Season Four has presented some pretty amazing dancers, and some interesting tryouts, but so far my favorite dancer is Brandon Bryant. He is explosive, powerful, elegant, masculine and simply put: a beautiful dancer. His performance is my favorite of the season. Take a deep breath and watch it below.
List of Juicy GoW2 Details from X360 Magazine:
>Ten person, 5v5 online multiplayer.
>A Halo-style matchmaking system.
>Respawning multiplayer modes, but the focus is still towards traditional non-respawn gaming.
>Multiplayer game modes:
- “Guardian” game mode: A remade version of Gears’ Assassination game mode where the objective is still to kill the other team’s leader, but players keep respawning as long as their leader is alive. Opponents’ leader will be marked on the HUD to keep the game moving along.
- “Wingman” game mode: You and a buddy team up, sharing a single character model in this five teams of two game mode.
- “Meatflag” game mode: A CTF-style mode where the “flag” is actually an AI-controlled player who’ll wander the map and attempt to kill anyone who gets near. To “capture” him, you’ll have to first down, then escort him as a meatshield all the way back to your base, all while your opponents are trying to kill you and shoot at the “flag”. Because, if shot at enough, your meatshield flag will break free, go berserk and deal out the pain. Respawning will be featured in this game mode as well as stats for the amount of kills the AI-controlled flag dished out
>Multiplayer maps:
- Around a dozen maps will be included on disc.
- “Gridlock“: A remake of the Gridlock we’ve all come to know and love, but taken over by vegetation, old age and now featuring a beautiful sun-setting glow.
- “River“: Symmetrical map featuring a house and a sniper tower separated by (you guessed it) a river.
- “Security“: A long, thin map with “verandas” on each side that are sealed off by red laser bars. In the center of the map is a button to deactivate all the security for roughly 20 seconds.
>Fishing moves when an enemy is downed:
- “X” button: Traditional curb-stomp.
- “B” button: Melee attack that will be weapon specific. (Longshot sniper rifle will be used as a golf club of death.)
- “Y” button: Flips your opponent over and let’s you punch in their face … UFC style.
- “A” button: Use your enemy as a “meatshield” that limits your weapon choice to a pistol. And, yes, your meatshield can and will disintegrate in your arms after taking on enemy fire. If they don’t get ripped apart, you can always dispense of your meatshield with a good old snap of the neck.
>Random weapon location respawns will be used, but only for certain weapons not including power weapons, pistols or grenades.
>All weapons have a variable amount of “stopping power” that’ll slow down an opponent’s running or diving abilities.
Weapons:
- Players will have the option of spawning with the chainsaw-equipped Lancer or the newly modified Locust Hammerburst.
- “Scorcher” weapon: A flamethrower that we’re promised will produce some uber-realistic fire.
- “Medusa” weapon: A new Locust pistol that is said to be extremely powerful, pumping out five to six rounds per shot downing enemies in a few shots. Said to be the perfect compliment to a meatshielder.
- “Hammerburst” weapon: Changed a bit, now requiring players to pump the trigger as fast as possible (think Halo 3’s Carbine). Though, recoil will increase the faster it’s fired.
>Grenades:
- Can be stuck to people, walls, the floor and any other surface to be used as a makeshift proximity mine.
- As before, players will spawn with one smoke grenade.
- Smoke grenade: Now carries a “stun” effect that “ragdolls any player within their blast radius”.
- Poison gas grenade: Spews poison that will kill anyone who lingers in its poisonous cloud.
>Chainsaw Duels:
- Whoever does the quickest amount of “B” button tapping will be victorious.
- Your teammates can help give you an edge in the duel by shooting the opponent which will give you the upper hand on the “B” button mini-game.
- No duel will occur if a player is chainsawed from behind. Instead, the sexy “butt to head” chainsaw animation will kick in giving the attacker and instant kill.
>The cover system has been subtly reworked, where players’ gun and body sit tighter to cover making it harder for your enemies to get an attacking angle.
>Bullet shields described as “metal bucklers” that can be carried as indestructible cover. The trade-off being that only a pistol can be wielded and movement is slowed dramatically. One benefit of the bullet shield is that it can be planted into the ground for mobile cover, though we’re told enemies can kick it over if they get close enough.
>Once killed in a non-respawn game, players will enter a “dynamic battle-cam” that floats above the action.
