Film Review- Avatar

A few things you need to know about the film before I review it. I saw it at CGV in 3D. The cost was 13,000 Won and I did not read any other reviews before I saw the film.

I knew that the film was full of hype and that the film had received some great reviews. I went in to the film with an open mind. After seeing the film, I felt like I had seen nothing new and I felt like I had just seen "Dances with Wolves set in Outer Space" The sad thing is that I loved "Dances with Wolves", this "Avatar" just left me feeling very flat, I didn't feel that I wasted my 3 hours watching this film but I also felt that there will not be a second viewing of this film for me.

So where did the film go wrong for me? In a nutshell, I felt like I was watching a PS3 video game that was being shown at the movie theater. None of the film seemed real to me. In 3D, the graphics so overwhelmed the actors that it was looking more like a ps3 game and less like a movie.

I really didn't have any compassion for either side in this engagement. When the war started, I really wasn't cheering for either side. I kept looking for a reset button to see if the film could get any better and sad to say, to me, the film never did.

I felt that the main actors brought nothing to the film and that the graphic enhanced aliens reminded me of Uber tree hugers or the noble Indians from "Dance with Wolves" If their was a main idea of this film, I never saw it. The film leaves the door wide open for anymore sequels that 20th Century Fox Studios might want to make. The is worth one viewing anymore that that and you will be wasting your time and money.

Grade C-

Hanwha Eagles Sign With 2 Former Major League Pitchers

By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter

Last season's bottom team, the Hanwha Eagles, has acquired new overseas starters to bolster the team.

The Eagles announced that they had secured two starters - Jose Capellan and Julio de Paula of the Dominican Republic - who have both pitched in the major leagues.

Capellan signed a $300,000 contract, including a $50,000 signing bonus. Paula signed on for $270,000 ($200,000 for annual salary, $70,000 for the signing bonus).

The 1.95-meter, right-hander Capellan recorded a 5-7 record with a 4.89 ERA in 99 appearances from 2004 to 2008 in Major League Baseball.

He debuted for the Atlanta Braves in 2004 after elbow surgery. Though he was touted as a top prospect, Capellan didn't live up to the club's expectations.

The Eagles were pursing the 28-year-old, after he recorded a 5-3 record in 10 appearances with a 2.66 ERA in the Dominican winter league. However, this year, he only generated a 2-10 record with a 7.07 ERA in the minor leagues.

"I will treat Korean baseball like it's the major leagues," Capellan said through an Eagles representative.

Meanwhile, Paula was 0-1 in 16 games with an 8.55 ERA for the Minnesota Twins in 2007.

"I used to pitch in the bullpen but I have confidence in my new starter role," Paula said. "Though I didn't show a lot in the majors I will pour all my efforts into the Eagles."

The Eagles, which lost their reliable closer Brad Thomas to the Detroit Tigers and released Eric Junge, need starters to support their lefty ace Ryu Hyun-jin.

"Both have abilities to control the game. They will construct a solid rotation with Ryu," Eagles official said.

FROM GUSTS OF POPULAR FEELING

Pondering 'A Little Pond'

The Korea Herald has an article about the Pusan International Film Festival and lists some of the 'must-see' films. Among them is one that has not been heard of in some time:

"A Little Pond"

Based on the harrowing true story of the Nogun-ri massacre that shook the nation, "A Little Pond," chronicles the tragic event in a fictitious account. On July of the year 1950, the country is being ravaged from the on-going Korean War.

In the small village of Bawigol - a rural village in the mountainous region of Yongdong County in North Chungcheong Province - life for its resident go on as normal.

But as the tide of war turns against the south and its allies, the people of Bawigol are forced to evacuate and seek refuge as legions of platoons surge into their tiny village. In the midst of confusion and paranoia, retreating American soldiers massacre villagers trying to escape advancing North Korean forces by crossing U.S. military lines.

The American soldiers, under the command of General Hobart R. Gray, fear they are North Korean soldiers in disguise, and open fire, killing 400 South Korean refugees.

I've written about this film before, and it's title, 'Jageun Yeonmot' (a small pond), is likely named after the 70s folk song by Yang Hui-eun (best known for singing the Kim Min-gi song (and '70s and '80s protest anthem) 'Morning Dew') about two fish who fight each other in a small pond, eventually dying and polluting the pond so that nothing will grow there. Of course, if that metaphor was going to be applied to anyone, you'd think it would be applied to Koreans killing each other in their 'little pond', and not to outsiders killing Koreans, but I don't know how much attention you would get protesting outside theatres with signs calling for the producers to "Stop the misuse of pop-cultural references and inappropriate metaphors!"

As mentioned at Twitch, this has been in production for some time.

After seven years of production made of four years alone spent interviewing the survivors and investigating the facts, three months of pre-production, three months of shooting and a painstakingly long two years of post-production, it seems like we'll finally get to see this one soon enough.

And how many years months days were spent interviewing U.S. soldiers who were involved? I wonder how much mention will be paid to the conditions they faced. As journalist Philip Deane wrote in his 1953 book Captive in Korea,

Taejon's turn is coming soon and everybody here seems to know it. Here a gallant general and five thousand men are trying to stem the Red tide from the north: fifteen divisions, four hundred tanks, thousands of 75-mm. howitzers, armoured cars, anti-tank rifles. It is a flood tide of Communist soldiers, well-led, Russian-equipped, confident and victorious, overwhelmingly superior in arms and numbers, that is faced by the gallant general and five thousand men from a far-off land. Men? Many of the G.I.s in Major-General William F. Dean's 24th American Infantry Division are mere kids of seventeen and eighteen who have gone straight from school into the army [.]

He records a conversation between two US officers in early July, 1950:

Then a burst of anger. 'It's a goddam shame. Not a tank yet, not a three-inch Bazooka, no mines. Sending those kids up the line like that's as good as issuing them with a death sentence!'

Later, he rides in a jeep with a major to Gongju:

The major is watching the refugees pouring past us along the road. There are old men and women, some carrying babies, but there are also thousands of strapping young Koreans marching along in their midst, heads held high, arms swinging. They are the only ones with smiles on their faces.

