July 2005

I just can't stop!
Submitted Sunday, July 31, 2005 - 9:11:42 PM by Klaitu

This YTMND is an absolute masterpiece, but also contains some questionable language.

Also, you need to hit "refresh" so that the sound and image synch.. as a matter of fact, just keep it minimized until you hear music.

http://khanspoiler.ytmnd.com/



Watch the Columbia Launch.. from the air!
Submitted Wednesday, July 27, 2005 - 11:06:59 PM by Klaitu

This chase-plane video really gives you an idea of how fast the shuttle takes off. There are things to reference the speed against, like clouds. Very cool!

http://wm.nasa-global.speedera.net/wm.nasa-global/RTF/WB57.wmv



Star Wars Double Trilogy: The Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-Re-mastered edition
Submitted Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 12:25:17 PM by Klaitu

Yep. Go ahead and sell your old DVD's of Star Wars, because there's YET ANOTHER edition of Star Wars coming to a store near you. Now, I know, you're wondering what the changes could possibly be. Well, I came across a list that may give you some idea of what has changed.. and unfortunately, it does seem like it would be worth the purchase.. again..

THE PHANTOM MENACE:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. Some of Jar Jar Binks's lines have been removed and changed

2. Improved CGI backgrounds in certain scenes

3. Yoda's facial expressions are now mostly CGI (Body still puppet)

4. Darth Sidious digitally shadowed so his face is more hidden

Running Time Before: 133mins New Running Time: 131mins

Features:-
Slightly altered audio commentary
Deleted Scenes
Original Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Duel Of The Fates Music Video Featuring John Williams
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production


ATTACK OF THE CLONES:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. The Jedi Raid on the Droid Control ship has been completed and added to the film (orginal scene filmed during episode II, additional footage shot during episode III)

2. The noises Yoda makes while fighting Dooko have been changed

3. One of C-3PO's lines has been changed and another one has been removed

4. Darth Sidious digitally shadowed so his face is more hidden

5. When Mace Windu shows up on Genosis, the shots showing him slowly walk up to Dooku and Jango is cut.

6. A short scene has been added where Anakin talks with Owen Lars (filmed during episode II)

Running Time Before: 142mins New Running Time: 145mins

Features:-
Slightly longer audio commentary (beacuse film will be slighly longer)
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Teasers
Launch Trailer
TV Spots
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production


REVENGE OF THE SITH:
The Additions:
1. A scene has been added where Yoda explains to Obi-Wan who erased Kamino from the Jedi files and that he is going to await contact on the planet Dagabah (filmed during episode III)

2. An extended battle on Kassakk which shows more battling & Yoda and Chewbacca fighting (filmed during episode III)

3. The Dooko Vs Anakin & Obi-Wan duel is slighly longer (filmed during episode III)

Running Time Before: 140mins New Running Time: 144mins

Features:-
Audio commentary
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
John Williams Music Video
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production

EPISODES I-III BONUS DISK:
'From Dreams to Reality' (in depth making of the Prequel Trilogy including interviews with George Lucas, Rick Macallum, John Williams, Ewan Mc Gregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christian, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz, Anthony Daniels & Christopher Lee) It runs at about 2hrs 40mins

Preview of 'Clone Wars 3D' television series

Blooper Reel (over 6 & a half mins)

'Extending the Saga' (an in-depth look at how the Lucas's orginal plot for Star Wars has changed)

'CGI'ing the Movies' (an in-depth look at how CGI has had a dramatic effect on the Prequel Trilogy)

'Saber Fights' (A documentary regarding all the lightsaber fights in the Prequel Trilogy. Presented by Nick Gillard)

R2-D2: Beneath the Dome

44 Web-Docs chronicling the making of the Prequel Trilogy: 12 from Episode I, 12 from Episode II and 20 from Episode III

Exclusive DVD-ROM Content


A NEW HOPE:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. The 'Imperial March' music has been added to Vader's first appearence

2. When Obi-Wan is talking to Luke about his father Anakin’s theme music can heard in the background and when Obi-Wan starts talking about Vader it changes to the Imperial March

3. Luke’s lightasber is blue throughout the film

4. In several scenes where creatures are seen (e.g. The Cantina) some have been replaced by creatures seen in the prequels

5. The bleeding arm Obi-Wan slices off a creature in the Cantina does not have blood seen on it

6. Just before the Death Star destroys Alderaan there is a new scene added where different places on the planet can be seen along with Bail Organa. Shots include Bail being warned of the Death Star, the destrution on the planet which includes massive earthquakes, fire and peopele frantically trying to escape, you see Bail looking up into the blackend sky before the planet totally blows up (filmed during episode III)

7. The Death Star’s computers and screens have been improved

8. The opening text crawl's last paragraph has changed slightly. The line 'headed by Governor Tarkin and the evil sith lord Darth Vader' has been added into it.

