Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on October 26th, 2009
As you might be surprised to find out, my aspirations include more than being a darn good dvd reviewer & video game columnist. I like to write, really write and not just interpret other people's works into a ten to twelve paragraph summary document. By really writing, I mean fantasy or the creation of heroes. My wish beyond being published was always to see my work come to life on either the small or big screen. It was refreshing to find a television series based on a fantasy series of books. The Legend of the Seeker is based on Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series. But there was something awfully familiar about the series as I continued to watch it. Let's find out what that is.
A woman named Kahlan Amnell(played by Bridget Regan) is traveling with her sister through the countryside and beach but there is one problem. She's being followed by a pack of angry guardsmen on horses. Her sister is struck by an arrow and falls down a cliff. Kahlan soon realizes that her sister is dead and that she must continue en route to her destination. The woman soon reaches the barrier on a nearby beach and it looks like she might meet her end.
Posted in: News and Opinions, Random Fun by Michael Durr on October 23rd, 2009
There are many movies when you are young that you just never get around to see. Perhaps your parents aren’t into that kind of movie. If it tanked at the box office, then there are probably not any friends that are going to secretly show you the film while their parents are out of the house. But often there are films that we discover in college and wonder where the heck this movie has been all my life. Such brilliance, such deep of thought, this is fantastic. For me, that movie was John Carpenter’s The Thing.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on October 21st, 2009
Most of us watch cop shows. The numbers indicate that the viewing public likes the CSI’s, Law & Orders, NYPD Blues, and even older shows like Hill Street Blues. Apparently about the only cop show we don’t like is Cop Rock (and even that show has been re-broadcast on other networks). So, naturally we get some cookie cutter cop shows that try to break the mold. Flashpoint is one such cop drama that focuses on the art of negotiation. Perhaps this one is interesting already.
Sergeant Gregory Parker (played by Enrico Colantoni) is the head of an elite tactical squad known as the Strategic Response Unit. They work in situations that normal police offers can not normally handle from bomb threats to hostage situations to criminals with an extreme amount of firepower. But the response of lethal force is a last resort as they try to use negotiation and alternative methods to bring the various situations back where they belong.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on October 21st, 2009
Gaming Joint Pain, The Dawg sues EA & PS3 at the top of sales? - Welcome to the column who guesses Hell did freeze over and it had nothing to do with the Eagles reuniting known as Dare to Play the Game.
Finally, this case of bronchitis has left my body. At least that is what the doctor told me when I went on Friday. By Monday, low and behold it was gone. Only one problem. It left me with a pulled muscle. Yes, I was coughing so hard, I actually pulled something on my left side and I can’t sleep on that side at all. It’s getting better slowly. It’s really odd, I never thought could actually happen. But it did and I’m paying for it.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on October 19th, 2009
Cheesy horror-fests can often be cringe worthy. Take a couple of actors, have a few supporting ones that die and put them in a plot where either they face some giant disgusting creature, a ridiculous serial killer or a lot of little pests. The heroes no matter how bumbling they might be somehow come out with the victory and the rest is cinema magic. We received one such movie with the title: Infestation. Maybe this would be the one that is a little better than the rest?
Cooper (played by Chris Marquette) is a slacker. He goes through life just making from one day to the next. He works at a local call center where he is always late and in the middle of obnoxious games. Today, he is late as usual and tries to make it seem like he is working to no avail. It just so happens he is called into his bosses' office. As the boss, Maureen (played by Deborah Geffner) looks like she is about to fire the young employee, a loud screeching sound is made. People cover their ears and everything goes to black.
Posted in: News and Opinions, Random Fun by Michael Durr on October 16th, 2009
Scary games are kinda like that bad boyfriend or girlfriend you had in high school. You are drawn to them in the beginning, date them a few times and usually have a good time until that one captivating scenario where you are absolutely shocked out of your gourd. Then you stop seeing them but something brings you back because deep inside you actually like it. Scary games follow the same path, you keep playing and playing the game until that big scare and then you stop playing but are drawn back by that very same reason.
So, when the site owner asked me to do a special-themed video game column for the month of October, my mind immediately went to a list of scary games. But where would I start? I could simply tell you that Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp is the scariest game ever and you might believe me. I mean those horses will trample you! Instead, I had to come up with a list that would not only contain some personal choices but also some universally accepted scare games that frightened even the harshest critics.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on October 14th, 2009
Expected Sales for New Super Mario, Lego Rock Band Setlist & Road Rash HD may not see light of day? - Welcome to the column whose mind is a swirling miasma of scintillating thoughts and turgid ideas known as Dare to Play the Game.
Still recovering from my cold, flu or whatever it is that has infected my holy temple of a body. I believe I am in the last stages of that sickness as I hardly cough during the day and my only problem is the night. For some reason at night, I’m not sure if my problem is being tired or what, but my caughing comes in fits and usually leaves me restless and tired the following morning.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Michael Durr on October 12th, 2009
The people at Warner Bros recently decided to adopt a new strategy when dealing with some of their back catalog. They would propose a printing on demand option or what they would dub the “Archive Collection”. This would allow collectors to own classics of long forgotten films and keep costs at a minimal to Warner Bros. One such movie was named Lightning Strikes Twice which came out in 1951 with Ruth Roman. Hopefully this one was a gem and not something that should be long forgotten back in the vault.
Richard Trevelyan (played by Richard Todd) has been convicted for murder of his wife. He is about to be executed when the jury becomes dead-locked and no decision can be made. He is then released where he decides to hide out at a Texas ranch where nobody can find him. Everybody is convinced that he did it and nobody seems that willing to stand by his side.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on October 9th, 2009
My history with romantic comedies is not a good one. Okay, I cried at the Notebook. *Looks nervously at the man card floating in his wallet*. So, what I cried at Rocky and Bloodsport too. I feel better now. But normally, I look at romantic comedies and want nothing to do with them. But every once in a while, along comes a romantic comedy with a decent cast and a somewhat different story. Even though I can see the ending coming a mile away, hopefully the journey there is interesting and thoughtful.
Andrew Paxton (played by Ryan Reynolds) is the best assistant in the world. He gets to work on time, he always has the right latte for his boss, and his shirt always looks perfect (even if it is borrowed from a co-worker). He works at Colden Books, a publishing company and his dream is to become an editor, especially after three years of being an assistant. He is an assistant to the executive editor-in-chief Margaret Tate (played by Sandra Bullock).
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on October 7th, 2009
Natal & Fable, Venezuela bans violet games & People receiving Guitar Hero: Van Halen early? - Welcome to the column that says hello to its little friend once a winter before going into hibernation known as Dare to Play the Game.
So, I’m back…hopefully somebody out there missed me. I spent a week in Ohio, and since I’ve been back; I’ve spent one week recovering from the cold (or whatever this sucker is) I caught while I was up there. I’m still not quite over it, however I am much better. Usually I’ll wake up and my sinuses will be totally blocked, an hour or two later they usually drain. Then I’ll usually cough on and off throughout the day. However, the cough is getting less and I’m slowly getting better.
![The Thing [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-thing-blu-ray-large.jpg)
![The Proposal [Blu-ray] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/the-proposal-blu-ray-large.jpg)
