The Detroit Tigers, Photoshopped!

Yoda from Motown Sports started a photoshop the Tigers thread. It’s a fun and clever way for us fans to vent some frustration we are feeling towards the team.

The best by far was by 7kidzzz:

Yoda with a funny take on Jason Grilli:

And tim_pop created a new logo for the Tigers:

Update: Here are some of mine, not by best work, but good enough for now…

The Official 2008 Detroit Tigers Website

Comerica Park for the 2008 Tigers

Review of the Green Mile (1999)

Synopsis

In 1935, Paul Edgecombe had the worst urinary infection of his life. It was also the year of John Coffee and the two dead girls. He worked for Cold Mountain Penitentiary in Louisiana as the head guard on Death Row. Death Row is usually referred to as the Last Mile. As it’s the last steps an inmates takes on the way to face judgment for the crimes they’ve committed. At Cold Mountain however, the floors of Death Row are covered in green linoleum, consequently it’s name the Green Mile.

My Review

Based on a serial novella by Stephen King, the Green Mile is the best adaption of King’s work. The film faithfully follows the book, by using flashbacks to tell the story of John Coffee and the miraculous year of 1935. It was directed by Frank Darabont, who previously teamed with King on the Shawshank Redemption. Darabont also wrote the screenplay for the Green Mile, turning the 400 page, six volume tome into the brilliant three hour movie we have today.

We are introduced to Paul Edgecombe as he awakes from a nightmare. Presumably the same nightmare he’s been having for decades. He’s haunted by his past, and the things he’s seen and done. One afternoon while watching television in the family room of the retirement home he is living in, and old show brings back a flood of memories he wishes he could forget. He leaves the room in tears and his close friend, Elaine Connelly follows. They withdraw to a private room where he precedes to tell her the story of John Coffee and the two dead girls.

Stephen King is often labeled a “horror” writer. And sure, it’s with good reason as he is the man who brought is the Shinning and Storm of the Century. However he has quite a knack for dramatic story telling. Sure, the Green Mile has plenty of supernatural elements in it, however it’s much more of a story about the men who come into contact with Coffee.

King and Darabont make several allusions to Coffee as a Christ like figure. His name is John Coffee (J.C.). He is sacrificed for crimes he did not commit. He has incredible ability to heal, and to raise the dead - the same as our Lord. Despite all these obvious implications, the movie does not push this view on anyone, it’s only something you would notice from watching it closely.

Unfortunately for the Green Mile, 1999 was a remarkable years for films. It was nominated for a several Oscars, including best picture. But as a result of the daunting competition, it lost to American Beauty.

Cast

Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecombe
Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffee
James Cromwell as Warden Hal Moores
Jeffrey DeMunn as Harry Terwilliger
David Morse as Brutus “Brutal” Howell
Doug Hutchison as Percy Wetmore
This ensemble cast works together like the 1997 Detroit Red Wings. Everyone played their role perfectly and without an ounce of trouble or doubt. I was interested in seeing who they would cast as John Coffee and Michael Carke Duncan exceeded all of my expectations. He even earned an Oscar nomination as best supporting actor for his role.

Ratings and Suggestions

The Green Mile is rated R for violence, language and some sexual related material. At 188 minutes long it’s certainly a movie you have to invest your time in watching. But it will be time well spent. It’s one of the greatest movies ever made and receives four out of four stars.

Vocabulary Word: pugnacious

pug·na·cious (adjective) - It means “Ready to Fight” or “belligerent” or “combative.”

Example: The pugnacious child would not settle down.