9. Luke looks upset when Biggs dies and he sheds a tear (all CGI & PRT)

10. The duel between Vader & Obi-Wan is roughly a minute longer as there are more shots of the lightsabers clashing and them moving about (done using CGI, PRT & Stuntmen playing Vader & Obi-Wan). Music has been added to the scene as well (details unknown yet)

11. Just before the medal ceromony at the end, a scene has been added where Vader lands his damaged ship on Coruscant to meet Palpatine. They discuss the destruction of the Death Star, Obi-Wan, & finding the Rebels (filmed during Episode III)

12. Vader's mask eyes remain black throughout the film and his suit is shinier.

13. John Williams has rescored the music for some of the scenes (details unknown yet apart from changes 1 & 2 in this list)

14. a shot of a Rebel ship crashing into Death Star has been removed and replaced with better effects

15. The 20th Century Fox Fanfare & Logo have been updated

16. The end credits have been updated

Running Time Before: 125mins New Running Time: 130mins

Features:-
Alterd Audio Commentary (because of changes)
'A Completed Saga' (interview with George Lucas about the new changes to A New Hope, why he made them and comparing them to the previous versions)
Deleted Scenes
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production


THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:-
1. Some shots where Taun-taun’s can be seen have been changed so the Tuan-tuan’s have more movement and look more realistic

2. While the battle of Hoth is going on Imperial ships land near the Rebel base and a few more shots of ships flying and being destroyed have been added

3. Some of the views of Bespin (for example the background where Luke is holding on to the metal poles beneath a building) have been improved to look more realistic and ships can be seen flying around in the distance

4. A scene has been added where Yoda is teaching Luke how to fight with a lightasber made possible by Luke wearing a helmet while training (a stunt double plays him, Mark Hamill provides the voice although it is digitaly dubbed)
5. The Wampa scenes have been edited and restored into the film as well as new scenes added. We see a Wampa being brought into the Rebel base and locked into a room with other Wampa’s. Later C-3PO rips the sign off the door the Wampa’s are behind stating their there and when the Stormtroopers enter the base they open the door only to be attacked by the Wampa’s who then can be seen escaping as the Millennium Falcon blasts off out of Hoth

6. Lightsaber effects improved

7. The sound of Luke’s lightasber turning off as he exits the cave has been removed

8. Some of Yoda's facial expressions have been improved with CGI

9. John Williams has rescored the music for some of the scenes (details unknown yet)

10. There is a line added and one changed in the hologram scene (details unknown yet)

11. The landscape of Dagobah through the fog has been extended using CGI.

12. In the opening text crawl the words “The evil lord Darth Vader” has changed to “The evil Sith Lord Darth Vader”

13. The line Vader says 'Set your course for the Hoth system, I am sure Skywalker is with them' has been changed to 'Set your course for the Hoth system, the rebels have no escape this time'

14. The 20th Century Fox Fanfare & Logo have been updated

15. The end credits have been updated

Running Time Before: 129mins New Running Time: 134mins


Features:-
Alterd Audio Commentary (because of changes)
'A Completed Saga' (interview with George Lucas about the new changes to The Empire Strikes Back, why he made them and comparing them to the previous versions)
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production


RETURN OF THE JEDI:
New Digital and Audio transfer
The Changes:
1. In the battle on Endor more Ewoks and Stormtroopers can be seen fighting and dieing and some parts of the battle have been edited out, members of Han’s team can be seen fighting as well (these scenes were shot during the production of Episode I, 7 years ago)

2. Vader uses the force to reclaim his lightasber after he throws it at Luke and the sound of him turning it on again has been removed

3. The lightasber duel between Luke and Vader is slightly longer (just more shots of clshing lightsabers)

4. The lightsaber effects have been improved

5. Vader has a flashback of Padme after his talk with Luke when he first meets him on Endor (filmed during Episode III)

6. Kassykk & Utapau have been added to the end celebration scenes

7. Some of Yoda's facial expressions have been improved beacuse of CGI

8. Boba Fett's scream has been changed

9. Chewbacca's Tarzan call has been removed and replaced with a different sound

10. John Williams has rescored the music for some of the scenes (details unknown yet)

11. Some of the battle shots have been cut and replaced with longer improved ones

12. Some shots with Ewoks are now partially CG (mainly facial expressions)

13. The 20th Century Fox Fanfare & Logo have been updated

14. The end credits have been updated

Running Time Before: 135mins New Running Time: 138mins

Features:-
Alterd Audio Commentary (because of changes)
'A Completed Saga' (interview with George Lucas about the new changes to Return of the Jedi, why he made them and comparing them to the previous versions)
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Deleted Scenes
Collection of Photographs of Cast,Crew & Production


