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Reviews Written By: A1S4NMO34CBCMJ

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	PlayStation 3 Slim 120GB (PS3 Slim, CECH-2000)
	"If I had to do it all over again..."	2009-10-30
I'm going to try to hide my disgruntled ex-Xbox360 angst as I write this. If you are in the same boat that I was, you own a 360, it broke, and you are considering switching to the PS3 (especially with the price drop), this review is for you. Side by side, the PS3 and the 360 have many similarities. Graphically, they are close, although I think that the Sony edges out the 360 by a little. Clarity and rendering seems smoother and more flawless. Sound is improved, but the truth is, my 360 only had component outputs (no HDMI) and the PS3 is running straight HDMI signal. So, perhaps its unfair, but I didnt have the choice with the Xbox (it was a first gen 360, I realize its an option now). Game catalogs both have their high points. No one can deny Gears of War, but I am seeing a trend that the really good games are almost always multiplatform now, and the Sony has some that I can't deny are some of the best I've seen. Upcoming PS3-only games like Uncharted 2 and God of War 3 I feel will seal the deal for me. All my other favorites are available on both systems (GTA, Saints Row 2, Mercs 2, Assassins Creed, Bioshock), so there's really no loser there. Hardware-wise, the PS3 is the strong, silent type. I mean, its like a Lexus to a Fast-and-Furious exhaust modified Civic as far as noise. My 360 was unbelievably loud, and frankly distracted gameplay because of it. Subtle, ambient surround-sound noises are heard easily with the Sony. Also, it puts off little to no heat. I'm not kidding in any way, my 360 used to raise the temp of my "game room" about 5 degrees or more, it was crazy. I wont get into longevity and long-term failure rates on both systems. The data is out there, and the PS3 has a much higher success rate in this category. Money doesnt grow on trees, and I really feel that I should only have to buy one console per generation of a system. If I could do it all over again, I would've gone with the PS3 from the start. Now, I dont online-game, so if thats your thing, then you may take my advice with a grain of salt. If you are like me and pretty much solo or co-op play on-site, then you won't miss "Live". I'm loving the specs, I'm loving the quietness, and I'm loving the Blu-ray player. I can't recommend the Playstation 3 enough.
	Resident Evil (UMD Mini For PSP)
	"watch, rent...repeat."	2009-10-06
Better the second time around. While it doesnt hold a candle to the 2nd film, it is only loosely based on the series, whereas Apocalypse will be the winner of the two to big fans of the videogame. The dialogue has its numbing moments, and yes, it could have been a lot more, but it still had a more cohesive feel than any of the videogame inspired crap from Uwe Boll. I wouldnt OWN it, but I would (and did) rent it in succession with the other two Resident Evil movies, and taken as the sum of the parts, it ain't bad.
	Resident Evil - Apocalypse (UMD mini for PSP)
	"It is what it is"	2009-10-06
It wasnt a perfect movie, but I cant understand the relentless bashing of it either. I thought it followed the plotlines (and characters/monsters) of the game a lot closer than the first (which I think was a good thing). Maybe I'm just an unashamed fan of the VG, but I thought this was the better effort of the series. It is what it is...a fairly cinematographic, fast paced popcorn movie.
	Resident Evil
	"watch, rent...repeat."	2009-10-06
Better the second time around. While it doesnt hold a candle to the 2nd film, it is only loosely based on the series, whereas Apocalypse will be the winner of the two to big fans of the videogame. The dialogue has its numbing moments, and yes, it could have been a lot more, but it still had a more cohesive feel than any of the videogame inspired crap from Uwe Boll. I wouldnt OWN it, but I would (and did) rent it in succession with the other two Resident Evil movies, and taken as the sum of the parts, it ain't bad.
	Resident Evil - Apocalypse [Blu-ray]
	"It is what it is"	2009-10-06
It wasnt a perfect movie, but I cant understand the relentless bashing of it either. I thought it followed the plotlines (and characters/monsters) of the game a lot closer than the first (which I think was a good thing). Maybe I'm just an unashamed fan of the VG, but I thought this was the better effort of the series. It is what it is...a fairly cinematographic, fast paced popcorn movie.
