The Skolney Blog

1992: So here is where it all began, the career of my favorite director of all time. But way back in 1992 I didn't know who the hell Quentin Tarantino was. And what the hell was a reservoir dog? This movie was not on my radar at all. It wasn't until a couple years later when Pulp Fiction came out and forever changed what I thought a movie could be that I went back and checked out Tarantino's debut. And even then I wasn't quite into it. It took years and repeat viewings to fully appreciate it. The movie retroactively has achieved a kind of legendary status, but it wasn't much of a hit at the time. The origin of it is pretty well known, that Tarantino wrote it while working at a video store, and the script found its way to Harvey Keitel, who helped get it made.  I saw it after Pulp Fiction, and wasn't that into it on first viewing. Whereas Pulp was kind of nonstop iconic scenes and had a lot of action and violence, Dogs is at times a lot more slowly pa...

In theaters: SMILE A fairly well made horror in places, and led by a strong lead performance by Sosie Bacon. But it ticks some of my biggest horror movie pet peeves, from the annoyance of characters always doing first guess stupid things, to one of those "nope, this isn't over" endings.  AMSTERDAM  David O. Russell assembled one of the most incredible casts in any film in years for this sort of truth based conspiracy caper. The comedy never pops, and the story becomes deeply convoluted by the third act. But this movie is enjoyable because there is always at least one terrific actor on screen at all times, mostly doing interesting things. Top honors to Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and, yes, Mike Myers.  HALLOWEEN ENDS I wasn't even sure I was going to see this, after Halloween 2018 and Halloween Kills were both awful. But it was a Friday with nothing else to see. I actually think this one was...watchable. It at least has a couple of ideas in it, albeit shoddily execu...

VIKINGS 34 CARDINALS 26 For two weeks, one question loomed over the Minnesota Vikings. What would we see after the bye week?  Turns out, on Sunday we saw, well, basically the same thing we saw for previous weeks. We saw an offense that at times looks surgical, but that occasionally stumbles. And we saw a defense that gives up a lot of yardage but proves opportunistic, particularly late. And that's okay. You know what? This team now sits at 6-1, and is proving week after week to be a team that is exceptionally easy to root for, and that displays flair and guts. We got out to one of our customary hot starts. The first drive ended in a touchdown, as Kirk took off running, then showed some actual wheels and dove into the endzone. Two drives later Kirk tossed a score to Johnny Mundt and we had a 14-3 lead. Arizona's offense didn't reach the endzone until DeAndre Hopkins made a brilliant one handed catch late in the 2nd.  Kirk got us into position for a 56 yard field goal, but Gr...

Gophers 31 Rutgers 0 Finally got out to a Gophers game on Saturday. Honestly the perfect fall weather was more of a draw than the team. Mid 60s, not a cloud in the sky....and cheap tickets on Stubhub. They were cheap cause this team had lost 3 straight, pretty much incinerating any chance that this could be any kind of special season. No Big Ten West title. No major bowls. We'll see about the 2 big trophy games, but there is no cause to be optimistic. But on Saturday the Gophers at least reverted back to their early season dominance, smothering the poor Scarlet Knights, notching their first shutout of a conference opponent since 2004. That was so long ago the Twins won a playoff game the same year.  Rutgers best player was their punter. And after he pinned the Gophers at the 1 for their first drive, they set about a 99 yard, over 10 minute drive to go up 7-0. Their 2nd drive was also a fairly long TD march. And that was it. The game became an incredible bore to be honest. Other tha...

Thursday: [Cardinals 42, Saints 34] Oh goody, the week before facing the Vikings Arizona suddenly decides to look formidable again. Although I doubt Kirk will get tagged for 2 pick sixes.  Sunday: [Commanders 23, Packers 21] Even on the bye week the Vikings get a big win! The Packers 2nd double digit lead blown in 3 weeks. They only scored 2 offensive TDs. Even a late push by the refs couldn't save them. And they have to play at Buffalo next week. Fabulous!  [Panthers 21, Buccaneers 3] You know things have gotten very bad for Brady when even his media cheerleading squad can't find silver linings. Of course they ARE blaming his OL and a lack of run game. Nah, sorry, we've been told for 20 years that Brady does it all by himself. So this is all on him too.  [Cowboys 24, Lions 6] That potent Lions offense from September has vanished. Dallas got Dak back, but the A story with them is that elite defense, which makes them a legit super bowl contender.  [Giants ...

Thursday: [Commanders 12, Bears 7] Another TNF classic. Both teams stunk. The Bears would have won if Darnell Mooney, who last week made an all time top 5 catch on us, simply made a pretty easy grab at the goal line.  Sunday: [Jets 27, Packers 10] What a delight! Now, I'm not going to get suckered in and pronounce the Packers done. They're still going to be there in December, but Rodgers is not going to be able to flip a switch and become invincible anymore. And...are the Jets actually good? TBD.  [Steelers 20, Buccaneers 18] What a delight! Brady gets beat by a Steelers team that was one of the worst in the league, and again was exposed for being a terrible teammate when cameras caught him yelling at his OL. No wonder Gisele is dumping his ass.  [Falcons 28, 49ers 14] The 49ers remain one of the league's more puzzling teams. Atlanta might be a 1st place team if the refs hadn't screwed them last week in service of Brady.  [Giants 24, Ravens 20] The Giants...

VIKINGS 24 DOLPHINS 16 Another week, another grind. I knew this Miami game was going to be a struggle. They're all struggles. Doesn't matter who they're facing, this Vikings team will make us sweat in the 4th quarter.  But this team has found itself in a great place as they hit the bye week. 5-1, two games clear of the Packers, and already getting me to dream of home playoff games in January.  Going in we knew Miami was down to 3rd string rookie QB Skylar Thompson, with the banged up Teddy Bridgewater ready just in case. No matter. This was going to be a 4 quarter game. Nothing seemed any different with our defense, at least early. Thompson hit throws to usually wide open receivers. He even ran on us a couple times. But, through 3 drives Miami had nothing to show for it. Patrick Jones got a sack to end one drive. One drive ended scoreless due to FIVE Miami penalties. That third drive just ended in a punt, but it also took out Thompson, who banged his thumb on a helmet and w...