E3 Recap: The End

July 23, 2008 - 2:30 pm , By A.D. - Columbia College

The expo is finally over. All the producers and designers can breathe a sigh of relief and get back to making games instead of pimping them. All in all I felt, as an outside observer, that the show left me slightly wanting. There was no groundbreaking news, no giant promises, and no real blockbuster game announced that we didn’t already know about.

The Nintendo Talk

Nintendo is about making cash. Which isn’t a bad thing. Unless you’re a serious hardcore Nintendo gamer fan boy who wishes they’d remake Zombie’s At My Neighbors for the Wii.I wouldn’t say they are done with hardcore games altogether, but the order of the day is definitely casual stuff, and their talk certainly said that. They did introduce some new hardware for the Wiimote that promised more accurate movement…and then used it to throw a Frisbee to a dog in Wii Sports 2. Read More »

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Latest Steroid Scandal Includes 50 Cent, Timbaland and…Mary J. Blige?

January 14, 2008 - 12:30 pm , By Josh - UMASS, Lowell

Mary J Blige steroidsIt’s pretty obvious that 50 Cent and Timbaland have most likely dabbled in various “performance-enhancing” drugs - but R&B singer Mary J. Blige? What good could possibly come out of Blige taking ‘roids?

I’m baffled…and intrigued!

The Times Union reported that Blige and the other celebs in question used fake names to order and pick up prescriptions in Florida from Dr. Gary Brandwein, who was tied to the steroid scandal involving deceased WWF wrestler Chris Benoit.

Wyclef Jean and Tyler Perry have also been named as steroid users in the article, but who cares? I can’t get over Mary J. “Not Gon’ Cry” Blige. Seriously: if it’s true I’ll be floored and very confused. Couldn’t she just take coke and pills like any other maladjusted superstar?

Nothing confuses me more than singers like Blige (and Whitney Houston too, for that matter) that release these inspirational songs that middle-aged moms go nuts over, just to debunk their own myth by plummeting deep into drugs, depression and overall indecency.

It’s a funny world we live in, folks.

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Haiku Reviews: Kanye West, 50 Cent and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

September 16, 2007 - 4:00 pm , By Josh - UMASS, Lowell

Kanye West - Graduation

Kanye West - Graduation

Tighter, shorter disc
Makes for more consistency;
Less visionary

Some criticism:
Too braggy and boasty (duh);
Whiny and preachy

Mr. West is best
At sampling oddities (Can!)
So tune in, drop out
Read More »

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Kanye vs. 50: And the Winner Is…the RIAA?

September 12, 2007 - 1:00 pm , By Josh - UMASS, Lowell

Kanye West and 50 Cent

Kanye West and 50 Cent’s ego-tastic battle of the record sales kicked off yesterday, with industry insiders placing Mr. West ahead of 50 in the early runnings. Still, it’s too early to confirm any numbers until Soundscan chimes in.

Further hyping the hype (if that’s even possible) is Kanye canceling his face-off with 50 live on MTV due to his dissatisfaction with the network after the VMAs didn’t go as he planned (no main stage performance, no awards won).

But forget all that: Fiddy isn’t going to quit the music business, and Kanye isn’t going to boycott MTV for very long. All this media hoopla boils down to selling records, plain and simple. Read More »

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2007 VMAs: A Recap

September 10, 2007 - 11:00 am , By Josh - UMASS, Lowell

2007 VMAs - Britney SpearsLast night the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards proved that a large chunk of the entertainment world is ruled by talentless hacks.

From technical difficulties (did anybody sound-check anything beforehand?) to only showing snippets of live performances by music’s heavy-hitters at various locations around Las Vegas - Kanye, five-times snubbed out of awards last night, is reportedly through with the VMAs after his performance was butchered by execs - MTV has fully transformed into a Metric Ton of Visuals.

The highlights lowlights:

Britney’s show-opening, pace-making, stupefying, phoned-in performance of her single “Gimme More.” Even Spears’ super-fans were stunned by her carelessness. As for the “magic” of Criss Angel assisting Brit? Smoke and mirrors, I guess - just like Brit herself.

Sarah Silverman’s harsh put-downs of Brit left the room in a deep silence. F***ing everybody looked away when the camera panned to them after any of Silverman’s barbs towards Brit. Just one more example of celebs having all the money and power in the world and doing nothing short of saving face. Despicable.

Check out the video link (and more pics) of Brit’s performance after the jump.

Read More »

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Re-Enter the Dragon

August 17, 2007 - 3:02 am , By John, USMA at West Point

Enter the Dragon

Warner Bros. development department is compiled mostly of wh*res.Why the harshness do you ask? Good question, and my answer is simple. Don’t f**k with perfection.

Did the Vatican say, “Ya know Benny, da’ta ceiling on’a da’ chapel sure is molte bene, but don’t you a’ wish we coulda’ redo it wit a little CGI? Lika’ da’ Matrix?” No they didn’t. In ‘72, did Shula say, “You know what guys, I know we are undefeated but I want to make sure everyone gets a chance to play - Go on third team! You’re in!” No he did not. Did Ron Jeremy say, “You know what, maybe I shouldn’t be the only 350 lb porn star with DD-man-boobs - Jenny Craig here I come!” Hells no, the Hedgehog did no such thing.

Why, pray tell, would anyone in their right mind agree to remake Enter the Dragon.

Read More »

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50 Cent: 1, Kanye West: 0

August 16, 2007 - 3:00 pm , By Josh - UMASS, Lowell

50 CentFiddy must be mighty happy to see his name above the College Dropout on Forbes’ Hip-Hop Cash Kings list for 2006. Kanye: PWNED.

Curtis Jackson’s fiscal year sported a $36 million-dollar earning (ranking #2), most likely from his ridiculous Vitamin Water payoff along with his clothing line. Mr. West, on the other hand, raked in $17 million (#8) in total income – chump change when comparing to 50.

But does 50’s win in the Battle of the Bling have any effect on who will tally up more sales when both rappers release albums (Curtis for 50, Graduation for ‘Ye) on September 11?

It’s up for debate, but not likely.
Read More »

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