Fright Night (2011)

These last few years have been hard for vampires.  Thanks to the Twilight series, vampires have largely been neutered.  Fright Night returns to the more traditional vampire roots, while keeping a modern sense of humor.  Having never seen the original, I can not compare the two.  I can merely give you my take on this version.  Prepare for multiple paragraphs bursting with praise, as Fright Night is an excellent film.

The film is both wonderfully written and acted.  Marti Noxon, who has written for Buffy, Angel, and even Mad Men, handled the screenplay, giving us humor and horror.  The actors do an excellent job portraying the characters and making us care.  Colin Farrell is just plain fun as Jerry, while Anton Yelchin is believable as the scrawny kid who is trying not to be a dork anymore.  Toss in Toni Collette as his mom, and you've got a winning team.  When you then realize that David Tennant is in the mix as well....sploosh.  If you don't know who David Tennant is, you need to go watch Doctor Who.  Don't even finish reading this; get to Netflix now.

Before moving on, more needs to be said about the dialogue in Fright Night, as well as the characters and pacing.  The dialogue is realistic.  You don't watch the movie scoffing at how the characters speak.  It's a small thing, but it can take you out of a movie.  Many films, especially in the horror genre, can make the girlfriend and mother characters into annoying throwaway individuals.  In Fright Night, that is most definitely not the case.  Casting Toni Collette probably helped, but both actresses are given good material to work with.  At no time did I want one of them to die, which is what usually happens in modern horror movies.  Instead of one dimensional characters, you get an interesting group of people.  Because you are interested in what they are doing and saying, the film never seems to drag.  The plot actually keeps moving pretty quickly.  Instead of spending the first hour trying to figure out if Jerry is a vampire, both the characters and the audience are led pretty quickly to the proper conclusion.

Speaking of Jerry, he is just plain great.  Vampires with charisma are nothing new.  In general, vampires are usually seen as sexy and sensual.  Colin Farrell is definitely easy to look at, but Jerry is not just a pretty, man eating face.  He is just plain mean, and I love it.  The chemistry with-in the cast helps all the pieces fit together.

The only place where Fright Night stumbles is in the CGI effects.  As Jerry releases more of his vampiric nature, there are physical changes.  These are a combination of practical make up effects and CGI.  These scenes work okay, but at the end of the film, there is a purely CGI effect that just doesn't work.  Throughout the film you also see spurts of obviously CGI blood, and you are just pulled out of the movie.  On a side note, about the practical effects, when Jerry begins looking more vampire-like, he kinda looks like John Travolta, and it is creepy.

Initially, I saw Fright Night in the theater for free.  It was an afternoon showing, and one of the ladies offered to let us see a second film, after we watched Conan*.  On a side note, she is awesome.  What wasn't awesome was that Fright Night was showing in 3D.  Because the film is quite dark already, watching it through the 3D glasses made it nigh impossible to see at times.  I was reminded of that while re-watching the film tonight.  It is incredibly dark, but you can handle it without those glasses mucking it up.

Additionally, the shots added in for the 3D gimmick are obvious and annoying.  I appreciate when they use 3D that way, but when the movie is already a solid flick, but I find the 3D gimmick to be insulting.  I know some people love 3D and would have no problem with those shots.  It doesn't ruin the movie for me, but they just don't fit.

As the film comes to a close, there is one more gem to be found.  If you are not familiar with Hugo and his version off 99 Problems, it plays over the beginning of the end credits.  I was so impressed by it, that I looked it up on iTunes upon arriving home and purchased the entire album.  Hugo is very talented.**

In summary, be sure to watch Fright Night if you haven't already.  It's a good horror movie that doesn't rely on jump out scares to garner a reaction from the audience.  Instead, they utilize good writing and a superb cast.  Reward a film that deserves it.

* Conan sucked.  I love Jason Momoa due to Game of Thrones, but that movie just didn't work for me.

**Also sploosh.

Wrath of the Titans

Walking into Wrath of the Titans didn't feel good.  It felt wrong to buy the ticket, paying for the 3D.  Why did it feel like such a terrible thing to do?  If you ask that question, you didn't see the precursor to this film, Clash of the Titans, which was pretty bad, as far as I remember.  Frankly, I was surprised they were making a sequel.  While this isn't a review of Clash of the Titans, it is important to acknowledge the groundwork laid for this film by its 2010 predecessor.

Clash of the Titans was not the worst movie released that year, but it was anything but great.  While it may have made back its budget, it was largely reviled because of its terrible 3D conversion.  Adding insult to injury was the lack of 2D showings in many areas.  This led to inflated ticket prices for a movie that didn't use the gimmick well enough to justify the extra outlay of cash.

Based on those impressions, learning the studio had green-lit a sequel was quite shocking.  That feeling carried over to tonight, when I was pleasantly shocked to find that this film, Wrath of the Titans, was actually quite good.  Don't line up any Oscar nominations, but there are worse movies in theaters right now.

Let's start with the story.  I'm not going to summarize it because I expect you have seen previews, which would have given you an overview of the story.  What I will tell you is that it seems like they made an actual effort with this film.  There is no deep plot, but the action scenes appear to make sense.  Fights happen for a reason.  Monsters show up, and you understand why, for the most part.

The writers have taken the time to create characters that are not the equivalent of nails on a chalkboard.  There are a couple of characters that act as mild comic relief, with some lines designed to garner a chuckle from the audience.  Creating a comic relief character in this type of movie can often fail, with products like Jar Jar Binks being the end result.  I never felt that level of annoyance with the funnier characters in Wrath of the Titans.  As a matter of fact, one of them was my favorite character in the film.

The actors all turn in strong performances, which save some scenes or revive the film when the pacing begins to slow too much.  I began growing bored about halfway into the film or so, which was not good, as I was already tired.  Luckily for me, Bill Nighy showed up to save the day and the movie.  There are a multitude of talented actors in the film, and I'm not sure who called in the favors to get them back or in for the first time.  Bill Nighy, Liam Neeson, and Ralph Fiennes are all present, and none of them are leaving teeth marks on the scenery.

There are a few problems, as no film is perfect.  Jonathan Liebesman, the director, also directed Battle: Los Angeles, which I liked.  In that film, when I lost track of what was going on in the action, it fit because Battle: Los Angeles was a film where missing bits of action drew you into what the characters were experiencing.  Here, in Wrath of the Titans, it was more of a problem.  For the most part, I was fine, but there were one or two times when my brain stumbled while trying to keep up.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it was distracting.

I mentioned the pacing issues earlier.  Once again, this isn't something that ruins the film, but it did feel a little long in parts.  Some sequences in the first half of the film could have been cut down a bit, but were I more awake, it might not have mattered.

Wrath of the Titans did manage to fix a couple mistakes that Clash of the Titans had made before.  Clash was criticized for using post conversion 3D, which resulted in a terrible movie watching experience.  Wrath, on the other hand, had spectacularly well done 3D, also done as post conversion.  I like my 3D experience a little hokey, so I appreciate swords, stones, and the like coming out of the screen at me.  I didn't appreciate it the one time they used two almost identical scenes, but that just seemed like lazy film-making.

Luckily, the film makers made much better use of their special effects this time around.  There were some practical effects, which were nice, and they also used different lighting to maximize the impact of some of the weaker effects.  Frankly, I was reminded of the original 1981 Clash of the Titans.  I'm not saying this film looked like it, but it seemed to capture the spirit a bit more, definitely better than the actual remake.

I'm drawn to films like this one, so going to see it was a no brainer, even if I expected it to be terrible.  I consider it a nice treat that it was a pretty good movie.  If you have already seen the Hunger Games, go watch Wrath of the Titans.  It's entertaining and a good way to kill two hours.

Ninja!

Every once in a while, you're wandering through life, in a daze, when you stumble upon a life changing moment. It's usually quite a shock, but it's a pleasant one.  About twenty minutes ago, my life changed forever.  I used my Ninja!  It is a food processor that allows me to crush, blend, and chop!  

Because I have started making new dishes each week for Mark, I have found myself ill equipped.  I was fed up with trying to chop and dice random vegetables that I had never used before.  I decided that I needed some type of food processor.  We looked at some traditional models when we were in the mall, but I refrained from getting any at that time.  I wanted to further research to get a quality machine. 

Leap forward in time about twenty minutes, and we're perusing the kitchen wares at Sam's Club.  Sitting on the shelf, with a modest price tag of $50, is the Ninja!  I had heard of them before and was curious.  After inspecting the floor model, we decided to take the plunge, proudly placing our new toy in the cart.  

Much to Mark's annoyance, I have a tendency to get really excited about something, buy it, cart it home, and then wait two weeks to actually get it out and use it.  This is, of course, what happened with our Ninja.  Tonight, that all changed.  Tonight, I pulled it out of the box and set about using it!

The Ninja, aside from coming with an awesome name, came with four different chopping containers.  There is a large pitcher, a smaller pitcher, and two small containers.  The small containers are identical, coming with one blade to share between the two.  The two pitchers each come with their own blades.  There are lids for each container, in case you choose to store your chopped/diced/decimated product in them.  There is a single "pod" that houses the motor.  When you want to use the different containers, you just swap the pod onto the containers, which act as a base.  As far as I have found, the pod does not lock on and is very easy to swap.

