January 2009

There were 21 posts published in January 2009 (this is page 3 of 3).

T3: Sean’s Top Video Games of 2008

It’s finally time to begin counting down the Cat Fancy top 10s of the 2008. We’re posting these instead of T3s each week, with albums coming up next week and films the week after that. Well, Colin, John and I will be posting top tens. Nancy is kind of doing his own thing, but it’s cool. Anyway, since I’m the only one who actually played more than ten video games in 2008, I have the honor of being the only one to post a video game list.

2007 was an outstanding year for all of gaming, and 2008 did a good job as a followup. With one of the busiest Christmas shopping seasons in recent memory as well as a number of critically beloved titles, it should come as no surprise that I have a lot of honorable mentions. On the DLC front, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, Rez HD and Geometry Wars 2 delivered a lot of great times for a small fee. Also, I might have been the only serious gamer to say this, but I still think Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was a good game. I had a lot of fun with it. I’m still just getting into Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, so I decided it doesn’t qualify for this list. I understand that a lot of people are all about Fallout 3, but I’m not, so sorry. Oh, and Boom Blox and No More Heroes were neat, but I don’t really play my Wii any more.

Full disclosure: games I probably would have really liked but didn’t play: Braid, Saint’s Row 2, Dead Space, God of War: Chains of Olympus, World of Goo, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, LittleBigPlanet.

Top 10 Video Games 2008


10. Gears of War 2
Remember Gears of War? That game got me to want an Xbox 360. This new one? Even better. In like every way. The graphics, controls, multiplayer, story, it’s all so perfectly refined. A lot of people complain about online multiplayer glitches in this title, but I don’t really play online, so…

9. Audiosurf
I don’t know if you’ve caught on to this yet or not, but I like music games. In many ways, Audiosurf is the ultimate music game, because it alows you to play any song in your library. While it isn’t the deepest game, it does deliver enough gameplay modes and scoreboards to keep things interesting. I had a lot of fun with this little game.

8. Castle Crashers
You all know I’m a big fan of beat-’em-ups, and Castle Crashers was the first great one in a long time. This genre doesn’t get a lot of play anymore, which is a shame because it’s a lot of fun. If this game wasn’t buggy and unpatched for most of the year, it might have been even higher on this list.

7. Left 4 Dead
Yes! Zombies are running around and you must make it to safety. That is the whole story of Left 4 Dead and it’s all the story we need. We know our characters without setting them up. We don’t need to know why the zombies are zombies, we just need to kill them. I’m still getting into Left 4 Dead, but for an FPS to get me playing the online multiplayer is a big enough accomplishment for this list.

6. World of Warcraft: The Wrath of the Lich King
By a disturbing proportion, I have spent more time playing World of Warcraft than any other game ever made. Every time I think I’m out, Blizzard pulls me back in. This time, they did it with an expansion pack that added to the game some of the most entertaining content yet. I’ve barely scratched into the depth of Lich King, but I’ve already spent plenty of hours working at it.

5. Fable II
Simply put a damn fine game. Sure, it wasn’t the most difficult, or most engaging, but the story was legitametely entertaining and the gameplay honestly fun. Plus there was a ton of stuff to do. You can start multiple families with multiple wives, buy property, get boring jobs, fight people, explore, and do it all with a lovable companion at your side. How could you let the dog die? Don’t do it!

4. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
I thought for sure this would be really high on my list, but something strange happened here. Brawl brought the legendary Nintendo franchise to the next generation and with it came Sonic, Solid Snake and online play. But for some reason, my friends (actually, just Colin and John), longtime supporters of Melee, quickly lost interest in this new title. The fuck’s up with that? I just don’t know…

3. Burnout Paradise
As a long-time fan of the Burnout franchise, that demo for Paradise was pretty scary. It seemed that Criterion had dumped all the best parts of their beloved franchise in favor of zesty graphics. How wrong I was. With an expansive city, great graphics and tight gameplay, I’d go as far as to say this is among my favorite racing games ever made. Couple that with the year of great, free support and you one of the few games I was playing all year.

2. Grand Theft Auto IV
It turns out GTA4 has been just as divisive amongst gamers as it is with the national media. What Rockstar did here was a bold new step for the series, something many weren’t ready for. Gone are all the crazy parts of San Andreas, and in its place is a deep and engaging story. Nico is one of the best characters in gaming history, and his story is one I won’t soon forget. The gameplay is more refined, the graphics stellar, this really is the total package.

1. Rock Band 2
I doubt this is a surprise. Let’s be honest, most of Rock Band 2 is identical to Rock Band 1. What Harmonix brought to the table was a perfecting of what they mostly got right with that first game. And that’s all I needed. With the stellar DLC support all year, no game has kept me coming back for more on consoles ever. Rock Band has been a staple of hanging out for over a year and it doesn’t look like that will be stopping any time soon.