	Resident Evil (Deluxe Edition)
	"watch, rent...repeat."	2009-10-06
Better the second time around. While it doesnt hold a candle to the 2nd film, it is only loosely based on the series, whereas Apocalypse will be the winner of the two to big fans of the videogame. The dialogue has its numbing moments, and yes, it could have been a lot more, but it still had a more cohesive feel than any of the videogame inspired crap from Uwe Boll. I wouldnt OWN it, but I would (and did) rent it in succession with the other two Resident Evil movies, and taken as the sum of the parts, it ain't bad.
	A Christmas Carol
	"Possibly a perfect Holiday movie"	2009-10-06
One of the best adaptations of the story - Patrick Stewart is equal parts menacing miser and reformed philanthropist, bringing a frown then a smile to your face. He's one of the best actors of our time, a fact often unrealized, and his skills are put to good use in this must-see Christmas movie. This isn't one to rent, its one to own. I look forward to every Christmas-season just to rewatch this masterpiece. Such a good movie.
	Resident Evil (Superbit Collection)
	"watch, rent...repeat."	2009-10-06
Better the second time around. While it doesnt hold a candle to the 2nd film, it is only loosely based on the series, whereas Apocalypse will be the winner of the two to big fans of the videogame. The dialogue has its numbing moments, and yes, it could have been a lot more, but it still had a more cohesive feel than any of the videogame inspired crap from Uwe Boll. I wouldnt OWN it, but I would (and did) rent it in succession with the other two Resident Evil movies, and taken as the sum of the parts, it ain't bad.
	The Lord of the Rings
	"Consider the context and the history"	2009-10-06
Fantastic, for what it was and is - minor quibbles aside, this animation feast of what was then cutting edge live action/cell animation paints a dark, rich picture with a lot of depth and a trueness to the book that rarely strays from the source material (Legolas surfing down the stairs at Helms Deep in Peter Jackson's movies comes to mind). I'm not bashing Jackson's vision or his movies, they were a singular achievement, one that probably will never be (or should never be) bested. Yet, Bakshi's version holds a special place in my heart...this was the first "vision" of the books I loved on screen (and it absolutely kicked The Hobbit's cheap looking, goofy animation around the block). Seeing things like the Balraq, Modor, The Shire put to film was, at the time, a first, and if you think Jackson didnt borrow some set design inspiration from this, I think you're wrong. Also, the music is fantastic...it very much helps support the mood of whatever is occuring in the film, be it "good" or "evil". Comparing this to the modern manifestations of Tolkien's work is apples and oranges, and frankly, unfair. Watch this as a stand-alone, and appreciate it for what is it, a vision of Tolkien's work that illustrates (pun intended) some of the best parts of the books.
	Resident Evil
	"watch, rent...repeat."	2009-10-06
Better the second time around. While it doesnt hold a candle to the 2nd film, it is only loosely based on the series, whereas Apocalypse will be the winner of the two to big fans of the videogame. The dialogue has its numbing moments, and yes, it could have been a lot more, but it still had a more cohesive feel than any of the videogame inspired crap from Uwe Boll. I wouldnt OWN it, but I would (and did) rent it in succession with the other two Resident Evil movies, and taken as the sum of the parts, it ain't bad.
	The Omen Legacy
	"Sorry Jack"	2009-10-06
Even Jack Palances gritty voice can't make this documentary creepy in the least. Other reviewers are right: the package blurb states this is about strange occurances that befall the cast and crew of The Omen. What they have done is overhype each and every problem that the filmmakers had into some pseudo-paranormal hyjinx. "Mysteriously, there were 6 types of lunch meats, six of each, on six separate tables in the catering tent. A sign from Lucifer!" Only kidding, that wasnt in the movie. But its that kind of embellishment that should make you say 5 Hail Mary's and take this out of your queue.
