Spaghetti Westerns - Again I will go into detail more than you will want to know...but it relates to my opinion so sorry Steve if this isn't your answer of either "yes" or "no, they are janky".
Spaghetti Westerns were called this because by 1960 the Western was slowly going downhill in the States. If you have ever seen one of these early Westerns like Ford's My Darling Clementine...I think you will agree with me that they suck shit. (Although I do like High Noon) I mean after Val Kilmer is THE DOC of any Western...how can you enjoy these old ass fucking films with a shittier Doc? So enter Spaghetti Westerns. The Italians loved the Westerns, but since they were going downhill it was hard to get in Italy. So the Italians said, "Fuck it...we play soccer...I bet we can make a Western film too!" Well it turns out...they could. If you don't already know...A Fistfull of Dollars is actually part of a trilogy...the second being For a Few Dollars More and finally the most popular spaghetti of all...The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. These are actually quite entertaining (well I don't remember every single of these in great detail...) but I do remember tight editing and awesome camera angles.
Of course when these came out critics hated them. These were nothing like the "hero" of the typical American Western where the "hero" (pardon my theory here...please God forbid me for bringing this BS up) is essentially all the good in society trying to bring an "Eastern" (more civilized than the west was) type feel to the dirty "Western" frontier. Well the Italians said, "Fuck-a-you...it's a meeh western". So they made their own with more violence and with better villians. Better meaning more violent. All the stereotypes you think of a Western came from these Spaghetti Westerns. Before these the WEstern was slow and methodical without a lot of violence...hard to believe but trust me...I sat through them and wanted to rip out my eyes...
So in my opinion Steve...the Italians turned that Western into what we see today (except Open Range or whatever the fuck Costner is doing with Annette Benning) and propelled Eastwood into the image he has today. (Minus the image of being a golf whore in Carmel) Also most of these are based on Kurosawa films and how can you go wrong with that? Instead of swords they have pistols. And they speak english.
The best thing about these is that they don't try to be something they are not. They are simple action films on the Western tip. Without these there wouldn't be Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid poster on my mom's old room. These Westerns made the States think that they can do better, more epic films. This of course would take us to today. So Steve I think you should check these out...if you don't like them, than at least you can say that you have seen these films that you hear about all the time.
I wish I can like Bay films for all the action too...this film major just fucked up films for me for the rest of my chowdernutty life...sorry if I went in depth too much, but hopefully this will help you appreciate them...aka...like them.
Fade out...with Morricone's score...(yes you know what I'm talking about..the cliche tune that you hear when there is about to be a gunfight at noon...if you can hear it you would know what I'm talking about...)
Nov 14, 2003
Nov 12, 2003
Shit I didn't respond to that...fuck I better get on it...shorter I promise in a bit.
San Jose Merc is wack ass. Agreed.
Matrix is more raw. Agreed.
I like putting you crosshairs. You are the only one that argues back big time with me.
Yeah I know you weren't aiming at me. But isn't it fun to act like we hate each other...I mean we act right? Right?
Icon = Awesome. Don't ever diss my creativity. Haha. That cloud is classic.
You PMS?
Mint Chocochip is better than Strawberry.
Troy might not be bad. Derek is happy that Pitt is wearinga skirt. Ask him.
How vast can my knowledge be? I just watched Swingers again last night.
Poker rooms are good. Don't listen to Brian...or Bryant...or Kevin...or Jon...
Social retard was sarcasm? You can't lie to a liar. Haha.
My bitter ass just compares to your bitter ass. So without you being on top of the bitter asshole world, you are bitter because your bitterness is being attacked by someone who is just as bitter in this bitter, bitter world. I'll have a piece of that bitternut peacan pie please.
San Jose Merc is wack ass. Agreed.
Matrix is more raw. Agreed.
I like putting you crosshairs. You are the only one that argues back big time with me.
Yeah I know you weren't aiming at me. But isn't it fun to act like we hate each other...I mean we act right? Right?
Icon = Awesome. Don't ever diss my creativity. Haha. That cloud is classic.
You PMS?
Mint Chocochip is better than Strawberry.
Troy might not be bad. Derek is happy that Pitt is wearinga skirt. Ask him.
How vast can my knowledge be? I just watched Swingers again last night.
Poker rooms are good. Don't listen to Brian...or Bryant...or Kevin...or Jon...
Social retard was sarcasm? You can't lie to a liar. Haha.
My bitter ass just compares to your bitter ass. So without you being on top of the bitter asshole world, you are bitter because your bitterness is being attacked by someone who is just as bitter in this bitter, bitter world. I'll have a piece of that bitternut peacan pie please.
thanks for responding so quickly. No really. It gives me something to do at work.
stop lying brendan. I know you hated it. Stop it. No. no. NO! You hated it!!! Anyways, i wasn't implying that you were a counter culture mother fucker. If you were, you wouldn't be taking any shower, you would never go to the movie theater, watching only indie pics on your old camera (the kind that the teachers used in grad skoo when they should us those ghetto documentaries on where tomatoes come from). Besides your lack of showers, i doubt that you are a hippie fuck who hates mainstream. You are however, a bitter ass who writes too damn much.
no, it's the critics that i meant were the artsy counter culture mother fuckers. Especially those idiots at San Jose Merc. They HATE every single fucking movie that comes out in more than one theater, but absolutely love that movie that no one has ever heard of, that's showing at Camera 11 in downtown. I hated that shit.
As for the social retard point, that's sarcasm. I know i'm a fucking genious, dont you worry. And yes jon, I know i misspelled "genius"..it was part of the joke, you anal bitch.
anyways, i didn't read the rest of your post, cuz you wrote too damn much. Give me an hour more of work, and i'm sure i'll read the rest of it. ..fuck..i just read it. Guess i'll have to do some work now. oh wells. anyways, yeh..i dont think the matrix was bad, but i dont' think it was brilliant either. I honestly think why more people liked the first movie was because it was new, but also because it was more raw. There was a definite less amount of CGI in the first one, so they had to rely more upon good acting ("whoa"), an interesting storyline, and especially lots and lots of kung fu. Maybe that's why it was good too. Anytime you have white people doing good kung fu, it's cool. You have an asian do it tho (2 and 3), and now ur just pushing a sterotype. Fucker.
Anyways, a few more things, or rather, a summary
1)fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
2)I hate you brendan
3)I'm right, and eveyrone else is wrong
4) there is no #4, fuck you.
5) never put me in your crosshairs again. I will destroy you.
6) Brian, if you work as the guy in the mouse suit, you will also be destroyed
Also, I was pms'ing yesterday, and we ran out of strawberry ice cream. I was cranky. Oh nm, I mean it was cuz lack of sleep. I would say i was having a bad day, but excuses like that are bullshit. I love it when people say shit like that when they treated you like shit before ("hey man fuck you". Next day: "oh sorry..I was tired..and cranky" which really means "I hate you"). Whatevers. I was in a bad mood. Go figure. Don't like that response?? Look at my fucking icon, dumbshit.
The last samurai...good god. Besides it being bullshit....no wait, that's it. It's bullshit. I think i've gotten over the high school insecurity of white guys hooking up with asian girls, so i think that's the only reason. oh well, there's always "troy"...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Fuck it, i'm renting Air Bud and Rosemary's Baby.
Yes brendan, your knowledge of the movie world is vast compared to mine. I'll admit that. I just dont' watch a lot of movies. Maybe it's lack of money, or lack of good movies. who knows. Or maybe i just need to get my head out of my ass and stop watching nothing but "rounders" and "swingers".
- - -
on a final realistic note, this year i will only be getting these days off: Thanksgiving and the day after, xmas and the day after. Other than that, i will be back in san diego.
on another side note, i actually went to a poker room to check it out. I didn't play tho, cuz i was too nervous. Good observation session tho. I'll play next time. And probably lose. There are some sorry ass poker players at the indian casinos tho. I saw a lady lose about 150...chasing bullshit actions and on HUGE draws...wtf. dumb bitch.
damn i'm bitter today.
stop lying brendan. I know you hated it. Stop it. No. no. NO! You hated it!!! Anyways, i wasn't implying that you were a counter culture mother fucker. If you were, you wouldn't be taking any shower, you would never go to the movie theater, watching only indie pics on your old camera (the kind that the teachers used in grad skoo when they should us those ghetto documentaries on where tomatoes come from). Besides your lack of showers, i doubt that you are a hippie fuck who hates mainstream. You are however, a bitter ass who writes too damn much.
no, it's the critics that i meant were the artsy counter culture mother fuckers. Especially those idiots at San Jose Merc. They HATE every single fucking movie that comes out in more than one theater, but absolutely love that movie that no one has ever heard of, that's showing at Camera 11 in downtown. I hated that shit.
As for the social retard point, that's sarcasm. I know i'm a fucking genious, dont you worry. And yes jon, I know i misspelled "genius"..it was part of the joke, you anal bitch.
anyways, i didn't read the rest of your post, cuz you wrote too damn much. Give me an hour more of work, and i'm sure i'll read the rest of it. ..fuck..i just read it. Guess i'll have to do some work now. oh wells. anyways, yeh..i dont think the matrix was bad, but i dont' think it was brilliant either. I honestly think why more people liked the first movie was because it was new, but also because it was more raw. There was a definite less amount of CGI in the first one, so they had to rely more upon good acting ("whoa"), an interesting storyline, and especially lots and lots of kung fu. Maybe that's why it was good too. Anytime you have white people doing good kung fu, it's cool. You have an asian do it tho (2 and 3), and now ur just pushing a sterotype. Fucker.
Anyways, a few more things, or rather, a summary
1)fuck you, fuck you, fuck you
2)I hate you brendan
3)I'm right, and eveyrone else is wrong
4) there is no #4, fuck you.
5) never put me in your crosshairs again. I will destroy you.
6) Brian, if you work as the guy in the mouse suit, you will also be destroyed
Also, I was pms'ing yesterday, and we ran out of strawberry ice cream. I was cranky. Oh nm, I mean it was cuz lack of sleep. I would say i was having a bad day, but excuses like that are bullshit. I love it when people say shit like that when they treated you like shit before ("hey man fuck you". Next day: "oh sorry..I was tired..and cranky" which really means "I hate you"). Whatevers. I was in a bad mood. Go figure. Don't like that response?? Look at my fucking icon, dumbshit.
The last samurai...good god. Besides it being bullshit....no wait, that's it. It's bullshit. I think i've gotten over the high school insecurity of white guys hooking up with asian girls, so i think that's the only reason. oh well, there's always "troy"...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Fuck it, i'm renting Air Bud and Rosemary's Baby.
Yes brendan, your knowledge of the movie world is vast compared to mine. I'll admit that. I just dont' watch a lot of movies. Maybe it's lack of money, or lack of good movies. who knows. Or maybe i just need to get my head out of my ass and stop watching nothing but "rounders" and "swingers".
- - -
on a final realistic note, this year i will only be getting these days off: Thanksgiving and the day after, xmas and the day after. Other than that, i will be back in san diego.
on another side note, i actually went to a poker room to check it out. I didn't play tho, cuz i was too nervous. Good observation session tho. I'll play next time. And probably lose. There are some sorry ass poker players at the indian casinos tho. I saw a lady lose about 150...chasing bullshit actions and on HUGE draws...wtf. dumb bitch.
damn i'm bitter today.
Haha. Talk about having a bitter taste in your mouth.
For your information I did like the Matrix. I liked the story. I liked the effects (at that point and one can make an argument about how I didn't like them anywhere since everyone else copied them, however I truly gave it respect for what it did visually and didn't allow anyone else who copied it ruin it for me) and I like how it flowed. It did bring a somewhat original idea to the mix although maybe we can ask someone like Jon whether or not Plato was the first to talk about being "jacked in". No Steve I did like the first one...and I didn't say that the third was in godlike proportions of being total shit. Compared to Reloaded it was a fucking Oscar worthy performance...by the robots of course. For you to think that I hated it just because I'm some "artsy counter culture mother fucker" well you are totally wrong...and coming from you who bashes religion and the ultimate Lion Voltron... Haha.
My point was not to fucking say that you are a "social retard", but rather your quote was perfect for what I was trying to say in that Matrix 2 and 3 should not have been made. From a fiscal standpoint it should have, but maybe they shouldn't have been so quick to rush the story out. You don't need to apologize for something you like...shit I like dropping but you clearly don't like that...haha. I'm sorry my quote seemed aimed at you...but you had a argument that a lot of people used for Reloaded...you were 100 percent confident that it could be saved solely on the fact that it was the middle movie.
The point about doing something that a shitload of people like then down the road not being able to compete with it...well I should hope so. It raises the bar for the person doing it and receiving sometihng creative. Since the Matrix was dope and I did like it (Yes I did think it was overrated because I don't care how you say it...and you can't argue it...if it didn't have those effects it wouldn't have been what it was, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I liked it.) so why should I not fucking expect sometihng stronger from them when they had more money and more resources to tell their story? So basically you are saying you shouldn't do your best becuase you are afraid you can't top that...well I prefer to keep trying to top myself and to top other's expectations...and film is perfect for that...no career is so much placed on how the public recieves you. If you can think of another occupation let me know. Granted the President and other political offices..but they get paid no matter what once they get people happy once during voting season. Music is another one that is probably parallel with film. So don't mention that one.
Pixar keeps getting better and better with their story telling and imagination. They know the bar is raised so they do everything they can to meet that expecation...its this bar that helps us see new things in new light and in a creative fashion. If everyone said, "oh man that was sick...the best shit I'd ever seen and probably will ever see" then our films would suck shit. That goes for music, art, books and whatever else you can think of. Of course this point it worthless to you since you dind't like Nemo...hehe...
A perfect example. I liked the first Star Wars Trilogy. Then Episode One came out...were my expectations met? FUck no. Why weren't they met? BEcause I know Lucas and his imagination dream team could do a lot fucking better than what they came up with. Even ILM is going downhill it terms of CGI. Same it true for Matrix. First one...good...second one...ugh...
