I recently read an article on an entertainment website that featured a list for the "Top 100 Animated Shows." Ranked in the top 10 of that list was the show Family Guy. I found it surprising that such a newer show was so high, but after thinking about it, it makes sense. The show has set some standards for new animated shows, especially those with adult themes. So, now that my mind pondered the things that make Family Guy a good show, I came up with my new Top 5 list of characters from Family Guy.
#5- Adam West
The most powerful moron on the show seen on a regular basis (they have featured George W. Bush a couple of times), Mayor of Quahog Adam West is great for those pop-in moments to lighten up some serious situations. Although you question his leadership abilities, you realize that he might be better to deal with than a real politician. Probably the best part about this character is that he's actually voiced by Adam West. How cool is that?
#4- Mort Goldman
For the best one-liners in the show, look no further than pharmacist and resident Jew Mort Goldman. He's had some of the funniest moments on the show, and says some of the most outrageous lines that somehow don't cross any lines, and you can't help but laugh at. Add in his neurotic personality and nervousness when under pressure, and you get some laugh-out-loud scenes that stand out after the episode is over.
#3- Peter and Stewie Griffin
I had to tie these two because although they're drastically different, they serve the same purpose. Both are masterminds when it comes to many of the shows stories, both fail miserably most of the time, and both are there to make viewers uncomfortably laugh at many points of an episode. Peter's stupidity helps propel the pace of the show, while Stewie's insights into particular scenes helps set the tone enough to keep you entertained.
#2- Joe Swanson
Joe was a character who came out of nowhere to provide some great laughs. After a start as the local heroic cop on the show, he's been developed very well into an aggressive, no-nonsense authority figure in every situation, even when he's not in uniform. He also seems to be the main source of some violent content, yet it appears in the right moments where it's enjoyable to watch (I mean that more like watching a boxing or UFC match, or even an action-movie shoot-out......don't think I meant something far worse). He's become what George Constanza became in Seinfeld, where you see his anger, and you have to laugh.
#1- Glenn Quagmire
Find it odd that a non-Griffin topped the list? I have some good reasons why. For the best source of taking a small scene to an extreme, look no further than Quagmire. He'll pop in with a sex joke or pun easily related to what you're watching, and deep down inside us all our low-brow sense of humor bursts out laughing. And thanks to his character, he can continue to be original thanks to the endless source of humor that the idea of sex provides us with. The biggest reason that he's here at #1 is that he's basically there to express what we're pretty much thinking watching something in particular. You hear someone say something that could be considered sexual, and before that thought completes itself, Quagmire is already one step ahead of you. Makes you feel a little less guilty about laughing then.
That's my Top 5 for the day. Tomorrow will be our TV Wrap-up, then after will be my look at UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II. Also, if there's anyone who seriously reads this, I welcome any suggestions for my Top 5 lists (as long as it's something I find entertaining). Good way to keep my brain functioning with some actual thought. For now though, I think it would be a good idea for us slow down our brain activity, and find something a little more appealing. Maybe something enjoyable. How else can I put it?........I know. Let's all find something entertaining. Sound good to you?
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
2009 Royal Rumble + Quick TV Warp-up
The first WWE pay-per-view of the year is always their strongest one. The Royal Rumble is the beginning of the "road to WrestleMania," and although the event this year gave us a clear-cut picture of what will be coming up in regards to "the grandest stage of them all," the matches promised didn't quite deliver as they should've.
First match-up of the night was for the ECW Championship as new champion Jack Swagger defended against former champ Matt Hardy. My expectations of this match weren't high, and I was right. Nothing much exciting, no high spots, and the match had a boring ending. The only real noticeable thing was Matt Hardy's expression after the match, which gave us a glimpse about where he'd get involved later.
Next was the Women's Championship match between champion Beth Phoenix and Melina. Very general women's match, a couple of botched spots, but a surprising ending as Melina won the match and the title. Curious to see where this all goes.
After that was the WWE Title Match as JBL with Shawn Michaels in his corner challenged John Cena. Unfortunately, this match played out similar to their WrestleMania match from a few years ago. The end is where it got interesting as Shawn got involved by taking out both wrestlers, and leaving the ring and giving JBL the potential win. However, Cena came back and got the win in the end.
The best regular match of the night went to World Heavyweight champion Jeff Hardy defending against Edge. The match was made No Disqualification right before it started, so of course some high spots were expected. However, the match did drag on for a little until it finally came to the end where the unthinkable happened: Matt Hardy came out seemingly to help his brother Jeff, but instead turned on him and cost him the title. Edge became new champion, and now a Matt/Jeff feud is in the works.
Finally was the match that was worth waiting for: the Royal Rumble match. 30 of the WWE's best superstars competed for a title shot at WrestleMania. Usually there are some surprise participants, but this year only had one: the return of Rob Van Dam. He looked good, not missing a step, but didn't win the match in the end. This year they seemed content with filling the ring as much as possible, and there were on average about 15 wrestlers in the ring for most of the match. In the end, the winner was actually the man expected to win (based on his storyline from the last few weeks), and Randy Orton made it through the match by eliminating Triple H last. Orton now has a chance to fight for any major title he wants.
In the end, the event was good for one reason only: the Royal Rumble. Otherwise, you could take it or leave it. Moving on, I have a quick blurb from my TV Wrap-up now that I've caught up:
Smallville- Very general episode. Only a handful of characters got some spotlight, while the ones left out have been missing for a couple of weeks now. Only real revelations came at the end of the episode, but it doesn't seem major enough. Hopefully the show takes a step up next week, or at least shows some promise for the future.
That's your blog for today. Gonna keep the blogs the a surprise for the week (that's includes a surprise to myself.......random seems like a good option for the week). That's the signal......what do I always say at this time? Correct. Now what do I say next? Correct again. And yes, I'm sure you made up some goofy thing so that the "correct" response made you laugh. Oh well, whatever keeps you entertained.
First match-up of the night was for the ECW Championship as new champion Jack Swagger defended against former champ Matt Hardy. My expectations of this match weren't high, and I was right. Nothing much exciting, no high spots, and the match had a boring ending. The only real noticeable thing was Matt Hardy's expression after the match, which gave us a glimpse about where he'd get involved later.
Next was the Women's Championship match between champion Beth Phoenix and Melina. Very general women's match, a couple of botched spots, but a surprising ending as Melina won the match and the title. Curious to see where this all goes.
After that was the WWE Title Match as JBL with Shawn Michaels in his corner challenged John Cena. Unfortunately, this match played out similar to their WrestleMania match from a few years ago. The end is where it got interesting as Shawn got involved by taking out both wrestlers, and leaving the ring and giving JBL the potential win. However, Cena came back and got the win in the end.
The best regular match of the night went to World Heavyweight champion Jeff Hardy defending against Edge. The match was made No Disqualification right before it started, so of course some high spots were expected. However, the match did drag on for a little until it finally came to the end where the unthinkable happened: Matt Hardy came out seemingly to help his brother Jeff, but instead turned on him and cost him the title. Edge became new champion, and now a Matt/Jeff feud is in the works.
