Halloween Party
Sunday, October 30
*** UPDATE ***
Photo Gallery....
Is finally up. I had some trouble, and it will not stay like this, but for viewing purposes..
Aquaman Has The "Best Week Ever"
Thursday, October 27
The VH1 series Best Week Ever has deemed this weekend that Aquaman has had the "Best Week Ever." The weekly news and entertainment recap show featured clips from the Smallville episode "Aqua," Entourage (where the main character is playing Aquaman in a movie), and there were clips from Alan Ritchson's American Idol appearance.... And In Baseball News
The Chicago White Sox sweep the Houston Astros in four games. This is their first World Series Championship since 1917.LEGO My Batman
Wednesday, October 26
Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced today that they have awarded the LEGO Group the construction toy license for DC Comics "Batman". The agreement includes the rights to develop and market construction toys based on the classic "Batman" brand, inspired by the pages of DC Comic's comic books; Warner Bros. Animation's hit television series, The Batman; Warner Bros. Pictures' blockbuster feature film, Batman Begins, which debuted in theaters this past summer and any related theatrical releases or television programs that are produced during the period of this deal.Beginning in April 2006, LEGO Group will introduce six new "Batman" products featuring constructible play sets with strong vehicle focus, cool functionality, gadgets and a library of collectible mini-figures.
"Our partnership with the LEGO brand on 'Harry Potter' has been an extremely successful one and we are excited about building our relationship through 'Batman'," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Domestic Licensing, Global Toys, Publishing and Themed Entertainment for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "LEGO Group brings a wealth of creativity and quality to the products they produce and are uniquely positioned to meet the high level of expectations we have for 'Batman', one of our marquis brands."
"Our experience shows that combining the right property with the construction play pattern is a formula for success, so we are thrilled to be working with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on the 'Batman' property," says Jill Wilfert, Vice President Global Partnership and Alliance Management for LEGO Group. "Not all stories translate to construction, but the 'Batman' setting, characters and focus on gadgets and vehicles allow us to create authentically detailed, functional and fun models that will have strong appeal and play value for children and adult collectors alike."
"Kids dream of the intricate world of Batman's Batcave full of crime fighting toys, and now they'll have the opportunity to make it all real, LEGO-Style," commented DC Comics President & Publisher Paul Levitz, "What could be more fun?"
The LEGO "Batman" product line replicates the collectible craze the company created around its best-selling LEGO "Harry Potter" series - where the sets are intended to be combined to further the storyline and play acting opportunities.
New Media Tuesday
Tuesday, October 25
I swear I typed this up last night, but was having difficulties with Blogger, so guess what... I lost my post. So I'll try again when I get home. DAMN IT!Post #100
Sunday, October 23
Well, this is my 100th post since starting the blog style of posting instead of updating my geocities site. To everybody who visits the site, I welcome you and thank you for doing so. We'll see what the future holds eh?-Jeff (Kal-el)
Gjskier@hotmail.com
Aqua
I sacraficed my normal evening of Smallville viewing last Thursday to hang with my girlfriend and our friend Sheldon. So I missed out on last weeks episode guest-staring Aquaman... or DID I?God bless the internet.
So I just got done watching "Aqua", and I loved it. Is it because I like Smallville and Aquaman? Could be. But besides that... yeah, it was a nice episode. Lex shined as the evil he's supposed to be. The actor they picked for Aquaman was dead on. They even gave him his true origin, minus any mention of Atlantis but not ruling it out. I liked the A.C./Lois relationship, nice. And for once an actual team-up. Sure last season we saw the Flash but all Clark did was keep him out of trouble, this time they actually acomplished something together.
Best/Worst part? It's a tie. I actually yelled at the television when I heard it.
At the end of the epsiode Authur is talking to Clark, talking about how great they worked together, mentioning they should start a "junior lifegaurding association". Clark turns and says, "I don't think I'm ready to join the JLA yet". HA! It was cool/cute/campy all at the same time. At first I could't believe somebody wrote that line in. But I can appreciate it.