'We should shoot them all,' the major says. 'I'll bet there's at least a pistol in every pack. They're the ones who shoot our boys in the back at night. We let them through in front of our eyes, and to-night we shall hear that the Communists have infiltrated our lines again. It's sheer suicide!'

As for whether this context is provided, there are a few reviews out there. One says that

[A Little Pond], which is based on the Nogunri incident follows how ‘ignorant’ people who did not know anything about the realities of war were sacrificed. Rather than dealing this situation from a set ideological viewpoint, Lee captures the people as a whole, within a community in the big picture.

Another review:

Once you are drawn into their daily lives the atrocities occur leaving the audience to witness air raids and shooting rampages that are clearly unnecessary and end up really shaking your emotions. Of course, like all war movies this too is one-sided; it's the Korean side of the situation[.]

Twitch provides more information about the director:

Lee [Sang-woo] is one of the most influential stage producers in Korea, with a past as a screenwriter in Chungmuro [...] and managed to put together a pretty strong cast (although the subject was probably another big factor), including Moon Sung-Geun, Moon So-Ri, Park Won-Sang, Jeong Suk-Yong, Kim Roi-Ha, the late Park Gwang-Jung, Lee Dae-Yeon, Kang Shin-Il, and even cameos by Song Kang-Ho and Yoo Hae-Jin. To reflect the ensemble cast feeling of the production, whose motto from day one has been that of faithfully recreating the event, even the new poster has been produced that way.

Here's the new poster:


The original poster was visually a little more catchy:


There was a private screening of the film at UC Santa Cruz back in June, though the poster for it was slightly altered so as to hide the guns pointing at the child.

I couldn't help see that poster and be reminded of another poster I'd seen recently:


As you can see, there's a staggering difference in how the actions of U.S. soldiers during the Korean war are perceived in North and South Korea. Seriously though, it's so nice to see that the North and South can find something to bond over in these troubled times: Baby-killing American soldiers. Of course, Koreans once thought American missionaries were killing babies to make medicine, so there is in fact a long, happy tradition of rumors abounding that Americans are doing evil to their children (I'd thought the child-molesting English teacher had taken over that role, but perhaps not).

This is how the director described his intentions for this film:

“Writing the scenario, I asked myself what story I have to tell. This is not going to be about the incident, not the event, but it’s going to be about the people. It is going to tell the relationships that people had in the small community and how intimate and beautiful they were, and ask them (the U.S. military) if they knew what they were doing. They were destroying these beautiful human beings,” Lee said after shooting the film’s last scene in Sunchang, South Jeolla Province, early this week.

I think the North Korean poster is a little more succinct:

"Do not forget the US imperialist jackals!"

Derek Jeter named SI’s sportsman of the year

By HOWIE RUMBERG, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP)—Derek Jeter posed in his crisp pinstripe uniform, resting a shiny black bat on his shoulder, while a photographer lying on the ground near the entrance to a Bronx subway station snapped pictures of the New York Yankees shortstop from a low angle.

Photographing the Yankees captain from below to make him look more regal seemed beside the point. Jeter already has an image that is larger than life.

Jeter was back at Yankee Stadium a couple of weeks after winning his fifth World Series title, capping a stellar season with a photo shoot for his latest achievement: Sports Illustrated’s sportsman of the year.

The magazine made the announcement Monday.

“It’s unbelievable. It was completely unexpected. It came out of the blue,” Jeter told The Associated Press during a break in the photo shoot. “When I heard it, what can you say? It’s one of the greatest honors you can achieve in sports.”

The 35-year-old Jeter is the first Bronx Bomber to be tapped for the award that has been given out since 1954. Swimmer Michael Phelps was last year’s recipient.

“That’s even harder considering all the great Yankee players that have played for this organization,” said Jeter, standing under the banners depicting Yankees greats that hang in the Great Hall of the new stadium. “So I hope I’ve done them proud.”

Sports Illustrated Group editor Terry McDonell certainly thinks he has.

“This verifies my idea that he is on the level of Ruth and Gehrig,” McDonell said. “He’s the greatest shortstop in the history of the game.”

Some other baseball players to win the award are Sandy Koufax (1965), Tom Seaver (1969), Cal Ripken Jr. (1995); and the recent nemeses of Jeter’s teams, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling (2001), and the Boston Red Sox (2004).

All business between the lines, Jeter has become one of the untarnished ambassadors in the steroids era of baseball through steady play and quiet leadership on and off the field.

“He’s so classy,” McDonell said. “He brings a dignity and elegance to the game.”

Jeter’s 2009 season was remarkable.

He batted .334 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs with 30 steals to help lead the Yankees to their first World Series title in nine years—a frustrating drought for the player who won four championships in his first five seasons.

And as calls swelled for Jeter to switch positions after his contract expires in 2010, the 10-time All-Star went out and had one of his best defensive seasons: He made a career-low eight errors in winning his fourth Gold Glove.

He also passed Yankees icon Lou Gehrig’s club record for hits, won the Hank Aaron Award as the AL’s top hitter, and was given the Roberto Clemente Award for excellence on and off the field.

The World Series victory might have been Jeter’s most cherished accomplishment this year, but what clinched the sportsman award for him was his philanthropic work. Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation has doled out over $10 million in grants since 1996 to organizations that help keep young people away from alcohol and drugs.

“It’s about the manner of the striving and the quality of the effort, too,” McDonell said. “Off the field he has grown so much as a member of the community.”

Coming 15 seasons into a career full of honors, the award could be seen as a lifetime achievement, but both McDonell and Jeter dismissed the idea.

McDonell was impressed by Jeter’s leadership, how he “stepped in and molded a team” this spring with the arrival of three expensive free agents, and Alex Rodriguez’s admission to using steroids from 2001-03 and then having hip surgery that kept him out until May.

For Jeter, who only looks as far ahead as the next game, he’s nowhere near the end of an illustrious career that could culminate with 4,000 hits.

“I’ll take it one hit at a time. That’s a long way in the future,” said Jeter, who has 2,747 hits. “I’m going to play as long as I’m having fun. Right now I’m having a blast.”

