I love every single Tim Burton movie except for Planet of the Apes. Sorry, I just can't go that far. Yes, there are some cool actors and performances in the movie, but overall it didn't really make sense and it just wasn't "Tim Buron-y" enough for my tastes. I've been a fan ever since I saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure up on the big screen when I was five. While the man is pretty much responsible for my fear of clowns because of that movie, I think I can forgive him.

So the reason why I bring up Tim Burton is because he has some amazing projects on deck. There's his full length remake of Frankenweenie coming up as well as Alice In Wonderland, which he is currently shooting. I mean, Tim Burton meets Lewis Caroll, does it get any better than that? Not to mention Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and recently announced Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway as the Red and White Queens. Expect some more Burton regulars (Paul Reubens, please!) to round out the cast.

Then there's the big rumored project that has my mind exploding. The rumor mill is saying that Tim Burton might direct a fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Before you dismiss the idea of another Pirates movie, I would argue that with the proper casting and script, the franchise could really be revived. Depp is already signed on and Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightly are out. The other big buzz being pushed around today is that Sacha Baron Cohen and Russell Brand are being considered for the role of Jack Sparrow's brother. I thought Cohen was fantastic in Sweeney Todd and Brand is practically a living embodiment of Jack Sparrow.

I think it's way early to know for certain what's going on with the new Pirates movie but it seems like Burton has definitely renewed his relationship with Disney so it would all make sense. Both Burton and Depp have a full slate of projects right now so either way it probably won't happen for a couple years. If and when it does, I'm definitely in.

McCain Criticized for Slur - He says he'll keep using term for ex-captors in Vietnam - SFGate.com - 18FEB00

""I hate the gooks," McCain said yesterday in response to a question from reporters aboard his campaign bus. "I will hate them as long as I live."

"I was referring to my prison guards," McCain said, "and I will continue to refer to them in language that might offend some people because of the beating and torture of my friends."

The word "gook" was first used in 1899 by American soldiers fighting Filipino insurgents. During the Korean War, the term was aimed at Koreans and Chinese. It was directed at the Vietnamese when Americans were fighting in Vietnam. It is now used as a slur toward any Asian or Pacific Islander.

"If Sen. McCain had been captured by Nigerians, could he call those people `niggers' and think he wasn't going to offend everyone who is black?" Akoi asked. "We can all feel for what he went through, but if that's his level of sensitivity, I'm very disappointed."

"I will call right now, my interrogator that tortured me, a gook," McCain said. "(I can't believe that) anybody doesn't believe these interrogators and prison guards were cruel and sadistic people who deserve the worst appellations possible."

McCain said he does not consider the comment an epithet.

"Gook," he said, "is the kindest appellation I can give.""

Considering the company that I keep here in Iraq does not leave me immune to using such phrases as "Sand N****er." After all, a number of them have been detained because they in fact were caught constructing or placing IEDs or worse. That said, it's entirely unprofessional and unbecoming of a Soldier.

I wonder if John McCain has changed his mind since then.

Oh yes.

This is definitely making the rounds and it's actually pretty darn funny:

If you can't see the video, go here, but beware the idiot YouTube commenters with no sense of humor or are too young to know the original video and song.

A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century - Esquire

2074 TO 2078: Robot vs. Animal War.

MAY 4, 2079: The Robot vs. Animal War concludes with the Kenya Peace Accords. The animals get Africa, Asia, North and South America, and Australia. Europe and Greenland are conceded to humans and nonhuman mechanical life. Antarctica is a free zone. The majority of remaining Earth people migrate to the moon, where overpopulation becomes an immediate problem.

I knew the guy was a good writer, but he also appears to be quite the seer.

MUO Games - 5 Rhythmic Flash Games To Groove Up Your Day | MakeUseOf.com

Since I can't check out most Flash games from work I figured I'd at least share this page of games that look pretty cool. I haven't played most of them but if you're a fan of Guitar Hero and those type of games you'll probably dig these.

Yeah, internet, I get it. Beverly Hills Chihuahua looks stupid. Almost 20 years ago we were all begging our parents to see a movie about talking turtles. And let's not forget those Chipmunks. Kids like talking animals. Get over it. Thank you.

