http://www.riffs.com/user/Ryan/ Ryan's recent reviews Copyright 2005 ATTAP Technologies Inc. Jake and Alex http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.riffs.com/news/10715113/11160/ http://www.riffs.com/news/10715113/11160/ http://www.riffs.com/news/10715110/11159/ http://www.riffs.com/news/10715110/11159/
The game boils down to a variety of missions in five levels, and each level stars a Simpsons character: Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, or Apu.  The controls are incredibly simple, and once you've mastered slamming on the brake while taking a corner, the majority of the game should come to you easily.  I played the game for roughly three hours one evening, and finished about 40% of the game -- so it's not super difficult and impossible, even for those who don't play games much.

All the dialogue is the real deal: you get actual quotes recorded for the game, which obviously makes it more amusing.  They do get tiresome after they're repeated 20x times, but you can always turn the voice volume down.

The graphics are not mind-blowing, but they're cartoonish (which they should be) and being that it's The Simpsons, it's not a major drawback.

Overall, a fun "family" game that's worth the low price (given that it's a "Greatest Hit" now).
]]> http://www.riffs.com/games/8431595/10539/ http://www.riffs.com/games/8431595/10539/
Overall, the tracks are blippy and light, very "A.M." (if "morning" was really the theme/feel that Royksopp was going for) with the exception of a couple of songs.  ("Royksopp's Night Out" being the biggest 'offender,' with a beat that is harder yet infectious.)

If you enjoy mellow yet upbeat electronic music (and unfortunately, I can't find a decent comparison), you'll dig this.

Actually, I take that back -- fans of Kruder & Dorfmeister's work would like this, although Melody A.M. still comes off with a happier vibe.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/music/4321699/10476/ http://www.riffs.com/music/4321699/10476/
I know what it was.  Desperation.  I was bored on a Friday night, and had no plans to go out.  I wanted a good movie; I was hungry for an action flick.  Something to captivate me and make good use of my big screen television. 

Ultraviolet!  I hadn't seen this!  And Milla Jovovich!  I loved her in both Resident Evils; this should just be a good extension of that.  A cousin of the RE series.  (Yes, I know there's no connection.  I'm talking about them being in the same sci-fi action genre.)

Well, within the first 15 minutes I realized it sucked.  The acting was bad.  The effects were sub-par.  The movie's plot wasn't even that strong; it was pretty weak and just...blah.

I was not going to subject myself to the rest of the movie.  FORGET IT.

Now, you can ignore my advice, and watch the movie, saying that since I only saw 15 minutes or so, I don't have a clear notion.

However.  Shouldn't the beginning of an action flick set the tone for the rest of it?  And by that logic, wouldn't Ultraviolet be celluloid garbage?

You bet!
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This COMPLETELY makes up for it.  By far, one of the best horror flicks I have seen in years.  Straight up disturbing and graphic, it's out of control from the first minute.

Horror fans should LOVE this.  I dug it not only for the scary parts, but for the parts where our heroes actually get to deliver some payback -- which almost NEVER happens in scary movies.

It's also just rooted enough in American history to be plausible: nuclear testing in New Mexico leaves stubborn miners radiated and cursed to mutate and become bloodthirsty maniacs?  You bet!

I may buy this one.
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We had a party of four that arrived, and I asked if it was possible to get one of the cool "round booths" in the restaurant.  The host informed me that those were only for parties of five or more.  Whereas I can understand this rationale...all six of these booths were empty and were still empty when we finally left the restaurant.  A minimal complaint?  Perhaps, but it would have been nice to be allowed that luxury.

The restaurant itself is very open and spacious, with a LOT of seating.  I'm not sure how this compares to the other locations in NYC.

We were seated and the waiter was over momentarily to get our orders.  I gave the service here a "thumbs down" -- THIS IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE SERVER.  Our server was great!  However, the kitchen failed to get my lunch correct in two ways.

I'd ordered the steak and ribs combo, with yellow rice.  The steak was to be med rare or medium; I'm not fussy about that.

1. I didn't receive yellow rice, but a huge mound of fries.
2. The steak was well done.  Gray throughout.

Now, the server instantly brought me over a plate of yellow rice (probably twice what I would have initially received), so that was a plus for him.  The steak, I just ate.  I didn't have time to get a new steak, and frankly didn't want one.  So I ate what was in front of me, and it was good...just not what I'd really ordered.