So Steve I didn't bash it because everyone else liked it...on the contrary I probably should have said it was the best film ever. I also dind't bash it because I'm a "counter culture mother fucker", I bashed it because I truly thought the Wackowski brothers were bringing something new to the table. Something never seen before...it's fine if they couldn't meet those expecations...but it seems that they didn't even try and copped out two stories to make more money...it's like finding out your daddy is Santa Claus while fucking a dog dressed as an elf...(No, I never had a dog). A huge dissappointment.
On a side note I'm sure some of my reviews piss you guys off since I might be turning into the students that I talk shit about in class...reading too much into a film...but if any of you have made movies before you understand how hard it is to convey something...film is a language. It reads generally as visual to most people (ahem...Bay...) but for others and for myself I try to think of ways to convey something and tap into the viewer...perhaps I am turning abstract. Perhaps I am slowly turnign into someone who you won't want to go see films with or discuss films with...but this does have one positive spin...
I don't have to buy as many DVD's as you will. Haha.
On another side note...I'm with Steve...Last Samurai...jesus shit...
For your information I did like the Matrix. I liked the story. I liked the effects (at that point and one can make an argument about how I didn't like them anywhere since everyone else copied them, however I truly gave it respect for what it did visually and didn't allow anyone else who copied it ruin it for me) and I like how it flowed. It did bring a somewhat original idea to the mix although maybe we can ask someone like Jon whether or not Plato was the first to talk about being "jacked in". No Steve I did like the first one...and I didn't say that the third was in godlike proportions of being total shit. Compared to Reloaded it was a fucking Oscar worthy performance...by the robots of course. For you to think that I hated it just because I'm some "artsy counter culture mother fucker" well you are totally wrong...and coming from you who bashes religion and the ultimate Lion Voltron... Haha.
My point was not to fucking say that you are a "social retard", but rather your quote was perfect for what I was trying to say in that Matrix 2 and 3 should not have been made. From a fiscal standpoint it should have, but maybe they shouldn't have been so quick to rush the story out. You don't need to apologize for something you like...shit I like dropping but you clearly don't like that...haha. I'm sorry my quote seemed aimed at you...but you had a argument that a lot of people used for Reloaded...you were 100 percent confident that it could be saved solely on the fact that it was the middle movie.
The point about doing something that a shitload of people like then down the road not being able to compete with it...well I should hope so. It raises the bar for the person doing it and receiving sometihng creative. Since the Matrix was dope and I did like it (Yes I did think it was overrated because I don't care how you say it...and you can't argue it...if it didn't have those effects it wouldn't have been what it was, but it doesn't take away from the fact that I liked it.) so why should I not fucking expect sometihng stronger from them when they had more money and more resources to tell their story? So basically you are saying you shouldn't do your best becuase you are afraid you can't top that...well I prefer to keep trying to top myself and to top other's expectations...and film is perfect for that...no career is so much placed on how the public recieves you. If you can think of another occupation let me know. Granted the President and other political offices..but they get paid no matter what once they get people happy once during voting season. Music is another one that is probably parallel with film. So don't mention that one.
Pixar keeps getting better and better with their story telling and imagination. They know the bar is raised so they do everything they can to meet that expecation...its this bar that helps us see new things in new light and in a creative fashion. If everyone said, "oh man that was sick...the best shit I'd ever seen and probably will ever see" then our films would suck shit. That goes for music, art, books and whatever else you can think of. Of course this point it worthless to you since you dind't like Nemo...hehe...
A perfect example. I liked the first Star Wars Trilogy. Then Episode One came out...were my expectations met? FUck no. Why weren't they met? BEcause I know Lucas and his imagination dream team could do a lot fucking better than what they came up with. Even ILM is going downhill it terms of CGI. Same it true for Matrix. First one...good...second one...ugh...
So Steve I didn't bash it because everyone else liked it...on the contrary I probably should have said it was the best film ever. I also dind't bash it because I'm a "counter culture mother fucker", I bashed it because I truly thought the Wackowski brothers were bringing something new to the table. Something never seen before...it's fine if they couldn't meet those expecations...but it seems that they didn't even try and copped out two stories to make more money...it's like finding out your daddy is Santa Claus while fucking a dog dressed as an elf...(No, I never had a dog). A huge dissappointment.
On a side note I'm sure some of my reviews piss you guys off since I might be turning into the students that I talk shit about in class...reading too much into a film...but if any of you have made movies before you understand how hard it is to convey something...film is a language. It reads generally as visual to most people (ahem...Bay...) but for others and for myself I try to think of ways to convey something and tap into the viewer...perhaps I am turning abstract. Perhaps I am slowly turnign into someone who you won't want to go see films with or discuss films with...but this does have one positive spin...
I don't have to buy as many DVD's as you will. Haha.
On another side note...I'm with Steve...Last Samurai...jesus shit...
so i saw it. Matrix. I thought it was good. Reloaded sucked, but yeh, that's old news. I thought the third one wasn't all that, but definitely better than the second one. Granted, there were some HELLA corny scenes, but for the most part I liked it. Of course i like any movie that provokes long discussions over coffee, or leads to repeating lines from it over and over and over again. That's pretty general, i know. I pretty much consider the matrix (first one) to be the best of the three, and am a fan of pretty much only that one.
So yeh, reloaded sucked, and that bad taste rolls over in the viewers mouth into the third one. Everyone and their mom hated Revolutions. I like how anything mainstream is instantly hated no matter what. Seems like everyone these days has become an artsy abstract counter culture mother fucker who hates anything that more than handfull of people like.
You all probably hated it, so what's the point in me saying anything about it. Brendan, you hated the first one, you hated the second one, so why would you not hate the third one? A movie trilogy can never be saved by the last installment, especially if you hate with a passion the first one, the foundation. A movie trilogy CAN however, be destroyed the by the third one...case in point, back to the future
The matrix (first movie) i thought was pretty good because it brought forth the issue of man vs. machine in an original matter. This isn't a new battle..(terminator, toy soldiers, etc) but the way it was put forth i thought was cool. The movie blew up...leading to shitloads of other merchandise and it's effects could be seen everywhere. Okay maybe i'm generalizing. Whatevers. Anyways, my point is, when you make something that most people like a lot, anything after will be considered crappy.
Boyz II men made the album "II" which was the best fucking R&B album ever. Every single album afterwards failed to live up to "II" in eveyrone's eyes, both critics, fans, and even Boyz II men themselves.
Anyways, whatevers, you all hated it. Fine. My apologies for liking it. I must be a fucking social retard.
no need to worry about that, cuz...
the last samurai is coming out soon and we can all hate something together.
Rock on.
P.S. Santa Claus 2 is coming out on DVD..guess i should pick up my reserved copy. YES! (i'm kidding)
Nov 11, 2003
Shitty plot + loose ends + The Bible + Ignorance from stupid fucks + Trinity Kick X3 = Matrix makes 42 mil in first weekend.
I think I'll start this post with a quote from one of my closest friends...
"I will go see the last matrix movie cuz i know it'll be good BECAUSE NO ONE SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SECOND ONE SUCKED BECAUSE TWO AND THREE ARE ONE COMPLETE MOVIE." (Tamekuni, S. "I Love Stupid" Pooky ed. October 2003)
I can't believe you put your bet on this one. For the sake of argument let's just say I am not going to apply any film theory and what I'm about to say, I didn't learn from retarded teachers at SFSU. Reloaded was horseshit besides some cool action sequences (mainly the freeway). I'll tell you what. I bet you anything that the WACKowski Bros. did not write Matrix as a trilogy. I will bet money on that. In the first Smith died and Neo was left as "The One" who can now fly. The story was left open for you to decide but it got the point across that we could essentially be jacked in. HOWEVER the second was filled with loopholes and shitty plot points. "Oh no...Mr. Smith somehow fucking returned...there are stupid fucking characters with simplistic names...The Keymaster and now the Train man......oooooooh....I wish I thought of that shit. Now Steve makes the point that its only half the story so how can it be good? Shit I'm pretty sure LOTR and Empire Strikes were pretty fucking good...how you ask? Because they were originally written as a trilogy therefore did not write itself into any problems early in the game. Now Revolutions come out...you know from what you have written in the past and talked about...it seems ironic to me that you would applaud these two films (or at least put money on the fact that you will applaud these shitty films) even though the Matrix is one big visual pamphlet for religion. This whole story is biblical..and biblical beyond fucking belief. WACKowshi somewhere down the fucking road from The Matrix walked into a religious group and adopted their views. Neo is Jesus. That's all there is too it..."Believe in Jes...cough cough...NEO and he will save us...you must have hope for he is the only one who can save us!" Those who didn't believe in Neo flat out fucking died. What a cop out ending that was...not going to spoil it but you can already guess what happens. Also to throw this in...WACKowski's straight up fucking ganked a shot from AKIRA and if you don't believe me on that...lay those pictures side by side and see for yourself...also I can see they watched Toonami and got on the bandwagon of DBZ. Now I was late in the game too for catching DBZ, but Jon is my proof that I at least wanted to learn everything about it that I could before it got too popular. These fucking WACKowski douches straight up stole camera angles and shots from DBZ. They stole the mech designs from Shirow Masamune...but who cares right? The mass public doens't know about these little nip animes...Everyone gets inspired from somewhere and these days its hard to be truly original, but when you blatenly rip off shit...little respect from me.
In a nutshell Mr. S Tamekuni...I do understand. I clearly understood that Matrix was shot at the same time. Yet it is I who understood that the WACKowski Brothers relied on stupid fucking "bullettime" that was cool the first time I saw it...but by the time I saw Trinity do the Daniel-san kick in three fucking movies...I'm fucking over it...maybe it's because I'm too critical...but if letting go of this critical sense is what it takes me to enjoy shit...fuck that...I ain't no shit eater.
Now if this post makes you mad I got another announcment to make that you might enjoy.
SPLAT
Something I always wanted to try but seemed to intimidating. What do I know about this sport? I'll be out of my league...but I love first person shooters...that's right folks...I want to go paintballing. Which one of you guys has the balls to go with me. Here's the deal.
I scored (well technically I paid a cheap price) tickets that don't ever expire that we can use at a shitload of paintball arenas. I'm not talking about shitty action zone and their pumping bullshit. I'm talking about automatic, CO2 powered paintball guns. And this is even better. Its in the woods. With foxholes. Bunkers. Trenches. Its in Santa Cruz which is known for its paintball environments. Tickets normally cost 35 bucks. I got these tickets for 3.50. These tickets include the gun, the helmet/goggles, orientation, access to all fields and shooting range, and you can play all day (essentially 8 hours). We can all be on the same team of course and we will only be put on the field with beginners just like us. The only thing we need to buy is the C02 which you can purchase there and isn't expensive and the paintballs themselves. These are a little bit more expensive, but with the savings on tickets you are golden. The guy said you can buy like 500 rounds for about 20 bucks...but if you go in with someone you can get 2000 rounds for about 50.00. That is more than enough for 2-3 people on their first time out. Games usually are scenario based...capture the flag, base, and team elimination. They even have parks in San Jose but those are "Hyper ball" parks which is what you mostly see on the television...a arena with a bunch of obstacles set up around you. They also siad that they are developing a tournametn arena in San Jose that will have buildings that you can actually go into...like playing in a town.
Anyway I thought this would be cool and since I don't ever really plan anything for our group I thought this would be a fun thing we can do from time to time. I think it would be fucking sick if we can all play on one team and set up into small squads covering each other's backs and shit. Basically all the cool shit I see in Socom we can apply to this...shit they even have paint grenades and paint mines that you can set up on the ground. Shit I asked the guy if they have paint sniper rifles...and they do...with real scopes and shit. The guy said for the woods you would just wear like a tshirt and sweatshirt...or two sweatshirts with a hood and good pants with sweatpants underneath them and gloves to protect your knuckles if you get shot in the hand. As you can probably tell I am really excited about this and I hope you guys are too and hoepfully we can set this up. I got 18 tickets total. I think Ari is taking about 4 of them, but the rest are up for grabs...doesn't this sound fucking awesome or is it just me? I dunno...I always wanted to play a realistic gun battle when I was a kid (remember that paint gun with invisible guns...what was that shit called again?) with my friends...doens't get much more realistic than this unless we all want to die in the Middle East.
So let me know if you are interested...even if we don't get 18 people (oh yeah and the best part about this is that since I got to know the guy at school, and he could have offered to this to everyone, but that is hardly the point, I can get these tickets online at the same price and if we really enjoy this shit I can buy from him directly again and get another sheet absolutely free.) we can go multiple times in a smaller group. So let me know what you guys think...I think with the savings I think its affordable for everyone.
So yeah again...if you would like to try this out please let me know and I'll try to set something up where we can go one weekend.
Misc.
Congrats Brian on the job. Hope the rat treats you with fucking respect. Captain....Captain....Captain...I hope you are not too discouraged in Socom2 just because I was right. You just didn't want to believe...which is why you probably thought Matrix sucked also. Also a question for you guys and I'm giong to take your responses seriously so please respond in a serious matter.
Basically...someone brought in a Canon XL1-S into class today. It was this fuckers and his parents bought it for hiim...he dind't even know how to fucking use it and his short films are SHIT. SHITTIER THAN SHIT. SHITTING SHIT INT HE PROCESS OF SHITTNG OUT SHIT. REDUNDANT. Anyway this camera runs about 3500 dollars, but the quality of the pic looks just like film. It even has a mode where it takes a bunch of frames of the picture rather than looking like the home video look. The other cool thing about this is that you can stick ANY 35mm lens on this camera (35mm is what they use on still cameras and on film cameras for big budget films). Now I loved this camera so much and this was the first time I ever really seen it in action that I am now considering ditching the G5 for the Canon XL1-s. So the question is this.
