Heading Towards Box Office Decline?

This month has had the ups and downs of movies doing well in theaters or struggling. Not a shocker. But it could be a sign that the new decade may begin with not many checking out specific movies.

Some of the biggest failures were films such as Richard Jewell and Cats. I saw Jewell failing because of the subject matter and not knowing what exactly was the truth. I don't think politics played a role. Cats is one of those ideas that bringing a musical play to the big screen would be good. Universal has had some hits with musicals in recent memory and more than likely thought they had a good spot to do strong. They are going to lose millions on it.

Sequels like Star Wars and Jumanji are still films people will fawn over and anticipate the next big release. So far, Star Wars has done okay, but how much people are still on the bandwagon for it, that's what I'm looking at. Last year I talked about oversaturation and fatigue. I think we're seeing it even though it's only been out for less than two weeks. Not to the level of Solo, but still. The amount of success Jumanji has had these last two years, it's a surprise to revive a modest success the 1995 original had. Maybe ditching a storyline helps? As long as it doesn't get too sequel happy.

Then you have films like Uncut Gems and Little Women. Uncut Gems helps a little bit with Adam Sandler and a few other people like Kevin Garnett being in it. A crime thriller, something you don't see too often. While it debuted a strong opening weekend, whether it has legs is another question for A24, which is still a very small company despite growing and getting into television. Little Women is more of a smaller budget adaptation of a book that hasn't seen a film adaptation in a very long time. With critical acclaim at the moment, it enjoyed a good five day debut. These are the kind of films we need as we rely too much on tent pole releases

Smaller releases around this time are getting wide releases soon. Just Mercy and 1917 are just a few example. VHYes is something I am genuinely curious about and hopefully it goes wide after its release in mid January. We need that healthy mix of small films and the big ones as 2020 begins. Something like a Bad Boys or a Birds of Prey. You have to hope Hollywood knows what kind of dark future it could have for a year or so as people continue to go towards the streaming route and watching more and more movies at home.

Minor League Downsize

I personally think Bud Selig ruined baseball, but what Rob Manfred plans to do will be even worse.

The last month and a half has seen a lot of displeasure towards Manfred. His ideas are to after the 2020 season, get rid of 42 minor league baseball teams from all over the country. It includes a ballpark in Florida named after the great Jackie Robinson. Both sides, him and Minor League Baseball, are at war. Manfred has criticized the complaints and may look to get rid of all of the minors. I don't think he would do that, but not the best choice of words.

Minor league players don't make a lot and from reading articles, pay raises are a concern. But is eliminating teams the option? No. Because you not only kill those teams, you kill a lot of futures. Some of the potential superstars may not have any other chance to make a name in the majors. A guy like Peter Alonso may not have gotten his opportunity if it wasn't for the minors the last couple of years prior to this year. Not only that, but you get rid of employees who work there and the numbers combined go into the thousands with the cut teams.

Towns can be affected. It is a source of revenue and losing a team could affect a bottom line and budget for said town. Major league teams suffer since not everyone has a huge payroll. Farm systems exist so some of the smaller teams can develop their guys and have them ready in a couple years. A team like the Marlins would not survive. But what also hurts are families. Not everyone is going to spend more than 500 dollars to go to a MLB game. A minor league game will set you back close to or around 100 for a family of four in terms of tickets, parking, and food, and that's not including a gift shop. Or locals that watch the games every day. You never know.

The MLB relies too much on crotchety old men to run the league. There has to be better options than cutting minor league teams. Manfred knows that, but doesn't want to admit it. If they want to fix their attendance issues, get teams to not price ridiculous ticket prices. The average person does not have funds to go to one of the big name teams' game. Advertise to kids and teenagers. Stop relying on 60 year olds who want their Viagra or Budweiser commercials. The NBA and NFL don't have issues catering to almost every demographic. Maybe MLB can learn a thing or two from them in terms of the game and social media.

YouTube Videos: Dec 20-26

BeastMode Returns Returns

What better way to invoke memories of the past? It's been official the last few days, but Marshawn Lynch returns to football and also returns to Seattle for the first time in almost four years. This comes after Chris Carson was ruled out the rest of the season with a hip injury. He better be ready because the competition for the playoffs is a high stakes one. Seattle wins, they get the second or third seed. I forget.

Lynch was one of the big reasons the Seahawks had one of the best run games for the first half of the 2010s. Notably the playoff game against New Orleans. Running for 60 plus yards and barreling over the Saints defense, creating an earthquake like environment from the noise. The best years came towards the end and he was also able to receive a little bit and catch some passes for touchdowns. A lot of good despite the health issues in 2015.

I wonder why it took so long to get Lynch back on the field. Surely, he would have been a fit on other teams. With issues on teams like Tampa, Arizona, and Miami, he would have been an X factor for those organizations. His return to Seattle should help build his resume for what could be a Hall of Fame career, but I don't know. Time to show his worth. Seattle better be ready and carve San Francisco up if they want that home game.

Geeks and Jocks Episode 24

Episode 24 up and running on Anchor.fm

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-24-End-of-2019-e9p0hm

The Lore of: Life is Strange

Going through a demo known as The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit and the release of Before the Storm, I kind of get it. Life is Strange is masterful so far in its young existence to create stories that are more grounded than you realize. But how much do they understand people regardless of age? Quite a bit. A warning though as I will be spoiling parts of the game, so bear with me. And I'm no expert on any of this. If you haven't played any of these three games, try them out.



The biggest one of the bunch is through the rebellious Chloe Price, appearing in the original and Storm. I wasn't sure if I was going to like Storm because of her attitude in the first game. She can be a bit rough. But that is more of a rough first impression on the saddle. When you go through Storm, she is a bit more likeable and you make sense of why she is like this and how she handles life a couple years after her father's death. I've had friends lose direct family members and I can't imagine if they played this, they would be crying. As such, it triggers a painful realization in the first game that her good friend Rachel Amber, who is more prominent in Storm, was killed. Although not addressed, I would figure it triggered bad memories of her dad.

As far as other characters go, it varies throughout. From the first game, one of the biggest examples is Kate Marsh. A highlight is saving her from suicide in Episode 2 if you can. Bullying is a part of school and it bothers me to say that. You can be bullied or be a bully. I've been both and it's not something to be proud. Hell, I regret being a dick at times. But the way bullying is now with viral video, it makes me glad I was a 90s/2000s kid. With that in mind, no one should go through what Kate did. Getting drugged up and humiliated all over the world. In the real world, kids have died from the humiliation. And it's something that no one stops or tries to help. Episode 2 had a hotline setup in case any one had the same feelings as Kate. I can't think of anything else other than intervening, but even that could have consequences.

I view Nathan Prescott as a villain, but not severely. I felt bad for him since he has pressure in him from the school and his father in the original and Storm. There's always that kid who stresses over how they are in a school setting.You got to have some sympathy. The same can be said for David Madsen in terms of sympathy. Military guys don't always transition to everyday citizens after several tours of duty on foreign countries. Like Chloe, he is rough, but you make sense of it when you play Storm and the end of the original. With Rachel, it's all about secrecy, which I can understand. Some people don't give a shit and would rather do other things than take care of her. It made me think of my own life a little bit and when playing Captain Spirit. Out of all my siblings, I have a deadbeat sister, who's never gave any care about me or anyone else, who would rather drink, get drugged up, party, and fuck any thug she meets instead of caring for her kids. So much selfishness.

But the similarities with Rachel, I can kind of see in Captain Spirit in a different way. Chris Eriksen tries to live life with his dad a couple years after his mother was killed in a car accident. But the dad, Charles, griefs in bad ways like drinking and implied abuse. Towards the end, kind of blaming Chris for his mother getting killed, but regretting that. Regardless of who it is, it's difficult to not have someone around. I don't see them trying to paint Charles as truly evil, but it paints one of the darkest realities, and its something kids, regardless of age, have to deal with. They may or may not have the imagination of Chris to cope, but it may not always be enough. It's enough to make any gamer cry and trigger anything painful for people who have experienced abuse at any point.

That's why Life is Strange works. Not everyone gets the ending they deserve. They have their pros and cons and they delve deep into some of these individuals. It creates a world where there is beauty, but also darkness at both corners. And it makes me wonder how I'll feel about Life is Strange 2. The last episode released a few weeks ago, and I've seen snippets of the first episode last year. It's going to be hard to top. But alas, I am a little hyped on trying it out and seeing the culture it creates through its two brothers.

End of Year Thoughts

We enter a new decade in almost a week. I'll give a few thoughts what I'll be doing for the blog during these final days of 2019.

