NFL Conference Championship Predictions

If you were hoping for a straightforward and predictable NFL postseason, these haven’t been the NFL playoffs for you. Teams such as the Patriots and Ravens who were thought to be Super Bowl contenders were knocked out of their first high-stakes games of the season, and there has been increasing drama and uncertainty as the games continue. The biggest surprise so far has been the Tennessee Titans eliminating both New England and Baltimore as coach Mike Vrabel and company continue to steamroll over their competition, due in large part to Derrick Henry’s unstoppability carrying the ball. In this post, I will be predicting who I think will end up duking it out in Miami for Super Bowl 54 in two weeks. Let’s get into it.

Game 1: Titans @ Chiefs - Tennessee’s Cinderella story will come up just short of completion in Kansas City this weekend. After watching the Chiefs rally from falling behind 24-0 against the Houston Texans this weekend, I’m starting to believe there isn’t anything this team can’t do. MVP Patrick Mahomes will want to solidify himself as one of the true legendary quarterbacks for years to come, and securing his first Super Bowl berth would help do just that. I think this will be a close game, and that Derrick Henry will carry Tennessee likely within a field goal of stealing yet another upset, but Kansas City wins here.

Game 2: Packers @ 49ers - This is the game that Aaron Rodgers has waited his whole career to play in. Besides the Super Bowl he won, that is. Rodgers grew up a 49ers fan just to have them pass on him during his NFL draft. Now is his time to roll into the Bay Area and lead his 13-3 team to yet another “ugly win”. I expect huge performances from Rodgers and running back Aaron Jones, as Green Bay will make their way back into another Super Bowl in another high scoring shootout. Should be a good one. Remember, I’m a Bears fan… no bias here. Just objective analysis.

If my predictions are correct, this will be a rematch from the first two Super Bowls. It’s entirely possible that I could only be partially right or completely wrong altogether, only time will tell. I’m just hoping for more entertaining football as I don’t have a clear favorite going into Conference Championship weekend. Who do you think will make their way to Super Bowl LIV?

2020 Oscars Predictions (Major Categories)

As I’ve said many times already, 2019 was a fantastic year for film. This awards season is looking to be one of the most unpredictable and competitive in recent memory due to the astounding amount of recent quality releases. While I was disappointed by some of the nominations and snubs when they were released this past Monday, I’m still looking forward to seeing which films, actors, and directors take home the most coveted academy awards on February 9th. In this post, I will be predicting who I think will win in each of the major categories, and why I’m leaning that way. Let’s get into it.

Best Picture: Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood - This just seems like the conventional choice this year. Hollywood and the Academy would be able to pat themselves on the back by selecting the Tarantino love letter to the city itself. While I wouldn’t necessarily choose this as my own favorite film from the past year (that belongs to 1917), I wouldn’t be surprised to see it bring home the Academy’s most prestigious award. (Runner-Ups: Parasite, 1917)

Best Actress: Renee Zellweger, Judy - Although I have not yet seen this film, the hype surrounding Zellweger’s performance is undeniable. GoldDerby has her placed as the clear favorite to win here, and I have no reason to doubt that is what will happen. Transformative performances win over the Academy’s hearts, and I think Zellweger’s portrayal of Judy Garland will do just that. An unforgettable performance in a decent film. (Runner-Up: Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story)

Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix, Joker - Joker took the world by storm upon its release, becoming the first R-rated film to ever amass over $1,000,000,000 at the box office. This film also leads this year’s field with 11 nominations, a surprisingly high amount in my opinion. While I don’t necessarily understand why Todd Philips’ direction was nominated instead of someone like Greta Gerwig or Noah Baumbach, I do see why Joaquin is the frontrunner in this category. This could be a career defining role, and just like in Renee Zellweger and Rami Malek’s cases, I see a transformative performance taking home Oscar gold this year to the surprise of no one. (Runner-Up: Adam Driver, Marriage Story)

Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern, Marriage Story - As if she wasn’t already head and shoulders above her competition, the snubbing of Jennifer Lopez in this category from her performance in Hustlers completely solidifies Dern as the favorite to win for her role in Marriage Story. Dern is excellent at playing a confident, rich woman because she is one. Her presence in many of Marriage Story’s best scenes, such as Scarlett Johansson’s opening monologue or the climactic courtroom scene toward the end of the film, added very much to an already rich Noah Baumbach screenplay. She’s a lock here. (Runner-Up: Margot Robbie, Bombshell)

Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt, Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood - Brad Pitt’s character Cliff Booth is just so likable in a film already contending for best picture. I don’t see either of the supporting men from The Irishman getting in here, and the fact that Pitt has already won both the Globe and CCA for this role cements the Oscar pick, in my opinion. (Runner-Ups: Joe Pesci for The Irishman, Al Pacino for The Irishman)

Best Director: Bong Joon-ho, Parasite - I should preface this by stating that I have, unfortunately, not yet seen this film. It’s at the top of my watchlist and queue on Amazon Prime. That being said, Bong Joon-ho’s career seems to have been leading up to this film, which has garnered both positive audience and critical feedback. I’d love to see Bong get the win here, as it would level the distrubution of awards from each film respectively. (Runner-Ups: Martin Scorsese for The Irishman, Sam Mendes for 1917)

Best Cinematography: 1917 - Roger Deakins is completely deserving of this award. This film is as much of a technical accomplishment as it is a storytelling masterpiece, and a lot of that success is due to Deakins’ ability as a cinematographer. To successfully execute what is stylistically shot as a single take is profoundly difficult, and I hope Deakins is recognized for his efforts. (Runner-Up: The Irishman)

Best Adapted Screenplay: The Irishman - While Little Women is as completely deserving of this award, I don’t see the Academy snubbing Scorsese from every major category. I think The Irishman takes best adapted screenplay, and Once Upon A Time In… Hollywood takes best original screenplay along with Best Picture. (Runner-Up: Little Women)

There will be many more awards handed out on Oscar night, but these are my most anticipated selections. The subjectivity of film, at times, makes these award ceremonies frustrating. I’m just happy that I’m lucky enough to be alive during a time when so many quality films are being released. Who do you think will win in these categories? Let me know!

Movie Review: 1917

I usually give myself some time after watching a film to let it to process before I review it. 1917 just couldn’t wait. This movie’s wide-release has started the new decade off as strongly as possible. Sam Mendes has created and executed one of the most technically proficient and emotionally provocative masterpieces I have ever seen. This film’s seamless one-shot stylization had me captivated for its entire runtime, and I left feeling a wide array of emotions due to its powerful messaging. Let’s get into why this film is as successful as it is.

As previously stated, this film is a cinematic achievement. From beginning to end, barring the intentional passage of time toward the middle of the film, this really does feel like one continuous sequence. The coordination, camera work, and direction needed to pull this off is absolutely staggering and deserves all of the critical acclaim it will inevitably continue to receive. Richard Deakins’ cinematography is impeccable and adds significantly to an already emotionally compelling screenplay.

The simplicity of the story also helps the format of this film. The two protagonists are given a mission to deliver a message in a certain amount of time, and that’s really all there is to the direct plot of this movie. The depth comes in small (and big) character moments, revealing dialogue, and unspoken visual allusions of the complexity of the characters on screen. Not a line is wasted, and no plot element introduced is irrelevant later on. The performances from the two leads in this film, George MacKay’s specifically, are very well executed, but are certainly carried along by the astounding filmmaking here.

The messaging behind this film speaks volumes, too, and adds another impressive layer to this masterwork. While focusing so much on the details of two soldiers’ stories, this film also brings awareness to the atrocities and desensitization of war in our society through its occasional use of gore and brutality. This film is a proficient war movie which, at the end of the day, actually ends up driving home a poignant anti-war message. A very timely one at that.

1917 was everything I had hoped for and more. The emotional heaviness of a film as intense and at times sad as this one would usually make me avoid wanting a re-watch, but in this case, I wouldn’t mind seeing it again. And again. And again. I’m now glad, from what I’ve seen so far, that this film won Best Motion Picture - Drama at the Golden Globes, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it take home best picture at the Academy Awards next month (I still need to see Parasite). All in all: Go see this accomplishment of a film. It’s masterful.

Score: 10/10

NFL Wild Card Predictions

The NFL playoffs have arrived, which means two consecutive days of nonstop football action and intense head-to-head matchups. In this post, I’m going to predict and explain the teams I think will be advancing to next week’s games. Let’s get into it.

