Nameless......For Now....

Prussian Blue: This is what our world has come to?

2005-10-23T22:06:00.000-04:00

The first thing that comes to mind when looking at these two are Olson twin clones. Well, yeah...but there is one major difference. The Gaede twins, Lynx and Lamb, are fucking racist little twits who preach their messages of hate through sugar-coated pop music. Take this stirring little number for example.

Aside from the twisted message contained within, they fucking suck! Even if I were racist, I wouldn't want to be caught dead listening to this shit! Stuff like this puts Ashlee Simpson on par with Tori Amos.

Man, there is nothing good about White Nationalists. Not even their music....

Hey There!

2005-10-23T22:04:00.000-04:00

I bet you are wondering why this blog hasn't been updated. Well, the purpose of this blog was to serve as a playground for my writing. Well, the playground has helped elevate me just a tad bit higher up the writers ladder. To say I've been busy is a big understatement. So with that, the blog will be updated only when I feel that I have something important to write about.

Ultimate Fighter 2: Episode 5 recap and thoughts

2005-09-20T02:22:00.000-04:00

I hate to say it but this season is severely lacking in the drama and intensity of last season. And this episode pressed this claim even further.

The Tom Murphy-Rashaud Evans fight was boring, plain and simple. Rashaud made some effort in the fight while Tom just stood there, taking forever on what his next move was. He had a few oppurtunities where he could gain a large advantage but he never followed through. Whatever. It was a bad fight and the decision went to the man who at least tried to keep it competitive.

The only saving grace of this show is Matt Hughes. His dickishness makes hm a heel that rivals even great wrestling heels like Kurt Angle. Somebody has to rib him hard before the season is through. He's asking for it. However, he is the boss and he is legit badass. I certainly wouldn't screw with him!

Next week...Matt Hughes beats up his team for Tom's embarassing loss and also, a VIOLENT fight! Ooooooooooh!

Ultimate Fighter 2:Episode 4 thoughts

2005-09-15T08:04:00.000-04:00

Rich Franklin makes a good point; its not about the challenges, its about the fights. However, winning the challenges doesn't hurt either.

Jorge, without a doubt, is the most calculative member of the entire house. I believe he forged this alliance with Marcus Davis in order to ride his way to the finals with as little fights as possible. He convinced Marcus into fighting Joe Stevenson.

The Marcus Davis-Joe Stevenson fight is a classic example of a well-rounded fighter dominating a fighter of a single principle. Granted, Marcus is a boxer and a good one might I add but his skills on the mat seemed somewhat limited. Joe reminded me very much of Diego Sanchez, he had an aggressive gameplan and he attaced himself to Marcus like an octopus the second after he took him down. Joe has a ton of potential to win this thing and I give Marcus alot of credit for bowing out graciously.

Team Franklin is now down to 2 welterweights, Anthony Torres and Jorge. Will Jorge get in the octagon next? Or will he convince Anthony to take a stab?

Also, considering the size of the playing field, I am quite sure that Dana White will ask Matt Hughes to give up a welterweight and place him on Team Franklin, in order to even the sides.

The welterweights are very competitve. They are flying off the shelves fast!

Another GREAT commercial!

2005-09-11T08:47:00.000-04:00

YEAHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Ultimate Fighter 2: Episode 3 recap and thoughts

2005-09-07T10:51:00.000-04:00

This week's episode covered several issues. It looks like Josh Berkman paid a heavy price in his surprise victory over Melvin Guillard last week. Despite having a broken arm, Berkman had to go home. He seemed to be kinda hoping to play the role of Nate Quarry for this season by staying on and serving as a figure of inspiration for his team. That won't be the case here. Oh well, he leaves the show undefeated. Let's hope Dana White gives him a second chance at an upcoming UFC event, perhaps a shot at the winner of this season's Welterweight competition.

With Berkman's departure comes a replacement, Jason Von Flue, a fighter from Chuck Liddell's camp. Matt Hughes, feeling that Jason has yet to pay his dues, decides to drill the newcomer in a workout regimen not uncommon to the 2-day trip to hell endured by the other fighters in the first episode. While I give Hughes credit for his sense of fairness and equality, I felt that he was basically wasting a fresh fighter and placing him on the same level as his overtly fatigued and banged up team.

On the other hand, Jason came off like a bit of a drama queen. Flicking off the treadmill was just plain lame but his theatrics afterwards were classic! Now lets see how well he can handle himself in a fight.

As for Rob McDonald bitching about his shoulder, lets give him the benefit of the doubt. We have to remember that the show is edited for television, Rob may not have come off as much of a whiner in reality as he did on the show. Anyways, hurt or not, you have to respect Rob for his decision to fight.

Rob's fight against Team Franklin Heavyweight Brad Imes was rather lackluster. The pace was slow and plodding and Imes lack of experience showed heavily. Rob came off a bit more aggressive but slowed down immensely The finish was very much a "What the Hell? " moment but I am unable to feel the pain that Rob was in. His arm was badly damaged and he could've faced permanent injury. Tapping may have been the right thing to do.

Now, before I go on, I want to point out that Matt Hughes is an amazing fighter. His abilities and his work ethic are practically unmatched. However, claiming his fighter, a guy who went in to fight severely injured and put everything on the line, has no heart is completely unfair. Judging by this episode and the next episode where Matt supposedly is going to get under Jorge's ski, Matt Hughes is making the big heel turn for the show. That may not be the case but its how the editing of the show is making it look. But that's entertainment for ya. What can I say?

Next week: Another Welterweight fight!

Don't worry! Its coming!

2005-09-06T12:05:00.000-04:00

My recap of this weeks Ultimate Fighter will be up either later tonite or early tommorow morning. I had a few errands to run today so I had no time to get on here.

I will have lots to say.....

/film has been launched

2005-09-01T02:58:00.000-04:00

Here you are!

Be sure to check out my review for the Gladiator: Extended Edition DVD!

More Stuff By Me

2005-08-31T15:05:00.000-04:00

A Review on the Myst V: The End of Ages demo

An Article About Sierra On-Line's 3-D Adventure Games from the 1980's

As for the rest of us....

2005-08-31T09:56:00.000-04:00

Its time we assumed our roles as descent human beings and do whatever we can to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Whether it be something small like a donation to the Red Cross or a large effort like actually going to the disaster area and physically contributing to the effort, every bit will count.

Last night, when I noticed that gas prices went up again. I began to complain. However, when I thought about what the people in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi were going through, I stopped myself. And I suggest everyone else to do the same. What those people down there are going through is something on a level far more stressful and exhausting than something as trivial as gas prices. Yes, gas prices are ridiculous but you know what? There is not a damn thing we can do about it! If its really a problem then ride your bike to work! Just stop the bitching!! Its completely selfish! Unlike a good number of these victims, AT LEAST YOU HAVE A CAR AND AT LEAST YOU CAN GET UP AND STROLL TO THE GAS STATION WHENEVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT!

Also, shame on the looters who are running amok in New Orleans. Poor miserable white trash!!! You people need to get real! This is where my conservative side shows, kudos to martial law!

Thats all I have to say....

Hey! Guess what "W." was doing..........

2005-08-31T09:15:00.000-04:00

while Hurricane Katrina was leaving hundreds dead and thousands homeless. What a stand-up guy!

Ultimate Fighter 2 Episode 2: Thoughts

2005-08-30T08:47:00.000-04:00

After a disappointing first episode that consisted of heartbreaking injuries and undeserving quitters, the second episode of Ultimate Fighter definitely made up for the flaws.

In order to compensate the loss of two Heavyweights, UFC has brought in Dan Christison, a fighter from New Mexico who was appointed as an alternate on the show. I've never seen Dan fight but I must say he is a pretty big guy and I bet his power is his biggest factor.

The teams have been set, Rich Franklin and Matt Hughes have carefully scouted and selected the fighters they want to represent them. It looks like an interesting group.

Its good to see Randy Couture back on the show as the coordinator of the team challenges.

In the first fight of the season, Welterweights Josh Berkman and Melvin Guillard squared off. Melvin was one of the focused characters of last week as he blabbered on and bragged to everyone in the house about his impressive fight record. Well, good record or not, Melvin had his words stuffed in his mouth as Berkman defeated him via decision.

While his transitions came off smooth, and he did show effective punching, Guillard failed to capitalize on key oppurtune moments. He had Josh stunned after a shin kick to the face and all he did was stand there. However, he did not come off as a slouch and the fact that he broke his hand in the second round didn't help matters either.

Josh controlled the pace of the fight and wore out Melvin with powerful take-downs. He also managed to slip out of a few scary moments, such as a locked-in guillotine choke at the end of the second round. If there was at least a minute left in the round, we could have had a different decision.

Anyways, it was a good fight and a good episode. Let's keep em rolling...

A new website and a new writing job for yours truly

2005-08-25T11:52:00.000-04:00

Hey true believers!

I have been selected to serve as a staff member for the new movie website, /film. It is currently in its beta stage and is set to launch on September 1. I will post a link to the site here on that day. Look for my review of the Gladiator: Extended Edition DVD.

At least there is still some goodness left in the Ozzy camp

2005-08-25T11:44:00.000-04:00

In This River-Black Label Society

A beautiful song, a beautiful video and a fitting tribute to one of metal's fallen heroes,"Dimebag" Darrell Lance Abbott.

Ultimate Fighter 2: Episode 1 Thoughts

2005-08-23T10:13:00.000-04:00

The first episode of the new season of Ultimate Fighter aired on Spike TV last night. After viewing the episode with much anticipation, I have only one word: BULLSHIT!

I have to give Rich Franklin and Matt Hughes a ton of credit for showing restraint and not snapping on some of these guys. I can't say anything about Kerry Schall, injuries can happen and being the elder statesmen of the show (he's 34), his chances of suffering an injury were at a high rate the moment he got there. Kudos to him for trying though. Now, on to the other two....

When Kenny Stevens was selected as the weakest of the welterweights and given the chance to prove them wrong by fighting, I was pretty excited. I thought we were going to be treated to a fight on this first episode. Alas, Kenny's complications in making weight kept us from such a treat.

As somebody who has been down that road, I have to say that yes, trying to make weight can be a nightmare. 20 pounds in two days can be absolute hell. However, if Stevens watched the show, he should know what he was getting into. He was going in to the Welterweight division (170 lbs) and he went in to the show 2o pounds overweight. Obviously, he did not properly prepare himself for this competition. That is just the way it works. He is obviously going to regret the chance he had missed. Hopefully, this issue has made him a smarter and stronger fighter.

As for Eli Joslin, who quit the show because he was camery shy, what the hell is up with that? All he had to do was adjust to the environment and he would've been fine. But no, he had to completely blow the oppurtunity Dana White had given him. UFC is the grand spectacle of Mixed Martial Arts; it was the Chocolate Factory and Eli had a golden ticket. He said in the show that he will find another way to succeed in MMA. Well, good luck with that. The window of oppurtunity opened for him and he shut it himself. He may never see such an oppurtunity again. Dana has every right to be pissed about this.

As for the other guys on the show. The ones who made it.

Luke Cummo may be a bit odd but do you know who else was? Diego Sanchez. Don't underestimate this kid. I have a feeling he is going to surprise everyone.

Ron "The Truth" Killings, I mean Melvin Guillard definitely has a personality molded for this kind of TV. He boasts about his fight record, lets see if he's got the stuff.

I have to say that, so far, Jorge Gurgel is the most likable guy on the show. He stuck with Kenny throughout the whole weight issue and did his best to motivate him. He seems to be quite knowledged in fitness and nutrition, that should benefit him in the competition. I see him sticking it out for the long run.

Not really much to say about the Heavyweights yet. Although I must point out that Tom Murphy is a local from Cooperstown, NY. He is the first in the area to have won the All-State High School Wrestling Championships. I just spoke to a few guys at the Daily Star and the Cooperstown Crier and they are going to run a few stories on Tom. I hope he does well.

Kind of a disappointing first episode but hopefully things will pick up.

Iron Maiden humiliated at Ozzfest: An embrassing moment for metal.

2005-08-21T09:15:00.000-04:00

Unreal. Just absolutely uncalled for.

If you don't want to read the whole thing. During the tenure of their final set for Ozzfest, Iron Maiden had to deal with the following issues:

-being pelted with eggs during the opening number, "Murders In The Rue Morgue"
-during "The Trooper", some asshead from backstage runs out and mocks frontman Bruce Dickinson with an American Flag. Dickinson's waving of the Union Jack is a trademark of this song. The guy also had "Don't Fuck With Ozzy" painted on his back.
-At least on four or five occasions, the PA went out during thier set
-The same flag-bearing dork who came out earlier returns and begins an "Ozzy" chant. Thankfully, his efforts were drowned out by "Maiden" chants. This is Maiden's set, give them the deserved respect. If you are going to chant for Ozzy, do it when its his turn.

Fed up with all the bullshit, Dickinson declares that the PA distruptions and the eggs were acts of sabotage from the Ozzy camp, led by Ozzy's money-grubbing wife Sharon. He then fires back by claiming that at least Maiden has not and never will sell their souls to MTV and you will never see them on reality TV because they are a true metal band. Its obvious that Bruce hit it right on the noggin, because after their set was over, Queen Sharon runs out and tries to cover he ass by saying that while they love Iron Maiden and their crew, Bruce Dickinson is a prick. Eventually, she was drowned out by a chorus of boos and left the stage.

I would have to say that Bruce is right, this probably was an act of sabotage. First off, the eggs had to come in from the inside. With the tightness of concert security these days, it would've been impossible for someone to get in with an armfull of egg cartons. Second, if the whole PA nonsense was an "accident", then it must be a real piece of shit PA system if it were to happen 5 times in the course of one set. You would think that Team Ozzy would accomodate the Ozzfest bands with a top-of-the-line PA system.

I agree that Bruce Dickinson can be a bit outspoken, but was this kind of treatment necessary? Considering her track record with other bands, Sharon comes off completely unprofessional and an overall bitch. Maybe she is spiteful because the guys in Maiden, who are all near Ozzy's age, can speak coherently and are not considered as "washed up". Perhaps she is spiteful because MAIDEN HAS ALWAYS BEEN BETTER THAN OZZY!! If this really was the work of Sharon and co., then they are nothing but spiteful and spoiled white trash (who happen to have money). Grow the fuck up and stop lowering yourselves to a standard that most people will never see! Stop focusing all your energy on hurting the good name of great bands and start concentrating on your drug-addicted children! Your husband had a storied and venturesome career but his energy and abilites are at a level that even his own peers far exceed, let him rest and retire.

If this was not an inside job and it turns out to be the work of audience members then to hell with them!!! I bet you would consider it blasphemy if something like this happend to your Ozzy god! Let me make something clear, if there was no such thing as Iron Maiden, then there would be no Shadows Fall, no In Flames, no Killswitch Engage. Maiden is one of the bands that silenced the "metal is for trailer park idiots" stereotype. They deserve just as much respect as Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, if not more.

Sometimes, life in this world can be truly digusting but in the meantime, I raise my devil horns in pledge of Iron Maiden!

A True Rock Legend Gets A Much Fitting Tribute

2005-08-20T00:56:00.000-04:00

Today, the late great Thin Lizzy frontman, Philip Parris Lynott was honored in Dublin today with the unveiling of a statue of his likeness.

This is a beautiful thing because I always felt that Phil Lynott is one of those musicians who does not get a shred of the recognition and credit that he absolutely deserves. He was a great bass player (one of my influences in fact) who had a trademark voice to go with his unmatched playing. On top of that, the guy had a killer 'fro!!

If you've never heard Thin Lizzy or you're knowledge of the band doesn't go beyond "The Boys Are Back In Town", "Jailbreak" and "Whiskey In The Jar", then I suggest you pick up Dedication , a "best of" compilation that chronicles the band from beginning to end. Its great stuff and I'm sure that many would agree.

The beautiful thing about journalism

2005-08-18T08:37:00.000-04:00

is that you get paid good money to report stupid and pointless shit like this.

People actually care? Puff Daddy, P-Diddy, Diddy, Turds, Logs, Poop, its all still shit,

Movies That People Love (and I hate)....part 1

2005-08-17T11:59:00.000-04:00

Every once in awhile, there comes a film that serves as the main topic of water-cooler discussions everywhere. A movie that everyone goes on about how great it was. Everyone except for me that is. Below is a list of films, compilated by yours truly, that the majority embrace as cinematic classics while I look at them as stomach bile. Let us begin!!!

Grease

I'm gonna catch heat from everyone for this. Everybody, from my wife, my daughter, my mother, and even the grizzly Maxx Burton, is going to ask me "Why the hell are you knocking Grease?! It's a classic!" Hmmmm, could the third-rate acting, bad dance choreography and enough bad dialogue for the guys from "Mystery Science Theater 3000" to play with be vaild reasons for my misery? Other than John Travolta (who will be mentioned again in this article) and Stockard Channing (who regularly does Lifetime movies that make this look like Ben Hur), can you name anybody else in this film that is regularly on TV today? Michael Tucci? Jamie Connelly? Didi Conn? FRANKIE AVALON?!!
The main issue with Grease is that, to me, its way too candy coated. You every have a dessert that is so sweet, that you get a stomach ache right after that second or third bite? That's Grease, only I am forced to eat the dessert for an entire two hours.
One thing I do find humorous about Grease is the timeless love it receives from moms and children. They actually think the songs are family friendly! Let me tell you, its quite a funny site watching Soccer Moms and their 5-10 year old kids dancing around while John Travolta sings about pussy wagons, orgasms ("the chicks'll cream") and getting lots of tit! If its acceptable for a song about fast cars and fucking to played in fifth-grade classroom B-day parties, then Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas should be left alone! Anyways, I hate Grease, if you have an issue with that, TOO BAD!! Next movie...

Top Gun

"Ya know what my favorite part of Top Gun was? When the guys were playing volley ball! That was awesome!"
That was a quote from a friend of mine who I still speak to. He said that back in 1989, we were both about 10 years old. I still heckle him for that memorable commet. I still heckle this movie.
Sure, it was cool back in 1986. The air combat was great, the soundtrack was exhilerating and everyone though Tom Cruise was cooler than Miles Davis in an air-conditioned room. Fast forward to today, this film has aged worse than The Toxic Avenger. Top Gun is, more or less, a period piece. Its from the 80's and it shows. The dialogue, which was considered hip back then, is utterly cheesy. If I was walking alongside Goose and Maverick when they did their little "need for speed" schtick, I'd probably bust a gut laughing and call them a couple of jackasses. The silhouetted sex scene where Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis slowly tongue tangle each other is even laughable. This film is littered with oblivious cheese that would make even the most diehard 80's nostalgia nut blush. Its an early case of all flash and pizazz, no substance. This is the standard template that producer Jerry Bruckheimer would use in most of his films.

Ladder 49

This is the latest of the crop. Every time this film was brought up, some schmo would let a breath of satisfaction and say "excellent movie...excellent, excellent movie". WHY?!!! Has anybody actually seen this?!! Its what my father and I like to call a "phoned-in" film. Everything about this film was so predictable and cliched. When you are predicting THE DIALOGUE 15 minutes before its actually said, then you know there is a problem. It seemed that the actors and the production crew were just in it for the pay day.

John Travolta is vastly overrated. Ever since Broken Arrow, everybody goes on about how he plays such a great villian. Why? Because he switches between laughter and anger frequently? In his "serious" drama roles, he comes off nearly comatose, like in this film. As for Joaquin Phoenix, I normally enjoy his stuff. However, he too is rather bland in this film. Like I said earlier, he was probably just looking for the paycheck. You want a good movie about firefighting, watch Backdraft.

Half-Baked

All my stoner friends tell me I don't like this movie because I'm not a pothead and I don't understand the pothead culture (whatever that is supposed to mean). Okay, but I do understand the difference between good comedy and bad comedy. And guess what? THIS FALLS UNDER THE LATTER!!

Don't get me wrong, I laughed a few times while watching this. Dave Chapelle was very funny and the Bob Saget cameo was great but lets face it, Jim Breuer and Harland Williams are very unfunny. Breuer's stupid stoner getup and his Heavy Metal Comedy routine puts me to sleep. Above all, who in the hell ever thought Williams was comedy gold? Then again, the only people who speak high praises of Jim Breuer, Harland Williams and this movie are stoners. I guess I don't get it....wait a minute!! I though the Cheech and Chong movies were great, I've been a longtime fan of Jay and Silent Bob! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE STONE CULTURE!!! THE POINT IS THAT HALF-BAKED IS A HALF-ASSED BAD COMEDY IN WHICH THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN EVEN SLIGHTLY APPRECIATE THIS SHITTY FILM YOU HAVE TO BE STONED!!! I CAN SAY THE SAME THING ABOUT FUCKING ISHTAR!! THE MOVIE SUCKS!!! DEAL WITH IT!

