A night of Local Wrestling and Questionable Genders

A night of Local Wrestling and Questionable Genders

Friday was a real treat for me. A Wrestling promotion came to town. Warrington was once famous for wrestling being the birth place of The Dynamite Kid and hosting wrestling shoes with stars such as Bret and Owen Hart. However, the glory days are long gone and you’re lucky to get even a sniff of Wrestling in town. 

Undoubtedly I went and met up with a few friends of mine, some avid fans, some who haven’t watched wrestling since the glory days of the Attitude Era. 

We got to the event, which was held in a function room of a large event hall, with around a hundred fans, mostly children, lined on pub chairs to see the show. Hosted by a local aspiring comedian, the card had six matches ranging from a cruiserweight triple threat to a Casket match with a witch doctor named Voodoo. 

The matches were at a rather good standard. Ranging from the more or less average to the pretty damn impressive. The most impressive thing about wrestling was the will to take umpteen bumps on to the hard floor. With one wrong slip, somebody could have been seriously injured, making me admire the kahonies (no homo) of everybody involved. 

A fun night was had by all, which leads me to my last point. I beg everybody to go and support local wrestling anyway they can. You’ll get an enjoyable evening and will be able to support an art form that has somewhat been lost in Britain. It’s time to bring it back and with your support we can. If you just go to one of these shows, you won’t regret it. Promise. 

Oh yeah, the questionable gender part of the article. It took us all show to work out whether the rather rotund official was male or female. Indeed he was female and credit when credits due, officiated six matches, rather well. 

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris.

Don’t forget to follow me on twitter @glamgrunge

Comment below or email me at cinemacreenandspandex@gmail.com

John Laurinaitis Needs to win at WM

John Laurinaitis Needs to win at WM

When John Laurinaitis became an onscreen character, I couldn’t have been the only person that was disappointed. The guy seemed like a joke, he had a reputation for being an asshole and a kiss ass at the same time. I don’t know if that means he kisses himself or what.  

However, week by week ‘Mr Personality’ has grown on me as I’m sure he’s grown on a lot of you. John Laurinaitis has evolved on the MIc to an adequate level, where he doesn’t sound terrible, but actually comes across as quite comic. He’s the boss that we all love to hate, it’s not that he’s a horrible person, he’s just an ass and he infuriates us by being an ass, yet the place would be a lot duller without him. 

Which brings me to my next point; it looks like John Laurinaitis will lead a team against Theodore Long at WM for the control of both brands. If the WWE even contemplates letting team Long win, then somebody in creative is clearly clueless. Or they’re letting Warrior book the show. 

What the WWE has in Laurinaitis, is something they haven’t had in a very long time. A heel boss that actually works. Not since the early days of Bischoff has there been a heel GM that has worked as well as Laurinaitis does. 

The heel boss has been a staple in the WWE since MR McMahon started to strut. This isn’t a bad thing, as a heel boss is a gimmick that clearly works. Having babyfaces coming up against the powers that be and ultimately winning is a tried and tested method and one that when done well, is almost a guaranteed success.

Johnny is terrific in this role, he’s annoying yet charming and someone you would just love to get your hands on, so when the babyface actually does beat the crap out of him, it’s going to be good. 

What won’t be good is the WWE ruining this way before it can even get proper started by having Theodore Long become GM of both shows. Yes, Teddy is a long service member of the WWE and the Wrestling business as a whole and I respect him for that. However, the dude has become far too stale now. 

His character is annoying rather than welcoming and frankly it just doesn’t work. It has become that bad that there’s even a drinking game that goes along with his characters booking decisions. This is common knowledge and I’m sure the WWE plays on this fact, but it just doesn’t work. Teddy long is a boring character and if he was employed on both shows, it would only hinder the product. 

This article may be a little premature as the match hasn’t even been booked yet. But, it certainly looks that way. If the WWE had any sense whatsoever, Johnny Ace will be supreme overlord of the Wrestling world, and it will be a better place to boot. 

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris

Follow me @glamgrune

Email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

The Sunday Lister: Top 5 Beat-Em-Up Franchises

The Sunday Lister: Top 5 Beat-Em-Up Franchises 

The Sunday Lister is back. It feels like it’s been a while. Mainly because it has, but what the heck, I had more important things to do, but hey, I’m back now and so is the Lister. This week Lister is going to be on a different subject matter though. I’m going to take a rare dabble into video games this week. 

My favourite Genre of Video Games has to be the Beat-em-up, mainly because it’s a genre of game that I’, good of, but also mainly because I like beating the crap out of things. I’m an angry man, what can I say.

Just a few points, the article is about the franchise as a whole, not just an individual game. Also, there will be no wrestling games in the list. I consider them to be sports Games more so than beat-em-ups.

