Yeah, I've grown tired of the dark drab blog that was the orginal Blogirhythm. I've now moved to greener pastures. Check out the New and Improved Blogirhythm Network! ! I hope to see you all there.
-Smola
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
New Heroes Review
Overview:
The plane crashes. Nathan reminisces about it on the phone. Mohinder, Matt, and Hiro team up. Ando and Daphne show up but Daphne gets shot before she can get people away. Claire gets captured and released three times. Sylar tortures a family and gets a microwavable sidekick. Matt shoots a bunch of people with his mind. Tracy gets captured, and Peter gets the rest of the gang together. They all decide to take the fight to the man, Cajun-style. Claire gets a rebellious text message.
Line of the Night: Claire (to Nathan) - "Except for Senator Skyboy, of course, because he has everything under control."
Review:
Well, Volume 3's debacle of accomplishing nothing but the downfall of Nathan finally feels like a distant memory. "Trust and Blood" was a well-paced setup episode, and the rest of volume seems ready to jump off from here.
First of all, it seems that they've all but abolished Mohinder's meandering soliloquies that began every episode, and it's about time. Now, it starts with the the last scene of last episode, and goes straight to a 43 hour time gap. Outside of using Nathan as lead-ins, which is unusually artistic for Heroes the show finally did a great job of pairing the episode down to just two storylines - Sylar's quest for his father and the fugitives escaping from the crash.
The fugitives themselves act completely naturally, which for Heroes is a rare feat. Hiro still feels like he can be a warrior without his powers, Tracy is still working all the angle, and Matt still hates his powers (although I have to agree with him when he says "I didn't want this" - because honestly, I didn't want to watch more clairvoyance... again).
Zeljko Ivanek brings a refreshing breath of badass acting to the crew - and some sorely need intrigue. The Hunter is a fantastically loose cannon, he must have an interesting origin story. It seems him and HRG have a history (notice that they both knew about the airstrike but Nathan had no idea) - hopefully they'll develop this further.
Also big kudos to immediately answering nagging mysteries, Heroes has a nasty reputation of leaving loose ends everywhere. Still not sure what the eclipse does... But here, it's almost instantly revealed that Peter can only absorb and keep one ability at a time. Also a good thing, since now he's no longer Superman.
Sylar's simply demonic as usual, torturing the one soldier that had the misfortune of surviving his first onslaught. This also sets up the origin story for his sidekick Luke, who comes from a home as broken as Gabriel's. He seems perfect in the role as apprentice of evil, showing an eagerness to learn about people with abilities, but still has no problem melting his deadbeat father. It's also refreshing to see a character learn something from season to season on Heroes, as Sylar openly admits it's a "big deal" for him to let someone with abilities live. And it is, so more kudos.
Daphne getting shot didn't carry that much dramatic weight, as the drawings let us know it was coming. The scene was still very well done, having a strong chilling factor as Matt turned those soldiers against each other. However, upon further investigation (read: watching the same scene twenty times), she was only hit in the shoulder with one bullet even though three were fired. So she's probably not dead. Nobody ever dies on Heroes.
Peter teaming up with Tracy was unexpected, and turned into one of the most intense scenes of the episode. It was interesting to see Tracy try and manipulate her way into freedom, only to have that lead her to be abandoned by the supposedly most pious character, Peter. Nathan and HRG letting Peter live show that there's still compassion left with this twisted family bloodline, but goes against the precendent set by Nathan at the end of last season. The juxtaposition against all these character's personalities underscored the title of the episode, as even blood relatives can't trust eachother.
The soon-to-be super group meet up and decide it's time to split up and turn guerilla; setting up the rest of the volume. The music in this scene rocks, by the way. The episode caps off with Claire exchanging texts with a mysterious "REBEL," providing the most intrigue this show has had since Hiro traveled back in time to visit Peter. Is this the infamous Sparrow Redhouse? Probably not, they want to give Claire a new love interest with a power. This may be the best volume yet, but it's still too early to tell.
Base Score: 8
+2 for getting rid of the lead-in and lead-out monologue and a refreshing storytelling technique.
-3 for Matt for inheriting Isaac's "gift."