I need to calm down. Stay tuned for part 2.

And here is another....

2005-08-17T11:57:00.000-04:00

Same website. Different Game. Way different tone of opinion.

As you can see, there is no brown stain on my nose this time.

Things are looking alright here...

2005-08-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

Its really cool to know that the blog is receiving more visits and views than it has before. I'd like to take the time and give a plug to a fellow blogger who visits.

King of Killers

Check out this hip cat's blog. There is some good readin' going on there.

Click here for his pics page. Funny stuff.

So, in closing, I'd like to take the time to thank those who take the time to visit. My long-term goal as a writer is to reach a much wider audience and you guys are a great help to that goal.

You rock! \m/

A review I wrote for PCGameworld.

2005-08-13T10:18:00.000-04:00

Click here

It isn't much but at least it shows that I'm expanding my horizons.

By the way.....

2005-08-10T10:51:00.000-04:00

DEPECHE MODE KICKS YOUR ASS IN 10 DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS!!! ANYONE WHO DISPUTES THIS CLAIM BETTER RUN !!!!

The Misfits release an album of Lounged-up classics!!

2005-08-10T10:26:00.000-04:00

And ya know what....its far better than anything they have done in years!

Click here and get ready to grab your lover and swoon dnace all over the room. Lava lamps and girls in gold boots are essential accesories for this kind of goodness!!

Peter Jennings 1938-2005

2005-08-09T08:33:00.000-04:00

I feel that it is my duty to pay tribute to a true connoisseur of the journalism world. Peter Jennings on my television at night was about as common as me putting tobasco sauce on every meal. He was a competitive leader in his craft, always asking the tough questions and making sure he gets the right answers. His naturalism is something that you only see in few broadcast journalists. RIP

Ultimate Fight Night thoughts

2005-08-09T01:28:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday, Spike TV hosted its second live UFC event. Ultimate Fight Night was a talent display for several up and coming UFC stars, as well as some familiar faces from The Ultimate Fighter. Here is a rundown of the card, complete with my insight,

Josh Koscheck vs Pete Spratt
Koscheck, with only five professional fights to his name, turned the heads of many as he forced the much more experienced Spratt into submission. Koscheck proved that he was the most technically sound of the Ultimate Fighter contestants and this victory further emphasizes the claim that he is heading for MMA stardom. With smooth grappling skills and youth on his side, Josh Koscheck could do for MMA what Oscar De La Hoya did for boxing.

Nate Quarry vs Pete Sell
Nate has great punching skills and definitely was on target in this fight. However, his stoppage victory over Pete Sell did seem to come kinda premature. Whatever. Lets get a rematch going.

Stephan Bonnar vs Sam Hoger
I was anticipating this fight very much. During the run of last season's "Ultimate Fighter", these two showed much animosity and friction towards each other. I have to say that neither disappointed. Even though he came out on the losing side, Sam Hoger proved that he is no joke. He is a solid striker and his grappling skills were adequate enough to give the always game Bonnar some scary moments. On the other hand, Stephan Bonnar showed great aggression and controled the pace for most of the fight. A good decision for a good fight.

Chris Leben vs Patrick Cote
This was a close call. I felt that Leben did just enough to win but he took some pretty big shots from Cote. Its nice to see Chris mature since his controversial time on "The Ultimate Fighter", he knows he still has much to learn and much to work on. I hope we see more of him (and Cote) in the future.

Mike Swick vs Gideon Ray
Swick is making it a habit of plowing through his opposition in a rather quick fashion. This 22-second knockout win puts Swick up another notch in UFC contention. A rematch with Chris Leben could be down the road.

Ivan Salavery vs Nathan Marquardt
Before this event, Spike TV aired "UFC Unleashed", a program that shows past fights from the UFC. This particular episode aired two fights featuring Salavery. The fact that both of those fights were squashes and the fact that Salavery was main eventing meant that UFC was making an attempt at grooming its next superstar. Apparently, their investment didn't evolve the way they wish it did. A lackluster fight that featured Marquardt, the supposed cannon fodder, pretty much blocking and countering everything Salavery threw at him. The decision was no surprise. Don't get me wrong, I think that Salavery is a great fighter but that night just didn't belong to him.

All in all, an fair and average night for MMA. Its just great to see that the sport is getting a bigger audience.

Flick'd Off

2005-08-09T01:06:00.000-04:00

Here is a little something I forgot to mention to all of you good folks. It appears that I will be co-hosting a local television show on WISF-TV 15 based out of Oneonta, NY. The title of the show is "Flick'd Off"; it is a talk show that revolves around the concept of movies. Along with what is expected out of a show of this kind (reviews, previews etc), the show will feature comedy bits. Its kinda like Ebert & Roper, only funnier.

My co-host is my dear friend, "The Gentleman" Chris Peeters. Chris and I have known each other for nearly 10 years and I believe that our unique brand of humor, wit and sarcasm will omit jolts of laughter to your TV screen.

I really have no details on when the show will officially air. We already did a "rough cut" episode that we planned to air. However, we felt that the show needed a little more polish and structure. Hence, the "true" premiere episode of "Flick'd Off" will probably never don a television screen. We are currently in the planning phase of the next episode. As soon as the episode is completed and an airdate is set, I will post the information right away! Its only a matter of time before "The Gentleman" and I invade your TV screen!

In the meantime, tune into WISF-TV 15 for classic movies, along with "Inspiration" hosted by the good Reverend Mel Farmer.

Ultimate Fighter Season 2

2005-08-06T09:59:00.000-04:00

Its August and this is the month that holds the premiere of second season of the Ultimate Fighter. The first season was absolutely stellar!! It was the topic of discussion every Tuesday night at work! It's finale was explosive and epic. It made "Tough Enough" look like "Will You Marry My Dad?".

The question is this: Will the Second Season live up to our expectations?

Last season, the fighters were coached and fronted by Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell. This time, the rivalry pattern continues as the two new coaches will be newly crowned UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin and the UFC Welterweight king Matt Hughes. These two have been eyeing each other for the past year and if the rivalry grows over the course of the show, then it is highly possible we will see this UFC dream match become a reality.

The new season begins on August 22nd on Spike TV. Expect the usual weekly reports.

SURPRISE!!!! ITS AUGUST!!

2005-08-06T09:57:00.000-04:00

....and its my first post of the month! Dunk your Oreo Cookies you bastard!

The Devil's Rejects: Rob Zombie's opus of sadism, chaos and Tutti Frutti

2005-07-27T09:16:00.000-04:00

In April of 2003, aspiring film director Rob Zombie, the former frontman for the 90's metal outfit White Zombie, unleashed his first feature film, House of 1000 Corpses. Rumor has it that the film was originally completed between 1999 and 2000 but difficulties in finding a distributor who would take the film would leave the completed film on the shelf. Enter Lion's Gate Films, who would take in the film.

The film was recieved poorly by critics; labeled as a flawed film that stands as nothing more than a tribute to 70's shock horror film like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Last House on The Left. Box office returns, for a film that cost only $7m, were actually better than your average independent movie. In due time, however, strong DVD sales and a growing fan base have made the film a modern "cult classic".

In my opinion, yeah, the film is flawed. Some of the acting is rather bad, the plot is predictable, and nearly everything done in the film has been done before in other horror films. However, it has its redeeming qualities. The over the top gore, freakish, carnival-like imagery, and three very quotable and very memorable characters are what makes this film a true "guilty pleasure" in the long list of my favorite movies.

With its post-theatrical success and newly founded cult fanbase, Rob Zombie was allowed to give this film a sequel and with that, Rob Zombie was allowed to further polish his directing skills.

The film starts off where H2K (House of 1,000 Corpses) ended. After a long day murder, torture and necrophilia, the sadistic Firefly family call it a day and indulge in a hot Texas afternoon siesta. Their mid-day nap is cut off short as they find their home surrounded by a horde of police officers, led by the bible-thumping, gun-wielding Sheriff Wydell (played by William Forsythe), whose brother met his untimely fate at the hands of the Firefly's. After a brief but wild shoot-out, the police raid the home, only Baby Firefly (played by Sheri Moon Zombie, Rob's wife) and her adopted brother Otis Driftwood (played by Bill "Chop Top" Mosely) manage to escape the foray. In dire need of safe haven, the murderous siblings seek out the aid of their father, Captain Spaulding (played by Sid Haig), the insane and vulgar clown who provided us with many laughs in H2K. With the revenge-driven Wydell on their tail, the three embark on a road trip of refuge. Of course, their trip is pointless without the senseless murders of several innocent victims along the way.

This is a very different film than H2K. So different, in fact, that I wouldn't even go as far as calling it a complete horror film. It is completely different in terms of tone, cinematography and in most cases, dialogue. Yes, you will get some of that Hustler-level humor that Captain Spaulding provided in H2K, but you won't get alot of it. Yes, you will get some of that philosophical rambling of Otis, but you won't get alot of it. And yes, you will get some of Baby's seductive and sleazy antics, but you won't get alot of it. It's kinda hard to be obscene, philosophical and sleazy while you are being chased.

The grainy quality of The Devil's Rejects is a far cry from the colorful, psychadelic glow of its predecessor. This time, the TCM tribute sticks out in not only story but also in cinematography as Zombie uses Super 16 film and handhelds to create a more raw and practical tone to the film's disturbing imagery. The new approach may not exactly be original but it shows Zombies growth as a filmmaker. The true highpoint, in terms of the filmmaking, is the film's explosive climax, which I will not spoil for you but lets just say its an excellent combination of movie and music. Zombie does alot of borrowing here, but he does it well. Sometimes it takes a few films for a director to find his signature feel. He's getting closer to that.

The violence that we saw in H2K has been outdone by its sequel. This movie, to the common viewer, is downright brutal and disturbing. The violent scenes will make you wince and some of the other scenes will make most housewives vomit right there in the theater. Rob doesn't hide anything. The theory of "the less seen, the more suspense" has been thrown out of the window. He grabs your head and forces you to watch the Fireflys mame, murder and mutilate their victims. This is senseless violence at its purest form. We better hope that there are no school shootings in the next six months, because the legislators would probably use this film as a reason why kids are killing each other. If you have a weak stomach and are disturbed by violent imagery, DO NOT SEE THIS FILM!! IF YOU HAVE KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 12 AND YOU TAKE THEM TO SEE THIS FILM, YOU BETTER GET READY TO CLEAN THE SHITSTAINS OUT OF THEIR PANTS! YOU SUCK AS A PARENT TOO!

As for the performances, the top nod goes to Bill Mosely. I felt that Otis in H2K, although still entertaining, was just a rehashing of Mosely's "Chop Top" character from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, only more intelligent. In The Devil's Rejects, Otis's cartoony aura is completely gone. This time, his psychotic killer persona is frighteningly realistic. He comes off far more subdued and focused. This is all shown in the delivery of his lines and his facial expressions.

Sid Haig also shines in this film. Despite providing great humor in H2K, we don't get to see much of Captain Spaulding outside of his clown persona. Haig allows to the character's persona to expand, as he is taken beyond the gas station/fun house setting and thrown into a different scenario. Even though I said the laughs are limited in this movie, it doesn't mean that it is completely without Captain Spaulding's great lines. At the same time, he manages to frighten the viewer and make the viewer laugh. Sid Haig has been around for a long time and hopefully we will start seeing more of him in the future.

After appearing in only two major films, Sheri Moon Zombie is still a novice-level actress. She received alot of flack for her performance as Baby in H2K. After some time to hone her craft and smooth out the rough edges, Sheri displays her newly-tuned acting abilities in this film. Like Otis, Baby was kooky and outlandish. This time around, she is a little more tame but she still carries that sexy and sadistic edge. Her progress as an actress parallel with her husband's progress as a director.

We also get a great supporting cast! William Forsythe is a great veteran actor and his role as Sherrif Wydell further proves that claim. Badazz Mofo Ken Foree makes a return to mainstream cinema as Charlie Altamont, the pimpin' half-brother of Captain Spaulding who allows the three killers shelter while they are on the run. Geoffrey Lewis, Priscilla Barnes, David Sheridan, Leslie Easterbrook, PJ Soles and Michael Berryman all serve up well and compliment the film in their supporting roles. Also, look for former wrestler Diamond Dallas Page and toughguy actor Danny Trejo, who play a pair of bounty hunters recruited by the Sheriff to hunt down the killers.

Also provided on the plus side of The Devil's Rejects is a kick-ass soundtrack. Along with a freakish score provided by Zombie and Tyler Bates, we get some great tunes by 70's artists like Lynryd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Joe Walsh and Three Dog Night. Long-forgotten songwriter Terry Reid provides the film's "closing credits" song with the chilling "Seed of Memory", a song that will glue your eyes to the screen as the credits roll.

One major flaw in Zombie's film is the confusing direction that the narrative takes. The first half of the film, we are supposed to fear and detest the Firefly family. They are ruthless murderers who show no mercy or remorse. Later, we are supposed to sympathize with them, as if they were anti-heroes. None of their victims deserved what they got, there was no just cause. How are we supposed to cheer what we fear?

All in all, despite the film's faulty narrative direction, this is a good film. Its proof that Zombie has matured as a director and it should satisfy the palette of gore hounds and shock cinema fans all over. If you are a fan of Rob Zombie, horror, or even extreme action/crime dramas such as Badlands, Killing Zoe and Bonnie and Clyde, then you will probably enjoy this film. Like stated earlier, if you can't handle hardcore violence in films, then you best see something else.

Rating: 7/10

Summer movie quickies

2005-07-26T11:01:00.000-04:00

Due to an extremely busy work schedule, I have been unable to find the time to write extensive film reviews or continue the Summer Movie Preview. Now that I have some free time, here are a few quick reviews on several movies I have had the pleasure of seeing this summer.

George Romero's Land of the Dead
Pros:
-A proper continuation of the the "Living Dead" saga. Romero does not miss a beat. As indicated in Day of the Dead, the zombies are beginning to evolve, becoming smarter and more adapted to the life they once knew.
-Lots and lots of gore. If you want blood, you got it! Great special effects, with very little CGI, proves that you can still go back to the old school and provide the goods!
-Great ensemble cast featuring Simon Baker, John Leguizamo, Asia Argento and Dennis Hopper.
-Like Romero's other zombie flicks, the political and social commentary is included. Romero takes a stab at the over-priviliges upper class, and corrupt businessmen who use their power and control of those less fortunate for their own gain. All of this is served in the metaphor of a zombie movie.
-Two words: Big Daddy!
Cons
-Not exactly for the casual viewer. This film is reserved for fans of horror and fans of Romero. Most people will not get it. They will just shrug their shoulders and bewilder themselves in their own confusion. Not that this is a true con: It means less idiots for me to watch movies with, which is always a plus.

War of the Worlds
Pros
-Amazing special effects!!! Yeah, everything is all CGI'd, but I'd be a fool if I said those ships and aliens looked stupid.
-Spielburg provides a timeless classic with a sense of realism and grit. He actually shows you just how terrifying an alien invasion would be if it ever really happened.
-Dakota Fanning, without a doubt, is the best actress under the age of 20 today. There is no argument or debate here, so shut your mouth!
-A wild ride till the film's conclusion. This is non-stop suspense and action as only Steven Spielburg can deliver.
Cons
-Tom Cruise. Uhm, I'm not saying he was bad. He just provided a role that any other top Hollywood actor could've done. Tom Hanks, Russell Crowe or Nicholas Cage all could have played the main lead and we would have had the same exact movie.
-A very linear plot. Not that this is a bad thing but don't expect any shocking turn of events or plot twists. It is a modernized, but still faithful, adaptation of the HG Wells novel, it is straightforward and direct. Sometimes, simplicity can be beautiful.

The Fantastic Four
Pros
-Michael Chiklis and Chris Evans were perfect choices for The Thing and Human Torch! Chiklis truly brings the rockhead to life while Evans perfectly matches Torch's wild charm!
Cons
-Jessica Alba and Ioan Griffudd have as much on-screen chemistry as The Montreal Expos had fans. They just didn't click and this truly hurt the film, as the romance between Reed Richards and Sue Storm is essential to the comic.
-Although Julian McMahon served up a good performance, I just can't see Doctor Doom as a billionaire playboy scientist. It doesn't fit...
-Standard special effects and a bland storyline make this a matinee popcorn film at best. Wait for the DVD...

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory
Pros
-Johnny Depp duh!!! As expected, Mr. Depp does not let us down and brings forth a performance tnat stands apart from Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka. While Wilder's Wonka was sarcastic, witty, and fun-loving, Depp adds an eerieness to the character, a bit of a tortured soul. I think this is what Roald Dahl intended Willy Wonka to be.
-Great set design and cinematography. Tim Burton truly adds his signature touch to the film while Danny Elfman's excellent score compliments it very well. These two always create magic together.
-The kids are great. Freddy Highmore shines as Charlie, while the kids who play Veruca, Violet, Agustus and Mike all come off as obnoxious little bastards (which is exactly what they are supposed to be). With the exception of Charlie, there is nothing positive to say about these kids and thats the way it should be! Mafia kicks to all of them! Bravo!
-A much more faithful adaptation to the book. That's always good.
Cons
-The Oompa Loompas. Although I give Deep Roy credit for his work on the film. The scenes involving the Oompa Loompas came off very corny and glossy, like NSync videos or the Disney Channell. Not a common thread for Tim Burton.
-Lovers of the original may cry foul with this film but to hell with them!! This one is just as good too!

That's it for now. Keep an eye out for a detailed review of Rob Zombie's the Devil's Rejects!

I KNEW IT!!

2005-07-26T08:18:00.000-04:00

I SO FUCKING KNEW IT!!

This is the exact reason why the radio airwaves are littered with bad music. Anyways, its time to cut the garbage out and let us, the people, decide what we want to hear on the radio, what we want to see on MTV. The music industry has been tarnished with corrupt and greedy suits who tell us what were supposed to listen to. Its time to end this. BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS!!! STORM THE WALLS!!!!!! THE REAL MUSIC REVOLUTION IS COMING!!

Motley Crud on Fox 2

2005-07-20T07:29:00.000-04:00

Click here for video

First of all, why in the hell Motely Crue getting so much press on this reunion tour? They admitted that they are only doing it for the money and, above all, they all still hate each other and talk nasty shit towards one another. Sorry children of the 80's but I feel that Rob Halford's return to Judas Priest and the reunions of the original lineups for Anthrax and Testament are far more significant than a reunion of a succesful but mediocre band that has more dirty laundry than a homeless person.

Anyways, the interview is hysterical, as the Fox news idiot refers to Nikki Sixx and Mick Mars and Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee (poor Mick always gets the shaft). The interview ends with Nikki calling the guy an asshole after posing the question "Who rocked harder in the 80's? Motley Crue or Poison?" Despite Nikki displaying his top not "white trash" aura that he and all the other bandmates so proudly possess, I gotta side with him. I would probably call the guy an asshole too. Why? Beacuase NEITHER bands rocked the 80's! I would've said Metallica, Priest or Maiden. Out of touch farthole! Christ! Why is it when the 80's are mentioned, everyone associates the decade with those horrible fucking hair bands!! Yes, I said it! Cock rock sucks! Poison, Motley Crue and Cinderella were to the 80's metal scene as Korn and Limp Bizkit were to the 90's metal scene. Its not true metal!

Till then, raise your devil horns! \m/

Summer Movie Preview part 5

2005-07-17T08:49:00.000-04:00

It's been a long delay, there is only one month left to cover. I have a handful of reviews to write following this post, so lets stop farting around and get to it.

We still have one more week in July to cover...

July
Week 5
Sky High

Super-hero films are a major trend in Hollywood recently. To me, this is just another cash-in on the genre. This film in particular looks to be nothing more than a semi-clone of a great comic book film, The Incredibles.

The story of Sky High centers on young Will Stronghold Michael Angarano, the son of Captain Stronghold (Kurt Russell) and Josie Jetstream (Kelly Preston.....these superhero names suck!) as he begins his secondary education at the Superhero learning institute, Sky High. In the midst of things, we get our hints of family drama as Will tries to balance out the life of a teenager and the life of a super-powered being

To me this is just Disney's attempt on making an extra buck on the Superhero genre. The combination of Kurt Russell and Disney doesn't thrill me much at all. Although, I am a man who believes in a fair chance. I will probably see this and only then you will get my opinion.

Stealth

The Summer season is the working grounds of directors like Michael Bay and Steven Spielburg. While these two also release films at other times of the year, Rob Cohen seems to take the rest of the year off. Of course, what season would better serve as the backdrop for his action-packed, brain-sucking, nonsensical flicks. The director of Fast and the Furious and XXX is now bringing us what he is calling the next Top Gun. Well, for the record, I hated Top Gun and I'm probably going to end up hating this.