So Long, EGM

Yesterday the evil (unfounded claim) Hearst corporation took over the 1Up network, putting an end to the failing Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine and laying off most of the recognizable 1Up staff. The 1Up crew has been one of the most celebrated teams in video gaming journalism, and I’m sure they will all find work in the industry again. Instead, let’s focus on the death of EGM.

I spent a lot of money on video gaming magazines over the years. Nintendo Power, CGW, GamePro, OPM, OXM, Play, I read ’em all. But EGM was always my favorite. From their innovative three-person reviews to the hilarious suffering of Seanbaby, that magazine was always a blast. Now that it’s gone, I’m afraid I may finally be done with all of magazines. Sure, my GameStop card gets me a subscription to Game Informer, but I hardly ever read that. GamePro’s like the only other magazine left, and that shit’s for babies. No, I think this is the end.

Anyway, just thought I’d let you guys know that several of my gaming personalities have been put out of work, and I think that’s a bummer. It’s Wednesday, what else was I supposed to do?

C.A.T: Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms (1985)

I was in my car not too long ago and “Sultans of Swing” came on the radio. This is not a rare occurrence, I hear that song all the time. But my reaction is always, “yeah, this is alright.” Which is pretty much how I feel about the band responsible for that classic, Dire Straits. Tonight, let’s take a look at their bestselling album Brothers in Arms.

Brothers in Arms is one of the quintessential MTV era albums. I guess that probably doesn’t catch anyone who has heard “Money for Nothing” before, but I’m just putting it out there. I mean, that music video, am I right? Those graphics are like N64-level. Sure, some of the lyrics are a little sketchy, but that was a different time.

I think most people think of this album in two halves, and the first half is definitely the good one. Kicking things off with “So Far Away,” a bluesy little number that really gets the job done for me, and then smashing your face in with the epic “Money for Nothing.” That MTV part kinda reminds you of “Don’t Stand So Close to Me,” doesn’t it? Well, it should, because Sting’s getting paid for that shit. The third track is “Walk of Life” which has an awesome organ in it. I remember hearing that song in a Dairy Queen when I was still in the single digits. Then I finally downloaded this album a few years ago.

Later on you’ll hear some more tracks that are good, and some that are a little bland. My biggest problem here is the same problem I have with everything Dire Straits has done, it’s too damn long! Only one track is less than four minutes long, and after a while I just lose interest. But that’s my problem, isn’t it?

Brothers in Arms is finely produced, quality album. Probably one of my top albums of the 1980s. Maybe a little poppier than the rest of the Straits discography, there is still plenty on this disc to keep you entertained for about an hour.

Get Off My Lawn: The Movie


Gran Torino

With a directing career that spans 37 years and an acting career of over 50 years, Clint Eastwood is still in top firing form at the age of 78. A macho man icon and a skilled filmmaker, Eastwood’s latest film Gran Torino is just as hard hitting, heartfelt, or powerfully dramatic as any other Eastwood classic and is easily one of the best films I’ve seen this year.

Aside from directorial duties, Clint dons the role of grizzled Korean war veteran Walt Kowalski, a recently widowed old timer living in a now heavily Hmong populated neighborhood. Annoyed by his shallow family and ever changing neighborhood, Walt has little pleasure left in his life but still puts everything on the line to save his neighbors from a local gang. Though he’s quickly embraced by the Hmong community, Walt treats this attention with disdain and is only further annoyed when a timid teenage Hmong boy named Tao Vang Lor, tries to steal his prized 1972 Gran Torino. The whole incident leads to Tao attempting to make amends by working for a reluctant Walt, while Walt in exchange teaches him how to be a man. As time goes on Walt and Tao form a friendship, but nothing is safe for the Lor family or the neighborhood as long as a local gang is terrorizing the streets. It’s at that point that Walt decides to intervene even if it means risking his own life.

Walt’s an interesting character as the story develops. Where at first we see him as grouchy, stubborn and filled with prejudice, we soon find that this rough exterior is really just the product of a hard life, only aggravated by Walt’s regrets of the Korean war. As his relationship with Tao and Tao’s sister Sue unfold, we really start to see him in a different light and soon enough are right behind him in his attempt to bring peace to the neighborhood.

Many have been saying that Gran Torino is vintage Eastwood and I’m of the same consensus. Sure we may be looking at a much older version of a man who used to exchange gunfire in the old west or the streets of San Francisco, but Clint still glistens with that timeless tough guy attitude. He’s just as intimidating as he’s ever been and still has plenty of raw energy to electrify audiences. The supporting Hmong cast, mostly made up of first time actors help the film in delivering a very genuine feel and the story is a perfect balance of drama, humor and not to mention all out thrills.

