Hello everyone. Sorry this is somewhat late coming, but we went out of town last week, so I didn't get a chance to write it. So, I'll stop wasting time and get into it.
A QUICK NOTE: I definitely started working on this last week, and just kind of put it off. So, here we go. Enjoy!
1. BATMAN BEGINS - To make up for the complete atrocity that was me forgetting to put this movie in my Summer Blockbuster Special, I am throwing it in this week first. This movie was completely awesome, and it is responsible for my starting to read comics. Now, I will say that I enjoyed comic movies before this came out, but this made me actually want to read comics. Plus I remember that I was excited for this while everyone else was groaning that they were making "another Batman movie." After BATMAN AND ROBIN, who wouldn't have felt that way? Oh yeah: Me! I found an early draft of the script over a year before the movie came out, read it, and knew that if it was in fact the movie they were making (which it was) that it would be an exceptional film. Without this movie, we wouldn't have had THE DARK KNIGHT, and we all know how much less complete my life would be without that movie. In regards to this particular Batman franchise, I throw out the quote to the defining song of our entire generation (if not millennium): "My life would suck without you."
2. STAR TREK - I haven't seen but one episode of the original series, and only one of the films ("Space Seed" and its story sequel THE WRATH OF KHAN). I am talking about JJ Abrams' tour de force summer opening movie. Seriously this movie kicks so much ass. I can easily say that it is my favorite movie to come out so far this year. I had a perfect blend of action and comedy, that didn't really fall into the dramcom category. The casting was perfect. The writing was stellar. Also, I could tell when they were throwing out references to the series past, yet it was still entertaining to me. This is just an all around good flick. If you haven't seen it by now, WTF is wrong with you?
3. LOST - I had planned to write this list up shortly after the season finale, but procrastination got the better of me, so I am writing it now. I really don't know that there is anything I can say to sway anyone for or against this show. If you are going to watch it, you know you will, and if you are going to avoid watching it, I won't change anything. I just love it. The show is phenomenal and has only 17 hours worth of shows left. Let's hope that they truly can give it a send off worthy of kings, or something like that.
4. THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA - Running from issues 25 through 42, this story line took a classic character (Steve Rogers) and the dream he representd (Captain America), and completely revitalized it. Ed Brubaker had been preparing for this since he started writing for the series at issue 1 of the current volume. This development has been touted by some as a means to increase sales, but the stgory moved along such a logical progression of story, and really brought the MARVEL Universe into the state that it is in now. Also, the moment when the new Captain America takes up the mantle means so much more, and resonnates more than the mantle-taking of the new Batman at the end of BATTLE FOR THE COWL (I read the last few pages, and it was alright, but not as good as this.)
5. INCOGNITO - Continuing my Ed Brubaker love fest is this miniseries Brubaker is making through MARVEL's creater owned imprint ICON. The story centers on a supervillain who is placed in witness protection, and has his powers dampened, after his brother was murdered by the men he once worked with. In the story, the "protagonist" decides to become a superhero just cause he's bored, and it gives him something to do. He feels alive, after finding a way to bypass the power dampening drugs. It's good, violent, sexy stuff. Brubaker knows his crime drama.
6. DAREDEVIL: THE KING OF HELL'S KITCHEN - Writer Brian Michael Bendis turns Daredevil into the new Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen, with Matt Murdock hoping that he can eliminate the crime in his home by lording over it. After some nearly successful assassination attempts by the Yakuza, Murdock sees his mistake and brings in some of his superhero friends to help correct the mistake. But the very nature of Murdock's intentions come into question, creating a new creative direction for this unconventional superhero story.
7. THE BIG BANG THEORY - This is a comdy for nerds, and obviously by nerds. And I love it. It isn't condescending to the culture, either, in the way that HEROES has been for its last 2 seasons. I have seen a good bit of season 1, and I really dig it. Plus Kaley Cuoko is a freaking babe. It is good to see a show that has a dorky guy like me having the chance to get with a super hottie like her. And they know their Nerdology. So, yeah. Give it a chance. I had low expectations for it, but TK brought one of the previous episodes to my attention, and like HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, this is a traditional sitcom that showcases the style's strengths, and lets us see that maybe this style of storytelling doesn't need to be taken out behind the chemical shed after we shotgun a few PBR's and work up the balls to get rid of it.
8. DR. PEPPER CHERRY - This is just a smooth, tasty new spin on an old favorite. I enjoy it much. Just go buy a 12 pack. You're welcome.
9. CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR - Fighting as both Russians against the Germans and Americans against the Japanese, 2 different stories from World War II are told. The game is intense and fun. It is also awesome to see blood fly in the air when you shoot people. The game is good fun, though fristrating at times, and could be used as a great stress killer. It's fun, and I enjoy WWII stories. Bad ass.
10. WILL FERRELL HOSTING THE SNL SEASON FINALE - This episode of SNL was totally awesome. I was laughing the whole time. The new Celebrity Jeopardy was as good as the classics, if not better. The Lawrence Welk Show sketch was a riot. And then there was the outrageous scene that was Ferrell essentially skipping out on a bill by recounting when he was in Nam. And he used a massive band to help show it. It's something that is just kind of weird when you see it at first, but thinking back it is pretty stellar.
So, there you go. I will certainly have another one of these up within the next week. Hope summer is going well for you all.
Here endeth the lesson.
5.26.2009
5.07.2009
The BKteN Number 6: Special Summer Movie Blockbuster Edition
So, this weekend starts the summer movie season. You may say, "What about WOLVERINE?" Seriously? I hated that so much I am starting my observance a week later. I don't even care. Tonight I am going to see STAR TREK at 7, and so, before I see my first summer movie of the year, I am going to throw together a list of some of my favorite summer movies since I was a freshman in High School. Here's the rundown of it: I will basically put only one movie per year since 2002, with a few years getting a double dip. Also, I am skipping 2005 because there was nothing too mind blowing in the way of blockbusters that year. Sound good to you? Don't care either way. Now, let's go.
