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Cuckoo's Nest!

  So this one was recommended to me by escapist: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. It's one of those classic books/movies that I've heard a lot about but never read/watched. For the sake of time I opted for the motion-picture version, although I'm sure it's not as good as print.
  I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the movie. I had no idea what the story was about going into this, so I didn't know what to expect. Generally movies like this with no real point or goal in the plot tend to bore me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The characters were both interesting (they're crazy, after all) and well-played (Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito, for cryin' out loud). My favorite character was easily Mr. Cheswick, played by Sydney Lassick. He was basically just a supporting role, but somehow he really catered to my sense of humor.
  All-in-all, this was a great movie. Memorable characters, a great mix of funny/serious/sad scenes, and just an overall natural feel, if you know what I mean. Nothing felt very forced. Thanks again to escapist for the suggestion!

Thanks!

Here's a quick thanks to those of you who have followed this blog and commented for me: Thanks! If there's any movie/book/music/etc that you'd like me to check out, leave a comment here.

Morrowind!

  I thought I'd toss in a quick post about something else I'm interested in: Morrowind! I'm talking about the third videogame in the Elder Scrolls series by Bethesda. I bought this game about 4 or so years ago and it quickly became one of my favorite games of all time. Possibly THE favorite. It's a must-have for any RPG fan. Not because it's super-action-packed or extra gory or terribly innovative, but because it's HUGE.
  You, the player, are dropped off in a small port town. After some character customization and a few instructions to get you started, you're given the freedom to explore the entire island of Morrowind, doing what you want, when you want, and how you want. Seriously. Kill anyone you don't like, steal anything that's not bolted down, whatever. There are over 400 dungeons and dozens of towns to explore, and over a score of skills to develop. I'd literally need to write a book to explain everything you can do in this game. If you can't tell, I love it.
  If I've whetted your appetite, check it out at Amazon: Elder Scrolls: Morrowind (Game of the Year). You can get it dirt cheap there. I would get the Game of the Year edition, but it's up to you. Hope you enjoy Morrowind as much as I do! And no, I don't own any stock in the company, if that's what you're wondering...

Minecraft!

  So basically, if you haven't heard of Minecraft yet you haven't been on the internet lately. Or ever. Maybe you only use the internet to see if anyone's commented on your Facebook status. Whatever your reasons may be, allow me to introduce you.
  Here's a brief summary from the official site, Minecraft: "Minecraft is a game about placing blocks to build anything you can imagine. At night monsters come out, make sure to build a shelter before that happens." Trust me, it's a lot more fun than it sounds.
  I think the beauty of this game lies in its simplicity. There's not point to it except to stay alive. You start the game with nothing, you're told nothing; basically you have nothing to go on. The twist comes when you find that almost any block in the game can be collected and then placed where you want. Not only that, but many blocks can be crafted into tools, doors, switches, armor, etc. The games sense of creation and exploration is palpable. The important thing to remember is not to let night creep up on you while you're creating...
  If you're interested, the game's fairly cheap to buy. It's still in development by its creator "Notch", who releases updates somewhat regularly. Of course it's possible to find copies of the game for free, but most fans of the game will hate you for doing that. The choice is yours. Enjoy!

Dream Theater!

Here's a quick overview of Dream Theater:

• Progressive metal (amazing instrumentals, little to no screaming)
• A massively under-appreciated band that's been around since 1985
• Home to the guitar god John Petrucci

This band has had many albums released over the years, but this little gem from 2003 is by far my favorite. It's heavier than most of the albums that came before it, which is probably why I like it. "As I Am" and "In the Name of God" are stand-out songs in my opinion, but the best is "Stream of Consciousness". This is an 11-minute instrumental piece that is just amazing.

If you want to make me happy, buy this album. At least listen to the tracks that I mentioned on YouTube. I dare you not to like Dream Theater.

H.G. Wells!

  I recently picked up this wonderful collection of H.G. Wells novels from Barnes & Noble. I was surprised to find that it was actually published by B&N back in 2006. It's a great-looking edition and it includes The Time Machine, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Invisible Man, The War of the Worlds, The First Men in the Moon, The Food of the Gods, and In the Days of the Comet.
  I've read the Time Machine and War of the Worlds before, both of which are obviously classics. But after picking up this edition I've read Dr. Moreau and am reading First Men for the first time. Dr. Moreau blew me away, since I'd never hear of it's storyline before. The way it's written really sucks you in, and you get a clear sense of abhorrence for what's going on on the island.
  As for First Men in the Moon, it's got that great steam-punky/classic sci-fi feel that I love. It reminds me a lot of Poe's story of Hans Pfaall (read that right now if you haven't already). Wells' story is about a scientist that's developing a material which blocks gravity. It works in the same way that some materials block heat and some block light, etc.
  So far I haven't looked at the other three novels, and I'm not familiar with them. I'm looking forward to reading them, and I'll let you know what I find out!