The final YouTube Friday videos for the year will be done as always. No blogs will be made on Christmas Day or the New Year. I will still continue to go on about whatever comes into my mind. The Geeks and Jocks episode will be posted either the 24th or 26th, so keep your eyes on that.

I am pleased to see the small growth this year over last year and over 30,000 pageviews overall. Always nice to see some of those days where 100 is still an accomplishment. I expect bigger things for 2020. Hopefully, some followers. But this year has been better than what I thought it would have been.

Keep enjoying your holiday. New blog tomorrow.

YouTube Videos: Dec 13-19

Afterlife: New Ghostbusters

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of Ghostbusters. The original is a fun movie, but very overrated. It's second film was okay and I have no incentive of watching the 2016 version. But this Afterlife one, I might think about it, but the trailer leaves me with questions.

Does this movie know what it's trying to do?  It played off like a serious drama instead of being wacky. I assume judging by it, it's about the late Egon Spengler's grandkids and finding all the stuff he used to do in the 80s. A professor is enthralled about it along with the history and things occur to where they have to save the day. It's being done by Jason Reitman, who has forged his own directing career like his father Ivan, who directed the first two movies. There is that sense of relief that someone who is acquainted with the projects will have a sense on what to do.

But the seriousness is a little jarring and I wonder if there is a false first impression. It doesn't come out until July, so I figure there will be a new trailer at some point towards the end of winter or early spring. They didn't go overboard with showing off the special effects. Maybe it could be more story focused. I don't know. But at least on paper, it continues on in terms of continuity, similar to what's happening with Cobra Kai the last few years. I'm rambling a bit with regards to this trailer from last week, but it's one of those things that has a make it or break type of scenario.

Columbia has been on a path of looking at projects and doing sequels/reboots. Bad Boys 4 Life is due in January. Jumanji did well with the third film's opening weekend. Charlie's Angels was a big flop. A new Grudge film comes out just as the new year begins. The need to make other original films is needed, but you can't blame them for doing some of these sequels/reboots. There is an audience that is hungering for another adventure with the same characters. Ghostbusters should headline the summer very well, but whether the audience is ready for it, that's what I'm going to wait and see about.

How The Simpsons at 30 Tick.

Today is 30 years to the day the very first episode of The Simpsons aired. Granted it didn't air weekly episodes until mid-January 1990, but the Christmas episode was the introduction of America's animated family. It also gave Fox some recognition beyond Married... With Children. As it grew, it was this, Cops, Beverly Hills 90210, Martin, Melrose Place, The X Files and other short and long term shows prior to gaining the NFL rights that the network became a big deal.

Why people still tune in 30 years later is the dynamics of the title name's family. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie all their quirks and moments that create interesting storylines. When it was brand new, they were a regular family and it was a very realistic show before slowing becoming more of a cartoon after the third season. Money troubles, mainly. Marriage on the rocks. Of course, there's the Treehouse of Horror episodes.

Springfield in general is a beacon for writers to create stuff. Tons of episodes dedicated to Ned Flanders, Krusty, the late Edna Krabappel. Just to name some of the characters who had their moments to shine. Apu and his family. The Hibberts, Sideshow Bob, Mr. Burns. Lots of funny visual moments. Great one liners and one off dialogues. I would argue that even the worst episodes can get you to laugh at least once. I haven't watched much of the show in the last 10 years, but I could probably watch one and find something to chuckle over.

I would say we are in a third generation of writers that are involved with The Simpsons. One of my criticisms is that they don't age the characters. That is something I wish they would have done. Stories of the kids as teenagers would have helped in setting up plots and other approaches to humor. The political side will have a lot of mileage may vary moments. The first few seasons is the same thing, but in regards to animation and fleshing out the characters. By the time the second season was finished, it was where it was with giving them their identities.

I do think the show will end at some point. I'd guess sometime in the new decade. But even with the big episode list, it would still be in my top three greatest shows ever. Only those writers and producers will know when to hang it up.

YouTube COPPA Update And More

We're only a couple weeks away from changes that will happen with YouTube when the new year begins. I am by no means a lawyer, so here's what I've thought about in regards to this whole situation from watching videos and reading articles on this. 

I don't see the FTC targeting nearly everyone that does videos as some YouTubers have said. There has to be huge concrete evidence to show that content is directly for kids. But the FTC is not forcing YouTube to do a multitude of things in order to comply with the rules they broke back in September. The one thing they were told to do is have content creators say whether this stuff is for kids or not. But both sides still have to figure out what exactly is for kids because most don't know.

They are not going to fine people 42,000 dollars for each video, either. They are going to look and review them. I'll assume they will target obvious red flags. The FTC does know that adults will watch old cartoons and it will be a case by case basis. They know about video games to a point as mentioned in some videos. It does come off as a gray area type of scenario. I believe they will target Minecraft, modern Nintendo games, Fortnite, and a few other games that are hot along with specific aspects that might be construed as targeting kids. They are aware that just because there's bright colors, it doesn't mean you will automatically be in trouble. I don't think they will target small channels like me and many others, but who knows.

One dreadful aspect again is the algorithm. I've said it before, but it typically doesn't work for YouTube. This kind of mechanism can make a lot of false positives for stuff that doesn't fall into the made for kids area. I know some want a mixed audience button, but I'm not sure if its possible. Not because they refuse, but because how much of your audience is for adults and kids. I'm not sure if it could work. Also, making videos made for kids non-existent will make things worse and kids trying to find content will be troublesome. And not every content creator wants to make adult videos. By that, anything that could be for teens and up.

YouTube has also worked on updating their harassment policies. They are focusing on video creators who insult people based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and it doesn't matter whether the person is famous or not. I think they are looking for the extreme type of people, but it will trickle down to many "ranters" who think they have the freedom to say whatever they want in their video. I'm sure they'll target a lot of comments, whether it's from content creators or not. There's a difference between speaking your thoughts and getting into hate speech. I'm willing to bet most are in the latter. And that's why they are frustrated. YouTube has to police content. They're sterilizing it, but if they want people to keep coming, they have to abide by stuff and work on fixing things. Only now are they trying to make the site better in terms of avoiding hate controversy.

I don't have much else to talk about. I don't think most people will be in trouble with COPPA, but some clarifications could help. And the harassment type videos and content is kind of a necessary thing to look at and remove. Especially with the election in less than a year, we don't need nut jobs on both sides. Hopefully a healthier YouTube is the goal for 2020.

Sign says No Fighting Fans

I'd argue golf is a mental sport. You're in that zone and nothing is better than striking the ball and putting it in the cup. With tons of fans, you want to be like Happy Gilmore and want to strike other people, but like him, you can't. Hecklers can do whatever they want for the most part.

I'd see Patrick Reed's caddie getting suspended a little bit for this. And I'm talking more than just this match. Things got horrible when he beat up a fan and he is banned for tomorrow's President's Cup round. Kessler Karain has to show some restraint. Even he can't mess with fans. You could ask for removal of a fan. Davis Love did that in 2004 when one kept heckling "No Love" and the guy was gone.

Even more so than basketball and hockey, golfers are more vulnerable to visceral takedowns and all that. It's not ridiculous like in Happy where the heckler hits him with the car and blows up a TV tower, but it's up close and center. The toll it takes is enormous because one little thing can turn a day upside down. But you also have the ones that will cheer on when you go to the tee and when you have the round of your life, the support for you grows.

Terrible to hear what happened, but caddies have to be careful, too. Don't let the hecklers or fans bother them that much. Remove them quickly if they become a headache. Hopefully, it sets a reminder to some people not to do this.

YouTube Videos: Dec 6-12

Streets of Grouchy Birds

As the 90s rolled along, I never was into PBS. When I did watch it, it wasn't for Sesame Street. It was mainly stuff like Wishbone, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and whatever they had at the time like the Carmen Sandiego game show. But I do understand how important Sesame was. I would argue that Mister Rogers was a lot more influential, but they both have their place in history.

But as time went on, there was a constant. Knowing that the late Caroll Spinney would continue to be the man behind both Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. He was for the show from its inception in 1969 and stayed there until last year. Unfortunately, as the stories unfold, he suffered from dystonia, which took him not too long ago. I'm not the age of where late boomers and early Gen X people are, but I do think the show was part of their earliest memories. And I'm sure the same applies to Gen Y and the new generations of kids.

This guy was responsible for fleshing out Big Bird into someone kids could relate to. Heck, Spinney paid tribute as the 8-foot character at Jim Henson's memorial when Henson passed away in 1990. I never knew that until reading these articles. It tells how close knitted he was with the show and what it meant to be a cast member for some of these people that are no longer around. And as more of the original people around keep passing, it's easy to forget the legacies they forged just to make entertainment for kids and maybe learn a thing or two.

