The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct

   The quick review for the ADHD crowd is, don't bother, save your money and time, this game is nothing but a corporate cash grab capitalizing on your love of the Dixon boys.

   It's really too bad that Activision took this route following TellTale's choose your own adventure game that came in handy over the Christmas holiday break.  Where TellTale took time and drove the game by making you care about the characters and your decisions this title is destined for the discount bins with due haste.
   I tried very hard to like this game but after visiting the exact same "detour" stop 3 times along the back roads route in my search for Merle I lost all hope.  Especially seeing that my zombie enemies were in the exact same spot as my previous encounters regardless of the fact that I was there for a different reason each time.
   The characters I encountered along my journey were bland and dry and I didn't care either way if they died or not when I sent them out on various scavenging missions. I actually kind of hoped they wouldn't return in most cases as the dialog they would spew annoyed me more than anything.
   I could go into great detail and go on and on but why bother.  I'm sure there's hundreds of thousands of poor reviews for this title littering your Google searches and will continue to be until the travesty of this game is corrected, which of course will never happen.
   Activision could have had a huge hit here considering the following that The Walking Dead has after 3 short years and a huge future of syndication ahead.  All in all I wish I spent my $49.99 on something more useful like a hoard of Spam or scratch-n-dented pipe cleaners.

  And that's my 2 sense worth, take it or leave it...
OK, I'll shuddup now.

Cheers

The 81st Annual Academy Awards ... The Year of the Slumdog

I have watched the Oscars ever since I became interested in film making. It has been a dream of mine to be able to be on that stage accepting for best original screenplay. I'm a writer not and actor Maybe someday with a little inspiration I might just find myself in that position. for now I can only review.

Hugh Jackman did a fantastic job as MC. Witty, energetic, and musical. The opening was great, especially with the different stage setup this year. It almost felt like a town hall meeting with all of Hollywood's elite. Up close and intimate. One could definitely see that HDTV is really beginning to make a difference in television viewing.

The presentations were different as well this year having 5 previous winners come together to welcome in the newest winner of the higher profile awards, supporting actor/actress and best actor/actress. Another mention is the multiple presentations by a single person or couple. It made the show flow smooth and seem like it was much shorter than it was.

The highlight for me this year was Heath Ledger taking the much deserved Best Supporting Actor for his rendition of the Joker. I know most feel that the win was obligated because of his death but even if he had not left us so untimely I would've bet my life savings on that win. Heath was the Joker and it is truly disappointing to know that that character can never come back to the Batman franchise, well I should say that it should never be attempted in my opinion anyway. Heath commanded the screen in that role and I really wish he could've been here to accept the award. I don't think the Oscar curse would have effected his career.

The disappointment for me was Mickey Rourke not winning Best Actor with no disrespect to Sean Penn. Mickey truly was the beaten and broken down piece of meat that Randy 'The Ram' was, he should have taken home that statue.

Slumdog Millionaire taking Best Picture was far from a surprise taking into consideration the plethora of awards it took leading up to the big moment. 8 major awards overall, it was definitely a big night for such a reasonably small film. It's great to see smaller budgets beat out the bottomless pockets.

Overall it was a great year for films and film making and it will be fun to try and pick out next years nominations as they come to the big screens near us all.

OK...I'll shuddup now....

Cheers

I WON THE LOTTERY !!!!!!!!!!!

No ..... not really but I just figured I'd post the message I got tonight.

Dear Winner,Winning NotificationThis is to notify you that you have won £750,000.00 inthe Uk National Online Email Lottery held in UK, e-mail addresses were picked randomly by computerized balloting powered by the Internet. Your email address was amongst those chosen for this period.
Ticket no: 56475600545 188
Serial No:5388/02
Winning number: 05.14.22.25.36.05 {08}Draw (#1055)
To claim your prize, please contact:
Fiduciary Agent Mr. George Smith
Tel: +44-70359-61743
Email: wlmailhtml:%7BF836A370-2BBD-4710-8BE5-E3B2DB793BF7%7Dmid://00000002/!x-usc:mailto:claims.department007@live.com with your
Name, Address, Country, Age, Gender, Occupation, Phone.
INDICATE PREFERRED MODE OF PRIZE COLLECTION:
(A) Come to office in UK?
(B) Use Courier Service?
(C) Bank to Bank Transfer?
Sincerely,Mr. Kate Mcluskie.
Pls send reply to wlmailhtml:%7BF836A370-2BBD-4710-8BE5-E3B2DB793BF7%7Dmid://00000002/!x-usc:mailto:claims.department007@live.com Only

Nice try boys....are people that stupid. Might as well have made the reply email address: Imgonnaripyouoff@hotmail.com.

I guess Sarah Freder (Google her name) was right when she sent me her email stating I was going to come into a large sum of money on January 16th, she forecasted that it the amount was large but she couldn't tell the actual amount, just a 7 with several 0's.

Perhaps she sent it ......

OK .... I'll shuddup now.

Cheers

Tom Green - Live Show

I've always been a big fan of Tom Green and have been a regular to his website for years. The evolution of the internet has now taken a huge leap and bound with Tom's new live show broadcasting from his own livingroom. Regular television as we know it will change now because of the steps taken by this Ottawa born comedian.
By always being in touch his fans via email that he personally replies to, Tom Green has built a massive online following through the years and that intimacy has now exploded into the first live internet show hosted by a celebrity. Now Tom may not be for everyone but his honesty is enduring and refreshing in a world of the image conscious, ego driven shameless self promotion that currently rules the late night talk show ring.
Tom is broadcasting live to the entire world every night at 11pm EST, and although there are many bugs yet to be worked out in this new media form, a viewing is suggested as must see in my humble opinion. If not for the fact that each night is broadcasting history in the making but to be able to call in and have your voice heard if 75 countries live in real time. 1-866-626-4254. When I make my broadcast debut I'll be sure to write my review of myself.