	The Lord of the Rings
	"Consider the context and the history"	2009-10-06
Fantastic, for what it was and is - minor quibbles aside, this animation feast of what was then cutting edge live action/cell animation paints a dark, rich picture with a lot of depth and a trueness to the book that rarely strays from the source material (Legolas surfing down the stairs at Helms Deep in Peter Jackson's movies comes to mind). I'm not bashing Jackson's vision or his movies, they were a singular achievement, one that probably will never be (or should never be) bested. Yet, Bakshi's version holds a special place in my heart...this was the first "vision" of the books I loved on screen (and it absolutely kicked The Hobbit's cheap looking, goofy animation around the block). Seeing things like the Balraq, Modor, The Shire put to film was, at the time, a first, and if you think Jackson didnt borrow some set design inspiration from this, I think you're wrong. Also, the music is fantastic...it very much helps support the mood of whatever is occuring in the film, be it "good" or "evil". Comparing this to the modern manifestations of Tolkien's work is apples and oranges, and frankly, unfair. Watch this as a stand-alone, and appreciate it for what is it, a vision of Tolkien's work that illustrates (pun intended) some of the best parts of the books.
	Without a Trace - The Complete First Season
	"very realistic, very engaging"	2009-10-06
This is a superb show...with a cast of characters you care about and great themes for each episode. Not without flaws, sometimes the shows get a little overblown (like CSI on many occasions), but worth owning if only for Anthony LaPaglia's patriarchal agent Malone, easily his best performance ever. I didnt catch it on TV when it aired, so I have to ask the question that I am sure many other have before me: where are you Season 3 through 7?
	Resident Evil: Apocalypse
	"It is what it is"	2009-10-06
It wasnt a perfect movie, but I cant understand the relentless bashing of it either. I thought it followed the plotlines (and characters/monsters) of the game a lot closer than the first (which I think was a good thing). Maybe I'm just an unashamed fan of the VG, but I thought this was the better effort of the series. It is what it is...a fairly cinematographic, fast paced popcorn movie.
	Numb3rs - The Complete First Season
	"anything but by-the-numbers"	2009-09-28
I only recently discovered Numb3rs, and being late to the game, can't plant my I-was-watching-this-before-anyone-else flag, but if you are like me and had heard about the series, maybe caught an episode here and there on TV, but never really gave it a shot, DO IT. I dont know why I avoided this for so long, because its a great, great crime drama with a strong human element. Yes, there's plenty of action to go around, but Numb3rs also focuses on the cerebral ways that number theory could be used to solve crime. There's very little not to like about this show...at times, the Feds make decisions that I would surmise "real" FBI agents would not, huge mistakes in protocol that add drama to the show but pull from the believability. Still, I totally forgive these lapses and really enjoy the honesty and down-to-earth nature of the characters on the show, even when they are using Einstein-level jargon. Numb3rs is a strong balance of bicep and brain, and I'm hopeful that future seasons continue what they've done in S1.
	BioShock
	"Late to the game..."	2009-09-09
I have to admit, having just solved Bioshock, I'm way late. 1000000 people been me to the punch on the game and the reviews...generally, when tons of folks get all insane-in-the-brain about a game, such universal appeal tells me all I need to know about said game: its probably dumbed-down, pop-culture junk. Boy I was wrong about Bioshock. Its a testament to its originality (and, unfortunately to the cookie-cutter nature of a lot of the games out there today) that makes Bioshock unlike anything ever created. I was deeply affected and moved by the imagery, a "Sky Captain and the World of Tommorow" meets an Art-Deco Ayn Rand nightmare gone far off the edge of sanity. The attention to detail is hard to verbalize, because so much effort clearly went into it, its quite an anomoly in today's gaming world. There is an old game for 80's-era systems called "Rocket Ranger", and this has that type of style, but with absolutely no kitsche whatsoever. This is a serious, mature themed game. Despite the semi-cartoony Big Daddy on the cover (which you find out quickly are anything but cartoons), this game is about as adult as it gets, and the themes are probably unable to be appreciated by the young anyway. Nightmarish, eerie, and dark as dark gets, Bioshock is a comprehensive game, from the shadows of the cooridors, to the great ambient surround sounds that scare the heck out of you (no game thus far, I think, uses surround sound this effectively), to the period music, this game is 100% well thought out and executed. If every game on the market was like this, this immersive experience, the gaming industry would be in a better place than it is right now...but, just the fact a game like Bioshock exists gives me hope that what gaming is all about, entertainment, experience, and escapism, is headed in the right direction. I cannot recommend this game more.
