Lions win West final in a rout
A healthy and hungry Dave Dickenson will have a third chance to complete what he started but couldn't finish against the Montreal Alouettes earlier this season.
The B.C. Lions quarterback shredded Saskatchewan's defence for 273 yards through the air and tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Paris Jackson on the way to a 45-18 victory over the visiting Roughriders in Sunday's CFL West final.
"We feel like it's our year. We feel we are the best team," Dickenson said. "You have to finish it. It doesn't mean anything if you don't win [the Grey Cup]."
Dickenson will lead the Lions into the 94th Canadian Football League championship on Nov. 19 in Winnipeg against Montreal, 33-24 winners over the Toronto Argonauts in the East final earlier on Sunday.
It will mark B.C.'s second Grey Cup appearance in the last three years and second versus the Alouettes in league history.
The Lions upset Montreal 28-26 in the 2000 championship at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
This season, B.C. dominated the East champions, posting a 2-0 record and outscoring the Alouettes 84-33. However, Dickenson was forced to leave both contests early due to injury.
But he made an impression, connecting on 28 of 37 passes for 468 yards and three touchdowns in a combined five quarters of work.
On Sunday, Dickenson completed 27 of 37 pass attempts, including 19 in a 29-point first half.
The veteran CFLer was masterful at avoiding a Roughriders front four that caused havoc for Calgary quarterback Henry Burris in the West semifinal a week ago.
A scrambling Dickenson amassed 211 yards and three touchdown passes in the first half alone and let running back Joe Smith and a swarming Lions defence do the rest.
"They've got a lot of weapons," Saskatchewan coach Danny Barrett said. "I thought Jackson and [Lions slotback Jason] Clermont, they stepped up their play well today. I thought Dave threw the ball outstanding."
Smith added a pair of majors on a five-yard reception and six-yard run, while former Roughriders kicker Paul McCallum booted five field goals to tie Lui Passaglia for the club playoff record.
A Lions defence that led the league with 59 sacks this season brought quarterback Kerry Joseph down five times and made him hurry throws.
The ear-piercing noise of 50,084 fans at B.C. Place Stadium also resulted in Saskatchewan taking several time-count and procedure penalties.
Down and seemingly out, the Riders awoke late in the third quarterback and cut into a 32-4 B.C. advantage with two touchdowns.
After the visitors converted a third-and-five near midfield, running back Kenton Keith hooked up with Joseph on a 39-yard pass-and-run to make it 32-11.
Shortly thereafter, Saskatchewan defensive back Davin Bush forced a fumble by Geroy Simon — the CFL's top receiver in 2006 — that was recovered by linebacker Jackie Mitchell.
A few plays and a Dante Marsh pass interference call later and Keith made it a two-touchdown game with a four-yard plunge.
Controlled the clock
Undaunted, Dickenson controlled the clock and put McCallum in position to increase the margin with field goals of 18 and 41 yards in the fourth quarter.
McCallum, who signed with the Lions as a free agent last winter, was the goat of the 2004 West final at B.C. Place Stadium when he missed two field goals, including an 18-yarder in overtime, in a 27-25 B.C. triumph over the Roughriders.
The Lions broke Sunday's game open in the first 30 minutes, scoring 26 unanswered points after Saskatchewan rookie kicker Luca Congi connected on a 40-yard field goal to answer McCallum's 21-yarder early in the first quarter.
With the Riders smothering Simon, Dickenson spread the wealth or kept the ball himself.
He exposed Saskatchewan rookie James Johnson on numerous occasions and made the defensive back pay at both ends of the second quarter.
With the game tied 3-3, Dickenson eluded pressure and found the outstretched hands of Jackson, who outran Johnson and hauled in a 14-yard pass deep in the end zone to cap an 11-play, 75-yard drive.
"We have different receivers that can do different things," said Jackson, who finished the game with five catches for 66 yards. "I just try and do what I can do."
With 21 seconds left in the half, Jackson shrugged off double coverage from Bush and Johnson to haul in a 35-yard pass to give B.C. a 29-3 lead.
Alouettes returning to Grey Cup
The Montreal Alouettes will make a return trip to the Grey Cup following a 33-24 victory over the Toronto Argonauts Sunday at Olympic Stadium.
The Alouettes used a key turnover at the start of the second half to help defeat the Argonauts in the East final for the second straight season.
"Some funny bounces happened," said Argonauts head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons. "But we certainly thought that, disproportionately, we didn't get the breaks.
"Both teams could have played the same game and we could have been on top."
It was the fifth consecutive year the two teams met in the East final, with Montreal holding a 4-1 advantage.
The Alouettes now head to Winnipeg for the 94th Grey Cup and will play the B.C. Lions, who won Sunday's West final over Saskatchewan.