After stellar performances in Ray and Collateral, Jamie Foxx has chosen this as his next role!? Ehhh, I bet its only for the pay day, we still love you Jamie. Although every college fratboy and 20-something X-treme sports nut went crazy for this everytime they showed the trailer in the theaters, it doesn't thrill me that much. Its a wacko special-effects bonanza, with Jessical Biel looking hot. If she is the only selling point for me, I can wait. I have my copy of Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) to fulfill my Biel-driven appetite.

Must Love Dogs (can't find a poster, don't care to)

Diane Lane and John Cusack star in your standard gimmicked date movie. What I mean by gimmicked is that there is a peculiar element to the supposed "chemistry" and romance in the film. Sleepless In Seattle had that kid, You've Got Mail had the internet, this one has dogs. If I recall, wasn' t there another date movie that used this gimmick? Whatever. Gary David Goldberg, creator of "Family Ties" and the barely remembered "Day By Day" takes the directors helm for this. Diane Lane, looking better than ever, always manages to make the viewer feel warmed and welcome. John Cusack is a master at timing and communicating connectiones between himself and his co-stars. I, an auter of the fine craft and art of cinema, am not going to see this.....

Wow, the last week of July looks sad! On top of that, its the week of my birthday. I guess I'll either be staying home or catching up on something I have yet to see.

Now we go into August. As most Summer movie experts know, August is basically the month that the studios shell out their lesser films, I guess you can call them "Popcorn flicks". However, you do find some gems during this month. Matinees are usually full in August because nobody in their right mind will pay full admission for.......

Underclassman

Not even the hotness of Roselyn Sanches and Kelly Hu (both in the film) can convince me to lay my money down and watch a Nick Cannon film. Sure, Drumline was fun but I was in my own home watching it on HBO. I've read the previews, seen the trailer and here is all I have to say.

Other than kids, teens and the mentally challenged, who is going to see this?!! A cop goes undercover as a student in order to solve a crime? Didn't they make a film like this in the late 80's with Jon Cryer? Other than Sanchez and Hu being the bonafide babes that they are, I predict this film to have a predictable plot, the same cliche jokes you find in other films like this and of course, a bad soundtrack that features todays stink-masters of pop music.

The Dukes of Hazzard

Probably the most talked-about and highly publicized film for the summer, mainly due to its stars, looks nothing more than just another bad film version of a TV classic. I guess Sean William Scott and Johnny Knoxville were good choices for the Duke boys,Willie Nelson was perfect for the role of Uncle Jessie but Jessica Simpson?!! Burt Reynolds?! What was it in Jessica Simpson that reminded the film's producers of Catherine Bach? Despite the updated look, the creativity factor here looks to be at an all-time low. What will happen if critics slam the film for Jessica's bad acting? I think the filmmakers will then realize they made a mistake.

This film is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar. Jay happens to be a member of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe, you know, the guys who gave us the very funny "Super Troopers". You know, the frat group who everyone though was the next "Kids In The Hall" and turned out to be one trick ponies.

With all the nostalgia dorks and guys who masturbate over Jessica Simpsonl roaming around, I expect this to be the last cash cow of the summer (not that there were many). However, the quality of the film is still at question. A possible review by yours truly just may be on the way.

That's enough for now...more to come!!

Man Dies Having Sex With A Horse...

2005-07-16T09:23:00.000-04:00

Um....yep!

So, let me get this straight, sex with animals is illegal in thirty-three states. That means in the remaining 17 other states, porking your dog, horse or hamster is A-OK!

And...this farm is a placed that was discussed in Internet chat-rooms? Is this article telling me that this farm is basically an animal whorehouse? You mean that, within the boundaries of this country, there is a strict and tight community of people who support and commit to sexual acts with animals?

I wonder what my reaction would be if I returned home from work to find a naked man (or woman) having sexual intercourse with my dog. Naturally, I would be upset. But how would I initally take it? Would I break out laughing or would I look at my poor dog's face, as his eyes say to me "For god's sake! Help Me!! Please!!!" With that, I would attack my best friend's sexual aggressor with a series of Mafia kicks and jiu-jitsu palm strikes.

I also wonder which celebrity will be the first to speak out against oppression to those who have sex with animals. Alec Baldwin? Tim Robbins? Betty White? Paris Hilton? I can just see it now.

"Hello, I'm Alec Baldwin. Recently, our country has been tattered and tainted with a web of hate, a hate towards those who show unconditional and physical love to animals, Earth's other people. We should make everyone aware that a love for an animal has no certain boundaries. Join me, and other celebrities, as we continue the fight of freedom for animal lovers."

"Hi, I'm Paris Hilton....like...I love animals..but not in that sick sort of way...but loving animals is cool..I think a man and a cat making love is beautiful. It's hot!...So, like...um...support animal lovers."

I'm gonna be sick. No more of this!

Jillian Barberie=dumb

2005-07-13T08:04:00.000-04:00

Watch what happens as Jillian "rescues" a dog and brings it to "Good Day LA"

You can easily tell that the guy is pissed off. I would be too if my "media hogging" co-host decidef to bring a dog on set and makes a complete mess. I love how Jillian asks "Am I supposed to clean that up?" No Jillian, lets leave the shit there! The scent is enticing and maybe, just maybe, after the show, we can all roll on the floor and play in it! On top of that, she sits right down, indicating that is not touching it.

We know Jillian didn't have to clean anything up. Despite being completely responsible, she doesn't have to. She's famous, remember? I'm quite sure the producers made some coffee boy, who makes only a fraction of Jillian's salary, had to handle the task.

From what I've read about her, Jillian is one of those many celebrities that supposedly support and involve themselves in animal rescue. So the impression that I get from this video is that Jillian loves animals but she won't clean their shit. Sure, she will talk thousands of photos of herself cuddling with dogs and she will talk about how much she loves them and cares for them but I'm sure that there is no way in hell that she will soil her hands by picking up turds.

I honestly just cant see it. Celebrities live a comforting life. I just can't see supposed "pet rescuers" like Jillian or WWE's Lita scooping up dog shit in their backyards or actually cleaning a cat's litter box. As for me, I currently don't have any pets (other than birds). However, when I did, I always cleaned their poop. :-)

Go eat my sickness Omarion!

2005-07-10T10:53:00.000-04:00

Unreal. Absolutely Unreal.

Once you become a celebrity, does your brain slowly ooze out of your ears while you sleep? That's right Omarion fans, pray for him!! Pray that his career does not face a tragic backlash simply because of ignorant statements liket his. Pray that you do not find his CD in the "value bin" at your favorite record store. Or even worse, pray that no crazy lunatic, one who probably lost a loved one in the London incident, jumps on stage during his concert and shoots him. Pray. Just Pray.

Omarion, I believe you have some broken pieces to pick up.

Tournament of Heavyweight Greats..

2005-07-01T09:06:00.000-04:00

I just read on Fightnews.com that several promoters are negotiating to arrange a Tournament of Heavyweights involving Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson. The catch is this: the fights will be four-rounders.

To me, this is nothing more than the typical carny bullshit that many boxing promoters try to pull. All three of these men are way past their prime and the only thing that is making them go into this tournament (if it happens) is pride and the urge to leave the sport as winners. All three have had some poor luck in the ring recently. Tyson, as we all know, quit on his stool against little known journeyman Kevin McBride. Holyfield, in an embarrasing performance that screamed nothing but "its time to hang em up", lost a 10-round decision to Larry Donald, a man he would've easily beaten 10 years ago. Finally there is Bowe who, after a long hiatus that included joining the Marines for four days and kidnapping his family, decided that its time to get back in the ring and claim that glory he had in his prime. Despite being out of shape and as coherent as the Swedish Chef, Bowe believes he can be World Champion once again.

Well, come to think of it, this tournament may not be a bad idea. This is probably the only chance these three men will ever get to feel the glory of winning something big again. So why not? Let em do it!

Harrison Ford Points His Finger Alot!

2005-07-01T08:45:00.000-04:00

He does it so much that somebody made a website devoted to him and his trademark gesture.

Four People Stabbed At C.O.C./Crowbar concert; one reported dead.

2005-06-24T10:04:00.000-04:00

Click here for an article, courtesy of Blabbermouth and The Tampa Tribune
You will find a link to an on the scene news report.

Last December, we all had suffer and cope with the violent and tragic death of Dimebag Darrell, you would think people would fucking learn.

The situation could've been resolved calmly and quickly with cooperation and aid from concert security. Nowadays, alot of "security guards" would rather drink and watch the bands play than do their jobs. I understand their was no use of a detector wand at this show. Thanks to this negligence, one person is dead and three are critically wounded.

My thoughts go to the families of the victims, the concertgoers who had their good time cut short thanks to some warped out asshole, and to C.O.C. who were only 2/3 into their set before the incident. Pepper Keenan, frontman for the band, was a good friend of Dimebag and, like many, was greatly saddened by his death. Do you think he, along with the rest of the musicians there, deserves to deal with this bullshit?!!

The metal genre is one that recieves harsh criticism for being "satanic" "evil" and "downright violent". However, what the blind critics do not see is a genre filled with talented musicians, more talented than the shit we see on MTV. Unfortunatly, incidents like this make the naysayers feel like their judgement is justified.

Ok...about Reality TV

2005-06-24T09:20:00.000-04:00

Yeah, it sucks. BUT!!!!!!! I will make it a purpose to sit down on July 10th and catch the premiere of "Hogan Knows Best". This has unintentional comedy written all over it! Watch as Hulk breathes down the neck of record execs, further pushing his daughter Brooke's "singing career" down their throats. Watch as Hogan's buddies, "Nasty Boy" Brian Knobs and "The Mouth of The South" Jimmy Hart, spy on Brooke while she is on her first date. Here is a piece of the script from the pilot episode.

(Brooke enters the house, returning from her date. Hulk is at the kitchen table peeling an apple. He looks over and notices that his daughter is giving him the "evil eye")
Hulk: Hey Brooke, how did your date go? Uhm..what's wrong brother...I mean....sweetie?
Brooke: You know what is wrong Dad! I should've expected this from you!! God, I will never be this ignorant again!!
(Brooke turns around and proceeds to head upstairs to her room. Hulk, hiding the guilt within him, quickly walks to the foot of the stairs)
Hulk: Brooke, wha..what did I do?
(Brooke turns around to face her father. She tries desperatly to fight back her tears)
Brooke: Don't play stupid with me Dad!!! You sent Brian and Jimmy to go spy on me and Brent!
Hogan (acting offended): I did no such thing!? What kind of a father do you think I am? I'm a five-time WWE Heavyweight champion! If Jimmy and Brian were at your date, it was coincidence!! Pure coincidence Brooke! I can't believe you would think I'd ruin your night like that! Now go to bed before I legdrop you!
Brooke: Not until you admit you did it! And it was no coincidence Dad!! They were sitting right behind us in the movie theater. I over Brian saying "If he slips her the tongue, I'm gonna make him feel the NASTY SENSATION!!!"
Hulk: So. Maybe he was talking about the movie.
Brooke. Uhhh...who's going to slip who the tongue in the Spongebob Squarepants movie!?
Hulk: Oh......
Brooke: And everything Jimmy said was over his damn megaphone! Its a good thing Brent's football buddies were there! Two of them grabbed Jimmy and opened the door with his head!
Hulk: Why does everyone have to beat on poor Jimmy Hart?
Brooke: BECAUSE HE'S A PAIN IN THE YOU KNOW WHAT!!!
(Jesse Ventura enters the scene, greeted by canned applause)
Jesse: No, its because he's small and theres bullies!!
(Jesse leaves)
Brooke: And you know what the worst part of it was Dad? Brian!! Brent put his arm around me. So Brian went psycho, grabbed Brent by the head and shoved his face into his armpit! So while Brent was laying the lobby, laying in his own vomit. Brian came over and said "That was from Hulk!" I know you set this up Dad!!! Don't lie to me!!
Hulk: Brooke...I..I
Brooke: Its no wonder Andre, Paul Orndorff and Savage all hated you!! You're such an attention hog!!
Hulk: Hey!!! Andre was a dear friend!!! Don't tarnish his good name!!
Brooke: Oh, yeah right dad! Andre was your friend as much as your pasta restaurant was a great idea!
(Hulk, shattered by such hurtful words, begins to get tearful. Brooke, realizing she's done enough damage, walks to her room and shuts the door. Hulk's sobs even harder. His crying is cut off, as he is startled by a huge figure crashing through the sun roof. The mysterious shadow of muscles crashes down [and it hurts inside] on Hulk with a double axe-handle. The assailant looms over Hulk, who is laid out on the floor. The man's face is still hidden in shadow but his voice gives away his identity).
Shadow: Ooooh YEAH!! ITS TIME TO BE A MAN HULK!! GET UP AND COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE MACHO MAN!!!!

to be continued......

HUGE TV NEWS!! MARTHA LOOKING FOR NEW CATCHPHRASE FOR "THE APPRENTICE"!!

2005-06-23T10:00:00.000-04:00

The story is right here baby!! Soak up the oh so important info! Yeah!

Ok. Excuse me while I go turn off my "sarcasm mode". For the past two seasons of what many call "the best TV going to day", Donald Trump has been using "you're fired" as if he came up with the phrase. Entertainment media and viewers everywhere have been talking and acting as if he thought up this catchy and witty way of terminating an employee.

Now that Martha Stewart is taking over the show, she has made it a mission and a purpose to come with a catchphrase that will astound viewers and send chills down the spines of dismissed contestants. I gotta give Martha credit, "You're not good thing" and You're a bad thing" are definitely doozies! Damn! Not only is that Martha Steward a model human being, she is also uncanny and creative!! Wait, hold on, I forgot to turn off the "sarcasm mode".

First of all, Gumby is far more deserving host for "The Apprentice". However, Donald Trump is a slimeball, so it would be fitting that his successor be a slimeball as well. Is it just me or does Reality TV have a knack for embracing the human feces that walk this earth? As much as I loved Ozzy, I couldn't stomach watching "The Osbournes" mainly due to his greedy wife and his spoiled, drug-addict kids (kudos to Jack however, for getting himself cleaned up). I won't point out "Nick and Jessica"; as dumb as she is, she comes off like a decent human being. It's Brittany and her trailer park husband that come to mind! "Chaotic" is proof that you don't have to be a dirt poor, unemployed, welfare recipient to be labeled as "white trash". Then you have "Growing Up Gatti", where three spoiled italian teenage boys, who wear more makeup than their mother, run amok and do the usual things that most spoiled, unconditioned kids do. If Grandpa Gatti was still alive, asses would be kicked! I can guarantee you that!

However, thanks to the lack of quality in Reality TV and thanks to the fact that its on every second of the day, I have greatly reduced my TV viewing time. Instead, I do something that I should've done more as a kid, I read. Yes, there are still some quality shows remaining on the boob tube but nothing is more refreshing and exhilerating than a good book!

Smothers wants JBL's ass! (and not for soaping up either)

2005-06-19T23:23:00.000-04:00

Click here to see the video

Although I have heard stories that have bent my feelings for Smothers, I have to give him credit for making this challenge (even though JBL will probably never see it). Smothers is known for being a crazy bastard and if JBL actually answers this "shoot" challenge, some crazy shit is going to go down. JBL is known to be a bully in the ring and in the locker room. If Smothers gets his hands on him, there will be eye gouges, fish hooks and hard iron grips to the scrotum

Bruiser Brody would have never stood for any of JBL's shit but he is dead. So I guess Smothers will do.

Ashlee does it again.....

2005-06-19T23:00:00.000-04:00

Ashlee Simpson was awarded with another one of Spinal Tap's honorary "Shit Sandwich" awards, this time for putting on another performance that would make even deaf people throw themselves from ten story windows. The scene of the crime was the Much Music Video Awards.

Jeez, listening to my farts echo while I sit on the toilet is more gratifying than Ashlee's music.

However, even after the train wreck on SNL and the stadium-filled chorus of boos during the Orangle Bowl halftime show, the music industry still thinks that the world loves Ashlee Simpson. I don't get it.

While Ashlee continues to show us how much today's music scene blows, the world has lost another real and honest musician. Karl Mueller, bassist for the Minnesota outfit Soul Asylum, passed away this past Friday due to complications from esophageal cancer. He was 41.

While I was never a huge fan of Soul Asylum (much thanks to my sister, I had to spend a good part of the mid 90's dealing with repetitve playings of "Runaway Train"), they did have some very good songs. Notable favorites included "Waiting by The Phone" and "I Can't Even Tell" (which was featured in Clerks). They come from a long line of great Minnesota bands such as The Replacements, Husker Du and Prince.

I think I have Grave Dancers Union laying around in my CD collection. I think I will pay tribute to Karl and the band by spinning it tonite. I'll even bear with one more listening of "Runaway Train".

My thoughts go to his family, friends and bandmates.

Summer Movie Preview part QUATTRO!!! QUATTRO!!! (What Is He Saying Eddy?)

2005-06-19T11:12:00.000-04:00

Okay, enough about Batman for now. It is time to move on with the second half of July.

July Week 3

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory

We all know that when Johnny Depp is involved, he will always bring forth a stellar performance. We all know that when Tim Burton is directing, we are to expect another visual representation of the bizarre and colorful world that goes through his mind. However, this is a remake and we all know about Tim Burton and remakes. Yes, I know its the only remake Burton has done but lets face it, he really dropped the ball. It's make or break time as Burton gets a chance to redeem himself, and this time he has Mr. Depp, who has starred in three of Burton's best (Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood and Sleepy Hollow).

Depp has huge shoes to fill, as everyone thinks of Gene Wilder when they think of Willy Wonka. With that, many are going to go into this film ready to present comparative notes between the two actors. I feel that Johnny, being the accredited actor that he is, will not attempt to match his performance with Wilder's. Instead, he will take the character and bring forth his own interpretation.

Freddie Highmore, the young actor who will be taking the role of Charlie Bucket, has worked with Depp before in the brilliant Finding Neverland. Therefore, I assume there scenes together will click just like they did in their last film together.

I expect good performances, all that is left is that Burton presents a visual that is of his trademark style. Being that my daughter is an obsessive Johnny Depp fan, I can guarantee that I shall be seeing this. Expect a review shortly after its release.

Wedding Crashers

Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn: Two actors who have both recieved much critical applause. Wilson, although normally casted as "goofy but very likable" characters, is a well-crafted screenwriter who holds Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums to his credit. Vaughn has proven to be a versatile performer, who is credited with great performances in Swingers, A Cool, Dry Place, and Return to Paradise . Since both of them are now respected members in the filmmaking and acting communities, they are entitled to a break. Both are very funny, Wilson with his semi-stupid and charmish aura and Vaughn with his dry but very clear humor. This film is their "fun film". While I don't expect it to be a cinematic masterpiece, I believe it will be a fun popcorn flick. Turn your brain off, kick back and expect some good laughs.

Hustle & Flow (no poster available)

Director John Singleton has produced and newcomer Craig Brewer has directed what was the biggest talk at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The film deals with a young rapper and his rise to the top of the hip-hop world. Terrence Dashon Howard, rapper Ludacris and Anthony Anderson are the films top stars. I'm not sure what to say about this film. Some critics have praised while others have deemed as this year's You Got Served. Whatever, only my eyes, ears and mind will serve as my critics.

Week 4

The Island

This could be the film that will finally do it! This could be the hit that will finally free Michael Bay from the title of "The Saint of Summer Movie Sucktitude". The man who brought you the Summer.....uh..."classics", Armageddon and Bad Boys II just may have finally found himself a winner. I think one particular reason is the fact that Summer Blockbuster Producer/King Jerry Bruckheimer is not breathing down his neck. Last Summer's King Arthur is proof that Bruckheimer's influence can cause blemishes on the final product (the film was originally to be more gritty and violent. In fear of poor box office returns, Bruckheimer demanded the film to be heavily cut, thus ruining Director Antoine Fuqua's original vision).

Michael Bay enters the 2005 Summer Season equipped with a unique script (penned by "Alias" writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci) that follows in the traditions of such sci-fi classics as THX 1138 and Logan's Run, a brilliant cast that features Ewan McGregor, Scarlet Johansson. Djimon Hounsou and Steve Buscemi and a top of the heap budget that will be enough to satisfy Bay's fascination with explosions. This could be the film that will make critics think differently about the former music video director. But then again, I could be completely wrong and this could turn out to be another pile of turds.

The Bad News Bears

Billy Bob Thornton takes his drunken, dirtbag Bad Santa persona and molds it into the form of troubled little league baseball coach, Morris Buttermaker. Honestly, I couldn't be happier, because I feel that he is the only the actor in Hollywood that is scuzzy enough to be a convincing Buttermaker.