+1 for good pacing (for once)
-.5 for some bad acting, but not terrible acting.
+2 for giving the viewers something to talk about again at the water cooler "Who is REBEL?" "What's the hunter's back story?"
-2 for Nathan not wanting his brother dead (if this volume ends with Nathan redeeming himself again and him maybe dying again I'm done with this show)
Final Score: 7.5
The plane crashes. Nathan reminisces about it on the phone. Mohinder, Matt, and Hiro team up. Ando and Daphne show up but Daphne gets shot before she can get people away. Claire gets captured and released three times. Sylar tortures a family and gets a microwavable sidekick. Matt shoots a bunch of people with his mind. Tracy gets captured, and Peter gets the rest of the gang together. They all decide to take the fight to the man, Cajun-style. Claire gets a rebellious text message.
Line of the Night: Claire (to Nathan) - "Except for Senator Skyboy, of course, because he has everything under control."
Review:
Well, Volume 3's debacle of accomplishing nothing but the downfall of Nathan finally feels like a distant memory. "Trust and Blood" was a well-paced setup episode, and the rest of volume seems ready to jump off from here.
First of all, it seems that they've all but abolished Mohinder's meandering soliloquies that began every episode, and it's about time. Now, it starts with the the last scene of last episode, and goes straight to a 43 hour time gap. Outside of using Nathan as lead-ins, which is unusually artistic for Heroes the show finally did a great job of pairing the episode down to just two storylines - Sylar's quest for his father and the fugitives escaping from the crash.
The fugitives themselves act completely naturally, which for Heroes is a rare feat. Hiro still feels like he can be a warrior without his powers, Tracy is still working all the angle, and Matt still hates his powers (although I have to agree with him when he says "I didn't want this" - because honestly, I didn't want to watch more clairvoyance... again).
Zeljko Ivanek brings a refreshing breath of badass acting to the crew - and some sorely need intrigue. The Hunter is a fantastically loose cannon, he must have an interesting origin story. It seems him and HRG have a history (notice that they both knew about the airstrike but Nathan had no idea) - hopefully they'll develop this further.
Also big kudos to immediately answering nagging mysteries, Heroes has a nasty reputation of leaving loose ends everywhere. Still not sure what the eclipse does... But here, it's almost instantly revealed that Peter can only absorb and keep one ability at a time. Also a good thing, since now he's no longer Superman.
Sylar's simply demonic as usual, torturing the one soldier that had the misfortune of surviving his first onslaught. This also sets up the origin story for his sidekick Luke, who comes from a home as broken as Gabriel's. He seems perfect in the role as apprentice of evil, showing an eagerness to learn about people with abilities, but still has no problem melting his deadbeat father. It's also refreshing to see a character learn something from season to season on Heroes, as Sylar openly admits it's a "big deal" for him to let someone with abilities live. And it is, so more kudos.
Daphne getting shot didn't carry that much dramatic weight, as the drawings let us know it was coming. The scene was still very well done, having a strong chilling factor as Matt turned those soldiers against each other. However, upon further investigation (read: watching the same scene twenty times), she was only hit in the shoulder with one bullet even though three were fired. So she's probably not dead. Nobody ever dies on Heroes.
Peter teaming up with Tracy was unexpected, and turned into one of the most intense scenes of the episode. It was interesting to see Tracy try and manipulate her way into freedom, only to have that lead her to be abandoned by the supposedly most pious character, Peter. Nathan and HRG letting Peter live show that there's still compassion left with this twisted family bloodline, but goes against the precendent set by Nathan at the end of last season. The juxtaposition against all these character's personalities underscored the title of the episode, as even blood relatives can't trust eachother.
The soon-to-be super group meet up and decide it's time to split up and turn guerilla; setting up the rest of the volume. The music in this scene rocks, by the way. The episode caps off with Claire exchanging texts with a mysterious "REBEL," providing the most intrigue this show has had since Hiro traveled back in time to visit Peter. Is this the infamous Sparrow Redhouse? Probably not, they want to give Claire a new love interest with a power. This may be the best volume yet, but it's still too early to tell.
