The Place for Me

I can't even begin to describe how amazing my trip to San Francisco was.

I got to see my best friend Jaimie which was awesome.

I got to see the Golden Gate Bridge, Fishermans Warf, The Exploratorium, The Full House houses' and just overall a gorgeous city.

I know all this sounds cliche because everyone knows that San Fran is an amazing place, but being someone who doesn't travel all too much, and if I do it's typically to Denver, no place will ever be cliche to me.

What Am I Paying For?

Why am I paying about $6,000 a year to attend classes taught by lackadaisical people? I feel completely uninspired by the humans teaching these courses. Of course I don't understand what kind of stress they are under, whether it's with outside life or the stress of teaching multiple classes, but they CHOSE this profession.

I also hate the fact that I have to take "mandatory" classes for my major that have nothing to do with it. I'm wasting my fucking time in classes that I frankly don't give a shit about. What the hell am I going to do with my "society in environment" class info? NOTHING.

If I am paying this much to go to classes, I should have the freedom to arrange what classes I need to take in order to further my knowledge of the subject that I want to perform as my career.

10 things that sucks/rules to be an arizonan

In no particular order

SUCKS:

Always being asked,"How can you stand this heat?"

Dealing with the heat

SCORPIONS

45 year old Scottsdale women

Bro Dawgs (guys that wear affliction, ed hardy, etc...)

Shitty Music Venues

Horrible public transit system.

We're surrounded by mountains yet Phoenix can't seem to get snow.

Bandwagon Sports Fans

TUCSON

RULE:

Zoolights

Zia Records

San Diego, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas are only 5 1/2 hour drives away

Casinos

Consistent Weather

Salt River

Monsoon Season

The Meteor Crater up north

Phoenix is the easiest place to get around

The lego exhibit at the science museum 

Favorite's of the Film Industry

Top 5 Favorite Actors

5. Patrick Wilson - His performances are always astonishing and is very selective on what films he does which is a rarity these days.

4. Denzel Washington - The most versatile actor around.

3. Ryan Reynolds - Completely natural at what he does. Unfortunately, he has been pigeon-held into comedies. He'll take over the world when The Green Lantern comes out.

2. Joseph-Gordon Levitt - After seeing The Lookout and 500 Days of Summer, I am convinced he is the next big thing.

1. Christian Bale - He invests so much into his character portrayals. Why hasn't he won an oscar yet?

Runners up: Billy Crudup, Brad Pitt, & Casey Affleck

Top 5 Favorite Actresses

5. Amy Adams - Sky's the limit for her. Has already been nominated twice for an oscar.

4. Jennifer Connelly - I always seem to be so satisfied with each of her performances. 

3. Zooey Deschanel - Can anyone resist her amazing charm? If you can, see All The Real Girls, Yes Man, & 500 Days of Summer, and you will go weak in the knees.

2. Cate Blanchett - The female equivalent to Marlon Brando. Is there anything she can't do?

1. Natalie Portman - How many girls have shaved her head for a role? She is awkwardly amazing in every role she has ever portrayed. 

Runners up: Laura Linney, Rachel McAdams, & Alison Lohman

Top 5 Favorite Directors

5. Martin Scorsese - All of his films are instant classics. Can anyone debate his genius.

4. David Fincher - His dark visions can even be portrayed in a lighter film (Curious Case of Benjamin Button). 

3. Christopher Nolan - Has such a unique vision for films which results in spectacles.

2. Judd Apatow - Has a daring look on comedy where rather creating absurd and far fetched situations, he relies on natural occurences.

1. Cameron Crowe - Never exploits his genius and never over does it. His films showcase his attention to detail.

Runners up: Frank Darabont, The Cohen Brothers, and Wes Anderson

Top Ten Current Shows

10. Chuck - Great mix of action and comedy without feeling repetitious.

9. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - One of the few shows that can translate "dumb" humor to the small screen.

8. Weeds - Witty dialogue and insane situations is what makes this cable show a hit.

7. Californication - David Duchovny's portrayal of a struggling writer can be the only reason to watch this show, thank god it's not the only reason to.

