Australian 30 for 30

I was recently watching the fantastic ESPN 30 for 30 films and I was thinking that, one: i really enjoy them and love the way they tell a story and dramatise the sport. But two: There is a lot in American sports that I don't quite get, and little inside bits of knowledge that seem common place over there for viewers, but here in Australia, I know some, but not all.

So that got me to thinking, perhaps there should be an Australian edition of 30 for 30, what would it cover and what would the episode's be titles. So i thought i would have a little go at it myself.

Enjoy

Episode and Title	Description
1 – Two Flags	The story of Cathy freeman, her breakthrough win at the 1994 Commonwealth games, and the decision to carry both the Australian and Aboriginal flag on her victory lap. This led to outrage from Australian sports administrator Arthur Tunstall.  Shortly after the Aboriginal flag was adopted as a national flag of Australia. Finally Cathy Freeman lights the flame at the Sydney Olympics.
2- Packer Circus	Follows the formation of the World Series Cricket in 1977 by Kerry Packer, the court cases and the first season.
3- 32 years in the wilderness	From the first Australian football team to make the world cup in 1976, this documentary looks at the journey, heartbreak, hard work, and players it took to get the Socceroos back to the world stage.
4-On a Wing and Keel	Australia II’s win in the 1983 America’s cup, breaking a nearly 130 year stranglehold they had on the cup. How this effected Australia and the way Bob Hawke used this to endear himself to the Australian people.
5-Sunshine Supergirl	Evonne Goolagong rise in tennis, her decision to have children and her fightback to become the only mother to give birth and win Wimbeldon, since WW1
6-A Horse in London	The tale of Black Caviar, her unbeaten run and the decision to fly to London to compete at Royal Ascot
7-Under Done	The underarm bowling incident between Australia and New Zealand during the 1981 Benson and Hedges one day cricket international.
8-From Lane Eight	Kieren Perkins and his unbelievable triumph at the Atlanta Olympics in the 1500m freestyle.
9-Bradburied	Steven Bradbury and his Gold medal achievement at the winter Olympics. And the ensuing cult following the incident created.
10-88 and 202	Jason McCartney was a celebrated AFL footballer who was unfortunately caught up in the Bali Bombings of 2002. He fought back mentally and physically to play one final game.
11-Black Gloves	Peter Norman A runner during the 1968 Olympic Games, he was known for his support of John Carlos and Tommie Smith when they made their famous raised-fist gesture at the 1968 Olympics medal ceremony. The Australian Government reprimanded him for his stand and post humorously issued him an apology.
12-Father/Son	A look at the legacy left by Lindsay and Andrew Gaze on Basketball in Australia
13-There's still a long way to go to Paris	In the face of doping allegations and constant media attention, Australian Cadel Evans becomes the 2nd Non European to win the Tour.
14- Please Remember Me	Lionel Rose’s rise to fame as an Aboriginal role model in the 1960’s, his first retirement and singing career.
15- Dropping The World Cup	The 1999 Cricket WORLD CUP and the infamous final between 2 up and coming teams.
16-Fighting the shark	How Greg Norman blew a 6 shot lead in the 1996 masters, to lose to his nemesis Nick Faldo.
17-Sir Charles Vs The Hammer	Shane Heals run in during the 1996 Olympics with NBA great Charles Barkley.
18-Googly Duck	Depression time hero and cricketing legend , the great Sir Donald Bradman chased a batting average of 100 in his final game of test cricket.
19-From Dublin to Oz	Jim Stynes paved the way for international players to play in the Australian game of AFL. His life and legacy are a tribute to the person he was.
20-Center Stage	In 1991, Australia claimed its first Netball World Cup on home soil when the tournament was hosted in Sydney. The first Netball World Cup gold medal match goes down in history as one of the greatest netball games ever, Australia securing the victory by one goal, 53-52.
21-Into the stands	Pat Cash was an unlikely winner at Wimbeldon in 1987,his celebration was unlike any other.
22-Conversion	Australia headed to Wellington needing a win to keep the Bledisloe for another year after Jonah Lomu scored the winner in the previous game. In the final minutes, the All Blacks led 23-21 but the Wallabies forced a penalty within range. As regular kicker Stirling Mortlock was off the field, legendary captain John Eales was left to kick the ball.
23-Well, I guess we’re going to Nice now	Following a drinking incident in 1997, Pat rafter, Mark Phillipousus, the woodies and Lleyton Hewitt head into the 1999 Davis Cup tournament with something to prove.
24-Reversal of Seasons	Initial fears about the weather, no horses allowed to compete and bickering politicians put in doubt, what turned out to be the Friendly games, in Melbourne 1956.
25-Over the Border	The history and legacy of  Rugby Leagues State of Origin
26-The Point of the Story	The story of Nicky Winmar, racial vilification and the changes the AFL made to combat racism on both a sporting and national stage.
27-Sayonara	The disaster that was the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race and the ensuing inquest into the race.
28-Lay down Sally	What does it mean to be a sportsman, to dedicate your life to 1 sport and get to the ultimate stage, the Olympics. Australians debated this following the Sally Robbins incident at the 2004 Olympics when she stopped rowing during the final part of the race, for which she was heavily criticized
29-The Early Defection Approach	A look at the Rugby war of the late 90’s the break-away, the in-fighting and the eventual re-amalgamation of the Rugby League Community.
30-If you’re good at it you can win	The final episode looks into the controversial life of Dawn Fraser. From angering Australian officials in Japan to her outspoken remarks as a patriotic Australian.