With further ado, let’s crack on...

5. Street Fighter 

Albeit, a few people may already be up in arms about this list. ‘Street Fighters’ a classic, how can it be only five. Well admittedly, I played other beat-em-ups when I was younger, so I may have not experienced the same magic that others did. That being said, I still think the Street Fighter series, is a pretty epic Beat-Em-Up franchise, with a great blend of sophisticated counters and varied characters. 

4. Tekken 

Tekken at Number 4? Dan you must be high. Well no, I’m not. I loved Tekken as a kid and yes I still enjoy playing the Tekkens now, but as a franchise, I think they have been too many duds to stand up against the other franchises higher than Tekken in the list. With that in mind, Tekken still kicks ass and even in the later games, characters like Eddie Gordo breath live into a dying franchise. 

3. Marvel vs. Capcom

I love some of Street Fighters finest. But, sometimes being Bakara isn’t enough. Sometimes I want to be a superhero and kick two shades out of another Superhero. Wait, you telling me I can do that? Well that’s exactly what Marvel vs. Capcom offers up. What’s better than ripping shreds out of Spiderman with Wolverine? Let me tell you, nothings better than teaching that web slinging sissy a thing or two. Also, the Marvel vs. Capcom series offers a complex fighting system to boot.

2. Mortal Kombat

Almost the forefather of The Beat-em-up. Mortal Kombat is a mean fighter with an absolute kick ass move system and game play style. With only a few weaker links in the series *cough Shoalin Monks cough*, the Mortal Kombat series is pretty epic. Also, when you can play as a Lighting God like Raiden, then you definitely have my vote. 

1.Super Smash Brothers

Normally when I do a Sunday Lister, I debate what should be number one. Not this week. There was no doubt in my mind that the Super Smash Brothers franchise is the best Beat-em-up franchise to date. Smash Brothers takes you favourite cuddly Nintendo characters and lets you batter ten bells out of them with other Smash Brother characters. The vast game play offered in Smash Brothers also exceeds every other beat –em-up as well as an impressive line up of Nintendo characters. 

What do you think? Let me know.

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris

Twitter: @glamgrunge Email: Cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Santino could be a World Champion by the end of the year

Santino could be a World Champion by the end of the year

Right, I’m already going to accept my fate of being called every slur under the son and the probable cyber-beating that I will receive for this article. But, I’m going to write it anyway. Why? Because that’s the way I role Mother-farmers. 

In the midst of this Wrestlemania season, where The WWE throws it’s big stars into the mix in the desperate hope to create a positive reaction in the fans, there has been one performer that has bowled me over. Sure, I’m excited over the big matches, but not much in the booking of them has really made me stand up and go ‘wow’. One man has though. That man is our cobra donning friend, Santino Marella. 

I can already here you groan already, but just here me out. Santino has accomplished something in recent weeks that not many superstars can do in their whole career. He has managed to get them rooting for them. In the Battle Royal and Elimination Chamber, Santino was the fan favourite. He was the one that everybody wanted to win. Creating almost an unprecedented atmosphere. 

The reason for this almost epic like reaction? It’s down to character investment. The Santino story is an easy one to tell. He’s a loveable loser. Yes, he’s geeky and yes, he can sometimes be annoying. But, he’s himself and he gives whatever he does a 100%. The years of not achieving have made the crowd invest in Santino, meaning whenever he exceeds our low expectations, we want him to win. 

It’s this connection that has gained Santino the respect of the crowd. A respect that many of the baby faces in the locker room fail to get. It’s this connection that makes me believe that Santino will become a World Champion by the end of the year.

We’ve not had an underdog success story for a few years. Not since Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania 22. I’m of the honest belief that Santino could be the next one. Since the WWE has teased Santino winning the big one several times now and he has failed each time, I would continue with the trend. 

Over the next twelve months I would have Santino face off in a few Number 1 contender matches.  Each time Santino would come pretty close to winning, but falling at the last hurdle. Each time he loses like this, the crowd will want him to win more and more. After a few months of this I would have Santino winning to become number 1 contender. The pop for that alone would be nuts. 

Santino would go into the match as a huge fan favourite, but no one deep down, would expect him to win. A true element of surprise would be achieved if Santino won and I’m sure the crowd would explode. The celebration alone would be worth the effort put in. 

He doesn’t need to have a long title run, I’d just judge it on how behind him the crowd actually are, but I would at least try it, you never know, it might just be crazy enough to work. 

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Follow me on Twitter @glamgrunge

Or email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Daniel Morris.

Night at the Oscars

Night at the Oscars

It's the season to watch the Oscars, and where the A-list, elite get excited in the vain hope they win a statue of a gold, bald little man. Since it’s the biggest night on the film calendar the Sunday lister will once again be postponed. My apologies. However, this week I will run down the top categories at the Academy Awards, who I think will win and who I want to win. So sit back and enjoy Dan’s night at the Oscars. 

