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(07/06/06 4:00am)
Why Johnny? Why? Why would you attach your name to this pixilated abomination? Why would you lend your voice to a game which can quite literally be played blindfolded (trust me, I tried it). I mean we all make mistakes (cough "The Libertine"), but you should have known better than to get involved in a game whose real function is as part of a corporate marketing strategy. The only possible defense would be if Disney some how snuck it into your contract in the fine print when you hopped on board for the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels.\n"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow" is the kind of game that could only be made by people who have never played a video game in their entire lives. They left out all of the things that make a game fun and left something basically amounts to a $40 commercial. Honestly, putting a $40 price tag on this game might be the most insulting thing done to the American consumer since Abercrombie & Fitch started selling pre-torn jeans (if you own a pair, I hate you).\nThere are some serious problems with this game. The plot makes no sense whatsoever. It is told as a flashback as Jack tells the story of his life just before he is hanged, but then in the middle of the flash back he starts telling another story which then flashes back again. This flashback apparently takes place in China or something which (although my geography isn't what it used to be) I don't believe is actually located in the Caribbean. My favorite plot moment was when, just after saving Keira Knightley's character from a mansion full of evil pirates, the cut scene was Captain Jack saying that now he and his partner Will Turner had to head off to save her from the clutches of evil pirates.\nProbably the most irksome thing about this game is the horrible AI. There is no excuse for a Playstation 2 game to have such bad AI. Both opponents and allies are so poorly programmed that they will just run around in circles for no apparent reason or else just run up to an opponent and wait to get hit. One of my favorite things to do in the game is to stand still in the middle of the battle field and watch seven guys running around like chickens with their heads cut off while my computer controlled partner stands in the middle of the action, sword drawn, just staring like a lobotomized mental patient. \nThis is the kind of game that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but then again it is still better than… um… beating yourself about the head with a frozen banana I guess.
(07/05/06 7:09pm)
Finally. Finally, Bloomington residents have an opportunity to see the movie that shattered every major box office record in Russia. Finally, we get to see the film that has become a sort of underground cult hit as it hopped around through film festivals and art houses until finally gaining enough support to receive a wide release (but not wide enough to make it to Bloomington). Two years after its initial release in Russia, finally "Night Watch" has come to DVD.\n"Night Watch," is the first installment in a Russian horror trilogy about the eternal battle between the supernatural forces of good and evil. Powerful supernatural beings called Others are all around us. Some have chosen to fight for the forces of light, and some have chosen to fight for the forces of darkness. The two sides are too evenly matched for a direct fight, so they formed a truce to maintain a delicate balance between the two sides. The forces of light formed the Night Watch and the forces of darkness formed the Day Watch to make sure that each side lives up to its end of the bargain. One day a very powerful Other is born who will supposedly alter the balance depending on which side he chooses. \nI know what you are thinking, that is basically the plot for the Star Wars prequels. While watching "Night Watch" I began to realize that this is what the Star Wars Trilogy could have been, or should have been if George Lucas still had an ounce of talent in his body. It is dark, well written, well acted, brilliantly conceived and actually entertaining... and no Jar Jar.\nThe DVD is, for some reason, two sided. One side (side A) has only dubbed versions of the movie (English and Spanish), while the second side has the original Russian version that was released in the theaters. Watching the dubbed version of this movie is like looking at Dali's "Persistence of Memory" while wearing 3D glasses, pointless and disruptive. One of the best parts about this movie was the clever way which they used subtitles. They don't just sit at the bottom of the screen, they interact with the characters and moods of the film in a way which I have simply never seen before. \nThere are some worthwhile special features on the DVD. There is an alternate ending, two commentary tracks and then a bunch of previews, but that is all. It may be a bit meager but the commentary provides some good insight about how the film was conceived and the direction that the series will be taking in the future.\nAll things considered, this DVD is well worth buying or at the very least renting. The sequel "Day Watch," is already out on DVD in Russia, lord only knows when it will finally make it here. All I know is that after seeing "Night Watch" I will be first in line at the theaters if it ever makes it here.
