We have officially received word on how the NBA will honor Kobe in this year’s All-Star game. There will 100% be a pre-game tribute and I’m sure much more, but for now we have this. They have restructured the game in a way that I think would make Kobe proud:
At first glance this just seems like a weird format that came from the mind of a 14-year-old 2K addict who drinks too much Monster, but I think it could really work! Of course the NBA could’ve just decided to make the East wear the number “8” and the West, “24” (which were the two numbers Kobe wore in his career), but they chose to take a more complicated route. One of the biggest complaints about the NBA All-Star game is that no one plays hard, which makes it boring. The big men can only shoot so many 3’s before it’s not funny anymore. But this makes it interesting. Guys will actually try to win this thing now. To be fair, with Kobe passing, I think we would’ve seen a spike in effort regardless, but these changes confirm they’ll try harder than usual. Obviously, teams are always supposed to put as much space as possible between them and their opponents, but now they have a goal to reach. And that goal for the leader after three full quarters is 24 points – in honor of the late, great Kobe Bryant.
We all know how a basketball game works: basically, you score as many points as possible in 48 minutes. There’s no limit to how many points you can score in a traditional basketball game…but in this game there is. Like I said, they will have a goal to attain – just 24 more points in the fourth quarter and the game is over. Remember running the mile back in middle school gym class and you got that little burst of energy on the last leg before the finish line? That’s basically what the best players in the world will get to experience (probably for the first time) on a basketball court.
Unless it’s a blowout (which I highly doubt) by the fourth quarter, the first three quarters should have the intensity of a playoff game. And if it’s a close game going into the fourth? Wooo is that gonna be exciting to watch. And that’s exactly what Kobe would’ve wanted. He never took a game off – even the All-Star game – so having the NBA honor his legacy by making this year’s All-Stars play as hard as they would in a playoff game is the perfect tribute.
It seems that the NBA will not be changing their logo to a silhouette of Kobe Bryant. There is a petition on change.org (which has racked up over 2.8 million signatures) that reads “With the untimely and unexpected passing of the great Kobe Bryant please sign this petition in an attempt to immortalize him forever as the new NBA Logo.”
I saw this online the day it was posted (roughly 1.5 million people ago) and thought it was a great idea. I was emotional about the sudden passing of Kobe Bryant, so of course I signed it. I couldn’t have signed it fast enough. To have my all-time favorite athlete as the NBA logo would be the greatest honor in preserving his legacy. But I was emotional. Three days removed from his death, and having some time to think clearly, I think I agree with the NBA on this one. Of course it would be cool to have Kobe’s signature fade-away jumper as the NBA logo, but from their perspective, it’s nonsensical.
Thousands of players, from Magic to Bird to Jordan have left their mark on the game as well. Although Kobe’s death was tragic and untimely, they don’t want to diminish the impact that former and current players have and will have on the game. So I indeed do think, “generic is better”. However, if a year or two down the line the NBA determines this is how they want to honor Kobe, I will have no gripes with it whatsoever.
I just finished the 4th episode of The Bachelor, and I’m quite fired up. If I hear this jerkoff Pete say “I have a really strong feeling about ______” I’m going to lose my mind. I get to a certain extent you need to keep the audience guessing, but geez dude, every girl you get 5 seconds with, you instantly feel a super strong connection, fuck off. Like if I’m in his shoes, I’d have some clear favorites, but I guess that wouldn’t make great TV.
Pete decided to bring Alayah back…BAD MOVE. Irregardless of if she was lying or not it showed all the girls that he’s a huge pushover and clearly isn’t a confident decision maker. We are 4 weeks in and I thought Pete was going to have a mental breakdown just about 12 times. It’s embarrassing Pete. You’re on a TV show with 30 girls who want to date you, calm the fuck down.
As for the rest of the drama, fuck production for that Chase Rise and Victoria F nonsense. Way too obvious of a production set up and I actually felt bad for the girl cause that shit was awkward AF.
Some quick notes and notable reactions to the girls.
Victoria P: don’t know if I can trust you anymore.. also when you told Pete you didn’t want to talk, you were a total c word about it and I would have told you to pack your bags right then and there.
Mykenna: Are you ever not about to have a nervous breakdown? You’re 22 sweetie you have your whole life and a lot of boys ahead of you.
Shiann: I can’t stand her existence, she sucks, all she does is cry and bitch. Be more assertive and less of a goddamn cry baby. But seriously stop saying “idk if I can do this… I just can’t… this isn’t fair…” if that’s the case DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT
Sydney: I’ve only heard you complain.