G5 for editing with the best and pro editing software out there or get the Canon in which to shoot film...what do you think the order should be in?
I'm outta here. I'm growing tired...I bought paintball magazines...even the high priced guns aren't as high as I thought they would be...this is looking better and better...let me know about the paintball thing also...
I think I'll start this post with a quote from one of my closest friends...
"I will go see the last matrix movie cuz i know it'll be good BECAUSE NO ONE SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SECOND ONE SUCKED BECAUSE TWO AND THREE ARE ONE COMPLETE MOVIE." (Tamekuni, S. "I Love Stupid" Pooky ed. October 2003)
I can't believe you put your bet on this one. For the sake of argument let's just say I am not going to apply any film theory and what I'm about to say, I didn't learn from retarded teachers at SFSU. Reloaded was horseshit besides some cool action sequences (mainly the freeway). I'll tell you what. I bet you anything that the WACKowski Bros. did not write Matrix as a trilogy. I will bet money on that. In the first Smith died and Neo was left as "The One" who can now fly. The story was left open for you to decide but it got the point across that we could essentially be jacked in. HOWEVER the second was filled with loopholes and shitty plot points. "Oh no...Mr. Smith somehow fucking returned...there are stupid fucking characters with simplistic names...The Keymaster and now the Train man......oooooooh....I wish I thought of that shit. Now Steve makes the point that its only half the story so how can it be good? Shit I'm pretty sure LOTR and Empire Strikes were pretty fucking good...how you ask? Because they were originally written as a trilogy therefore did not write itself into any problems early in the game. Now Revolutions come out...you know from what you have written in the past and talked about...it seems ironic to me that you would applaud these two films (or at least put money on the fact that you will applaud these shitty films) even though the Matrix is one big visual pamphlet for religion. This whole story is biblical..and biblical beyond fucking belief. WACKowshi somewhere down the fucking road from The Matrix walked into a religious group and adopted their views. Neo is Jesus. That's all there is too it..."Believe in Jes...cough cough...NEO and he will save us...you must have hope for he is the only one who can save us!" Those who didn't believe in Neo flat out fucking died. What a cop out ending that was...not going to spoil it but you can already guess what happens. Also to throw this in...WACKowski's straight up fucking ganked a shot from AKIRA and if you don't believe me on that...lay those pictures side by side and see for yourself...also I can see they watched Toonami and got on the bandwagon of DBZ. Now I was late in the game too for catching DBZ, but Jon is my proof that I at least wanted to learn everything about it that I could before it got too popular. These fucking WACKowski douches straight up stole camera angles and shots from DBZ. They stole the mech designs from Shirow Masamune...but who cares right? The mass public doens't know about these little nip animes...Everyone gets inspired from somewhere and these days its hard to be truly original, but when you blatenly rip off shit...little respect from me.
In a nutshell Mr. S Tamekuni...I do understand. I clearly understood that Matrix was shot at the same time. Yet it is I who understood that the WACKowski Brothers relied on stupid fucking "bullettime" that was cool the first time I saw it...but by the time I saw Trinity do the Daniel-san kick in three fucking movies...I'm fucking over it...maybe it's because I'm too critical...but if letting go of this critical sense is what it takes me to enjoy shit...fuck that...I ain't no shit eater.
Now if this post makes you mad I got another announcment to make that you might enjoy.
SPLAT
Something I always wanted to try but seemed to intimidating. What do I know about this sport? I'll be out of my league...but I love first person shooters...that's right folks...I want to go paintballing. Which one of you guys has the balls to go with me. Here's the deal.
I scored (well technically I paid a cheap price) tickets that don't ever expire that we can use at a shitload of paintball arenas. I'm not talking about shitty action zone and their pumping bullshit. I'm talking about automatic, CO2 powered paintball guns. And this is even better. Its in the woods. With foxholes. Bunkers. Trenches. Its in Santa Cruz which is known for its paintball environments. Tickets normally cost 35 bucks. I got these tickets for 3.50. These tickets include the gun, the helmet/goggles, orientation, access to all fields and shooting range, and you can play all day (essentially 8 hours). We can all be on the same team of course and we will only be put on the field with beginners just like us. The only thing we need to buy is the C02 which you can purchase there and isn't expensive and the paintballs themselves. These are a little bit more expensive, but with the savings on tickets you are golden. The guy said you can buy like 500 rounds for about 20 bucks...but if you go in with someone you can get 2000 rounds for about 50.00. That is more than enough for 2-3 people on their first time out. Games usually are scenario based...capture the flag, base, and team elimination. They even have parks in San Jose but those are "Hyper ball" parks which is what you mostly see on the television...a arena with a bunch of obstacles set up around you. They also siad that they are developing a tournametn arena in San Jose that will have buildings that you can actually go into...like playing in a town.
Anyway I thought this would be cool and since I don't ever really plan anything for our group I thought this would be a fun thing we can do from time to time. I think it would be fucking sick if we can all play on one team and set up into small squads covering each other's backs and shit. Basically all the cool shit I see in Socom we can apply to this...shit they even have paint grenades and paint mines that you can set up on the ground. Shit I asked the guy if they have paint sniper rifles...and they do...with real scopes and shit. The guy said for the woods you would just wear like a tshirt and sweatshirt...or two sweatshirts with a hood and good pants with sweatpants underneath them and gloves to protect your knuckles if you get shot in the hand. As you can probably tell I am really excited about this and I hope you guys are too and hoepfully we can set this up. I got 18 tickets total. I think Ari is taking about 4 of them, but the rest are up for grabs...doesn't this sound fucking awesome or is it just me? I dunno...I always wanted to play a realistic gun battle when I was a kid (remember that paint gun with invisible guns...what was that shit called again?) with my friends...doens't get much more realistic than this unless we all want to die in the Middle East.
So let me know if you are interested...even if we don't get 18 people (oh yeah and the best part about this is that since I got to know the guy at school, and he could have offered to this to everyone, but that is hardly the point, I can get these tickets online at the same price and if we really enjoy this shit I can buy from him directly again and get another sheet absolutely free.) we can go multiple times in a smaller group. So let me know what you guys think...I think with the savings I think its affordable for everyone.
So yeah again...if you would like to try this out please let me know and I'll try to set something up where we can go one weekend.
Misc.
Congrats Brian on the job. Hope the rat treats you with fucking respect. Captain....Captain....Captain...I hope you are not too discouraged in Socom2 just because I was right. You just didn't want to believe...which is why you probably thought Matrix sucked also. Also a question for you guys and I'm giong to take your responses seriously so please respond in a serious matter.
Basically...someone brought in a Canon XL1-S into class today. It was this fuckers and his parents bought it for hiim...he dind't even know how to fucking use it and his short films are SHIT. SHITTIER THAN SHIT. SHITTING SHIT INT HE PROCESS OF SHITTNG OUT SHIT. REDUNDANT. Anyway this camera runs about 3500 dollars, but the quality of the pic looks just like film. It even has a mode where it takes a bunch of frames of the picture rather than looking like the home video look. The other cool thing about this is that you can stick ANY 35mm lens on this camera (35mm is what they use on still cameras and on film cameras for big budget films). Now I loved this camera so much and this was the first time I ever really seen it in action that I am now considering ditching the G5 for the Canon XL1-s. So the question is this.
G5 for editing with the best and pro editing software out there or get the Canon in which to shoot film...what do you think the order should be in?
I'm outta here. I'm growing tired...I bought paintball magazines...even the high priced guns aren't as high as I thought they would be...this is looking better and better...let me know about the paintball thing also...
Nov 9, 2003
Not too much to say this time around, since I saw most of you this weekend already...
First, I got the job at CEC... I got a call today, and they offered me the position at 10.25, but I know they lowballed me. I get to negotiate tomorrow and figure out how training is going to work with school. Yeah, so I'll be home or at least close to home for the next six weeks if you guys want to do something. It'll be really weird to live out of a hotel for six weeks.
House hunting hasn't gone as well as I thought it would. There are a lot of junky houses in the Rohnert Park area. For instance, we went to one and it was kinda nice looking from the street. But you get into the place and it was so old and decrepit (How's that for an SAT word in action?). They were repainting and puting in carpet, but it seriously felt like a former crack house. Not to mention the back yard.... I look outside and it looked like a sea gull stepped on a landmine in the middle of a dump. There was a huge pile of wood and garbage at the center of it... I could have sworn I saw a dead thing next to it... They say they're rebuilding the "deck" outside, and that it'll take about a week. It's not a happy place. As for the second one, there was a lot of rocks on the outside. That cuts down on the garden work, and maybe I'll do a little rock gardening to give it the zen look. hahaha, yeah right. It looked a little ghetto, but the inside wasn't too bad. I really can't wait to move.
I forgot to buy Karaoke Revolution today... I'll make sure to do it tomorrow. That'll be a blast. I always wanted to sing "The Power of Love." There's even some good old MJ for Jon. Get it! Screw this Call of Duty and Socom 2... hehehe Bemani strikes again. But seriously, the next few weeks are seeing some good games... FF X-2 and Double Dash next week? I'm kind of glad some of the PC games got delayed.
So all in all, it looks like another chapter of my life is starting again. It's looking better than the last one, and I'm hoping it's just as interesting.
Jon, it's sunday and I don't see an update! You lagger :)
First, I got the job at CEC... I got a call today, and they offered me the position at 10.25, but I know they lowballed me. I get to negotiate tomorrow and figure out how training is going to work with school. Yeah, so I'll be home or at least close to home for the next six weeks if you guys want to do something. It'll be really weird to live out of a hotel for six weeks.
House hunting hasn't gone as well as I thought it would. There are a lot of junky houses in the Rohnert Park area. For instance, we went to one and it was kinda nice looking from the street. But you get into the place and it was so old and decrepit (How's that for an SAT word in action?). They were repainting and puting in carpet, but it seriously felt like a former crack house. Not to mention the back yard.... I look outside and it looked like a sea gull stepped on a landmine in the middle of a dump. There was a huge pile of wood and garbage at the center of it... I could have sworn I saw a dead thing next to it... They say they're rebuilding the "deck" outside, and that it'll take about a week. It's not a happy place. As for the second one, there was a lot of rocks on the outside. That cuts down on the garden work, and maybe I'll do a little rock gardening to give it the zen look. hahaha, yeah right. It looked a little ghetto, but the inside wasn't too bad. I really can't wait to move.
I forgot to buy Karaoke Revolution today... I'll make sure to do it tomorrow. That'll be a blast. I always wanted to sing "The Power of Love." There's even some good old MJ for Jon. Get it! Screw this Call of Duty and Socom 2... hehehe Bemani strikes again. But seriously, the next few weeks are seeing some good games... FF X-2 and Double Dash next week? I'm kind of glad some of the PC games got delayed.
So all in all, it looks like another chapter of my life is starting again. It's looking better than the last one, and I'm hoping it's just as interesting.
Jon, it's sunday and I don't see an update! You lagger :)
Nov 5, 2003
Jon and Steve...you guys don't need to read this shit.
I was actually going to comment on the game endings and the film discussion over at Steve's blog. Maybe I can make a guest appearance on his blog so all his friends can read what I want to say. I think they would enjoy what I have to say. Now onto the more important subject of Socom 2. Everyone get out your keyboards and prepare to copy this next line of text and paste it back IF I'm still playing Socom 2 as much as Socom 1.
"Socom 2 is overrated."
Maybe now Captain will fucking blog for once in his life since he cherishes this game like its his baby. How he can overlook all these flaws are beyond all my comprehension. Here it goes. (I threw in this paragraph just to make Andy blog although he does seem blind...)
So here it is. A rundown of what made the original Socom so great. First of all Socom was overrated. It had mediocre graphics. It had mediocre game types. It had stupid fucking players on the servers. It can't even be considered a first person shooter...just a better executed Syphon Filter. Then why did I play it? Why did I spend a year on this game? Simple. To play with my friends. For those that have known me for a while, but not necessarily on the video game level...Bryant, Andy and I always said that playing as a team against some other enemy would be fucking awesome. Since I was the only one with a decent PC we couldn't play good shit like MOHAA or now Call of Duty. Socom despite all it's flaws (and there were a lot) was still loads of fun.
It was the thrill of the kill. The chance that you could be killed 10 seconds into the game. No chance to fucking run away and/or just turn around and shoot and get lucky. If someone with true aim had your ass in his sights, you would more likely than not be dead. There was something at stake in the game...you didn't want to sit out and wait for all your buddies to die if you fucked up. There is the reason why Socom appealed to me most. (Besides the reason of playing with the best team money wishes it can fucking buy) Alas like I told Captain, "Its like they fixed all the shit they got wrong in Socom and added new shit to fucking fix in Socom 3." Let's get right down to it...this blog is mainly for Kevin and Brian who at one point my invest in this game. In the words of Dre3000, "I'm...I'm....I'm just being honest."
First thing I fucking notice is the fact that there is a energy bar. A fucking energy bar! What is this shit? If I wanted energy I'll play Unreal and soon Half Life 2. This energy is forgiving. You can get shot in the neck and it only takes off about 1/3 of the energy. Don't believe me? I got to shoot a enemy who wasn't playing from point blank range. I would have shot him in the head but I decided to see if the hit detection was as fucked up as I thought it is. Let's just say I'm not satisfied. The energy is basically for all the people that complained that they hated waiting for the game to end. I don't care how you want to argue this point but you have to give me the fact that they specifically put this in for those people who don't want to learn the hard way. This handicaps good players to make it more even. Sounds like affirmative action to me...in a non-racial sort of way.