1. Spider-man - (2002) This is the year that I fell in love with superhero movies. I saw this one 5 or 6 times in the theater. That record is only matched by RETURN OF THE KING, and trailing behind those was OCEAN'S 11. This movie, though it certainly did get some things wrong, really got the superhero movie formula right. They did make the regrettable mistake of killing one of the most central villains to the mythos in the first movie. They took many liberties with the story. I will say, that it was nowhere near as awful as SPIDER-MAN 3. Looking back on it, it is harder to watch now, but everything about this movie clicked when I first saw it. If nothing else, it started me onto my comics loving path I am on now.
2. The Matrix Reloaded - (2003) Sure this movie was pretty much nonstop explosions, and didn't come close to the original. But, in all honesty, THE MATRIX was such an incredible movie, and the 4 year gap between movies, made expectations way too high. This was seriously a perfect summer movie. It had sex. Kung fu. Gunfights. A bad ass car chase. This was just a killer movie. It is definitely an enjoyable movie, and I really don't see why people feel like the Wachowskis wiped their asses with this movie. It was fun. Get over it.
3. Pirates of the Carribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - (2003) This is the one that got people into the whole pirate craze. If you claim that you thought pirates were cool before this movie came out, you are probably a liar. I also am not saying that you thought they were lame either. This movie brought pirates into the public awareness. People just didn't think about pirates in general befoe this one. But then Johnny Depp swaggered on screen and changed things forever. Well, maybe not forever. But it definitely made pirates en vogue. And it also got lots of jachasshole guys to start wearing guyliner. So, there's that. But the movie is cool and fun. I mean it combines pirates and zombies. It would have been cool enough to maybe see pirates fight zombies. But no, this took it one step further and had a colonial navy fighting zombie pirates. Yeah.
4. Spider-man 2 - (2004) Now this is the single SPIDER-MAN movie that got everything right. They changed the Doctor Octopus story around some, but I would wager that it was made better. Everything about this movie greatly exceded the original. From the effects and story, right down to the theme song. I mean the first movie had the butt rock team up of Nickelback and Saliva singing "Hero" which I ate up when it came out, but now Chad Kroeger annoys me and thinks he is Jesus and records the same song over and over, so I am over it. This one had Dashboard Confessional's "Vindicated" as its theme. This song wasn't even originally supposed to be the theme, but when the movie execs heard the song Dashboard put together on their comission, they were all, "Shit" and they made it the theme. The movie is just plain awesome. It made the previous movie nearly unwatchable because it improved on it so much, and made its follower completely unwatchable because it just could never live up to its awesomeness.
5. Mission: Impossible III - (2006) This movie came out at exactly the right time for me. I had just gotten into JJ Abrams, and was in the middle of ALIAS when I saw it. It definitely had the same secret agent flair that ALIAS showed me, and it took it up to the next level. I don't care how you feel about Tom Cruise as a person, he rocked the shit out of this movie (and he does so consistently in all his movies in my opinion). Also, it took on the franchise from a different perspective than the previous installments, which made it even better. Each of these M:I movies bring their own style to the table, and this one is definitely my favorite. Seems appropriate that Abrams' directorial debut is on the list that is being composed mere hours before I see his follow up.
6. Clerks II - (2006) I saw this movie right after a huge Kevin Smith bender, so I could get ready for the movie. Make sense? So, anyway, it really makes the list for a couple reasons: 1) I felt I needed a comedy, and this one is both hilarious and poignant. 2) I also did not want to put more than 2 movies to a given year, so I decided to throw this one in. It is definitely hilarious. If you ain't into the vulgarity of Kevin Smith, then this movie ain't for you. But if you can handle mention of and reactions to a donkey show, then this movie may make you laugh and believe in the hope of a seemingly bleak future in customer service.
7. Ocean's 13 - (2007) I'll be honest. I enjoyed OCEAN'S 12. And OCEAN'S 11 is a modern classic in my eyes (though not a summer movie). So, when I say that OCEAN'S 13 is just as good, if not better, than the original, then you can probably see how I mean. If not, whatever. But anyway, this movie works because it got back to where made the first movie cool (Vegas) and had perfected what made the series cool (not quite thug criminals being cocky, and stealing stuff). This movie is a laugh riot for me. I saw it by myself on Father's Day the year it came out, and I was seriously the only person in the theater laughing at times, and the theater looked sold out. I wasn't even embarassed like I can be in such a situation nowadays. This movie is genuinely good, and worth watching.
8. Transformers - (2007) This movie honestly came out of nowhere for me. For me to say I had no interest in seeing it two months before it was released may seem surprising to some of you, the way I love on it now. I mean Michael Bay directed it. MICHAEL BAY. I mean, don't get me wrong, his movies are good for that they are. But for a while I thought that it wasn't for me. Well, I saw more and more previews, and the reviews it was getting weren't that bad, so I took a risk, and absolutely loved it. After it came out on DVD, it became one of my go-to movies for when I was having a rough day, or got a bad grade or just took a test. It made me reallly happy. So, yeah, it kicks ass. And I am so pumped for the sequel.
9. The Incredible Hulk - (2008) I was going to have IRON MAN accompany this movie on the list, but I changed my mind as I was writing it. I just wrote about that one recently, so I want to try to bring something new to the table. (I also thought about THE DARK KNIGHT going on the list because it is fucking awesome and raised the bar impossibly high on superhero movies, but I decided to throw in a couple new flicks for last year.) So, this movie took the previous movie, and wiped the slate clean. Ed Norton is now the not-so-jolly green giant, in his human form, and he does a stand up job. The action sequences are great. The music is great. The movie is great. Also, when he is chatting over instant message with MR BLUE (who I totally thought would end up being Captain America, but was wrong), he does not read anything out loud. I like that they did it that way. I don't read my typing aloud as I do it, and neither do you. Props to the director for getting us to do a little work to make the movie more plausible.