 Season 2; coming soon

I'm Back

Starting a blog....again.

Thought i might start writing some of my stories down, some of my hair-brained schemes and perhaps some of my crazier ideas for things.
There may be photos, there may be links, there may be ridiculous suggestions, i will tell stories, but basically everything I put on here is my own opinions and ideas.

The return startsssssss..........now

After 4 years, my brother and I have sat through and watched all the James Bond movies, we discussed them and thought about them, some seriously, some in more of a joking way, and we decided to rank them. There are lots of Bond film rankings out there, some very similar, some with bizzare rankings. But this is ours.

24 Octopussy - I used to have View to a kill ranked worst, but this one has a ridiculous plot, not much original action and a weak villain. And probably the stupidest title.
23 Moonraker - Bond in space. I realize this is there Star Wars, but is it necessary? very similar to You Only Live Twice, but an army fighting underwater is slightly more believable then one fighting in space.
22 Live and Let Die - Maybe its the blacksploitation that made this more ridiculous for me, I liked it more as a teenager.
21 A View to a kill - Perhaps I had super low expectations for this one, but it has some great bits. The opening is fun, the car chase in Paris is good, and I like Mayday as the lead villain. Moore is way to old though.
20 Living Daylights - Dalton had some bright moments as Bond, and I think he drives my favorite bond car. The plot is a little confusing at times, but I would have liked another Dalton Bond.
19 Diamonds are forever - Easily Connery's worst bond, I like the use of Blofeld doppelgangers, kind of raises the question, that Blofeld could always be out there.
18 The Man with the Golden Gun - What i like about this, is the detective work that Bond has to do, following the clues, taking him around the world, to an exotic location. Christopher Lee as a baddie is always fun as well.
17 Die another Day - Very weak plot. You could make a supercut of this, with just the action scenes. I did like the intense fencing scene, and the call backs to previous movies.
16 Tomorrow Never Dies - Very solid Follow up to Goldeneye. Fun and adventurous, a good plot and all the classic bond elements are here.
15 Quantum of Solace - This must be watched within a few days of watching Casino Royale, it makes more sense. Action is awesome and the violence is intense. Gets better each watch.
14 For Your eyes Only - Juxtaposed with its predecessor Moonraker, this is a return to simple, non ridiculous plots. A fun watch with Roger Moore at his peak.
13 Liscence to Kill - For some reason I really enjoy vengeful Bond, Dalton really flexes some acting muscles, and plays a different kind of Bond, in a good way.
12 Thunderball - This is ranked so high, because it is more appealing as a kid to watch it. But it is very slow, and the underwater stuff is very tedius, Never Say Never is slightly better.
11 Dr No - Probably the Bond I have seen the most. And it never gets old on me. Love the location, love the music, love the dragon.
10 World is not Enough - Very strong actors in this, had some great plot points, a few slightly silly, but on the whole I think this is a fun movie.
9 On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Is it just me or was Lazenby good as Bond? So much to like about this film. The boblsed chase, the women all hitting on Bond at the institute, the ending. Imagine if Connery was in this!
8  Spectre - Great opening. I like that they have SPECTRE back in the fold. Batista was awesome, Waltz was a strong Blofeld and the movie felt like a blend of Connery and early Moore.
7  You Only Live Twice - I think its the volcano lair that does it for me, and perhaps Little Nellie.
6  Goldeneye - the first Bond I saw at the cinema. Just thought from the bungee jump at the beginning to the end in the jungle it was an action packed thrill ride.
5 The Spy who loved - The best Moore movie, hands down. love  the way the plot links in at the start, the elements all meet up, and Jaws is a scary as villain, who will stop and nothing to get Bond.
4 From Russia With Love - My former number 1, it can be slow, but red Grant is an excellent villain, working for Spectre, Tatiana is a strong Bond girl, and Connery is enjoying his time as the lead role.
3 Skyfall - All action, strong plot, continuing the road that Craig started down, but bringing in a few elements of the more light hearted Bond.
2 Goldfinger - All the best Bond bits are here, gadgets, women, villain, henchman, Hard to fault.
1 Casino Royale - Such a strong first showing from Craig. So many intense scenes. Exactly what was needed after Die Another Day. Bought new life to the franchise.

Hope you enjoyed that, This will not be the last time I talk of Bond

Bond talk will return.