Video Games

I recently had the pleasure of playing some fantastic Story Driven Games.

Both Games are far more of a movie than a video game. Think of them as a 10+ hour movie that you can control.

Mass Effect(X360/PC) is a sci-fi Action/RPG. Clocking in at about 15 hours of playtime this was by far the greatest Action game I have ever played. Mass Effect was like one of those "Choose your own destiny" book but in video game form.

Your Character builds up relationships with other characters which has outcomes in future events and actions. It truly is a movie that you can control. Bioware recently released Mass Effect 2, which if you have a save file from #1, it effects the story of #2 so it is a different experience for every player.



I also played Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (PS3) which is a great action movie shooter all combined into one great game. The mechanics of the game are a bit poor but the storytelling is Grade A. This game goes back to the adventure style of treasure hunter as seen in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Nathan Drake is easily a modern Indy aside from the fact that Drake seeks out treasure in search for profit. Not as interactive as Mass Effect but as a lover of all thing Lucas this one is just special.

Naughty Dog also recently released Uncharted 2: Among Thieves which one multiple Game Of the Year awards and have heard is a major improvement over #1.

I really look foreword to playing both sequels, sooner rather than later.

So if you are interested in 10+ hours of entertainment check out any of these 2 games and there sequels.

EDIT: I recently played both sequels and they are amazing! both are better than their predecessor and both really leave you wanting more and more and more The wait for 3rds in the series are going to kill me ughh

Up (2009)

First and foremost, this is by far one of the saddest films I have ever viewed. The first 20 or so minutes are brutal. Why must so many Disney films do this to us?!!? (i.e. Bambi)


Up follows the typical Pixar format, an "Odyssey" of sorts. 78 year old Carl Fredrickson, voiced by Ed Asner, sets out on the adventure of a life time, the one he and his wife never got the opportunity to have. Along his journey he makes life long (whats left of it) friends and becomes the Father figure he longed to become. Which would make a real difference in the life of a young neighborhood boy.


I did get a little confused at the reemergance of C.F. Muntz (a character during the opening scene). He was the childhood hero of Carl...who is now 78...that must make Muntz 100+ but looks in better shape than Carl...

Growing up during the Pixar reign over animated film, their films have a special place in my heart. Even to this day they positively impact my moviegoing experience. In that my favorite Pixar film is 2007's Ratatouille.


The voice acting is great, I do not think there is another voice that could have pulled off Carl, other than Ed Asner. I think I now have a favorite voice actor aside from James Arnold Taylor, in Bob Peterson, the voice of Dug, as well as, Ray in Finding Nemo and Roz in Monsters, Inc.

Scences with the Golden Retriever, Dug, are hilari- Squirrel?!!? -ous. His one-liners are bound to become some of the most quoted lines in cinema history.

EDIT: The Score in this film is one of the greatest I have heard. Composed Michael Giacchino, his compisitions are uplifiting and birghten many scences in th film. Any listener can easily understand why it is sweeping up the award for Best Original Score during this award season.

An Overall great film but not the best Pixar has had to offer. Which says a lot about just how great this company is. It may not be my favorite or best Pixar film but it is by far the most quotable and that is how it will be remembered in the long run.


I give Up, 8.5 John Ratzenbergers out of 10

If you do not know who John Ratzenberger is, he has literally done a voice in every Pixar film to date. Most notably as Hamm in the Toy Story series or The Abominable Snowman in Monsters, Inc.

Gamer (2009)

I came into this film with high expectations. Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall and a world run by videogames. What can be better then that?? Suprisingly, almost anything. What I got was a complete remake of 2008's Deathrace. Same plot just with videogames.

The outside world in this film had more appeal than the characters of this film did. I have always wanted know what it would be like to control my own real life Sim.

This film was a bit of a step down for Butler, a failed attempt at creating a "Badass", but im sure he will be making many great films in the future. Now, Michael C. Hall, I have only come to know him as TV's Dexter, so the "crazy-man" role is befitting of him. The shining moment of the film for me was Hall's dance scene set to Sinatra's "I've got you under my skin". Any Dexter fan would be "ROFLMAO"ing at that scene.

From Directors Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, this is the type of film i would expect from them, Big Action Star, poor plot. The Duo is know for their "Crank" series staring Jason Statham. As well as screenwriting the upcoming Comic Book come to life Jonah Hex which I am excited for but hesitant to see if written by this duo.

I Give this film 2 Screaming King Leonidas Heads out of 10

Top Films of the Past Decade

With the recent passing of the New Year. I compiled my List of the best films from January 1st, 2000 Through December 31st, 2009.




Same parameters as my All Time list (Film must have 2+ viewings).

1. Gangs of New York (2002) (D. - Martin Scorsese)
2. Gladiator (2000) (D. - Ridley Scott)
3. Walk the Line (2005) (D. - James Mangold)
4. Ratatouille (2007) (D. - Brad Bird)
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) (D. - Gore Verbinski)
6. Shaun of the Dead (2004) (D. - Edgar Wright)
7. Finding Nemo (2003) (D. - Andrew Stanton)
8. The Dark Knight (2008) (D. - Christopher Nolan)
9. Shrek (2001) (D. - Andrew Adamson)
10. Sideways (2004) (D. - Alexander Payne)

*Honorable Mentions* either missed the cut or didn't fit my parameter

• Cast Away
• Kill Bill
• The Departed
• A Beautiful Mind
• Star Trek (2009)
• American Psycho
• Munich

Dishonorable Mentions (Just did not like these at all, or IMO extremely Overrated)

• Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
• No Country for Old Men
• Atonement
• Australia

My All Time Top 10

I decided to post my Top 10 personal favorites of all time to give potential followers an understanding of my taste in films

After the Top 4 this list gets difficult.

1. Rear Window (1954) (D. - Alfred Hitchcock)
2. Citizen Kane (1941) (D. - Orson Welles)
3. A Clockwork Orange (1971) (D. - Stanley Kubrick)
4. Gangs of New York (2002) (D. - Martin Scorsese)
5. Psycho (1960) (D. - Alfred Hitchcock)
6. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) (D. - Ken Hughes)
7. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) (D. - Stanley Kubrick)
8. Gladiator (2000) (D. - Ridley Scott)
9. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) (D. - Frank Capra)
10. The Ten Commandments (1956) (D. - Cecil B. Demille)

This list is subject to change. All the films on this list I have seen 2 or more times. Now there are some great films that would rank higher but unfortunately, I have only been able to view them once. i.e. Original versions of The Planet of the Apes, and The Day the Earth Stood Still. I purposely exculded a Star Wars film, do not make me choose a favorite, you won't like the answer.

If you already have not figured out, my Favorite Director is Alfred Hitchcock. My Favorite Actor - Jimmy Stewart. And Favorite Actress - .

Welcome!

Hi, my name is Cody Smith, I am an 18 year old student and lifelong film enthusiast.

Reviewing films is something I have always wanted to do. I have been hesitant to pursue it for I feel my writing is vastly subpar.

I will try to update as often as I can but as with virtually any blog, no promises.

It is my intent to give an honest film review and if I feel a movie sucks, I am going to bash on it.

Now, as an 18 year old male, I may have a certain bias in favor Modern film and stray from the "Chick Flick" and Romance genres.

I will review most of the films I see. By that I mean whatever random film I happen to pluck off my shelf and watch before I turn in for the night, any suggestions and any films I go to see in theaters.

I have a vast personal collection as well as being a subscriber to Netflix (something I highly recommend) so any and all suggestions are welcome!

Thank you and I hope you enjoy future postings.