10. Hellboy II: The Golden Army - (2008) So, the last one on the list is another comic book movie. And it is great. I mean, it has a scene where two of its heroes are sitting around talking about love and getting drunk. They drunkenly sing, and share their feelings, which at the time seem profound, but really means nothing. Sort of like an evening I had back in December with Ben and Brett. The movie is directed by Guillermo del Torro, who also did PAN'S LABYRINTH, and he totally brings in his visual flair to making the world of Hellboy a reality. Also, Ron Perlman was made to play Hellboy. He does a tremendous job. I have no complaints. Except that more people have not seen it yet!
So, there we are. I will probably try to throw down some thoughts on STAR TREK when I get home from the movie tonight. Also, next week resumes the usual BKteN. I'm also looking at doing some other lists of sorts, to be rolled out in the coming weeks, so get ready for that.
Here endeth the lesson.
1. Spider-man - (2002) This is the year that I fell in love with superhero movies. I saw this one 5 or 6 times in the theater. That record is only matched by RETURN OF THE KING, and trailing behind those was OCEAN'S 11. This movie, though it certainly did get some things wrong, really got the superhero movie formula right. They did make the regrettable mistake of killing one of the most central villains to the mythos in the first movie. They took many liberties with the story. I will say, that it was nowhere near as awful as SPIDER-MAN 3. Looking back on it, it is harder to watch now, but everything about this movie clicked when I first saw it. If nothing else, it started me onto my comics loving path I am on now.
2. The Matrix Reloaded - (2003) Sure this movie was pretty much nonstop explosions, and didn't come close to the original. But, in all honesty, THE MATRIX was such an incredible movie, and the 4 year gap between movies, made expectations way too high. This was seriously a perfect summer movie. It had sex. Kung fu. Gunfights. A bad ass car chase. This was just a killer movie. It is definitely an enjoyable movie, and I really don't see why people feel like the Wachowskis wiped their asses with this movie. It was fun. Get over it.
3. Pirates of the Carribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - (2003) This is the one that got people into the whole pirate craze. If you claim that you thought pirates were cool before this movie came out, you are probably a liar. I also am not saying that you thought they were lame either. This movie brought pirates into the public awareness. People just didn't think about pirates in general befoe this one. But then Johnny Depp swaggered on screen and changed things forever. Well, maybe not forever. But it definitely made pirates en vogue. And it also got lots of jachasshole guys to start wearing guyliner. So, there's that. But the movie is cool and fun. I mean it combines pirates and zombies. It would have been cool enough to maybe see pirates fight zombies. But no, this took it one step further and had a colonial navy fighting zombie pirates. Yeah.
4. Spider-man 2 - (2004) Now this is the single SPIDER-MAN movie that got everything right. They changed the Doctor Octopus story around some, but I would wager that it was made better. Everything about this movie greatly exceded the original. From the effects and story, right down to the theme song. I mean the first movie had the butt rock team up of Nickelback and Saliva singing "Hero" which I ate up when it came out, but now Chad Kroeger annoys me and thinks he is Jesus and records the same song over and over, so I am over it. This one had Dashboard Confessional's "Vindicated" as its theme. This song wasn't even originally supposed to be the theme, but when the movie execs heard the song Dashboard put together on their comission, they were all, "Shit" and they made it the theme. The movie is just plain awesome. It made the previous movie nearly unwatchable because it improved on it so much, and made its follower completely unwatchable because it just could never live up to its awesomeness.
5. Mission: Impossible III - (2006) This movie came out at exactly the right time for me. I had just gotten into JJ Abrams, and was in the middle of ALIAS when I saw it. It definitely had the same secret agent flair that ALIAS showed me, and it took it up to the next level. I don't care how you feel about Tom Cruise as a person, he rocked the shit out of this movie (and he does so consistently in all his movies in my opinion). Also, it took on the franchise from a different perspective than the previous installments, which made it even better. Each of these M:I movies bring their own style to the table, and this one is definitely my favorite. Seems appropriate that Abrams' directorial debut is on the list that is being composed mere hours before I see his follow up.
6. Clerks II - (2006) I saw this movie right after a huge Kevin Smith bender, so I could get ready for the movie. Make sense? So, anyway, it really makes the list for a couple reasons: 1) I felt I needed a comedy, and this one is both hilarious and poignant. 2) I also did not want to put more than 2 movies to a given year, so I decided to throw this one in. It is definitely hilarious. If you ain't into the vulgarity of Kevin Smith, then this movie ain't for you. But if you can handle mention of and reactions to a donkey show, then this movie may make you laugh and believe in the hope of a seemingly bleak future in customer service.
7. Ocean's 13 - (2007) I'll be honest. I enjoyed OCEAN'S 12. And OCEAN'S 11 is a modern classic in my eyes (though not a summer movie). So, when I say that OCEAN'S 13 is just as good, if not better, than the original, then you can probably see how I mean. If not, whatever. But anyway, this movie works because it got back to where made the first movie cool (Vegas) and had perfected what made the series cool (not quite thug criminals being cocky, and stealing stuff). This movie is a laugh riot for me. I saw it by myself on Father's Day the year it came out, and I was seriously the only person in the theater laughing at times, and the theater looked sold out. I wasn't even embarassed like I can be in such a situation nowadays. This movie is genuinely good, and worth watching.
8. Transformers - (2007) This movie honestly came out of nowhere for me. For me to say I had no interest in seeing it two months before it was released may seem surprising to some of you, the way I love on it now. I mean Michael Bay directed it. MICHAEL BAY. I mean, don't get me wrong, his movies are good for that they are. But for a while I thought that it wasn't for me. Well, I saw more and more previews, and the reviews it was getting weren't that bad, so I took a risk, and absolutely loved it. After it came out on DVD, it became one of my go-to movies for when I was having a rough day, or got a bad grade or just took a test. It made me reallly happy. So, yeah, it kicks ass. And I am so pumped for the sequel.