Tues-Weds-Thursday... My Favorite Day of the Week
Friday, October 21
Been a busy week, haven't the time to really update, so let's condense.Tuesday after work I went with a friend to pick up a copy of Batman Begins (the 2-disc variety of course). He drove us to Nebraska Furniture Mart, only to find it sold out, so we turn back around only to find it back where we started, in town at the local Wal-Mart. Got home and watched Land of the Dead. I enjoyed it, but can see how zomibe fans didn't. It was a 'zombie movie' guest staring zombies. The plot was more around the theft of a really cool car, but found it entertaining for what it was worth.
I've been reading up on Crisis on Multiple Earths, the DC Comics event in the mid 80's. Another friend of mine let me borrow it so I read it during the week. Not as bad as I thought it would be, but not great either. It's nice to know just what actually happens in it, making references in Infinite Crisis more understandable.
Wednesday night was Movie Night #59. We started off watching The Flash television pilot movie from back in the 90's. After waiting on one of the regulars, we switched it to Batman Begins, cause frankly, everybody needs to see this. After that was something most everybody in attendance was eager to watch, the season premiere of season two's Drawn Together on Comedy Central. Damn. Funny stuff. Good show.
I ended up leaving early from work on Thursday. Yet another friend of mine came with my girlfriend and I... back to Nebraska Furniture Mart. This time on behalf of my girlfriend, who went in for a job interview. While there I got to talk to my mother who happens to work there.
After her interview the three of us made the trek to Lawrence to pick up my comic stash. While at my comic shop the three of us chatted with the ever merry clerk behind the counter. I even got a top 50 "Comic Book Girls" list out of it. Maybe someday I'll post it.
Waved goodbye to Lawrence and headed to Olathe, namely the Great Plains Mall. We spent hours walking around shopping. We looked at Halloween stuff in specialty stores and in Spencer's. It was a nice night of driving around. What a week.
Comic Book Run
Went to grab my stash Thursday. Some decent stuff. Got a copy of Infinite Crisis #1. Something DC Comics has been hyping for what seems like a year. I'd already read from my free copy from Greg about a week ago, so I got the other cover of it. What can I say.At the present time I haven't read much of the pictured above. Nothing has actually sparked my interest. Surprisingly I've read my sole Marvel selection already, New Avengers #11.
Flash News Unlimited
Donal Gibson is reprising his role of Captain Boomerang in an upcoming episode of Cartoon Network's Justice League Unlimited.The character will be seen in "Flash and Substance," which will likely be the next new episode. In the story, Batman and Orion see a different side of the Flash when a rogues gallery of villains attacks the museum that is opening in his honor.
Gibson, brother of actor Mel Gibson, previously voiced a non-costumed Captain Boomerang in the "Task Force X" episode of JLU.
In addition, the episode features Flash villains Trickster (voiced by Mark Hamill), Captain Cold and Mirror Master.
The episode will also include the DC Animated Universe introduction of Linda Park.
8-Bit Harmony
Tuesday, October 18
Godzilla All-Stars
I was checking out DVDanswers.com for the latest in releases, and found a new Godzilla movie that I hadn't heard about, which intrigued me. After drooling over the fact of a new Godzilla film, I decided to look for more.The movie is called Godzilla Final Wars. And is supposably going to be the last. Those who are keeping count, is number 28 for the big guy. The movie is set in 20XX (something called the future), and there's no more war. Only humans defending themselves from monsters. Every monster besides Godzilla that is at the time frozen in the artic. This is an all-star film, featuring just about every creature featured in a Godzilla movie.
Aliens (always aliens) come and help Earth, but with a price... ah... the 'twist'. Godzilla comes to kick some ass and blah blah blah the end. I WANT TO SEE THIS MOVIE! Comes out December 13th.
New Media Tuesday
Behold the power of the Special Edition! Bow before it's might!Today we look back in time, and rehash new editions of movies that you just might have forgotten about the first time they came out. Out today are:
Elektra, Tarzan, Emperor's New Groove, Saw, Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman and Robin, and The Mask of Zorro.