Culture Shoq » Geek Corner: Come Get Some

Here's a bit of my little review I wrote for Geek Corner:

So I've been a little preoccupied this week. Not with the political debates or the economic crisis or anything like that. No, I've been playing an insane amount of Duke Nukem 3D on Xbox Live Arcade. It's the kind of video game nostalgia that only comes around every once in a while, but thanks to XBLA it's happening more and more often. They've already released Doom, which was my other constant addiction in high school. Back when Duke was released you were either a Duke Nukem guy or a Quake guy. While I enjoyed Quake there was always just something more intriguing about flying around with a jet pack and blowing up strippers. Also there was a Duke mod that turned the entire level into the Haunted Mansion. That was awesome.

My gamertag is BrendoMan for those who want to kill me on a jetpack.

I swear if I hear that word one more time I will scream. I heard it a lot when I was in high school. Our rival school's mascot was the maverick. Of course, they were referring to the first definition of the word:

1. Southwestern U.S. an unbranded calf, cow, or steer, esp. an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother.

I'm guessing McCain and Palin want to think that the second definition applies to them:

2. a lone dissenter, as an intellectual, an artist, or a politician, who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates.

Seeing as how that's just not really true maybe they meant the third definition:

3. (initial capital letter) an electro-optically guided U.S. air-to-ground tactical missile for destroying tanks and other hardened targets at ranges up to 15 mi. (24 km).

So they're like a missile? I guess that might make sense.

I just found out a movie I saw last year, Trick 'r Treat, is being released straight to DVD, which is a bit disappointing. With Anna Paquin back in the spotlight I think it could have done all right and it's a nice alternative to the super cringing gore of the Saw series and other similar fare. Also, it's an anthology and there haven't been any good horror anthology movies in ages. While there is a bit of gore it was also pretty clever and had some genuine scares as well as funny moments. If it hits DVD shelves this Halloween I recommend a rental.

RocknRolla is hitting screens this month and I definitely recommend it. It's a definite return to form for Ritchie and a fun action/comedy. Gerard Butler is really good and the supporting cast is excellent. It's a bit hard to follow at times, like most of Ritchie's movies, but the action scenes and fast paced comedy really make up for that.

Pride and Glory has been sitting on the shelf for almost two years and just had its premiere at Toronto. It's getting a release of some sort this month and unless they made some major edits or you're a big Ed Norton fan, I can't really recommend it. It's your standard cop drama, nothing new, and there's some forced racial conflict thrown in to boot. Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich, and Ed Norton all put in good performances though. I thought Colin Farrell was horrible though and his character is very grating and has some very over the top scenes, including one involving holding an infant hostage that nearly made me walk out of the screening. I honestly think that scene didn't make it in the final cut but I could be wrong.

Keep in mind I saw all these movies last year, so my memory is a bit fuzzy. After a couple bad test screening experiences this year (absolutely horrible movies) and a lack of free time, I haven't been to a screening in quite awhile. Hopefully that will change sometime soon. Maybe if I get more legit in the writer department I can start getting screeners. A guy can dream, can't he?

For those who have heard Honzo speak, is it just me or does he sound like what Mitch Hedberg would sound like if he was alive and was sober? I can't get that out of my head when I hear Mitch. Maybe I just think Henry's voice is cool and funny. For that reason I also use his voice when I read Ray Smuckles from Achewood. I guess that would make Eric Roast Beef.

'How far can you bounce?': The extraordinary taunts of sick ghouls who jeered as a teenager leapt to his death | Mail Online

A jeering crowd taunted a suicidal teenager as he threatened to jump from the top of a city-centre car park.

In a shocking indictment of modern Britain, youths who gathered in the street below yelled at 17-year-old Shaun Dykes to kill himself over the course of three hours.

One allegedly shouted: 'How far can you bounce?'

I think this is just another example of how we as a society continue to fail to understand mental illness, depression, and suicide. I know this is an isolated incident, but I continue to think about the way people treated Britney Spears, how some people responded to my friend Greg's suicide, and how some folks treated me when I was going through some dark times. I honestly don't know what the solution to any of this is. I guess just trying to raise public awareness, trying to help those who are going through depression realize they aren't alone. I know it's something that will never really go away but I definitely think we can do better.

So I used to be this guy that used to write all kinds of movie reviews here and publish all the latest movie news. I don't know what happened to that guy. I still LOVE movies. I haven't been to the movie theater since The Dark Knight. Yeah. There's a ton of stuff I want to see but I think I'm going to wait for the DVD. But then those DVDs have to compete with TV shows and video games.

