The World Needs a Hero

Remember my post from last year about how I wanted Guitar Hero for Christmas? Well, I didn't get it then. I think Susie was a little horrified at the idea. So last week, under a minute amount of pressure from Ben, I broke down and got myself the game.

And boy is it ever fun. It conveys all the satisfaction of rocking out on a guitar with the enjoyment and sense of achievement of a game. And, I'm a natural, if I do say so myself. My nimble fingers, guitar training, and ear for music give me a bit of an advantage, I admit. I'm not quite at this guy's level (yet), but I did beat all of the songs on medium difficultly level without much trouble, and am most of the way through hard. I've gotten through a few songs on expert difficultly, and man are they a bitch. But I will beat every song on expert difficulty. Oh yes, I will.

Oh, and by the way, Guitar Hero II comes out in just a couple of months... with co-op mode...

ROCK ON!!!

Magicians Are the New Pirates

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/theillusionist/trailer/

http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/theprestige/

Warning: May contain bad simulated accents.

Awkward Spoiler

Susie and I watched Shopgirl the other night. If you either a.) still want to watch it, or b.) have seen it and don't want me to ruin the warm and fuzzy experience of it for you, please skip this blog entry (Susie).

It was a pretty decent movie. If you like movies that are quirky for the sake of being quirky, you will probably like Shopgirl.

The two main problems I have with it are:

1. None of the characters in the movie have any redeeming qualities. The only reason you develop any emotional connection with them is that they are endearingly awkward conversationalists. Oh, and the fact that Claire Danes owns a cat.

2. The movie contains possibly the most painfully awkward use of voice over I have ever experienced. It literally made me squirm. And cringe. And groan (sorry, Susie). At the very end of the movie you realize why they threw it in there, (Yeah, at first the VO makes it seem like he and she were destined for each other, and then the VO at the end provides a "subtle" ironic twist on that built-up assumption.) but someone involved with the project clearly had a sick thing for Amelie.

Oh, and a note to all you budding movie directors out there: slow motion should never, ever be used for awkward dinner conversation montages.

This post has been brought to you by the word "Awkward."

No, the Other Bauer

I'm feeling pretty sluggish today. Wonder if it had something to do with the giant slab of carne asada I had a lunch today. Or the raspberry margarita. I've been trying to cut back on the red meat, what with my slightly elevated cholesterol and all. But like I always say, when in a restaurant that Gabe frequents, order as Gabe does. I really do say that, too. Or a paraphrased version thereof. Just ask Gabe.

Speaking of food, anyone who's at all interested in Bay Area cuisine should really check out Michael Bauer's blog on SF Gate. No, he's not going to ask you where the bomb is, but he might just tell you where you might find the bomb burrito.

Plus, he updates his blog much more frequently than I do.