>Also available (when dead) will be a Ghost Cam where players can view the action from the battlefield and take screenshots that can be uploaded online similar to Halo 3.
>Hammerhead Grunt Locust revealed and named as such because of his shark looking helmet.
>The GoW2 Collector’s Edition may include a weathered looking Polaroid of Dom’s wife, the same one seen at the beginning of the game.
>Don’t count on Call of Duty 4 style XP or perks, Cliff says they will not be adding these types of character building elements to the Gears universe.
This has got to be the most amazing dancing I have ever seen. What this guy does is not human, but the musicality of it is even more astounding! I love So You Think You Can Dance because we get to see performances like this:
The rumours of Terminator 4 have been swaying around quite a bit, but only recently do we get some confirmation on the plot. Forunately it sounds like it’s delving into a more complex plot than T3, but unfortunately it will never be as good as the first two without Cameron on board. I don’t care what anyone says. Also, with Christian Bale as John Connor. I mean come on, that’s just plain good stuff right there. Anyway, here’s the scoop:
In the highly anticipated new installment of The Terminator film franchise, set in post-apocalyptic 2018, Christian Bale stars as John Connor, the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.
Rated PG-13 for adventure violence and scary images.
124 Minutes
Directed By: Steven Spielburg
Screenplay By: David Koepp
Story By: George Lucas
Put your hands down will you, you’re embarrassing us. -Indiana Jones
Synopsis
Indiana Jones has returned. Nineteen years later, not as spry, but just as adventurous he has been kidnapped by a new adversary. Now that the wars have passed Indy’s enemy is: The Russians. A KGB agent is in charge and begins psychicly probing Indy for information. She is a vivacious woman that goes by the name of Irina Spalko and is searching for information Indy has involving South America and a myth surrrounding the Crystal Skull. With him are character’s old and new, familiar and not. With a new foe and an adventure at his finger tips, Indiana Jones prepares for yet another suspenseful action packed adventure.
Review
I admit the first scene left me a bit concerned and nervous. It was a little off putting, the character’s unfamiliar, and our aged Ford seeming a little less like his normal dauntless adventurer. Also were the worries advertised by the critic naysayers that claimed it was too Sci-Fi with the alien theme. I will promise those concerns were immediately dismissed. The first three films were themed with the occult and paranormal activity and the myth of the skull and even it’s gargantuan climax was more geared toward the original three’s mysticism rather than science fiction and aliens. Rumours of that are simply fiction. Spielburg even denied Lucas’s request to put more science fictionesque stuff in the film. I assure you this film is not exactly in the same category as it’s predecessors, but it contains the same dynamics’s, feel, and heart of the original Indy’s.
Shia LaBeouf’s first scene immediately reminded me of Marlon Brando from The Wild One. It quickly gave way to a more moderized Indiana Jones. The likeness of his character from a different generation but having Indy’s certain quirks he had unknowingly attained over his own years. The leather jacket, the affection for his knife and upkeep on his hair contrasting Indy’s own leather jacket, whip, and fedora was yes obvious, but also creates a subconscious smile you didn’t even know was playing across your lips. The name of Shia’s character being “Mutt” has to be an inside joke between Spielburg, Lucas, and the screenwriters from Temple Of Doom. Indiana was actually named after a dog belonging to Lucas. Willy in Temple of Doom was named after Spielburg’s dog, and the screenwriters named Short Round after their own dog. Mutt essentially is the creator’s having even more fun with this adventure series. I, for one, love it.
The action sequences were up to par and even surpassing some of today’s stunts, but the CGI wasn’t overused, and for this I’m grateful. The magic of the original series was in it’s old school camera tricks and stunts, giving the chase scenes and a much more tangible feel. They may be over the top and to some degree absurd, but the way they are shot makes it seem possible. CGI was obviously integrated into the story, but it wasn’t an overwhelming distraction or used as a crutch as has been the case in many of Spielburg’s more recent creations. It was utilized perfectly and the scene in New Mexico was absolutely stunning.
The depth and relationships between the character’s is what really made this story feel like Indiana Jones. There was the excitement of Temple Of Doom, the family integration of Last Crusade, and the adventure of Raiders all combined together. It was undeniably a relief Harrison Ford’s aging was implemented and done with grace. There were a few comments at the beginning and from Mutt calling Indy “grandpa”, but the film was careful not to mock too much.
