Despite extreme heat and work obligations, I try to get outside while the weather is conducive for lawn sports. Interestingly, most lawn sports involve throwing one object really close to another. I really cannot explain this phenomenon, but I’m not sure I’d want to waste our time if I could. Here’s a list of lawn games I think are keen.

Ladder Golf

This game can be played with 2 or 4 players. The object is to get your bolas (two golf balls attached by a thin rope) to stay on a ladder rung. Most sets are easily set up making this game portable. It’s also good for tournament style play. Remember to try to set up in a shaded area. If you have kids I’d recommend some supervision. The temptation to misuse the bolas would be a cause for concern if they’re anything like I was.

Washers

A game of skill played with large washers. Basically, you take turns throwing two washers and landing them either in the box, the cylinder inside the box, or on the rim of the box (automatic win in our books). The box I speak of is usually a square, an octagon, or a rectangle (besides a square). You play to a designated point value to win the game. Usually this game is played with 2 or 4 players. This is another game that is good for a tournament style event. I’d recommend keeping dogs away from the playing area. They have tendency to try to eat washers or walk off with the box… good dog.

Bocce

This is one of my favorites. You can either play in a Bocce court or cross-country style, called Open Bocce. You can play with 2 to 4 players (or more if you buy additional sets with varying patterns and colors). If you play in a Bocce court, one person toss the smaller ball, called a Jack or Pallino, then turns are taken to throw the larger bocce balls close to the Jack. The first person or team to reach a designated amount of points wins. If you play near a street be aware of sewer drains in the street, they might consume your Jack or bocce balls if you have a wild throw.

Badminton

Badminton is probably is the most physically demanding game on this list if you let it be. This is a good 2 or 4 player game that requires some time to setup. However, the setup time is worth it. Make sure to have some spare shuttles (or birdie) in case you get one stuck in a tree or on a roof. Unfortunately, if you become really good you can no longer play Badminton in the Olympics starting in 2012. Looks like I’ll have to find a professional circuit.

Horseshoes

I really don’t play Horseshoes too often, but I had to include it because it is a classic and I really do like playing it when I get the chance. Basically, you toss horseshoes in an attempt to land them near or, better yet, around a stake. You can play with 2 or 4 players. When playing make sure you only set up one stake, and be sure no one is near it when tossing. I prefer playing in a sand court over a yard mostly due to renegade horseshoes that hurt if you catch one with your ankle or shin even if you’re not really close to the stake.

Despite some of the inherent dangers to some of the games I mentioned, fun will be had by all once you break these gems out. Enjoy the summer!

Rx by,

Dr. M. CLK

The first Creepshow was a treat.  George A. Romero and Stephen King teamed up to create a cute, though creepy, vignette horror movie.  I must admit I haven’t seen the second Creepshow, but it surely can’t be any worse than the third installment.

Fans of the franchise should stay away from this movie.

This, like the others, is a vignette movie.  It does try to go places the first one didn’t.  In a Pulp Fiction-esque style, all of the segments happen in the same universe and pretty much in the same town.  Characters overlap, and it isn’t entirely in chronological order.  Pulp Fiction was very carefully organized to optimize dramatic build and keep the viewer from getting too confused.  Unfortunately for Creepshow 3 it isn’t clever enough to be anywhere near successful at this.  To some extent it doesn’t matter, but anybody actually paying attention will ask the ever burning question, “Huh?” when they see the one scene that takes place out of order.  Creepshow 1 had a through plot tying all the individual stories together about a boy reading Creepshow Comics in which each story appeared in the comics the boy read while not happening in the same continuity.  It was a throwback to EC Comics’ Tales from the Crypt, and the Vault of Horror.  Number three was basically a throwback to nothing.  I could make a vomit joke about Creepshow 3 involving the word throwback, but I’ll refrain.

The individual stories aren’t necessarily bad they’re just not good.  It tries to maintain a slightly humorous feel like the first one, but only succeeds at developing a corny insincerity that plagues the whole movie.  Its comedic timing and content is fit only for the majorly stoned.  As for the horror aspects, they’re not much better.  It has a few interesting moments.  It isn’t entirely predictable, but it’s ultimately not surprising.  The best story out of the group is the very last complete story, and even it wasn’t worth waiting the whole movie for.

The acting is amateurish which is forgivable depending on the sum of all the elements.  For example, the acting in Kevin Smith’s Clerks (1994) wasn’t the most astounding, and relied mostly on the raw charisma of Jeff Anderson (Randal Graves).  This is evidence that inexperienced screen actors are no excuse for irritating characters.

The Verdict:  This was an effort not worth undertaking.  Don’t even rent it if you can help it.

-Vince