Trying to be spoiler-less story notes:
He will knock four times and then the Doctor will die. SomeTHING, not someONE is returning today. Desperate times call for desperate measures. A song will end but the story will continue on. Geronimo!
Thoughts:
Whereas I had issues with the pacing of the first part, I have no such problems with this part. With the basic concepts put in place by Part One, the story flows on by here with 45 minutes disappearing before I knew it. The other half-hour or so is gone in another snap of the fingers. Big things are occurring here and the pieces fit together nicely.
With all that, there's still lots of time for the little moments. While there is this big science-fiction plot to tell, Russell T. Davies has never shown a great grasp of them. He does interactions of people, even alien people, much more effectively than, say, the machinations of the Daleks or whatever. The more important story thread is the Doctor's knowledge of his impeding doom and how that affects him. He is somber throughout much of the story, especially as certain events come and go. It's the story of a man, alien or not, who has been told his time is coming and what he might consider to stave it off. Will he remain true to himself or will he betray his core beliefs in the attempt to survive? Tennant's Doctor is here a man with a heavy weight on his mind and it shows.
When we get to the circumstances surrounding the regeneration, the reasons are again more important than the actual cause of the regeneration. The somber 'victory lap' that Tennant takes is more effective than the 'wrap-up' sequence at the end of Series Four, not feels so 'let me get these characters in place'. The moments surrounding the regeneration are very sad indeed for a number of reasons I don't want to spoil. There's also a weird moment that I'm not sure I grasp at this point. Whatever.
There are quiet moments. There are 'whoa, really?' moments. There are even a couple crazy action moments. It's a crackling good story that moves along at a good clip. It's good, it may be great, but it's still no 'The Caves of Androzani', which remains awesome.
It's a suitable end for a fantastic Doctor. Thank you David Tennant and I expect we'll see you in the coat again at some point.
It may be brief, but Matt Smith's few moments as the Doctor provide a lot of reason for hope. His surprise and concern about his longish hair ('I'm a girl?') is amusing and his post-regenerative euphoria is a bright dash of colour after the somber story we've been watching.
The man has work to do. Geronimo!
Thumbs up.
02 January 2010
01 January 2010
31 December 2009
Florida Trip Nov 2009 - Magic Kingdom
Just a note for the future - don't go to a theme park on Friday the 13th. It doesn't go well. We went to visit Pirates first as we've decided that's our tradition. Broke. Just as we were about to give up, it opened and we got to ride it. We were stuck at the top of Splash Mountain for at least a half-hour. And it just kept piling up. We had a running count of 'things not working' and it became a source of amusement. The 'creepy' Haunted Mansion was fine. That seemed oddly appropriate.
Walt Disney World Railroad - Once. You ride a train around the park seeing the sights as well as a few displays set up only for the railroad. The train stops at the main station at the front of the park, in Frontierland, and in ToonTown. I like trains. It is relaxing. If you're going to be at the parks for several days in a row, I'd recommend saving it for later in your trip as that's normally when you start to tire a bit. At that point, a brief ride on a train can be restful.
Swiss Family Treehouse - Once. You walk through the house that the Swiss Family Robinson set up. It looks like they just left it behind. Go through it at night and take in the view at the top. It's fun but it's not the sort of thing I'd visit a lot. There's just not that much going on.
The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management - Once. You sit in a room that has a South Sea type decor to it. Once the doors close, the room comes alive, filled with singing birds and tiki gods. The fact that you feel like you're in the middle of the show, as opposed to being separated by a stage or water or a ride car, adds to the show's appeal. It's fun. Iago and Zazu have been added to the original Tiki room and their presence makes the show move quickly. I dunno that I'd want to sit through it multiple times on a trip, but it's very enjoyable. There's also sitting, which is nice.
Jungle Cruise - Once. Classic. Silly. Fun. Do it at night when the animatronics don't look so obvious.
Pirates of the Caribbean - 6 times. Still good stuff. Yo ho!
Splash Mountain - Once. You ride a log through Chikapin Hill and observe the story of Brer Rabbit. The ride is fascinating as it's based on a movie that hasn't been legitimately released in America in over a decade. Very colorful, lots of ups and downs until you get thrown into the briar patch near the end and drop 5 stories! Yipes! You will get wet. I'm not sure I liked the drop (they scare me!) but the ride is outstanding from a story perspective. Good stuff.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - 3 times. Fun coaster. Nothing too extreme, fast but not too fast. Beautifully lit at night.
Haunted Mansion - 5 times, including once on my own. Creepy but not so scary. The song is great. Narration is great. Love this. It just works.
'it's a small world' - Once. The show from the 1964 World's Fair still exists. It's cute. The song will get stuck in your head. It never leaves...
Peter Pan's Flight - 3 times. Riding in a Spanish Galleon or Pirate Ship of some sort, you fly through the Darling children's bedroom, out of the house, and high over London! As you pass the moon, you see Peter and the children's shadow and find yourself in Neverland! You fly over that, taking 'fire' from Hook's ship. Soon, Wendy is about to walk the plank and all looks dire, but Peter defeats Hook and saves the day. As we leave, Smee is trying to rescue his Captain from the ticking Croc. Looks of fun. Moves quickly. Still not sure why the line runs to 50 minutes on a slow day but there you are. Popular.
Mickey's PhilharMagic - Once. Why did we do this only once? 3D movie that bounces through Disney history. Fun.
Snow White's Scary Adventures - Once (at least that's what I have written down, I believe it was actually three times). A speedy ride through the first animated feature film. One of my favorite but simple tricks is in this ride. You approach the Wicked Witch from behind, seeing her glamorous reflection in the mirror. As she turns to face you (the reflection spins as well), we see her in her scary old lady form. Nice! It's a quick fun ride.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Twice. Another speedy ride through the events of the story. Lots of great touches make this ride fun. As you speed through Owl's house, you see a picture of him receiving a deed from Mr. Toad, as the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was originally on this site. As you meet Tigger, the track is set up so that the car 'bounces' with him. The effect for Pooh's dream, as the animatronic falls asleep as its dream self floats away is impressive. The Heffalumps and Woozles that follow are suitably weird looking. I really enjoyed this ride.
Mad Tea Party - Once. Change places! We made it spin good. Lots of fun.
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm - Once. A speedy coaster similar in style to the Woody Woodpecker coaster at Universal. Fun but it's over too fast.
Tomorrowland Speedway - Once. You drive a 'slot car' around a track. Fun for kids, not so much for adults that can already drive.
Space Mountain - 3 times. It was in test mode after being fixed up. The updated lighting is nice. The ride itself is the same. When my eyes weren't adjusted to the dim lighting in the queue, it was great, a smooth ride with awesome lighting effects. When my eyes were adjusted, I could see the track like last time and became aware of the track. I tensed up and it made my back hurt. It is fun but it is what it is.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority - Once. A futuristic 'train' ride around Tomorrowland, going through the buildings. It's very much a smaller version of the Railroad as you get a great view and see things you can only see on the ride. Fun. Weird.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - Twice. Target shooting. Fun but nothing too special.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor - Once. An interactive show where the Monsters work to fill a canister with Laugh energy. The video screens show computer animation but much of it is set up to interact with the crowd in the theatre at the time. They quickly explain that you may get put on screen. So many people that wouldn't play along, so sad... until they put the camera on me. As they retold the story of the movie, I was cast as the bad guy, Randell. The only joke I remember was that they said I went invisible and, thinking quickly, I covered my face with my hands to order to be 'invisible'. I looked like I was playing Peek-a-boo. "Awww," the monster on screen noted, "aren't they cute at that age?" Another of those things I enjoyed but would probably only visit once a trip.
Pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044688&id=1353274305&l=f87259cb85
And that's the end of that chapter.
Walt Disney World Railroad - Once. You ride a train around the park seeing the sights as well as a few displays set up only for the railroad. The train stops at the main station at the front of the park, in Frontierland, and in ToonTown. I like trains. It is relaxing. If you're going to be at the parks for several days in a row, I'd recommend saving it for later in your trip as that's normally when you start to tire a bit. At that point, a brief ride on a train can be restful.
Swiss Family Treehouse - Once. You walk through the house that the Swiss Family Robinson set up. It looks like they just left it behind. Go through it at night and take in the view at the top. It's fun but it's not the sort of thing I'd visit a lot. There's just not that much going on.
The Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management - Once. You sit in a room that has a South Sea type decor to it. Once the doors close, the room comes alive, filled with singing birds and tiki gods. The fact that you feel like you're in the middle of the show, as opposed to being separated by a stage or water or a ride car, adds to the show's appeal. It's fun. Iago and Zazu have been added to the original Tiki room and their presence makes the show move quickly. I dunno that I'd want to sit through it multiple times on a trip, but it's very enjoyable. There's also sitting, which is nice.
Jungle Cruise - Once. Classic. Silly. Fun. Do it at night when the animatronics don't look so obvious.
Pirates of the Caribbean - 6 times. Still good stuff. Yo ho!
Splash Mountain - Once. You ride a log through Chikapin Hill and observe the story of Brer Rabbit. The ride is fascinating as it's based on a movie that hasn't been legitimately released in America in over a decade. Very colorful, lots of ups and downs until you get thrown into the briar patch near the end and drop 5 stories! Yipes! You will get wet. I'm not sure I liked the drop (they scare me!) but the ride is outstanding from a story perspective. Good stuff.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - 3 times. Fun coaster. Nothing too extreme, fast but not too fast. Beautifully lit at night.
Haunted Mansion - 5 times, including once on my own. Creepy but not so scary. The song is great. Narration is great. Love this. It just works.
