Now I've mentioned my dislike for the game of baseball many times on this blog. I mean, I can't even get into baseball as a video game, and you can get me into almost any sport after I've played it in video game form. I just find it boring and there are way too many games in a season for any one game to have any meaning until near the end of the season, like the 130 games in the middle are almost garbage time.
I know saying that will likely make some fans of the game get angry, or tell me that I just don't understand, and they have that right. I am merely stating my opinion on the matter because I have to be clear, because it is relevant for the rest of this discussion.
Given those feelings, you would naturally assume that I would absolutely loathe The Tenth Inning, Ken Burns' continuation of 1994's epic documentary series Baseball, but somehow he manages to suck me in once again. I wasn't a fan of the sport in 1994, but I still watched the entire documentary back during the strike.
Granted, the update probably could have had another subtitle, like "Bonds, Boston, The Immigrant Experience and The Strike" because in those four items, I have encapsulated the entire 4 hour examination of the sport of baseball that Ken Burns presented. For those of you who watched it, did I miss something.
The thing that I found amazing about the whole thing is at least in the first half, Barry Bonds actually comes off sympathetically, and I never thought I would find myself feeling sympathy for him. And as always, it was very well put together, although it did showcase something which I hadn't thought of but should have been obvious from a historical perspective (and it was something the filmmaker didn't have control over).
I am talking about using the voiceovers from Fox for their World Series coverage, because now all those historic moments, like Boston finally winning it all are tainted by the silly sound effects that network uses when it is showing the score. It is a minor quibble, but it is something I hope other networks think about with their own broadcasts in the future... that someday someone might pay to use that narration and it would be nice if it wasn't filled with obnoxious flavor of the month sounds.
But overall, it was a wholly enjoyable experience, even for someone who hates the subject matter.
Ultimately, I hope that this whole thing ends up giving PBS some ideas... like maybe they will bring Rock & Roll back with a couple of new episodes to fill in the past decade and a half too.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Simon Pegg, You Are My Hero
Categories:
movies
3
Contributions
On the upcoming 3D versions of the 6 Star Wars movies, Simon Pegg had the following to say:
Thank you for coming out against this super jumped-up firework display of a toy advert.
Watching TPM (The Phantom Menace) in 3D would be like the car actually crashing into your face as opposed to just unfolding before your eyes
Thank you for coming out against this super jumped-up firework display of a toy advert.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Midweek Video: Don't Sweat The Technique (Bruce Lee Edition)
Categories:
movies,
music,
videos
0
Contributions
A wonderful blend of an excellent song by Eric B and Rakim combined with Bruce Lee movie footage.
Do I need to say more?
Do I need to say more?
Lone Star Canned
Categories:
television
2
Contributions
I almost got into Lone Star... but something told me not to.
Now that it has just been cancelled, I feel lucky I held off. I guess I've been burned before by too many shows, especially on Fox (and honestly, Monday nights in general).
It is still a shame really. In the past, I've discussed my love of plots based on cons and such, and Lone Star seemed to have some of that same kind of setup. But it still wasn't the show I desperately want to see.
But in the end, it just makes me wonder if people upon seeing the previews for this series made the assumption that I did that it wouldn't succeed, so they didn't watch it, and thus helped make their assumption a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Oh well. I guess there is always next season.
Now that it has just been cancelled, I feel lucky I held off. I guess I've been burned before by too many shows, especially on Fox (and honestly, Monday nights in general).
It is still a shame really. In the past, I've discussed my love of plots based on cons and such, and Lone Star seemed to have some of that same kind of setup. But it still wasn't the show I desperately want to see.
I always wanted to see a show where a really exceptional conman who, in reflecting on his life and his past misdeeds,decides that he was going to help people by using his bag of tricks to toast some people who truly deserved it. Sort of like a Robin Hood meets the Equalizer/A-Team thing, and the short lived Eyes had a little bit of that.
But in the end, it just makes me wonder if people upon seeing the previews for this series made the assumption that I did that it wouldn't succeed, so they didn't watch it, and thus helped make their assumption a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Oh well. I guess there is always next season.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A Good Reason to End a Gig
Categories:
music
0
Contributions
I've heard a lot of reasons for a band ending a gig early, most of which are admittedly lame, but I just read about one which is just stellar and totally understandable.
Someone threw a glass of urine at the drummer of MGMT during a performance, which hit him in the torso and he walked off stage.
Yeah, I think getting hit by a) a glass or b) urine when you are on stage would be a good reason to stop performing. The two together, well, that is certainly a deal breaker.
Of course, they could have tried the L7 method for dealing with that.
Someone threw a glass of urine at the drummer of MGMT during a performance, which hit him in the torso and he walked off stage.
Yeah, I think getting hit by a) a glass or b) urine when you are on stage would be a good reason to stop performing. The two together, well, that is certainly a deal breaker.
Of course, they could have tried the L7 method for dealing with that.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Shenanigans on Katy Perry and Sesame Street
Categories:
celebrity,
censorship,
television
2
Contributions
You know, from the moment I heard about that whole Katy Perry/Sesame Street thing, it seemed like a publicity stunt for both entities and a manufactured outrage.
I mean, think about how many different stages of oversight this whole thing had where a change could have been made. There was waredrobe, coverage, editing both for content and to add the backdrop (so if they wanted to make a change at that point, I am sure they could have changed the line of Perry's cleavage rather easily), and there was a moment where they could have just not put it online and not mention the segment.
But none of that happened, so now Katy Perry gets to be the woman who was just too hot for Sesame Street (which, let's be honest, it was a little cleavage, not the end of Western Civilization), while Sesame Street got mentioned a lot on a variety of programs and on twitter and blogs (ahem). And let's not forget, the segment that was filmed got a lot more views than it likely would have without the manufactured controversy.
It was win-win for both sides in this, because how many people watched Katy Perry on that show that would have never watched it in the first place.
I mean, think about how many different stages of oversight this whole thing had where a change could have been made. There was waredrobe, coverage, editing both for content and to add the backdrop (so if they wanted to make a change at that point, I am sure they could have changed the line of Perry's cleavage rather easily), and there was a moment where they could have just not put it online and not mention the segment.