(06/22/06 5:29pm)
Relive Bonnaroo. Read the Blogaroo archives.
(06/22/06 4:00am)
Relive Bonnaroo. Read the Blogaroo archives.
(06/21/06 10:13pm)
Well I made it back in one piece, one remarkably sore and sunburned piece. Unfortunately, I had to leave a day early so I missed out on Sunday's festivities. The downside is I missed Matisyahu, Sonic Youth, Atomosphere, Bela Fleck and Phil Lesh. The upside is I also missed out on the rainstorm that hit Tennessee Sunday night. Even though I missed those shows I feel that I got the full Bonnaroo experience so now comes the fun part, the recap.\nBest Concert of the festival goes to Radiohead hands down. They put on an incredible show that lived up to and surpassed my unreasonably high expectations. At first I wanted to slam them for only playing their hits, but then I realized they didn't just play their hits I just love every Radiohead song. I even loved the two new songs they played from their upcoming (sometime in the future if they ever figure it out) album. Second place goes to the Cat Empire, launched themselves from complete obscurity and really overshadowed a lot of the bigger names at the festival. \nBreakout performance was (no surprise) the Cat Empire. They were the band that really got the weekend off to a great start. Coming into the festival nobody had ever heard of the Australian band, but after their high energy set on Thursday night they were all that anyone was talking about (although some people including myself were calling them "the cat something-or-other"). Bonnaroo is not only a place to see your favorite bands, but also a venue for new artists to get their name out there and I don't think anyone did a better job than the Cat Empire. Second Place goes to Devotchka who really killed on the first day as well. They have a sort of Spanish folk-jazz-funk-gypsy thing going on that is hard to describe but fun to listen to.\nWorst concert I saw goes to Umphrey's McGee. All the hippie complaints can be sent to weekend@idsnews.com, you should receive your flippant response in three to five days. They were not bad but they definitely didn't bring it out for the festival like everyone else did. They tried with their Pink Floyd collaboration with the Disco Biscuits, but ultimately the entire thing was entirely forgettable.
(06/21/06 10:13pm)
What an incredible day of music. Buddy Guy, Elvis Costello, Beck, Radiohead and Superjam featuring Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon of Phish And Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead. Nothing short of a Beatles reunion could top that lineup.\nBuddy Guy was nothing short of legendary, which is fitting since he is, in fact, a legend. I saw people in there late sixties as well as people in their early teens dancing with reckless abandon as Buddy ripped it up on his guitar. Unfortunately I wasn't able to stay at the Buddy Guy show for long. Elvis Costello, Beck and Radiohead were all playing on the same stage and I had to go stake out my seat.\nI showed up about a half an hour before Elvis Costello and found a spot at center stage about 15-20 yards back. Elvis Costello came out and put on a great show. I probably knew two of his songs going into that show, but by the end he had turned me into a fan.\nAfter Elvis had left the stage, it was about an hour wait before Beck which meant I had just enough time to weave my way through the throng of people in the pavilion, get a corn dog and then muscle my way back to my spot, although I think a few people were contemplating some serious physical violence as I stepped in front of them to try and meet back up with Zack.\nThe Beck show was among the most entertaining concerts I have ever seen. Aside from playing some truly great music, his onstage antics were almost equally entertaining. My favorite thing about his show was the tiny replica of the stage sitting directly behind him which featured exact marionette replicas of the entire band. In perfect harmony with the band movements, the tiny replicas singing and playing their instruments were broadcast over the big screens for all of the people who were too far away to see. \nAfter Beck it was an hour and a half until Radiohead, and come hell or high water, I was not moving an inch from my spot (did I mention I was only 15 yards back from center stage). We were packed in like sardines. I tried sitting down but in order to do so I had to but my knees somewhere in the vicinity of the top of my head. It was worth all of the trouble though, because Radiohead put on one of the best shows I have ever seen. Every song they played was spectacular (including two brand new never before heard songs from their upcoming album). I couldn't have possibly asked for a better day of music. \nAfter the concert was over I wondered into one of the VIP hospitality tents. Where I am almost positive I saw Gina Gershon or at least a reasonable facsimile (if anyone knows her ask her if she was at Bonnaroo, and if she noticed a tall debonair guy giving her the eye).\nMy plan was to just go back to my tent and sleep off the pain of a hard days rocking, but I wanted to see who the line up for Super Jam was. Super Jam is a yearly tradition at Bonnaroo, where several different musicians get together and just play. When Mike Gordon and Trey Anastasio of Phish came out onto the stage I almost cried because I knew I wouldn't be getting much sleep. I stuck around as long as I could, but in the end my exhaustion won out over my love of the band Phish… but just barely.\nUnfortunately it looks as though I am going to have to miss the last day of the festival, but I think that Saturday's festivities was a great way to end the weekend.\nThere will be only one more entry into my blog, check for it sometime tomorrow, but stay posted for lots more pictures and feature stories in Thursday's IDS weekend.