EPISODES IV-VI BONUS DISK:
'Empire of Dreams' (in depth making of the 0rginal Trilogy documentary that traces the evolution of Star Wars from a low-budget, labour-of-love space saga to a movie phenomenon that defied the odds and reinvented the rules. At its core, Empire of Dreams tells the story of an independent filmmaker who had to innovate and invent an entirely new way of creating motion pictures. Featuring all-new interviews with George Lucas and more than 40 members of the cast and crew from all three films, Empire of Dreams also includes appearances by a host of filmmakers and media personalities, along with never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the three films. This new documentary brings viewers the most comprehensive look at a pioneer who triumphed against the odds to create an enduring modern fairy tale that has captivated the world) It runs at about 2hrs 30mins

Blooper Reel (over 7 mins)

'The Birth of the Lightsaber' (Its unforgettable hum and scintillating glow are instantly recognizable around the world, and now viewers will discover the origins of this elegant weapon from a more civilized age. This documentary, devoted to the lightsaber, features insight from George Lucas, cast and crew into the history of the iconic laser sword. It showcases the genesis of the lightsaber stunt and special-effects work and illustrates how each film in the Star Wars saga has surpassed the previous one with spectacular action set pieces featuring the Jedi's most trusted weapon)

'The Characters of Star Wars' (An in-depth look at how favourite characters came to be, featuring rare concept art, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with George Lucas and the cast and crew who shaped the screen's favorite heroes--Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO--and the greatest villain of all, Darth Vader)

'The Force Is With Them: 'The Legacy of Star Wars' (Star Wars opened up a galaxy of possibilities to a generation of filmmakers and creative talents. Viewers will hear first-hand from some of the most notable filmmakers of our time about how influential the Star Wars movies have been to their lives)

‘Inspiration to an epic' (A look at the many inspirations George Lucas had to create the world of 'Star Wars')

Saga Trailer (A Trailer for the entire whole Saga)

15 Featureless: 4 from Episode IV chronicling storyline, design, costumes and visual effects, 5 from Episode v chronicling storyline, action scenes, fight sequences, darkness and love story,6 from Episode VI chronicling storyline, design, action scenes, ending the saga, visual effects and fight sequences

Exclusive DVD-ROM Content
So, that's the story, I don't know how accurate the list is, but it seems pretty straightforward.



Shadow Hearts: Covenant
Submitted Sunday, July 24, 2005 - 3:46:54 PM by Klaitu

Also known by those who keep up with these things as Shadow Hearts 2. This gem came to me by way of gamefly nearly 2 weeks ago, which showcases the advantages to the "no due dates" policy. If I had gotten this at Blockbuster, I'd be getting "returnograms" in the mail by now.

Alright, so here's the box cover, complete with ample female with ample female assets. You might think, from looking at this cover, that this girl is the main character. In actuality, she isn't. The main character is the guy from Shadow Hearts 1.

The game takes place on earth, in a strange version of 1914. Historical events are taking place, such as World War 1, and the communist overthrow of Russia.. but also, some other non-historical things are taking place as well. Like the Japanese experimenting with turning apes into humans.

The main character is Yuri, who gets cursed in the first 5 minutes of the game, and then embarks on a quest to find a cure. Of course, it's not an ordinary curse.. it's a curse placed on him by a demon disguised as a cardinal, who has obtained a holy relic from the vatican to make the curse. Crazy, no?

Compared to other games of this style, this one is tremendously more humorous. Sure, you've got all the melodrama that you'd expect from a Japanese RPG, but you've also got some insanely funny moments.

In particular, one member of your party thinks he is a superhero, and sounds exactly like you'd expect. His disguise is a butterfly mask which transforms him into the Grand Papillion (which really makes no difference in his abilities whatsoever).

You also get to fight a Giant pink kitty cat! Oh, and there's a ghost that died on the toilet and can't rest in the afterlife until you bring him some TP so he can wipe his etherial buttocks.

Most Entertaining.

The game is pretty much your standard RPG fare, except this game is not tremendously hard. There are difficult spots, but primarily it's a smooth sail.. also unlike other Japanese RPG's, you can pretty much play straight through without the need for a walkthrough. The puzzles are pretty basic throughout, and not nearly as frustrating as most (I'm lookin at you FFX-2 Music puzzle).

So, if you're looking for a good RPG with a lot of humor, go ahead and pick up Shadow Hearts: Covenant. It's excellent for a rent, but I don't know if I would buy it, simply because I can't imagine repeat plays.

Overall Score: 8 of 10



Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Submitted Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 11:33:43 PM by Klaitu

Right now you'te thinking "Uh-oh, Klaitu watched a Tim Burton movie, here comes a bad review". Ordinarily, you'd be right, but Tim Burton screwed up this time. He actually made a good movie. This is number 2 for Burton, who previously fielded a fine version of Batman.