Another plus is that its directed by the always busy Richard Linklater. The guy who brought us School of Rock, the high school favorite Dazed and Confused and, one of the greatest love stories of the 90's, Before Sunrise. Based on the fact that alot of his films deal with kids and young adults, Linklater will make this a fun movie. Along for the ride are Bad Santa screenwriters, Glenn Ficcara and John Requa, who believe will be able to provide the tastelessness and vulgarity of the original. Hey, as long as Kelly Leak lights up a smoke on the mound, Engleberg gets pissed at anything that sounds like a fat joke and Tanner's vocabulary consists mainly of variations of "fuck" and "shit", I'll be a happy guy!. What the hell, throw some boobies in there too!

The Devil's Rejects

The sequel to one of the most quotable films of 2003, Rob Zombie's House of 1,000 Corpses. While it's predecessor followed in the tradition of 1970's shock-horror flicks (Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Last House On The Left etc), The Devil's Rejects. judging from the grainy cinematography, is more of a tribute to serial killer movies like Natural Born Killers coupled with the out of control vigilance found in many spaghetti westerns. The previews alone are enough to indicate that this film is going to be totally different than the original.

While the incidents of the first film are acknowledged, they have little to do with this film. The Dr. Satan backstory is no longer present. This time, the story is focused more on the doings of Baby, Otis and Captain Spaulding, as the embark on a heinous killing spree. Veteran actor William Forsythe plays the Sheriff who, along with two bounty hunters (played by Danny Trejo and pro wrestler Diamond Dallas Page) swears to hunt them down. I found the original to be quite enjoyable, I have a feeling this will top it.

More to come later!

It seems that I can't shut up about Batman

2005-06-18T08:21:00.000-04:00

Have alot of free time on your hands? Bored? Click here to obtain a boatload of Batknowledge!

Maybe you'll be just as cool as me.....

Batman Begins: The Review

2005-06-17T22:35:00.000-04:00

The opening scene of Batman Begins takes place in a cold and bleak prison camp. The location of the camp is unknown and not important. Within the prison, there is a young man. A man who, as a boy, witnessed the murder of his parents. A man, overcome by anger and guilt, who feels it is necessary to explore the natures of evil (which is why he ended up in the prison to begin with). A man, who is about to evolve into a crime fighter, a server of the peace; as enigmatic as he is heroic.

Enter Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson), a representative of Ra's Al Ghul, a supposed fellow member in the worldwide battle for justice and peace. Ducard offers to take Wayne under his wing, teaching young Wayne the arts of swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, ninja stealth and inner self-control. The purpose of this training is to enlist Wayne into Ra's Al Ghul's "League of Shadows", a group of assassins who serve Ghul's brand of justice.

In order to fulfill his membership, Bruce is ordered to execute a helpless and untried criminal. Unable to harm a defenseless man, Bruce refuses, escapes the League's compound and returns home to Gotham City, where he vows to fight evil. Awaiting him is a city full of ruthless criminals, corrupt cops and a mob boss who oversees all of their actions.

Many questions of Batman's origins are once again answered. This time though, the answers are much deeper. In the 1989 Batman, the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne is a clear trigger and motive for Bruce to devote his life to fighting crime. In Batman Begins, it is used as a motive but also as an instrument of guilt and shame that haunts Bruce consistently. Another element of the origin that is covered deals with the involvement of bats. "How do bats play into this?" you ask. Well, I'm not going to go into too many details but the bats, or fear of the bats I should say, have a connection with Bruce's guilt.

Also, viewers finally get to see exactly how Batman gets "those wonderful toys". The answer lies deep within the applied sciences department at Wayne Corp, a corporation started by Thomas Wayne, now run by a tightass suit (Rutger Hauer) who plans to make the company go public. Inside the science department, we meet Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), the inventive genius who understand Bruce's intentions and makes available to Bruce a large arsenal of high-tech gadgets and weaponry. The Batsuit, the Batcape, the Batmobile (incarnated into a mega-suped SUV) and the rest of Batman's stuff all originated from the brilliant mind of Fox. You also get to learn how the stuff works. Pretty cool if you are a gadget geek :-)

We also see the bonding relationship between Bruce and his butler Alfred (Michael Caine). At first, before the prison and the training, Bruce is reluctant and a bit cold towards Alfred's wishes for him to stay at the Wayne. After the learning and growing begins, we start to see Bruce accept Alfred's counseling. The strength in their relationship has always been exhibted in the previous films but this film truly defines it.

There is also a love interest who ties together with the story and serves as more than just "eye candy". Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), assistant D.A. of Gotham City and a childhood friend of Bruce, is caught up in a many a court battle with the crime syndicate led by Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson). Also involved in the case is Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), psychiatrist who offers a brand of terror far more horrifying than the muck that already infests the streets.
In a world full of slime, the only people that Rachel can trust are tje D.A. and perhaps the only clean cop on the Gotham City Police Department, Sgt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman). Little does she know that a figure from her past will join her on her quest. However, this figure, in her eyes, is a millionaire playboy who seems to be too busy jumping into water fountains with naked European models (that's Bruce Wayne for ya).

With so much in-depth added to the backstory, a cast that proves its worth, and a narrative that focuses more on story and character rather than balls-out, CGI-infested action, this is THE ULTIMATE BATMAN MOVIE!! Director Christopher Nolan's view of Gotham City is a far cry from the glitzy, glittery depiction provided by Joel Schumacher. It is also in a league different from Tim Burton's dark and exotic version. What Nolan does is present you with a Gotham City that is so gritty and vicious, you will actually be convinced that this place could only be conceieved in the darkest corner of Hell.

Christian Bale was perfect for the younger Bruce Wayne. He shows little trouble in conveying the many emotions of Bruce and his Batman persona. Michael Caine is as dignified and likable as ever in the role of Alfred. Katie Holmes's Rachel Dawes serves as a convincing muse of sorts for Bruce Wayne, their relationship is a strong tie that keeps the Dark Knight focused on his objectives. Gary Oldman IS James Gordon! If anyone has read "Batman: Year One", they will easily notice the uncanny resemblance. I'm not talking about just moustache either; i'm also referring to Gordon's reluctance, his nervousness. Oldman proves, like he has time after time, how versatile of an actor he can be.

While I did mention that the film is very story and character based, that does not mean that the fight scenes are bland. Instead of the usual special effects induced fight scenes that we see in many action films today, the fight scenes in Batman Begins come off as authentic and hard-nosed. Every punch landed and every chink of a sword is done with meaning and authority.

If there are any flaws in this film, they are so minuscule and obscure, that it would have little to no affect on the quality of this film. I went in hoping for a good comic book movie, I got more than that. What I got was a film that stands up a notch higher than other great films of its kind, such as Spider-Man, X-Men and the 1989 Batman. The only origin film I feel that can possibly contend with this is the 1978 Superman. If Batman Begins is the only film you see this summer, then you have no regrets whatsoever.

Batman: A Cinematic Retrospective

2005-06-17T10:13:00.000-04:00

In 1939, cartoonist Bob Kane and comic writer Bill Finger introduced the world to a comic book character of unique preportions. During that time, Superman was the premier name. His dashing and heroic persona, complimented with his patriotic qualities, made him a favorite amongst children and adults. While this new superhero served a similar purpose, he was presented in a much darker fashion. Blending the alter-ego characteristics of Zorro, the darkness of the Shadow and the nocturnal essence of Dracula, this hero was as frightening as he was heroic. Like Superman, the character would live two lives. By day he would be Bruce Wayne, millionaire playboy and entrepreneuer. By night, he would became this dark menace that would cast a shadow over crime. While Superman existed within the bright city of Metropolis, this character lurked through the dark and morbid Gotham City. Little would anyone know that the son of Krypton would eventually share the spotlight with Kane and Finger's hero of the dark, the Batman. In May of that year, Batman was unleashed to world in Detective Comics issue #27. Thus, marking the beginning of one of the most succesful runs in comic history.

While most of us are aware of Batman's using his keen detective skills and hand-to-hand combat abilities to fight crime, the original incarnation was a merciless, gun-wielding vigilante who would stop at nothing to see crime pay, even if it meant costing the lives of the innocent! Shortly after, the head suits at Detective Comics suggested that the violence be toned down and that the character should be given a youthful sidekick, an audience surrogate that young readers can relate to. With that, Robin was born and the popularity of Batman reached new heights.

Batman and Robin's popularity brought the Dynamic Duo to the silver screen in 1943. Columbia pictures released a 15-chapter live action serial simply titled Batman. Released during the peak of WWII, Batman stripped the Caped Crusader and his sidekick of their vigilance, remolding their roles into FBI agents in pursuit of Doctor Daka, a crazed Japanese scientist who plans to conquer the world with his radium-powered Death Ray. Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft were the first to portray Batman and Robin. Due to the tensions of the War, the serial was laced with racial dialogue towards the Japanese. Later versions of the serial would have such dialogue removed and replaced.

Another 15-chapter serial was released in 1949, entitle Batman and Robin. This time, Robert Lowery and Johnny Duncan would assume the roles of the Dynamic Duo as they attempt to thwart the evil-doings of the black-hooded Wizard. Described as campy and outragous, this serial is now available on DVD.

There are some important things to note about these serials. First and foremost, the serials introduced us to the BatCave, Batman and Robin's headquarters. The BatCave would later be incorporated into the comics. Second, the villians in the serials are not members of Batman's Rogues Gallery The studio in charge of the serials would not allow the use of The Joker, The Penguin, Riddler etc. Finally, the serials influenced the physicial appearance of Alfred, Bruce Wayne's butler. Originally, in the comics, Alfred was short and pudgy. In the serials, he was portrayed by William Austin, who was tall and slender. After the serials, Alfred's comic book form would match that of Austin's likeness.

After the serials, Batman would remain within the mediums of comics and radio, where he and Robin would make the occasional guest appearance on the Superman radio drama. It would not be until 1966 when Batman and Robin would appear on screen again. This time however, viewers would get to watch the Dynamic Duo in action while relaxing in their own homes. For the next two years, the ABC network would air the highly-campy "Batman" TV series. Adam West would take the role of Batman, while Burt Ward would become Robin. It would also mark the on-screen debut of many of the said members of the Rogues Gallery.

Due to the shows goofy atmosphere and comedic feel, many comic fans were outraged at the misrepresentation of the characters. However, the show as a monster success and became a staple in television pop culture. Did I forget to mention that it spawned a 1966 theatrical film? While the show and the movie both were not exactly an accurate depiction of the comics, they had their own unique brand of fun and nostaligic goofiness. I mean, cmon! Where are you gonna find dialogue like this?

Commissioner Gordon: It could be any one of them... But which one? Which ones?
Batman: Pretty *fishy* what happened to me on that ladder...
Commissioner Gordon: You mean where there's a fish there could be a penguin?
Robin: But wait! It happened at sea... Sea. C for Catwoman!
Batman: Yet, an exploding shark *was* pulling my leg...
Commissioner Gordon: The Joker!
Chief O'Hara: All adds up to a sinister riddle... Riddle-R. Riddler!
Commissioner Gordon: A thought strikes me... So dreadful I scarcely dare give it utterance...
Batman: The four of them... Their forces combined...
Robin: Holy nightmare!

Like I stated earlier, the show and movie created a stir, a strong revival in the popularity of both Batman and comics in general. However, Adam West's and Burt Ward's uber-wacky portrayals were now the general profiles of Batman and Robin. When people though of the Dynamic Duo, they saw these two. They saw the bright, almost psychadelic atmosphere that the show presented. Indeed, it was fun, but it was not how Bob Kane and Bill Finger wished for their comic to be remembered. Many also felt that Batman and Robin were um...you know...

Not that there is anything wrong with that!! It was the 50's and 60's, the times of the ignorant minded!! If Batman and Robin wanted to be gay, then DAMMIT!! LEAVE THEM ALONE!! However, people read into things way too much and if they actually read the comics, Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson were way hetero!

Anyways, back to the matter at hand. From the late 60's all the way to the mid 80's, Batman was now portrayed almost in a light similar to the TV show. In 1986. writer Frank Miller would return Batman to his dark and gritty roots. The two mini-series The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One brought back the dark, film-noiresque atmosphere, reviving the faith of many Batfans and above all, setting the tone for Batman's next on-screen appearance.

In 1989, director Tim Burton, who recieved acclaim for Pee Wee's Big Adventure and Beetlejuice, brought to us a Batman film that rang similar to the tone of Frank Miller's vision. Taking the suit and cape would be veteran actor Michael Keaton. However, the film's biggest highlight would be Jack Nicholson, taking the role of Batman's most feared villian, the maniacal and psychotic Joker. Robin, although initially in the script's first draft, was left out in the cold. For the first time since his initial comic run in 1939, Batman would be going solo. Well, actually he did still have Alfred.

The film was deemed a worthy success and recieved an ample amount of critical praise. That summer, Batmania once again ran wild. Toys, shirts, posters, hats and video games were just some of the many merchandise that the film unleashed. I will be honest, this film is what truly jumpstarted my love for Batman. I did like him as a little tyke, but this movie marked the beginning of an unhealthy obsession for me. With that I began reading the comics religiously, I needed to know everything involved in order to become a Bat expert.

While it still maintains a place in my heart, the film does have its share of flaws. Despite many continuity errors, there are a few things that baffle me. Harvey Dent, the DA of Gotham City who would later become the villian Two-Face, was portrayed by Billy Dee Williams. I'm sorry, but I can't see Lando Callrissian as either Dent or Two-Face. Dent was Caucasian in the comics but skin color has little to do with the way I feel about this. Lando is just far too likable. Second, the Prince music. That is all I have to say about that. However, Danny Elfman's score does more than enough to compensate for that.

Burton would return to Gotham once more in 1992. Batman Returns portrayed Batman and Gotham city in a light that is more of Tim Burton's rather than Frank Miller's. Gothman city, while maintaining the bleakness that Miller provided, is now complimented with ice sculptures and statues of naked men. It is as if they hired Michaelangelo and Edward Scissorhands to decorate the place. However, the dark nature of the comic is very much captured in this film. The story is anything but bright and shiny. It is harsh, tragic, relentless and brutal.

Batman now faces two adversaries, The Penguin and The Catwoman, who is more of a vigilante than a villian. Danny Devito was a great choice to play the wobbly villian. Unlike Nicholson's Joker, the Penguin is a tortured soul. His harsh treatment as a child (simply due to his disfigurement) is what molded him into the evil but tragic villian he became. Michelle Pfeiffer nailed Catwoman perfectly, presenting a character that is dangerous and sexy at the same time.

Alas, Batman Returns marked the end for Burton and Keaton, as both would resign from any future works on the Batman franchise. Burton would assume the role of producer for the next film. Director Joel Schumacher, known for such works as St. Elmo's Fire, The Lost Boys and Flatliners would assume the chair and actor Val Kilmer would don the batsuit. Feeling it was long overdue, Schumacher believed it was time to let Robin re-enter the picture. Young upcoming actor Chris O'Donnell was selected to play "Boy Wonder". Nicole Kidman was also casted as Bruce Wayne's love interest. As for the villians, Robin Williams was originally slated for the role of The Riddler. He was eventually replaced by Jim Carrey, who was soaring to fame at the time. The character of Harvey Dent/Two-Face, who was absent in Batman Returns. returned to the series. Tommy Lee Jones took the role.

Schumacher, however, would make more changes than he would additions. Tossing away the influence and visions of Tim Burton and Frank Miller, Schumacher was aiming for a more family-friendly type of film. The product was something akin to the campiness of the 1966 TV series. Gotham City, instead of the abysmal atmosphere it presented, contained a flashiness to it. Batman seemed to have a more open personality this time around. Hell, he even had nipples added to his suit. In my eyes though, the biggest change was Batman's mannerisms. This, in addition to the inclusion of Robin, had a major effect on the film's tone.

Many fans of Batman are aware that his quest for justice was fueled by the murder of his parents, an event that has scarred Bruce Wayne and left him in a permanent state of soul torture. In the films, the Joker killed Batman's parents (while in the comics it was a common thug named Joe Chill). Schumacher felt that, with the Joker dead, it was time for Batman to enter a stage in his life where he has gotten over his trauma and moved on. This may explain the cornball antics and dopey lines such as "Chicks dig the car". This was never the case in the comics, Batman still is and always will be bothered by the murder of his mother and father.

While Batman Forever was not exactly a Batfan's wet dream, it was not a terrible film. Val Kilmer was remarkable in his role as the Caped Crusader and Jim Carrey made the film quite fun. Alas, the film was a sign of things to come. The next film marked the apocalypse that would have possibly killed off the Batman franchise forever........

Schumacher returned to the directors chair, this time with George Clooney in the role of Batman. The big deal, however, was the addition of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze. Uma Thurman was cast as Poision Ivy while Alicia Silverstone was announced to portray Batgirl. In addition, pro wrestler Jeep Swenson was cast as Bane, a recently added villian to the Rogues Gallery. Bane, in the comic books, was responsible for paralyzing Batman/Bruce Wayne. He was depicted in the books as a true threat, both mentally and physically. In this film, he was portrayed as brainless muscle.

The film bombed in both box office returns and critical reviews. It has been described by many as an over-the-top comedy with a cheesiness that would make even Adam West blush. The aftermath was not pretty either. Everyone involved, with the exception of Arnold (who actually pulled off the only good performance of the film), found their artistic merit in serious jeopardy. Anybody know as to why you do not see Alicia Silverstone or Chris O'Donell much anymore? This film is your reason. Joel Schumacher and George Clooney had much work to do in order to redeem their reputations as a respected director and a respected actor. Both have managed to accomplish this. Uma Thurman floundered in a pile of bad movies before her career's resurrection with Kill Bill. Jeep Swenson met his untimely fate, as he of a died of a heart attack two months after the films release.

However, it was the comic book film genre that suffered the most. The interest in comic book films died greatly and it would not be until 2000, with the release of X-Men, when that interest would be resucitated. If you want me to put it bluntly, Batman and Robin left a pretty nasty shit-stain in Batman's underwear.

With the success of X-Men and Spider-Man, talks about reviving the Batman franchise began. Wanting to please the masses and the die-hard comic fans, producers realized that they had to clean the slate over and start again. With that, Christopher Nolan, known for his unique suspense thriller, Memento, was given the director's chair. David S. Goyer, screenwriter for the Blade films was to write the script. And finally, after a long, exhausting search, the role of Batman was given to British actor, Christian Bale. In an interesting note, Bale was one of the many who auditioned for the role of Robin in Batman Forever. Speaking of Robin, he's not coming along for this ride either. This film is an origin film. Hence the title, Batman Begins.

A review will be up later today (or tommorow).

Edge and Lita: Getting it off my chest

2005-06-13T11:08:00.000-04:00

Okay, since everyone I know who is involved in wrestling has commented on this, I feel that I should say my piece as well. The topic of discussion involves these two individuals.

.

I don't feel that I should explain the mess that these two have gotten themselves into.

To start things off, most are aware that I am not a huge fan of Lita, and not for the reasons many would think. At one point, Lita was embraced by everyone in the wrestling community, even the "smart" fans. However, overexposure changed all of that. I do give her credit for her perseverence and ability to come back from a severe injury, she also has a crisp moonsault and killer abs! That's where my admiration ends. I feel her in-ring ability comes off irky-jerky and uncoordinated. On top of that, she has the personality of a wall. On the other hand, I do like Edge. He is a solid performer and has golden charisma. He sure is a putz though.

Now, on to the situation involving themseles and Matt Hardy. It was a sleazeball, scummy thing to do on both their parts. But this is the wrestling biz, where many a sleazeball and scum dwell. Alot of people are saying that it is nobody's business. And ya know what? They are right. This shit should be kept in private and completely away from the public eye. But thanks to the death of kayfabe and the ongoing gossip on the internet, keeping this stuff confidential is rather impossible. If this was 1986, nobody would have known about it. The "You Screwed Matt" chants would be completely non-existant.

While many are saying this is nobody's business, I have yet to hear the same thing about the stuff revolving this....

Not the actual movie you jackass!!! I'm talking about the two that are in the movie. It seems everyone is wondering if, when and where are Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt humping? This stuff gets more press than most homicide cases!

That is the price one pays for being famous. Whether you are a movie star, a pro wrestler or a musician, your private life will be put on display for all eyes to see. As long as we have media blabbermouths like E!, The National Enquirer and the internet, this stuff will continue to appease the public.

Triumph The Insult Comic Dog's Coverage of the Michael Jackson trial

2005-06-13T10:22:00.000-04:00

A fair and balanced analysis indeed....

More ECW One Night Stand thoughts...