If Shatner Were In Abrams' STAR TREK, This Is What It Would've Been Like...

A script fragment purporting to represent the written-but-never-filmed Shatner cameo for J.J. Abrams' STAR TREK has gone online over at TrekWeb. I'm waiting for a full confirm re: this fragment's authenticity, but it does match perfectly with everything I've heard about ShatKirk's intended appearance.

FROM http://www.trekweb.com


This begins during the scene where Spock Prime meets Quinto's Spock at the end of the film: SPOCK PRIME Then I ask that you do yourself a favor... put away logic, and do what feels right. The world you've inherited lives in the shadow of incalculable devastation... but there's no reason you must face it alone. And from around his neck, he removes the PENDANT that until now, we've only caught glimpses of. Places it on the table beside his younger self. The feeling in his eyes is profound... SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D) This was a gift to me. Representing... a dream. One we were unable to fulfill. (softly) The way you can now. And moves to the door. Stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE: SPOCK PRIME (CONT'D) As my customary farewell would appear oddly self serving, I will simply say... good luck. Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the corridor.

Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a beat, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Looks to the pendant... and realizes it's a HOLO-EMITTER. After considering a beat, he hits an activation button and a MOVING HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE materializes before him: CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK. WILLIAM SHATNER. As always, brash, wry, confident -- and SINGING: KIRK/ SHATNER Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you... (stops, grins) I know I know, it's illogical to celebrate something you had nothing to do with, but I haven't had the chance to congratulate you on your appointment to the ambassadorship so I thought I'd seize the occasion... Bravo, Spock -- they tell me your first mission may take you away for awhile, so I'll be the first to wish you luck... and to say... (beat, emotional) I miss you, old friend. ... and we're PUSHING IN on Young Spock, taking in the image of Kirk's future self, the message, but above all -- the clear, unquestionable friendship these two men had...

INT. CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS As Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes right by a man conferring with a nurse -- the man pauses, turns... it's SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that the stranger who's just passed him is... oddly familiar.

KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.) I suppose I'd always imagined us... outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching life swing us into our Emeritus years... INT. STARBASE ONE - HANGAR - ETERNAL NIGHT MUSIC BUILDING -- glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at dock, UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing. Standing at attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW -- over four hundred of them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS -- TRACK DOWN the faces, all proud:

KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.) I look around at the new cadets now and can't help thinking... has it really been so long? Wasn't it only yesterday we stepped onto the Enterprise as boys? That I had to prove to the crew I deserved command... and their respect? And we STOP ON YOUNG KIRK. Composed, focused, proud. A man. And to every fan's delight, finally wearing his YELLOW SHIRT. The FEDERATION COMMANDANT stands at a podium: COMMANDANT This assembly calls Captain James Tiberius Kirk... Kirk breaks from formation, pivots, marches down the hangar -- past UHURA... SULU... CHEKOV... SCOTTY. All Beaming. Notably absent, is Spock. Kirk ascends the stairs, snaps to attention: COMMANDANT (CONT'D) Your inspirational valor and supreme dedication to your comrades are in keeping with the highest traditions of service and reflect utmost credit to yourself, your crew, and the Federation. By Starfleet Order 28455, you are hereby directed to report to Commanding Officer, USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief. Kirk turns.

Walks to... PIKE. In a wheelchair now, wearing an ADMIRAL'S UNIFORM. Overnight, his hair's turned totally grey -- but despite his trauma, his pride's overwhelming. They SALUTE each other: KIRK I relieve you, Sir. PIKE ... I am relieved. He opens a BOX in his lap -- glorious in repose, a MEDAL: PIKE (CONT'D) And as Fleet Admiral, for your... unique solution to the Kobayashi Maru, it's my honor to award you with a commendation for original thinking. Pike containing a smirk, pins the medal to Kirk's chest... PIKE (CONT'D) (a touch choked) Congratulations, Captain. KIRK Thank you, Sir. Kirk turns to the crowd. Eyes shining. WILD APPLAUSE. OUR MUSIC SOARS. Bones leans in to Sulu, rolling his eyes: BONES ... Same ship, different day. As Kirk rejoins his crew for hugs and congratulations, we go to the BACK of the hangar... SPOCK PRIME. Watching. Moved beyond words. He turns and leaves them to it... as he goes...

KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.) I know what you'd say -- `It's their turn now, Jim...' And of course you're right... but it got me thinking: INT. STARFLEET HOSPITAL - EARTH - DAY Our montage comes full circle as we END on Kirk's transmission: KIRK/SHATNER Who's to say we can't go one more round? By the last tally, only twenty five percent of the galaxy's been chartered... I'd call that negligent. Criminal even -- an invitation.

(MORE) KIRK/SHATNER (CONT'D) You once said being a starship captain was my first, best destiny... if that's true, then yours is to be by my side. If there's any true logic to the universe... we'll end up on that bridge again someday. Stops, grins. Because this is the part he needs to say most... KIRK Admit it, Spock. For people like us, the journey itself... is home. Young Spock's face. Lost in feelings that flood through him

To be honest, I had absolutely no idea of seeing the 2nd film of the Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. I then heard that it made about 141 million in the USA during its opening weekend. After I saw the film, I was shocked that I liked it. Even more shocking, to me, is the fact that I am recommending that you see it when it opens here in South Korea on 3 December, 2009.

You must know that I have not read any of the books at the time of this review. The rest of this review will be huge spoiler alerts.

Now for the first 45 minutes of the film, I wanted to take a pencil and jab it into my eye, so I wouldn't have to watch any of the teen anguish that I was watching...

New Moon continues the teen love story between Edward and Bella. Bella spirals down into a major depression when the 106 year old vampire she loves, leaves her. She finds herself picking up the pieces of her broken heart with her best friend, who just happens to be a werewolf.

It is during this dark time of her life, she accidentally discovers that, by being reckless and putting herself in extremely dangerous situations, she is able to see Edward in her mind and hear his calming voice. Desperate to be with him no matter the cost, she purposefully continues to put her life at risk.

