David Otunga: Lawyer to the stars

David Otunga: Lawyer to the stars

David Otunga, the husband of Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson first appeared on our screens as a contestant on the first season and arguably best season of NXT, where he finished an undeserved second. Otunga was arguably the worst in ring performer in NXT. Yes he could talk, but in the ring he was brutal. 

After NXT finished Otunga was a part of Nexus, emerging with quite a large role. However, every time he stepped in the ring he showcased how poor of a performer he is, seeming to never improve. Nexus died and Otunga became a tag team with MM who were nothing to write home about. 

Since Otunga and MM broke up, Otunga has become a singles competitor, adopting and enhancing his lawyer gimmick. In this role Otunga has crawled up to interim GM John Laurinaitis becoming almost his lackey and ‘lawyer to the superstars’. 

I have to stay, I’m a big fan of this new Otunga gimmick. OK, the dude can’t wrestle. He looks slow and heavy in the ring and has never really given a good performance. That being said, there’s no denying that the man can talk. He talks with such a quality that I just want to punch him in the face. That maybe a bad thing in real life, but in the big ol’ world of wrestling, making people want to punch you, just by opening your mouth, is a great quality for a heel and I can see it working. But, I want to see more. 

What I would quite like to see happen is Mr Otunga using his vast law skills ‘cough’ to win matches and reverse decisions. For example, Mr Otunga could get the referee to reverse the decision because of the opposing wrestler not using the correct footwear or something. Once, he’s got the decision he should celebrate like he’s just won an Iron man match. Some matches he doesn’t even have to step in the ring, finding old laws in the rule book to give him the win even before the bell rings. 

This could go on for months, Otunga getting more and more heat. Then I would personally let him win the US title from whoever the babyface champ was at the time. Otunga would keep the title for a few months, winning by using the laws against his opponents every time. Until, finally the babyface gets a no holds barred match with Otunga and wipes the floor with him. I think the crowd reaction alone would be worth the build up. 

I know this angle wouldn’t be a wrestling heavy angle. But, sometimes I don’t think they have to be. Every wrestler serves a purpose. People like Dolph and Bryan are superb workers, others like Jericho and Punk are born entertainers, and Otunga can be a heat machine. His matches will never be a clinic, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be entertaining. I’m of the firm belief that David Otunga- Attorney to the stars will work. 

Trust me, what’s the worst that could happen?

Until next time, enjoy the show. 

Feel free to comment in the section below.

Or email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com or follow me on twitter @glamgrunge

Daniel Morris

The Sunday Lister- Top 5 Sports Movie Speeches

The Sunday Lister

I normally don’t do lists because that’s my friend Sol’s territory and I don’t like stepping on his toes. Also, if he found out he’d beat me for sure. However, with my busy schedule I think I’m going to start doing a top five or so column, once a week. It probably won’t be every week, as when I have more time, I’ll do other articles, but on busy weeks you should probably expect a list off me. 

So moving to this week’s top 5. Last night I watched Goon starring Sean William Scott as nice but dim hockey enforcer, Doug the Thug. As the Highlanders Captain gave a motivational speech about being as tough as ‘Greek Porn’ I had an epiphany. My list today is about the top 5 sports speeches.

So without further ado, here we go?

5. The Film:  Miracle The Speech: You were born for this Speech

Not my favourite sports movie. To me the better Ice Hockey films are the ones that are a bit lighter in tone, but there is no doubting that the speech in Miracle is pretty good. The speech is deeply motivating, without being too overbearing. Summing the film up pretty well. Plus, Kurt Russell is an absolute dude, so that always helps. 

4. The Film:  Coach Carter The Speech: St Francis Post Game Speech

Coach Carter is quite marmite as a sports film. Basketball fans love it, but yet it’s slated for being too cheesy and ‘by the numbers’ in its structure. That being said, Coach Carter does something that other sports films don’t, it has its motivational speech after the team has been beaten. And it’s a good’un. 

3. The Film:  Any Given Sunday The Speech: Inches Speech

Probably the most famous sports movie speech of all time. Al Pacino delivers a cracker with his ‘inches’ speech that has writer Josh Logan all over it. Rumours are that it’s been used by professional sports coaches to inspire there teams and you can see why. Maybe it runs a bit long at four and a half minutes, but there’s no denying its power. 

2. The Film: The Replacements The Speech:  Pain Heels Speech

The Replacements is a guilty pleasure movie for me and my family. Every family has a few and we can’t help love this Keanu Sports classic. Chock full of cheesy speeches it’s hard to choose my favourite one. But, after a long debate it has to be Mr Reeves’ ‘Pain Heels’ Speech. Yes, it’s a big block o’ Cheddar, but you can’t deny its motivational power. 

