The Rhythm (12)

While it may have been a long and slow week for some of us, the rest of the world keeps spinning. This week's Rhythm is a bit light thanks to certain upgrades that are being worked on and hopefully be in place sometime in the coming week. For now, check out how gamers can support Japan, what the economy is doing to hurt geeks, and an early review for the 3DS. Plus, rumors about NGP pricing.

The Rhythm: following Nathan Fillion on Twitter since 1971.

The Review (Rango)

My background: I've never been a huge fan of westerns, in fact the only one I own is Back to the Future Part III and that is seriously pushing it. However, I am a fan of Johnny Depp and I used to be a kid so I can stand to watch a Nickelodeon film. Let's get to the review.

Review: Cliché human story makes fun animated story. Eastwood might laugh.

Verdict: worth it.

Also, I was totally fooled by Timothy Olyphant as the Spirit of the West (a.k.a. the Man with No Name).

Dream on.

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The Review (Battle: Los Angeles)

My background: Aliens never really get old for me. I'm a huge scifi fan, so whenever Earth gets involved in some sort of invasion, it's definitely usually a fun ride. Aaron Eckhart is a pretty good actor in my opinion. I've checked him out in Meet Bill, Thank You For Smoking, Paycheck, and of course The Dark Knight. His roles generally seem to inhabit somewhat duplicitous characters, but he definitely does a good job playing it up and making it different each time. Also, I've never been to Los Angeles. Let's go to the review.

Review: Black Hawk Down meets Independence Day. Ooh-rah!

Verdict: worth it.

Dream on.

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The Review (The Adjustment Bureau)

My Background: I've never actually read a Philip K. Dick story all the way through but I touched upon them in my Philosophy of Science Fiction class for awhile. In case you don't know who Mr. Dick is, you may have seen something that was based off of his work such as Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, or Paycheck, of which I have seen all of them. I've spent a fair amount of time thinking of the whole free will thing, whether or not there is a plan or destiny or anything like that, so this film seemed right up that alley. Also, I'm a fan of Matt Damon and I think Emily Blunt is gorgeous. Okay, on to the review.

Review: Throws you into a non-traditional love story. Straightforward and enjoyable.

Verdict: worth it.

There are some religious undertones to this movie, and by some I mean they are pretty obvious. Still, it was a playful way of talking about it without really saying it and I like when movies can do this to you. Plus, I'm a sucker for what my friends and I call "capital 'M' Moment movies", and this had some Moments in it.

What's next to be reviewed? Battle: Los Angeles. Look for the review this Friday.

Dream on.

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The Review (127 Hours)

My Background: I'm not really a huge mountaineer. In fact I wouldn't consider myself a mountaineer at all. I have spent some time out in the deserts of New Mexico, and in the canyons out there. As for James Franco, I also have little experience with his works. I've only seen him in the Spider-Man Trilogy and Freaks and Geeks. I liked him in those, but I don't think those works are ones you really base your career around. I knew this film had been nominated for quite a few Oscars, and it took home none. Of course, that's not always a bad thing.

Review: Franco is phenomenal. Triumphant and raw documentary. Call your mom.

Verdict: worth it.

Want more? Check it out for yourself, or you could always email me for a longer review. I'm more than happy to discuss any of my reviews. If you don't know where to send your emails by now, send them to archymedius@gmail.com.

Dream on.

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The Review (Summer Wars)

My background: I'm a fan of anime, but I haven't watched anything new since 2006. Since I want to get back into art and drawing, I figured I would get back into watching it since that was what inspired me in the first place. Plus, I use the internet, and you obviously do too.

Review: Family. Internet. Armageddon. Math. Animated War Games meets Second Life.

Verdict: worth it/rent it.

This review kind of depends on how you feel about anime and the internet, hence why it got the "worth it/rent it" review. If you like anime, I figure you might want to add this to your collection, but you should definitely check it out either way. Maybe I'm just a sap, but I really enjoyed this, and it was refreshing after such a long absence from the art form.

"Please tell me you didn't break the internet."

Dream on.

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The Review (It's Kind of a Funny Story)

My background: I never read the book, and yes there apparently is a book. Who doesn't love Zach Galifinakakakakakakis? And who hasn't felt a little depressed or trapped inside your own head? Exactly. Plus, I'm a huge fan of good "capital M Moment" movies.

Review: If you're not smiling by the end, you're cold hearted.

Verdict: worth it.

Dream on.

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The Retro (Mega Man Legends)

What year was the most recent game you played made in? 2009? 2004? Try 1998. I recently picked up one of my favorite games for the Playstation this January. Why, when I have Dead Space in my current gaming queue would I play a game that's 13 years old? Because, it's awesome. 

These days it seems that retro is making a comeback, especially with virtual consoles and digital downloads of PSOne games, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, N64 and more. No matter how good the graphics get, how good the gameplay gets, and how well written the stories are, there's plenty of good times packed in the nostalgia of those dusty cartridges and discs. Of course, there are definitely drawbacks to playing your favorite old games: the load times, the fact that every character looks like Pokémon Porygon, the ridiculous dialogue including poor synching, and the lack of controls. Still, every once and a while we blow on those cartridges like harmonicas and wipe those discs down like waxing a car, just to get that feeling back once more. This is my tale of dealing with one of those games: Mega Man Legends.

The Review (Red)

My Background: I think Bruce Willis is awesome. I take that back, he's legendary. One of the real action heroes that still has it despite all the special effects these days. As for the comic book this movie is based on, I've never read it, and I only learned of its existence a month or so before the movie was released in theaters.

Review: Willis. Freeman. Malkovich. Parker. Mirren. Urban. And guns. Good times.

Verdict: worth it.

Apparently, there's a sequel in the works. Surprised? After seeing what other projects Hollywood is [staging] how could you be?

Dream on.

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The Review (Buried)

My Background: I'm familiar with a few Ryan Reynolds films, such as Van Wilder and Definitely, Maybe and his role as Deadpool in Wolverine. I've come to realize his acting strengths lie in his wit, and from what I knew about Buried, that was one tool he wouldn't really be able to rely on. Also, I don't have claustrophobia or fears of being buried alive.

Review: True to the title. Different. Jarring. Emotional ending. Quality film.

Verdict: rent it.

Just a word about the verdict scale since I never really explained it:

• Must see - this speaks for itself.
• Worth it - it's worth paying the money to see it in theaters, which means its pretty good and of high quality.
• Rent it - a quality film for sure, just not one you'll need to have in your collection but worth seeing once.
• Avoid it - don't see it, don't rent it, put it out of your mind now.
• Guilty pleasure - not amazing, probably decent, and will probably get a seriously low score by Rotten Tomatos, but you'll probably enjoy it any. Probably.

And a side note about Ryan Reynolds, I sure hope The Green Lantern is awesome.

Dream on.

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The Review (The Social Network)

My Background: I use Facebook.

Review: Well written Facebook movie. Not boring. Pokes not mentioned.

Verdict: worth it.

Okay, so this movie is out on DVD and Blu-Ray now, and in essence this review is a little late, but hopefully it will help you make a wise decision in regards to seeing it On Demand or however it is you watch movies without paying for them these days.

Dream on.

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The Review (True Grit)

Seeing as this is my first official review I will tell you how this is going to be: 10 words or less, and then a verdict as to whether or not it is worth your $10-$15. Keep in mind, this is coming from some guy behind a computer screen (aka me) and our interest in movies may not quite align. So I plan to do my best to be as open minded as possible (most likely after this one) and give you a sentence or two about where I am coming from in reviewing this.