A decent movie: Stargate

Of all the crap that is on the air right now, there is one show that stands out as a true gem. That is Stargate SG-1. It is based on the 1994 movie Stargate starring Kurt Russell and James Spader. Best Buy has the "Ultimate Edition" of this on DVD for only $5.99, so I picked it up since I haven't seen the movie since it was in the the theaters.

It was fun to geek out and watch the movie to see the differences between the show. For the most part I think the movie is pretty good, but as I watched it I was struck by how much SG-1 has evolved from the base laid down by the movie. Its one of those rare instances where the "sequel" (and by this I mean anything that follows the original) is better.

The wit and humor of the show are present in the film (though not to the same level), so to me it shows that in the show that they have grown more accustomed to gate travel and have developed the ability to see the humor in their situations (where as in the movie everyone is on edge because this is the first time it has been done).

One thing that made me a little sad was listening to the commentary on the DVD. During the first dialing sequence the director (Roland Emmerich) and the co-writer (Dean Devlin) made some comments about how the show was "still using the same graphics" for the dialing sequence, they chuckled a bit and then quickly said "We have nothing to do with the TV show". After that there didn't seem to be any more mention of the show.

And to me that is a bit of a shame. Emmerich and Devlin have really created an interesting universe and mythology in the form of a movie that then translated into a pretty popular and well done TV show. Yet they sounded like they want nothing to do with that legacy. That surprises me.

Anyways, pick up this DVD if you get a chance, its a great deal at the price.

Tags:Entertainment, Reviews

My newest show to hate: Close To Home

I do not understand why TV shows about lawyers are continuing to be made, much less why they are "highly rated" or "critically acclaimed". Everybody I know despises lawyers. Yet TV show after TV show and movie after movie gets made that are centered on mean, snobby, self-righteous, mercurial lawyers.

I had to force myself to watch Close To Home all the way through tonight. I decided to check the show out just to see what it was all about. In the first 10 minutes the lead character Annabeth has made 3 references to her having a newborn at home. At that point I was ready to change the channel. But I decided to stick it out, and boy was I punished for doing that.

Way to clobber us over the head with that deftly written "I can't have coffee, I'm nursing" scene. Yet, later in the episode the main character is seen drinking what appears to be a beer. Whaaaa? But don't even think about spitting on the side walk in Annabeth's town, she'll lock you up and throw away the key.

In tonight's episode "Suburban Prostitution", there is a complaint about a soccer mom/milf running a call service out of her house. When finally convinced/ordered to investigate, Annabeth goes straight for the jugular. Mayhem ensues with suicides, blackmail, felonies right and left, and through out it all is Annabeth, stone faced as ever. I swear I've seen turnips display more emotional depth that that lady does. A lot of other characters on the show seem to suffer this same affliction, perhaps it is what Hollywood think people from Indiana are like (that is where the show is based).

When this train wreck of a show finally screeched its flaming wreckage to a complete stop at the train station I could muster only one thought: This show is popular? Why? Why, why, why, why, why, why, why?

Tomorrow I think I will go out and buy a sledgehammer to put near my TV.

Tags:Entertainment, Reviews

The Family Stone

This past Saturday was date night. Katie and I went to the movies and saw The Family Stone. She liked it, I couldn't get out of the theater fast enough.

Imagine "Meet the Fockers" set at Christmas time, but less funny. Now imagine a bit of "Trading Spouses" mixed in and a sprinkle of "Its A Wonderful Life". That pretty much sums up the movie. It just couldn't decide what it wanted to be when it grew up.

Don't get me wrong, there were a few funny scenes here and there, but not enough to save the movie. And how Sarah Jessica Parker got cast as Dermot Mulroney's girlfriend is beyond me, she looks about 15 to 20 years older than him for most of the movie. I like Rachel McAdams, but her snarky character was too much. I was ready to strangle her about 20 minutes into the movie.

And I think that pretty much the movie in a nutshell: EXTREME ACTING!!!!!! SJP: Uber-stiff. Craig T. "Coach" Nelson: Hippy-Dad! Rachel McAdams: Liberal-Girl! Luke Wilson: Berkley Stoner!

I give it 4 out of 10.

Tags:Entertainment, Reviews

Visit the Inverted Castle

Back in the day (the day being 1999), if you wanted to read funny gaming related news and reviews, there was the place to go Old Man Murray. That site was so damn funny it hurt. The site was also the first place I heard about the game "Serious Sam".