It's true that most of the above, don't necessarily warrant a Special Edition. However, if you're in the stores today I recommend at least to pick up a copy (physically, not to purchase) of Saw. The cover has a hard plastic layer with fake blood in it, which moves around when you flip the case over, which for a novelty is kinda cool. It doesn't make me buy it however.
What else... let's see... there's Batman Begins! Yeah, finally the summer blockbusters are going to be rolling out, just in time for Christmas. This one is probably the year's best. Consider me shocked when somebody at Warner Bros. actually got it right.
George A. Romero's Land of the Dead comes out. Looking forward to seeing this, although it had mixed reactions. I'm not a zombie fan per se, however I did like the remake of Dawn of the Dead, and from the trailers 'Land' looks close to that formula, so it's a rental at least.
In music, Ashlee Simpson has a new album... probably full of crap. Her last album was crap, and I was suckered into her hit single. However since nobody takes this girl seriously (even herself) after that whole lip sync SNL bit, then perhaps she'll just fade away into the cracks and never be heard from again. But as long as there are 14 year old girls with their parents money, I guess that's not going to happen.
Video games, hell.. I can only think of Socom III. But who wants to play that?
Infinite Crisis
Monday, October 17
So on Friday night after work I go up to the plaza per request to visit Brian. Greg was there and with his appearance, also brought a gift. A copy of DC's Infinite Crisis #1.I've still yet to get my ever growing stash at my comic book store, mainly due to a lack of funds, so I was more than happy to take this copy off his hands. Apparently he just wasn't getting into it. I don't think he gave it much of a chance. I loved it.
This coming from a person who is 1.) A self proclaimed DC Comic fan and 2.) Someone who didn't read Crisis on Infinite Earths, a maxi-series that DC published in 1985 which has ties into Infinite Crisis. Something I now wouldn't mind at least skimming through.
This isn't for any new readers. And that's fine. I haven't been a new reader since 1992. This is for people who've followed at least a years worth of storylines, and know a fair amount of back history. They've been setting up this story for a few years now, so I hope it ends well. Not like I'd stop collecting them.
The last time I stopped reading a title was the Flash where after issue #200 they made it where nobody remembered Wally West was the Flash, even Wally West. And the time before that was the Superman Red/Blue arc... which I didn't mind, even liked it a bit, but how they ended it pissed me off. Let's just say "the Earth gave him his powers back". What the fuck? I stopped reading Superman titles (weekly comics) right then and there. Still a Superman fan, what can I say.
MLB Playoffs
Sunday, October 16
So. What did I do this weekend? Well... I didn't have much free time. All Friday I worked, and seven hours each day Saturday and Sunday. So much of my time was booked. So, what did I do this weekend? I watched the MLB Playoffs! HA HA HA HA! I love working in electronics. Anyway.We've got Astros vs. Cardinals for the National League and White Sox vs. the Angels on the American League. And the teams I want to go to the World Seires are winning! Astros and White Sox.
The games I watched over the weekend weren't exactly high scoring ones, but they had all the elements of a playoff game. People were questioning umpire calls. A player and a manager got ejected from a game. And of course some yahoo fan had to grab a ball. It isn't a playoff game without some jackass fucking with a play.
Say what you will about Baseball. It's the only sport I've enjoyed watching or even really cared about. They pissed me off with the damned strikes, but I do still enjoy this time of year.
My Name is Domino Harvey, and I'm a Bounty Huntaaaaah
So, thanks to my friends at the theatre, I was privileged enough to go see a preview of Domino last Thursday. I actually wanted to see this movie but after have seen it, never want to see it again. Let's recap the events in Domino: Arms blown off by a shot gun, lapdances, Jerry Springer, and a new reality show on the WB. Um, yeah. That and Tony Scott really loves to be artsy.
Chicago Tribune, Allison Benedikt
"...punishing us with a non-stop barrage of imagery..."
