It has only been five years since the theatrical release of the extreme disappointment known as Spider-Man 3. When the news first began to spread about a Spider-Man reboot, I thought it quite humorous. It was as if the directors knew that Spider-Man 3 was a sorry excuse for a film and the story had been completely ruined. This is not the first time Marvel has rebooted a series in such a short time frame, take the Hulk films for example. Still, with only a five year gap, it originally felt like it was too soon for the Amazing Spider-Man to be released. I was nervous about seeing it, so much so that I went into the theater with zero expectations as to avoid being disappointed once more. After watching it, I can easily say that it was better than Spider-Man 3. Although any movie would have been better than Spider-Man 3, even watching grass grow would have been more exciting.

A new cast and a new story line is exactly what the Amazing Spider-Man needed. It did a fine job in establishing the relationship between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy, which was something that was just pushed to the side in Spider-Man 3. Some people may confused by the decision not to include Mary Jane Watson, but I thought it was a good choice to prevent the story from getting too complex.

One thing that bothered me about the other Spider-Man films is how Peter Parker was portrayed as just obtaining his web-swinging powers from a spider bite. The Amazing Spider-Man goes back to the more traditional method of having Peter develop devices that would shoot web.

The action scenes and the portrayal of Dr. Curt Connors' transformation to the Lizard were decent, but it could have used more of Spider-Man's sarcasm. There were a few moments in the movie that showed off his sarcasm, but overall, it tried to take itself too seriously. If only there could be a perfect blend of drama and sarcasm.

The Amazing Spider-Man was not "amazing" like the title implies, but it was entertaining and could easily be watched multiple times which is more than can be said for other summer blockbusters and Spider-Man 3.

Shrek Forever After, where to begin. The fact that it breaks the norm of entries a series should have when it comes to an end, creating a sense of OCD? No, I highly doubt that this is the final chapter, unfortunately. The fact that the main thing I remember about the movie is how 12 million Shrek-branded cups were recalled from a McDonald's promotion? Interesting, but no and besides, who was honestly going to drink from those cups anyways. Or maybe the identity crisis created by incoherent advertising. Is the movie called "The Final Chapter" or "Forever After"? Even the Blu-ray release suffers the same problem. This film is average at best, it relies too heavily on recalling past events in the series and at times it feels like you are watching a 90 minute clip show.

The Shrek franchise has never had a deep storyline and instead opts to keep things interesting through jokes that are a mix of toilet humor and pop/fairy tale references. This time around, there is more emphasis on the story, but how the events unfold makes everything feel pointless in the long run. It revolves around a disgruntled Shrek who goes berserk at his children's birthday party and shortly falling into a trap set by Rumpelstiltskin to take over Far Far Away. Shrek is granted his wish of living a day as things once were before the events of the first Shrek movie by giving up any day of his life. The catch is that Shrek happened to give away the day he was born. After meeting up with a confused Donkey, Shrek discovers that the only way to get his old life back before he disappears at the end of the day is through a true love's kiss with Fiona. This is not a movie about time travel though. Shrek is transported to an alternate reality so his actions don't have any consequences. That is the main issue with the entire story. It is hard to feel any genuine concern for any of the characters on screen because you know right from the start that there are only two possible ways the movie can end, sad or happily ever after.

It feels as if DreamWorks themselves didn't have much hope for Shrek Forever After considering that they released it nearly a full month before Toy Story 3. There were not any memorable jokes from this movie, but at least the voice actors did a fine job, especially Eddie Murphy's role as Donkey. It is better than Shrek the Third but I'm still not sure if I can fully recommend this movie. Knowing very well that it is a movie directed towards children, maybe I am being too harsh. The thing is, there are far better family films available at the moment that must be recommended before Shrek Forever After should be considered such as its competitor at the time, Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me.

@Judog24

Just became a member of Twitter a few days ago.

I got out of school on Friday and I ended up getting sick the next day

Took the SAT for the second time, recieved a package from Nintendo. Game and Watch Collection

Ate some pizza

Felt even worse Monday, watched Microsoft's diappointing press conference and barely stayed awake through Ubisoft's.

Like many of you, I'm baffled as to what the WiiU is.

Well, I didn't want to make this blog entirely long as I'm still not feeling to well, but you can find me on Twitter now, if you are in to that sort of thing.

Pokemon Black, may very well be one of the best pokemon games in the series. Everything about it creates a fresh experience. The only problem is that I don't have the time to seriously play the game or enjoy it without worrying about other stuff.

It is going to be hard to get some play time in this week, because I have to read the first half of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I have read Of Mice and Men before, I loved the ending. Everything about the week is pretty busy, I have a quiz in Spanish, and a test in Algebra. As well as a Digital Arts assignment that is due.

That assignment is taking such a long time to make any progress on. We have to make a font self portrait using photoshop. We can only use one font, and a limited color pallet. It just shows the obbsessive tendencies people have. I myself have a lot of work ahead of me considring the fact thatr I am 280 layers into my hair and not even close with being done with it. I am listing all of the Pokemon in order from Bulbasaur to wathever pokemon is the last one now.