(06/21/06 10:13pm)
So last night took me from What Stage to Which Stage to This Tent to That Tent and even a brief stint at The Other Tent. These are actually the names that they gave the stages at Bonnaroo. I guess they were trying to be cute but really it is just annoying. I mean I innocently ask some one where Nickel Creek is playing and all of the sudden we drop into an Abbot and Costello routine.
(06/21/06 10:12pm)
Greetings from Camp 69 at Bonnaroo. The first full day of music kicked off today and boasted the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, G. Love & Special Sauce, Robert Randolph, Seu Jorge and Ben Folds… none of which I made it to. The problem is that there are too many damn bands here. It is a really big problem. I mean today I had to make the decision between Death Cab, Robert Randolph and Oysterhead (and the winner is Oysterhead by a country mile), tomorrow I have to decide between Beck, Blues Traveler, Les Claypool and Medeski Martin & Wood (not to mention a showing of "Eight Legged Freaks" at the Bonnaroo theater). C'mon Bonnaroo, I want to have my cake and eat it too. I guess the up side is that no two people end up having the same experience so the late night roundtable discussions are a little more interesting.\nThe Best concert of the day was by far Oysterhead. If you are unfamiliar with Oysterhead, it is a supergroup of sorts consisting of the guitarist from Phish (Trey Anastasio), the Bassist from Primus (Les Claypool) and the Drummer from the Police (Stewart Copeland). They put on an incredible show worthy which is not surprising given the astonishing level of talent each band member possesses. My only problem with the show was the lack of new material. The only song they played that wasn't on their first (and only) album was what was undoubtedly the weirdest version of Jailhouse Rock ever preformed, with Les Claypool on what was essentially a mechanical gut bucket, and Trey Anastasio playing a guitar which he somehow controlled by hitting and turning the set of antlers that were mounted on it.\nSecond place goes to Andrew Bird who used Keller Williams-esque sound loops to rock "That Tent." I will have to save my tirade about the idiotic stage names for another time as seven straight hours of dancing in the hot Tennessee sun has left me exhausted and I would like to get in a cat nap before Tom Petty's Concert tonight.