Game 1: Bills @ Texans - The Buffalo Bills have surprised me this year. Josh Allen led his squad to a respectable 10-6 record and secured a spot in wildcard weekend against the 4 seed Houston Texans with the same record. While DeShaun Watson has shown his explosiveness at the QB position, the Texans are one of the weaker and more inconsistent teams in the playoffs this year, in my opinion. JJ Watt’s return isn’t enough to stop the Buffalo Bills from rolling into town and taking this one.

Game 2: Titans @ Patriots - As much as I want to, I can’t bet against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick quite yet. I just can’t. After starting the season strong, the Patriots offense has struggled, as highlighted by their shocking loss to Miami last week in Foxboro. At the same time, Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, and company have been rolling over their competition to the point of securing the 6 seed in the AFC. That being said, I just don’t see Brady’s last game as a Patriot coming in the wild card round of the playoffs at home. NE wins here.

Game 3: Vikings @ Saints - It’s time for New Orleans to redeem themselves. After back-to-back heartbreaking playoff losses in 2018 and 2019, this squad is hungry and has a lot to prove as a 13-3 3rd seed in the competitive NFC Conference. Kirk Cousins is beginning to show that he shrinks in primetime, and barring a miracle or officiating disaster, I see Drew Brees getting the job in New Orleans.

Game 4: Eagles @ Seahawks - This feels like the most obvious pick of the week for me. I don’t see this game being competitive. The Seahawk’s 12th man fanbase will be out in full force in Seattle, and the 9-7 Eagles who scraped by just to make it to the wildcard, don’t have enough talent on their roster to steal one against Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll. It would be nice to see Beast Mode go off, too, in another Seahawks playoff W.

It’s entirely possible that these predictions are totally off-base. I’m pretty sure that if they hold up, next week’s predictions for the Divisional round of the playoffs will be more entertaining, as I won’t choose every clear favorite to get the win. What do you think will happen this week? I’m just rooting for some entertaining, competitive NFL Playoff football.

Reflecting On 2019

As 2019 comes to a close and the new year / decade approaches, it’s time to reflect on what all has happened in the last 365 days. This past year was packed full of ups and downs, personal growth, and fun new experiences. In this post, I’m going to be breaking down what 2019 had to offer, what the year taught me, and why I’m excited for 2020.

This year started with me completing my sophomore year of college. Because I was still acquainting myself with what it takes to be a successful college student, I wasn’t able to live up to the high academic standard I’ve now set for myself, but things still went generally well. My relationship with my beautiful girlfriend continued to thrive as we navigated living life on our own in the big city throughout the winter and spring, and our interest in going to concerts grew as we saw more and more good shows such as James Blake and Travis Scott in Atlanta.

Summer always presents itself as a challenge for me as a college student because there is less of a direct schedule to follow. This summer, I occupied myself by taking various beach vacations with my girlfriend, finding time to relax with family which involved getting into our local trivia night scene, and starting this very blog which I’m happy to still be posting consistently on. The beach and relaxation were nice, but by the time the fall semester started, I knew I was ready to commit myself to my studies more than I ever had before.

Fall / winter 2019 was successful on pretty much all cylinders. My relationship with my family and girlfriend were very healthy, my family found new successes that we had been hoping for for a long time, and school went as well as it ever has for me. I was able to make time to go see movies and concerts, go on dates with my girlfriend, hangout with friends, check out local museums, and generally relax while still living up to the high standards I set for myself. I was able to finish the most recent college semester with a 4.15 GPA. The year then wrapped up with an amazing holiday season including a trip to Chicago, Illinois with my loved ones. We will bring in the new year and decade celebrating my girlfriend’s 21st birthday tomorrow, which we’re very much looking forward to.

2019 taught me a lot. I learned to persevere through difficult times, hold myself to a higher standard than I had thought imaginable, and to maintain a healthy work / life balance that keeps everyone around me feeling fulfilled. In 2020, instead of making resolutions I’ll never live up to, I’m going to try to continue the formula I’ve been following and trying to understand and deal with my anxiety, which is something that will likely be a long-term challenge for me. Luckily, it isn’t stopping me from doing fun things. 2020 will likely present new challenges, and by the end of the year I will be starting as a senior in college, but I know I’ll be ready. I look forward to continuing to share my thoughts and writings on this blog for the next decade, and I wish you the best moving forward. Keep the good ones close.