The Alouettes are looking to win their first title since 2002 and hope to erase last year's demoralizing defeat to the Edmonton Eskimos — 38-35 in overtime.
"We're excited, but man, I'm tired of losing [to] them," said quarterback Anthony Calvillo, who will lead Montreal into the Grey Cup game for the fifth time in seven years. "I'm going to stress that.
"I'm going to go out and win because I remember 2002 — that parade and that feeling. The last two times we lost it wasn't a good feeling. We've been here so many dang times it shouldn't bother us anymore. That's how I'm going to approach it."
Calvillo threw for 252 yards and a touchdown, while running back Robert Edwards balanced Montreal's attack with 137 yards rushing and a touchdown.
"I'm a little dehydrated now, but it was worth it," Edwards said in a raucous Montreal dressing room. "I get to rehydrate with a little champagne."
Estelle's major touches off shouting match
Montreal broke open the game at the start of the second half, taking advantage of a Toronto turnover to lead 23-3 just 43 seconds into the third quarter.
On the first play from scrimmage, Toronto quarterback Damon Allen was intercepted by cornerback Mark Estelle, who scampered 78 yards for the touchdown.
Estelle's major touched off a shouting match between frustrated Argos linebacker Mike O'Shea and receiver Arland Bruce at the sideline.
The interception was also enough for Clemons to pull Allen in favour of backup Michael Bishop for the second consecutive post-season game.
Allen, who was also benched last week in the East semifinal for the more athletic Bishop, was sacked twice in the first half and pressured on several other occasions.
The change made little difference initially.
Bishop was sacked by Dario Romero on Toronto's next drive, forcing the Argos to punt.
Bruce's TD reduces Als' lead
However, Montreal's Avon Cobourne fumbled Noel Prefontaine's punt that was recovered by Chris Hardy. Bishop hit Bruce three plays later with a 23-yard touchdown at 9:52 of the third, reducing Montreal's lead to 23-10.
Yet any momentum gained on Bruce's touchdown ended on the team's ensuing possession. Running back Ricky Williams was stripped of the ball by defensive back Ricky Bell, setting up Montreal's next score.
Calvillo hit receiver Thyron Anderson with a 52-yard touchdown strike on the following play to give Montreal a commanding 30-10 lead with less two minutes remaining in the third.
Bishop, who finished the game throwing for 181 yards and a pair of touchdowns, rallied Toronto in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns drives, bringing the Argos to within striking distance.
He first found receiver Michael Palmer alone for a 10-yard score at 3:13. Bishop then led the Argos on an 84-yard scoring march that resulted in a one-yard touchdown plunge by Williams, cutting Montreal's to 30-24 at 12:27.
The comeback fell short as Damon Duval iced the game for Montreal, nailing a clutch 44-yard field goal with 51 seconds remaining.
The loss signals the end of Williams's brief CFL career. The 29-year-old veteran, banished for one season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, was on loan by the Miami Dolphins and is expected to return next season.
Meanwhile, the Alouettes snapped a 3-3 tie at 6:29 of the second quarter on a 41-yard field goal by Duval at 6:29. The drive was made possible after Cobourne returned a missed field goal attempt by Prefontaine 77 yards, taking the Alouettes into Toronto territory.
Montreal increased its lead to 13-3 on the next drive with less than three minutes remaining in the first half.
Edwards broke a tackle and pushed across the goal-line for the game's first touchdown.
Duval put Montreal in front 16-3 following a 29-yard field goal to end the first half.
The Alouettes took control from the opening quarter, but a pair of turnovers killed early drives despite gaining 111 yards through the air.
Holiday movie preview
The decorations are up in the malls. The flyers are arriving in the newspapers. All we need now is the first appearance of a Canadian Tire Scrooge commercial and it's official: The holiday season is upon us. Ho-frickin'-ho-ho.
If there's an upside to only 46 shopping days remaining 'til Christmas, it's that a new glut of movies is hitting theatres between now and the end of the year. This is usually the period when studios slip their Oscar hopefuls into the release schedule, while balancing them out with the odd bit of blockbustery fluff.
But since we haven't actually seen most of these flicks yet, we have to rely on someone with decades of holiday movie experience (not to mention slightly creepy omniscient powers) to help us pick 10 of the most interesting-looking movies of the season, and separate the naughty from the nice.
Take it away, Santa Claus.
10: THE GOOD SHEPHERD (Dec. 22)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The untold story of the origins of the CIA, with Matt Damon as an up-and-coming agent under the tutelage of a cagey vet (Robert De Niro, who also directs.) Angelina Jolie plays Damon's wifey.
