Post-Game Bullet Points: Rock Band 2


John, Peter and I got to spend some time with Rock Band 2 this weekend.  John and I played it to the point of physical illness, but we still don’t have all the songs unlocked. Since I don’t have the game or even an Xbox right now, I don’t feel like I can write a review.  So instead I figured I’d bring back an ol’ classic, the post-movie bullet points.  Well, this time its a game.  So, here we go:

  • World Tour is finally single player, which is good.  Me making progress alone might anger bandmates though, which is bad.
  • The new songs seems harder, which has mixed results.  “Go Your Own Way” is really fun, “Tangled Up in Blue” is really painful.
  • The challenges are pretty cool, but I’m not that motivated to play them yet.
  • I thought they said we could disable songs from random set lists…  How do I do that?!
  • The talking parts of vocals seem easier.
  • I can’t wait until we unlock “Master Exploder.”
  • I just found out that the DLC “Shoot the Runner” omits the word “bitch.”  What a joke!
  • The lyrics of “The Trees” are really funny.  I’m not sure if it’s intentional.
  • What are they gonna do for Rock Band 1 if they ever release The Colour and the Shape or Nevermind?  Will they include “Everlong” and “Drain You” or are those people boned?
  • Since half of Thunderheart wasn’t there, we didn’t feel right calling the new band Thunderheart.  Instead, we first named ourselves Dickard, but that was banned on Xbox LIVE.  Now we’re Lipschitz.

So, in conclusion, Rock Band 2 is a lot of fun and worth buying just for all the new songs alone.  It feels like a perfection of the last game, which was already one of my all-time favorite games.  Really, go buy this thing already.

He Sees Dead People


Ghost Town

There’s been a whole string of big comedy movies this year; from Forgetting Sarah Marshall to Pineapple Express to Tropic Thunder but it wasn’t until this month that I believe I’ve found my favorite. Ghost Town is an intelligent, clever and heartwarming piece from veteran writer/director David Koepp and only made better by the comedic timing and sincerity of the film’s star Ricky Gervais.

Set in Manhattan, Ricky plays Bertram Pincus a self centered and uptight dentist who basically despises everyone around him. Not long after a botched colonoscopy from some questionable Hospital employees, Pincus begins to see ghosts wandering the streets of Manhattan who after realizing someone can see them, begin to trackhim down with the hope that he can help them with their unfinished business. Eventually giving in Pincus decides to try and help a ghost by the name of Frank (Greg Kinnear) who wants to keep his widowed wife (Tea Leoni) from marrying some douchebag (Billy Campbell). As you could guess, romantic sparks begin to form between Gervais and Leoni and hilarity ensues.

What makes Ghost Town so funny isn’t just it’s clever script, but the flawless performance of it’s star Ricky Gervais. Showcasing his trademark approach of delivering long winded, drawn out, strings of awkward dilaogue make for plenty of embarrasing yet hilarious scenes. You can’t go without mentioning his abilities regarding physical comedy either. Why he got the audience chuckling simply with a facial gesture and definitely shines in some of the more slapstick sequences. I’d say he’s easily one of the best comedic performers working today and I would love to see his career as a leading man takeoff. Tea Leoni is also worth high mention as some of my favorite scenes were between her and Ricky. Greg Kinnear does his usual slick laid back personality while still reminding us of his dramatic chops and it’s fun to see some other character actors pop such as; Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show), Kristen Wiig (SNL) and Alan Ruck (Spin City, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off).

So we’ve established that Ghost Town is funny, but something that may surprise viewers is the heart this film reveals in it’s second half. As in most comedies like this, I think were always ready for that point where everything starts to go down hill, but in this film I actually found it quite effective. You really care for the characters in this piece and as Gervais’ character begins to turn over a new leaf it’s really quite sincere and touching. A couple of times I even felt like I was watching a vintage romantic comedy. I think it’s the romantic comedy formula with a twist of the paranormal that made me appreciate it so much, kind of a similar feel to a film like Groundhog Day perhaps.

Tragically it would appear that Ghost Town pretty much bombed at the box office this week and I find that truly devistating. If you have remotely any interest in seeing this film than I highly recommend you give it a shot. I mean look at your options; a movie with Dane Cook and Pie Guy? Another film with a pissed off Samuel Jackson? John Cusack as a CGI hunchback? This film doesn’t deserve to be ingored, plus they gotta pay off the fine of using a genuine Beatles recording in the movie, this quaint litte comedy is good watching..

Ripe Off the Vine


The Vines – Melodia

Last July I wrote a retrospective of The Vines discography, but it wasn’t until a few days ago that I actually got to listen to the actual album in it’s entirety. Released physically last July in Austrailia, The Vines fourth album “Melodia” was and is still only available in the U.S. for either 16.99 on the itunes online store or 16.99 on some crappy shop online. Seeing as I’m opposed to paying that much for an album I haven’t even heard, I had to wait until I could ahem.. Find other means of attaining it, let’s just say that the internet is glorious thing.