But none of that happened, so now Katy Perry gets to be the woman who was just too hot for Sesame Street (which, let's be honest, it was a little cleavage, not the end of Western Civilization), while Sesame Street got mentioned a lot on a variety of programs and on twitter and blogs (ahem). And let's not forget, the segment that was filmed got a lot more views than it likely would have without the manufactured controversy.
It was win-win for both sides in this, because how many people watched Katy Perry on that show that would have never watched it in the first place.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sunday Video: Time Lapse Walk Across America
Categories:
videos
2
Contributions
Awesome stuff. Just awesome.
You can certainly tell that took a lot of work and planning. I just wish they would have kept the stars clothes consistent. I think that is my only real issue with this production.
You can certainly tell that took a lot of work and planning. I just wish they would have kept the stars clothes consistent. I think that is my only real issue with this production.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Week 20: Pageant of the Transmundane
Categories:
transmundanity
0
Contributions
Saudis may soon need a license if they wish to blog. There is nothing funny about that, but it is weird, and thus, why I thought it was fitting for the opener this week.
This time out, we are returning the hardware to a blogger that has had their fair share of recognition in terms of transmundanity.
Yes, once again, Peter Lynn of Man Vs Clown fame (or is it infamy by now... hmmm).
In this case, he has mashed together an anti-drinking and driving commercial with the similarly-themed music from an old Kraft BBQ sauce ad. It is oddly compelling.
And since this week's winning entry has to do with barbeque (sauce), this Parade Magazine cover seemed to be appropriate.
Congrats Peter! Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
This time out, we are returning the hardware to a blogger that has had their fair share of recognition in terms of transmundanity.
Yes, once again, Peter Lynn of Man Vs Clown fame (or is it infamy by now... hmmm).
In this case, he has mashed together an anti-drinking and driving commercial with the similarly-themed music from an old Kraft BBQ sauce ad. It is oddly compelling.
And since this week's winning entry has to do with barbeque (sauce), this Parade Magazine cover seemed to be appropriate.
Congrats Peter! Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Don't Let the Door Hit Your Ass on the Way Out
Categories:
television
2
Contributions
Jeff Zucker fired
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye
(a recent Blogger change broke my Technorati tag functionality, and I am too lazy to do it by hand, so blah... not going to bother).
Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-ey, goodbye
(a recent Blogger change broke my Technorati tag functionality, and I am too lazy to do it by hand, so blah... not going to bother).
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Marvel Superhero Movies: Heading for an Overload
Categories:
movies
4
Contributions
A few minutes ago, I read an article about the development of a film based on the Marvel character Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson in Iron Man 2, which would be the latest movie announced based on those properties.
But I don't think this is going to turn out well for anyone.
I know it seems like a good idea to strike while the iron is hot, but I could see releasing so many movies based on Marvel properties together turning into a huge problem, especially since most of these movies are supposed to tie together in one way or another.
This trend could lead to a great deal of audience fatigue, and the law of diminishing returns is likely to take effect, because there is indeed times when you can get too much of a good thing.
I mean, think about it, so far in 2011 and 2012, we are expecting X-men: First Class, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, the sequel to Ghost Rider, The Avengers and the Spiderman reboot, Iron Man 3, Deadpool, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2. And now there might be another one on top of that.
And that isn't even taking into account superhero movies that DC might be putting out at around the same time, or new Marvel projects that may be announced. When you look at previous years, there were at most 3 Marvel movies in a year, but the average for the next two years is approaching 5, or one nearly every two months.
I think ever die-hard Marvel fans would have to admit, that is a lot of films being crammed together in a relatively short amount of time.
What I think is really going on here is basically the companies that were making these movies in the past got caught flatfooted when Disney acquired Marvel, so they are trying to just make as many movies with the characters they have the rights to before their agreements expire as they possibly can.
From that perspective, it makes sense, but from any other angle, it is too much in too little time. And you know at least one of the above movies is going to absolutely tank because there just isn't enough money on its opening weekend to support both the new release and a previous Marvel movie that is still making money.
But I don't think this is going to turn out well for anyone.
I know it seems like a good idea to strike while the iron is hot, but I could see releasing so many movies based on Marvel properties together turning into a huge problem, especially since most of these movies are supposed to tie together in one way or another.
This trend could lead to a great deal of audience fatigue, and the law of diminishing returns is likely to take effect, because there is indeed times when you can get too much of a good thing.
I mean, think about it, so far in 2011 and 2012, we are expecting X-men: First Class, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, the sequel to Ghost Rider, The Avengers and the Spiderman reboot, Iron Man 3, Deadpool, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2. And now there might be another one on top of that.
And that isn't even taking into account superhero movies that DC might be putting out at around the same time, or new Marvel projects that may be announced. When you look at previous years, there were at most 3 Marvel movies in a year, but the average for the next two years is approaching 5, or one nearly every two months.
I think ever die-hard Marvel fans would have to admit, that is a lot of films being crammed together in a relatively short amount of time.
What I think is really going on here is basically the companies that were making these movies in the past got caught flatfooted when Disney acquired Marvel, so they are trying to just make as many movies with the characters they have the rights to before their agreements expire as they possibly can.
From that perspective, it makes sense, but from any other angle, it is too much in too little time. And you know at least one of the above movies is going to absolutely tank because there just isn't enough money on its opening weekend to support both the new release and a previous Marvel movie that is still making money.
Tags:
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My Social Networking Confession
With the upcoming movie The Social Network opening at the beginning of October, it got me thinking about something I was involved with.
Confession time. I worked for a social network in late 2005-early 2006. It was one aimed at college students. But the one I was working at didn't start at Harvard.
Here is a bit of information about that, without getting into any specific detail.
I started working at the social network that shall not be named in October 2005, around the same time Newscorp had paid over half a billion dollars for Myspace, so it seemed like a wonderful time to be working in that particular sector of the industry.