(06/19/06 4:00am)
What an incredible day of music. Buddy Guy, Elvis Costello, Beck, Radiohead and Superjam featuring Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon of Phish And Phil Lesh from the Grateful Dead. Nothing short of a Beatles reunion could top that lineup.\nBuddy Guy was nothing short of legendary, which is fitting since he is, in fact, a legend. I saw people in there late sixties as well as people in their early teens dancing with reckless abandon as Buddy ripped it up on his guitar. Unfortunately I wasn't able to stay at the Buddy Guy show for long. Elvis Costello, Beck and Radiohead were all playing on the same stage and I had to go stake out my seat.\nI showed up about a half an hour before Elvis Costello and found a spot at center stage about 15-20 yards back. Elvis Costello came out and put on a great show. I probably knew two of his songs going into that show, but by the end he had turned me into a fan.\nAfter Elvis had left the stage, it was about an hour wait before Beck which meant I had just enough time to weave my way through the throng of people in the pavilion, get a corn dog and then muscle my way back to my spot, although I think a few people were contemplating some serious physical violence as I stepped in front of them to try and meet back up with Zack.\nThe Beck show was among the most entertaining concerts I have ever seen. Aside from playing some truly great music, his onstage antics were almost equally entertaining. My favorite thing about his show was the tiny replica of the stage sitting directly behind him which featured exact marionette replicas of the entire band. In perfect harmony with the band movements, the tiny replicas singing and playing their instruments were broadcast over the big screens for all of the people who were too far away to see. \nAfter Beck it was an hour and a half until Radiohead, and come hell or high water, I was not moving an inch from my spot (did I mention I was only 15 yards back from center stage). We were packed in like sardines. I tried sitting down but in order to do so I had to but my knees somewhere in the vicinity of the top of my head. It was worth all of the trouble though, because Radiohead put on one of the best shows I have ever seen. Every song they played was spectacular (including two brand new never before heard songs from their upcoming album). I couldn't have possibly asked for a better day of music. \nAfter the concert was over I wondered into one of the VIP hospitality tents. Where I am almost positive I saw Gina Gershon or at least a reasonable facsimile (if anyone knows her ask her if she was at Bonnaroo, and if she noticed a tall debonair guy giving her the eye).\nMy plan was to just go back to my tent and sleep off the pain of a hard days rocking, but I wanted to see who the line up for Super Jam was. Super Jam is a yearly tradition at Bonnaroo, where several different musicians get together and just play. When Mike Gordon and Trey Anastasio of Phish came out onto the stage I almost cried because I knew I wouldn't be getting much sleep. I stuck around as long as I could, but in the end my exhaustion won out over my love of the band Phish… but just barely.\nUnfortunately it looks as though I am going to have to miss the last day of the festival, but I think that Saturday's festivities was a great way to end the weekend.\nThere will be only one more entry into my blog, check for it sometime tomorrow, but stay posted for lots more pictures and feature stories in Thursday's IDS weekend.
(06/19/06 4:00am)
Well I made it back in one piece, one remarkably sore and sunburned piece. Unfortunately, I had to leave a day early so I missed out on Sunday's festivities. The downside is I missed Matisyahu, Sonic Youth, Atomosphere, Bela Fleck and Phil Lesh. The upside is I also missed out on the rainstorm that hit Tennessee Sunday night. Even though I missed those shows I feel that I got the full Bonnaroo experience so now comes the fun part, the recap.\nBest Concert of the festival goes to Radiohead hands down. They put on an incredible show that lived up to and surpassed my unreasonably high expectations. At first I wanted to slam them for only playing their hits, but then I realized they didn't just play their hits I just love every Radiohead song. I even loved the two new songs they played from their upcoming (sometime in the future if they ever figure it out) album. Second place goes to the Cat Empire, launched themselves from complete obscurity and really overshadowed a lot of the bigger names at the festival. \nBreakout performance was (no surprise) the Cat Empire. They were the band that really got the weekend off to a great start. Coming into the festival nobody had ever heard of the Australian band, but after their high energy set on Thursday night they were all that anyone was talking about (although some people including myself were calling them "the cat something-or-other"). Bonnaroo is not only a place to see your favorite bands, but also a venue for new artists to get their name out there and I don't think anyone did a better job than the Cat Empire. Second Place goes to Devotchka who really killed on the first day as well. They have a sort of Spanish folk-jazz-funk-gypsy thing going on that is hard to describe but fun to listen to.\nWorst concert I saw goes to Umphrey's McGee. All the hippie complaints can be sent to weekend@idsnews.com, you should receive your flippant response in three to five days. They were not bad but they definitely didn't bring it out for the festival like everyone else did. They tried with their Pink Floyd collaboration with the Disco Biscuits, but ultimately the entire thing was entirely forgettable.