"Brendan...calm down...you just have to adjust your gameplay with Socom2 just like you did with the first one." Maniac Cop
No. I had to adjust my gameplay in the fact that I had to learn how to shoot with this third person shit. After playing MOHAA and it being a true FPS it is hard to go to a third person view where the camera sits so high that sometimes your vision is obscured even though your guy can actually see just fine. I can't describe it unless you played Socom. This also helped you jump out at people by using the camera as if it was a mirror that Tom Hanks uses in Saving Private Ryan to view around corners. Even though I learned how to use it to my advantage...I don't think it was very fair for all the people I've killed using it.
Socom plays pretty much about the same as Socom 1 so Maniac cannot be talking about the control scheme so he must mean my strategy. Look at these new levels. I told you it was going to be a camper's paradise and I'm correct. If you say I'm wrong...I really don't get it. What is a camper's paradise then? Other than these levels that we were playing last night. On a side note however I'd like to thank Andy for trying to keep me calm and lending me some confidence in my game.
"Brendan you are awesome at strafing and keeping your target in your crosshairs..." Maniac Cop
This is a little taken out of context. I'm pretty sure he said this in combination with the first quote, but this will do without me reading it wrong. Kevin you are going to love this. After being relatively new to the FPS genre....errr...excuse me TPS (third person shooter) it took you a while to learn the art of strafing in a circle and keeping your sights locked. No matter what my team says, this game takes that skill away. Should I not get rewarded for mastering this technique (which I can thank GoldenEye for)? Your crosshairs widen as you walk. I understand why they did this, but after being in gun battles now I realize that they made it too loose. If Seals shot like that then they might as well kill themselves. At least Andy admits that it takes too long to kill someone now....which plays into the energy rant on the top. The only way you can get true aim is to stay still. Staying still...I'm pretty sure that is called camping.
Here is a hypothetical quote that I know both my teammates are saying, "Well I did awesome last night so Brendan is full of shit and he's bitter because he sucks."
You guys did do awesome...you guys adjusted so fucking quick I am in awe and bow down to your skills. Yet I want to make one point (and like I told Bryant on IM, I'm not saying this to take away from your game or how well you played last night) Bryant got a shit load of kills using the shotgun. Shotguns are considered the cheapest shit in ANY FPS/TPS. I'm sorry to say that Socom didn't change this mold. Bryant was able to pop out around a corner and make some bitch fly. If I pop out with a gun like an AK-74 I will not have the advantage. Why? Because since you are strafing out your sights are fucked up and your shots inaccurate beyond belief. If you think I'm exxagerating I would at least think that both you two think I'm just as good as you guys in doing this pop and kill manuever...so why did I suffer last night? Shotguns are pretty much a one hit kill. The DE5.0 is still as poweful and the sniper rifles seem more forgiving...I killed someone today by shooting them in the foot...I'm pretty sure no one else shot him. The real guns however were stripped of their one hit kill potential. I'm not saying thaty they dont' do it from time to time...but tell me honestly how many one or two hit kills you had last night.
"Are you kidding me?...oooookay (sarcastic)." Terri Horiuchi
This is when blood was flying out of some enemy that I was right next to...or should I say behind them....got about half a clip off until they turned around...me with full health bar...and they turn around...more fighting and strafing (at this oint I was cussing the fuck out because in ANY DECENT FUCKING GAME that guy should have been dead...and trust my mom...I was hitting this guy in the chest) and I end up losing. I have no fucking idea how, but I lose. This didn't just happen one time...but just about every other round.
"EGM gave it awesome reviews." Future quote by Maniac Cop
First off this isn't a valid argument SINCE they don't rank games against PC games which are the dominating force in FPS. Call of Duty is honestly more fun right now and if they reviewed that game they would probably give it all 10's...oh wait...EGM members like to camp and lurk. The way they jock the shit about hiding in bushes and so much more foilage and the light affecting your vision so someone entering a building can't see you in the corner...they jocked that shit...and their orginal Socom previews and reviews...every single one was like "YOu can run and gun, but you will lose to a team playing stealthy aka camping.
Bottom line for the negatives...this game tried to even it up against shitty players and top players. I was a top player. My team were top players. For those that have seen us in action you know that we are still stealthy yet aggressive and round times hardly last past 2 minutes. I would really like to see Andy and Bryant use the guns that we are used to using to see if i'm just completely bullshit in my views. You probably think I don't like the game because I don't feel as dominating as I did in Socom 1. Change is hard and usually with change it's out with the old and in with the new. This new style of play is the same Socom controls, but completely different type of game that I jsut don't enjoy playing as much...here is a simple comparison for Kevin and Brian...it's playing Halo with shields vs. playing Halo with little or no health.
This just came in from Andy...I'm not going to copy everything but basically it reads, "Brendan our clan specializes in quick clean kills with high percentage shots...now we just have to wait for the right moment and get in a good 5-6 clean shots now. What you consider less skill is actually more skill....basically take the game up a notch."
Look at what you are saying Captain...waiting to pounce, waiting to strike...I have shot people 5-6 times and the only way to do that is to shoot them when they are not moving...the "good 5-6 shots" is the time it takes for some person who doesn't have the subtleties down to turn around and even when facing you, to get one lucky shot in that will end your round...but you waited for the right moment..you connected with four quality chest shots...should you not be given the right live and keep playing? You want me to say it...WE WILL NOT BE AS DOMINANT IN THIS GAME AS WE ONCE WERE. IN FACT I BET YOU RIGHT NOW THAT NOBODY WILL BE AS CRAZY AS THEY ONCE WERE. I'm not just talking about us, but I'm talking about the whole percentage of people that died numerous times to get where they are in how the Socom universe works.
"But like you said...you have to die a shitload in order to see how this different Socom universe works." Maniac Cop getting smart with me in about 3 hours after I post this blog.
The gameplay is the same...you use the camera to your advantage and you see your target before they see you....only this time you have to be right next to them because your normal gun doesn't get the range it once did and you can't be moving to get a true aim. I'm not saying that this game is flawed is everything it does...all I'm saying for those thinking of buying it is that you will not be buying Socom 1 with new shit...you will be buying a game that was made for everything to be somewhat even in skill so they can sell more copies. Don't fucking forget that the whole name of the game is to appeal to a mass audience and this mass audience we are talking about were the idiots online that never got to play a FPS online because they are too poor to buy a decent PC and/or they can't hang with the PC crowd...Andy is scoffing at what I'm saying right now, but I gaurantee you that if Andy had a good PC with Call of Duty he would like it much better.
I was going to end this with a positive note, but I'll do that later because this is longer than anyone wanted to read. I think I present some very good points and on that note I'm leaving the FE clan until I can help them move up the ranks instead of bringing them down.
SushiBoy KIA
This part has been edited for it it is a key point in my argument. I said earlier that one and two hit kills are pretty much gone, but they still exist. One can make the argument that it means it just takes as long as you to kill them than for them to kill you. This is true. However it is the key point of you having the advantage for seeing someone first or knowing how to move your player around better than the next guy...even though you get the jump or you find a guy facing the wrong way...it doens't mean you will win the fight...if any person were givin this situation in real life...i'm pretty sure 90 percent of the people would be able to kill the fucker in one or two shots expecially if they are facing the wrong way.
I was actually going to comment on the game endings and the film discussion over at Steve's blog. Maybe I can make a guest appearance on his blog so all his friends can read what I want to say. I think they would enjoy what I have to say. Now onto the more important subject of Socom 2. Everyone get out your keyboards and prepare to copy this next line of text and paste it back IF I'm still playing Socom 2 as much as Socom 1.
"Socom 2 is overrated."
Maybe now Captain will fucking blog for once in his life since he cherishes this game like its his baby. How he can overlook all these flaws are beyond all my comprehension. Here it goes. (I threw in this paragraph just to make Andy blog although he does seem blind...)
So here it is. A rundown of what made the original Socom so great. First of all Socom was overrated. It had mediocre graphics. It had mediocre game types. It had stupid fucking players on the servers. It can't even be considered a first person shooter...just a better executed Syphon Filter. Then why did I play it? Why did I spend a year on this game? Simple. To play with my friends. For those that have known me for a while, but not necessarily on the video game level...Bryant, Andy and I always said that playing as a team against some other enemy would be fucking awesome. Since I was the only one with a decent PC we couldn't play good shit like MOHAA or now Call of Duty. Socom despite all it's flaws (and there were a lot) was still loads of fun.
It was the thrill of the kill. The chance that you could be killed 10 seconds into the game. No chance to fucking run away and/or just turn around and shoot and get lucky. If someone with true aim had your ass in his sights, you would more likely than not be dead. There was something at stake in the game...you didn't want to sit out and wait for all your buddies to die if you fucked up. There is the reason why Socom appealed to me most. (Besides the reason of playing with the best team money wishes it can fucking buy) Alas like I told Captain, "Its like they fixed all the shit they got wrong in Socom and added new shit to fucking fix in Socom 3." Let's get right down to it...this blog is mainly for Kevin and Brian who at one point my invest in this game. In the words of Dre3000, "I'm...I'm....I'm just being honest."
First thing I fucking notice is the fact that there is a energy bar. A fucking energy bar! What is this shit? If I wanted energy I'll play Unreal and soon Half Life 2. This energy is forgiving. You can get shot in the neck and it only takes off about 1/3 of the energy. Don't believe me? I got to shoot a enemy who wasn't playing from point blank range. I would have shot him in the head but I decided to see if the hit detection was as fucked up as I thought it is. Let's just say I'm not satisfied. The energy is basically for all the people that complained that they hated waiting for the game to end. I don't care how you want to argue this point but you have to give me the fact that they specifically put this in for those people who don't want to learn the hard way. This handicaps good players to make it more even. Sounds like affirmative action to me...in a non-racial sort of way.
"Brendan...calm down...you just have to adjust your gameplay with Socom2 just like you did with the first one." Maniac Cop
No. I had to adjust my gameplay in the fact that I had to learn how to shoot with this third person shit. After playing MOHAA and it being a true FPS it is hard to go to a third person view where the camera sits so high that sometimes your vision is obscured even though your guy can actually see just fine. I can't describe it unless you played Socom. This also helped you jump out at people by using the camera as if it was a mirror that Tom Hanks uses in Saving Private Ryan to view around corners. Even though I learned how to use it to my advantage...I don't think it was very fair for all the people I've killed using it.
Socom plays pretty much about the same as Socom 1 so Maniac cannot be talking about the control scheme so he must mean my strategy. Look at these new levels. I told you it was going to be a camper's paradise and I'm correct. If you say I'm wrong...I really don't get it. What is a camper's paradise then? Other than these levels that we were playing last night. On a side note however I'd like to thank Andy for trying to keep me calm and lending me some confidence in my game.
"Brendan you are awesome at strafing and keeping your target in your crosshairs..." Maniac Cop
This is a little taken out of context. I'm pretty sure he said this in combination with the first quote, but this will do without me reading it wrong. Kevin you are going to love this. After being relatively new to the FPS genre....errr...excuse me TPS (third person shooter) it took you a while to learn the art of strafing in a circle and keeping your sights locked. No matter what my team says, this game takes that skill away. Should I not get rewarded for mastering this technique (which I can thank GoldenEye for)? Your crosshairs widen as you walk. I understand why they did this, but after being in gun battles now I realize that they made it too loose. If Seals shot like that then they might as well kill themselves. At least Andy admits that it takes too long to kill someone now....which plays into the energy rant on the top. The only way you can get true aim is to stay still. Staying still...I'm pretty sure that is called camping.
Here is a hypothetical quote that I know both my teammates are saying, "Well I did awesome last night so Brendan is full of shit and he's bitter because he sucks."
You guys did do awesome...you guys adjusted so fucking quick I am in awe and bow down to your skills. Yet I want to make one point (and like I told Bryant on IM, I'm not saying this to take away from your game or how well you played last night) Bryant got a shit load of kills using the shotgun. Shotguns are considered the cheapest shit in ANY FPS/TPS. I'm sorry to say that Socom didn't change this mold. Bryant was able to pop out around a corner and make some bitch fly. If I pop out with a gun like an AK-74 I will not have the advantage. Why? Because since you are strafing out your sights are fucked up and your shots inaccurate beyond belief. If you think I'm exxagerating I would at least think that both you two think I'm just as good as you guys in doing this pop and kill manuever...so why did I suffer last night? Shotguns are pretty much a one hit kill. The DE5.0 is still as poweful and the sniper rifles seem more forgiving...I killed someone today by shooting them in the foot...I'm pretty sure no one else shot him. The real guns however were stripped of their one hit kill potential. I'm not saying thaty they dont' do it from time to time...but tell me honestly how many one or two hit kills you had last night.
"Are you kidding me?...oooookay (sarcastic)." Terri Horiuchi
This is when blood was flying out of some enemy that I was right next to...or should I say behind them....got about half a clip off until they turned around...me with full health bar...and they turn around...more fighting and strafing (at this oint I was cussing the fuck out because in ANY DECENT FUCKING GAME that guy should have been dead...and trust my mom...I was hitting this guy in the chest) and I end up losing. I have no fucking idea how, but I lose. This didn't just happen one time...but just about every other round.
"EGM gave it awesome reviews." Future quote by Maniac Cop
First off this isn't a valid argument SINCE they don't rank games against PC games which are the dominating force in FPS. Call of Duty is honestly more fun right now and if they reviewed that game they would probably give it all 10's...oh wait...EGM members like to camp and lurk. The way they jock the shit about hiding in bushes and so much more foilage and the light affecting your vision so someone entering a building can't see you in the corner...they jocked that shit...and their orginal Socom previews and reviews...every single one was like "YOu can run and gun, but you will lose to a team playing stealthy aka camping.
Bottom line for the negatives...this game tried to even it up against shitty players and top players. I was a top player. My team were top players. For those that have seen us in action you know that we are still stealthy yet aggressive and round times hardly last past 2 minutes. I would really like to see Andy and Bryant use the guns that we are used to using to see if i'm just completely bullshit in my views. You probably think I don't like the game because I don't feel as dominating as I did in Socom 1. Change is hard and usually with change it's out with the old and in with the new. This new style of play is the same Socom controls, but completely different type of game that I jsut don't enjoy playing as much...here is a simple comparison for Kevin and Brian...it's playing Halo with shields vs. playing Halo with little or no health.