Reducing the food to tiny bits is also simple.  Toss in the item you want chopped, diced, etc., place the splash guard piece on, drop the pod on the top, and press the giant silver button.  If you want something chopped, use short bursts.  If you want to blend, hold it down.  It's that simple.  

To try out my Ninja, I decided to make buffalo chicken dip.  My recipe was given to my be a friend I used to work with, and it is much different that some of the versions I have had in the past.  I usually cook chicken breast or use rotisserie chicken, which I shred using a fork.  It is very time consuming and annoying.  It takes forever.  Once it is shredded, I throw cream cheese, ranch dressing, and Frank's Red Hot into my small crock pot.  Once it is all heated up, it's good to go.

Tonight, I pulled out the Ninja, choosing the smaller pitcher to use for my chicken attack.  I threw in a breast that had been cooked and quartered.  With baited breath, I pressed the silver button...

And my life was forever changed.

This thing is awesome!  My chicken ended up in tiny little pieces, which is exactly what I wanted!  They were uniform in size.  It was just amazing.  After calling Mark over to show him and prattling on about how awesome it was, I finally moved on and put together my dip.  

I had a food processor before, and it was a pain to clean.  The little blades didn't like to come out, and I was always afraid of cutting myself.  With the Ninja, I pulled out the pod, which had no food on it.  Next, I pulled off the splash guard lid piece, which I rinsed off.  Next, I pulled out the blades and rinsed them.  Finally, I rinsed out the pitcher.  No food was stuck in tiny little hard to reach without cutting off your finger pieces.  The box says the items are dishwasher safe, but I will hand wash them to keep my Ninja in good condition.  

I have nothing but words of praise for my Ninja.  It slices!  It dices!  It teaches your veggies not to f*ck with you!  If you don't have one of these glorious machines, get to Sam's Club and pick one up!  They are amazing!

They Live!

I must say that the 80s were a wonderful time, and I love to go back and visit them.  Tonight, I watched They Live for the first time.  I knew bits and pieces about the film from random pop culture references, but I had never taken the time to actually sit down and watch it.

The movie basically follows around Roddy Piper.  You get a glimpse of what America was like in the 80s.  For the most part, aside from style, it wasn't much different from today.  Roddy finds specially made sunglasses that provide him with the ability to see the aliens among us, as well as their hidden messages.  The film's message is a pretty clear slap in the face to consumerism and the greed that pervades/pervaded America.

The film has some pretty iconic imagery, as well as some great lines, specifically one about bubble gum.  There were some fun surprises that are probably only awesome to me.  For example, the aliens appear to use the EKG meters from Ghostbusters (at least, I think that was what they were called) to communicate.  At one point, Roddy even kidnaps Evil-Lyn!  Okay, she wasn't really Evil-Lyn, but she played her in Masters of the Universe.  She has amazing eyes, by the way.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Keith David is running around in this movie too!

They Live is a perfect 80s movie!  If you haven't seen it, you need to.  The special effects are not amazing, but they are suitable.  I'm sure this movie would have scared the crap out of me when I was little.  The story is interesting but not overly cerebral.  If you want to have an awesome 80s night, follow up They Live with Krull.  It's what I'm doing right now.  Well, Tara, if you're reading this, you probably shouldn't watch Krull.  There is a long scene with a huge spider.  Consider yourself warned!

Reddit

The internet is full of both wondrous and horrible things. Luckily for you, reddit has been kind enough to collect them all into one place for your viewing pleasure. Reddit is where you can see a new meme that will be over shared on Facebook four days later.

Before you rush off into reddit's open arms, prepare yourself. Users can submit content, which can then be up-voted or down-voted, changing its ranking. Items with a great deal of up-votes will be near the front page. Because new content is constantly linked/provided, there is always something new to see.

Reddit consists of sub-reddit's, where they will focus on one particular subject, such as atheism. This gives you a cross section of topics. Like pictures of kitties and puppies? Reddit has you covered. Big fan of new scientific discoveries? Someone will be linking articles. Interested in random trivia? So is another redditor who believes in sharing.

As long as you don't get offended easily, reddit is worth your time. If you do not find something that interests you, I will be shocked. Everyone likes pictures of animals, and they have those in spades. You can even see threads that are question and answer sessions with people like Aziz Ansari or the guy who created the Dothraki language for the Game of Thrones show on HBO.

Go to reddit.com and see the Internet. You'll probably get to see philosoraptor...I love him.

Draw Something

I have recently obtained an iPhone 4S.  So far, the best part of about this new phone is an app I downloaded called Draw Something!  If you aren't playing it yet, you need to start.  I'm not sure if it is available for Droid, but I didn't download it until I got my iPhone.

Draw Something is essentially Pictionary.  You are provided with three different words, each worth a certain amount of points.  You choose which word you want to draw and get to it.  When you're finished, your opponent gets to watch you drawing the picture.  It is fun to see the actual act of drawing, rather than just the finished product.

Once your opponent guesses your word, they get to choose one of three words to draw for you.  When that picture is finished and sent to you, you get to watch your opponent guess your word first.  You can see exactly when your picture came together for your opponent.

If you're worried that you're not the best artist, it doesn't matter.  The game provides you with the number of letters in the word that must be guessed, as well as a pool of letters.  Still can't figure it out?  You can blow up some of those letters to narrow it down.

You earn coins based on the level of difficulty of the pictures you choose to draw.  You can spend those coins on more bombs to reduce the letters provided.  You can spend coins to get a different group of words to choose from.  You can even buy additional colors to draw in using the coins.

If you sign into the game using you Facebook information, others who are signed in via Facebook information will show up if you choose to create a game.  Additionally, you can create games with random strangers.  Thus far, I haven't experienced a long wait when creating a game with a random opponent.

If you're playing on a phone, it can be difficult to draw detailed pictures, as your fingers are your tools.  The game does provide you with a choice regarding the width of your lines, which does help.  I had heard from others that they would often see the same words repeatedly.  More words were recently added, so I hope to not have that particular problem.

The biggest problem I have experienced so far is the random opponent who writes words as clues, rather than actually drawing anything.  I have yet to figure out the best way to deal with these imbeciles, but I'll come up with something.  When the name of the app is Draw Something, you would think they would get the hint.

If you have a phone capable of downloading it, go get Draw Something.  It's a lot of fun, and it's a pretty well thought out app.  The biggest problem is the occasional random person that doesn't get the point of the game, but it is easy to find your actual friends to play with via your Facebook credentials.  Try out Draw Something; you won't regret it.

The Nerdist With Guest Neil Patrick Harris

I have never been a fan of talk radio.  When I turn my radio on, I want to hear music.  I hate overly chatty DJs on morning radio and feel that the topics they usually discuss are worthless and uninteresting.  One would think maybe my dislike arises because they are not discussing stories or ideas that appeal to me, and if you think that, you may be right.  It turns out that I find some podcasts incredibly interesting, especially when they talk about movies or video games I'm familiar with.  As such, I am enjoying the Nerdist podcast more and more.

Featuring Chris Hardwick, the Nerdist alternates between podcasts featuring a guest and podcasts that are just Chris and two of his friends, Matt & Jonah.  Before long road trips, Mark is instructed to stop listening to the Nerdist so we can listen to it in the car.  He also saves episodes he believes will appeal to me, such as the podcast where Chris interviewed David Tennant*.  While coming home from the funeral last month, we listened to the episode of the Nerdist with guest Neil Patrick Harris, and it was awesome.

It is the mark of a good interviewer when they can talk to their guest and sound normal.  Listening to Chris and NPH talk to each other was like listening to two old friends chatting.  As far as I know, they aren't really friends.  It's just a gift Chris has, and I'm sure it is incredibly easy when you're talking to someone like NPH.  

The show had fun stories about both the past and the present.  I learned a bit about magicians.  I now know that NPH has twins.  The best part is that listening to the show was entertaining and made the drive go quicker.

If you are interested in pop culture, you should try listening to the Nerdist.  If you choose an episode with a guest star, make sure it is a guest star you're interested in.  We tried listening to an episode with Cake,but I found it boring.  I like a couple of Cake's songs, but I just wasn't interested in the behind the scenes look at the music industry.  I do, however, usually enjoy the shows where it is just Chris, Matt, and Jonah.  It may be because I've listened enough of their podcasts with a well known guest that I grew attached to them, so listening to just the three of them is sometimes even better.

All I know is that you need to enjoy your burrito.  

*Sploosh.

iPhone 4s

A couple of weeks ago, I got my iPhone 4s, and it has definitely been different.  

For the last couple years, I've been using the original Droid, with the slide out keyboard.  Part of the reason I had been so reluctant to upgrade to an iPhone, which Mark did months ago, was due to my fear of typing on the screen, rather than a keyboard.  Luckily, the iPhone handles the typing pretty well.  The auto correct is usually correct.  Additionally, it shows me what word it is going to auto-correct to, and if that word is wrong, I can close it out, keeping what I initially typed.  

Since picking up my iPhone 4s, I have also picked up a new app called Draw Something.  I believe it is also available for the Droid, but it is the best part of my new phone.  It's a lot of fun and has made me curious to browse the app store to see what else I can find.