I was the content developer for that particular enterprise, which meant that I wrote a lot of articles geared towards college students in a short amount of time. I mean, a lot, but I enjoyed the challenge, because we needed content, and I had to write them about so many different topics in a day, so it was easy to get mental whiplash.
It was also the first time I saw a Smart car in person, as they had leased one to use promotionally. That was pretty cool.
But since I am no longer working there, you can tell things didn't work out for this particular enterprise, and I am sure there are a lot of people who worked during the dotcom boom of the late 1990's who have some tales similar to mine.
I have to say that working there gave me a little bit of insight into how social networks are run, and it is only now that I understand why the company I worked for failed. The major reason was, a social network is a money sponge. It takes a lot of funds to get one going, and it takes a long time to even start approaching profitability, so if the finances are not in place, it is a proposition doomed to failure.
And since I didn't have a financial stake in the company aside from the paycheck, I can look on the situation philosophically.
When I play fantasy football, I sort of prefer to get blown out rather than lose by a few points, because knowing that I could have changed the outcome, that would just bug me, or when you are playing or rooting for a person/team in a tournament, and you/they lose, you sort of want the victor of that match to So getting beaten by Facebook, well, there wasn't really anything you could do at that point. It wasn't the juggernaut then that it is now, but when you look at the timeline, it was still a force to be reckoned with, and even if the finances were in place, I still think it would have been a losing battle. Facebook had the market position at that point, and they were going to open their registration to everyone, not just college and high school students within a few months of me being let go from my position.
In retrospect, it was an almost unwinnable situation. But it was fun while it lasted. And after looking into it, it seems that my boss landed on his feet as well, so I think it likely ended up being a huge learning experience for him as well, and I hope he is doing very well.
Confession time. I worked for a social network in late 2005-early 2006. It was one aimed at college students. But the one I was working at didn't start at Harvard.
Here is a bit of information about that, without getting into any specific detail.
I started working at the social network that shall not be named in October 2005, around the same time Newscorp had paid over half a billion dollars for Myspace, so it seemed like a wonderful time to be working in that particular sector of the industry.
I was the content developer for that particular enterprise, which meant that I wrote a lot of articles geared towards college students in a short amount of time. I mean, a lot, but I enjoyed the challenge, because we needed content, and I had to write them about so many different topics in a day, so it was easy to get mental whiplash.
It was also the first time I saw a Smart car in person, as they had leased one to use promotionally. That was pretty cool.
But since I am no longer working there, you can tell things didn't work out for this particular enterprise, and I am sure there are a lot of people who worked during the dotcom boom of the late 1990's who have some tales similar to mine.
I have to say that working there gave me a little bit of insight into how social networks are run, and it is only now that I understand why the company I worked for failed. The major reason was, a social network is a money sponge. It takes a lot of funds to get one going, and it takes a long time to even start approaching profitability, so if the finances are not in place, it is a proposition doomed to failure.
And since I didn't have a financial stake in the company aside from the paycheck, I can look on the situation philosophically.
When I play fantasy football, I sort of prefer to get blown out rather than lose by a few points, because knowing that I could have changed the outcome, that would just bug me, or when you are playing or rooting for a person/team in a tournament, and you/they lose, you sort of want the victor of that match to So getting beaten by Facebook, well, there wasn't really anything you could do at that point. It wasn't the juggernaut then that it is now, but when you look at the timeline, it was still a force to be reckoned with, and even if the finances were in place, I still think it would have been a losing battle. Facebook had the market position at that point, and they were going to open their registration to everyone, not just college and high school students within a few months of me being let go from my position.
In retrospect, it was an almost unwinnable situation. But it was fun while it lasted. And after looking into it, it seems that my boss landed on his feet as well, so I think it likely ended up being a huge learning experience for him as well, and I hope he is doing very well.
Tags:
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Happy Birthday 60th Bill Murray
Categories:
celebrity
3
Contributions
It has been a brilliant career, Bill Murray. Happy 60th Birthday.
I just read the following on the IMDB:
That would have been absolutely brilliant. Of course, I think even then he would have cracked George Lucas over his knee, but it would have been worth it.
So even those there have been missteps (you almost made Garfield watchable... almost), your life and career have given joy to millions of people, and you should be applauded for your style and grace.
Let's hope you have many more birthdays after this. Huzzah!
I just read the following on the IMDB:
Was considered for the role of Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977).
That would have been absolutely brilliant. Of course, I think even then he would have cracked George Lucas over his knee, but it would have been worth it.
So even those there have been missteps (you almost made Garfield watchable... almost), your life and career have given joy to millions of people, and you should be applauded for your style and grace.
Let's hope you have many more birthdays after this. Huzzah!
Tags:
Monday, September 20, 2010
Comedy Gold: Electric Boogaloo
Categories:
gold
2
Contributions
I haven't done a comedy gold post in a long, long time, and I was thinking about a particular two word phrase that I've always loved.
It isn't so much a movie or television phenomenon, but a blogging/journalism running gag.
I am of course, talking about the use of the phrase "Electric Boogaloo".
As Wikipedia describes this particular kind of usage.
I think the reason this all came about was due to the fact that Electric Boogaloo just sounds so ridiculous, and it is fun to say and type. If you've never done it, try it.
See what I mean?
It is in the same realm of the or NAMBLA jokes on The Daily Show... it works so well for what it does.
Of course, there is always another level with these kinds of jokes as well. I mean, you could always take a third element from another line of sequels/bad movies to make your displeasure with a potential sequel really apparent.
I've even have a list of subtitles for you to use for your convenience:
Electric Boogaloo in Space
Electric Boogaloo vs Godzilla
Electric Boogaloo takes Manhattan
Electric Boogaloo Scared Stupid
Electric Boogaloo: Mission to Moscow
Electric Boogaloo: The Revenge
Electric Boogaloo 3D
The Next Electric Boogaloo
Electric Boogaloo: The Quickening
Electric Boogaloo: The Marsupials
I just hope the phrase doesn't become so ubiquitous that it loses its humor. That would be a shame.
It isn't so much a movie or television phenomenon, but a blogging/journalism running gag.
I am of course, talking about the use of the phrase "Electric Boogaloo".
