Epic Performances: 2021 NBA.
Author: ml22
Stop-Motion Auteurs.
Jan Εvankmajer and Ladislas Starevich, from Alice, Faust, and Le Roman de Renard, respectively.
“The virtual or imaginary nature of things as glimpsed by the heightened vision of poetry or science or love can be seized and lived as real.” —Alfred Jarry.
Greek God: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Milwaukee Bucks have been amply rewarded for selecting Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA draft. The Greek immediately showed many a skill not associated with 6’11” giants. A veritable Swiss Army knife, he has refined and bolstered his game to the uppermost echelons. After averaging 29.5 ppg in 2019-20, he claimed his second consecutive MVP award as a 25 year old. Oh. He also prevailed as the Defensive Player of the Year. The combo has now been achieved all of 3 times in league history.
The Rockford Files: Piece Work.
Arguably the greatest episode of The Rockford Files, Piece Work {1976} features indelible performances by Michael Lerner, the indomitable Frank Maxwell, and, of course, Mr. James Garner.
Swooper and Scorer: Monta Ellis.
During his stint in professional basketball, Monta Ellis was a prolific scorer, once averaging better than 25 points per game. As a high school player, he once tallied 72 points in a single game. But what really made the guard stand out were his fearless, improbable, balletic forays to the hoop. Incredibly creative and hang-in-the-air-ish.
The Great Commercials.
Simply put, these are the greatest commercials of all time.
American Pie.
1971 was the year everything changed in the music world, as Don McLean’s epic composition American Pie was to shortly ascend to the summit of the charts. The longest song to achieve #1 Billboard status, it was steeped in symbolism and mysterious goings-on that enlarged the canvas for what was felt to be possible in popular music. Oh, and McLean was a formidable vocalist and performer, to boot.
Others have taken a swing at the iconic piece, most notably Madonna in 2000. This version is surprisingly strong, but lacks the sweep and power of the McLean iterations. The song remains a landmark to this day.
It is fair to say that a major theme in the song is the loss of innocence. It is also fair to say that there would appear to be a lot more going on than just that. And, finally, the tone of the song lends it more of a heroic than tragic quality.
The Moray Eel.
Gargoyles.
J.T. Walsh.
Great “character” actor J.T. Walsh could do it all.