This just came in from Andy...I'm not going to copy everything but basically it reads, "Brendan our clan specializes in quick clean kills with high percentage shots...now we just have to wait for the right moment and get in a good 5-6 clean shots now. What you consider less skill is actually more skill....basically take the game up a notch."
Look at what you are saying Captain...waiting to pounce, waiting to strike...I have shot people 5-6 times and the only way to do that is to shoot them when they are not moving...the "good 5-6 shots" is the time it takes for some person who doesn't have the subtleties down to turn around and even when facing you, to get one lucky shot in that will end your round...but you waited for the right moment..you connected with four quality chest shots...should you not be given the right live and keep playing? You want me to say it...WE WILL NOT BE AS DOMINANT IN THIS GAME AS WE ONCE WERE. IN FACT I BET YOU RIGHT NOW THAT NOBODY WILL BE AS CRAZY AS THEY ONCE WERE. I'm not just talking about us, but I'm talking about the whole percentage of people that died numerous times to get where they are in how the Socom universe works.
"But like you said...you have to die a shitload in order to see how this different Socom universe works." Maniac Cop getting smart with me in about 3 hours after I post this blog.
The gameplay is the same...you use the camera to your advantage and you see your target before they see you....only this time you have to be right next to them because your normal gun doesn't get the range it once did and you can't be moving to get a true aim. I'm not saying that this game is flawed is everything it does...all I'm saying for those thinking of buying it is that you will not be buying Socom 1 with new shit...you will be buying a game that was made for everything to be somewhat even in skill so they can sell more copies. Don't fucking forget that the whole name of the game is to appeal to a mass audience and this mass audience we are talking about were the idiots online that never got to play a FPS online because they are too poor to buy a decent PC and/or they can't hang with the PC crowd...Andy is scoffing at what I'm saying right now, but I gaurantee you that if Andy had a good PC with Call of Duty he would like it much better.
I was going to end this with a positive note, but I'll do that later because this is longer than anyone wanted to read. I think I present some very good points and on that note I'm leaving the FE clan until I can help them move up the ranks instead of bringing them down.
SushiBoy KIA
This part has been edited for it it is a key point in my argument. I said earlier that one and two hit kills are pretty much gone, but they still exist. One can make the argument that it means it just takes as long as you to kill them than for them to kill you. This is true. However it is the key point of you having the advantage for seeing someone first or knowing how to move your player around better than the next guy...even though you get the jump or you find a guy facing the wrong way...it doens't mean you will win the fight...if any person were givin this situation in real life...i'm pretty sure 90 percent of the people would be able to kill the fucker in one or two shots expecially if they are facing the wrong way.
Nov 4, 2003
Video game endings. That's the subject I'm opening with. Not interested? hah, too bad suckas. I gotta keep thinking of something fresh to add to this blog :)
I'm late with my blog of the week. Why? Well, I'm blaming it on Disgaea. I finally beat it last night after 71 hours of fun. The ending was only about 5 minutes long, but it left me feeling good about the game. I put down the controller, contemplate the game for a bit as I watch the credits roll, and see that it has a nifty "New Game +" feature. I was tempted, but I decided against it, and went to my desk to read some reviews on the game and look at the gamefaqs. I look at the faq list and freeze. "Ending Guide."
....
Damnit.
I was playing around at the beginning and accidentally killed one of my characters. JUST ONE. And the condition to get the "good" ending is to... you guessed it. Not kill any of your characters. So I'll be doing that new game + thing.
But it got me thinking about multiple endings. This was the second game that I got a "bad" ending on in recent memory. The first game was Silent Hill 2. But you know what? I liked that ending. The SH2 I beat ended on a darker note, but it was satisfying. It made sense, and I went away happy. I look at the other endings, and they just don't look as appealing. Is it because I got this ending first?
Chrono Trigger in all it's 12 endings, would end the same way, except for maybe a frame or two or a "secret hidden room." A lot of it was weak. I'm not saying I didn't like the ending, but the multiple endings really weren't vastly different. It didn't make me want to replay the game at all.
Should all video games have multiple endings? I'm curious to know if there were any good ones or bad ones that come to mind. I would like to think the video game industry is trying to tailor the games to the way a person plays, as with Silent Hill 2. It's probably just my wishful thinking though.
But enough about that for now.
I went in for my 3rd interview on Saturday. I guess they're really serious about the whole process. Actually, I know they are. I should get a call today or tomorrow if I get the job. Oh yeah. CEC Entertainment = Chuck E. Cheese. I'm applying for a "manager" position. It is just like the Scandia job, but with a bigger staff, cost management, and smaller kids :) Can you believe if I get the job, I have a 6 week training program down in Newark? What the hell is that? But they say they'll work around the school schedule, and hopefully I'll learn some more points about managing people.
This month is the last month of the lease, and I gotta start looking for a place to live. I'll be getting two new roomates and we're looking at houses in the Rohnert Park area. The cost isn't that bad, about the same for a 3 room apartment up here. But I hate yard work. I've always hated it, especially when my parents made me mow the lawn 'n stuff. But I am looking forward to having a place without punk ass downstairs neighbors. But I'll save that for another day.
I'm late with my blog of the week. Why? Well, I'm blaming it on Disgaea. I finally beat it last night after 71 hours of fun. The ending was only about 5 minutes long, but it left me feeling good about the game. I put down the controller, contemplate the game for a bit as I watch the credits roll, and see that it has a nifty "New Game +" feature. I was tempted, but I decided against it, and went to my desk to read some reviews on the game and look at the gamefaqs. I look at the faq list and freeze. "Ending Guide."
....
Damnit.
I was playing around at the beginning and accidentally killed one of my characters. JUST ONE. And the condition to get the "good" ending is to... you guessed it. Not kill any of your characters. So I'll be doing that new game + thing.
But it got me thinking about multiple endings. This was the second game that I got a "bad" ending on in recent memory. The first game was Silent Hill 2. But you know what? I liked that ending. The SH2 I beat ended on a darker note, but it was satisfying. It made sense, and I went away happy. I look at the other endings, and they just don't look as appealing. Is it because I got this ending first?
Chrono Trigger in all it's 12 endings, would end the same way, except for maybe a frame or two or a "secret hidden room." A lot of it was weak. I'm not saying I didn't like the ending, but the multiple endings really weren't vastly different. It didn't make me want to replay the game at all.
Should all video games have multiple endings? I'm curious to know if there were any good ones or bad ones that come to mind. I would like to think the video game industry is trying to tailor the games to the way a person plays, as with Silent Hill 2. It's probably just my wishful thinking though.
But enough about that for now.
I went in for my 3rd interview on Saturday. I guess they're really serious about the whole process. Actually, I know they are. I should get a call today or tomorrow if I get the job. Oh yeah. CEC Entertainment = Chuck E. Cheese. I'm applying for a "manager" position. It is just like the Scandia job, but with a bigger staff, cost management, and smaller kids :) Can you believe if I get the job, I have a 6 week training program down in Newark? What the hell is that? But they say they'll work around the school schedule, and hopefully I'll learn some more points about managing people.
This month is the last month of the lease, and I gotta start looking for a place to live. I'll be getting two new roomates and we're looking at houses in the Rohnert Park area. The cost isn't that bad, about the same for a 3 room apartment up here. But I hate yard work. I've always hated it, especially when my parents made me mow the lawn 'n stuff. But I am looking forward to having a place without punk ass downstairs neighbors. But I'll save that for another day.
Oct 29, 2003
I will definitely think of my top ten list over the weekend, but it's very hard to do. I just wanted to write that I am very excited to announce:
There is a new Leisure Larry game coming out for Xbox and PS2 next year. hahahaha Only Brendan, Andy and I might appreciate this kind of news. It's being developed by a group within the Sierra company, but I bet Al Lowe doesn't have much to do with it, so it could potentially be a bad game. Anyway there's a small trailer on videogames.com - Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude.
Alright, I swear I will write more in a little bit....cya
There is a new Leisure Larry game coming out for Xbox and PS2 next year. hahahaha Only Brendan, Andy and I might appreciate this kind of news. It's being developed by a group within the Sierra company, but I bet Al Lowe doesn't have much to do with it, so it could potentially be a bad game. Anyway there's a small trailer on videogames.com - Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Laude.
Alright, I swear I will write more in a little bit....cya
Oct 27, 2003
Hmm, favorite movies? I hadn't really thought of it til now... Let's see...
Horror - The Ring
This movie really got me back into the whole horror thing. For most scary movies, you can only watch it once, and then the thrill is over. But this one is worth seeing over and over again for the burn effect. I can't decide which one I like more, the Japanese version or the American one. Both tell the story in a different way.
Comedy - Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Yeah, you heard me right. There is no reason. Oddly enough I don't have it yet. But the honorable mention also goes to a Kevin Smith film; Chasing Amy. Comic books, lesbians... Yeah... Uh. I mean.... Next category!
Foreign - The Killer/Hardboiled
Best action ever. This was when Chow Yun Fat and John Woo made good films. Before they tried to cross over. I had high hopes for both of them, but nothing has compared to the movies they made in Hong Kong. Face/Off does come close though.
Action - The Rock/Bad Boys
I believe The Rock was the first video I bought on VHS. What kid didn't like the explosions and action? Add an awesome musical score, and you have a hit. And Bad Boys... I got hooked after seeing it at Steve's house that one day. Man, those were the days. Again, action and explosions, with the comedy. Everyone wins.
Drama - Insomnia
One of my new favorites. Again, it just is. Al Pachino is awesome in whatever role he's in, be it a devil, or a detective. He's got a powerful presence on screen. A tale of a fallen hero and his redemption. Awesome.
Animated - The Lion King
Damn straight. It's probably because I just saw it this weekend, but the songs on there are timeless :) If you want to get away from Disney, Final Fantasy gets an honorable mention. I don't know why people hated it so much... The animation was skillfully done, even to this day. The story was a little weak, but hey, it's final fantasy. The public didn't really have the right mindset when watching it.
If you notice, all of these have been made recently. I think it's because I didn't see enough movies when I was a kid, and I'm just learning about the goodness that's out there. Older movies don't quite appeal to me for some reason. It's probably the trendy side of me though. For example, in my senior year of high school, we watched Casablanca. It's a classic, but I had never seen it. I was looking forward to boring black and white junk... But then I actually watched it. And it was good. I figure if I get exposed to more of those old films I'd enjoy them. Oh yeah, 12 Angry Men get a mention here too... Had to see it in a college philosophy class. It was really impressive in a philosophical type of way... hehehe
Feedback on Brendan's picks.
Some good ones in there, really. Swingers and Rounders would have made my list, but I wanted to be "original." Requiem for a Dream did what it was supposed to do, disturb me. I agree, I felt something for each of the characters and it was hard to watch them fall the way they did. I'm not doing crack anytime soon that's for sure. Indiana Jones also gets a nod. Actually, if I had to rank them, I'd go Last Crusade, TOD, and then RotLA. I just really disliked the evil character in Raiders. That and the whole face melting thing traumatized me as a kid.
Now for something completely different
Disgaea. It's sucking the life away from me. RPG + Anime = Fun. The offbeat japanese humor fits perfectly with the feeling of the game. Atlus, the publishers have now become my favorite group. This is how the PS2 should have been used... I still don't understand why they don't just keep the japanese audio track for those that want it. I don't think I'll ever get used to the dubbing. It's always so terrible! I saw on one of my anime's the making of dubs... This chick was so proud to be doing 10 different voices. But she sounds the same, with a really stupid voice for each one.
That's enough ranting. I want to post more later, but I have this stupid Human Resources class I have to study for. I will also know if I get the job this week. The interview went well, and none of the questions were too hard. In this job I actually get to use some business knowledge! I have to manage costs and forecast... I really do want it.
Horror - The Ring
This movie really got me back into the whole horror thing. For most scary movies, you can only watch it once, and then the thrill is over. But this one is worth seeing over and over again for the burn effect. I can't decide which one I like more, the Japanese version or the American one. Both tell the story in a different way.
Comedy - Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Yeah, you heard me right. There is no reason. Oddly enough I don't have it yet. But the honorable mention also goes to a Kevin Smith film; Chasing Amy. Comic books, lesbians... Yeah... Uh. I mean.... Next category!
Foreign - The Killer/Hardboiled
Best action ever. This was when Chow Yun Fat and John Woo made good films. Before they tried to cross over. I had high hopes for both of them, but nothing has compared to the movies they made in Hong Kong. Face/Off does come close though.
Action - The Rock/Bad Boys
I believe The Rock was the first video I bought on VHS. What kid didn't like the explosions and action? Add an awesome musical score, and you have a hit. And Bad Boys... I got hooked after seeing it at Steve's house that one day. Man, those were the days. Again, action and explosions, with the comedy. Everyone wins.
Drama - Insomnia
One of my new favorites. Again, it just is. Al Pachino is awesome in whatever role he's in, be it a devil, or a detective. He's got a powerful presence on screen. A tale of a fallen hero and his redemption. Awesome.
Animated - The Lion King
Damn straight. It's probably because I just saw it this weekend, but the songs on there are timeless :) If you want to get away from Disney, Final Fantasy gets an honorable mention. I don't know why people hated it so much... The animation was skillfully done, even to this day. The story was a little weak, but hey, it's final fantasy. The public didn't really have the right mindset when watching it.