'it's a small world' - Once. The show from the 1964 World's Fair still exists. It's cute. The song will get stuck in your head. It never leaves...
Peter Pan's Flight - 3 times. Riding in a Spanish Galleon or Pirate Ship of some sort, you fly through the Darling children's bedroom, out of the house, and high over London! As you pass the moon, you see Peter and the children's shadow and find yourself in Neverland! You fly over that, taking 'fire' from Hook's ship. Soon, Wendy is about to walk the plank and all looks dire, but Peter defeats Hook and saves the day. As we leave, Smee is trying to rescue his Captain from the ticking Croc. Looks of fun. Moves quickly. Still not sure why the line runs to 50 minutes on a slow day but there you are. Popular.
Mickey's PhilharMagic - Once. Why did we do this only once? 3D movie that bounces through Disney history. Fun.
Snow White's Scary Adventures - Once (at least that's what I have written down, I believe it was actually three times). A speedy ride through the first animated feature film. One of my favorite but simple tricks is in this ride. You approach the Wicked Witch from behind, seeing her glamorous reflection in the mirror. As she turns to face you (the reflection spins as well), we see her in her scary old lady form. Nice! It's a quick fun ride.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Twice. Another speedy ride through the events of the story. Lots of great touches make this ride fun. As you speed through Owl's house, you see a picture of him receiving a deed from Mr. Toad, as the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was originally on this site. As you meet Tigger, the track is set up so that the car 'bounces' with him. The effect for Pooh's dream, as the animatronic falls asleep as its dream self floats away is impressive. The Heffalumps and Woozles that follow are suitably weird looking. I really enjoyed this ride.
Mad Tea Party - Once. Change places! We made it spin good. Lots of fun.
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm - Once. A speedy coaster similar in style to the Woody Woodpecker coaster at Universal. Fun but it's over too fast.
Tomorrowland Speedway - Once. You drive a 'slot car' around a track. Fun for kids, not so much for adults that can already drive.
Space Mountain - 3 times. It was in test mode after being fixed up. The updated lighting is nice. The ride itself is the same. When my eyes weren't adjusted to the dim lighting in the queue, it was great, a smooth ride with awesome lighting effects. When my eyes were adjusted, I could see the track like last time and became aware of the track. I tensed up and it made my back hurt. It is fun but it is what it is.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority - Once. A futuristic 'train' ride around Tomorrowland, going through the buildings. It's very much a smaller version of the Railroad as you get a great view and see things you can only see on the ride. Fun. Weird.
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - Twice. Target shooting. Fun but nothing too special.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor - Once. An interactive show where the Monsters work to fill a canister with Laugh energy. The video screens show computer animation but much of it is set up to interact with the crowd in the theatre at the time. They quickly explain that you may get put on screen. So many people that wouldn't play along, so sad... until they put the camera on me. As they retold the story of the movie, I was cast as the bad guy, Randell. The only joke I remember was that they said I went invisible and, thinking quickly, I covered my face with my hands to order to be 'invisible'. I looked like I was playing Peek-a-boo. "Awww," the monster on screen noted, "aren't they cute at that age?" Another of those things I enjoyed but would probably only visit once a trip.
Pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044688&id=1353274305&l=f87259cb85
And that's the end of that chapter.
30 December 2009
Briefly in Time
For the un-clever out there, and there do seem to be a lot of you, the end of 2009 does not bring with it the end of a decade. That is the job of 2010. As there was no year 0 (our calendar went from 1 BCE to 1 CE or AD however you like), we count decades from 1 to 10.
If someone asked you to start counting, would you start '0, 1, 2, 3'? I'm inclined to think you'd say '1, 2, 3, 4'.
This is not complicated. I understand that the Y2K bug may have confused you. Please get this figured out by 2019/2020.
Yours in Time,
-SMW
If someone asked you to start counting, would you start '0, 1, 2, 3'? I'm inclined to think you'd say '1, 2, 3, 4'.
This is not complicated. I understand that the Y2K bug may have confused you. Please get this figured out by 2019/2020.
Yours in Time,
-SMW
28 December 2009
Doctor Who - 'Fire and Ice' Review
Before I dig too deeply into this, I want to point out that it's a fan-made production. While this means the production should be given some leeway, I still intend to be honest with my opinion.
Story in brief:
Alice is a normal enough college student in the US. Running late for class, she drives through the rain, gets distracted by something running across the road, and almost runs over a man, a man who seems to stare right through her before running off. The event haunts her and she later investigates the area. She gets lost in the woods. She gets found by the 'watch dog' that ran across the road earlier and is saved from it by the man she almost hit, a man she will find later is called the Doctor. Life gets much less normal after that.
Thoughts:
Let me get one this out of the way: I liked this. It was a good show in general. Let me nit-pick a bit for a while.
The sound is solid. I believe much of the audio was re-recorded in post and this makes it generally easy to listen to and make out the words being spoken. Unfortunately, the music (yes, it's got music) was often mixed a bit loud during dialog sequences and drown out some of that good work. The music is in the style of the new series and, to be honest, I didn't care for all of it. I didn't always think the music worked for the scenes, sometimes being too 'spooky' for its own good. It's also of the 'woman vocalizing randomly' style which is not my favorite. There is also one sequence that appears to have had an encoding problem as the audio and video don't match. It's a brief problem.
There are special effects. Some of them are quite good. The 'watch dog' is really not. A couple of sequences near the end are a little awkward as well but all credit for trying. One scene has effects missing but it is a brief moment.
There is a LOT of good in the story. Alice and her friend feel very natural in reacting to each other (apart from a sequence or two that feels awkward but, again, minor). This is important as the bulk of the first half or so of the episode is these two characters interacting. This is good and bad. It is good because there is great effort made to make their reactions credible, to show why they would start to believe that weird things are happening. It's bad because we only see the Doctor in passing during this part of the episode and the show is only named after the character. It's well constructed but it's too long.
The pacing of the episode is a bit off. The episode runs to about 70 minutes and probably should be ten minutes shorter. There are a few early sequences that don't add much and could be shortened or eliminated. Once the Doctor and Alice meet to become companions, the story shifts into exposition mode and all the weird things we've seen hints of through the episode to that point are explained. This gets a bit tedious. As some of this information gets repeated during a later sequence, it becomes more annoying. I understand that the crew was trying to get across why Alice would decide to accompany the Doctor at this point, trying to make her seem realistic, but it doesn't flow well. There is too much sitting and talking at this point.
While trying not to give away the ending, it's different and not so good at the same time. The downside to spending all this time with Alice and seeing the story from her point of view is that the ending is a bit rushed. We don't get to spend much time with the antagonists. Their point of view is laid out in a couple of lines and it's over.
I'm not so sure about the Doctor. There are attempts to make him interesting and his 'faux-hawk' is different but I'm not sure I liked him. There's not enough of him to make a decision on. His reaction to the events of the ending is either meant to be a character note or it's just poorly written. I'm not sure which.
Alice seems to be named such in order to use one line at the end of the episode. There's also an 'alternate' title mentioned during the story that's better than the actual episode title.
Grouching over, the acting is solid. The production is excellent for a fan video. They appear to have a physical TARDIS prop. The physical events in general are solid. Alice's friend is very cute (not that Alice isn't pleasant looking herself). It looks and sounds good. It looks like they shot most of it around their college and house and the woods near it so the locations look good.
Despite all my 'complaints', I enjoyed watching this and would watch another. I'm curious to see if they can generate another planet or have a space for sets. I haven't gone looking for more information on the group yet because I didn't want to color my opinions at this point.
Available to be downloaded from the Internet. Recommended.
Story in brief:
Alice is a normal enough college student in the US. Running late for class, she drives through the rain, gets distracted by something running across the road, and almost runs over a man, a man who seems to stare right through her before running off. The event haunts her and she later investigates the area. She gets lost in the woods. She gets found by the 'watch dog' that ran across the road earlier and is saved from it by the man she almost hit, a man she will find later is called the Doctor. Life gets much less normal after that.
Thoughts:
Let me get one this out of the way: I liked this. It was a good show in general. Let me nit-pick a bit for a while.
The sound is solid. I believe much of the audio was re-recorded in post and this makes it generally easy to listen to and make out the words being spoken. Unfortunately, the music (yes, it's got music) was often mixed a bit loud during dialog sequences and drown out some of that good work. The music is in the style of the new series and, to be honest, I didn't care for all of it. I didn't always think the music worked for the scenes, sometimes being too 'spooky' for its own good. It's also of the 'woman vocalizing randomly' style which is not my favorite. There is also one sequence that appears to have had an encoding problem as the audio and video don't match. It's a brief problem.
There are special effects. Some of them are quite good. The 'watch dog' is really not. A couple of sequences near the end are a little awkward as well but all credit for trying. One scene has effects missing but it is a brief moment.
There is a LOT of good in the story. Alice and her friend feel very natural in reacting to each other (apart from a sequence or two that feels awkward but, again, minor). This is important as the bulk of the first half or so of the episode is these two characters interacting. This is good and bad. It is good because there is great effort made to make their reactions credible, to show why they would start to believe that weird things are happening. It's bad because we only see the Doctor in passing during this part of the episode and the show is only named after the character. It's well constructed but it's too long.
The pacing of the episode is a bit off. The episode runs to about 70 minutes and probably should be ten minutes shorter. There are a few early sequences that don't add much and could be shortened or eliminated. Once the Doctor and Alice meet to become companions, the story shifts into exposition mode and all the weird things we've seen hints of through the episode to that point are explained. This gets a bit tedious. As some of this information gets repeated during a later sequence, it becomes more annoying. I understand that the crew was trying to get across why Alice would decide to accompany the Doctor at this point, trying to make her seem realistic, but it doesn't flow well. There is too much sitting and talking at this point.
