Quite possibly the best time waster ever. To hear Chewie and Han saying your favourite lines over and over again. Brilliant. And you can make your own tracks too.
http://starwars.com/games/playnow/soundboards/index.html
This other one isn't as good, but hey, you will be entertained for about a minute:
http://www.najle.com/idaft/
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Pixar: The most successful movie studio ever?
This weekend, Pixar's 10th movie is coming out. It is called UP. I don't really know what it is about and frankly I do not care. I will see it this weekend and enjoy it in glorious 3-D. I don't know why I had doubted Pixar on their last two movies: Ratatouille and Wall-E. But hearing about a movie about a cooking rat and a non-talking robot, I was skeptical.
I will doubt Pixar no more. Ratatouille was quite funny. Wall-E was a visual masterpiece and probably the best love story done in a long time.
When I saw the first commercial for UP with the old man and his house of balloons, I almost caught myself saying "This sounds silly...".
But I have learned. Doubt Pixar no more.
Can any of you think of a more successful movie studio? Try this game. Take the Pixar movies and try to pick your top three. It is an impossible task. Really the easiest thing is eliminating the weakest of the bunch, "Cars", which is actually one of the favourites of young boys everywhere.
Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life, Cars, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Wall-E, The Incredibles, and Monsters Inc.
Go ahead, try to pick your top three. As soon as you pick a line-up, then you start thinking about another movie and end up putting together a new trio.
Mine?
Wall-E, Toy Story, and The Incredibles
Although I laughed really hard in Monsters Inc. And Finding Nemo is so good.
I think this means I change my mind already. After this weekend with "Up" I know I will be changing my mind once again.
I will doubt Pixar no more. Ratatouille was quite funny. Wall-E was a visual masterpiece and probably the best love story done in a long time.
When I saw the first commercial for UP with the old man and his house of balloons, I almost caught myself saying "This sounds silly...".
But I have learned. Doubt Pixar no more.
Can any of you think of a more successful movie studio? Try this game. Take the Pixar movies and try to pick your top three. It is an impossible task. Really the easiest thing is eliminating the weakest of the bunch, "Cars", which is actually one of the favourites of young boys everywhere.
Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life, Cars, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Wall-E, The Incredibles, and Monsters Inc.
Go ahead, try to pick your top three. As soon as you pick a line-up, then you start thinking about another movie and end up putting together a new trio.
Mine?
Wall-E, Toy Story, and The Incredibles
Although I laughed really hard in Monsters Inc. And Finding Nemo is so good.
I think this means I change my mind already. After this weekend with "Up" I know I will be changing my mind once again.
Monday, May 11, 2009
I wouldn't want to wish being a Vancouver Canucks fan on my worst enemy...
I just finished dinner late and either it is the overload on the carbohydrates or it is the start of my deep depression after the Vancouver Canucks lost tonight, which is making my body feel like it is shutting down.
There is so much I want to say, so much disappointment within me, and only so much I can take, but I don't have the energy to go off on a rant.
I only know that we have a world-class goalie, who got lit up for seven goals in the deciding game of a series. Never would I have thought that Roberto Luongo would have provided an exhibit for one of the worst goalie performances in Canucks history.
I think the reason why we love the 1994 run (other than they went to game 7 of the Stanley Cup) was that that team came through time and time and time again during that run. Even that game 7 was so close and none of us felt like they gave it away in that game.
When Daniel Sedin scored tonight to go up 5-4 with seven minutes left, who EVER would have thought that Chicago would score THREE goals in by the period's end?
I hate that we have to wait all over again to go through the Stanley Cup again. I really believed in this edition this year and now so much uncertainty:
How does Luongo bounce back from this? Can he overcome it? Is this game his Stanley Cup legacy?
Ohlund played his last game.
Sundin too?
Sedins gone to Toronto with Burkie getting aggressive?
Ugh. Let's trade Bieksa folks. People like him too much (did you see his bad wring around play leading to the 4th line of Chicago scoring?)
Today, I am reminded of how much of a loser legacy the Canucks have...
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
My wife just told me a life. I think I just might.
Go Lebron James go.
There is so much I want to say, so much disappointment within me, and only so much I can take, but I don't have the energy to go off on a rant.
I only know that we have a world-class goalie, who got lit up for seven goals in the deciding game of a series. Never would I have thought that Roberto Luongo would have provided an exhibit for one of the worst goalie performances in Canucks history.
