theMAJOR’s blog

That was movies right? I've split my two-at-a-time Netflix with my parents so I haven't been watching as many movies. I tried Redbox a couple of times using free codes from insideredbox.com, but for some reason I still got charged, so I gave up on that.

Since I first saw them on Star Trek, I've wanted one. I think the iPhone and iPod Touch have brought us one step closer to my dream. I want a device on which I can browse the internet (check,) send/receive messages (check,) read a book (I don't know about this, I assume you can look at a PDF on the iPhone,) listen to music (check,) watch movies and television (check,) buy music (check) and video over-the-air (surely they'll implement this soon too,) have a touch screen (check,) accept handwriting (not yet, but the on screen keyboard seems okay,) and I guess make calls (check.) 

I've really slacked off. Loads have happened. I've graduated. I haven't found a job or anything. I've turned another year older. etc. etc.

But really, I feel as though I should say something because I finished Deathly Hallows about 4 hours ago (I'm going to guess it took around 12 hours to actually read it (I know, I'm slow.)) I'm not really into the whole fandom and It's a fairly recent thing for me anyway. I've only been into it since I downloaded Prisoner of Azkaban two years ago (nearly exactly) and then decided to read all the books (which worked out quite nicely as Half-Blood Prince came out as I finished Order of the Phoenix.). But, I digress. I feel as though I should say something, but I can't think of anything to say that others probably haven't. It was very fun to read and I can't wait for the movie (what, 3 years if they keep the current schedule?) And yet, I feel as though it had some plot holes, but more that things were left unanswered. Maybe not, maybe I just didn't catch them. And yes, like pretty much everything nowadays, I spoiled it for myself. I saw some of those leaked images: who died, who lived, and then even read the synopsis on wikipedia before I had the book delivered to me. And while I can't think of anything to say, or even express how I feel, on what I'm sure many consider a monumental event, I would just like to share an idea I had a long time ago and feel even more strongly about now. I would like to read the books from someone else's perspective. Surely other things went on with other students too. But this book solidified, for me, that Neville should be followed through his seven years. But, I'm sure, nothing like that will ever happen.

I guess, it's time to find a new fad...

Do you believe there is intelligent life on other planets?

Uh. Yeah. How can you not?

So anyway, that new feature hasn't been working out too well has it? I'll go ahead and do both now, and hopefully I can get back on track.

Movies:
Drive Me Crazy - Exactly as I expected. But still funny. 3/5

Bean: The Movie - Never seen Bean, had it's good parts. 3/5

Casino Royale - Unlike any Bond movie that I've seen before, but that's a good thing. Anti-climactic though. 4/5

Blades of Glory - It's Will Farrell and Jon Heder, what would you expect. It's the closest I've ever come to crying from laughing. 4/5

Comics:
100 Bullets: Split Second Chance - I'm hooked.

Essential X-Men Vol.1 -  A very huge collection. A very awesome collection.

Mighty Avengers #1 - It was a lot better than expected, I'll be getting the first arc at least.

Army@Love #1 - I read some review and decided to pick it up on a whim, I was very pleasantly surprised and can't wait for the next issue.

Immortal Iron Fist #4 - It's fun, but I'm not really feeling it, I think I'll be dropping it at the end of the arc, unless it really picks up.

I think that's all. Hopefully I'll get better at this.

It was spring break. Then this week has been busy. Sue me. I'll get back on track next week.

I haven't died either. Tornado sirens went off though, I think for the first time since I've been down here.

This weekend is a very special weekend. If you don't know why. Well then you're probably not important enough to know.

I thought about trying to find Captain America #25, but then I didn't. I don't know if I want to get into the whole collecting thing. The only reason I buy monthlies is because the story is interesting enough that I don't want to wait for the trade. Speaking of monthlies though, I'm thinking about getting the Mighty Avengers. I don't know though as I haven't really read much 616. I'm thinking about getting the Civil War trades though, which would probably give me enough of a start. On a related note, I've been reading Essential X-Men Vol. 1, but being five hundred and some pages, it's going to take me a while to get through it.

Bleach, Volume 2: The Substitute: Episodes 5–8 were more of the same—nothing spectacular, but still fun. I guess I'm just still weary of anime, I like to watch it, but I can't seem to get into it. Manga even more so. I see some titles that look like they'd be fun to read, but I can't bring myself to buy them. Perhaps I need a trip to a library. 3/5

Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels: Someone told me it was better than Snatch, but I don't know—I'll have to let it simmer some more. However, if you liked Guy Ritchie's second foray into cinema, you'll probably like this as well. I sure did. 4/5

But, I didn't read it. Here's what I have read though:

Eternals #7: Seemed kind of an anticlimactic end. Overall the limited series was pretty good, but I doubt I'll buy the trade whenever it comes out.

newuniversal #4: This series is progressing very slow, but this issue really answered a lot of questions (like what exactly the Starbrand, Justice, Nightmask, and Cypher are.) I'm really loving it though. Each issue has made me eager to buy the next one.

Since last we spoke I've also read these collected editions.

Astonishing X-Men: HC vol. 1: I think it lived up to all the hype.

Ultimate X-Men vol. 14: Phoenix  & vol. 15: Magical: I'm busy so you get them reviewed together. The series has taken a noticeable downward slide, but it continues to entertain. I'm very interested in the next arc though (Cable.)

100 Bullets: First Shot, Last Call: I still don't know how I feel about this, there were goods and there were bads, but I want to read more before I make a judgment call.

I think I've tried this once before, but it's worth a second (maybe third) try. In an effort to update more, I'm devoting Tuesdays to review and talk about movies I've seen in the week before. Thursdays will be devoted to reviews of comics that I've read in the week. Books will be continued to be updated as I finish them. Speaking of which, I finished The Little Book of Hindu Deities a long time ago and have since started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. Hindu Deities was really good—well written and great illustrations. It's highly recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in Hinduism.

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

As I said above this was going to be posted this yesterday, but I never seemed to get around to it (quite a way to start off a new feature.)

The Departed: Already said my thoughts on this, but I should probably clarify. It wasn't bad. It's a good movie in it's own right and was fun too watch—well slightly fun, it was rather long. I just think Infernal Affairs was a lot better. 3/5

Bleach, Volume 1: The Substitute: I'm not sure why I wanted to rent this. I just saw the first episode in passing on Adult Swim. I'm still not sure how I feel about it either, The second disc should be coming within the next couple days so I can have more to say next week. 3/5

Equilibrium: I was quite surprised by this movie. It reminded me a lot of Ultraviolet, which isn't surprising as they were both written and directed by Kurt Wimmer. The main criticism I've heard is that it rips off a lot of dystopian novels, and while it probably does (though I don't think intentionally) it was really good. And both styles of Gun Kata are awesome the more rigid form seen here and the more fluid style seen in Ultraviolet. 4/5

The Prestige: It must have been Christian Bale week (and actually, everything I've seen him in, I've liked. Coincidence?) Finally, a movie where I didn't see the twist ending coming. I don't really know what else to say about it. It didn't seem long or forced or anything. It was just all-around great. But, I've since read some other reviews and I think people are trying to read into it (e.g. that the movie itself is a prestige) but I think that's going too far. 4/5

I don't even really remember it, it was well over a year ago, I was probably tired, we were no doubt doing other things at the same time, and it was in Mandarin, but I remember it being better than this. If this is one of his best works no wonder he's never won an Oscar.