(06/17/06 4:00am)
Greetings from Camp 69 at Bonnaroo. The first full day of music kicked off today and boasted the likes of Death Cab for Cutie, G. Love & Special Sauce, Robert Randolph, Seu Jorge and Ben Folds… none of which I made it to. The problem is that there are too many damn bands here. It is a really big problem. I mean today I had to make the decision between Death Cab, Robert Randolph and Oysterhead (and the winner is Oysterhead by a country mile), tomorrow I have to decide between Beck, Blues Traveler, Les Claypool and Medeski Martin & Wood (not to mention a showing of "Eight Legged Freaks" at the Bonnaroo theater). C'mon Bonnaroo, I want to have my cake and eat it too. I guess the up side is that no two people end up having the same experience so the late night roundtable discussions are a little more interesting.\nThe Best concert of the day was by far Oysterhead. If you are unfamiliar with Oysterhead, it is a supergroup of sorts consisting of the guitarist from Phish (Trey Anastasio), the Bassist from Primus (Les Claypool) and the Drummer from the Police (Stewart Copeland). They put on an incredible show worthy which is not surprising given the astonishing level of talent each band member possesses. My only problem with the show was the lack of new material. The only song they played that wasn't on their first (and only) album was what was undoubtedly the weirdest version of Jailhouse Rock ever preformed, with Les Claypool on what was essentially a mechanical gut bucket, and Trey Anastasio playing a guitar which he somehow controlled by hitting and turning the set of antlers that were mounted on it.\nSecond place goes to Andrew Bird who used Keller Williams-esque sound loops to rock "That Tent." I will have to save my tirade about the idiotic stage names for another time as seven straight hours of dancing in the hot Tennessee sun has left me exhausted and I would like to get in a cat nap before Tom Petty's Concert tonight.
(06/17/06 4:00am)
So last night took me from What Stage to Which Stage to This Tent to That Tent and even a brief stint at The Other Tent. These are actually the names that they gave the stages at Bonnaroo. I guess they were trying to be cute but really it is just annoying. I mean I innocently ask some one where Nickel Creek is playing and all of the sudden we drop into an Abbot and Costello routine.
(06/16/06 8:16pm)
I'm here. I took 10 hours in a car (four of which were spent in line) and three near death experiences on the Tennessee highways (where apparently drivers licenses are issued with moonshine stills), but I'm here. Manchester, Tenn. Bonnaroo. At camp 69 snuggly nestled right between the Church and someone selling dildos out of the back of their truck. That is sort of the feel here at Bonnaroo. It is a country side usually over run by the politically conservative, but for one weekend the Freaks are running things. Still, since last year's festival brought in $14 million the locals are happy to see the freak flags flying.\nAfter setting up my tent with out any directions (I guess I could have used them, but where is the fun in that), I headed out to check out the lot, see what wares the festival goers were slinging this year. Within five minutes I found myself on Shakedown Street (the center of all illegal commerce for the festival) up to my ankles in garlic grilled cheese, gooballs, and glass pieces (for tobacco use only of course). I refrained from buying anything (although I must say that the alligator meat wrap did pique my attention), and continued my preliminary tour through the dauntingly large campsite.\nI made my way past artists, a bus powered by vegetable oil and an incredibly large teepee and finally made it to the venue where despite the 95 degree heat; they weren't allowing anyone to bring water into the event. I am personally expecting to see at least 20 hippies drop from dehydration by the end of the weekend.\nThe music starts today at 7:00, but top priority for me is not the C and D list bands they have kicking the weekend off. I am headed to the Comedy Tent to see Patton Oswalt. Check in tomorrow after noon for the next up date from camp 69.