With Jacob’s help, Bella rebuilds an old motorbike to further her dangerous escapades. She soon comes to discover that Jacob might be exactly what she needs to heal from the hurt of her broken relationship. She begins to feel alive and happy again, even though the memory of Edward is still painful. Her friendship with Jacob, a member of the Quileute tribe, leads her to a new discovery concerning the secrets as Jacob must deal with a new-found ability to transform into a werewolf. In the midst of this, Bella’s life in is danger with the arrival of Victoria, the vampire mate of James, who was killed by Edward and his family in the first movie.

The film then takes us to Rome to deal with Bella saving Edward from deliberately provoking the Volturi (a secret vampire society that regulates the laws over others of their kind) into killing Edward. The audience was really into this part of the film. I just have a bad feeling that the Volturi are going to play a major role in later films.

When the film was over, the audience was clapping and cheering and I couldn't believe that I actually liked the film. In prior film, I have openly hated love triangles, but in this case its 2 men going for 1 girl and when the treaty between the vampires and werewolves is about to be destroyed, it did make for an interesting story.

Readers, just give the film a chance, and yes, the film has moments of very bad acting. In the end it is worth at least one viewing.

Grade B+

Bella Swan: You've killed people Jake.
Jacob Black: We only kill what we are trying to protect you from, vampires

Movie review 2012

For the few who have no idea about why the #2012 is so important in this film this is the answer. The film is inspired by the idea of a global doomsday event coinciding with the end of the Mayan Long Count Calendar's current cycle on or around December 21, 2012 (the northern hemisphere's winter solstice).

Well this film is about 158 minutes long and that's about 60 minutes too long. We are given some pretty good special effects but we are also given a horrible script to go along with it. We are shown the destruction of some world cities but after seeing a few of these, it just seemed to numbed down the audience. It was just destroying cities for the case of trying to cover up for a weak script.

To me the main problem with this film is that the film tries to tell us that when the world is in trouble that the world will come together to save humanity but instead we are given a story that the uber rich will only save themselves. To me, the film fails here and only after a horrible speech does humanity even try and save the world.

The film is an action/popcorn film, that deserves to be seen at least once. After that, the film deserves to be forgotten.

Grade D-

Jackson Curtis: When they tell you not to panic... that's when you run!

Game Recap -- Sherman at Denison by Jason Della Rosa

So it's good that we settled all that last week right? After a season-long battle between local warring factions, Denison and Sherman finally played each other to determine who had the better team. The Jackets came away with the 43-28 victory and maintained their recent stranglehold on the Ax -- I point this out as mere coincidence but I have covered seven Battles of the Ax and Denison has won six. Just saying. -- and captured the District 9-4A title in the process, the program's second straight district title and fifth in the last seven years. The regular season is over. Bring on the playoffs.

It was over when -- Denison scored with 10 seconds left before half-time. After the Jackets scored with 1:44 left in the second quarter, the Denison defense forced a three-and-out by Sherman and, using its time-outs, got the ball back at its 31 with 51 seconds left. Jordan Taylor finished off the drive with a five-yard run to make it 29-7 at the half and deflate a lot of Bearcats' spirits. Without that late touchdown, Sherman was going to get the ball at the start of the third quarter with a chance to make it an eight-point game.

It was really over when -- Taylor scored his final touchdown of the night, a 25-yard run where he followed a kickout block to the left and burned everyone to the end zone with 2:26 left in the third quarter for a 36-14 lead. Taylor capped the nine-play drive to answer Sherman's opening possession of the second-half that was a touchdown. The key play came when he hit Jimmay Mundine for 25 yards on third and seven at the Sherman 40.

Player of the Game -- Another outstanding performance for Taylor. As I wrote in my story this week, the senior QB burst onto the scene in the Battle of the Ax two years ago when he led a stirring comeback victory as a sophomore. He didn't do a lot of the heavy lifting last year but was the main man in his last home game. Taylor ran for 175 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries and completed 13-of-15 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown. From a statistical standpoint, he is the best quarterback in school history -- holding the six records for touchdowns and yards in a game, season and career. His rushing numbers are pretty good too. He's 3-0 against Sherman and the only thing Erick Harper has on him is a state title. Six weeks from now, that might not be the case.

Play of the Game -- Hayden Chapman recovered a Sherman fumble at the Denison eight-yard line. Holding a 7-0 lead, Denison was on its heels as the Bearcats were putting together their best drive to that point. On third-and-two from the Jacket 11, Madison Carter got past the line of scrimmage to the right and probably had the first down. But as he was getting hit he tried to pitch the ball to Zac Whitfield. The ball was right at Whitfield's feet and Chapman dove on it. Instead of tying the game, Sherman was still behind. And even though Denison had to punt three plays later, the eventual exchange in field position allowed Denison to go up by two scores and maintain a lead for all but the first 4:14 of the game. (Honorable mention goes to a play that won't get its due because a third of it was wiped out by a penalty. Kyle Galyon had one of the best catch-and-runs you will see for what would have been a 69-yard touchdown on the drive right before half-time. A penalty called it back to make it only a 44-yard gain but the moves he made downfield are worthy of a mention.)

The good -- Another strong first half offensively. The Jackets scored on four of six drives and had 304 yards in the opening two quarters. The balance between the pass and run is almost 50-50. Late in the game Taylor had thrown for 147 yards and ran for 146, numbers like that make it tough to game-plan against one facet of the game or the other. Reeves had a 78-yard punt, albeit helped by the wind and a good bounce, but he essentially kicked from his own end zone and Sherman started the drive at its own two. The defensive pressure on Carter was very, very good. Sherman's senior signal-caller was never able to really get comfortable and 132 of his 188 yards came in the fourth quarter as the Bearcats tried to play catch-up down 43-14. He was sacked three times and had 22 yards on 13 carries. From a running standpoint, Denison allowed 70 yards on three carries by Whitfield and then 82 on the other 29. Knowing that Sherman had to onside kick after its first fourth-quarter score, Denison faced its first true onside attempt against them this year and Jared Mitchell came away with the ball.

The bad -- Well there was the 44-yard kickoff return by Nathan James to set up Sherman's first touchdown. And then there was the 12 penalties for 140 yards. But I mention those only briefly because they end up in this section every week. Outside of that duo you can't be upset when you hold a four-touchdown lead on your rival with eight minutes left in the game.