Finally was the match that was worth waiting for: the Royal Rumble match. 30 of the WWE's best superstars competed for a title shot at WrestleMania. Usually there are some surprise participants, but this year only had one: the return of Rob Van Dam. He looked good, not missing a step, but didn't win the match in the end. This year they seemed content with filling the ring as much as possible, and there were on average about 15 wrestlers in the ring for most of the match. In the end, the winner was actually the man expected to win (based on his storyline from the last few weeks), and Randy Orton made it through the match by eliminating Triple H last. Orton now has a chance to fight for any major title he wants.
In the end, the event was good for one reason only: the Royal Rumble. Otherwise, you could take it or leave it. Moving on, I have a quick blurb from my TV Wrap-up now that I've caught up:
Smallville- Very general episode. Only a handful of characters got some spotlight, while the ones left out have been missing for a couple of weeks now. Only real revelations came at the end of the episode, but it doesn't seem major enough. Hopefully the show takes a step up next week, or at least shows some promise for the future.
That's your blog for today. Gonna keep the blogs the a surprise for the week (that's includes a surprise to myself.......random seems like a good option for the week). That's the signal......what do I always say at this time? Correct. Now what do I say next? Correct again. And yes, I'm sure you made up some goofy thing so that the "correct" response made you laugh. Oh well, whatever keeps you entertained.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
TV Wrap-up: 1/18 - 1/24
What an incredible week in TV, boy let me tell ya! Season premieres, new episodes back on......every night had something to offer. While I have a couple of shows recorded that I still need to watch, I'll give you the rundown on what I had time for.
24- This episode was standard for the series, but still entertaining. There's a closer look at several of the newest characters, but the best moments come from well-knowns Jack Bauer and Tony Almeida. The highlight was the end of the episode where they took an old idea back from Season 1 and put a new twist on it. Brilliant.
Monday Night Raw- Great for developing storylines, but lacking in real intriguing matches. The spotlight was definitely on the Cena/JBL/Shawn Michaels story, and but real surprise came with the return of Vince McMahon and the involvement of Chris Jericho and Randy Orton in it. Hard to say where this will all go come Sunday's Royal Rumble event.
Dirty Jobs- This episode had difficulty keeping my attention. While the first job of working a a tar pit was decent, the second job involving recycling animals was interesting at first, but then lacked any real appeal. It's tough when you have some real interesting jobs, but have a hard time making it true.
Lost- The premiere delivered as promised. Two episodes were shown in a row, and both were worthwhile. A lot of "What the hell?" moments from start to finish, making it great. Hurley got his stand-out moments in the second episode, but the most entertaining aspects came from those left on the island. They're going through the more "interesting" events in their place and time.......or times, however you want to put it.
My Name Is Earl- A few laugh-out-loud moments, but not much else. They concluded the story set by last week's episode, but now it's uncertain where they'll go from here. Are Joy and Darnell going to disappear for a while? If that's true, will they be able to carry the show with the remaining characters? Tough call.
The Office- A simpler episode with some great comedy. Michael and Dwight get the best moments in their part of the story, while the rest of the cast get involved with something easy, yet funny. Always good to get a relaxed episode like these.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars- Good conclusion to the story started last week. The action was slightly toned down, but still cool to watch. The series continues to give the Star Wars universe some variety, this time with a new alien race and way of life. Definitely a hidden message about the strength of beliefs in war.
Smallville was the only show I didn;t quite get to, but as soon as I see it, I'll have a brief spot for it. Also my next post will be a look at the WWE Royal Rumble event. That's all you need to know. Just like I don't need to know where you'll go for entertainment after you're done reading this. I have it planned to watch The Dark Knight..........feel free to do the same, or find an appropriate substitue. Doesn't matter to me.
24- This episode was standard for the series, but still entertaining. There's a closer look at several of the newest characters, but the best moments come from well-knowns Jack Bauer and Tony Almeida. The highlight was the end of the episode where they took an old idea back from Season 1 and put a new twist on it. Brilliant.
Monday Night Raw- Great for developing storylines, but lacking in real intriguing matches. The spotlight was definitely on the Cena/JBL/Shawn Michaels story, and but real surprise came with the return of Vince McMahon and the involvement of Chris Jericho and Randy Orton in it. Hard to say where this will all go come Sunday's Royal Rumble event.
Dirty Jobs- This episode had difficulty keeping my attention. While the first job of working a a tar pit was decent, the second job involving recycling animals was interesting at first, but then lacked any real appeal. It's tough when you have some real interesting jobs, but have a hard time making it true.
Lost- The premiere delivered as promised. Two episodes were shown in a row, and both were worthwhile. A lot of "What the hell?" moments from start to finish, making it great. Hurley got his stand-out moments in the second episode, but the most entertaining aspects came from those left on the island. They're going through the more "interesting" events in their place and time.......or times, however you want to put it.
My Name Is Earl- A few laugh-out-loud moments, but not much else. They concluded the story set by last week's episode, but now it's uncertain where they'll go from here. Are Joy and Darnell going to disappear for a while? If that's true, will they be able to carry the show with the remaining characters? Tough call.
The Office- A simpler episode with some great comedy. Michael and Dwight get the best moments in their part of the story, while the rest of the cast get involved with something easy, yet funny. Always good to get a relaxed episode like these.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars- Good conclusion to the story started last week. The action was slightly toned down, but still cool to watch. The series continues to give the Star Wars universe some variety, this time with a new alien race and way of life. Definitely a hidden message about the strength of beliefs in war.
Smallville was the only show I didn;t quite get to, but as soon as I see it, I'll have a brief spot for it. Also my next post will be a look at the WWE Royal Rumble event. That's all you need to know. Just like I don't need to know where you'll go for entertainment after you're done reading this. I have it planned to watch The Dark Knight..........feel free to do the same, or find an appropriate substitue. Doesn't matter to me.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The Top 5: Lost Characters
Oh happy day, one of the most riveting shows on TV is back! Last night was a very triumphant return of "Lost" to television, and made everything stranger will giving us a look at where things will go. A little wierd is the new set-up of the show as now it's more story-telling than character development. Still, those who know the characters well can get used to seeing them act the way they act, and know why they do. So, as a small tribute to the return of a very addictive show, I chosen for the first edition of my "Top 5" to list my 5 favorite Lost characters. I usually don't like to put a rank on things, but I think I can make this list work somehow. Hang onto your computer chairs because here we go:
#5- Jin-Soo Kwon
Jin was unique when he first appeared because he was the only character on the island who didn't speak English. He basically had to work harder than anyone else to survive because he lacked the same communication skills. But what makes him stand out is that although it seemed like he was doomed to be just in the background, they made his character work extremely well, and gave him one of the more hopeful backstorys: son of a poor fisherman who marries the girl of his dreams, but has to serve her father to keep it going. Let's hope he gets time in the new season.
#4- Benjamin Linus
Ben is on this list because of one question: Is he a bad guy or a good guy? This guy is capable of playing both parts, and manages to do it as the same person. First as a creepy stranger to a direct leader to a helpful guide to now an asset for a cause. Where his loyalties truly lie is hard to determine, as he keeps you guessing constantly. It drives you crazy at times, but you can't help enjoy it whenever he shows up. Former leader of The Others now leader of the Oceanic Six......you can't help but wonder what he's got planned already.
#3- Hugo "Hurley" Reyes
Considering the seriousness of the show, you have to be thankful for the comic relief. Hurley, along with his interesting history, has some of the best moments on the show that involves wide range of emotions: sadness, hope, and humor. And while he doesn't have the skills or build of a survivor, he is a big part of keeping the others together, and keeping them going....even if he has some pretty bad luck. If anyone deserves the happpy ending when the show is all said and done, it's this guy.
