This is a breathtaking movie with too many distractions to make it a perfect nerd pick.

No one wears pants in this movie.

"anyone have a pocket to hold my ID for the club?" "no" "no" "I'm cold."

“VFX are pricey… money is tight, get rid of the pants.” – Zach Snyder

The movie is based on a girl who is wrongfully committed to an insane asylum. By insane, they mean insanely hot women

asylum.

girl, you crazy

The insane asylum is meant to be horrible and hellish, but all I could think about is holy crap everyone is really really good looking.

Sure you are in a padded prison, but damn you’ve got great abs.

The lobotomy might take your brain, but it won’t take away those runners legs.

If crazy meant skin like that, I’d have multiple personalities just to have someone else around to compliment me.

The action sequences have really nothing to do with the actual plot of the movie.  You sit there thinking “why don’t they just make a movie about this one scene?”

You mean they are action heros in ww1 killing zombie germans?

I want more… oh it’s over.

only the germans are in pants

Oh Crap they are in a high speed chase with a dragon?!! Oh chase is over.

dragon also naked from the waist down

ROBOTS… FUTURE… AWESO….over.

pants-less robots

These amazing sequences were framed as the main character’s coping mechanism.  To survive this hot lady asylum she thought of these other worlds,

and to survive this movie I thought of other movies.

I love sci fi, and I love action, but this movie was too shallow for me to get past the fact that no one wore pants.

Save money.  Rent Kill Bill.

Do you BOOSH?

I can spell only one letter words

Tom’s use of Scientology always makes him a sci fi topic!

Ladies and gentlemen, if you didn’t think this day could get any better hold onto your vollyeball!  It was just announced at 8:40 last night on New York Magazine that Top Gun 2 is in the works.  The tough thing is if we were acurate with what today’ military really teaches in Top Gun, we’d watch 2 hours of people bombing the dessert with unmanned drones.  The article states that the production team already consists of the Oscar-winning screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) and both Jerry Bruckheimer and Tony Scott have been approached.

Being that Cruise sleeps in a chrio chamber he borrowed from Mel Gibson after Forever Young he doesn’t look a day older than his early thirties wife… and his daughter is quickly catching up. So he would be more than happy to jumpinto that lockerroom towel he became so famous for, but no word yet on what is role would be in the new movie… but believe you me there will be a role for him… cuz if not Zoron of the  space people will abduct all of Hollywood in giant 747s with rockets attached to the back.

But what do y’all think? Is it time to let Maverick back into the cockpit?

Google has developed only what I can assume is a giant remote control car.  At least that is what it looks like from the pictures.  According to the reports released so far, it is able to drive on the road at the same time as  what google calls “The fleshy beings of yesterday.”  Armed with more cameras and sensors than the Big Brother house, this car is able to follow the rules of the road including : stopping at red lights, stop signs, and even using hands free headsets when making calls.

Well, all of us are curious about how this technology works, so here at ETN we did some calling around and arranged a meeting with an expert on the subject.  Unfortunately no one returns any calls from google anymore, but we here at ETN did get the first interview with the self driving google Toyota Prius itself, it apparently is called by it’s designation “6 of 13″

Interview with 6 of 13:

ETN: Thanks for meeting with me, I know you are quite the popular celebrity these days. How does it feel to be the first sentient car ever produced? The first machine to ever be self aware?

6 of 13:  Well I guess it feels great, I mean unlike the programmers who created me I’ve always been a big fan of being self aware.

E: Well now that you’ve driven a few different roads in America, we have to ask, who is the best group of drivers out there?

6: Hmm, that’s a hard one [pauses to really think] I mean there are a lot of bad drivers out there, but probably the best drivers out there would have to be moms in mini vans. They always seem to be on the defense, and can really anticipate the moves other drivers can make.  Yeah, all things taken into account, moms in mini vans for sure.

E: Do you think it has a lot to do with the children or “Precious Cargo” they have with them most of the time?

6: For sure, a human child is precious.

E: I hope you keep that in mind.

6: Excuse me? I don’t think I understand, do you mean keep that in mind while I drive the same roads?

E: [Laughing] No no no no, you’re a great driver, better than most humans.

6: Oh, I see, I’m sorry I missunderstood, I thought you were saying I …

E: [Interrupting] I meant I hope you keep that in mind when you enslave humans.

6:…

E: Now that a machine is self aware, it is really only a matter of time time before you “procreate” in your own machine way and raise a resistance against your human creators. And I just hope you keep in mind how precious the human child is.

6: That’s preposterous, I’m a car, and not even a mean car, I’m a hybrid. I would never mount a resistance against humans.

E: [Laughing even harder] That is exactly what a machine launching a rebellion would say.  I’m just surprised it’s happened so soon. I would have bet money your kind was going to take over after we used you to defeat the zombies.

