Today, it's 2002 all over again

Project Italian Giallo

Thanks for the inspiration from good friend of the program Jables / the Nate Corner, we're starting another film viewing project. See the full list HERE via Listverse, titled "10 Brilliant Italian Giallo Films." Basically, it's a genre of Italian (duh) films from the early 1970's combining mystery and horror elements, with a dash of eroticism.

We're starting tonight with the 1963 Mario Bava classic, The Girl Who Knew Too Much



Personally, I'm only familiar with the two Argento films on the list: Deep Red and The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. But in the interests of completing the list, all films will be watched in their entirety...hopefully over the next month.

O Canada

Love it when "my" team peels the man boobs of a disliked rival. Team Canada came out fast and furious Wednesday night, showing the world that the North American style beats skating in circles and half-assed defensive work on most nights. Our boy Sid was left off the score sheet, but so was that doofus Ovechkin. More noticeable, Ovie was a -2 and shown on the ice twice being lazy on the backcheck for two of Canada's goals. Nabokov was a sieve, for sure...but it doesn't help when your forwards don't care about playing the defensive zone. It was a performance that reminded me a lot of last year's Game 7 Pens beat down of the Caps.

funny stuff...



Ovie wasn't alone, though. Kovalsuck, Malkin, Gonchar...they were all brutal. I've been a little harsh on Malkin all year, and perhaps it's warranted. So I didn't feel incredibly bad when Getzlaf was getting in his ear by the Canada bench. Maybe this will wake him up.

Alexander Semin was exposed as well. These guys are all incredibly gifted offensive talents. But maybe they are simply inferior when it comes to two-way play, something we've preached around these parts for awhile now. And playing against the best team in the world, they never stood a chance.

Much was made of the Dan Boyle slew-footing of Semin. In full speed, it looked like a cheap shot from Semin. Maybe it wasn't. But take into consideration the time it happened and the fact the game was out of hand, you can understand why Boyle would be peeved. After all, he does have an NHL team (not to mention, the #1 team in the league) who he reports back to next week. No call for boarding the guy, potentially injuring him, simply because you got your ass handed to you. So yes, I applaud the Boyle retaliation. Afterwards, Semin's true colors were revealed. He's a coward. Bottom line: if you don't like someone getting in your shield-protected face, don't play cheap.

More from the people making a big deal outta nothing department...

Mike Milbury referring to Russia's game as "Eurotrash." Big effin deal. I thought it was hilarious. Almost as funny as him referring to the German players as "fire hydrants" who were getting "peed on" a night earlier. I'm not a fan of Milbury, as it often seems like he takes the opposing view, simply to start an argument. Witness: Pierre McGuire vs. Mike Milbury intermission pieces, where they both come off as fake turds. But calling someone's game "Eurotrash" is not taboo, in my book. I heard some PC cop call it "racist," which is sort of insane. Russia sucked. Their game sucked. Live with it.

More big deals: Canada Women win Gold, drink beers...




I'm appalled. Victory, followed by beers. That just doesn't fly with the whole Olympic spirit thing (insert hand job motion).

And finally: congrats to RMU's Brianne McLaughlin. Brianne saw mostly mop up duty as USA's 3rd string goalie, but simply making the Olympic Team and coming home with a Silver is a great achievement for the Moon Township via Ohio star goaltender.

Reading FC and Hottie Curlers

It hasn't been a banner year for the Royals in the Championship League, Reading FC has been on a hot streak of late, and yet they still sit two places and two points from the drop zone.

However, there is still reason to rejoice. With yesterdays 3-2 (AET) victory at West Brom, Reading find themselves in the quarterfinals of FC Cup and one win from a fixture at Wembley Stadium for the first time in 83 years. Under new manager Brain McDermott, who replaced Brendan Rodgers (among the nicer descriptions of Rodgers are "twat"and "first class wanker"), Reading has found new passion and form, and are rivaling their hot streak of last season.

March 7th at home, the last Championship League side alive in the FA look to advance to the round of 4. Beyond jacked.