#2- Desmond Hume
Aside from the guy in the #1 spot below, this character has had some of the wierdest experiences compared to any other character. Pushing a series of buttons over and over, seeing people's deaths, traveling into his own past........imagine going through all that in the span of a few weeks. Aside from the fact that he's a simple man with all these major things happening to him, he is also part of the best romance on the show with Penelope Widmore. Their up-and-down romance ended on the up side at the end of last season, with their reunion serving as one of the happiest moments on the show. You go Desmond!
#1- John Locke
You know from the first look you get of this guy that he belongs. The ultimate survivor, and one of the most confident men you'd ever meet, you would have no idea as to his past. Betrayed by his father because of his need for family, put in a wheelchair with no way to walk again, and seemingly meant to be just another guy on the streets........once Locke ended up on the island, it brought out the best in him. We can now walk, he became the hunter and tracker for the survivors, and allowed his faith and confidence in what he was doing to lead him to what will probably be the most important destiny of any other person on the show. He may be dead now, but knowing him, he certainly won't stay that way. He's too cool for that.
I guess this does take some time, even keeping it at 5.........guess I'll have to take it easy on the next one. But I'm getting this done in time to catch the premiere of Burn Notice tonight, which will be on the TV Wrap-up this Saturday, and coming soon will be the return on Coming Attractions, and a look at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view this Sunday. So, you want to hear more? Too bad, I already gave away the source of my entertainment for the evening. Time for you to turn on the TV, pick up a book, get out a DVD, or turn on your video game system so you can be entertained until the next post.
#5- Jin-Soo Kwon
Jin was unique when he first appeared because he was the only character on the island who didn't speak English. He basically had to work harder than anyone else to survive because he lacked the same communication skills. But what makes him stand out is that although it seemed like he was doomed to be just in the background, they made his character work extremely well, and gave him one of the more hopeful backstorys: son of a poor fisherman who marries the girl of his dreams, but has to serve her father to keep it going. Let's hope he gets time in the new season.
#4- Benjamin Linus
Ben is on this list because of one question: Is he a bad guy or a good guy? This guy is capable of playing both parts, and manages to do it as the same person. First as a creepy stranger to a direct leader to a helpful guide to now an asset for a cause. Where his loyalties truly lie is hard to determine, as he keeps you guessing constantly. It drives you crazy at times, but you can't help enjoy it whenever he shows up. Former leader of The Others now leader of the Oceanic Six......you can't help but wonder what he's got planned already.
#3- Hugo "Hurley" Reyes
Considering the seriousness of the show, you have to be thankful for the comic relief. Hurley, along with his interesting history, has some of the best moments on the show that involves wide range of emotions: sadness, hope, and humor. And while he doesn't have the skills or build of a survivor, he is a big part of keeping the others together, and keeping them going....even if he has some pretty bad luck. If anyone deserves the happpy ending when the show is all said and done, it's this guy.
#2- Desmond Hume
Aside from the guy in the #1 spot below, this character has had some of the wierdest experiences compared to any other character. Pushing a series of buttons over and over, seeing people's deaths, traveling into his own past........imagine going through all that in the span of a few weeks. Aside from the fact that he's a simple man with all these major things happening to him, he is also part of the best romance on the show with Penelope Widmore. Their up-and-down romance ended on the up side at the end of last season, with their reunion serving as one of the happiest moments on the show. You go Desmond!
#1- John Locke
You know from the first look you get of this guy that he belongs. The ultimate survivor, and one of the most confident men you'd ever meet, you would have no idea as to his past. Betrayed by his father because of his need for family, put in a wheelchair with no way to walk again, and seemingly meant to be just another guy on the streets........once Locke ended up on the island, it brought out the best in him. We can now walk, he became the hunter and tracker for the survivors, and allowed his faith and confidence in what he was doing to lead him to what will probably be the most important destiny of any other person on the show. He may be dead now, but knowing him, he certainly won't stay that way. He's too cool for that.
I guess this does take some time, even keeping it at 5.........guess I'll have to take it easy on the next one. But I'm getting this done in time to catch the premiere of Burn Notice tonight, which will be on the TV Wrap-up this Saturday, and coming soon will be the return on Coming Attractions, and a look at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view this Sunday. So, you want to hear more? Too bad, I already gave away the source of my entertainment for the evening. Time for you to turn on the TV, pick up a book, get out a DVD, or turn on your video game system so you can be entertained until the next post.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson
Gotta get my rear in gear from now on. Damn near let a week go by without a post, and I even had things to talk about, including this subject. UFC 93, although lacking a title fight, still had several promising fight, especially the main event between Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson.
An undercard fight between welterweights Tom Egan and John Hathaway was shown in the midst of the card, so I'll start with this one. Simply put, although Egan had his home country on his side, Hathaway ran through him in dominating fashion and finished things with a first round TKO. Not too shabby, we may have a potential contender on the way up here soon. The main card then began with another welterweight bout Chris Lytle and Marcus Davis. Everyone expected this fight to be a slugfest, and absolutely nobody was wrong. These two battled it out through all three rounds, back and forth. In the end, Davis' striking was just a little better, and he won by split decision. Davis proved that he's still a top-ranked fighter.
Up next was the debut of highly touted Denis Kang against Alan Belcher. Kang was meant to get an easy win in this middleweight fight, and he almost pulled it off. After wining the first round with ease, Kang took an early lead in the second, but then started to tire out a little. That got me worried, which was justified when Belcher caught him in a guillotine shortly after, and Kang tapped. Guess Belcher just moved up the ladder in a big way. Another middleweight fight followed with Rousimar Palhares taking on veteran Jeremy Horn (88-19-5 record, is that veteran enough?). Although Horn has been on a downhill slide, he held his own very well in this fight against Palhares onslaught. Still, it was a clear-cut unanimous decision for Palhares, but a good show of heart by Horn.
The first of the two main events was up next: Maricio Rua took on Mark Coleman, who was coming out of retirement for this grudge match in the light heavyweight division. I knew ahead of time that not many expected too much from Coleman, and that Rua would finish him easily. Even though Rua finished by a somewhat questionable TKO, it took until round three for it to happen. In the first round Coleman was already gassing out during the end of the round, and it looked like it would be over real soon. Instead, Rua began to look winded in round two, and couldn't seem to finish the fight. The fight started looking terrible at this point, and I was disappointed with both fighters even after it finally ended.
The next fight would prove to be more entertaining. It was time for Rich Franklin to fight Dan Henderson in a light heavyweight contest where the winner would be a coach in the next season of The Ultimate Fighter series. The fight was close enough as could be. Henderson seemed to have won the first two rounds by connecting with some decent strikes, but also with his excellent takedowns. Franklin was able to rally in the third, and won the round. The first two were close, so it could've gone his way. In the end, Dan Henderson got the victory with a split-decision victory; the only taint to that fight was that the judge who felt Franklin won gave him all three rounds, which even drew a surprised look from Franklin.