While trying not to give away the ending, it's different and not so good at the same time. The downside to spending all this time with Alice and seeing the story from her point of view is that the ending is a bit rushed. We don't get to spend much time with the antagonists. Their point of view is laid out in a couple of lines and it's over.
I'm not so sure about the Doctor. There are attempts to make him interesting and his 'faux-hawk' is different but I'm not sure I liked him. There's not enough of him to make a decision on. His reaction to the events of the ending is either meant to be a character note or it's just poorly written. I'm not sure which.
Alice seems to be named such in order to use one line at the end of the episode. There's also an 'alternate' title mentioned during the story that's better than the actual episode title.
Grouching over, the acting is solid. The production is excellent for a fan video. They appear to have a physical TARDIS prop. The physical events in general are solid. Alice's friend is very cute (not that Alice isn't pleasant looking herself). It looks and sounds good. It looks like they shot most of it around their college and house and the woods near it so the locations look good.
Despite all my 'complaints', I enjoyed watching this and would watch another. I'm curious to see if they can generate another planet or have a space for sets. I haven't gone looking for more information on the group yet because I didn't want to color my opinions at this point.
Available to be downloaded from the Internet. Recommended.
27 December 2009
Quiz Time
You are on a two lane highway. You are in the middle of nowhere. Traffic is light. You are in the right lane and are traveling at a pace you find comfortable. There is no inclement weather to hinder your progress.
About a mile down the road you see a work truck, not a semi, not a pickup, but something that might have a plow attached or be a garbage truck. As it quickly becomes larger, you realize that it is traveling at a much slower pace than you are traveling.
What will you do?
1) Verify that the left lane is clear using your mirrors and checking your blind spot. Signal the lane change and change lanes while still a significant distance away from the truck. Pass the truck with care. Once safely ahead of the truck, signal your lane change and return to the right lane. Continue on your trip.
or
2) Continue driving until you are tailgating the truck and have to slow down to avoid hitting it. You are now in the truck's blind spot but that does not concern you. Follow the truck for another mile, becoming irritated by the fact that the truck has not sped up to meet your desired pace. Signal briefly a lane change and swing around the work truck. Travel blissfully in the left lane for multiple further miles, only changing lanes when another vehicle 'suddenly' approaches you from behind while traveling at a high rate of speed and is forced to pass you using the right hand lane.
Man I hate people.
About a mile down the road you see a work truck, not a semi, not a pickup, but something that might have a plow attached or be a garbage truck. As it quickly becomes larger, you realize that it is traveling at a much slower pace than you are traveling.
What will you do?
1) Verify that the left lane is clear using your mirrors and checking your blind spot. Signal the lane change and change lanes while still a significant distance away from the truck. Pass the truck with care. Once safely ahead of the truck, signal your lane change and return to the right lane. Continue on your trip.
or
2) Continue driving until you are tailgating the truck and have to slow down to avoid hitting it. You are now in the truck's blind spot but that does not concern you. Follow the truck for another mile, becoming irritated by the fact that the truck has not sped up to meet your desired pace. Signal briefly a lane change and swing around the work truck. Travel blissfully in the left lane for multiple further miles, only changing lanes when another vehicle 'suddenly' approaches you from behind while traveling at a high rate of speed and is forced to pass you using the right hand lane.
Man I hate people.
26 December 2009
Doctor Who - 'The End of Time' Part One
Story teaser: The Doctor has been summoned by the Ood who warn him of many things, including the oncoming darkness that seems to be the End of Time. They also show him a face, a face that all humankind has been dreaming, the face of a man that is dead: the Master. The disciples of Harold Saxon attempt to put Humpty Dumpty back together again but all does not go well and the Master is incomplete. While the Doctor attempts to trace down and assist his former friend/enemy, he remains unaware of the full scope of the situation...
Thoughts:
This did not need to be an hour long for one. There's a lot of running around and yelling and jumping in the early sections of the episode that would look silly in a X-Men movie. Very disappointing. I started reflecting on the episode of 'Planet of the Spiders' that is one long chase scene.
Then the Doctor bumps into Wilf and it all begins to settle down. There's all this weird information that's being flung at us, goofy almost random events, then we start to see Wilf and Donna and the story starts to take shape. Russell is writing people talking and communicating normally and he's comfortable again. Unfortunately it takes about twenty minutes to get to this point, especially as the story only starts to gel at this point. This means the first half or so of the episode is Not Good.
While Russell has done some interesting things to explain and fill out the character of the Master, I wasn't all that fond of John Sims' Master when he first appeared. It's not completely fair to judge him here as he's not really playing the Master, he's playing this vampire-like Master, feeding to stay together. As such, more on the edge, he is a bit sympathetic. At some point in the future, I'd like to see a 'normal' Master again. The character was good, fun even, and this version has just been mental.
There are a couple bits to the cliffhanger, neither of which I will mention here. The first bit goes on a bit too long, kind of beats the 'joke' into submission to a point where it begins to get tedious. It's a good 'wow' moment but gets too dragged out.
The other bit of the cliffhanger? That's a big 'HOLY CRAP!' moment. I squeaked and covered my mouth with my hand like an old woman. It's awesome bit looks like a Bad Thing.
Can't wait until next week.
Thoughts:
This did not need to be an hour long for one. There's a lot of running around and yelling and jumping in the early sections of the episode that would look silly in a X-Men movie. Very disappointing. I started reflecting on the episode of 'Planet of the Spiders' that is one long chase scene.
Then the Doctor bumps into Wilf and it all begins to settle down. There's all this weird information that's being flung at us, goofy almost random events, then we start to see Wilf and Donna and the story starts to take shape. Russell is writing people talking and communicating normally and he's comfortable again. Unfortunately it takes about twenty minutes to get to this point, especially as the story only starts to gel at this point. This means the first half or so of the episode is Not Good.
While Russell has done some interesting things to explain and fill out the character of the Master, I wasn't all that fond of John Sims' Master when he first appeared. It's not completely fair to judge him here as he's not really playing the Master, he's playing this vampire-like Master, feeding to stay together. As such, more on the edge, he is a bit sympathetic. At some point in the future, I'd like to see a 'normal' Master again. The character was good, fun even, and this version has just been mental.
There are a couple bits to the cliffhanger, neither of which I will mention here. The first bit goes on a bit too long, kind of beats the 'joke' into submission to a point where it begins to get tedious. It's a good 'wow' moment but gets too dragged out.
The other bit of the cliffhanger? That's a big 'HOLY CRAP!' moment. I squeaked and covered my mouth with my hand like an old woman. It's awesome bit looks like a Bad Thing.
Can't wait until next week.
24 December 2009
Home Theatre Update
Tore apart my home entertainment center today looking for the point of failure. I unplugged this and plugged in that, then unplugged that and plugged in this. Quite the mess. After awhile I noticed that when my PS3 was connected to the television and was plugged into the power strip, I had feedback. When it was unplugged, no feedback.
This depressed me greatly. I haven't had the PS3 all that long and losing it would mean that I'd have limited or no access to my DVDs, video files, and the few blu-rays I own.
I kept testing. Unplugging the cable from the cable box into the television also removed the feedback. With it out, I could plug the PS3 in with no problems. Excellent! Except now I have no cable.
This opened a number of new questions. Was it the connector on the TV? The box? What? Luckily it's a nifty new type box with multiple input and output connections and I had a network cable running from the gateway to the area of the TV for the Mac mini that's also in that area. I still saw feedback using an alternate output method. Once I unplugged the cable coming into the box and replaced it with the network cable, I was good again.
So it looks like it's the input cable. Considering we didn't replace this cable when we changed cable providers earlier in the year, it's very possible that the cable just went bad. Or it could be another connector. I'll follow it back later. It took me most of the day to find this problem.
The best part about this is that I spent all this time working to improve my video quality and I'm using it to watch scratchy old video from the 1960s.
Yes, I am ridiculous.
This depressed me greatly. I haven't had the PS3 all that long and losing it would mean that I'd have limited or no access to my DVDs, video files, and the few blu-rays I own.
I kept testing. Unplugging the cable from the cable box into the television also removed the feedback. With it out, I could plug the PS3 in with no problems. Excellent! Except now I have no cable.
This opened a number of new questions. Was it the connector on the TV? The box? What? Luckily it's a nifty new type box with multiple input and output connections and I had a network cable running from the gateway to the area of the TV for the Mac mini that's also in that area. I still saw feedback using an alternate output method. Once I unplugged the cable coming into the box and replaced it with the network cable, I was good again.
So it looks like it's the input cable. Considering we didn't replace this cable when we changed cable providers earlier in the year, it's very possible that the cable just went bad. Or it could be another connector. I'll follow it back later. It took me most of the day to find this problem.
The best part about this is that I spent all this time working to improve my video quality and I'm using it to watch scratchy old video from the 1960s.
Yes, I am ridiculous.
23 December 2009
Brief grump
Hate complaining but I'm going to do so briefly to get it over and done with.
Determined that my right contact lens was in inside-out the other day and went to fix it yesterday. Intense pain that I mistook for my eye readjusting instead of foreign materials. When it just didn't go away, I eventually wised up and removed the contact. Went about a day only sort of being able to see. Got a new contact in there this afternoon and it went in all comfortable and smooth, like it should. Much better.
