One More Day In My Childhood



Fizzgig from The Dark Crystal



Let us go way back to my tender youth much before I liked many of the things I do today, and much before I hit puberty to, oh let's say the age of 8. I really don't know what I would do at that age nowadays I would probably notice how much worse cartoons have gotten over the years and just watch good ol' 90's cartoons that were actually amusing. I would probably be stunned by how good some kids movies have gotten but I'd also watch some older movies especially the Dark Crystal just because it is creepy as hell and I'm pretty sure scared every person that saw it as a child.



One of my favourite games as a kid

I would also probably play some video games that I grew up playing and really made a lot of my childhood such as Crash Bandicoot, Spyro and Sonic Adventure. Sure these games may not have the best graphics now but they are still more fun then most kids games made in the present. I've really noticed that too that a lot of stuff has really decreased in quality from when I was a kid an example is while I grew up watching Tales of the Cryptkeeper and the good Pokemon (you know with only 150 pokemon) while today they grow up on Hannah Montana and the new terrible pokemon (over 500 pokemon = STUPID). Most of all though I just wish I could have the simple life I did back then I wouldn't have to worry about money at all, hell I thought $5 was a fortune back then. I also wouldn't have to worry about work, or high school, or a future I could just be a worriless kid. That'd pretty much everything I would do if I had one more day as a child but I know it'll never happen so thanks a lot for making this a assignment and making me realize how much my current life pales in comparison to my childhood.

Media Round-Up

MUSIC

Motionless In White - Creatures

I really don't know what to say about this band, not because of their musical talents but because of their look. When I saw what this band looked like it honestly made me not want to listen to them and also like them a little less. So if any of you are planning to listen to these guys try to avert looking at any photos of them. That being said I am sitting at my computer right now listening to this album for about the tenth time this past few days and I have to say I really enjoy it. I mean sure the band used the word f*** pretty excessively and it feels rather unnecessary at certain parts of songs but I can hardly hold that against them seeing as how there's bands that do it much, much worse. The album starts out pretty solid with the first track having some impressive breakdowns and quite a few f-bombs but really the last 5 tracks of this album are the standouts. Their clean vocalist really does shine a lot more on tracks like Puppets and Scissorhands than on earlier tracks like Immaculate Misconception and Abigail. Also I do need to mention a speaking part in the 3rd track that just utterly makes me want to shoot myself. Overall I was thoroughly impressed by this album and I'll probably be playing it for a while. Oh and did I forget to mention the keys? The keys in this album are phenomenal and really make it more listenable and just add some layers to the band. I would recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the genre for those who aren't you probably won't find anything new to like here. 7.5/10

Standout Tracks: Puppets (The First Snow), Scissorhands (The Last Snow), .Com Pt. II


The Word Alive - Deceiver

About 10 seconds into this album I already knew that I was going to love this album. It's just something about this album that makes me want to keep listening. I was never a particularly big fan of The Word Alive in the past and I had never really gotten into anything they had ever done but I thought I might as well give this album a shot; and I'm so glad I did. As mentioned in the review above the keys were phenomenal and The Word Alive takes that to the next level their keys in a breakdown in 2012 is possibly one of the best breakdowns I have heard all year! If anyone thinks they've got a better one please post that song in the comments because I would sure love to hear it. the one bad thing I can say about this album is its length. I want it to be so much longer because I really enjoyed it that much! Now I know some people probably aren't into the metal/post-hardcore genre but this album is absolutely amazing. The lyrics are great along with all the instrumentals, I mean sure the clean vocalists voice sounds a little strained at times but really it isn't that prominent. Deceiver is possibly one of my favourite hardcore albums of the year but there's still a lot to choose from and I'll probably make a list at the end of the year. I can do nothing but recommend this to everyone who listens to music even remotely close to this genre. Go check this band and album out right now! Your life will be better having done so. 9/10