Judog1Gamespotter. Yeah that is my channel, the only good thing that is on it is some Guile Theme goes with Everything videos.

I uploaded a new video on Wednsday night of proof that the Guile theme did infact go with SpongeBob SquarePants. That Friday, I log onto my account and see that the video had been taken down by Viacom for copyright infringement. I was a bit surprised as none of my other videos had been taken down.

It was an entertaining video, but I'm not really sure if I should file a fair use claim. I'm not sure if an audioswap falls under fair use.

So I was looking through various websites on September 12th trying to find some good deals on Blu-rays. I go to Walmart.com and then bam right on the front of the blu-ray section:

Pre-order Ironman 2 Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack for $15

My immediate reaction was :O, I had gotten some good deals at Walmart.com before but this was the best one yet. I checked how much the shipping was and they were offering free shipping on it (well, it was free if you didn't mind waiting a few days to get your package). I ordered it right away with the permission of my paretns and everything was a success.

That next day (Monday), I get home from school and check my email. And my day was ruined when I got an email from Walmart.com.

My order had been cancelled because of limited availability. Surpisingly I could buy it at the old preorder price of $24.95. Then the next day, I disappointingly checked my email again and my hopes were raised once again. They were sending an eGiftcard with a value to $10.83 to match the original sale price to all people that had their order rejected.

And so I tried ordering it. *facepalm* So I go to the Iron Man 2 page once again, put it in my cart and tried checking out using the giftcard and paypal...but it turns out that you can't use paypal when you use a giftcard and you have to enter an actual credit card number to be able to actually order anything with a giftcard. I eventually purchased it.

Then the release day arrives, everything is good to go. The movie should have arrived that Friday, but no, it didn't. Walmart is usually good about sending packages on time. Things were starting to get suspicious, but that Monday, it finally came in the mail. Yes.

I watched it last week, amazing quality. It should never be that hard to order something online.

Today is 10/10/10

Second time to be caught...first by JPL...

During the past few days in AP English, we have been going over Sinners in the Hands of an Angry by John Edwards. It was an interesting read. Today we had to try and prove a point in an essay using the same rhetoric Edwards used. My topic of choice, PC's are better than Macs.

We were given 10 minutes to complete the assignment the best we could and here is what I wrote:

For years there has been a feud between Mac and PC users over which computers are ultimately the best. To say that Macs are clearly better than PC's is a lie. First off, Macs are PC's. A Mac is a personal computer, so the actual argument is actually if the Windows Operating System and its counterparts are better than what a Mac has to offer.

To say that a Mac is better than Windows is like saying that a tricycle with training wheels is better than a motorcycle [1]. Who in their right minds would use a overly simplified childrens toy than a well oiled machine? To best put it, using Windows is like shaving with an electrical shaver while using a Mac is like shaving with a bowling pin, it simply will not do the job. [2]

[1] - Arguments from Internet
[2] - Arguments from Internet

When I read it out loud in school, it sounded like my arguments were my own ideas but I infact had them cited on my paper (as best I could, it's difficult to try and cite a viral picture). I mean they can't blame me for taking their ideas if I cite them right? That is the whole point of being able to cite isn't it?

Yep...I caught a cold just after completing my first week of school...I missed Monday and Tuesday of last week...I had a lot of make up work to do on wedensday...I seem to be caught up now.

It wasn't so much that was a problem, but being absent so early in the year...

Today the first day...it was chaotic to say the least.

First we went in at 1:00, I wish we could have gone in earlier to get out at 1:00 but this atleast gave me a chance to watch the Fresh Prince on TBS...the shcedule said we got out at 3:30...we ended up getting out at 2:50...which is great...but my dad didn't pick me up until 3:15.

There were absolutely no classess today...hardly any of the teachers were there...the only ones there were the ones helping.

After walking into the school and trying to find everyone it was time to get my schedule...our official schedule printed on yellow paper ...you needed the one in yellow...you can view your schedule and grades online...but appearantly this was official, and I suppose it was because of the randomness of when people could print it out...mine never changed ...I can't rate my schedule yet as there are no classess...I'm surprised that more people didn't choose AP English...

After getting our schedule, which was mainly given so we had our correct locker numbers it was time to get our books...we get our books upstairs...I wait in line for about 10 minutes aprehensive about the whole thing...and I'm finally let into the room to get the books, that goes smoothly and I hope that I get the right books...

But what is this?...It turns out that we get the books there and we have to go to another room carrying the books in our hands to wait in a even longer line to get the books regestered/checked out if you will...after waiting 5 minutes with 6 text books in my arms (7 but one is a tiny little practice work book for Honors Spanish 3/Normal Spanish (I didn't want to take AP Spanish either...but more about my schedule on my next blog...)) 3 friends and I realized that we had been waiting in the wrong line to get are books regestered...it turns out that we were in the line to get new locks, mainly this was for freshman (but the freshman and senior went in earlier than us, some seniors were still there for some reason, and locks could be bought for $5 in case a student some how lost theirs during the summer.