2005-06-13T08:41:00.000-04:00

This PPV was so outstanding, it is getting another post! It was late and I was getting tired. Now that I am refreshed, I can comment on a few things regarding last night's show.

-I didn't comment much on the WWE guys in the balcony, but I have to say that their little segments were pretty damn funny! Kudos to Bischoff, JBL, Angle and Edge for supplying some good laughs. It looked like JBL was marking out for the Awesome-Tanaka match.

-Ok, its armchair booking time! This is something that I thought would've worked great. When Heyman was taking shots at the WWE guys during his promo, he should've targeted Maven. Why? Maven is green and was not even in the business when ECW was in its prime. Hell! He wasn't even in the business when ECW shut down!! With that, it would've been fitting for Heyman to heckle the Tough Enough champion. After Heyman had finished his promo and left ringside, Maven would come to the ring, grab the mic and retort. In his response, he could have said something to the effect of "If I was in the wrestling business back then, I certainly would not be involved with a bush league like ECW". Thus, an ECW star would come to the ring, cut a promo, and we would have another impromptu match. Perhaps the opponent should've been Al Snow (former ECW star and Maven's mentor), Balls Mahoney or New Jack (who unfortunatly was not on the show). Whatever, it was just a thought I had. The show was still great. I just get these fantasy booking ideas once in a while.

-The only thing about ECW that irked me was indeed alive and well last night. I'm talking about their rabid and highly annoying fans. Known for their stupid chants and more clapping than a 10-cent hooker, alot of ECW fans sometimes try deperately to put themselves over. Things haven't changed much. Take the Benoit-Eddy match for example. For the first 5 minutes of the match, the fans would rather heckle and rib Edge (who was in the balcony) with the usual "You Screwed Matt" chant than watch two of the best exhibit their craft. Oh well, you will find these idiots at every wrestling event. Just one of the flaws that come with the package.

-Speaking of Edge, notice that Lita (another former ECW star) was nowhere to be seen? If her absence was voluntary, then shame on her! Sure, the rabid crowd would've eaten her alive with all a neverending barrage of "slut" "whore" and "you got herpes" chants. If she was afraid of what was beyond those curtains, then Paul Heyman should've told her to suck it up! Tammy Lynn Sytch dealt with numerous "crack whore" and "show your tits" chants and she never backed off! Lita's work in ECW was one of the main resasons why she got a spot in the big dance! If she couldn't make it due to circumstances that were out of her control, I can understand that. But if she willingly backed out of a show that paid homage to something that boosted her career, then she should receive 10 stiff Aja Kong Urakens! Christ!! I think I went a little overboard with the caffiene this morning!

-From what I've seen, it looked like JBL laid into The Blue Meanie. Apparently, these two have heat from the past. JBL, being the "stand up" guy that he is, sucker punched Meanie and proceeded to bust open his stitches. Once again, JBL has proven how much of a decent human being he is!

-Despite his constant nagging and ranting towards certain wrestlers, Joey Styles is still gold on the mic. My advice is to get this guy on some downers, fire Todd Grisham or Marc Loyd, and get Styles back in the announcers table full-time! I'm sure that if he is paid a decent amount, Styles can keep himself from going overboard. The guy should be doing much than just infomercials.

-Was it just me or did Sabu seem very pissed off at the end of his match?

That's all for now..

ECW One Night Stand

2005-06-12T23:43:00.000-04:00

ECW One Night Stand has came and went. After all the fears of it being a WWE show in disguise, after all the skepticism and concern for what many expected to be a poor fabrication of something that was once truly special, I have to say this: The WWE has silenced the critics. This was, by far, the most fun and exciting Pay Per View Wrestling Event I have seen in a very long time. It was an event of pure nostalgia and a throwback to a time when all that mattered in wrestling took place in the ring. This was not an evening of silly soap opera storylines. It was not a standard WWE show filled with absurd angles that involved necrophilia, racism or old women giving birth to hands. This was AN ECW SHOW. Yes, there was an angle involving the WWE "crusaders" but it was ECW's night.

Lance Storm vs Chris Jericho was a good basic match that showcased the talents of both men. I was happy to see the Impact Players once again and I was especially pleased with the fact that WWE allowed Christ Jericho to acknowledge his past by allowing him to don his old wrestling gear and adorn his original nickname, "The LionHeart". Jericho is a pure class act. He never forgets where he came from.

Super Crazy vs Little Guido vs Crazy was great, as expected. Again, the flow of nostalgia was kicked in by appearances from Sinister Minister, Mikey Whipwreck, and the FBI (I was very surprised to see Big Guido involved). The balcony moonsault from Super Crazy was a sight to behold. He definitely won the fans over again tonite. Hopefully, his upcoming run in the WWE will be a success.

Rey vs Psicosis was nowhere near as hi-flying and daring as their past matches. However, both men, who have both sustained serious injuries in the past, did the best they could. I was very pleased and hopefully we will see more of Psicosis in the WWE.

Rhyno vs Sabu was solid. Nowadays, a flawless Sabu match is a rare thing. He was in top form tonite and once again showed that he is one of the reasons why ECW became a success. It was great to see Fonzie again and every word in RVD's interview rang true. Rhyno was in great shape as well. It's too bad WWE let him go.

Chris Benoit vs Eddy Guerrero was perfectly acceptable wrestling. While not the stellar 5-star classic we were expecting, it was definitely a good match. I'd say it was at the level of a great Raw or Smackdown main event.

Masato "I Want A Job" Tanaka vs Mike "Give Me My GodDamn Job Back" Awesome was a brutal stiff-fest. These two, when facing each other, always made it a purpose to beat the living shit out of one another but they definitely took it up a notch tonite. Since injuries have taken their toll on his body, this may have been Mike Awesome's last hurrah (it looks like he hurt himself tonite also). If they won't bring him back to WWE, they should definitely consider signing Tanaka. I most certainly can see Tanaka and JBL in a potato fest.

The Dudleys vs Sandman/Dreamer was the great ECW brawl that everyone expected. Dreamer, in what I believed was his final match, showed once again how much punishment he will put his body through for the sake of the wrestling business. All of the mini run-ins, especially Beulah's and the BWO's, allowed everyone to play a small role. A fun brawl that sent us back to the days of ECW.

The brawl between the ECW wrestlers and the WWE "Crusaders" reminded me of the rumble from The Outsiders. When Taz's music hit and he approached the ring, donning the black towel and his badass persona for the first time since 2000, chills ran up and down my spine. This ppv gave me the hope that a true Pro Wrestling show can still be done.

While watching this show, I glanced over to my wife, who was sitting next to me. For the past few years, my wife has detested wrestling for what it has become; a complete mess of bad storylines and nonsense. She was a huge fan at one point. Alas, the poor product that WWE has been producing has killed her interest. This night was different. For the first time in a longtime, the fan inside of her came back to life. I tell you, it has been a long time since I have seen her this much into a wrestling show. The last time she was like this, it was at........an ECW show!

Even if it was for just one night, all of us once again got to feel the magic that ECW produced. This ppv made me proud to once again call myself a wrestling fan!

Well I am known to make mistakes...from time to time

2005-06-11T23:28:00.000-04:00

Kevin McBride makes Tyson quit!

I never said I was perfect! Whatever hopes I had deep inside made me believe that the man formerly known as "The Baddest Man On The Planet" would make easy pickens out of his opponent. Apparently, I was wrong. I tip my hat to Kevin McBride and wish him luck in his next fight. As for Mike, it's time to pick up your glove and go home....

Tyson returns to the ring this Saturday night!

2005-06-10T13:54:00.000-04:00

Tommorow night, former Heavyweight champion "Iron" Mike Tyson will return to the ring to face off against Irish Journeyman, Kevin McBride.

Mike's last effort in the ring, a supposedly easy bout against Englishman Danny Williams, resulted in this shocking moment. With this upset defeat as a frame of reference, some boxing "experts" are predicting that we may just see history repeat itself.

It should be important to note two important factos from the Williams fight.
(1) Tyson suffered a torn ligament in his knee during the fight. This injury rendered Tyson powerless and unable to throw a meaningful right hand. His injured knee also made him a target so immobile, that Abe Vagoda would've had just as good a shot at beating him.
(2) Before the knockout, Tyson was hammering Williams all over the ring. If said injury didn't occur, Tyson would have had an easy KO victory.

No, Tyson is not the aggressive monster he was during his heyday. His body has aged, he is much slower, and his killer instinct is questionable. However, I'm pretty positive that those two fists of his possess the same crushing power that sent Trevor Berbick, Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks to the mat. My prediction: if Tyson manages to not injure himself, he will easily abolish Kevin McBride in 2 rounds or less.

With that, I leave you with a question. With the Heavyweight picture as it is today, does Mike still have a chance at once again winning the strap (or one of the 50,000 straps in boxing)? If he is able to land those solid hooks of his, HELL YES!

Time for a new Blog name....

2005-06-09T11:11:00.000-04:00

I was browsing through the many blogs hosted through Blogspot and I came across this blog. This gentleman has had his blog a little bit longer than I have and, out of respect for him, I have decided to remove the title of my blog. He came up with the name first. Hence, it belongs to him.

For now, this blog shall be nameless. When I come up with a new name, I shall post it immediatly.

Summer Movie Preview 3: A World Without Heroes....

2005-06-09T08:58:00.000-04:00

Last time, we wrapped up coverage for all the major films to be released in June. July is usually the biggest month in the Summer movie season. Most of the highly-anticipated films are released during this month. Let's get this underway, shall we.

July
Week 1

War of the Worlds

What Summer movie fest is complete without Tom Cruise or Steven Spielburg? Alongside getting people off of zoloft and jumping on a couch like a 6-year old,proclaiming his love for Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise made it clear to get himself involved in what could be a great remake of a sci-fi classic or a piece of Scientology propaganda. The trailer has "disaster film" written all over it so I do not know how this is going to turn out. Take heed, Spielburg IS capable of making crap (Hook, Lost World) but he is also capable is creating some of the most visually astounding stories to ever grace the screen. There are many unanswered questions remaining, they shall be answered on July 1st.

Undead

George Romero, who will be releasing Land of the Dead on June 24th, will have a little competition coming to him in the form of an Australian Zombie flick. From the Spierig brothers comes a tale of a small Australian fishing village which becomes infested with flesh eating Zombies. No, it does not sound very original but, in these cases, the "originality rule" is normally thrown out the window. On the other hand, it could still be a breath of fresh air and be well on its way to the title of "horror classic". The trailer looks rather exciting. It may not top Romero's film but it could be deemed well enough to sit alongside it.

Rebound (poster unavailable, who cares)

Martin Lawrence stars in what will sure be a flopper. This looks to be your typical, run-of-the-mill, kid sports comedy. Director Steve Carr is known for this kind of film, so while it may have its moments of fun and charm, it won't be anything ground breaking.

Week 2

Fantastic Four

One of my all-time favorite comics is once again being made into a full-length feature.  The last time the Fantastic Four was on-screen, they were involved in a Roger Corman-produced MST3K-quality disaster that involved a foam-rubber Thing and The Boy Who Could Fly as the Human Torch.  This time around we have a well-renowned cast, a bigger budget and the enhancements of film technology. However, are we going to have a quality story?  Are we going to have a complete botchery of one of Marvel's most beloved titles?  Or will we have the first of a succesful franchise that is akin to the Spider-Man and X-Men films?  Tim Story, who has directed Barber Shop and last year's horrendous Taxi, is taking a big step.  I cannot say that the trailers have enticed me but I shall lay my money down and give this film a chance.

Dark Water

In the tradition of The Ring, Dark Water is a remake of a Hideo Nakata film.  Although I had a strong and healthy interest in Asian horror (actually I still do), this genre is starting to get weak and, from what I've seen in the trailer, this film does not seem to help matters.  Although I expect good performances from Jennifer Connoly (who will definitely make this film easy on the eyes) and the always great John C. Reilly, the story doesn't capture me in the same way Ringu did.  Then again, I could be wrong.  Like the film mentioned above, the only way to get a justified opinion is to go see it.

Anne Bancroft: 1931-2005

2005-06-09T08:50:00.000-04:00

At this moment, I'd like to take the time to acknowledge the life and career of the great Anne Bancroft, who passed away several days ago.

Known best for her roles as Annie Sullivan in the 1959 film, The Miracle Worker, and the sexually frustrated Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate, Bancroft always delivered a stellar performance. She is survived by her husband, the always wonderful comedian/director/writer Mel Brooks and their son Max. This screen legend shall be missed.

Links to strange and funny videos....

2005-06-07T16:36:00.000-04:00

Christian Science Puppet Show!! Give it up for the strange singing alien and Chip The Black Boy!

School Boy Push Leads to Sissy Fight (not a single closed fist thrown or landed!)

The Greatest Maury Povich "You Are Not The Father" Celebration Ever! EVER!!

Another Reason Why I Love Asian Television.

and finally.....

Fred Durst Making Himself Look Foolish (Before He Became Famous)

Okay back to seriousness..Summer Movie Preview ROUND 2!!!

2005-06-06T10:09:00.000-04:00

Last time we were here, we just wrapped up the movies for the second week of June. Let's have a look at the remainder of the month. If you are well behaved and I have time to spare, we can peak into July as well.

June
Week 3

Batman Begins

The movie that I have waited nearly 8 long years for. The movie that will restore my hope, and the hopes of many, in this once-great and once-awful franchise. The movie I anticipate most this summer!

The 1989 Tim Burton-directed Batman, with Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader and Jack Nicholson playing a perfect Joker, is, in my opinion, one of the very best films of the comic book genre. The highly flawed but still enjoyable Batman Returns, also directed by Burton, showed early signs of decay. Batman Forever, the third film in the series, directed by Joel Schumacher, killed my hopes for the series. The dreadedly awful

Batman and Robin, also directed by Schumacher, officially buried those hopes. When I learned that they would be cleaning the slate and restarting the franchise, I did not know what to expect. I was happy to learn that either Darren Aronofsky, David Fincher or Christopher Nolan (I admire all three) was going to direct. I was pleased with the selection of Nolan, as Memento is one of my favorite modern films. As for the choice of Batman, I prayed it would not be Ashton Kutcher (only the heavens know what kind of turdburger this film would've became) nor Jake Gyllenhall (good actor, just doesn't fit the part). I believe Christian Bale is the ideal choice for both a young Bruce Wayne and a young Dark Knight. Throw in an all-star cast including Michael Caine (great choice for the younger Alfred), Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes, Ken Watanabe and Cillian Murphy, compliment it with the dark, Noir-esque style of Nolan and I believe the Bat will be back from the dead this summer!

The Perfect Man (I'm having trouble finding a poster. Hence, you will have to visualize one in your head. Click here for the trailer [available in Quicktime]).

Sappy, silly and utterly predictable romantic comedy starring Hilary Duff and Heather Locklear. Sure, it may be lighthearted and sweet with a dash of humor, but haven't we seen this stuff rehashed in hundreds of other films? Unless the American audience is THAT narrow minded, expect this to drown within the darkness of Batman Begins.

Other than these two films, its a rather small week.

Week 4

Herbie: Fully Loaded

This is the first chapter of an epic trilogy, Herbie: Judgement Day and Herbie: No Mercy will complete this ground-breaking saga. Keep in mind this is the final viewing of curvy and beautiful Lindsay Lohan. The buxom and sizzling redhead you see in this film has now been replaced by Skeletor. Thanks to our society's definition of "thin", Lindsay felt that she was overweight and had to drop 20 pounds or so. Gone are the Ann-Margaret qualities, replaced with bone and saggy flesh. Just look at this comparison. Someone should kidnap her and force feed her Big Macs until she returns to the mercilessly sexy figure she had in

Mean Girls.

Anyways, I never really cared for the Herbie film series and no, this doesn't appeal to me. This one is for the kiddies. Have fun!

Land of The Dead

I wonder what motivated George Romero to finally work on the fourth installment of his classic "Living Dead" Saga. Could it be the success of such recent "Zombie" flicks such as Shaun of The Dead, 28 Days Later and the remake of his 1978 epic, Dawn of The Dead? Or did it just be pure coincidence that production of his film wrapped up around the same time of these films? Who cares? Us Zombie fans have been waiting a long time for another film from The Zombie Master and from the trailers alone, this looks to be another flesh feast!

I have to say that cast is kind of an odd mix, including Dennis Hopper, John Leguizamo, Asia Argento (her father, Dario, helped Romero with many aspects of DOTD), and Simon Baker. However, there are zombies aplenty and I'm quite sure there will be lots of gut ripping involved. A definite summer treat!

Bewitched

This summer's second adaptation of a classic TV show is directed by Nora Ephron, who took the helm for the Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan romantic comedies, Sleepless In Seattle and You've Got Mail. The premise of this film is similar and different from the show. It's not a direct adaptation, the show is still a show within the movie, Will Farrell plays the actor who is to play Darren while Nicole Kidman plays a supposed real-life witch who is perfect for the role of Samantha. Veterans Shirley MacClaine and Michael Caine provide supporting roles. While Kidman will come off as her usual charming self, complete with cute "nose twitch" that Samanth is known for, I wonder if Farrell will be able to come off as both comical and tender (ala Tom Hanks). With Ephron directing, this will no doubt have its tear-jerker love moments. Farrell is known as a completely off-beat comedian, this role may make him or break him. We will have to wait until June 24th to find out.

Let's have a look at the clock. Nope! Gotta go to work. Can't spend any more time here. Till next time.

Which Mythological Creature Am I?

2005-06-06T09:49:00.000-04:00

I found this on another blog. From the looks of it, I guess I'm really nice. I'm kinda hot too! That is always a plus!

You scored as Angel. Angel: Angels are the guardians of all things, from the smallest ant to the tallest tree. They give inspiration, love, hope, and positive emotion. They live among humans without being seen. They are the good in all things, and if you feel alone, don't fear. They are always watching. Often times they merely stand by, whispering into the ears of those who feel lost. They would love nothing more then to reveal themselves, but in today's society, this would bring havoc and many unneeded questions. Give thanks to all things beautiful, for you are an Angel.

Angel

67%

Faerie

59%

Dragon

42%

Demon

33%

WereWolf

17%

Mermaid

17%

What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!)
created with QuizFarm.com

Cinderella Man (2005)

2005-06-06T07:44:00.000-04:00

"When Legend Becomes Fact, Print The Legend."-The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Director Ron Howard has a knack for tackling tough subjects. Whether it be the hardships of old age (Cocoon), the everyday danger faced by a firefighter (Backdraft) or a man falling in love with a woman who happens to be half-fish (Splash), Howard almost always manages to create an everlasting visual complimented with a well-crafted narrative.

The Cinderella Man, Howard's latest offering, tells the true life tale of 1930's Heavyweight boxer, James J. Braddock and the double battle that he faces; one being a Heavyweight title fight against the dangerous champion Max Baer and the other, a far more crucial conflict dealing with the troubled times that he and his family face during the Great Depression.

The film begins in the 1920's, Braddock is a top Light Heavyweight contender, surely on his way to a title shot. He lives in a beautiful, well-lit home in New Jersey with his supportive but always concerned wife, Mae and their three children. Destined for bright future of grandeur and security, the Braddocks quickly express their happiness and gratitude in the opening minutes of the film. However, when those minutes past, the well-lit home dims out and is replaced with a one room apartment. The Depression has suddenly struck. The once-promising Braddock is now a shell of his former self and the fights are few and far between. When he is not fighting, he assumes the stressful duties of a dock laborer, that is if he is picked to work that day. While life seems tough enough, there is such a thing as adding salt to the wound, as a suspension from the ring, illness, and loss of electricity and heat do nothing but contribute to the continuously crumbling morale of the Braddock household.

Enter Joe Gould, Braddock's former trainer and manager, who brings forth an oppurtunity for Braddock to get some of that lost fortune back. What starts as a one-fight deal turns into a golden oppurtunity for the Heavyweight title and the chance for Braddock and his family to put poverty behind them forever. But standing in the way of this is the feared champion, Max Baer, a high-profile puncher who is responsible for 2 in-ring deaths. Braddock is a 20-1 underdog. This fight will either make him or literally break him.

Considered by many critics as Seabiscuit's big brother, Cinderella Man is a visual delight that captures the realities of Depression-era New York City. The illustrious brightness given off from downtown Manhattan, the earthy yet homely aura of the Braddock family's apartment and the misery and violence of "Hooverville" all are divided as if they are three completely different worlds. Madison Square Garden, the arena where most of the fights, including the main event, are held, is the central point for these three worlds where their dwellers all come together to witness the raw grit and glory of the modern day gladiators.

As for the film's fight scenes, the boxing matches are not choreographed in an over-the-top Rocky-esque fashion, nor do they completely capture an accurate depiction of "the sweet science". They more or less fall somewhere in between, while showing the effectiveness of a basic left jab and the physics involved in slipping and dodging punches, the brutality is maintained. In a nutshell, almost every punch landed in this film is going to make one say "that hurts.....alot".

