Capt.ainment: December 2006

Saturday, December 30, 2006

Game Reviews 2006

Game Collection
Hyperlinks will either lead to online games, or to a review of a game (typically for consoles).

Capcom Classics Collection Vol. 2 (PS2) A-
Cubis 2 (Yahoo Games) A+
Flipwords (Gamehouse) B
Hot Death Uno (Pocket PC) A+ (for the last two years)
MLB '06: The Show (PS2) B+
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Gottlieb Collection (PS2) B+
Rampage Total Destruction (PS2) C+
Sega Genesis Collection (PS2) B+

TV Reviews 2006

2005

Note This is a list of shows I like, but not anything I watched on a regular basis (with the exception of My Name is Earl)

American Inventor
Time/Slot: Thurs. 9p, ABC 4
Detail: The show sets out to find America's next greatest invention by uncovering the hottest new products from the country's brightest inventors. Inventor wannabes compete for a $1 million prize. Finalists receive $50,000 to develop their ideas.
Comment: Rating C+. Aside from the lady crying all the time, and people constantly using the word "America," I like to be able to see what things people have come up with. That is interesting to me.However, the slot allotment battles with my favorite and only show I have been tuning it to watch (My Name is Earl) and clashes with another age group (The OC).
Best Week Ever
Time/Slot: Fri. 11p, VH1 62
Detail: This show makes absolute fun of the week's current events and pop culture. The producers use news, music video, television and film clips, and fly them through the air to provide ample evidence of how silly celebrities, politicians, sport figures, and others caught in the news spotlight, can behave at times. The VH1 panelists and the weekly guest stars (that include actors, comedians, radio DJ's, musicians, athletes, and writers) opine with amusing, droll, sarcastic, intelligent, whimsical, but never, never boring observations.
Comment: Rating B. This humorous form of junk media news stands for a good laugh for those who pointlessly know. Biography
Time/Slot: Varies, A&E 52
Detail: In-depth profiles of the people who have captured our imagination.
Comment: Rating B-. Amusing at times.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Time/Slot: Mon-Thurs. 11p, Comedy Central 60
Detail: The Daily Show provides a comedic view of the news and political world, complete with segments by "correspondents" and interviews with guest celebrities and politicians.
Comment: Rating A. The only place to get the coverage of news the way you want to hear it.
Dirty Jobs
Time/Slot: Wed. 10p, Discovery 8
Detail: Mike Rowe introduces viewers to a hardworking group of men and women who overcome fear, danger and sometimes stench to accomplish their daily tasks. With his hands-on approach, Rowe assumes the duties of the jobs in question working alongside rattlesnake catchers, fish processors, bee removers and other professionals performing the vital yet outlandish occupations that simply must get done.
Comment: Rating B.
Everybody Loves Raymond (Re-runs)
Time/Slot: weeknights 10p, WB 10 ( CBS)
Detail: Revolves around Ray Barone, a successful sportswriter living on Long Island with his wife, Debra, 12-year-old daughter, Ally, and 8-year-old twin sons, Geoffrey and Michael. Ray's meddling parents, Frank and Marie, live directly across the street.
Comment: Rating
Extreme Makeover Home Edition
Time/Slot: Sun. 8p, ABC 4
Detail: In a race against time on a project that would ordinarily take months to achieve, a team of designers, hundred's of workmen and even the neighbors, have just seven days to completely renovate an entire house - every single room, plus the exterior and landscaping.
Comment: Rating C+. I loved it last year, but not as much this year, in fact, I haven't watched it as often as a result.