Natasha: You kind of act like you’re too good for Pete, and if that’s the case either stop caring so much or just leave the show.
Victoria F: almost a really good performance, but then you cried in the corner like a toddler. Sick.
Kelsey: I just don’t like you after episode 1. Unlike Pete, first impressions matter to me.
Alayah: I don’t like your character and the drama you unnecessarily bring to the house. He’s not going to pick you in the end, why don’t you do us all a favor, and gtfo.
Kelley: absolute cannon for an arm.
After 4 episodes… Rankings have moved a bit but the upper echelon of the group is starting to separate themselves.
This is something I never thought I’d be writing, nor would I ever wish to cover, but Kobe Bryant died this morning in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Also on board was Kobe’s daughter Gianna, Orange Coast College head baseball coach John Altobelli, his wife Keri, daughter Alyssa, and others. This is news that has rocked the NBA and sports world as a whole. I truly believe this is the most significant and devastating death the sports world has ever suffered. Personally, I have never been this upset over the death of someone I didn’t know, but it really feels like a family member died.
Growing up in Los Angeles, and being alive for Kobe’s entire career in the NBA, I was blessed to be able to witness him come to embody the city. In a time where so many players are often traded or sign as free agents with other teams, it made it all the more special that Kobe spent the entirety of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Things really weren’t supposed to happen this way. I was convinced Kobe was invincible. He deserved to live to see his daughters grow up. If not busy with some other business venture, we all thought he would come to own or at least be the GM of an NBA franchise one day…that was the future we all saw for the Black Mamba. Kobe was so much more than an athlete; he was the first athlete to ever be nominated for and win an Academy Award for his animated short, Dear Basketball. He was also a fantastic father that clearly (reference video below) would do anything for his wife and children. (I’m now quoting my Instagram caption) His impact on the game of basketball and sports as a whole are unparalleled. He left behind a legacy that has inspired an entire generation of athletes (and city) to strive to be better both on and off the court/field. Seeing the love that has been expressed for him online truly shows how much he will be missed:
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
There was a 24 second moment of silence in honor of Kobe Bryant before the Celtics-Pelicans game tonight #RIPKobe (via ig:Chaser_Atkinson) pic.twitter.com/juJwk6JyOd
A moment from NBC's coverage of the 2008 Olympics that I will always remember. Kobe Bryant telling Cris Collinsworth about the first time he received his USA uniform. pic.twitter.com/0gNctphYcI
My prayers are with the Bryant family, the Altobelli family, and those others on board. May your families find peace in this tough time, and in the words of Kobe Bryant:
Kobe Bryant, 2008: "Have a good time. Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged.
"You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling. pic.twitter.com/gy7iQnewAJ
In honor of the Grammy Awards tonight, I’ve listed my predictions below. I chose the “Winner” based on who I think will win the award, not who I personally think should win – most of my personal opinions line up anyway. The Grammy’s are largely a popularity contest based on who got the most radio play, so of course you’re going to see a bunch of Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish. While the most popular nominees are played out by now (at least they are to me), there’s no denying that they certainly do appeal to the masses, and are worthy of nominations. Can I also just say that in a time where the airwaves are dominated by pop and rap, it’s embarrassing what’s become of the Rock genre. It’s been a while since we’ve had a decent set of nominees in rock categories, but this year might take the cake. Rival Sons?? I Prevail?? Bring Me The Horizon?? Has anyone ever heard of these groups? Coming off the generation with bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Blink-182, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, etc., it’s sad to see how unpopular rock has become. I’m just hoping Greta Van Fleet is everything I think they can be, and help to revive the genre.
Let’s get to the list.
Record of the Year:
Nominees: Bon Iver (Hey, Ma), Lizzo (Truth Hurts), Khalid (Talk), Billie Eilish (bad guy), Post Malone & Swae Lee (Sunflower), H.E.R. (Hard Place), Ariana Grande (7 Rings), Lis Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus (Old Town Road (Remix).
Winner: Lis Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus (Old Town Road (Remix)
Song of the Year:
Nominees: Billie Eilish (bad guy), Lewis Capaldi (Someone You Loved), Lady Gaga (Always Remember Us This Way), Taylor Swift (Lover), H.E.R. (Hard Place), Lizzo (Truth Hurts), Lana Del Rey (Norman fucking Rockwell, Tanya Tucker (Bring My Flowers Now).
