New Wes Anderson Film!

The spring film scene is often punctuated with a new Wes Anderson movie, which typically acts like an oasis in a ocean of pap. That's true again this season, with the arrival of "The Grand Budapest," a typically quirky looking Anderson offering starring Ralph Fiennes.

While you're waiting for it to arrive in your local multiplex, you can stream the soundtrack on Pitchfork here: http://pitchfork.com/advance/363-the-grand-budapest-hotel-original-soundtrack/

Jon Ronson on WTF!

Jon Ronson, the intrepid British journalist behind such as efforts as The Men Who Stared at Goats, is Marc Maron's guest on the WTF podcast this week. I've been a huge Ronson fan since I read his 2001 book Them, which traced his travels with a variety of political extremists. His chat with Marc promises to be a fascinating one.

Champions League Wednesday!

I've back on Wednesday afternoon to follow Galatasaray v. Chelski. The English teams have really been suffering at this level - can the Blues do one over in Turkey or will Drogba come back to haunt them. Join me to find out!

Champions League Tuesday!

The English sides took a bit of a beating in last week's first legs, so here's hoping that the Red Devils can represent Blighty a bit better today as they travel to Athens to meet up with Olympiakos. I'll be on hand from The Cottage for all the action this afternoon. Join me if you have a chance, won't you?

About a Boy Premiering Tonight!

Nick Hornby alert! A new sit-com - "About a Boy," based on Hornby's 1998 novel, premieres tonight on NBC at 9pm. I happened to catch a sneak preview of the pilot on Saturday night; it basically traced the outline of the novel and 2002 film based on it in half an hour, which means that the series will likely chart new territory. The only recognizable star is Minnie Driver in the role that Toni Collette played in the Hugh Grant film. It's worth checking out.

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 27 Update

Eleven matches left and the plot is thickening in our PPP race. The only change to the categories this week was the ascendancy of Real Madrid to the top of La Liga, but oh, what a difference that's made to our standings. It's a true 8-pointer, with those who plumped for Real rising to the top and those who went with Barca slumping toward the bottom. Next weekend sees the League Cup Final; only those who picked City to be in the final will benefit, as no one predicted Sunderland. Here are the current standings:

1. Gooner71 - 39 points
- Man Utd Rules - 39 pts
3. Chelskilad - 36 pts
4. The Blue Devil - 32 pts
5. The Red Devil FCK1 - 32 pts
6. Swansong - 29 pts
7. Matt - 28 pts
- Someone Said - 28 pts
- Sporting Real Salt Lake United Football Club Juniors FC - 28 pts
10. United We Stand - 24 pts
11. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 21 pts
12. The Red Dragon - 20 pts
13. Yellows - 18 pts
- West Ham Rising - 18 pts

Euro 2016 Draw!

We can all book our Air France flights for the summer of 2016 because we'll be spending our ete vacation en France given today's draw. Engerlund got the relatively simple task of dealing with Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithanua and San Marino. England's strikers will licking their lips at the prospect of filling their boots with goal in away trips to the likes of Basel and Talinn.

Here's the draw in full:

Group A: Holland, Kazakhstan, Iceland, Latvia, Turkey, Czech Republic

Group B: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Andorra, Wales, Israel, Belgium

Group C: Spain, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine

Group D: Germany, Gibraltar, Georgia, Scotland, Poland, Republic of Ireland

Group E: England, San Marino, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Switzerland

Group F: Greece, Faroe Islands, Northern Ireland, Finland, Romania, Hungary

Group G: Russia, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Austria, Sweden

Group H: Italy, Malta, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Norway, Croatia

Group I: Portugal, Albania, Armenia, Serbia, Denmark

*France qualify as hosts, but will play friendlies against teams in Group I. There will be no points awarded for games in which France figure, so these will have no affect on the Group I table.

Qualifiers to be played between September 7, 2014 and October 13, 2015. Play-off matches to be played in November 2015.