I think the reason why we love the 1994 run (other than they went to game 7 of the Stanley Cup) was that that team came through time and time and time again during that run. Even that game 7 was so close and none of us felt like they gave it away in that game.
When Daniel Sedin scored tonight to go up 5-4 with seven minutes left, who EVER would have thought that Chicago would score THREE goals in by the period's end?
I hate that we have to wait all over again to go through the Stanley Cup again. I really believed in this edition this year and now so much uncertainty:
How does Luongo bounce back from this? Can he overcome it? Is this game his Stanley Cup legacy?
Ohlund played his last game.
Sundin too?
Sedins gone to Toronto with Burkie getting aggressive?
Ugh. Let's trade Bieksa folks. People like him too much (did you see his bad wring around play leading to the 4th line of Chicago scoring?)
Today, I am reminded of how much of a loser legacy the Canucks have...
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
My wife just told me a life. I think I just might.
Go Lebron James go.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Do not pass go, do collect $200, go directly to see Star Trek.
First off, I am not a huge Trekkie fan. I got nightmares from Wrath of Khan when I saw it with my dad when I was in Grade 2, because I got scared from the maggot things that crawled inside the brain of people (I covered my ears when I went to bed). I also had a Burger King meal deal with Spock on the box and got violently ill (food poisoning?) and thus boycotted Burger King for ten years and had an aversion to Star Trek.
I was a Star Wars guy. It was more exciting, the ships were cooler, and there was more action that a little kid could handle and understand. After the television show, Star Trek the Next Generation, I could certainly understand why people liked Star Trek. It was more cerebral and it consistently illuminated issues that we face today in society. However, the movies were pretty bland.
This new Star Trek is not your daddy's Star Trek. This Star Trek is jam-packed with action. It is exciting from the moment it starts leaving little time to breath. I was amazed at how quickly the movie establishes the characters that you may know, yet it didn't feel too forced or contrived. I never liked Captain Kirk. But, this one is great. I never liked the heavy-handedness of logic (Spock) vs emotion (Kirk), but in this movie, the juxtaposition was dead on and resonated more than usual.
For those of you who are not Star Trek or only think of it for geeks, you need to just put those notions aside. This movie somehow manages to appease all. For those who know nothing about Star Trek (like the two people I went with), you will just get wrapped up with this entire "new" crew. The humour and lines work with everyone and sometimes a bit deeper for those who know the history of Star Trek.
My wife is not a huge Star Wars fan. She knew nothing about Star Trek. After this movie, she couldn't stop raving about how good it was and how much FUN it was. It has been a long time since I saw something entertaining on the big screen. Do yourself a favour and go see this. It will be an entertaining two hours. My wife can't wait to see the inevitable sequel. I just realized, in a weird twist, I, the hardcore Star Wars geek, am now married to a Trekkie.
I never would have believed that statement until seeing this revitalized JJ Abrams Star Trek.
Live long and prosper.
I was a Star Wars guy. It was more exciting, the ships were cooler, and there was more action that a little kid could handle and understand. After the television show, Star Trek the Next Generation, I could certainly understand why people liked Star Trek. It was more cerebral and it consistently illuminated issues that we face today in society. However, the movies were pretty bland.
This new Star Trek is not your daddy's Star Trek. This Star Trek is jam-packed with action. It is exciting from the moment it starts leaving little time to breath. I was amazed at how quickly the movie establishes the characters that you may know, yet it didn't feel too forced or contrived. I never liked Captain Kirk. But, this one is great. I never liked the heavy-handedness of logic (Spock) vs emotion (Kirk), but in this movie, the juxtaposition was dead on and resonated more than usual.
For those of you who are not Star Trek or only think of it for geeks, you need to just put those notions aside. This movie somehow manages to appease all. For those who know nothing about Star Trek (like the two people I went with), you will just get wrapped up with this entire "new" crew. The humour and lines work with everyone and sometimes a bit deeper for those who know the history of Star Trek.
My wife is not a huge Star Wars fan. She knew nothing about Star Trek. After this movie, she couldn't stop raving about how good it was and how much FUN it was. It has been a long time since I saw something entertaining on the big screen. Do yourself a favour and go see this. It will be an entertaining two hours. My wife can't wait to see the inevitable sequel. I just realized, in a weird twist, I, the hardcore Star Wars geek, am now married to a Trekkie.
I never would have believed that statement until seeing this revitalized JJ Abrams Star Trek.
Live long and prosper.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
This is a great time to be a sports fan...
