So I'm very busy playing through FF XIII-2 currently, and though I'll save most of my thoughts for when I hit the 15 hour mark, I can say it's a vast improvement on XIII and, so far, worth pre-ordering. It has it's flaws but they're actually rather more justifiable than I was expecting given the average score of 8 by most reviewers.
Anyways, in prep I thought I'd put together some comparison, so here's a breakdown on my thoughts looking back on FFXIII (feel free to disagree with me in the comments) :
FFXIII:Overall Grade C Recommended For: FF fans willing to put up with a crappy story and an overabundance of FF's signature angsty hopeless characters for a brilliant new battle system. Or if you really can't bring yourself to play FFXIII-2 out of order.
Eight quips I'm quoting, Seven songs I'm humming, Six brand new shows, Five crazy games! Four bloody films, Three Sanctuaries, Two Middlemans, and a Colbert'sChristmasSpecialDVD
DONE! I'm done. Mostly because I finally have other stuff to right about - shows are coming back from break, major video games are about to be released, and I just saw a very musical Harry Potter on stage (and it's not the one you think!). Anyways, let's wrap this stuff up with some humor, shall we?
Oh come on. You knew it. The fact is I'm lazy and if there's one thing I can do, it's quote Sanctuary. Ok, I can do a lot more than that. But Tesla is just so damn funny. And season 4's conclusion two weeks ago was absolutely brilliant (and very explosive, *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*).
Unfortunately the web is rather lacking for individual scenes, although I found a nice vid of some of the great moments of seasons 1 - 3.
So here are some of my favorites from this latest season: (T = Tesla, M = Magnus, A = Adam Worth, H = Henry)
1) T: "If an immortal vampire dies in a virtual world...." M: "Does he make a sound?" 2) M: "How's your magnetism" T: "You tell me" M: "Really?! Even now?!" T: " Sorry, it's automatic."
3) T: "No more hottie what's-her-face at SCIU.... They all leave me. Even the pigeons in New York left me."
4) M: "I'm going to search for the surviving members of your staff - or should I say, future members of the class action suit against you"
5) A: "You never did like me, the real me, did you?" T: "Oh come now, what's not to like? Homicidal maniac, paranoid self delusions, a sartorial penchant for argyle?"
6) T: "I hope you aren't planning on having any children." H: "Uh, actually ... [Erika's] due sometime in the next year and a half."
7) H: "What about the [Area 51] on Google Maps?" M: "Decoy, aimed at conspiracy theorists, I'm afraid. Much like the Pentagon."
8) And finally, some of the best Henry nicknames: Furious George and Henrico the Wonder Wolf
Seven songs I'm humming, Six brand new shows, Five crazy games! Four bloody films, Three Sanctuaries, Two Middlemans, and a Colbert'sChristmasSpecialDVD
So Hanukah is long over, but I am determined to finish this. I might have gotten waylaid by the newest Rick Riordan books (that man can do no wrong) but more on that later. Here it is, the seven songs on my youtube playlist that always cheer me up:
Tonight I'm Frakking You (Break Originals) It takes massive girl-balls to wear a Leia golden bikini in an Enrique Inglesias parody music videos, making Alessandra Toressani the only thing from Caprica I know enough about to respect. Also, Amy Okuda (Tink from the Guild) and Kunal Nayyar (Raj from BBT) make memorable appearances as well.
It's Tough to be a God (written by Elton John) If you've never watched the under-loved Disney movie Road to El Dorardo: 1) You're childhood is incomplete, and 2) You probably also never saw Quest for Camelot so go watch both. Also, neither have soundtracks available on ITunes, making me incredibly grateful to whoever put this catchy tune on the web.
Six brand new shows, Five crazy games! Four bloody films, Three Sanctuaries, Two Middlemans, and a Colbert'sChristmasSpecialDVD
(Ok, so I'm a little behind. I just beat AC Revelations and it was totally worth it.)
Suits Notable Cast: Gina Torres (Firefly, Serenity, Alias) Plot: Mike Ross, genius kid with issues staying on the straight and narrow, ends up lying about having a law degree and working for Harvey Specter. Harvey happens to be an ex-genius kid with issues, etc., etc. so he keeps the lie going but in a gruff, Gibbs head-slap, mentor kind of way.
The one thing that keeps this show form being unoriginal is the fact that Mike is not a totally reformed slacker and Harvey is much more of a douche than the typical doesn't-show-affection mentor. For a while, I felt bad for enjoying the show as much as I did, but there's a point where you just enjoy imperfect characters who get away with (or don't).
Five crazy games! Four bloody films, Three Sanctuaries, Two Middlemans, and a Colbert'sChristmasSpecialDVD
When it comes to video games there can be all kind of arguments - JRPG vs. WRPG, Call of Duty vs. Gears of War, Zelda vs. Mario, Leaf vs. Water vs. Fire starting Pokemon.