	Fear Factory - Archetype
	"Massive"	2009-08-28
This is a HUGE album, and by that I mean the music is just big, big, BIG! Its got serious layering, walls of sound and distortion, vocal harmonies, synth, and absolutely nuclear drum-work. This album's double-bass work sets off Richter Scales. I'm really new to Fear Factory, overall, but like most music, I dive in head first. I've now listened to almost their whole catalog, and am only beginning to appreciate this vastly underappreciated band. You want to talk about the origins of Screamo? Look no futher. Its like a Type O Negative without the bottom-octave goth. Blastingly heavy at times, but turn-on-a-dime melodic as well, this is a comprehensive album. Some people may havee written this off because of alligence to the "old sound" or whatever. I can't speak about Fear Factory band personnel changes, I have no dog in that hunt. Drama aside, this is a phenomenal, hard-driving album that doesnt pound you into total submission like a lot of hardcore albums do (I absolutely love Hatebreed, but by the time you finish a listen, you are exhausted), but balances its all-out assault on your senses with some fantastic melody and music. I can't recommend this enough if you like heavy, huge music.
	SSX 3 for PlayStation 2
	"Still holdin' the title"	2009-01-30
I still consider this to be the pinnacle of Winter Sports games currently in existence. A lot of the newer (Shaun White, Amped) games are a little more polished (and damn, they should be, they are on next-gen systems!) but frankly, not a whole lot more than this game was on the PS2. Graphically, its strong. While not photorealistic, the imagery serves the purpose, representing the over-the-top world that the Mountain is. The frame rate is fast, and you are moving down the mountain at blistering pace. The controls are easy to master, but challenging enough that pulling off that multi-combo trick is still a feat. The world is large enough that exploring it all takes quite a while, and the individual parts (terrain parks, pipes, avalanche-prone backcountry) keep it interesting and varied. The weather changes, the atomosphere creates a sense of fun or urgency, and the cities built on the slopes are cool, cool, cool. Lastly, the music still ranks, in my mind, as the best overall soundtrack in a videogame. Indie music, rare remixes, and multi-genre tracks make this game as cool and outsider as the sport itself used to be. This is a rare game that I think trumps most releases I can think of in the past decade in terms of overall playability and repeat play value. Really, I can't say enough good things about it - if you ski/board, I'm pretty confident this game will STILL be one the best investments you can make.
	XB360 Full Auto
	"Don't judge a book..."	2008-08-04
Initially, I thought this game sucked, and was even a waste of the $10 I spent on it. I thought the graphics were borderline acceptable for any 360 game, and the gameplay was iffy at best. However, give it about 15 minutes, and you'll be hooked. Its pure, escapist fun, and really is a blast to play. There is no reality whatsoever applied to the Career Mode, and come expecting that and you wont be disappointed. It is the antithesis of perfectionist and precision driving games, and we need that every now and then.
	Call of Juarez
	"I tried..."	2008-08-04
...but I couldn't get into it. Now granted, its a few years old, and graphically we've come a long way, but, the 360 processor is the same as then, and graphically it just doesnt hold up. Sound is good - I like Western's, ergo, I like Western Games, and all the nuances, such as music that go with it. However, it can't save the gameplay, which is horrible. Other reviewers have called it linear, and thats an understatement. I mean, you either accomplish the task the game wants you to do, or you spend a 1/2 hour trying to determine exactly the right combination of movements and skewed-logic to move forward. I just didnt get it, and with the wealth of great games available to you, you should skip this one, even as a rental. No amount of clearance-rack-discount is enough to justify purchasing this one. Which is a shame, because the genre (Red Dead Revolver, which completely rocked in its style, and Gun, which was more or less a pretty good homage to the Western mythos) deserves a good game. Western Games, like Western Movies, don't come out often, and when they do, you expect a level of quality that just isnt there in Call of Juarez.