Just about to settle down for the Pittsburgh and Washington game, which I think is must-see-TV for any casual hockey fan. I was talking to a buddy this week and asked have we ever seen a playoff matchup in our lifetime that has pitted the three best and most electric offensive performers in the league? It simply hasn't happened. Lemieux never faced Gretzky. I know you might list some other players, but I don't think anyone else matches the caliber of skill, charisma, and hype like Ovechkin, Malkin, and Crosby (for instance, Messier no doubt was a playoff performer and he had some great offensive years, but would you say that he got you excited with the skills that he exhibited? He was tough and scored great goals, but he is not on the same plane of talent of the three).
This match is hyped up and it should be. You should check out ESPN's Scott Burnside's article, a good read about this matchup, confirming what I thought about how the NHL has not had its Magic-Bird matchup ever. I like Washington's coach, Boudreau, saying that he likes the hype.
Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin all hate losing. Their regular season match-ups have been gigantic. To do this possibly SEVEN times. I can't wait.
If you haven't been falling the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics first round matchup, you have missed a classic. Again, I will refer you to ESPN's Bill Simmons, who captures how emotional of a rollercoaster of a ride the series has been. I thought Ray Allen was on the downside of his career after the last time I saw him live in Seattle. I was wrong. I knew Derrick Rose was something special when I saw him play in Atlanta. I was right. You need to check out Game 7 tonight if you used to be a NBA fan. This league is in a golden age. Look at the star power and how good these players are right now. Lebron James and Dwayne Wade are singular forces of nature.
I would like to write more, but Sidney Crosby just scored and I have to get back to the game. This is a great time to be a sports fan. Go Blue Jays go.
This match is hyped up and it should be. You should check out ESPN's Scott Burnside's article, a good read about this matchup, confirming what I thought about how the NHL has not had its Magic-Bird matchup ever. I like Washington's coach, Boudreau, saying that he likes the hype.
Ovechkin, Crosby, and Malkin all hate losing. Their regular season match-ups have been gigantic. To do this possibly SEVEN times. I can't wait.
If you haven't been falling the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics first round matchup, you have missed a classic. Again, I will refer you to ESPN's Bill Simmons, who captures how emotional of a rollercoaster of a ride the series has been. I thought Ray Allen was on the downside of his career after the last time I saw him live in Seattle. I was wrong. I knew Derrick Rose was something special when I saw him play in Atlanta. I was right. You need to check out Game 7 tonight if you used to be a NBA fan. This league is in a golden age. Look at the star power and how good these players are right now. Lebron James and Dwayne Wade are singular forces of nature.
I would like to write more, but Sidney Crosby just scored and I have to get back to the game. This is a great time to be a sports fan. Go Blue Jays go.
LOST
I don't bother giving out recaps when there are so many better writers out there that do such a better job than I possibly could.
If you want a good review that isn't too long of a read check out this review at AV Club.
If you want something that is dense, rambling, yet really gets you thinking about the show, then check our Doc Jensen of EW, who has the best recaps (and previews) around.
I will say though that this season of Lost has been awesome. I love how the first time traveling episode was called "The Constant" and then this one was called "The Variable". I still am not sure how this is going to wrap up in one season, as the season finale is next week. I can't remember a more informative and definitive sentence as the one that Faraday says to Kate and Jack. And I am super excited for next week's finale, because every season for the last three years, the finales have been amazing and excellent.
If you want a good review that isn't too long of a read check out this review at AV Club.
If you want something that is dense, rambling, yet really gets you thinking about the show, then check our Doc Jensen of EW, who has the best recaps (and previews) around.
I will say though that this season of Lost has been awesome. I love how the first time traveling episode was called "The Constant" and then this one was called "The Variable". I still am not sure how this is going to wrap up in one season, as the season finale is next week. I can't remember a more informative and definitive sentence as the one that Faraday says to Kate and Jack. And I am super excited for next week's finale, because every season for the last three years, the finales have been amazing and excellent.
Canucks
I went to Game 1 of the Canucks game and I would have to say that it was the best Canucks playoff game I have ever attended live. Which is not saying much when you consider the Canucks history in the playoffs. The only game I can remember that was good was the Minnesota Wild game where Matt Cooke scores with no time left to send it to overtime and then Trent Klatt gets the winner in OT. And that was a first rounder.
I also saw the Dallas Stars triple OT game, but that was more grueling than anything else, with a good outcome.