Despite his real-life roughhouse antics, Russell Crowe always manages to deliver onscreen. As James Braddock, Crowe easily projects as the tough yet sensitive Irish scrapper. He brings forth a likable and admirable aura that is so strong, that it makes you forget about Crowe's run-ins with trouble, such as this recent incident

What makes Crowe's performance truly click however, is his on-screen chemistry with both Renee Zellweger (who is superb in her role as Mae Braddock) and Paul Giamatti (also superb as Joe Gould). Whenever Crowe shares the frame with one or both of them, the husband/wife and fighter/trainer relationships ring so pure and so true, and the obstacles that both pairings face further strenghten these claims. While Zellweger puts on a wonderful performance, it is Giamatti who clearly stands out. With two great performances already in the bank (American Splendor and Sideways), Giamatti scores a hat trick as the sharp-tongued and sarcastic trainer with an abrasive heart of gold.

In my previous post, the first part of my SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW!!, I expressed concern for the way Max Baer would be portrayed in this film. Unfortunatly, my feelings were correct. Baer, portrayed by Craig Bierko, is put in a light that is innaccurate and fabricated for the film's "overcome the odds narrative". In the film, Baer shows no remorse to the two tragedies he caused in the ring. In fact, he seems to wear the two deaths like two badges of honor. This is completely far from the truth. The real Max Baer, although viewed as a cocky, arrogant but highly feared boxer, felt nothing but guilt towards those incidents. It was to the point where he nearly quit boxing. Even though that never came to be, he would donate a portion of his prize fight purses to the families of the fallen boxers. This is perhaps my only gripe about the film. However, it is only a moderate blemish on what is still a truly beautiful film. Click here for more on Max Baer

While it will not be surprising to see this film, Crowe and Zellweger nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards, it will most certainly not be surprising for Giamatti to WIN a Best Supporting actor award for this film.

There are many films about boxing. Many are rather bad and some are truly great. It is not hard to say that Cinderella Man falls into the latter.

Summer Movie Preview!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! (part 1)

2005-06-04T08:23:00.000-04:00

Ok, this post has nothing to do with old men strangling children, it has nothing to do with funny little goth kids, and it most definitely has nothing to do wtih Maxx Burton's talent for performing all of the dance choreography from Footloose. This post deals with the Summer movie season, a time where we not worry about Oscar contenders and critics' choices. It is a time where we usually leave our brains at the front door and indulge in special-effect bonanzas, top-of-the-line animated films and cornball film adaptations of classic TV shows. Although it is certain to find some cinematic gems hidden within this pile of chaos, most of these films are mainly intended to entertain the large mass of general audiences. In this first installment, we will have a look at the films being released in the month of June (for those who are completely absurd, that is this month).

Week 1

Cinderella Man

Alright, its ironic and just plain silly for me to say that the above mentioned things of the Summer movie season and begin the preview with what could be a definite Oscar contender. Acclaimed director Opie Cunningham's latest opus is a biopic centered around Depression-era boxing champion, James Braddock (portrayed by the usually excellent Russell Crowe). Braddock's story is definitely a true "rags to riches" tale about a man whose only mission in life is to provide safety and security for his family. He is a pure example of how perseverance and devotion can overcome great odds.

Boxing is one of my true passions and you can bet the entire bank that I'm going to see this. In fact, I'm heading to the theaters tommorow. I expect a stellar performance from Crowe, complimented with a great supporting cast that includes Renee Zellweger (as Mae Braddock, James's wife) and the very talented Paul Giamatti (as Joe Gould, Braddock's trainer). Ron Howard has yet to make a bad film (okay maybe The Grinch left little to be desired but we can let that slip) and I expect this to sit alongside Backdraft, A Beautiful Mind, and Apollo 13.

The only gripe I have with Cinderella Man is the way Braddock's main rival, Max Baer, is portrayed. Yes, Baer was a feared puncher and yes, an opponent, Frankie Campbell, died following a vicious knockout at the hands of Baer. However, Max slumped into a spell of depression and guilt following that fight. From the previews I have seen, the film seems to make Max come of as a remorseless and menacing fighter. I hope my assumptions are wrong and the film protrays Max as the fun-loving, womanizing playboy that he was. I shall see how it turns out tommorow. Next film....

The Sisterhood of The Travelling Pants (couldn't get a poster so here's the link to the IMDB listing.

This is the story of a girl's ass and the many adventures it embarks on. Actually, it is a story of four teenage girls who are dealing with a bad case of seperation anxiety (aka dealing with the fact that you are no longer going to see your friends everyday aka growing up and dealing with reality). In order to deal with this situation, they decide to share a pair of pants amongst each other, as if the pants will create an unbreakable bond amongst the girls.

This film is based off a series of books from author Ann Brashares. There is a minimal chance I will get to see this picture in theaters but I'm quite sure I will catch it on DVD or cable. The premise sounds interesting and the girls look cute. I've never read the books, but I'm sure the girls in the novel are more like the everyday teenage girls who deal with peer issues, imperfections and self-critiqued flaws. Meanwhile, the Hollywood version of the film all feature girls who could basically be models. How Hollywood, how American........

The Lords of Dogtown

Fred Durst, the man who nearly destroyed Metal, was supposedly set to direct this film, a fictionalized look at the California skateboarding movement of the 1970's. Thankfully, Durst was replaced with Catherine Hardwicke, who directed the well-received Teenager rebellion piece Thirteen.

This film is going to be placed on a pedal on comparison alongside a 2001 documentary that covers this same era, Dogtown and Z-Boys. However, the reviews I have read for this film are nothing but positive. It looks riveting, exciting and filled with potential Hollywood hopefuls. Of course, we are all going to hear numerous teenage girls, when discussing this film, ramble on about how the stars in this film are "so sexy hot! Oh my gawd!" but I think we can cope with that.

Week 2

Hauru no ugoku shiro (Howl's Moving Castle)

Set for limited release, there is very little chance I will get to see this when it hits the theaters. Digimon director Mamoru Hosoda was originally selected to direct this loose adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones's novel. Hosoda suddenly left the project and its a damn good thing he did! Filling his shoes is none other than the king of Anime, Hayao Miyazaki. The man responsible for Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Castle in the Sky will be delivering another stirring epic filled with top notch animation and a truly deep and emotional narrative that you will not find in most films, let alone animated films.

The story centers on Sophie, an 18-year old girl who works in her mother's hat shop. Sophie is suddenly stricken with a curse by the Witch of the Waste. The curse causes Sophie to age rapidly. Unable to work in her mother's shop, Sophie flees to the hills and seeks sanctuary from Howl, a wizard and former tutor of the Witch, who lives within a strange moving Castle. Sophie seeks the aid of Howl to help reverse her aging curse. Along the way, a relationship is formed and Sophie learns many secrets of Howl's mysterious past.

Miyazaki's films truly make many of Disney's current run of animated features look tame. Disney is aware of Miyazaki's magic and that is why they are distributing his films. From the trailer I saw earlier, this looks to be another masterpiece from the great director.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Every bit of media that discusses this film shows little interest in the plot and seem to care more about whether or not Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt had sex while making the movie. Its pretty safe to say that Mr. and Mrs. Smith will score big at the box office based on the gossip alone.

The film looks to be your standard Summer blockbuster, filled with huge explosions, CGI-covered fight scenes and bad dialogue. Brad Pitt always seems to "phone-in" his summer flick roles (take Troy and Cool World for examples) and save his good performances for later in the year (Fight Club, Interview With the Vampire and Legends of The Fall were all released long before or after the Summer) Add in the fact that Angelina Jolie, based on the Tomb Raider films, never stars in good film during the summer, and you could possibly have a Razzie contender in our grasp. However, there may be one saving grace, Vince Vaughn. Vince has a comedic supporting role in this film and based off his performances in Swingers, Dodgeball and Old School, he's a pretty funny guy. Will I see this, probably. My wife and daughter love Brad Pitt so they will probably drag me to this farce. Oh well, it could be worse.

The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl In 3-D

Director Robert Rodriguez teams up with his screenwriting son, Racer to bring this over-the-top CGI-overloaded 3-D kids adventure. Although I love Rodriguez's films, there is really not much I can say here. It looks like a rehashing of the Spy Kids films. I'm sure it will be cute and filled with witty kid humor but I simply see it more as a something to watch while we wait for the destined to be awesome Sin City 2.

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Haute Tension (High Tension)

This dark French suspense-thriller is brought to us by Alexandre Aja, the director and writer who will is set for next year's remake of The Hills Have Eyes (which better have at least a cameo by Michael Berryman dammit!). Originally released in France back in 2003, High Tension is now recieving a high amount of publicity and critical applause over here in the Western shores.

The film is about two female college students, Marie and Alex, who flee to Alex's parents country home for some relaxation and study. Alex is kidnapped by some mysterious chainsaw-wielding maniac and it is now up to Marie to rescue her. From what I've seen in the trailer it looks to be dark, gritty and hopefully full of scares and gore. If and when I see this film, I'll definitely post a follow-up.

The Honeymooners

From John Schultz the director of the intellectually stimulating visual masterpiece, Like Mike and Barry Blaustein, dear friend of Jake "The Snake" Roberts and screenwriter/director of Beyond The Mat, comes the first TV/Movie adaptation of the Summer. Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps both have HUGE shoes to fill in the roles of Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton. From the trailer I've seen, the film lacks the spirit and wit of the TV classic. Cedric is a very funny guy but he lacks the ingredients that made Jackie Gleason so special. I see failure in this film; failure with the critics and the box-office With Mr and Mrs Smith opening on the same weekend, expect this to bomb and bomb and bomb again. This will probably hit DVD shelves right before the Summer's end.

Wait! This film has Eric Stoltz in it! Forget what I said above, GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!

Okay, there's two of film for ya! I'll be back with another installment when I feel like it.

Pyschotic Bus Driver chokes out unruly kid

2005-06-02T08:11:00.000-04:00

and they got it all on video!! This is funny stuff between the crazy old man and the stupid wise-assed kids

Want to laugh some more! While the old man got a misdemeanor the KIDS ACTUALLY GOT CHARGED WITH FELONIES! There is a news clip on this site that contains an interview with the parents of the two boys. Boy, these two sure got "sum brayns on dem". According to Dad, a Rhodes Scholar, the older boy's consistent use of profanity was for the sake of "defendin' his little brudder".

And as of yesterday, the two boys won't face these charges.

Do I have an opinion on this?!! OF COURSE I DO!!! WHEN DO I NOT HAVE AN OPINION ON SOMETHING?!!

Okay, first things first, most kids these days are disrespectful, unruly little bastards. Actually finding a kid from the ages 12-18 who actually says "please", "thank you" and "sorry" is a rare gem. When I was in high school (which was less than 10 years ago mind you), I only remember very few occassions where a student would actually call the bus driver or any member of the school staff a "motherf*&(*r" or somthing to that extent. The kids in this video are picture perfect examples of the rowdy and rude jackass kids of today. While they were initially in the wrong of this situation, things changed quickly.

While the kids came off like idiots, the crabby bus driver came off like a psychotic, violent old man and much more. At the beginning of the video, he tells one kid to stay "in his goddam seat". A kid on the bus tells him to watch his mouth, The man then yells at the kid for challenging his authority. That use of profanity shows he is unfit to work around children. I believe in the moral ethic of "living by example" and this guy makes himself look like a complete hypocrite. Yes, many kids, like those in the video, constantly use profanity. However, when you, as a figure of the school community, use it around them, you are lowering yourself to a lesser standard. If you want to use profanity and act like a complete jerk while getting paid for it, either go be a cop or go pump gas for a living.

Another thing to point out in the video is that the bus driver requested a deputy when the kids were getting out of line. He did the right thing. So why did he have to keep it going? All he had to do was wait for the deputy to arrive and the situation would've been properly handled.

Also, the guy was way out of line when it came to touching the kid. The kid called him a vulgar name, he didn't even touch him. Yeah, he hit the old man AFTER the jackoff started choking him. That is called self-defense. Secoond, the kid IS A MINOR. His safety and security was in the hands of that bus driver. If he values (or valued) his job, he would've known better and kept his temper in check. At my workplace, I have had scummy customers call me plenty of harsh things. Although I have felt like doing so, not once have I ever lost my cool and proceed to beat the hell out of the customer. Why? Because I have a job to do and a standard to live by.

If I was in the guy's shoes I would've kept a cooler head. Yeah, if the kid VIOLENTLY ATTACKED ME, I would've disfigured his face with my right hand. However, if he called me a vulgar name, I would've calmly sat back down, finish my route, inform the school of the situation and make sure that kid never gets to ride the bus again.

Other than that, the video is still kinda comical....

Revenge of the Sith: The Ultimate Midnight Showing!!!!!!!!!

2005-05-19T09:19:00.000-04:00

It's over Ani! It's Over!

George Lucas's sixth and final film of the Star Wars saga has now been etched in stone, premiering in theaters nationwide today. I managed to catch a midnight showing of the third chapter in the most beloved Sci-fi series of all time and as usual, it was an experience. Having been to midnight showings for Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter and Spider-Man, the line-waiting experience was your standard Convention Geek/Fanboy shindig, just heaping with homemade costumes, debates over "Who would win in a space battle? The Enterprise or The Millenium Falcon?" and enough Fanboy body odor to fill a case of air fresheners! My entourage and I arrived at about 8:00pm (Yes, I have an entourage. Maybe one day, when you are hip like me, you will have one too) and only had to wait in line till a quarter to 10:00pm. Hence, we had to sit in the theater for another two hours, which I shouldn't complain about, I could've been standing for most of that time.

Before I go into the film, I have to vent about some these crazed superfans I encountered during the wait. Actually this is generally about a majority of them. Alot of these kids like to make homemade costumes and impress everyone with their in-depth knowledge of the films. If they were to base their costumes of their actual personalities then all of them would be Luke Skywalker. I am not talking about the heroic Jedi Knight and savior of the Rebel Alliance. I am talking about the whiney and naive Skywalker that lived on Tatooine with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. Why do I make that claim? Because, like Luke, all these kids do is bitch and moan!

The theater complex was showing the film on 22 screens. The group of geeks in front of me were very open about how upset they were that they will not all be sitting together in the same theater. In fact, they trolled up and down the entire line, asking people if they were willing to trade tickets. When their attempts proved useless, they would come back and break their crayons. Kids, here are some things to note: (1)YOU ARE ALL SEEING THE SAME MOVIE!!!!! (2)YOU WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT IT AFTERWARDS!!!! (3) YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE IT THREE TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK!!!! (they will probably burn it to DVD once an illegal bootleg leaks on to the web) and finally (4) IT WAS PROBABLY BEST THAT YOU ALL GO IN SEPERATE THEATERS! THAT WAY YOU WONT BE ABLE THE HAVE YOUR MOCK LIGHTSABER BATTLES AND GET THROWN OUT FOR PISSING OFF THE REST OF THE AUDIENCE!!!!

Don't mistake me for singling out every Star Wars fanatic. Many of my friends and I are devoted fans. It just takes a handful of these socially-deprived low lives to ruin it for the rest of us. Besides, their knowledge of Star Wars does not run that deep. Try initiating a discussion with one of them about Joseph Campbell's mythological structure and how it can be paralleled with Star Wars and you will see what I'm talking about. With that, here are the qualities of these humanoids.
1) the ability to absorb their entire life and lifestyle into Star Wars, Star Trek etc. and never manage to attain any proper social skills or etiquette. (Trust me kids, you can get laid and hold a good job while maintaining your love for Star Wars. There are fans who can prove it to you)
2) The ability to not bathe
3) The ability to keep people away from you (the two qualities mentioned above usually attribute to this)

Im going to a Horror Film Convention in Ohio this September, I'm quite sure I will have this problem again.

Anyways, my thoughts on the film. Before I go on, I have to say that, out of Episodes I-III, this was the most well-made and most entertaining out the three.

Pros:
-A smooth transition in tone. The film starts off exciting but with a bit of silliness occasionally thrown in. Basically, the first 30 minutes is a droid comedy, as R2-D2 and the Trade Federation droids provide some humorous moments. However, once Anakin begins to "turn over", a different direction is taken. Not only do you get shades of the dark feel of "The Empire Strikes Back" but you also get this feeling of sadness and tragedy. Lucas definitely used the same principles found in Greek Theater (comedy and tragedy) to develop this. You will feel all your emotions during this film, laughter, anger and sadness.
-Intense and exciting battles. Anakin and Obi-Wan put on a duel that matches the same intensity as Luke and Vader in "Return of The Jedi" The giant space battle in the beginning is visually stunning. You will finally see just how aggressive a Wookie can get! Finally, you will learn its not a good thing to piss off Yoda or a Force-endowed Samuel L.!
-The identification of the parallels found between the lives of Anakin and Luke. I'm not going to spoil anything for those who haven't seen it yet. However, once you do, you will know exactly what I'm talking about.
-John Williams's god-like score. Need I explain any further?

Cons:
-Some of the dialogue comes off very vanilla and uninspired. I have a feeling that most of these actors are getting "Alec Guinness Syndrome:, meaning that they are phoning in their performances in order to keep out of the Star Wars shadow where the careers of Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher dwell. However, despite reading things about him despising the franchise, I don't see that with Ewan McGregor, who I felt was a picture perfect Obi-Wan.
-Some scenes, key scenes in fact, felt rather rushed. I'm not going to say which scenes but I feel that they should've took their time to let the drama unfold, that way the emotions delivered in the scenes can take full effect.

Other than that, I was quite pleased. George, you no longer owe me any money!

To the three people who read my blog.....

2005-05-09T11:04:00.000-04:00

As you may or may not have noticed, this blog has been as dead as Kirk Cameron's sanity for the past week. It is finals week in college, a very crucial time for me. Hence, the schoolwork has to come first. Which means no bloggy bloggy till my task has been completed.

However, as soon as I am done, I assure you that these fingers will be on fire!! Get ready for the summer of BLOG! Get ready for--

-Movie Reviews, Game Reviews
-Commentary on movies, comics, video games, Maxx Burton's mind-boggling obsession with the TV show "Eight is Enough"
-Ultimate Fighter season 2 commentary (new season starts in August)
-Road reports!
-plugs
-and plenty of H.B.A.!!!!!!!!!!!! (you know what I'm talkin about baby!)

So yeah, instead of coming here to see what I'm up to, go outside and play! I'll tell ya when dinner is ready!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-05-01T01:12:00.000-04:00

WHY?!!! DAMMIT!!! WHY!!!!!?????

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RIP Chris Candido

2005-04-29T08:34:00.000-04:00

Last night, on the way home from work, I felt a sad premonition. I guess I possess a "Spidey Sense" in some ways (as silly as it sounds). Something in my head told me that a wrestler has just died. The thought traced through my head for a moment. Afterwards, I didn't think much of it. This is probably due to the rather high "mortality rate" in the wrestling business. When Hollywood celebrities pass away, it seems that three of them die within several days or weeks. In wrestling, it seems that they die in groups of 5 or 6.

This morning, I logged on and read that Chris Candido passed away. With his newfound sobriety and the revival of his career ala TNA, I found this very surprising. I'll admit that I never was huge fan of Candido but I always commended him for being a guy who did what he can to assure that the fans got what they paid for. Along with his manager (and wife) Tammy Sytch, Candido was a combination of above-average in-ring ability and old-school heel charisma; a wrestler who contains BOTH of these qualities is a rare thing. From his days in SMW, to his stin as Bodydonna Skip in the WWF and his run as a member of the Triple Threat in ECW, Chris was a solid and entertaining wreslter.

My thoughts go out to his family and may Chris find a sense of peace in whatever realm that exists beyond this life.

Anit-PSP/Final Fantasy Parody

2005-04-21T09:39:00.000-04:00

Click Here

What this is is a epic story about the consoles of the previous video game generations (PS1, N64, even X-Box and GBA) taking on the "dreaded and evil" PSP. Video game junkies and addmitted members of the video game culture will find this quite amusing with all it's inside-jokes and puns. If you are not a member of said establishment, enter at your own risk. Take heed though, it is quite long and you may find it tedious and boring.

But for those who are into this, I guarantee there will not be a dry eye in the house when Sega Saturn attempts to save PS1 from certain doom!

Bay set to produce remake of The Hitcher (good grief..)

2005-04-21T00:56:00.000-04:00

Read and weep...

It appears that director Michael Bay, when he is not directing 2-hour music videos like Bad Boys or Armageddon or totally botching historic epics like Pearl Harbor, has found a niche in recycling classic horror films.