The switch from Nazi’s to The Reds, and the time change from the 30’s to the 50’s proved to be a much less distracting plot back round that I had expected. In fact, the idea of another film with the Nazi’s trying to spoil Indy’s glory was asking too much. It actually became a relief to post the villains face as a Russian. Besides, facing a big bad as nasty as Cate Blanchett on a bad day is pretty intimidating all on it’s own.
The pacing was relentless and pushed forward at a speed seems like it has to slow down at some point, however it never relinquishes it’s momentum. With some old Indy tricks and gags and some new ones, the entire package becomes a fans dream to soak in. Was it as good as Raiders? Or The Last Crusade? Or Temple Of Doom? I wouldn’t say it’s even fair to compare, but if an answer is required, it’s not as good as Raiders, but it’s certainly up to par with the other two.
The behind the scenes creators had their work cut out for them. With twenty years in film making technology, and new and fresh idea’s expected to flourish, high expectations were made. John Williams returns to do the score and though it varied little from the previous films, it’s familiarity was welcome and nostalgic. Michael Kahn’s fourth attendance on the adventure to edit was once again no small task. I’m sure we can all owe the amazing pacing and thrust of the films story to his contributions. The cinematography of Douglas Slocombe was greatly missed and one sore spot in the film. While Janusz Kaminksi did a stand up job of really capturing the Indy 50’s, the magnificent shots Slocombe had in the previous stories proved to be a nearly impossible standard to live up to.
The lowest point and only real annoyance was brief, but involved Mutt’s character on the tumultuous trek to the Crystal Skull’s location. The CGI and overdone escape with himself and the monkey’s was over the top and not in a funny way. The sword fight between himself and Irina Spalko was not so cleverly foreshadowed early on with the announcement that he had taken a fencing class. The insult of making that “skill” play later in is obnoxious. Besides it would have made for a much more interesting battle if he had been ill equipped to fight such a powerful adversary and even offered some comical opportunities, in the likeness that Indy always gets him in situations that are over his head, not ones he’s practiced for. Nonetheless, it was the only major issue I had with the entire film.
Cast
Harrison’s Ford’s return nearly twenty years later to reprise the role of Indy has had no affect on his ability to slip right back into our favorite hero’s character. Though aged but not any less clever, he has the same love and affection for artifacts, adventure, and knowledge that he ever did. The return of Karen Allen to the cast brought back a chemistry between Indy and Marion that didn’t lose any of it’s fire. Her spitfire role gave the film that much more texture and life. Shia Labeouf, the new addition, seemed an odd casting, but after the first interaction between himself and Indy, it became clear he was perfect for the role, and his unsure developing confidence puts him at an age of discovery. Cate Blanchett as our over the top maniacal villain plays out in a delightfully frightening way. She was brilliant, as she generally is, and made her character more believable and less cartoonish. There is a special treat of Neil Flynn appearing as a character as well. It’s a small role, but concerning Scrubs fans will be most appreciated, especially with his second Ford cameo.
Ratings and Suggestions
This is the first Spielburg film in a long time where I felt he had real inspiration and joy in making a movie. The affection the creater’s took in making it is evident in the character’s on screen. All the great components of the past Indy movies were here with a cast and crew that obviously indulged their enthusiasm. The jokes, the action, and the complex character’s were just as rich as they once were. If they can do it just as good as they did this time, I want more Indy. This is a movie made for it’s fans, It has all the spunk and tenacity of the others. The hardcore Indy fans will appreciate the intimacy involved in so much of the events and character’s and hopefully new comers will be able to catch on to the magic and be inspired to pick of a rental of the original series. This is a great addition to an already brilliant series. I simply loved it. With a remarkable screenplay and brilliant cast and crew to support it, The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull earns Four out of Four adventursome stars.
Who else is watching and who else is addicted?
The Two Hour Premiere for Season Four begins tomorrow night at 8 O’Clock. With the return of Host Cat Deely and Judges Nigel Lithgoe and Mary Murphy and choreographers Mia Michaels, Jean Marc Gereneux, Tice Dirio, Mandy Moore, and Tabithia and Napolean this season promises to be fun and entertaining once again. While my American Idol interest has weened in the passing seasons my adoration of So You Think You Can Dance hasn’t. The tryouts are a hoot from the funny to the brilliant, but when the show really gets started and the routines and talents of the dancers really get exposed, is where the fun actually begins.