One of the unfortunate characteristics of the iPhone is its fragility.  It just feels like it is going to break which has necessitated my buying an Otterbox.  When you consider how expensive the iPhone is, it is ridiculous to have to buy a $40 case to go with it.  My Droid had no scratches on the screen and had not suffered from the two or three times it had been dropped.  It spend time in either my purse of pocket, with no case to protect it.  Multiple people I have spoken with have told me about their iPhone either breaking or getting scratched.  Apparently, it's pretty common.  Thus far my pretty pink and white Otterbox is keeping my phone safe, but I don't appreciate that I had to worry about it in the first place.

While my iPhone isn't perfect, I really appreciate little things about it.  If I want to mute the phone, there is a switch on the side.  At the movies, to be sure it is muted, I just have to check the side.  I don't have to turn on the screen, potentially annoying other patrons.  The interface is also very intuitive.  At times, I struggle to orient myself, as I had used my Droid for so long, but I'm learning the iPhone set up.  I haven't figured out how to call someone from the message screen directly, but I do like the conversation feature when texting multiple people.

I know I am supposed to believe the iPhone is better because it is an iPhone, and I do like it.  At the same time, I'm not 100% sold on it.  I really liked my Droid phone, but I'm sure I'll be properly indoctrinated into the Apple cult before I need to upgrade again.

The Hunger Games

Whenever you are familiar with the source material, it is difficult to fairly evaluate the adaptation, and the Hunger Games proved to be no exception.  Throughout my viewing, I was constantly trying to imagine what it was like watching the movie without having read the books.  Because of that, I may not have enjoyed the film as much.  I should have just watched the movie, but I just couldn't.

The Hunger Games is a solid film, one I suggest you check out.  If you have read the books, it will mean more to you.  Is this a failing of the film adaptation?  Not at all.  Books are able to provide us with insights into character that may not translate well onto the screen.  In the novel, we see the events and people from Katniss' point of view; we hear her thoughts.  On the screen, that isn't practical.  The narrative must be handled another way to create a successful film.  You must trade the intimacy of the book for the spectacle of the screen.

Luckily, the movie is filled with great performances.  The actors responsible, especially Jennifer Lawrence, more than live up to the source material.  Bringing a character to life when people already have an idea of her in their heads can be difficult.  Lawrence capably handles the task.  The other actors involved also do well translating these individuals into a visual medium, but some motivation is lost.

One of the most frequent criticisms I have heard mentioned is regarding Peeta.  I know most of you have either seen the film or read the novels, but I don't want to spoil anything for those that have not.  I can safely say that not being privy to Katniss' innermost thoughts causes some confusion regarding her interactions with Peeta as the film plays out.  It does not ruin the film at all, but it is one of the few times you really benefit from having read the book.

If you're reading a review of a movie that has been adapted from popular source material, there is usually a great deal of nitpicking over what was left out, what was included, and what was changed.  It seems fitting that I cover that same material.  The film translation of the Hunger Games is very good.  Little is left out, and the changed made are understandable.  There is only one large alteration, which leads me to wonder how that change will impact the next movie.  I had just re-read the novel the week the film came out, and even with it fresh in my mind, I was not bothered by the small changes.

For the most part, the effects are solid.  They are not perfect, but I don't recall any glaring insults to my retinas. The party I saw the film with may disagree with me, but my ears were not assaulted either.  The gentlemen present were not fans of the song that played over the end credits, but I had seen the video for the song a few days beforehand and was okay with it.

Unfortunately, my review is suffering because I saw the film two weeks ago and am just now getting my thoughts down.  I wasn't smart enough to make notes afterward, so I am sorry this isn't my best work.  Lucky for you, the Hunger Games is pretty good, and the film adaptation is the best we could have hoped for.  Now, I hope to be watching Battle Royale in the next couple weeks, so I will report back and let you know if the similarities are as striking as they say.  In the mean time, go see the Hunger Games, and for goodness sake, read the book!

Oil Creek Originals

If you find yourself in the Titusville/Oil City area, be sure to visit Oil Creek Originals.  It's a new gift shop located between Titusville and Oil City, at the top of Cherrytree Hill.  They have a variety of goods, and it is worth stopping in to check out.

The shop is home to the products of eighteen different artisans.  There are a multitude of different painted surfaces ranging from wine bottles to cement edgers.  If you're more in the mood for candles, they have a line of those as well.  When you first walk in, you'll smell the potpourri and notice the beautiful jewelry.  To actually see everything, you really need to walk around the shop twice.

To make the shop more welcoming, they have utilized various furniture as display pieces, as well as the normal shelving.  The products are artfully displayed, making the shop feel homey.  There are some old boxes and paint items scattered throughout various displays, as well.  You can tell the owner cares and has created a creative space.

In addition to the gift products offered, there are also painting supplies offered.  From paint to surfaces to patterns, you can find the pieces to put together amazing art of your own.  There is an entire room dedicated to helping you create painted items.  If you don't know how to paint, they are going to be offering classes beginning in May.  At first, it is just the owner who will be teaching, but she hopes to have guest teachers to facilitate you learning whatever craft floats your boat.

If there is a problem with the shop, it's the location.  Located at the top of Cherrytree hill in an old gas station/garage, the shop makes great use of its space but may intimidate some visitors.  Don't be fooled by the location, as Oil Creek Originals is well worth your time.  I spent over forty dollars there today on items ranging from jewelry to dips to a decorative sign.  They say not to judge a book by its cover; be smart and don't let the location frighten you away.  Stop in and say hi.

I am obviously biased, as I know the owner and many of the artists whose items are displayed in the shop.  I like to think I'm giving you a fair description of the shop and its products, and I try to be honest when writing.  If you stop in and don't like the shop, I'll be surprised.  Well, if you aren't into gift shops, you may not like it, but that's not the shops fault.

Spread the word about Oil Creek Originals.  It's good to see talented local artists creating something.  If you don't see something you like, tell the owner.  I know she is still looking for talented artists who want their wares displayed in her shop.  Maybe she can find something you'll like, if she knows to look for it.

Best. Soda. Dispenser. Ever.

Tonight, the review is late and short.  I've been in the car all day and am super tired, but we found the neatest thing ever today!  We stopped at a Burger King for lunch, and they had the best soda dispenser ever.

There were two identical machines for soda dispensing, with the classic Coke design on the front.  On the front of the machine, there is a large touchscreen and a single dispenser underneath a giant button reading "Push".  The touchscreen has a variety of products on it ranging from classics like Coca Cola and Sprite to more unusual options such as Mello Yellow.  You could also choose flavored waters or a sports drink. 

If you press the Coke selection, it brings up Coke with various add ins.  Mark opted for Raspberry Coke, while I went with the classic Cherry Coke.  I didn't check out each offering, as I didn't have al day.  It was very exciting, which I am sorry to admit.

Supposedly, they have these machines at our Firehouse Subs located in Myrtle Beach.  I haven't been in for a while, so I can't say for sure.  I can tell you that if they do, Mark and I will start frequenting that location.  Having so many choices and combinations is fun.  It's like being a kid in a candy store.  Mark was sad that we got out food to go, as he wanted to try more options. 

If these dispensers are the future of soda, sign me up.  I would like to see them add some of the Coke products from other countries that they give free samples of in Epcot on the Disney property in Florida.  Smart Watermelon from China would be an excellent addition!  Until then, I'll make do with the awesomeness that is this machine.

Online Banking and Bill Pay

It is likely that no matter who you bank with, you can now see your account information online.  This is a wonderful and marvelous thing!  I have seen the online banking for a couple different banks now, and I must say that they're pretty nice, all things considered.  Additionally, it is wonderful that you can see your bills online; being able to pay them at the same time is a treat.

Having online banking lets you see what the bank sees at pretty much the same time.  Some individuals worry that they're account information could be accessed by evil parties when they put their information online.  Unless you are enrolled in electronic statements, your account number often does not appear in its entirety online.  Furthermore, you are just as likely, if not more so, to have your information stolen by giving checks out to people.  There is more sensitive information on a check than your online banking.

If you don't pay bills online yet, you should consider starting.  Most individual retailers provide consumers with the ability to pay their bills and see their accounts online.  Back in the day, you had to write checks for your bills.  You then had to put stamps on the envelopes to mail those payments.  This opened you up to the possibility of check fraud if someone were to steal those checks from your mailbox.

If you don't care for giving your information to multiple businesses online to make payments, you can also set up online bill pay through your online banking.  When you do this, some banks actually cut a check that does not have your account number on it, keeping that information away from businesses more than if you had written a check!  It is a marvelous age we live in.

Of course, someone could always steal your information regardless.  That is a flaw inherent in any system.  No system is perfect, but it is easier to replace a compromised or lost debit card than it is to protect you if you lose a check.  In the case of check loss or fraud, you have to close your account.  If you have fraud on your debit card or lose it, the bank can immediately cancel out that card and order you a new one.

I know for some people online banking and bill pay is extremely scary, but it is well worth the risk.  Accept the convenience of the internet into your heart, but remember to be smart.  Never give your pin number out to anyone, and if someone calls, asking for your personal information, don't give it out!  The bank will not call and ask for your information because they already have it.  If someone contacts you to obtain information, it's probably not on the up and up.  Although, if you call your bank to ask for information, be prepared to answer questions to certify your identity.

Remember, if you are smart and cautious, online banking services can be a great asset to your financial life.  Don't be afraid.  If you are new to these online services, your bank will gladly assist you.  Do not hesitate to ask them for help; that's what they're there for.