9. The Incredible Hulk - (2008) I was going to have IRON MAN accompany this movie on the list, but I changed my mind as I was writing it. I just wrote about that one recently, so I want to try to bring something new to the table. (I also thought about THE DARK KNIGHT going on the list because it is fucking awesome and raised the bar impossibly high on superhero movies, but I decided to throw in a couple new flicks for last year.) So, this movie took the previous movie, and wiped the slate clean. Ed Norton is now the not-so-jolly green giant, in his human form, and he does a stand up job. The action sequences are great. The music is great. The movie is great. Also, when he is chatting over instant message with MR BLUE (who I totally thought would end up being Captain America, but was wrong), he does not read anything out loud. I like that they did it that way. I don't read my typing aloud as I do it, and neither do you. Props to the director for getting us to do a little work to make the movie more plausible.
10. Hellboy II: The Golden Army - (2008) So, the last one on the list is another comic book movie. And it is great. I mean, it has a scene where two of its heroes are sitting around talking about love and getting drunk. They drunkenly sing, and share their feelings, which at the time seem profound, but really means nothing. Sort of like an evening I had back in December with Ben and Brett. The movie is directed by Guillermo del Torro, who also did PAN'S LABYRINTH, and he totally brings in his visual flair to making the world of Hellboy a reality. Also, Ron Perlman was made to play Hellboy. He does a tremendous job. I have no complaints. Except that more people have not seen it yet!
So, there we are. I will probably try to throw down some thoughts on STAR TREK when I get home from the movie tonight. Also, next week resumes the usual BKteN. I'm also looking at doing some other lists of sorts, to be rolled out in the coming weeks, so get ready for that.
Here endeth the lesson.
5.01.2009
The BKteN Number 5
Good weekend to you all! So, this is a bit later than I intended on getting this out, but here is the next installment of the BKteN. Also, just to let you know, next week will be a special post, all about summer blockbuster movies. So, without further wasting time, let's get into it!
1. Entourage - This show is totally awesome. It is a show where you are rooting for people with the most inconsequential existence. It is a show where you are cheering for guys to live lives where they just have sex, smoke weed, and from time to time try to make a movie. Its great. I just started watching it again, and I must say that if it did not take me having to act, I would love to be a movie star. It's a show where they let guys be guys, and that's why we love it.
2. Serenity - And you thought my raving over the works of Joss Whedon ended last week. Well, you thought wrong. This movie is the continuation of the short lived series FIREFLY. While the series is great, this movie is wholly exceptional. The story centers on River Tam, a mind reader who was experimented on by the Alliance (which is the central worlds in a system). She was sprung by her brother Simon, and several years later, the Alliance has begun to search for them again. The mystery is about what she found out that would cause the Alliance to come after them so hard. And though these 2 are central characters, they aren't the protagonist. That would be the captain of Serenity, a Firefly-class ship, Malcolm Reynolds. Mal's journey is one from indifference to heroism, and it is the pivot the movie centers on.
3. Spore - From the people who brought you SIM CITY and THE SIMS, comes a game where you create life and a universe. This game friggin rocks. It is a ton of fun to create your creatures and unleach them upon an unsuspecting world. Go play it, and see for yourself. Also, it is addicting as hell. So be prepared for that.
4. Adventureland - This is the recent theatrical outing from SUPERBAD director, Greg Mottola. The film is about a somewhat pretentious college graduate, who is forced to work in a theme park for the summmer. The film is equal parts funny and serious. Both funny and serious have their time to shine in the movie, and both sides are exceptional. It is very much like an 80s movie in this respect. The acting is great. The characters are endearing. Also, Ryan Reynolds plays a serious part. He's not just some goofy one-liner guy. So, that's cool.
5. Role Models - Just saw this movie last week and it was freaking hilarious. For one, it's good to see Seann William Scott play something that isn't Stiffler and do well. Also, Paul Rudd is the leading man, and he does a stand up job as a man who is so bored with his life that he just freaks out on everyone, which eventually leads to him and Seann William Scott being forced into a big brother program for community service. Probably the best part of the movie, however is the medieval role play which serves as a major sub plot. It's awesome.
6. CollegeHumor.com - This site has so much that is entertaining. Funny videos done by the brilliant staff. There have been some really clever ones of late, such as "We Didn't Start the Flame War" (a parody of "We Didn't Start the Fire" about Internet commenting) and "Real Life Twitter" (where one of the staffers walks around NYC yelling out things commonly posted on twitter). They also have the excellent Cute College Girl of the Day (as well as the March Madness equivalent Hottest College Girl). Also, there are articles posted daily, which just adds to the funny.
7. The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance - This excellent concept album by My Chemical Romance which has a very Queen sound, begins with the death of its protagonist and then goes forward from there. I think, at least. It has some sweet music, and I have been listening to it again lately. The CD is about death and hope, and some combination of the two. give it a listen.
8. Secret Invasion - This was the most recent big crossover from MARVEL COMICS. The story was about a race of aliens who can shape shift into humans trying to take over Earth to be the home of their dying race. It is very INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. The story is fun, and it really makes it difficult to trust anyone. It also kick started the DARK REIGN storyline where the bad guys take control, in the guise of the good guys, though it may not be the way you would think as you go into the story.
9. Vanilla Coke - Do they make this anymore? I don't know. At least you can get it at Sonic.
10. Grand Theft Auto IV - This game has been consuming my time this week. I rented it for the weekend, and have been having tons of ufn going on rampages, and just acting a fool in Liberty City. It is totally fun and can bring about much chaos. Also, the story is not too bad either.
Tune in next week for the Summer Blockbuster Edition.