Another Early Start to the Weekend

The Yorkshire constabulary certainly don't have any respect for my sleep patterns. I'm up early once again to watch my beloved travel to Boro for a lunch-time kickoff. That's followed in quick order by a big one - Chelski v. Everton - and then the regular Saturday fixtures. Join me if you can, won't you?

Now It Gets Serious....

All the group stage bollocks is behind us - starting today, the Champions League gets serious with the knock out rounds. No doubt about the marquee match-up today. It's the tippy tappy lot from Catalonia in Manchester to meet up with moneybags Citeh. I'll be manning the LOB powerstation from my post in the office this afternoon, taking a sneaky peek at proceedings in between tedious meetings. Join me if you've got a chance, won't you?

FA Cup Fifth Round Sunday

It's a busy FA Cup Sunday as we start with Everton vs Swansea on FS 1 followed by Arsenal vs Liverpool at 11 AM on FS 2. The Reds thrashed the Gunners 5-1 at Anfield last weekend. Will the Gunners get revenge? Do they have the weapons in their arsenal or will they continue to shoot blanks? will Professor Wenger continue to be a specialist in losing? Will the Evil Blades prove that they are the bigger Sheffield club by being able to host Forest this morning? There is also the quarterfinal draw at 10:30 this morning. How can you afford to miss the action? Join me and discover the answer to all these questions.

FA Cup Fifth Round Sturday

It's getting closer to the final and it's a typical Saturday triple header as we start with Sunderland vs Sotton followed by Cardiff vs  Wigan , the holders, and concluded by the Match of the Day. My two picks for the final meet  as Citeh hosts Chelsea. I will root for the team that I picked to win it all as I aim to retain my title!

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 26 Update

Happy Valentine's Day, chaps! With only twelve matches to go in the Premiership season, this was the week that the PPP game was turned upside down. That is, with Chelski ascending to the top of the league (sorry, Gooner and Simon), about half of us gained an immediate 10 point lift. And of course, those who picked Citeh or United for the title got left in the dust. No one epitomizes this turnaround so much as Red Devil FCK1, who was on the bottom back in October but now sits on top due largely to his picks of Chelski and Luis Suarez. Here are the current standings:

1. The Red Devil FCK1 - 36 points
2. Man Utd Rules - 35 pts
- Gooner71 - 35 pts
4. Swansong - 33 pts
5. Chelskilad - 32 pts
- Matt - 32 pts
- Someone Said - 32 pts
8. Blue Devil - 28 pts
- United We Stand - 28 pts
10. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 25 pts
11. The Red Dragon - 24 pts
- Sporting - 24 pts
13. Yellows - 23 pts
- West Ham Rising - 23 pts

The Worst Songs of All Time

Those musical boffins at the "All Songs Considered" pod had a novel idea for a discussion this week, which I thought I'd share with all of you - what are the worst songs of all time. I'm sharing my top choice - Rupert Holmes' 1979 abomination "(Escape) The Pina Colada Song." Consider, if you will, the opening line - "I was tired of my lady..." Watch the embedded clip at your peril - and, please, share your worst songs of all time here.

The Big One - Live!

UWS may not be looking forward to this afternoon's big match, but I certainly am. I'm ensconced in the office for the proceedings and will be looking forward to the pleasure of your company. Let the goals begin!

Chelsea's Masseur… Mr. Funny Guy!!

I got this video from Thomas today. Pretty funny guy. Apparently, Jose had this guy give the half time team talk at the Etihad!

Enjoy

UWS

Sod Off Sochi - The Football's On!

It's Day Five of my Winter Olympics boycott and - hurrah! - the football's on this afternoon. WBA v. Chelski is the marquee match-up on the telly but my eyes will be tuned to Brighton v. Leeds. MOT!

Yet Another Sunday Double Header

It's the typical Sunday double header starting with fifth vs sixth as the Spuds host the Toffees followed by seventh placed Man United hosting last placed Fulham. United can hope for a draw in the first match , but they need to pull the fingers out and do the business. Liverpool set a great example yesterday.