That sums it up. The only thing that I really enjoyed was the diverse supporting cast including Lucy Liu, Christopher Walken, Mena Suvari, Mickey Rourke, Jacqueline Bisset and Delroy Lindo.
What's Up Chuck? (x2)
Saturday, October 15
Charlie's been a busy fellow. First and formost, he seems to be writting a lot of letters while in the army. I've got two for you guys. The first one I recieved on Thursday, then another on Friday. In both letters he mentions waiting for letters. I for one sent him one right after he gave us his mailing address. I'm curious if he's gotten it by now.
Here they are.
http://www.geocities.com/gjskier23/charlie04oct05.html
http://www.geocities.com/gjskier23/charlie08oct05.html
'Clerks 2' (Not To Be Confussed With 'Waiting 2')
Kevin Smith on his Clerks 2 website has released this picture of ... um... Clerks 2.(pictured left to right: Trevor Fehrman, Brian O’Halloran, Rosario Dawson, Jeff Anderson)
Whatever we're left to believe from this picture, it doesn't tell the whole story he says, and it isn't his version of 'Waiting'.
Kingdom Heart Heaven (In Plastic Form)
Well, for me, video games come, and video games go. I get interested in a lot and I have a decent sized collection, but do I play a lot of video games? No. I wouldn't say I do. My normal stance is to get engrossed in a game for perhaps a day, maybe under a week if the game is lucky. Few have I really invested time into. The few that come to mind are Grand Theft Auto III, Tekken Tag, and Kingdom Hearts.
I'm starting to go somewhere else with this topic, but suffice to say, I really like this game. And it's sequel is right around the corner. But since I have to wait for the Japanese to enjoy it first, at least these little babies will make me happy. The first wave includes Sora (standing 6" tall), Donald Duck (4" tall), and Jack Skellington (7" tall). These will be a nice addition to my figure collection.
Oh yes. They will be mine.
One More Night...
Tuesday, October 11
I felt the best way to continue from the last post was to follow it with another Phil Collins song title. Also a neat transission from day to night... if you even noticed that.Well, my evening was a lot better than my day. After eventually leaving work, I went to the Plaza to meet up with my friend Brian. My girlfriend had spoken to him earlier and apparently he had something for me. Eventually we found him talking with Greg where we conversed. A while had passed and Mike showed up to wisk Greg away on a lovely get away. We wished the merry couple a farewell, and the three of us ventured elsewhere to socialize.
Spotting Chad from the Dickinson Plaza 6 outside, we decided to bother him. Just yesterday Rachael and I ran into him at Applebee's when we were dining with Sheldon, recently moved back to Leavenworth. After chatting inside we moved things back inside the Plaza in front of the theatre where Kadie joined into the fray.
After standing beneath the show schedule, my girlfriend conjures up the idea to see Corpse Bride, something we've put off doing since it's theatrical release. I agree to this, first pointing out we still had to go home to change and grab a bite to eat.
After rushing a forced meal, about five minutes prior to leaving for the theatre, I get a phone call from what the caller id said was Credit Motors Inc. I let the answering machine pick up and on the other end is Mike, in distress! I pick up only to hear him explain that his car won't start and he was going to need at the very least a jump start, if not then a ride. I agree to load up and go out, and then my brain kicks in and reminds me I don't own any jumper cables, my room mate does... who of course wasn't home and kept them in his vehicle. And... AND, his passenger who happens to work at a phone store? Didn't bring his phone with him. So now I have to call the Credit Motors number and hope one of the two are still around to tell them this. Luckily the nice lady who answers found Greg and he tells me that I'm no longer needed, and the car is running. Um... ok. Sure.
SO! Now I'm back at the theatre with my girlfriend. We watch Corpse Bride, the latest offering of Hollywood madman Tim Burton. Naturally I compare it to The Nightmare Before Christmas, and why shouldn't I? On the outside it looks like the same film. Burton, Elfman, it's all there. But into the movie I noticed it didn't have that Disney flair to it, no... because this was a Warner Bros. film... and that means it had the good potienial to be a very crappy disappointing film. Cause Warner has this way of building something up on a pedestal, and if the right people aren't there to do something about it, the powers to be take the great idea and do something like cast Hale Berry as Catwoman. Something gay like that.