Winner: Billie Eilish (bad guy)
Album of the Year:
Nominees: Lana Del Rey (Norman Fucking Rockwell!), Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next), Bon Iver (I,I), Lil Nas X (7), Vampire Weekend (Father of the Bride), Billie Eilish (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), H.E.R. (I Used to Know Her), Lizzo (Cuz I Love You)
Winner: Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next)
Best New Artist:
Nominees: Lis Nas X, Rosalia, Lizzo, Tank and the Bangas, Black Pumas, Billie Eilish, Yola, Maggie Rogers
Winner: Billie Eilish
Best Pop Solo Performance:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 24: Lizzo performs at Radio City Music Hall on September 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Nominees: Lizzo (Truth Hurts), Billie Eilish (bad guy), Beyonce (Spirit), Ariana Grande (7 rings), Taylor Swift (You Need to Calm Down)
Winner: Lizzo (Truth Hurts)
Best Pop Pop Duo/Group Performance:
Nominees: Ariana Grande & Social House (Boyfriend), Post Malone & Swae Lee (Sunflower), Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes (Señorita), Jonas Brothers (Sucker), Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus (Old Town Road (Remix)
Winner: Post Malone & Swae Lee (Sunflower)
Best Pop Vocal Album:
Nominees: Taylor Swift (Lover), Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next), Billie Eilish (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), Ed Sheeran (No.6 Collaborations Project), Beyonce (The Lion King: The Gift)
Winner: Ariana Grande (Thank U, Next)
Best Rock Song:
Nominees: Vampire Weekend (Harmony Hall), Gary Clark Jr. (This Land), The 1975 (Give Yourself A Try), Brittany Howard (History Repeats), Tool (Fear Inoculum)
Winner: Vampire Weekend (Harmony Hall)
Best Rock Album:
Nominees: I Prevail (Trauma), The Cranberries (in the end), Bring Me the Horizon (amo), Cage The Elephant (Social Cues), Rival Sons (Feral Roots)
Winner: Cage The Elephant (Social Cues)
Best Rap Performance:
Nominees: Dreamville Featuring J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG & Young Nudy (Down Bad), DaBaby (Suge), Cardi B featuring Offset (Clout), J. Cole (MIDDLE CHILD), Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (Racks In The Middle)
Winner: DaBaby (Suge)
Best Rap/Sung Performance:
Nominees: DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend (Higher), Lil Baby & Gunna (Drip Too Hard), Mustard Featuring Roddy Ricch (Ballin’), Lil Nas X, (Panini), Young Thug Featuring J. Cole & Travis Scott (The London)
Winner: DJ Khaled Featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend (Higher)
Best Rap Song:
Nominees: YBN Cordae Featuring Chance The Rapper (Bad Idea), 21 Savage Featuring J. Cole (a lot), DaBaby (Suge), Rick Ross Featuring Drake (Gold Roses), Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (Racks In The Middle)
Winner: Nipsey Hussle Featuring Roddy Ricch & Hit-Boy (Racks In The Middle)
Best Rap Album:
Nominees: Tyler, the Creator (Igor), J. Cole (Revenge of the Dreamers III), 21 Savage (I Am > I Was), Meek Mill (Championships), YBN Cordae (The Lost Boy)
Winner: Meek Mill (Championships)
(And just for shits and giggles) Best Comedy Album:
Nominees: Jim Gaffigan (Quality Time), Dave Chappelle (Sticks & Stones), Ellen DeGeneres (Relatable), Trevor Noah (Son of Patricia), Aziz Ansari (Right Now)
Awards shows aren’t what they used to be…now dominated by smaller box office earners and indie projects, things have certainly changed. Of course, that’s not 100% accurate, as this year (2020) the Academy nominated the box office hits Joker ($1.07 B) and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood ($373 M) for Best Picture. But they also nominated Parasite ($148 M), Little Women ($133 M), and Jojo Rabbit (44.4 M), which pale in comparison to the earnings of the other two (specifically Joker).
Another thing that has changed is the classicness (did I just invent a word?) of the films from 1998 to 2019/2020. I’m not trying to discount the Best Picture nominees this year, as they are all well-deserving, but will we still be talking about them in 22 years? Because people sure as hell are still talking about the 1998 nominees, which consisted of Titanic, As Good as It Gets, The Full Monty, Good Will Hunting, and L.A. Confidential. These are five CLASSIC movies that are still relevant and are regularly on cable TV (which proves people still want to watch them). I’m not so sure people will be talking about any of the 2020 nominees besides maybe Joker and OUATIH (because of Tarantino) in 2042.