So The Vines huh? Don’t hear about them too much anymore, they’re still popular in Austrailia but definitely out of the spotlight here and with this new album I’m afriad it will remain that way. I’m saying this not only for it’s cheap promotion and weak release but as well for it’s same old, same old approach. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not a bad album just somewhat repetitive of their former work and that tends to make it a tad predictable. I understand if a band wants to have a signature sound but I’m not sure that I like the style that the The Vines have chosen. By this I mean; having incredibly short songs, little variety in instruments and predictable progressions.

There are some highlights to this album despite it’s problems. Where the last album was kind of mixed up on diferent genres this one connects grunge rock with bittersweet acoustic tunes seemlessly but I probably like it’s predecessor better. It’s nice that they’ve reunited with their original producer Rob Schnapf this time round and that they’ve created some good chemistry with their new bassist Brad Heald, so there’s something positive.

I used to praise the fact that The Vines have had an album out every two years since their debut, but now I’m starting to think they should take a break and spend a little more time writing and recording their next album, at least if they want to reconnect with American audiences.

Favorite Tracks: “Get Out”, “He’s a Rocker”, “Orange Amber”

For Those About to Rock…

This has been rumored for a while now, but a Walmart memo has pretty much confirmed that AC/DC’s Live at Donington will be coming to Rock Band.  This concert took place in 1991, featuring, according to Wikipedia, real cannons, the Hells Bell, and inflatable Rosie and Angus.

Since Walmart is listing this, we can assume that this might be a disc track pack.  Let’s hope it is also downloadable.  Frankly, I’m not sure how I feel about playing live tracks, but this set list is pretty definitive for AC/DC.  Check it:

“Thunderstruck”
“Shoot to Thrill”
“Back in Black”
“Hell Ain’t a Bad Place to Be”
“Heatseeker”
“Fire Your Guns”
“Jailbreak”
“The Jack”
“Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”
“Moneytalks”
“Hells Bells”
“High Voltage”
“Whole Lotta Rosie”
“You Shook Me All Night Long”
“T.N.T.”
“Let There Be Rock”
“Highway To Hell”
“For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)”

So, yeah, that looks like a lot of fun.  It really seems like this will be coming out, but remember Harmonix haven’t confirmed it yet.  So curb your enthusiasm.

This is Important


Braid, the game our boy is talking about here, is one of the most talked about games of the year.  An indie game, Braid is described as a platformer puzzle game.  It has been heralded for its complex story and difficult puzzles.  Many members of the gaming press have gone as far as to laude it as one of the great games on this generation.  Also there was a controversy sorrounding its price point, $15, one of the most expensive on Xbox LIVE.

Or, you know, “some funny ass game I found on Xbox Live.”

R.I.P. Richard Wright


Richard Wright
1943-2008

Cat Fancy is saddened to report to you this evening that founding Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright has passed away. Dying from an undisclosed form of cancer, Richard Wright passed away in his home today at the age of 65. Known for his distinctive keyboard abilities, dabbling in backing and lead vocals (such as on “Astronomy Domine” and the bridge on “Time” to name a few) and as well his contributions to songwriting on songs, “The Great Gig in the Sky” being one of his most memorable pieces.

In an age of aggressive prog rock, including bands like Yes and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Wright took a much more laid back, serene approach to his synth parts. Wright’s role in Pink Floyd was key in adding a serene ambience and hauntingly beautiful textures to the sound that Floyd is now legendary for. An expert of melodic and occasionally jazzy passages and a very talented member of one of the best bands of the 70s, it would appear that this may hault any future Pink Floyd reunion gigs but perhaps we can expect a future tribute show perhaps, he certainly deserves it? None the less we give our sympathies to the late great Rick Wright. “We wish you were here”… Sorry for that weak attempt at a joke.

This Message Will Self-Destruct

Burn After Reading

I was hoping Colin would write this, but it’s getting pretty close to midnight.  Let’s see if I can crank one out.
Last year the Coen brothers blew us away what might be their crowning achievement, No Country for Old Men.  A genius blend of incredible cinematrography, a top notch script, and some incredible performances.  No Country was the best movie to come out of last year, and probably one of the best of the decade, so of course the Coens decided to follow it up with a goofy comedy.
Burn After Reading tells the stories of a collection of morons.  John Malkovich is Osbourne Cox, a CIA analysit who quits his job after getting a demotion.  He starts writing his memoir.  His wife, Katie (Tilda Swinton) is having an affair with Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney).  Two gym employees, Chad (Brad Pitt) and Linda (Frances McDormand) find a comprimising CD that mentions Osbourne, and try to blackmail him for money.  It all gets a lot crazier from there.
I will say that this is an entertaining film.  There are several very funny moments.  But there are a lot of problems too.  Burn After Reading is missing much of what made No Country work.  The performances aren’t anything special.  The cinematography is pretty weak.
In all honesty, though, I enjoyed this movie.  There are more than enough laughs to keep this film alive for its hour-and-a-half running time.  And that’s fine.