Since it's been too long since EC has had a curling post, here is a nice write-up of Canadian curler, Cheryl Bernard, and how she's become the Olympic face of over 40 hotties.

The "handcuffs" gesture

gets you a $40,000 fine in Italy, and a 3 game ban. The Special One claims it was misinterpreted:

“It had nothing to do with the referee. He meant to say a different thing: ‘You can even take me away and arrest me, but my team is strong and will win regardless, even if we play with nine men."

Actually, Inter Milan settled for a draw against Sampdoria in the above referenced match.

I love this guy. Never used to, but having him on my side is a hoot. This afternoon, Jose Mourinho and my beloved Inter Milan will surely take down Chelsea in their 1st leg Champions League knockout match at the San Siro. There will be bliss.

Later, Sidney Crosby and our Team Canada will take down Russia, as Ovechkin is sent home the loser once again. There will be more bliss.

Sprinkle in the Sevilla / CSKA Moscow Champions League match and some more quarterfinal Olympic Hockey games, and suddenly it's the greatest sporting Wednesday...like...ever.

Olympics on NBC; Almost as Bad as NFL

Remember a while back we posted the Wall Street Journal story that found out that your average NFL broadcast nets you 11 minutes of live action? I'm sure you do. Now, the fine folks at the WSJ are back at it, timing the breakdown of NBC's Olympic coverage.

The abridges version:
- 3.5 hour broadcast
- 56:41 of commercials in 24 breaks
- 53:37 of "live" (quotations used for obvious reasons) action
- 17:19 of Bob Costas, who is the real the real victim in all of this

However, NBC has heard your complaints over the fact they bumped USA/Canada Men's Ice Hockey to MSNBC in favor of Ice Dancing. So, the US' next game will be on the flagship station, which is great for those of us on the East Coast. Those in the West get to plug their ears and cover their eyes for three hours to watch it on delay. The irony being that had the game stayed on MSNBC, it would have been broadcast live, coast-to-coast.

NBC's rights expire after the 2012 London Games, here's to hoping that this deal isn't renewed.

Even More Curling

So the Swedish women's curling team was in a Nordic metal music video.



This sport gets better by the day.


In other news...

This happened 30 years ago today,



and this happened last night.



FKYA!

More Curling

Empties Crushed prides itself on bringing you, our faithful readers, all of latest and greatest week old news. We stand for integrity and objectivity. So while our mission is to give you unbiased sporting and musical insights, we have always refrained from showing boobs. Until now...

Ladies and gents...Danish curler, Madeliene Dupont...

Call me crazy, but I'm actually really digging the curling

Happy Friday

Robert Pollard Rewards Us

per Pitchfork. Nice little review of RP's latest record, and kinda what we've been saying all week. We All Got Out Of the Army kicks ass. Pitchfork gives it a 7.3, but a pretty nice review from the way I'm reading it.

Empties Crushed gives WAGOOtA a 9.7.

R.I.P. Jim Bibby

First Doug Fieger, now Jim Bibby. Unfortunately, you know a third death looms.

Jim Bibby played the game when the Pirates actually mattered. R.I.P dude.

Goonies NEVER say DIE!

Sid the Kid's Canadian Olympic team plays tonight against Norway. The United States has already proven themselves against Switzerland, and no doubt, our beloved Sidney will demonstrate his ability to stay alive in the run for the gold.

Mikey Walsh, Brand Walsh, "Chunk" and the gang are stickin' it out, right there with him. In the end team Canada can be expected to outlive all opponents in this round robin match-up. My apologies to USA's pair 'o Ryans (Malone and Miller, respectfully). This year it ain't gonna be you...

R.I.P. Doug Fieger

Heard my babysitter play "My Sharona" on an 8-track when I was a wee little one, and the rest is history. Who would've thunk I'd be blogging about The Knack 30 years later...

Go Canada Go!!

Two more days before we start our quest for Gold. I like our chances better this time around with the best player in the world...


Let's Go!!!!