	Assassin's Creed
	"An A for Orginality"	2008-08-03
First off, I avoided the hype (and the $59 price tag) when this came out and got it used cheap. I think this always skews my review a bit, but there are few games in this world worth $60 in my opinion. However, Assassin's Creed is like no games in the world, and was very much worth my $29. :-) Graphically, its outstanding. Rendered textures and lighting are some of the best and most realistic I've seen on a 360 game. It got buggy in a few spots, but on a good LCD TV with HDMI inputs, you'll be impressed. The sound, from the music to the AI "chatter" is brilliant, and adds a real cinematic feel to the experience. Gameplay is solid, and easy to pick up, and its a helluva lot of fun to climb the highest church tower in Acre and leap off. Cons are few. The gameplay gets repetitive if you play ALL the sub-missions, and I absolutely hate unrealistic, craptastic gopher missions like the "get all the flags within 3 minutes" ones. Also, a lot of the fights do get a little lengthy, and your button mashing hand will get its workout until you figure out what combos to hit and get your timing down pat, at which point you will take on 20 enemies with a Shaolin-like flow. I loved the storyline, and no other game I've ever seen crosses the historical lines like this one. I think its one of the most imaginative and creative stories in a game, ever. It gets 4 stars from me because now that I'm done, I'm probably never going to play it again. It was a great experience, there just no payoff to going back to it. Like a great summer blockbuster movie, once you have gotten the thrills and chills, it never has the same effect, and I would guess this game would be the same way. Dont let that stop you though - especially now that the price has dropped AGAIN, you've got no excuse but to add this to you collection. It WILL occupy many, many nights of your life.
	Grand Theft Auto IV [Xbox 360]
	"Finally solved it last night..."	2008-07-05
...so I feel I can properly evaluate the game in its entirety. And it ain't no GTA 3, Vice City, or San Andreas, and thats a good thing. Now, not to let it be said that I didnt love/hate all those games and spend far too much of my young adult life playing them, but my major gripe with the GTA series was one that carried over to ever game until IV: linear games trying to act non-linear. Let me explain...free roam games like this should, in theory, give you the option of progressing on the path YOU choose, not bogged down by some random mission (races that are damn near impossible to beat, flying some remote control helicopter for some random task, etc) that you find yourself spending hours trying to solve. Those types of missions from the past games, while also seeming slightly ridiculous, cancelled out the fun I had with the rest of the game that seemed more or less rooted in reality. Frankly, after playing Saints Row, I was expecting the GTA-type-game crown stolen and not returned by the SR developers. Saints Row was simply more fun, the missions seemed to make sense and have a clear payoff and impact on the game. Saints Row also wasnt bogged down by game components that I thought were unnecessary, like having to eat and lift weights in San Andreas. I was expecting the same pointless missions, the same pointless activities in this installment of the GTA series. But I was wrong. Rockstar chose to base this game a little more in the real world (as it goes) and focus quite a bit more on character development. Rockstar also seems to have included quite a bit more extra content, such as the internet, TV, games, etc that are probably more a result of more powerful consoles being available for their developers. At the end of the day, these types of games are pure escapist fun. For probably the first couple hours of GTA IV, I was concerned maybe Rockstar had really slowed things down too much, but as the game went on (and the hours and hours piled up I'm sad to say), I found the trade off was a much more immersive world where you cared about things a little more than the past GTA editions. When the game was over, I can honestly say I'll probably play it through again, if for no other reason than to focus on the parts of the story I didnt get to this time and to take the other paths and choices that the game offers you. If I went right, this time I'm going left. And really, thats the goal of a game developer, right? To keep you coming back for more? Great job to Rockstar, great game, and great choice of direction to take the series - you almost sank it, but I think there will now be even more GTA converts lining up to pre-order GTA V thanks to some smart decisions in development.