Well, although the event wasn't the best for one to start the new year, it was still entertaining enough. Of course in two weeks, we'll have the most anticipated fight in a long time as Georges St. Pierre will defend his welterweight title against current lightweight champion BJ Penn. Of course, you'll have my thoughts on that event. As for the coming days, I have a few things planned, including an update on The Great Debate, the return of the TV Wrap-up at the end of the week, and the inclusion of a new segment: The Top 5. Just to give a quick explanation, the Top 5 I intend to use as a filler between some of the longer blogs you see on here, as it will be short enough for me to post in a small amount of time. You'll be seeing that soon.
As for the current state of the entertainment world.........well, I can't do all the work for you, can I? So please, go find out what's in the entertainment world right now. Gee, may I do the same thing now too? Of course yes!
An undercard fight between welterweights Tom Egan and John Hathaway was shown in the midst of the card, so I'll start with this one. Simply put, although Egan had his home country on his side, Hathaway ran through him in dominating fashion and finished things with a first round TKO. Not too shabby, we may have a potential contender on the way up here soon. The main card then began with another welterweight bout Chris Lytle and Marcus Davis. Everyone expected this fight to be a slugfest, and absolutely nobody was wrong. These two battled it out through all three rounds, back and forth. In the end, Davis' striking was just a little better, and he won by split decision. Davis proved that he's still a top-ranked fighter.
Up next was the debut of highly touted Denis Kang against Alan Belcher. Kang was meant to get an easy win in this middleweight fight, and he almost pulled it off. After wining the first round with ease, Kang took an early lead in the second, but then started to tire out a little. That got me worried, which was justified when Belcher caught him in a guillotine shortly after, and Kang tapped. Guess Belcher just moved up the ladder in a big way. Another middleweight fight followed with Rousimar Palhares taking on veteran Jeremy Horn (88-19-5 record, is that veteran enough?). Although Horn has been on a downhill slide, he held his own very well in this fight against Palhares onslaught. Still, it was a clear-cut unanimous decision for Palhares, but a good show of heart by Horn.
The first of the two main events was up next: Maricio Rua took on Mark Coleman, who was coming out of retirement for this grudge match in the light heavyweight division. I knew ahead of time that not many expected too much from Coleman, and that Rua would finish him easily. Even though Rua finished by a somewhat questionable TKO, it took until round three for it to happen. In the first round Coleman was already gassing out during the end of the round, and it looked like it would be over real soon. Instead, Rua began to look winded in round two, and couldn't seem to finish the fight. The fight started looking terrible at this point, and I was disappointed with both fighters even after it finally ended.
The next fight would prove to be more entertaining. It was time for Rich Franklin to fight Dan Henderson in a light heavyweight contest where the winner would be a coach in the next season of The Ultimate Fighter series. The fight was close enough as could be. Henderson seemed to have won the first two rounds by connecting with some decent strikes, but also with his excellent takedowns. Franklin was able to rally in the third, and won the round. The first two were close, so it could've gone his way. In the end, Dan Henderson got the victory with a split-decision victory; the only taint to that fight was that the judge who felt Franklin won gave him all three rounds, which even drew a surprised look from Franklin.
Well, although the event wasn't the best for one to start the new year, it was still entertaining enough. Of course in two weeks, we'll have the most anticipated fight in a long time as Georges St. Pierre will defend his welterweight title against current lightweight champion BJ Penn. Of course, you'll have my thoughts on that event. As for the coming days, I have a few things planned, including an update on The Great Debate, the return of the TV Wrap-up at the end of the week, and the inclusion of a new segment: The Top 5. Just to give a quick explanation, the Top 5 I intend to use as a filler between some of the longer blogs you see on here, as it will be short enough for me to post in a small amount of time. You'll be seeing that soon.
As for the current state of the entertainment world.........well, I can't do all the work for you, can I? So please, go find out what's in the entertainment world right now. Gee, may I do the same thing now too? Of course yes!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Great Debate: Part 3
This is it. The last one to have their voice heard. And yet, they serve as the most powerful voice in this debate (at least in my view). That title belongs to the Playstation 3. My system of choice for the last decade has been a form of Playstation, and this new incarnation seems to have a strong case. Let's hear what it has to say.
In terms of sale price, the PS3 is the most expensive at $350 for its most basic unit, but for the price it offers an insane amount. Aside from playing games, the system also functions as a Blu-Ray player, Internet capabitlity, and capable of playing videos and music. You basically have an entertainment center in one piece of electronic equipment. The system uses its own hard drive to store your games, and can use an attachment to store game files from PSOne and PS2. However, I've been unable to ascertain if the current versions of the system available allow you to play the older games as multiple sources tell me yes AND no for some reason. The system uses wireless controllers of course, and many accessories available are similar to what you can use for your computer, including a wireless keyboard and an internet camera. Boy, there's a lot to toy with here.
As far as games go, the PS3 has available some of the best games there are. While some are also available on the Xbox 360, the most popular games out there are available soley for the PS3. One game immediately comes to mind: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. I had the pleasure of trying out this game for a few minutes, and I know it lived up to its hype. The series has also been my favorite of all time (although Final Fantasy is a close tie, and the next title of that series will be coming out soon), and is reason enough for me to get the system. Several other popular series are also available for the system, including Tekken 5: Dark Ressurection, Silent Hill: Homecoming, and Soul Calibur IV.........all favorite series of mine as well.
Other mentionable games:
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (The next game in this well-known series provides a twist by including comic book characters like Superman, The Flash, and the Green Lantern. Yes, my nerdy-tendencies and slight flare towards violence will appreciate this game greatly)
- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (This new game got some of the best reviews at the time of its release, and after seeing ads for it, it's not hard to figure out why. Think Tomb Raider with a male lead instead, and a more realistic look to everything. Nothing wrong with Lara Croft, but it's good to see something different)
- Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2(The first excellent game available for the system and its well-received sequel, these games are probably the best first-person shooters available for this system. Battle alien forces in these amazing-looking games, and you'll feel like a true hero)
As for flaws, there are a couple to mention. If it's true that the current versions of this system don't support the old PSOne and 2 games, then you'll be forced to keep your PS2 system hooked up to play them. Also, the system is at its best when on an HD television, and unfortunately I'm without that at the moment. In general, most of the great extras are available to those with the money to spend. I must say I am not one of those.
Still, there's no denying the power this system has. So much capability and universal usage makes this an everything-in-one electronic device. For me personally, I'll be able to continue to see the stories of my favorite video game characters out there, and see it them now at their very best.......until the Playstation 4 comes out sometime in the future.
The debate is over for now. At the end of February, I vow that my entertainment room will contain either the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, or Playstation 3.........or all 3 if I'm insanely lucky. Of course, the decision will depend on certain circumstances, but in the end the choice will be mine and mine alone. But now you out there have a choice to make. Until the next post, you must choose what will entertain you now. I've already made my choice for what I want to entertain me now. I have the power, and so do you.
In terms of sale price, the PS3 is the most expensive at $350 for its most basic unit, but for the price it offers an insane amount. Aside from playing games, the system also functions as a Blu-Ray player, Internet capabitlity, and capable of playing videos and music. You basically have an entertainment center in one piece of electronic equipment. The system uses its own hard drive to store your games, and can use an attachment to store game files from PSOne and PS2. However, I've been unable to ascertain if the current versions of the system available allow you to play the older games as multiple sources tell me yes AND no for some reason. The system uses wireless controllers of course, and many accessories available are similar to what you can use for your computer, including a wireless keyboard and an internet camera. Boy, there's a lot to toy with here.
