Josh

Yeah. There would be outrage if Apple was paying people $6000 to take the Power Mac. Apple outrage is a thing.

Welp I know what I'll be playing next Christmas.

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I really like how things are panning out, and I like that the characters are surprising me, turning out to be not-so-smart in some cases, and all that. I feel that's consistent with the writing of the show so far, at least. I do find it amusing how people on social media — the same people who have no problem with character inconsistencies in comic book movies and TV shows — are pissed about Danny going psycho genocide. Did we really think she was going to be a caring leader after all the hints were dropped, after she asked Jon Snow to keep the secret to himself because she just wanted power oh so bad, and after Sansa saw it coming? Regarding the dragons, they've been inconsistent since day one. I look at it this way: they're obviously sentient beings with personalities and strengths of their own. Treating them like D&D characters with stats (which I've seen a lot of - not calling out Romier here specifically) is exactly what's wrong with how people watch fantasy movies and TV in my opinion. Things don't get to be consistent because it's a videogame where the main character has to beat the final boss and win. There are no 20-sided dice. There are no RNGs with buffs and what-not. Sandor's final scene was amazing. Qyborn's death was perfect. He was an insect that deserved to be squashed. Euron's final words and death were hysterical. Loved it. I even thought Jamie and Cersei's death was fitting and well done. I really don't know how they would tie this all up and make everyone happy, but in my opinion, compared to other shows that had to do the same, they're doing it masterfully here. Anyway, I had fun watching it last night and that's pretty much all I ask of my free time.

For those who were waiting for The Show to hit $39, it just did so at Target.

Contributed whatever was left over after my ex-wife's alimony check went out.

HYPED

Let be clear, though, that as far as I can tell Disney hasn't released details as to what that $7.99 base price includes. Does it include Hulu? ESPN+? They mention the other services sort of as add-ons.

I've been using the x20i for a couple years now and I love them, especially if you liked the x10i. The dual-driver design results in some great sound. They're a couple years old now and can be had at significant discount from what I'm seeing.

Neat. Gonna check this out. Thanks for the heads up!

Good to know. Also, holy game depreciation. I bought the game new at full price. Today the complete edition including dlc is $15. The dlc alone is $10. Insane.

Somehow I never finished this and dove back in this weekend. Forgot how much I love this game. Quick question: Do I grab the DLC now or wait until I finish the main storyline or does it matter? For reference I only recently got to Meridian and am working through some of the sidequests there.

Let me make one thing clear: I watch some of these movies. I like how they look and sound and they entertain me. Venom was fun. Deathpool was creative. And I'll watch Spider-verse just for you. I've no interest in criticizing comic-based movies as a media, why they are popular, or why they are reflective of a low-IQ public as Mr. Maher sadly did. That was myopic and just mean spirited of him and I can see why fans would take offense. Sometimes people just want to be entertained, and sometimes people find depth in things that others do not. That's what any creative form — art, call it what you want — is all about. Any engaging movie, music, literature should be exactly what you describe: an escape. And yes - film (or at least commercial film trends, Saturday matinee movies, etc.) is indeed often a reflection of what's happening around us. UFO and alien movies during the cold war, Westerns in their heyday as you say. But they all do run their course, and perhaps the first signs of that are general fatigue and critics who — albeit condescendingly as you point out — yell, "Enough!" That's great, and Marvel and DC films are probably keeping the cinema industry propped up. Lord knows I haven't been to the movies in over a year as nothing has made me want to go (other than Burning which frustratingly only had daytime screenings for what seemed like 10 minutes). But let's be fair: what you're describing is just people interacting with one another. I had a funny moments like that last night on a street corner when I and several other New Yorkers were waiting for a light to change as we were freezing our asses off. I don't mean to devalue or disparage that moment, but those things happen to people who are part of communities. Note: that's what life is all about, and that sounds like a warm, fun moment. That said, I recognize that the comic and related community is vibrant, amazing, and fascinating. I've covered Comic-Con, I've interviewed Cosplayers, I've been to E3 more times than I'd like to count and I've always been envious of the community, the depth of knowledge that people share, the excitement people have when something new comes out or a new series is announced. It just doesn't click for me. I pick up a comic and I see the story structure and I nope out. I start watching a Marvel or DC movie and I feel like I'm seeing the gridlines in the Matrix and I'm bored. Truth be told, I wish I could hop on board the suspension-of-disbelief train with this stuff, but it doesn't happen for me. It's curious... I do love supernatural movies, and one could say the exact same thing about the corny tropes and story arcs that are so tired within that genre. You're frustrated because you're simply asking too much of humanity. That sounds incredibly pessimistic, I know, but look at how huge the comic (and related) industry has become and you're just looking at a cross-section of society. There will be twats. And there will be defenders. And there will be the majority who, like you and Romier and Joey and others, will simply grin and go about your business. I hear that, and I think it's certainly possible, but this is where I get off. First off, it is absolutely fact that characters like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, et al are part of modern mythology. Anyone arguing against that has his head up his ass. BUT... I do think that avid comic fans are at risk sometimes of over inflating the value of what they're into. The storylines and characters become increasingly complex over time as multiple authors and artists re-interpret them and serve up new arcs and throw back some fan service. That's an incredibly rich ecosystem and, again, I'm jealous of those who are deeply engaged by it. But like any other art form that runs deep when it comes to passion and fandom, it's easy to overstate its immediate cultural import. If you listen to me wax bullshit about how incredibly crucial late-70s and early-80s punk rock was and is to modern society and aesthetic development you'd think I was a madman (unless you agree with me, of course). My point, I suppose, is that, yes, it was shitty for Maher (or anyone else) to point at a comic and say "haha manchild!" But it's also a wee bit tiresome for some humans to hear about or read treatises on why Superman is philosophical allegory, especially if that person or author clearly has not done his or her literary homework. Not saying they haven't, but it's a relatively common thread that's sometimes a bit embarrassing for all involved. In short: you be you because I have no problem with it. I just don't see what all the fuss is about.

Me like high end restaurant. Me drink aged wine and single-malt whiskey from the un-sodden sphincter of a dead Scottish man. Me superior. Oh and punk rock and something something Muppets or Hunter S Thompson. Whichever because both make me sound cool. KTHXBYE.

Fucking right. I'm into some goofy things and I'm not apologetic about it. That said, I also do not care a single lick if someone else makes fun of it. I mean, I do karate. I collect records. I have every book written about Paul Weller. I'm a dork. I just think it's funny when dorks get mad about being called dorks.