(06/16/06 8:15pm)
One Day done, three to go. After the first night's festivities I am left with a few thoughts. \nFirst of all, drug slang is hilarious. It has gotten to the point where I have no idea what people are offering me anymore. I am afraid that eventually I am going to ask for a burrito and end up with a pound of hash. \n Best show of the first night was unquestionably the Australian band, The Cat Empire. I can't remember the last time I saw such a high energy show. By the end of their set people were overflowing out of the tent dancing. Honerable mention goes to Devotchka who proved once and for all that a band can rock your socks off using a violin, drums, a sousaphone and a theramin.\nAlso, After finally getting to see Patton Oswalt do his stand up live I realized that he may be the funniest man alive. I spent the majority of the show buckled over laughing. He also gets lots of credit for packing a tent at Bonnaroo when a large chunk of his shtick is about how hippies suck.\nFinally, I have a little question for the State of Tennessee. How is it possible for someplace to be 95 durring the day and 55 at night? At least in hell they pick one extreme and go with it. Of course this ridiculous temperature shift shouldn't be that big of a deal, most people can just curl up inside of their sleeping bags and be in for a relatively good night of sleep (relative I suppose to sleeping on top of a cactus). However, being the eternal genius that I am, I unrolled my sleeping bag and found that I had bought a child's sleeping bag. I spent the rest of the night shivering from the waste up and sweating from the waste down.\nTop of my list for today is Oysterhead, the power trio consisting of the guitarist from Phish, the bassist from Primus and the drummer from the Police. Check back in tonight for more from me at Camp 69.
(06/16/06 4:00am)
I'm here. I took 10 hours in a car (four of which were spent in line) and three near death experiences on the Tennessee highways (where apparently drivers licenses are issued with moonshine stills), but I'm here. Manchester, Tenn. Bonnaroo. At camp 69 snuggly nestled right between the Church and someone selling dildos out of the back of their truck. That is sort of the feel here at Bonnaroo. It is a country side usually over run by the politically conservative, but for one weekend the Freaks are running things. Still, since last year's festival brought in $14 million the locals are happy to see the freak flags flying.\nAfter setting up my tent with out any directions (I guess I could have used them, but where is the fun in that), I headed out to check out the lot, see what wares the festival goers were slinging this year. Within five minutes I found myself on Shakedown Street (the center of all illegal commerce for the festival) up to my ankles in garlic grilled cheese, gooballs, and glass pieces (for tobacco use only of course). I refrained from buying anything (although I must say that the alligator meat wrap did pique my attention), and continued my preliminary tour through the dauntingly large campsite.\nI made my way past artists, a bus powered by vegetable oil and an incredibly large teepee and finally made it to the venue where despite the 95 degree heat; they weren't allowing anyone to bring water into the event. I am personally expecting to see at least 20 hippies drop from dehydration by the end of the weekend.\nThe music starts today at 7:00, but top priority for me is not the C and D list bands they have kicking the weekend off. I am headed to the Comedy Tent to see Patton Oswalt. Check in tomorrow after noon for the next up date from camp 69.
(06/16/06 4:00am)
One Day done, three to go. After the first night's festivities I am left with a few thoughts. \nFirst of all, drug slang is hilarious. It has gotten to the point where I have no idea what people are offering me anymore. I am afraid that eventually I am going to ask for a burrito and end up with a pound of hash. \n Best show of the first night was unquestionably the Australian band, The Cat Empire. I can't remember the last time I saw such a high energy show. By the end of their set people were overflowing out of the tent dancing. Honerable mention goes to Devotchka who proved once and for all that a band can rock your socks off using a violin, drums, a sousaphone and a theramin.\nAlso, After finally getting to see Patton Oswalt do his stand up live I realized that he may be the funniest man alive. I spent the majority of the show buckled over laughing. He also gets lots of credit for packing a tent at Bonnaroo when a large chunk of his shtick is about how hippies suck.\nFinally, I have a little question for the State of Tennessee. How is it possible for someplace to be 95 durring the day and 55 at night? At least in hell they pick one extreme and go with it. Of course this ridiculous temperature shift shouldn't be that big of a deal, most people can just curl up inside of their sleeping bags and be in for a relatively good night of sleep (relative I suppose to sleeping on top of a cactus). However, being the eternal genius that I am, I unrolled my sleeping bag and found that I had bought a child's sleeping bag. I spent the rest of the night shivering from the waste up and sweating from the waste down.\nTop of my list for today is Oysterhead, the power trio consisting of the guitarist from Phish, the bassist from Primus and the drummer from the Police. Check back in tonight for more from me at Camp 69.