If you notice, all of these have been made recently. I think it's because I didn't see enough movies when I was a kid, and I'm just learning about the goodness that's out there. Older movies don't quite appeal to me for some reason. It's probably the trendy side of me though. For example, in my senior year of high school, we watched Casablanca. It's a classic, but I had never seen it. I was looking forward to boring black and white junk... But then I actually watched it. And it was good. I figure if I get exposed to more of those old films I'd enjoy them. Oh yeah, 12 Angry Men get a mention here too... Had to see it in a college philosophy class. It was really impressive in a philosophical type of way... hehehe
Feedback on Brendan's picks.
Some good ones in there, really. Swingers and Rounders would have made my list, but I wanted to be "original." Requiem for a Dream did what it was supposed to do, disturb me. I agree, I felt something for each of the characters and it was hard to watch them fall the way they did. I'm not doing crack anytime soon that's for sure. Indiana Jones also gets a nod. Actually, if I had to rank them, I'd go Last Crusade, TOD, and then RotLA. I just really disliked the evil character in Raiders. That and the whole face melting thing traumatized me as a kid.
Now for something completely different
Disgaea. It's sucking the life away from me. RPG + Anime = Fun. The offbeat japanese humor fits perfectly with the feeling of the game. Atlus, the publishers have now become my favorite group. This is how the PS2 should have been used... I still don't understand why they don't just keep the japanese audio track for those that want it. I don't think I'll ever get used to the dubbing. It's always so terrible! I saw on one of my anime's the making of dubs... This chick was so proud to be doing 10 different voices. But she sounds the same, with a really stupid voice for each one.
That's enough ranting. I want to post more later, but I have this stupid Human Resources class I have to study for. I will also know if I get the job this week. The interview went well, and none of the questions were too hard. In this job I actually get to use some business knowledge! I have to manage costs and forecast... I really do want it.
Okay after a long discussion with the Chexican, I'm not exactly sure of my top ten films are. Derek did mention a few that I totally forgot about. I guess you can make the case of, "How can you forget your favorite film?" Easy. There are so many films you like soemtimes you just might let one slip through the cracks. Either way I think I have had some time to compile a list that suits my tastes and hopefully I won't leave any of my most favorite out. So in no particular order since it is almost impossble to rank your top ten (if you can more power to you...I don't see how you can do it.) here is my list of my all time faves. Let the flame wars begin. (No Derek don't get all hyped up and happy...flame wars are like going into any video game forum and saying, "Final Fantasy VII is absolute horseshit!" Before you know it...five trillion fans who would fuck Aeris even though she is a cartoon will respond and tell you that you suck and Cloud rules. By the way, if I post this without a complete listing it's because I'm at school and I got class soon...
Swingers (1996)
I will not go into this film. Everyone on this blog knows exactly why we all enjoy it so much. Whether it be Trent Walker, Mikey Peters, Sue, Charles or Goofy...this film will be hard to boot off the list. I know all of you are thinking of your favorite scene...but how do you choose?
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
If you have never seen this film I don't understand how you can say you like films in general. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are at their best and together they form a duo that WILL NEVER be outmatched in my mind. Although I guess Aston and Sean came pretty close...cough cough. I showed Bryant and he bought it. I showed Jon and he was thinking of buying it. Either way if you are reading this blog and have never seen this...I suggest you check this out. For the acting, cinematography, directing, ambience and editing are absolutely perfect.
Rounders (1998)
Geez. What a fucking suprise. This film launched me playing poker live. Now poker is potentially a habit for me. I need to play. I want to play. I want to be Mike. This film didn't get enough credit. It could have been cheesy and stupid, but it was shot well and KGB is the best villian ever in a film. Again like Swingers...no need to go into this one.
Maverick (1994)
This film has it all. Twists, turns, good acting, comedy, awesome story, drama, and poker. Mel Gibson plays the perfect Maverick and the first time I saw this it immediately became one of my favorites. This is one that slipped off the radar until Derek brought it up. I feel ashamed now and I had to watch it just to forgive myself. Another film that shows that poker pays off.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
This should suprise no one...but should suprise everyone if that makes any sense. Besides Audrey as Holly Golightly, this is one of my favorite classics. The story is a little fake sometimes, but which classic film isn't? The acting is a little "theatre-esque", but I love it. Audrey as a socialite was the perfect casting and this is what made me fall for Audrey in the first place. I will say that most of you will not like this film, but this is a film you should at least give a chance even if the most you will get out of it is respect Hepburn at her greatest...from her singing the song, "Moon River" to her acting at the party she has thrown...absolutely mesmorizing.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
It would be cheating if you can list trilogies so I decided to choose one out of the bunch. This one has to be my favorite not only because it got back to the Raiders type of story (as opposed to the darker Doom) but Sean Connery is fucking awesome. Who can forget when he shoots out the back of the plane? Or when he is suprised when Indy kills someone? The dynamic is awesome and I know I said that Newman and Redford can't be touched, but this duo sure did come close...if only they were around from beginning of the film to the end. Spielberg needs to get back to this type of film...Indy 4 better not be a film about social injustices or star that stupid Sixth Sense bitch who is too old now to be cute...
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Darren Aronofsky is so fucking dope it's not fair. Experiemental but highly narrative this film is one that I can watch over and over and over. Depressing yet satisfying. All the characters make you feel for them and all of them make you wish you were never in their shoes. When I showed all you guys this film I'm glad you were speechless at the end because I was too when I first saw it. Now I can appreciate the subtletees of Aronofsky's vision as well as feel happy that I ain't fucked up like those four characters.
Casablanca (1942)
This one will probably have surprised you. This one took a long time to think about, but when it got down to it...I watch it at least once every two weeks. I watch it because Humphrey Bogart plays the ultimate good guy. In fact everyone in this film is "good" which is why I think it is so popular to begin with. Here you have Nazi's and then you have a cast of 5 good people that convince you that they are in fact really on the good side of things. The music is awesome from, "Knock on Wood" to "Time Goes By" and the acting is top notch. This one is kind of wierd since you would think that the farther back you go the more theatre you see in acting, but this one plays awfully well and isn't over exaggerated. Bottom line I can't believe I had to wait 22 years to see this film for the first time.
Shit...time to go now...Hopefully I can finish this up later tonight. I know opinionated blogs are boring, but I enjoyed typing this all out and sticking it down on paper. Makes me feel like some things in my life are in order. Not that my shit is tangled up anyway. I live at home. How hard can my life really be?
There are two terrorists sitting next to me and they smell like shit. I hope of on them lights himself on fire to protest how people make fun of how they talk. Even better I think they are gay. Sand people make me laugh.
Swingers (1996)
I will not go into this film. Everyone on this blog knows exactly why we all enjoy it so much. Whether it be Trent Walker, Mikey Peters, Sue, Charles or Goofy...this film will be hard to boot off the list. I know all of you are thinking of your favorite scene...but how do you choose?
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
If you have never seen this film I don't understand how you can say you like films in general. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are at their best and together they form a duo that WILL NEVER be outmatched in my mind. Although I guess Aston and Sean came pretty close...cough cough. I showed Bryant and he bought it. I showed Jon and he was thinking of buying it. Either way if you are reading this blog and have never seen this...I suggest you check this out. For the acting, cinematography, directing, ambience and editing are absolutely perfect.
Rounders (1998)
Geez. What a fucking suprise. This film launched me playing poker live. Now poker is potentially a habit for me. I need to play. I want to play. I want to be Mike. This film didn't get enough credit. It could have been cheesy and stupid, but it was shot well and KGB is the best villian ever in a film. Again like Swingers...no need to go into this one.
Maverick (1994)
This film has it all. Twists, turns, good acting, comedy, awesome story, drama, and poker. Mel Gibson plays the perfect Maverick and the first time I saw this it immediately became one of my favorites. This is one that slipped off the radar until Derek brought it up. I feel ashamed now and I had to watch it just to forgive myself. Another film that shows that poker pays off.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
This should suprise no one...but should suprise everyone if that makes any sense. Besides Audrey as Holly Golightly, this is one of my favorite classics. The story is a little fake sometimes, but which classic film isn't? The acting is a little "theatre-esque", but I love it. Audrey as a socialite was the perfect casting and this is what made me fall for Audrey in the first place. I will say that most of you will not like this film, but this is a film you should at least give a chance even if the most you will get out of it is respect Hepburn at her greatest...from her singing the song, "Moon River" to her acting at the party she has thrown...absolutely mesmorizing.
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
It would be cheating if you can list trilogies so I decided to choose one out of the bunch. This one has to be my favorite not only because it got back to the Raiders type of story (as opposed to the darker Doom) but Sean Connery is fucking awesome. Who can forget when he shoots out the back of the plane? Or when he is suprised when Indy kills someone? The dynamic is awesome and I know I said that Newman and Redford can't be touched, but this duo sure did come close...if only they were around from beginning of the film to the end. Spielberg needs to get back to this type of film...Indy 4 better not be a film about social injustices or star that stupid Sixth Sense bitch who is too old now to be cute...
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Darren Aronofsky is so fucking dope it's not fair. Experiemental but highly narrative this film is one that I can watch over and over and over. Depressing yet satisfying. All the characters make you feel for them and all of them make you wish you were never in their shoes. When I showed all you guys this film I'm glad you were speechless at the end because I was too when I first saw it. Now I can appreciate the subtletees of Aronofsky's vision as well as feel happy that I ain't fucked up like those four characters.
Casablanca (1942)
This one will probably have surprised you. This one took a long time to think about, but when it got down to it...I watch it at least once every two weeks. I watch it because Humphrey Bogart plays the ultimate good guy. In fact everyone in this film is "good" which is why I think it is so popular to begin with. Here you have Nazi's and then you have a cast of 5 good people that convince you that they are in fact really on the good side of things. The music is awesome from, "Knock on Wood" to "Time Goes By" and the acting is top notch. This one is kind of wierd since you would think that the farther back you go the more theatre you see in acting, but this one plays awfully well and isn't over exaggerated. Bottom line I can't believe I had to wait 22 years to see this film for the first time.
Shit...time to go now...Hopefully I can finish this up later tonight. I know opinionated blogs are boring, but I enjoyed typing this all out and sticking it down on paper. Makes me feel like some things in my life are in order. Not that my shit is tangled up anyway. I live at home. How hard can my life really be?
There are two terrorists sitting next to me and they smell like shit. I hope of on them lights himself on fire to protest how people make fun of how they talk. Even better I think they are gay. Sand people make me laugh.
Oct 22, 2003
Well put Steve. Yes they had toys though...funny how I say you guys were spoiled but I had the Voltron toys...
Did you hear about the Dexter's Lab and Samurai Jack creator? He got the rights to do the Clone Wars as a animated series for Lucas. I guess Lucas's kids love Dextor's Lab and Lucas likes the writing and style of the show. I don't think they are finished yet, but I've seen screen shots and it looks pretty cool. If anyone has seen this please let me know where I can get them to watch. Anakin has to be fucking better in the animated series than the real series. Stupid fucking canadians cannot act (sorry Kristin my love...and sorry Jim Carey, but the Majestic can suck nuts) so the animated Anakin has to be WAY fucking better.
PLACE YOUR BETS...I should put that on my website somewhere as an Easter Egg. Dinner to who can find it (my choice of place...Ramen-ya sounding pretty good). I'll try to find that sound clip...if someone has it please let me have it.
On the KILL BILL soundtrack there is a track called Don't Let me Be Misunderstood remade by Santa Esmeralda. Don't ask me what kind of name that is...but its a sick track and everyone should give it a listen...if you like that Jazzy...Mexi type music you will dig this track. Overall I like this soundtrack even though it seems to go off in all different directions. The song for O-ren's background is dope. It's called the Grand Duel by Luis Bacalov if you want to download it.
Okay time for a list I think. Tony and I would like to know what everyone's favorite films are. I'm not totally sure if we have done this before (I couldn't believe it if we haven't) but I don't remember doing it or I didn't participate. Just do a list of your ten favorite films..no ranking needed, but extra points if you do. Tony thinks that we all like the same type of films and he wants to know if his all time favorite film, "A Kid in King Arthur's Court" is on everyone else's list to. I assured him Kevin is at least with him on that one...but it might be hard to rank it with "A River Runs Through It". I like lists so mine might be done as early as tonight. Wheee!
If Swingers is not on your list then you will be kicked off the blog. Yes that's a threat.
I think it's time to change our slogan from Harrison Ford. I know it has been based on that quote but perhaps we should think of other stupid quotes that would suit it just as well. Lemme know what you think.
Wow lots of homework given out on the blog. Have fun and Jon...try to turn in your shit on time. I promise no Error messages with this one.
Did you hear about the Dexter's Lab and Samurai Jack creator? He got the rights to do the Clone Wars as a animated series for Lucas. I guess Lucas's kids love Dextor's Lab and Lucas likes the writing and style of the show. I don't think they are finished yet, but I've seen screen shots and it looks pretty cool. If anyone has seen this please let me know where I can get them to watch. Anakin has to be fucking better in the animated series than the real series. Stupid fucking canadians cannot act (sorry Kristin my love...and sorry Jim Carey, but the Majestic can suck nuts) so the animated Anakin has to be WAY fucking better.
PLACE YOUR BETS...I should put that on my website somewhere as an Easter Egg. Dinner to who can find it (my choice of place...Ramen-ya sounding pretty good). I'll try to find that sound clip...if someone has it please let me have it.
On the KILL BILL soundtrack there is a track called Don't Let me Be Misunderstood remade by Santa Esmeralda. Don't ask me what kind of name that is...but its a sick track and everyone should give it a listen...if you like that Jazzy...Mexi type music you will dig this track. Overall I like this soundtrack even though it seems to go off in all different directions. The song for O-ren's background is dope. It's called the Grand Duel by Luis Bacalov if you want to download it.
Okay time for a list I think. Tony and I would like to know what everyone's favorite films are. I'm not totally sure if we have done this before (I couldn't believe it if we haven't) but I don't remember doing it or I didn't participate. Just do a list of your ten favorite films..no ranking needed, but extra points if you do. Tony thinks that we all like the same type of films and he wants to know if his all time favorite film, "A Kid in King Arthur's Court" is on everyone else's list to. I assured him Kevin is at least with him on that one...but it might be hard to rank it with "A River Runs Through It". I like lists so mine might be done as early as tonight. Wheee!
