I mentioned the other day that I’m fed up with a lot of what’s gone on in wrestling, and here is a little treatise that I wrote on my grown-up opinions of the wrestling industry, the dirt sheets, and all of us people that ragged about WCW all those years ago. This review appeared on my blog last month, and it’s not often that I get kudos from the author.

I’m also hoping to get an advance copy of Mick Foley’s new book coming out March 6. I’ll let you all know how that goes.

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The promos for ABC’s Lost indicated that three large mysteries would be revealed in tonight’s episode. Obviously, this installment recounted a) where Jack got his tattoos and what they mean, and b) confirmation as to the fact that the “Alcatraz” island is just a lab satellite and that The Others do indeed live on the main island. A good argument could be made that c) we got to see where Cindy is.

HOWEVER, I’m utterly convinced that a bigger answer was unveiled, but not the how.

Remember the end of the first season, wherein we saw the flashback where Sawyer met Jack’s dad in the bar in Australia? Jack’s dad, in describing his son, said that he was “a good man, maybe even a great man”.

Tonight, guest star Bai Ling said that Jack was “a great man”.

At the end of last season, Ben said that he wasn’t the leader of The Others. However, he did say that their leader was “a great man.”

You know those Clockwork Orange films that Carl was watching mention the leader’s name? You know the leader’s name from various conversations? That name is Jacob.

Jack? Jacob? Great man? Jack means “God is forgiving.” Jacob means “Supplanter.” Is Jack the leader? Based on Desmond’s time traveling and the implication that maybe they’ve ALWAYS been time traveling, has Jack ALWAYS been the leader? Those two skeletons from the cave? Exactly WHO are they? Maybe Jack found himself a lot sooner than we thought.

No sir. “Lost” hasn’t lost it.

Okay, so what I’m about to say is going to shock a lot of people, even my closest friends.

GO BUY THE NEW FALL OUT BOY CD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is amazing. Jaw-dropping, addictive, beautiful, catchy… Seriously, go buy it now.

Now, when I first heard Fall Out Boy, I didn’t like them. I thought, wow, another generic pop-punk band. Whoo hoo. Then I heard “Dance, Dance,” and I was like, okay, they might be decent. So we got the first major label album. And it was good, but… it wasn’t fantastic. The new album, Infinity On High, is almost like it came from a totally different band. I’m kind of insulted that they had this much musical talent, and put out something like their first major label album. I know, I know, it’s tough to get signed, and once you do, then you can start to do the stuff you really love, etc., etc. But it really could be a totally different band that did this CD. “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race” is a good song, and it’s so easy to get stuck in your head. But it’s definitely not the best, by far. My favorite is called “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs,” which is a great ode to one night stands that you just… can’t help but sing along to at the top of your lungs. I just can’t help but crank it whenever it comes on… which has been a lot lately! But it’s just so great cuz it’s like… kind of sarcastic and bitter. “Thanks for the memories, even though they weren’t so great, he tastes like you only sweeter.” Another favorite is “Fame < Infamy.” I like the chorus cuz it sounds dirty but it’s not. “When I’m home alone I just can’t stop myself.” LOL. Plus the line “I’m alright in bed but I’m better with a pen,” is just freaking fantastic.

The depth to the music is amazing. Musically, it’s leaps and bounds from the last album. Lyrically, it’s a lot of the sometimes incomprehensible FOB that we all know and love (I still insist that “Dance, Dance” has a line about poodles in a hot tub), but it’s a lot more… grown up. There’s a lot to discover in this album that you won’t hear the first time, or even the tenth listen. They didn’t let themselves be kept in a musical corner by what was expected of them. This album is something along the lines of if Maroon 5 and Panic! At The Disco had a baby, but it’s even hard to compare it to those two, because it is still its own distinct Fall Out Boy flavor.

Some people aren’t going to like this album and they are stupid. Haha, no, seriously. I’ve played the entire album to different friends of mine, and most agree that it’s leagues beyond what they’ve heard of Fall Out Boy in the past. A few, however, commented that it sounds like “something from the Backstreet Boys.” I just want to say, for the record, that harmonizing in a song does not a pop song make. The harmonies are one of the greatest things in this album, and part of what gives it its depth. A rock band can and should have vocal chops too.

I declare this album a must buy for anyone who is passionate about music – and I don’t mean people who are passionate about a specific kind of music. I mean, if you love everything musical and you feel you have a good appreciation of musical endeavors that stretch the boundaries of what is out there, then you would be remiss to not buy this. If you like alternative rock, new wave, pop punk, punk, or rock, it is also a must buy. For everyone else, it’s a should buy – because it will expand your musical borders.

So I’m in Glenda’s last night, right? (Glenda’s, for those of you wondering, is a fine establishment in West Terre Haute, IN., where there’s karaoke every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and it’s not a bad place.)

There’s this guy sitting at the counter. I notice, offhandedly, that he’s wearing a Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon shirt. Fair enough; this has caught my attention. I look closer, and there appears to be a track listing over the prism logo. Fair enough.