Tylenol PM

I'm not one for taking medication, as I believe what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.  It may have also made me crazier, but that is neither here nor there.  A year or so ago, Mark brought home Tylenol PM when I was very sick.  I now swear by the stuff when I full of aches and pains in the evening.

Tylenol PM serves to knock out my headache or aches and pains while simultaneously knocking me out.  As long as I take it more than eight hours before I have to be up, the sleepy time effects don't impact my day.  I'm not sure if there is a better painkiller out there.  All I know is that I take blue pills and wake up feeling fine.

Tylenol PM is so effective that I am too tired to write much more.  I believe you are not to take more than two pills in a twenty four hour period.  They're non-addictive, so I don't feel like I always need them to sleep.  They do help me sleep away my pain, which is nice.  Got a migraine at 8pm?  Tylenol PM is for you.

The Walking Dead

If there is only one show you watch this year, it should be Game of Thrones.  If you're going to watch more than one, make sure you are watching the Walking Dead.  The second season finale was on tonight, and it wraps up a pretty good season with satisfaction.  As a whole, the series is interesting and a nice addition to the zombie genre.

Zombies star in the overwhelming majority of my nightmares, but I just can't stop watching them.  As such, I'm used to certain cliches.  In the first season of the Walking Dead, I kept expecting the writers to fall into these typical scares and scenarios, but they did not.  That in itself made me even more tense.  I just kept waiting for them to do the typical action, for the characters to make the typical decision, for the zombies to be in the typical places.  Instead, the writers decided to make the show more realistic than that.  Granted, you have to accept that zombies exist, but otherwise, they're tried to make the people more realistic.  This is what the show is really about.

There are those who dislike the show because it doesn't feature zombie kills left and right.  If you want that kind of experience, there are plenty of zombie films out there, just waiting to give you your jollies.  The Walking Dead is more of a character study; the show revolves around these people, with the zombie menace merely a backdrop.  At times, this can cause pacing issues.

The first season seemed to move much slower than season two.  There was additional exposition throughout season one, as well as less plot movement.  Season two, while bogged down at times, never seemed quite as slow as season one.  The pacing issue was addressed, and the series has improved.  This doesn't mean the talking and discussion in season one was a bad characteristic; it simply means that season two found a better way to keep the character focus while making it more engaging.

Of course, season twos episodes are far from perfect.  At times, episodes drag.  If there is a character you don't care for, it's frustrating when they feature heavily in an episode.  Like everyone, I have my favorites, as well as the characters I wish would just die.  Of course, when they put the characters I dislike in danger, I become worried for them.  Even if I don't like them, I still care about them.  It is a testament to the writing and the acting.

Each actor, even the children, do an excellent job of bringing their characters to life.  The characters, which could easily become indistinguishable, remain unique.  They have different motivations and reactions.  In shows like this, you can easily lose characters to the background, but for the most part, the Walking Dead tries to keep each character involved.  Frankly, out of the main characters, T-Dog is the only character that hasn't seemed to have much of a presence.  It's not a problem with the actor, as it doesn't appear he has been given the ability to do much.

As the show has progressed, more and more has been happening.  In the last three episodes of the current season, there have been major developments.  From what the said on the Talking Dead, it appears the show is going to change over to be more like this from now on.

Speaking of the Talking Dead, I love watching that show.  The only problem is that it is usually not on until midnight.  It would be nice if AMC would move it up, so it was always played right after the episode ended. Watching Chris Hardwick interact with various show personnel is fun, and they provide further insight into the show.

The Walking Dead also excels in its special effects.  The practical make-up effects used for the zombie are outstanding, as well as the performances those actors are giving.  I don't know that I have ever been skeptical of the effects.  Heck, the whole show has seemed pretty believable, save one scene in this last episode.  Since I'm working hard to be spoiler free, I can't tell you about it.  Regardless, in two seasons, I have only found one moment to be incredibly unlikely.  Considering this is a show about a zombie apocalypse, that's a pretty good record.

Aside from the occasional pacing problem, the Walking Dead is an excellent series.  Because it's not all about the zombie kills, it is a show that can cater to a much wider audience.  If you're not watching the Walking Dead, I strongly suggest you get caught up before the next season starts.  Don't be turned off by the horror vibe you get from the synopsis.  Instead, give the show a try.  You'll be glad you did.

The Three Musketeers (2011)

When it comes to the version of the Three Musketeers released in late 2011, the best advice I can give you is to avoid this film.  This recent version of the classic tale has a multitude of problems.  This movie wasn't even awesomely bad.  I can enjoy bad movies, but the Three Musketeers was so uninspired that I just wanted to turn it off.

Let's begin our journey through mediocrity with the opening of the film.  We get little mini-intros for the three musketeers, as well as Milady while they get the plot rolling.  These little intros consist of still shots cut into action shots, with their names in old-timey font (which Tara would probably know the name of).  This may be the most childish way of introducing pretty well known literary characters.  I might not be able to remember their defining characteristics if you write their name down for me, but slapping them by their faces in the movie isn't going to help with that problem.  Considering they don't feel the need to write out the names of other major characters later in the film, it just seems out of place and unnecessary.

Before the opening scene even concludes, we are treated to some terrible CGI.  Attempting to make convincing CGI is no easy feat.  Attempting to make a believable CGI effect with water as the main element is even more difficult.  Instead of using practical effects for some water effects in the opening part of the film, the filmmaker chose to use CGI, and it looked terrible.  These weak CGI effects carried through to a later scene.  Luckily, it didn't involve water, but it still looked feeble.  The Three Musketeers serve as a reminder that CGI is not always the best choice.

In all fairness, let's set aside those complaints, as you could say they are products of personal preference.  Unfortunately for the Three Musketeers, poor writing is a problem a vast number of people will notice.  The film was full of cliches and terrible dialogue.  The writing was uninspired, as was most of the delivery.  I will admit that I did laugh once.  I'm kind of ashamed of it now, but it did happen.  In my defense, I did cringe at least ten times during the film.  From the unrealistic choices made to the terrible attempts at humor, it was hard for me to keep my mouth shut.  Since Mark was watching the film with me, I didn't want to ruin it for him with my commentary.

Now, before you jump in and accuse me of not having the ability to suspend my disbelief regarding the decisions the characters make, I have the ability to suspend my disbelief just fine and did so during the film.  Did I have a problem with the airships?  Nope.  Did I care that none of the science behind them was explained?  Nope.  Why?  Because it was the only attempt the film made to be unique and interesting.  If you're going to make the Three Musketeers, you need to do something with it to differentiate it from the versions that have come before.  If you aren't doing something new with the story, what's the point?  If I can go back and watch a different version that has already been made, what is the point of this new version?  Do something new.  Do something different.  Otherwise, give the money to someone else to make a film we actually need.  I'm not saying you have to change it vastly from the source material, but you do need to make me care about the characters or come up with a hook.

Further adding to my dismay is the actors they cast in the film.  I love Milla Jovovich, but this was not the role for her.  Actually, I am a big fan of quite a few of the actors in this film, but with uninspired writing, I couldn't figure out what they were doing there.  What was Orlando Bloom doing there?  Who tricked Christoph Waltz into making this film?  I know Milla Jovovich is married to Paul W. S. Anderson, the director, but they need to realize that she doesn't need to be in all of his movies.  As a matter of fact, it would have been better for her career if she had steered clear of this one.

I don't like doing negative reviews and will often employ the compliment sandwich when I do.  I realize I didn't do that today, but that's because there wasn't much to be said that was positive.  I respect the people that made the film as having done their best.  I'm not saying I could do better, and I would have been happy to help make a blah movie such as this one.  That being said, the only real positive I can come up with is that the costumes were pretty.  That's it.

Please, don't waste your time on the Three Musketeers that was recently released to DVD and Blu-ray.  It is not worth your time.  Yester-Holly checked in to say that you should just re-watch the 1993 version that stars Tim Curry and Keifer Sutherland.  Also, it has pre-crazy Charlie Sheen.  Trust me on this.  The new version is terrible.  It doesn't add anything new to the tale, nor does it even do it justice.

Sub Station II

Once again, I learned today that looks can be deceiving.  Sub Station II is a sub place located off of 17 bypass here in Myrtle Beach.  It's maybe a five minute drive from where I live, and I have always believed I wouldn't eat there.  Why you ask?  Because it is part of a gas station strip; it is in a building that is fronted by a gas station, with a few extra store fronts, one of which is Sub Station II.  There is just something about choosing to eat in a restaurant attached to a gas station that seems inherently wrong unless you are on a long car trip or have no other choice.  Today, Sub Station II slapped me in the mouth and set me straight.

When we initially walked into the establishment, I was completely taken aback.  It was one of the cleanest dining areas I had seen in quite some time.  There was interesting artwork on the walls.  I even have one of the prints in my home.  There were a couple of nice flat screen televisions in the dining area, as well as a multitude of tables.  On each table sat a different vase.  My favorite one was an old looking red one that was squarish.  Seriously, how often do you walk into a sub shop and admire glassware?