Hopefully this year we’ll have some Shane Sparks and Wade Robson routines again. They are always the most amazing, and even the wacky Mia Michaels. The diversity of the dancers and the routines they perform are absolutely pure enjoyment to watch! I’m ready for season 4 folks, so be there tomorrow night, and if you can’t DVR it!
To View Trailers, click the movie title. These are the trailers I fancy so far.
This looks appealing on casting alone. It’s a film by Helen Hunt with co-stars Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, and Colin Firth. It’s about a A New York schoolteacher hits a midlife crisis when, in quick succession, her husband leaves, her adoptive mother dies and her real one finds her and she finds herself at 39 pregnant.
Four film students head to a cabin in the woods away from the world to film their own independant movie. The idea is suggested it be a horror film about a guy wearing a bag over his head. It came from one of the girls dreams. This film which happens to be an independent film itself seems to have a sense of humour about itself and be at the very least an interesting watch.
The Chronicles Of Narnia: Prince Caspian
If you enjoyed the first one, all hail the return of Lucy, Peter, Susan, Edmund, Aslan, and the White Witch 1000 years into Narnia’s future. Add new hero: Prince Caspian and an unforgettable adventure seems to be in the waiting.
It’s about a young British journalist, George Hogg, who with the assistance of a courageous Australian nurse, saves a group of orphaned children during the Japanese occupation of China in 1937. It stars Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Radha Mitchell. Looks VERY promising.
In this irreverent comedy, a failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama teacher rallies his Tucson, AZ students as he conceives and stages a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. From the co-writer of South Park and Team America this film looks nothing short of outrageously silly and funny. This looks like a winner! The film stars Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Elizabeth Shue, and Amy Poehlar.
I was not too excited about another Hulk movie. The first with Connelly and Bana was ok, but not what I would consider an excellent film, but bring in Ed Norton to play Bruce Banner and add in Tim Roth as the villain with a fresh new script and the trailer that looks absolutely phenomenal. Well, June 13th is going to be an exciting day.
“Greatness comes to those who take it.”
The story recounts the early life of Genghis Khan who was a slave before going on to conquer half the world including Russia in 1206. Simply, this looks AMAZING. It was released in Russia last year but appears to be on it’s way to the West.
With Ellen Page, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dennis Quaid, and Thomas Hayden Church, this quirky looking film looks inviting for the cast alone, but the dialouge looks rich and the characters fun and ready to evolve. I will probably wait for DVD for this one, but it looks good nonetheless.
So nervous, yet so excited. Carrie’s getting married? All is not happy though, some massive conflict seems arise. I simply hope the film ends as graciously as the show did.
As it turns out Scrubs finale was not a finale after all. Word around the campfire is ABC has been trying to get it’s hands on Scrubs all year long and unfortunately NBC has been stubborn to sell it away. This year with the writers strike it seems many of the episodes were aired out of order and that is why the “Fairy Tale” was the “last” episode. It was the last episode owned by NBC. However ABC has already filmed 18 episodes for an 8th season and Scrubs with return, without Kelso 
, but it will return nonetheless. Here is what Zach Braff had to say on his myspace blog:
Dear Friends,
I am sorry it has taken me so long to write, but I feel kindo silly posting without anything too interesting to say. I’ve also been stalling to talk about some big Scrubs news, however I’ve just been informed that I’m not allowed to talk about anything related to Scrubs and it’s current fate. What I can tell you is that we are currently shooting 18 episodes for the 8th season. I am not allowed to discuss where one might watch them. (More news to come.)
For the rest of the blog and information READ HERE. It’s still not official as to whether or not the episodes will air in succession this fall on ABC or possibly go straight to DVD. Either way, the die hard fans will be waiting for the fall to pick up where their beloved show left off or will all be ready to purchase the final season when it’s released on DVD. It’s rewatchabillity is undeniable. Good News For Scrubs.