I will say that a lot of the same elements between 'Nightmare' and 'Corpse' where there. But whatever 'Corpse' had (or didn't have) at the beginning of the film, made up eventually in the end, where it almost just had a moment. And that moment redeemed the film, making it a decent movie. It was no 'Nightmare though'. Halloween Town and Jack Skellington just kicks ass.
Another Day In Paradise...
Do you ever have one of those days where you just want to... to... to fucking beat a ragdoll with a big fucking hammer?I do.
New Media Tuesday
And so another week sneaks up on me. Didn't we just do this last week? Anyway.Nothing I was holding my breath for this week. Maybe the South Park Season Six to add to my collection. But that will have to wait. Low monies right now.
DVD rentals perhaps include Kingdom of Heaven. It looks like a version of Gladiator and why not, it was done by the same director. Haven't heard much about this, good or bad. So it must not be great then. All I know is Gladiator was awesome, and everything else that tried to emulate that formula failed. But it has Liam Neeson as a gardian and mentor, how can that fail?
Will Ferrell stars in Kicking and Screaming that comes out today. I wanted to see this in the theatre but just never got around to it. It too now becomes a rental. Probably for the best too, cause I have this fear it might dissapoint.
Unleashed, staring Jet Li. Pass. I just don't get it. Popular television shows Veronica Mars and Arrested Development are released (seasons one and two, respectively). The Duke sees two of his films released on DVD, Hondo and McLintock, both as special editions.
No big artists on the bill as far as music. Default has a new one I might check out. Sevendust I think has one today, and Story of the Year.
That's this week.
Help Us Kal-el, You Are Our Only Hope.
Sunday, October 9
The WB has released this image from "Thirst," the Thursday, Oct. 27 episode of Smallville.
The picture shows Allison Mack as Chloe Sullivan and Carrie Fisher as Pauline Kahn, editor in chief at The Daily Planet.
Once Upon a Dickinson Plaza 6...
Saturday was a nice day. Started off by sleeping in, which I haven't been able to do for about fourteen days or so. So that was nice. I hop onto the internet and low and behold, I had received an e-mail from probably my best boss ever, Shelly Gibson from my days at the Dick 6. She had wrote me to give me hell about Nicolas Cage and his new baby Kal-el. I had gotten a lot of this over the past week at both my jobs. Something to do with me being a Superman fanatic I guess. Anyway, she at least acknowledged that I had probably already knew this information, and just wrote to say it made her think of me. Ah. So I wrote her back, cause it has been a while since we've spoke. Glad to see she still visits my site too. Hi Shelly!
Around noon or so my girlfriend coaxed me to visit a chili cook-off which was located on the K-mart grounds. So I managed to end up in front of the store on my day off. What can I say, I can't get enough. She was supporting a friend, and so I came along for the ride.
Later in the evening, as per plan, the girlfriend and I drove to the wonderful Westglen 18 (a Dickinson Theatre) to watch Waiting. After getting tickets we got in line for concessions when who do I see but Courtney Coon. A former Dickinson 6 employee from back in my day, and someone I've lost contact with for about a year now. So I was thrilled to see her again. She's been there for about two weeks now as a manager, so it's nice to have a friend at the Westglen again.
How was the movie? Glad you asked. It was pretty good. Reminded me of my old days with the Dick 6 actually. Bunch of kids from high school to college, goofing off, fighting with each other, having fun, all in a days work, where you didn't mind going to work at. Dealing with idiotic customers, and at the end of the night, just having fun in a laid back environment. This was a good movie. And it took me back, just without the heavy use of cock and balls references. Believe it or not, that was a heavy plot point of the film.
It was a good Saturday.
What's Up Chuck?
Saturday, October 8
One more from Charlie.