I do think Sesame Street still has its place in television. And the shift in programming for PBS has changed a bit over the last couple of years. It's even on HBO, which it has since 2015. With people ditching television and cutting the cord, regardless of this program, it does have am impact. While other kids networks may have their idea of fun, there still needs to be that balance in fun and education without it feeling like a school lesson. Without talent like Spinney, you don't something like Sesame air for that long. And hopefully, it still sticks around for a longer time.

Geeks and Jocks Episode 23

Episode 23 of the podcast is up on Anchor.

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-23-Thin--Dumb--and-Fiery-e9em53

The Irishman Review

Gotta hand it to Martin Scorsese to work on another mob film based on a memoir. Wiseguy was adapted into Goodfellas back in 1990. That film may be the best mob film ever. The Irishman, adapted from the memoir, I Heard You Paint Houses, follows the story of the guy who claims to have killed union man Jimmy Hoffa. It's good, but it doesn't top a few of the director's other works.

The movie reflects around Frank Sheeran, played by Robert De Niro. A few cuts to his days at his old age, but we see a long chronicle beginning from his days as a driver delivering meat to places in the Northeast. On one of his drives, he meets Russell Bufalino and in one incident, is defended in court by Russell's lawyer cousin, William. Ultimately, Frank starts doing small things for the Bufalino crime family, no questions asked. As time goes on, he becomes involved with Hoffa by joining his union, helping the guy out. It becomes a crazy period as things spiral out of the control of the mobsters.

It feels very much like Goodfellas, but not as ridiculous. In fact, this film doesn't go killing a character every five minutes. They portray Frank as a very loyal person, doing tasks for Russell and trying to make Hoffa appear calm in meetings and in the public eye. The amount of violence is a bit restrained and saved for when it was necessary. De Niro does a great job acting in this film. I found Al Pacino to be a bit over the top with Hoffa. I don't know if it was his choice or not, but the yelling comes off similar to some of his later films. But Joe Pesci as Russell, this might be his best performance ever. Better than Tommy in Goodfellas. He has a strong demeanor. Serious about what he does, serious about being a leader of his crime family. Out of the three actors, I think he should win an Academy Award or Oscar.

The visual effects are very good for making De Niro and Pesci look younger. I was easily impressed with how much they made De Niro look like a 30 year old. As far as other characters go, the acting was strong. The cinematography was through the roof. Its score comprises of how the 50s through the 70s was like.  My only concern for some would be the lengthy runtime, which is almost three and a half hours. Some parts did feel a little dragged on, especially some parts in the middle of it. I don't know how much truth there is, since it's hard to figure out what exactly happened to Hoffa. I didn't find Pacino to be that great as him. Passable, though.

If its still playing in the theater, I would give The Irishman a watch unless you have a Netflix subscription. Scorsese was still able to continue his brilliance as a filmmaker. A little weaker, but still a strong enough film with good production and mostly well acted people.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

What it Takes to Review

I have helped with two system sites over the last few years and one site in a year and a half with reviewing games. But what does it take to get a game reviewed? What are the necessary steps to look good? Well, I'll tell you, and I think this will apply to anything in media.

1. Soak in your head. I would give it a little bit of time. Whether it's a few hours or a day, reflect. Think about what was good and what was bad. Was there stuff you appreciated? How high was the bar set? If it's a sequel or prequel, how does it stack up to its own franchise or its competition? Small or large criticisms? You got to account for all that.

2. Don't play fanboy. What I mean is be honest in your opinion. There is no reason to be gushing at every little thing. Talk what is good and go into reasons why you think it's that good or perfect. Go into detail. The same applies to the bad stuff. Don't go bashing for the sake bashing. Explain why something is horrendous. If you're going to compare, don't use it as a crutch for your review unless its necessary. It will bring out the fanboy in you.

3. Don't be different for the sake of being different. Going against the grain is not going to make you look cool. There's a reason a couple movie critics get shitted on for their opposite opinions. Much like the fanboy card, you should have reasons why you think differently. Even if people disagree in a venomous way, don't let it get into your head. If you can't, then you shouldn't be reviewing.

Those are just some of the reasons of what it takes to review. If you think there should be a part two, let me know.

YouTube Videos: Nov 29-Dec 5

25 Years of Play

Tuesday the Third marked 25 years since the first PlayStation sold in Japan. It wouldn't be worldwide until the end of 1995 when it hit the States in September and later on in Europe. When you think about it, it is one of gaming's most consistent home consoles. The ability to have tons of support, sales, and companies behind it. You forget that Nintendo is one of the reasons why this exists.

The idea formed around the time the SNES was being made in Japan. Ken Kutaragi was instrumental in all this because he was interested in gaming. Ever think why the system had a good sound chip? Because of him. Plans were made to make an add-on capable of playing CD's and was unveiled in the early part of the 90s. But Nintendo began partnering with Philips to do stuff for their cd-I. It's a complicated story, but Nintendo still wanted Sony involved, but due to that partnership and Nintendo wanting full control of everything, Sony left and began working on PlayStation.

When you look at it, it strived for an audience that was more than kids. Sega had that idea with the Genesis at the start of the 90s, but Sony pushed that envelope further. But, it was able to get all audiences. Kids were able to play their Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, while adults could play Metal Gear Solid and Resident Evil. The hardware was easy to make games. Companies figured out how to use CD's properly compared to earlier CD systems. Memory cards became the norm. System reliability has been a notorious issues. But Sony keeps chugging.

Without Sony, you don't see gaming as it is today. They are not the main reason for how it is, but it paved the way for how we look at stuff. I've been around for every home console with the exception of the PS3 (which I'm trying to make up for lost time). Getting them a few years after they released. The brand is still viable for gamers. And when PS5 shows up, it's going to continue one of the strongest names in all of gaming.

Ron, I Have to Fire You

Kind of surprised. The Carolina Panthers have gotten rid of their head coach, Ron Rivera, after almost nine years of being with the team. I figured his job was on the line a little bit, but I didn't think he was in the hot seat that badly The outlook has been different and the disappointment over these last two seasons might have the been the ultimate reason for him being gone.

When he took over, he became the fourth coach in Panthers history since they started in 1995. That 2011 team was an improvement over an abysmal team a year ago, but still needed work. Improvements on defense and complimenting Cam Newton with competent players got them in the playoffs two years later. In came a five year stretch of making the playoffs four times, including a 2015 Super Bowl run that ended in a loss to the Denver Broncos. This year and last year have had high expectations, but have been disappointments.

You would think they would have gotten rid of Rivera last year. This year, they don't have Newton under center, and even he could be gone after this season. Lots of injuries on both sides of the ball. Playing with guys who aren't used to the workload. Tons of struggle on defense. Maybe the patience is wearing thin for the Panthers owner. You lose to lowly Washington, the hot seat gets hotter. What the new decade will bring for the 25 year team is uncertainty. They have players who can deliver. Can it come at the right time next year to give them a playoff push?

Ford v Ferrari Review

I haven't done of these in over a month, but here we go. Flashy is always something used throughout the last century. Cars are one of those things. You can kind of see where Ford v Ferrari games. It's a test for Ford in the mid 60s as things are not as smooth sailing compared to their own soil and the world.

Ford is struggling and suggestions are made to buy out Ferrari, who are one of the leading companies in automobiles and the racing industry. The buyout fails, Fiat buys Ferrari, and Ford is left wondering what to do. They seek out Carroll Shelby to help with building a car that can withstand the 24 hour Le Mans race. Through thick and thin with tests, corporate red tape, and hot headed Ken Miles, the test is put to full effect within a few years span.

When you look at this, it is more than just a racing movie. It's about the efforts Ford was trying to do to stand out in the world and to rejuvenate a struggling company. With Shelby and Miles in the mix, they try to show what they are capable of to just about everyone. Miles putting the effort and even though at points being a guinea pig, having the knowledge to know what works and what doesn't. Shelby knowing how great his talent is despite Ford having issues with his driver. There is a lot of drama and a good focus on Miles because without him, you don't see how their race in 1966 goes. They are the underdogs throughout it.

The cinematography is amazing with the lighting and shot compositions. It hits the gas on being like the 60s with its score and getting a modern score in the last hour of it. Always amazing to hear movies in stereo and its used to full effect here in a lot of the driving scenes. Matt Damon and Christian Bale play Shelby and Miles very well, especially Bale. Only he can pull it off with that British accent. The rest of the cast add to the drama with great performances. There isn't a dull moment throughout it. The driving visual effects are not bad either. Very passable.

Ford v Ferrari is a little overrated, but it deserves its accolades. Definitely get a chance to see it in theaters. One of the more interesting stories.