And this is coming from someone who loves all these movies (1917 and Parasite in particular)! But if I’m being honest, I just don’t see them having that big of an impact on society the way the films from 1998 did. This was still a time in history where everyone saw the biggest movies in theaters because there weren’t streaming platforms or really even cable yet. So, people either had to see it in theaters or wait to rent them at Blockbuster – oh those were the days. Therefore, everyone had seen the movies that were nominated! Now we’ve got Netflix movies as Best Picture nominees, which is great on the one hand because there are so many more outlets for aspiring actors/directors, but on the other hand, some of the “best” movies of the year were barely even seen. If movies were nominated for Best Picture based on their box office numbers today, like it was in 1998, then Marvel would have a clean sweep across all categories.
To put things into perspective, the 1998 Academy Awards had over 57 MILLION viewers, compared to roughly 30 million viewers in 2019. And that’s because people actually saw and cared about the movies that won back then. I’m willing to bet 75% of the people that watch the Oscars this year will not have seen Parasite, Little Women, Jojo Rabbit, or Marriage Story (probably closer to 85%). Hell, I had to go to a theater that only shows Korean movies just to see Parasite, so I can guarantee most people haven’t seen it, despite it being phenomenal. This was absolutely not the case in 1998. Titanic was the first movie ever to eclipse the $2 billion mark in the worldwide box office which is absolutely insane if you take into account that this was in 1997. If you adjust for inflation, Titanic made $3,465,089,086 in 2019 value. That’s outrageous. And every other movie made over $200 million (in 1997, no less) except for L.A. Confidential ($126 Million).
Titanic made Leonardo DiCaprio (LDC) and Kate Winslet household names/immortal, Good Will Hunting launched Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s careers, and Jack Nicholson gave one of the best performances of all time in As Good as It Gets. Those are movies that will be talked about until the end of time and are widely considered some of the greatest films ever. I’m not sure you could make the same case for the 2020 nominees. Joker will always be remembered because Joaquin Phoenix gave the performance of a lifetime, as the mentally ill, mass-murdering Arthur Fleck…but none of the other films had performances that made the films all that memorable.
It has been known that the Academy Awards have dipped in ratings in recent years, and they very well know why: the nominated movies in 2020 aren’t as popular as the movies that were nominated in 1998. But the trade-off is quality in cinema. The Best Picture nominees are all better movies than Avengers: End Game (fight me if you want), but you could argue that End Game is more entertaining. There’s a reason that End Game made roughly $2.8 billion, making it the highest grossing movie of all time. Don’t get me wrong…I love Marvel movies, but they’re not traditionally what the Academy votes for in these types of awards shows. The difference between now and then is that movies were both box office darlings AND outstanding films. I’m not sure what the solution is to bring back the glamour of the Oscars, but maybe they should nominate an End Game every now and then for a nice little ratings booster. The 1998 Academy Awards were truly the epitome of what an awards show should be – classic movies, star-studded casts, and box office hits. It’s no wonder it was the most viewed show of all time.
They really don’t make acceptance speeches like this anymore
First of all, I just want to say that all is right in the NBA when the Lakers have two starters in the All-Star game. It reminds us that the Lake Show is back, and that they are in the hunt for a ring. As for the other starters on both the East and West, it’s hard to make an argument that someone got snubbed. You could make a case that Jimmy Butler should be starting over Trae Young, but other than that it’s pretty fair. I think the biggest surprise, at least for me, is that the Celtics’ 7’6” center Tacko Fall made the squad. We all know that All-Star voting is a popularity contest, but this is taking it to the next level.
He has played in four games this year, averaging:
5.3 Minutes Per Game
4.3 Points Per Game
2 Field Goals Per Game
0.3 Free Throws Per Game
2.5 Rebounds Per Game
4 Standing Ovations
Not exactly the textbook definition of an All-Star. But, he’s one of the most liked players in the league, largely thanks to the internet.
The fanfare when Tacko comes around the All-Star festivities will be insane. I honestly think he’ll have the longest line for autographs out of all the players. And honestly, I kinda can’t blame people. He’s so massive it’s must-see TV when he’s in the game, which is why I can’t believe he has only played in four games all year. Four games and he’s an All-Star. We’ve got guys grinding through forty minutes on the floor for shit teams like the Kings and Knicks, but they don’t even get to sniff the All-Star game. Fucked up is what it is.
