, I did not have high hopes for this game.  I fully expected Dallas to lose, in fact I feared it was going to be absolutely disgusting to watch.  And from defense’s standpoint it was just that pretty disgusting to watch.  Not one time did the Denver Broncos punt the ball the Broncos punter literally got paid to watch a football game yesterday because his services were not needed.  Now the Dallas offense led by Tony Romo shocked the heck out of me.  I mean Romo was balling out of his mind with a career day throwing for over 500 yards and 5 touchdowns it was flat out amazing to watch.  Especially since making big plays seemed to be missing from the offense thus far this season.  It was obvious from the opening tip that the offense came to play.  They started with a beautiful 80 yard drive that was finished off with an amazing catch by Dez Bryant that shows he is one of the BEST wide receiver’s in the league.   Then after a very unusual Denver Bronco’s turnover they capitalize again.  The highlight of that drive was Romo pulling a Houdini on 3^rd and long to get a first down, and score another TD to go up 14-0. 

                Unfortunately Dallas’s offense had to leave the field, and the defense had to supposedly step on the field.  I say supposedly because I’ll be honest I didn’t see any semblance of an actual NFL defense on the field for Dallas.  I mean seriously they couldn’t force one punt, not one time. Even though Romo threw the pick that ended the game, I really blame that horrible defense for that loss. So the fact that Dallas was even in this game was a miracle to me.  I thought Dallas was going to lose, and they had a very legitimate shot to win. I was going crazy!  I mean shouting jumping and hitting the ground in excitement and sorrow at the end.     It was beyond fantastic!  So I’ll admit it I can’t remain even keel football is too fun and exciting to watch it in a cold silent way.  I shouted like a passionate fan and I loved it.