the.[ED]ition

John Mayer really doesn’t get enough credit for being a funny dude. Seriously, he’s very witty despite the fact that most of his music is actually quite boring. I admit I have a few of his songs on my iPod…the better ones like Slow Dancing in a Burning Room…but for the most part, his songs don’t really match his guitar playing, which is probably amongst the best in the world at the moment.

He’s real self-depreciating, which is refreshing in a world of high-and-mighty celebrities. If, for some reason he stops making music, he’s probably got a decent career ahead of him as a comedian.

Tony Stark, head of a weapons manufacturing company, is a bit of an unlikely superhero. Robert Downey Jr. is also an unlikely casting choice as a superhero. However, there is no better actor to play the slick, womanizing Stark better than Downey, considering they’ve both had a bit of a problem with various vices. Although Stark is rich, famous and smart beyond imagination, we can see him as very human as we see him at his most vulnerable.

Early on, Stark is captured in Afghanistan by stereotypical insurgents after his convoy is decimated. What I resume is some kind of mortar gives him some life-threatening shrapnel souvenirs that would most certainly kill him as they move closer to his heart. Fortunately for Stark, a fellow prisoner fashions a crude electromagnet from a car battery that prevents the shrapnel from getting any closer. Of course, the insurgents keep them alive so Stark can make them some WMDs, which shouldn’t be too hard for a genius even if he’s given a bunch of crude tools in some sort of cave.

Of course, the terrorists think Stark and his buddy are making missiles but what they’re actually fabricating is a early version of the Iron Man suit, complete with explosives and flamethrowers in addition to packing one hell of a literal punch. Stark manages to escape and develops a conscience, after seeing first hand how much death and destruction the weapons from his company brings.

I’m sure this is just the beginning of the Iron Man franchise, which already has a sequel planned for 2010. As such, there is a lot of dialogue and exposition, which isn’t what you’d usually expect in a summer blockbuster superhero movie. In fact, compared to other summer action films like Transformers and Spider-Man 3, the action sequences almost seem toned down. They’re certainly not as spectacular as we’ve come to expect. This is probably because Jon Favreau, who gave us one of my favorite Christmas movies in Elf and the fantastic Swingers, is a bit of an action rookie. Of course there is plenty of CG action and things blowing up but it lacks the polish and “DID YOU SEE THAT!?” of some other superhero films.

However, don’t let this deter you. What this film has is a very real and likable title character with a great supporting cast, including Gwyenth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrence Howard. In fact, the best scenes involve exchanges between the main characters or just Downey in his basement, tinkering with various gadgets and talking with his hilarious robotic assistants. Robert Downey Jr. deserves some serious praise for making this role fit so well and making us care so much about Tony Stark. We care for Stark much like we care for Bruce Wayne/Batman…because they’re tortured souls haunted by the past and seek to right wrongs. There’s humanity here rather than just telling us the world is going to end unless one man saves it. Sure, we care that the world is going to end but did you really give a rat’s ass when certain Transformers got torn in half? Meh…

The script is witty, the cast is near perfect and grown-ups can enjoy it without leaving their brains in the lobby. A great movie and there’s plenty to look forward to in the sequel.

Verdict: 9.0 out of 10

Wow, I did not do particularly well in the second round after a respectable 6-2 in the first round. Only one of my second round predictions, the Pittsburgh Penguins made it to their conference final.

Eastern Conference

(1) Montreal Canadiens vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

My Prediction: Canadiens in 5.
Result: Flyers in 5.

Well, at least I got the number of games correct. The Habs choked big time after going into the playoffs as one of the favorites to win it all. 20-year old starting goaltender Carey Price put up a good fight but didn’t perform well under pressure and backup Jaroslav Halak was even worse. However, it’s tough to pin the loss on Price as he was still one of the better Montreal players on the ice during the series. And what the heck happened to RJ Umberger? He almost single-handedly propelled the Flyers into the next round with the explosion in his offensive game.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (4) New York Rangers

My Prediction: Penguins in 6.
Result: Penguins in 5.

I thought the Rangers would be better in this series but there was little they could do against all that talent on the Pens lineup, which has only lost a single game this post-season. Heck, even the usually shaky Marc-Andre Fleury is posting some stellar numbers.