1.The Film:  Remember the Titans The Speech: Soul of a Man Speech

Disney proved that they can also do a thinking man sports movie as well when it knocked up ‘Remember the Titans’. Packed to the brim with a message about race that’s as relevant today as it was for when the film is set. The brilliance of this speech has to be that it’s three people that complete it.  Watch it, because whatever I say won’t do it justice. 

What do you think? Have I missed your favourite? Feel free to tell me what it is.

Until next time, enjoy the show. 

@glamgrunge

Cineamascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Daniel Morris

I've Been Sherlocked

I’ve Been Sherlocked

OK, this is my second Sherlock Holmes related article in the last few weeks. However, since this one is about the British TV show that airs on BBC 1 and not the film, then I think I’m OK to do it. 

I have definitely been Sherlocked. 

Admittedly, I didn’t take much notice of the first season when it debuted last year. Mainly due to the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of British television. I am inclined to go for more of an American approach to satisfy my TV taste buds.  I’m not too sure why this is, but I often find British TV a bit bland and highly influencing British Stereotypes. No wonder were seen as either mindless ruffians or toffs in the eyes of the world if they believe what is portrayed in our television shows to be a reflection of real British life. Alas, I’m getting off topic. 

I sat down New Years Day with my girlfriend, who is an avid Sherlock Holmes fan, to watch the first episode of second season of Sherlock. It was about ten minutes in when I first realised it: I was hooked. Since then I borrowed my girlfriend’s copy of Sherlock series one, watched it and also watched episode 2 of the second series which aired just last Sunday. 

After digesting all the Sherlock that was available, I have come to a conclusion: Sherlock is the best thing British Television has produced in a long, long while, if not ever. I know I’ll get some people wholeheartedly disagreeing with comments like ‘what about Doctor Who?’ and ‘What about Downtown Abby?’ and it’s OK to not agree with me, but for my money you’re not going to get better than Sherlock. 

OK, maybe it’s partly a case of right place, right time, with Mr Holmes and detective shows once again being all the trend. However, if not done right Sherlock would fall flat on its pipe smoking face.  With Mr Holmes comes a stigma of incredible intellect and a mass amount of Whit. Steven Moffet et al would have to adhere to this or the show would fail. 

Luckily it does and then some.  Each episode of Sherlock has as many twists and turns as any detective show that has come before it. But that’s not all; Benedict Cummberbach’s Holmes smacks every dry line with a ferocious amount of whit. Defiantly doing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters justice. 

However, Sherlock’s greatest success was the idea to move it to the 21^st century. Sceptical at first, this is what most impressed me about the TV Show. You would think that there would be some discrepancies due to how many years difference there is between Doyle’s original musings and today. But no, Moffat and his team have created a world so slick and accurate, that it stays true to the Book, but also doesn’t feel dated or out of place in a modern day setting. 

This hard work by Moffat has come to fruition as the show has become one of the hottest things on television. I don’t think I’m the only one who enjoys it as the whole countries been Sherlocked. 

Until next time, enjoy the show. 

Feel free to comment below, email me at: cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Follow me on twitter @glamgrunge

Daniel Morris.

What could happen on the greatest stage of them all?

What could happen on the greatest stage of them all?

I’m not the biggest fan of ‘dream booking’ articles. I don’t really like spending time booking imaginary articles a few months ahead of Wrestlemania, when I doubt the WWE are planning that far ahead. However, since I’m going this year, I’m pretty excited and it’s an article type that I have never done before, so I thought I’d give it a go. 

I’m going to book the top five matches on the card; bar the Cena vs. Rock match that is already happening, according to what I think will happen mixed in with what I want to happen. It will probably be more optimistic than what will realistically happen, but I’ll try not to go to crazy. I will only book wrestlers that have existing WWE contracts, so there will be no Lesnar on this list. 

Match One: Randy Orton vs. Kane

This one might seem a bit of a stretch, since the two superstars being on different rosters. However, that doesn’t mean much. I honestly don’t see Orton in the title picture again at this year’s Wrestlemania. They could do Orton vs. Bryan, but for some reason I don’t see it happening. Kane will have just finished his feud with Cena and will still be in a high spot on the card. Like they did last year with Punk, I can see the WWE shoving Kane in a feud with Orton to create quite a high profile match. 

Is it ideal? No, but would I hate it? Not at all. Orton can get good matches out of a lot of people and Kane is one of my favourite big men. 

Match Two: Mark Henry vs. Shaquille O’ Neil w/ Big show in his corner

I know Shaq vs. Show has been the celebrity match that everyone is clamouring for, but with Show not looking like he’s turning heel anytime soon I can see the E going a different route. That root would be the World’s Strongest Man: Mark Henry. 

Do I think this is a good idea? Hellz Yeah. The Shaq match isn’t going to be good whoever he fights, but it should be entertaining. Who’s one of the most entertaining superstars out of the ring at the moment? Mark Henry. I would have Shaq come out, Show follows him out and they shake hands. Then ‘somebody gonna get da ass kicked’ and good ol’ Mark Henry walks out looking for a fight. 

