HCA: Which movie should WSU see before taking on Colorado?

The USA Today did a fun little story yesterday on a Mike Leach coaching tradition: Team movie night, which takes place the night before a game. (I, for one, was not aware of movie night.)

Leach has got some guidelines for the movie, though.

“We try to avoid tragedy movies, because you don’t want to go to the movies and watch somebody have cancer the whole time,” Leach said. “You want it a little more uplifting.”

He also has a ban on horror movies.

“Too many guys don’t sleep well, they’re uneasy, and they’re freaked out,” he said.

As the story goes, players get a choice of up to four movies to watch. No word on how the selection is made, but it got me thinking: Which movie that’s out right now should the Washington State Cougars go see tonight before they take on the Colorado Buffaloes tomorrow?

Leach says he wants something uplifting, and I imagine they also want a movie that doesn’t suck. Personally, I think I want something that’s going to inspire the team to crush the Buffs. Here are some options of movies currently playing:

Dr. Suess’ The Grinch
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% fresh
Description:

The Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food. Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.

This will inevitably fit the bill of uplifting — it’s Dr. Suess after all — but I’m not sure it’s going to get me all the way to inspiring.

Bohemian Rhapsody
Rotten Tomatoes: 60% fresh
Description:

Singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor and bass guitarist John Deacon take the music world by storm when they form the rock ‘n’ roll band Queen in 1970. Surrounded by darker influences, Mercury decides to leave Queen years later to pursue a solo career. Diagnosed with AIDS in the 1980s, the flamboyant frontman reunites with the group for the benefit concert Live Aid -- leading the band in one of the greatest performances in rock history.

Uplifting? I guess it depends on your definition. The rise of Queen is definitely remarkable. Maybe even uplifting! Freddie Mercury’s demise? ...... not so much.

A Star Is Born
Rotten Tomatoes: 90% fresh
Description:

In this new take on the tragic love story, Bradley Cooper plays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers—and falls in love with—struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer… until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

It might be 90% fresh, but maybe we should avoid the movie about a rock star drinking and drugging himself to death.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Rotten Tomatoes: 33% fresh
Description:

Young Clara needs a magical, one-of-a-kind key to unlock a box that contains a priceless gift. A golden thread leads her to the coveted key, but it soon disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. In that world, she meets a soldier named Phillip, a group of mice and the regents who preside over three realms. Clara and Phillip must now enter a fourth realm to retrieve the key and restore harmony to the unstable land.

Um ... nope.

Venom
Rotten Tomatoes: 29% fresh
Description:

Reporter Eddie Brock develops superpowers after becoming a host to an alien parasite.

OK, I think now we’re getting into the neighborhood. Usually can’t go wrong with Marvel, especially if we’re talking about a movie to fire up a football team. However, the “rottenness” of the rating, plus the fact that it’s pretty dark, make me want to take a pass.

The Girl In The Spider’s Web
Rotten Tomatoes: 49% fresh
Description:

Fired from the National Security Agency, Frans Balder recruits hacker Lisbeth Salander to steal FireWall, a computer program that can access codes for nuclear weapons worldwide. The download soon draws attention from an NSA agent who traces the activity to Stockholm. Further problems arise when Russian thugs take Lisbeth’s laptop and kidnap a math whiz who can make FireWall work. Now, Lisbeth and an unlikely ally must race against time to save the boy and recover the codes to avert disaster.

OK, now THIS is what I’m talking about! Let’s get an ass-kicking woman on the screen to kick lots of asses for a couple of hours. If that doesn’t inspire a bunch of testosterone-fueled young men to go out and pummel their opponent the next day, nothing will.

What would be your choice?

Soccer in the NCAA Tournament

Tonight’s the big night! The Cougs host Montana in the opening round of the NCAA women’s soccer tournament. Kick off will be at 7 p.m., and there will be a live stream. If WSU wins, they’ll advance to (mostly likely) play No. 1 seed Georgetown. Here’s what you need to know:

NCAA Play Begins Friday at Lower Soccer Field - Washington State University
The Cougars face off against Montana at 7 p.m.

Weaver Leads Four Cougars On All-Pac-12 Teams - Washington State University
SAN FRANCISCO – Led by star forward Morgan Weaver, Washington State soccer put four players on the Pac-12 All-Conference teams as announced by conference commissioner Larry Scott office Wednesday afternoon.

Rachel Thompson Named 2018 Academic All-District - Washington State University
PULLMAN, Wash. - Showing off her skills on the field and in the classroom, redshirt-junior Rachel Thompson was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District® 8 team Thursday as announced by CoSIDA.

