Wreck It Ralph Review

If you've ever played Nintendo, if you've ever put a coin in an arcade machine this movie is for you.  Disney did a superb job bring life to video games and video game characters in this film about a bad guy who just wants to be good.

This was the most creative movie I've seen since Toy Story.  The idea of video game characters interacting in an arcade is extremely unique.  They game us a look deeper into arcades, whether the open sign is lit or not.  Disney took all of the things gamers love from games back from Pac Man to Halo and used them to perfection in Wreck it Ralph.   

One thing that helped make this one of the most creative films I've ever seen was the visuals and animation.  It was perfect.  The worlds were so believable, especially for gamers.  Even the way the characters moved brought me back to Super NES.  If characters were from older games, they seemed to jump from position to position, just like they looked when they were rocking 8 bits.  To see them move that way but still be in high definition 3D was amazing.

The casting for Wreck it Ralph was also flawless.  John C. Riley was perfect for soft hearted "bad guy."  Jane Lynch continued to hold her bad girl persona.  She was a squad leader straight out of a "Halo" type game and it fit perfect.  Jack McBrayer, who always seems to play a naive, shy yet good willed character was the voice of  Felix, the hero of the game Ralph comes from, Fix it Felix,.  Finally, Sarah Silverman plays the cute little racing girl from Sugar Rush, which is basically Candy Land meets Mario Kart. I normally hate Sarah Silverman.  I think her jokes are crude and childless and just find her overall being annoying.  However, she was perfect for the role of Vanellope.  Her jokes were still childish but her character was a child, so it worked.

The actually plot line of a bad guy wanting to be good wasn't necessarily  the most original concept ever but they way Disney and producer John Lasster (director of Toy Story 1, 2, 3 and Cars) presented it was great.  He continues to create worlds we all day dream about and brings them to life better than our imaginations.

ARGO

I was very excited to check this film out.  Everything I read, saw, and heard made me want to see Argo.  It's about the US hostage situation in Iran in the late 1970's and early 1980's and is based on true events. 

Argo was directed by and stars Ben Affleck, who I personally think is an awful actor but tremendous writer and director.  Affleck wrote Good Will Hunting which is phenomenal He also wrote and directed both The Town and Gone Baby Gone which are both very good films and his directing did not disappoint at all in Argo.

A lot of great research went into the film.  Affleck and the writers needed to make sure they told this true story accurately.  They talked to many former CIA members, historians, and even some of the hostages who were in Iran.  Not only was the script and plot accurate, but Affleck did a great job capturing the moment of the late 70's and early 80's. The casting, costumes, and cinematography made me feel like I was there.  The small details, things as simple as the men’s mustaches and people smoking really put it over the top. He also did a great job mixing in some actual news clips and audio from President Carter.

The acting was also great, except for Affleck.  All of the hostages, the Iranians, and the US government officials were beyond believable.  Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, and John Goodman all delivered a great performance.  However, the story mainly revolves around Ben Affleck's character.  Like many of his other films I felt he was dry, emotionless, and at times forcing it.  Maybe that's how his character is supposed to be but since that's how I feel about all of Ben Affleck's performances, it's one of the few negatives from the film.

Argo does start a little slow but I think it's mostly to set the scene for people who aren’t familiar with the Iranian hostage crisis. After it fills you in on the Iranian US history it really picks ups up speed, especially for the last 20 minutes or so.

I don't think it was Affleck's intention but one thing that really hit me from Argo was the risk American's take working at our consulates over seas.  Maybe it's because of the recent attacks in Libya but these men and women do not receive enough credit or praise for putting their life’s at risk in hostile locations for a thankless job.

I would highly recommend seeing Argo.  I would also highly recommending thanking those who serve over seas, whether they are working at consulates, embassies, military bases or on the front line.

Evolution: Not A Pretty Sight

Humans have changed a lot.  We used to be hairier.  We are taller.  We are fatter, we have bigger parts, the list goes on.  We don't live in caves so we don't need to be hairy.  We eat better so we're taller.  Then we stopped eating better and now were fat.  Change happens slowly but it does happen.  Experts predict some changes over the next 1,000 years of our evolution, and it's not pretty.

They think we'll be taller.  Since the 1960's the average height has grown an inch so we can expect the average height to be in the 6-7 foot range.  We'll also have shorter intestines.  This way we'll absorb less sugar and fat, a natural way of avoiding obesity.  So far it sounds ok.  A bunch of non-diabetic basketball players.

Humans are also going to evolve because of technology.  Our brains will be smaller because we use computers to do pretty much everything.  Our fingers will also have more nerve endings making it easier to use our smart phones and other devises.  However, a paper cut might feel like losing a finger.

They are expecting a few changes over the next 1,000 years that will dramatically change how we look.  Our limbs will be much longer.  People will all have the same nose and similar, darker tone skin.  Experts expect our eyes to grow because of how much we stare at computer or TV screens all day.  They'll also grow because human’s communication will be more non-verbal.  Worst of all they expect us to have a turkey neck.  It'll basically be a triple chin because of how inactive we've become.

This is a picture of what we could look like.  All I can say is I'm glad I'm not going to be around to have to see that in the mirror every morning.

WARNINGS!

Everything these days needs a warning on it.  If you don't have a warning, you're at risk of getting sued.  What should be common sense needs to be spelled out.  People should know that coffee is hot and hot things can burn!!!  But no, we need a label and if it's not labeled and some klutz burns themselves, big money for that guy!  Here's a list of ridiculous warnings which should be common sense but are labeled anyway. 