Score: 8 out of 10

Above and Beyond: VR Medal of Honor

After the failure of Warfighter, the Medal of Honor series stopped in favor of Battlefield games, which were gaining steam on consoles at the start of the decade. While World War II may not be the choice today, it is very refreshing for some. Above and Beyond goes back to the series roots with Electronic Arts giving Respawn Entertainment control to develop it.

This was revealed back at the end of September, but this is going to be one of the big name titles for Oculus Rift heading into the new decade. Virtual reality has always been niche, but it has been growing for quite some time. Whether it reaches mainstream status is another topic for another day. But you are set in France, helping the Resistance against the Nazis. They have one of the original programmers of the early games on board and from the video uploaded, went out of their way for the authenticity, something those early games strived for.

Parts I was curious about are the ability to grab grenades and throw them back, having to reload weapons and using other objects. I'm guessing anything can be a weapon. What I hear and read is the single player, which is a strength the series has always had and potentially multiplayer, which every game has had. What I want to see more of is what kind of levels they have. It's nice to go back to France, but what can you do that hasn't been done already? That would be my biggest concern.

I would also like to see if this winds up on PlayStation VR or as a regular game for PS4 and Xbox One. While I think it will be a big deal on Rift, will people bite and get the system to play this? Only time will tell next year.

YouTube Videos: Nov 22-28

Be a Receiver, They Said

I think we got a tight MVP race in the NFL and it's coming from second year guy.

Not enough can be said regarding Lamar Jackson's phenomenal play this year. The Baltimore Ravens are enjoying one of their best years in a long time and last year's first round pick is the quarterback that is lighting up the field. The running game is through the roof and being led by him followed by veteran back Mark Ingram. Both have combined for over 1500 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns. Gus Edwards even has over 400 yards. You never know who is going to get it.

But the improvement in throwing the ball has been a highlight for Jackson. And some thought he would be better as a wide receiver. The numbers speak for itself. Leading the league at the time of this blog with 24 passing touchdowns and just over 2400 yards. Completing two thirds of his passes helps because the defenses have to be honest and figure out Baltimore's power. Plus, he hasn't turned the ball much. Only five picks and five fumbles. There is still room to keep improving, but you are looking at a potential Super Bowl winner.

Baltimore is back in good form and the defense's mix of young and veterans keep themselves in the game. Only their opponents can figure out the codes to make them vulnerable.

Console Buyer's Guide 2019

Black Friday and the holiday season begins very soon, so there is the look of what game systems are out on the market. For 2019, it may mark one of the last big years for the current ones out there.

Starting with the dead systems, it's safe to say you can't find many PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, and Vita games on store shelves. Your best bet is going to be the used local stores or having to use online to get the games. Everything but the Vita can still be found easily at a GameStop, but how much longer they will have these games, I'm not sure. Until PS3 and 360 stop using servers for good would be my guess or when the new systems come out in November.

I'm surprised to still see the 3DS on store shelves. Nintendo stated that it will still be supported heading into 2020, but I don't buy into it fully. Not any big releases and being eight years old is not healthy. I guess milk it until the cows come home. For what it was able to do, it stabilized and did very well following a disastrous launch due to the high price. You can find 2DS XL's and some games, but the selection is not the greatest at most stores. Used local stores and online may be the ultimate way to get the titles you may want that aren't the usual suspects.

This year will be the last very huge year for PS4 and Xbox One. I don't think there's one advantage over the other except in exclusives. It comes down to what you like more. Do you like Halo, Gears of War, and a couple others? Uncharted, MLB, Ratchet and Clank? I still think the edge goes to PlayStation, but I don't think either one is a bad choice. They're cheap and you can get games at good prices everywhere. Not much else to say.

Last is the Switch. The Lite model should entice some for the holiday season, but will they like that it's portable only? That I'd ask because it being a hybrid prior to the release may be the only incentive. I think there should be a price cut for the original model. Beyond the first party games, there is relatively good support still and plenty of releases from older games and new ones. It's a way to make up for some of Nintendo's blunders. How well this does beyond this year and 2020 is a question in itself and if the novelty sticks or fades away.

Shop safe. Shop smart. And shop carefully for these systems and games.

New YouTube 2020

Only in the last week or two have I seen any of this, but it is one that leaves many in worry. Kind of a sequel blog to one I made last week. But if you are new to this, here it is. Google and YouTube were forced to pay a fine of 170 million dollars regarding data to children under the age of 13 back in September this year. They violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, which was implemented in 1998. Sweeping changes are going to be made once 2020 starts. Now, users have to answer whether their stuff is made for kids or not. Tons of channels will be affected, regardless of activity or inactivity.

This is what gets frustrating. What is "made for kids?" Because that answer can be construed as anything. It's all about the subject, whether kids are involved or the intended audience, cartoon characters and figures, and a few other things. That doesn't please me, because it is vague, which is one of YouTube's biggest issues. They never explain anything in detail and if you have a question, it's usually some dipshit robot with an automated response. But what's damaging is if content is mislabeled. You could face a 42,000 plus dollar fine. That's not good at all.

The problem with some channels is that some of their stuff may have the look of something for kids, but not intended for them. Are my game videos of 90s games like Sonic the Hedgehog, Home Alone, Spyro the Dragon, Crash Bandicoot, Mario, Tiny Toon Adventures, Pac-Man World, and a few other kids games going to hurt me because they have the look of something kids might see? My audience ranges from teenagers to age 55, with mostly young adults and ones up to their mid 40s. The FTC is allowing responses about this, as they are looking to expand on COPPA. YouTube also suggests seeking a lawyer, which is impossible considering costs.

Another thing is that if you label something for kids, a lot of features get removed, making the video in question almost non-existent. That's to be expected, but you lose a good audience. There's YouTube Kids, which is an app that doesn't allow advertising, but I doubt many use it. Parents will have nothing but inappropriate stuff kids will watch if all the kids content is gone.

My advice is to archive your videos. Get them all, put them on a flash drive and potentially take them to another site if people start getting fined on YouTube. It's not worth having thousands turn into millions in fines. And for YouTube and others, explain stuff. Staying vague does not help your situation.

YouTube Videos: Nov 15-21

No Good Movie Angels

Last weekend's movie performances are not what you think for mid-November. If I'm Elizabeth Banks, I'd be keeping my mouth shut instead of being an idiot. Her take on Charlie's Angels failed in its opening weekend and more than likely will be a big flop for Sony. She puts blame on sexism and saying men don't want to watch female led action movies. It's a lazy excuse for why it failed.

From what I read, the movie had a tough time getting made the last few years. I believe it went through a number of screenplays and re-writes. That's not exactly good. To put this in perspective, the show debuted in 1976. What are you trying to aim it towards? Because most that aren't in the 40-55 range aren't going to see it. I doubt teenagers want to see it. I doubt young adults want to, male or female.

Not to mention the cast of your group. It's not a bankable group compared to the 2000 adaptation, which did very well beyond just a recognizable cast. Kristen Stewart is not A-list material. Although fantastic in Aladdin, Naomi Scott is not recognizable yet. She is not a draw, but she could be one day. And the other girl I keep forgetting is not recognizable either. It's not a panned movie (the 2000 adaptation wasn't either, but it wasn't well regarded by critics) , but I heard the marketing was not strong.

That's the gist of what I'm writing here. I like to look at the numbers of what films do. And that there is more to why Angels failed beyond the cop out sexism excuse. The idea of girls kicking ass is not foreign. Like any movie, it depends on the quality of it and how moviegoers feel about the quality. I think people were able to ignore some of the flaws of the two movies made in the 2000s. And that says a lot because there was plenty of action films around that time. To a number of people, they probably felt like this adaptation wasn't good enough and didn't reach that high bar. You could say the same thing with the new Men in Black that came out this past June despite a reasonable cast.

I think politics does play a role as well as feminism. If it's not shoved down your throat constantly, then I don't think audiences would be turned off, regardless of what the movie they're watching is. Overall, I'd be more careful if I'm Sony. Reboots have become too common. There has to be room for more original films in Hollywood along with better quality sequels. An old 70s program is not good enough for an adaptation in today's world. If that can't happen, then moviegoers are going to not be in the theater more often. 

Geeks and Jocks Episodes 20 and 21

Last week's episode of Geeks and Jocks, focusing mostly on Medal of Honor

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-20-Medal-of-Honor-e8ve39

And yesterday's brand new episode, focusing on sports, especially the Houston Astros cheating scandal.

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-21-Malice-at-all-Sports-e930j5

Electronic Bandage

I didn't know these things existed. Did you? Because it adds another layer to the whole scandal involving the Houston Astros.