But alas, they have not updated in several years. And that's a real shame because I've never found another site that could quite fill their shoes. At least until now.

Inverted Castle is a refreshing new(?) site that is written by a guy who is an indie game developer and this site is his take on the wacky games that come pouring out of Japan. His style and point of view remind me so much of Chet and Erik from Old Man Murray, its almost like they are back. (kind of like when you listen to Godsmack and it reminds you of Alice In Chains).

But Inverted Castle is more than just wacky reviews, the guy writing it also posts some pretty good thoughts on what it is to be an indie developer, and anyone writing a game (or just thinking about it) should really read it.

Tags:Entertainment, Reviews

Who's next?

The insanity in Hollywood knows no ends. Breakups, makeups, hookups, split ups. This week has more ups than a Viagra convention. Lets review shall we?

Nick and Jessica Simpson - Why? Why, why, why? Nick, was The Dukes of Hazzard so bad that you have to leave? Jessica, I'm sure that Nick can't be all that bad. I want another "Nick and Jessica Special" dammit!

Kevin and Britney Spears - Why? Why, why, why, why did you wait so long Britney? I'm glad I didn't place any bets on this one...

Eminem and Ex-wife Kim - Getting back together? Has she ever listened to any of the lyrics in his mad-phat beats? Yikes, and I thought I knew what bravery was...

Ritchie Sambora and Heather Locklear - "Calling Dr. Bon Jovi, calling Dr. Bon Jovi, we need a power ballad STAT." They've been married a long time!

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie - Ok... most people get married first, then get the kids, but hey if that's what you crazy kids wanna do, then I say go for it. And speaking of kids, can you imagine what it would be like if these two had kids? the children's portrait industry would collapse because every one's kids would look butt-ugly compared next to their kid.

I'm exhausted. So much drama. So many E True Hollywood Stories to be redone and updated. I'm almost scared to look at the internet tomorrow for fear of seeing something crazy like dogs and cats living together or a positive review of Paris Hilton's CD. *shiver*

Tags:Entertainment, Reviews

PS2 Games: one good, one bad

Since I'm on an anti-TV kick here lately I've been turning to the next frontier of entertainment, video games! Since I dislike patching computers and downloading the latest buggy drivers, I dedicate almost all of my game playing time to the Playstation 2. There's a ton of great games out there for the PS2, and thanks to the wonder of the internet, if you ever get stuck in a game you're only a few quick clicks and a google search from a game cheat to get you out of trouble.


But what games should you play as you avoid the spectre of the soulless television? One that I fully recommend is Ratchet and Clank: Up your Arsenal. This is a fun, well balanced, and well paced game. It has just enough challenge to it to make it fun with out being aggravating. Also, the cut scenes between fights are very entertaining and usually pretty funny. The fun thing about this game is that after you beat the game it gives you an option to replay the game in "Challenge Mode". Normally I yawn and pass on this sort of thing, but for this game it is actually pretty fun. You basically replay the whole game, but you get to keep all of your weapons! (You just have to re-equip them in the quick select, that caught me the first time.) Going through some of the earlier mission where I had trouble with all of the pimped out weapons was soooo much fun! It was really satisfy to clear a room in about 3 seconds without getting a scratch whereas the first time through too me several tries...

I really liked Up your Arsenal so I give it 9 out 10.

After playing the game I was inspired to check out its precursor Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando. Basically they are the same game, with UYA having a little bit more polish to it (for example going to the vendor to resupply your ammo is much easier in UYA than it is in GC). Also, the cut scenes in GC were not quite as entertaining as UYA, but its still worth checking out.

I give Going Commando 7 out of 10.

On the other side of the scale is a game that was a pretty big disappointment. Jak 3 looks pretty similar to the Ratchet and Clank series, so I thought I would give it a try. I'll be honest, I played through the training mission and the first mission and was really underwhelmed. The look and feel of the game just isn't what I thought it would be. Plus when Jax does his round-house kick he look really girly. I mean girly as in he should be wearing a pink Tu-Tu. Plus I found the jumping really hard to do, as the distances in the game are hard to judge. I'll be taking my copy to the store soon to trade it in. I'm really bummed out, I thought the game would be really fun, but it just didn't feel right.

Jak 3 gets 3 out of 10. Unless you are a fan, rent first before you buy this one.

Tags:Entertainment, Reviews, Video Games, PS2