Family Guy (Re-Runs)
Time/Slot: Mon. 10p, ??? 55
Detail: Peter and Lois have three kids - the youngest is a brilliant, sadistic baby bent on killing his mother and destroying the world. Their talking dog Brian keeps baby Stewie in check while sipping martinis and sorting through his own life issues.
Comment: Rating B.
History Detectives
Time/Slot: Mon. 9p, PBS 9
Detail: This series explores the true stories behind historic sites, artifacts and tall tales at the request of citizens all over America, with the help of an inquisitive team of fact-finders with an uncanny talent for uncovering the truth.
Comment: Rating A. The last new season ended last year, but I missed most of them…
House
Time/Slot: Tues. 9p, Fox 13
Detail: A new take on mystery, where the villain is a medical malady and the hero is an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients.
Comment: Rating B.
King of Queens
Time/Slot: Mon. 8p, CBS 7
Detail: The King of Queens revolves around Doug Heffernan, a Queens, N.Y., parcel delivery man with simple desires. Among his prized possessions is a 70-inch television that his lovely wife, Carrie, provided for him. However, Carrie's widowed father, Arthur lives with them.
Comment: Rating B-.
Miracle Worker
Time/Slot: Mon. 10p, ABC 4
Detail: Composed of an elite team of physicians who employ revolutionary new medical treatments and techniques. Each week the show follows a single patient as they receive treatment for a serious medical condition making what was once thought of as impossible to possible.
Comment: Rating B-.
My Name is Earl
Time/Slot: Thurs. 9p, NBC 5
Detail: Earl has a karmic epiphany, thanks to Carson Daly, who attributes his success to doing good for others. A light bulb goes off in Earl's dim head and he sets out to right every wrong he has done.
Comment: Rating B. Not your average kind of a show, but enough to perk my interest.
Myth Busters
Time/Slot: Weds. 9p, Discovery 8
Detail: Myths, urban legends, and improbable sayings that the Mythbusters try to figure out.
Comment: Rating B.
The Office
Time/Slot: Thurs. 9:3p, NBC 5
Detail: Based on the popular British series of the same name, this faster-paced American version follows the daily interactions of a group of idiosyncratic office employees via a documentary film crew's cameras.
Comment: Rating C. It took since November last year till about Mid-March before I actually began to get pulled into watching the full show.
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
Time/Slot: Tues. 10p, Bravo 66
Detail: Five gay men, out to make over the world - one straight guy at a time.
Comment: Rating C. I haven't actually watched a new show all the way through in almost two years.
The Secret Life of ...
Time/Slot: Mon. 10p, Food Network 35
Detail: All of the foods we eat have a history -- a secret life that we know nothing about. Take a lighthearted look at these foods and find out why we eat what we eat. Hosted by Jim O'Connor.
Comment: Rating B. Enjoyable show similar to Unwrapped.
Seinfeld (Re-Runs)
Time/Slot:
Detail:
Comment: Rating
The Showbiz Show with David Spade
Time/Slot:
Detail:
Comment: Rating
South Park
Time/Slot:
Detail:
Comment: Rating
The Surreal Life 6
Time/Slot:
Detail:
Comment: Rating
30 Days
Time/Slot: Fall 2006, FX
Detail: Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) created a new series where they explore what life changing experiences are possible in 30 days.
Comment: Rating B+. Sometimes this show was interesting, other times pointless.
Team Sanchez
Time/Slot: Fri. 9:30p, MTV2 64
Detail: This show is kind of like Jackass just add people from different countries and more pain.
Comment: Rating C. The censored bleeping often prevents me from watching this show.
Two & A Half Men
Time/Slot: Mon. 9p, CBS 7
Detail: Charlie is a well-to-do bachelor with a house at the beach, a Jaguar in the garage and an easy way with women. His casual Malibu lifestyle is interrupted when his tightly wound brother, Alan, who's facing a divorce, and Alan's son, Jake, come to stay with him.
Comment: Rating B-. It's ok…not much else is on.
Unwrapped
Time/Slot: Mon. 9p, Food Network 35
Detail: Uncovers behind-the-scenes details on classic American food.
Comment: Rating B+. Historical show about food.
Whose Line is it Anyways? (Re-Runs)
Time/Slot: Mon-Fri 10p, ABC Family 39
Detail: 1998-2004, Based on the British show of the same name, which aired from 1988 to 1998. It features some of the nation's finest improvisational comedians, including Florida's Wayne Brady, Canada's Colin Mochrie, and Ryan Stiles and Drew Carey
Comment: Rating C.
Wildboyz
Time/Slot: Fri. 9p, MTV2 64
Detail: From the creators of MTV's Jackass comes Wildboyz, an action/adventure show spearheaded by its two stars of low moral caliber, Chris Pontius and Steve-O. In each episode, the boys travel afar to exotic lands.
Comment: Rating C. This show has been winding down since it started. But draws me in for a few moments.