Willy Wonka does the Wave


I'll admit it: I didn't really like the original, or rather, the predecessor "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory". I detest Gene Wilder, dislike musicals, and try as I might, I couldn't find even the smallest inkling of a point in the disaster which it was. Glass elevator that flies into the sky, and then a credit roll? What was that all about anyway?

The thing I like most about this film is that it does not singly focus on the "Chocolate Factory" portion of the story. There's a good 30 or 40 minutes dedicated to just finding out what Charlie's character is like, and where Willy Wonka came from in the first place.

Then, of course, you have the factory tour, during which the bad children get offed in various asundry ways.. but also during which you learn why Willy Wonka is so strange in the first place. He doesn't come off as a raving lunatic like Gene Wilder did, this Willy Wonka has an entire background that explains reasonably how he got to where he is.

Musical score is by Danny Elfman, one of my personal favorites. It's sort of a Addams Family kind of feel, except with more mechanical beats and tunes that give the impression of a giant mechanized factory. Also done by Danny Elfman are the new Oompa Loompa songs.

Speaking of Oompa Loompas, I was quite pleased with their use in the film. Whenever one of the children gets.. Wonka-lized, the Oompa Loompas come along to lament the loss, and to explain the personality flaw that led to their downfall.. in some cases with 70's funk flair.

What could be better than listening to a Veruca Salt-ish tune lamenting the loss of Veruca Salt? The irony was not lost on me. I also quite enjoyed the monkeys of Stanley Kubrik's 2001 going apey after a wonka bar replaces the monolith.

Also deserving of special props is Johnny Depp's performance. His responses to the children are a colossal reason the movie was so hilarious. Things like "Don't you want to know our names?" Wonka replies, "I don't see how that would matter." People are turning into blueberries, getting converted into chocolate, and being thrown into incinerators and Wonka is oblivious to the gravity of any of it, as if it happens every day for him.. which it probably does.

But the weirdness extends off the screen and into the theatre as well. I entered the theatre, accompanied by my Sister and my Mother. As I looked around to find a seat, lo and behold the entire audience was composed of the female persuasion.. well, either that, or their boyfriends that I assume were dragged unwillingly into the theatre. Also strange, there were no children in the theatre. I can't decide if it is the chocolate factory story that appeals to the women, or merely Johnny Depp. Whatever the case, it was weird.

Also weird: I was almost the only one laughing throughout the entire movie. Was I the only one that thought this movie was a raucous comedy? Near the end of the film, at the penultimate moments, there were people actually sniffling and crying.. at freaking Willy Wonka! I don't know how this is even possible, but then again.. room full of women. It's not like I'm gonna get it no matter how hard I try.

So anyway, down to the final moment, the moment of truth.. the moment you've all been waiting for! What score do I give Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?

Overall Score: 9 of 10

If you had told me yesterday that I would give a 9 to a Tim Burton film, I'd think you were nuts.. Heck, maybe I've lost all my marbles and gone kooky, all I know is that it was the best 2 hours I've spent in the theatre in a long, long time.

Suprising, since the original is still one of my least favorite films of all time, clocking in right before Punch-Drunk Love.



Bruce Campbell on Chase
Submitted Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 12:46:17 PM by Klaitu

This one is primarily a GB update, but Bruce Campbell was on the Chase Masterson show this monday, and now the archive is up for all to enjoy:

http://www.thefandom.com/audio/fandom071805.mp3

So.. enjoy!



They Beamed Him Up
Submitted Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 7:29:04 PM by Klaitu

Farewell to the 85 year old James Doohan, who you all know by this time has beamed off to the starship in the sky.

But what you may not know, is that James Doohan has a 5 year old daughter. 5 years old. He was 85. Life as a starfleet engineer must have been pretty good if you're having kids at age 80. Especially considering this requires a female of younger age as well.

Excluding the 5 year old, he has fathered 8 other children. Dang, Scotty!

Well, Scotty, we're sad to see you go. Say hi to Bones for us.



Even More GTA Controversy
Submitted Wednesday, July 20, 2005 - 7:17:01 PM by Klaitu

You might remember a couple days ago when I posted about this GTA zexual mod controversy that had just about every politician and activist in the country harping for blood.. because, apparently there is nothing more important than making sure that video games are appropriate.

Well, as it turns out, all this hubbub totally freaked out the ESRB. Every schoolkid knows the ESRB is the industry body that applies ratings to Video Games, like the MPAA does to movies.

The ESRB is an autonomous body of industry persons, and is not a part of the government. It was formed during the early 90's because the industry feared government regulation of video games, and so they decided that they would apply ratings themselves.

At any rate, the ESRB has now "upgraded" the rating for San Andreas From "M"to "AO" rating (That means "Adults Only"). This means that all existing copies of San Andreas have essentially been pulled from the shelves, because most retailers will not sell AO rating games.

