Macca

Leicester have sacked Ranieri ... that's hard to believe when considering the success he brought them just 9 months ago. I doubt they'll ever win another Premier league title (unless something dramatic happens) so the memory of winning in such an unexpected way is always going to be associated with sacking the coach just 9 months later. If there was player unrest it wouldn't have been all of them ... I'll be surprised if they stave off relegation now. They had a better chance of avoiding relegation with Ranieri in charge. And if they do get relegated this hair-brained decision will look even worse. Claudio Ranieri: Leicester manager sacking made Gary Lineker 'shed a tear'

And in a short space of time the Aussies have found themselves in a very strong position. Bowling India out for 105 was probably not in the thoughts of many. Huge kudos to O'Keefe (6-35) but all the bowlers contributed. Agree on Renshaw ... looks to have a very bright future. I still see Starc as more of a clean hitter - no.8 is his spot. Mitch Marsh is still young enough to improve - he can be rotated in or out depending on whether we may prefer to play a pure batsman at no.6. The no.6 spot can be used in a flexible way and I reckon it will be used that way by the selectors - I'm not rusted on to a certain type of player. It would help if Warner & Smith bowled a bit more and could hold their own.

For those without cable TV, you can listen to the tests from India here ... the ABC are providing coverage but not through their normal radio outlets. The link should work through your phone (if it's compliant)

Here's a quick write-up of 2 more of the 9 movies up for best picture at the Oscars. 3 to go after this post and I'm still to see 2 of the movies up for best film (Lion & Fences) ... looking forward to seeing both of course. January/February are movie months and why not? - there's not a great deal of sport happening. Anyway, here goes (spoiler free) Moonlight A extremely touching movie that will stay with you long after you've seen it ... the film is a coming-of-age type movie but not in the traditional sense. Again, tough to watch at times but very rewarding. The cinematography is superb. The movie is about identity, discovery, is devastating in parts whilst telling a simple story extraordinarily well. Moving & sad at times, this film is one of the best of the year. 8.5/10 If you've seen the movie, here's a podcast featuring the director Barry Jenkins and actress Naomie Harris (contains spoilers) Hidden Figures A feel-good movie with (at times) rather awkward & somewhat sinister undertones. NASA features as the backdrop with the space-race as the theme. The story of 3 women who excel against the odds ... and given the time that the movie is set in (the early 60's) these 3 women excelled in a rather surprising way. A 'hidden treasure', this film will both surprise & entertain. 8/10 Again, if you've seen this movie, here's another podcast featuring the director Theodore Melfi (contains spoilers) Whilst I'm here, a catchy jazz track from "Hidden Figures" ... featuring Pharrell Williams ... .

No, it's not the Palace although I have frequented the Balwyn cinemas over the years ... in fact, I've previously visited nearly all the cinemas you listed when the need to hunt around to see a movie was warranted. It's different now with a lot of the smaller & larger complex's showing a greater variety of movies. The Como was a favourite for years. I'm not normally a name-dropper but I went to a premiere of a movie at the Rivoli once ... Viggo Mortensen was the guest of honour and he introduced a movie that he starred in called 'Good' ... an excellent film too and a bit of reminder of how things can get out of control very quickly. Viggo spoke for 15 minutes about the exploits of his favourite soccer team - San Lorenzo (Argentinian league) ha ha

I've got access to anything & everything in my household ... there are set-top boxes and wires aplenty. It's our one and only real indulgence though. .

Goliath looks the goods if the first couple of episodes are any indication. Billy Bob Thornton stars and he's often good value. He's extra-good in this show,

I'm lucky that I have a cinema which is less than 5 minutes walking distance from my home ... excellent pricing too, all things considered. Like many cinema's these days, the cinema has a 'club' of sorts which makes the experience of going to the movies extremely worthwhile. The cinema we frequent plays a lot of "Non-Hollywood blockbuster type" movies as well which makes it even better. If one wants to view a large proportion of Oscar-type movies before the actual ceremony, then going to the cinema is a prerequisite these days. Most of the nominated movies aren't released until Nov/Dec as a general rule so the released DVD's often doesn't happen until March/April. Thankfully. all 9 nominated movies have been released to cinema in Oz but that hasn't always been the case. It can vary from year to year. The Academy Awards is on Feb 26 (Noon Feb 27 AEDT)

*Spoiler alert* I'm assuming you're referencing the scene where Casey Affleck is having dialogue with Michelle Williams ... put it this way, Michelle's role alone in that scene alone is Oscar worthy. Considering the circumstances, it was as difficult a confrontation as is imaginable (for both parties) I can see why many people would be dissatisfied with the movie because of it's bleakness (throughout) ... but each to their own.

2 more of the 9 movies up for best film at the Oscars ... as previously stated in an earlier post, all 9 movies offer up something for everyone. Some of the types of genre's aren't necessarily my favourites but these movies are at least the best of the best (so therefore, well worth watching) A case in point are these 2 films - one, a WW2 epic based on one man's utter determination & the other a very heavy drama but incredibly realistic. The following descriptions are "spoiler-free" ... Hacksaw Ridge Mel Gibson directs this WW2 epic based on a true story. However, this movie actually downplays the facts to a certain degree - which has the effect of making the film even more enjoyable. An inspirational film, the movie is extremely violent but it has to be. A powerful & riveting experience that starts off a bit slowly but then has you on the edge of your seat soon enough. The story of one man's journey against all odds. It's a remarkable story that is told extremely well ... Mel Gibson's direction is absolute top-notch (again) 8/10 Manchester by the Sea. Wow, this film was really hard to stay with and get through but not because it wasn't a very good film ... the plot line and theme is a harrowing and somewhat distressing one but I felt that the story couldn't have been told in a better way. Being extremely realistic and a bit melodramatic were not faults. The story needed to be told that way. Casey Affleck was simply superb in the lead role. Understated, melancholic, traumatic, powerful, heartbreaking yet somehow rewarding 8.5/10