But only a few games can be universally agreed upon as the craziest, most time consuming, plot-twisty, over the top, innovative, and yes, rewarding, games out there. These games are above and beyond and if you haven't played them, you haven't experienced the jaw-dropping glorious confusion that comes with any one of these fantastic titles:
Catherine(XBOX 360/PS3) Plot: Vincent, an ordinary guy, is stuck choosing between his long term girlfriend Katherine who's pushing for a big commitment, and new mysterious young hottie Catherine. Also, he's having terrifying nightmares where he must climb to the top of a tower before the floor gives out beneath him - if he falls in the dream, he'll die in real life.
Why It's Innovative: First off, you don't get to choose how Vincent responds. Instead you answer survey questions about your own views on marriage and commitment, and chooses Vincent's reactions based on that. And no, there is no "right" choice, he's an absolute tool of a douchebag either way. Instead you're rewarded for the strength and consistency of your choices. Additionally, the game itself is the climb up the tower in Vincent's dream, a physics breaking timed 3D puzzle with a 2D view. Why It's Crazy: Oh, and also there's a 64 level move limited mini-game version of the main puzzle. And a social element where you can accidentally kill the other characters if you aren't careful. And final bosses like uh,
Four bloody films, Three Sanctuaries, Two Middlemans, and a Colbert'sChristmasSpecialDVD!
First off, I don't like slasher flicks. In fact, I normally have a really low tolerance for blood, guts, and gore. But these films are something special. They go from being just bloody to bloody fantastic. (That last part is to be read with a British accent.)
Kill Bill (Vol. 1 and 2) The Plot: The Bride (Uma Thurman) wakes up from a 4 year coma after being beaten nearly to death and losing her baby. She goes to get revenge on all those responsible, saving Bill for last. Also, did I mention she's an ex-assassin, and so is everyone she's hunting? The Bloody: Guns are boring. Old school weapons, especially samurai swords, are awesome. Their are tons of incredible fight scenes, that often involve lots of limb loss, eye plucking, and just brutal amounts of blood. The Bloody Fantastic: You did read "samurai swords" correct? The fight scenes in this movie are the closest I've ever scene to art of any action film. The entire movie is so detailed that it's hard to believe even Quentin Tarantino could imagine this level of crazy. In fact, the most iconic scene (left), when Elle Driver attempts to murder the Bride while she's in her coma, doesn't have any blood at all. The second most (right) does though - and by blood I mean light spatter and a severed head. Watch at your own peril.
Three Sanctuaries, Two Middlemans, and a Colbert'sChristmasSpecialDVD
So the truth is, I'm absolutely exhausted as I've spent the last three days driving home from PIttsburgh, running errands, and then turning around and flying across the country today. So, yeah, I went with something easy. But, to justify this:
1) I do own all three seasons of Sanctuary (but I just did a bad pluralization yesterday so I refuse to do it again), and
2) Technically, though the Sanctuary network expands all over the globe (at least 12 or 13 have been confirmed in different cities), we've only ever seen three:
Old City (Magnus/Will/Ashley/Henry/Kate)
London (Watson/Declan/Clara/Allistair/Other generic British people)
and Mumbai (Ravi)
Technically, we did see the Japanese Sanctuary incredibly briefly in season 2 opener End of Nights Part 1. But then it was attacked and burned to the ground, so I think I'm safe not counting it.
Now, dear readers, apologies for going all hipster on you, but I'm about to tell you about the greatest SciFy tv show you've never heard of. It's called
An amazing show with a very short lifetime on ABC Family, the show was about, well, The Middleman and his apprentice, Wendy Watson, as they fight some incredibly wonky and hilarious villains, all while working for the mysterious OTSTK (Organization Too Secret To Know).
Every episode was based off of a different classic story with a twist: mob hits Godfather style that are the work of super intelligent gorillas, the zombie flying fish apocalypse, and the return of Vlad the Impaler - as a talking vampire puppet.
But by far my favorite episode is the one honoring everything spytacular, "The Obscolecent Cryogenic Meltdown." Kevin Sorbo (a.k.a. Hercules) guest starred as "Sixty Nine", a previous Middleman who was frozen in order to fight his arch-nemesis The Candle should he ever resurface.
But two Middlemans (not Middlemen, that would sound silly) is one too many, and as they butt heads, Sixty Nine tries to go rouge and drags Wendy along. They end up playing a very dangerous card game as "the American gambler Harry Rule and his dissolute lover the Contessa Caroline di Cotini" at the nefarious mansion of Lord Jeremiah Purcell, who is protected by his silent but deadly manservant Govinda. And yes, those are actually lines from the show, not my own description.
Eventually we learn that all evil villains buy two things after setting up an evil lair on an island - automated turrets and Scandinavian furniture. It's an awesome episode, especially for me as a massive James Bond fan.
