[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption="(Courtesy csullens)"] [/caption] Hey guys, Gears of War 3 is really good. I’ve only played the first act in Arcade mode and ~20 waves of the new Horde mode, but it’s awesome. Arcade Mode I really like the addition of the score/kill tracking in arcade mode. It makes things extra interesting and adds that nice competitive edge to the cooperative proceedings. I fixed my NAT this morning to allow me to host so that I could pick Mutators too. These are modifiers, like the skulls in Halo, that allows you to change the game subtly. There are two ones available right away: one that forces ammo scavenging instead of allowing ammo drops, and one that makes enemies fire like headless chickens when they die. ...

Colonel: Raiden, turn the game console off right now. Raiden: What did you say? Colonel: The mission is a failure. Cut the power right now. Raiden: What’s wrong with you? Colonel: Don’t worry, it’s a game. It’s a game just like usual. Rosemary: You’ll ruin your eyes playing so close to the TV. Raiden: What are you talking about? Colonel: Raiden. Something happened to me last night when I was driving home. I had a couple of miles to go. I looked up and saw a glowing orange object in the sky. It was moving irregularly. Suddenly, there was intense light all around. And when I came to, I was home. What do you think happened to me? Raiden: Huh? Colonel: Fine, forget it. -Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=“Missed Opportunities (Image courtesy hapa boy on Flickr)”] [/caption] I understand the reasons for Netflix spinning off its DVD business as a discrete and separate entity. They recognize a sinking ship when they see one and, theoretically, this would enable them to eliminate tons of overhead (buildings, postage, the employees who check and stuff discs, etc.) increasing their profit margin for the foreseeable future. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the massive overhead reduction results in a huge profit in the next quarter. ...

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“500” caption=““Shit””] [/caption] It may look like I’m insulting Gears, but I’m really not. That’s legitimately the closest those guys come to eloquence most games. They’re fantastic games, but their stories are fundamentally idiotic. Movies Thor - I’m pretty sure that complaining about blatant product placement in a movie was last interesting five years ago, but I found the Southwest Airlines advertising in Thor to be too much. Did not like. The movie itself was cool, although Natalie Portman’s character had nothing to do but be a pretty damsel. Don’t get me wrong, she’s good at that, but I wouldn’t have minded her being more active (like Peggy in Captain America). Her portrayal of Jane was true to Thor: The Mighty Avenger, aside from her career, so at least there’s that. I hope she comes back for The Avengers (and that The Avengers is good). ...

Yesterday what I suspect to be the highest, most unreachable smoke detector in my house began its beeping dance of death. This morning (SATURDAY!) it woke me up at 0630. My feelings this morning were the closest to genuine rage I’ve ever had. Dear God why are those things SO ANNOYING?! Now I’ve either got to find me a ladder that I can borrow or a big stick to beat on the smoke detector UNTIL…IT…JUST…SHUTS…UP! ...

Emma Stone remains too cute for existence and Bill Hader remains super hilarious.

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“300” caption=“The new Spider-Man: Miles Morales”] [/caption] Well, after all my speculation, the new Spider-Man turned out to be a brand new character previously unseen in the comic and I’m…super ok with that. [caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“300” caption=“Spider agility appears to have survived intact.”] [/caption] Our new Spider-Man is the much younger Miles Morales. His parents and uncle appear to be alive and he doesn’t seem to be a super nerd like Peter. Unlike Peter, he appears to be a bit shy and lacking in confidence, at least from the first issue. That’s reinforced by one of his new spider-powers which apparently includes camouflage. ...

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo had an amazing trailer. The Muppets have riffed on it: For reference: I cannot wait for either movie! ...

EDIT: The music they play during the Donkey Kong section is from DKC. That’s the only part that bugs me, really.

[caption id="" align=“aligncenter” width=“333” caption=“JoCo performing an acoustic set”] [/caption] Big surprise It doesn’t care about second tries You’re afraid whatever choice you make Won’t be exactly the right mistake -“Fraud” Jonathan Coulton’s latest release, Artificial Heart, represents a much larger step that a lot of people might realize. After about eight years of pure solo effort, AH is Coulton’s first effort with a band and produced by someone other than himself. It also breaks with his comfort zone and explores many deeper themes and constants without using the nerdy/comedy song hook that made him internet famous. ...