This marks the first time in history that an ESRB rating has been changed because third party software can potentially modify the game. I guess they missed the Tomb Raider Nude mod (all 7 of them). I suppose they weren't paying attention during that whole naked Tifa thing. And heck, what about the Sims and the Sims 2, both of which have any number of naked mods and patches. The Sims 2 also has a mod which allows uncensored underage nudity and teenage pregnancy!

If this thing were less sensational, I might actually expect AO stickers to go on just about every game ever made, because a rational person would apply the same standard to all games.

The official comment?

"There is sex content in the disc," Take-Two spokesman Jim Ankner told The Associated Press. "The editing and finalization of any game is a complicated task and it's not uncommon for unused and unfinished content to remain on the disc."
I wouldn't worry about GTA too much, all this publicity only serves to increase the fervor of GTA fans, the majority of whom are over the age of 17 in the first place.

You know, this whole thing irks me.. I mean, I don't really disagree that GTA needs an AO rating (I would have AO'ed it in the un-modded format). I just hate to see this sensationalist crap. We've apparently run out of Michael Jackson trials, and Terri Schaivo's, and trials where parents killed their kids.. and we're also apparently tired of re-iterating how the war in Iraq sucks.. and so we've reverted to going after video games again.



Happy Birthday
Submitted Monday, July 18, 2005 - 11:41:04 AM by Klaitu

It's Bran's Birthday, her Buh-buh-buh burfday!

How old is she? She is 11011 Binary Years old! Awesome, huh?

In honor of this amazing occasion, I have acquired a humorous picture for everyone to enjoy! Behold the sleepy kitty!



Awww, isn't he so cute?

Oh, and also.. that music you're enjoying is also part of the burfday shenanigans! Yay!



Crazy Cooter
Submitted Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 12:32:59 PM by Klaitu

No, I'm not going crazy with euphanisims here, That's the name of the whacked-out mechanic in The Dukes of Hazzard. Alright, now stay with me here, because this gets wiggy!

Crazy Cooter's real name is Ben Jones, and after the Dukes ran it's run, Ben Jones became a congressman for the state of Georgia. How weird is that? Oh, but wait, there's more.

Ben Jones, having an interest in the Dukes franchise (you know, because he was Crazy Cooter) is upset with the new film. He read the script and has some complaints. Here, I'll quote him: "constant sexual innuendo and some very clear sexual situations". He also had problems with the profanity in the script.

Now, I don't know that I disagree with him here, I haven't read the script, and probably won't spend money on the movie.. but I just find it ironic that a guy who played CRAZY COOTER would complain about sexual innuendo. Apparently Ben Jones was making an entirely different TV show than the rest of us saw.

Do we not remember Daisy Duke, whos shorts were so short that now any short shorts are called "Daisy Dukes"? Do we not remember Daisy constantly seducing the bumbling deputy Enos so that the Dukes could get away with their plans? Do we not remember her tying her shirt up in precarious ways.. particularly in that one episode where she became a Deputy herself?

Uncle Jesse didn't seem to mind.

So, I guess we'll wait and see if Crazy Cooter really is crazy.



Take a look, it's in our book!
Submitted Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 12:07:17 PM by Klaitu

I just figured I'd point out that LeVar Burton was over on the Chase Masterson show on monday, and his interview was most scrumtralescent. He's a pretty cool guy.

Oh, and did you know he was going to be a catholic priest? BOOYAH! There you go, more suprising facts await!

http://www.thefandom.com/audio/fandom071105.mp3

Oh, and for you Goldberries out there, Bruce Campbell is coming up next week on the Chase show.



It's over
Submitted Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 7:48:27 PM by Klaitu

Yep, YTMND.com died. How?

http://raidersofthelostytmnd.ytmnd.com/



San Andreas Controversy
Submitted Wednesday, July 13, 2005 - 6:57:04 PM by Klaitu

Gee, who saw this one coming? GTA: San Andreas has once again been singles out by "family" and parents groups for its explicit.. well.. everything. This time, on the heels of a mod to the PC version of the game that restores an interactive sexual minigame to the software.

Hackers like to hack things, and console games are no exception, so when GTA: San Andreas came out, there were people going through it with a fine-toothed comb, looking for extra bits and pieces that the game didn't actually use. Among these extra bits and pieces were 4 or 5 bedrooms that don't show up in the course of normal gameplay.

During normal gameplay, you put the spurs to several different ladies via a cutscene shot from outside that particular lady's abode. A few suggestive audio clips later, you emerge from said abode and go aout your normal business.

Well, these hacker folks disovered that there was a code segment that told the camera to move inside the buliding during this cutscene. Furthermore, they discovered that there was some type of interactivity required on the part of the player.. howver, vital code was missing from this console version of the game, making it literally impossible for anyone playing to activate the code.

Then the PC version came out, and someone wrote a program that reactivated and restored that code. The result is the interactive sexual minigame that has caused the uproar.