As Wikipedia describes this particular kind of usage.
"X 2: Electric Boogaloo." Where X is a film, and is used to describe an unnecessary, ridiculous, or generally unwanted sequel. Originated from the sequel of the movie Breakin', Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.
I think the reason this all came about was due to the fact that Electric Boogaloo just sounds so ridiculous, and it is fun to say and type. If you've never done it, try it.
See what I mean?
It is in the same realm of the or NAMBLA jokes on The Daily Show... it works so well for what it does.
Of course, there is always another level with these kinds of jokes as well. I mean, you could always take a third element from another line of sequels/bad movies to make your displeasure with a potential sequel really apparent.
I've even have a list of subtitles for you to use for your convenience:
Electric Boogaloo in Space
Electric Boogaloo vs Godzilla
Electric Boogaloo takes Manhattan
Electric Boogaloo Scared Stupid
Electric Boogaloo: Mission to Moscow
Electric Boogaloo: The Revenge
Electric Boogaloo 3D
The Next Electric Boogaloo
Electric Boogaloo: The Quickening
Electric Boogaloo: The Marsupials
I just hope the phrase doesn't become so ubiquitous that it loses its humor. That would be a shame.
Tags:
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday Video: Damn You Stephen Hawking
Categories:
videos
2
Contributions
The audio on this, especially at the beginning is not safe for work, but it ends up going into some weird, funny places as it goes on.
Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I liked it.
Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I liked it.
Tags:
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Week 19: Pageant of the Transmundane
Categories:
transmundanity
2
Contributions
Someone has invented spray on fiber clothing in a can. I can see it now... people with a closet full of aerosol cans and still nothing to wear.
This week's winning entry comes to us from the blog Competitive Awesome.
In this case, it is an album cover that is truly epic. Epic in what way, I am not going to speculate, but it is epic nonetheless.
And since this week's winning entry has to do with record covers, well, a couple of Simpsons-based covers seemed the most appropriate.
Congrats Mychal and Aaron. Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
This week's winning entry comes to us from the blog Competitive Awesome.
In this case, it is an album cover that is truly epic. Epic in what way, I am not going to speculate, but it is epic nonetheless.
And since this week's winning entry has to do with record covers, well, a couple of Simpsons-based covers seemed the most appropriate.
Congrats Mychal and Aaron. Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Tags:
Thursday, September 16, 2010
James Bond 23 and The Hobbit back on.
Categories:
movies
2
Contributions
Well, I've just read that both the 23rd James Bond and The Hobbit are tenatively scheduled to start filming in 2011. It seems that MGM mighy be getting out of the dire financial straits they found themselves in and can get on with the process of making movies.
It isn't solid, mind you, but this information seems to be coming out from multiple sources, including Ian McKellen regarding The Hobbit, so it does seem to be a little more substantial than some petty rumors.
Bond is supposed to start shooting next fall, while The Hobbit is reportedly starting principle photography this coming January.
The best part is, I haven't heard anything about a Robocop remake cropping up, so this really is the best of both worlds.
It isn't solid, mind you, but this information seems to be coming out from multiple sources, including Ian McKellen regarding The Hobbit, so it does seem to be a little more substantial than some petty rumors.
Bond is supposed to start shooting next fall, while The Hobbit is reportedly starting principle photography this coming January.
The best part is, I haven't heard anything about a Robocop remake cropping up, so this really is the best of both worlds.
Tags:
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Midweek Video: Hobo with a Shotgun (Trailer for the Real Movie)
Categories:
movies,
videos
6
Contributions
I can't wait. Looks like super bloody fun. Totally over the top.
I really hope he says he is going to sleep in someone's bloody carcass tonight like the character does in the original fake trailer.
And that dumpster firebombing still haunts me.
I really hope he says he is going to sleep in someone's bloody carcass tonight like the character does in the original fake trailer.
And that dumpster firebombing still haunts me.
Tags:
I Am Always A Late Arrival for Parties
Categories:
geekypics,
video games
2
Contributions
I've been playing a lot of fighting games as of late, and the I made this little entry in the whole I'mma Let You Finish meme for a game trading site I am on.
Seth refers to the final boss from Street Fighter IV
And for those of you who aren't familiar with what an SNK Boss is, they are the most horrible creatures ever devised by video game creators, designed to really make you angry and to get you to throw a lot more quarters in an arcade machine. They are all dirty bastards.
I mean I don't get mad at games these days, but after I met this boss, I was ready to throw a 7 pound joystick at my TV, and I hate him so much, I revel in watching another super boss character, Shin Akuma/Gouki, beat his ass in MUGEN.
And then I met Magaki. There are childhood bullies and exes I hate less than this guy. I could possibly hate Scientology less than I hate him.
And those two are just the tip of the iceberg. I still have to meet Rugal and Geese and so many other frustrating bosses, and I know I am going to hate them all and wish fervently that they burn in hell. Because they deserve it.
If I had to pick between seeing a child molester or an SNK Boss get shot in a movie, I'd really have to think about what I would prefer to see.
I think this may be one of my geekiest posts ever.
Seth refers to the final boss from Street Fighter IV
And for those of you who aren't familiar with what an SNK Boss is, they are the most horrible creatures ever devised by video game creators, designed to really make you angry and to get you to throw a lot more quarters in an arcade machine. They are all dirty bastards.
I mean I don't get mad at games these days, but after I met this boss, I was ready to throw a 7 pound joystick at my TV, and I hate him so much, I revel in watching another super boss character, Shin Akuma/Gouki, beat his ass in MUGEN.
And then I met Magaki. There are childhood bullies and exes I hate less than this guy. I could possibly hate Scientology less than I hate him.
And those two are just the tip of the iceberg. I still have to meet Rugal and Geese and so many other frustrating bosses, and I know I am going to hate them all and wish fervently that they burn in hell. Because they deserve it.
If I had to pick between seeing a child molester or an SNK Boss get shot in a movie, I'd really have to think about what I would prefer to see.
I think this may be one of my geekiest posts ever.