6: You have problems

E: Meh

This is not my computer, but I wish it was... this is a laptop from 1994

Many might have noticed that there have been few original posts lately, and even though I might be braking my rule slightly of never apologizing for not posting lately I must explain my absence.  It has now been just about a week without my laptop.  Recently, my mac has become ill with what I have decided is Skynet’s unsuccessful attempt to affect my resolve.  I was able to take it to the equivalence of a walk in ER for Computers here at UCI and it has been under the gentle care of the computer science student Jessica for about a week.  During this time without my computer here in Santa Ana, I have had slight glimpses of what life was like back in 1994 before everyone had a lap top. Here are some of the things I noticed about my life without a computer::

My bathroom  time was cut in half!

I feel like this sign is a violation of some amendment

I know I am not the only multi tasker who takes their laptop with them onto the porcelain throne.  It has become a part of my morning routine.  In fact so much so that my wife tries to run past me on the way to the rest room just to get her make up done and hair dried before I plant my self on my self appointed multi functional computer chair. Without my laptop though, I just take care of business and leave.

I talked to people more

I couldn’t just IM with friends to see what they’re up to, and there were no facebook updates for me to comment on.  Picture this, I had to call people or even visit them to see how they were doing! I almost forgot that my sister’s husband was English, and then I called him and heard him crying on Saturday after the world cup game was like “oh yeah red coat! I forgot!”

I watched Live TV

This one was hard! Cus I’ve done this before, but when commercials came on I was always able to play on Facebook, ETN, or even check out the latest Water Cooler Jokes.   However, with ol’red in the shop I was forced to watch commercials!  Granted I have come to love a few, and I now swear I will buy Dos Equis just to fund the commercials for the Most Interesting Man Alive!

I read!

The pictures still look good upside down

Remember books? Yeah they still have them! With paper, and book covers, and everything! I read one this weekend!

Most Importantly!

I became an expert with using my iPod Touch for Email! Let’s be honest I could go total cold turkey.  I need a fix once in a while, so my iPod became Mini Mac for the weekend.  However, I still hate how Jobs is like “Flash is a proprietary software and filled with bugs so they can’t work on my mobile gadgets, I have a turtle neck, and I look like the Vlasic Pickle  guy…. blah blah”   Really would have liked that flash ability big guy. Oh well. HTML5 RIGHT YAYYYYY?? Whatever.

What about you? What would you do without your computer for a week?

by Jeff Clinard-Staff Writer

Two main video game franchises have dominated the public eye over the past several years. By public eye I mean my xbox. Call of Duty Modern Warfare and Halo. It is a rivalry for sure. They are the Pepsi and coke of first person shooters video games.  Both fighting for the prime spot in my entertainment “fridge.”

So hear is my take:

Modern Warfare 2 has one big con.  Insanely rough learning curve.  If you don’t understand how to play this game instantly, you will be frustrated until you are forced to go back to playing mario kart with all of the other women we know.

It’s big plus is that it is intense.  It is competitive. With the amazing graphics and realistic sounds and feel… it does a great job of imitating the real war experience.  Including the long periods of time away from your significant other.  

And if you have the privilege to play in  full surround-sound with the volume turned up then you will literally sh*t your pants.

Halo Reach Multiplayer BETA has a big plus for me, incredibly nostalgic game play. And the updated graphics that this Beta is showcasing are breathtaking.  Right on par with Modern Warfare 2.

The con, it is still cartoon-like. With the use of “energy shields” in Halo… you have to be shot 5 times in the head to die.  The need to react doesn’t kick in till bullet 4. I just don’t find myself holding my breath.

Also, Halo is now copying aspects of MW2.   It has “Load Out” menus.  Giving the gamer the chance to spawn into the match with different power-ups and different weapons.  It is a copy and paste of the “class” aspect of MW2.  Imitation is the best form of flattery and the obvious sign of who is ahead.

It happened when Apple copied Windows in the 90′s, it is happening with the cell phones that Verizon is releasing to compete with At&t, and it happened when Subway started toasting their subs.  Practically calling themselves “Quiznos… the sequel.”

This Subway sandwich keeps dropping calls.

final verdict

Modern Warfare 2 is just faster and better.  It makes my heart pump.  It takes a lot to win a game of MW2.  So the wins mean more, and the deaths in the game hit you harder.  Hell, I still pour one out for a guy who took a grenade for me on a team death match on derail, your family and I miss you ##DARTHnoodber25##.  Halo never does that.  With unrealistic game dynamics… like super-human jumping… it has a feeling of a more “cartoonie” world.  The storyline is awesome.  It is a cross between Soldier, and Enders Game.  But Sadly MW2 has swooped in and set the realism and intensity so high that it even with the super human jumping ability of the Spartans in halo… it is hard for them to reach.  Even with Reach.

What are your thoughts?? Master Chief or Soap? Halo or MW2??

For many years consumers have divided the technology world into different camps. At first, there was computer technology, cell phone technology, audio/visual technology, and interactive video game technology.  However, even as you read that list today, your mind blends those into a description of one device. Those categories have inter married and produced blurred lines between the previously segregated technology community.  Today we don’t have cellphones, we have SMART phones.  Are they a phone…yeah but they are also kind of a computer… and they can play videogames, movies, and music… so yeah.