District dish -- The 111th Battle of the Ax and the 9-4A title went Denison, which meant that Sherman took second place. McKinney picked up a 35-14 victory over Frisco Liberty, which put the Lions into the playoffs even though Frisco Wakeland defeated McKinney North 43-25. McKinney, Liberty and Wakeland all tied for third but Wakeland lost out on the tie-breaker. The other game in district play was Frisco Centennial's 70-47 victory over Frisco. Playoff-wise, Denison is the top seed in Division II and faces Richardson Pearce at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco. Liberty is the second seed in Division II and will face Rockwall-Heath. Sherman is the top seed in Division I and plays Carrollton Newman Smith at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Clark Stadium in Plano. McKinney is the second seed in Division I and faces Highland Park. Starting next week this space will become a Division II Region II breakdown.

Stinging stats of the week -- It was the 10th straight win at Munson Stadium...The victory was the third straight for Denison in the Battle of the Ax, tying for the second-longest streak by the Jackets in the series, which has been done six times. The best streak is four from 1945-48...The 121 points in the three wins is the best point production against in a three-game stretch vs. Sherman, as is the 165 over the past four Ax games...Denison has won six of the last seven against Sherman, which ties for the best stretch in school history, matching a run from 1942-1948...It was Denison's 15th straight district victory, which is the second-longest streak in school history behind only a 17-game stretch from 1994-98...The Jackets now have 21 wins over the last two seasons, the sixth time that has happened in school history. The others are 1984-85, 1995-96 and 1996-97 (29), 1994-95 (25), 1997-98 (21)...Denison had its streak of rushing for 300 yards in a game snapped at five after finishing with 272...Mundine has caught at least three passes in every game this season. He is two touchdown catches from setting the single-season mark, Warren Dade had 13 in 1990. The 12 touchdowns are tied for second in a career. His 767 yards this season is the third-best season total, his 40 catches this year ties for second-most in a season...The 109 yards gave Jones more than 1,500 yards this season, making him the third Jacket with a pair of 1,500-yard years along with Chris and Corey Robertson...Jones now has 4,764 yards, which is 455 yards from surpassing Corey Robertson for the top spot...It was Jones' 23nd 100-yard game, which is four from passing Corey Robertson's school mark...Reeves needs 14 catches to pass Dade as the school's all-time leader in receptions. His 27-yard TD catch made him the third Yellow Jacket with 1,000 career receiving yards...The touchdown pass to Reeves gave Taylor the school record for passing yards in a season. He now has 1,505, breaking the old mark of 1,370 held by Eric Chavez set in 2007...Denison has gone three games -- 153 plays -- without a turnover...It was Cody White's 25th victory at Denison (and overall), making him the seventh Jacket head coach to do so...Aaron Morrison had 12 tackles (six solo)...Ty Carter had eight tackles (five solo)...Mundine added two sacks...Reeves made six solo tackles.

Fans throughout NYC celebrate Yankees’ title

By VIRGINIA BYRNE, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)—Hundreds of Yankees fans poured into the streets of New York early Thursday to celebrate the team’s 27th World Series championship, a party that extended uptown and began building hours earlier when the crowd at Yankee Stadium danced and sang to the music even before the first pitch.

Fans in Yankees jerseys and hats who watched the 7-3 victory over Philadelphia at sports bar Stout spilled out onto 33rd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues early Thursday in Manhattan. Greeted by an NYPD van, several patrol cars with lights flashing and officers standing on street corners, they remained well-behaved.

New York City police said there were no early reports of disturbances related to the Yankees victory.

A ticker-tape parade and ceremony to honor the team has been scheduled for Friday, the mayor’s office said.

Outside the team’s $1.5 billion ballpark in the Bronx, 16-year-old Ryan Wessel of Somers, N.Y., bought two Yankees hat right after the game. He reveled in the team’s win, underscored by Hideki Matsui’s record-tying six RBIs. Matsui was named World Series MVP.

“He definitely should have gotten it,” Wessel said. “He’s my favorite player.”

The Yankees “have a great attitude, a lot of hard work, really superb performances by clutch players at the right time,” said fan Bob Matsuok of New York, who wore a Matsui jersey as he watched the game in northern Manhattan.

Fans at Stout yelled, “MVP! MVP! MVP!” every time Matsui came to bat.

The three-level bar was packed most of Wednesday evening with fans from as far away as San Diego hanging on every pitch as they watched Game 6 on flat-screen televisions.

“It’s phenomenal,” said Robert Christiansen, 41, of Malverne, N.Y. “It’s all you can ask for.”

When Yankees left-hander Damaso Marte struck out Phillies second baseman Chase Utley on three pitches with two runners on to end the top of the seventh inning, a sense of relief overcame the packed house at Stout.

The crowd responded to the strikeout by chanting: “Yankees! Yankees! Yankees!”

Gabriel Ortega, 28, a credit card executive from San Diego, called it “an extraordinary game; it’s keeping us on our toes.”

“We love Matsui,” said Ortega.

In Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, a whoop went out from bars and restaurants every time the Yankees recorded an out in the late innings.

Fans high-fived each other at the Westside Tavern on 23rd Street when the game ended.

“Matsui should be the MVP,” said Tom Murphy, an investor.

Cynthia Lang finished work on a party cruise boat and watched the last two innings at a Mexican restaurant next door.

“The season started off kind of slow,” she said, adding that the Yankees performed best when it counted—in the playoffs.

Fans had waited nine years since the team’s last World Series win, a Subway Series against their crosstown rivals, the Mets, in 2000.

Some were quick to note that before the series began, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins had predicted a Philadelphia victory in five games.

But it was a quiet night on Broad Street in Philadelphia, where thousands of fans partied when the Phillies won the National League championship.

There were no postgame troubles in the city early Thursday, Philadelphia police spokesman Officer Stephen Malen said.

At Yankee Stadium, the stands trembled after each key hit.

A television blimp circled above the stadium during the entire game, and at one point the electronic lettering on the side beamed “Lisa, will you marry me? Love John.”

The blimp circled the stadium again, and on the next round it brought the answer: She said “yes.”

