This is why.
Why I’m Excited About New. Super Mario Bros. Wii
Posted in Gaming with tags Koopa Kids, New Super Mario Bros., Wii on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 by theclimaxanObama, Afghanistan and You
Posted in Politics with tags 40000, Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Dick Cheney, troop levels on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 by theclimaxan
Barack Obama has gotten heat from his opponents on many things, some stupid, some very stupid, and some worthy of debate. I voted for Obama and I personally think there are some things he’s doing very well (international relations, attempting to move HC forward) and some areas I hope he improves upon (Geithner I’m looking at you). There is one issue he’s getting some serious heat for right now that I can’t help but voice my opinion on, and that is how he is handling Afghanistan. I don’t know how you look at war, but sending 40,000 additional troops into battle isn’t something that should be taken lightly. There’s no doubt that additional troops are needed, but if you talk to anyone who has served in Afghanistan and they will tell you the same thing. It’s a complicated ass situation. Not only are you fighting the Taliban, you are fighting the terrain, the weather, an inept Pakistani government, and a makeshift Afghan “government”. Strategy is key in this situation, and it’s rush job decisions that have the United States in this situation to begin with. Dick Cheney levied some heavy criticisms on Obama last week, pretty much accusing him of ignoring the situation. Irony doesn’t even begin to describe his words. Everything positive our military accomplished in Afghanistan directly after 9/11 was destroyed because the Bush Administration didn’t take the time to think about what they were doing. It was the epitome of “shoot first ask questions later” as we headed to Iraq and left a less than ideal number of troops to hold together a patchwork government in hostile territory. The worst part is Cheney’s words have been given credibility, and despite the obvious failings of his administrations Afghan strategy, there are still citizens who cling to their ideals as a legitimate solution. The definition of crazy is repeating the same activity over and over and getting the same results. Crazy got us into this mess, and if you think it will get us out, then, you’re crazy.
Review: Where the Wild Things Are
Posted in Movie Reviews with tags Carol, KW, Max, review, Spike Jonze, Where the Wild Things Are on Monday, November 2, 2009 by theclimaxan
This movie was at the tippy-top of my must see list ever since it was announced. When Spike Jonze took the reigns as Director I was even more excited, if only for the simple reason that his adaptation would have just as much personality and imagination as the book that taught me how to read. Where the Wild Things Are (the book) wasn’t very deep (it was only 10 or so pages long) but when I was 5 that didn’t matter. What mattered was how much it sparked my imagination. So with a simple piece of source material, Spike Jonze did what Maurice Sendak expected all of us to do when he wrote the original; use that imagination of ours.
Where the Wild Things Are is a simple film with complex elements. It’s a story about being a kid and all of the emotions that go along with it. The fear, the uncertainty, the happiness, and the sadness. It celebrates the power of your imagination but also recognizes the fact that you can’t hide from your problems, no matter how young you are. Which also makes this a story about growing up. Despite the fact that this was a movie based on a legendary children’s book, I loved that Spike Jonze wasn’t afraid to take the story to the level that he did. Children will enjoy this movie, there’s a lot to be amazed by, but this isn’t a movie necessarily for them, it’s more about them, and the stages of growth we all experience.
Who would have thought you could pull that much out of a 10 page book.
Kudos Spike Jonze.
9/10
2009 NFL Predictions
Posted in Sports with tags 2009 NFL Predictions, NFL, predictions, Super Bowl Predictions on Thursday, September 3, 2009 by theclimaxanI absolutely suck at predictions. I’m always wrong. Thankfully, I’m ok with that considering I’ve never claimed or had bestowed upon me the powers of foresight. Therefore, as a mere mortal, my guess is as good as yours, but possibly better than Skip Bayless’s. He’s an idiot. So, with a little NFL knowledge in my brain, a few pre-season games in the que, and an endless desire to pretend I know what I’m talking about, I present to you my 2009 NFL predictions.
Review: The Blueprint 3
Posted in Music with tags Album review, Blueprint 3 Review, BP3, Drake, Jay Z, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, leak, review, The Blueprint 3 on Thursday, September 3, 2009 by theclimaxan
I don’t usually check out leaked albums, but when Jay-Z’s The Blueprint 3 slipped out yesterday it was hard to look out the window without being hit in the face with a copy. With new music trickling out slowly this year, I had no choice but to go ahead and give a listen to one of my more anticipated albums of the year. It turns out BP3 would have been well worth the wait, but I’m happy that I’m not a patient man.
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Most Jay fans, and just straight up hip hop fans agreed. The Black Album was Jay-Z’s masterpiece. It was his “retirement” album, his swan song, blah blah yada yada and all that jazz. We also all knew that wouldn’t be Jay’s last, but I did think it was his peak. Jay in his prime. Kingdom Come supported this hypothesis, and American Gangster, while superb, lacked the punch of The Black Album.