So I skim down the list, and down toward the bottom (in fact, the second-to-last item) said this:

Brian Damage

Let me say this again for emphasis. Brian Damage.

Am I the only person who ever wonders if others notice this sort of thing? It hurts me in my heart.

Hey kids,

I’ve got two new pieces up at Newsarama today. First is an overview of the history of Spider-Man’s black outfit, just in time for the “Back in Black” event. And the other is a review of Civil War #7. Enjoy!

Today, for the first time in years, methinks, a monthly title drawn by George Perez is hitting the stores.
Happy day, HAPPY DAY!!!

My loverly wife Janelle and I are on the internet radio show Play or Die. It’s quite a bit of fun, because we love comics, video games, genre tv/movies, tech, etc., and we get to talk about it to people all around the world. Well, we’re going to have even MORE fun Friday March 9th-Sunday March 11th, when we get a chance to prove our gaming chops.

The Electronic Gaming League is hosting a tournament in Chicago that weekend. There are two games you can sign up to play: Halo 2, and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

If you feel like you’re the best of the best, you can just enter as a single combatant in either of the two games. If you’re as good as you think you are at Halo 2, you’ll be placed on a team for the main event, the four on four match tournament. If you’re a team player, sign up with your friends (or friend for the Smash Bros. Doubles tourney) and come lose to the cast of Play or Die!

 This is a great opportunity to play some games, have some fun, and even win cash prizes (Don’t worry, second and third place get money too, ya know, since first is already taken). Plus, you get to meet The Geek and Vag, amongst other cast members, and lose to them at your favorite video games! So sign up, come out, and watch Samus blast you away!!

EGL Tourney Chicago March 9th-11.

Play or Die, only on Fearless Radio. LIVE shows Saturdays Noon-2pm Central.

Fearless Radio: No FCC, No Apologies.

Quote of the Day: “In art, all who have done something other than their predecessors have merited the epithet of revolutionary; and it is they alone who are masters.” –Paul Gaugain

I just got done sending Steve Niles, creator of 30 days of Night and Criminal Macabre, an e-mail that is 100% likely to turn into an interview regarding his work on “28 Weeks Later: The Aftermath”.  The story bridges the end of ”28 Days Later” to the sequel “28 Weeks Later”  Keep an eye on Newsarama for it.

Also–go to whatever devilishly evil corporate chain store is nearest to you that sells DVDs and buy “Unknown” starring Greg Kinnear and Jim Caviezel–it’s like Usual Suspects and Memento all rolled into one.  The ending has such a fulfulling payoff that I might just go buy a second copy to hit myself over the head with while I watch my first copy over again. 

Possibly going to see “23″ tonight for an advance showing–it pays to be a guy named Steve who knows guys who manage movie theaters named Steve.

Also, I picked up a copy of Arkham Asylum while I was in Orlando last weekend.  I must confess–I’ve never read this book.  I’m kind of pondering the possibility of reading it with the purpose of juxtaposing it with the most recent issue of Batman (issue #663) for a narratological breakdown and comparison of Morrison’s work within the Bat-Mythos–we’ll see after I read AA. 

I’m counting down the minutes ’til the moment I can openly hate Marvel for killing someone today!

EKS

It’s been a little over a year since I wrote anything here, so I feel like introductions are in order. I hate doing these resets, so I’m going to make it quick.

I’m here to write about pro wrestling. Too bad I hate wrestling right now for the following reasons:

• People eat up the WWE pablum like there’s no tomorrow.
• TNA is run by idiots that know nothing about marketing, business, or Vince Russo’s act.
• The MTV vanity project is already hitting speed bumps.
• I used to be all “support your local indy” until your local indy started pushing the guy that shows up and didn’t forget to ask for Saturday night off from the KFC or rode in the truck with the ring crew, regardless of whether or not he’s a good worker or even looks like a wrestler.

I have a whole thing about why it’s fruitless to complain about pro wrestling on the internet anymore, despite the culture and industries that surround the pastime of complaining about pro wrestling on the internet. I’ll explain it to you later.

Yes, my nickname came from a guy that hasn’t actively wrestled in four years. Deal with it.

For those keeping score at home, I got married four years ago, produced an offspring two years ago, and produced a sequel to be released in September.

I also play video games, so I might drop an occasional review once in a while, but don’t expect anything from one of the modern systems unless you have $500 with my name on it. Also, don’t expect in-depth analysis on the X-circle-triangle-square-triangle-X-X-L2-R1 combo that makes the heads of every cop in a 5-mile radius explode in Grand Theft Auto 23: Naptown Chronicles.

And, yes, I’m grumpy, but that’s only because it was past my bedtime when I wrote this.

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Howdy folks! Mmmmm, how I love the blogging. I’m very excited about the new form Shotgun has taken, and even more excited about contributing as regularly as possible. So I just wanted to say welcome to the new Shotgun Reviews! Yay.