Yankees win 27th World Series title, stop Phillies from repeating

By David Brown

Score and situation: Yankees 7, Phillies 3 Yankees win Series 4-2

Leading lads: Stone-faced Hideki Matsui went 3-for-4 with a homer and six RBIs to almost single-handledly (or double-handedly, since we're talking swinging) make the Yankees offense go in Game 6. He made the most of his limited plate appearances, clubbing three homers and driving in eight runs in just 13 at-bats to win Series MVP. He also might have played in his final game with the Yankees; he will be a free agent.

Mariano Rivera was the Yankees' rock at the end of the game as usual, going the final 1 2/3 innings to close it out for a save — in spirit.

Head hangers: The Phillies went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and most of it hangs around the neck of Pedro Feliz(notes), who left five runners stranded.

Key play: The Phillies' best threat of the night came with them down four runs in the seventh, but left-hander Damaso Marte(notes) struck out Chase Utley(notes) with two men aboard to sink the rally. Marte had an awful, injury plagued regular season, but he was unscored-upon in eight playoff appearances.

Key stat: Pedro Martinez threw 77 pitches but 31 were outside of the strike zone. His inability to command, plus a lack of zip made it amazing the Yankees didn't score more.

What they're talking about: The Yankees won their first title since 2000, which seems like a couple of lifetimes for the Bronx Bombers.

What they're saying: "You never know where you're going to get back here." — Jorge Posada

What's next: A parade for the Yankees. Then spring training in about 3 1/2 months.

NEW YORK – The ghosts may have been abandoned across the street, where the House that Ruth Built is awaiting the imminent arrival of the wrecker’s ball. But from old to new, the New York Yankees left no doubt in the House that George Built that their championship tradition runs as straight and true as a pinstripe.

Catcher Jorge Posada #20 of the New York Yankees celebrates with his teammates after their 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Six of the 2009 MLB World Series.

The Yankees won their 27th World Series title and first in the new Yankee Stadium by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 7-3 Wednesday night to take the 105th World Series in six games.

They christened their new $1.5 billion home in the same style as the original back in 1923, when the heroes were a left-handed slugger named Babe Ruth and a left-handed pitcher named Herb Pennock. Ruth hit three home runs, including one in the World Series clincher, and Pennock won twice, including the finale.

Eighty-six years later, only the names changed. Left-handed slugger Hideki Matsui(notes), in possibly his last game in a Yankee uniform, tied a Series record by driving in six runs and hit his third home run of the Series, a two-run blast in the second that was the Yankees’ first shot across the bow against Phillies starter Pedro Martinez.

Matsui, whose aching knees limited him to a pinch-hitting role in the three games in Philadelphia, had hit a tie-breaking home run off Martinez in the Yankees’ Game 2 win and demonstrated anew that if Martinez wanted to discuss his ancestry, his Yankee “daddy” was the venerable Japanese star.

Matsui hit a two-run single in the third off Martinez, then doubled in two more against Phillies’ rookie J.A. Happ(notes) in the fifth to earn Series MVP honors.

Left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte(notes), pitching on three days’ rest, won the duel of old goats, as it was called by Martinez, holding the Phillies to a single run while the Yankees built a 7-1 lead against the 38-year-old Martinez and relievers Chad Durbin(notes) and Happ.

Pettitte, a sellout crowd of 50,315 creating chills independent of the 47-degree temperatures by thunderously chanting his name, came out in the sixth after giving up a two-run home run to Ryan Howard(notes), the strikeout-ridden Phillies slugger, and a two-out double to Raul Ibanez(notes).

Despite walking five batters, a number he has exceeded just once in 40 postseason starts, the 37-year-old Pettitte won for the second time in the Series and joined Boston’s Derek Lowe(notes) (2004) and Chicago’s Freddy Garcia(notes) (2005) as the only pitchers to win the clinching game in all three rounds of the playoffs: the division series, the LCS and the World Series.

Pettitte has won 18 postseason games, the most of any pitcher in history, including four this season. He also was the winner in a clinching game for the sixth time in his career, the most of any pitcher.

The last 10 outs were recorded by the Yankees bullpen, the final five by Mariano Rivera(notes), who with Pettitte, catcher Jorge Posada(notes) and shortstop Derek Jeter(notes) are the only players left from the last Yankees team to win it all, in 2000. Joe Girardi, in his second season as Yankees manager, was with the team as a reserve catcher for World Series titles in 1996, 1998 and 1999 but left as a free agent before the 2000 season.

With their bookend Series titles, the Yankees now can make a compelling case that they are the team of the decade, having won more regular-season games (965) and playoff series (10) than any other team, and joining the Boston Red Sox as the only teams to win two Series titles.

The Yankees had four 100-win seasons in the decade, including 103 in 2009 after new owner Hal Steinbrenner, taking over for his ailing father, George, gave general manager Brian Cashman the green light to spend over $243 million on three players – starting pitchers CC Sabathia(notes) and A.J. Burnett(notes) and first baseman Mark Teixeira(notes).

Sabathia and Burnett each won a game in the Series while Teixeira, who came into Wednesday night batting just .105 in the World Series and .172 in the postseason, singled home a run in the Yankees’ three-run fifth.

And, of course, the Yankees are the most successful franchise of all time. Their 27 titles are 17 more than that of the St. Louis Cardinals, who have won the second-most in baseball.

The Phillies fell short in their quest to become the first National League team since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds to win back-to-back Series titles.

Martinez, the self-styled “old goat” who didn’t join the Phillies until August, had counted upon “experience and survival” and his “frog’s blood” to carry him in a quest to add a triumphant coda to his rich history against the Yankees.

But Martinez lasted just four innings, succumbing to the master strokes of Matsui.

Movie Review. Inglourious Basterds. (2009)

I remember that, back in 1994, I was told that there was a film that I just had to see. It was directed by someone named Quentin Tarantino and the film was calledPulp Fiction. After seeing the film, I knew that I wanted to see more film by this director. After seeing his last film, Inglourious Basterds, I am not sure that I want to see anymore films directed by him.


