Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Common Thread

What’s the common thread amongst these three songs – Meat Loaf’s "I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't Do That)," Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” and Celine Dion’s “It's All Coming Back to Me Now?”

Jim Steinman. The prolific writer/producer wrote and produced each one of these tracks, specifically tailored for the artists. Steinman is the creative mind behind the first two Bat out of Hell albums (he wrote half the songs on Bat out of Hell III…but had nothing to do with putting that album together) and produced/wrote a great deal of Bonnie Tyler’s vast career. His music is that larger than life, almost Operatic style of rock that is both moving and outlandish at the same time.

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Jersey Girl

I don't care what anyone says -- I still love the movie Jersey Girl. It's a great, touching movie about a man and his daughter...and the interactions between people. Really, Ben Affleck isn't a bad actor...

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

3 Wii Games

If I knew a person who was just getting a Wii, I'd have to go out of my way and tell them to get the following games. Stat.
  • Sonic and the Secret Rings - I gave a brief review of the game before, read that first. Basically, here's the deal with SSR -- it's fun, fast paced platforming action that gives you a great tutorial section to learn the ropes of the game AND has the equivalent to Mario Party with Sonic characters for a great multi-player mode. Not only that, the party mode is really easy to pick up and has proven to provide hours upon hours of fun for my 4 and 5 year old siblings...in addition to myself, my wife, and my 23 year old sister from time to time.
  • Wii Play - I get it, it's not the greatest game in the world, but hear me out. First, you get a new controller. Second, you get a fun, albeit too brief, shooting gallery game. Next, it's got a great 9-ball (billiards) game. Add on an awesome little tank game and it's already worth the 10 dollars more than buying a new controller alone. I haven't played it in a while, but I don't feel like I wasted any money on this game. Worth the price.
  • Super Paper Mario - Of all the games I list, not Super Mario Galaxy (which is amazing and perhaps one of the greatest games of all time) and not Super Smash Bros Brawl (which is incredibly fun, especially with groups), why did I pick Super Paper Mario? Super Paper Mario has some stuff that most other games don't -- an engrossing plot, amazing gameplay, replay value, and a ton of interesting stuff to explore. It's got exciting characters, humorous adventures, and great gameplay! It's shift from 2D to 3D and the different character powers/Pixls...including a few hidden ones, make the game awesome. I still go back to this game constantly trying to see if I can best the two Pits of 100 Trials. Why else did I include this game? It's cheaper than SMG or SMBB and is equally as much fun.
So, for the most bang for your buck -- these are the first three games I'd suggest picking up for any new Wii owner. Each one well worth the price of admission. If you want some more quick picks -- here're two that are bargain priced --
  • Link's Crossbow Training -- Fun, cheap, shooting game with better than you'd expect gameplay.
  • Balloon Pop -- Fun, puzzle game.

Riddle me This

Why is "Because I Got High" a stoner anthem? If you listen to the lyrics, it feels as though it's an anti-stoner song. The man goes from having a family...to being a paraplegic living on the streets because he got high. I never understood that.

Maybe I don't get it because I'm not high, because I'm not high, because I'm not hiiiiiiiigh.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Amazing Fortune Cookie

I got the following fortune cookie from Chinese food on Friday --
A nice cake is waiting for you.
I've been on the lookout ever since.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Dr. Horrible

What do you get when you mix music, Joss Whedon, Neil Patrick Harris, and Nathan Fillion? Give up? I did too. Apparently you get Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. It hasn't started yet, but purportedly it's going to be a three part musical. Each part will be about 10 minutes long.

I think I'm ridiculously excited.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Sonic Chronicles

I heard a while ago about a new DS RPG involving Sonic the Hedgehog. Now, I know the name...it's called Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. I want it, the moment it comes out. An RPG from Bioware about my favorite video game character on a handheld console I love...oh yes, I want it.