As far as games go, the PS3 has available some of the best games there are. While some are also available on the Xbox 360, the most popular games out there are available soley for the PS3. One game immediately comes to mind: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. I had the pleasure of trying out this game for a few minutes, and I know it lived up to its hype. The series has also been my favorite of all time (although Final Fantasy is a close tie, and the next title of that series will be coming out soon), and is reason enough for me to get the system. Several other popular series are also available for the system, including Tekken 5: Dark Ressurection, Silent Hill: Homecoming, and Soul Calibur IV.........all favorite series of mine as well.
Other mentionable games:
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (The next game in this well-known series provides a twist by including comic book characters like Superman, The Flash, and the Green Lantern. Yes, my nerdy-tendencies and slight flare towards violence will appreciate this game greatly)
- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (This new game got some of the best reviews at the time of its release, and after seeing ads for it, it's not hard to figure out why. Think Tomb Raider with a male lead instead, and a more realistic look to everything. Nothing wrong with Lara Croft, but it's good to see something different)
- Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2(The first excellent game available for the system and its well-received sequel, these games are probably the best first-person shooters available for this system. Battle alien forces in these amazing-looking games, and you'll feel like a true hero)
As for flaws, there are a couple to mention. If it's true that the current versions of this system don't support the old PSOne and 2 games, then you'll be forced to keep your PS2 system hooked up to play them. Also, the system is at its best when on an HD television, and unfortunately I'm without that at the moment. In general, most of the great extras are available to those with the money to spend. I must say I am not one of those.
Still, there's no denying the power this system has. So much capability and universal usage makes this an everything-in-one electronic device. For me personally, I'll be able to continue to see the stories of my favorite video game characters out there, and see it them now at their very best.......until the Playstation 4 comes out sometime in the future.
The debate is over for now. At the end of February, I vow that my entertainment room will contain either the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, or Playstation 3.........or all 3 if I'm insanely lucky. Of course, the decision will depend on certain circumstances, but in the end the choice will be mine and mine alone. But now you out there have a choice to make. Until the next post, you must choose what will entertain you now. I've already made my choice for what I want to entertain me now. I have the power, and so do you.
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Downs and Ups of Sunday
I can't call Sunday a "roller coaster" of a day considering the down part came first, and then the up part. But still, I'd rather have a day end on a good note anyways. The first part of the day was very disappointing, but luckily what I had to look forward to later on should easily be able to get me in better spirits........and it certainly did.
The Down: NY Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This is gonna be PAINFUL to talk about, but I'll try my best to get through this. The first half was close enough to keep me from getting completely concerned, but I wasn't happy with the Giants' performance either. First came head coach Tom Coughlin's decision to take the ball against the wind in the field. This also meant that the Eagles would get the ball to start the second half. Why give them that advantage right from the get-go? The next sign of weakness came from an unexpected source.....QB Eli Manning. His passing looked terrible, and even turned into an interception that gave the Eagles the first touchdown of the game. Following that, we had kicker John Carney, one of the best I've seen, miss an important field goal not once, but twice in the game. The only saving grace was our defense, who managed to hold back the Eagles, and keep it close.
Sadly, the steady decline on the Giants as a whole to a free fall in the second half. The Eagles started a short-passing game that our defense never bothered to counter. The Giants tried sticking to a running game that the Eagles defense saw coming constantly. The Giants only made 2 out of 11 or 12 3rd down conversions the entire game. And when the Eagles pulled way ahead in the 4th quarter 23-11, I knew it would take a miracle to get us the win. We had very little time, and needed at least 2 touchdowns to get the win. Of course, we couldn't pull it together, and suffered defeat for the forth time in the last couple of months. What a shame.
The Giants didn't look like the championship team we became last season throughout the last half of this season, that's for sure. Of course I'll still root for them next season, but I would hope that they start working on their weaknesses instead of just their strengths, and hoping that it pays off. Needless to say, I wasn't in a good mood after this game until............
The Up: The Return of "24"
A year and a half.............the LONGEST year and a half of my life. I waited and waited and waited and waited until finally, at 8pm last night, the greatest television show of all time (at least to me personally) made it's way back onto my TV screen. "24" started its seventh season, and this time there was a whole new change. Previous seasons took place in Los Angeles at what was known as CTU (Counter Intelligence Unit) Headquarters. This time, we see that CTU has been disbanded (which is why I didn't get to see the HQ while I was on vacation), and now we are seeing the story in Washington DC. The show kept some general things the same, such as at least some kind of HQ (This time that of the FBI), a look into the current President of the United States (this time a female one played by Cherry Jones), and that fact the we know one of the good guys is a traitor. These of course make the show as good as it is, as well as its many surprises (one of which has been promised for tonight), but some of the changes so far seem good.
Of course the biggest change is the fact that established good-guy Tony Almeida, who is supposed to be dead, is alive AND acting as a terrorist. Wierd. But this works as a way to drive our very important main character Jack Bauer. Having to go after your old partner is tough enough, but we know Jack will do what it takes considering he's killed friends of his before (Curtis Manning, Nina Meyers, and Christopher Henderson to name a few). Hell, what good is the show if it's gonna be easy for Jack to get through the day. That's one of the many reasons why it's such a popular show, and why Jack Bauer is revered on equal ground as Chuck Norris. 'Nuff said.
"24" is a top-notch show for anyone who enjoys action, drama, and excitement. Yes, I get very into this show I'll admit. Still, I can never guess how the season will go, not even now. So I have no choice but to succumb to it's amazing value of entertainment, and watch every single episode so I know the whole story top to bottom. What? Don't judge me because I respect a show this much.
Anyways, I think that's the end of todays blog. The next installment of this series will include Part 3 of The Great Debate just so I can get through it since it's been stewing for quite a while. So look forward to that soon. But now, orders coming from upstairs are tasking you with finding something that's entertaining to you. I will be unable to assist you on this mission as I have been assigned with that very same task myself. This mission is vital and highly classified. You're on your own agent.
The Down: NY Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
This is gonna be PAINFUL to talk about, but I'll try my best to get through this. The first half was close enough to keep me from getting completely concerned, but I wasn't happy with the Giants' performance either. First came head coach Tom Coughlin's decision to take the ball against the wind in the field. This also meant that the Eagles would get the ball to start the second half. Why give them that advantage right from the get-go? The next sign of weakness came from an unexpected source.....QB Eli Manning. His passing looked terrible, and even turned into an interception that gave the Eagles the first touchdown of the game. Following that, we had kicker John Carney, one of the best I've seen, miss an important field goal not once, but twice in the game. The only saving grace was our defense, who managed to hold back the Eagles, and keep it close.
Sadly, the steady decline on the Giants as a whole to a free fall in the second half. The Eagles started a short-passing game that our defense never bothered to counter. The Giants tried sticking to a running game that the Eagles defense saw coming constantly. The Giants only made 2 out of 11 or 12 3rd down conversions the entire game. And when the Eagles pulled way ahead in the 4th quarter 23-11, I knew it would take a miracle to get us the win. We had very little time, and needed at least 2 touchdowns to get the win. Of course, we couldn't pull it together, and suffered defeat for the forth time in the last couple of months. What a shame.