In the coming…. week or so, you can look forward to a review of the new Fall Out Boy album, Infinity On High (and before you laugh, it is not crap, you should give it a listen!!), plus maybe a few Janelle-spouting entries about different anime or American TV I’m watching right now.

But for right now, I just want to say that I am obsessed with Earthbound. Yes, the mid-’90’s SNES RPG. I’ve played it many times before (I believe 4 to be exact), but holy crap this game never gets old! If you know nothing about Earthbound, it’s a standard RPG in some ways (hit points, “magic,” saving the world), but very different from most RPGs in others (modern day setting, wacky humor, kid protaganists). The humor is what really gets me. And its such an easy game to play and get into - and by easy I don’t mean not challenging. I mean you can start it so easily, you don’t have to psychologically prepare yourself for it like you might with a Final Fantasy or something. But it is a challenging game, for sure! I started playing it again recently, and now I am cursing the world for not bringing the sequel, Mother 3 (the series goes by the name Mother in Japan, Earthbound is actually the second of three), here to the US yet - it was released in April of 2006, yet nary a whisper has been heard about it coming over the ocean. You would think it would be a smart thing to do, as there’s a HUGE Earthbound cult following over here. The original Earthbound cartridges for SNES sell for just as much as the Final Fantasy and Zelda cartridges sell for, and that should tell you something. I fear for my grades now that I’ve started this game again… bah! If you’ve never tried it, find some way to acquire it, and you won’t be sorry. Janelle promises.

Hey everybody, I barely post on my own blog, I don’t know if I’m going to in here… but I signed-up nevertheless, couldn’t pass up an invitation from Troy.

Let me start by inviting you all to check out the latest installments of The Nitpicker, now the Nitpicker’s Blog.

And, just to not have this be a complete plug, let me recommend some back reading I’ve been doing. Let me take you back to the early 90s, 1992-93 to be precise. Remember what went on with Superman back then? No, not his death. I’m speaking about the period his comics didn’t have him present, at least not physically.

I’m rereading the World Without A Superman trade paperback, and plan on reading the Return Of Superman TPB next, which should actually be called Reign Of The Supermen. It makes me remember on one hand my early teenaged years, when I first read those stories, and on the other hand, the stories themselves, how you could feel the pain of the supporting cast and their struggle to go on without the world’s greatest hero.

I’m also remembering how I thought that the Last Son of Krypton, who turned out to be the Eradicator, was the real Superman returned from the dead; but that the Cyborg also possed some reasonable doubts.

Yes, the art is not-so-great in some points (I have some issues with artists like Bogdanove); and the coloring is lame compared to today’s computer coloring (but not as excusable as 80s or prior books are); and yes, some of the individual stories are not so strong, and of course, some viewed this storyline as a nothign more than a commercial gimmick. But in that awful age of foil covers, thousands of variants (I sense history repeating nowadays) and empty pin-up style books by self-proclaimed creator rights champion publishers, these two TPBs make for an entertaining and moving, but at the same time, good-old fashioned superhero story.

The overall quality of the stories, even with my problems with some of the art, makes me give these two TPBs combined a 7 out of 10.

www.clipseonline.com - $$$$

Review by - Nin

(more…)

I tried this blogging thing once before (http://spoutingcrap.blogspot.com) and pretty much fell out of it after awhile. I think that had more to do with existing in the large vacuum of space known as the BLOG-O-SPHERE with no tether to any planets or satellites that might actually have brought some…I don’t know…readers to my column.

Troy has set up something special here. Between ShotgunReviews.com and Newsarama.com, I’m involved with two of the bestest websites in the whole wide world. ;)

There will actually be blogs worth reading and pertinent topics in the future. But for now…I just want to congratulate m’man Troy on the relaunch (and Barb for all the great technical work). Things are going to be more interesting…

How do I know that this is the right time to relaunch Shotgun?

1. Our Best Shots column celebrates its 2-year anniversary at Newsarama.com this week.

2. Britney shaved her head, Lindsey got out of rehab, and Nicole got busted for DUI, thereby giving me yards of future material.

3. It’s been so fucking cold, what else could we do?

4. Because you missed us and you needed us. Come on, you can admit it. The absence of a regularly updated Shotgun was like a sucking void in your soul, kind of like Junior High or being forced to listen to “Lips of an Angel” over and over. You know you love us. And we love you. Just not necessarily like that (though we can still be friends).

5. Our Zombie Apocalypse Contingency Plan is finally complete. Bring it, you undead bastards. Bring it.

See you soon.
T.

It’s been a long time coming. The violent gutting and reanimation of Shotgun Reviews is nearly complete. Look for a completely new, completely sweet experience beginning on Monday, February 26. It’s Shotgun’s re-birthday, and some shit’s about to go down.

What? You have no idea. And we’re not telling. Just come back next Monday and find out. We’ll have a ton of new content, a new look, and a whole bunch of new functionality.

It’s gonna be awesome. The kind of awesome that makes a bishop kick a hole in a stained glass window.