From the archives.

I hope you all saw the premier episode of "Workaholics", the new Comedy Central series that hopes to break all the rules! As you can tell one of the rules it broke was the way I start blog posts, which is a good sign I think. Our first impressions were that it is 'Seinfeld' for the new generation, and that the jokes are so heavily layered that we found it fascinating. I have a friend who swears it is the humor of 'The Office' combined with 'Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia' and while I may not agree completely I can get behind the fact that it is as good as either of those.

Eastbound & Down is one of the most interesting comedies to come out of the post-wake Seth Rogan empire.  First off, I had a great time experiencing this show and it gave me goose-bumps at parts due to the incredible DOP and it's filmed on Mark II's - so I just thought I'd get that out of the way.  As far as the show's characterstics: the comedy is hilariously deadpan, the dialogue is splendid, and the music is superb (sorry for the grammar been watching Mad Men). This show has put Danny McBride near the top of my radar, yet all the while he stays that ‘classic’ character he is so known for, which he really nails in this one.  //If interested in films similar to the Eastbound & Down character portrayel of his check out The Foot Fist Way.

The plot story is of an ex-baseball legend, one “Kenny Powers”, who is now a destitute individual trying to get his life back together in a new town full of new people. He does the exact same in Season 2, but with a different country all together, Mexico. There are many different plot involvements that don’t interchange between seasons and are very much worth watching in order, as characters develop pretty well and story plots continue in a linear fashion. There is an overall ‘coming of age’ vibe as it develops, but with the most modern spin you could imagine (drugs, raw comedy, etc) - which is a viewpoint we often don’t see on TV it seems. The genius of Danny McBride isn’t so much what he says or does, from my POV, but how he looks when he says it. He is one of those actors that can say one line and stare at you in one way and you automatically are laughing. You may not even be sure why, but you are. Similar to his movies and shows, where he is a character that is important and not important all at the same time.

Overall, I’m going to say this is a must watch. If you enjoy shows like Community, or It’s Always Sunny (from a humor perspective) - you will also enjoy Eastbound & Down. And they are in the process of making their new Season (3), so go ahead and catch up now on Season’s One and Two.

            There have been tons of games to play as of late, and it can be slightly overwhelming.  Point being, I feel your pain and I took that as a sign of everyone needing a break from the grind.  Therefore, I have been looking and compiling my list for the best classic iPad and iPhone/iPod Touch games.   You no longer have worries of sifting through the piles of games, just sit back - grab these and have fun.:

//note// The reason I am writing this now, possibly, is due to the fact that many of the futures 'classic' games JUST came out (in my opinion).  Still though, a bunch of oldies tossed in as per what I enjoy the most but for the iPad it's more recent games. 

> On that note here is what I am planning to review in the future, and my reviews for my current favorite iPhone & iPad 'classic' games:

iPad

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•  World of Goo 

            - Probably one of the funnest, if not officially the best incarnation of this game.  I know, I know, everyone is sick of hearing about World of Goo but honestly this is almost an entire face-lift without touching anyones face!  Go buy it, you won't be disappointed with owning more than one format of it. 

•  Infinity Field  

            - Geometry Wars clone on the iPad, done right!  'Nuff said. 

•  Dead Space  

            - Finally the "next generation" game for the iPad is here!  Alas, it is here with bounty that it yields in the form of incredible action and intense immersion.  By far, the best iPad game I have seen yet and is almost equivalent to Xbox 360 graphics.  Get it, and be scared.  Seriously though, it is rather scary - I'd recommend at night with the lights out.  Can anyone say "Goooossseeebuummpppsss".

•  Spider-Man HD 

            - One of my favorite games of all time for the iPad, is Spider-Man HD.  This is, by far, the most fun adventure game I have EVER played on a mobile device.  Everyone that is a fan of Spider Man comics, or the movie - should grab this game immediately!  In the game as you are battling enemies and flying around the city in a very compelling way, you can find comic book artwork from classic Spider-Man comics!  What could be cooler than that?  Nothing, I tell you.  Nothing.   And it doesn't stop there, because tons and tons of action and compelling gameplay make this an instant classic in my book.  So, go loft and immerse yourself in the possibly falsified and self-appointed fantasies of comic bookery in one of the best iPad games for adventure lovers. 