 10: Thermometers
"Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally."
9: Pepper Spray
"May irritate eyes."
8: Dishwashers
"Do not allow children to play in the dishwasher."
7: Irons
"Never iron clothes while they are being worn."
6: Fireplaces
"Caution - Risk of Fire."
5: Food Processors
"Never remove food or other items from the blades while the product is operating."
4: Sunshields
"Do not drive with sunshield in place."
3: Scooters
"This product moves when used."
2: Power Tools
"This product not intended for use as a dental drill." "Do not hold the wrong end of the chainsaw" and "Do not attempt to stop chain with hands."
1: Baby Strollers
"Remove child before folding."


My favorite warning label might actually be necessary.  It's for risk of child suffocation.  I just think the picture is funny looking.  It's for plastic tubs and 5 gallon pails.  I don't know if this makes me bad person but come on, that's a funny image.

Blink 182 and One Direction

In 2000 Blink 182 had their song "All The Small Things."  Around that time the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC were also very popular.  Blink took advantage of this in their video.  They did a great job of making fun of those boy bands and some pop princesses.  The plane was from Backstreet boys I Want It That Way.  That's the most noticeable parody.  There's also *NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, J-Lo, Britney, and Ricky Martin references made.  And somehow Blink knew to make fun of a boy band who's members were 8 or 9 at the time.  One Direction.  Twelve years after "All The Small Things" One Direction had their hit "What Makes You Beautiful."  Their music video just so happens to be on the same beach that Blink was on in 2000, making fun of boy bands.  It's probably just a coincidence but I think it also reinforces that Blink 182 knows how to have a good time at other's expense.

Race The Lake

I prepared all summer for the Race the Lakes.  It was one of my goals in life to ride my bike around Lake Winnebago and on Sunday I did it!  I wasn’t as fast as I would have hoped but I’m still very happy, excited and proud that I finished the 90 mile bike race.

Before the race I was very nervous.  I’ve never ridden that far or with that many people.  There were great fans sprinkled around the course cheering and ringing cowbells.  My parents even went from stop to stop cheering me on. 

Riding right in the pack for the first 20 miles or so was a blast…and really easy.  I barely had to peddle and we were flying.  I just had to make sure I didn’t run anyone over.  All the other riders throughout the race were super considerate.  Once we got to Oshkosh I ran into my first issue.  I hit a man hole and my water bottle fell out.  I should’ve just left it but I stopped to get it.  That’s when I lost the group which was upsetting.  I tried really hard to catch back up but only caught the tail end so instead of riding with 150 people I was with 12.

I stuck with that group until we got to Hill Cliff State Park, which is the half way point of the race. That’s where I pulled ahead with a different group of riders.  After training to go up the ledge and going up Hill Cliff for the Tour De Fest I knew what to expect.  A different group caught up to me and I tagged along with them after the climb.  I was feeling really good, strong and fast until it was my turn to be the leader of the group.  I’m not strong enough to do that.  I took a short pull and fell back in line but my legs were starting to die and I lost the group.

That was about the point of the race where we crossed Hwy 151 and headed east.  Up until that point I’ve ridden pretty much all of the roads.  I was tired but was having a great time, riding with all of the groups.  However, I was not really for the final 20 miles.  Farmland and hills after farmland and hills is what I encountered and I was all by myself.  I tried a few times to keep up with some groups passing me but couldn’t do it.  Then I had to stop again because I had to take care of a bloody nose.  I really didn’t have too much left in my legs for the home stretch but was happy because I knew I was going to make it.

Once I got back into town my parents and girlfriend were there to cheer me to the finish line with 1 mile to go.  When I got into Lakeside Park I could see and hear people cheering and the announcer calling off finishers’ names.  I was so happy and proud to have finished in 4:35:20, even though I could barely walk back to my car.

I need to thank all of the volunteers, organizers, and supports along the way.  It was a great event.  I also need to thank the guys at Attitude Sports.  What they taught me throughout my Summer Ride with Attitude Sports really helped for the race.  I really did have a great time Racing the Lake (especially the first 70 miles.)

Forget the 90's?

I'm a 90's kid and I get very nostalgic over the last decade of the millennium.  I miss good old Nickelodeon, AOL IM, and Super NES or N64.  However, there are a few things from the 90's that we should be glad we rid of. 

A few have to do with fashion.  First and foremost is the dreaded bowl cut.  I'd say 85% of my friends male and female at one point had this awful hair cut.  I'm one of the lucky ones.  I promise you I never had one. I had the shaved head with steps in the side, not sure how much better that is. The other bad hair day from the 90's is whatever Justin Timberlake was doing.  You know the hairdo that looked like Raman noodles.  The other thing I didn't like was the ridiculously baggy pants that we all wore. 

A lot of technology came along in the 90's.  They all brought some good but with the good comes the bad.  CD's. You don't need to rewind the darn tape or worry about your little brother pulling out all of the tape from the holder.  The bad with CD's, the skipping disc sound is still like fingernails on a chalkboard to me and I hated it when you would burn a CD but the CD player couldn 't read the disc.  I just wanted to hear my Weird Al mix, is that too much to ask?  The internet also came along in the 90's.  Information was at our fingertips, after that horrid sound to log onto the web.  Darn you AOL.  Finally, Pokémon.  I never got into Pokémon.  I never collected or played the card game, never watched the TV show, and never played the Gameboy game.  My friends were all about the pocket monsters.  All they talked about from 4th grade to even 8th grade was those darn Pokémon.  I felt so geeky, hanging out with a bunch of bowl cut wearing, Pokémon playing guys.  Now to be fair I did enjoy Pokémon Snap.  What's better than throwing apples and pissing off Meowth?

Still, with all of that, I miss the good old days of Rugrats, Doug, SkiFree, and using other people's IM names pretending to be them while listening to Limp Bizkit.