The Giants didn't look like the championship team we became last season throughout the last half of this season, that's for sure. Of course I'll still root for them next season, but I would hope that they start working on their weaknesses instead of just their strengths, and hoping that it pays off. Needless to say, I wasn't in a good mood after this game until............
The Up: The Return of "24"
A year and a half.............the LONGEST year and a half of my life. I waited and waited and waited and waited until finally, at 8pm last night, the greatest television show of all time (at least to me personally) made it's way back onto my TV screen. "24" started its seventh season, and this time there was a whole new change. Previous seasons took place in Los Angeles at what was known as CTU (Counter Intelligence Unit) Headquarters. This time, we see that CTU has been disbanded (which is why I didn't get to see the HQ while I was on vacation), and now we are seeing the story in Washington DC. The show kept some general things the same, such as at least some kind of HQ (This time that of the FBI), a look into the current President of the United States (this time a female one played by Cherry Jones), and that fact the we know one of the good guys is a traitor. These of course make the show as good as it is, as well as its many surprises (one of which has been promised for tonight), but some of the changes so far seem good.
Of course the biggest change is the fact that established good-guy Tony Almeida, who is supposed to be dead, is alive AND acting as a terrorist. Wierd. But this works as a way to drive our very important main character Jack Bauer. Having to go after your old partner is tough enough, but we know Jack will do what it takes considering he's killed friends of his before (Curtis Manning, Nina Meyers, and Christopher Henderson to name a few). Hell, what good is the show if it's gonna be easy for Jack to get through the day. That's one of the many reasons why it's such a popular show, and why Jack Bauer is revered on equal ground as Chuck Norris. 'Nuff said.
"24" is a top-notch show for anyone who enjoys action, drama, and excitement. Yes, I get very into this show I'll admit. Still, I can never guess how the season will go, not even now. So I have no choice but to succumb to it's amazing value of entertainment, and watch every single episode so I know the whole story top to bottom. What? Don't judge me because I respect a show this much.
Anyways, I think that's the end of todays blog. The next installment of this series will include Part 3 of The Great Debate just so I can get through it since it's been stewing for quite a while. So look forward to that soon. But now, orders coming from upstairs are tasking you with finding something that's entertaining to you. I will be unable to assist you on this mission as I have been assigned with that very same task myself. This mission is vital and highly classified. You're on your own agent.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Who's Still Entertaining in the WWE?
I've found myself actually watching wrestling over the last week, and it's been better than it has a recent memory. Some storylines are a little more appealing, and even the wrestlers who have talent are given a good amount of spotlight, while the ones that I personally think suck have taken a back seat for a change. Still, I can't find myself getting into every match, and I'm more drawn to the wrestlers who are actually good at what they do. So, for the benefit of those with flash photography..........(wait, that's an old wrestling quote).........I mean for the benefit of the current fans of WWE, I thought I'd mention some of the wrestlers worthwhile to watch on a weekly basis.
Unfortunately, the weekly ECW program has little to offer. Only two wrestlers on that roster are still impressive, and one of them is currently injured. But that's OK, because we've got veteran Finlay there to still hold the torch. He might not be a champion currently, but he still knows how to put on a great match thanks to his experience. And it doesn't hurt to have his midget manager Hornswoggle get onvolved for a few laughs.
Smackdown fairs a little better, but most of its best wrestlers aren't major players. The show does sport two big wrestlers who can actually wrestle: Festus and Vladimer Kozlov. Both have some natural talent, and don't let their size carry them like many others have. On the other side of that coin would be smaller wrestlers like Hurricane Helms and Primo. Helms is the more veteran, and has recently made a comeback after recovering from neck surgery, and Primo comes from a wrestling family, so he's got the skill. Of course, I do have to mention one main event player: Triple H. He's one of the few athletes who can put forth a great character, make his opponents just as good as him, and can wrestle altogether. Definitely the guy the up-and-comers can rely on and learn from.
Of course, the top WWE program is Raw, and boy does the list of talent there carry on more than its other shows combined. CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio.......these guys put on amazing matches based on their skill alone. They each offer something unique that you don't see anywhere else. Even their women's division has the top talent compared to Smackdown. Mickie James (my personal favorite), Beth Phoenix, Melina, and Kelly Kelly are the only women I've seen who take their wrestling seriously, and are trained well enough to put on a great match. Also, Raw has in its roster 2 of the best heel wrestlers (bad guys) that compete today: Randy Orton and Chris Jericho. Orton earned his way to his top spot, and from what I've heard he's pretty much a jerk in real life, so he's perfect at playing the villain. As for Jericho, it's hard to describe how good he is. I met him at an autograph signing, and he was a really cool guy. You wouldn't think that he could be an arrogant prick on TV.......but he does it better than anyone. And he's got the wrestling talent to back it all up.
There are 2 other top players on Raw that I absolutely have to mention. First there is the current World Heavyweight Champion, and the icon of this generation. First there was Hulk Hogan, then Stone Cold Steve Austin.......and now we have John Cena. Although there's some mixed feelings about his character, I see why he's where he is. He pushes harder than anyone else, especially himself. He can wrestle, he can use the mic, and he is in great condition to do what he does. Yes sir, he's WWE's best champion right now, and it'll be a little while before the next generation steps up to take his place. In the end though, the one who I feel is the most entertaining is currently the most veteran wrestler still in the ring. The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. It's sad that he's not at champion status, and has kind of been there to help others, but he still puts on a hell of a show. No matter what storyline he's involved in, he drives it better than his counterpart, and makes it look real. And when he gets in the ring, he still has the outstanding moves he's had through his whole career. He's been involved in some of the greatest matches ever seen, and there's no denying his entertainment value in any way, shape, or form.
I've made my point. Wrestling has fallen over the last few years, but it may never die. It's still entertaining when it's in the right audience. And for those like me, those childhood memories don't go away easily. I think a future post will have to be a look back at my favorite wrestlers back then, especially those in the WWE's Hall of Fame.
Until that one, you should all know what other posts are coming up. I've got a list going, so make sure to check 'em off as they come. But at this moment right now, when you know this blog is over, you should be searching for your own entertainment. Because the second I hit the "Publish Post" button, I'll be on a search of my own. Get to it ladies and gentleman!
Unfortunately, the weekly ECW program has little to offer. Only two wrestlers on that roster are still impressive, and one of them is currently injured. But that's OK, because we've got veteran Finlay there to still hold the torch. He might not be a champion currently, but he still knows how to put on a great match thanks to his experience. And it doesn't hurt to have his midget manager Hornswoggle get onvolved for a few laughs.
Smackdown fairs a little better, but most of its best wrestlers aren't major players. The show does sport two big wrestlers who can actually wrestle: Festus and Vladimer Kozlov. Both have some natural talent, and don't let their size carry them like many others have. On the other side of that coin would be smaller wrestlers like Hurricane Helms and Primo. Helms is the more veteran, and has recently made a comeback after recovering from neck surgery, and Primo comes from a wrestling family, so he's got the skill. Of course, I do have to mention one main event player: Triple H. He's one of the few athletes who can put forth a great character, make his opponents just as good as him, and can wrestle altogether. Definitely the guy the up-and-comers can rely on and learn from.