Base Score: 8
+2 for getting rid of the lead-in and lead-out monologue and a refreshing storytelling technique.
-3 for Matt for inheriting Isaac's "gift."
+1 for good pacing (for once)
-.5 for some bad acting, but not terrible acting.
+2 for giving the viewers something to talk about again at the water cooler "Who is REBEL?" "What's the hunter's back story?"
-2 for Nathan not wanting his brother dead (if this volume ends with Nathan redeeming himself again and him maybe dying again I'm done with this show)
Final Score: 7.5
Monday, February 9, 2009
A-Rod, Steroids, and Random Bits
So I just finished watching A-Rod's entire interview with Peter Gammons, and he may have saved his hall of fame chances. He came off as poignant and genuine, which for Rodriguez is a mighty feat. However, this is a deeply rooted issue that affects Major League Baseball as a whole.
First of all, about the A-Rod Hall of Fame debate. He claims that he only took steroids from 2001-2003, during his Texas Ranger years; right after signing his at the time historic 10 year, $252 million contract. It makes sense then that a person as worried as A-Rod about his image would do everything he took to live up to his anointment as the greatest player in baseball. Compare his three seasons in Texas with the rest of his career:
2001-2003: .308 avg/54 hr/132 rbi
1996-2008: .306 avg/42 hr/124 rbi
Clearly, steroids played a part in his Texas years, bolstering his home run total to 12 over his career average, and his slugging percentage a good thirty points over the same span (.578 career vs .614 2001-2003). But in the overall scheme of things, with or without his steroid use, Alex Rodriguez was always going to be one of the best players in baseball.
He also said he was naive and didn't know what he was doing, and that things were "loosey goosey." This also makes sense, as an 18-year old phenom drafted out of high school, he was already batting .358 and belting 36 homers by the time he was 21. And remember, A-Rod is an impressionable person, always the one to do what's expected of him, because he's soooo worried about what people think about him. So when he says that he didn't know what he was doing, it makes sense.
Then you look over the roster that A-Rod had in Texas in those years and it even becomes more apparent that he's become a victim in this steroid era (as opposed to one of the enablers of the juicing). Just look at the names he played with, all linked to steroid use:
Rafael Palmiero, Ken Caminiti, Ruben Sierra, Juan Gonzalez, Kenny Rogers, Ivan Rodriguez... The list goes on.
The point is, not all of them were pushers, but the culture of the Texas Rangers (and MLB at large) is bred on the big numbers, the home runs, the stats. Steroids just gave these people an edge, wherever they could take it. And that's where A-Rod fits in - he was anointed the next home run king (way too early in his career) and he needed to make sure that he was going to get there. Youthfully and stupidly. And now that he's apologized openly, which is more than either Clemens or Bonds has done - he's cleared his plate. Now he has nine years left to prove he's still got it.
As for his as-of-yet broken record? I think it's time that Aaron and Maris had their mantles back. And if A-Rod breaks the record, give him a twenty home run handicap.
Random Bits
- Whoever MIA's maternity doctor is should be fired and stripped of her medical license. I'm sure the exposure was everything behind this decision, but what doctor in their right mind lets a woman who is due on the night of the Grammy's to perform on said stage with thousands of screaming fans, a choreographed dance routine and dozens of strobe lights?
- The only reason "I Kissed a Girl" was ever popular is because if it was called "I Kissed a Boy" nobody would have given a shit.
-Heroes looks like it's back on track. The dialogue still sounds like it's written by a fifth grader though. Maybe poach some of the writers from Lost? Wait, what? They fired Jesse Alexander last season? Hmmm...
First of all, about the A-Rod Hall of Fame debate. He claims that he only took steroids from 2001-2003, during his Texas Ranger years; right after signing his at the time historic 10 year, $252 million contract. It makes sense then that a person as worried as A-Rod about his image would do everything he took to live up to his anointment as the greatest player in baseball. Compare his three seasons in Texas with the rest of his career:
2001-2003: .308 avg/54 hr/132 rbi
1996-2008: .306 avg/42 hr/124 rbi
Clearly, steroids played a part in his Texas years, bolstering his home run total to 12 over his career average, and his slugging percentage a good thirty points over the same span (.578 career vs .614 2001-2003). But in the overall scheme of things, with or without his steroid use, Alex Rodriguez was always going to be one of the best players in baseball.
