Geared Up for Speed Racer

I won't go into too much detail, as I'm not very qualified to give a movie review. I just know what I like, so I'll just tell you why I like it and why I think ya'll should too. For another review, please point your arrow here.

The style was great. Being a simpleton, I need to be visually stimulated. Vibrant colors and general chaos on the screen kept my attention. I actually thought it was going to be overly stimulating, but it seemed just the right amount. The casting was dead on and the acting was great. I felt like this is the first live-action-converted-from-cartoon that was done very well. It really is a shame it's the underdog at the box office. I don't think the numbers justify the movie; however, this movie brings up what I like to call the "Quentin Tarantino Effect" and what I really wanted this post to be about.

When going into a Tarantino film, one can expect a very extraordinary experience. He seems to not play by the rules that everyone else in the industry does. He has the guff to be able to basically do whatever he wants on film. This is what this movie was about. The Wachowski brothers seemed to have loved Speed Racer as kids, just as I did, and wanted to do something very original while keeping important elements from the cartoon. I enjoy seeing films that break boundaries and I think anyone who appreciates something a little different should check it out just for that reason.

It has to be the greatest feeling to be successful enough to do what, in this case, makes a good movie, not necessarily what sells tickets. They did it as much, if not more, for themselves as they did for the general public. I hope I'm fortunate enough to experience the "Tarantino Effect" in my own way someday.

The Stars are Aligning

I have been very fortunate lately. I don't think I have ever had a string of this many events lay out in my favor before in my life. It's quite exhilarating, actually. They have ranged from small victories to sizable life alterations. I'm very thankful, as I'm sure not everyone in the world gets to experience this. I am cautiously optimistic as I keep wondering when my luck will run out. Right now though I am enjoying it and I hope when this does run its course, I can help pay it forward.

Thank you to all who have been witness to this as well. You have made it especially wonderful!

I like where this is going...

I just heard an advertisement for a gamer club on Q101. I had to research this further. Beer, pizza and videogames: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/lifestyles/948892,6_5_NA14_RANKED_S1.article



I like how videogaming is becoming mainstream. I have seen bars set up projector screens and have Wii bowling tournaments, but this has been taken steps further by making it the theme of the club. If anyone wants to check it out with me, let me know.

A Brush with Perfection

So I've been talking about vacations and traveling quite a bit these past few days which, of course, makes me think of Ireland. Pretty much any chance I get, I will think or talk about Ireland; however, this post isn't about how much Ireland rocks my face off (but ya'll should know that it does...).

I want to take a second to say thank you to those of you that, as the title suggests, gave me my only brush with 'perfection'. I consider that day hiking on the cliffs to be the best day of my life without hesitation.

Thank you for giving me that day. Thank you for being there with me (and really, thanks for letting me invite myself on the trip). You are all incredible people and I truly love you all.

Reddening Rhymes

Now, it takes a lot to make me blush or feel awkward. A guilty pleasure of mine to to hear lyrics from songs that make me go all bug-eyed and give a nervous chortle the first time I hear them. It doesn't happen often but when it takes me by surprise, I thoroughly enjoy it. I give the artist a nod of approval since they accomplished what they wanted to, even on the most shameless of listeners. I should clarify that I don't mean the typical rap songs that talk of what they want to do to a tart's certain orifice. That doesn't take nearly as much talent as what I mean. Let me give a few examples of what I am talking about:

Pearl Jam - Alive
"Is something wrong, she said
Well of course there is
You're still alive, she said"

Tool - Eulogy
The whole song.

The most recent one I have heard that elicited the said response is:

Lupe Fiasco's Put You on Game.
"I hope your bullet holes become mouths that say my name."

It's the last line in the song, followed by a gun shot. It just left me with my jaw dropped to the floor. He nailed it by leaving the verse ring in your ears. Awesome.



*Note: Lupe Fiasco is an incredible lyricist and should not be thought of as a producer of gangster rap, save this song.

MK Today!

This will be my first day of being able to truly sit down with the game. I think I will use the wheel all day.

As an aside, I feel that the 'hardcore' crowd should embrace the wheel due to it's difficulty relative to a joystick. We all know the wheel and bikes don't really mix, but since online we can see what controller setup everyone is using, bragging rights can be earned fo' sho'.

Concerning Tuesday

I was right. I'm happy.

Starting with Irony

So, Adam gave me the idea to start up a blog. I was like yeah, that's a good idea. I like forcing my opinions on others and so any medium in which I can do that is great. As I was finishing up the semester I had all these thoughts I wanted to 'blog' about and now I can't think of anything...

Better luck tomorrow, maybe. I have a feeling it'll be a really good day for me.