6. Lost - Hate to love this show. Intense back stories bring a much needed depth to the show.

5. Scrubs - John D. Dorian (Zach Braff) may be one of the best sitcom characters ever.

4. 30 Rock - Going to go down as the best sitcom since Seinfeld.

3. Dexter - Michael C. Hall is brilliant as covert serial killer protecting the public from the corrupt.

2. Entourage - Extremely hilarious one-liners and spot on performances may turn this into HBO's best show ever.

1. The Office - A team effort all around create this all-too-familiar 9-5 show seem as if you may know a thing or two about the characters lives. Get over the british version, this is nothing like it.

Top 5 Movies/CD's So Far This Year

5) Star Trek - Certainly the surprise hit of the summer. I've never been a fan of Star Trek but how could I doubt JJ Abrams.

4) Away We Go - The most heartfelt comedy since Little Miss Sunshine. 

3) I Love You Man - Even though it wasn't produced by Judd Apatow, his crew brings the magic in his absence.

2) Watchmen - The most visually stunning film in a long time. Great character portrayals all around.

1) The Hangover - By far the funniest fucking film this decade.

CD's

5) A Day To Remember - They have taken over the popcore genre

4) Set Your Goals - The wait for this album was well worth it. They perfected their sound.

3) Two Tongues - The combo of Chris Conley and Max Bemis can only be compared to the combo of peanut butter and jelly.

2) Thursday - They keep on getting better which each album. They continue to strengthen their sound.

1) Manchester Orchestra - The most complete album I've heard since Underoath's Define The Great Line.

Away We Go Review

Score: A-

After witnessing the ultra-depressing "Revolutionary Road," I didn't think Sam Mendes could pull of a dramedy (drama/comedy), but its time to insert my foot in my mouth.

"Away We Go" is the best dramedy film I've witnessed since "Little Miss Sunshine" hit the screens almost 3 years ago to the day. 

The film capitalizes best on creating situations that are not too far fetched. No scene or dialogue is over the top. 

Traveling to different area's to see what location is best to raise a child is a concept that is surprisingly original and amazing. The locations (Phoenix, Wisconsin, Montrael and Miami) beautifully play into the story.

Character portrayals are spot on here. Maya Rudolph actually rests her comedic personality and displays a serious side I didn't know she had. Her character is the perfect compliment to the scene stealing Burt, hilariously portrayed by the boy next door John Krasinski. 

After numerous dull and boring roles in Leatherheads and License to Wed, Krasinski finally is able to perform to the fullest extent of his abilities. His character is down to earth, hilarious, caring and hilariously obnoxious. All of which I'm sure Krasinski is in real life. I was unable to find a moment where I didn't want to be his character Burt. On a side note: His beard is magical.

The movie would not be complete with all the side-splitting cameos from Maggie Gyllenhaal, Allison Janney, Jeff Daniels and Catherina O'Hara (respectively perfectly portraying Krasinski's mid life crisis parents). 

Witty dialogue, obscene and awkward one-liners, amazing location shots and perfect chemistry turned "Away We Go" into a genre-defining film.

New Ears

Sometimes when I'm listening to my ipod stereo in my car, I kind of have the tense feeling of shutting it off. I have 3,955 songs on my Ipod. With that amount, one would be foolish to be bored with what they have, but sometimes I do. I just get the feeling of boredom and start to loathe the repeating of my playlists. But who doesn't get sick and tired of what they listen to? I guess that's why bands typically release an album every 2 years or so.

Sometimes I wish I could erase my memory of some albums I've listened to and re-listen to them so I can remember the feelings I had when I heard that first guitar riff or that machine gunned double bass pedal kick. To re-collect that feeling of awe is something worth reliving.

So in response to that feeling, I've come up with the top ten albums I would want to re-listen to.