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So was it true, was Jay on the decline? Was the so called king of New York losing his grip on the crown? The answer? Get your eyes off the throne haters. Jay is back and better than ever. After about 4 listens, I’m almost ready to say it’s Jay-Z’s masterpiece, or at the very least bright jewel in his well-fitted crown . BP3 starts pedestrian with the track “What We Talkin Bout”, but from there it takes off. ‘Thank You” touches on fan appreciation and those lost on 9/11, followed by the tracks you’ve heard, “D.O.A” and “Run this town” which put the rap game in perspective from the eyes of an artist and a business man. Skip ahead to the Swizz Beatz produced “On to the next one”. Mark my words this will set the clubs on fire when it hots radio. Next up is the Timbaland produced “Off That”, which features Jay and Drake shitting on every popular trend in hip-hop, because Jay has been there and done it. Better even. The rest of the album is a very unorthodox mixture of soul (Venus vs. Mars) and gratitude to the greats in the game (A Star is Born). If you aren’t featured in that track then he pretty much slays you on The Blueprint 3.
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If you ever liked Jay-Z you will love this album, if you;ve ever slept on Jay-Z you have no more excuses. Blueprint 3 is the truth, and it’s going to be hard to top this one in 2009. Well, unless Dr. Dre has something to say about that.
9.5/10
Review: District 9
Posted in Movie Reviews, World Events with tags Best summer movie, Blomkamp, District 9, District 9 Review, Movie of the summer, Neill Blomkamp, Peter Jackson, review on Thursday, August 27, 2009 by theclimaxan
Director Neill Blomkamp hadorignially been attached to the Halo project, even going so far as to produce shorts to convince the studio he could do an amazing job with the franchise. In the end FOX didn’t want to pony up the cash and Microsoft retreated like a school girl in the night, grasping tightly to their prized golden calf. Thankfully for all of us, Blomkamp refused to go away, and with a cool $30 million from staunch supporter Peter Jackson, he set out to make a film no one would forget.
Oh boy, will you never forget.
I’ve never seen a movie like District 9. Sure, there are familiar elements in play, but the way various are fused together are what make it unique. From the start you are dropped right into the story, told from a pseudo-documentary persepctive focusing on the main character Wikus. I’ll admit, at first I was skeptical as you’ll find yourself confused to where this movie’s going for the first 20 minutes. My fears were quieted as the minutes passed. You can feel the tension build, and you are immersed in the weight of the social issues address under the surface of this alien epic. Issues that are never thrown in your face, but they are there, hidden under the cloak of “alien” oppression. I won’t spoil anything, but you will be surprised how this movie makes you feel emotionally.
If you’re not that into movies that make you “feel” something then there is still plenty there for you good sir. Things explode, people chase each other, people explode, asses are kicked etc. etc. There’s enough balls to the wall action in this movie to make you giggle like a kid on his birthday (and you can call me Captain Gigglepants). Which leads me to my number one reason District 9 is so amazing. It gives you everything you would want from a popcorn summer action flick, but defies all convention by giving me a story along with it. One that is not only compelling, but Oscar worthy. I will be seeing this again. I will buy it one day one when it hits store shelves. This is my movie of the year.
Thank you Neill Blomkamp. Now go make Halo. Please…….
10/10
Review: Madden 2010
Posted in Gaming with tags Madden 10, Madden 10 review, Madden Review, Playstation 3, Pro-Tak, Xbox 360 on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 by theclimaxan
If you play Madden or begrudgingly play Madden because 2K had the rug pulled out from under them, then you know what you are getting into every year. There is usually a new mode or two, some graphical tweaks and at least one thing wrong with the game that was fine the year before. Madden has operated within this formula for this entire generation of consoles. Last years game made some fantastic strides in the right direction as far as animations, fun factor and overall experience were concerned. One would think this years game would be a natural progression, I was a bit skeptical because as I pointed out Madden can be inconsistent. Thankfully I was wrong.
Madden 10 is the closest any Madden game has come to toppling my favorite football game of all time NFL 2k5, and in some ways this years game surpasses it. The biggest of these factors is game speed and the running game. Gone is Robo QB and Super DB. Running back movement is much more fluid and realistic, so now more side steps that take the HB halfway across the field. The game feels more like real football and it’s awesome. You will notice the changes from the second you boot up the game as the menu system has been overhauled to be more user friendly and football oriented.
A new feature in Madden 10 that aides in the realism is something EA likes to call “pro-tak”. It’s basically gang tackling but it’s no longer limited to only two defenders. You can have dog piles on your running back which you can carry for additional yards if your back has the stats for it. There is also a new “fight for the fumble feature” which forces you into a series of quick button presses in order to capture a fumble. It’s an OK feature, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go away in the next few years. Online things are also improved with the new online franchise mode and the return of co-op. I honestly am not a big user of either of these but the extra options are at least there and appreciated.
Madden 10 is easily the best Madden of this generation and one of the tops of the past two generations. The attention to detail and the fact that EA seemed to actually listen to fan feedback and fix gameplay issues that have been nagging the game for years make Madden 10 a supremely enjoyable experience for any football gamer.
Pick it up son! Go Panthers.