The film, set in German-occupied France, tells the story of two plots to assassinate the Nazi political leadership, one planned by a young French Jewish cinema proprietress, the other by a team of American soldiers called the "Basterds". The team is led by 1st Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt)

While I was watching the film, I kept thinking, "What if this film would have been set in the present day and instead of the Nazi's we are given Al-Qaeda or the Taliban?" This would be a very bold move. Instead we are given the same, tired plot, given that the Nazis were the bogeyman back in 1944. Does Hollywood only consider the past evil men and pretend that the present day evil doesn't exist?

To me this was the main reason why this film failed for me. Since "Pulp Fiction", I have asked Tarantino to always give me another great film. I do not mind the reusing of old ideas into something new but with this film, we are given a lot of recycled material, but nothing new and instead of a new classic film, I see a 2+ hour adult anti-Nazi cartoon.

When you see the film in Korea please remember that the film is in English, French
German and Italian. I do not know if there will be English Subtitles or only Korean ones.

Please pass on this film when it opens in South Korea on 29 October 2009.

Grade: D+

Lt. Aldo Raine: You probably heard we ain't in the prisoner-takin' business; we in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, Business is a-boomin'.

Soju, my dog, Died on October 11th, 2009 of an apparent heart attack.



I really didn't notice anything wrong with her earlier in the day. We both went for our morning walk and we had a nice time. She came back home and rested. I took her out for a small walk that she enjoyed and then we came back in and a few moments later she threw up a few more times.

I knew that Sol Pet vet was open on Sunday, so we walked their, she pooped and vomited some more. The vet saw her and did a test for any toxic stuff that Soju might have eaten. The Vet told me that Soju was going to get some anti vomit medicine and no food for the next 24 hours.

Soju, then laid down next to me and I told her, "Looks like I take care of you one more time." I petted her and then 2 seconds later, She turned over on her back, started shaking and whimpering. I Then yelled for the vet asap and when he saw he, he ran and started to pump her heart.

She was going very stiff and the vet for the next 20+ minutes kept pumping her heart. I kept my eye on her during the entire time. I was crying a lot during that time. I kept Looking at my dog, kept hopping but it just wasn't meant to be. Soju died.

I just started to cry and cry for awhile. I went and paid the vet bill. I went back to say goodbye to Soju.

I told her that thank you for coming into my life and that I guess that God got a child that needed a big puppy and he came to take you home. I hope that when I get to heaven that you're there waiting for me.

Me and the vet talked for a few minutes and I thanked him for trying his best and I am sorry that this happened today. (I saw this man give me his best and I saw the pain in his eyes)I told him, I didn't know Soju's past but for the last 5+months Soju had someone that loved her and that spoiled her a lot.

I told him that a lot of the girls just loved Soju. I Called her a SAP (Spoiled Ass Princess)I told him about when I had to go back to the office on day 2 of me owning her and that she was so happy to see me. I looked back at Soju and said "Good-bye my puppy-wuppy and left.

The vet thinks that one of the young heart worms got into Soju's heart and that it killed her. What was very unusual that all of the other dogs at the vet all sat down. It was like they knew that a dog had died.

As I was typing this blog post Annie, who helped me get her from the Asan Animal shelter, texted me. I called her and we both cried over losing Soju today.

This place seems so empty without her here, but I know that she isn't in anymore pain.



Goodbye Soju, I loved you and you loved me. We both took care of each other.

Eagles’ pitcher bows out tonight after 21-year career

September 23, 2009

The Hanwha Eagles will bid their veteran pitcher Song Jin-woo farewell at tonight’s game against the LG Twins. The 43-year-old pitcher will get the start and is expected to pitch an inning or two. Hanwha will use a special ball inscribed with the text, “Song Jin-woo’s retirement game.”

Song has played his entire 21-year career with the Eagles dating back to the days when the Eagles were under the sponsorship of Binggrae. The club’s officials have decided to honor Song’s contribution to the team by retiring his number, 21. Song becomes only the third player in Eagles history to have his number retired.

(I Will be at the game tonight!)

By GI Korea on September 21st, 2009 at at 5:56 am

First Time Published Image of the Daejon (Taejon) Massacre

Via the ROK Drop Forums comes this image from the Korean War with the inscription on the back of, “South Koreans killed at Tae Jon by North Koreans”:

The son of the veteran who took this photograph is looking for any information to confirm the location of the picture. The way the Tae Jon is spelled on the photo leads me to believe that this was in fact taken at the modern day Daejon because the spelling of “Tae Jon” was common during the Korean War. The hills in the background do not immediately jump out at me though and maybe some ROK Drop readers living in Daejon can better identify them.

The biggest question to answer though is whether this execution was a North Korean execution as depicted on the back of the photo or ROK Army execution. Below is a number of photos from executions carried out around Daejon by the South Korean governmental authorities:

For more on these photographs I highly recommend reading:

• Rehashing Korean War Era Executions
• Rehashing Korean War Era Executions, Again
• Rehashing Koreean War Era Executions, Again and Again

Notice in these pictures none of the bodies executed by the ROK authorities wer lined in up in neat lines like the picture in question. Now here are pictures of executions in Daejon carried out by the North Koreans:

In all the pictures I have seen of executions carried out in Daejon none of them show bodies neatly organized like in the picture in question. Additionally what I find interesting about the picture is how big the trench is compared to other execution sites. It makes me wonder if this is actually some kind of irrigaton canal for example that the bodies were left in?

By GI Korea on September 18th, 2009 at at 5:19 pm

Marine Widow Hotaru Ferschke Faces Deportation

This story has long been followed here on the ROK Drop and though I’m not surprised, incredibly the immigration department has yet to fix her immigration status:

Hotaru Ferschke just wants to raise her 8-month-old son in his grandparents’ Tennessee home, surrounded by photos and memories of the father he’ll never meet: a Marine who died in combat a month after marrying her from thousands of miles away.

Sgt. Michael Ferschke was killed in Iraq in 2008, leaving his widow and infant son, both Japanese citizens, in immigration limbo: A 1950s legal standard meant to curb marriage fraud means U.S. authorities do not recognize the marriage, even though the military does.