Football Links

Pac-12 Bowl Projections: Why the Huskies, not Cougars, should be smelling Roses | The Seattle Times
"Impressive as Washington State has been (holding steady at No. 8 in the CFP rankings), I can’t project the Cougars to beat Chris Petersen until I actually see them beat Chris Petersen."

College football: Washington State quarterback sparks mustache mania - USA Today
Mustachioed Heisman Trophy contender Gardner Minshew of Washington State almost wanted to compete at Alabama this year with the Heisman frontrunner.

Colorado Buffaloes have their hands full with Minshew - The Ralphie Report
One of the best quarterbacks in the country is traveling to Boulder to matchup with a banged up Colorado secondary.

Leach praises Cougars OL Lucas | Washington State University | union-bulletin.com
WSU coach Mike Leach, renowned for his admiration of the offensive line position, heaped praise on the rookie from Everett during his weekly news conference Monday.

Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes Odds, Analysis, Betting Pick | Bleacher Report | Latest News, Videos and Highlights
Since becoming conference rivals with Colorado, Washington State holds the edge, winning three of five meetings straight up and going 3-2 against the spread. The Cougars, questing for their first-ever appearance in the Pac-12 championship game, battle the Buffaloes on Saturday afternoon in Boulder.

CFC TV: Molton's hands will be full if Buff go-to target is back - Cougfan.com
Molton says he doesn't think about Pro Football Focus stat that senior cornerback hasn't allowed a touchdown since his sophomore season

CFC TV: Sherman says agree or disagree, penalties will happen - Cougfan.com
WSU linebacker Dillon Sherman has levelheaded thoughts on some of the penalties called in Cal win

COUGARS' OPPONENT: Buffs don’t want Beaver fiasco to define their season | Sports | lmtribune.com
PULLMAN — After watching his Buffaloes squander a 28-point lead against the worst team in the conference, Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre stayed true to his ritual of donning a jacket and tie for the postgame news conference and answering every question as forthrightly as possible.

No. 8 WSU carries 5-game win streak into Colorado | Sportsxchange | gwinnettprepsports.com
The Washington State Cougars have been one of the top defensive teams in the country over the last couple of years, and it's not hard to understand why.

Previewing and predicting Colorados game vs. Washington State
Adam Munsterteiger and Brian Howell preview the Buffaloes' upcoming home game against Washington State, and give their score predictions.

Washington State Cougars vs. Colorado Buffaloes Prediction and Preview - Athlon Sports
Can Washington State push for a College Football Playoff berth? The Cougars are the last remaining hope for the Pac-12 going into their game with Colorado on Saturday.

Pac-12 Football Notebook: Week 11 Power Rankings & What To Watch For - Building The Dam
1. #8 Washington State Cougars (8-1 Overall, 5-1 Conference)

Pac-12 Power Rankings: Washington schools seize control as Apple Cup looms over clustered conference | Arizona Wildcats football | tucson.com
1. Washington State Cougars (8-1, 5-1; previous rank: 1)

2018 Pac-12 Week Ten Power Rankings
1. Washington State Cougars (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) Last Week: 1

Pac-12 Power Rankings: Washington State Survives Cal, Stays Atop the Conference | The Range: The Tucson Weekly's Daily Dispatch
1. Washington State Cougars (8-1, 5-1)

WSU Athletics Links

Women's Golf: Cougars Complete Play in Hawaii - Washington State University
KALIUA KONA, Hawaii – The Washington State women's golf team finished 11th at the Nanea Pac-12 Preview hosted by the University of Hawaii, after a third round score of 301(+9). WSU finished ahead of Hawaii and behind No. 11 Washington. With the close of the tournament the Cougars also close out their fall schedule. WSU will resume play in February.

Men's Golf: Washington State Stays Put at 17th to Complete Saint Mary’s Intercollegiate - Washington State University
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - The Washington State men's golf team finished 17th at the Saint Mary's Intercollegiate, Wednesday at Poppy Hills Golf Course at Pebble Beach, Calif.

Cross Country Ready to Run at NCAA West Regional - Washington State University
Cougars prepped to run at Haggin Oaks (Sacramento, Calif.) Friday.

Swimming Welcomes Wyoming to Gibb Pool Friday - Washington State University
The Cougars welcome Wyoming to Gibb Pool Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. The meet will be streamed live on wsucougars.com.

Rowing Wraps Up Fall Season - Washington State University
The Cougars will resume competition in the spring.

College Hoops Preview: Lady Zags, Washington State, Vandals and more | Arts & Culture | The Pacific Northwest Inlander | News, Politics, Music, Calendar, Events in Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and the Inland Northwest
Losing nearly half a roster and recruiting a foreign big man and three-star recruit in CJ Elleby leaves the Cougars destined to fight with the rest of the castoffs at the bottom of the "Conference of Champions."