Of course, the top WWE program is Raw, and boy does the list of talent there carry on more than its other shows combined. CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio.......these guys put on amazing matches based on their skill alone. They each offer something unique that you don't see anywhere else. Even their women's division has the top talent compared to Smackdown. Mickie James (my personal favorite), Beth Phoenix, Melina, and Kelly Kelly are the only women I've seen who take their wrestling seriously, and are trained well enough to put on a great match. Also, Raw has in its roster 2 of the best heel wrestlers (bad guys) that compete today: Randy Orton and Chris Jericho. Orton earned his way to his top spot, and from what I've heard he's pretty much a jerk in real life, so he's perfect at playing the villain. As for Jericho, it's hard to describe how good he is. I met him at an autograph signing, and he was a really cool guy. You wouldn't think that he could be an arrogant prick on TV.......but he does it better than anyone. And he's got the wrestling talent to back it all up.
There are 2 other top players on Raw that I absolutely have to mention. First there is the current World Heavyweight Champion, and the icon of this generation. First there was Hulk Hogan, then Stone Cold Steve Austin.......and now we have John Cena. Although there's some mixed feelings about his character, I see why he's where he is. He pushes harder than anyone else, especially himself. He can wrestle, he can use the mic, and he is in great condition to do what he does. Yes sir, he's WWE's best champion right now, and it'll be a little while before the next generation steps up to take his place. In the end though, the one who I feel is the most entertaining is currently the most veteran wrestler still in the ring. The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels. It's sad that he's not at champion status, and has kind of been there to help others, but he still puts on a hell of a show. No matter what storyline he's involved in, he drives it better than his counterpart, and makes it look real. And when he gets in the ring, he still has the outstanding moves he's had through his whole career. He's been involved in some of the greatest matches ever seen, and there's no denying his entertainment value in any way, shape, or form.
I've made my point. Wrestling has fallen over the last few years, but it may never die. It's still entertaining when it's in the right audience. And for those like me, those childhood memories don't go away easily. I think a future post will have to be a look back at my favorite wrestlers back then, especially those in the WWE's Hall of Fame.
Until that one, you should all know what other posts are coming up. I've got a list going, so make sure to check 'em off as they come. But at this moment right now, when you know this blog is over, you should be searching for your own entertainment. Because the second I hit the "Publish Post" button, I'll be on a search of my own. Get to it ladies and gentleman!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
The Great Debate: Part 2
Let it be known now that this debate now has a time limit. My birthday is in February, and by the end of the month I will have determined which of these three systems will be the next one that I tackle. The Xbox 360 was discussed in Part 1, so now lets move on to promising contender Nintendo Wii.
The Wii is its own system, and currently sells for $250, the second cheapest. However, based on the popularity of the system alone, the Wii is hard to find in stores. The main focus of the system is its unique control system, where a sensor by your TV picks up movements you make with the controller in hand. Based on past experience with playing, this approach has its ups and downs. While fun in games that uses specific movements makes it interesting, games with more complicated setups like first-person shooters are somewhat inaccurate. Depending on the game you play, you'll either enjoy it or hate it. The system uses memory cards and its own hard drive for storing game information, has some online features that are actually great for playing some original Nintendo games, and is even compatible with games for the Game Cube. All in all, you have what you need to get started, and the system encourages more play with friends, making it very appealing.
The games available for the Wii are pretty much exclusive to the system. Because of its appeal to younger kids, most of its games are kid-friendly, but many of those same games can be enjoyed by adults. The character of Mario highlights several of its best games, such as "Super Mario Galaxy," "Super Paper Mario," and "Mario Kart Wii;" all of which have gotten great reviews. Also included are game series from Game Cube that are insanely popular. "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" continues pitting the most famous video game characters against one another in some great action, while "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption" continues the first-person action of Samus Aran that keeps you addicted. If you were fans of these games before, it's well worth it.
Other mentionable games:
- Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Though very different compared to the regular games of the series, it's still a must-have for anyone highly entertained by the series)
- Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games (Good for some old-fashioned sporting events where you can play as some favorite characters. Very interactive as well)
- Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (Although simple in concept, it's a well-done game made for fans of the hilarious HomestarRunner.com website)
Some minor flaws exist in this highly-attractive system. Aside from the control scheme that doesn;t always work, the system lacks the punch in graphics that its competitors have. Although bright and colorful, it's not really geared to amaze. The system also only comes with one controller, and although your friends could bring theirs, you may find yourself buying others just in case. Lastly, like Xbox 360, not too many appealing games are coming soon, which even though some could become hits, not many well-known titles ae expected in the near future.
Lets get to the overall picture here now. The Nintendo Wii is a great way to bring friends together, and it's a nice way to bring you back to the roots of the fun games you played when you were a kid and also making it something new. Not the top choice of mine, but a system that will keep my attention for some time.
You know now that Part 3 will be a look at the Playstation 3, the top dog of this debate but not easily the victor. Also coming up you'll see a preview of TV shows beginning this weekend, and just for fun I'll list some of my favorite superhero powers. You know what this means now? I tell you to find something entertaining, and also tell you that I'm going to do the same exact thing. Think you can handle that?
The Wii is its own system, and currently sells for $250, the second cheapest. However, based on the popularity of the system alone, the Wii is hard to find in stores. The main focus of the system is its unique control system, where a sensor by your TV picks up movements you make with the controller in hand. Based on past experience with playing, this approach has its ups and downs. While fun in games that uses specific movements makes it interesting, games with more complicated setups like first-person shooters are somewhat inaccurate. Depending on the game you play, you'll either enjoy it or hate it. The system uses memory cards and its own hard drive for storing game information, has some online features that are actually great for playing some original Nintendo games, and is even compatible with games for the Game Cube. All in all, you have what you need to get started, and the system encourages more play with friends, making it very appealing.
The games available for the Wii are pretty much exclusive to the system. Because of its appeal to younger kids, most of its games are kid-friendly, but many of those same games can be enjoyed by adults. The character of Mario highlights several of its best games, such as "Super Mario Galaxy," "Super Paper Mario," and "Mario Kart Wii;" all of which have gotten great reviews. Also included are game series from Game Cube that are insanely popular. "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" continues pitting the most famous video game characters against one another in some great action, while "Metroid Prime 3: Corruption" continues the first-person action of Samus Aran that keeps you addicted. If you were fans of these games before, it's well worth it.
Other mentionable games:
- Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles (Though very different compared to the regular games of the series, it's still a must-have for anyone highly entertained by the series)
- Mario & Sonic at The Olympic Games (Good for some old-fashioned sporting events where you can play as some favorite characters. Very interactive as well)
- Strong Bad's Cool Game For Attractive People (Although simple in concept, it's a well-done game made for fans of the hilarious HomestarRunner.com website)
Some minor flaws exist in this highly-attractive system. Aside from the control scheme that doesn;t always work, the system lacks the punch in graphics that its competitors have. Although bright and colorful, it's not really geared to amaze. The system also only comes with one controller, and although your friends could bring theirs, you may find yourself buying others just in case. Lastly, like Xbox 360, not too many appealing games are coming soon, which even though some could become hits, not many well-known titles ae expected in the near future.
Lets get to the overall picture here now. The Nintendo Wii is a great way to bring friends together, and it's a nice way to bring you back to the roots of the fun games you played when you were a kid and also making it something new. Not the top choice of mine, but a system that will keep my attention for some time.