Now, I have no problem with parents being concerned with what their kids are playing, I applaud that, and I think more parents should do that.. but trying to "take down" a game based on content that was hacked into the game is just silly.

So, to those people out there who feel a pressing need to beat the "Video Games are melting my child's brain" drum, I say to you this:


Why are you allowing your child to play a game with this logo on the cover?



Hitch
Submitted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 - 8:09:10 PM by Klaitu

It's the Will Smith movie that you never saw.. you know, like the Legend of Bagger Vance that you also didn't see.

This one's a romantic comedy.. with a TWIST! Will Smith is essentially a high-powered matchmaker in New York who woos a cynical gossip columnist and learns a little something about life in the process.

What does he learn? He learns that he's clueless, which is alright, because he is the guy in a romantic comedy. He has to be clueless, otherwise women wouldn't watch the movie.

Overall, It's a nice movie.. not great, just nice. It's not got anything you haven't seen before.. although it may explain how Leah Remini hangs out with that guy from King of Queens.

Overall Score: 6 of 10



Ow. my pancreas!!!
Submitted Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 1:06:28 AM by Klaitu

I don't think I can stop looking at these things! Some of them are works of Genius!

Those of you who have played Metal Gear Solid 2 will find these simply hilarious.

For those of you who haven't played MGS2.. whenever you die, you get this comm message from your controller. The original says "Snake? SNAAAAAKEEEE!!"

These are awesome!
http://burgundymgs.ytmnd.com/
http://metalgeardoc.ytmnd.com/
http://mgsgigawatts.ytmnd.com/
http://mgf.ytmnd.com/
http://mgsre2.ytmnd.com/
http://metalgeargordon.ytmnd.com/
http://mgc.ytmnd.com/
http://mgsupersuit.ytmnd.com/
http://mgpython.ytmnd.com/
http://metalghost.ytmnd.com/
http://mgre4.ytmnd.com/
http://metalgearstella.ytmnd.com/
http://mgkhan.ytmnd.com/
http://metalgearchewbacca.ytmnd.com/
http://metalgearkermit.ytmnd.com/
http://serpeinte.ytmnd.com/
http://macsolid.ytmnd.com/
http://mgbrak.ytmnd.com/



This guy went for the mega whammy, cramming 4 pop culture references into 1!
http://aymgsn.ytmnd.com/



I believe..
Submitted Saturday, July 9, 2005 - 12:39:20 AM by Klaitu

I believe you have my stapler.

http://spreadmystaplerandflyaway.ytmnd.com/
http://staplercalledlove.ytmnd.com/


Also, What's new Khan?
http://whatsnewkhan.ytmnd.com/



Chucky
Submitted Friday, July 8, 2005 - 5:49:52 PM by Klaitu

My Sister, Rachael Love, thinks that she looks like Chucky. She told me this about a week ago, and at first I thought she was off her rocker.. but now I'm not so sure. She collected some frightful evidence that I just can't deny.


I guess she was right all along.

I'm scared now.



Holy Crap, It wasn't just Elmo
Submitted Friday, July 8, 2005 - 3:47:39 PM by Klaitu

Alright, so I did a little more research on that domain that gave us "Darth No" and "Dead Elmo".

There's some really good stuff on there! Stuff like:

