Goodbye Blockbuster

It would appear that the entire chain isn't going away. But the local BB here is. I got my membership card way back 15 years ago when they first opened up shop.

And I will have to admit, that I was not and never have been much of a customer of theirs. We only have one location, on the other side of the city from me. And their rental prices were always higher, more often than not double that of a local store just 5 mins walk from my house.

And buying movies from them was always a mixed bag, due to their prices as well. I found when I used to collect movies that around Xmas and New Years was the time I would shop for good deals there.

But in the the last two years I haven't bought many DVDs / Bluray since I tend not too watch things more than once or twice with rare exception. And Netflix has come around, and has worked out well so I could divert that money into another hobby beyond collecting movies. Which have as much retained value as week old meatloaf, and about as much fun.

But the one spot where I did take advantage was their Game Pass system. For one monthly fee you could rent one game at a time, and switch it out as often as your like. Or keep it as long as you needed to finish it. And it was much more convenient to deal with them for this, than the online ones who offer the same services, and cheaper. But dealing the mail was a real pain. But it seems with a handful of items coming out this fall that I wanted to play, and buying is not an option really. Since games have hit $70+ a pop here new, and like movies I don't usually play them more than once. And don't normally dip into DLC. Renting is my best option. I will have to return to the online renting, for Gears of War 3, Mass Effect 3 and several other titles on the horizon. Hopefully Canada Post will be back to work by then.

The A - Toys

Toy Story 3

Went to see Toy Story 3 last weekend. Pixar is still on a roll. Was a good movie. I wouldn't call it great, but a solid good movie. Unlike 'Dragon this one works on a couple levels for kids and adults. And basically was an animated riff on prison break movies. The big one that comes to mind as an example was Eastwoods 'Escape from Alcratraz'

The toys end up having to escape from the Daycare when things there don't wind up to be all that they hoped they would be. Not too say much else, the movie has a happy ending. And one scene is right out of Return of the Jedi.

With any luck this is the last, everything nicely wraps up. And we get to see most of the toys. And some not more than small cameos. Namely, Zerg. So we know where and what happened to everyone.

So, certainly a solid good entertaining movie. Go see it, kids optional.

The A - Team

What a pleasant surprise this was. Let's just say now, that this movie was fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it. Even though there was a few really over the top moments. But, expected in a summer action blockbuster.

When I saw the credits at the start, I knew it was a very good sign, or a very bad one. And luckily it was very good. Riddly and Tony Scott. And no Russel Crowe in sight. I think their magic has ended.

But, with this being the second ensemble action movie this summer, after The Losers. I wasn't expecting much. The trailers looked interesting, but also a little insane. But, the Tank sequence was awesome.

This movie is a great Action / Buddy / Endemble / Comedy style movie. In the vain of the original Beverly Hills Cop movie. And it's also a sensible movie. I noticed that, there wasn't a lot of 'plot skipping' and by that I mean, where characters seem to do, acquire or take advantage of things that seem to come out of thin air. Where the audience isn't shown where it comes from, or how they got it. I found this movie had a lot of logical progression that way. If you pay attention they don't do much that isn't explained or shown as they go about their plans.

The only real down side I found was Liam Neeson. I like him, Taken was a fantastic movie. But, he just didn't feel right as Hannibal.

Awesome movie, heres hoping for a sequel. But with a $100 million budget and what I read was not a big splash opening weekend. I don't know if it's likely. Heres hoping for a big international showing.

And I am familiar with the 80s TV show, and I did find this a good homage to the original.

This is how you make a re-make of an old property.

Now where is the Fall Guy or Simon & Simon..