The litany of LIVE playoff games I have attended is too long.
Game 3: Calgary Flames was a loss in 1994
Game 3: New York Rangers Stanley Cup in 1994 was a loss. When Bure scored 1 minute into the game I thought I was in for the best day of my life. He got ejected later for an elbow, Kovalev and Leetch took over and that was that.
Chicago Blackhawks, Chelios picking off a pass to win it? I was there.
Colorado Avalanche beating the Canucks thoroughly? I was there.
(You can tell how much I want to erase those games, because I don't know what years those two playoff games were and I don't even want to expend energy to "Google" it.)
2007: Anaheim wins in overtime. That was the weirdest sound ever, because GM Place was dead silent and all you could hear was the Anaheim Ducks whooping it up on the ice. The term "sudden death" was never more apt at that time.
Even enduring all those losses, Thursday's game was a shocking reminder to me how much more playoff games are better in person than regular season games. The atmosphere was electric to begin with. By the second period, up 3-0, and with Welwood drawing another double minor, I became delirious. If the Canucks had scored, GM Place would have gone haywire.
Of course the Canucks didn't score and you know the rest. The Blackhawks came back to tie it. Why I believe the Canucks are going to win the Stanley Cup was shown in their fortitude that night. The OLD Canucks would have folded. If you blow a THREE GOAL lead that means momentum is gone and your team is on the road to defeat. And then that four on one appears out of nowhere and Sami Salo bangs it home (does Steve Bernier ever score on his first shot? Love the guy, but he has so many high quality chances that he puts into the goalie.)
And then once again, I was delirious, high-fiving every stranger around me, jumping up and down like a giddy child on Christmas. My friend, Kav, and I were ecstatic and still talking about the game the next day. My wife thinks I am crazy for being so wrapped up in a SPORT. Which makes sense to all outside observers. But like I have said many times in this blog, sports brings us together, sports adds to the spice of life. I have no qualms saying that I am a crazy Canuck fan. I am growing quite possibly the worst facial hair ever seen and I do not care about all the abuse heaped on me. Game #2 goes tonight and I will be in the building again. I hope that it will be a memorable game, not one that I want to erase from my mind. Go Canucks go.
I also saw the Dallas Stars triple OT game, but that was more grueling than anything else, with a good outcome.
The litany of LIVE playoff games I have attended is too long.
Game 3: Calgary Flames was a loss in 1994
Game 3: New York Rangers Stanley Cup in 1994 was a loss. When Bure scored 1 minute into the game I thought I was in for the best day of my life. He got ejected later for an elbow, Kovalev and Leetch took over and that was that.
Chicago Blackhawks, Chelios picking off a pass to win it? I was there.
Colorado Avalanche beating the Canucks thoroughly? I was there.
(You can tell how much I want to erase those games, because I don't know what years those two playoff games were and I don't even want to expend energy to "Google" it.)
2007: Anaheim wins in overtime. That was the weirdest sound ever, because GM Place was dead silent and all you could hear was the Anaheim Ducks whooping it up on the ice. The term "sudden death" was never more apt at that time.
Even enduring all those losses, Thursday's game was a shocking reminder to me how much more playoff games are better in person than regular season games. The atmosphere was electric to begin with. By the second period, up 3-0, and with Welwood drawing another double minor, I became delirious. If the Canucks had scored, GM Place would have gone haywire.
Of course the Canucks didn't score and you know the rest. The Blackhawks came back to tie it. Why I believe the Canucks are going to win the Stanley Cup was shown in their fortitude that night. The OLD Canucks would have folded. If you blow a THREE GOAL lead that means momentum is gone and your team is on the road to defeat. And then that four on one appears out of nowhere and Sami Salo bangs it home (does Steve Bernier ever score on his first shot? Love the guy, but he has so many high quality chances that he puts into the goalie.)
And then once again, I was delirious, high-fiving every stranger around me, jumping up and down like a giddy child on Christmas. My friend, Kav, and I were ecstatic and still talking about the game the next day. My wife thinks I am crazy for being so wrapped up in a SPORT. Which makes sense to all outside observers. But like I have said many times in this blog, sports brings us together, sports adds to the spice of life. I have no qualms saying that I am a crazy Canuck fan. I am growing quite possibly the worst facial hair ever seen and I do not care about all the abuse heaped on me. Game #2 goes tonight and I will be in the building again. I hope that it will be a memorable game, not one that I want to erase from my mind. Go Canucks go.
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