Unfortunately that makes it easier to see the problems with my TV. It has bands of visual interference that slowly climb and distort the picture. It's accompanied by audible feedback. It's worse on certain inputs. I'm wondering if there's a bad cable that's leaking back and forth. Another theory is that my recent use of the component input for the first time since getting the TV overloaded something inside the TV and it's blowing out. Maybe it's something crossing over with the old receiver I also have plugged into the TV. I'm hoping to have time tomorrow to tear the home theatre apart and see if I can uncover the problem. I'm really hoping it's just a cable. I really don't want to get a new TV at this time. Not if I can help it anyway.
Determined that my right contact lens was in inside-out the other day and went to fix it yesterday. Intense pain that I mistook for my eye readjusting instead of foreign materials. When it just didn't go away, I eventually wised up and removed the contact. Went about a day only sort of being able to see. Got a new contact in there this afternoon and it went in all comfortable and smooth, like it should. Much better.
Unfortunately that makes it easier to see the problems with my TV. It has bands of visual interference that slowly climb and distort the picture. It's accompanied by audible feedback. It's worse on certain inputs. I'm wondering if there's a bad cable that's leaking back and forth. Another theory is that my recent use of the component input for the first time since getting the TV overloaded something inside the TV and it's blowing out. Maybe it's something crossing over with the old receiver I also have plugged into the TV. I'm hoping to have time tomorrow to tear the home theatre apart and see if I can uncover the problem. I'm really hoping it's just a cable. I really don't want to get a new TV at this time. Not if I can help it anyway.
21 December 2009
Florida Trip Nov 2009 - Disney's Hollywood Studios
We spent a LOT of time here and that was reflected in the amount of pictures I took. I believe they are all posted now.
The Great Movie Ride - 3 times. You take a guided tour through movie history. The animatronics are of a generally high quality. The ones that are good (Gene Kelly, Julie Andrews, James Cagney, John Wayne, etc) are really good. The ones that aren't (Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford) aren't good but that's likely due to likeness rights and contracts and such. The highlight is the Wicked Witch of the West animatronic near the end of the ride. It's one of the higher level animatronics and moves impressively. It ends with a montage of clips from movie history in a 'theatre' of sorts. While there are some really fun sections to the ride, the tour guide script is very dull, intentionally so I believe. If you don't get into the classic old Hollywood scene, then there isn't much to see here. I enjoyed it a lot but I can see how others in my group got bored with it.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - Once and we missed the beginning stunt. Doh. Fun, great look into how stuntwork works but it's a little long. Not sure I'd want to watch it over and over again on one trip. Highly impressive though.
Star Tours - 5 times. Chances are this version of the ride will be gone by the next time I go to Florida. It's getting refurbed and changed. While the hydraulics might need some work (or I just get queasy on simulator rides) I'm wondering how the update will go. I've heard rumours. Could be awesome or could be too much prequel stuff. That would lack cool.
MuppetVision 3D - 5 times. I still love this thing. It's getting remastered. I like that idea.
Studio Backlot Tour - Once. There's a brief show, some stuff to walk through, and a tram tour where you get to see a lot of old props. It's fun but another of those things that I'm not sure would be neat for multiple trips.
Toy Story Midway Mania - Once. Fun game. I won. :)
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream - Once. Lots of historical stuff regarding Uncle Walt. Props, photos, reconstructions of things, models, all sorts of neat stuff. I didn't watch the video at the end. This is a lot of fun for me. I think this works for me over the Backlot Tour because it's not a guided tour. I can pop in for a few minutes or linger, it's not that I'm locked into something for a half-hour.
The Magic of Disney Animation - Once. Got my picture taken with Sorcerer Mickey but the picture didn't turn out darn it.
Rock n Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith - Once. It's a dark coaster inside a building. All I knew about it going in was that it launches at 60MPH and goes through two loops where you are upside-down. The going upside-down is what stopped me from going on it last time. This time I talked myself into it. You're latched in all sorts of tight and the first loop is right after you launch so you're through it so quick you don't even notice. The second one I noticed and it freaked me out to see the floor. When we got off the ride, my reaction was kinda like my reaction to the Mummy ride the first time: 'I dunno if I liked that.' I was giggling as we walked out. It was fun. Pity we did it after our days at Universal because it might have helped me talk myself into going on the Hulk. It's fun. I'd ride it again. I think.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - 10 times. This also gives me hope that I'd like Rock n Roller Coaster more if I rode it a few more times. The first couple times I rode this during this trip I was still uncomfortable, like I was the first trip. Knowing we had more time to spend at Hollywood Studios than last time, I was inclined to ride it more. As I rode it, I got more comfortable with it. By the end of the trip, I went from clutching onto the handles with a deathgrip to having both hands in the air for the entire ride, hooting and hollering with excitement. This is good stuff.
Fantasmic! - Once. Laser, firework, water, fire, projection, and character show. Mickey falls asleep and his dream gets hijacked by Disney villains. He fights back and everything ends well. A fun show but more of it was video projected onto water than I expected. Now that I know what to expect, I'd see it again but the process to get into the theatre is a pain in the butt, especially when the group gets separated on the way inside. It's another of those things you have to set aside time to accomplish and I like keeping the days a little more loose than that. I know, I'm lazy.
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045438&id=1353274305&l=aed1d0bf37
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045580&id=1353274305&l=3fb2bd9827
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045416&id=1353274305&l=91863074c5
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045041&id=1353274305&l=6af1844553
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044910&id=1353274305&l=e870c31594
The Great Movie Ride - 3 times. You take a guided tour through movie history. The animatronics are of a generally high quality. The ones that are good (Gene Kelly, Julie Andrews, James Cagney, John Wayne, etc) are really good. The ones that aren't (Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford) aren't good but that's likely due to likeness rights and contracts and such. The highlight is the Wicked Witch of the West animatronic near the end of the ride. It's one of the higher level animatronics and moves impressively. It ends with a montage of clips from movie history in a 'theatre' of sorts. While there are some really fun sections to the ride, the tour guide script is very dull, intentionally so I believe. If you don't get into the classic old Hollywood scene, then there isn't much to see here. I enjoyed it a lot but I can see how others in my group got bored with it.
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - Once and we missed the beginning stunt. Doh. Fun, great look into how stuntwork works but it's a little long. Not sure I'd want to watch it over and over again on one trip. Highly impressive though.
Star Tours - 5 times. Chances are this version of the ride will be gone by the next time I go to Florida. It's getting refurbed and changed. While the hydraulics might need some work (or I just get queasy on simulator rides) I'm wondering how the update will go. I've heard rumours. Could be awesome or could be too much prequel stuff. That would lack cool.
MuppetVision 3D - 5 times. I still love this thing. It's getting remastered. I like that idea.
Studio Backlot Tour - Once. There's a brief show, some stuff to walk through, and a tram tour where you get to see a lot of old props. It's fun but another of those things that I'm not sure would be neat for multiple trips.
Toy Story Midway Mania - Once. Fun game. I won. :)
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream - Once. Lots of historical stuff regarding Uncle Walt. Props, photos, reconstructions of things, models, all sorts of neat stuff. I didn't watch the video at the end. This is a lot of fun for me. I think this works for me over the Backlot Tour because it's not a guided tour. I can pop in for a few minutes or linger, it's not that I'm locked into something for a half-hour.
The Magic of Disney Animation - Once. Got my picture taken with Sorcerer Mickey but the picture didn't turn out darn it.
Rock n Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith - Once. It's a dark coaster inside a building. All I knew about it going in was that it launches at 60MPH and goes through two loops where you are upside-down. The going upside-down is what stopped me from going on it last time. This time I talked myself into it. You're latched in all sorts of tight and the first loop is right after you launch so you're through it so quick you don't even notice. The second one I noticed and it freaked me out to see the floor. When we got off the ride, my reaction was kinda like my reaction to the Mummy ride the first time: 'I dunno if I liked that.' I was giggling as we walked out. It was fun. Pity we did it after our days at Universal because it might have helped me talk myself into going on the Hulk. It's fun. I'd ride it again. I think.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - 10 times. This also gives me hope that I'd like Rock n Roller Coaster more if I rode it a few more times. The first couple times I rode this during this trip I was still uncomfortable, like I was the first trip. Knowing we had more time to spend at Hollywood Studios than last time, I was inclined to ride it more. As I rode it, I got more comfortable with it. By the end of the trip, I went from clutching onto the handles with a deathgrip to having both hands in the air for the entire ride, hooting and hollering with excitement. This is good stuff.
Fantasmic! - Once. Laser, firework, water, fire, projection, and character show. Mickey falls asleep and his dream gets hijacked by Disney villains. He fights back and everything ends well. A fun show but more of it was video projected onto water than I expected. Now that I know what to expect, I'd see it again but the process to get into the theatre is a pain in the butt, especially when the group gets separated on the way inside. It's another of those things you have to set aside time to accomplish and I like keeping the days a little more loose than that. I know, I'm lazy.
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045438&id=1353274305&l=aed1d0bf37
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045580&id=1353274305&l=3fb2bd9827
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045416&id=1353274305&l=91863074c5
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045041&id=1353274305&l=6af1844553
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044910&id=1353274305&l=e870c31594
18 December 2009
'The Princess and the Frog' Review
Story in brief:
Young Tiana is a hard worker in 1920s (?) New Orleans, struggling to see her late Daddy's dream of a restaurant come to life. Her rich friend Charlotte has none of her concerns, only working to meet and marry Prince Naveen so that she can be the royalty she dreams of being. Prince Naveen is a happy go lucky sort of Prince, fascinated with the music surrounding him, but fails to mention to others that his royal folks have cut him off and he's broke. This pocketbook failure leaves him vulnerable to the slick talk of the Shadowman who promises him a lot of green and provides it in Naveen's skin, as he's turned into a frog. Bumping into Tiana at a masquerade ball and mistaking her for a princess, he talks her into kissing him and the spell backfires, turning her into a frog as well. Their quest to regain their humanity begins!