I recommend the whole series, but for a taste of the humor and light heartedness, here's a collection of some of The Middleman's greatest sayings:
Yep. I went there. I refuse to conform to the annoying yet endearing cliche of counting down to Christmas. 1) Because I don't celebrate it and 2) because I don't how you're supposed to remember the day it starts and I missed it.
[And I know what you're thinking. 25 - 12? Really? I can't do basic math anymore. Give it to me in the form of a partial differential equation and then we're talking.]
Anyways, kicking it off today, I begin listing things I love that you should buy for people you love. (Or yourself because that's how I got the song lyrics to work)
That's right, I'm starting Hanukah with some Christmas. It's really only fair, as Christmas Eve is actually the most sacred Jewish holiday of the year, traditionally celebrated with Chinese food and a movie with my family.
Anyways, to get you in the holiday spirit, check out the fantastically awesome special that I'm sure is constantly running on Comedy Central right now. Airing originally in December 2008, it's absolutely hilarious, irreverent, and full of the same humor as the Colbert Report, but with extra musical guests.
I remember when it came out because I was in class when Colbert ordered his fans to all buy an album of the special at 5pm so he could pass Kanye West on the Top Album chart. My first act of rebellion in service to the Colbert Nation! (And we succeeded!)
Anyways, I'm sure the whole thing is online, but here's a sample with my personal favorite song: "Can I Interest You in Hanukah?" with John Stewart.
Something to get you through your last few finals! I'm busy not packing, will update once I'm home in the land of free yummy food I don't have to cook myself.
(By the way, if you are in academics and you don't read PhD regularly, you're doing it wrong. I've been reading his stuff since junior year of high school, it's all brilliant)
I know, it's been rough for all of us since Stargate SG1 ended. Atlantis was nice, and Universe actually wrapped with some solid episodes at the end, but things have never been the same since our favorite (slightly interchangeable) four set out every week from the SGC.
And yet, very few of you have latched onto a show I know you'll love, so here's:
Ten Reasons Why Stargate SG1 Fans Will Love Sanctuary:
(by the way, if you are not a Stargate fan/want to know a heck of a lot more about the show, I did a really thorough review of it before Season 3 aired back here. Careful, there are lots of spoilers)
1. The Executive Producers (The 1 you know and the 2 you don't)
First off, Sanctuary is a privately financed show that is aired by SyFy, not a network show. The people who made all this magic happen are currently it's three executive producers: Amanda Tapping, Damian Kindler, and Martin Wood. And guess what, you actually know all three.
Amanda Tapping - You know her as Sam Carter, but not only does she star as Helen Magnus is Sanctuary, she's also been an executive producer since the beginning and directed 3 episodes. She's had a hand in designing the show since it first began as a few online webisodes. On top of that, along with Damian Kindler she helped found SanctuaryForKids, a charity that sponsors work all over the globe and receives 100% of all money made from Sanctuary merchandise. She is is one very talented woman.
Damian Kindler - The creator of Sanctuary and co-founder of SanctuaryForKids, he's also an executive producer and writer for Sanctuary, but you know him from, well, a lot of Stargate. The short list of episodes he wrote includes The Other Guys, Reckoning Pt 1 and 2, and Bounty.
Martin Wood - Executive producer and director for Sanctuary, he met Amanda Tapping during the first episode of Stargate SG1 he directed, where she talked him into helping with a now infamous prank:
New semester, new things to avoid doing (like, say, grad school apps), new roster of shows to watch, and a new layout!
And also, through a rather odd series of somewhat fortunate events over the summer, I was challenged to think of a proper Carmen Sandiego-style agent name for myself, and, well, I like it. Of course, Ann Tickwitee will always have a special place in my heart.
Combine the name with the background recently liberated from SyFy's website, and I think we all know what my #1 show is right now - Sanctuary! If you have free time, and you want to get into a new TV show, and you aren't catching up on Sanctuary online, you're WRONG.
And one final note. A friend of mine, new to Doctor Who (my close 2nd favorite show), tried to mispronounce a crucial word in the Who-verse yesterday and write it off as an easy mistake to make. It's not. See this:
These are Daleks. Pronounce Daah - lehk. Or according to Wikipedia in that fancy script I can't read: dɑːlɛk.
Get it right or you shall be exterminated! Or maybe we'll get them first:
Jeez, I feel like a broken record. This semester is incredibly hectic for me, and I'm going to try to catch up soon. So sorry.
On a side note, according to my super top secret stats bar, in the last two weeks I've had over a hundred hits purely because of an image of Michelle Pfeifer I have in my Hairspray review. Weird. But flattering. I think.
I have been keeping up with shows though. Castle's doing great, The Cape is still going strong, and House had two surprisingly good episodes with the intro of Cuddy's mom and a Rachel centric episode.