            Review for Sw0rd and sw0rcery to come next week!  I am playing it now, and I am having a blast is all I can say!  Also, I literally get euphoric waves of happiness from the bit-art - so yeah that's saying something?

iPhone/iPod Touch

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•   Zenonia 

            -  Imagine "Earthbound" for SNES stuffed into a portable Nintendo DS then spun Japanima/Square Enix style but with 8-bit art and ported PERFECTLY for the iPhone/iPod Touch.  What do you get?  An expansive sequentially amazing game, that will have you obsessed with its graphics, in love with its story line, and amazed by its game-play ability on your portable device.  Go grab this one now, it's one of my favorite reasons for owning an iPod Touch. 

Reviews for Chaos Rings, Rolando, and Eliss coming soon!  

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There will be reviews 3 times per week now, coming from me to all of you so stay tuned as in by Friday evening for another review.  They could be in video format, audio format, text format, however but they will be linked here 3 days per week.  As you can tell, I am still sorting out which days but for now Thursday is a part of it, so is Friday.  Schedule will probably be Wed, Thursday, and Friday you can expect reviews here.

News from the set of The Hobbit - in the form of a video blog series started today by the legend behind LOTR.  

       I know, I know.  I said I would start this week off with a bang and a few book reviews, but instead I decided to go ahead and do a little review for an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G film I just saw.  Quite possibly, the best time travel film that will ever be made.  Of course by now you may have guessed what I am talking about, and if you haven’t be ashamed - it’s Primer. 

       This film is right up there with ‘The Matrix’ in terms of confusion and complication.  And I will not sum up the movie in ANY way as it will for sure include spoilers.  It is one of those. Instead I will just say, that it is an EPIC character driven story about 2 engineers that accidentally create a Time Machine that is BY FAR the most realistic interpretation of the very popular sci-fi topic. \

       This topic has been dealt with in numerous forms and mediums, so it will not surprise any of you that for this one to be the best it has to approach the topic a little differently - which it does.  I find that watching this, was one of the few times, that a film can actually alter your perspective on reality.  For instance, the past few days whenever I see a clock I just stand there like a zombie looking at it - contemplating how time is affected by time travel.  Okay that may have been an exaggeration, but you get the idea!

       So all in all, I’d say go see it.  Some don’t like it - as it’s VERY heady and very technically oriented.  Has inter-streaming dialogue which means multiple characters talk over each other, and has an incredibly independent vibe.  One of the best films I have seen tho, especially in the intellectual thriller catagory.  Up there with Syriana and Michael Clayton stuff like that - but WAY more heady in a sci-fi way.  Loved this so much, just go watch it!  ;)

Productivity: 

• GoDocs - Great for Google Docs EDITING AND viewing.  
• Penultimate - Great app for using your finger and/or stylus to take notes.  Get in get out style, great line smoothing.  
• Todo - Nice little simple simple simple, daily/weekly/monthly agenda.
• Plaxo - The best way to keep all of your Google Contacts sync'd across all of your iOS devices.  
• EpicWin  - My favorite way to keep track of my ToDos.  MMORPG type style'd todo manager (Aka, you level up as you do things etc)
• Springpad - People have been raving about this.  Great for those who need organization for notes, worth checking out.
• Evernote - BEST way to keep your notes sync'd on any possible device you could have. 
• PlainText - This is a word processor that syncs everytime you edit anything with your Dropbox account, so you will never forget or lose notes. (Syncs with Dropbox AND Evernote)
• Reeder - Best way to view your RSS feeds if you need to blast through them for productivity purposes, not just a sit back experience.
• AwesomeNote (aNote) - Best way for me, to keep ALL of my catagorical seperated notes and things I am up to, and also syncs to Dropbox & Evernote.
• Instapaper - Great way to save your bookmarks and by far the most intuitive way to organize them and read them later.  
• Squarespace - AMAZING way to control your Squarespace account.  You can see stats, post updates, do almost anything.  I love. this. app.
• Wordpress - Equivelent to the Squarespace app, but if you have a Wordpress account.
• GoDaddy - Finally an iPad app to control your GoDaddy acct, register domains, and manipulate the domains you already own. 