Standout Tracks: 2012, Consider It Mutual, Like Father Like Son

GAMES


Dead Rising 2
Rated M

I've been playing this game a lot for the past week or two... I'm already on my third play through of it and I still really don't know how to rate this game. On one hand the gameplay, for the most part, is extremely fun and can entertain me for hours on end but on the the other hand the story is down right awful and the game can be extremely frustrating at times. Now don't get me wrong I've never played the first Dead Rising seeing as how I don't really play all too much on the 360 but from what I've heard it was also pretty damn frustrating. Now I really don't see why the chose to keep the 72 hour time limit in this game, I for one think it is completely stupid. I shouldn't have a time limit when I'm playing a game, especially an open world game where there is way too much to do in said time. I'm sure some will argue that this just adds some needed difficulty but no it just makes something that would be extremely fun completely tedious at points. While they did leave that in they changed some things for the better as well. Instead of taking pictures to level yourself up you now get leveled up faster by mixing weapons into awesome combinations that would make McGuyver blush. Also from what I've heard the survivor AI has been improved greatly which is also a good change for this game. Really what this boils down to is the core gameplay and how much fun it is and I'm a pleased to say its the most fun I've had killing zombies in pretty much any game. Many of the weapon combinations you make will probably offer a cheap laugh or two seeing as how ridiculous it is to combine a pipe and fireworks to make a rocket launcher and blow zombies into bits. The story is of course complete and utter bull****! But really what do you expect? it's a capcom game and no matter who you are you have to agree capcom does stories equivalent of a Michael Bay film. Dead Rising 2 is a great tie if you like killing zombies and you should definitely think about picking this one up. Especially if you have a friend with the game seeing as how there's added co-op play. Tape it or die!   8.5/10

MOVIES

Jackass 3-D
Rated 18A

I really don't even know how to open this review. Honestly finding words to describe this movie are pretty difficult to do. I went to the theatre on Saturday with a few of my friends expecting a good time watching these idiots do stupid stunts and that's exactly what I got. Jackass is back people and now it's in 3-D! I find it amazing that these guys, many of them probably nearing their 40's manage to keep doing these stunts without severely hurting themselves. This is the Jackass at its finest the stunts are great and they really just take everything to the next level. The 3-D in this movie is pretty great cause you get to really see all this gross stuff fly out at you during the movies it just adds a whole new layer to the movie. This also contains some of the grossest things they've ever shown in the series including the poo cocktail supreme which involves bungee cords, a porta potty and a lot of dog crap; I'm sure you can put the pieces together there. Sure there are some things that aren't too funny or go on way too long but that's what most of Jackass is just complete hit or miss but luckily most of the stuff is absolutely hilarious. I also need to mention a especially hilarious introduction from some old cartoon characters from a particular series which I won't mention cause I don't wanna ruin it for anyone. Overall Jackass 3-D was a hilarious movie that should make even the most uptight people feel immature from laughing at these stupid stunts. 8/10

Post Secret thing...

Yeah I don't know if this is exactly what I was supposed to do but it's the best I could come up with so yeah here ya go folks! Enjoy!

Media Round-Up For the Week

So basically what I'm gonna do is at the end of every week I'm gonna review what I've been listening to, playing and watching I might throw some random stuff in here sometimes but you'll have to wait and see. PLUS I changed the layout of the blog! I'm gonna be uploading weekly little comics now so I hope everyone enjoys some more humour being put into this blog.


MUSIC

Valencia - Dancing With A Ghost

In short Valencia's new album is possibly the best album of the year. Not just in their genre of alternative rock either I'm talking about overall. The album starts out with a bang with its title track which will be stuck in your head for weeks on end with its infectious chorus. The next few tracks slow down the tempo a bit but the lyrics really speak out about lead singer Shane Henderson when he sings, "I came over feeling sorry, standing drunk there from the rain, yeah, you opened up the doorway feeling broken from the start. You let me in, and I began." Speaking of the lyrics they are absolutely outstanding on this album the lyrics have to be some of the best I have heard in a very long time which probably isn't saying much looking at the modern music scene. The track Friday Night mixes it up and takes a darker approach to the bands sound and it works great seeing as how it's one of the best tracks on the album. The rest of the album is nothing short of incredible but I won't go into too much detail because I want to keep these reviews relatively short. I can do nothing but recommend Dancing With A Ghost to anyone who's a fan of the genre and even those who aren't. Valencia's Dancing With A Ghost simply cannot be missed. 10/10

