The Midnight Avenger

James Taylor

2011-06-23T13:48:00.000-07:00

I find it hard to believe that it is physically possible in this plane of existence to dislike his music; its purity and substance is beautifully heartwarming. This performance in particular always leaves me in a state of pure awe as I am carried off in my mind to simpler times where fond memories were ignited.

A Song of Ice and Fire and...JUSTICE!

2011-06-23T02:26:00.001-07:00

P.S. I am an Unemployed Screenwriter

2011-06-15T21:54:00.000-07:00

When we walk we, first, entangle our thoughts, and then straighten them like a comb through hair. We observe the simplicity of the world around us and, in doing so, curtail our feelings, emotions, beliefs, hopes into a tangible, examinable solution to the fog that enshrouds our minds.

Writing enables us to experience a similar form of central elucidation, though, with a slight twist:

We walk a narrow path—and though we have the ability to stray from it—we are always limited to our initial surroundings (however much they may change with progress). Writing, conversely, expands in every direction, allowing us to add dimension upon dimension as we please. Walking allows us to get from “A” to “B”—we can never deviate from this mandatory principle since these two destinations can occupy any place that we choose. Writing is not bound by a directional foundation. It can start here…

And end here.

While simultaneously ending here.

We can reach two destinations at the same time through a single route that allows both ventures to coexist. This practice, which we will call “layering”, allows the writer to layer meaning on top of meaning. A singular set of words arranged in only one distinct order can encapsulate multiple, and immensely different, meanings.

Here’s an example:

“As the man received the award he looked at his father in the audience and smiled.”

This sentence can denote many, many things—here’s a few possibilities:
• A man smiled at his father.
• The man credited his father for his success.
• The man discredited his father’s belief that he would never amount to anything.

As we can see, the options are seemingly endless—inferences can be drawn in vast quantities by the minutest details (or a single sentence).

Concealing indirect details under the conceptual surface of words is an extremely basic technique that has been used for ages to covey symbols, themes, messages, etc.

*Dear screenwriters employed by giant production companies to write screenplays for mindless blockbusters,

This was for you. Believe it or not, you can add depth and meaning to a story without angering the greedy pigs that feed you money scraps from their box office feasts by concealing it below the surface.

I will prove this with one final example:

Animal Farm
• (For the stupid people that like explosions and your ill-tempered employers) A story about animals on a farm.
• (For the smart people) A critical, allegorical satire portraying the authoritarian society created by Joseph Stalin.

Okay.

2011-06-09T18:47:00.001-07:00

I've lost the ability to get mad.

Fact:

2011-06-09T15:40:00.001-07:00

Play-By-Play Reaction to the Wii U

2011-06-07T23:28:00.000-07:00

You're not fooling me again, Nintendo. My Wii isn't good for anything except playing Gamecube games, an occasional SSBB session, and collecting dust. The trailer for the Wii U leads me to believe that your new console will be no different...minus the Gamecube disc compatibility (probably).

Money, It's a Gas

2011-06-07T02:23:00.001-07:00

I've come to face the ultimate truth that the majority of consumers are mindless sheep that will allow corporations to feed them rehashed products without question or consideration. I realize that originality can still be found in other areas of the video game market; however, with that being said, my annoyance at the announcement of Halo 4 comes from a broader grievance. Look at the Star Wars prequels--whether or not we choose to admit it, they have had a detrimental effect on the way we view the original trilogy. I can't get through a single viewing of episodes IV, V, or VI without thoughts about Midi-chlorians or how Anakin built C-3PO looming in the back of my mind. What I'm trying to say is that, as a nostalgic nerd that can still remember the day I purchased Halo: Combat Evolved, I have a soft spot for the story of Master Chief's plight as a soldier. While playing the games you develop a bond with the character. His solemnity and commitment to his duty make him likable; thus, allowing us to have an emotional investment in the plot. This enables an arcane practice called "story telling" to be the key motivator for completing the game. If you are aware of video games outside the realm of Call of Duty you might be familiar with it.

Now, I'm not saying that I got choked up and cried at the end of Halo 3, but I do care enough about the story that I would be disappointed if it was blemished by later, unnecessary (in my opinion) games. This businesslike practice of endlessly creating sequels for successful games goes a long way in hindering the argument that video games are a form of art. Granted, film is an accepted art form and look at the state of Hollywood. Shows how much I really know...