10. Minus The Bear - Menos El Oso

9. Taking Back Sunday - Where You Want To Be

8. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

7. Alkaline Trio - Goddammit

6. Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American

5. Finch - What It Is To Burn

4. Underoath - Define the Great Line

3. The Gaslight Anthem - The '59 Sound

2. The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eye's Ahead

1. Set Your Goals - Mutiny!

Of course I could make a list probably up to 50 but I usually top ten's get the meaning across.

God I love top ten lists.

As I am

I was in a coffee shop the other day trying to wake up out of a funk that was occupying my body at the time when I saw a women reading a book. She held the book so tightly you would think it was her child she was holding onto. She was completely tranced by the book that I don't think a flasher could distract her. I knew how this woman was feeling at the time because I get the same way after listening to The Helio Sequence's "Keep Your Eye's Ahead" album. As I forgot that I was staring at her, she caught sight of my stare and questioned if something was on her. I told her no and that must be a good book to hold your attention that well. She said it was and asked me if I like to read. Unconfidently I said yes. I grabbed my coffee, bid the reader a good day and drove off. 

I took more thought into the question she had asked me, "Do I read?" The truthful answer should be no, cause I don't read books, I read comics and graphic novels, which some people would see that as "immature." What-the fuck-ever. About ten years ago, I fell in love with a character named Peter Parker, who is also known as Spiderman. I was completely mesmerized by this agitated character who was a bumbling high school student one minute and an take-no-prisoners hero the next. After delving into other comics such as Iron Man, The Flash and Captain America, I gave up reading books. I focused all my literature attentions to comics. I fell in love with characters such as Dan Dreiberg, Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark. I got ridiculed for my obsession with comics, but I never understood why. Even when I would talk to shoppers at the local used bookstore, they would smug with their pretentious attitudes, thinking to themselves how better they are then me cause they spend 5 bucks on used literature thats just gonna decorate their bedroom and collect dust. Society feels like they have to "dumb" their selves down in order to accept comics as thoughtful and insightful material. 

WHY?

Terminator Salvation Review

Score: B

You really can't come into this movie expecting any surprises since the plot has been referenced by its predecessors, but Terminator doesn't worry too much about being original.

This is the film that every Terminator fan has been waiting for. The fight against the machines has unraveled and it is a brutal one to say the least. 

I was extremely concerned for the franchise after the piece of shit that was T3. I had never been that disappointed in a film, until I saw Spiderman 3, so I wasn't too concerned with this film because they had no where to go but up. And how can you argue with the casting of Christian Bale as John Connor. I didn't think he could take on another larger then life character. But what really got me hooked was James Cameron giving the ok to McG on the film and Paul Haggis (Crash) polishing the script.

Christian Bale's portrayal of John Connor is definitely the best out of the major 3 actors that have taken a swing at the character. He transfers Connors distraught and confusion of this battle he has been preparing and known about his whole life. He is keen on finding his future "father" Kyle Reese (Anton Yelchin) throughout most of the film and his determination is felt just as much as his anger was felt when he cussed out the production guy. His interaction with his wife Kate Connor, played by Bryce Dallas Howard, takes a back seat to his eagerness to find Reese. I do wish there was more interaction between the two, and when there was I was hoping for more passion from Bale.

The guys that steal the film are Sam Worthington, playing the don't-fuck-with-me-I-have-a-bad-past Marcus Wright and Yelchin as Reese. James Cameron personally recommended Worthington to McG for the part that was offered to James Brolin. This guy is THE next big action star. He brings so much more depth to a character that could have be written off as a sidekick. I was skeptical about casting Charlie Barlett, aka Anton Yelchin, as Kyle Reese, due to his lack of size and his unproven action abilities, but he blew me away. He brought justice to the character. 

McG took the machines look to a whole new level. They look like the ignored offspring of Megatron. They make Optimus Prime look like a Tonka Truck. The flawless interaction and scenes with the machines are brilliant.

Overall, the film reminds everyone what a pure action film should be. 

Star Trek Review

Score: A-

Even though I am a comic book and Star Wars geek, I never got into the whole Star Trek franchise. I felt that it was the geekiest of the geek genre, and I wouldn't be caught dead near it, but after seeing this film, I may question that.

