Frost/Nixon Review

(Note: This may contain spoilers, however if you are over 40 you already know how this plays out)

This was the first movie I have seen in a long while where not a gun was fired or not a crude joke (that I can remember) was made that I really enjoyed. It also has the most appropriate title of any movie I can remember. "Frost/Nixon" sounds like a boxing match (De La Hoya/Pacquiao), and that's exactly what this movie was. The movie really followed the same lines as a boxing movie.
The beginning of the movie lays out were both Richard Nixon (played amazingly by Frank Langella) and David Frost (Michael Sheen) were in their life. Having not been around at the time of Watergate or the actual events of the movie, I found the background information very helpful. They painted Nixon as a defiant, hated criminal; loved only by his closest advisers and family members. David Frost was a media playboy who was known for talk shows and fluff pieces. The evolution of both characters throughout the movie was fantastic.
From there it showed the preparation from both sides. They went into enough detail on what went on in both the camps to prepare for the TV special. Frost's camp coming up with a thousand different ways to 'nail' Nixon, while Nixon's camp was sure that his superior intellect would restore Dick to his former political glory. The movie did a great job of laying out the tactics of both sides, while not getting bogged down in all the historical details. It gave plenty of context to someone like me who had a limited knowledge of the specific happenings of this event.
The third part of the movie was the actual toe-toe interactions between Frost and Nixon. The tension was extraordinary. You could feel them sweating under the 'studio' lights, and struggling for the upper hand as the interview went on. The internal and external turmoil of both characters was told in such a way that your feelings toward them constantly changed. In the end though you feel that each character got what they needed.

I would highly suggest watching Frost/Nixon as it was a really well done, tension filled political drama. It had great acting and a compelling story line as well as all the historical background you needed to understand the plot. I give it an 8.5 out of 10

Disturbing Trend

Below is a paste from the most recent email communication from Gamestop game store...

GameStop Exclusive Super Bowl XLIII Rematch Demo*

While you're waiting for the release of Madden NFL 10, you can relive the Super Bowl in our GameStop-Exclusive Super Bowl XLIII Rematch Demo between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals, with four 5-minute quarters! Just reserve Madden NFL 10, and you'll be eligible to receive a code for the demo, while supplies last. The demo should begin in late July, and you should expect to receive your demo code in mid-July.

Wow, if you put $5 down, you are able to receive a code for a demo of the newest Madden game. You are going to get to play the game sometime in August, and now you can use the demo to get some early practice in with the controls to utterly dominate when you receive the full game. Makes a lot of sense.

The purpose of a demo was always to give you just enough of the game to leave you wanting more. You get to play 10-20 minutes of the game, and if the game is good you will go out and rent or buy it. This has worked several times on me (Burnout Paradise, Tiger Woods Golf, and Killzone 2). The demo was a ton of fun, proved that it would be a quality game, and got me to drop my $$.
All of a sudden a demo isn't used to prove how good the game is, it's to reward people who would have bought the game anyway. I really don't understand this from a marketing standpoint. Why not release the demo to the PSN and XBL and maybe have someone beyond hardcore Madden fans pre-order the game. A demo would never get me to pre-order a game.
This may come across as a bit of sour grapes, however I assure you it's not. I am all for rewarding those hardcore fans who pre-order games. Give them something extra...maybe a code to unlock a spcial playbook in Madden, or a special costume in an adventure game, or maybe even an extra car in a racing game.
My issue is that something meant to help move the game based on the quality and build is all of a sudden a gimmick give away. A demo can cause me to want to buy a game, but only before I have to lay down any cash.

The Smorgasbord

Hope your hungry kiddies, cause its time for the smorgasbord!

I was dead wrong on David Ortiz. He is batting .204 with 17RBI in 127 at bats (35 games played) since the home run game. Now the news comes out that he is getting his eyes checked. I am just sad about this. I still love Papi, and it would be great if he could come back but my hope is gone.

I shocked some 'older' folks this week when I said I had never seen The Godfather (1972), Apocalypse Now (1979), and Scarface (1983). Obviously I need to catch up and see these classics. It got me thinking though, when I'm 50 what movies will I be teasing the kids about not seeing? Saving Private Ryan? No Country for Old Men? The Matrix? I'm not sure that they belong in the same class as those. Oh yeah - and I've never seen Titanic and do not intend to.

I went to get a haircut yesterday and came away with a few observations. The only place they are more wrong on your 'wait time' than a restaurant is at Hair Cuttery. 30-45 minutes turned into 90 minutes. I need to make an appointment next time around because as Charles Barkley would say "Thats ridiculous." Next, all under-30's that cut hair are required to have their nose or lip pierced. I'm not necessarily against it. "Ok, now for the final piece of your interview...nose or lip?" Finally, do not tell a hair dresser you use anything other than salon products. You will get a lecture.

I watched all 3 of the big E3 press confrences (see them here) and here are my impressions:
Microsoft - Great game lineup. Splinter Cell looks fantastic. Was initially blown away by the Natal demo, but the more I thought about it am I really going to sit and paint elephants? Do i really need to take the remote out of my hand to find a movie? Is it that inconvenient? The Milo demonstration was cool, but it really needs more 'baking' before I would be convinced it worked. My initial excitement is gone, however it is definitely something to keep an eye on. Beatles Rock Band is a must buy for me.
Nintendo - Mario+Zelda+Metroid seems to be the winning formula for Nintendo. We have seen Wii Motion plus before. I think its cool that they are supporting more mature games (Deadspace, Resident Evil) but do those really sell for Wii? The flinger clip thing seems like the most ridiculous peripheral ever.
Sony - Alot of stuff was leaked early for them including the PSP Go, Team Ico game, and PSP Metal Gear. Sequals look really good (Uncharted 2, God of War 3, Gran Turismo 5). Motion control was neat, but leave that stuff to Nintendo please. Final Fantasy 13 looks fantastic, and FF 14 will be really cool too. Im not a big online guy, but might give FF14 a shot.

Please buy my house. There's an open house Sunday from 1-3.

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I'll be on vacation in Vermont next week which im really pumped for.

Til next time!