Of course, it doesn't matter how nice the place looks if the food isn't good.  There is a giant menu hanging above the register where you choose what you want, each item being numbered.  Tell the cashier which number you want, decide if you want chips and a drink, then pay.  It's simple!  You do not specify your desired veggies at the register.  When they are making your sandwich, they will call you over so you can let them know what veggies and sauces you would like added.  It wasn't busy when we were there, but it appears to be a system designed to reduce the chance of sandwich mistakes.  I imagine it runs just as smoothly as a Subway, as far as speed is concerned.

I am always impressed when an establishment lets you see the kitchen area where they are making your food, as it indicates that they are clean and don't have much going on in the way of shady practices.  The kitchen these folks were working out of actually looked a bit like your kitchen at home.  They had cupboards and counters.  I know that sounds obvious and silly, but if you see it, you'll know what I mean.  Heck, there was a Buzz Lightyear on top of the cupboards, which was super exciting.  No, I don't know why.  Don't expect me to figure it out.

Let's get back to discussing the food, shall we?  I ordered a meatball sub special that they had today.  It was a 6 inch meatball sub with chips and a drink for around eight dollars.  Most places consider a meatball sub to be bread, meatballs, sauce, and cheese.  Well, Sub Station II likes to take it a step farther.  My meatball sub also had some slightly spicy meat on it.  I regret that I do not know what it was.  The big sign told me, but I forgot.  I wasn't expecting to review Sub Station II tonight, so I didn't pay close enough attention.

When I order a sub, I always worry about what kind of bread I'll be getting.  I think Sub Station II may have the best sub bread I have had the pleasure of eating.  It was the perfect consistency and thickness.  I have had many a meatball sub fall apart upon being lifted, but this bread had no problem handling the awesomeness that was my sandwich.  In addition to awesome bread, the meatballs were tasty too!  I once ordered a meatball sub at a Subway that contained meatballs that had clearly been hardening over a four hour period.  It has made me wary, but I enjoyed the ones on my sub today.  The addition of the spicy sandwich meat on the sub was also excellent and gave this meatball sub an edge.

The only aspect of my sub that gave me pause was the cheese.  The cheese they chose was good, but it was on the bottom, right against the bread.  It wasn't bad, but it was weird.  Maybe all of my meatball subs have been that way, and I never realized.  I'm not sure, but it struck me as odd today.  It still tasted good though.

If you're in Myrtle Beach and want a sub, don't go to one of the old stand-bys.  Visit Sub Station II on 17 bypass.  You can get an excellent sandwich and relax in a comfortable dining area.  They don't have Coke products, but you'll survive.  The sandwiches are worth it.

Horns

The world if full of many types of horns.  Unicorns have them.  Some musicians have them.  Your car has one, and that's the horn we'll be reviewing today.  Nowadays, I guess they're not actually horns, but we still call them that.  They still serve the same purpose, even though the majority of drivers I have witnessed using them don't seem to realize what that purpose is.

The first part of today's review will be spent discerning what use the horn is supposed to have.  The horn, found within your steering wheel, is intended to be a warning device.  Are your brakes out and you can't stop?  You might want to honk your horn to let others know of your impending doom so they can move and survive.  Is someone attempting to merge, not seeing you in their blind spot?  Give a friendly honk so they cease their maneuver and avoid an accident.  While there is some disagreement, many feel it is also acceptable to honk your horn to alert those in front of you that the light has turned green when they do not move upon the initial change.

For my own part, I only intend to use the horn if it is to avoid an accident.  I am not a fan of the horn and don't like loud noises.  If someone around me honks, I usually become alert but also jumpy.  I'm wondering if someone is about to cause an accident.  I do not know what the inventor of the car horn expected, but I like to think I am using it properly and reacting in the proper way.

Unfortunately, I don't think everyone else knows what the horn is intended to be used for.  Your horn is not to tell me that you think it is a good time for me to merge onto 501; I'm going to wait for the big, four door truck to pass before I do so.  It's called defensive driving.  You could also refer to it as not being a suicidal idiot.  Your horn is not to tell me that you think it is okay for me to make that right turn on red.  I'm aware of the law, but you are only supposed to make a right turn on red when there is no oncoming traffic that may cause a collision.

I know it may seem wrong of me to make comments about the driving in general, since I haven't been doing it very long.  Well, it turns out that a good driver has common sense.  I am probably a bit over-cautious right now, but that doesn't make me wrong.  It just gives us a difference of opinion.  If I can't merge or turn and get up to speed before the oncoming car reaches me, I'm going to wait.  It's that simple.  Your horn is not for you to voice your disagreement.  The horn is to serve as a warning device.

In summary, the car horn is a misunderstood and incorrectly utilized piece of equipment that we have the ability to use many times each day.  The majority of motorists recognize that it should not be used lightly, but the people that are often using it do so incorrectly and without cause.  The horn happy drivers need to learn what is and is not proper use of the horn.  In time, what the honking of a horn signifies may change.  If people keep honking at me, it may come to symbolize the unpleasant conversation I will have with them when I get out of my car and march back to theirs to find out what their problem is.  Mark is currently fearing this day.  Maybe the Mayans predicted it...

Louis C. K. : Hilarious

I have heard wonderful things about Louis C. K. from a number of people, but I had very little knowledge of his works.  I had watched him in Parks and Recreation, which I found thoroughly enjoy; I thought he did a wonderful job on the show.  I saw an episode of a show he had on HBO a few years back, but it didn't appeal to me.  Recently, I have become a big fan of reddit; there have been some links showcasing some of his comedy.  This prompted me to turn on his comedy special, Louis C. K. : Hilarious.  I found it to be enjoyable, but it wasn't hilarious.  If you have seen the show, you will know that he would appreciate me not labeling it as such.

Hilarious is about an hour and a half of Louis C. K. doing stand-up.  During the first half or so, I was entertained.  I smiled a bit at some of the jokes, but I wasn't laughing out loud.  Some people that I really respect had told me how great Louis C. K. was, so I was a bit worried that I wasn't enjoying the show as much as I though I should.

While watching the show, I kept trying to figure out what I was missing.  The biggest disconnect for me is a lack of experience with some of the topics he was discussing.  For example, he spends some time talking about being single and going out to bars.  He further discusses the type of people that you encounter in those situations.  I found this to all be humorous, but because I don't have a very intimate knowledge of these situations, it was hard for me to relate.  His delivery is great and made the show enjoyable anyway.

The show was probably two-thirds of the way over when he started talking about his daughters.  At this point, his stories just caused me to lose it.  I don't have children right now, so maybe my not being amazed by his earlier anecdotes was just a matter of personal taste, because his stories about his daughters were great.  I learned that ponies bite and little kids can poop piles as big as themselves.  Do I need to know this to survive in life?  Only if I have kids or go near ponies.  Was it funny to hear about his experiences with his kids?  Most definitely.

Louis C. K. is a very funny man, and I enjoyed his show.  For  me, the payoff was the stories about his daughters; that alone made it all worth my time.  Personally, his self pleasuring stories and genitalia jokes weren't really up my alley, but they didn't really bother me either.  If you can handle adult language and aren't too bothered by the inappropriate, check out Hilarious.  I'm going to be checking out Louis' show that is on FX, if I can find the episodes for free legally.  We'll see how that hunt goes...

Cartoon Network

Having no children and being of an adult age, I probably shouldn't admit that my television is usually tuned to Cartoon Network.  Cartoons are largely believed to be for children, so when I mention Cartoon Network to others in passing, they assume I have kids.  When I tell them I do not, they just think I'm immature and/or weird.  Well, by now, most of you know I'm weird, but watching Cartoon Network as an adult isn't a bad thing.

First of all, Cartoon Network provides adult programming starting at 9pm with King of the Hill.  You can watch shows aimed at adults up until 6am.  When 6am hits, the programming reverts to kids' shows, but it starts with Looney Tunes.  I know some people hate them, but it brings back memories of watching them after school.  I have a soft spot for Looney Tunes, with the exception of Tweety Bird.  I hate him.  I would love for Sylvester to finally eat him, but alas, I shall never see that.

The beauty with Cartoon Network is that it is a good channel to have on in the background while I'm writing reviews or reading reddit.  If I am trying to fall asleep at 2am, I like to have the tv on, and Cartoon Network is a pretty good option.  There are quite a few channels that switch over to infomercials overnight, but Cartoon Network doesn't do that.

As far as children's programming goes, there are some quality shows on Cartoon Network.  Adventure Time and Ben Ten Alien Force are two of my favorites.  Mark enjoyed the re-vamped Thundercats cartoon.  You can find decent shows for your kids to watch; don't be afraid to watch those shows with them.  I've heard much about how tv is bad and violent cartoons cause violence in children.  When parents are involved in a responsible way, this is not the case.  Enjoy cartoons with your kids; I know that when the time comes, I will.

At the same time, I also acknowledge that not all the shows on Cartoon Network are worth watching.  Beyblade is an absolutely  horrible show.  Not that cartoons always do, but it makes no sense!  It's about kids using spinning tops to do battle.  Trust me...it's worse than I'm making it sound.  Stay away from it!  Actually, watch an episode and decide for yourself.

Give Cartoon Network a shot sometime.  Don't discount it because it is full of cartoons.  There is quality programming to be had there.  Turn it on sometime; I know it's on in our house.