Here endeth the lesson.
1. Entourage - This show is totally awesome. It is a show where you are rooting for people with the most inconsequential existence. It is a show where you are cheering for guys to live lives where they just have sex, smoke weed, and from time to time try to make a movie. Its great. I just started watching it again, and I must say that if it did not take me having to act, I would love to be a movie star. It's a show where they let guys be guys, and that's why we love it.
2. Serenity - And you thought my raving over the works of Joss Whedon ended last week. Well, you thought wrong. This movie is the continuation of the short lived series FIREFLY. While the series is great, this movie is wholly exceptional. The story centers on River Tam, a mind reader who was experimented on by the Alliance (which is the central worlds in a system). She was sprung by her brother Simon, and several years later, the Alliance has begun to search for them again. The mystery is about what she found out that would cause the Alliance to come after them so hard. And though these 2 are central characters, they aren't the protagonist. That would be the captain of Serenity, a Firefly-class ship, Malcolm Reynolds. Mal's journey is one from indifference to heroism, and it is the pivot the movie centers on.
3. Spore - From the people who brought you SIM CITY and THE SIMS, comes a game where you create life and a universe. This game friggin rocks. It is a ton of fun to create your creatures and unleach them upon an unsuspecting world. Go play it, and see for yourself. Also, it is addicting as hell. So be prepared for that.
4. Adventureland - This is the recent theatrical outing from SUPERBAD director, Greg Mottola. The film is about a somewhat pretentious college graduate, who is forced to work in a theme park for the summmer. The film is equal parts funny and serious. Both funny and serious have their time to shine in the movie, and both sides are exceptional. It is very much like an 80s movie in this respect. The acting is great. The characters are endearing. Also, Ryan Reynolds plays a serious part. He's not just some goofy one-liner guy. So, that's cool.
5. Role Models - Just saw this movie last week and it was freaking hilarious. For one, it's good to see Seann William Scott play something that isn't Stiffler and do well. Also, Paul Rudd is the leading man, and he does a stand up job as a man who is so bored with his life that he just freaks out on everyone, which eventually leads to him and Seann William Scott being forced into a big brother program for community service. Probably the best part of the movie, however is the medieval role play which serves as a major sub plot. It's awesome.
6. CollegeHumor.com - This site has so much that is entertaining. Funny videos done by the brilliant staff. There have been some really clever ones of late, such as "We Didn't Start the Flame War" (a parody of "We Didn't Start the Fire" about Internet commenting) and "Real Life Twitter" (where one of the staffers walks around NYC yelling out things commonly posted on twitter). They also have the excellent Cute College Girl of the Day (as well as the March Madness equivalent Hottest College Girl). Also, there are articles posted daily, which just adds to the funny.
7. The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance - This excellent concept album by My Chemical Romance which has a very Queen sound, begins with the death of its protagonist and then goes forward from there. I think, at least. It has some sweet music, and I have been listening to it again lately. The CD is about death and hope, and some combination of the two. give it a listen.
8. Secret Invasion - This was the most recent big crossover from MARVEL COMICS. The story was about a race of aliens who can shape shift into humans trying to take over Earth to be the home of their dying race. It is very INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. The story is fun, and it really makes it difficult to trust anyone. It also kick started the DARK REIGN storyline where the bad guys take control, in the guise of the good guys, though it may not be the way you would think as you go into the story.
9. Vanilla Coke - Do they make this anymore? I don't know. At least you can get it at Sonic.
10. Grand Theft Auto IV - This game has been consuming my time this week. I rented it for the weekend, and have been having tons of ufn going on rampages, and just acting a fool in Liberty City. It is totally fun and can bring about much chaos. Also, the story is not too bad either.
Tune in next week for the Summer Blockbuster Edition.
Here endeth the lesson.
4.22.2009
The BKteN Number 4
Greetings to you all! Hope you're having lovely weeks. It is time for another instalment of my immensely popular web phenomenon known as the BKteN! So, let's get into it!
1. Observe and Report - So, I saw this last night, and it is probably the funniest movie I have seen this year. It is the second film from Jody Hill, director and co-writer of THE FOOT FIST WAY and co-creator of EASTBOUND AND DOWN. Unlike his other work, this movie actually leaves you feeling pretty good about everything as you leave the theater. Whereas the delusions of Danny R. McBride's characters in FOOT FIST and EASTBOUND are because he thinks the world owes him something and he is how shit, in this, Seth Rogen's mall cop just sees himself as having a higher purpose in the world, as a mall cop. It is totally hilarious too. This one is totally worth the 6.50 to 10 dollars you will probably have to pay for a viewing. Hell, I'd even see it again if anyone wants some company at the theater.
2. Guitar Hero II - This is the game that got me into the GUITAR HERO series. The songs are probably some of the best they have ever had, and the learning curve is actually pretty rational, for the most part. There are definitely songs that give me trouble, but it is not like going from giving someone stitches, to preforming brain surgery when you up the difficulty from medium to hard. Some of my favorite tracks include: CARRY ON WAYWARD SON (Kansas), DEAD! (My Chemical Romance), and TONIGHT I'M GONNA ROCK YOU TONIGHT (Spinal Tap).
3. Mello Yellow Melon - This drink defined my freshman year of high school. Okay, FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and OCEAN'S 11 defined that year, but this drink was my Constant. It was probably one of the best limited time drinks I have ever had. But they only had it for one year, and then it was gone again. And I will forever have a melon shaped hole in my heard. Thank's alot fuckers. Unless of course, you are planning to release it again, in which case, you are definitely not fuckers.
4. Iron Man - I am talking about the movie, obviously. It started off the summer movie season perfectly last year, causing Robert Downey, Jr. to be bankable. The story was great. The effects were a beautiful mesh of real life and CG, that is hard to differentiate between, and the cast is top notch. In addition to Mr. Downey, Jr. there was Gwynneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard (replaced by Don Cheadle in the sequel), and Jeff Bridges. Yeah. That's right. The Dude definitely made his presence known. If you have not seen this movie, and claim to like movies, you are lying to yourself. Go rent it, or buy it even, and do yourself a favor.