So since I'm too busy to do any writing, what about you readers? What are you watching? Is your semester as hectic as mine? Or just post something about how I'm so zeta slow. Any sign of life on this blog is welcome.
SPOILERS: ...Castle... hopefully, that's not a surprise
In case you don't read titles, Castle's back! And as far as I know, nothing else. So it gets its own post. But not a long one. Cause I'm lazy. And the Thursday finales took foooreeevvver. And I like short sentence fragments. And I have sooooooo much homework. (Yes, this is from January 3rd)
SPOILERS: Bones, Big Bang Theory, and a hell-of-a-lot-of Sanctuary
All I can say is, this is the most daunting post ever. Bones, ok. BBT, ok. FOUR episodes of Sanctuary in one post?! I'm almost glad I didn't take notes cause if I did my usual play-by-play this would be way too freakishly long. Thank goodness one of them is Breach which, while a good episode, doesn't require much commenting.
However, this is a lot of stuff to cover, in Bones as well, so if any of your burning questions or fond memories are not covered, let me know. I'll either add in another section or bump up your chosen episode to a separate review (which means me re-watching it and taking notes).
Hobey ho, let's go.
(Twenty points to anyone who gets that reference - and in advance, you are awesome)
In celebration of me finally catching up on Doctor Who (well, the new series of course) and the fact that I finally understand this, I thought I should share:
Whoops....I guess I fell a liiiittle behind. My bad.
Damn, this is a lot more stuff to go through than all the Monday ones. Once again, aiming for impact and general opinion rather than specifics, sorry, or else this post would be way too long and I'd never get to enjoy my vacation.
Which is going great, by the way. I love holidays. Video games, home cooked meals, being driven crazy by your family (but of course you still really love them)....thank goodness none of them read this blog.
Also, if you're interested in plays and/or gay rights, I highly recommend the play called "The Laramie Project"; very moving and emotional. On a similar note, hurrah for the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell! (You can tell when I started writing this post by this paragraph)
Anyways, Riese actually turned out rather less disappointing towards the end. My final say would be, watch it if you enjoy artsy sci-fi or fantasy. It's nothing really original and the actors fall flat at times of the potential I know they have (kind of like watching Natalie Portman in Star Wars - you can tell she's trying but the dialouge she has to work with is just too awful). However, I was struck by the beauty of the show - the costumes, the gadgets, the scenery, all really stunning. It's aesthetics make it past that dividing line that makes certain steampunks shine while others are merely clunky and flashy. If you have some time to spare this break, watch it, and maybe like me you'll look forward to a potential second season. But you'll also see that it's no surprise that they weren't given their own TV show - this is no Sanctuary.
No matter you're religion, celebrate Christmas as a lovely themed day when, at the very least, everyone else is busy with family, leaving you a nice day off.
Except for people in service industries. Sucks to be you, sorry, but there's always Boxing Day. I always did like Boxing Day....
Anyways, here's something to bring a bit of Christmas Joy:
Last time I posted under this heading it was because the Sanctuary premiere had been postponed a month. Unfortunately, this news also has its roots in SyFy. Courtesy of blastr.com:
"Syfy announced today it will end its original action-adventure seriesStargate Universeonce the show returns to finish its second season in the spring of 2011. The upcoming 10 episodes will be the series' last."
Some people are sad, and some people are relieved. Interestingly, this means both of SyFy's Tuesday night shows have been cancelled (SGU and Caprica) while Sanctuary is thriving in it's Friday night slot.
My opinion is leaning towards the relieved. I'm always sad to see a show with potential cancelled, and SGU did have some gems with the characters of T.J., Rush [above], Eli, and even Young at times. Season 1 stumbled trying to find it's footing, and Season 2 seemed to be headed in the right direction until...
It turned out there was a higher intelligence involved in the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. And then the religion metaphor, which was actually somewhat lovely to see at points, became heavy handed and substituted in in the place of science and actual ongoing action and drama.
So maybe it's time for the show to end. Like Dollhouse, the remaining episodes may spur them into actually reaching some resolution for the fans. Or like Kyle XY, Firefly, Jake 2.0, or the Middleman, maybe we'll be left throwing things at the TV going "WHAT THE @*&$#(@*#& you can't end it there! That didn't explain anything!!"
What do you think. Not given the chance to shine or a decision that should have been made ages ago?
Ah, the tragedy that is mid-season break. Chuck, House, and Castle are all done for this year. Castle will be back as soon as January 3rd but the other two won't be back until January 17th. But they did have the decency to end on different weeks so I'm not just stuck with tons of shows on one week and none anytime else. So this is technically my review of Monday November 22th, 29th and December 6th.
Some of these are a bit scant, apologies, I went more for my general opinion rather than details as these are end of the season.
Episode of the Week(s?): Either "Chuck versus the Leftovers" or Castle's "Last Call"