(06/15/06 4:00am)
My brain is huge. It is massive. It makes all other brains seem puny in comparison… at least that is what the gelatinous professor blob has told me after a little bit of practice at "Big Brain Academy," the long awaited (by which I mean two months) sequel to "Brain Age."\n"Big Brain Academy" is a collection of mini games that center on five supposed parts of the brain. The mini games include math problems, spatial puzzles and even a hectic game of connect the dots. Once you have had time to practice these mini games, you can take a test which will give you a grade and brain type, as well as an estimated brain weight (I am a music composer with a 1693g brain and scored an A-).\nThe idea is that by playing these brainy games, you will actually increase your intelligence. Well I am not sure if that is true, but I do know that if you play it long enough you will get a massive headache. Yet still, through that debilitating migraine you will want to continue playing.\nThat is the most surprising thing about this game, it is remarkably addictive. Within a half an hour you will go from slight interest, to dancing around the room in celebration of your math prowess. Once I uttered the words "In your face times tables," I knew it was time for a little break.\nI think the reason that it is able to so completely keep your attention, despite being about math, is because it is so damn hard. I always thought of myself as a smart guy, at least I did before I realized how bad I was at rudimentary addition. For some reason when I try to figure out what "eighteen plus seventeen equals" my brain turns to mush and I start drooling all over my DS. \nThere is also a multiplayer mode. As I understand it, it is supposed to be pretty great. Unfortunately, I was unable to convince any of my friends that getting drunk and playing connect the dots on a touch screen would be a fun way to spend a night. Bottom line: Big Brain Academy is a very fun game, and for under $20 it is well worth the money.
(06/14/06 9:17pm)
My brain is huge. It is massive. It makes all other brains seem puny in comparison… at least that is what the gelatinous professor blob has told me after a little bit of practice at "Big Brain Academy," the long awaited (by which I mean two months) sequel to "Brain Age."\n"Big Brain Academy" is a collection of mini games that center on five supposed parts of the brain. The mini games include math problems, spatial puzzles and even a hectic game of connect the dots. Once you have had time to practice these mini games, you can take a test which will give you a grade and brain type, as well as an estimated brain weight (I am a music composer with a 1693g brain and scored an A-).\nThe idea is that by playing these brainy games, you will actually increase your intelligence. Well I am not sure if that is true, but I do know that if you play it long enough you will get a massive headache. Yet still, through that debilitating migraine you will want to continue playing.\nThat is the most surprising thing about this game, it is remarkably addictive. Within a half an hour you will go from slight interest, to dancing around the room in celebration of your math prowess. Once I uttered the words "In your face times tables," I knew it was time for a little break.\nI think the reason that it is able to so completely keep your attention, despite being about math, is because it is so damn hard. I always thought of myself as a smart guy, at least I did before I realized how bad I was at rudimentary addition. For some reason when I try to figure out what "eighteen plus seventeen equals" my brain turns to mush and I start drooling all over my DS. \nThere is also a multiplayer mode. As I understand it, it is supposed to be pretty great. Unfortunately, I was unable to convince any of my friends that getting drunk and playing connect the dots on a touch screen would be a fun way to spend a night. Bottom line: Big Brain Academy is a very fun game, and for under $20 it is well worth the money.