The ribs were baby back ribs, and they were sub par.  As baby back ribs go, they weren't bad in the meat department, but the sauce was a huge disappointment.  I've tasted good sauce; this was not it.  This was reminiscent of the flavored bottled sauces one finds in the store.

I have to be frank: given the options for BBQ in NYC (i.e. Blue Smoke, Dinosaur)...this would not be a restaurant I'd frequent.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/food/10323706/10357/ http://www.riffs.com/food/10323706/10357/
Now imagine going off that less-travelled route to an even less-travelled road.

Now imagine coming to the end of that road to find a parking lot crammed full of cars, a line of excited people, a great view of the Atlantic Ocean, and some incredible seafood.

Booyah, the Lobster Shack.

It's pretty simple: crabs, lobster, fried clams, lobster rolls.  Deliciousness.  The price range listed to the left isn't correct, though; a lobster dinner will run you $20 plus change, and for two of us to snack on a lot of good stuff...$70ish.  Completely worth it, but expect to pay a lot if you want to try a bit of everything.

In nicer weather, you can sit right outside and watch the surf hit the rocks, but you can always sit inside the Shack and check out all the weird knickknacks hanging on the walls and ceiling.

And that lobster in the picture?  That was my victim.
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Superman II is just such a movie.

It's hard to believe that no one could figure out Clark Kent was Superman.  It's also hard to believe that no one suspected Margot Kidder made a really, REALLY bad Lois Lane.  The best part of the movie is Terence Stamp as General Zod.  Seriously, kneel before Zod!

It's just a hair past campy.  It's crappy.  But it's so bad, it's funny -- and therefore, should still be watched.  All the same, it got a thumbs-down from me for being so bad.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/movies/10411940/10319/ http://www.riffs.com/movies/10411940/10319/ http://www.riffs.com/books/10649524/10309/ http://www.riffs.com/books/10649524/10309/
It's a lot like two books, though.  One would be the biography of Mario Batali, detailing how he made his way through the usual ranks to become a celebrity chef in NYC.  It also talks about his kitchen at Babbo, and his opening of Otto (this book was obviously written a couple of years before publication, since Otto has been open for a little while as I write this riff).

The other book is Bill Buford's interest in learning what it is to be a butcher, and how he left the Babbo kitchen (after working there close to a year) to visit Italy and meet the people that taught Batali's father how to work with meat.

So in essence, the book becomes a detailed look at two journeys: Mario's and Bill's.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/books/10649027/10249/ http://www.riffs.com/books/10649027/10249/
Admittedly, I suck at these games.  I do not fly through them; San Andreas and Vice City were both impossible for me, and I found myself frustrated more and more often.  I am not cut out for gangland violence; at least, not when my weapon is a cordless PS2 controller.

Libery City Stories is pretty much the same as the two aforementioned titles.  Same gameplay, same funny commercials on the faux radio stations, same amount of swearing and violence.

And maybe just a tad easier, since I'm actually making progress in this one.

If you like the GTA series, there's no reason why you shouldn't get this for the PS2.  It's $20, which is a hell of a deal for a game ported over from the PSP console.  And it's just as good as everything else Rockstar Games has made.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/games/8440982/10248/ http://www.riffs.com/games/8440982/10248/
There's good tread on the bottom, and comfortable "tread" inside the Crocs as well -- making it feel good to walk in them.  That "strap" you see in the back there?  Up in the picture?  You can (if you want) move it forwards so it's across the "tongue" of the Croc -- thereby turning your Crocs into backless clogs (of sorts).

Huge variety of colors; inexpensive.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/fashion/10648798/10238/ http://www.riffs.com/fashion/10648798/10238/
I read the book, I enjoyed it somewhat, but it lacked the "science fiction" feel that I expected.  I'd give it a 5 out of 10.

It seemed to be more of a young-adult romance than a sci-fi based book.  Or maybe that was the point?  I'm not sure.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/books/10637522/10236/ http://www.riffs.com/books/10637522/10236/
Given that I would prefer (when I have a car) to get it washed completely at a car wash, it seems relatively silly to have some guy hold up the traffic behind me by rushing to get my windshield clean for a buck.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/people/10648795/10232/ http://www.riffs.com/people/10648795/10232/
Do I enjoy his more recent music?  No, to be short.  His earlier stuff (with Black Sabbath and then solo) is memorable classic rock.  His later works are somewhat corny and overdone.