You know now that Part 3 will be a look at the Playstation 3, the top dog of this debate but not easily the victor. Also coming up you'll see a preview of TV shows beginning this weekend, and just for fun I'll list some of my favorite superhero powers. You know what this means now? I tell you to find something entertaining, and also tell you that I'm going to do the same exact thing. Think you can handle that?
Monday, January 5, 2009
Out At Californi-A
My oh my, it's been a little while since I've been on here. I recently had the opportunity to go out to Los Angeles, California for my paid vacation time. Of course, my wife has kept most of you up to date on what we did day-by-day while we were out there. So, I think I'll elaborate on the more entertaining parts or entertainment-themed things we did.
I guess I'll start with the fun little world called Disneyland. I'll admit we didn't get to see everything at the park the day we spent there, but we made sure to hit all the best parts. Of course, many of those consisted of the rides. I'll work may way up to the best ride in the park. Down at the bottom of the list (not neccessarily a bad thing mind you) was the Haunted Mansion. Although this is one of the more classic rides, it gets radically changed to center around the story of "The Nightmare Before Christmas." I actually love this movie, and hoped the ride would do it justice. While it had some nice touches, you could blatantly see what belongs and what is probably more like the original ride. Kinda hard to enjoy then. Similar to that was "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." Although it's kind of surreal to ride through, and slightly uncomfortable, this ride hit a soft spot with me because of how it reminded me of some of my favorite childhood stories of Winnie's. A little more interesting was the "Jungle Cruise," which despite the silly jokes by the guide, was more enjoyable when you just pay attention to what's around you. The best of these story-based rides definitely goes to "Pirates of the Carribean." Although I heard the original ride was changed to include the movie trilogy based on it, not many were made, so it still has some of its originality. And it's enjoyable because there's a little more interactivity.
Let's move on to the more intense rides. The "Matterhorn Bobsleds" had the shortest line, so I figured it might not be the best. Although it was still fun, it is actually a little uncomfortable considering the seating arrangement. The "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" was a step up, but seemed to be the shortest compared to the rest of the rides. "Star Tours" was different compared to these roller coaster rides, but it was more thrilling than the previous ones mentioned (I promise I'm not being biased because it's Star Wars themed either).
As for my favorite ride out all, I have to give this spot to 2 rides. The "Indiana Jones Adventure," while having a long wait, was worth it. It's intense and full of plenty surprises to keep you going. "Space Mountain" kepts your pulsa at the same beat, but stands out because of its "starlight" style and keeping you from predicting what's next. Both rides should be at the top of everyone's checklist if you're going there.
I guess this look at LA wouldn't be complete without the trip to Hollywood Blvd. It's defeinitely a place like no other. You walk down the street, and literally see how they've paid tribute to many celebrities. Harrison Ford, Christopher Reeves, Kiefer Sutherland.......many of my favorite stars were there. It takes quite a bit of time to see them all, but the best ones are easy to find. Also a good attraction is the Hollywood Wax Museum. Although some are a little silly and don't resemble their life-like counterparts, some are dead on, and get you a little creeped out thinking that it's really them.
Of course, there's only one place to go to see one of the greatest tributes to a celebrity: Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Probably the first thing you'll notice before you get there is the many costumed characters standing out front. For a small tip, you can get your picture taken with them. Interesting to do, and pretty fun (you can see me getting attacked by Jason Vorhees, who will be featured in an upcoming blog, in the pictures on our website). Once you get to the very front of the theatre, you see a great tribute to many actors: foot and hand prints in concrete. John Wayne, Marylin Monroe, Steven Spielberg.....they must've known that that moment meant to them that it was all worth it.
I guess this will be a good place to end this blog. Of course there's plenty coming up. A tribute to Jason Vorhees, a look at the Wii system in the Great Debate, and some upcoming reviews thanks to the insane amount of DVDs I received for Christmas. Now, I'm sure you were able to find entertainment for yourselves this past week, so now you're on your own again. As for me, I'm back to finding my own entertainment here at home........not as good as my vacation, but you know something, not bad either.
I guess I'll start with the fun little world called Disneyland. I'll admit we didn't get to see everything at the park the day we spent there, but we made sure to hit all the best parts. Of course, many of those consisted of the rides. I'll work may way up to the best ride in the park. Down at the bottom of the list (not neccessarily a bad thing mind you) was the Haunted Mansion. Although this is one of the more classic rides, it gets radically changed to center around the story of "The Nightmare Before Christmas." I actually love this movie, and hoped the ride would do it justice. While it had some nice touches, you could blatantly see what belongs and what is probably more like the original ride. Kinda hard to enjoy then. Similar to that was "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." Although it's kind of surreal to ride through, and slightly uncomfortable, this ride hit a soft spot with me because of how it reminded me of some of my favorite childhood stories of Winnie's. A little more interesting was the "Jungle Cruise," which despite the silly jokes by the guide, was more enjoyable when you just pay attention to what's around you. The best of these story-based rides definitely goes to "Pirates of the Carribean." Although I heard the original ride was changed to include the movie trilogy based on it, not many were made, so it still has some of its originality. And it's enjoyable because there's a little more interactivity.
Let's move on to the more intense rides. The "Matterhorn Bobsleds" had the shortest line, so I figured it might not be the best. Although it was still fun, it is actually a little uncomfortable considering the seating arrangement. The "Big Thunder Mountain Railroad" was a step up, but seemed to be the shortest compared to the rest of the rides. "Star Tours" was different compared to these roller coaster rides, but it was more thrilling than the previous ones mentioned (I promise I'm not being biased because it's Star Wars themed either).
As for my favorite ride out all, I have to give this spot to 2 rides. The "Indiana Jones Adventure," while having a long wait, was worth it. It's intense and full of plenty surprises to keep you going. "Space Mountain" kepts your pulsa at the same beat, but stands out because of its "starlight" style and keeping you from predicting what's next. Both rides should be at the top of everyone's checklist if you're going there.
I guess this look at LA wouldn't be complete without the trip to Hollywood Blvd. It's defeinitely a place like no other. You walk down the street, and literally see how they've paid tribute to many celebrities. Harrison Ford, Christopher Reeves, Kiefer Sutherland.......many of my favorite stars were there. It takes quite a bit of time to see them all, but the best ones are easy to find. Also a good attraction is the Hollywood Wax Museum. Although some are a little silly and don't resemble their life-like counterparts, some are dead on, and get you a little creeped out thinking that it's really them.
Of course, there's only one place to go to see one of the greatest tributes to a celebrity: Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Probably the first thing you'll notice before you get there is the many costumed characters standing out front. For a small tip, you can get your picture taken with them. Interesting to do, and pretty fun (you can see me getting attacked by Jason Vorhees, who will be featured in an upcoming blog, in the pictures on our website). Once you get to the very front of the theatre, you see a great tribute to many actors: foot and hand prints in concrete. John Wayne, Marylin Monroe, Steven Spielberg.....they must've known that that moment meant to them that it was all worth it.
I guess this will be a good place to end this blog. Of course there's plenty coming up. A tribute to Jason Vorhees, a look at the Wii system in the Great Debate, and some upcoming reviews thanks to the insane amount of DVDs I received for Christmas. Now, I'm sure you were able to find entertainment for yourselves this past week, so now you're on your own again. As for me, I'm back to finding my own entertainment here at home........not as good as my vacation, but you know something, not bad either.
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