The A-Team - Movie Update . . . Again.

So once again, the talk of an A-Team movie is hot again, even while my first-tier list of actors grows older and less appropriate to take on the signature safari jackets, black leather gloves, and AR SP-1 rifles.

Here's the latest:

The A-Team Countdown Begins

If you've been holding your breath for The A-Team movie, well, we feel sorry for you.

But help is on the way for you and your oxygen-deprived brain. So just hold on. Until June 12. Of next year. Feel better? You should, actually.

The release date, as reported by Variety, is the first for the long-discussed, long-suffering project.

John Singleton, who last yelled cut on Four Brothers, will direct; Michael Bandt and Derek Haas, who helped shoot the lights out with 3:10 to Yuma, are writing the screenplay.

As reported, the movie will follow the basic recipe of the 1983-87 TV series: Take four ex-military men; add one war crime they didn't commit; mix in chases, pursuits and more chases.

Given the source material, Singleton has promised an action movie, a serious action movie—"wall to wall kicking ass and talking s--t," as he put it to Collider.com. The film presently is sans actors, A-list, B-team or otherwise, as Singleton himself has made very clear.

There are a few hints of potential actors, despite the director's misgivings about giving out any hints.

Singleton did allow that he "really, really want[s]" Woody Harrelson to play "Howling Mad" Murdoch, the sanity challenged pilot given life on the TV series by Dwight Schultz.

In the interview, conducted in January, Singleton sounded a lot like a man who's been a little bit hounded by fans demanding to know who's going to play Mr. T.

"Nobody is playing Mr. T—the character's name is B.A. Baracus," the filmmaker reminded.

And, no, before you bother Mr. Singleton again, B.A. Baracus hasn't been cast yet, either. Ice Cube, however, has thrown his Mohawk into the ring.

I wouldn't have thought of Ice Cube, but now that you mention it, I think he would be great for the role.

I was always pushing for Ving Rhames, but that was when I first started hearing whispers about the project - ala mid-90s. I don't think he would be such a good fit now.

As for Hannibal Smith - the role immortalized by George Peppard - that would be a hard one to cast, especially with today's focus on younger, more carbon copied actors.

May be a good role for a more grizzled Tom Berenger . . . my personal favorite for a late 80s Frank Castle.

I'll always hold a grudge that the earlier Punisher movie wasn't shot more in line with the comic.

More.

Paintball this Weekend - Sunday Scenario - April 6, 2008

Looks like the vote is for a Sunday game, so we are going to run a tactical scenario on Sunday afternoon. Try to be there by 2pm and we'll get started at 2:30pm. Meet down by the barns at the Miller Ranch.

Here's the basic run down:

The Raider team is out on a recon operation and after suffering some casualties in a recent firefight, must now take the battle to their opponents. One or more guerrillas are hidden in a known location and must be eradicated prior to completion of the mission.

Everyone on this message will be a part of the Raider team. Since you are on a recon op, you would have the following gear - rucksack, rations, radios (FRS), spare pods, paint grenades, and plenty of water - so make sure you bring these items. Your team will also be carrying a mortar, which can be used in the engagement.

All other details will be given when you arrive at the scenario.

Due to the nature of the game, this will be a 'no guests' game.

Yo, Joe.

One of the first (promotional) pics of Ray Park as Snakes-Eyes from forthcoming GI Joe movie.

I just caught wind of this from a fellow Raider, but I have to admit this looks freakin' cool.

The cast is listed out on the IMDB page and there are some good choices in there.

Fingers crossed . . .

Paintball this weekend - Former Miller Ranch - Saturday, March 22th

We'll be playing paintball this Saturday, March 22nd at Miller Ranch. We'll take the average and plan on getting started by 9:30am, so make sure you give yourself enough time to be ready to roll by then. Just like last time, pull in and park over by the barns - we'll check out the old area and then mainly play on the backside of the property.

Once we get back from a few field games, we'll move staging back to the back field, so bring your ruck, extra water, and gear like you'll be moving around.

I know its a holiday weekend, so we'll have a special Easter-themed scenario to get everyone in the mood for chasing eggs and bunnies on Sunday.

If you are playing as a guest, let me know ASAP, and we'll throw some kit together for you.

Get your hands off my guns, you damn dirty Apes!

Everyone has their day in court, or so the saying goes. For those of you who have been living in a cave, on Mars - with your eyes closed and your fingers in your ears - The Supreme Court began to hear arguments today in a Washington DC case that challenges the classic question of the Second Amendment - whether the right to own a weapon is a individual or state right.

Overall the news I have heard so far is fairly positive on the pro-gun side, but knowing how screwy things are right now, I am sure that can change fairly quickly.



In either case, and in honor of this momentous occasion, I have to give a plug for the controversial and wonderful Unintended Consequences by John Ross. It was recommended to me by one of my hunting buddies and its a great novel about how gun control got started in America and where it can lead if it goes out of control.

Here's an overview. I am sure some would consider it to be fairly alarmist, but it gives some background on how gun control started in this country (post-reconstruction to keep guns out of the hands of the recently freed slaves) and how ridiculous some of the gun control laws are vs. the amount of crime they are actually preventing.