SANTA SAYS: "Ho ho ho! Bobby De Niro, you say? Why, me and Mrs. Claus would see anything with that wonderful young man in it. And Angelina Jolie warms my North Pole! My South Pole, too!"
Naughty or Nice? Nice
9: HAPPY FEET (Nov. 17)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Computer-animated penguins, and lots of them. They sing! They dance! They sound just like Elijah Wood, Nicole Kidman and Robin Williams!
SANTA SAYS: "Why, we don't see any penguins up around my workshop, being as they are indigenous to the Antarctic! Ho ho ho! You didn't know Santa knew a big word like indigenous, did you? That's what happens when you spend your 364 days off every year sitting on the couch watching Discovery Channel on satellite!"
Naughty or Nice? Nice
8: ROCKY BALBOA (Dec. 22)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: The sixth instalment in the Rocky series sees the Italian Stallion coming out of retirement to fight the reviled boxer Mason Dixon (Antonio Tarver), after a computer simulation shows Balboa in his prime could have beat the young bruiser.
SANTA SAYS: "Oh dear, I'm afraid young Sylvester has wasted all the nice gifts I've given him over the years. Such a greedy little boy, and now he expects to be given another career comeback? No, I'm afraid not. And I still don't like that ex-wife of his, the tall one who dates the strange man with the clock around his neck. Tut-tut."
Naughty or Nice? Naughty
7: BLOOD DIAMOND (Dec. 8)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: A South African mercenary (Leonardo DiCaprio) and a Mende fisherman (Djimon Hounsou) join forces to search for a legendary lost diamond against the backdrop of Sierra Leone's bloody civil war. Jennifer Connelly stars as DiCaprio's love interest.
SANTA SAYS: "My my, this sounds like a very serious story, doesn't it? But rest assured Santa never trades in conflict diamonds when he gives good little girls necklaces full of bling! Ho ho ho!"
Naughty or Nice? Nice
6: ERAGON (Dec. 15)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Based on the novel by 15-year-old Christopher Paolini, this is a swords-and-sorcery fantasy about a boy who discovers his heritage as a dragon rider and strives to avenge the death of his uncle. Critics have called the books derivative of familiar fare like Lord Of The Rings and Star Wars.
SANTA SAYS: "A fantasy movie for the whole family, and you know what that means -- merchandising! Santa loves merchandising, because it means I can give kids cheap plastic action figures made in Taiwan and save on local labour costs! Ho ho ho!"
Naughty or Nice? Naughty
5: WE ARE MARSHALL (Dec. 22)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: A football coach (Josh Lucas) tries to rebuild his team and heal his town after a plane crash claims the lives of 37 players and eight coaches. Based on the true story of the 1970 tragedy that devastated the Marshall University football team.
SANTA SAYS: "Now now, why would anyone want to watch such a sad story so close to Christmas? Christmas isn't about sacrifice and death and rebirth! It's about presents! Ho ho ho!"
Naughty or Nice? Naughty
4: THE FOUNTAIN (Nov. 22)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: A cancer scientist (Hugh Jackman) tries to save his dying wife (Rachel Weisz) in a story that also connects to events 500 years in the past and 500 years in the future, revolving around a tree that gives eternal life to those who eat its bark. Directed by Requiem For A Dream's Darren Aronofsky.
SANTA SAYS: "Eating bark? Why, I usually give Blitzen a good crack with the whip when I catch him chewing on a Christmas tree while I'm trying to put presents underneath it. This sounds like a lot of claptrap and nonsense."
Naughty or Nice? Naughty
3: TENACIOUS D IN THE PICK OF DESTINY (Nov. 22)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Jack Black and Kyle Gass -- together known as Tenacious D -- look for a magical pick that will make them rock like a hurricane, or at least a very strong gale.
SANTA SAYS: "Jack Black is always on my good boy list! Though to be perfectly frank this movie doesn't look to be as funny as he clearly thinks it is. Nacho Libre only buys you so much goodwill, my roly-poly friend! Ho ho ho!"
Naughty or Nice? Naughty
2: DEJA VU (Nov. 22)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: A federal agent (Denzel Washington) uses top secret technology to travel back in time in a bid to prevent a ferry bombing in New Orleans. In the process, he falls in love with one of the potential victims.
SANTA SAYS: "Dear, oh dear, I certainly did enjoy that Tony Scott movie with that pleasant Mr. Washington fellow where the little girl got kidnapped. Watching his movies is like drinking five cups of coffee in a row, and Santa needs his pep!"
Naughty or Nice? Nice
1: APOCALYPTO (Dec. 8)
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: A historical myth set 600 years ago, on the cusp of the decline of the Maya civilization. It's director Mel Gibson's follow-up to The Passion Of The Christ, with all dialogue spoken in the Yucatec Maya tongue and subtitled in English.