Lilyette Bras

Bra shopping is a horrible experience, and I hate it.  Of course, all women already know the horrors of bra shopping.  If this review were about shopping for bras, we would be done now.  Unfortunately for you, dear reader, we are going to delve into the world of the bra.  Some of you don't know much about them, as you don't wear them.  Mark thinks putting one on his head makes him a bumblebee.  By the time we're done, you'll have a pretty good idea how I feel about the Lilyette bra I bought a few weeks back, as well as its evil twin.

Because of my aversion to bra shopping, I will wear a couple of bras until they pretty much wither away and waste into nothing.  A few weeks ago, my bras had pretty much died.  They weren't giving me a whole lot of support, so I broke down and wandered into the bra section of a local department store.  I grabbed a few bras that I thought were my size, as well as a couple that were a one size difference.  See, the first problem with bras is that they don't all fit the same.  It's the same as buying jeans or a t-shirt.  Each store and brand is a bit different.  Add my unusual size into the mix, and I'm lucky to find a total of three or four bras to even try on.

Out of the eight or so bras I grabbed, the first one was the only one that felt like a good fit.  It just so happened to be a Lilyette minimizer bra.  I had never tried this brand before, but it felt great when I tried it on.  I had picked up a nude color and went to grab a black one, as well.  Unfortunately, because I'm not a normal or average size, they didn't have a black bra in my chosen style in my size.  Undaunted, I purchased the nude bra and set off for whatever adventures awaited me.

Cut to two days later.  I loved my new bra so much that I went online and ordered the same bra in black.  My new bra needed an evil twin, and the internet agreed to deliver.  

Cut to another two days later.  My black bra hasn't arrived yet, and I start having problems with my nude bra.  All of a sudden, the material surrounding the under-wire was moving freely around the wire.  This means that certain parts of ones anatomy aren't staying where they're supposed to stay.  There is a constant battle to keep them from escaping.

Cut to almost three weeks later.  I've had my black bra for a while now, and it does not exhibit the same flaw as the nude one.  It turns out the nude bra is actually the evil one.  If I'm just reviewing the black bra, it is wonderful.  It has kept form and shape.  It doesn't slide down throughout the day.  The rings on the straps that allow you to alter the strap length stay put, unlike the last couple of bras I had.  It really is a perfect bra.  The biggest complaint I have about the black bra is that it has lace on the outside of the cup, which can cause finer material shirts to look odd due to the lace pattern behind the material.

My only complaint about the nude bra is the problem I am having with the material moving around near the under-wire.  Unfortunately, this is a huge problem.  If the bra were months old, I could understand having a problem like this.  Having this problem surface in under a week is unacceptable.  Once you wear a bra, you can't return it.  I don't believe it can be exchanged either.  As the material rolls one way, the cargo rolls another, gravity inspired way.

In an attempt to restore my faith in the Lilyette line of bras, I decided to research them and find a customer service number.  It turns out that they are made by Maindenform.  I had not owned any of their products in the past, so I had no preconceived notions.  I sent them an email to day, explaining the problem.  I'm waiting to hear back, to see if they have an acceptable solution.

If you're looking for an inexpensive bra that is comfortable and able to handle plenty, give Lilyette a shot.  The bras I picked out run around twenty dollars.  Keep in mind that you have a fifty fifty shot of getting a bra that keeps its form.  It's possible I just got a bra that is defective.  We'll see how Maidenform handles my email.


UPDATE!

Earlier today, I received a response from Maidenform.  If I mail the defective bra back to them, they will ship me a new one.  I have to pay for shipping, but it's better than nothing.  Based on their customer service, I would definitely buy more merchandise from them.

John Carter

I generally believe that watching television or movies doesn't rot your brain.  If you engage your brain and think about what you're watching, I don't see a problem with taking your entertainment visually.  Heck, even if you shut your brain off, that's fine too.  You do not have to be one hundred percent engaged all the time.  Luckily, for John Carter, that's how I experienced his film today.

Mark and I decided to catch an early showing of John Carter today.  There were only two showings in 2D, so we didn't have a whole lot of variety in our possible movie times.  I'm not a huge fan of 3D, and I had heard less than stellar reviews of the 3D in John Carter.

After getting our bucket and cups filled, we checked into the theater, and my brain checked out.  I enjoyed almost every minute of John Carter.  I thought it was a whole lot of fun and giggled whenever the dog creature was on the screen.  I enjoyed two hours of mindless happiness.

The film is full of good actors who are giving good or better performances.  As with many films that have a love story and the accompanying dialogue, some of it was cringe worthy.  That didn't ruin the movie for me though.  The special effects weren't perfect, but they were very shiny!  The story maybe wandered around at times, but I didn't have a hard time following it.  Frankly, I think everyone should see John Carter.  Unfortunately, it turns out that Yester-Holly* escaped her nostalgia cage and went to the movies with Mark, rather than current day Holly.

After the film, Mark proceeded to tell me all about how bad it managed to be.  He believed that the scenes with the aliens were great, but scenes with the human type characters were boring.  Certain characters made no logical choices, and the violence was applied oddly.  Finally, he thought the jumping didn't look right, feeling the only true solution would be an entirely animated video, either traditional or CGI.  Let me address his concerns.  Once Yester-Holly was once again caged, I agreed with some of Mark's statements.

He was completely right when he said the scenes with the Tharks, the green multi-armed aliens, were the highlight of the film.  The pacing was much better during these scenes, with clear-cut motivations.  The scenes with the Heliumites and Zodangans lose much of the momentum the Thark scenes create.  Further muddying the waters are the motivations of the princess character.  Mark made the point that her actions don't make sense.  What sense they might make paints such an unflattering picture of said character that it's hard to root for her.  

Mark also called into question the violence in the film.  Now, Mark has a different understanding of this property than I, as he listened to one of the books on tape.  I merely had a cursory knowledge of the franchise.  Mark's concern is that he remembered the violence as being much more front and center in the novel.  With the film being PG-13, it seems that much of the outlandish violence had to be muted or only used on the Tharks to keep that rating.  Violence on a CGI creature is not as frowned upon as decapitating characters that appear human.  The desired rating was probably responsible for the minimal violence in the film.  I didn't find this to be a problem, but it does become obvious while discussing the movie after the fact.  If John Carter can punch a fist shaped hole through a Thark, the same logic says he should have the same effect on a Zodangan.

Mark was not the only voice I heard complaining about the jumping effect used in the film; I had read other reviewers who shared his concern.  I thought the jumping was done as well as could be expected.  It is never going to look completely right because our brains know that it isn't right.  Your physics teacher from high school is glad you think it looks weird; it means he did his job.  Believing an animated film may have better captured the spirit of John Carter may very well be true.  The jumping would have come across differently if we weren't watching a real person do it.  Regardless of the jumping effect, I thought the Tharks were well done, so I don't feel the need for an animated film to do this property justice.

All in all, I really enjoyed John Carter, and I encourage you to see it.  Was it perfect?  Nope.  Did I care?  For some reason, no, the imperfections didn't bother me in the least.  There was a point about half-way through the movie when I wanted to call in the editor to fix some of the meandering, but it did not diminish my enjoyment.  Go in with low expectations, and you may just walk out having enjoyed the film.

*Yester-Holly is used to represent that idea that we liked things in the past that are not so great when re-visited.  Some of you already know this, as we have discussed our yester-selves enjoying terrible things, like anime.

The Lincoln Lawyer

When this movie first hit theaters, I heard good things about it.  For whatever reason, I never got around to seeing it in the theaters.  After watching it on Netflix tonight, I'm okay with that.  The Lincoln Lawyer is an okay movie, but that's all it is...an okay movie.

Loaded with good actors, the Lincoln Lawyer is full of fine performances.  William H. Macy and Bryan Cranston have small parts, while the film is carried mainly by Matthew McConaughey.  He turns in a solid performance, which is good.  Unfortunately, it isn't anything astounding.

The plot seems rather generic.  It is interesting, but the story never reaches any new highs.  Watching McConaughey's character try to find the right way to handle the situations he faces in the movie is not a bad way to spend two hours, but I expected more for some reason.  My lack of enthusiasm could be the result of my expectations being too high.

At no point did I want to turn off the movie, as it held my attention.  There was no real payoff though.  Obviously, not every film needs a big bang in it, but the Lincoln Lawyer felt like something that was made for TNT.  The acting was better, but the film was just okay.  It was so middle of the road, that I can't really say much about it.  If you don't have anything else to watch, it's a fine movie, but it's not a great one.

Day One DLC (Downloadable Content) - Mass Effect 3

On Tuesday, as Mark flew away to Texas, I got up early to wait outside the Target before it opened at 8 AM to get one of the two special edition copies of Mass Effect 3 for the Xbox 360.  Why did I need to do this?  I have no idea.  Apparently, because many nerds pre-ordered the special edition, it was nigh impossible to find just sitting around.  Monday night, Mark called pretty much every place  in Myrtle Beach that sold video games to see if they had extra special edition copies.  Save Target, they all said no.  This is how I came to find myself outside of Target, early that morning.

Still, you may be wondering what could possibly be so great about the special edition that I would be willing to lose sleep over it.  First and foremost, Mark wanted it.  I have enjoyed the other Mass Effect games, so I knew we would be getting the third one.  There is no reason we couldn't just get the regular version, but there were two reasons to go out of my way to get the special edition.

1.  When you purchase the special edition, you get a robot dog that follows you around while on the Normandy.  We can obviously not live without that.  If it keeps Mark from asking for a real dog for a bit longer, I'm okay with it.  Actually, as soon as he accepts a great dane into his life, he can have a dog.

