Das Rheingold 6-28-11 San Francisco Opera

It wasn't the best 'Rheingold' I've seen, but it held my interest, thanks to Wagner's genius. The conducting by Donald Runnicles was seamless as always. Mark Delavan as Wotan was a bit lacking, both in voice and presence, he didn't convey the essence of the 'All-Father'.  We'll see how he does when he becomes 'The Wanderer'. Stefan Margita as the wily and perceptive Loge stole the show and he received the loudest applause at show's end, aptly enough. The 1850's 'Gold Rush' reinvention of the Ring didn't annoy me as much as I thought it would, but it still made for two painfully drab sets on Acts 2 and 4, including when the gods ascend the rainbow bridge. It felt more like they were getting onto a cruise ship in the 1920's.  However, the River Rhine in Act 1 was mysterious and beautiful and the underground mining pits of the Niebelungs in Act 3 was fiery and fascinating. The transitions between acts were also handled gorgeously, you felt like you were traveling along to the next locale, whether it be descending or ascending. Overall, I'd give this Rheingold 3.5 Tarnhelms out of a possible 5.  (I know there's only one Tarnhelm, give me a break...) 

End of the one the all-time great sports broadcasting teams

With the Mavs dismantling of the Miami Heat on June 12, it brings an end to the ABC NBA broadcasting team of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson.  They were the best NBA announcing team in TV history, but it's all coming to an end as Jackson is to be the new coach of the Golden State Warriors (good luck with that, Mark!).

Breen/Van Gundy/Jackson had unique chemistry for a three-man announcing team. They weren't the Monday Night Football apogee of Cosell/Meredith/Gifford, but no sports broadcasting team will ever be. Breen/Van Gundy/Jackson made you laugh and taught you things you didn't know about the game. Charles Barkley is the only addition that could make the team even greater, that is if Van Gundy doesn't take a coaching gig too and leave Breen in the lurch. In case you're wondering, Ree Vews rates the team of Harry Caray and Jimmy Piersall (Chicago White Sox 1977-81) to be the the greatest baseball broadcasting team of all time. 

The Tree of Life

More pretentious than profound. Pitt is very good as the conflicted father, but it's not a Tyler Durden-level of performance. It's part Discovery Channel (the dinosaurs parts are cool) and part indie drama. Call it the most expensive college film ever, it reminded me of times of short-film experiments I was doing in college; city vs nature, astronomical images. It's very impressionistic film, don't see it expecting much in the way of a linear plot, though there kinda is one. Penn does actually speak a few lines but basically they could have got any actor to do his part. The beach scene at the end is one of the most pretentious I've ever seen in a movie. If you want profound, see Enter the Void. Overall, only 2 out of 5 microbrews for The Tree of Life.