karamazov80

Last Friday, I saw the Coen Brothers' No Country for Old Men. This is a pretty simple, albeit unconventional story (though not by Coen Brother standards). In essence, the plot focuses on an everyman that finds a suitcase full of money in the outskirts of Texas after a drug deal gone bad, a philosophizing psychopath (with a fondness for compressed air and a silenced shotgun) that is sent by the drug dealer to get the money back, and a sheriff that observes the unfolding story with a kind of calm resignation. The film contains a number of interesting characters, great, quotable one-liners, and a brutal look at the modern world. In fact, I haven't been to many movies this year, but if I can use one word to characterize some of the best adult-targeted works, it would be "brutal" (this, 28 Weeks Later, and Eastern Promises).

I don't really want to say much else, as this is a film that, I think, works best when you go in not knowing much. As far as a review/critique, the story is riveting in its own way, the acting (particularly by headliners Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, and Javier Bardem) is excellent, the direction/cinematography/editing are (not surprisingly) top notch, and this movie, as a whole, really works for me. However, a lot of people that I saw the film with (many old folks, surprisingly) grumbled at the end. I think a lot of people will take issue with the ending, and the way that the Coens approached a major confrontation near the end. If people can accept the movie for what it is trying to do, and accept that this isn't a conventional film, however, I think they would find it a very worthwhile way of spending a couple of hours and a couple of bucks. This was the best film I had seen at the theaters since, probably, A History of Violence. 9/10

I just got a Yobo in the mail recently (a system that plays old Nintendo games), and now that the nostalgia bug has hit me, I spent about 80 bucks for 20 or so games off eBay over the weekend. That's including Mike Tyson's Punch Out!!, Ninja Gaiden, Double Dragon, Metroid, Ice Hockey, Bionic Commando, Strider, Ghosts and Goblins, Jackal, Duck Tales, Tetris, Pro Wrestling, Solomon's Key and more. I can't wait to get these bad boys so that I can relive my childhood. Early Christmas present to myself!

In response to your post Reideen 1313, speaking as a Saints fan for many years, I, like Giuliani, will root for the Bucs in the playoffs since they are a division rival, and since they are an underdog just like us (frankly, no one is going to expect the Bucs to get past Dallas or Green Bay, but I would sure like to see Garcia et al. whoop up on Romo, Owens, and the rest of those cocky bums). I also have a connection with Favre (he QB'd at my alma mater), but apart from that, I hope the Bucs do well. The Saints were out-played and out-coached yesterday. I think it was a good win for Tampa Bay that should make those fans feel pretty positive about their team. But, of course, I really hope that the Saints can get their act together next year. . .and then take Tampa Bay down !

Also, please don't mention stupid draft choices. . .did you see who the Saints got this year? We sure needed another wide receiver with our first pick

I personally enjoyed reading Siddhartha in middle/high school. The ideas were pretty heavy, novel and interesting to me, but then again, I was a kid growing up in a glorified fishing village in south Louisiana. If nothing else, though, I still think that the idea of having to struggle and suffer to achieve real understanding and appreciation for anything is a universal truth.

Some of my favorite musicians/bands include: Steve Earle, Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans, the Police, the Pixies, Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, Tony Rice, the Beatles, Wes Montgomery, Duke Ellington, Alison Krauss, Wilco, Chick Corea, Iron Maiden, Slayer, and Acid Bath. I would have a real tough time coming up with a list any shorter than this. . .different music for different moods, y'know?

I am kinda pissed that they are adding things. I bought a bunch of stuff I didn't need just so I could get the Spidey. I also spent more money to get the Defenders set since it wasn't included in the deal, but now it is. I would have just bought 2 of the Defenders sets and but done with it, but nooooo, it wasn't included at the time. That's my luck though. If I would have waited a few more day it all would have been fine. Oh well, at least we have the opportunity to get this Spidey. He is a variant that I was not really expecting to see.

That happened with me on a couple of occasions. Initially, I wanted the Spidey 5 pack and the 24 Season 1 set, but they removed both before I could order, then I did order, and after that, they added the Defenders set. So, I ordered again, and then they added the Freddie Mercury figure that I was initially going to order, but was removed before I placed my first order. . .madness.

I read the Zombie survival guide as well, but I didn't like it enough to get World War Z. A great zombie story that I can vouch for, however, is the Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman. Its a comic series, and is fantastic Romero-inspired goodness in that the zombies are all context. The story is what might actually happen to people interacting with one another if a zombie "apocalypse" occurred. Great violent and disturbing stuff.