Oh...Another Halo Game

2011-06-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

Give Master Chief a break.

Where art thou, originality?

Simple Marvel vs. Capcom 2 Wallpapers

2011-06-02T22:24:00.000-07:00

Now that Marvel vs. Capcom 3 has been out for a while...I miss MvC2.

For Belgian White Fans: Blue Moon Brewing Co. Wallpapers

2011-05-30T01:58:00.001-07:00

Wanted to show some love for one of my favorite beers:

Sadly, A True Story

2011-05-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

Dragon Ball Z Screencaps

2011-05-27T02:16:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered how simultaneously amusing and badass individual frames from Dragon Ball Z look. It saddens me that traditional animation is a dying art form. Computer animated anime has this "plastic", fake presentation that, to me, is much less appealing than that of, say, The Castle of Cagliostro.

Both sets of pictures take place during the Namek Saga within close proximity to each other. Put simply, the frames depict Goku and Vegeta making the Ginyu Force look stupid (yet still awesome). Goku is seemingly capable of being at two places at the same time--not that this would be the most unbelievable facet of DBZ (fusion-HA, anyone?)

Post-Twentieth Century Disney Sickens Me

2011-05-26T20:29:00.000-07:00

I respect the fact that Disney has been able to supply the Western world with quality DVD and Blu-Rays transfers of Studio Ghibli films; however, the English dubs can be sickening at times. It's ironic that the original Troma dub of My Neighbor Totoro holds up much better in comparison to the newer Disney dub featuring Dakota Fanning. Now, I have a theory for why the original dub sounds SO much better--it's a pretty wild idea, but just hear me out: the Troma dub is better because...they employed VOICE actors. When it comes to casting an animated film, you can give me a veteran voice actor over an A-List celebrity any day of the week. There is a huge disparity in the amount of emotion and sincerity that goes into the dialogue. However, with that being said, unless you are watching a Miyazaki film with a younger sibling that can't keep up with the subtitles, always watch it in Japanese. The dubs cannot do these movies justice.

My experience tonight as a Bulls Fan

2011-05-22T21:23:00.000-07:00

Rock'em Sock'em Robots: The Movie

2011-05-22T16:48:00.000-07:00

After a brief search on Google I was able to confirm that I am not alone in my belief that the upcoming film "Real Steel" is really just Rock'em Sock'em Robots: The Movie.

I respect Hugh Jackman as an actor in spite of the fact that many of his films (e.g. X-Men: The Last Stand) are detrimental to my intelligence. Proof of his talent can be seen in his early stage performances; granted, I'm quite fond of Oklahoma. Yet, this trailer is more than enough evidence that "Real Steel" is going to suck eggs. Putting aside the obvious fact that the plot holds the sweet scent of a Hollywood gimmick, I am predicting the movie's downfall will come at the hands of the child actor (whose name I refuse to look up on principle). Just watch the trailer. Let the cheesiness of the dialogue ooze from your computer speakers like an 80's synth-pop music video. Maybe I've been spoiled by the work of Haley Joel Osment (Forrest Gump, The Sixth Sense, A.I. Artificial Intelligence), but in comparison, this child sounds awful. His line reads have the sincerity of a high school Spanish class video project. One can only hope that the kid doesn't already have an ego, and more importantly, can strive to improve his acting ability.

A Bold Move

2011-05-22T16:39:00.001-07:00

Graduate Graham

2011-05-22T15:48:00.001-07:00

Tisk tisk.

New Meme on the Block

2011-05-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

Introducing "Graduate Graham"--the college graduate who needs to get his life in order! Hope it catches on.

Professor Oak plays DND

2011-05-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

The annoying truth about hot pockets

2011-05-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

When you want a hot meal--but then also hunger for freezer burn ice chunks! Hot pocket.

Me gusta X-Files

2011-05-22T12:46:00.001-07:00

I caught an odd resemblance the other night when I was watching the episode "Fresh Bones" from season 2 of the X-Files...

Airplane Rage

2011-05-22T01:45:00.001-07:00

The First In a Long Line of Rage Comics

2011-05-22T00:37:00.000-07:00

Daily Axioms 4/11/11

2011-04-12T11:43:00.000-07:00

Nomads are going to make a comeback. 2012, year of the gypsy.

Daily Axiom 4/10/11

2011-04-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Bland sarcasm+laugh track =/= humor