I think it stands with Boston' s Gun Bible as two of the best books for the shooter who is interested in self-defense and wants to know more about

Also - while researching the web today to get the latest on the case I found this great deconstruction of the most common arguments against the Second Amendment.

The article breaks down 5 arguments against the individual right to own a firearm - even getting into the details of what it would actually mean if we limited private ownership of firearms to the actual weapons around at the time of the Constitution.

I won't spoil the fun, but let's just say we'd be limited to around 1820 or so, when the percussion cap replaced flintlock ignition as the new standard. High tech!

Here's an excerpt:

The Second Amendment’s basis lies in the natural right of self-defense. For the Founding Fathers, the Second Amendment was not a dispensable exercise in “what if?” They had confronted an oppressive government with personal armaments and succeeded in securing liberty. The Second Amendment is a provision ensuring that citizens would always have the necessary tools for physical resistance to future tyranny.

Whether or not you are a gun owner, hunter or recreational shooter, pay attention to the news and watch what happens with this case. The old Chinese proverb May You Live In Interesting Times will go double for the next few months as we'll not only be deciding which two shysters will be running for President in the fall, but also seeing how the Supreme Court does at deciding a real case - with ramifications that could shake our Republic down to its very core.

Ok - too dramatic?

Does this put it into perspective?



More information
Gun Owners of America
Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership
A Human Right

March 6, 1836 - Ballad of the Alamo

In the southern part of Texas, in the town of San Antone
There's a fortress all in ruins, that the weeds have overgrown
You may look in vain for crosses andÊ you'll never see a one
But sometimes between the setting and the rising of the sun
You can hear a ghostly bugle, as the men go marchin' by
You can hear them as they answer to the roll call in the sky

Colonel Travis, Davy Crocket, and a hundred eighty more
Captain Dickinson, Jim Bowie, present and accounted for

Back in eighteen thirty-six, Houston said to Travis
Get some volunteers and go, fortify the Alamo
Well, the men came from Texas and from ol' Tennessee
And they joined up with Travis, just to fight for the right to be free
Indian scouts with squirrel guns, men with muzzle loaders
Stood together heel and toe, to defend the Alamo

You may ne'er see your loved ones, Travis told them that day
Those who want to can leave now, those who'll fight to the death, let 'em stay

In the sand he drew a line, with his army saber
Out of a hundred and eighty-five, not a soul to cross the line
With his banners a dancin', in the dawn's golden light
Santa Anna came prancin', on a horse that was black as the night
Sent an officer to tell Travis to surrender
Travis answered with a shell, and a rousin' rebel yell

Santa Anna turned scarlet, play Deguello, he roared
I will show them no quarter, everyone will be put to the sword

One hundred and eighty-five holdin' back five thousand
Five days, six days, eight days, ten Travis held and held again
Then he sent for replacements for his wounded and lame
But the troops that were comin', never came, never came, never came

Twice he charged and blew recall, on the fatal third time
Santa Anna breached the wall, and he killed them one and all
Now the bugles are silent, and there's rust on each sword
And the small band of soldiers, lie asleep in the arms of the Lord

In the southern part of Texas, near the town of San Antone
Like a statue on his pinto, rides a cowboy all alone
And he sees the cattle grazin', where a century before
Santa Anna's guns were blazin', and the cannon used to roar
And his eyes turn sorta misty as his heart begins to glow
And he takes his hat off slowly...to the men of Alamo

To the thirteen days of glory...at the siege of Alamo

Now the bugles are silent, and there's rust on each sword
And the small band of soldiers, lie asleep in the arms of the Lord
Lie asleep...in the arms...of the Lord

By Marty Robbins

Around 5:00 A.M. on Sunday, March 6, [Santa Anna] hurled his columns at the battered walls from four directions. Texan gunners stood by their artillery. As about 1,800 assault troops advanced into range, canister ripped through their ranks. Staggered by the concentrated cannon and rifle fire, the Mexican soldiers halted, reformed, and drove forward. Soon they were past the defensive perimeter. Travis, among the first to die, fell on the north bastion. Abandoning the walls, defenders withdrew to the dim rooms of the Long Barracks. There some of the bloodiest hand-to-hand fighting occurred. Bowie, too ravaged by illness to rise from his bed, found no pity. The chapel fell last. By dawn the Centralists had carried the works. The assault had lasted no more than ninety minutes. As many as seven defenders survived the battle, but Santa Anna ordered their summary execution. Many historians count Crockett as a member of that hapless contingent, an assertion that still provokes debate in some circles. By eight o'clock every Alamo fighting man lay dead. Currently, 189 defenders appear on the official list, but ongoing research may increase the final tally to as many as 257.

From - http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/AA/qea2.html

Paintball this weekend - Dripping Springs

We'll be playing paintball this Saturday, March 8th at Dripping Springs. We'll take the average and plan on getting started by 9:30am. If you'd like to caravan up from SA, meet me at my place by 8am.

Bring your ruck, extra water, and gear like you'll be moving around. We'll probably stage initially at the cars, play field a few field games, and then move to the damn dam area. I want to discuss a time when we can get together for a marker work day at my place, so bring your schedule or at least a list of possible dates when you'll be free.

Please let me know if you need me to bring out a schedule. Hopefully by now everyone has a copy of it.

If you are playing as a guest, let me know ASAP, and we'll throw some kit together for you.