Thoughts:
The basic plot of the film is no great surprise. Two people on a quest grow a group around them as they search for the way to reach their goal. On the way, they learn something about themselves and the others around them, leaving them better people at the end. There are a few twists in the way the story is told here and therein lies the fun. Having established the rules of this world, the story remains logical within those rules, with resolution of the problems coming in clever ways.
The music is good, fitting itself in the jazzy, zydeco style of the city and period in which the movie is set. The second song comes a bit quickly after the first but, in large, the timing of the songs is fine, not overwhelming the story nor feeling repetitive. The movie is also funny, sweet, tender, and occasionally sad, playing all the emotional notes you'd expect from a Disney film.
The visual style is impressive. This movie is Disney's return to 2D hand drawn animation but also features computer assisted art. The backgrounds look painted in a fine art style and appear to have some depth to them. A dream sequence during the first song is in a style totally different to the rest of the film as well as different to the standard Disney style. This experiment was interesting and fascinating. I hope this is the start of something.
The characters all have motivation for their actions, even if some of them are very subtle. The only real villain is the Shadowman and he is spooky. Some of the Shadowman related sequences, while cool to me, could be rather terrifying for the younger set so, be warned.
Is this the best thing ever? No. Is this a good film, a solid return to Disney film-making? Yes, I think this is a good film and a good sign for further movies to come.
Recommended.
Young Tiana is a hard worker in 1920s (?) New Orleans, struggling to see her late Daddy's dream of a restaurant come to life. Her rich friend Charlotte has none of her concerns, only working to meet and marry Prince Naveen so that she can be the royalty she dreams of being. Prince Naveen is a happy go lucky sort of Prince, fascinated with the music surrounding him, but fails to mention to others that his royal folks have cut him off and he's broke. This pocketbook failure leaves him vulnerable to the slick talk of the Shadowman who promises him a lot of green and provides it in Naveen's skin, as he's turned into a frog. Bumping into Tiana at a masquerade ball and mistaking her for a princess, he talks her into kissing him and the spell backfires, turning her into a frog as well. Their quest to regain their humanity begins!
Thoughts:
The basic plot of the film is no great surprise. Two people on a quest grow a group around them as they search for the way to reach their goal. On the way, they learn something about themselves and the others around them, leaving them better people at the end. There are a few twists in the way the story is told here and therein lies the fun. Having established the rules of this world, the story remains logical within those rules, with resolution of the problems coming in clever ways.
The music is good, fitting itself in the jazzy, zydeco style of the city and period in which the movie is set. The second song comes a bit quickly after the first but, in large, the timing of the songs is fine, not overwhelming the story nor feeling repetitive. The movie is also funny, sweet, tender, and occasionally sad, playing all the emotional notes you'd expect from a Disney film.
The visual style is impressive. This movie is Disney's return to 2D hand drawn animation but also features computer assisted art. The backgrounds look painted in a fine art style and appear to have some depth to them. A dream sequence during the first song is in a style totally different to the rest of the film as well as different to the standard Disney style. This experiment was interesting and fascinating. I hope this is the start of something.
The characters all have motivation for their actions, even if some of them are very subtle. The only real villain is the Shadowman and he is spooky. Some of the Shadowman related sequences, while cool to me, could be rather terrifying for the younger set so, be warned.
Is this the best thing ever? No. Is this a good film, a solid return to Disney film-making? Yes, I think this is a good film and a good sign for further movies to come.
Recommended.
16 December 2009
Rest Well Roy
A few months ago while talking about Disney buying Marvel, I mentioned signing up for Roy Disney's 'Save Disney' anti-Eisner campaign some years back. I was getting email from Walt's nephew and that felt cool. Sure I was part of a big mailing list but that's not the point.
The point is that Roy Disney died today at the age of 79. I can say nothing of him as a person but, as a representative of his uncle, I think he did a fine job of representing his interests.
Thanks Roy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_E._Disney
The point is that Roy Disney died today at the age of 79. I can say nothing of him as a person but, as a representative of his uncle, I think he did a fine job of representing his interests.
Thanks Roy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_E._Disney
14 December 2009
The Scariest Band in the World
In the beginning, there was rockabilly. And it was good. It may not have been complicated in style but it was energetic and the perfect accompaniment for a little hell raising.
What if the band sounded like it had been ... raised from hell? It may sound like the darkest surf music in the world, a bass so low it sounded like the depths below. Add in lyrics inspired by horror and crime films, then stir until stiff. Then we would call it... voodoobilly.
Maybe they didn't reinvent the wheel. Maybe they didn't create a new style. I've yet to hear any other band sound like Deadbolt. Maybe you will think that's a good thing.
But if you tell them they aren't the scariest band in the world... well, there's no maybe about the butt-whuppin' they'll lay down on ya...
What if the band sounded like it had been ... raised from hell? It may sound like the darkest surf music in the world, a bass so low it sounded like the depths below. Add in lyrics inspired by horror and crime films, then stir until stiff. Then we would call it... voodoobilly.
Maybe they didn't reinvent the wheel. Maybe they didn't create a new style. I've yet to hear any other band sound like Deadbolt. Maybe you will think that's a good thing.
But if you tell them they aren't the scariest band in the world... well, there's no maybe about the butt-whuppin' they'll lay down on ya...
13 December 2009
'Fat Albert' (2004)
Synopsis:
Despite the presence of her foster sister, Doris feels alone. Her parents are often gone on business, her grandfather died recently, and she doesn't really have friends as she's been slowly pulling away from people. Emotionally overwhelmed, she cries while watching a rerun of 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids'. Somehow, Fat Albert hears her and uses her tears as a portal from his cartoon version of the 1970s to cross into the real world of the 2000s. Doris has a problem and Fat Albert seeks to do what he does best: fix a problem.
Review:
As a kid, Bill Cosby was everywhere. He was HUGE. We had some of his records. He was on 'Captain Kangaroo' with his Picture Pages and the pen that made noise. His sitcom launched. 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids' cartoon was still being repeated. I enjoyed it all.
I've also watched a number of movies that seek to remake old television shows. The majority of them are dire, mocking the original work rather than trying to reimagine them. As Mr. Cosby was involved in the making of this film, it does a fine job of updating the original text without mocking it.
Fat Albert and the rest of his crew are from the 1970s. Our technology fascinates them (subtle lesson: we have it pretty good). One of Doris' schoolmates decides that Rudy's style is cool and pieces together a replica of his outfit (subtle lesson: dress styles come and go in fashion). The original show and the time period it was set in are never mocked for being different.
At the same time, the current styles are not dismissed as bad. The Kids watch a rap video. 'This is singing?' 'No, this is talking.' 'Whatever it is, I like it.' (Subtle lesson: old or new things aren't necessarily bad in and of themselves.) Even in our world, the Cosby Kids retain their ability to adapt and can rap after this.
Since this is the crossing of the 'real' world and a television world, the movie should be treated as a fantasy. Viewed in this way, the movie works very well. It does some little things that I beg other movies to do; it provides some reasons why these special events are occurring. You may watch the film and go 'Really? That's a dumb reason' but at least it bothers to give you a reason why, say, of all the crying people in the world, Fat Albert hears this one girl.
The movie is amusing and occasionally funny. I think kids might be more amused by some of the physical comedy than I was. I like physical comedy but the way it played out here was only okay to me. Most of the effects are good but one sequence is not. You'll know it when you see it. It's early in the film and looks awkward.
The ending is as it should be, with a surprisingly quiet moment at the end with a cameo I never expected.
Was this a great movie? I don't know about that. Really enjoyable film? Yes. (Subtle lesson: I may have learned something before it was all through. Hey hey hey!)
Despite the presence of her foster sister, Doris feels alone. Her parents are often gone on business, her grandfather died recently, and she doesn't really have friends as she's been slowly pulling away from people. Emotionally overwhelmed, she cries while watching a rerun of 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids'. Somehow, Fat Albert hears her and uses her tears as a portal from his cartoon version of the 1970s to cross into the real world of the 2000s. Doris has a problem and Fat Albert seeks to do what he does best: fix a problem.
Review:
As a kid, Bill Cosby was everywhere. He was HUGE. We had some of his records. He was on 'Captain Kangaroo' with his Picture Pages and the pen that made noise. His sitcom launched. 'Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids' cartoon was still being repeated. I enjoyed it all.
I've also watched a number of movies that seek to remake old television shows. The majority of them are dire, mocking the original work rather than trying to reimagine them. As Mr. Cosby was involved in the making of this film, it does a fine job of updating the original text without mocking it.
Fat Albert and the rest of his crew are from the 1970s. Our technology fascinates them (subtle lesson: we have it pretty good). One of Doris' schoolmates decides that Rudy's style is cool and pieces together a replica of his outfit (subtle lesson: dress styles come and go in fashion). The original show and the time period it was set in are never mocked for being different.
At the same time, the current styles are not dismissed as bad. The Kids watch a rap video. 'This is singing?' 'No, this is talking.' 'Whatever it is, I like it.' (Subtle lesson: old or new things aren't necessarily bad in and of themselves.) Even in our world, the Cosby Kids retain their ability to adapt and can rap after this.