The Partying has to come to an eventual end. The perpetual bad behavior of the seven mixed with alcohol and now some obvious tension can only lead to bad places, and after the preview of Joey “getting cranky”, it’s fair to say this episode is going to entail a large amount of conflict and less amount of fun. So here’s some Live Blogging:
Brianna Goes Home: After her interlude with Joey she opts not to invite Joey back home with her for her court hearing. While at home Brianna takes Will to her strip club and even does some dances. Will is shocked at the size and presentation of the club comparatively to the Detroit local clubs and after a viewing I could see why. Detroit strip clubs are huge and quite frankly pretty damn nice. Nonetheless: the outcome is the same, naked girls dancing! When Brianna begins to complain about Joey, Will chimes in a points out that she is messing with his head, and his reaction is her fault. Good for Will instead of just listening. He sees where Joey is headed and Brianna’s contribution to that mood is undoubtably playing a large role. That and Joey’s affection for alcohol.
Sarah and Kimberly: It isn’t unusual for privledged rich girls (people) to not understand what people that have had less opportunities and some with no opportunities most overcome to be successful in life. Neither of them have the empathy or complexity to empathize with a person on that level and each are blinded by their ignorance. The upward battle that someone like Bri has to climb to reach her goals is thwarted by not only her place in society but her own inability to understand what life outside it is like, which is a shame, but typical. Instead of having sympathy for that, they attack it and look down on her and others like her for it. I don’t feel sorry for Bri, she is doing what she wants in life, and whether it’s the life I would chose or not, she is in control of herself and very self aware. I feel sorry for Sarah and Kimberly who know nothing outside their sheltered existence and don’t want to either.
Joey Abuses The Alcohol: The more I see of David the more I actually like him. For whatever reason the house has become a catalyst for all the bad things and aspects of Joey’s personality and life to be explored and exploited. Using Brianna as an “excuse” for his anger, he decides to whoop it up at the bar, already perturbed by an altercation with Sarah and Kimberly, who per ignorance again insulted Joey and probably millions of others watching the tube. And Woot for David for standing his ground against the insecurity and ignorance of the two bimbo’s. By the time Joey was at the bar David could see he was heading down a path that could only lead to more problems. This time David steps up to the plate and offers guidance and support to Joey who stubbornly rejects him and then berats him for it minutes later. Typical. Then Joey goes insane. Drinks everything he can find in the house and then spirals into a rage smashing things and complaining mostly incoherantly. He turns his anger towards the girls and their superiority complex and takes their ignorance as a personal attack on him. Everyone is scared, even Dave doesn’t know what to do. By morning they try to talk to him, but he still seems drunk and says he’s going to leave. He makes a call to the producers and they offer to come over and talk to him.
Brianna’s Court Date: As Will pointed out Brianna just doesn’t understand or won’t understand the seriousness of her situation, she prepares for court in an outfit that can only be described as gross. The hearing was finished and she’ll have to return for another one even though her ex-boyfriend dropped the charges. Will again offered a voice of reason saying “You can’t save someone who won’t help themselves”, and I agree with him.
Joey Goes To Rehab: Joey agrees to spend a month in rehab and then return to the house. He aplogizes to everyone and seems to slip back into remourseful sober Joey. He also seems genuinely relieved to be going,a nd while embarassed happy. The girls immediately forgive him and offer their support in any way possible. Obviously neither of them actually understand Joey but they are trying to help so that is a step in the right direction. When Joey leaves, everyone including Joey seems happy.
Brianna Returns: She assumes some responcibility in triggering Joey, but also his courage to help himself seems to have opened her eyes to her own self destructive patterns in life. Suddenly it seems that Bri is finally comprehending her life and the fact that it’s out of control. I’d like to think this will be an eye opening experience but I expect to only see more of the same illicit behavior in her future.
Joey Calls: His doctor is DR. DREW! How effing awesome is that? Anyway, he seems happy already and the roomates were excited. Let’s hope for the best for Joey’s future.
Concluding Thoughts: This was the most interesting episode because it really showed the worst sides of many of the roomates (Sarah, Kimberly, Joey, and Brianna), but it showed some of the really great attributes of Dave and Will and even Greg. My predictions with Joey gone involve lots of partying, hooking up, and eventually more fighting, probably cat fighting.
Next Weeks Previews: Dave and Brianna are getting down, not with each other, but other people and this seems to have a negative affect on two of the other roomates. Apparently the drama is just beginning.
Jibba Jabba.....