	Ocean's Thirteen [Blu-ray]
	"I gotta disagree"	2008-03-08
...to the top reviewers who gave this a 3-star rating. My take is this: If you enjoyed 11, and pretty much hated 12, you'll find 13 to be a perfect match of the style of 12 and the substance of 11. The thing I liked the most in Oceans 13 was the "cool factor". While it is stylish, as 12 was (almost to a motion-sickness fault), it also features a lot of dialogue back and forth between the characters that clearly are having a great time being a part of this plot. The interaction and chemistry (not to mention inside jokes pertaining to their real-life celebrity personalities) is smooth and seamless, and the movie flows better than 11. Back again is the impossible theft scenario that unravels as the movie unfolds. Granted, on second viewings the surprise is gone, but I found myself enjoying the scenery even more on additional viewings, and there are some genuinely funny moments that I missed the first time. I can't speak for everyone, but I loved it.
	Ocean's Thirteen (Combo HD DVD and Standard DVD) [HD DVD]
	"I gotta disagree"	2008-03-08
...to the top reviewers who gave this a 3-star rating. My take is this: If you enjoyed 11, and pretty much hated 12, you'll find 13 to be a perfect match of the style of 12 and the substance of 11. The thing I liked the most in Oceans 13 was the "cool factor". While it is stylish, as 12 was (almost to a motion-sickness fault), it also features a lot of dialogue back and forth between the characters that clearly are having a great time being a part of this plot. The interaction and chemistry (not to mention inside jokes pertaining to their real-life celebrity personalities) is smooth and seamless, and the movie flows better than 11. Back again is the impossible theft scenario that unravels as the movie unfolds. Granted, on second viewings the surprise is gone, but I found myself enjoying the scenery even more on additional viewings, and there are some genuinely funny moments that I missed the first time. I can't speak for everyone, but I loved it.
	Heat
	"The fastest 2:45 minute movie that exists"	2007-07-05
I've been a Heat fan since I caught it on VHS years ago. I also have found Michael Mann to be a pretty consistently solid director, with a few exceptions. After seeing Miami Vice on DVD, and being blown away by a movie that I had LOW expectations of, I had to revisit Heat. I was not dissapointed. This movie FLIES by, and at 2:45, thats no small feat. I honestly missed some of the character development the first time, but I caught it and savored it this time. Mann shows all sides of these complex characters in the time he's given, and makes you alternately love and hate the aspects of them, but ultimately UNDERSTAND them. Pacino is who he is. Deniro is who he is. Conventions such as laws and marriage wont change them, and make us appreciate (with some reservation) people who have found such singular purposes. The thing I find the most gripping about this movie is its authenticity. There is a genuine quality to the dialogue and the actions of the players that really remove the suspension of reality that you often have to have in an action movie. Some say the side stories of the serial killer and Pacino's disfunction at home were unncessary, but I feel there isnt a minute of this movie that should be cut. Like Miami Vice, every scene in some way enriches the experience, and make this one of the best movies I've ever seen. It just took me a few years to realize it.
	Heat
	"The fastest 2:45 minute movie that exists"	2007-07-05
I've been a Heat fan since I caught it on VHS years ago. I also have found Michael Mann to be a pretty consistently solid director, with a few exceptions. After seeing Miami Vice on DVD, and being blown away by a movie that I had LOW expectations of, I had to revisit Heat. I was not dissapointed. This movie FLIES by, and at 2:45, thats no small feat. I honestly missed some of the character development the first time, but I caught it and savored it this time. Mann shows all sides of these complex characters in the time he's given, and makes you alternately love and hate the aspects of them, but ultimately UNDERSTAND them. Pacino is who he is. Deniro is who he is. Conventions such as laws and marriage wont change them, and make us appreciate (with some reservation) people who have found such singular purposes. The thing I find the most gripping about this movie is its authenticity. There is a genuine quality to the dialogue and the actions of the players that really remove the suspension of reality that you often have to have in an action movie. Some say the side stories of the serial killer and Pacino's disfunction at home were unncessary, but I feel there isnt a minute of this movie that should be cut. Like Miami Vice, every scene in some way enriches the experience, and make this one of the best movies I've ever seen. It just took me a few years to realize it.