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Working backwards from most recent show to his first, I have now covered all of the television programs created by Joss Whedon. It is hard to call it my favorite because all of his shows definitely bring something different and exciting to the table, and this one is no exception. It is full of brilliant moments. And I will totally admit to coming to tears multiple times, especially in the 7th season, because I was so excited that I couldn't react any other way. The characters show real growth through the series, and the end is 100% satisfying. Sure it is 7 seasons long, but it is totally worth the ride. Season 1 is sort of rough because it is so low budget, but I found myself genuinely surprised by the first 12 episodes. Season 4 takes a few episodes to find its footing, and is still a little awkward after it finds it. But overall, it is totally worth your time. Plus, seasons 1 through 3 are all on Hulu for free, so why not give it a shot on your spare time. I've already seen the whole series twice, and wouldn't mind another run through if anyone wants company while watching. Watch it. That's an order.
6. Pizza Rolls - This is sort of a place filler, but it is also my favorite snack food. So, I guess it is more like a stomach filler. Sorry, that was tasteless. or overloaded with taste? Yes? No? Anyway, moving on.
7. Alex Maleev - This guy is absolutely one of Marvel's best artists. There is no questioning that. He was a painter before Marvel hired him, and his work in comics should be (and probably is) considered true art. He really knows how to make people look real. Women aren't the typical extreme hourglass shapes like most comic artists render them. Instead they are sexy because they look so real. Also, he is making the switch over to digital production of his art, but the kicker is that it still looks like he is doing it by hand. This guy is a master of his craft. Here's a sample from the upcoming Spider Woman series:
8. Ultimate Spider-Man - Appropriately, I move on to a series written by the man who teams up with Maleev for phenomenal results. They redefined DAREDEVIL with their run. Brian Michael Bendis did this new telling of the wall crawler's life. Marvel created the Ultimate universe for guys like me who came late to the comics game, and had neither the time or money to drop on 50 years of backstory. They took old story lines and reinterpreted them. This series has truly been a joy to read. The only hiccup for me came when they switched artists after over 100 issues drawn by the former. But I finally gave in, and kept going with the series, and I still dig it. This is Bendis at almost the top of his game (with the top being DAREDEVIL).
9. How I Met Your Mother - This is one of those TV series that will alienate its potentially massive audience by the sheer fact that it is a multi-camera sitcom, and people are just too arrogant to get past a format and see the brilliant story telling. The characters are consistently hilarious, and their relationships with one another is what drives the show. It was described in its first season as "A Love Story in Reverse" because we know that it ultimately takes us to when Ted meets the aforementioned mother. I would call this show the FAMILY GUY of sitcoms because of all the cut away scenes and flashbacks. These, however, differ in that they actually pose relevance to the story of the episodes (and series) and are not just massive non sequiters. The show is worth watching solely based on Neil Patrick Harris' explosively funny turn as uber-womanizer Barney Stinson.
10 Coheed & Cambria - I have been listening to alot of them lately. They are absolutely a band that has shown growth from when they started. The best part of their music (other than the music) is that it all tells one epic story about a universe on the brink of war and destruction. And when you know that it is a story, it makes it even sweeter to listen to. For some, Claudio's Geddy-Lee-type voice is too much to handle. But not for this guy. Their music rockes the shit out.
Here endeth the lesson.
1. Observe and Report - So, I saw this last night, and it is probably the funniest movie I have seen this year. It is the second film from Jody Hill, director and co-writer of THE FOOT FIST WAY and co-creator of EASTBOUND AND DOWN. Unlike his other work, this movie actually leaves you feeling pretty good about everything as you leave the theater. Whereas the delusions of Danny R. McBride's characters in FOOT FIST and EASTBOUND are because he thinks the world owes him something and he is how shit, in this, Seth Rogen's mall cop just sees himself as having a higher purpose in the world, as a mall cop. It is totally hilarious too. This one is totally worth the 6.50 to 10 dollars you will probably have to pay for a viewing. Hell, I'd even see it again if anyone wants some company at the theater.
2. Guitar Hero II - This is the game that got me into the GUITAR HERO series. The songs are probably some of the best they have ever had, and the learning curve is actually pretty rational, for the most part. There are definitely songs that give me trouble, but it is not like going from giving someone stitches, to preforming brain surgery when you up the difficulty from medium to hard. Some of my favorite tracks include: CARRY ON WAYWARD SON (Kansas), DEAD! (My Chemical Romance), and TONIGHT I'M GONNA ROCK YOU TONIGHT (Spinal Tap).
3. Mello Yellow Melon - This drink defined my freshman year of high school. Okay, FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and OCEAN'S 11 defined that year, but this drink was my Constant. It was probably one of the best limited time drinks I have ever had. But they only had it for one year, and then it was gone again. And I will forever have a melon shaped hole in my heard. Thank's alot fuckers. Unless of course, you are planning to release it again, in which case, you are definitely not fuckers.
4. Iron Man - I am talking about the movie, obviously. It started off the summer movie season perfectly last year, causing Robert Downey, Jr. to be bankable. The story was great. The effects were a beautiful mesh of real life and CG, that is hard to differentiate between, and the cast is top notch. In addition to Mr. Downey, Jr. there was Gwynneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard (replaced by Don Cheadle in the sequel), and Jeff Bridges. Yeah. That's right. The Dude definitely made his presence known. If you have not seen this movie, and claim to like movies, you are lying to yourself. Go rent it, or buy it even, and do yourself a favor.
5. Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Working backwards from most recent show to his first, I have now covered all of the television programs created by Joss Whedon. It is hard to call it my favorite because all of his shows definitely bring something different and exciting to the table, and this one is no exception. It is full of brilliant moments. And I will totally admit to coming to tears multiple times, especially in the 7th season, because I was so excited that I couldn't react any other way. The characters show real growth through the series, and the end is 100% satisfying. Sure it is 7 seasons long, but it is totally worth the ride. Season 1 is sort of rough because it is so low budget, but I found myself genuinely surprised by the first 12 episodes. Season 4 takes a few episodes to find its footing, and is still a little awkward after it finds it. But overall, it is totally worth your time. Plus, seasons 1 through 3 are all on Hulu for free, so why not give it a shot on your spare time. I've already seen the whole series twice, and wouldn't mind another run through if anyone wants company while watching. Watch it. That's an order.
6. Pizza Rolls - This is sort of a place filler, but it is also my favorite snack food. So, I guess it is more like a stomach filler. Sorry, that was tasteless. or overloaded with taste? Yes? No? Anyway, moving on.
7. Alex Maleev - This guy is absolutely one of Marvel's best artists. There is no questioning that. He was a painter before Marvel hired him, and his work in comics should be (and probably is) considered true art. He really knows how to make people look real. Women aren't the typical extreme hourglass shapes like most comic artists render them. Instead they are sexy because they look so real. Also, he is making the switch over to digital production of his art, but the kicker is that it still looks like he is doing it by hand. This guy is a master of his craft. Here's a sample from the upcoming Spider Woman series:
8. Ultimate Spider-Man - Appropriately, I move on to a series written by the man who teams up with Maleev for phenomenal results. They redefined DAREDEVIL with their run. Brian Michael Bendis did this new telling of the wall crawler's life. Marvel created the Ultimate universe for guys like me who came late to the comics game, and had neither the time or money to drop on 50 years of backstory. They took old story lines and reinterpreted them. This series has truly been a joy to read. The only hiccup for me came when they switched artists after over 100 issues drawn by the former. But I finally gave in, and kept going with the series, and I still dig it. This is Bendis at almost the top of his game (with the top being DAREDEVIL).9. How I Met Your Mother - This is one of those TV series that will alienate its potentially massive audience by the sheer fact that it is a multi-camera sitcom, and people are just too arrogant to get past a format and see the brilliant story telling. The characters are consistently hilarious, and their relationships with one another is what drives the show. It was described in its first season as "A Love Story in Reverse" because we know that it ultimately takes us to when Ted meets the aforementioned mother. I would call this show the FAMILY GUY of sitcoms because of all the cut away scenes and flashbacks. These, however, differ in that they actually pose relevance to the story of the episodes (and series) and are not just massive non sequiters. The show is worth watching solely based on Neil Patrick Harris' explosively funny turn as uber-womanizer Barney Stinson.
10 Coheed & Cambria - I have been listening to alot of them lately. They are absolutely a band that has shown growth from when they started. The best part of their music (other than the music) is that it all tells one epic story about a universe on the brink of war and destruction. And when you know that it is a story, it makes it even sweeter to listen to. For some, Claudio's Geddy-Lee-type voice is too much to handle. But not for this guy. Their music rockes the shit out.
Here endeth the lesson.
4.14.2009
The BKteN Number 3
So, I'm still going strong with this. Here's 10 more things that I definitely feel kick ass. Unfortunately KICK ASS by Mark Millar ("fucking Mark Millar") won't be on the list because I haven't read it. But anyway, here's this week's 10:
1. The Goon - This is a series that I picked up last week, and am already hooked. First of all, the creator, Eric Powell, is from Lebanon, TN. So, there is hope that a Tennessee kid like myself can make something awesome in comics and get it recognized, which is great. But the writing is top notch. The guy does all of the writing and art for the book. It is about this mob enforcer called The Goon, who is the face of the Labrazio crime family in his city. And oh yeah, there's also zombies and other types of monsters. The book is hilarious, and the stories vastly entertaining. It is totally worth checking out. I have the first 3 trades of it. Props to TK Vincent for turning me on to this series.
2. Angel - So, I have put a Joss Whedon show down for every week I have done this thing, and this week is no exception. Of course, with my use of ANGEL this week, that can mean only one thing for next week's featured Whedon show. Anyway, this show is about a vampire with a soul that is trying to save the world. His major opposition is a shady law firm called Wolfram & Hart, and they are evil, like all lawyers. Anyway, I just finished this series Monday evening, and I was satisfied. Granted I had seen the last scene of the series before I ever even started watching it, so I knew what was coming and was braced for it. Good stuff.
3. Mario Kart Wii - This game is a blast to play with your friends. Especially when you bring in the rule that you have to drink an entire beer during the course of the race, and can only drink if your car is stopped. We totally played this way this weekend, and it was great fun. I recommend it to all of you. If you are of age. And don't intend to drive for real after. And do not live on campus.
4. X-Force - The current iteration of this X-MEN spin off came about as a result of the MESSIAH COMPLEX story. This version of it is essentially a black ops team, whose first mission was to take the fight to the Purifiers. They are a religious sect (formerly led by Rev. William Stryker) who are trying to eradicate the mutant population on Earth. The stories are brutal, and I've only read the first arc, but the artwork there is crazy intense. Very gory. Very sexy. It is upsetting to know that the artist changes with each arc between the awesome Clayton Crain (who did the first 6 issues) and the overly-hyped, not so great Mike Choi. I have to give TK props for turning me onto this series, as well.
5. Fable - Check it out! Another video game! This is one of my favorites and I am super eager to play the sequel. Your character really changes throughout, both physically, and in the way that RPG characters grow. It's just fun.
6. Pibb Xtra - Formerly known as MR. PIBB, this drink is delicious. I mean, I enjoy DR. PEPPER and all, but sometimes it doesn't take another 4 years of schooling to get the desired effect. The drinks are almost identical, but there is some ineffable quality about PIBB that places it near to my heart. Maybe it's that it isn't sold in TN anymore (except in some drink fountains).