Tags:
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Fun With Twitter: Machete Facts
Categories:
memes,
movies
0
Contributions
Sometimes you have a bit of a boring afternoon, so you just start riffing. I had such an afternoon today.
In my case, I just decided it would be fun to start spouting Machete facts on Twitter, and since I know that some of my readers don't follow me on that site, so I thought I would share them here, along with a few that wouldn't fit in 140 characters.
The reason Machete wasn't in The Expendables is he would have killed the bad guys in the first 5 minutes, and then there'd be no movie. #machetefacts
Machete performed his own caesarean, and then sewed up his own mother before allowing himself to cry #machetefacts
Machete don't Twitter. If he wants you to know something real quick, he'll carve it into a bad guy and send it your way #machetefacts
Machete has a wrinkle for every man he's killed. #machetefacts
Machete doesn't have tattoos. His skin is filled with grains of awesomeness which have identifiable shapes. #machetefacts
Machete plays Danny Trejo, much like Superman plays the role of Clark Kent. #machetefacts
Machete Beat Battletoads. Not the game. The actual Battletoads. #machetefacts
Machete has Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer buried in his basement. #machetefacts
And my favorite one:
Machete once drank a mixture of gasoline and kerosene just so he could use his stream of urine as a flamethrower. #machetefacts
So, can you come up with any Machete Facts?
In my case, I just decided it would be fun to start spouting Machete facts on Twitter, and since I know that some of my readers don't follow me on that site, so I thought I would share them here, along with a few that wouldn't fit in 140 characters.
The reason Machete wasn't in The Expendables is he would have killed the bad guys in the first 5 minutes, and then there'd be no movie. #machetefacts
Machete performed his own caesarean, and then sewed up his own mother before allowing himself to cry #machetefacts
Machete don't Twitter. If he wants you to know something real quick, he'll carve it into a bad guy and send it your way #machetefacts
Machete has a wrinkle for every man he's killed. #machetefacts
Machete doesn't have tattoos. His skin is filled with grains of awesomeness which have identifiable shapes. #machetefacts
Machete plays Danny Trejo, much like Superman plays the role of Clark Kent. #machetefacts
Machete Beat Battletoads. Not the game. The actual Battletoads. #machetefacts
Machete has Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer buried in his basement. #machetefacts
And my favorite one:
Machete once drank a mixture of gasoline and kerosene just so he could use his stream of urine as a flamethrower. #machetefacts
So, can you come up with any Machete Facts?
Tags:
Monday, September 13, 2010
So Let Me Get This Straight
Categories:
music
2
Contributions
So let me get this straight. Disney owns The Muppets. But Warner Music owns Mah Na Mah Na.
I guess you learn something new every day.
I guess you learn something new every day.
Tags:
Yet Another Futurama/Anime-type Painting...
Categories:
geekypics,
television
0
Contributions
...which is awesome.
Tags:
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sunday Video: Galactic Empire State of Mind
Categories:
movies,
music,
videos
0
Contributions
I thought about posting Empire State of Mind yesterday for Spetember 11th, and in doing a search for it, I came across this video on Youtube, and I decided to run with it today.
A good takeoff with quality lyrics and execution.
A good takeoff with quality lyrics and execution.
Tags:
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Week 18: Pageant of the Transmundane
Categories:
transmundanity
3
Contributions
The owner of an Ohio strip club and some of its dancers have been protesting outside of a particular church on Sundays. The church in question has been sending parishioners to protest outside that strip club for four years, and the owner decided to give that house of worship a taste of its own medicine.
This week's winning entry comes to up from the Volpin Props blog.
In this case, this talented prop maker/graphic designer put together a picture perfect version of the rifle from the Mass Effect games. I am very impressed by this effort.
And because this has to do with a shooting game, I thought Homer Simpson battling in Unreal Tournament would be the most appropriate image for this win.
Congrats Harrison Krix. You blew me away this week. Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
This week's winning entry comes to up from the Volpin Props blog.
In this case, this talented prop maker/graphic designer put together a picture perfect version of the rifle from the Mass Effect games. I am very impressed by this effort.
And because this has to do with a shooting game, I thought Homer Simpson battling in Unreal Tournament would be the most appropriate image for this win.
Congrats Harrison Krix. You blew me away this week. Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Tags:
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Grappling with Pretension
Categories:
blogging
5
Contributions
I admit that when I was in college and afterward, I was indeed pretentious. I mean, I can laugh about it now, but back in the late 1990's and early part of the last decade, I really thought highly of myself and my supposed intellectual prowess and great taste. I had read all these great books and watched all these films, so clearly I was awesome (or at least I was in my own mind).
When you are in the middle of that, you have a hard time seeing just how much of an ass you are. Though, sometimes you do have something to measure yourself against.
Because even then, there were people who I had classes with who rubbed me the wrong way. You know, like your peers who would name drop some semi-obscure writer every time they were discussing anything in class in a vain attempt to impress the professor. I still remember the names of a few of these individuals, but it wouldn't be my style to name them.
And I took a lot of creative writing courses in university, so you know I met quite a few characters who certainly fit that same bill. That was pretension concentrate. Well, that and passive-aggressive hatred, because if there is one thing aspiring writers hate, it is other writers. Those of you who took some of the higher level courses in this particular field, look in your hearts, because you know it's true.
Thankfully, I had never been one of those people that turned their nose up at television or act like only morons read/watched/listened to certain things, nor did I at any time approach hipsterism or self-parody, which I am proud of. It is a small victory, true, but one worth celebrating.
I mean, the pursuit of higher education is really a collective excuse to put on airs which the outside world luckily knocks out of most people. I am glad it did that to me for the most part, because it isn't natural to act like that. I was never better than anyone else, and I am not a tastemaker. I just like and dislike the things I do, and I try not to act like too much of an asshole outside of my attempts to be humorous.
I do still occasionally dive back into that well from time to time, but I catch myself doing it more often these days. Still, I admit that I likely have a blind spot, so if you think I am pretentious now, you should have met me back then. I think I would kick my own ass circa 1998, and I would richly deserve it.
When you are in the middle of that, you have a hard time seeing just how much of an ass you are. Though, sometimes you do have something to measure yourself against.