Hey Guys,
Sunday's around here are really cool. All there is to do is go to church, or sit around and write letters. Guess what I'm doing?
Things here are good. The food's not bad, and the day's go by really fast. It's hard to believe I've been gone basically a month now. I miss hanging out with you all. There's a few cool people here, but most are really stupid, or really immature. I expected a few of those people, but not this many. I think I'm just in a bad platoon, but whatever. As long as I finish my 9 weeks, and get out. I would probably kill for a cigarette right now. And there is supposed to be no fraternization between anyone, male to female, male to male, female to female, male to sheep, but notes get passed. I personally haven't done anything except not passing, but I have been hearing a few stories. Some of them are obviously lies, then there are the ones you tend to believe.
I heard that this guy and girl hooked up in the church bathroom. Which is very plausible. But who will ever really know. There is a few people that have received mail here. I'm not expecting mail anytime soon. If you decide to write, cool, if not then you're a jackass, and I never want to talk to you again. All kidding aside, I hope everything is going well. I should be home sometime around Christmas. It may be earlier, but I'll at least be home around then. So until then enjoy the freedoms that I can't.
I remain,
Charlie D Jones
02 Oct 05
New Media Tuesday
Monday, October 3
New stuff, some old stuff, and some stuff I don't care about. Here's this week in media!
Disney released another classic from it's vault. I hate it when they say it like that. What vault? Anyway, the movie is Cinderella. "The original fairy tale", as it's called. I can appreciate it being a classic and all, but then Disney had to put in a few talking mice for good measure and that kind of just killed it.
Here's one I don't care about, Interpreter. It stars some people I don't care about and a storyline that I really don't care about. NEXT! Amityville Horror, the remake. I watched like the first fifteen minutes of the original and lost interest. I don't know how much the remake will hold true. But I'll probably end up seeing this one. Although I haven't heard too many good things about it. I'll give props to the original just cause it's a cult classic horror film.
House of D, I think that's the Robin Williams film. Can't say anything about that, don't know much about it. Man With the Screaming Brain. Think I'll have to get that one, just because it's really goofy and stars Bruce Campbell. Oh, and that screening thing I went to a month ago.
Music, well there's the new Nickelback. I don't know what the album is called but I just love the single "Photograph" on the radio, so it's a "must buy". Also, I'm curious about this band, Hinder. I like the song they have on the radio too (Something about getting stoned). Maybe an impulse buy?
I'm always late on video game releases. Recently out are Ultimate Spider-man and Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2. And incase you didn't know, I'm gonna let you know now: I'm a DDR fan. Yep, it's true. Although I don't have $40 to spend right now to get it, rest asured I will. DDR FREAK!
What's Up Chuck?
Got another letter from Charlie on Friday. Hear you go!
Hello everyone,
To start things off here's my new mailing address.
PVT, Jones, Charles D
Echo Company, 2nd Platoon, 2-60th INF REGT
1st BCT BDE USATL & FJ
BLDG 11000 Dixie Road
Fort Jackson, SC 29207-6100
And please write a big #2 on the back of the envelope for easier mailing.
Now that all that's done my wrist is tired. Of course most of my body is sore, but I'm enjoying it.
Today officially marked my second day of basic. It's actually pretty simple. Just shut-up and listen to the Drill Sergant. Of course some people can't handle that. They'll learn eventually I hope. That or they'll get really good at push-ups.
I realize these letters are a little short, and don't have many details, but sooner or later I'll get some more free time. In the meantime please write me, and send some pictures. Missing my peoples already.
As always,
Charles D Jones
24 Sep 05
Nicolas Cage Names Baby Kal-el
The Associated Press reports that Nicolas Cage, who can be seen in next year's Ghost Rider, has named his new baby boy Kal-el, which is the name of the last son of Krypton... Superman.
His wife, Alice Kim Cage, gave birth Monday to a boy, Kal-el Coppola Cage, in New York City, said Cage's Los Angeles-based publicist, Annett Wolf. No other details were available.