9 movies are up for best film at this year's Academy Awards ... all of them with a fair bit to offer too. Slowly working my way through the 9 and still have 3 to watch. Here's 2 of the 9 with some "spoiler-free" comments ... I'll post up the other films 2 or 3 at a time in the lead-up to the Oscars ... Hell or High Water Jeff Bridges is superb whilst co-starring in this modern day western. The film is gritty, engaging, insightful & thoughtful and is a story told extremely well. An original storyline with lots of action, this tense & brooding movie is raw & powerful and is somewhat of a morality tale. 8.5/10 Arrival Amy Adams stars in this sci-fi movie with a difference. Superbly directed by Denis Villeneuve, this profound story will both surprise & delight. Visually brilliant & creatively impactful, this is one of the better sci-fi movies that's been produced. Compares favourably to 2001, Contact & Solaris. 8.5/10 Next up will be Hacksaw Ridge & Manchester by the Sea.

I hadn't realised that Coleman had gone off injured so it was down to Freeman or another player (who hadn't made a run all night) New England had stopped Atlanta's run in the 2nd half which signified that Belichick was daring Atlanta to throw it - the challenge was taken up and they fell short. Jones was double-teamed all night so others had to create separation. If Shanahan was solely responsible for the call not to run the ball (1st & 10 on the Patriots 22 yard line), he's off to the 49ers anyway. On the surface of it, a possible convenient outcome? And I agree with cfh's sentiments ... winning the NFC was a mighty effort. The Packers, who had done well to beat Dallas, were thoroughly outpointed in the NFC Championship game. .

One day on and I'm convinced that no other team other than the Patriots could have won that game ... certainly no team in the AFC could have come back from a 28-3 deficit. I can't see any of Dallas, Green Bay, Seattle or the Giants getting back either ... it took a great team like New England to do it ... Atlanta should have played more conservative (ran the ball on occasions) but it was like Belichick read their minds. And that's a skill. The Pats made more errors in the first half (including a pick 6 - Brady was also sacked 5 times) than Atlanta made in the entire game but it was as if the Pats simply erased those errors and just got on with it. The remarkable all-time best comeback shouldn't be played down.

James White ... drafted as a running back at pick #130 a few years back Today runs for 29 with 2 TD's plus ... 14 receptions as a receiver for 110 yards and another TD. I wouldn't be alone in saying I knew very little about him before today. Belichick consistently brings these types of players before us in big games. Easily the greatest coach in the modern era.

What often isn't mentioned is how other teams go at the SB runner-up really hard. All we ever seem to hear about are the teams who go after the SB winner. So Atlanta can expect stronger opposition next season - in any given game. They'll need to be ready. However, Atlanta have got a really good roster and they're a high scoring team but, that NFC South division could be on for young & old. The Panthers will be dirty about how they played this season and the Saints & Tampa are both very capable on any given Sunday. Rather than stewing on the loss the focus has to go onto simply winning the division next season - as it should always be. It's as simple as that. These sort of losses can galvanise or fragment. Strong leadership will be needed and if that happens, the Falcons will bounce back.

Yeah, it's not like the Falcons don't have a decent running game ... as it was, Freeman had 11 carries for 75 yards complimented by Coleman with 7 carries for 29 yards. Considering the lead that Atlanta had, that's not enough carries. We discussed it here at half time in terms of using clock time as well but the outcome is going to haunt the coaching staff of Atlanta ... if it was GB I'd be furious (McCarthy blew that playoff game in Seattle 2 years ago with poor play calling near the goal line) New England make an artform about doing the 'obvious thing' extremely well even though it does look sometimes like they take risks. Belichick knows when to pull the trigger and when not to.

The game obviously hasn't finished being discussed yet but I'll get the following formalities out of the way Gorgo, you've won another tipping competition but this time you'll have to share the honours with myself Well done! And thanks to all for your participation Final Tally (Post Season Tipping Competition) 10 - Gorgoroth, Macca 9- JV7 6 - Clintosaurus 5 - DeeSpencer Regular Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 cowboy_from_hell/ pantaloons/ Gorgoroth Strafford Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 Dappa Dan DeeSpencer Gorgoroth ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 Gorgoroth cowboy_from_hell, Macca JV7, DeeSpencer ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 Gorgoroth cowboy_from_hell Clintosaurus/ DeeSpencer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 titan_uranus DemonDave cowboy_from_hell/ Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 JV7/ pantaloons Gorgoroth/ Go the Biff Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 JV7/ cowboy_from_hell, Gorgoroth/ Macca DeeSpencer ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 Gorgoroth, JV7 Clintosaurus Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Medal Tally Gold Silver Bronze Gorgoroth 3 0 4 JV7 2 2 0 Macca 2 1 3 ------------------------------------------------------------- cowboy_from_hell 1 3 1 Dappa Dan 1 0 0 Strafford 1 0 0 titan_uranus 1 0 0 Go the Biff 1 0 0 DeeSpencer 0 2 2 pantaloons 0 2 0 DemonDave 0 1 0 Clintosaurus 0 0 2

You've got to hand it to the Pats ... they're just never beaten. Down 3 - 28 and they win ... unbelievable.

Yeah tough break JV ... that's just devastating.

This sport never ceases to surprise

That's just cruel ... but absolutely true haha

You must feel quite ill JV ... and who could blame you?

Atlanta should have had this stitched up.

That's just crazy

A sack & a penalty at the worst possible time.