Because even then, there were people who I had classes with who rubbed me the wrong way. You know, like your peers who would name drop some semi-obscure writer every time they were discussing anything in class in a vain attempt to impress the professor. I still remember the names of a few of these individuals, but it wouldn't be my style to name them.
And I took a lot of creative writing courses in university, so you know I met quite a few characters who certainly fit that same bill. That was pretension concentrate. Well, that and passive-aggressive hatred, because if there is one thing aspiring writers hate, it is other writers. Those of you who took some of the higher level courses in this particular field, look in your hearts, because you know it's true.
Thankfully, I had never been one of those people that turned their nose up at television or act like only morons read/watched/listened to certain things, nor did I at any time approach hipsterism or self-parody, which I am proud of. It is a small victory, true, but one worth celebrating.
I mean, the pursuit of higher education is really a collective excuse to put on airs which the outside world luckily knocks out of most people. I am glad it did that to me for the most part, because it isn't natural to act like that. I was never better than anyone else, and I am not a tastemaker. I just like and dislike the things I do, and I try not to act like too much of an asshole outside of my attempts to be humorous.
I do still occasionally dive back into that well from time to time, but I catch myself doing it more often these days. Still, I admit that I likely have a blind spot, so if you think I am pretentious now, you should have met me back then. I think I would kick my own ass circa 1998, and I would richly deserve it.
Tags:
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Midweek Video: The Chauffeur
Categories:
music,
videos
0
Contributions
The second incarnation of The Sneaker Pimps covering Duran Duran's The Chauffeur with Simon Le Bon.
The Chauffeur is one of my favorite songs from the early 80's, so hearing a good cover is always a pleasure.
The original Duran Duran video (has nudity, so NSFW)
The Sneaker Pimps version over the same footage (so the above warning applies).
The Chauffeur is one of my favorite songs from the early 80's, so hearing a good cover is always a pleasure.
The original Duran Duran video (has nudity, so NSFW)
The Sneaker Pimps version over the same footage (so the above warning applies).
Tags:
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Replacing an Actor/Character from a Television Show Named After Them
Categories:
television
7
Contributions
OK, I just started thinking about something that happens rarely, but often enough to be interesting.
There are a few television shows that have been named for a star or one particular character, and then they are either fired or they leave the show and the writers/producers try to salvage the show by changing the name.
The reason I started thinking about this is the series Valerie, which starred Valerie Harper and Jason Bateman, popped into my head.
During the second season of the show, Valerie Harper left the show during a salary dispute and they killed her character off and had Sandy Duncan come in.
And I remember that The Dukes of Hazzard became two different characters during a similar salary dispute earlier in that same decade.
My question is, can you think of any other shows where something like that happened (even scenarios where the title actor/actress/character die and they just tried to keep going with a new name), because my curiosity has been piqued. I don't care where in the world it happened either... I am sure there are some excellent examples outside of North America too.
There are a few television shows that have been named for a star or one particular character, and then they are either fired or they leave the show and the writers/producers try to salvage the show by changing the name.
The reason I started thinking about this is the series Valerie, which starred Valerie Harper and Jason Bateman, popped into my head.
During the second season of the show, Valerie Harper left the show during a salary dispute and they killed her character off and had Sandy Duncan come in.
And I remember that The Dukes of Hazzard became two different characters during a similar salary dispute earlier in that same decade.
My question is, can you think of any other shows where something like that happened (even scenarios where the title actor/actress/character die and they just tried to keep going with a new name), because my curiosity has been piqued. I don't care where in the world it happened either... I am sure there are some excellent examples outside of North America too.
Tags:
Monday, September 06, 2010
Two Little Bits, Related by One Man
Categories:
celebrity,
movies
4
Contributions
-Anyone think it is funny that Machete may make more money at the theatre domestically than Grindhouse, the film that spawned it. It has to have one more good weekend, and it seems like it could eclipse the 25 million dollars that the combined might of Planet Terror and Death Proof produced in their initial theatrical run. This success makes me wonder if any of the other trailers from Grindhouse might now become full-length movies now too. Is a Don't movie in the cards?
-The Comedy Network up here was showing a standup comedy concert marathon this weekend, and I happened to flip it on during Margaret Cho's Beautiful from 2008, and I said to myself that I would watch it to the end unless she mentioned the series All-American Girl, the single-season show she starred in in 1994. But she did. At this point, she has to let it go. Seriously, it has been 16 years. I know that she feels like she got totally screwed on that deal, but most people let that slide after a while, at least publicly. I have a feeling she might even mention it one night on Dancing with the Stars.
Now these two items are related thusly: Grindhouse was codirected by Quentin Tarantino, who directed and appeared on an episode of All-American Girl (and also dated Margaret Cho).
EDIT: Astute reader Jimmy J. Aquino from A Fistful of Soundtracks noticed that I said that QT directed Planet Terror. I put that movie down in error, when I meant to put Grindhouse. I appreciate the correction.
-The Comedy Network up here was showing a standup comedy concert marathon this weekend, and I happened to flip it on during Margaret Cho's Beautiful from 2008, and I said to myself that I would watch it to the end unless she mentioned the series All-American Girl, the single-season show she starred in in 1994. But she did. At this point, she has to let it go. Seriously, it has been 16 years. I know that she feels like she got totally screwed on that deal, but most people let that slide after a while, at least publicly. I have a feeling she might even mention it one night on Dancing with the Stars.
Now these two items are related thusly: Grindhouse was codirected by Quentin Tarantino, who directed and appeared on an episode of All-American Girl (and also dated Margaret Cho).
EDIT: Astute reader Jimmy J. Aquino from A Fistful of Soundtracks noticed that I said that QT directed Planet Terror. I put that movie down in error, when I meant to put Grindhouse. I appreciate the correction.
Tags:
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Sunday Video: Cancelled TV Show Love Song
Categories:
music,
television,
videos
2
Contributions
As someone who has loved and lost shows in the past, this really resonated with me.