Utilities:

• Air Video - The easiest way to stream videos and or music from a computer file on your home computer to any iOS device.
• Splashtop - Really easy remote desktop tool.  Also very cheap (most are 10 - 15 bucks, this was .99 cents), and only needs two clicks and a desktop (mac or pc) to get it running, VERY easy and useful.
• Mobile Mouse - Best mouse tool to control your computer (mac or pc) from your iPad.
• Remote - Best remote app for your iTunes on your home computer (mac or pc)
• Desktop & Side by Side - Great apps for having two things open side by side on your iPad.  
• Google Earth - BY FAR the most amazing way to browse Google Earth.

Lifestyle:

• Windowshop - Best way to browse Amazon, and do your shopping.
• StumbleUpon - The ravingly amazing browser extension now on your iOS device.  Experience the whimsy you did on the Desktop, but now on your mobile device.
• Epicurious - Great cooking app, and has almost everything you need for cooking.  
• Gamecenter - Best way, and official way btw, to control your Gamefly account
• IMDB - The official IMDB app, need I say more?
• Yelp - The official places reviewing engine, now on the iPad.
• Flixter - Great way to see the movies around your area that are coming or are in theatres.
• Bloomberg - Best stock app.

Next review catagories coming up:

- News, Books, Comics, Photography, Music, Art

Then after that will come:

- Business, Education, Science, Reference, Tea & Health

Then after that I will be doing the final three catagories: 

- Entertainment, Games, & Social

So stay tuned for all that, if you enjoy or have and don't enjoy, an iOS device then these apps are all WELL worth checking out.

Okay so as far as the TV front is going, tons of new stuff going on right now!  As of this moment I am kind of, weeding, my way through the tall grass to find the gems.  Here's what I have seen so far tho:

• "The Event" - NBC's new 50+ episode arkd show.  All pre-written and pre-planned, budgeted and sold in that foundation, because of which it is no surprise tons of people are equating this with LOST.  Everyone has felt a need for a new show to take up that spot in their minds/hearts and is this it?  

• "Running Wilde" - FOX's new cheeky comedy, about a billionare played by (Will Arnett) and is just trying to go about his life adjusting to things in various ways it seems.  This is actually a VERY funny show.  It is written and directed by the same team from the critically aclaimed "Arrested Development"fame.  Must watch. 

• "Eureka" - Sci Fi's soon to be cult classic that has taken off recently, is still pumping out great show arcs and great episodes.  Now in a very different place than when the seasons started, I'd suggest starting from the beginning.  

• "Psych" - Always funny; although, not much depth as per usual - so not much to talk about here.  ALWAYS quirky, and ALWAYS enjoyable tho.  They know they are a B class show, and they have a lot of fun in their roles and on set you can just tell.  Great characters and great vibe'd show for a Sunday afternoon or mid-week destressor. 

• "It's Always Sunny in Phildelphia" - FX's comedy that everyone has come to love.  I was surprisingly disappointed by the new Season 6 episode that just aired.  The drama was way-overacting and trying to be what they have become known for, and it was actually at the cost of good performances and true believability.  This was a terrible new way to start the season, but being such a fan - I am going to keep watching it.  Just downloaded Season 4 so I am stoked to go through that again, this has been in the past one of the most consistently funny shows around.

• "Stargate Universe: Season 1: Vol.1" - This is actually the first time I have checked out anything like, "Stargate" or "Battlestar Galactica" .. (Although I LOVEEEEEED Firefly!), I have to say tho that this was an AMAZING show.  Unlike other stargates I have seen in the past, I literally bought (hook line and sinker) every character and their emotions.  Great acting, great sets, great performances, great plot, just overall such-a-great-sci-fi-show.  It is seriously that thing you can just sink your teeth in on if you're into Sci-Fi and pry at it like a Lion cutting into the soft flesh of a gazelle.  Seriously tho it is that, if not more, delicious.  

Now to end this I am going to give just a few quick things about next time I will show up with TV, and also a few must watches. 

Next time I show up to do TV it will cover these AND more: Veronica Mars, The Guild, Warehouse 13, Haven, The Gates, and Torchwood. 

A few must watches from the Netflix Watch Instantly section would be: American Dad, The Universe, The IT Crowd, Legend of the Seeker. 

A few Hulu must watches: Chuck, Modern Family, Lie to Me, Community, and The Loop.

