Sony vs. Toshiba Update

The battle between Sony and Toshiba may finally be coming to an end. According to RedHerring.com, the companies are discussing a common standard, basically either Blu-Ray, HD, or some totally new technology.

That being said, Sony has the most to loose by compromising their Blu-Ray technology. Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, Sony’s next generation game consol will utilize their Blu-Ray discs. If that’s the only item on the market that uses Blu-Ray, then Sony is missing out on a lot of royalties. Sony will have to bear the financial burden of introducing a new console with a new disc format that no one else uses, which means the games and console could cost more.

However, if Toshiba compromises their HD disc technology, they will be missing out on all the royalties as well. Both companies have sunk an incredible amount of money into their respective technologies for the past three years, which pretty much rules out a new format. I see this ending in Sony or Toshiba purchasing the other company’s technology so they can either use it as their own, or scrap it so they can use their original technology.

The only downside to this news is that if a totally new format is created, it could set back the debut of the new technology by as much as a year-and-a-half. If the Blu-Ray format is picked, it means more storage space and a new era in disc storage. If HD is picked, it means minimal assembly-line updates and more profit for the disc manufacturers. If something totally different is picked, everyone is effed.

Finally, a New Post!

I’m back, and with big news – some good, mostly bad.

Good news - there is a new Transformers movie in the works! Do you remember Transformers growing up? The cartoons, the action figures, even the comic books? Ah, there were very few shows that rivaled the greatness of this hit cartoon series. I’m sure we all recall the two factions of the Transformers; the AutoBots (good guys, led by Optimus Prime) and the Decepticons (bad guys, led by Megatron). Unfortunately, that's where the happy memories stop.

The bad news – it’s going to be a live-action film, and it will be directed by Michael Bay (who directed Pearl Harbor and Bad Boys 1 and 2, and produced The (new) Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the Amityville Horror). Bay is also slated to produce the untitled prequel to his remake of the classic horror flick Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Normally I don’t rag on directors or producers that make shitty movies, because sometimes they just don’t have any other options. If a studio comes to you and offers you a movie, you have two choices: do it, or don’t eat for a year. But when someone such as Bay does nothing but crap movies for the last ten years (with the exception of Armageddon, and possibly The Rock), but they have all been a financial success, that’s where I draw the line. If this guy wanted to, I’m sure he could pick and choose the movies he makes. This leads me to believe that he is the epitome of a Hollywood whore, willing to do anything to make an easy $10 mil, and has really poor taste.

Here’s my solution: instead of paying eight-fifty to see this ninety-minute travesty, two years from now, when this monstrosity hits the big-screen, I’ll watch the original Transformers Movie. It’ll be a big party, and you’re all invited.

Sin City Review

Generally, when I see a movie’s trailer or TV spot that makes the movie seem awesome, and it is by a great director, and it has a crap load of big name actors involved, I naturally conclude that it can’t be nearly as good as the preview makes it out to be. Shame on me.

This movie was based on several graphic novels (written by Frank Miller), not a comic. Graphic novels don’t have to abide by the same regulations of decency, violence, adult language and sexual situations that comics have to. That being said, there is a lot of violence in this movie, a plethora of boobs, lots of foul language, a gang of hookers (literally), and enough indecent behavior to choke the FCC.

The visual style of Sin city (largely black and white) exactly matches the gully tone of the books written by Miller. This was something Rodriguez, who co-directed, co-wrote, co-produced, scored and shot the flick, wanted to preserve above all else.

Normally, focusing largely on the cinematography would compromise other aspects of the movie. Not the case with Sin City. The acting was top-notch, the writing was excellent, and outstanding direction by Rodriguez as always.

Bruce Willis plays Hardigan, the about-to-retire cop. Jessica Alba plays Nancy, the stripper. Mickey Rourke plays Marv, the trench-coat-wearing badass viginate. Elijah Wood plays the psycho ninja-like killer. Normally, I would give a more in depth synopsis, but I can’t come anywhere near doing the movie justice. Just see the movie, you’ll thank yourself ten minutes into the film.

Sin City earned $28.1 million last weekend, it’s opening weekend, making it the top grossing movie. Coming in second was Beauty Shop with $13.5 mil, and Guess Who took third with $13 mil.

For more on Sin City, read this article from CNN.com. CNN’s article is really terrific and makes me appreciate Sin City that much more. Even if you don’t go see Sin City, still read the article.

Why I Love the OC: Part 2

Like any other city in America, no matter where you go in LA you’ll see fast food restaurants everywhere. One restaurant, which is unique to the west coast, stands out from the rest. In-N-Out is possibly the greatest place for a burger, let alone the greatest thing ever. It is delicious and delectable. Eat at In-N-out as often as possible all the time. Your cardiologist will hate you, but you’ll be happy.

Another reason to love LA is the weather. I know I have ragged on the shitty, rainy weather, but the truth is that it’s sunny 99% of the time. From December to April, this is one of the best cities you could be in, as far as weather goes. The other day, I saw a kiddie pool filled with sorostitues in bikinis. Any given city in the Midwest, girls are still wearing jeans and not even thinking about putting on a bikini until they shave their legs for the first time since October.

I couldn’t mention LA without mentioning all the great tourist traps. Disneyland is one of the most popular attractions in the country. It’s not just a place for honeymooners and little kids, this place really is great. There’s a Star Wars “ride”, which is more of five minutes movie starring R2D2 and some stupid new robot, but it’s still alright. And of course, no visit to Disneyland would be complete without visiting It’s A Small World. The self-proclaimed happiest place on Earth is definitely worth checking out. Also, let me know if you know anyone that can get me into Club 33.

Hollywood is the most shallow, fake, superficial city in the world, which is why I like it so much. Just chillin in Hollywood is like you’re watching the most interesting reality TV show. Sit down at a restaurant and watch an agent get into an argument with his mistress over his cell. Walk down the street and listen to the two sluts behind you comment on how real their fake tits look. It's so fun to watch rich people be naughty!

Lastly, and most certainly not least, LA has a beach. I really don’t feel the need to elaborate any more on that subject. Beaches are good, and there are no beaches in Missouri. And Osage and the Lake do not count.

Yo, that’s all for now. I’m working on some pretty boring, nerdy updates so check back soon for that.