The almost cop-out power that I would choose is Telekinesis. This way, you could fly and move things around with the power of your mind. If I could only do one, though, it would be the power to move other things (such as your enemies' limbs from their bodies!).

That Black Queen has been out at my TRU for about a month. I don't like it very much.

Time travel is a picky subject and something I regularly have debates about. Changing history, such as Pearl Harbour as an example, would mean thousands more people alove today, through the people who died children etc. Imagine out of those thousands, there was one, worse than any tyrant we've seen so far, and he did far more damage to the world than the Japanese did to the American. How would you be able to live with yourself, knowing you'd brought this evil on world?

This is just one example.

Time Travel to watch = Okay

Time Travel to meddle = Big NO-NO!

Isn't meddling with the past and reaping unintended consequences half the fun of time travel? My latent anarchic sensibilities make me think that I would experience a kind of perverse joy in defying the natural order.

I just ran across this, which looks better suited to Minimates:

http://www.theearthtoymall.com/clacfitoy3di.html

It makes me think of the Crisis on Infinite Earths TPB cover. What could be so amazing that all of these disparate characters (cylons, joker, Chun Li, etc.) would stand together and just look at it?

I've just started on David McCullough's 1776. So far, excellent. As far as my favorite book of all times. . .well, my username is a not-so-subtle hint

Wouldn't it be much easier to go as Dr. Manhattan? All you need is blue paint

anyone notice that on art asylum's website they a poll for:

What team should make up the next DC Minimates line?

Justice League of America

Legion of Super-Heroes

Justice Society of America

Teen Titans

Green Lantern Corps

http://www.artasylum.com/

Yeah, I noticed that in the summer at some point. . .and thought it was weird, as JLA, Justice Society, and GL Corps members were already being integrated into the DC line. Now, we've got members of the Titans coming (c'mon Kid Flash/Speedy and Wonder Girl/Aqualad 2-packs!), so, hopefully, the Karate Kid, Star Boy, Matter Eater Lad, and the rest won't be far behind

Needs a fedora, methinks:

Like Batman Forever? Lord, I hope not. My expectations are not too high for this one, but I think that, given the director, it should be a fun movie for what it is. The casting, for one, is spot on in my opinion, so that's one thing. We shall see about the rest. . .hurm. . .

--edit: I added a spoiler alert now, so now one will fear having the movie "spoiled," sorry about that one

Backlot pics from the forthcoming Watchmen movie; view at your own risk :excl: :

http://forums.gametrailers.com/showthread.php?t=238958

Its not like all members of this board hold a consensus view on the issue. I, for one, can understand why they have the shipping and handling prices that they do. I may not like it, but I can empathize. Given that, I don't think it would be appropriate for a forum where people discuss toys to officially endorse a particular view on much of anything. . .except maybe love for these toys

On another note, what did everyone play for the Holiday? I spent most of my time with Link's Crossbow training. My wife and Mother-in-law LOVE that game. Then, after the Cowboy game the girls took a nap, and me and my Brother-in-law hit Halo and played for a while. What about you guys, any family video gaming going on?? neo

I visited family last week, and on the trip over I played the hell out of some Super Mario Advance 4 (Super Mario Brother 3). Damn, I love that game. I haven't played much else at all.

Of course... now the Defenders box set is in the Holiday shop, after I placed my order... oh well, that's the way the minimate crumbles I guess... on the bright side, I should have a Web Armor Spidey waiting for me in a wet, damaged box on my porch at home :biggrin:

BS

Yeah, that and the BSG series 3 Minimates convinced me to place another order for the Spidey mini. . .I have to say, though, that their exclusive was a brilliant marketing idea. I would probably never have bought the BSG mates if not for this, and now I've got series 2 and 3 coming in the mail, for a couple of exclusive figures that I don't even really like that much. How did I get suckered into doing this agan? Oh, bother. . .

FYI, my local FYE ( ) had the 24 end of day Jack and Nina (which are both awesome), and some of their DC Direct stuff was 10 bucks, but the cylon 5-pack was still 13 dollars. The big SOTA Street Fighter guys were 12.99, too.

I like it! The stylish hair really fits.

Wow, that is an amazing custom. Excellent work!

--edit: I just browsed through some of your earlier customs after seeing this. . .Jesus. . .I thought your avatar was a completely photoshopped job. The LED stuff is awe-inspiring.--

The carton I received, by the way, contained separate orders that I had paid( when totalled up) shipping charges of over $90 for.

Holy Hannah! And here I was debating whether or not the 13 dollar shipping was too outrageous