I'm not sure if it's sufficient evidence compared to hearing garbage cans, but several sites have discussed this in the last day. From what was said from at least MLB executives, batters would have on electronic bandages. If so, it hides any noise. A way to steal signs and a way to signal what pitch was coming. I'd guess one buzz meant a fastball and two would mean an off speed pitch. I can't imagine what else will be unearthed.

As a fan of the sport, this is a huge disgrace for baseball. With how toxic the organization is, some are calling for life bans. I can see owner Jim Crane and GM Jeff Luhnow getting those. Maybe manager AJ Hinch depending on how much he knew. I may have been a little lenient on my suspension ideas last week. What do you do with Alex Cora and Carlos Beltran? That I can't answer because I have none. But I could see Cora getting banned, but not necessarily for life (don't rule it out). Maybe suspend players that knew fully what they were getting into for maybe half a season? But commissioner Rob Manfred will have to come up with something soon. Spring training is three months away and it would be better if he got the punishment out of the way.

For what it stands, it happened. Things got way uglier at the moment. The Astros will not live it down for a very long time.

Prototype the Hedgehog 3

The story of prototypes is always interesting to hear about. This Sonic the Hedgehog 3 one that was found this past weekend is the talk of the town and it tells a lot regarding its troubled development.

Sega was keen on keeping the game very private. Competing against the SNES was not an easy task in 1993. Neither was seeing the new 3DO and Atari Jaguar that fall. Courtesy of The Cutting Room Floor and community Hidden Palace, there was a prototype from November 3, 1993. More than likely, stuff that was made around October or even September. It's very incomplete. Tons of graphical stuff that hadn't been implemented. A number of Sonic and Knuckles levels still in the code. Bonus stages in the alpha parts of development. A drop dash that was dropped until Sonic Mania did it two years ago. Sprites that still came out of the second game. Ton of stuff.

Of course, the main focus is the music. When Sonic 3 and Knuckles appeared in a compilation for Windows 95 in 1997, music in some zones and areas were replaced with different tunes. What is now confirmed in this prototype is that those different tunes were originally thought of back in 93. Was Sega through with Michael Jackson and Brad Buxer? I'd like to hear Buxer's take on it. But also, were Jackson and Buxer not pleased with doing Genesis hardware? If so, was this before the molestation scandal that June?

If Sega wants to re-release for modern systems this game, I don't see the problem with taking those different tunes and putting them in the stock game. I know some are comfortable with the Jackson tracks, but I doubt the estate of his would bend down and neither would Buxer. Would it hurt to get some answers from either side? Give us something that doesn't become an unsolved mystery.

I think we'll get a conclusion soon.

YouTube Videos: Nov 8-14

Super Smash Helmet Brawl

With how bad the Pittsburgh Steelers were with injuries, I wasn't expecting a win for them against the Cleveland Browns. I missed out on the end of the game that should result in hefty fines on both sides and a suspension that could potentially be very lengthy. It's a bitter rivalry and this is one they won't forget.

Less than 15 seconds left in the game, the Steelers run a play. Mason Rudolph throws to his running back just before getting hit by Myles Garrett. They are on the ground and Rudolph starts the scuffle. Garrett rips off his helmet. Rudolph, with no helmet on, tries to get back at him. Garrett hits him in the head with the helmet. A brawl ensues. Several Steelers kick at Garrett, including center Maurkice Pouncey. Ugly scene. Obvious ejections. So what happens now?

If you're Cleveland, you're looking towards a few defensive guys not dressing up in a couple weeks. Damarious Randall may be fined, but not suspended. They lost Morgan Burnett to an Achilles injury. How severe that is is another story. Garrett will have at least a month's suspension. There is no way that he can defend himself with that. One heck of a year and to blow that opportunity. Especially with the two game winning streak. Don't be surprised either if he's suspended the rest of the year and maybe some games next season. (Suspended indefinitely) They are not far off from the wild card spot, but plenty of competition is around them. At least four teams have better records.

If you're Pittsburgh, I'm expecting Pouncey to be suspended. Yes, he was trying to protect Rudolph, but it's ridiculous. If not suspended, then a big fine. (Three games) I don't expect Rudolph to be suspended, but the NFL should fine him. Why charge at Garrett? Especially when he has had concussions this year? That is stupidity on his part and that's what will be lost. What Garrett did was atrocious, but Rudolph needs to be blamed a little bit, too. If it weren't for charging and losing his composure, he would not have gotten hit in the head by his own helmet.

These teams meet again on December 1. There will be revenge in mind for Pittsburgh, which that game will be at Heinz Field. But the NFL should give out big warnings. I got a feeling we are going to see another big fight if it comes down to another ugly scene. Good drama for Thursday Night Football, but a bad stain for the NFL.

Signs of Stealing Electronically

I don't think sign stealing is that bad for baseball, though I feel it could be curbed a little bit. The amount of toxicity surrounding the Houston Astros may be even worse.

Now the news is that they may have cheated during their 2017 season that ended with them winning the World Series. From an exclusive from The Athletic, former Astro pitcher Mike Fiers discussed about how at Minute Maid Park, a camera would be situated at center field, aimed at the catcher. Monitors in a dugout would be looked at by members of the Astros. If a sign meant a breaking ball, a metal garbage can would bang. In the story, he also talked about explaining it to teams he has been on the last two years about being very careful and changing it up.

In a way, Fiers is looking out for teammates. Some of them have one chance make an impact. If they fail, they are going to be in the minors for longer time or forever. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking that. There is a video of a game from September 2017 where Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar heard bangs and talked to his catcher. They managed to strike out pinch hitter Evan Gattis. Still, it is evidence that Houston is trying to gain an edge. Who knows how many games they cheated in. Who knows if the Yankees keep Joe Girardi as manager or they go to Aaron Boone last year. It impacts a lot of teams and players. Red Sox manager Alex Cora and newly minted Mets manager Carlos Beltran are also in the mix of this controversy.

What's sad is that the Astros have a good batting group. Altuve, Springer, Bregman, Gurriel, Reddick. Some of the young guys like Alvarez. And the pitching is above average compared to most. I don't think the team cheated all the time, but cheating is cheating. The Yankees have a right to be pissed about what happened two years ago. Cleveland and Boston have a right to be pissed about last year. It's a good thing the Astros didn't win a World series last year or this year because it would paint a darker picture. Combined with the Brandon Taubman issue, it is a recipe for what could be a very harsh punishment.

The best MLB can do is take away draft picks and give hefty fines and suspensions to the front office. Maybe suspend AJ Hinch for a month or two if he knew. And the thing with Houston is that prior to the last six years, they were a mediocre franchise, borderline decent. With the exception of 2000, they had winning records from 1993 through 2006 with six playoff appearances. What was great in 2017 and a feel good story for the city is now a disgrace. You would think Rob Manfred will think deep about this because who knows how many stories we will hear and how much it can affect the Astros. This is worse than the tainted New England Patriots dynasty and all their controversies. And there is no doubt that Manfred will have to impose stricter policies or get rid of video and monitors in the dugouts. It's one thing to figure out the signs on your own, but electronically, it hurts the sport a lot more.

I have a feeling we are going to hear more in the future.

What's Kid Friendly, FTC?

That's the question I'd ask to the Federal Trade Commission. I've been doing YouTube for over eight years, almost seven with the current account I have. I'm all for wanting to make sure kids get protected via the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). But with Google and YouTube paying 170 million in damages because of personalized ads and a couple other things back in September, this is a pure overreaction and I'm not sure if people are going to risk using the site to make videos.

At the very least, you can voice your opinion to the FTC about it. But the explanations that are given out are either very vague or so broad that I can't make heads or tails of the whole thing. I don't use ads unless a company puts content ID on a video. But people will lose money. And the FTC and YouTube's machine to judge what could be for kids is a big danger. Potentially fines will go for over 42 thousand dollars, which is overkill and could hurt very small channels. Big channels are hurt, but aren't in danger... yet. I wonder about the thousands of dead channels because most won't know about the issues and they will have no idea that they could be fined six figures or more.

I do video game videos, but not stuff like Fortnite and Minecraft. Are games from Crash Bandicoot, Home Alone, Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario, Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Chex Quest, and various sports games going to be considered made for kids? Those examples are what I've uploaded since 2013. It's a hobby to me. But I've also done adult games like Medal of Honor, Doom, and GTA games. They could label old NES, Genesis, SNES, and PlayStation games as being made for kids. And what I dread also is that regardless of age, they are going to ignore adults and teens and say they are below 13 years old watching a Sonic Genesis game or an NFL video game.

