Giant Squid caught live on camera!

Japanese researchers caught an adult giant squid 900m below the surface and about 1km away from Japan's coast. For more than four hours they filmed and took pictures of the squid until it escaped, leaving behind a snagged tentacle. The researchers pulled the tentacle onboard to find it was still functional! Check the BBC's site for the story, links and a video report on the story.

Virtual plague ravages World of Warcraft

In an interesting twist of events in WoW, a plague that was designed to affect players in a certain instanced mission has managed to worm its way out and affect other players, killing characters in a matter of seconds. Blizzard is trying to quarantine certain areas but people are still spreading it. Here's a tip: Play safe WoW; wear a condom.

Why in the world do I want a Nintendo DS?

I lot of people have been asking me lately "Why do you want a Nintendo DS so bad?" "What game makes you want to get it?" This is my forum to let everyone know why I think the Nintendo DS looks so cool and why I want to get one.

First I'll have you know that I wasn't always sold on the idea of the DS. I've been a tried and true GBA SP man for almost two years now. I have been completely in love with the GBA since I got it. It has offered me the amazing portable experience of a SNES with fun and innovative games. When I first heard about the DS and that it wasn't replacing the GBA but riding alongside it I thought "Two screens? Why? Sounds hokey and will probably end up like the goofy Virtual Boy, in the garbage!"

My opinion of the DS has been changing as of late. It started with the release of Advance Wars: Dual Strike that has caused me to delve deeper into the games released, and pending that just look so good that makes me want to get my hands on a DS and stylus.

1. Advance Wars: Dual Strike - I love strategy games. Final Fantasy Tactics for PSX, and GBA, both Fire Emblems and the two Advance Wars for GBA definitely make my list of favorite games. So it's no doubt this game certainly has my interest picqued. This game isn't heavy on the use of the touch pad (though you can command your troops with it) but offers new gameplay updates to keep it fresh.

2. Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow - When this game first came out I didn't think the graphics were really any better than what the GBA has to offer. While this may not be entirely true, this looks like one hell of a good Castlevania game. The touch pad comes into use against boss enemies where the player must draw a 'seal' in order to finish the baddy off. Read the preview and you too will be blown away.

3. Trauma Center: Under the Knife - This game looks to make the coolest use of the DS touchpad capabilities. The jist is it's a doctor simulation game! You have to perform surgeries and heal patients with the help of your knowledgable nurse and stylus/scalpel skills. Check the gameplay video to get a sense.

4. Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan! - This Japanese game looks absolutely RIDICULOUS and amazing! In it you take the role of an all-male cheer squad that go about cheering people on. Game play is similar to... well imagine a DDR but using your stylus. Tracing and tapping patterns on the touch pad to the rhythm of J-pop. I hope it comes stateside.

5. Lunar: Dragon Song - I've never played the Lunar games, but rpgs always sound good to me.

6. Ultimate Spider-Man - I love Spider-Man and games with cell shading. I think this game shows off the DS's visual capabilities.

7. Resident Evil: Deadly Silence - The original Res Evil formatted for the DS. It is supposed to include more puzzles to involve the touch screen, but the best feature: first person, touch screen knife fights!

9. Viewtiful Joe: Scratch - More superhero, cell-shaded action.

10. Pheonix Wright: Ace Attorney - I love simulation games. This lawyer simulation game is supposed to be pretty hilarious as you search for evidence, cross examine witnesses and shout out "objection!" to your opponents. Every Law & Order fan's dream.

11. Nintendogs - These cuddly virtual puppies have warmed my heart. I played the demo a bit at Target and it was pretty fun. Great visuals.

12. Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop - Yes Tamagotchi are back! But in this game you don't raise them, you open a business with one! Of course you become business partners with your virtual pet, its the most logical conclusion! This game looks wacky. Maybe a little too wacky for its own good. Lets hope it comes to the US.

13. Mario Kart DS - I've loved Mario Kart since it came out for the SNES.

14. Sonic Rush - Looks pretty cool. This game uses both screens to increase the verticality of the traditional Sonic game. The boss battles shift into 3D though. I was never a big Sonic fan, but this looks pretty fun.

Well, that's about all I can think of for now. Some games may not appeal to you, but don't worry, I'll let you know if anymore strike my fancy!

Lord of War

My wife was out of town last night on a bug catching field trip for class (a topic geeky enough of for its own post) so I was left alone with my friend Stevie (a geeky name) to entertain me. We decided to go see a movie. His vote was on Lord of War so we checked it out on RottenTomatoes.com to see it had received mixed reviews. My vote was for 40 Year Old Virgin because everyone had been lauding it. In front of the theatre by the ticket line we made up our mind, 40 Year Old Virgin it was, until we ran into an acquintance of mine who informed us he saw it and felt it was too crude for him. He is a pretty crudely humorous guy, so we took his word on it and we saw Lord of War instead.

General Comments: This two hour long movie is very Nicholas Cage oriented. Cage lends his voice to the voice over of the movie which constantly runs over a good 95% of the movie. If you don't like Nicholas Cage this would be a serious turn off for you, and it almost was for me too. Not that I'm a big fan of his, he was great in Raising Arizona, Machstick Men and others, but I usually shudder to think of him as an action hero. One that he has filled on too many occasions.

I enjoyed entering the world of a gun runner. Certainly a story that hasn't been told on the silver screen (I could be wrong, but none that I'm familiar with). I also enjoyed several scenes throughout, such as the opening scene were we follow the life of a bullet from creation until it takes the life of a 12-year-old soldier in a conflict in Africa. Other scenes of note: Cage's character's brother recreating a map of Ukraine out of cocaine and the 'cha-ching' sound Cage hears while watching a gun being fired.

My main problem with Lord of War was the lack of a well constructed story arc. There story didn't really go anywhere, it merely followed Cage's history as he moved up in the gun-running world, failed to provide a climax and its resolution was a lame duck. I think more could have been done with Ethan Hawke's Interpol agent and his pursuit of Cage.

In summary:
Geekines: 0 - From the sample of the audience walking out of this movie, it was viewed primarily by youngmales. Probably at least 97 percent of the crowd. Not geeky at all.
Concession of choice: If I had to recommend one, I'd say popcorn. No candy.
Overall: 5.5 - Lord of War left me with a pretty 'eh' feeling. Although I am more interested in learning more about the world of gun runners.

Movie Review: Batman Begins

Yes this movie has been out for quite some time now. But it recently arrived at the local dollar theatre so I decided to check it out again. Director Christopher Nolan and crew did an excellent job recreating and retelling the Batman creation. The first part of the movie really emphasized a lot of themes found in The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay that were prevalent in the first era of comic books. For example, Bruce Wayne's father being incredible wealthy, but he's still a doctor. He doesn't care about running a vast empire, he's a true altruist. Also the ninjas and secret organizations are a staple.

Sorry this review is so short, but I watched this two weeks ago so my mind is a little shoddy on all my review details. In summary:

Level of geekiness: 3 - Very low, it was a summer blockbuster, however Batman still wears a cape.
Concession of choice: Milkduds
Overall Rating: 9 - Probably the best movie based on a comic book, and I'm a huge Spider-Man fan.