2.  The special edition also gets you the day one DLC for free.  I know it's not actually free because I had to pay more for the special edition, but it feels less like getting stabbed in the kidney when we get other bells and whistles in the package.

Let me explain DLC for those of you who are unfamiliar with the idea or term.  DLC stands for downloadable content.  When a game comes out, the publisher has the ability to offer further content, items, and perks via download due to the wonderfully connected world we live in now.  This is a great option when a game has been out long enough to be beaten, as the publisher can offer additional quests, lengthening the life of the game for you.  Of course, these things come at a cost, but ten bucks isn't much if you get to hang out with the characters you grew to like while spending hours upon hours playing a game with them.

Right now, you should be loving DLC.  Instead of your kid asking for a brand new $60 game, they just want ten bucks.  You can buy some pretty cheap peace and quiet that way, and it's obviously cheaper than a brand new game.  Unfortunately, it appears that there are instances where you should have just gotten that content included with the game when you paid $60.

Mass Effect 3, which launched Tuesday, had day one DLC, meaning that on the day the game launched, you could pay $10 for an additional character and the accompanying missions.  Regardless of the time it takes to create something like that, it bothers me to have to shell out extra money on the launch day to fully experience a product that is already completed.  If it can be released at the same time as the game, why isn't it just on the disc? Sometimes, maybe the game discs went into production before the additional content was completed.

Let's give BioWare, the game's creators, the benefit of the doubt.  They do excellent work and create great products, so let's reward their gifts to us with some good will.  Maybe the DLC wasn't completed in time to just be part of the game.  I would like to believe that is the case, but I'm reading online that a great deal of the files for the DLC are located on the game disc that I bought Tuesday.  To rein in my anger, I'm going to tell myself that the disc only holds the dialogue or maybe the character design; I'm trying to convince myself that some vital piece wasn't ready.  Otherwise, it's just poor form for a publisher(EA) to ask their customers for an additional $10 for content that should have been part of the initial game.

Don't think I'm just picking on BioWare and Mass Effect 3.  There have been many games recently getting in on this racket.  DLC, which should have been a way to lengthen the life of games, has become just another way to get gamers to shell out more money.  Mark has spent six bucks to download the ability to maybe get to play as Lightning in Final Fantasy XIII-II.  You don't need to mock him for that, as I have already done so for you.

I imagine day one DLC is so popular because some gamers are notorious for wanting it all.  It's why they have achievements in Wow.  It's why there are trophies offered on the Xbox.  We all like to feel like winners.  If you're going to experience a game in its entirety, you shouldn't have to pay an extra ten bucks on day one.  There are players who won't finish the game, who will eventually lose interest.  If they save the DLC until the game has been out for a while, those players are less likely to buy it.  By offering the DLC when the game launches, they make more money.

I suppose it is time to actually review the downloadable content offered for Mass Effect 3 on launch day.  For only ten dollars, we got an extra character and a bunch of missions.  All in all, it's definitely worth ten bucks.  If we hadn't found the special edition, we still would have purchased the DLC.  Realistically, that doesn't make what the publishers or the creators are doing right.  I'm not an expert, so I'm not sure how much of this is EA and how much is BioWare.  I am more inclined to believe that EA is behind the decision, but I don't actually know.

All I know is that day one DLC is ridiculous.  Complete the game before releasing it.  Downloadable content should be to extend the length of the game as more content is created, not to charge ten dollars for files already loaded onto the discs consumers have paid $60 for.  If you bought Mass Effect 3's standard edition, shell out the $10 for the DLC.  Obviously, this doesn't fix the problem, but I wouldn't want you to miss out on it.

The Taco Bell Doritos Locos Taco

Inspired by a couple of awesome friends, I decided to seek out the Taco Bell Doritos Locos Taco.  Costing a bit more than a regular crunchy taco, it was a much different experience than my usual Double Decker taco.  I had seen ads recently but forgotten all about it until it showed up as the daily picture posted by Rick and by Tara.

My first impression was a rather positive one.  I had heard of a taco dish made by making up taco meat, shredding lettuce, and cutting up tomatoes then tossing the appropriate serving size into a personal size bag of Doritos, which had been previously crushed.  I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone took the idea further, creating taco shells out of Doritos.  The first couple of bites were very good, but the flavor stopped being awesome about halfway through the taco.

If I had the taco as Taco Bell intended, the flavor might not have become overwhelming.  I had them leave off the lettuce in favor of some extra cheese.  The lettuce may have cut the bold flavors to make a more pleasing taco experience.  I did enjoy the extra flavor somewhat, as I do not usually add any sauces to my tacos.  I'm not used to having them be that flavorful.

While unnecessary, I really enjoyed the extra packaging that the taco had with it.  It was wrapped in the normal taco paper, but it also had a cardboard shell alerting you to the Doritos experience awaiting you.  It was a nice touch, although largely wasteful.

All in all, I pronounce the Taco Bell Doritos Locos Taco a success.  I wouldn't want to eat them every day, but it was a nice change.  I would like to see them sell the shells on a regular basis.  Make sure you try them before they are gone, but I don't think you'll be crushed when they remove them from the menu.

Kraft Fresh Take : Cheddar, Jack, & Bacon

For dinner tonight, I was looking for something easy.  I picked up some chicken from Wal-Mart and wanted an easy way to prepare it.  I happened to be buying some cheese, because cheese is awesome, when I spotted Kraft Fresh Take.  There were a variety of flavors, but I chose the cheddar, jack, and bacon combination.

Fresh Takes come in a plastic pack, one half has a cheese blend, while the other has herbs and breadcrumbs.  When you're ready to make it, you open up the bag, destroying the center divider seal, and mix up the contents.  You can then coat your choice of meat in the mixture.  I used chicken breast tenderloins.

As far as ease goes, it was incredibly simple to prepare.  You wet the meat and put it in the bag.  Toss it on a cookie sheet and dump the excess mix on top of the meat.  Cook twenty minutes, and you're golden.

The first annoyance arises when you realize that they don't give you a cook time or temperature.  They provide you with a chart that denotes the minimum internal temperature.  While this is helpful, it would be nice to have concrete instructions.  I winged it, baking my chicken for about twenty minutes.  To make sure it was done, I cut into the plumpest piece to make sure it was white all the way through.

The chicken did stay incredibly moist, which was nice.  However, the flavor wasn't that great.  There was supposed to be some bacon flavor, which I was unable to detect.  Also, because the coating doesn't cover the meat well, the instructions have you dump the excess mix on the meat.  That would be great, but as mine cooked, it started sliding off of the chicken.  The melted cheese is good on the chicken, but not when it all ends up on the cookie sheet.

This dinner aid gets an A for ease but a C for taste.  As such, I won't be using it again.  If I want to cover and bake chicken, I'll bust out the Shake and Bake.  I'll dip my chicken in a barbecue sauce, followed by a bath in Shake and Bake.  It cooks just as quick, keeps the chicken just as moist, and brings a lot more flavor to the table.  You also get more for your money with Shake and Bake.

Rock 107 (Myrtle Beach)

I know a lot of people don't listen to the radio much anymore, but I've started tuning in to random stations now that I'm driving.  When I take Mark to work early in the morning, I really want some good music.  I'm usually tired, so I start with 107.1, which is known as Rock 107.  As far as the music goes, it's a pretty sound choice.  I've heard Metallica, Deep Purple, and the Rolling Stones, just to give you an idea of the type of music they're playing.  I'm primarily into classic rock, so Rock 107 plays what I want to hear, as well as some more recent rock that I didn't know I liked until I heard it on there.  If you like rock, it's a great station.

Of course, with all good things, there is a downside.  In this case, the talk portion is often tasteless.  I have wondered if I am just being harsh because I don't care for the radio chatter/banter to start with.  I don't tune in to listen to people ramble on.  I tune in to hear some classic Aerosmith.  I want to hear AC/DC.  I do not want to hear you speculate on whether or not a three-way is a good idea.  I don't want to hear some dope that calls in telling you that its all about pretending to be more interested in your wife than the additional girl.  

Before you assume that I am incredibly prudish, I am not.  Any who know me are well aware that my mind spends a great deal of time in the gutter.  That doesn't mean that I air it for the world to experience.  I'm not really offended at their choice of topic; I just think it is asinine. What's even worse is that it makes me wonder about the type of people who find this type of display entertaining.  

Further making me question how I feel about my membership to the rock club is the type of businesses that are advertising on Rock 107.  I feel a business has every right to advertise where they choose, but when I am listening to the radio station where Thee Dollhouse is helping to support one of their contests, it all seems a bit odd.  By the way, that is their spelling, not mine.  Not too long ago, there were ads for a contest to win a breast job.  I've also heard ads promoting amateur night at the local adult nightclub.  Once again, they have every right to advertise where they choose.  I'm not complaining that the ads exist.  I'm just wondering what kind of people are into rock.  Goodness knows that the ads they're playing aren't for me.

I will continue to listen to Rock 107 because I love the music they play.  It's my default station, followed by Bob FM.  I will probably continue to change the station when they start talking though.  I usually wait to see what they're discussing before changing the station because there is the potential for awesome, but more often than not, I'm not interested in guys discussing three-ways.  The conversations I have with Mark about them are so much more fun and come with less douche chills.  