I’m on the fence as to exactly how much I like this movie. It will without a doubt rank fairly high on my “Best films of 2008” but I’m still dwelling on it. A lot of critics are saying that if this film is to receive any oscar nominations it will be for Eastwood’s performance. If you ask me Clint’s just doing his same old “Dirty Harry” routine. Don’t get me wrong I love him for it, but it’s not like anything we’ve never seen before. I believe this film is more deserving of a nomination for the ceremonies top prize “best picture”. There’s been a small group of films that have really left an impact on me this year and this is one of them.

Balls to the Wall

What a great song, I think it’s like the Jonas brothers. Sorry for not posting anything interesting or anything that required effort for today. I’ll do a post of Gran Torino soon enough. I can’t wait for Nancy’s full in depth analysis of Seven Pounds as well! In other news I’ve recently started watching bad movies for my “Top Ten Worst Movies of 2008 list” (starting with Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) which means we’ll have various 2008 themed lists throughout January, pretty sweet… Well at least it will be when were all done with it.

Frosted Nixon

Frost/Nixon

The great thing about American democracy is that we’ve got an equal chance of electing a total douchebag as we do a competent leader as president. One such douchebag was Richard M. Nixon, or tricky Dick, who was elected on the promise of a swift end to Vietnam. Instead, we got more years of conflict, Cambodia, and finally Watergate. When Americans finally had their chance to make tricky Dick accountable for his crimes, he made an unprescedented move and resigned the presidency, with Ford swiftly pardoning his crimes. He got away with it.

Enter David Frost, a British talk show host that threw down the money for a lengthy series of interviews with the ex-president. His plan: to make tricky Dick finally admit to his crimes, to give America the trial she needed. Frost/Nixon is the story of these interviews.

Frank Langella is most certainly the star of this show, turning one of his best performances as tricky Dick himself. He doesn’t really look like the man, but tricky Dick was such a larger than life character, it would be hard to find someone more physically similar. Instead, Langella embodies his mannerisms, and has totally got the voice down. Michael Sheen holds up his half, but the character of Frost pretty much just reacts to everyone the whole movie. Still a very strong performance. The supporting cast is also very good, it was nice to see Oliver Platt again.

I’d like to give props to the direction of Ron Howard, as this film has a great feel to it. He is able to create lots of tense situations, which is incredible considering how boring most of the Frost/Nixon interviews are in real life. Really a top-notch effort. My biggest problem was his choice to insert documentary-style talking heads, which I don’t think the film really needed. I think the film would have been stronger if we could interpret what happened on our own, instead of having the characters tell us.

But that is a minor complaint about a surprsingly great film. I doubt in real life the Frost/Nixon interviews were as big a deal as they were presented in this film, but I always allow dramatic liscense like that when it is to the benefit of the film. What we have here is simply enjoyable filmmaking. People want to see tricky Dick sweat it out, and admit what he did was wrong. This film gives it to us. What more could you ask for?

T3: Next Stop, The Twilight Zone

Happy New Year from the Cat Fancy crew! 2008 was pretty great but I think 2009 will be mighty fine. Everyone here at Cat Fancy has certainly been enjoying the holidays; seeing movies (Hopefully will have some upcoming reviews), playing vidjuh games and looking at pictures of Frog Baby… At least I have.

I assumed we’d take a break from T3’s for this week but what can I tell ya? I guess just got the urge when I realized that 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of The Twilight Zone, one of the greatest and most masterfully written science fiction shows of all time. Plus every New Years they have a Twilight Zone marathon (which continues to air as I type) on Sci-Fi channel, so it seems fairly appropriate to do it while it’s still fresh in my mind. I haven’t seen all 156 episodes but I’ve seen a lot and I’ve been a big fan of this late 50s/early 60s classic ever since I was a youngin’. So without further ado, here’s my top ten favorite episodes from a place that some like to call The Twilight Zone.


10. A Game of Pool
Air Date: October 13, 1961
Written By: George Clayton Johnson
Starring: Jack Klugman, Jonathan Winters
Synopsis: A frustrated pool shark Jesse Cardiff (Jack Klugman) has beaten all the best pool players. Everyone except the legendary Fat’s Brown at least until one night. The only problem is… Fat’s Brown is dead and the stakes for this game just happen to be Jesse’s life.
Why?: Jonathan Winters suave yet intimidating performance is an excellent combo to Klugman’s ratty back east attitude. The dialogue is sharp and punchy and the ending seals the deal.


9. Living Doll
Air Date: November 1, 1963
Written By: Jerry Sohl (Credited to Charles Beaumont)
Starring: Telly Savalas
Synopsis: A Frustrated father does battle with his stepdaughter’s talking doll, who is trying to kill him.
Why?: Before he was Kojak Telly Savalas shined as this manic father duking it out with a seemingly innocent doll. There are plenty of disturbing twists and turns here and “Talking Tina” is just plain creepy.