People are not stupid. They know how bad this situation is. This is what happened with the SOPA bill back in 2012. When a government intervenes, the Internet takes action. What's happening now is a bit different, but that doesn't mean people are not going to be mad. Unless changes are made to alter the new propositions before the start 2020, you could be saying goodbye to a lot of channels and a lot of viewers because of the vagueness and broad terms.  One thing that is bothersome is parents aren't always keeping eye on what their kids do.

I feel many parents don't care what their kids watch. I feel like that's been the case for a very long time. YouTube has an app for kids. No ads, no bullshit. I don't know if any of this will affect me, but I'm not taking any chances. The FTC wants to expand on what COPPA does, and it could make many quit. This is what I think the FTC should do.

1. Explain what is kid friendly. Leaving it vague and broad will leave creators confused and worry about what they can make.

2. Understand that because it's colorful or has cartoon characters, it doesn't mean creators are always targeting kids. Just because people play the original Super Mario Bros. on NES doesn't mean kids are searching for it exclusively.

3. Drop the 42 thousand fine. Pure overkill. Go the suspension way with three strikes. One that lasts a week, two weeks, and the last one being a month. Making it a money thing will make things way worse.

4. Don't play babysitter. The FTC has no clue of what they are doing. Let parents do their jobs and police the use of content their kids watch. Intervening as it is right now will hurt a lot more than they realize.

That's my long winded thoughts. There's a petition on Change.org and you can express your thoughts to the FTC about this via regulations.gov.

https://www.change.org/p/the-federal-trade-commission-youtubers-and-viewers-unite-9045ee7f-f6f0-460e-b088-3429209dd7c6?recruiter=1015502725&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition

https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=FTC-2019-0054-0001

Protecting kids is necessary, but this is not the way it should be done.

Redesigning Hedgehogs

I wish I could have been reviewing this movie. But alas, it won't be until Valentine's Day. In regards to the live action Sonic the Hedgehog, I didn't view the original design as being that bad. My only complaint would have been a little bit of the face. Backlash is common on stuff and the need to fix the blue blur was a priority when the design was criticized back in the spring.

With the re-do, it is closer to the games. More specifically, I see more of the Genesis versions of him. More so in my opinion, 3D Blast. There is a more cartoon look to him and it's very obvious that the effort was put into cleaning up the image. How close you are to the games is vital. Whether the film will have versions of Tails and a couple other characters, I don't know. But it is the first big Jim Carrey movie in a few years. Robotnik is tough to even consider for a casting, but the wacky nature does feel in tone with the actor's roles from Ace Ventura all the way to Bruce Almighty.

Even with the redesign, I still would have given the film a chance to see in theaters. The last few video game movies have not been panned and put up good numbers. Maybe studios have learned to understand fans? We'll have to see on Valentine's Day, but Sonic should put up okay numbers. At least better than what Super Mario Bros. did back in the summer of 1993.

The Rise of 2017 Backs

I am taking a look at three NFL running backs from the 2017 draft class who have made an impact this year and have propelled their teams to a bit of success as we hit Week 11 for this upcoming Thursday.

The surprising one of the bunch is Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers. Despite the inconsistency in yards gained a week, his numbers are welcoming sign. Last year was not bad, but this year, he has nearly 600 yards rushing with 11 touchdowns. Add in three more scores in the air and over 350 receiving yards and he is making some big waves. The Pack hasn't had a strong back in five years and to see production from him and Jamaal Williams (five receiving scores and both backs combined have scored 20 times), it's a step in the right direction and a reason they are in first place in their division. MVP for a fifth rounder? Maybe.

The next guy is Minnesota Viking Dalvin Cook. This guy is finally living up to what people expected. A rookie season that ended with an ACL injury and hamstring issues last year, he has put those problems behind him. Just shy of a thousand yards and ten scores, the second round pick has put up over 400 receiving yards to go along with what should be a Pro Bowl year. Minnesota's run game has vastly improved this year and health is a reason why the domination has been seen. More than likely, this is a wild card team if Green Bay wins the North division. And the Vikes can thank Cook for why they have been very good offensively.

Last is last year's snub, Christian McCaffrey. The eighth overall pick had a decent rookie season that saw him more as a receiving back. Last year as the main starter, he was lights out strong in a disappointing season. Now, he is just shy of a thousand rushing with 11 scores. The receiving is still good, just shy of 400 yards and three TD's. With his play, he should be on pace to reach 2000 yards or more from scrimmage. He could be the guy, barring injury, that the Carolina Panthers need as they figure out what to do with their quarterback situation heading into 2020. But it starts and ends with McCaffrey.

These three are early cases for MVP. What do you think? McCaffrey should be given a chance to win it. Same with Cook. I doubt Jones could, but a few votes could go to him. As we enter the second half of the season, let's see if they perform like they did the first half of the year.

A Terminated Outlook

When people think The Terminator, they think the first two movies. A lot has changed since 1991 and the sequels it has had have not surpassed them We live in a time now where in order to do well, studios think bloated 200 million dollar films are going to do it. Dark Fate's performance domestically is a sign on whether or not the franchise will be terminated or be back.

Supposedly the budget was set to near 200 million. When the second came out, it was the most expensive and the first 100 million movie budget ever. I wonder how much they had to pay Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, especially considering the latter hadn't been in any sequels since the second film. Not to mention that people want a story that was set to high level. There was nothing like it back then and I think that's the problem. Terminator has been surpassed in terms of production value and CGI that it has had a rough road.

From a critical standpoint, Dark Fate ranges in the well received to mixed range. Maybe people are burnt out on the on the other Terminator films from the last 15 years. And this is where Fox and Paramount will take a deep look into it. Worldwide, it has made it to roughly where the supposed budget was at the time of this blog. To have Sarah Connor back might have helped a tiny bit and to work alongside the original Terminator may have helped. But this isn't the 90s anymore. And even with that, more people are interested in other types of blockbusters that appeal to a different taste.

An old relic? Maybe. And it is up to studios involved to see if there is a point to keep making them. With Fox owned by Disney, they could refrain from making another one. I think we might have seen the last attempt to revive the struggling franchise. I'll be surprised if another one gets made.

YouTube Videos: Nov 1-7

What is Pass Interference?

Can somebody answer this question? Because I doubt you can. I can't, either.

If baseball has an umpire issue, so does football with their refs. Unlike most professional sports in the States, there are only 16 games. When a bad call occurs on a losing team, most of the time, it's a critical one. This is how teams make or miss the playoffs. Either what is an obvious penalty is missed or one little tap results in a thrown flag. There is no consistency and the rules are not clear. We have seen too many games get determined by the refs and it's only a matter of time.

Obviously, this is the result of what happened in January between the Rams and Saints. Replay has been around for 20 years. Challenges around that time. Many rule changes. And yet, the refs find ways to screw up. I don't buy into Troy Vincent's argument that they are held accountable. I don't think that's true. If it was, guys like Jerome Bogar would not call a game ever again. The fans get a clear view of it on TV. Mistakes are admitted, but not all of them.

I'm going to end with a story I read. There is speculation that North Carolina may lower the number of games played in high school football because of refs. They are afraid of getting visceral hate. With older ones retiring, it's dwindling down. I've mostly learned my lesson on that kind of stuff, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to criticize officiating. The South loves their sports a lot more than most. I honestly expect robots in professional leagues at some point. The human element is not a valuable excuse like it was back before the Internet existed. Either find a way to fix issues or start punishing the bad umps and refs. That one call can be like what happened back in January.

The Thunberg Fad

This love affair the media has for Greta Thunberg is ridiculous. She hasn't done a damn thing yet in her life and she hasn't changed anything for the better. Celebrities need to stop praising her until she actually does something. I get that weather temperatures and precipitation has changed in some areas, but the opposite can happen or go back to normal. There's no way to predict this sort of stuff. And I'm not sure there is an easy solution to any of this.

All this girl complains about is how the climate is instead of being back in Sweden, furthering her education to deal with climate. That country is hailed as one of the best in learning, and she is wasting her time as a teenager. The reason I call it a fad on her is because it screams attention whore. Teenagers minds change over time and what they care about in the moment may not be the case ten years from now. It might be cool to make a difference, but it's all words.

If Thunberg is that interested in making a difference, then become a scientist. Like any profession, it takes years to learn the craft. And she would have to have a lot of dedication to it. When the time comes, she can either stay dedicated or be nothing more than a pretender who only wanted attention and will fade away like the news on the backside of a newspaper. Only time will tell.

Going Against Loved Stuff

Like everyone, I have stuff I don't like, but others do. Most of the time, people act like I committed the worst crime if I don't like what they like.

