Halloween Return

In accordance to me having not posted anything in two months, I intend on returning with a more steady flow of aspiration as to not burn out. Perhaps ever week or two. I'll figure it out as I go along. Anyway...

I have a bunch of mini-reviews to gain fervor for my return, as I have done a great many things that I would like to review in the future, but figured snippits of some less noteworthy things still deserved merit.

The Time Traveler's Wife was a chick flick my girlfriend brought me to see as payment for bringing her to see District 9--which I am not reviewing because everyone and their dog has seen it and knows it's pretty much balls tight--and that I was vaguely interested in and I'm a naive Doctor Who fan who drools at the thought of time traveling. The acting was pretty good, but the writing was all off and while the directing had some decent shots, most of it was lackluster. If you want to see basically that same story but done way better, see the "Silence in the Library"/"Forest of the Dead" story from season four of Doctor Who. The only thing they missed was having Ron Livingston in it. On a personal level, I have a new girlfriend.

Dexter seasons 1-3 had been on my list of things to finish, and having seen all three seasons I believe each one was better than the last. The writing, directing, and acting are always spot on in the show and Michael C. Hall couldn't be a better fit to Dexter Morgan. The story grows with each season, and the character of Dexter follows real development. It's obvious at times that the series is based on novels with quirks in the writing or the presentation of something, but not too much and not too often. I can't wait to start watching season four.

Weeds seasons 1-5 was equally good as Dexter, but for slightly different reasons. The writing was, like Dexter, very well done. I prefer Brian Dannelly as a director, and the cast is stronger overall. Mary Louis-Parker and Hunter Parish were both amazing in Angels In America, and their performances in Weeds do not disappoint. Kevin Nealon is a favorite for his pure comedic value in the show. The progression as the show is the driving force of the plot, as opposed to Dexter's character-drive one. On my top three shows to follow.

No Hero by Warren Ellis is a comic book my ex-girlfriend got me into before we had started dating. Written by the same guy who wrote Crooked Little Vein, the comic is about a world where a league of super-heroes actually exists. They're not like Marvel or DC heroes, but rather in the 70s, there was a drugged formed that pretty much makes you trip out so bad it gives you super powers. Everyone gets different powers, but they are all strengthened to the point of immortality. The issue is, someone's found a way to kill them and they're throwing a fit. The art in it is really interesting, and the writing is very cool. The ending seemed like a giant disappointment to me, so I'm not sure how I can recommend the eight-issue comic, seeming as how it all builds to...blah. Just blah.

Other quick words:

Mass Effect DLC - Pinnacle Station (Xbox 360) is kind of dumb.

Left 4 Dead 2 Demo (Xbox 360) looks cooler than expected, but you're still paying full price on the exact same game.

BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3) is a competent 2D fighter from the makers of Guilty Gear with a tricky control set-up. Worth it if you like 2D fighters.

Rock Band: The Beatles (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/Wii) is a Rock Band game with lots of The Beatles, and yet somehow not enough. If you know you'll like it, it's worth it.

Dead Rising (Xbox 360) is a zombie sandbox I replayed and got the true ending for the first time. The story is laughable, but the game is still fun as hell.

Later on, according to a new schedule I will eventually make, there will be longer words on these, in no particular order:

Brütal Legend (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3)
Borderlands (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3)
The Darkness (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3)
Earthbound (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
The Conduit (Wii)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009)

..among other things.

It's good to be back.

-Evan "Dez" O'Connor