Magazine Reviews 2006

Please note that this does include Newspapers (States, Foreign, Global) 2005

Blender (11 Issues a year, 386.447.6319) B
CMJ College Music Journal - New Music Monthly (11 Issues a year) B+
Discover () B+
Everyday Food () B
Game Informer () B
Men's Health () B
Seattle Times & King County Journal Newspapers () B+
The Week () A

Other magazines that perk my interest from time to time include;
Science News Weekly, The history Channel magazine, Biography magazine, maxim, Mad, Popular Mechanics, PC World, Playstation, and Wired.

News Recap 2006

Current Facts: 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Random Facts: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
Briefs: Radio, Sudoku, Supermax, Wiretap

Of the news that was actually posted in this blog, bits in Blue indicate topics I found to be important or interesting. Green indicates secondary interest. X indicates that the posting relates to News, and O indicates Entertainment postings.

The Additional Planets (X)
Adjusting Glasses (X)
Archaeologists Discovery (X)
Body Snatchers (X)
Bottlers Sue Coca-Cola Over Wal-Mart Plan (X)
Cell Phones Pay Parking Meter (X)
Corporation Associations (O)
Fuel Efficiency (X)
Gadgets of Interest (X)
Healthy Regardless of Diet (X)
Hybrids & Oil (X)
Innovation in the US (X)
Military Deaths Pass 9/11 Fatalities (X)
Pulling Water from Air (X)
Leaded Gasoline (X)
London Reaches 1984 (X)
New Discoveries on Earth (X)
Outrun This (X)
Teenager Repellant (X)
Three Waves (X)
Toad Explosions (X)

Book Reviews 2006

Collection, 2005

Top 5: 1. The World is Flat, 2. The Best War Ever, 3. Censored 2006, 4. Uncle John's Fast-Acting Long-Lasting Bathroom Reader, 5. UJ's BR Extraordinary Book of Facts & Bizarre Information

Rated A: 2, Comics: 10, Social Sciences: 3, Audio: 0
Total: 17

The Best War Ever (10.17) A
Censored 2006 - Top 25 Stories (2.16) B+
The Infinity Gauntlet (Summer) C
The Infinity War (3.28) C
Jam-Packed Fox Trot (10.29) B
Marvel Comics Essentials (MCE) Daredevil Vol. 3 (3.26) C
MCE The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (2.10) C+
MCE The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition Vol. 1 (4.15) B-
MCE The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe Deluxe Edition Vol. 2 (Fall) B-
MCE Peter Parker - Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 2 (3.15) C
The Scary Stories Treasury (10.22) C
Marvel Comics Secret Wars (2.3) C-
Uncle John's (UJ) Fast-Acting Long-Lasting Bathroom Reader (BR) (10.21) B
UJBR Plunges into History (10.29) C+
UJBR Extraordinary Book of Facts & Bizarre Information (11.26) B
Marvel Comics What if Classics (11.26) B-
The World is Flat (2.26) A-

Movie Reviews 2006

Collection, 2005

My Top 5: 1. V for Vendetta, 2. Benchwarmers, 3. Walk the Line, 4. The Departed, 5. Jackass II

Viewed in Theater: 14
A Range Ratings: 2
B Range Ratings: 38
C Range Ratings: 18
D Range Ratings: 16
F Range Ratings: 6
Total: 80