Best Supporting Actor

Who I think will win: Christopher Plummer Who I want to Win: Nick Nolte.

Best supporting Actor is one of the few categories where I haven’t seen all the nominees. But, I have seen Moneyball, Beginners and Warrior. Out of these three, my personal choice would have to be Nick Nolte. I thought Nolte was an absolute tour de’ force in Warrior, throwing his heart and soul into every scene.

However, I can’t see anybody but Plummer winning. He’s British, he’s respected and his character in Beginners is a pretty good one. Not to mention that Plummer has practically won every award under the son. I preferred Nolte, but I can’t complain if Plummer does win. 

Best Supporting Actress

Who I think will win: Octavia Spencer Who I want to Win: Jessica Chastain

Spencer like Plummer has won most awards under the son. And she looks to be a shoe in for this year. I thought Spencer was good, but not great. Sure her performance is fine and somewhat compelling, but she doesn’t grab me completely.

Her Help counterpart Jessica Chastain on the other hand, offers up a charming, compelling and routable character Celia Foote who is definitely my favourite thing in The help. 

Best Original Screenplay

Who I think will win: The Artist Who I want to Win: Midnight in Paris

I’m not a Woody Allen fan. That may be pretty blasphemous to some, but I’m not. I like his ‘classics’, but the majority of the stuff he’s done in the last decade or so has been mediocre at best. Then comes Midnight in Paris. I was taken aback by how much I enjoyed Midnight in Paris. It smacked of charm and quick, something refreshing and reminiscent of classic Allen.

However, sadly Midnight in Paris will undoubtedly be overshadowed by The Artist, which will most likely pick up this award and every other award available to it tonight. 

Best Adapted Screenplay

Who I think will win: The Descendants Who I want to Win: The Descendants

Four categories in and we have come to the point where what I think will win and what I want to win are one and the same. I know it’s now been thrust out of the loop in Oscar contentions, but I really enjoyed Alexander Payne’s The Descendants. There is no doubt that Payne is a genius for creating story conflict out of almost nothing and is rapidly becoming one of my favourite modern day screenwriters.

Thankfully, I have high hopes for Payne getting his second screenwriting gong this year. That being said, I wouldn’t complain if Ides of March picked up the Golden Baldie either. 

Best Actor in a leading Role

Who I think Will Win: Jean Dujardin Who I want to win: George Clooney

I haven’t seen all of these nominations either, with me not getting round to Birchir’s performance in A Better Life. However, no disrespect to Birchir, but it does seem to be Dujardin vs. Clooney in this category. I thought Dujardin’s performance was comical and fresh. However, it lacked the real passion that Clooney’s did.

That being said, I’ve got a feeling that Mr Clooney will not win his second acting Oscar this year and it will go to Mr Dujardin. 

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Who I think will win: Meryl Streep Who I want to win: Rooney Mara

I didn’t love The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I know a lot of people did and I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t love it. For me it was far too long, with the really good bits coming to few and far between. With that in mind, Mara would definitely my pick for the Academy Award this year. No it wasn’t an original role, but Mara’s Salander was so strong, that it’s hard not to be impressed.

Alas, it will not be Salander’s year. Miss Streep is far and away the clear favourite to win this year, and to be fair to her, you can’t really argue it. Her performance as Thatcher is impressive as it is bold. Also, Lisbeth Salander is probably too hardcore of a character for the academy to really appreciate it. 

Best Director

Who I think will win: Michael Hazanavicius Who I want to win: Michael Hazanavicius  

This one’s a close one for me. Whereas I prefer Paris as a film, I think The Artist’s strongest point is Hazanvicius’ directing. The Artist is clearly his brain child, and his passion comes through in abundance, breathing life in what could become an over-the-top farce.

I think Hazanvicius will be the second one where my picks align as it looks like he’s a shoe in for this award. However, I don’t think everybody will be utterly surprised if Scorsese doesn’t win. 

Best Film

Who I think will win: The Artist Who I want to win: Midnight in Paris/ The Descendants

I’d be happy for either Midnight in Paris or The Descendants winning this year’s best film title. I love both projects, more so than I ever thought I would, both managing to entertain me and emotionally connect me as an audience member. Albeit, in two very different ways.

However, when it comes down to it, I have no doubt in my mind that The Artist is going to walk away with the Best Film award at this year’s Academy Awards. Does it deserve it? Maybe. There is no doubt that The Artist is a bold movie. I just prefer the other two. But, I know I’m the minority. 

So there my picks. Let me know what you think.

Either email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @glamgrunge

Until next time, enjoy the show.