But the man brought us Ozzfest.  And yes, "The Osbournes," though I've blocked that out.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/people/10388648/10231/ http://www.riffs.com/people/10388648/10231/
I. The Price
$20 US.  According to what I've read, if you have Midnight Club 3, you don't REALLY need to buy this version.  However, this version comes to you with another city full of tracks (whereas the first game has 3, the remix has 4 cities).  You also get something like 25 more songs on the playlist.

Rockstar Games is quite the smart company, given that they released this and the newly ported (from PSP) Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories at the same time for $20 each.  That'll sell.

II. The Cars

There aren't as many cars in this game as, say, the Gran Turismo series.  However, there are plenty of cars, and they're real-to-life models, unlike Burnout: Revenge.  This is not to say that B:R is a crummy game for its lack of "realism," mind you.  Just sayin.

IIa. Customization

You run races and win?  You get money.  Money means upgrades, for the engine, or the body, or the look of the car.  Within 30 minutes, I'd bought a VW Golf R32 as my initial ride, painted it metallic green with flames, got some sweet rims and better tires, and upgraded my braking and computer chip.  I don't win every race, but I look good -- to me, anyways.

And isn't that what customization is all about?  Making something look good to you?  This game's FULL of it.

III. The Gameplay

If you've ever played a Rockstar game, the driving should not be unfamiliar to you.  There's something like four or five different views you can have while driving -- even the "camera on the outside of the car to the side of it" view, like in car chases.  I don't recommend that one for gameplay, but it's good for cruising.

The game seems relatively non-linear, though there are obviously certain races you need to win before others.  There are also races/tournaments which require SPECIFIC cars: you're not entering that Hummer race with a Golf.  Won't happen.

IV. Soundtrack

I am a huge critic of game soundtracks.  Someday, I'd love to be in charge of one, and blow people away.  How many games out there suck mainly because of soundtrack selection?  Plenty.

This game's got a WIDE variety of songs, some very good, a couple shitty.  Unfortunately, you can't pick-and-choose songs -- you can only select  genres.  For me, I can leave it on "drum & bass" and be happy, but I'd like the option to pick and choose.  Point subtracted right there.

V. Replay

It's still luring me back.  I've by no means beaten the game, but it's obvious there are challenges and tricks I don't know yet -- which means I must play more.

VI. Bottom line

Get the game.  $20 for this much fun?  This is value for your gaming dollar.

Unless, of course, you hate racing games.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/games/10648659/10222/ http://www.riffs.com/games/10648659/10222/
The movie skips along every few years to see the Kray brothers growing up and maturing; my main complaint is that the movie essentially skips from the brothers being powerful and at their height to the brothers handcuffed, seeing their mother buried in 1983.  You totally miss out on the London police finally bringing them down, so you don't have a clear idea of what their demise was.

Aside from that, I definitely recommend it.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/movies/10423739/10221/ http://www.riffs.com/movies/10423739/10221/
Some of these have been

"Milk doesn't really need commercials"

or

"Baby On Board signs are passe."

When word was on the way that Paris Hilton was going to put out an album, general consensus was that it would suck.  And Paris knows about sucking, right?

This song is AWFUL.  Blame it on the mitochlorians, but I saw it coming: vocals like Britney when she got worse.  Second-hand beats.  You're not even entirely sure how to dance to it, because it's got this tropical thing going, but another beat on top of that! 

Why can't she just go into seclusion?
]]> http://www.riffs.com/music/10648658/10220/ http://www.riffs.com/music/10648658/10220/
I came across this at Barnes & Noble before having heard anything about it.  It's (as you can see) the source tracks for Madlib's "Shades of Blue," which was a release of reworked Blue Note catalog songs.  Madlib remixed them.  Okay, we're on the same page.

So what you're getting here are not remixes (pay attention!) but the original tracks.  And the original tracks are REALLY good.  This is one of those albums that makes for good background music for parties, good Sunday morning music, good riding-on-the-subway music. 

It's also a good disc if you're limited in your jazz knowledge (like myself).  I'm picky and it's hard for me to find other artists to enjoy -- this was a lucky pickup on my part.
]]> http://www.riffs.com/music/746528/10213/ http://www.riffs.com/music/746528/10213/