I was skeptical coming into the showing because I never cared for the franchise but I am a big JJ Abrams fan and was curious to see the direction he took with this. I was bitter when finding out about Abrams taking over the Trek film because I was crossing my fingers for him to helm a new Superman flick.

First things first, if you have never been a fan of Star Trek, this movie is for you. It doesn't require any deep knowledge of the previous films and series to understand what is going on. 

Of course the film is an origin story, which seem to be the hot ticket these days with action films.

Showcasing the upbringing of Kirk and Spock didn't need too much time to show and its better that they didn't. The tone of the film is more buoyant with shades of seriousness. It's nice to see someone not trying to ride the dark theme coattail that the dark knight has created.

Chris Pine's portrayal of the laid-back hound dog James Kirk is spot on. He also brings a badass sense to the character that I think Shatner lacked. Zach Quinto was born to play Spock. Besides the fact that he looks identical to Leonard Nimoy, but the calmness and intellectual characteristics that the character has, Quinto reciprocates. In his first major film appearance, Quinto is amazing and captures the attention of the audience. 

The story is well thought out and even though it deals with time travel, is easy to follow. All the other character appearances with Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Eric Bana, Bruce Greenwood, Karl Urban, and Zoe Saldana are perfect supports to the two stars. 

The film spends a short time showing Bana's villianness motive, which should have been looked into deeper.

Overall, the film takes great time expanding the relationships between the characters. Great effects and character portrayals allow this film to be an instant classic.

 

X-Men: Wolverine Review

Score: 7/10

This will be my first of many summer film reviews, and it is only fitting it starts with Wolverine, being a comic book geek and all.

This films premiere sort of got screwed over by a 20th Century Fox employee leaking an unedited version of the film on the internet weeks before the proper release. I got to work the red carpet for this film for my school's newspaper, so I found out first hand by each actor, how much dedication they put into the film.

The film follows the origin of everyones favorite x-man - Wolverine. It tells the long story of Logan/Wolverine; how his relationship with Victor Creed/Sabretooth started & more importantly, how he obtained his adamantium claws.

The character portrayals by each actor are great. Hugh Jackman just further proves that he was born to play this role. He embodies the frustration and anger that the role of Wolverine necessitates. Danny Huston does well in his role as Lt. William Stryker, previously played by Brian Cox in X-Men 2. Ryan Reynolds steals every scene he his in. He portrays the character Wade Wilson/Deadpool, who he has expressed great interest in playing for the past 5 years. Unfortunately he is only in the film for about 5 minutes. But the best character representation comes from Liev Schreiber who plays Victor Creed/Sabretooth. Schreiber brilliantly showcases the brutality that is Sabretooth. He is unrelentless in fighting for his own cause, which is never shown. 

The story does lack a little bit of heart. When the first sign of it comes, it is then snatched away without hesitation. Rather then focusing on his struggle with his past, it just seems that action wins over all, even though the action scenes are flawless, especially the final battle with the so-called "Deadpool." 'Wolverine' can be seen as one of the comic films that has been ruined by studio execs. They don't care about the story, only what is going to make their banks fatter. While the film isn't completely ruined, I do worry for the future sequels. Overall, it is a good film with action scenes that will hold your attention. Stay after all the credits to see an extra scene.

The Gaslight Anthem

So last Tuesday (21st) The Gaslight Anthem came to my town (Tempe) for a show. For my newspaper story this week, I asked my editor if I could write a story about their show. I gave some background info on the band and she agreed. I got to write about something I love, rather than another ASU art show.

My editor asked me if there's a chance I could talk to the band. I didn't really think much of it because I thought they would be too busy to sit down with some college kid, but I gave it a shot and e-mailed their manager. Surprisingly they were open to the idea and set me up with an interview with guitarist Alex Rosamilia and bassist Alex Levine.

I got to sit down with the boys and talk to them for about half n hour. I asked 'em about their recent trip to the Coachella Festival. Both agreed that it was one of their highest points of their lives.

They both spoke about their tour last fall with heavyweights Rise Against, Alkaline Trio and Thrice. Both agreed that it was a huge shock playing in big amphitheaters and that they used so much more equipment then there casual small venue that their used to.

