Blunt Force Drama

Quantum of Solace

I’d like to begin by declaring that even after sitting through this latest Bond movie, I still have no idea what “quantum of solace” actually means. Over the course of the the film you hear about an organization that I guess is called “Quantum,” but they never explain who they are or what they do. So with that poor title out of the way, let’s move on to the rest of this movie.

Picking up moments after the end of Casino Royale, this is the story of Bond trying to unwind the mystery of this mysterious organization that was manipulating Vesper. But is he doing his job or is he out for vengeance? If you can’t guess, well, then I can’t help you. His adventure sees him traveling ’round the world, and forcing even MI6 to question his motivations.

QoS starts off, in Bond tradition, with an action sequence. I was onboard at this point, but little did I know that this is the film actually surpasses the term “action-packed.” They literally have every kind of conceivable chase sequence forced in here. I’m totally serious, there were so many chases and fights that I lost interest in fighting! It doesn’t help that this film employs that annoying shaky cam that has already ruined plenty of action sequences this decade.

If you weren’t a fan of Daniel Craig as James Bond, this film is not going to change your mind. He’s playing a Bond that’s as tough as he is stubborn, and his heartbreak from the last film isn’t making him any more likable. I get that this is supposed to be a new character, who is still new to this, but really, I just don’t care for this guy. He has no charm, no wit. The rest of the cast is fine, if you hadn’t already guessed my favorite character in this new continuity is that CIA agent guy who gave Bond the money in the first film. Diving Bell guy is an OK villain, but there’s not much to him. Ultimately not very memorable. Hitman lady certainly is in the movie. Judi Dench, of course, does fine work and delivers the film’s only genuinely funny line.

Ultimately, this film failed to keep me interested. I just don’t really like this Bond, and the more action sequences you throw at me, the less engaging those are too. I will admit QoS did shed the worst elements of the previous movie, but this still is not what I want my 007 movies to be like. And that is why it fails.

Fireside IMs

This is pretty cool. Remember during the last depression how FDR took the time to go on the radio and talk to the nation? The O-Bomb is doing the same thing, but updated for the modern age. What you see above is the first of his weekly YouTube fireside chats, which he will use to talk with us, the American public.

I think this is a really cool idea, I mean we all like him so much and its comforting to hear from the president-elect. After watching this video, which I think does exactly what a YouTube video from our president should, I immediately subscribed to this feed. I implore all of you to do the same. With this last election we all became political, and there’s no going back.

R.I.P. Mitch Mitchell

1947-2008
I can’t believe the legendary John “Mitch” MItchell died last wednesday without me hearing about it. I didn’t hear or see anybody talking about it anywhere until today, which is a shame considering what a talent the world has lost.

Prominently known as the drummer of the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience Mitchell brought a rich background in jazz to many of the group’s iconic rock numbers and propelled the early sounds of hard rock. It’s said that Jimi and Mitch had incredible chemistry together, both in the studio and especially on stage and even after Hendrix’s death Mitch never really slowed down, going after a handful of other music endeavors.

Even in his last days Mitch was still playing on the “2008 Experience Hendrix Tour” which he passed away just five days after the tour’s completion from natural causes. He was the last surviving member of the group, since Noel Redding’s passing in 2003, and will be missed by rock music fans and musicians alike.

Your Weekly Rock Band Post

Well, I didn’t wanna do it but it’s been a productive week at Cat Fancy, and since it’s nearly midnight I wanted to keep the streak alive.

Next week, Rock Band players will be able to download a ton of new music. Sadly, I can’t say any of it really interests me. Check it:

Dead Kennedys Pack – “California Uber Alles,” “Holiday in Cambodia,” and “Police Truck”

Mission Of Burma Pack – “Mica,” “That’s How I Escaped My Certain Fate,” and “That’s When I Reach For My Revolver”

Century Media Girls of Metal Pack – “Forever” by In This Moment, “Closer” by Lacuna Coil and “Swamped” by Lacuna Coil

“Gone” by Cooked X

Nothing that I really want to buy. But that’s OK, we just got The Colour and the Shape this week. Now what’s really interesting is the week after next, when both Rock Band and Guitar Hero will be getting Killers DLC in honor of their new album Day & Age. Rock Banders will get the classic “My. Brightside” and “Smile Like You Mean It,” as well as the new “Spaceman.” Neat! Guitar Hero also gets “Mr. Brightside,” and two new songs “Human” and “Losing Touch.”

I’m done now.

T3: Far Out Fads

Here’s a quick T3 that I’d originally planned for 90s week but it somehow ended up on the cutting room floor. It’s mostly the fads that most effected my life in the 90s and what not, enjoy I guess.