Platinum Dunes, Bay's production company, has already found success with their remakes of two 70's horror classics, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Amityville Horror. Something tells me that the remake of this 80's psychological suspense thriller is going to indicate the downward slide of Bay's run as a horror film producer.

What many film buffs, including myself, are aware of is Bay's tendency to focus more on style rather than substance; meaning he would rather have a film that is an overdose of special effects instead of a well thought, motivated narrative. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the TCM remake. It had a brutally violent nature along with a menacing Leatherface (let us not forget Jessica Biel in that skin-tight tank top). However, I believe it failed to capture the eerie and disturbing tone of the original. I have yet to see The Amityville Horror remake. I did not think too highly of the original so it is quite obvious that I'm in no rush to see this (read the book, far more scarier). I have a feeling that it's going to be a dud; the fact that it has recieved numerous bad reviews further supports my theory.

As for The Hitcher, I dare not tread into that territory. The Hithcher is one of those films that should stand on its own and not attempt to have any recreation. The film is complimented by two elements: the chilling suspense factor and the absolutely frightening performance by Rutger Hauer. When I first saw this film as a little tyke, I lost hours of sleep due to seeing Hauer in my head the second I closed my eyes. Nobody is going to match such a performance. Some films should be left unscathed, this is one of them.

American Jedi

2005-04-17T14:51:00.000-04:00

If you took Maxx Burton and made him a psychotic, intellectual Star Wars crazed windbag, you would get THIS.

It's quite chilling and alot better than the 20-minute wrestling promos that you have to sit through on Raw. It is also a teaser trailer to a mockumentary entitled "American Jedi". The nutjob in question is actually a trained Shakesperean actor. He's quite convincing might I add.

I am truly heartless and inconsiderate....

2005-04-17T13:55:00.000-04:00

I never thought that I would subject everyone to THIS!!!

If you managed to watch the whole thing without your face turning green, then I commend you! I have a feeling that this came from one of those Jesus camps.

I'd rather watch these guys. At least they show more heart, passion and energy (especially the dude in the white shirt).

UFC 52 thoughts....

2005-04-17T01:05:00.000-04:00

Deciding to say "F! YOU" to my financial issues, I decided to go ahead and order the UFC 52 PPV. Ya know, the one that recieved perhaps the most hype of any other UFC ppv in the company's tenure (thanks to the Ultimate Fighter)! I forked up the 35 bucks and here are my thoughts....

Notice that gap between the 2 paragraphs? That was my response to watching Chuck Liddell dropping Randy Couture I, along with many, was absolutely stunned. I don't know if Liddell's "thumb to the eye" was that much of a major factor but he did land a solid punch and that is all you really need. Congratulations to the NEW! Light Heavyweight Champion, "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell. I also want to send my respect to Randy Couture. It's been a great ride for "The Natural" and I hope it hasn't come to an end.

In other action, Welterweight Champ Matt Hughes displayed a heavy amount of guts, fire and pizazz by escaping the clutches of defeat and once again overcoming Frank Trigg. Earlier in the fight, Trigg landed a low blow that the official did not see. Hughes became preoccupied and was caught with some heavy punches. Trigg even managed to capture him in a rear naked choke! Hughes, like our friend The Warrior, managed to channel the energy of the gods, carry Trigg across the octagon and slam him down. He locked on a choke and got the tap out victory!

Here are some other quick notes I'd like to add:
-George St. Pierre is going to be a force in whatever division he chooses to fight in.
-Rich Franklin, hot off of his win over Ken Shamrock, will be taking on Middleweight champ Evan Tanner. Franklin has a win over Tanner in the Light Heavyweight division. Lets see how he fares at 185.
-Joe Rogan comes off like a prick. He was most disrespectful towards interim Heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski. Who cares if the man cannot speak English very well? It's no better than Rogan's announcing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Rogan doesn't deserve his commentator spot (he actually has an extensive martial arts background) but what's the point if he is going to take pokes at a fighter's lingual abilities. Keep it up Joe. All you are going to be known for is being partially responsible for the mercy killing of "The Man Show". Bring back Don "The Dragon" Wilson!

Thoughts on Warrior/UCONN incident

2005-04-10T18:53:00.000-04:00

One thing to note in the career of a professional wrestler is that when they retire, there is usually some sort of connection to their career within the foundation of their next choice of living. Some, like Hogan and Flair, still demand the spotlight of the big league, only to involve themselves with a more limited role. Some, like Mick Foley and Jesse Ventura, go into a totally different form of career that does not involve the rigorous happenings of the squared circle. Some, like the Iron Shiek and Jimmy Snuka, still wrestle on a regular basis in gyms and armories all over the country; doing what they can to maintain an honest and comfortable living.

The Ultimate Warrior has decided to pursue a totally different path of life after wrestling. His supposed goal is to "inform, mentor and educate" the young minds of our society. This was supposedly the same objective he attempted to utilize during a speaking appearance at the University of Connecticut. Apparently, the Warrior made alot of people angry with some of the comments made during his lecture. The response was so impactful that, like many outside incidents involving wrestlers, the word leaked onto the epic scribe that is the internet. Along with the news, an hour-long video found its way to the web as well. I actually managed to download the video and now that I have just finished viewing it, allow me to share my reaction.

For starters, what were the Young Republicans Group of UCONN using as criteria for selecting Warrior as their guest political lecturer? I guess it was the rundown of Warrior's accomplishments given by the Young Republicans member who introduced him. Just look at these astounding achievements. This is what it takes to be a credible and distinguished political speaker!
-1984 NPC Mr. Georgia
-Seven Years of Education of Chiropractic Medicine, which he gave up to get into wrestling (what happend to this "no quitting" theory that he lives by?"
-A partnership with Steve "Sting" Borden
-A stint in World Class Championship Wrestling where he flushed out the character that would make him the superstar that he is today.
-Headlining in the WWF and defeating Hulk Hogan to win the championship belt

The girl forgot to mention several other feats that Warrior proudly boasts about in the Bio section of his website, such as founding "Project Warrior", a multi-media juggernaut which was responsible for the infamous Warrior comic book. You know, the one with the special Christmas issue where he stripped down Santa Claus naked and chained him to a wall? Let us also not forget Warrior's quick work of Honky Tonk Man at Summerslam 88. Also, he is the founder of the One Warrior Nation, the antithesis to the villainous NWO! I should also mention that Warrior compliments his introduction with a video montage of his greatest wrestling moments.

I have to say that Warrior starts off the lecture in a fairly positive manner. The message he is trying bring across is one that I agree with very much and that message deals with being responsible with your life and realizing the potential within it. Everything seems to go off well until the 35-minute mark when Warrior poses the question "What rights are you given where there are no responsibilities?" A student actually has an answer to this question and the answer seems to be pretty agreeable with everyone in attendance except for our face-painted friend, who is stumped in his effort to counter the student's answer. He shows no merit to the student and insists that the student is wrong, no matter what. It looks like Warrior can't handle it very well when his theories and philosophies have been challenged. From there, whenever Warrior seemed to be delivering some effective rhetoric, he would then make some ignorant and illogical statement and his message falls flat on its face.

Warrior then preaches about how our society has conditioned and educated our youth to become "anti-minded" and opposed towards everything that America stands for. This is where the homosexual comments come in. Doesn't the phrase "Queering does not make the world go round" sound a bit "anti-minded" to you? Yes, he does exhibit the practice of free speech but he comes off like a hypocrite. Also, it take only the Warrior to come up with a word such as "Queering"; this is from the man with a "Degree in Destrucity".

I think Warrior should be aware that queering is something that has been around for a very long time. In fact, it was normally condoned and accepted in the Greek and Roman societies. Warrior quotes that "leaders are warriors". Well, Alexander the Great, a REAL WARRIOR, not some guy who runs around in face paint, pounds his chest and throws fake punches, was indeed a great leader and, according to many historians, partook into the practice of "queering".

I'm not attacking Warrior for his supposed comments. He just came off as illogical and completely nuts. Warrior needs to learn that our society is approaching a massive era of change. Society will be left with no choice but to accept minorities and homosexuals simply because they are human beings and are granted a right to live. Warrior doesn't have to agree with the philosophies and opinions of others, but he doesn't need to go off and show complete disrespect. Whatever. He is not going to listen to anyone but himself. His outdated and irrational ways of thinking are reserved for his mind and he can keep it that way. Keep on blabbering Warrior, nobody is going to listen. You are a man trapped in your own dismal world and if you feel the need to mentor and teach, do it with some respect. You come off as a man of intelligence but your delivery is completely off tangent. If you are going to continue your ways then you will be remembered not for your philosophies, but for your days as a barbaric cartoon character.

I think the "markishness" of the Young Republicans who booked him took over their sense of reason. I believe they were too awe-struck by the myth and wonder of this man who grasped their imagination as children. I think they let their childhood nostalgia get the best of their clear thinking.

Ultimate Fighter Finale thoughts......

2005-04-10T11:15:00.000-04:00

It is has been accomplished. Everything was said and done and now we have two (or shall I say three) fighters to add to the Ultimate Fighter roster. Hopefully, through this live event and future live events to come, the MMA world will take a bigger step towards a broader audience.

What can I say about Diego Sanchez? When it comes to the octagon, his complete fighting style fits like a glove! Although Kenny Florian fought gamely, Diego had little to no trouble in getting past him. On the other hand, now that he has a UFC contract, the real test begins. Whether Diego stays at 170 or goes up to 185, he will now have to share the ranks with some of the best the UFC has to offer. He's the new kid on the block and I am very sure that he has already been locked in the crosshairs of several UFC contenders. With that, I wish him all the luck and hopes for a bright future filled with with success!

Every once in awhile, there is a fight that will bring fight fans to their feet and also draw in many new fans. Last night's Light Heavyweight final match between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar was exactly that kind of fight. The aggression, courage and passion that both men displayed are the exact reasons why I am a devoted fan to fight game. This was, without a doubt, one of the best fights (not just MMA, or boxing, but all fights in general) I have ever seen. The drama that this epic war produced was so concentrated and so invigorating, it actually made me stand up from my seat and applaud the television screen. I know some purists are calling foul but I believe Dana White made the right call in giving contracts to both men. Forrest Griffin, with his aggression, unshakable courage and likable, may go on to become one of the most popular fighters in the UFC. Stephan Bonnar showed more than enough of those exact qualities to earn his spot. This may sound cheesy, but the conclusion of this fight reminded me of the final scene in the film The Best of the Best, minus the whol "Dae Han Killed My Brother" subplot of course. This fight alone just may have put UFC on the map! Expect a rematch!

The main even between Ken Shamrock and Rich Franklin was short but exciting. Shamrock made a HUGE mistake and Franklin, showing that he is a seasoned fighter, went in for the kill. Ken was very gracious in losing and I hope to see more of Franklin soon.

Oh, in case you were wondering, he are the results for the preliminary "dark" matches (which I think they should've shown clips of rather than the overkilled filler segments).

In the victims of Hurricane Diego match: Alex Karalexis defeated Josh Rafferty by TKO in 1:40 of Round 1.

In the quickest fight of the evening, Light Heavyweight Semifinalist Mike Swick told Dana White to "gimme a fu!**%# contract!" by knocking out Alex Schoenauer in 20 seconds of the Round 1!!

Nate Quarry finally was able to show his stuff and defeated Lodune "The Vanilla Gorilla" Sincaid by TKO in 3:17 of Round 1

Josh Koschek scored a KO victory over Chris Sanford in 4:21 of Round 1.

In the "Loser has to sleep in a urine-soaked bed match" Chris Leben defeated Jason Thacker in 1:30 of Round 1.

and finally, Sam Hoger, the supposed heel of The Ultimate Fighter, got the last laugh by winning a unanimous decision over Bobby Southworth.

In other pleasing news, yes, there will be a second season of Ultmate Fighter. This upcoming season will focus on the Heavyweight and Welterweight divisions.

Ultimate Fighter thoughts...

2005-04-05T08:17:00.000-04:00

What started off as a competition amongst 16 men has now winded down to 4. The 2 final matches have been established and this Saturday, April 9th, the final chapter of "The Ultimate Fighter" shall be written.

Like I said before, Sam Hoger was underestimated. Even in his losing effort, he came off strong and threw some great kicks. Forrest Griffin just happened to be a little more aggressive and this was the turning tide of the fight. It was a good contest with an exciting knockout finish. I wish Forrest Griffin good luck in the finals and I wish the game Sam Hoger good luck in his prospective future.

In the second semi-final match, Mike Swick nearly pulled off the chokeout with that python-like guillotine hold. You could actually hear Stephan gagging as the oxygen was leaving his body. However, Stephan was able to get out of the hold and use the strenght advantage to his favor. The ending was dramatic and controversial, as Swick only had to survive the armbar for another 2 seconds and survive the round. I feel that Swick did the right thing in tapping. He was caught in a dangerous move and did not want to risk any serious injury. In a move like that, an arm can break or a muscle can tear in a matter of milliseconds. Swick had a "live to fight another day" attitude towards the fight and that is always a good thing. I wish Stephan Bonnar the best of luck in the finals and I wish Mike Swick the best of luck and hope to see him again.

So there you have it! In the middleweight finals, we will be seeing the highly-impressive and highly-dangerous Diego Sanchez taking on the underestimated Kenny Florian. Although Diego comes off as the better all-around fighter, Kenny has the heart and the tools to pull off another big upset. This fight is going to be either very quick or very competitive.

In the light heavyweight finals, we have Forrest Griffin facing off with Stephan Bonnar. Both men had to fight twice on the show and with the way they fight, I feel very indecisive. Either way, this fight is going to be a brawl that will rely more on the fists rather than the mat!

Unfortunatly, I will be unable to view the fights live, for I will be in Verona, NY that night for a boxing event at Turning Stone Casino. Thank the gods for the DVR! The second I come through that door after fight night, I'm plopping down in front of the television and catching the action I missed.

I will also be posting somewhat of a "road report" for the boxing event that day as well. Till then, tune in and be prepared for MMA brutality!!

Okay I goofed...

2005-04-04T00:06:00.000-04:00

I realize that posted the same entry twice. Oh well, if you enjoy reading it you can just keep scrolling and read it again :)

Post-Wrestlemania thoughts

2005-04-03T23:11:00.000-04:00

Wrestlemania 21 has just concluded and while it wasn't exactly at the level of Wrestlemania 3 or 6, it certainly was a good event. I think the best word to describe it (and I will probably use this word throughout this post) is solid. Here are my thoughts on the card from beginning to end.

Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Misterio Jr.
While it did not possess the intensity and crowd heat of their Halloween Havoc '97 match, it was a solid opener. You must remember that said historic match took place nearly 8 years ago and both men have gone through major injuries and personal issues since. Instead of relying on mainly high-flying lucha spots, they used a good bit of decent face vs face psychology. The 3 Amigos Suplex spot was a good example of basic psychology. Solid opener. The only negative point I can find was Rey seemed a bit disoriented with his mask. The constant adjustments kinda hurt the pace.

The 6-Man Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Okay, I was wrong. This was a bumpfest. All 6 men, even Kane (who pulled out a crowd-pleasing top-rope plancha), worked their asses off. Hats off goes to Chris Benoit and Edge for using psychology as the key element to the finish. Due to his involvment in certain backstage politics, I have a good feeling some people are going to complain about Edge getting the win. Look, like him or not, the man has great in-ring abilities and works his ass off. What goes on backstage is HIS business, not yours. Indeed, what happened was incondonable but the powers that be apparently have looked past that and worried more about the business end of things. Personally, I was hoping they would give it to Shelton Benjamen but Edge will do.

I gotta admit, I popped hard for the Hulk Hogan-Eugene-Hussan segment. Hogan is the reason why this whole event took place. The man revived wrestling from limbo back in the 80's and the recognition he got tonite was well deserved. It would've been nice if Eugene joined in on the posedown but what can ya do.

Undertaker vs Randy Orton: Good match with some good false finishes. Undertaker gave it a good run and Orton definitely proved he is worthy of his success. I was expecting some blood in this though, since Randy can bleed with the best. I have a feeling Undertaker will always win at Wrestlemania.

Trish Stratus vs Christy Hemme: As predicted, this was the flop of the night. On the other hand, it was short and not as painful as expected. Some things Christy did in the match looked good while other things she did looked sloppy and poorly timed. Keeping the belt on Trish was the wise decision to make as Christy is far from ready for working at that level. Lita's involvement seemed rather pointless as well.

The Piper's Pit segment with Steve Austin was fun. Carlito's involvement was a great addition.

Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels: What started with a slow buildup turned into a clinic of great wrestling storytelling. I was expecting a hate-fueled brawl filled with vicious stiff shots and dangerous bumps but it was a great match that would make any old school fan proud. The clean tap out was a much needed touch to top off what was perhaps the best match of the night.

Sumo Match: Big Show vs Akebono: It was an impressive visual to see these two giants collide. However, that was all it was worth. It was neat but nothing too exciting.

John Bradshaw Layfield vs John Cena: Alot of reports on the internet are downplaying this match heavily, some calling it the worst of the night. I have to disagree. While it wasn't exactly a stellar classic, it was a basic match that went the proper amount of time. I think what dropped it a few levels was the lack of crowd heat. The response that Cena got when he won was less than inspiring. Is Cena actually over with crowd or is it his image that gets the pops? The point is right now he has the ball, let's see if he can produce with it.

Batista vs HHH: Simple and solid. The psychology was proper and the timing of the power moves was precise. A good showing on both parts. Like Cena, let's see if Batista can run with the ball.

One thing I have to note is this is the first Wrestlemania that did not have any tag matches. Does this mean that the value of the tag team division is dropping? Same goes with the Inercontinental (although the holder was in the 6-Man Ladder Match), United States and Cruiserweight titles. That is the problem with having so many titles in one promotion (even if there are 2 split rosters). I think it was a good idea to leave these titles out and base most of the matches on grudges and feuds. Although, I wouldn't have minded to see London vs Akio for the Cruiserweight title.

All in all, it was an enjoyable Wrestlemania. Let's hope next year's is just as good or better.

Wrestlemania

2005-04-01T21:47:00.000-05:00

Okay, now that I've got all that serious stuff off my chest, let's get back to the fun stuff. Wrestlemania, the grand daddy of them all, the biggest show on earth, the highest grand specatacle on the astral plane of sports entertainment! Call it what you want but its been a mainstaple for any wrestling fan, be it the common viewer or the smarkiest of smarks. Since 1985, it has been a basic tradition for me to plop my butt down once a year in April (or sometimes March) and indulge in the glitz and glamour that is Wrestlemania. Here is my take on each match right from the Main Event to the opener.

Batista vs HHH (WWE Raw Heavyweight Title)
-Batista is a decent big man and Trips is gonna have to rely on heavy psychology to pull off a Main Event quality to this match. I see a good 15-20 minute match with many twists, turns and near falls. I have a feeling Batista will be getting his turn to wear the strap but don't expect to see him keep it past Summerslam.

John Cena vs JBL (WWE Smackdown Heavyweight Title)
-I don't see this one being as entertaining as the above match. That doesnt mean its going to suck though. Cena has been groomed and pushed for a good while. It's quite obvious that he is going over here.

Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle
-This will be the match of the night. The buildup for this match has been solid and both men, despite facing career-ending injuries, are going to give 110%. This will be the last great match we will see from HBK and Kurt so be sure to catch it. My prediction: an awe-inspiring performance.

Randy Orton vs The Undertaker
-Yes, Orton is the future of the business but I'm kinda indecisive on where this match will go. They keep pushing Undertaker's "undefeated Wrestlemania record" so that might be enough indication that Orton will be going over. Either way, expect a good brawl with Orton bleeding buckets.

Money In The Bank Ladder Match
-I don't know how this will turn out. Since several of the wrestlers in this match have radically changed their styles due to injury (i.e. Benoit, Edge), do not expect a bumpfest. But don't be surprised if Benoit pulls off a flying headbutt off the ladder. It just may be an exciting match. Expect the angle and stipulation involved to be carried over to next year's Wrestlemania.

Trish Stratus vs Christy Hemme (WWE Women's Title)
-Christy Hemme + WWE Women's Title= The death of whatever credibility remained in the Women's Division. Unless they do it in a way where Christy's "ring abilities" aren't fully exploited, expect this to flop. Don't get me wrong, Trish is a decent in-ring performer and may live up to the carrying job ahead of her. However, it takes two good eggs to make an omelet. If my prediction on the match quality is on-target and Trish winds up retaining the title, expect Christy to be OVW-bound for some much needed training.

Eddy Guerrero vs Rey Mysterion
-After seeing numerous Eddy-Rey matches, I really do not need to tell you how good this will be. You know both of these men can go and you better expect a crowd pleaser on Sunday night!