He also said he was naive and didn't know what he was doing, and that things were "loosey goosey." This also makes sense, as an 18-year old phenom drafted out of high school, he was already batting .358 and belting 36 homers by the time he was 21. And remember, A-Rod is an impressionable person, always the one to do what's expected of him, because he's soooo worried about what people think about him. So when he says that he didn't know what he was doing, it makes sense.
Then you look over the roster that A-Rod had in Texas in those years and it even becomes more apparent that he's become a victim in this steroid era (as opposed to one of the enablers of the juicing). Just look at the names he played with, all linked to steroid use:
Rafael Palmiero, Ken Caminiti, Ruben Sierra, Juan Gonzalez, Kenny Rogers, Ivan Rodriguez... The list goes on.
The point is, not all of them were pushers, but the culture of the Texas Rangers (and MLB at large) is bred on the big numbers, the home runs, the stats. Steroids just gave these people an edge, wherever they could take it. And that's where A-Rod fits in - he was anointed the next home run king (way too early in his career) and he needed to make sure that he was going to get there. Youthfully and stupidly. And now that he's apologized openly, which is more than either Clemens or Bonds has done - he's cleared his plate. Now he has nine years left to prove he's still got it.
As for his as-of-yet broken record? I think it's time that Aaron and Maris had their mantles back. And if A-Rod breaks the record, give him a twenty home run handicap.
Random Bits
- Whoever MIA's maternity doctor is should be fired and stripped of her medical license. I'm sure the exposure was everything behind this decision, but what doctor in their right mind lets a woman who is due on the night of the Grammy's to perform on said stage with thousands of screaming fans, a choreographed dance routine and dozens of strobe lights?
- The only reason "I Kissed a Girl" was ever popular is because if it was called "I Kissed a Boy" nobody would have given a shit.
-Heroes looks like it's back on track. The dialogue still sounds like it's written by a fifth grader though. Maybe poach some of the writers from Lost? Wait, what? They fired Jesse Alexander last season? Hmmm...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Fast Food Should Be Made Illegal
Okay, everyone knows that fast food is bad for you. But how bad? Sure, there's a hell of a lot of calories in even the smallest cheeseburger, but even that doesn't do the evils of fast food justice. So how bad? Try illegal substance bad.
Some may read that line and think I'm off my rocker. While the majority of the time that may be true, I think I'm on to something here. Let's look at what fast food does to you. Fast food is generally consumed very quickly, no one ever wants to sit around to enjoy that crap. On the way down, it's the best feeling in the world. For like ten, twenty minutes maybe you feel like you can do anything, like you can conquer the world. Then - the bad feeling sets in. For hours, there's indigestion, heartburn, and just generally feeling like a piece of meat let to rot out in the sun. But then, after a few days, you find yourself in the same fast food line getting the same crap. Why? Because, for those 10-20 minutes, you feel like you can conquer the world. Try going a week without it, you start thinking about the fast food all the time. "Maybe I'll get the Angry Whopper today, even though I know I'm going to feel like crap... it tastes sooooo good." (side note: has Burger King really run out of burger ideas where they have to add emotions to the beginning of burgers and market them as something new?)
Reading through all these symptoms of a McJunkie made me realize that there's a distinct correlation between this and one other addictive substance. Cocaine. It makes you feel indestructible for a very short time, and then makes you feel like a strung out loser for hours. I know it sounds crazy, but all of the leading causes of death in the United States are linked to obesity related illnesses: heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancers. So why isn't anything being done about this? Because no one cares enough, and the McDonald's of the world have very powerful lobbies, a la Phillip Morris, to make it seem much less of a problem than it actually is.
Fight the addiction: Put the burger down.