And that's my 2 sense worth, take it or leave it. Cheers.

Metal : A Headbangers Journey

Leave it to a 30-something Canadian anthropologist to write, produce and direct what will eventually become one of the best documentaries on heavy metal music ever made. Hats off and hair down to Sam Dunn's 5 year labour of love that enlightens the world of all things metal. A must see for metal fans or even general music fans who want to see how the other half lives.

The Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not

God Save the Queen ..... and your neighbors when you listen to these fine Brit fellows turned completely up. The airplay these blokes are getting these days is insane with their lead single I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor playing seemingly every hour on any radio station that still has a pulse. The best part being my last name popping up in the end of their oh so catchy chorus " Lighting the fuse might result in a bang, b b bang-go". Elevator Muzak these boys are thankfully not and this major label release is indeed a delight to groove to as one races down the highway ( Yes, I do most of my listening while driving 120 kms to my crappy job 4 days a week ).
Short and sweet the tracks are on this debut effort with the longest track coming in at 5:31, the entire record finishing up in 38:16 but this one is best to be left on auto-repeat.
Notable tracks are When The Sun Goes Down, From the Ritz to the Rubble, The View From the Afternoon for the tight guitar licks and quick quips, but Perhaps Vampires is a Bit Strong But... stands out like a subtle middle finger in a grade school photo. After looking at the picture a million times you realize that you have to look really close to understand and appreciate the real reason for the smirk on that kids face.
These boys have cut their chops in many a smoke filled dingy underground pub with resistance and envy abound by their nature abilities. Like their labelmates Franz Ferdinand I see nothing but good things coming from these boys and I highly suggest you take a mere 38:16 out of your life and listen along. Their 2nd effort will be welcome review.

And that's my 2 sense worth, take it or leave it. Cheers.

Tool - 10 000 Days

If you're a fan of Tool, like me, then this is a welcome arrival at the local music shop. It has undoubtedly felt like nearly 10,000 years since Maynard and Company graced our eardrums with the sonic assault of Lateralus. It is safe to say that Tool has not lost their edge during Maynards almost lovey dovey like Perfect Circle days, but then again this is no Opiate.
The concept of "Album Artwork" is in high gear as usual with this new Tool offering and the limits are pushed again. The "stereoscopic lenses" convientantly attached to the actual CD are a genius idea especially when one is listening to tracks like Lipan Conjuring, Viginiti Tres or Lost Keys ( Blame Hofmann ). It is easy to get lost in the sound Tool creates effortlessly and now you can begin to become part of the visuals that they also create.
Vicarious, the lead track sets a pace that takes the listener all the way through a vast plethora of
stimuli, oral and aural. Rosetta Stoned is so chock full of sounds that one has no way to not feel a tad intoxicated upon listening and Right in Two pleads for you to drum along with whatever you can conjure a sound from.
For those rare few that are new to Tool and their ability to make ones heart race I would suggest listen to their previous outings like Undertow and AEnima before venturing into this wading pool of sonic pleasure. The sound that these 4 men create is unlike anything or anyone else can come up with on this planet, hands down. Hats off to the masterminds Maynard James Keenan, Adam Jones, Justin Chancellor and Danny Carey.

And that's my 2 sense worth, take it or leave it. Cheers.

The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers

Jack White has dumped his sister/cousin/wife/bandmate and has made good. I'm sure you've heard the lead off track "Steady As She Goes" a million times on the radio already and you better get used to it. I'm sure this track will end up being one of those songs that will linger in your mind as "that song that reminds you of that one summer".
It's a good track and appropriately catchy however as you tread further into The Raconteurs soundscape you begin to feel like you're listening to a dusty K-tel vinyl record that's missing the distinctive crackle and pop.
Once you travel into tracks such as Broken Boy Soldier, Intimate Secretary, Store Bought Bones, Blue Veins there's no way you can deny the Velvet Underground/Zepplin/Beatles/Doors-ish undertones. When was the last time you heard an organ on a recent rock disc? There's a little bit of everything on this debut effort from this sidedish ensemble. It's not a cruise down the highway, windows open, speeding like a demon, while singing your voice raw disc but it's a good soundtrack for sittin around the fire with friends on a warm summers eve.
It's short and sweet without a track going over 4:04, but it's time well spent either way you look at it. On first listen it may not be your cup of tea but it could definitely become a welcome warm cup of Earl Grey after a few listens. It has grown on me and will definitely become part of my regular rotation while writing into the wee hours of the morning.

All in all Jack White earns my respect and I still wait patiently for him to collaborate with Jack Black and make the ultimate rock record, a Tenacious D/White Stripes mash up that should be named "The Zebra Stripes"

That's my 2 sense worth, take it of leave it. Cheers

Well, I figured it's about time to start an official review page. Various personal reviews of new and old CD's, DVD's, Concerts, Games...basically anything I can writing about.
I remember filling out a survey in grade school that would assist me in a career direction. The aptitudes that were assessed listed a film critic as a possible prospect. I did the homework on the requirements of such a position and the list went on and on for the schooling and experience needed to succeed in said field. I was always on the opinion that all you needed to do was watch alot of movies, what do I know. However now with the advent of the internet and all the casual armchair publishers nowadays I figured when not join the ranks and add another page hardly anyone will ever read. So if this is your first time stopping by, greetings and salutaions. I hope you enjoy the time spent here and I hope you can make an educated choice when and if you decide to purchase or attend any of the things I write about in here.

That's my 2 sense worth. Cheers.