All Creatures Great & Small Complete 2nd Season (3.2, Rental) B
An Evening with Kevin Smith 2-Evening Harder (12.4, Own) B
Anger Management (3.7, TV) C+
The Aristocrats (5.5, Rental) C-
Around the Bend (9.24, Rental) B-
Beerfest (12.19, Rental) D+
Benchwarmers (5.16, Theater) B+
The Break-Up (11.24, Rental) D
Carnivale Season One (2.24, Rental) B
Cars (12.25, Dad Owns) B
Casino Royale (11.24, Theater) D+
Cheaper By the Dozen 2 (7.22, Rental) B-
The Chronicles of Narnia-The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe (5.13, Rental) B
Clerks II (7.22, Theater) B-
Click (7.15, Theater) B
Constant Gardner (4.2, Rental) C
Corpse Bride (3.8, Rental) C
Crash (4.6, Rental) C+
Da Vinci Code (5.21, Theater) B-
Date Movie (6.22, Rental) F
The Departed (10.20, Theater) B+
Devil Wears Prada (12.14, Rental) D-
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Season 1 (5.9, Own) B
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Season 2 (12.1, Own) B
Deuce Bigalow - European Gigolo (10.14, Rental) F
Dreamer (March, Rental) B+
Fantastic Four (11.12, Rental) B-
Fun with Dick & Jane (4.21, Rental) D-
Good Night, & Good Luck (4.16, Rental) D+
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (11.29, Rental) D-
A History of Violence (3.24, Rental) F
Hotel Rwanda (4.8, Rental) B
I, Robot (11.29, Rental) B
In Her Shoes (3.1, Rental) B-
In the Mouth of Madness (10.28, Rental) D
Inside Man (10.18, Rental) C-
Jim Gaffigan Beyond the Pale (12.6, Rental) B
Just Friends (3.21, Rental) C
Jackass II (9.21, Theater) B+
Kingdom of Heaven (4.1, Rental) C
Legacy Collection - The Invisible Man (1.20, Own) C
The Legend of Zorro (3.7, Rental) C+
Lucky Number Slevin (9.17, Rental) C
The Man (3.10, Rental) C+
Miami Vice (8.12, Theater) C-
Mission Impossible III (5.7, Theater) B+
Murderball (5.7, Rental) B-
Night at the Museum (12.24, Theater) B-
The Outer Limits Complete First Season (2.16, Own) B
Paparazzi (4.2, Rental) F
Penn & Teller-Bullsh*t! Season One (12.9, Rental) B-
The Pink Panther (12.2, Rental) D-
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (July, Theater) B-
Prime (3.30, Rental) C
The Producers (6.22, Rental) D-
Red Dwarf VII (1.11, Own) C
Red Dwarf VIII (5.3, Own) B
RV (10.11, Rental) C
Scary Movie 4 (10.16, Rental) D
Sealab 2021: Season IV (9.20, Own) B
South Park the Complete Seventh Season (3.22, Own) B+
South Park the Complete Eighth Season (8.10, Own) B
Spellbound (1.21, Rental) B
The Ringer (5.31, Rental) D+
The Sentinel (10.29, Rental) D+
Stargate SG-1 Complete Eighth Season (4.3, Borrowed) B-
Stranger Than Fiction (11.10, Theater) B
Super Size Me (12.2, Borrowed) B+
Superman Returns (7.2, IMAX-3D) B
Talladega Nights (12.16, Rental) D
Team America-World Police (7.6, Rental) D
Underworld - Evolution (1.24, Theater) C-
V for Vendetta (3.18, Theater) A
Viva La Bam the Complete 4th & 5th Seasons (1.12, Own) B+
Walk the Line (4.12, Rental) A
The Wedding Date (5.28, Rental) F
The Weather Man (3.26, Rental) F
Wordplay (12.9, Rental) B+
Winter Passing (5.25, Rental) D-
X-Men 3 (5.30, Theater) C+