Some may read that line and think I'm off my rocker. While the majority of the time that may be true, I think I'm on to something here. Let's look at what fast food does to you. Fast food is generally consumed very quickly, no one ever wants to sit around to enjoy that crap. On the way down, it's the best feeling in the world. For like ten, twenty minutes maybe you feel like you can do anything, like you can conquer the world. Then - the bad feeling sets in. For hours, there's indigestion, heartburn, and just generally feeling like a piece of meat let to rot out in the sun. But then, after a few days, you find yourself in the same fast food line getting the same crap. Why? Because, for those 10-20 minutes, you feel like you can conquer the world. Try going a week without it, you start thinking about the fast food all the time. "Maybe I'll get the Angry Whopper today, even though I know I'm going to feel like crap... it tastes sooooo good." (side note: has Burger King really run out of burger ideas where they have to add emotions to the beginning of burgers and market them as something new?)
Reading through all these symptoms of a McJunkie made me realize that there's a distinct correlation between this and one other addictive substance. Cocaine. It makes you feel indestructible for a very short time, and then makes you feel like a strung out loser for hours. I know it sounds crazy, but all of the leading causes of death in the United States are linked to obesity related illnesses: heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancers. So why isn't anything being done about this? Because no one cares enough, and the McDonald's of the world have very powerful lobbies, a la Phillip Morris, to make it seem much less of a problem than it actually is.
Fight the addiction: Put the burger down.
I'm Baaaack
Yeah, it's been a while, a lot of life stuff got in the way of this blog. But that's behind me now and I'm moving forward, so look for me to be posting with more regularity. How regular? I'm not sure. But at least twice a week. See you guys next post
-The Max
-The Max
Friday, November 28, 2008
Week 13 Fearless Predictions
My first week of picks didn't go too bad, so here's to hoping that that trend continues.
San Francisco 49ers at the Buffalo Bills
The Bills falter, and then they pummel a bad Kansas City team. Where does that leave them? Still at the bottom of the division, but look for them to continue their success against bad teams. Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens at the Cincinnati Bengals
Ryan Fitzpatrick is still under center for the Bungles, so no contest. Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans Saints at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Riding high off that Monday win should serve Nawlens well, Brees MVP talk will fuel this game. New Orleans Saints
New York Giants at the Washington Redskins
I could write an entire post about what just happened to Plaxico Burress (seriously? shooting yourself in the leg?) But the Giants win just fine without him, so the best team in the NFL should continue to dominate. New York Giants
Miami Dolphins at the St. Louis Rams
Remember when the Rams were a good team? Seems like ages and ages ago. A good quarterback and still not much else. Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis Colts at the Cleveland Browns
The Colts are back to their dominant forms, and Peyton's finally beginning to look like himself, especially coming off that big win last week. It will continue here. Indianapolis Colts
Carolina Panthers at the Green Bay Packers
After a tough Monday loss, don't expect Rodgers and company to lose back to back games, especially in Lambeau. Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons at the San Diego Chargers
Atlanta's been riding high and mighty with Matt Ryan under center - the Falcons went from preseason bottom-dwellers to a shot at the division lead. On the other hand. SD was the trendy Super Bowl pick and are fighting to just statistically stay alive. The Chargers need this one very badly, they're going to be playing hungry at home. San Diego Chargers
Denver Broncos at the New York Jets
The Jets think they're the best team in the AFC this week, having ousted the Patriots and the Titans on consecutive weeks. At home, they're a juggernaut - and Denver has suuuch a woeful defense. New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers at the New England Patriots
Matt Cassel's thrown for 400 yards in consecutive weeks, and that will not - I repeat - not happen again this week. Pittsburgh's defense is the best in the NFL, and they seem to be getting all the pieces together at the right time. Pittsburgh Steelers for the upset.