Standout Tracks: All of them

You, Me, and Everyone We Know - Some Things Don't Wash Out

You, Me & Everyone We Know's new album is yet another strong release from the band with too many members to count; six. The first two tracks are amazing although slightly short which is disappointing. The lyrics in Shock & Awe really show what the band has gone through when they sing "This is a f*** you to Richard Reignes who told me I should lose some weight. Come to think of it Payne you too you screwed our fans so we screwed you," it really just seems like they went all out in letting those people know what they think of them. Their new version of Livin' th' Dream is just as good as the original and following tracks A Bigger Point of Pride and Bootstraps are about as catchy as herpes. The title track is great and has an infectious chorus that will be stuck in your head for longer than you car to know. James Brown is Dead is more of a jazzy/soul take on the genre and kind of falls flat although it does have its moments. The Next 20 Minutes is a nice little song that'll have you singing along with it every time it comes on. Also note that the entire song is completely carried by the lead singers amazing vocals as they are very dominant in this track. A Little Bit More is a catchy, repetetive song and Puzzle is an exceptional song with outstanding lyrics although it starts a lot stronger than it ends. Finally the last track Moon, Roll Me Away end the album with gang vocals and sounds great doing it seeming like the perfect track to close with. This album is absolutely amazing and should be considered by any fan of Pop Punk or of the band Say Anything (at times the sound extremely similar). Go out and buy this album or download it or whatever! Just get it! 9/10

Standout Tracks: Shock & Awe, Bootstraps, Some Things Don't Wash Out


GAMES

Lara Croft & The Guardian of Light

Lara Croft has been through some rough patches the past few years. I really can't remember a Tomb Raider game I have immensely enjoyed since way back on the PlayStation; until now. Lara Croft & The Guardian of Light completely changes up the formula from the past games by switching to a over the head perspective. This may seem like an odd choice to some but believe me it works surprisingly well. The core game play remains the same, you do lots of jumping, shooting and solving puzzles. The big change though is the add of co-op play which is a very welcome change if you ask me. Playing this game with a friend was one of the most fun experiences I've had playing any game all year! All this being said there really isn't too much of a story you accidentally resurrect an ancient demigod who tries to destroy the world and you must stop him... that's about it. The campaign isn't particularly long either it probably took me around 5-6 hours to burn through it. Really though seeing as how this is a downloadable title what else can you ask for? That's as long as Modern Warfare 2's campaign and is a hell of a lot more fun too! I really can't do anything but recommend this game it is a must have whether you're a fan of the series or not and at $14.99 you can't go wrong. Lara Croft is back people! 8.5/10

MOVIES

Didn't do any this week but will be sure to get on reviewing some next week!


Recommendations for the week: Everything I reviewed

Next Week: MUSIC - Motionless In White, The Word Alive GAMES - Dead Rising 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I MOVIES - TBA

Cell phones in school: The end of civilization as we know it?



Is this the future?



I think the article being discussed actually gets a lot of things right seeing as how cell phones probably will be a regular thing in schools which isn't necessarily a good thing. Cell phones in schools really will take away a lot of the learning experience involved in the school. The fact is that students really can't multitask as well as they think they can and I'm pretty sure no one who owns a cell phone can text and listen to a lesson at the same time. There are definitely times in class for texting but to be able to do it all throughout would be ridiculous and grades would probably drop steadily for those said students. I know to many I'll sound like a square ripping on the use of cell phones in class but I'll say now that it's not a completely bad thing. Cell phones are increbily useful for communicating with people but should definitely be saved for any time for independant work. Really the thought of them completely not being aloud in classes at all is ridiculous I mean you might as well make them aloud cause if you don't kids will just sneak text anyway. I've given my opinion so i think i should talk about the article a bit I mean it seemed fairly unbiased seeing as how they gave examples from each sides and they actually state that they think cell phones will be like calculators and become aloud in the future but honestly it is biased because it kind of has to be seeing as how its an opinion piece on cell phones at school so they clearly state their opinion. What do you all think should cell phones be aloud in schools? Do you agree with me or disagree? Please sound off in the comments!