reviews

MOVIES
JOE DIRT
****
Not nearly as bad as some may think, being a David Spade fan, many thought he couldn't make a good movie without Chris Farley, then again, many would say he has yet to make a good movie, but Joe Dirt is pretty darn funny as far as Spade-ish humor goes. If you enjoy his work on Just Shoot Me or his stuff from Saturday Night Live, then this flick is for you.

SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE
*****
Once and awhile a movie comes along that is so full of heart warming toasty goodness that it is embraced by critics and public alike...not this movie, but holy crap does it deliver! Everything I had hoped for in the movie about the story of the making of the very first vampire flick, Nosferatu. F.W. Murnau's classic tale of Count Graf Orlock (which is where I got my name..heheh) and his following plague of terror. Of course, this tale is a direct rip-off of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula, but his widow wouldn't allow them the rights, so, Nosferatu was born! The actor, Max Schreck (which means terror in German) who played the horrifying Orlock in the original movie was rumored to be a real vampire, and this movie covers all of that and the ensuing strangeness that follows. Willem DeFoe does an excellant job in the role of Schreck as does John Malkovich in the role of director Murnau. GREAT MOVIE!!!

BLAIR WITCH 2
**
This poor movie had the potential to be something wonderful, and the previews would lead you to believe it was, but alas, once again we are tricked into the conspiracy of putting the most visually appealing and terrifying images into the previews, and then the movie doesn't deliever. Full of good ideas and promise, but doesn't come close to living up to its predecessor.

WHAT LIES BENEATH
*****
This movie scared the bejeezus out of me! From the Hitchcockian camera and story style to the eerie special effects and music, this movie harkens back to the good old days of horror and suspense. If you haven't seen it yet, by all means...do!!!

VIDEO GAMES
MTV SKATEBOARDING [playstation]
*
Anyone who puts in this peice of crap and tries to play it that has never played Tony Hawk before has two problems, #1...yer livin under a rock if you haven't played Tony Hawk and you ARE playin this...#2...you are playing, perhaps, one of the biggest pieces of three toed sloth poo that has ever had the audacity to call itself a "game". Saying this game sucks would be an understatement to say the least.

WWF RAW IS WAR [x box]
*****
Ok, I haven't actually played this game yet, but I read another article on it and have seen several full motion videos and screenshots of it and have to admit, I get sweaty thinking of this beauty of a fighting game (I know you do too Schreck!). This game is soooo what wet dreams of videogamedom are all about. With gameplay like the mama of all wrestling games, No Mercy, and graphics and character manner- isms so real, you could tell the Undertaker from the Rock even if they were both dressed as La Parka, Raw Is War will be the most badassed fighting game to ever lay the smackdown on a home console. Oh holy crap, I can't wait!!

JEDI KNIGHTS:
MYSTERIES OF THE SITH [pc/cd rom]
****
If any of you have ever played Jedi Knights on the Zone in MSN, then you already know about the cool engine and good graphics that come with that game, plus the ability to fight with people all over the world in lightsaber duels, but if you have yet to try the complete awsome- nosity that is the Mysteries of the Sith companion disk, then wait no longer. If you think Jedi Knights is cool, then wait 'till you see this. Better graphics, better characters, classes of characters such as Jedi, Bounty Hunter, etc. Levels straight out of the classic trilogy, improved collision detection, and so much more. Definitely worth a look!

TONY HAWK PRO SKATER 2 [playstation]
*****
I have to admit, when the demo for this game came out, I played the demo alone for 4 hours. Now either that makes me a pretty sad person, or this a tremendous game. I would have to go with tremendous game, because, now, over a year or so later, I'm still playing the thing. With the create-a-skater, create a park, and addition of Spider Man as a secret skater (yes!!) the game has great replay value!! If you don't have this game, you should probably be able to find it around seeing as how it was a best seller and most folks already have it. Go buy one now!!!

WWF NO MERCY [n64]
*****
Based on the most popular brand of sports entertainment and the best engine of any wrestling game to date, WWF No Mercy kicks butt in areas that other fighting games can only dream of. It has a great pick up and play style that you don't have to learn multiple button combos to become a decent player. Then again, there are also the bragging rights and total domination of the opposition that comes with learning the execution of all your favorite character's moves and timing based reversal system. Hands down, the best wrestling game out there, plus its gameplay also appeals to many non-wrestling fans, and the create-a- wrestler kicks butt!! Love it!!

THE CROW: CITY OF ANGELS [playstation]
*
This game, I wanted to like this game so much, I actually played it a few times and tried to get to a better part of a level or something before I decided the following: this is one of the worst pieces of crap ever made...period. I am a huge Crow fan and this was a massive disappointment. Avoid like the plague.

MUSIC,TV & BOOKS
HOTTER THAN HELL
*****
I gotta say, this is the second time I've seen these guys, officially hand picked by Gene Simmons himself, KISS tribute band, and they still rocked as much if not more than the first time. They had a very hard time getting there, having a car accident on the way, but still pulled through and rocked the place. I, as I was the first time, was the first one in the parking lot, and they asked me to help out inside setting up. I helped the sound guy set up speakers and stuff and set up the chairs for the show and helped get the dressing room ready for the guys among other things. In exchange for this, I was like, all special and stuff all night, getting free drinks and a free autographed poster and they signed my shirt and I got Ace's pick and got to talk to Gene quite alot....and MUCH MUCH more...heheh, great show...kicked the utmost ass.

FOLEY IS GOOD by MICK FOLEY
*****
I may be a wrestling geek, but I dare you to read objectively either this book or its predecessor, "Have A Nice Day", and tell me it isn't worthy of some critical acclaim. Both of these autobiographical tales have done extremely well in the public domain and sales, both becoming New York Times #1 best sellers in no time at all (the second book, in its first day of release!) but have been panned by most critics of literature, some even refusing to read them. Why you may ask? They refuse to believe that a wrestler has anything of importance to say. Both of Foley's books are informative, hilarious, and at the same time in many places,touching. Excellant read for wrestling fans and curiosity seekers alike!

MADONNA'S DROWNED WORLD
TOUR [hbo] ****
This was a good show with some great music. I don't particularly care for some of her new stuff, but all in all a great show.The sets were very impressive and anyone who knows Madonna, knows she can sing her ass off while dancing and jumping around and put on a high quality performance.
Darn good show!