The Captain Picard Dance Trance: http://karaoke.ytmnd.com/
Tom Cruise Kills Obrah: http://tcruiseko.ytmnd.com/
Snoop Dog Takes it to 1930: http://classicsnoop.ytmnd.com/
A Night at the Half Life: http://whatishl.ytmnd.com/
Arnold's Workout CD: http://arnold8675309.ytmnd.com/
A Night at the Roxbury NES Game: http://whatisnes.ytmnd.com/
A Night at the Roxbury - A-Ha edition: http://whatisaha.ytmnd.com/
Darth Vader on Wheel of Fortune: http://vaderfortune.ytmnd.com/
Darth Vader on the NOOOlercoaster: http://vadercoaster.ytmnd.com/
Mr. T has really been doing this too long: http://mrtlecture.ytmnd.com/
Haddaway meets Slam Jam: http://whatisslam.ytmnd.com/
Sonic the Hedgehog with extra beeps: http://sonicbeep.ytmnd.com/
Bill and Ted fall forever: http://bogus.ytmnd.com/
Bill and Ted fall forever with vader: http://billtedvader.ytmnd.com/
If the Matrix were on NES: http://matrixonnes.ytmnd.com/
Vader Tetris: http://vader1989.ytmnd.com/
Conan O'Brien as the FF6 end boss: http://conanzeromus.ytmnd.com/
KITTIES!!!!!!!!!!: http://kittys.ytmnd.com/
Contra The Movie: http://contrarnold.ytmnd.com/
Vader turns on the lights: http://vaderturnsonlight.ytmnd.com/
The weirdest Cosby anything ever: http://dschinghiscosby.ytmnd.com/
Family Guy Dr. Zaius loop: http://drzaiusdance.ytmnd.com/
This one just makes my brain hurt: http://keepontruckin.ytmnd.com/
Proof that you can remix anything into the Slam Jam: http://superslam8mixes.ytmnd.com/
Office Space and Top Gun: http://mlgs.ytmnd.com/
Haddaway with Stooges: http://whatisstooge.ytmnd.com/
This guy takes his Pop Tarts Seriously: http://threesecondsmores.ytmnd.com/
Super Macgyver World: http://smw.ytmnd.com/
Robocosby Pokemon: http://robocosby.ytmnd.com/
You're just gonna have to click this one: http://prime-boobs.ytmnd.com/
Back to the Future meets Metar Gear Solid: http://metalgeardoc.ytmnd.com/
Rumsfield does the Thriller: http://rumsfeldthriller.ytmnd.com/
Hypno Picard: http://hypnopicard.ytmnd.com/
Vader Dance Remix: http://vaderremix.ytmnd.com/
Conan Rocks out: http://conandeath.ytmnd.com/
The Price is Right Yodel!: http://priceisrightyodel.ytmnd.com/
Conan O'Brien Summons a Fire Elemental: http://conansummons.ytmnd.com/
Hitler talkin Jive: http://dontgothere.ytmnd.com/
The Stapler of Time: http://stapleroftime.ytmnd.com/
Family Guy B-52's awesomeness: http://rocklobster1.ytmnd.com/
Kung-Fu Rumsfeld: http://kungfurumsfeld.ytmnd.com/
The Demise of the Petercopter: http://petercopter.ytmnd.com/
The most pointless Bill Nye combination ever: http://nyejedi.ytmnd.com/
The Pop Tart Guy tries again: http://threesecondsmores2.ytmnd.com/
Hasselhoff will destroy the world: http://attackofthehasselhoff.ytmnd.com/
Pokemon nonsense: http://pokeshake.ytmnd.com/
The Notorious J.T.H.: http://notoriousjth.ytmnd.com/
Gunther Fear: http://guntherpain.ytmnd.com/
Cher and Stapler: http://ibelieveyouhavemyvocoder.ytmnd.com/
Turned into footballs, huh?: http://mmprfootball.ytmnd.com/
Walker Told Me I have AIDS: http://wtmiha.ytmnd.com/
Super Mario RPG Music: http://smrpgremix.ytmnd.com/
Family Guy gets Cancelled: http://cancelled.ytmnd.com/
Mortal Khaaaanbat: http://mortalkhaaaaanbat.ytmnd.com/
The REAL X-box 2: http://xbox2.ytmnd.com/



Don't do it, Elmo!
Submitted Friday, July 8, 2005 - 2:27:20 PM by Klaitu

This one gives you a good idea of how with a little creativity, you can create an amazing website with only a basic understanding of HTML.

http://elmodied.ytmnd.com/



News for Nerds
Submitted Friday, July 8, 2005 - 1:46:38 PM by Klaitu

Alright, you long-time readers remember my adventure last year to the land of Tulsa to hobknob with the stars of hollywood sci-fi (from 100 yards away). Well, this year I didn't go.

I didn't go because they really lined up a crappy list of celebrities. Their top dog was Dr. Crusher! Their second hitter was Alexander Siddig! It just went down from there.

So, instead of going to the convention, I had another, better way of going: nerds. Nerds pirates with sneaky video cameras. I say sneaky, because no Star Trek convention lets you take video. I dunno why, but there you go.

Well, someone bucked the system, and got some video of Alexander Siddig. So, as a summer treat, here you go.. whoever made these videos is an idiot, and they are encoded in QUICKTIME, so make sure you have it.

http://www.sidcity.net/media/TrekExpo/tulsa-062505-3.mp4
http://www.sidcity.net/media/TrekExpo/tulsa-062505-5.mp4
http://www.sidcity.net/media/TrekExpo/tulsa-062505-6.mp4
http://www.sidcity.net/media/TrekExpo/tulsa-062505-7.mp4
http://www.sidcity.net/media/TrekExpo/tulsa-062505-8.mp4
http://www.sidcity.net/media/TrekExpo/tulsa-062505-9.mp4



Screenshot Extravaganza
Submitted Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 12:51:48 PM by Klaitu

Since nothing is actually happening during the summer, here are somehi-larious screenshots from my recent adventures in Star Wars Galaxies. They are most delicious.

Click the pic for a larger version.


Here we all are, riding along on a hunt in a large bus. Much fun was had by all.


This comment made when the entire population of a cantina was staring at the same dancer.


One day, I decided to be uber, so I killed an entire garrison of Dark Troopers.


I thrashed them so hard, I beat them back all the way to the 70's! notice the bellbottoms!