Cartoons is a great example. I hate Animaniacs, and it bothered a handful of people and a couple berating me for having bad taste. Even when I explained my reason (obnoxious characters, tried way too hard to be funny), it was for naught. I prefer other Spielberg cartoons over it. Frankly, I didn't watch kids networks (TV in general ) until 1996/97 and even then, I watched other channels like TBS. I think cartoons get many offended if you don't love them the same way others do. I think part of it is nostalgia and being big fans of said programs. But they are the ones that suffer from age most of the time and don't hold up.

Movies is a bit different. For a lot of the really loved ones, I can see why. Part of it is the high bar that is set for movies like The Godfather Part II, and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. I watch those and I feel underwhelmed. I can find enjoyment and say they are good, but that good? I don't think so. Definitely watchable, though. One I watched recently was the first Gremlins. I like the Gremlin design and set up. It had funny moments, but I didn't find it that scary. Not that good, but still pretty good.

Video games fall in the same thing as movies, but way worse. There is a very high bar set and if I don't agree, regardless of if I love the game or not, it would hypothetically bother many. My big example is The Legend of Zelda for the original NES. A lot of people view it as a masterpiece. I don't see it as being more than just a good game. I think nostalgia is heavily involved as it has its share of flaws like the grinding and the health system as get a bigger life meter. You can't ignore small things that hurt a game, regardless of age.

I don't try to be different for the sake of being different. Just understand that the opposite opinion can occur unless someone is being different on purpose or trying to hate something on purpose.

YouTube Videos: Oct 25-31

Post 2019 World Series Thoughts

When the Washington Nationals swept the St. Louis Cardinals, I thought that they would win the World Series. I expected five games, but for the sport, seven. To see an underdog that never won anything, even in Montreal, is one of the biggest surprises to end the 2010s. It was a matter of going to their strengths in pitching and the bats coming in at the right time. They join the 1996 Yankees as a team that won eight on the road, including four World Series games.

You talk pitching, you got Stephen Strasburg. Capping off his postseason with phenomenal Game 6, there's a reason he won the MVP for the series Add in Max Scherzer and Patrick Corbin, and they helped bail out a struggling bullpen. Of course, you got Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto delivering at the plate. Howie Kendrick is a huge hero in Washington baseball lore. Lots of contribution. Keep in mind that near the end of May, the team was 19 and 31. The nation's capital gets its first baseball trophy since 1924 and it joins on the midst of last years Capitals hockey championship and the recent WNBA Mystics Finals win.

With Houston, they blew opportunities. The overuse of Justin Verlander was obvious. Why Zack Greinke was pulled, I don't know. Manager AJ Hinch blew his opportunity in managing what pitchers to use. The question will be asked about Gerrit Cole and if he could have been used. Starters in relief has been seen, but that quick in two days rest, who knows. With the Astros batting, they came at moments, but in the losses, they couldn't figure out the Nationals.

I think the Astros were distracted by the controversy regarding their fired assistant GM. Questionable choices in the games. Even the umpire issues on both sides. Either way, this is a special way to end the decade. The Nationals surprised many with defeating the LA Dodgers. Sweeping the Cardinals helped them and to pull off the upset. All DC needs now is the Wizards and Redskins to get into championship contention. Baseball's trophy gets its stay in a meaningful place until next year.

Geeks and Jocks Episode 19

The newest episode of Geeks and Jocks. Domestic Horror

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-19-Domestic-Horror-e8c1fb

Zombieland Review

After seeing the newest one in theaters I thought about re-watching the first Zombieland. I don't remember it being advertised when it was new. To be honest, I hadn't seen it uncut in roughly seven or eight years. Seeing it after that long, it's held up very well. A lot of comedy sprinkled around and one hell of a finale.

Basic premise, Columbus is venturing his way from Texas back to Ohio to see if any of his family survived. Along the way, it slowly goes to introducing Tallahassee and then later on with Wichita and Little Rock. If there is one thing I like, it's Columbus learning the origins of what the three have gone through. It sort of explains the unbridled rage of Tallahassee. I also forgot that the girls were bad guys at first and it may feel that way for some viewers at points throughout it.

The movie relies on its jokes and antics. Stuff like getting pissed over no Twinkies or a guy starting the zombie apocalypse by eating a contaminated burger. That's what works. It has a handful of action scenes and the writers slowly form it until it reaches the end with a big finale that is ridiculous but well made. A good emphasis on rock music encompasses the scenes along with the dreary cinematography. Add in a good pace and quick run time, you got a good solid film.

There isn't much else to say. Zombieland stands on its own and whenever the second one comes out next year on video, it should make for a great double feature. One of the films to see during October.

Score: 7.5 out of 10.

Houston, We Have a Domestic Problem

I think sports leagues have been better in handling domestic violence issues in the last five years. There are punishments for these actions and it has handled smoothly. Where MLB stands on the Houston Astros, I don't know. But there is a toxic culture in the organization. I've waited a little bit because I don't see the issue dying off, regardless of them winning a World Series or losing it.

Long story short, Brandon Taubman, who was the assistant general manager for the Astros, said some inappropriate stuff in front of three female reporters, one of which is a writer for Sports Illustrated. Along the lines of saying he was glad the team got Roberto Osuna, a closer who was in the midst of a 75 game suspension last year when he was traded to them. Charges were dropped, but the suspension was still in place. The Astros played the denying game and then admitted. Taubman was fired earlier last week and it paints a very bad picture with how they handle the media. Back in the summer, they refused to let a Detroit reporter talk to former Tiger Justin Verlander.

The way the team has handled the media has been very poor. This is how things go sour very quickly and it starts at the top and every area in between the top and bottom. Firing Taubman should not be enough. There should be a hefty fine for the Astros and maybe a loss of a draft pick or two. Owner Jim Crane and GM Jeff Luhnow need to reassess how they handle things in the future. There should be opportunities for second chances, but there's better ways of being professional in the sports world. Either way, even if they win the World Series, this controversy will be looked at more than a championship. The Astros have a long way to go to get rid of the toxicity.

YouTube Videos: Oct 18-24

Horror Games I've Played

I'm a little more comfortable with horror video games. Let's dive into a few.

One of these I played for the Xbox 360 called Dead Rising. It was a very early title and it was inspired by George Romero's Dead films. In a shopping mall, you're a journalist, trying to figure out what is going on in Colorado. The graphics are a step up from the previous generation. Tons of stuff on screen. Plenty of zombies to kill in various ways. A lot of scary and rock music add to the audio. Lots of objectives, optional rescues. An arsenal of weapons and health items. Experience points to help improve stats. Couple knocks include poor AI and only one save game slot. Plenty of content. Try it out to see how you feel, but my recommendation is the second game.

This game I tried on the PlayStation back around 2000 was Dino Crisis. Resident Evil with dinosaurs.  An elite group trying solve problems on an island, but things don't go as planned. It has the scares, especially if dinosaurs catch your scent. More about survival instead of going guns blazing. There is an eeriness to the graphics that while good, it leaves on the edge. Same can be said for the audio. A lot of puzzles and scares, it is a game to look at if you're not interested or had enough time with Resident Evil.

Last for this blog, I'm going camping. Friday the 13th is one I've played on and off for about a year. You get to play as counselors or Jason. As counselors, you set traps, repair vehicles, or call cops to escape or simply survive. Jason's goal is killing the counselors through various kills and make things harder such as shutting off the power to cabins. Both aspects have various pros and cons to characters, so choose wisely. The graphics are spooky and when the music kicks in, run. My only complaints are offline not being as good and online being the only way to play it. You want that kick of 80s nostalgia, the game will be an obvious choice.

Why I Hate The Walking Dead Show

Very rarely do I have mixed receptions on stuff in different forms of media. I hate the show Animaniacs but I love the Sega Genesis game. It's similar to how I feel about The Walking Dead. I enjoy the TellTale game, but hate the show. I tried to give it a chance. Gave the first season a shot and was not impressed. Here are my thoughts from five years ago.

The first episode was kind of dull. Nothing stood out except for the ending, which was like a cliffhanger. Not bad, but not great. With the second episode, there was a lot more to it. New characters, intense moments, survival. I thought that was the best episode of the season. Unfortunately, the third one regressed. My main gripe was the pacing as it felt inconsistent and it should have focused more on Rick and not on the camp. Should have been balanced better. Episode four was more so like the second one, but not as good. Still a strong episode. 

With the last two episodes of the season, I was not impressed. Not a good pace and nothing about it made me want to watch the second season and up. The thing is, there was a good range of characters, each with pros and cons like any horror program. I thought the cinematography captured the essence of an apocalypse and living off the land away from zombies. It had the audio that you want for something like this. Little things do hurt a product for some. 