It took about a good 20 minutes of waiting in line to get my books regestered...luckily we were able to set our books down on desks while we waited...and the worst thing was that the air conditioner didn't feel like it was on and everyone was sweating...

So after getting the books we have to take them back down stairs and all the way across campus to our lockers...then it was time to get our pictures taken (picture day is on the first day...a bit odd...it should be a couple of weeks into the year so everyones skin tone is back to its normal color from the color heat...), the wait was even longer, around half an hour...everyone was drenched in sweat...luckily the room where the picture was taken was cool itself...I hope my picture came out decent...

Then it was time for speaches by the principal and dean...the principal said to be authentic which is where I got the name for the blog...The dean did the standard procedure...but it turns out that now we can only wear jackets of a single color instead of one with a design...luckily the jacket that I have is completely black...this kid was wearing a sweater vest in 100 degree plus temperature today...he is a tad weird...people are afraid of him...I trust him...he once brought a sword to skill...he laughs like the joker...he once was in the front of the class and was spinning scissors and said out loud "Do you want to know why I use knives?"...

It was very hot and it could have been more organized...luckily we only have a 2 hour day tomorrow...all orientation again...

But the big surpriese about tomorrow (Tuesday) is that my brother is taking my sister, my nephew and I to a baseball game at Angels Stadium...my favorite baseball team...I'm going to wear all of my Angels gear...hopefully I'll get some good pics that I can show you guys...

Edit- as I'm going to be home late, very late, I will not be posting a blog tomorrow.

Yeah, so I'm going to school Monday, I just realized that today was my final day...

It is the first day, but all it is is getting your schedule (which they have available online), lockers (locks are given out Freshmen year...), books (we get the books upstairs...so we have to walk all the way down the stairs and outside to our lockers...), and Orientation (I hope it goes by realitively fast...)...There are absolutely no classess...maybe for freshman (but even then they spend 10 minutes in each class to get introductions from the teachers)

And the weird thing about it is that I only go in from 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM...

I'm not sure why the time is so irregular...I'd much rather go in earlier so I can be out at one...

I'll make another blog tomorrow to see how things went and why I'm excited for Tuesday...

Oh, I'm taking AP Language and Composition...my first AP class...I took 3 honors courses last year...and 2 this year (because I'm taking AP English instead of honors English)...i'm not sure how difficult it's going to be but I'm going to track my progress throughout the year on this blog.

Another interesting thing to note is that my school is offering a new art class called digital art...the teacher giving it is the same art teacher I had last year...I'm not sure how it's going to work out...last year in Art Apreciation while we were working on our art projects...she asked in front of the class how to take a screenshot of her computer...she said she only knew how to do it in a MAC.......I hope things go fine...

Our school requires 2 years of Art...but that story is for a different blog.

That's because I did play another game, Trails HD...and unlocked a 15 gamerscore achievement....for the most part, unlocking achievements is pretty tough.

It was a bit tricky, it was all about timing and landing at just the right way after each jump to keep your momentum and make the next jump properly

This isn't me playing, but here is a video that shows what you have to do.

video

In a matter of seconds, my 2 year quest to find my N64 controllers has come to an end.

It all happened the last time I cleaned my room, they were there, and then they wern't. It was very strange that they would all disappear. It turns out that my mom had put them and my orginal game boy advance with the e-reader in a door that I don't check because I thought the stuff in there belonged to my brother.

I was so disappointed to find that they had been sitting nearly right in front of me...and my mom knew the whole time. We were cleaning my room again, and I told her how I couldn't find the controllers for the N64 for such a long time, and then she just opened a door and said, do you mean these?

Google Trends GameSpot Conspiracy

It seems obvious that there is something wrong with the Google Trends data...

How does it compare to my other conspiracies?

Today if the fall equinox! (bumpage warning)

9/9/09 Conspiracy Theory (non-devil related) (name of thread should be obvious for bumpage warning)

Please, just call me York. That's what everyone calls me. These insatiable GameSpot members saw every press conference, caught three episodes of Tonight on the Spot, and were there for all three days of the LiveCam Tour and E3 Stage Show when they were all live! They're true heroes, right, Zach?

For a moment I actually thought I was going to miss an episode of Tonight on the Spot, but everthing turned out fine.

E3 this year was very disappointing on the first day. Nintendo fixed everything on the second day though. I think that it was one of Nintendo's best conferences to date.

I did this on purpose of course, it is one of the easiest bass songs in the game but even an expert FC on Her Majesty will give you this:

I must say that the achievements for this game are surprisingly difficult compared to how hard the actual songs are in the game. I have the most Expert FC's on The Beatles Rock Band than in any other music title.

Expert Guitar FC's

Paperback Writer
If I Needed Someone
I Want To Hold Your Hand
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds
Because
You Won't See Me
Think For Yourself
Oh! Darling
Yellow Submarine

Expert Bass FC's

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends
I Wanna Be Your Man
Nowhere Man

I'll get there one day...

To think that use to be my proudest accomplishment, but I finally managed to beat it on hard. Now that only leaves Expert, I tried practicing Through the Fire and Flames but didn't get very far.

It turns out that I never did post in any of the banned threads even after reading most of them