Big Show vs Akebono (sumo match)
-This is going to be slow and painfully boring. I recall seeing Akebono on several K-1 events, he got knocked out. Expect me and everyone else to get some popcorn during this one.

30-Man Raw/Smackdown Battle Royal (rumored)
-If there is a giant trophy involved (ala Wrestlemania IV) and someone smashing it then I shall be pleased.

I also look forward to the Piper's Pit with Austin and the Hall of Fame inductions as well. I was going to talk about my memories of the past 20 Wrestlemanias but it is late and I'm tired so I will talk about that tommorow.

This Week's South Park....

2005-04-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

perhaps said it best about the whole Terri Schiavo case. What started out as an issue between her husband and her family has become a media circus and suddenly everyone's buisness. Everywhere I look, be it the internet, the television or the internet, there are bleeding hearts running around with their "Save Terri" campaigns and ignorant fools making tasteless Terri jokes around the water cooler. I kept silent about the issue and have finally mustered the courage to break my silence. With that, I would like to extend my middle finger to the following.

Republicans, Conservative and Bible-Thumping Fundamentalists: Thank you so much for letting me listen to your constant babblings during the past several weeks. "BLAH BLAH BLAH RIGHT TO LIVE!! BLAH BLAH BLAH God Has A Plan For Her!" If God has a plan for Terri, don't you so-called "people of the faith" think you should take a step back and let God handle this? I have news that may make you shout "Blasphemy!". If there is a God, it looks like God didn't agree with you. Terri's dead.

Terri's Family: The ones responsible for starting this media bonanza. Whether Terri wanted to live or not, do you really think that she, in her condition, would want to be exposed to the world? Those videos should have been reserved exclusively for the court room, NOT CNN OR FOX NEWS!! I know that the newspapers and media have published pictures of Terri before her collapse but, thanks to you, the whole world is going to know and remember the Terri Schiavo who laid motionless and thoughtless in her bed. Your exposure of this woman was so wrong that even your lord and savior, Jesus Christ, would probably punch you in the face!

The Media: Even though Terri's family started the fire, you guys fed it! I'm sure you money-hungry slobs are just anxious for the money that this overflowing cash cow of a case is going to give you. I will not be the slightest bit surprised that everyone who knew Terri, from her family right down to her mailman, is going to take advantage of this. You are going to see this all over, from book deals to appearances on Oprah! I hope your happy, your check is in the mail.

I'm sure all of you wonder where I exactly stand on this. This is all I can say: IF (and this is a big if) Terri really claimed that, at one time or another, that she did not want to be kept alive on a machine, then the right choice was made. If she did not and all Michael Schiavo is after is the money, then he is slime. It's the same case as the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop: the world may never know. Despite being the ones responsible for turning this into a media frenzy, Terri's parents did not want to grasp the fact that their daughter would not make a recovery. They wanted to keep their hope alive and as a parent, I can understand and respect that.

The point is that Terri Schiavo is no longer suffering, she is in peace. If there is something beyond this, I can be very sure that Terri is there and SHE IS GIVING THE MIDDLE FINGER TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!!! GO TERRI!

You were not misled you just don't pay attention!

2005-04-01T08:35:00.000-05:00

Blockbuster dishes out $630,000 in settlement for "No Late Fees" issue.

I remember when Blockbuster announced this new campaign several months ago. Curious on what exactly was involved in their "No Late Fees" policy, I went to their website and did a little bit of research. The policy stated that if the film is not returned 8 DAYS AFTER THE DUE DATE then the customer will be charged the retail price of the movie. This information was provided at the initial start of the policy!!!! People were not "misled"! There are just a great number of idiots out there who totally lose focus and attention to detail the second they are offered something that they could take advantage of! Whenever I come across an offer that interests me, I always make sure to read the fine print. I need to know exactly what the conditions and my responsibilities are before I go ahead and take advantage of the offer.

I don't rent at Blockbuster (too expensive for me) but I believe the number of days that a person can take a movie out is 5. So if you have until the 8th day AFTER THE DUE DATE that gives you a total of 13 days to have a movie out. Does somebody really need 13 days to watch a movie? I can understand if they are very busy and have a thin time budget. However, if you can't return a movie 13 days after you rented it then you are not a victim of "misleading advertising" you are just plain lazy.

Personally, I think they should've never even started the policy. I think 3-5 days is a big enough timeframe to rent several movies, watch them and return them. To me, the whole thing is just another encourager for people to sit on their butts and do nothing!

Episode III: A Lost Hope

2005-03-30T11:01:00.000-05:00

Click the link above for an amusing parody on the upcoming installment to the Star Wars Saga!

note: The guy playing Obi-Wan looks very much like my sis's boyfriend! I'm going to have to ask Chad to do the patented "Obi-Wan Defensive Spin" next time I see him.

Quick thought...

2005-03-29T11:45:00.000-05:00

I was pondering this thought and had to let it out.

Ultimate Fighter has been downplaying Sam Hoger. They show little footage of his ability as a fighter and they tend to play him off as a troublemaker and a thief.

Whether he is a troublemaker or a thief or not, I realized that the show is using these labels to overshadow the fact that Hoger is a quality fighter. I, along with many others, was fooled by this use of editing. Thus, to say that Hoger is going to get slaughtered in his fight next week is just plain ignorant.

We have never seen the man fight. Therefore, we cannot make a valid statement. From what I have learned, Hoger has 9 years of Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu to his belt. He has also trained at the Militech Fighting Systems institute, which is very reputable for producing quality fighters. We don't know what kind of fighter Sam Hoger is but we will find out next Monday.

Ultimate Fighter thoughts...

2005-03-29T08:46:00.000-05:00

Good episode. It focused more on the competitive aspects and less on the "Real World" ongoings in the house.

The Josh Koschek-Diego Sanchez fight was the best fight I've seen so far in the series, bar none. Both men showed nothing but pure heart and ferocious fighting spirit. Diego was the more aggressive however, as Josh was once again unable to capitalize on his takedowns. Overall, it was a great fight and I tip my hat to both men. Diego proved once again that he is ready to claim victory and Josh gave Diego the toughest fight that anyone could give him.

Since the main event finals are next week, I assume that they will be showing both Light Heavyweight semis on next Monday's show. Representing Team Couture it will be Stephan Bonnar vs. Mike Swick. I have never seen Swick fight so I can't really make a prediction. On Team Liddell's team we have either Forrest Griffin or Bobby Southworth (depending on Forrest's eye) vs. Sam Hoger. Sam came off as the season's "top heel", losing the respect of everyone in the house including his own teammates by supposedly stealing from the house and the UFC office. I've never seen Hoger fight but I have a feeling he is in a lot of trouble. Then again, we could be in for a surprise.

It all happens next week!

FOLLOW ME OR DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-03-25T21:36:00.000-05:00

Okay, with all the ongoing stuff with the Minnesota shooting, that may not be such a good idea for a title. They might think I'm trigger happy. But I don't care cause we just wanna have..............

A FESTIVAL!!! (Fun, you stupid idiot!)

And from what I understand, John Bush is NOT leaving the band. There is talk of a mystery band who will be supporting 'thrax. My guess: Armored Saint!

News on Ultimate Fighter finale

2005-03-24T09:10:00.000-05:00

I just read on MMA weekly that there will be 6 undercard fights, along with the 2 final matches and the Ken Shamrock-Rich Franklin fight on the April 9th finale of Ultimate Fighter.

Three of these matches are....

Nate Quarry vs Lodune Sincaid: Two members of Team Couture. Quarry, due to an injury, was never given a chance to test his fighting skills. He served the remainder of the show as an assistant to Randy Couture. Sincaid was eliminated in a Light Heavyweight fight against Bobby Southworth. While on the show, he was notorious for coming off a bit "crazy". Should be an interesting fight.

Josh Rafferty vs Alex Karalexis: Both men felt the wrath of Diego Sanchez and neither man really showed much in their fights. I think victory is crucial for this fight.

Chris Leben vs Jason Thacker: Leben needs no introduction. For those who did not watch the first few episodes, Thacker is a Light Heavyweight from Canada who was taken off the show after Randy Couture was forced to remove was one of his team members. During his short time on the show, Thacker displayed little heart and enthusiasm. He came off as a nice guy with minimal fighting spirit. In fact, he even contemplated the thought of quitting. I think this fight was made as sort of a "grudge match" due to Leben constantly heckling Thacker. Leben even went as far as urinating on Thacker's pillow. The pranks and teasing may have given Thacker some incentive to come out swinging but I see Leben easily taking the win.

There are three more fights that have yet to be announced. Rumor has it that the loser of the Diego-Koschek fight will be facing Chris Sanford, another fighter who was eliminated by selection.

This announcement has made me ponder. Is the UFC taking this in the same route that WWE took with Tough Enough and that waste of a time they called The Diva Search? What I mean is will some of the guys who were eliminated from the show be given UFC contracts anyways? WWE did this by giving contracts to Tough Enough finalists Josh Matthews, Matt Morgan and Chris Nowinski. They also gave contracts to a handful "Divas" just weeks after they declared Christy Hemme as the Diva Search winner. I'm not saying that none of these guys deserve a contract but lets say that Stephan Bonnar wins the Light Heavyweight contract and we see Bobby Southworth on a UFC PPV 4 months later. Wouldn't that make one think that all of Bonnar's hard work have less merit than it should? Oh well, it is all in the hands of the UFC to make these decisions. I'm just a fan.

Bernard Hopkins set to defend title against Taylor

2005-03-24T08:10:00.000-05:00

Bernard Hopkins(46-2-1 32 KOs) seems to have his 2005 retirement vow etched in stone. Thus, he is attempting to make his final year in boxing a memorable one. On July 16th, the 40-year old Middleweight champion will step into the ring to face 26-year old Jermain Taylor, an undefeated prospect who won a Bronze medal in the 2000 Olympics. Since turning pro, Taylor has been turning heads and catching the attention of many within the boxing community by scoring wins over veteran fighters such as William Joppy and Raul Marquez.
This will be the 21st title defense of Hopkins, who won the title in April of 1995. Hopkins is making his final year in boxing quite the test for himself, he looks to face big competition and signing a fight with one of today's hottest prospects is definite proof that he is for real.

Ultimate Fighter thoughts

2005-03-23T22:58:00.000-05:00

I know this is a few days late but its better late than never. Here are some of my thoughts on this week's edition of Ultimate Fighter

-I was not surprised with the teammate vs teammate ruling. MMA is not a team sport and their is only 1 contract for each of the 2 weight classes. It was bound to happen.

-Forrest Griffin's status on the show is still in question due to the bad cut he recieved from his brutal fight last week with Alex Schoenauer. In the case of Forrest being unable to compete, Bobby Southworth has been selected as his replacement. The last time we saw Bobby, he was on the losing end of a controversial decision against Stephan Bonnar. Bobby's reaction to the loss was a tad bit unprofessional to say the least. However, this does not alter his abilities as a fighter. If Bobby gets to fight, I see him making short work of Sam Hoger. I see Forrest doing the same if he gets clearance.

-The Chris Leben-Kenny Florian fight was quite the brawl. It seemed that Leben was well on his way to victory when Florian turned the fight around with a solid elbow strike that opened a vicious cut above Chris's eye. Big John McCarthy and the Doc in attendance both agreed that the cut was too serious and Chris was unable to continue. I tip my hat to both men, they both displayed strong heart. On the other hand, this fight is a fine example of how one strike can easily and quickly turn a fight around. Kenny Florian is in the finals now and he has a grand-sized challenge awaiting him. I hope we get to see more of Chris Leben in the future. He is a great fighter with solid punches and his antics and attitude definitely grab the audience's attention.

-Next week will show the 2nd middleweight semi-final match between Team Liddell members Josh Koschek and Diego Sanchez. Koschek is a polished grappler who does whatever is necessary to win the fight. Diego, my pick to win the entire competition, is a complete package with a killer instinct to top it off. Should be a great fight!

My DVD Collection

2005-03-23T14:47:00.000-05:00

I just felt like showing it off. Its impressive to the common eye but I'm sure that there are film buffs and auters that have collections that surpass mine.

Warning: The content of this link......

2005-03-23T13:54:00.000-05:00

will completely make your day absolutely unproductive!! ENJOY!

More PLUGS!!!

2005-03-23T13:27:00.000-05:00

Here are some more plugs to links of good folk.

Lady Amazon

I have not yet had the distinct pleasure of meeting the 6' tall "Bounty Huntress" known as Lady Amazon. However she is a dear friend of my dear friends Maxx and Alexzandra, which automatically makes her good people. She has been in the wrasslin' biz for a good number of years and was trained by the late Tojo Yamamoto (for those who are unaware, Tojo was an Asian super-heel who worked in the Memphis territory). Check out her site!

$cott $carsdale

Visit the homesite of the illustrious millionaire playboy $cott $carsdale, another dear friend of mine! If you happen to be in the Albany, NY area, you can catch $cott do his thing at World of Hurt Wrestling

10 Dead in Minnesota School Shooting

2005-03-22T23:08:00.000-05:00

*drops head into hands*

Which video games are members of Congress and State Legislature going to blame for this one? I better buy Halo 2, Doom 3 and GTA: San Andreas before they are pulled off of the shelves. I know they are citing the kid's infatuation with the Nazi culture but I'm just waiting for Lieberman to open his mouth.

Ha! Take that Ann!

2005-03-20T09:21:00.000-05:00

Click here to see uber-hot and uber-wacky conservative Ann Coulter make herself look nearly as bad as Jessica Simpson. News footage courtesy of Fox News

What does DDT mean? Answer: The End.....

2005-03-17T08:30:00.000-05:00

Jakes Roberts is a soothsayer. Just because he smokes crack, that does not mean he is wrong!

St. Patrick's Day

2005-03-17T08:03:00.000-05:00

Once again has St. Patrick's Day rolled around. Another day for us silly American people, primarily college students and all-around barflys, to find another excuse to get completely plastered. Only this time they get to do it while pretending they are Irish or (for those who have Irish ancestry) while pretending they actually have deep pride in their ethnicity. For me it is the one day of the year that I have to worry about said stupid drunks throwing beer bottles at my car.

If you ask the average American what is the true purpose of St. Patrick's Day, the uncultured twit would probably tell you that "It's a day to get drunk! WOOOOOOOOO!!"
A half-cultured twit would tell you that "It is the day to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint who drove the snakes out of Ireland."

To celebrate this Irish-Christian holiday, I have provided a chance for the unknowing to educate themselves. Click For Culture!

Ultimate Fighter thoughts

2005-03-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

Last Week's Episode: I was very surprised to see Chris Leben back in the competition. Because I found his antics amusing and entertaining, I was somewhat happy to have him back. However, his return killed the tension of competitive spirit. Chris was ELIMINATED by losing a fight. Therefore, he is gone. However, it is Dana White's game and how the rules are set up is up to him. He allowed Nate to choose his replacement and he chose Chris.
I give Josh Rafftery the "All Balls and No Brains" award for choosing to fight Diego Sanchez. Josh gave himself a chance to prove his worth by fighting the best and bested he was. Diego is a highly skilled ground fighter who has all the potential to not only win this competitiom but to perhaps make an impact in the UFC.

This Week's Episode: The whole incident with Sam stealing the UFC merchandise was nothing more than "Real World" drama. I tended to ignore this part of the show. My interest did return when I saw that Forrest Griffin was finally going to fight. He would chose Alex Schoenauer as his opponent. As short as the fight was, I found it to be an intense brawl. Alex fought gamely and just may have won the fight if Forrest didnt take him down. In his losing effort, Alex may have knocked Forrest out of the competition. We shall find out next week when the doctor has a look at that badly cut eye.

Enough of this crap! It's TIME FOR WAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-03-11T22:11:00.000-05:00

Gatti-Mayweather superfight is back on and set for June 25th!

I was very disappointed when I heard that this fight was postponed due to the typical nonsense that you find in boxing politics. Now that it is etched in stone, I eagerly await the fight with much anticipation.

Over the past few years, Gatti has matured as a fighter. He is finally starting to fight more like a boxer instead of a hard-nosed brawler. However, I'm sure he is going to bring out some of his old artillery against the very slick Floyd Mayweather.

Mayweather, with his top-notch skills and ring savvy, is definitely the favorite over the war-torn Gatti. But there was never a fight when I rooted against Gatti and things are not going to change. Go get em' Arturo! You have the heart, the fire and the ability!

Plugging a few friends and such

2005-03-11T10:27:00.000-05:00

I would like to take the time to plug a few websites that belong to dear friends.

The man on the left side of the photo is Vermont wrestler Maxx Burton, click here to visit his website, which is filled with tidbits, facts and commentary on man himself. How would one describe Maxx? Well, lets say that Michael "P.S." Hayes and (a CLEAN AND SOBER!) Jake "The Snake" Roberts lived together and Ben Stiller occasionally came by to borrow flour. There ya go. Oh yeah, he is described by many as a ring psychologist and no that does not mean he writes prescriptions for Zoloft.

When Maxx is not wrestling, he likes to spend time at home and make bread pudding.

The lovely woman by his side is his wife/manageress (a term taken from the old AWA when Sherri Martel managed Doug Somers and Buddy Rose), Alexzandra. She is a mastermind of evil doings and also possesses a lariat that would make Stan Hansen proud. In her spare time, she runs her own silk floral business and watches bad reality TV. However, she does like MASH.

Since Alex looks happy in the photo and Maxx looks like he was forced to watch an all-day marathon of The Nanny, Alex gets two plugs.

Her website

Her Yahoo! Group

.

This is "Enigma" Drake Evans and his manageress (Ha! Take that Lee Marshall!) Tamela. Drake is a high flyer with a strong passion for wrestling. As you can see, like Maxx, Drake likes to look all angry and tough in his photos. Smile Drake, Jesus loves you! Visit his site!

Okay, I think 4 links is enough for you to swallow. There will be more plugs in the future. For now, enjoy!

Ultimate Fighter Tonite!

2005-03-07T09:25:00.000-05:00

Tonight's episode of "The Ultimate Fighter" (at 11:00pm on TNN) should be an interesting one. We get to hear Bobby Southworth bitch some more after losing to Stephan Bonnar last week. He even takes his ranting and raving to another level by pissing off UFC President Dana White!

I have to say that I'm a little bummed to see Bobby leave. He was actually my pick for the Light Heavyweights. The fight with Bonnar was quite competitive and I would have liked it to have gone a decisive third round. Oh well. That just goes to show you how simple it can be for the judges to determine a fight.

With that, I would like to comment on the Josh Koschek-Chris Leben fight from 2 weeks ago. I have read and heard numerous comments on how boring the fight was and how it will weaken the show. First off, yes, I agree that the fight was boring. But there is a few things to understand here, Josh Koschek and Chris Leben were fighting to win, not to entertain. Koschek is a wrestler, and he used his wrestling abilites to shut down Leben's gameplan (which consisted primarily of striking). Koschek fought the smart fight, which is not always the most entertaining fight. Boxing and MMA are not like professional wrestling. The main purpose of pro wrestling is to put on an exhibition of athleticism and storytelling that will entertain the fans. In boxing and MMA, it is all about doing what you can to win. If your method of winning is somewhat boring, then so be it, as long as it gets you the victory. Take Middleweight boxing champ Bernard Hopkins for example, he catches alot of heat for being labelled a "slow and boring" fighter. Sure, a few of Hopkins fights can put any casual fan to sleep. However, Hopkins has been Middleweight champ for nearly 10 years and has had 20 succesful title defenses. His gameplan may not be exciting but it gets the job done. Anyways, back to the Ultimate Fighter.

Tonite we will learn about the future of injured Team Couture Middleweight Nate Quarry. Also, a previously eliminated fighter is being brought back to the show for another shot at a contract. My guess is Alex Karalexis or Chris Leben, due to the lack of Middleweights on Team Couture. Which means that Nate Quarry will not be medically cleared to continue. Just my guess...

Anyways, TUNE IN TONITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Master! Yeah! Yeah! Master!

2005-03-07T09:17:00.000-05:00

Details on Hip Hop tribute to Metallica

So after getting to hear Snoop's bland and boring performance of "Sad But True", we get to hear more of this? Perhaps I should open my mind and give this album a listen.

When I first read the headline, the thought of James and Lars rapping over classic Metallica immediatly sprung. I think right there would be a selling point for me.

Hmmm...how should I start. I GOT IT!!

2005-03-07T08:45:00.000-05:00

I really do not know what to make the topic of this glorious first post. In this blog you will find numerous posts that cover things that interest ME! You will get blogs that cover the music, video game, movies, sports (primarily baseball, football, hockey and maybe some wrestling) and whatever else that I come across.

I'd like to begin this blog by giving "the greatest cartoon that has never been on television."