Forever 1986

So I keep telling these early 20 somethings at work that they are the forgotten generation. It really seems to me that almost every movie, game, toy, or book being created right now is a throw back to our glorious childhoods. Amazing new Star Wars stuff constantly? Check. TMNT alive and well? Check. Robotech huge? check. Battletech? Check. Transformers and G.I. Joe the biggest things in the world? Check. What's missing? Hey, Firecracker remember when my cousin Dick snuck us into that one films last showing opening day that scared the hell out of us and pretty much sealed itself as one of our favorite films ever? No, not Labyrinth. How about 3 new games coming out all related to that film reimagining the ending or recreating the story? No kidding, a Colonial Marines game, a new ALiens v. Predator, and and an Alien vrpg all coming in the next year, all claiming to be based on the Alien franchise in the 80's when it was good. Wasn't everything better in the 80's?

Tron: Legacy

The trailer premiered at Comic-Con yesterday introduced by Jeff Bridges. I've waited 27 years for this. In fact, I haven't had a computer password my entire life that didn't reference the original Tron in some way. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go change all my passwords because I have a big mouth.

It's only true love if she loves you back...

When do you know you've met "the one?" It is asked throughout the ages, yet I can't find anyone that can give a definitive answer to what seems like a simple question. Countless movies have been made about such feelings of destiny and fate. (500) Days of Summer adds to the catalog of these romantic comedies, but uses a somewhat unconventional way to get to the answer by telling us straight out at the beginning of the film--"You should know up front this is not a love story."

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a hopeless romantic who believes in the classical Hollywood conceit of love at first sight. When he sees Summer (Zooey Deschanel), the new worker at the greeting card company where he works, he is instantly smitten and convinced he's met his soulmate. Summer seems oblivious to Tom's interests until her feelings are revealed in a makeout session in the copy room. From there, it's pure bliss for Tom, although we know unhappiness is likely on the horizon when Summer admits early on that she isn't a believer in true romance.
(500) Days of Summer skips back and forth in the timeline to give us various glimpses of what the 500 days of their relationship was like. But rather than being disjointed and confusing, this approach gives us a better understanding of events to compare and contrast. The peak of giddiness Tom feels after consumating their relationship is portrayed in a wonderful satire on a mainstay of the romantic comedy formula that combines a glimpse of Han Solo and a classic Hall and Oates track. Contrast to the loneliness and betrayal felt after their breakup when he is invited to a party thrown by Summer where he finds out some unsettling news. Casting Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel in the lead roles is wonderful. Although neither is what may be considered the epitome of beauty, they are mesmerizing, especially Zooey Deschanel whose blue eyes are enhanced by use of the color blue throughout the movie. The chemistry between the two is pitch-perfect as two individuals who seemed destined for each other and all the more painful to watch. We see the entire movie essentially from Tom's point of view, and sympathize completely with the heartbreak we know is about to unfold before our eyes.

So is this a downer of a film? Does this completely dispel the myth of fated love and destiny? Far from it, strangely enough. In deconstructing the relationship of Tom and Summer, we actually find some hope at the end of this movie that "the one" is truly out there somewhere.

The Unholy Union

Smells like you just got Rickrolled.

The Director's Cut? Even better!

So one of my tech pirate buddies gets a hold of The Watchmen director's cut the other night, and I stayed up way too late watching it. Unlike the deleted scenes in some movies that need deletion because they slowed the story, everything in Watchmen was not only okay to leave in, they made a great movie even better. I think that like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, this extended version of Watchmen will be the only version I watch from now on.

Of course, it's only on Blu-Ray, so I wont be watching it that much.

More Then An Ankle

For those who wanted more then just the 10 second teaser viral video. I present the full official video for the new Mechwarrior game. May I offer a towel for your drool?

Coming out of the closet...

It's no secret that I'm a bit of an introvert. Actually, delete "a bit"--I'm an extreme introvert. I've often found it quite difficult to explain my personality, especially to a world where introversion is thought to be a bit weird and socially unacceptable. Which is why I was so happy to read this old article from The Atlantic titled "Caring for Your Introvert":

Do you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who loves quiet conversations about feelings or ideas, and can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk? Who has to be dragged to parties and then needs the rest of the day to recuperate? Who growls or scowls or grunts or winces when accosted with pleasantries by people who are just trying to be nice?

If so, do you tell this person he is "too serious," or ask if he is okay? Regard him as aloof, arrogant, rude? Redouble your efforts to draw him out?

If you answered yes to these questions, chances are that you have an introvert on your hands—and that you aren't caring for him properly. Science has learned a good deal in recent years about the habits and requirements of introverts. It has even learned, by means of brain scans, that introverts process information differently from other people (I am not making this up). If you are behind the curve on this important matter, be reassured that you are not alone. Introverts may be common, but they are also among the most misunderstood and aggrieved groups in America, possibly the world.

Quite a bit of this article seemed to hit the nail on the head for me, and is worth a read.

Good things can come from farting around.

I wanted more than just a foot. (Not even a whole foot, was it? Just a heel.) So I looked for similar videos at the bottom of the window and found this.



Pretty swanky. I'll have to check these guys out.

The King Returns

After nearly 10 years, Microsoft will annonce this week the return of the Mechwarrior series. Piranha Games, a newly formed company owned by Jordan Weisman the original creator of the Battletech games, has been working on it for some time for licensee owner Microsoft. The viral videos released the last few weeks are insanely beautiful. The Mechwarrior: Living Legends Battletech mod for the Crysis engine that I had been posting about over the last few years had been on hiatus while Microsoft decided if it would sue the guys working on it or not. Last week they dropped all lawsuits and gave the thumbs up to continue. Apperently, Microsoft is planning a big comeback for Mechwarrior games in the coming year. Mechwarrior has remained the number one most asked for returning game series among gamers the last 7 years, and the entire Mechwarrior series is only overshadowed by Halo for game sells among licenses owned by Microsoft to this date. I know I'm ready. And with Microsoft's Project: Natal just around the corner, the possibilities seem endless for fully interactive Mech games.