I totally roundhoused this guy in the guts. He was probably pissed because I killed his entire garrison, but njo matter, I dropped him, too.


Immortal words from Lor-Joh Renquet, who you all probably know better as Kayne.

There, those shots should tide you all over!



News Lite
Submitted Wednesday, July 6, 2005 - 12:23:09 PM by Klaitu

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Summer is boring. It's for hip people, I'm convinced. Hip people who think tanning is awesome, and like to expose their skin to the harsh rays of our closest star.

Myself, I don't do much outdoors.. certainly nothing that can't be accomplished regardless of climate. Usually, if I am outside, it is because I am transiting from one indoor area to another indoor area via my enclosed vehicle. This summer season, I've been thinking a lot about why summer is so boring, and yet it is other people's favorite season. I've come up with a list of why I don't like Summer.

1. I don't like to sweat. Sweat is nasty, and my sweat is the nastiest of perspirations out there.

2. If I do sweat, I want it to actually work as nature intended: to cool my body. In Oklahoma, the humidity during the summer is always very high, and so that sweat is never going to evaporate.. ever.

3. Summer is really, really hot. Really. It pushes 97 or 98 most of the time here, and in August, you're looking at 110's just before the season gives up and turns into fall. (That's 43 in Canadian degrees!)

4. My skin reflects sunlight much in the same way as a lighthouse does. That is to say, I am the whitest man on earth. You thought Conan was white? HA! Not even close. The only person I've seen that is whiter than me is my sister. She looks like a mime. Our skin does not tan.. and even if it did, I don't think I could muster the effort to irradiate it and make it darker.

5. Fake Boobs. Alright, this is a strange one, but let me 'splain. I was in Wal-Mart the other day, and it was filled with washed-up soccer moms. You know, those girls who were the captains of the cheerleading squad in High School, and married a doctor.. who have had so much plastic surgery that it's just too much? It wouldn't be so bad, except they were all wearing halter tops and hooters-like shorts.. and they were like 45. And unless you thought this was an isolated incident, this happens usually once or twice a summer.

6. The TV shows are all on hiatus. I've got TiVo working overtime trying to find TV that doesn't suck, and in the meantime I've been watching reruns of Punky Brewster. Punky is a lot like salt. You sprinkle a little on every now and again to draw out the flavor of TV.

7. Everything that can be done in summer can be done in the 3 other, better seasons.. with the lone exception of immersing oneself in chlorinated water. Sure, I've been known to take a chlorinated dip every now and again, but since I live in a cave and I don't actually know anyone, I don't get the opportunity much. Swimming alone is just boring. I do that in my bathtub all the time.. me and Miss Quackers.

Some guys name their polymer-avian waterfoul after men. I disagree with that, and I named mine after a lady.. but that's a whole other rant.

So, anyway.. those are the 7 main reasons I don't like summer, and I prefer all the other seasons to summer in every respect.

Winter because it's cold and there are no bugs.
Spring because it's warm, it rains, and there are still no bugs, and
Fall because while it's still hot, and there are still bugs, they are all left over from summer.



Spanglish
Submitted Monday, July 4, 2005 - 12:41:31 PM by Klaitu

One of the more obscure Adam Sandler movies, while not in the same vein as his originals, it is a billion times better than that hump movie "Punch-Drunk Love" that I still regret seeing.

Here's the story in a nutshell: Adam Sandler is married to Tea Leoni. Sandler is normal, Leoni is a freak. They have two children, and they're rich. They need a housekeeper, so they hire an illegal alien who speaks no english whatsoever, and also has a daughter.

Over the course of the movie, Sandler gorws to like the housemaid more and more, and his wife less and less.. especially since Leoni has been cheating on him. The story is told from the perspective of the Housemaid's little girl. A very good choice, as she is likely the most objective of the group.

On the surface, this looks like a quirky romantic comedy with Sandler and the housemaid.. but it's really much more of a drama, and it's a good one, because it sneaks a lot of good stuff past the viewer.. well, the average viewer.

One of the things I like about this movie is that although his wife is cheating on him, and his housemaid is 3 zillion times hotter than Tea Leoni, Adam Sandler does not cheat on her in return. He even makes a conscious choice not to.

Kudos, major kudos for having characters with a backbone.

Overall Score: 8 of 10



War of the Worlds
Submitted Monday, July 4, 2005 - 12:34:57 PM by Klaitu

The title is misleading. There is no actual war happening in War of the Worlds.. the title should actually read "Humans get their butts kicked for 3 hours, and Tom Cruise runs away a lot, too".

I won't spoil it for you, but it does stay pretty true to the original, so if you've seen that, you pretty much know what's going to happen. The intro and the outro are vioced by Morgan Freeman, a very good choice. Special Effects are very good. Much thumbs up for those. They do a really good job of making you go "Holy crap, no wonder Tom Cruise is running so much"

Overall Score: 8 of 10