Both of the guys were extremely nice and open to my questions. They didn't treat it as an interview, it seemed like they were just sitting down with a friend, talking about what's new.

After the interview, I caught there set which was amazing. They don't talk much in between songs which can be seen as both positive and negative. Mostly positive with them because they got to squeeze in more songs into their set. The crowd was more raucous then I thought they were going to be which made the show better.

I left with a story, a t-shirt and an experience that won't be discarded.

Heaviest Time Of My Life

So for those who do not know me, I am a 22 year old college student. 

I don't live the typical college life. While I still go out and grab a drink or two, I am not completely free like most are. I have a full time job and also a part time job. My full time job is selling shoes. I work about 38-40 hours a week and I get the typical two days off a week. My other job is writing for my schools newspaper. So while I have a couple of days off, those two days are used for doing my stories for the paper. It's all completely overwhelming and I feel like I'm 42 rather than 22. 

I should first clarify that I am completely grateful for the responsibilities that I have. I'm completely lucky that I've been blessed with these opportunities. 

Yet, I'm also not gonna ignore my desire to have the typical college experience. But I think the typical college life has been altered throughout the years.

But should I yearn to get hammered and have my "friends" draw stupid jokes on my body as if I'm a living canvas?

Do I really want to have numerous one night stands to a point where I'm dubbed the sleaziest guy on campus?

I'm gonna have to answer both of those questions with a fuck no.

So what should I do I ask myself?

Compromise.

And listen to more Against Me!

2009 MLB Predictions

Here are my predictions for this year in baseball:

AL West Champs: Angels

AL Central Champs: Twins

AL East Champs: Red Sox

Wild Card: Indians

NL West Champs: DBacks

NL Central Champs: Cubs

NL East Champs: Mets

Wild Card: Phillies

Playoffs

AL: 

Red Sox over Twins

Angels over Indians

Red Sox over Angels

NL:

DBacks over Mets

Cubs over Phillies

DBacks over Cubs

World Series:

Red Sox over DBacks

NL MVP: Ryan Braun Brewers

AL MVP: Matt Holliday A's

NL Cy Young: Dan Haren DBacks

AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay Blue Jays

FRAIL

I've been thinking lately how I don't get scars anymore. I know it is a weird thing to ponder, but back in junior high and high school, I would have a lot more scars and scabs. Now I know possessing a plethora of these isn't something to brag about, but they are cool to have.

Fact is that I don't participate in many rough activities these days. I used to play football, lacrosse, baseball, skateboarded and snowboarded, which I still participate from time to time. What really is the issue is that those activities brought happiness to my life. It kept me active and alive. Now I'm not saying I'm not "alive" but I certainly lack things that can bring a smile to my face these days.

Here are a list of things besides the obvious (movies, music, friends and family) that make me happy: photography, watching sports, and concerts which technically falls into the category of music. 

My point being is that growing up has taken a huge toll on me. I work a full time job, I part-time write for my college's newspaper and I am a full time student. I can't complain about this workload because it will only make me more prepared for what's to come, I've sort of lost sight on what makes me happy. 

SOLUTION: More me time.

Listen to NEW FOUND GLORYS newest album "Not Without A Fight"

This Is Us

So today I was watching the film "Control" with centers on the life of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division, and I realized that I do not own many "old" (or classical as many people would put it these days) albums. I checked my ITunes library and the oldest albums I have are The Get Up Kids "Four Minute Mile" released in 1997 and Foo Fighters "The Colour and The Shape" released the same year. I also have Styx and Journey's Greatest Hits. While I don't hate older music, I don't feel musically incomplete because I don't own Pink Floyd's "The Wall" or Led Zeppelin's self-titled album or Metallica's "Black" record, but after watching "Control," I am definitely going out and purchasing their two albums, along with giving New Order(Joy Division after Curtis' death) a listen.