Western Conference

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (6) Colorado Avalanche

My Prediction: Avalanche in 6.
Result: Red Wings in 4.

In my defense, Colorado was decimated by injury by the first game of the series and you can’t win against Detroit when some of your best players are sidelined. The Wings cruised through this series barely breaking a sweat.

(2) San Jose Sharks vs. (5) Dallas Stars

My Prediction: Sharks in 7.
Result: Stars in 6.

Wow, someone is totally getting fired. Going into the playoffs as the league’s hottest team, the Sharks had some serious expectations. Many named them the favorites for the Cup this year. Heck, a simulation from EA had them as the champs this year too but they were on the verge of being swept before winning a couple to stay alive. Marty Turco has been playing unconscious this post-season. Not to say Vezina Trophy finalist Evgeni Nabakov wasn’t awesome as well (did you see that ridiculous save in the game 6!?) but Turco is outshining just about everyone. That and captain Brendan Morrow just may give Turco a run for his money for the Conn Smythe if the Stars win it all. That guy is a great leader…hitting, fore-checking, scoring.

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Right, so that leaves me with a 7-5 overall this year so far.

(2) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (6) Philadelphia Flyers

Tough call. Both teams have a well-balanced attack, solid defense and a normally inconsistent goaltender that is playing extremely well in the playoffs.

Getting lost in the shuffle of superstars such as Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, Marian Hossa, etc on the Pens are the veterans that are making some great contributions like Pascal Dupuis, George Laraque and Jarkko Ruutu. For the Flyers, who are led by Daniel Briere and R.J. Umberger on the front lines for the first two series, some of the lesser lights like Mike Knuble and Scottie Upshall have been great as well.

The Flyers will be playing an opponent similar to their second round match-up with Montreal. Offensively minded with high-flying young players, a young goaltender and gritty veterans in the mix. If the Flyers can maintain the hard-hitting mindset that they went into Montreal with, they might have a good chance. They’ll have a better chance if Martin Biron can stop Crosby, Malkin and company. However, I don’t think I’ll bet against Pittsburgh here.

Prediction: Penguins in 7

(1) Detroit Red Wings vs. (5) Dallas Stars

The Stars have been one of the strongest teams in the playoffs so far after coming into the post-season on a bit of a late slump. After knocking out two of the favorites for this year in the Anaheim Ducks and the San Jose Sharks, the Stars now face the best team for…oh, the last decade. Seriously, anyone remember a time when the Detroit Red Wings were bad? No one?

After replacing Hasek in net, Chris Osgood has been solid although he has had plenty of help from the likes of Henrik Zetterburg and Pavel Datsyuk. And what’s with Johan Franzen? Where did all these hat tricks come from!?

It’s not to say the Stars are a bad team. They’re a spectacular team with great goaltending and great leadership and some fantastic skill players. It’s just that every team they’ve beaten so far has been the better team on paper. So what’s to stop them from beating the Wings?

Well, Marty Turco, for starters, has not been very good against Detroit or in Detroit, going 0-7-2 at Joe Louis. They also face a very strong defensive team with one of the league’s best checking lines of Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby in addition to Selke finalists Zetterburg and Datsyuk. Oh, did I mention this guy named Nicklas Lidstrom, who has been the best defenseman in the league for the just about his entire career?

Yeah, that’s a tough task for Dallas to take on, especially considering they had a tough series against San Jose when the Wings have had some rest after sweeping Colorado. But they won’t go without a hell of a ruckus.

Prediction: Red Wings in 6

Superhero movies usually aren’t my thing since they’re usually poorly made and reduced to a lowest common denominator sort of appeal but Iron Man actually looks very good. Heck, I’d probably see it even if I didn’t have free tickets.

From what I’ve read, Tony Starks is somewhat of an anomaly in terms of superheroes. Like Batman, he doesn’t actually have any super powers and fights in a…suit of some sort. That and he’s an alcoholic. That’s an interesting twist on the usual story.

If you haven’t already, check out the trailer. Any excuse to play some Black Sabbath is alright by me.

Watch for a review after I check it out on Wednesday.

I missed Dot Com Pho this week as I was taking a short vacation but the rest of the Dot Com Pho crew put together the next installment of our weekly videocast. It’s great to see some new faces show up at our weekly beef noodle lunch.