Since this is the crossing of the 'real' world and a television world, the movie should be treated as a fantasy. Viewed in this way, the movie works very well. It does some little things that I beg other movies to do; it provides some reasons why these special events are occurring. You may watch the film and go 'Really? That's a dumb reason' but at least it bothers to give you a reason why, say, of all the crying people in the world, Fat Albert hears this one girl.
The movie is amusing and occasionally funny. I think kids might be more amused by some of the physical comedy than I was. I like physical comedy but the way it played out here was only okay to me. Most of the effects are good but one sequence is not. You'll know it when you see it. It's early in the film and looks awkward.
The ending is as it should be, with a surprisingly quiet moment at the end with a cameo I never expected.
Was this a great movie? I don't know about that. Really enjoyable film? Yes. (Subtle lesson: I may have learned something before it was all through. Hey hey hey!)
12 December 2009
Florida Trip Nov 2009 - EPCOT
Finally got a number of pictures loaded up so it's time to continue the review of last month's trip. I've gotten through all the pictures but still have a number to upload. Anyway, this is what we did in our two trips to EPCOT.
Spaceship Earth - Three Times. The linchpin of the park still holds an appeal for me. Many long-term fans will argue that the current version of this ride pales in comparison to some of it's previous versions but I still love this ride and it's edutainment qualities.
Test Track - Test Track is an attempt to marry education (how cars are tested before they are mass produced) with a thrill ride (doing about 65 in a NASCAR like turn). In principal, this is the right way to approach the concept at EPCOT. You can't just fling a coaster in EPCOT and have it fit the theming. Test Track makes you the test 'dummy' in a car. You ride around in the main building going through rough road tests, heat tests, cold tests, brake tests, etc. The final test tries to trick you into thinking you're going to crash but the wall opens and you're outside the main building, whipping through a mighty curve at a high rate of speed. It's like riding in a full sized slot car. It's fun but there's no real adventure to be found. We walked through the queue and immediately got on the ride. Once we'd finished the ride, there was a slight queue. That was enough to keep us from riding again. It's just not that fun. Besides, we were going faster during the car ride to and from Orlando. There are rumors that a couple of the not in use pavilions will be removed in order to put up a thrill ride at EPCOT. If they can marry education and thrill ride more successfully than this, it may be the greatest thing ever. Otherwise, blah.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends - Twice. It's not that long, it's fun, and there was no line for it. Win - win.
Turtle Talk with Crush - a show where the computer animated Crush interacts with the audience. The interaction is impressive. It's a fun show. Kids ask questions of the figure on the screen and he answers them. Recommended.
Soarin' - Once. Hang glide over bits of country. Very nice.
Living with the Land - Once. Boat ride through a number of experimental greenhouses. More interesting than it sounds. Seeing things grow without being planted in dirt and receiving no water is impressive.
The Circle of Life - Once. Short movie about ecology with the main characters from The Lion King. A bit dated but nice.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros - Twice. Boat ride. Jose Carioca and Panchito are to appear with Donald Duck but, where is Donald? The birds search Mexico to find their friend, always being one step behind the famous Duck until the end. It's an entertaining way to 'tour' Mexico while still having a story to follow as well as using some lesser known Disney characters. Brief and fun.
Maelstrom - Twice. Boat ride. You float through Norway's history and myth. This is brief but fun as all heck. You see some vikings and such before approaching a troll who casts a spell on you and flings your boat away from him, backwards! You rocket past polar bears and things, your boat almost 'falls' from the building (there's a hole in the front of the building where your boat readjusts back to traveling forward), you go down a waterfall, and float past a oil platform in the North Sea. You finally dock in the middle of a normal looking town in wherever Norway. There's a lot going on in this ride. Lots of fun to be had in its way. As much as I enjoyed the ride in Mexico, the going backwards and the drop make this much more fun. Most of the other countries in the World Showcase have a film to watch about the country, which is fine, but if they all had a ride like this, it would be so much more awesome in general.
The UK area has a Pub and a Fish n Chip shop. They warm the heart to think of them. I don't care much for seafood but I can do the occasional fish n chips drown in malt vinegar, especially with a pint of lager to go with it. Mmmm...
Pictures on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044181&id=1353274305&l=fd4714be13
Spaceship Earth - Three Times. The linchpin of the park still holds an appeal for me. Many long-term fans will argue that the current version of this ride pales in comparison to some of it's previous versions but I still love this ride and it's edutainment qualities.
Test Track - Test Track is an attempt to marry education (how cars are tested before they are mass produced) with a thrill ride (doing about 65 in a NASCAR like turn). In principal, this is the right way to approach the concept at EPCOT. You can't just fling a coaster in EPCOT and have it fit the theming. Test Track makes you the test 'dummy' in a car. You ride around in the main building going through rough road tests, heat tests, cold tests, brake tests, etc. The final test tries to trick you into thinking you're going to crash but the wall opens and you're outside the main building, whipping through a mighty curve at a high rate of speed. It's like riding in a full sized slot car. It's fun but there's no real adventure to be found. We walked through the queue and immediately got on the ride. Once we'd finished the ride, there was a slight queue. That was enough to keep us from riding again. It's just not that fun. Besides, we were going faster during the car ride to and from Orlando. There are rumors that a couple of the not in use pavilions will be removed in order to put up a thrill ride at EPCOT. If they can marry education and thrill ride more successfully than this, it may be the greatest thing ever. Otherwise, blah.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends - Twice. It's not that long, it's fun, and there was no line for it. Win - win.
Turtle Talk with Crush - a show where the computer animated Crush interacts with the audience. The interaction is impressive. It's a fun show. Kids ask questions of the figure on the screen and he answers them. Recommended.
Soarin' - Once. Hang glide over bits of country. Very nice.
Living with the Land - Once. Boat ride through a number of experimental greenhouses. More interesting than it sounds. Seeing things grow without being planted in dirt and receiving no water is impressive.
The Circle of Life - Once. Short movie about ecology with the main characters from The Lion King. A bit dated but nice.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros - Twice. Boat ride. Jose Carioca and Panchito are to appear with Donald Duck but, where is Donald? The birds search Mexico to find their friend, always being one step behind the famous Duck until the end. It's an entertaining way to 'tour' Mexico while still having a story to follow as well as using some lesser known Disney characters. Brief and fun.
Maelstrom - Twice. Boat ride. You float through Norway's history and myth. This is brief but fun as all heck. You see some vikings and such before approaching a troll who casts a spell on you and flings your boat away from him, backwards! You rocket past polar bears and things, your boat almost 'falls' from the building (there's a hole in the front of the building where your boat readjusts back to traveling forward), you go down a waterfall, and float past a oil platform in the North Sea. You finally dock in the middle of a normal looking town in wherever Norway. There's a lot going on in this ride. Lots of fun to be had in its way. As much as I enjoyed the ride in Mexico, the going backwards and the drop make this much more fun. Most of the other countries in the World Showcase have a film to watch about the country, which is fine, but if they all had a ride like this, it would be so much more awesome in general.
The UK area has a Pub and a Fish n Chip shop. They warm the heart to think of them. I don't care much for seafood but I can do the occasional fish n chips drown in malt vinegar, especially with a pint of lager to go with it. Mmmm...
Pictures on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2044181&id=1353274305&l=fd4714be13
11 December 2009
A Few Thoughts on Comics from The Past Couple Weeks
Dark Avengers Annual #1 gives us a whiz-bang blowout of a fight as well as a new heir to the name: Captain Marvel. Interesting.
The Marvels Project #4 shows us the origin of the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, but from the point-of-view of the Nazi agent assigned to kill the 'traitor' scientist working on the project. Interesting.
In Thor #604, the hammer wielding hero finds out that Doctor Doom has been experimenting on Asgardians. A beat-down is about to be delivered. Interesting.
Vincent Price Presents #13 features the return of one of my favorite Price characters: Dr. Phibes! The art style is a bit odd, darkly inked like Jae Lee, but still with enough detail and character to communicate the story well. The story shows it's links to the two movies and continues the story in a way that allows for further sequels. The characters are written well enough to what we've already seen. The story seems a bit over the top but, really, the best Vincent Price movies all are a bit over the top. I liked this but I'm not sure I loved it, mostly because the art style was a bit too weird at times.
Siege: The Cabal shows the beginnings of the end of Norman Osborn's reign of darkness over the Marvel Universe. We see Loki's influence on him is strong, stronger than I expected. I'm hoping that we don't get a 'everything that has gone on in the past seven years our time has all been Loki's fault' but it is nice to see Loki messing with the Avengers as that type of story tends to go well for the reader.
Invincible Iron Man #21 further details Tony's plan to have his friends 'reboot' him. All these bits and pieces from storylines from the past couple years come together as one big master plan. Excellent. Even better is an appearance by Captain America. Captain Americas maybe? Oh yeah, Steve Rogers is back and his shield is a big part of the plan!
New Avengers Annual #3 is also a big piece of the 'beginning of the end' puzzle for Norman Osborn's reign. The New Avengers (hopefully to just be The Avengers again soon) lose their hideout but may gain a new leader at the end. Mike Mayhew's art is beautiful, looking like it's tightly drawn pencils that have been colored. Very wow!