World Heavyweight Championship Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus

With The Rock vs. Cena match, Jericho coming back and the Undertakers 20^th match, I can seriously see the World Heavyweight Championship match being pushed aside a bit. Dependant if his heel Gimmick works, I think that D-Bry will hold the title until the big event. His challenger? No other than the Ginger Ninja, Sheamus. Sheamus has been dominant without a feud for a while. It’s only a matter of time until they throw him into the title hunt. 

I think it’s a good choice because it feels fresh. Especially if the feud is worked around D Bry’s hate for Bodybuilder types and Sheamus’ rush to the top. 

WWE Title Match: Cm Punk vs. Jericho

Unless the WWE quickly lose faith in Punk. I can see this one being a lock. It looks like Jericho has come back as a heel. Don’t let last Monday fool you. His actions were the ones of a heel. A new breed of heel but a heel nonetheless. With no other heel in Jericho’s stratosphere, the logical thing to do would be for him to feud with the baby face champ. 

Am I excited? Yes, yes and more yes. There’s no doubt that these two in a match together could bring something special. The only thing that would be more exciting than these to wrestling each other is thinking about the promos they will cut beforehand. 

Undertaker Vs The Miz

Ok, this is the biggest stretch, but just here me out. I know The Undertaker vs. HHH is being widely reported, however, I don’t want it to happen so I’m going to try and look past that. So that means The Undertaker needs a new opponent. Without the WWE bringing back another big name, I seriously can see it being The Miz. I don’t see the Miz in the title picture so he needs a high profile match. 

Do I see it working? Sure. Especially with The Miz knocking off Cena at last year’s Mania, he could brag about being the a Wrestlemania legend, then the light hits and BONG The Dead Man enters. I love it.

So they’re my picks. Looking back it has turned into a bit of a wish list, but I’d like to think that there’s an ounce of logic to it. Hopefully. 

What do you think? Feel free to let me know.

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris.

Hollywood is a Franchise Player

Hollywood is a Franchise Player

I’m writing today to tell you something. It’s not a piece of new information. I haven’t found the Holy Grail, and I don’t know the secret to Liam Neeson’s awesomeness. But, it’s a piece of information none the less and since your options are either reading this blog or doing something productive with your day, I’m afraid you’re going to have to listen. So come in closely while I tell you my key titbit. Closer, closer. That’s it. The thing I have to tell you is: Hollywood loves Franchises. 

There we have it. I imagine your mind is well and truly blown now isn’t it? OK, I admit it. There’s no surprise that Hollywood loves franchises. Why wouldn’t they? Franchises are highly profitable for the movie industry; they provide production companies the opportunity to produce films that will almost guarantee them an existing audience. No longer will they have to generate new audiences with thrilling characters. They just have to go into their back catalogue of ‘greatest hits’, pull out a movie that worked and either remake it or create a sequel, thus creating a franchise. 

This surely couldn’t work could it? We are an intelligent race that would realise that we’re being fobbed off aren’t we? If Hollywood did this, we’d just stop watching wouldn’t we? Well I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but sadly we wouldn’t because they do it and we still tune in. Eight of the Ten top worldwide grosses this year belonged to films that were part of a franchise. And one of the two that didn’t was Thor, which still belongs to a comic franchise, even if it was the first Movie starring the character. 

OK, so we’ve established that Hollywood does take an invested interest in Franchises and we as a movie going audience watch them. But, are they necessarily a bad thing?

Well kind of. There is no doubt that due to franchises success Hollywood as whole is producing less and less original movies. Yes, there is still quite a bundle of them coming out. But, not a lot of them get the fanfare and promotion that the big franchises get. It’s almost like an original film has to do well in spite of the studio, before it’s taken seriously. 

What Hollywood doesn’t realise is that without original films, they won’t be able to build new franchises. A franchise needs to start somewhere and if these original films aren’t given the time of day then they will struggle when a studio tries to spin of a sequel or a prequel. 

That being said, franchises aren’t always bad. Admittedly, some characters are so interesting that they deserve more than one story. Or stories are so griping that they deserve more than one film. That’s fine. I’m for franchises if it serves a purpose and tells a compelling story and in the most basic way, entertains me. 

However, I’m not for a franchise if it’s the studio spinning out another Pirates of the Caribbean, just to get people in their drones turning up to stare at Johnny Depp phoning it in while wearing eye liner. But, hey, if we didn’t see them, they wouldn’t make them. And if they didn’t make them, we wouldn’t see them. Talk about your vicious circles.

Until next time, enjoy the show. 

All feedback is good feedback. Feel free to email me at: cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Or follow me on Twitter: @glamgrunge. 

Daniel Morris