This year there were a lot of good films but nothing unforgettable. The cinematography was stunning in “Roma.” Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga were terrific in “A Star is Born,” but I’ve seen it before and this version did nothing to make me forget the others. “Vice” was all about Christian Bale. And why not? He hit it out of the park! “The Green Book” was a beautiful story. And I love Queen and Freddie Mercury, which is why I liked “Bohemian Rhapsody.“ John David Washington, who may be on the way to becoming a big star like his dad, helped carry “Black Klansman.” I also thought if ever there was a time to vote for a comic book movie this might be the year, with “Black Panther.” But those beautiful scenes and grand effects take away from any great performances by the actors. So….I’m going with the uniqueness of what many call “an actor’s movie.” In this case, the one featuring the terrific characters portrayed by Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone. That’s why I chose “The Favourite.”
Tag: Rick Garcia
Garcia’s Choice for Best Actor
This was an easy choice for me this year! Usually I can’t decide between one or two actors. Or I’ll wish they’d open up the category for more nominees in a given year.
But Christian Bale in “Vice” was tops! He really became former Vice President Dick Cheney in every sense possible.
Rick Garcia’s Prediction for Best Actress
While I loved Glenn Close’s understated— yet powerful— take in “The Wife” and am disappointed that Rosamund Pike was overlooked by the Academy for “A Private War”, I’m going with Olivia Colman for her quirky role in “The Favourite.”
Anthony Davis is not a Laker (Yet)
Fans are still optimistic that Anthony Davis will join the Lakers. While it would have been great to get him mid-season, they will have to wait until the season ends.
Rick Garcia Asks: Where’s the Magic?
After coming off a Super Bowl and Two World Series in the last two years, L.A. sports teams seem to be in pretty good hands…for the most part. The Rams and Dodgers appear to be built to last. On the other hand, what’s up with the Lakers? The franchise that has won 16 world titles — 11 in Los Angeles– appears to be in disarray. As the 2018-2019 NBA trading deadline was approaching, the Lakers were a team of desperation. Their efforts to get New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis, to pair him with their own free agent superstar Lebron James, has been a public mess. Their anxiousness to have another championship team right away seems to have clouded the judgment of those making the decisions (Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka). It used to be they’d make great draft decisions, then build their teams around amazing young talent. Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant ring a bell? Then they’d sprinkle in some veteran free agents to fill in the roster. It worked more recently for Golden State. How about this for an idea? Draft better and quit trying to mortgage the future for the present. There’s nothing supernatural about it!
Disappointed, not devastated
My feelings were in check on Super Bowl Sunday. Not that I was “just happy to be there,” but just being real. While I truly feel the Los Angeles Rams had the better players overall, there is no way to feel comfortable when your team plays Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. I know it was one of the most boring games in Super Bowl history, but as long as my team was still in it at the end of the game, I was just fine with “boring.” At the end of the day, both teams employed the same “stop the run” strategy. And both teams did it well. The idea is to let the quarterback beat you and that’s just what Tom Brady did. Hats off to the New England Patriots. They are one of the greatest franchises in sports history. Their coach is one of the best to run a team. And their Quarterback, the greatest of all time (G-O-A-T). But what I take from this loss is that I truly believe Jared Goff can win a title. That Sean McVay is currently one of the best coaches in the NFL. And that the Rams are built to last and will again be in the big game. But I’m also hopeful. Hopeful that the Patriots’ time in the sun will eventually pass.
Super Bowl 53: A Changing of the Guard?
The coaching battle for Superbowl 53 will be a great one. Bill Belichick, one of the best head coaches of all time squaring off against Sean McVay, one of the best young coaches in the NFL. Could there be a changing of the guard?
Robey-Coleman’s Response
I’m curious to see how Nickel Robey-Coleman responds on Sunday. The past two weeks he’s been talked about non stop for that No-Call in New Orleans. He’s also talked about Tom Brady’s age which won’t sit well with the G.O.A.T.
Garcia’s Take on Gurley’s Bounce Back
I think these two weeks off will be good for Todd Gurley. He had a rough NFC championship but I think he could bounce back nicely. Ultimately though, I believe that CJ Anderson will be a huge factor for the Rams.
Rick Garcia on LA Ram’s D-Line
A big advantage that the LA Rams might have is their defensive line. Aaron Donald is one of the best players in the league and Ndamukong Suh can’t be forgotten either. Hopefully the D-Line will give the Pats offense fits.
Rick Garcia Remembers Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall LOVED sports! One night I was covering Dodgers VS Giants. Barry Bonds was on a quest to break the single season home run record. I’d see Penny often at various sporting events in LA while I was covering the games. On this night at Dodger Stadium she invited me to sit with her. For 9 innings we chatted up a storm. Everything sports. She was an encyclopedia and so charming! I had a bit of a cold and the crowd was loud and so I started to lose my voice. Still, I had to go on the air for my nightly sportscast after the game. But my voice was completely gone in the first sentence. The weather guy had to step in and finish the sportscast.
It was sooo worth it! RIP Penny.