Perfect!

The Dark Knight is the follow-up to the amazing film Batman Begins. It takes place roughly a year after the end of the previous film. Christian Bale is once again brilliant in his reprisal of the role of Bruce Wayne and the Batman, as well as Aaron Eckhart who plays “the white knight” of Gotham, Harvey Dent. But the real star of the movie is the late Heath Ledger as  the Joker. Scary isn’t really the right word; insane is more suitable for his performance. It’s amazing that the same guy that played the loner bad-boy high school kid from “10 Things I Hate About You” could become the maniacal and completely interesting Joker. When I first heard that he was cast for the part a year or two ago, all of my friends thought this was a terrible idea. But I know Christopher Nolan has an ability to see someone’s potential as an actor and not just their resume´. I trusted him all the way and I am vindicated by this amazing flick.

Almost making a nod to films like The Empire Strikes back, this film takes an even darker turn from the first. The dusty gold and brown hues from the first film are replaced with a dark and blueish feel. Action and fast paced from the beginning this just feels right for any Batman fan-boy. This is the Batman and Joker flick we’ve been waiting for. It’s absolutely perfect in every capacity. If you were to strip the whole “Batman” theme from it, The Dark Knight stands alone as a charismatic suspense-thriller, with twists and turns, and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll. And even then you wait hoping to get a glimpse of something more. Sadly, this didn’t happen. But I’ve seen the film twice now, and plan on finally going to see it at the IMAX. You must see this movie.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

my rating: 10 out of 10

The day I bought my Playstation 3 I was extremely excited. Then I found myself months later not having turned the thing on almost since I bought it…until now. MGS4 has not only met but has exceeded my every expectation. This is the reason to own a PS3. Gameplay is as sweet and loaded with calories as a deep-fried snickers bar from the Texas State Fair. From the moment you turn it on you feel as if you’re really part of the story. I know that’s cliche´ to say, but the truth is simply that.Now I love Halo, and I certainly can’t get enough of the Tom Clancy franchise. However, Metal Gear Solid 4 has redefined my reason for gaming in the first place. The story is so cool and engaging that you sometimes forget your a slob sitting on a couch playing a game instead of a rogue agent kicking some serious butt. Fans of the series won’t be dissapointed, and as convoluted as the Metal Gear story can be, first-timers will pick it right up and be in the know.

(more…)

Here’s a topic to just put out in cyber-space; Self-Destruction. I find myself at times quite self-destructive in my day-to-day. What is self-destruction? How does Webster define it?

Self-destruction
Self`-de*struc”tion\, n. The destruction of one’s self; self-murder; suicide. –Milton.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

But I’m not talking about suicide here. I’m talking about decision-making, behavior, actions, cause and result. Doing, saying, thinking, or all of the above, and it leading you further down the path of self-destruction. Again, this brings us back to what self-destruction is. It seems to me that there are several variables that must be considered in order to determine one’s level of self-destruction.

• Do I believe in God or a higher power?
• If not, where do I inherit my moral compass?
• Do I have a moral compass?
• If so, what is it that is compromising my direction?
• Do I want to get better, or do I choose to self-destruct?

I think this is a good list to get one started on the journey of trying to figure out if you are indeed on a path of self-destruction. Allow me to approach each question one at a time. (more…)

Thanks to the coaxing of Jefrey at work, we decided to take our lunch break and drive over to the Knox St. Apple Store so I could purchase the new iPhone. When we got there at approximately 1:30 pm there was a line wrapping around the building. Needless to say that brought the spirit of the trip down a notch or two. So we got in line out in the Texas heat at around 100ºF. Eventually we called Sarvin at work and, after driving down a one-way street, finally made it and got in line. Jefrey already had his phone so He decided to head back to the office. When it was all said and done we had waited in line nearly three hours!

So I got the 16GB white one, and it is amazing. I drove home yesterday and used the GPS built in and watched myself drive all the way from Dallas to Waxahachie. It tracked me the whole way. You can add as many apps as your heart desires and the new Mobile Me functionality makes keeping track of contacts a cinch. I guess my favorite feature is the fact that it comes with a key to get the SIM card out. I love this because I gave Mary my other iPhone and all I had to do was pop her SIM card from her other phone in and activate it via iTunes.

With the new firmware comes vast improvements such as the overall volume of the phone, the ability to bulk edit/delete contacts, and so on. I’m extremely happy with it, and would definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone. It’s almost like having a Mac in your pocket. Who could resist that!?!

So I was at the Mac store at Knox St. getting my new iPhone 3G when I saw the SPORE Creature Creator for only $9.95. It’s actually just the starter kit so you can start building your creature for the full release coming in September of 2008. I got it home and absolutely loved it! You can create your creature with so many options it seems almost endless. Body style, height, width, tails, eyes, legs, “graspers”, feet, hands, feathers, flowers, weapons, mating calls, and texture; the possiblites are endless!

This game has been at least five years in the making and comes from the famous creators of the SIMS franchise. It’s of course, published by the big EA and Maxis. You can learn more about it by going to www.spore.com.

It’s amazing with all of the FPS and Third-Person Shooters out there that I’m so fond of such as Halo, Metal Gear Solid 4, and the whole Tom Clancy franchise, that I am really enjoying this sim. Even though all you can do so far is create, animate, and share, it’s still worth the ten bucks. It’s rated E for everyone so I think every home with a computer (preferably a Mac, but that’s just my opinion) should own this title. It’ll get the creative juices flowing in you and your kids.

Jemima - Mary helped me with this one

This is Spardica