10. Pogs – This wasn’t really too big around where I grew up, but I had a handful of pogs that I enjoyed collecting even though I never had anyone to play with.

9. Bop It – Remember Bob it? That was actually pretty fun, especially “Bop-It Extreme 2”

8. Surge – Drinking Surge was just bad-ass at least to my memory. Not everyone drank it that often due to it’s high amount of caffein, but I never missed a chance to get extreme.

7. The Rise of Harry Potter – When British import Harry Potter came to our proud land in 1998 kids went nuts, slowly but surely Harry Potter took the world by storm and even I’ll admit I was fan back in the day.

6. Star Wars Special Edition – When the Star Wars trilogy got a makeover in 1997 it was like the birth of a new wave of fans. I remember it was second grade when kids were buying all the latest star wars toys and bringing them to school. There were new trading cards and all sorts of merchandise, what a time to be alive.

5. Tech Decks – Probably the most annoying fads of it’s time. there were always those kids that brought their finger skateboards to class, playing with them when ever they could. I was never as good as Nancy but I still had a handful and some pretty sweet miniature ramps for em.

4, Razor Scooters – Who knows why these got so popular so fast but I guess some of the most simple things in life tend to be the most enjoyable. Just be careful, I had some bad wipeouts in the day… Well never that bad.

3. Tamagotchi – Everyone had those terribly annoying virtual pets beeping away uncontrollably, unless you were Colin he had like some cheap knockoff. They were fun but I swear if you didn’t feed or entertain that thing for every hour of the day they’d freaking get sick and drop dead with the flick of a wrist. One of my worst fears is going to hell and being attacked by the spirits of all my dead tamagotchi pets.

2. Power Rangers – Looking back it was a weak concept, a lame show with an even worse movie but kids identified with those brave spandex warriors, I especially loved the toys with the flip heads. So many memories of pretending to be these guys at recess, I was always Billy cause he was the smartest, I can still remember the name of the actor, David Yost.

1. Pokemon – Whether it was the cards, the games or the terrible cartoon, every adolescent was all about Pokemon in the late 90s. I still keep my cards stored away in a thick binder, my favorite card was always a holographic Blastoise that I got in my first pack, those were some precious yet nerdy times.

Dishonorable Mention
Beanie Babies – They were just god damn stuffed animals people.

Yup, Still Bond

Sorry if I sounded really pissed off in my post on Sean’s Bond post, but I really can’t say I agree with the point he was trying to make. I mean we all agree that the newer Batman movies were able to reinvigorate that franchise tremendously, and I think Casino Royale, though it certainly wasn’t nearly as great as Batman Begins or The Dark Knight, was what the Bond movies needed. I just watched Die Another Day, which I didn’t see in theaters, and for me it’s basically the equivalent of the Joel Schumacher Batman movies. It’s so cheesy and over the top, I mean come on, how can you take any scenes seriously that take place in an ice palace. And all the cheesy one liners after someone gets killed, they just seem really lame and uninspired, not to mention Bond’s invisible car and the scene of him surfing down a tidle wave created by an avalanche. Everything about it just seems really tired and dated, so I think it was time that there was a new Bond with different sensibilities for this day and age.

And as for Daniel Craig, I can’t say I fell in love with him, but I think he’s a suitable Bond. I think he shared a lot of the qualities that made Sean Connery’s Bond so great, rather than trying to charm his way through the role in the way that Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan did. And sure I can understand that there could be certain qualities that you could expect from James Bond if you’re a big fan, but do you really want to see the same interpretation of Bond every time? One thing I liked about Casino Royale is that it focused on him as a character with flaws and desires rather than just putting him in one crazy action sequence after another.

Anyways I’ve gone way too far to defend a movie and franchise that I only have a somewhat above average appreciation for. I just wasn’t feelin’ all this hatred towards the new James Bond movie. But whatever, it’s been a while since I’ve posted.

The Epic Tale of a Thimble and His Property

Apparently Ridley Scott, acclaimed director of hit films such as Gladiator, Alien, and Blade Runner is signed on to make a Monopoly movie.

Like, the game. You know the one, were you move around a board making and spending money? That one.

This is totally messed up! Like, how can this movie work? I just don’t understand. There’s no story to the game. None! Seriously, what’s this going to be about? Will it be like a Wall Street, telling the story of corruption in high stakes real estate? Actually, that sounds alright, but why would you want to associate a serious movie like that with a board game?

One thing’s for sure, we’ll all be board by the time this finally comes out. Or some other equally bad pun.