So after pondering about how "classical" bands have been able to remain relevant to this day, I was thinking about what bands today in the many different sub-genres of rock will remain fresh in about 20 years and I originally came across a few, because I was thinking what the majority of the population will think. The problem with thinking like that is today's society has this uncontrollable love for Top 40 music these days. It is ridiculous and an insult to any REAL fan of music. "Artists" like The Jonas Brothers, Metro Station, Nickelback, and a good majority of rappers do not deserve the privilege to have their crap being blasted by car radio's and boom boxes. 

So I compiled a list of 20 bands (in no particular order) that should remain influential and heard 20 years from now:

1. Death Cab For Cutie - A no brainer here. They continually release strong records. I also am waiting patiently for a Postal Service follow-up.

2. Jimmy Eat World - Released the most influential album for this generation (Clarity) and show no signs of stopping. They are equally as good live as they are on record.

3. Minus The Bear - THE MOST UNDERRATED BAND EVER. 

4. Underoath - Their never-ending love and passion for music allows them to keep pushing the envelope of post-hardcore. 

5. Thursday - The pioneers of the genre post-hardcore continue to mature with each record. Unfortunately their latest release, "Common Existence," may be their last.

6. Alkaline Trio - While they are already legends in the punk world, their voices still need to be heard by the masses.

7. Band Of Horses - The music is just as beautiful as an ocean sunset. 

8. Every Time I Die - While their name is a little cliche, which is why I refer to them as ETID, they are everything that is good in the metal industry. Keith Buckley is a genius with the microphone.

9. Muse - If you didn't see this coming, then that rock you are under must be comfortable.

10. Portugal. The Man - It is only a matter of time before people start realizing this bands amazing work habit and commitment to their music.

11. The Shins - This is the band that will change your life.

12. Silversun Pickups - If "Carnavas" is any sign of where this band is headed, my ears are eagerly awaiting its newest release ("Swoon" is being released in April). 

13. Against Me! - After years of perfecting the punk sound, their first stab at pop-punk w/ "New Wave" should and will be a remembered forever.

14. Say Anything - What teenager can't relate to their lyrics. 

15. As I Lay Dying - They ARE the future of metal. 

16. Pelican - They may not use vocals, but they are better then most bands that do.

17. Motion City Soundtrack - How can you not have a good time when listening to this band? There quirkiness keeps this band fresh and original.

18. Modest Mouse - With more albums and ep's than you can count on two hands, Modest Mouse keeps influencing most of todays bands. 

19. mewithoutYou - Their poetic lyrics and sporadic instrumental parts is something that needs to be witnessed live. 

20. The Gaslight Anthem - They have been compared to Bruce Springsteen, and they have only released ONE album. 

Now of course these are my opinions and there are many other bands that should be listened to farther down the road. 

WATCHMEN REVIEW

Two days ago I wrote a review for this movie two days after I saw it. I had rated it a 9/10 but now that is has sunken more into me, I have to change it. I felt like I was just pointing out the obvious visual critiques. Here is my new review of it

10/10

Yes, I call this movie perfect. Not perfect as in The Dark Knight perfect or Godfather perfect, but perfect in its own being or right.

This movie has the tagline of being the "impossible" movie to make. And why wouldn't it. It has THE biggest following along with a storyline that is hard to comprehend and to follow. This project has been through many studios, countless directors and has had a laundry list of A-list actors attached to it. 

When Warner Bro's dropped Darren Arrenofsky off this project, he wanted to switch the Vietnam references to current Iraq war and make it more modern time, the studio approached 300 director Zack Snyder to helm the plagued project.

I can honestly say that Snyder gets this movie. Not only because he is a Watchmen-fanatic, but because he also understands how to adapt materials into the "Hollywood" perspective.

His trademark slo-mo action camera scenes once again never fails to show the awesomeness of ass kicking. He has stated that he isn't a fan of the shaky camera view and when you weigh the two against each other, Snyder's vision comes out victorious. The attention to detail in the sets and making sure each frame is a complete replica of the graphic novel is wonderful. Whether it is depicting the city streets to Veidts artic workshop, the sets are as much apart of the film then the actors. 