Another Big Saturday in the Premiership

We've got a red-hot rivalry to kick us off this morning. Yes - it's Yeovil Town v. Leeds at the crack of dawn. Of course, I jest. It's 1st v. 4th in the Premiership that everyone will be watching at lunchtime in the UK today. Join me early doors for what promises to be a fascinating encounter. And for Yeovil v. Leeds as well, won't you?

World Cup 2014 LOB Reunion?

Hurrah, we're in a World Cup year, chaps - that means that we need to start talking about possible LOB reunion plans during the games. I thought I'd start this thread so that we can brainstorm some possible idea. Here are the key dates:

Thursday, June 12 - Opening ceremonies and match (Brazil v. Croatia) 4pm EST
Friday, June 13 - Spain v. Holland 3pm
Saturday, June 14 - England v. Italy (cor!) 6pm
Sunday, June 22 - US v. Portugal 6pm
Saturday, June 28 - Group C1 (Colombia, Japan, Ivory Coast or Greece) v. Group D2 (possibly England) 4pm
Sunday, June 29 - Group D1 (possibly England?) v. Group C2 (Colombia, Japan, Ivory Coast or Greece) 4pm
Tuesday, July 1 - Group H1 (Belgium, Korea, Russia or Algeria v. Group G2 (USA?) 4pm
Friday, July 4th (cor!) - Quarterfinal involving England if we get through. We would get Brazil if we placed second in the group or Spain if we place first.
Saturday, July 5 - Quarterfinal involving USA if we get through.
Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9 - Semi-finals
Saturday, July 12 - 3rd/4th place match 4pm
Sunday, July 13 - World Cup Final! 3pm

So, if you look at that, I think there are two key moments that might be fun - the first weekend built around England's first (and most crucial match) against Italy in Manaus. And the Quarter-final weekend, which is close to the 4th of July holiday. Think about it, lads and post your thoughts here.

Laudrup Out at Swansea

The axe has fallen on the Laudrup era at Swansea, with the Danish manager sacked yesterday after a run of poor results. It means that the bottom 12 sides, along with Spurs, have all booted their managers mid-stream this season. Quite extraordinary. Your thoughts, gentlemen?

Premiership Plus Predictions Game - Week 24 Update!

We've got big changes in our PPP game this week, lads, and none of it is good (unless you're a certain junior at SUNY Cortland. Everton have nudged their way back into the European spots, all of the favorites for relegation have (at least temporarily) rescued themselves and Atletico Madrid have improbably seized the top of La Liga. All of that means fewer points for most of us this week. Here are the current standings:

1. The Red Dragon - 27 points
2. United We Stand - 23 pts
3. Yellows - 22 pts
4. Man Utd Rules - 21 points
5. Gooner71 - 18 pts
- West Ham Rising - 18 pts
7. Sporting Real Salt Lake United Football Club Juniors FC - 17 pts
- The Red Devil FCK1 - 17 pts
9. Chelskilad - 16 pts
- Matt - 16 pts
11. What's Up Wheaton Simon - 15 pts
12. The Blue Devil - 14 pts
13. Swansong - 13 pts
14. Someone Said - 11 pts

Big Match Monday

I'm around this afternoon waiting to enjoy what I hope will be a clash of the titans worthy of the term and not another Mourinho bore-fest. Honestly, I'd rather see Citeh roll over the Blues than what usually happens when these sides get together. Bring on the goals!

Better Than the Bloody Super Bowl

 Come join us for  real football, not that that phony stuff that is hyped up. It's a typical Prem Sunday double header that starts with West Brom vs Liverpool and concludes with Arsenal vs Palace.

A Late Start

I'm getting a late start on the footie this morning after a lie-in. Join me for all of the action, including manager-less Leeds in a local derby with Huddersfield and Stoke v. ManYoo in the late one.