The Muppet Show Comic Book #0, the first of the ongoing Muppet Show Comic, was a bit of a let-down for me, the first Muppet Comic in the new line that left me a bit cold. It's not the style of the new artist throwing me off, that I didn't mind. Link Hogthrob had a few lines that just didn't sound like him and threw me off. The construction of the story was a bit odd as well. The 'Pigs in Space' storyline is supposed to be a movie pitch, which could explain the odd phrasing from Link, but the ending would seem to negate that concept. The movie execs being Statler and Waldorf is obvious from the beginning of the book and is either stupid, because its too easy a joke to have them turn something down, or is awesome, as that's been their job this entire time and explains why they're used to hating. The story just seemed a little lazy. That said, it does earn a point for Bunsen Honeydew making a sonic screwdriver comment.
The Marvels Project #4 shows us the origin of the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, but from the point-of-view of the Nazi agent assigned to kill the 'traitor' scientist working on the project. Interesting.
In Thor #604, the hammer wielding hero finds out that Doctor Doom has been experimenting on Asgardians. A beat-down is about to be delivered. Interesting.
Vincent Price Presents #13 features the return of one of my favorite Price characters: Dr. Phibes! The art style is a bit odd, darkly inked like Jae Lee, but still with enough detail and character to communicate the story well. The story shows it's links to the two movies and continues the story in a way that allows for further sequels. The characters are written well enough to what we've already seen. The story seems a bit over the top but, really, the best Vincent Price movies all are a bit over the top. I liked this but I'm not sure I loved it, mostly because the art style was a bit too weird at times.
Siege: The Cabal shows the beginnings of the end of Norman Osborn's reign of darkness over the Marvel Universe. We see Loki's influence on him is strong, stronger than I expected. I'm hoping that we don't get a 'everything that has gone on in the past seven years our time has all been Loki's fault' but it is nice to see Loki messing with the Avengers as that type of story tends to go well for the reader.
Invincible Iron Man #21 further details Tony's plan to have his friends 'reboot' him. All these bits and pieces from storylines from the past couple years come together as one big master plan. Excellent. Even better is an appearance by Captain America. Captain Americas maybe? Oh yeah, Steve Rogers is back and his shield is a big part of the plan!
New Avengers Annual #3 is also a big piece of the 'beginning of the end' puzzle for Norman Osborn's reign. The New Avengers (hopefully to just be The Avengers again soon) lose their hideout but may gain a new leader at the end. Mike Mayhew's art is beautiful, looking like it's tightly drawn pencils that have been colored. Very wow!
The Muppet Show Comic Book #0, the first of the ongoing Muppet Show Comic, was a bit of a let-down for me, the first Muppet Comic in the new line that left me a bit cold. It's not the style of the new artist throwing me off, that I didn't mind. Link Hogthrob had a few lines that just didn't sound like him and threw me off. The construction of the story was a bit odd as well. The 'Pigs in Space' storyline is supposed to be a movie pitch, which could explain the odd phrasing from Link, but the ending would seem to negate that concept. The movie execs being Statler and Waldorf is obvious from the beginning of the book and is either stupid, because its too easy a joke to have them turn something down, or is awesome, as that's been their job this entire time and explains why they're used to hating. The story just seemed a little lazy. That said, it does earn a point for Bunsen Honeydew making a sonic screwdriver comment.
09 December 2009
Snow Day
Last night was supposed to be the unholiest of snowstorms. Milwaukee did get snow but wasn't as badly hit as some of the surrounding area. If it had just been a bit a snow, today would have been fine. We lost power overnight and it didn't come back on until early evening. The bits of routine were lost today. No morning coffee, no causal puttering online, no tidying as I listen to podcasts. Nothing. I wanted to write but the chill and lack of coffee got to me. Not an outstanding day of days.
08 December 2009
A Haunted Tale
In advance we had decided to attend one of the occurrences of the 'Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party' that would be held at the Magic Kingdom. Gaining access was simple; you just bought a ticket. The only catch was that the number of available tickets were limited. This turned out to be a non-factor as we all got in.
At about 8pm, anyone not wearing a wristband indicating they'd paid for the party was asked to leave. The party ran until midnight. During this time lines were almost non-existent. It was about as close as you could get to having a park to yourself. For example, earlier in the week the line for 'Peter Pan's Flight' had been 40-50 minutes. During the party, I rode 'Flight' three times in about 15 minutes. It was great. For rides that tended to not have much of a line anyway during this relatively quiet time, it meant you could pretty much just walk on and ride.
Some of the gang was going back on Peter Pan. Some were going on 'its a small world'. I'd had my fill of both and declared my intention to go to the Haunted Mansion. By myself. But it's haunted! Spooky!
The Haunted Mansion is a fun ride, a little creepy, a little spooky, but mostly fun. Still, I don't think I'd ever ridden anything completely by myself and this dark ride would be an odd choice to start with if it wasn't so fun. My imagination is just too good sometimes in the dark. I scare myself.
The queue area was silent for the ride as I approached it, meaning that the creepy started immediately. I zipped through the lack of line and headed for the entrance to the Mansion. There's a sudden right turn just before the door. As I rounded the corner, the door slammed shut. Until the room cycled and the Castmembers opened the door, I'd be outside. I was alone.
A small cemetery rests just outside the Mansion, sitting in tribute to the major Imagineers that worked on its design. Thankfully, I knew what the trick was and waited.
At about 8pm, anyone not wearing a wristband indicating they'd paid for the party was asked to leave. The party ran until midnight. During this time lines were almost non-existent. It was about as close as you could get to having a park to yourself. For example, earlier in the week the line for 'Peter Pan's Flight' had been 40-50 minutes. During the party, I rode 'Flight' three times in about 15 minutes. It was great. For rides that tended to not have much of a line anyway during this relatively quiet time, it meant you could pretty much just walk on and ride.
Some of the gang was going back on Peter Pan. Some were going on 'its a small world'. I'd had my fill of both and declared my intention to go to the Haunted Mansion. By myself. But it's haunted! Spooky!
The Haunted Mansion is a fun ride, a little creepy, a little spooky, but mostly fun. Still, I don't think I'd ever ridden anything completely by myself and this dark ride would be an odd choice to start with if it wasn't so fun. My imagination is just too good sometimes in the dark. I scare myself.
The queue area was silent for the ride as I approached it, meaning that the creepy started immediately. I zipped through the lack of line and headed for the entrance to the Mansion. There's a sudden right turn just before the door. As I rounded the corner, the door slammed shut. Until the room cycled and the Castmembers opened the door, I'd be outside. I was alone.
A small cemetery rests just outside the Mansion, sitting in tribute to the major Imagineers that worked on its design. Thankfully, I knew what the trick was and waited.
Madame Leota is the spirit trapped in the crystal ball, the room that signals the switch between the 'creepy' rooms and the more fun rooms. While I sat alone for a couple minutes, I watched her memorial stone.
And it moved! Having read up on many things Disney since my last trip, I knew this would happen and waited on the picture (which kinda turned out). The carved head opens its eyes and moves around a bit before resetting to 'stone'. I was glad I knew about this because, otherwise, it would have freaked me out a bit.
Soon enough, other people arrived and lined up. Some of them didn't know and soon there was a nervous 'did it move?' comment. Then there was excited giggling as everyone sought to watch. Disney is full of little things like this, attentions to detail that add so much to the experience.
I survived the Haunted Mansion riding in a Doombuggy all by myself. I had fun, even when the ride paused twice. After the moment of 'oh man it's stopping' came the 'I got to hear the breakdown spiel!' which then turned into 'why couldn't I have stopped in front of something I could take a picture of?'
There are more general Park stories to tell. I just finished going through all my pictures tonight and am still uploading them to Facebook. I took almost 600 in one day, about a third of those being Muppet related. It's a work in progress.
07 December 2009
Music Monday - Sloan
There's something about rock/pop bands that sing harmonies. The Beatles? Awesome. The Hollies? Awesome. Sloan? Awesome.
Sloan's a bit like Weezer without being quite so comical. Sloan seems to understand that rock music can be many things but it should be fun most of all. That's why I've picked two of their songs from the same album, 'Pretty Together'. One is clearly a fun hands in the air rocker while the other is more maudlin, thoughtful. Variety, I also love variety in a band. This is good stuff.
Sloan's a bit like Weezer without being quite so comical. Sloan seems to understand that rock music can be many things but it should be fun most of all. That's why I've picked two of their songs from the same album, 'Pretty Together'. One is clearly a fun hands in the air rocker while the other is more maudlin, thoughtful. Variety, I also love variety in a band. This is good stuff.
06 December 2009
A Passing Review of Blizzard Brawl 5
I'm not trying to do a blow-by-blow review of last night's show. I just want to cover the highlights, the memories as I have them before they disappear and get muddled. It was a busy and fun time.
Normally I meet and get a picture with a wrestler or two. I bumped into some friends I haven't seen in way too long and chose to catch up with them rather than get a picture with Bobby Heenan. Tough decision, honestly.
Pre-show: Ten bell salute for Eddie 'Umaga' Fata who passed away on Friday at far too young an age.
First Match: Dakota Darsow vs Tony Scarpone (?)
Dakota we've seen once before, put on a good show, and was really nice. He's the son of Barry Darsow aka Demolition Smash (amongst other ring names). Dakota was billed as being from Minnesota and Tony as from Chicago, causing me to lean over to my buddy Brian and ponder 'I had this problem while watching football last week. When Chicago plays Minnesota, who do you cheer for?' Dakota had a cockiness to him that was new. Tony played the big tough guy. Dakota got the win.
Second Match: Headbanger Mosh vs Ryan Rogue
Late 90s WWF wrestler vs local boy. Nice match, both guys worked hard, some high flying, some bumping to the outside, but something weird happened with the finish and the match ended on what appeared to be a blown spot. Everyone seemed okay though.
Third Match: The 'Gun Show' Retirement Gauntlet.