That's all I have to say. Sorry to anyone that is a fan, but I couldn't get into it. I tried, but I hated it. I find most AMC shows to be overrated in general.

Zombieland: Double Tap Review

Zombies are very much mainstream. You got your TV fix with The Walking Dead. George Romero had his slice of films with X of the Dead films. Comedies like Shaun of the Dead poke fun of the genre. I would put Zombieland into the comedy realm despite the violence in it. Double Tap is something you wouldn't think would get made. It is a great follow up and one of the funniest films I've seen this year.

How does it stay fresh without treading on familiar territory? It's neat to get Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock back together with the same actors reprising them. And they're still killing any zombies that get in their way. They find refuge in the White House and call it home. That is, until the girls get tired of the guys and Little Rock meets a guy roughly her age. It's another adventure through the country to get her back and survive. But what they dealt with in the first, it's a whole new ballgame going for seconds.

What is good about Double Tap is that although it doesn't break any new ground, it put a lot into having enough to stand out. There's a new breed of zombies with some funny references. Like any apocalypse, you got people who are trying to survive. New characters like Madison, Berkeley, and Nevada help keep the film on its feet and leave you in awe with the humor and action. Kills are just as creative as the first and the pace is on par with it. The narration is a nice touch and some of the random moments are gut busting.

The antics of the characters provides a more funnier film. Nobody can do one liners in it like Tallahassee. There is a bigger emphasis on romance, but it's not shoved down your throat every second. It helps some of the humor and tone a little, though. With experience for a long time, the action is smarter and more developed. The tone and visual effects are top notch combined with the dreary cinematography. Add in the good use of music and its the recipe for how to be a strong comedy sequel.

My only big complaint is Madison. I don't mind a dipshit character and I get the joke, but she can be a little grating. And there are a few new characters that I felt could have had a few additional scenes. Can't expect a film to be perfect. Usually, comedy sequels are not as good. Not the case with Double Tap. It might be better than the original, if not, just as equal. Check it out in theaters. Stop by next week and I'll say my thoughts on the first film.

Score: 8 out of 10

The Halloween Movie Identity

There is no shortage of TV shows doing Halloween specials on prime time networks. It's been the case for many years. Cable has its moments, but the movie spectrum is a little different. Maybe years ago, it was treated very well, but not many networks are all in.

The only ones to get into it are Freeform, AMC, and SyFy. Granted, you're not getting the greatest variety, but it's better than nothing. You know Freeform will put in the same 10 or so movies and some of it is ones that you don't see on other networks like The Addams Family. It gravitates towards friendlier films, so don't expect much out of them. That being said, they have been generous with Treehouse of Horror episodes of The Simpsons. Even though that's TV, it's a nice addition.

On the other end of the spectrum, SyFy goes for the throat. You got the schlocky films. Stuff that would fit onto their network now these days. But you got tent pole films such as Friday the 13th and Elm Street. Maybe Halloween, but that depends on if someone AMC airs it. Speaking of which, that network has their films such as Jaws, Hellraiser, and The Shining. Between the two networks, it's almost like a best of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Can you stomach five minute breaks?

Is there anything that can be done with airing movies around this month? Let me know what you think because the appreciation for Halloween stuff feels less strong every year.

Game Emulation Stories: Volume 2

Since the first one is the biggest blog of the bunch, it's been very long enough to do a second volume of stories. I'll have at least a couple to talk about.

The first goes back to 15 years ago. Around this time, there had been sites that were doing their own arcade emulation. I believe the site was called 1980stees (it's been a long time, so the name is something else) and they specialized in doing early 80s arcade games. There was Donkey Kong, Frogger, and a couple other games from that era that I played. It was about as close as I could get, not knowing that there were places where you could get the actual arcade ROMs or even get the real PCBs on eBay. They did have some other flash games like one I played a lot that was based on Sonic Advance 2, which was the newest handheld Sonic at the time. I had good enjoyment out of it.

Going to do more 80s, this time called 1980sgames.com. At the time, roughly again 15 years ago, they had access to about every NES game released in America. Even included were some rom hacks of a couple games such as Aladdin. Unfortunately, emulation was rough with Nesticle or Nestopia. Once again, my memory is a little fuzzy. Regardless, the games ran really slow. Try playing through Bionic Commando or Back to the Future on that.

The site also had access to Sega Master System games and included both the American and European releases. It might have been the first time I had every tried out games for it. It's 8-bit Sonic games I definitely tried. Altered Beast and a few others I gave a shot. I remember the emulation being good, but the audio was a few pitches down compared to how it was on a real Master System. As far as that site was, it was okay. If you didn't want to hassle with emulators, it was fine, but it was not something I would have recommended. Now these days, the site's domain is up for sale.

And that wraps up volume two. I do have a bit more emulation stories I'll talk about in the near future. Here is the first volume:

https://sullivanentertainment.blogspot.com/2019/03/game-emulation-stories-volume-1.html

YouTube Videos: Oct 11-17

Geeks and Jocks Episode 18

The newest Geeks and Jocks episode.
https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj/episodes/Geeks-and-Jocks-Episode-18-Joke-Station-Twins-e7nfi9

You can find my podcast on these sites:

https://anchor.fm/ryan-sullivan1gaj
https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84YmFhZTg0L3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz
https://open.spotify.com/show/0ejDLYL3QCQslc1q25pRgF
https://www.breaker.audio/geeks-and-jocks
https://radiopublic.com/geeks-and-jocks-GKzY7Q

Joker Review

Under normal circumstances, I would not have seen Joker. With all the whining about the way it is done, I had to see what the fuss was about. This is not the typical comic book flair that has been seen for the last decade. I'm not into today's films compared to the likes of what was seen back then like the 89 Batman. But this was surprisingly good. I'd say borderline great.

It has origin story written all over it with Todd Phillips writing part of it and directing it. Arthur Fleck lives in a crummy part of Gotham with his mother. He works as a clown, doing stuff like promoting an out of business store and making kids happy at the hospital. There are hints of issues that he has had for a long time. The dreams he has includes wanting to be a comedian. However, life throws a curve ball in a lot of situations. But what happens when a guy with mental issues finally snaps?

This is no popcorn flick. It's a film. No reliance on special effects or explosions for 350 million dollars. No guys in green screen suits, though a couple scenes do involve the Waynes. It is a psychological thriller and a serious drama. You see what Fleck goes through and when it reaches that breaking point, there is no stopping him. Joaquin Phoenix is excellent in performing the character with the weird laughs and depressed look of him. I'm not sure it's Oscar worthy, but it could get a nod. Robert De Niro has chances to shine as TV host Murray Franklin. The same can be said for Frances Conroy as Arthur's mother. With the rest of the cast, it's thought out and works for the film.

The controversy over the movie feels manufactured. I don't see it as a movie that promotes violence. And I was expecting it to be a lot more violent. He doesn't go on a huge rampage, but some of the killings will surprise you. Which is something I'll bring up. This is set in the 1970s. Gotham is New York City when you hear about garbage strikes, riots, and stuff similar to fires in the Bronx. Crime was very high and the portrayal is eerie. What I see out of this is what happens when a nut tries to control himself, but can't. And that's how Joker is in the comics. You never now what's going to happen, although not as crazy like in the comics.

I think we've only tapped into what happens when Joker snaps. If there ever is a plan to make more Batman movies, I have a feeling we will see a more deadlier adversary. Add in a dreary approach to the cinematography and the score leaving you on your toes, the movie is worth a watch in the theater. Not as controversial as others say it is.

Score: 7.5 out of 10

The National Dodger

The DC area may as well have those bandwagoners. Because the Nationals could ride their wave of success this year to a potential World Series.

It starts with the pitching. Stephen Strasburg is one of the better pitchers in the league. Max Scherzer may not have the stuff he has had the last few years, but can be guaranteed to grind out innings. Add in a decent bullpen and they were able to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers.

There is power at the plate. Howie Kendrick's grand slam in game 5 is a great example. A lot of youth and prime veterans lead the way. Juan Soto and Anthony Rendon are an excellent one two punch. Rendon is in consideration for MVP in the National League. Trea Turner has speed. Complimenting the team includes Adam Eaton, Kendrick, and Kurt Suzuki. Anyone can deliver the fatal blow to an opponent on any given game.

A sense of success has propelled them to an even bigger level of success. With a two to nothing lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the Championship series, the possibility to get the pennant on their own home turf would be extra special. The closest the franchise had to even sniffing a World Series was back in 1994 when they were the Montreal Expos before the strike damaged them for a lot of reasons.

Washington DC has something else besides the Capitals to be excited about.

YouTube Videos: Oct 4-11