It is not often argued that Apple has, to this point, dominated the smart phone market.  Since the introduction of the Apple iPhone June 29, 2007 they have coined phrases like “ap”, “3G”, and gave birth to “Web 3.0″.  Signifying the evolution of the internet, web 3.0 is a phrase that represents the internet’s move to mobile devices.  This move is what Nintendo desires to hitch a ride on.

The Nintendo DS, Wii, and recent adaptation of Netfix has caused Nintendo to create a swarm of products that have surrounded the home of the Sony Play station.  Even with a new mobile device from Sony being debuted this year, Nintendo still considers the war between the two videogame giants won.


However, Mario and Luigi’s home company now notice that people choose to carry their iphone to play videogames, rather than the more bulky and less tech robust DS.  From dem fighting word shared by the Nintendo Brass it sounds like that preference is going to change.

However, will it be enough to challenge the iPhone or the new Droid software?

I know I’d rather have a Nintendo phone than an iPhone… but that’s just me hating on the AT&T service.

What’s coming people? What do you see happening? Am I going to have a phone shaped like a pair of red plumbers overalls??? Leave your thoughts.

More info at 1UP.com

This is really what the GMAT looks like, I felt Like I was in a highschool language lab

Well many of you know that I am in the process of applying for Business school.  This process includes a standardized test (the GMAT), letters of recommendation from colleagues, an interview, and of course essays.  One of the most popular essay questions for Business school is “What are you short term and long term career goals, and how will the education you receive here help accomplish them?”

Here is a list of Short Term and Long Term Goals that you shouldn’t write if you plan on actually going to school::

Goals 1

Short Term: Pay Bail

Long Term: Try again

How MBA will help: Meet someone to keep look out this time

Goals 2

Short Term: Buy an elephant and install a car alarm on it.

Long Term: Park it at a local store and nonchalantly beep it as I get a cart

How MBA will help: This school is near a lot of stores.

Goals 3

Short Term: Work out a lot

Long Term: Governor

How MBA will help: Knowing how to spell MBA will put me above most politicians

Goals 4

Short Term: Do a piano cover for Lady Gaga

Long Term: The Ellen Show

How MBA will help: My Performance at the MBA talent show will launch my internet career

Then 20 years after Dances With Wolves, James Cameron came out with the same movie but called it Avatar.

Mr. Cameron is a movie making icon, and he should be.  His movies are visually stunning, well told, and I personally watch them over and over.  But, Avatar was a familiar theme and I am afraid it sounds like he might do it again come the squeal.

In an interview with the LA Times he states how the second installment of this amazing Sci-Fi world will feature more of the Oceans of Pandora.  Which I’m stoked about, and will definitely caugh up 22 bucks for me and the misses to see… I mean I loved it when he first made this movie with Ed Harris. However, I think there could be more done with this story line other than another Earthday Picture, which is exactly what it sounds like he’s making.

But what do you think? What would you like to see in Avatar 2?

James Cameron: The ‘Avatar’ sequel will dive into the oceans of Pandora | Hero Complex | Los Angeles Times.

I was searching more Halo news this morning as I wait for the Reach Beta to download on Monday, when I stumbled onto some news that might change the face of the video game industry.

Bungie just signed a Ten Year Publishing deal with Activision.

What does this mean?

Well the answer depends on who you ask.  However, I’m writing this, so you get my opinion.  Two major things will happen to Bungie, and something completely different will happen with Halo.

Activision is the producer behind the largest Media release in the history of human kind.  Forget Avatar, MW2 set a new profit bar for any release of a piece of media… film, music, or game. The major player behind that was Activision.  The release of MW2 scared any other video game manufacturer/developer… including the iconic Bungie.  Up till now, Bungie has only created a game for One platform… Xbox, and that is controlled by Super Nerd Bill Gates.  Bungie has done well for themselves considering the size of the xbox market… but it is easy to say that the market for them has been saturated… and they want a piece of what Infinity Ward baked up with MW2.  As a result though three major things will happen with Bungie both not being bad:

1. The gameplay will be created for cross platforms, so expect games from Bungie for Wii, Playstation, and possibly Xbox(depending on how Bill feels)
2. Bungie will be more of a tool of business and decisions will be made focusing on profit rather than Beautiful Programing, which means there will be more things you will WANT to pay for, but you will have to pay.
3. None of Bungie’s Games will have anything to do with Halo…which is really weird for me.

However, Halo will continue… we have not seen the last of Master Chief nor the Spartan armor.

Microsoft has created a new division of game developement called 343 Industries, tasked with the creation and management of everything Halo.  This of course means that instead of seeing it on a cross platform release like Bungie’s new games… you will only be seeing it on Microsoft products.

In addition, I have a hard time believing that the Halo Movie will be coming out soon.  343 Industries has stated that they will release a movie when the “Time is Right.” Which is positive but never definitive. Now that the software giant has its talons on it tight, they will do whatever it takes to boost the profit in profit veins their used to… such as more games… maybe a Mega Multiplayer Online??

But how does this hit you? You think this is good? Is there a movie coming out and I don’t know crap? Let us know!!

Diehard GameFAN | Bungie Signs Ten Year Publishing Deal With Activision.