Local tv reporter Lance Allen is 3-0 at Blizzard Brawl and announced he intended to retire after tonight undefeated. His manager, wrestling legend King Kong Bundy, would insure success. GLCW commissioner Armando Estrada announced he had searched high and low in Wisconsin to find three opponents, one of which had to defeat Lance. Opponent one, Bobby V, wore black briefs barely covered by a weird fuzzy pink singlet that appeared to be for a female. (Bundy's comment to Bobby V was 'I've taken dumps bigger than you and they were better looking!') Bobby V was quickly defeated. Opponent two, 'El Vato' Jose Guerrero, was more of a challenge but Lance managed a victory. Opponent three was Eric Freedom and the dirty hippie caused the tired Lance problems. King Kong Bundy assisted and Lance got the victory, able to retire undefeated.
Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan tribute. Bobby was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the local wrestling talk show as well as the proclamation that December 5th, 2009 was Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan Day in Milwaukee. Bobby wondered if there was a cash reward as well. King Kong Bundy did an introduction for his former manager. The crowd chanted 'Bobby', 'Thank you Bobby', and, briefly, 'Weasel'. Bobby is a throat cancer survivor and the crowd went totally silent when the man grabbed the microphone. 'Thank you. Very much.' This was a wonderfully sweet moment.
Footage of such:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYxhyo2uFt4&feature=player_embedded
Intermission. More talking with my buddies that I haven't seen in ages. Entertainment value increased as I said hello to the passing Jose Guerrero, he came to politely shake hands, and then realized that I was with the Milkman and started chatting about old times to him. Very nice.
Match Four: GLCW Tag Team Championship Defense - Demolition vs Matt 'Love Machine' Longtime and Ryan (?) McCoy
It was supposed to be a team of McCoys so one must be hurt. Another solid tag match. Demolition move good in the ring for being such big fellows. After the Demos get the win to retain their belts, some long haired blond fella and Dakota Darsow hit the ring and attack Demolition with Longtime and McCoy. Road Warrior Animal flies from the back to defend Demolition, setting up a handicap tag match at the next show. Demolition teaming with a Road Warrior? Wow!
Match Five: Women's Title Defense - Sparky (w/Eric Freedom) vs ODB
Womens matches in GLCW tend to be comedy matches and this was no different. Sparky is a thin guy and doesn't pretend to be a female. He insisted that ODB was a man and had Eric Freedom face 'him'. Haystacks Ross came to be defense. In the end, ODB won by DQ, winning the match but not the belt. Fun for the brief time it ran. More fun because it was brief.
Match Six: Armando Estrada vs Mr. Ken Anderson (formerly Ken Kennedy in WWE)
Anderson is the local boy that made good but couldn't stay healthy enough up in the 'big leagues'. Being from Green Bay, he got cheered. He and Estrada did some funny back-and-forth stuff before the match. The match started hot. A few minutes in, Commissioner Estrada made the match no count-out, no DQ. Anderson immediately slugged him with a chair. They fought through the crowd like we were in Memphis, passing by our seats to return to the ring. After a high energy, high impact match, Anderson hit his 'kenton bomb' to win.
After the match, the opponents got together to salute their friend Umaga (Estrada was Umaga's manager in WWE). Anderson brought Estrada an Umaga shirt, Estrada did his Umaga introduction one more time, and had a few sad words to say to a (mostly) silent and respectful audience. It was another very nice moment.
Match Seven: Al Snow vs Billy Gunn vs Road Dogg Jesse James with Mick Foley as special referee.
Foley warned them to behave before the match or he'd have to get involved. As Gunn and Dogg are a tag team, they turned the match into a handicap match rather than an actual three-way type match. After Gunn put his hands on Foley, Mick threw some fists around. Having had enough, Mick stopped the match and turned it into a tag match: Snow and Foley (reuniting the 'Best Friends') vs the New Age Outlaws. A ref slid in the ring and it was on! Al Snow wrestled most of the match. Once he tagged in Foley, punches were thrown, Mr Socko arrived, the Mandible Claw was applied to both members of the NAOs at once, and Snow hit Billy Gunn with Head for the pin.
Fun show. Lots of guests to celebrate the anniversary show. I got some old AWA footage and have been soaking in classic Bobby Heenan interviews today.
Normally I meet and get a picture with a wrestler or two. I bumped into some friends I haven't seen in way too long and chose to catch up with them rather than get a picture with Bobby Heenan. Tough decision, honestly.
Pre-show: Ten bell salute for Eddie 'Umaga' Fata who passed away on Friday at far too young an age.
First Match: Dakota Darsow vs Tony Scarpone (?)
Dakota we've seen once before, put on a good show, and was really nice. He's the son of Barry Darsow aka Demolition Smash (amongst other ring names). Dakota was billed as being from Minnesota and Tony as from Chicago, causing me to lean over to my buddy Brian and ponder 'I had this problem while watching football last week. When Chicago plays Minnesota, who do you cheer for?' Dakota had a cockiness to him that was new. Tony played the big tough guy. Dakota got the win.
Second Match: Headbanger Mosh vs Ryan Rogue
Late 90s WWF wrestler vs local boy. Nice match, both guys worked hard, some high flying, some bumping to the outside, but something weird happened with the finish and the match ended on what appeared to be a blown spot. Everyone seemed okay though.
Third Match: The 'Gun Show' Retirement Gauntlet.
Local tv reporter Lance Allen is 3-0 at Blizzard Brawl and announced he intended to retire after tonight undefeated. His manager, wrestling legend King Kong Bundy, would insure success. GLCW commissioner Armando Estrada announced he had searched high and low in Wisconsin to find three opponents, one of which had to defeat Lance. Opponent one, Bobby V, wore black briefs barely covered by a weird fuzzy pink singlet that appeared to be for a female. (Bundy's comment to Bobby V was 'I've taken dumps bigger than you and they were better looking!') Bobby V was quickly defeated. Opponent two, 'El Vato' Jose Guerrero, was more of a challenge but Lance managed a victory. Opponent three was Eric Freedom and the dirty hippie caused the tired Lance problems. King Kong Bundy assisted and Lance got the victory, able to retire undefeated.
Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan tribute. Bobby was presented with a lifetime achievement award by the local wrestling talk show as well as the proclamation that December 5th, 2009 was Bobby 'the Brain' Heenan Day in Milwaukee. Bobby wondered if there was a cash reward as well. King Kong Bundy did an introduction for his former manager. The crowd chanted 'Bobby', 'Thank you Bobby', and, briefly, 'Weasel'. Bobby is a throat cancer survivor and the crowd went totally silent when the man grabbed the microphone. 'Thank you. Very much.' This was a wonderfully sweet moment.
Footage of such:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYxhyo2uFt4&feature=player_embedded
Intermission. More talking with my buddies that I haven't seen in ages. Entertainment value increased as I said hello to the passing Jose Guerrero, he came to politely shake hands, and then realized that I was with the Milkman and started chatting about old times to him. Very nice.
Match Four: GLCW Tag Team Championship Defense - Demolition vs Matt 'Love Machine' Longtime and Ryan (?) McCoy
It was supposed to be a team of McCoys so one must be hurt. Another solid tag match. Demolition move good in the ring for being such big fellows. After the Demos get the win to retain their belts, some long haired blond fella and Dakota Darsow hit the ring and attack Demolition with Longtime and McCoy. Road Warrior Animal flies from the back to defend Demolition, setting up a handicap tag match at the next show. Demolition teaming with a Road Warrior? Wow!
Match Five: Women's Title Defense - Sparky (w/Eric Freedom) vs ODB
Womens matches in GLCW tend to be comedy matches and this was no different. Sparky is a thin guy and doesn't pretend to be a female. He insisted that ODB was a man and had Eric Freedom face 'him'. Haystacks Ross came to be defense. In the end, ODB won by DQ, winning the match but not the belt. Fun for the brief time it ran. More fun because it was brief.
Match Six: Armando Estrada vs Mr. Ken Anderson (formerly Ken Kennedy in WWE)
Anderson is the local boy that made good but couldn't stay healthy enough up in the 'big leagues'. Being from Green Bay, he got cheered. He and Estrada did some funny back-and-forth stuff before the match. The match started hot. A few minutes in, Commissioner Estrada made the match no count-out, no DQ. Anderson immediately slugged him with a chair. They fought through the crowd like we were in Memphis, passing by our seats to return to the ring. After a high energy, high impact match, Anderson hit his 'kenton bomb' to win.
After the match, the opponents got together to salute their friend Umaga (Estrada was Umaga's manager in WWE). Anderson brought Estrada an Umaga shirt, Estrada did his Umaga introduction one more time, and had a few sad words to say to a (mostly) silent and respectful audience. It was another very nice moment.
Match Seven: Al Snow vs Billy Gunn vs Road Dogg Jesse James with Mick Foley as special referee.
Foley warned them to behave before the match or he'd have to get involved. As Gunn and Dogg are a tag team, they turned the match into a handicap match rather than an actual three-way type match. After Gunn put his hands on Foley, Mick threw some fists around. Having had enough, Mick stopped the match and turned it into a tag match: Snow and Foley (reuniting the 'Best Friends') vs the New Age Outlaws. A ref slid in the ring and it was on! Al Snow wrestled most of the match. Once he tagged in Foley, punches were thrown, Mr Socko arrived, the Mandible Claw was applied to both members of the NAOs at once, and Snow hit Billy Gunn with Head for the pin.
Fun show. Lots of guests to celebrate the anniversary show. I got some old AWA footage and have been soaking in classic Bobby Heenan interviews today.
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