If Swingers is not on your list then you will be kicked off the blog. Yes that's a threat.
I think it's time to change our slogan from Harrison Ford. I know it has been based on that quote but perhaps we should think of other stupid quotes that would suit it just as well. Lemme know what you think.
Wow lots of homework given out on the blog. Have fun and Jon...try to turn in your shit on time. I promise no Error messages with this one.
Voltron didn't even have toys. Affordable ones anyways. Voltron is not stupid. Just the lion one. Transformers were cheap, which is why got them.
I'll settle this once and for all
Dexter's laboratory and ren and stimpy were the greatest cartoons ever.
argument closed.
Now lets talk about more important things. Did anyone ever end up seeing freddy vs. jason?
PLACE YOUR BETS!!
I'll settle this once and for all
Dexter's laboratory and ren and stimpy were the greatest cartoons ever.
argument closed.
Now lets talk about more important things. Did anyone ever end up seeing freddy vs. jason?
PLACE YOUR BETS!!
Oct 21, 2003
Let's see here...Talk about Transgaymores more and more, but don't let Voltron sneak in because Creampuff ain't listening..hehe. Everyone likes different toys...everyone likes different cartoons...I thought Transgaymores were cool, but since I wasn't fucking spoiled like some of you (and I didn't have brothers so we can "coordinate" which toys we should ask for) and I had to buy all my own shit with my own money, I was a little bit more careful in what toys I did buy. I don't care what you guys say, but if you tell me that Transformers had better animation than Voltron...well I can see why you didn't like Kill Bill. Haha. Bottom line my point being...I didn't get many oppurtunities to get your precious Transformers and all their stupid spinoffs...all I had was the cartoons to make my judgement on...so I chose Voltron...which was better built (if you try to disprove me on this point how bout I throw a "stupid lion" at your head and you can throw your plastic shit at my head and whoever has the least damage wins) and was a better quality cartoon with actual drama...when that guy died (haha...I don't even know his fucking name) it was serious...did any fucking Transformer die without you paying 5.50 to go see it? Didn't think so. Although that is a good point...why run when you can fly? Come to think of it...I don't think I ever used them to run to my disaster that I made up...I always flew...
This note is for Jon...don't think I fucked up. The Sting is only out in fullscreen but in my copy I didn't notice any of that Pan and Scan shit so I thought it was a safe buy. Chances are they might never release it in widescreen (if they even did it in widescreen to begin with...Kurosawa loved the 4:3 ratio and plenty of films were made in that ratio depending on the director.)
Kurosawa: The Father of Star Wars and Every one of Spielberg's films
Steve you pose an interesting question...I guess it's hard to say considering that we all like Kurosawa for his Samurai flicks, but toward the end of his career he didn't do so much of those. However here are some that you should check out...I won't guarantee you anything...not sure if you like dramatic type films...like Fargo. I told my friend Kip that I bought Fargo (which has excellent acting and character development) and he asked, "Why?!?" ...then he asked how I could watch Psycho since it was in black and white. Well there you go...if you like senseless shit then these won't interest you...but by no mean I'm not implying your like that...consider this a disclaimer that these aren't your Seven Samurai and Yojimbo type films. Dodesukaden. About a retarded kid who likes to pretend he's a train operator. Actually that's only one part of the story...there are three more and their destinies collide. I've actually only seen so much of this film but what I did see I was hooked and have been wanting to see it since. RAN. This film is actually an interpretation of King Lear. For those that are tired of Samurai films in black and white...this one is a full colored, epic Japan warlord film. DREAMS. Another one that I really want to see. It's a series of short films that all have a different meaning I believe. This one is out on DVD, but I haven't found it anywhere...might be time to check out Amazon for one of my splurges. HIGH AND LOW. This is about the trails of a man who decides to give everything he has to pay the ransom of his driver's son who has been kidnapped. Well that should keep you occupied...check em out and tell me if you like them.
Spielberg is VERY JEWISH
No commentary. Despite a shit load of cool extras on the bonus disc (some of the best I've seen in the behind the scene ones) I can't help but wonder why Spielberg didn't do a commentary. I know he's working on Terminal and Indy4 but c'mon...you would have to sit there and watch the films you made...boo hoo.
NYX
I know you don't read comics...actually I've never really got into them, but NYX by Marvel is fucking dope. It is drawn and colored by one of Jon's and my favorite artist, Joshua Middleton. If you got 4 bucks and your walking by a comic store you should check it out. Takes place in the Xmen universe, but so far is about street punks who don't know they really have them and really focuses on the real problems that take place in our society...not that crazy Parallel Galaxy which is being attacked by Phoenix while Magneto is struggling with blah blah blah problems.
The Laughing Factor
I know what you mean. That theatre was laughing way too much. Which made it stupid. But I NEED THOSE IGNANT FUCKERS WHO LAUGH AT ANYTHING TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THE BIZ. SO LET THEM LAUGH AND LET US CONTINUE TO THINK WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM!!
That's all. I'm listening to the KILL BILL soundtrack and its fucking dope. Between this and Chrono Cross...I don't know if I'll ever go back to "normal" music ever again. My room is a mess...and the show is about to begin..."I SHOULD HAVE MAILED IT TO THE MARX BROS."
This note is for Jon...don't think I fucked up. The Sting is only out in fullscreen but in my copy I didn't notice any of that Pan and Scan shit so I thought it was a safe buy. Chances are they might never release it in widescreen (if they even did it in widescreen to begin with...Kurosawa loved the 4:3 ratio and plenty of films were made in that ratio depending on the director.)
Kurosawa: The Father of Star Wars and Every one of Spielberg's films
Steve you pose an interesting question...I guess it's hard to say considering that we all like Kurosawa for his Samurai flicks, but toward the end of his career he didn't do so much of those. However here are some that you should check out...I won't guarantee you anything...not sure if you like dramatic type films...like Fargo. I told my friend Kip that I bought Fargo (which has excellent acting and character development) and he asked, "Why?!?" ...then he asked how I could watch Psycho since it was in black and white. Well there you go...if you like senseless shit then these won't interest you...but by no mean I'm not implying your like that...consider this a disclaimer that these aren't your Seven Samurai and Yojimbo type films. Dodesukaden. About a retarded kid who likes to pretend he's a train operator. Actually that's only one part of the story...there are three more and their destinies collide. I've actually only seen so much of this film but what I did see I was hooked and have been wanting to see it since. RAN. This film is actually an interpretation of King Lear. For those that are tired of Samurai films in black and white...this one is a full colored, epic Japan warlord film. DREAMS. Another one that I really want to see. It's a series of short films that all have a different meaning I believe. This one is out on DVD, but I haven't found it anywhere...might be time to check out Amazon for one of my splurges. HIGH AND LOW. This is about the trails of a man who decides to give everything he has to pay the ransom of his driver's son who has been kidnapped. Well that should keep you occupied...check em out and tell me if you like them.
Spielberg is VERY JEWISH
No commentary. Despite a shit load of cool extras on the bonus disc (some of the best I've seen in the behind the scene ones) I can't help but wonder why Spielberg didn't do a commentary. I know he's working on Terminal and Indy4 but c'mon...you would have to sit there and watch the films you made...boo hoo.
NYX
I know you don't read comics...actually I've never really got into them, but NYX by Marvel is fucking dope. It is drawn and colored by one of Jon's and my favorite artist, Joshua Middleton. If you got 4 bucks and your walking by a comic store you should check it out. Takes place in the Xmen universe, but so far is about street punks who don't know they really have them and really focuses on the real problems that take place in our society...not that crazy Parallel Galaxy which is being attacked by Phoenix while Magneto is struggling with blah blah blah problems.
The Laughing Factor
I know what you mean. That theatre was laughing way too much. Which made it stupid. But I NEED THOSE IGNANT FUCKERS WHO LAUGH AT ANYTHING TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN THE BIZ. SO LET THEM LAUGH AND LET US CONTINUE TO THINK WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM!!
That's all. I'm listening to the KILL BILL soundtrack and its fucking dope. Between this and Chrono Cross...I don't know if I'll ever go back to "normal" music ever again. My room is a mess...and the show is about to begin..."I SHOULD HAVE MAILED IT TO THE MARX BROS."
yes jon, i thought of exactly that while i was writing it. I was gonna put it down. No really i was. that's why in my other blog i said that i hope in the next one there better be more kung fu and stuff. The ending cliffhanger was excellent too. There also better be a jap guy with a HUGE foot.
but of course, above all, i expected you to find that point yourself anyways, NERD.
good point about the lions tho. STUPID LIONS. What's the point in running in if you can just fly like when you fly when you form voltron???? stupid.
and please tell me why the pilots yell and scream in pain when voltron gets hit or kicked, or when voltron is shot with a laser gun. Unless they are physically, mentally, and sexually bonded with their lions, it doesn't make any sense. And if you would like to argue back against this point, please read the following two sentences
1) shut up
2) I'M NOT LISTENING I'M NOT LISTENING LALA LA LALALALLAALALLALALALALALLALALA OH SAY CAN YOU SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.........
Arnold is govenor. Sad. SAD.
Jon, that transformers entry was laugh out loud hilarious and very true too. The red decoder thing was the best. I can't believe intelligence was your deciding factor. Well, actually i can. NERD.
pay day needs to hurry up and get here.
but of course, above all, i expected you to find that point yourself anyways, NERD.
good point about the lions tho. STUPID LIONS. What's the point in running in if you can just fly like when you fly when you form voltron???? stupid.
and please tell me why the pilots yell and scream in pain when voltron gets hit or kicked, or when voltron is shot with a laser gun. Unless they are physically, mentally, and sexually bonded with their lions, it doesn't make any sense. And if you would like to argue back against this point, please read the following two sentences
1) shut up
2) I'M NOT LISTENING I'M NOT LISTENING LALA LA LALALALLAALALLALALALALALLALALA OH SAY CAN YOU SEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.........
Arnold is govenor. Sad. SAD.
Jon, that transformers entry was laugh out loud hilarious and very true too. The red decoder thing was the best. I can't believe intelligence was your deciding factor. Well, actually i can. NERD.
pay day needs to hurry up and get here.
Oct 20, 2003
Okay here's the problem with blog lag. After a while, your responses are late and irrelevant. These topics aren't even on the main page anymore... but you beggars didn't get a menu.
Gubernatorial - yes, it's a word... but why???
This section was lengthy, and has been deleted for two reasons:
(1) I gathered no one would be interested in or able to respond to my opinions on the debate
(2) The debate was a long time ago, and the recall and election are already over. Arnold is governor... rejoice if you're the type.
Transformers
I will forever remember Transformers as my favorite toy and cartoon from childhood. Let's take a trip back and look at the string of gimmicks that sucked us in...
- Transforming robots, mang! What young boy doesn't like robots, jets, tanks, and guns? Whether you liked Transformers or not, the concept is moneymaking genius.
- TV series! What good is a toy without 1/2 hour ads on TV? Sound effects, laser blasts, and animated transformations that no child could truly reproduce. But we kept buying and trying. Where are the toy energon cubes, Autobot Ark base, or a mini model of Cybertron?
- Tech Specs! This was probably my favorite feature. You get a bio card with the Transformer's Function, a revealing quote, a description that will expand your vocabulary and tell you exactly how many psi the TORQUE CANNON produces, and best of all, a jaggy line graph that tells you just where your toy's strengths and weaknesses lie. You're just like freakin' James Bond when ONLY YOU KNOW HOW TO READ IT WITH THE SPECIAL RED DECODER. Strength, Intelligence, Speed, Endurance, Rank, Courage, Firepower, Skill. I used to add them up for the TOTAL TRANSFORMER POWER LEVEL and use that as a deciding factor about which one I wanted. Intelligence was the tiebreaker, of course.
- Proof of Authenticity! "Can you find the black square label on your TRANSFORMER? Rub the label - Watch robot face appear! It is your evidence that this robot is a true TRANSFORMER!" What if they made you gamble? Not all the labels have the face... sorry, try again! That'd be a lot of disappointed, crying kids. But if a kid can't even find the black square, he deserves a Go-Bot.
- Robot Points! Clip, collect and save these, so you can send them in for special Transformers offers! In other words, you get the privilege of spending your allowance on one more useless piece of plastic that wasn't marketable enough to sell in stores. Like the cheap ass cardboard standup base. Damn right I had it.
- Super robots! Autobots had Aerialbots/Superion, Protectobots/Defensor, and Technobots/Computron. Decepticons had (get ready for this) Constructicons/Devastator, Stunticons/Menasor, Combaticons/Bruticus, Predacons/Predaking, Terrorcons/Abominus, and Seacons/Piranacon. An idea as cool as Voltron, and twice as ugly when you actually put them together. I never had a complete set.
- Variety! Who remembers Jumpstarters? They shouldn't even be Transformers, they should be called Flip'n'Folders. Targetmasters, Headmasters, Powermasters? You can have an extra helper guy, but just can't have a gun at the same time, or a head. And Pretenders? Put your Transformer in a stupid humanoid plastic case, and let's Pretend we're playing with a Ken doll in a spacesuit!
- The Movie! I've watched it many times, and consider it a nostalgic classic despite its shortcomings. It will never cease to shock me how quickly and gruesomely some of the Autobots die at the start (Ratchet getting shot up like Robocop, Prowl's eyes glowing and smoke coming out the mouth, and Optimus--OPTIMUS IS DEAD?! WHAT THE HELL?!!). I would've liked to see a climactic battle between Optimus and Megatron near the end, that would finally settle things. Instead, they fight at the start and Optimus's eyes fade out and he turns all black and dies! I don't know what happens during the next five minutes because it's all blurry. Then freakin' Hot Rod, Kup, and the Dinobots get the spotlight. Preposterous.