(06/08/06 4:00am)
I am not entirely sure why it is that nobody knows about "Home Movies." I guess it is just another one of those greatly under-appreciated comedies like "Mr. Show," "NewsRadio" or "Arrested Development." And just like those three shows, it was canceled way before its time. Luckily for fans (all seven of us), the fourth and final season has gotten the full-on super DVD treatment.\nIf you have never seen the show (which most of you probably haven't), the premise may seem a little off putting. It is a cartoon about three kids, Brendon (Brendon Small), Jason (H. Jon Benjamin) and Melissa (Melissa Galsky), their soccer coach, Coach McGuirk (H. Jon Benjamin), and the adventures they don't have (one episode is about building a grill). The name "Home Movies" comes from the films the three children make in each episode that usually somehow mirror the events that are going on in their lives. The premise is not in itself that noteworthy, but what makes "Home Movies" work, is the brilliant cast of comedians that they use to do voices. This season is no exception with appearances by Emo Phelps, Todd Berry and Sam Seder among others.\nThe fourth season is, in some aspects, the best season of the show. Going into it they clearly knew they weren't coming back for a fifth season, so they did a lot more experimentation. This resulted in some of the greatest moments of the show, like McGuirk's trip to traffic school, the septopus song and the episode where Brendon becomes a film critic (meta alert). To this day I don't think I have ever laughed as hard as I did the first time I watched the episode with the school play "Bye, Bye Greasy."\nThe DVDs are loaded with special features. Since this is the last season they clearly decided to go all out. There is at least one commentary on every episode with series creators Brendon Small and Loren Bouchard, and there are even several guest commentaries from The Shins, Modest Mouse, the staff of The Onion and inexplicably several with the owner of the Toronto Blue Jays. There is also an outtake Jukebox, which actually is a rather annoying way to present the outtakes since you have no control over which one it plays so you will hear some of the same ones over and over. Still, this is a great DVD set. As it says on the box, "The only thing wrong with 'Home Movies' is there aren't any more to watch"
(06/07/06 9:37pm)
I am not entirely sure why it is that nobody knows about "Home Movies." I guess it is just another one of those greatly under-appreciated comedies like "Mr. Show," "NewsRadio" or "Arrested Development." And just like those three shows, it was canceled way before its time. Luckily for fans (all seven of us), the fourth and final season has gotten the full-on super DVD treatment.\nIf you have never seen the show (which most of you probably haven't), the premise may seem a little off putting. It is a cartoon about three kids, Brendon (Brendon Small), Jason (H. Jon Benjamin) and Melissa (Melissa Galsky), their soccer coach, Coach McGuirk (H. Jon Benjamin), and the adventures they don't have (one episode is about building a grill). The name "Home Movies" comes from the films the three children make in each episode that usually somehow mirror the events that are going on in their lives. The premise is not in itself that noteworthy, but what makes "Home Movies" work, is the brilliant cast of comedians that they use to do voices. This season is no exception with appearances by Emo Phelps, Todd Berry and Sam Seder among others.\nThe fourth season is, in some aspects, the best season of the show. Going into it they clearly knew they weren't coming back for a fifth season, so they did a lot more experimentation. This resulted in some of the greatest moments of the show, like McGuirk's trip to traffic school, the septopus song and the episode where Brendon becomes a film critic (meta alert). To this day I don't think I have ever laughed as hard as I did the first time I watched the episode with the school play "Bye, Bye Greasy."\nThe DVDs are loaded with special features. Since this is the last season they clearly decided to go all out. There is at least one commentary on every episode with series creators Brendon Small and Loren Bouchard, and there are even several guest commentaries from The Shins, Modest Mouse, the staff of The Onion and inexplicably several with the owner of the Toronto Blue Jays. There is also an outtake Jukebox, which actually is a rather annoying way to present the outtakes since you have no control over which one it plays so you will hear some of the same ones over and over. Still, this is a great DVD set. As it says on the box, "The only thing wrong with 'Home Movies' is there aren't any more to watch"