	Heat
	"The fastest 2:45 minute movie that exists"	2007-07-05
I've been a Heat fan since I caught it on VHS years ago. I also have found Michael Mann to be a pretty consistently solid director, with a few exceptions. After seeing Miami Vice on DVD, and being blown away by a movie that I had LOW expectations of, I had to revisit Heat. I was not dissapointed. This movie FLIES by, and at 2:45, thats no small feat. I honestly missed some of the character development the first time, but I caught it and savored it this time. Mann shows all sides of these complex characters in the time he's given, and makes you alternately love and hate the aspects of them, but ultimately UNDERSTAND them. Pacino is who he is. Deniro is who he is. Conventions such as laws and marriage wont change them, and make us appreciate (with some reservation) people who have found such singular purposes. The thing I find the most gripping about this movie is its authenticity. There is a genuine quality to the dialogue and the actions of the players that really remove the suspension of reality that you often have to have in an action movie. Some say the side stories of the serial killer and Pacino's disfunction at home were unncessary, but I feel there isnt a minute of this movie that should be cut. Like Miami Vice, every scene in some way enriches the experience, and make this one of the best movies I've ever seen. It just took me a few years to realize it.
	Heat
	"The fastest 2:45 minute movie that exists"	2007-07-05
I've been a Heat fan since I caught it on VHS years ago. I also have found Michael Mann to be a pretty consistently solid director, with a few exceptions. After seeing Miami Vice on DVD, and being blown away by a movie that I had LOW expectations of, I had to revisit Heat. I was not dissapointed. This movie FLIES by, and at 2:45, thats no small feat. I honestly missed some of the character development the first time, but I caught it and savored it this time. Mann shows all sides of these complex characters in the time he's given, and makes you alternately love and hate the aspects of them, but ultimately UNDERSTAND them. Pacino is who he is. Deniro is who he is. Conventions such as laws and marriage wont change them, and make us appreciate (with some reservation) people who have found such singular purposes. The thing I find the most gripping about this movie is its authenticity. There is a genuine quality to the dialogue and the actions of the players that really remove the suspension of reality that you often have to have in an action movie. Some say the side stories of the serial killer and Pacino's disfunction at home were unncessary, but I feel there isnt a minute of this movie that should be cut. Like Miami Vice, every scene in some way enriches the experience, and make this one of the best movies I've ever seen. It just took me a few years to realize it.
	Chris Isaak - Baja Sessions
	"My favorite Isaak album..."	2007-06-13
...and that's saying a lot. I'll admit it, I'm an unabashed Chris Isaak fan, from the music, to the movie appearances (small and cameo as they may be) to the show, which was vastly underrated as a odd, dialouge driven gem. But, this is an album review, not an Isaak retrospective. My problem with most Chris Isaak albums is not the individual tracks, but the lack of cohesion in the overall album. I'm not one to criticize an artist for taking risks, but most of his albums have a tendency to skip around sometimes, and thats not to say I dont love 'em anyway. But, an album like Baja Sessions is, from start to finish, a south-western, chilled, beachy, Corona-fueled timepiece that sticks to its sandy roots. This is the soundtrack to your tiki-torched backyard barbeque.
	Veronica Mars - The Complete First Season
	"Buffy's successor"	2006-01-23
If you were one of those kids in high school that was wise beyond your years, a complete smartass, and fully aware that high-school was just a stepping stone to the next level, then this is your show. Veronica is 17 going on 40, and the supporting cast is pretty solid too. This is really a dialogue driven show, and although the action is good as well, it is written in a Wheaton-esque style that, if you are a fan of Buffy, you will dig.