8. Time Enough at Last
Air Date: November 20, 1959
Written By: Rod Serling (Adapted from a short story by Lyn Venable)
Starring: Burgess Meredith
Synopsis: An outcast book enthusiast finds himself blissfully alone with his books after a nuclear war.
Why?: Parodied dozens of times, Burgess Meredith’s utterance of “That’s not fair! There was time now! There was time!” is probably one the most memorable moments of the entire series.


7. Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?
Air Date: May 26, 1961
Written By: Rod Serling
Starring: Barney Phillips, John Hoyt, Jack Elam, John Archer, Bill Erwin Jean Willes Morgan Jones
Synopsis: Two policeman investigating a saucer crash try to determine who among the passengers of a bus at a snowed-in roadside diner is from outer space.
Why?: There’s a pleasant comedic charm to this “Who’s who?” themed episode and the cast (especially Jack Elam who’s the crazy looking guy I used for the picture) is sharp and humorous.


6. The Hunt
Air Date: January 26, 1962
Written By: Earl Hamner, Jr.
Starring: Arthur Hunnicut, Jeanette Nolan
Synopsis: After a raccoon hunt, Hyder Simpson and his trusty hound discover that no one can see or hear them because they have passed on
Why?: It’s hard not to like Arthur Hunnicut in this simple, yet sweet story with one hell of a twist.


5. One for the Angels
Air Date: October 9, 1959
Written By: Rod Serling
Starring: Ed Wynn, Murray Hamilton
Synopsis: A lovable salesman (Ed Wynn) is visited by Death (Murray Hamilton) and is forced to get his priorities in order.
Why?: Ed Wynn plays the part of the fast talking salesman like nobodies business. His final pitch to the grim reaper manages to be humorous yet somehow suspenseful as well.


4. A Hundred Yards Over the Rim
Air Date: April 7, 1961
Written By: Rod Serling
Starring: Cliff Robertson, John Crawford, Miranda Jones
Synopsis: A pioneer from a struggling wagon train in 1847 sets off to find something to help his deathly ill son and after going over a hill, stumbles into present day New Mexico.
Why?: Everyone loves time travel stories; seeing all the differences between the various time frames, seeing how characters react. Not to mention you got the talented Cliff Robertson in his prime, that’s always a treat.


3. It’s a Good Life
Air Date: November 3, 1961
Written By: Rod Serling (Adapted from the short story by Jerome Bixby)
Starring: Bill Mumy, John Larch, Cloris Leachman, Don Keefer, Casey Adams, Jeanne Bates
Synopsis: On an isolated family farm, a young boy named Anthony (Bill Mumy) with mental powers, holds his family in thrall to his every wish.
Why?: Back when using a creepy kid as your antagonist was a fresh idea. Bill Mumy (who would later star as Will Robinson on Lost in Space) sends shivers down my spine as this creepy little monster.


2. Walking Distance
Air Date: October 30, 1959
Written By: Rod Serling
Starring: Gig Young
Synopsis: A stressed, middle aged businessman travels through time back to his childhood, when he’s just a few miles away from his native town.
Why?: There’s a bittersweet tone to this episode as Gig Young looks back at a simpler time in his life. I’m always a fan of time travel stories and I’ve always found this one remarkably compelling.


1. Night of the Meek
Air Date: December 23, 1960
Written By: Rod Serling
Starring: Art Carney, John Fiedler, Robert P. Lieb
Synopsis: After a depressed and drunken store Santa is fired on Christmas Eve, he finds a mysterious bag that gives out presents. With this bag he sets out to fulfill his one wish, to see the less fortunate inherit the bounties of Christmas.
Why?: A standout performance from Art Carney, this festive tear-jerker is not only a great Twilight Zone episode but probably one of the sweetest Christmas stories I’ve ever heard.

Honorable Mention
Far too many to list… Burgess Meredith did a handful of great episodes. Naturally there are such various classics as “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street”, “To Serve Man” and the infamous “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” with William Shatner.

While compiling all my research for this list I wasn’t aware of how many episodes Creator/Writer/Host Rod Serling wrote. Out of 156 episodes, Rod Serling wrote or adapted 99 of them. That’s amazing considering how consistent this classic sci-fi show was and just goes to show you that Rod Serling was probably one of the greatest television writers of all time. He never quite put together as brilliant a show as The Twilight Zone after the show’s end in 1964, but he had some minor success with the cult horror show Night Gallery along with writing the script to the 1964 thriller movie Seven Days in May and co-writing Planet of the Apes (Naturally the twist ending was his idea). Fortunately the show still lives on with it’s various Sci-Fi channel marathons (There’s a 4th of July one as well) and has quite a strong following and hopefully it will always have a place as the years go by.

P.S. Rod Serling’s birthday recently passed, which just happens to be December 25th, unfortunately he died in 1975 from a heart attack. Were he still alive today he would be 84 years old.