I've definitely been in a video game frame of mind lately. I've been playing a lot of GTA IV and Duke Nukem 3D online. I'm also finally trying to beat GTA IV. I'm a bit stuck on the very last mission on the Revenge storyline. You have to chase this guy who is on a boat while you are on a bike and I'm just having a hard time on the bike. Perhaps I need to practice.

TV is back in full swing. I'm currently watching Fringe, The Office, SNL, Heroes, The Sarah Connor Chronicles, How I Met Your Mother, and True Blood. It's a little hard to keep up on everything but I really like The Sarah Connor Chronicles so far this season. How I Met Your Mother has had a great start too. I haven't caught up on Heroes yet but I've heard some very mixed things. We'll see. I tend to disagree with the popular opinion, not on the fact that it's popular but it just seems that historically I have an odd taste.

So what are you guys into right now, as if I needed any more ideas?

I found this while Stumbling around today. If any poor soul ever tries to defend Batman & Robin or say that Joel Schumacher is a capable filmmaker, just show them this highlight reel of the film's worst scenes.

I feel like I have to take a shower now.

Bush binges; his successor will pay

This is an article from Politico. It is interesting in that it makes this claim:

Barack Obama says a John McCain victory would amount to a third term of the Bush presidency. What he doesn’t say: an Obama victory would, too.

With all the political talk going on, I would like to hear an opinion from someone else on this article.

So I don't know if you guys have ever noticed this, but I tend to overextend myself when it comes to taking on new projects and responsibilities. I wouldn't have it any other way though. Phil and I are working on two new sites: a webcomic called Brax the Alien Rocker and a community for Doritos Fans. Yeah, I'm serious. Niche websites are where the money is. Also, it's fun and helps build my portfolio.

In addition to these projects I'm also doing some outside work. You already know about the Propeller Geek Group but I've also taken on the webmaster duties at Culture Shoq, a site which my friend Matt works for. They even gave me a column which I'm already slacking on.

Yes, on top of all of this I have a day job as well as school and the whole pop.vox.music thing, which is in an upswing. I guess I'm trying to say that I feel very productive right now. I'm sorry if this blog is suffering because of it. I also know I have really been neglecting my XBox friends, but if you send me a message or email we'll schedule something. I'm up for any kind of deathmatch.

Man, these YouTube guys sure work fast.

Hat tip to Cinematical.

I just spent my lunch hour playing Duke Nukem 3D deathmatch on XBLA. I feel 16 again. Things were a little laggy on some levels but 8 player Stadium madness is pretty fun. Kudos to 3D Realms for also including the Plutonium Pack expansion and its zany levels. Hopefully folks will keep playing and it won't become a ghost town like Doom deathmatch has.

If someone was "let go" from their job, what would be a good way of including that on someone's resume? I am assuming that the severity of said firing would have to be worded very carefully. It's obviously not something that can be omitted should a potential employer contact a past employer.

I guess just came up with your own reason for being dismissed and how you would spin it.

I am just wondering.

Oh man, I can't wait. I really wish Amy Ryan would become a series regular. She's incredible. I also hope her storyline with Kevin continues because I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.

WTF I keep trying and trying but everytime I come close, Madagascar is the only country left STOP CLOSING YOUR FUCKING BORDERS AND DIE ALREADY JESUS CHRIST

here's a link teehee: http://www.crazymonkeygames.com/Pandemic-2.html

A few weeks ago I bought tickets to an event being held at the UCB Theatre that was simply titled "Judd Apatow Presents An Evening of Comedy." All that the description said was that Judd would be bringing us an evening of stand-up featuring surprise guests. Considering that Judd Apatow has a lot of funny friends and how much fun I had at his event at PaleyFest (which featured Gary Shandling and Andy Dick as surprise guests) I knew I had to go. Read on for the full report.

Read more »

I think Nader's finally lost it

About a year ago one of my best friends committed suicide. I know most of you didn't have the pleasure of knowing Greg Dunlevy, but in the brief time I knew him he was one of my best friends. He helped me come to terms with a lot of things about myself and he was there for me during a really rough transition period in my life. We met on a parade shift one day at Disneyland and we were pretty much friends from then on. It's still rough, I'm not going to lie. I think a lot about why Greg did what he did and I can't come up with any answers that make sense. I don't think there ever will be any. I guess I just miss my friend.

I just wanted to take a little time to give a shout to the friends we have lost over the years. If we keep them in our hearts, they will never truly be lost. So this is for Greg, for James, for Mark and any friends and loved ones who are no longer with us. We miss you and we love you.

Peace.

Thanks, Best Week Ever!