I understand that it’s all fun, but there’s gotta be a little integrity left in this game right? And voting a guy like Tacko Fall is be an All-Star is good for ratings and the fans, but he definitely isn’t deserving. I’m just surprised Zion didn’t make the team.
Derek Jeter and Larry Walker were elected to the baseball Hall of Fame today. Jeter was elected in his first year of eligibility, and Walker in his last (took ten years). Needing 75% of the votes to get in the Hall, Walker narrowly managed to get in with 304/397 (76.5%) ballots in favor, while Jeter was just one vote shy of of unanimity. The only player in baseball history to receive 100% of the vote is Mariano River, the greatest closer in MLB history, who was inducted just last year.
Seeing that Jeter impressively received 396 out of 397 votes to be inducted, it made me wonder: “who’s the one asshole that doesn’t think Derek Jeter is a first-ballot hall of famer?” I have often wondered what goes through the minds of those who are lucky enough to cast their ballot for baseball’s highest honor. The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) votes on everything from the league MVP’s, to the Cy Young Award winners, to the Hall of Fame. Founded in 1908, being a member of the BBWAA is the highest possible honor for a baseball journalist, and implies they are the foremost authority on anything baseball. Having said that, it’s a wonder to me that since the first Hall of Fame class in 1936, only one player has been voted in unanimously.
That means that players like Babe Ruth (95%), Ted Williams (93%), Hank Aaron (97%), Nolan Ryan (98%), and Willie Mays (94%) had at least a couple supposed “baseball experts” who thought they were not worthy of a first-ballot induction.
It’s unbelievable that the players I listed above did not receive 100% of the vote. I wouldn’t think there’d be a sane person in the game of baseball could honestly say with a straight face that Hank Aaron (yes the same Hank Aaron that hit 755 HOMERS and was a TWENTY-FIVE TIME ALL STAR), was unworthy of a first-ballot Hall of Fame vote. That absolutely blows my mind.
I’m assuming that their reasoning for not voting in players unanimously (until Rivera) is that it protects the sanctity of the game because no one has a perfect career. A 100% vote (in their minds) tells people that they couldn’t have had a better career, and that no one if worthy of such an honor. Plus, if some of the all-time greats like Joe DiMaggio (88%) and Tom Seaver (98%) weren’t worthy of 100%, how could you legitimately make a case that anyone else is? Well, let me try.
It’s not about protecting the sanctity of the game or comparing player’s HOF percentages against one another, it’s about voting based on the player that was presented on the diamond. Mariano Rivera is currently the greatest relief pitcher the game has ever seen, and I’m not discounting any of his success at all, but how was he the first player to be voted in the HOF unanimously? There were just as deserving candidates that came before him, but the writers get so caught up in preserving the 100% mark that we’ve really got guys leaving The Captain…Mr. November…Derek fucking Jeter off their ballot. What a joke. No one has a perfect career, but all in all, it’s pretty clear what a Hall of Fame career looks like. And I realize I’m making a big fuss over a guy who still received over 99% of the vote, but it’s just amazing to me that there are still professional journalists in the game of baseball who fail to recognize and reward greatness.
Oh, and for the record I think Larry Walker should have been voted in years ago. There’s no way he should’ve barely sneaked in by such a thin margin. Like Jeter, Larry Walker was a staple of the game when he played, but his career got overshadowed by the cloud of the steroid era, which was reflected in his lackluster HOF campaign up to this point. But, it’s about time he got in. Welcome to Cooperstown fellas.
This is my first season watching ‘The Bachelor’, and it’s safe to say that I have been hooked since the 1st episode. The drama is awesome, the competitiveness is unparalleled, and Pete is not a douche like I had imagined a bachelor would be. It is very clear that the producers have a large say in the direction of the show, and I understand that without them, it probably would not be half as good. HOWEVER, Sarah C. was on the show for 3 episodes and did not say 1 word!! She maybe got 1 minute of combined screen time!
Ever since the first episode I’ve been confused why some girls have hung around and others have gotten the boot. My theory is, thereare 3-5 girls that Pete can actually see himself with. These 3-5 girls will make it all the way to the end. The other 25 girls are voted off by producersbased on theamount of drama/entertainment they bring to the show.
Case and Point, Sarah C.