Kansas City Chiefs at the Oakland Raiders
In the nobody cares division, I'm looking for KC to rebound after that abysmal showing against the Bills. Oakland had a huge win last week, but they haven't won consecutive games all season. Kansas City Chiefs
Chicago Bears at the Minnesota Vikings
Huge divisional implications, and da Bears thrive under these conditions. A close game, edge goes to the Chicago Bears
Monday Night:
Houston Texans at the Jacksonville Jaguars
A Monday night game most likely no one will be watching. Still, Houston's shown promise in recent weeks, scoring a huge win on the road against Cleveland. They're going to carry what little momentum that gives them into this one. Houston Texans
Season record: 9-6
-The Max
San Francisco 49ers at the Buffalo Bills
The Bills falter, and then they pummel a bad Kansas City team. Where does that leave them? Still at the bottom of the division, but look for them to continue their success against bad teams. Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens at the Cincinnati Bengals
Ryan Fitzpatrick is still under center for the Bungles, so no contest. Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans Saints at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Riding high off that Monday win should serve Nawlens well, Brees MVP talk will fuel this game. New Orleans Saints
New York Giants at the Washington Redskins
I could write an entire post about what just happened to Plaxico Burress (seriously? shooting yourself in the leg?) But the Giants win just fine without him, so the best team in the NFL should continue to dominate. New York Giants
Miami Dolphins at the St. Louis Rams
Remember when the Rams were a good team? Seems like ages and ages ago. A good quarterback and still not much else. Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis Colts at the Cleveland Browns
The Colts are back to their dominant forms, and Peyton's finally beginning to look like himself, especially coming off that big win last week. It will continue here. Indianapolis Colts
Carolina Panthers at the Green Bay Packers
After a tough Monday loss, don't expect Rodgers and company to lose back to back games, especially in Lambeau. Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons at the San Diego Chargers
Atlanta's been riding high and mighty with Matt Ryan under center - the Falcons went from preseason bottom-dwellers to a shot at the division lead. On the other hand. SD was the trendy Super Bowl pick and are fighting to just statistically stay alive. The Chargers need this one very badly, they're going to be playing hungry at home. San Diego Chargers
Denver Broncos at the New York Jets
The Jets think they're the best team in the AFC this week, having ousted the Patriots and the Titans on consecutive weeks. At home, they're a juggernaut - and Denver has suuuch a woeful defense. New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers at the New England Patriots
Matt Cassel's thrown for 400 yards in consecutive weeks, and that will not - I repeat - not happen again this week. Pittsburgh's defense is the best in the NFL, and they seem to be getting all the pieces together at the right time. Pittsburgh Steelers for the upset.
Kansas City Chiefs at the Oakland Raiders
In the nobody cares division, I'm looking for KC to rebound after that abysmal showing against the Bills. Oakland had a huge win last week, but they haven't won consecutive games all season. Kansas City Chiefs
Chicago Bears at the Minnesota Vikings
Huge divisional implications, and da Bears thrive under these conditions. A close game, edge goes to the Chicago Bears
Monday Night:
Houston Texans at the Jacksonville Jaguars
A Monday night game most likely no one will be watching. Still, Houston's shown promise in recent weeks, scoring a huge win on the road against Cleveland. They're going to carry what little momentum that gives them into this one. Houston Texans
Season record: 9-6
-The Max
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Obama Showing Even More Promise
So he's officially going to be our 44th President, and yours truly couldn't be happier (January 20th can't come soon enough). Not even in office yet and he's making all the right (proposed) decisions. Secretary of State? The Queen of Ice herself is assumed to be in line for the position. Essentially what this does for Obama is solidify his party underneath him, and quite possibly winning over the favor of the voters that voted for Hillary in the primaries.
Not only the Secretary of State, but rumor has it that Obama's team is planning on carrying over the Defense Secretary Robert Gates - a move that would create a double-whammy for Obama. Not only would he be reaching out to Republicans - a move not seen by Democrats in... ever; but he would also be retaining some form of continuity, at least as Iraq is concerned.
Yeah, the Republicans fucked it up there badly. However, by keeping on Gates, Obama is essentially saying "we can't clean this mess up without you guys". It will be supremely interesting to see what happens when he actually takes office.
Only 55 days...
- The Max
Not only the Secretary of State, but rumor has it that Obama's team is planning on carrying over the Defense Secretary Robert Gates - a move that would create a double-whammy for Obama. Not only would he be reaching out to Republicans - a move not seen by Democrats in... ever; but he would also be retaining some form of continuity, at least as Iraq is concerned.
Yeah, the Republicans fucked it up there badly. However, by keeping on Gates, Obama is essentially saying "we can't clean this mess up without you guys". It will be supremely interesting to see what happens when he actually takes office.
Only 55 days...
- The Max
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