Tags:
Saturday, September 04, 2010
Week 17: Pageant of the Transmundane
Categories:
transmundanity
0
Contributions
Paris Hilton is claiming that the purse that had the cocaine and other drug paraphrenalia in it was not hers. Unfortunately, she had posted a picture of that very same purse from twitter weeks before her arrest. But either way, it doesn't matter, because for her particular charges, possession is 9/10 of the law.
Anyway, this week's winning entry comes to us from I have seen the whole of the Internet.
And in this case, it was just something simple and brilliant... something called Executive Wookie.
*slow applause*
And since this week's winning entry is Star Wars related, I thought this would be the ideal graphic:
Congrats Joanne Casey. Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Anyway, this week's winning entry comes to us from I have seen the whole of the Internet.
And in this case, it was just something simple and brilliant... something called Executive Wookie.
*slow applause*
And since this week's winning entry is Star Wars related, I thought this would be the ideal graphic:
Congrats Joanne Casey. Here is your badge.
The rules of this little contest: Every week I will be selecting one blog post that I have seen from the vast reaches of the blogging village to bestow with the Homer Simpson Transmundanity Award for being one of the freakiest(in a funny way) things I've seen or read during a 7 day period. It doesn't necessarily have to have been written during the week, I just had to have encountered it. That means that if you find something interesting and repost it like a movie or whatever, if I saw it at your blog first, you get the prize. Of course, creating your own content is also a very good way to win.
This is not a meme. This is an award that I give out, and thus, I am not "tagging" you.
Now, if you see a post that you think is worthy of this illustrious prize, just drop me a line at campybeaver@gmail.com and we'll see if we can't get your suggestion up and award-ready while giving you some credit and a link to your own blog.
Tags:
Friday, September 03, 2010
Ian McKellen as a Young Man
Categories:
celebrity,
geekypics
3
Contributions
Even as a young man, Ian McKellen was hipper and better looking than I will ever be.
He couldn't have been a gawky geek, could he?
He couldn't have been a gawky geek, could he?
Tags:
Thursday, September 02, 2010
4 Reasons I was Unconcerned about the Bieber/Back To the Future Rumors
Categories:
celebrity,
movies
4
Contributions
I read a lot of howling earlier this week when rumors about Justin Bieber perhaps taking on the protagonist role in a Back to the Future remake, but I knew that it wasn't going to come to anything for 4 simple reasons.
1. Even though he is technically 16, male teen actors don't play their age, so the whole "driving" aspect of the movie would likely have to go bye bye, and that seems like a huge part of that story.
2. And then there would be the idea that young Mr. Bieber's in-character mother in teen form desperately wants to have sex with him. I think that might have been too weird for the audience such a remake would cater to.
3. Of course, think about that wonderful culture shock that 1988-1991 would provide modern audiences. Wow, you don't have twitter and facebook and your cellphone is the size of a brick and only 3 people have them. Wow, how did people live?
4. Does anyone think that a young teen guy and an older scientist being friends wouldn't raise some eyebrows these days? I mean, yes, Doc Brown is a totally harmless older gentleman who just happens to hang around with a teenage boy. There is nothing wrong with that, and no one would ever be suspicious of that relationship.
With those reasons out of the way, I think if producers are so intent on going back to the well on Back to the Future, it should be Marty's kids who are the protagonists and it should take place in 2015, so that the original movies happened, and it is just a new generation of adventures.
That is if someone wants to tackle the series again. I hope they don't.
1. Even though he is technically 16, male teen actors don't play their age, so the whole "driving" aspect of the movie would likely have to go bye bye, and that seems like a huge part of that story.
2. And then there would be the idea that young Mr. Bieber's in-character mother in teen form desperately wants to have sex with him. I think that might have been too weird for the audience such a remake would cater to.
3. Of course, think about that wonderful culture shock that 1988-1991 would provide modern audiences. Wow, you don't have twitter and facebook and your cellphone is the size of a brick and only 3 people have them. Wow, how did people live?
4. Does anyone think that a young teen guy and an older scientist being friends wouldn't raise some eyebrows these days? I mean, yes, Doc Brown is a totally harmless older gentleman who just happens to hang around with a teenage boy. There is nothing wrong with that, and no one would ever be suspicious of that relationship.
With those reasons out of the way, I think if producers are so intent on going back to the well on Back to the Future, it should be Marty's kids who are the protagonists and it should take place in 2015, so that the original movies happened, and it is just a new generation of adventures.
That is if someone wants to tackle the series again. I hope they don't.
Tags:
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Remembering No More Heroes
Categories:
video games
2
Contributions
No More Heroes is another game from the twisted mind of Suda 51, the designer behind Killer7 and the guy who thought ending a wrestling game with a main character suicide was an awesome idea (ooh, I've just spoiled the ending of an SNES game that was only released in Japan... sorry ;) ). It is also a rare Wii-centric game which is clearly geared to adults.
The setup for the game is relatively simple: Travis Touchdown, the protagonist of the game, takes an assassination job from a mysterious woman he met in a bar, and is determined to move up the ranks to become the greatest assassin the United States. At the beginning of the game, he is ranked eleventh, so he must get through the 10 assassins above him with his weapon of choice, the "beam katana".
Now Travis is a geek like many of us. The fact that he bought his "beam katana" in an online auction is just the icing on the cake. He collects figures, a lot of anime-related stuff, plays games and he is totally into wrestling (and the game is filled with little pop culture references). OK, most of us wouldn't decide we were going to become an assassin on a whim, but as you play the game, the backstory to that decision comes into focus, so it makes some sort of sense. The fact that he bears more than a passing resemblance to Johnny Knoxville is just a perk I guess.
His contact for arranging battles with the Assassin's Union is a woman named Silvia Christel, who certain readers will likely recognize as a reference to Sylvia Kristel, a softcore porn actress made famous for her role in the Emmanuelle series, and that character is such a wonderful tease.
And the other assassins you face throughout the game are a great ensemble of characters, and the fact that they get a lot of their quirks out in just the short time you fight them is a real testament to the design of this game. It is an excuse plot, true, but Suda 51 made sure that the characters he was introducing you to were all interesting and compelling both visually and narratively.