Ferschke and his bride had been together in Japan for more than a year, and she was pregnant when he deployed. They married by signing their names on separate continents and did not have a chance to meet again in person after the wedding, which a 57-year-old immigration law requires for the union to be considered consummated.

“She is being denied because they are saying her marriage is not valid because it was not consummated — despite the fact that they have a child together,” said Brent Renison, an immigration lawyer in Oregon who has advised the family.

Hotaru Ferschke and the baby, Michael “Mikey” Ferschke III, are staying for now on a temporary visa at the home of her parents-in-law, in the Smoky Mountains town of Maryville. Robin and Michael Ferschke Sr., who are fighting for their daughter-in-law to stay, have emblazoned their son’s picture on everything from a blanket draped on the back of the couch to a waving banner on the fence outside. [Associated Press]

I can tell you from personal experience that the US Citizenship & Immigration Services doesn’t give a damn if you are in the military or not. They will treat you like crap like they do everyone else. It took me five years of nonsense with these people for various reasons mainly due to my continuous military re-locations, to get my wife her permanent residency card. In that whole time I interacted with USCIS only one guy in that entire bureaucracy was really helpful to us and did a lot to finally solve the immigration nonsense. If it wasn’t for that guy who just happened to be a retired Air Force E-8 my wife and I would have been separated due to my PCS back to the US.

So I can definitely understand the frustration that Hotaru is going through with these people. Hopefully the continuous publicity to this case will get these people to do something to help her out.

Further Reading:

• Life Created After One Lost
• Welcome to the US Hotaru & Mikey Ferschke
• No Way to Treat A Marine Widow Part II
• No Way to Treat A Marine Widow Part I

Mother loses court case over son`s death..


The mother of Michael White, 14, who drowned in a Sauna in May 2008, has lost her court battle to win compensation for her sons death.

Stephannie White sought damages from the sauna, one of the hospitals where her son was taken, and the national and provincial governments, claiming that they had contributed to her sons death.

"I have instructed (my lawyer) Mr. Hwang to completely investigate all possibilities for appeal, Ms. White said."

"I will stay in Korea as long as necessary. While I am in Korea I will work within the system to seek justice and restitution. Once I am no longer in Korea, I will no longer have to respect Koreas sensibilities on the delicacy of this issue."

Details of the courts decision were unavailable at the time of writing.

The case lasted more than a year, with sessions being dissolved and the court taking the unusual step of visiting the sauna to examine the scene of Michael Whites death.

Police had said about 15 people were in the mens area of the sauna at the time. However, none of them had come forward with information, and a sauna employee had seen White floating face down, but had not acted, assuming that he was conscious.

The circumstances surrounding the death of White, an American, attracted attention from the expat community because of the unusual nature of the event, and because of the court case that followed.

The case was unusual because investigations into deaths of expats are usually closed when the body is taken out of the country, meaning that cases involving expat deaths are not often brought to court.

(paulkerry@heraldm.com)

An update from Stephanie White (Its a month late and its my fault)

July 14, 2009 court date events

Friday, July 17, 2009 at 10:50am

Greetings Mightie Mike fans

I'd like to first thank everyone for being so patient with me as I get over the jetlag and emotional baggage that comes with the court case.

Sitting in court, we held photos/keepsake ash memorial of Mike as the Judges & court waited nearly an hour for the Sauna's lawyer to appear. After he finally did arrive, court was called back into session and we heard the testimony of an ex- sauna employee, the floor manager of the men's floor. He was working the night Mike was murdered. This is the sauna employee we've been waiting on to come to court since Feb 12, 2009.

While the court carefully tip toed around the "how & why" Mike was unconscious to begin with, he was questioned about events after Mike was unconscious. The ex-employee admitted (as finally revealed to me by Mr. Hwang after much pestering for details) that the sauna staff was fully aware that Mike was unconscious in the shallow pool for at least 30 minutes before taking any action on his behalf. The ex-employee would not look at me directly nor let me look into his eyes, leaving quickly after court so there would be no opportunity.

We might remember at this point that the Good Samaritan law wasn't passed by congress until May 23, 2008, barely two weeks after Mike's murder. Even without the protection of a Good Samaritan law, there is no penalty for calling 119/112.

The lawyer for the Provence (representing the EMT & local public safety inspection office) had previously requested that he be able to call the EMT workers to the stand. These are the very same EMT who told Mr. Hwang they planned to lie on the stand. (we might note there are no laws/penalities for perjury in Korea)

After hearing the testimony of the ex-sauna employee, the head Judge closed the case without hearing the silver tongued testimony from the EMT. The verdict will be submitted to the court system on August 25 at 10am. We do not appear in court for the "reading" of the verdict. Sometime that afternoon, Mr. Hwang & the other lawyers will receive an email giving the basics of the verdict. Two weeks later they will all receive a paper copy of the verdict with full details from the three Judges. (Similar to the American Supreme Court verdict process)

The opposition lawyers/Mr. Hwang will have 30 days from August 25th to appeal the verdict. (Which is actually just two weeks, as they would need the detailed paper verdict to complete the appeal paperwork). Mr. Hwang feels confident that the Judges will side in my favor and the likelihood of appeal is small.

According to Mr. Hwang, it seems "my grief has pushed me to go too far" and I've pushed to the limit 'making Korea look bad". An appeal would prolong my time in Korea and give me more opportunity to gather what supporting evidence I can as well as continue to have the police files translated at a cheaper rate than I would get in the US. even if one of the opposition lawyers files an appeal, the Head Judge can deny it. We would have the same Judges again should that happen.

While, avoiding "counting my chicks before they hatch" decisions do need to be made on whether a foundation/charity or advocacy group will emerge from this. I've been contacted by Bill Kapoun's mother and hope to continue contacting more families of victims so that we (fams of the murdered) and the expat community can work toward doable goals and raising awareness. Somethings (like foundation/charity) can not be done without the support/volunteerism of the expat community. Your opinion is welcome and you are encouraged to express yourself.

Thank you again for your help, support, words of kindness and el mucho grande vibes sent out for Mike's sake. For that, I'm forever in your debt.

In humble thanks
Mightie Mike's Mom
Steph