This section will end here because I wrote it weeks ago and don't know what else to say.
Kill Bill
Brendan and I went to see the movie on the first Friday night it was out, for some reason thinking it might not be too busy. Big mistake, leading to wide angle seats. On top of that, there were a lot of subtitles, which I normally don’t mind, but this time I had some guy’s big head blocking a third of them right in the middle. Damn annoying. Since this problem came up over and over, the frustration made it hard for me to enjoy the movie.
So I’m just saying I’m aware my review is affected by my bad mood. Kill Bill had somewhat chuckle-worthy humor, somewhat impressive action, and a somewhat interesting plot. I do like how Tarantino reveals parts of the story a little at a time, and that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Overall, I think Quentin’s stuff is okay but I’m not a fan. I watched Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs at least twice each, thinking I might like it more with multiple viewings... neither one made the cut. If I do the same with Kill Bill, I don’t expect the trend to change.
This is also one of those situations where something can be kinda funny, but a bunch of people laugh like it’s the most hilarious thing in the world, so you think to yourself, “Idiots, it’s not that funny... you know what, now it’s not funny at all.” Same goes for cool action sequences. When surrounded by people who are easily impressed, the critical types often become more critical, to distance themselves from the idiotic masses. So a packed theater full of people howling at a Samurai Shodown-style bloodspray used several dozen times isn’t gonna send me home raving.
Steve, funny you should mention that people hate on Matrix Reloaded even though it’s half a movie... since the same applies to Kill Bill. “Thanks, Jon! Nice of you to always chime in with your fun-spoiling nerd shiet.” Word.
Hahah “sucky lion Voltron”... yeah show the camera all your lion head hands and feet again! Raar! Raar! Raar! Raar!
Racism
...will go away on the same day the battle between the sexes ends. And that day ain't soon... in fact it’ll never come. We like to emphasize differences more than similarities, and we like to think we know things. If there were no stereotypes, we wouldn’t know anything about anybody unless we talked to them directly or heard or read about them. But thanks to stereotypes, I know all of Team Pooky has small penises. Misery loves company, thanks pals.
Gubernatorial - yes, it's a word... but why???
This section was lengthy, and has been deleted for two reasons:
(1) I gathered no one would be interested in or able to respond to my opinions on the debate
(2) The debate was a long time ago, and the recall and election are already over. Arnold is governor... rejoice if you're the type.
Transformers
I will forever remember Transformers as my favorite toy and cartoon from childhood. Let's take a trip back and look at the string of gimmicks that sucked us in...
- Transforming robots, mang! What young boy doesn't like robots, jets, tanks, and guns? Whether you liked Transformers or not, the concept is moneymaking genius.
- TV series! What good is a toy without 1/2 hour ads on TV? Sound effects, laser blasts, and animated transformations that no child could truly reproduce. But we kept buying and trying. Where are the toy energon cubes, Autobot Ark base, or a mini model of Cybertron?
- Tech Specs! This was probably my favorite feature. You get a bio card with the Transformer's Function, a revealing quote, a description that will expand your vocabulary and tell you exactly how many psi the TORQUE CANNON produces, and best of all, a jaggy line graph that tells you just where your toy's strengths and weaknesses lie. You're just like freakin' James Bond when ONLY YOU KNOW HOW TO READ IT WITH THE SPECIAL RED DECODER. Strength, Intelligence, Speed, Endurance, Rank, Courage, Firepower, Skill. I used to add them up for the TOTAL TRANSFORMER POWER LEVEL and use that as a deciding factor about which one I wanted. Intelligence was the tiebreaker, of course.
- Proof of Authenticity! "Can you find the black square label on your TRANSFORMER? Rub the label - Watch robot face appear! It is your evidence that this robot is a true TRANSFORMER!" What if they made you gamble? Not all the labels have the face... sorry, try again! That'd be a lot of disappointed, crying kids. But if a kid can't even find the black square, he deserves a Go-Bot.
- Robot Points! Clip, collect and save these, so you can send them in for special Transformers offers! In other words, you get the privilege of spending your allowance on one more useless piece of plastic that wasn't marketable enough to sell in stores. Like the cheap ass cardboard standup base. Damn right I had it.
- Super robots! Autobots had Aerialbots/Superion, Protectobots/Defensor, and Technobots/Computron. Decepticons had (get ready for this) Constructicons/Devastator, Stunticons/Menasor, Combaticons/Bruticus, Predacons/Predaking, Terrorcons/Abominus, and Seacons/Piranacon. An idea as cool as Voltron, and twice as ugly when you actually put them together. I never had a complete set.
- Variety! Who remembers Jumpstarters? They shouldn't even be Transformers, they should be called Flip'n'Folders. Targetmasters, Headmasters, Powermasters? You can have an extra helper guy, but just can't have a gun at the same time, or a head. And Pretenders? Put your Transformer in a stupid humanoid plastic case, and let's Pretend we're playing with a Ken doll in a spacesuit!
- The Movie! I've watched it many times, and consider it a nostalgic classic despite its shortcomings. It will never cease to shock me how quickly and gruesomely some of the Autobots die at the start (Ratchet getting shot up like Robocop, Prowl's eyes glowing and smoke coming out the mouth, and Optimus--OPTIMUS IS DEAD?! WHAT THE HELL?!!). I would've liked to see a climactic battle between Optimus and Megatron near the end, that would finally settle things. Instead, they fight at the start and Optimus's eyes fade out and he turns all black and dies! I don't know what happens during the next five minutes because it's all blurry. Then freakin' Hot Rod, Kup, and the Dinobots get the spotlight. Preposterous.
This section will end here because I wrote it weeks ago and don't know what else to say.
Kill Bill
Brendan and I went to see the movie on the first Friday night it was out, for some reason thinking it might not be too busy. Big mistake, leading to wide angle seats. On top of that, there were a lot of subtitles, which I normally don’t mind, but this time I had some guy’s big head blocking a third of them right in the middle. Damn annoying. Since this problem came up over and over, the frustration made it hard for me to enjoy the movie.
So I’m just saying I’m aware my review is affected by my bad mood. Kill Bill had somewhat chuckle-worthy humor, somewhat impressive action, and a somewhat interesting plot. I do like how Tarantino reveals parts of the story a little at a time, and that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Overall, I think Quentin’s stuff is okay but I’m not a fan. I watched Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs at least twice each, thinking I might like it more with multiple viewings... neither one made the cut. If I do the same with Kill Bill, I don’t expect the trend to change.
This is also one of those situations where something can be kinda funny, but a bunch of people laugh like it’s the most hilarious thing in the world, so you think to yourself, “Idiots, it’s not that funny... you know what, now it’s not funny at all.” Same goes for cool action sequences. When surrounded by people who are easily impressed, the critical types often become more critical, to distance themselves from the idiotic masses. So a packed theater full of people howling at a Samurai Shodown-style bloodspray used several dozen times isn’t gonna send me home raving.
Steve, funny you should mention that people hate on Matrix Reloaded even though it’s half a movie... since the same applies to Kill Bill. “Thanks, Jon! Nice of you to always chime in with your fun-spoiling nerd shiet.” Word.
Hahah “sucky lion Voltron”... yeah show the camera all your lion head hands and feet again! Raar! Raar! Raar! Raar!
Racism
...will go away on the same day the battle between the sexes ends. And that day ain't soon... in fact it’ll never come. We like to emphasize differences more than similarities, and we like to think we know things. If there were no stereotypes, we wouldn’t know anything about anybody unless we talked to them directly or heard or read about them. But thanks to stereotypes, I know all of Team Pooky has small penises. Misery loves company, thanks pals.
I too saw Kill bill. or should i say kill NOSE. Anyways, it was good, but i wasn't really feeling it. violence gore. the plot...i dunno. it's like i knew what was gonna happen before it happened. i'll go see the next one tho. not enough kung fu. swords swords swords. swords are cool. But so is open handed combat. If it's gonna be a tribute to kung fu movies, then there needs to be kung fu. Oh wells. Hey, here's an idea. Since there was so much jap influence in there, how bout instead of battle royale girl they put in voltron. The sucky lion voltron, not the cool "land, sea, and air" voltron. All in all, kill bill was so-so, but as far as i'm concerned, the best QT movie is resevoir dogs..period. I especially like the discussion about tip in the diner, the discussion by mr pink on how much he hates his name, and the part where mr white and someone else is sitting in the car going over the plan to rob the place and randomly he says "and that girl over there" "right here on my dick". Dope movie.
has anyone seen texas instruments TI-87 chainsaw masscre? i heard it was really good and then i heard it was really bad. any comments?
so yeh..i have been disappointed by every single movie i have seen thus far. this year in the theaters. I will go see the last matrix movie cuz i know it'll be good BECAUSE NO ONE SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SECOND ONE SUCKED BECAUSE TWO AND THREE ARE ONE COMPLETE MOVIE. LOTR...i guess. why not. Star wars...are they even done making the last one? whatevers..i dont give a fuck anymore. i guarantee that i wont' be seeing the last one. I heard that the clint eastwood movie was good.
how bout scary movie 3? just kidding.
I'm a really big fan of akira kurosawa's movies. However i've only seen his early works. Hey brendan, any suggestions on kurosawa's later works? Also, what doyou think about eastwood's old spaghetti westerns (i.e. the good the bad and the ugly, For a fist full of dollars, for a few dollars more, etc). I really like those and i'd like to see what a "film veteran" suchas you thinks of it. Also, any critique of transformers can be shoved up your ass bitch. Hahaha. I joke. Sorta.
anyone have any good websites that have those "buy 7 dvds for 7 cents" deals? There's a lot of dvds i need to get (i.e. swingers, rounders, ocean's 11, spirited away, etc. etc. etc.)
I'm out. working full time is killing me. At least i can be rich like you fuckers. Well, not really.
-Steve
has anyone seen texas instruments TI-87 chainsaw masscre? i heard it was really good and then i heard it was really bad. any comments?
so yeh..i have been disappointed by every single movie i have seen thus far. this year in the theaters. I will go see the last matrix movie cuz i know it'll be good BECAUSE NO ONE SEEMS TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SECOND ONE SUCKED BECAUSE TWO AND THREE ARE ONE COMPLETE MOVIE. LOTR...i guess. why not. Star wars...are they even done making the last one? whatevers..i dont give a fuck anymore. i guarantee that i wont' be seeing the last one. I heard that the clint eastwood movie was good.
how bout scary movie 3? just kidding.
I'm a really big fan of akira kurosawa's movies. However i've only seen his early works. Hey brendan, any suggestions on kurosawa's later works? Also, what doyou think about eastwood's old spaghetti westerns (i.e. the good the bad and the ugly, For a fist full of dollars, for a few dollars more, etc). I really like those and i'd like to see what a "film veteran" suchas you thinks of it. Also, any critique of transformers can be shoved up your ass bitch. Hahaha. I joke. Sorta.
anyone have any good websites that have those "buy 7 dvds for 7 cents" deals? There's a lot of dvds i need to get (i.e. swingers, rounders, ocean's 11, spirited away, etc. etc. etc.)
I'm out. working full time is killing me. At least i can be rich like you fuckers. Well, not really.
-Steve
Kill Bill...are you kidding me? This film was great by all means. Do you actually think they could have fit the whole film into one volume? I seriously doubt it. I mean people get tired of sitting through LOTR...how are they going to sit through Tarantino's style. Speaking of style...that is exactly what this film oozes. Think about this...animation sequence? In a live action, mainstream film? The animation was smooth and stylish...all together dynamic. The story...he made it like a Mega Man game which earns high marks in my book. He isn't trying to be something he is not...he is taking everything he likes about martial arts films and adds his own twisted plot to accompany that...and it never forgets what it wants to accomplish. (Clue: Its not trying to get an Oscar)
The Japanese was excellent and the martial arts didn't try to get too Matrixy which I can honestly say is overplayed and overstayed. At least Tarantino understands that a Samurai Sword is something special and pays it special attention. The violence is Tarantino and he makes sure it isn't too much...which is why he shot in black and white...which is gutsy but it pays tribute to the Independant circuit that made him what he is today. It shows he isn't afraid to try something if it makes it look cool...and that whole end scene in the snow...sure the martial arts isn't the best...but I didn't know that Tarantino was capable of such ambience in his shots. I dunno...this review is retarded and I know that some of you are thinking I'm taking this too seriously...but this is what I love to do so I better act like I know something about it now...or else no respect from no one! Hehe.
Overall I understand what Brian is trying to say...but Kill Bill was an awesome way to end the summer run (Yes I realize that you probably don't consider Kill Bill and summer release...but the film seaons are basically either summer and the rest of the year). You want to see a drawn out story that sucks shit...Better Luck Tomorrow...FUCKING FOBS...
The Japanese was excellent and the martial arts didn't try to get too Matrixy which I can honestly say is overplayed and overstayed. At least Tarantino understands that a Samurai Sword is something special and pays it special attention. The violence is Tarantino and he makes sure it isn't too much...which is why he shot in black and white...which is gutsy but it pays tribute to the Independant circuit that made him what he is today. It shows he isn't afraid to try something if it makes it look cool...and that whole end scene in the snow...sure the martial arts isn't the best...but I didn't know that Tarantino was capable of such ambience in his shots. I dunno...this review is retarded and I know that some of you are thinking I'm taking this too seriously...but this is what I love to do so I better act like I know something about it now...or else no respect from no one! Hehe.
Overall I understand what Brian is trying to say...but Kill Bill was an awesome way to end the summer run (Yes I realize that you probably don't consider Kill Bill and summer release...but the film seaons are basically either summer and the rest of the year). You want to see a drawn out story that sucks shit...Better Luck Tomorrow...FUCKING FOBS...
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