Game of Thrones Trailer - Season Two

While I know I have reviewed Game of Thrones before, I am very tired tonight and saw this trailer for season two, which made it a perfect choice for my review today.  If you want to know about the awesomeness of Game of Thrones, check out my review of the first season.  This is more of an opportunity to get to you watch Game of Thrones before it is too late. 

This preview doesn't seem made for individuals who are just coming to the series.  You don't get a great sense of the plot from this trailer unless you already know who the characters are and what purpose they serve.  The music is fitting and makes for a good back drop to the epic scenes they are flashing at you.  If I was trying to get someone into this show, this trailer would not be my first choice, but it is an opportunity nonetheless.  

If you haven't been watching Game of Thrones, it is not too late.  The new season does not begin until April 1st.  You have two options.  

(1) You could purchase the DVD or Blu-Ray for season one, which is available in your local Wal-Mart starting tomorrow.

(2) The other, cheaper choice is to order up some HBO and watch the first season through HBO Go.

I cannot stress enough how much you ought to be watching Game of Thrones.  For those of you who are dismissing it due to setting, I know a great deal of people who are enjoying this show when it didn't appear to be their cup of tea.  You could be one of those people!  Winter is coming.  Don't be left out in the cold.

The Secret World of Arrietty

The Secret World of Arrietty is as animated feature about a group of tiny "borrowers" who live by taking bits of the items needed to survive, which is based off of a 1950s novel with the same premise.  It's brought to you by Studio Ghibli courtesy of Disney.  A great deal of people will be turned off when they realize the film is the product of Japanese artists, which will immediately allow them to write it off as typical anime.  There is no such thing as typical anime, and I encourage you to give the Secret World of Arrietty a shot.

For me, it is refreshing and elicits feelings of nostalgia to see hand drawn animation, which Arrietty utilizes.  While Studio Ghibli had utilized computers to embellish some of their films, the cells are primarily drawn by hand.  I have seen many beautiful Pixar films, but there is something about a masterpiece created mostly by hand that I find inherently beautiful.  The amount of artistry and commitment is astounding.

Animation style aside, the movie provides us with a wonderful story and rich characters.  Disney has largely abandoned traditional animation in favor of computer generated films.  There is nothing wrong with that, but Disney's films that were done in a traditional animation style that did poorly were the result of lackluster stories and storytelling.  Take Tangled for instance; it did well at the box office and was well received.  It would have been just as successful done in a classic animation style because the story and characters are engaging.  This is why Miyazaki's films are well loved.  Studio Ghibli is not afraid to make an animated film that both children and adults will enjoy without having adult jokes hidden throughout.  Instead, they provide characters you can related to and care about.  The Secret World of Arrietty continues this tradition.

The film isn't perfect, of course.  The voice acting is quite good, but it is disconcerting to hear Will Arnett voicing a character that isn't the comic relief.  He is largely known as a comedic actor, and it was unusual to hear him do otherwise.  I am happy to report that he did a fine job, regardless of what I expected.

While the film is further improved through the sound effects, the main song is just terrible.  The artist performs well, but the lyrics just seem silly.  The music that accompanies said lyrics doesn't feel right either.  The rest of the soundtrack is quite good though.

The Secret World of Arrietty is a successful film that is worth your time.  It reminds you how wonderful animation can be while telling an interesting story peppered with rich characters.  My favorite two Studio Ghibli films are still Princess Mononoke and How's Moving Castle, but I will eventually be buying the Secret World of Arrietty to add to my collection.  Give it a chance; you won't regret it.

Thai Curry Pork Chops

You may have heard me whining about finding ingredients for this recipe earlier this week, but I finally got around to making the thai curry pork chops today.  Consisting of a sauce made from curry powder, cream of coconut, ginger, green and yellow onions, and heavy cream, these pork chops were pretty good.  Mark wants me to make them again, but I'm not so sure.

Let's review the largest problem: finding the ingredients.  If you factor in the time I spent in three different grocery stores trying to find all the items I needed to prepare these magical pork chops, as well as the cook time, it took me about two hours to make this dish.  I spent at least half an hour searching for the cream of coconut at Lowe's Food the other day.  Before you assume I wandered around like an idiot, which I only did for fifteen minutes, I actually asked for help.  I did this not once, not twice, but three times before someone could actually help me find what I was looking for.  Everyone was very nice, but it was not the most fun I've had in a grocery store.  (That would be the time I was in the Wal-Mart that had the McDonalds in it with the Ronald McDonald on the bench out front.)

Obviously, I wouldn't struggle to find the ingredients if I decided to make these pork chops again; I know where they are now.  I would, however, change up the ingredients a bit.  For this batch, I couldn't use the Frank's Red Hot Chile and Lime Sauce called for, as the grocery stores here didn't have it.  I used the Frank's sauce that is sweet and sour flavored.  This didn't impact the recipe, as far as I can tell, but my other change would.  Instead of using one inch thick bone-in pork chops, as directed, I would choose a thinner cut of pork or chicken instead.

The recipe instructed me to grill the pork chops, but as it was raining today, I was unable to use the grill.  I had to make due with pan frying them.  Because I made a miscalculation, they were a bit over-cooked.  The thicker cut of pork undermines the flavor of the sauce you baste with during the last third of the cook time.  If there had not been sauce set aside to serve with, the pork would have been flavorless.  As it was, I made four pork chops, instead of six, but I only halved the sauce recipe.  I still didn't have enough sauce to give my pork chops good flavor.  A thinner cut of meat would give you more flavor bang for your meaty buck.

The sauce was wonderful, and I felt a sense of accomplishment having created it.  I had to do a few things I had never done before.  Some of these tasks were simple, like cleaning and mincing green onions, which I had never cooked with before.  Grating and mincing onions did help me decide to pick up a Ninja food and drink making system at Sam's Club.

Other tasks were a bit stranger and unfamiliar to me, like grating ginger root.  I had read online that freezing ginger root makes it much easier to grate.  Unfortunately, I didn't take the advice of more experienced chefs and attempted to grate the root at room temperature.  It was a nightmare, and the leftover ginger root is now chilling in the freezer.

The recipe Mark chose this week definitely challenged me.  I had to find and use ingredients I was unfamiliar with, and I also got to try a meal I would not have chosen on my own.  I will be making the sauce again in the future, as it was delicious, very sweet, but I will probably utilize a different meat next time.  If you want to have a cooking adventure, you should definitely try making thai curry pork chops.  I'm pretty sure I leveled...

The Kindle Fire

When the e-readers began coming out, I was one of those people who hated them.  I like having a book in my hands, not reading a little screen.  It probably stems from my dislike of change, but there you have it.  My mother got a regular Kindle over a year ago, and I played a few games on it when I saw her last spring.  It didn't really interest me, and I went on my merry way, continuing to buy more books that I have shelves to hold.

For my birthday in December, my husband, with a bit of help from his parents, got me a Kindle Fire.  What makes this hilarious is that I told both him and my own mother that I didn't want one.  I was very loud and obnoxious about my dislike for e-readers, so you would think they would have gotten the picture.  Instead, Mark decides to get me one and then my mother is annoyed because she wanted to get me one for Christmas. My family loves me, but I sometimes wonder why they all decided to get me something I didn't want.

Well, I have had my Kindle Fire for almost three months, and I actually like it quite a bit.  It has multiple functions that make it a fun toy.  Mark knows that I disliked the idea of using an e-reader, so he made me a case for my Kindle Fire out of a book he bought from the clearance shelf at the bookstore.  This way, I can still feel like I'm reading a book.  The best part is that it protects my Kindle.

I've carted my Kindle around quite a bit, but it looses some of its functionality when it is away from an internet connection.  At home, I can use our wi-fi, but it is not always available when I am out and about.  I haven't actually connected to any wi-fi away from home, so I can't say how easy it is to connect.  I know it was simple to set it up at home.  Someday, I would like to see a more effective way to stay connected.

For the most part, I use my Kindle to play Words With Friends and Wordfued, hence the need for an internet connection.  Our music is also uploaded to the cloud courtesy of Amazon, so I sometimes use it to access my music when Mark is using his computer, which houses the iTunes.  The games and music play nicely on the Kindle.  The volume doesn't get particularly loud for the music, but it gets loud enough to hear when I'm in the shower and it is laying on the counter.

As for battery life, I really can't complain.  I often go a few days without charging my Kindle.  If it is the weekend and I am playing a lot of games, I usually need to charge my Kindle that night.  For my needs, the Kindle has good battery life.

To this day, I have still not purchased a book to read on my Kindle.  I'm the tiniest bit stubborn.  Instead, I have continued to buy books that don't fit on my shelves.  Eventually, I'll be desperate and get a book for on the Kindle, and I'm sure I'll love it.  Until that day, it will continue to be my gaming tablet, since I don't need a whole lot of memory or power.

When I asked Mark why he would buy me a Kindle when I didn't want one, he told me that he thought I should have one so I could be more comfortable.  At night, ge had noticed me playing word games on my phone, which has a pretty small screen.  I'm glad he got me the Kindle Fire.  It's a nice piece of hardware that suits my needs.  Someday, I'll use it as an e-reader and wonder why I didn't use it that way earlier.  Until then, I'm going to go lose a game of Words With Friends to Rick.