7. "Ten Million Slaves" by Otis Taylor - I heard this song because of the trailer for the eagerly anticipated (for me at least) film PUBLIC ENEMIES, and I had to buy it. It's some solid stuff. It's $.99 on iTunes, so why not buy it?
8. The Prestige - This movie is just incredible, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you have not seen it yet. Directed by Christopher Nolan, and starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie. If you aren't convinced you should see it by now, then you probably have no soul. Or are an idiot.
9. The Onion News Network - They are the hardest hitting news program out there. They talk about all the important stuff in the world. They were the first to cover whether or not the Beijing Olympics were a trap. They also covered the release of POINT BLANK, a game where you shoot thousands of people in the face at point blank range. Their most important coverage to date, though, has to be about the recall of hollow point bullets that were not hollow points at all, which let to minimal carnage upon kills. Keep up the good work guys!
10. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Don't ask me how, cause I won't tell you. I don't even know how I got to see it, but I did. Oh, wait, this list is supposed to be aobut what's awesome, and not a steaming pile of shit. This movie was a steaming pile of shit. Don't waste your time and money next month. I wanted to like it so bad, but I couldn't. It was worse than GHOST RIDER.
The actual #10. X2: X-Men United - This movie was actually good. I totally enjoyed it. Why the hell couldn't they have done something of the same caliber? Here's the deal: WOLVERINE was so overloaded with characters, that they fucked up their own continuity within the series. X2, on the other hand, was enjoyable, though drags at the end, I'll admit. They gave balance and focus to the characters that needed it, and that's why I liked it.
Here endeth the lesson.
1. The Goon - This is a series that I picked up last week, and am already hooked. First of all, the creator, Eric Powell, is from Lebanon, TN. So, there is hope that a Tennessee kid like myself can make something awesome in comics and get it recognized, which is great. But the writing is top notch. The guy does all of the writing and art for the book. It is about this mob enforcer called The Goon, who is the face of the Labrazio crime family in his city. And oh yeah, there's also zombies and other types of monsters. The book is hilarious, and the stories vastly entertaining. It is totally worth checking out. I have the first 3 trades of it. Props to TK Vincent for turning me on to this series.
2. Angel - So, I have put a Joss Whedon show down for every week I have done this thing, and this week is no exception. Of course, with my use of ANGEL this week, that can mean only one thing for next week's featured Whedon show. Anyway, this show is about a vampire with a soul that is trying to save the world. His major opposition is a shady law firm called Wolfram & Hart, and they are evil, like all lawyers. Anyway, I just finished this series Monday evening, and I was satisfied. Granted I had seen the last scene of the series before I ever even started watching it, so I knew what was coming and was braced for it. Good stuff.
3. Mario Kart Wii - This game is a blast to play with your friends. Especially when you bring in the rule that you have to drink an entire beer during the course of the race, and can only drink if your car is stopped. We totally played this way this weekend, and it was great fun. I recommend it to all of you. If you are of age. And don't intend to drive for real after. And do not live on campus.
4. X-Force - The current iteration of this X-MEN spin off came about as a result of the MESSIAH COMPLEX story. This version of it is essentially a black ops team, whose first mission was to take the fight to the Purifiers. They are a religious sect (formerly led by Rev. William Stryker) who are trying to eradicate the mutant population on Earth. The stories are brutal, and I've only read the first arc, but the artwork there is crazy intense. Very gory. Very sexy. It is upsetting to know that the artist changes with each arc between the awesome Clayton Crain (who did the first 6 issues) and the overly-hyped, not so great Mike Choi. I have to give TK props for turning me onto this series, as well.
5. Fable - Check it out! Another video game! This is one of my favorites and I am super eager to play the sequel. Your character really changes throughout, both physically, and in the way that RPG characters grow. It's just fun.
6. Pibb Xtra - Formerly known as MR. PIBB, this drink is delicious. I mean, I enjoy DR. PEPPER and all, but sometimes it doesn't take another 4 years of schooling to get the desired effect. The drinks are almost identical, but there is some ineffable quality about PIBB that places it near to my heart. Maybe it's that it isn't sold in TN anymore (except in some drink fountains).
7. "Ten Million Slaves" by Otis Taylor - I heard this song because of the trailer for the eagerly anticipated (for me at least) film PUBLIC ENEMIES, and I had to buy it. It's some solid stuff. It's $.99 on iTunes, so why not buy it?
8. The Prestige - This movie is just incredible, and you are doing yourself a disservice if you have not seen it yet. Directed by Christopher Nolan, and starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie. If you aren't convinced you should see it by now, then you probably have no soul. Or are an idiot.
9. The Onion News Network - They are the hardest hitting news program out there. They talk about all the important stuff in the world. They were the first to cover whether or not the Beijing Olympics were a trap. They also covered the release of POINT BLANK, a game where you shoot thousands of people in the face at point blank range. Their most important coverage to date, though, has to be about the recall of hollow point bullets that were not hollow points at all, which let to minimal carnage upon kills. Keep up the good work guys!
10. X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Don't ask me how, cause I won't tell you. I don't even know how I got to see it, but I did. Oh, wait, this list is supposed to be aobut what's awesome, and not a steaming pile of shit. This movie was a steaming pile of shit. Don't waste your time and money next month. I wanted to like it so bad, but I couldn't. It was worse than GHOST RIDER.
The actual #10. X2: X-Men United - This movie was actually good. I totally enjoyed it. Why the hell couldn't they have done something of the same caliber? Here's the deal: WOLVERINE was so overloaded with characters, that they fucked up their own continuity within the series. X2, on the other hand, was enjoyable, though drags at the end, I'll admit. They gave balance and focus to the characters that needed it, and that's why I liked it.
Here endeth the lesson.
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