"

Just wanted to take a quick second and let the few people that are interested, that we will be expanding to iOS App Reviews and other iOS related things in the next few days.  

In case you forgot:

Television

• The Walking Dead [Mini-Series]
• LOST Premier
• Sherlock [Dark & gritty series reboot based more on the original books]
• "The end and begin of CONAN's TV career." - Brian Brushwood couldn't have said it better.
• Its Always Sunny in Philly [Second funniest live-action show on TV]
• Psych [Great show that knows it's B rated and makes fun of itself]
• American Dad [Funniest animated show on TV]
• Modern Family
• Community [Funniest live-action show on TV]
• Late Night w/ Jimmy Fallon [He really came into his 'own' this year, completely amazing now]
• Lie to Me [Amazing, a must must watch]
• Fringe [Not my personal preference, but nobody can doubt the HUGE blow up in fan support we've had with it this year]

Films

• Inception 
• Primer [My bible]
• Get Him to the Greek 
• True Grit 
• The Book of Eli
• The A-Team
• Riddley Scott's "Robinhood"
• Kick-Ass
• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
• How to Train your Dragon
• The Social Network
• Toy Story 3

Comics (Web & Trades)

• The Walking Dead
• Kick-Ass
• Scott Pilgrim
• XKCD.com
• My ExtraLife
• Scenes from a Multiverse
• Snorb
• Axe Cop
• Dead Space
• The Amazing Spider Man 
• X-Men Unlimited 
• Villians United

Books

• 'If This Was a Man * The Truce' - Primo Levi 
• 'The Phenomenon of Man' - Teilhard de Chardin
• 'Tales of Power' - Carlso Castaneda
• 'Under the Dome' - Stephen King
• 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' - Gabriel Gareia Marquez
• 'Crush It' - Gary Vaynerchuk
• 'Rework' - Jason Fried
• 'Getting Real' - Jason Fried
• 'Sphere' - Michael Crichton
• 'Delivering Happiness' - Tony Hsieh
• 'The Isaiah Effect' - Gregg Braden
• 'Neverwhere' - Neil Gaiman
• 'Stardust' - Neil Gaiman
• 'The 4-Hour Workweek' - Tim Ferriss
• 'The 4-Hour Body' - Tim Ferriss

Games

• Black Ops
• Limbo
• Trials-HD
• Red Dead Redemption
• Darksiders
• Cut the Rope
• Angry Birds
• Splinter Cell Conviction 
• Geometry Wars [New for me, hadn't heard of it until now]
• Puzzle Quest
• Awaiting: Dues EX 'The Human Revolution'
• WoW Cataclysm
• Lord of the Rings Online [My MMORPG of choice]
• Counter Strike Source [Imo, my favirote first person shooter on PC and always has been]
• Indigo Prophecies 

Podcasts

• Tech News Today
• Current Geek
• Frame Rate
• Diggnation
• The Totally Rad Show
• The Endgadget Show
• iPad Today 
• iFanboy
• This Week in Google
• Mac Break Weekly
• Byejacker
• Film Riot
• Hak5

YouTube Mini-Shows & Internetainer's Channels

• Wheezy Waiter
• VlogBrothers
• LiveLavaLive
• MysteryGuitarMan
• Rhett & LinkThe Totally Rad Show
• Brett the Intern
• Tobuscus
• Shane Dawson TV
• Charlie Is So Cool Like

A few reviews today, and I am reading "The Phenomenon of Man" so very interesting reviews to come!  Also, tomorrow I am planning on doing either TV or a few film reviews so that will be fun!

Crush It - Gary Vaynerchuk 

This is a very important book for the world of Social Media.  It has often been said that Gary is a colossus of this platform, and is creating somewhat of an empire for him and his fans - named the vaynernation.  He gives a full and clear path of what is going to be happening in the online space in the next few years, which is exactly why it is still relevant and I am able to write this review.  In my opinion, he is a visionary and a genius for sure.  He thinks outside of the box and is one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever heard speak.  I would give him a check out, if you haven’t already - very very worth it.  

Robert Frost’s Poems - Robert Frost (Poetry Book)

The man is a classic, and amazing romanticist.  I am not sure if much else needs to be said, this is A MUST HAVE for your bookshelves.  It is a pleasant read, and will often remind you of the beauty that comes from reading a page of Dickenson.