SANTA SAYS: "Santa had to buy an extra big sleigh this year to carry all the coal for Mel Gibson's stocking! But even I can admit that this movie looks very intriguing. At least they won't be beating up that nice Jesus man in this one! Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!"
Naughty or Nice? Nice.
Timberlake works on Duran-Duran album
NEW YORK - Justin Timberlake is working on Duran Duran's new album, along with superproducer Timbaland, who created recent smash hits for both Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, the British band said.
"We've got some good stuff happening," said lead singer Simon LeBon. "We've done three tracks with Timbaland; we've collaborated in a writing and production manner on one of those tracks with Justin Timberlake. We've got a lot really hot producers who are hotly interested in working with us at the moment. We are in a very good space."
Duran Duran, who had its biggest hits in the '80s with such songs as "Rio" and "The Reflex," was in New York last Tuesday to perform at Cipriani's at a benefit for the AIDS research organization AmFar. The night also featured an auction, led by Sharon Stone, of luxury items.
The performance was without one of its founding members: Guitarist Andy Taylor left the group late last month.
Bassist Josh Taylor likened the split to a divorce. He said, "There were many strong differences of feeling within the band for some time now."
However, he said, Taylor's departure has been "empowering, quite freeing" for Duran Duran.
"We've been playing over the last few weeks around Europe and in the States, and we're just putting it into the music," he said.
'Borat' banks $29M, keeps top movie spot
LOS ANGELES - A make-believe son of the glorious nation of Kazakhstan continues to rule the American box office. Sacha Baron Cohen's "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" took in $29 million to remain the No. 1 movie for a second straight weekend, distributor 20th Century Fox said Sunday. "Borat" raised its 10-day total to $67.8 million.
The top three movies remained unchanged from the previous weekend, with Disney's "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" still in second place with $16.9 million and the Paramount-DreamWorks animated tale "Flushed Away" in third with $16.7 million.
Sony's Will Ferrell comedy "Stranger Than Fiction" debuted as the best of the weekend's newcomers, placing fourth with $14.1 million. Ferrell plays a meek tax auditor suddenly able to hear the voice of a narrator ( Emma Thompson) chronicling his life and impending death.
While 20th Century Fox could crow about "Borat," the studio's Russell Crowe- Ridley Scott reunion "A Good Year" flopped, coming in at No. 10 with $3.8 million. "A Good Year" was a departure for the star and director of "Gladiator," a soft romance with Crowe as a London investment shark seduced by the laid-back life at a French vineyard he inherits.
The movie generally was panned by critics, and audiences apparently were not willing to accept broody actor Crowe in a romantic lead, said Bruce Snyder, head of distribution for 20th Century Fox.
Audiences were willing to accept Cohen as Borat, the Kazakh TV journalist he originated on "Da Ali G Show," who jumps to the big screen in a mock documentary about his journey across America.
Crudely funny and raucously satiric, "Borat" was a surprise winner at the box office with a $26.5 million opening weekend, even though it played in only 837 theaters, fewer than one-fourth the number of cinemas for "The Santa Clause 3" and "Flushed Away."
Some box-office analysts had questioned whether 20th Century Fox missed the boat by launching "Borat" in so few theaters, saying the movie could have rung up millions more on opening weekend if it had gone wider.
But Snyder said the buzz from the movie's huge debut proved a great prelude to wider release in its second weekend, when it expanded to 2,566 theaters.
"When a picture takes off like this, you can do it any way you want and you can't screw it up, quite honestly, when a picture becomes a part of the culture like this," Snyder said.
Expanding nationwide after two weekends in limited release, Paramount Vantage's drama "Babel" was No. 6 with $5.65 million. With an ensemble cast that includes Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, "Babel" traces the repercussions of a shooting in the African desert on families around the globe.
Sarah Michelle Gellar's supernatural thriller "The Return" opened weakly with $4.8 million to come in at No. 8. Released by Focus Features, the movie was not screened beforehand for critics, generally a sign the distributor expects bad reviews.
MGM's "Harsh Times," a gritty street drama starring Christian Bale and Freddy Rodriguez, also had a poor debut of $1.8 million, finishing out of the top 10.
Here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Exhibitor Relations Co. Inc. Final figures will be released Monday.
1. "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," $29 million.
2. "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause," $16.9 million.
3. "Flushed Away," $16.7 million.
4. "Stranger Than Fiction," $14.1 million.
5. "Saw III," $6.6 million.
6. "Babel," $5.65 million.
7. "The Departed," $5.2 million.
8. "The Return," $4.8 million.
9. "The Prestige," $4.6 million.
10. "A Good Year," $3.8 million.