Author: Joe

Categories
Movies

Thor

Thor

Since one of my all-time favorite comic book heroes has always been Thor, I was really looking forward to seeing the movie. I even made sure that I saw the 3-D version (not really a big fan of 3-D movies in general). Since I’ve read so many comics growing up I’m always hesitant when a comic film comes out, the number of bad ones greatly trumps the number of good ones.

I was very glad to see that Thor was well done and definitely got my approval of a good film adaptation of one of the cooler comic book characters. While the story was altered a little bit for the film, it wasn’t anything too major (Jane Foster is and astrophysicist not a nurse, etc.).

The Asgard scenes were really amazing. I was glad to see how true they stuck with the comic interpretations of Asgard and the other realms. The battles with the frost giants were great, and really displayed just how off the charts powerful Thor is.

There was a decent mix of humor along the way as well, but not too much as to take away from the serious nature of the story. Loki and Odin were very well done too. Not too over the top or evil in Loki’s case.

I was glad I hung around till the end of the credits. There’s a pretty good hint as to what might take place in the upcoming Avengers movie if you do stay around long enough to see.

Categories
Books

Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil

A few weeks back I was determined to make use of a public library. I’ve been buying a lot of books and since I rarely read them twice, why not just borrow one for free. Plus I feel kinda smart and wise if I walk into a library every now and then.

I got a few suggestions from NGM on some good reads, but when I got to the library I got a little intimidated. Books seemed to be everywhere and they were all hardcover, and I’ve only been exposed to softcover books for the longest time.

Sadly they didn’t have what NGM had recommended, and I couldn’t recall the titles of some others as well. So in a bit of panic I grabbed a Star Wars book. It just seemed safe to me, so my decision was made.

It was a pretty solid read. The events take place right before Episode III, which was really cool. It gave characters who didn’t get much screen time in the film a time to shine. I was especially glad to learn more about General Grievous and Count Dooku. It was nice to see just how mean and feared they were to the Jedi and not some clumsy cowards who die a few minutes into the film.

If you’re into the whole Star Wars thing, then I’d recommend this highly. Very good read, with the last few chapters being the most exciting.

Categories
Video Games

Transformers: War for Cybertron

Finally got around to playing Transformers: War for Cybertron. This game was amazing, if you’d of taken me and a bunch of my friend from 3rd grade and asked us how a Transformers game/story should be done this is how it would’ve turned out. It was so accurate to what I remembered best from Transformers growing up and none of that silly stuff from the recent movies.

The ending credits were amazingly 80’s! An original song by Stan Bush, the nostalgic graphics, it was great!

Playing as both the Decepticons and Autobots was a nice touch. Starscream, Soundwave and cast were always favorites of mine. Actually recruiting Starscream in the first chapter to the Decepticons side was really fun. It was cool to see that he was still working with Jetfire at the time. If you have any idea of what I’m talking about then you are an excellent Transformers fan and I have your back should you even need it.

Even if this game didn’t have the Transformers license, it’d still of been a terrific game. This is an extreme rarity and a real shame that licensed games almost always turn out bad. It you grew up liking the Transformers and ranks the death of Optimus Prime right up with the Challenger explosion then buy and play this game right away. If you don’t then still play it, it’s really good.

Categories
Adventure

How to Clean a Mighty Mouse

Somebody at work asked me if I knew how to clean a Mighty Mouse, and by chance this is something that I’ve been doing every few months for my Mighty Mouse scrollball. I’ve found that by folding a piece of paper several times then wedging it into the scrollball seems to do a good job. I’m always amazed out how much stuff can build up inside of a mouse (honestly I’m not a very dirty person).

Categories
Adventure

Free Chicken and Waffles

While on lunch break, I noticed a little something going on in the now closed KFC parking lot next to IHOP. There were some chefs from Reddings in Atlantic City cooking up some free chicken and waffles outside. Free food, especially from Reddings is something that only the dumberest of the dumb would pass up so I stopped my car to check things out.

There were several reporters there from numerous local publications covering the challenge that apparently Reddings had issued against the chicken and waffles that IHOP had apparently just recently added to their menu. They were out to prove that the IHOP chicken and waffles was inferior to their dish.

After waiting a minute or so for my waffle to finish, I was very politely handed a big plate and could hear the cameras all going off. Apparently me being handed a plate of chicken and waffles is quite the event these days. I then found a nice curb to sit on and digged in.

It was excellent, the fried chicken was especially good. Several reports continued to ask me questions while their photographers continued to take photos of me eating on the curb. I’m sure there are now several photos of me looking like quite the slob (chicken and waffles can do that to you).

It was nice to have a random bizarre lunch occurrence, seems like I had only had one so far this week. By the way Reddings does make some good food from what I sampled and will have to make a stop over there to try more of their menu.

Categories
Books

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest JourneyI just finished reading The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. Back on President’s Day I mentioned that my favorite president was Theodore Roosevelt, since the guy finished a speech after being shot in the chest. They just don’t make guys that tough anymore. So my co-worker was kind enough to share this book about his journey down the Amazon River with me.

I really didn’t know much more about Roosevelt besides what I’d learned back in 7th grade history and a few web articles detailing his toughness. Early on in the read, you get a pretty clear picture of just how crazy he and people in general were way back then. I don’t know many if any people who would take nearly the risks that they would take on a daily basis back then.

A 55 year old ex-president taking a several months long journey down an uncharted river in the heart of the unexplored Amazon is just plain stupid by today’s standards, but the desire to explore at the time was really impressive. It really made me feel like a lazy person to hear of all of their accomplishments and feats.

I doubt many of us would survive 2 days without a cell phone, let alone suffer of dysentery and fighting off 103 degree malaria induced fevers while traveling down raging rapids in an undeveloped part of the world. Oh and there’s venomous creatures all around and natives who kill for fun in the area too. Again, these guys were crazy.

Event though I knew that everyone in the story had to of died by now, it was still very sad to hear of each of their respective death’s in the epilogue. It was most sad to hear of Kermit, Roosevelt’s sons death. This was a pretty solid read, and I’m glad that it was recommended to me.