The art style is also pretty sweet, as it is a game based on 3D models with some cel-shading. In North America, the game was really bloody and gory and was really in keeping with certain conventions of Japanese cinema. In Japan and Europe however, it was a lot more antiseptic, and from what I've seen, it loses a lot of its stylistic charm that way. In fact, the fights leading up to the ranking matches seem to have a lot in common with the battle in the House of Blue Leaves battle in Kill Bill, both in tone and substance, so losing the blood really detracts from that aesthetic. But in the wake of the Manhunt 2 controversy, I can see why this decision was made.
The soundtrack was composed by Masafumi Takada, who also did the soundtrack for one of my favorite PS2 games, God Hand, and once again, he has written accompanying music which is rocking and is entirely in keeping with the theme of the game. There are also a lot of tracks which are throwbacks to older kinds of video game music.
I like the fact that none of the assassins in this game seem particularly happy or well-adjusted... they are all psychologically damaged in some way, so even though it is a game that is supposed to be quirky and humorous, there is a lot of darkness to the story. And the ending... it is something that would have been perfectly at home in a Metal Gear Solid game.
And if the videos and discussion of blood didn't indicate that this clearly is not a game for kids, I am going to say it explicitly... this is not a kid's game. In an interview, Suda 51 said he wanted to make a game that was more violent than Manhunt 2, and that is an important point. When I first played the game, I didn't think about some of the especially brutal deaths of some of your fellow assassins, but in retrospect, some of them were pretty over the top and damn nasty. And this isn't even mentioning a piece of the back story that is revealed late in the game which is really skeevy. You know something in a game crossed a boundary when even I have to admit it. I mean, I felt dirty after hearing it.
There is another thing which I have to mention, which I thought was a fault. The battle portions of the game are really fun, but this game is also an open world/sandbox game when you aren't pursuing the next ranking assassin, and it is not the best implementation of this play style. You know I enjoy the open world concept in gaming, but in this case, it was a little too empty for my tastes, and some of the tasks you had to do to advance that world were a little silly for my taste, as you were expected to take on part time jobs to open up new assassination missions (ones which were unrelated to the story of the game), and do a lot of other things which were not fun).
I don't know if this was remedied in the sequel, but it does detract from another enjoyable experience.
Basically, if you are looking for an adult-oriented game with a quirk sense of humor for the Wii, then No More Heroes would likely be a satisfying purchase.
The setup for the game is relatively simple: Travis Touchdown, the protagonist of the game, takes an assassination job from a mysterious woman he met in a bar, and is determined to move up the ranks to become the greatest assassin the United States. At the beginning of the game, he is ranked eleventh, so he must get through the 10 assassins above him with his weapon of choice, the "beam katana".
Now Travis is a geek like many of us. The fact that he bought his "beam katana" in an online auction is just the icing on the cake. He collects figures, a lot of anime-related stuff, plays games and he is totally into wrestling (and the game is filled with little pop culture references). OK, most of us wouldn't decide we were going to become an assassin on a whim, but as you play the game, the backstory to that decision comes into focus, so it makes some sort of sense. The fact that he bears more than a passing resemblance to Johnny Knoxville is just a perk I guess.
His contact for arranging battles with the Assassin's Union is a woman named Silvia Christel, who certain readers will likely recognize as a reference to Sylvia Kristel, a softcore porn actress made famous for her role in the Emmanuelle series, and that character is such a wonderful tease.
And the other assassins you face throughout the game are a great ensemble of characters, and the fact that they get a lot of their quirks out in just the short time you fight them is a real testament to the design of this game. It is an excuse plot, true, but Suda 51 made sure that the characters he was introducing you to were all interesting and compelling both visually and narratively.
The art style is also pretty sweet, as it is a game based on 3D models with some cel-shading. In North America, the game was really bloody and gory and was really in keeping with certain conventions of Japanese cinema. In Japan and Europe however, it was a lot more antiseptic, and from what I've seen, it loses a lot of its stylistic charm that way. In fact, the fights leading up to the ranking matches seem to have a lot in common with the battle in the House of Blue Leaves battle in Kill Bill, both in tone and substance, so losing the blood really detracts from that aesthetic. But in the wake of the Manhunt 2 controversy, I can see why this decision was made.
The soundtrack was composed by Masafumi Takada, who also did the soundtrack for one of my favorite PS2 games, God Hand, and once again, he has written accompanying music which is rocking and is entirely in keeping with the theme of the game. There are also a lot of tracks which are throwbacks to older kinds of video game music.
I like the fact that none of the assassins in this game seem particularly happy or well-adjusted... they are all psychologically damaged in some way, so even though it is a game that is supposed to be quirky and humorous, there is a lot of darkness to the story. And the ending... it is something that would have been perfectly at home in a Metal Gear Solid game.
And if the videos and discussion of blood didn't indicate that this clearly is not a game for kids, I am going to say it explicitly... this is not a kid's game. In an interview, Suda 51 said he wanted to make a game that was more violent than Manhunt 2, and that is an important point. When I first played the game, I didn't think about some of the especially brutal deaths of some of your fellow assassins, but in retrospect, some of them were pretty over the top and damn nasty. And this isn't even mentioning a piece of the back story that is revealed late in the game which is really skeevy. You know something in a game crossed a boundary when even I have to admit it. I mean, I felt dirty after hearing it.
There is another thing which I have to mention, which I thought was a fault. The battle portions of the game are really fun, but this game is also an open world/sandbox game when you aren't pursuing the next ranking assassin, and it is not the best implementation of this play style. You know I enjoy the open world concept in gaming, but in this case, it was a little too empty for my tastes, and some of the tasks you had to do to advance that world were a little silly for my taste, as you were expected to take on part time jobs to open up new assassination missions (ones which were unrelated to the story of the game), and do a lot of other things which were not fun).
I don't know if this was remedied in the sequel, but it does detract from another enjoyable experience.
Basically, if you are looking for an adult-oriented game with a quirk sense of humor for the Wii, then No More Heroes would likely be a satisfying purchase.
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