Am I going off looks completely? Yes, and I have to because WE NEVER GOT TO KNOW HER. Maybe off screen she was a huge bitch, maybe she told Pete to go fuck himself, maybe she smells, idk?
But realistically, she was a quiet kind girl who didn’t add to much to the show other than her looks. I also truly feel Pete generally liked her because with that lack of screen time I figured she’d be gone ep. 1.
Anyway, we are 3 episodes in, and I’m really enjoying the show so far. It’s just SO obvious that Pete doesn’t really start making decisions until the end. Here’s some evidence of women that were voted off then IMO are just flat out in a different league then some of the other girls left.
Kylie R. GONE FIRST EPISODE???Jade G… First EpisodeKatrina B… First Episode
But yeah Kelsey starts fights over champagne, Shiann cries about almost everything, and Tammy is super outgoing!!!
Fuck this show, can’t get enough, but fuck it. YOU DESERVED BETTER SARAH COFFIN!
My personal top 5 based on who I want to win, NOT who I think will win:
Uncut Gems was the most fun I’ve had in a movie theater in quite some time. I left the theater feeling like I had just done a kilo of blow and followed it up by shotgunning a Bang energy drink. It’s an anxiety-inducing rollercoaster from start to finish, but there’s no doubt it was among the best movies of 2019.
Love him or hate him, Adam Sandler kills the role of Howard Ratner. The “Sandman” has no doubt made a career off of traditionally bad movies that somehow still go on to make hundreds of millions of dollars in some cases. Even his worst movie to date: Jack and Jill, went on to make $150 million in the box office, so it’s really tough to make a case against anything this guy does. And although he’s most known for his comedy roles in movies like Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, Grown Ups, etc…he has dipped his toe in the drama arena several times with movies like Spanglish, Punch-Drunk Love, and Funny People to name just a few.
I happen to think Sandler is great in serious roles, and the fact that he was able to make Punch-Drunk Love in between The Animal and Mr. Deeds shows his phenomenal range as an actor.
What I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t let Sandler’s previous comedic roles influence you into thinking he won’t be good in this movie. Trust me, if I was able to get Little Nicky out of my head, so can you. And if you have no concerns with Sandler in a serious role, then just disregard everything I just said.
The supporting cast in Uncut Gems is outstanding as well. Lakeith Stanfield, Julia Fox, Idina Menzel, and Kevin Garnett round out the most significant figures of the supporting cast, and the biggest surprise is no doubt Garnett. KG has only one other acting credit in his career, so I was hesitant about how good he would be in this role. I also didn’t expect him to be such a central character in the film, but he actually played a remarkable role throughout.
The Plot
Set in New York’s Diamond District, Adam Sandler plays the wealthy, degenerate gambling jeweler, Howard Ratner, who is approached by Kevin Garnett (playing himself) to purchase a new diamond encrusted piece for his collection. Garnett shows up on the same day that Ratner receives his newest prized possession, the opal, from Ethiopia, which is set to go to auction later in the week. He believes it should go for over a million dollars, as it is made up of several gems that allegedly predate the dinosaurs. When Ratner reluctantly agrees to let KG keep the opal overnight because he thinks it will bring him good fortune in the Eastern Conference Finals, it sets off a chain of events that lead Ratner down a rabbit hole of questionable decisions.
We see that questionable decisions are nothing new for Howard Ratner, as he is in a failing marriage due to an affair with his employee/mistress Julia (Julia Fox). His wife Dinah (Idina Menzel) knows that he is full of shit 24/7, as does his married-into-the-family cousin Arno (Eric Bogosian), who is one of the many people Howard owes money to.
The Safdie Brothers make it so that the audience is unable to breathe for the entire 135 minutes that this movie spans. As the foul-mouthed Howard Ratner continues to dig himself deeper and deeper into a hole, he is forced to make a ridiculous gamble that not only has extreme monetary implications, but threatens his life.
Sandler delivers one of the best performances of his career, and quiets the haters that can’t see him in serious roles. It’s unbelievable that he wasn’t nominated for an Academy Award; definitely snub of the year. The only gripe I had with this film is that at times it just felt a bit too much. About halfway through the movie you’ll be begging for a Xanax or something to calm yourself down from the stressful nature of Uncut Gems. There are several scenes in which no less than ten people are all screaming at once, and it is a bit overwhelming. However, if you’re able to get through this movie with or without any sort of doctor-prescribed medication, the adrenaline rush this movie gives with have you ready to run through a brick wall.