When one watches the film, they will probably be walking away, praising Jackie Earle Haley's portrayal of Rorschach. And why wouldn't you. His voice is a perfect depiction. His displaying of the commitment and forcefulness of the character is uncanny. You'd swear that Haley was born to play this role. I wouldn't be surprised that a year from now, he is a candidate for best supporting actor at the oscars.

But the true brilliance comes from Patrick Wilson playing Dan Dreiberg/Nite Owl II. Wilson completely embodies the role of Dreiberg. He masters the role of the unconfident, lonely 40 year old retired hero. His subtlety in his voice and the confusion in his eyes makes it all the better when you see him pummeling prisoners and breaking a guys arm. Throughout the film, Wilson has two breathtaking scenes. The first one comes when he is standing naked, looking through a glass door at this hero costume, stating to Laurie Jupiter/Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman) that he is sick of being afraid. One can't help but to feel that same pain in whatever complications they may have in their life. The other is when he is brutally assaulting Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), for reasons that have to be seen in the film. His anger and pure hatred that he evokes couldn't be portrayed any better in real life. Wilson's finished depiction ranks among the best of all hero portrayals, with Heath Ledger as the Joker, Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, and Alfred Molina as Doc Ock.

The other actor's play they roles to key. Billy Crudup excels at playing the calm and sophisticated Dr. Manhattan. His soothing voice makes him appear as always being in control. Malin Akerman's depicting of a second generation crime fighter is flawless. Her beauty and ass-kicking ability can only go so far until her neurotic and resentful side comes out. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's ability to play a complete asshole is put to use to play the equally same asshole Edward Blake/The Comedian. Matthew Goode may appear a little young to play the world's smartest man Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias, but what he lacks in appearance, he surely makes up for in just pure presence. His flawless fighting moves shows why a man of Goode's age was chosen to play a mid 40 year old millionaire. 

Many are going to write this movie off as too long and too much dialogue, only because they see this movie as a comic book movie. Well it is a comic book movie, but unfortunately comic book movie's are only seen as popcorn action blockbusters, which is a damn shame and is the sole reason why The Dark Knight wasn't nominated for Best Picture.

Some say that the movie doesn't allow the characters to open up and breathe, but it's pretty hard to when you're adapting material considered to be the best graphic novel EVER. Sure the actors don't really bring any freshness to the characters, but they strengthen their roles. I wonder if any of these so-called critics have even read the source material, let alone at least researched the roles by looking them up on Wikipedia. Probably not, they're too busy trying to bash this movie with their tongue in cheek remarks so they can seem original and insightful, yet they come off as pretentious and ignorant. 

This film is a piece of beautiful art. Thank you Zack Snyder, for having the balls to show the world that the impossible is indeed possible.  

Does our opinion matter?

OSCAR 2009 predictions

Best Adapted Screenplay 

The Curious Case Benjamin Button

Best Original Screenplay

Milk

Best Supporting Actress

Marisa Tomei

Best Supporting Actor

Heath Ledger

Best Director

Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Actress

Kate Winslet 

Best Actor

Sean Penn

Best Movie

Milk

Now these are my predictions with some of them of who I think will win and who I want to win.

Besides, The Dark Knight deserves to win every category.

The Reason

I decided to get myself one of these because oddly enough I enjoy kinda typing out what I feel and think. That may be the most unmanly thing a guy can do or say (or type in this situation) but I just do what I do. So to start this off, I've been listening to a lot of music, especially a lot of older albums. So I am going to list the ten albums that got me through high school.

Finch-What It Is To Burn

Taking Back Sunday-Tell All Your Friends

Alkaline Trio-From Here To The Infirmary

The Early November-For All Of This

The Format-Interventions and Lullabies

Jimmy Eat World-Bleed American

Yellowcard-Ocean Avenue

Motion City Soundtrack-I Am The Movie

Thursday-Full Collapse

Underoath-They're Only Chasing Safety

Out of these ten albums, I'd have to say Motion City Soundtrack, Jimmy Eat World and Thursday are the ones that kept me the most sane.