DVR Weekly: 5-14-12
Life can get pretty busy, so the invention of the Digital Video Recorder, aka DVR, has been a godsend for those of us who love television programming. Well, I’m one of those people. In this weekly article, I’m going to talk about some of the shows I am keeping up with on my DVR. Pretty straight forward, right? Well let’s get started.
The New Girl – Ep. 1.24 “See Ya”
Finally took the time to go back and catching up on this show. 5 or 6 episodes in 2 nights. I had forgotten how enjoyable this show is. This episode wrapped up some story elements that I imagine will tilt back and forth as long as this show stays on air. Schmidt continues to be the funniest character while bringing some serious heart to a generally silly character. Nick has made strides in not being such a wet blanket. The only real disappointment to me is the end. The series is essentially back where it began. If it gets renewed, we’ll see if they figure some way to shake things up. Loved the joke about Damon Wayans, Jr.’s character, Coach, going off to hang out with other white people (Happy Endings).
Community – Ep. 3.19 “Curriculum Unavailable”
Another clip show like they did last year. It’s a fun way to do jokes that don’t fill an entire episode. Definitely barrel rolling toward the season finale in a fun way. Looking forward to the fall of Chang. But does that mean we lose Ken Jeong in season 4?
Young Justice – Ep 2.03 “Alienated”
This show keeps rolling along. In this episode we learn a) Aqualad’s whereabouts 5 years later and b) his dark parentage. An interesting twist based on the character’s origin and I’m looking forward to seeing what that spells out for the team.
I was originally going to talk about Sherlock but decided I’m going to wait until next week to do a special wrap-up edition.
I’ll see you all next week… same DVR channel… same DVR time…
Million Dollar Demos coming your way
I have in my possesion two of the unreleased demos from 2002 One by One Foo Fighters’ album! Ok, so yes, you could go online and find these gems yourself; but why bother when you could just join us here at Call Yourself a Nerd?
These are what drummer Taylor Hawkins referred to as the Million Dollar Demos because that is how much money the band dropped on the first draft of their wildly successful One by One album. Why were there two drafts you ask? Well, Taylor was recovering after a bad drug overdose. The band had just finished a long tour and were kind of burnt out, Ghrol was lending his talent to other bands to avoid the band’s creative blocks… in summation: Band drama + personal drama = The almost demise of the Foo Fighters! They dealt with their stuff, regrouped, because they are too awesome to split up and recorded in Dave Ghrol‘s garage to create the version you all, no doubt, have at home.
Before we get to the clips, I have listened to them many many times already and feel justified in saying that the Foo Fighters are one of the best rock bands of our time. They did release these two songs; these are the rough cuts. I appreciate the fact that they wanted to put their best work out there and not just something that would sell. Too many artists get lazy or perhaps frustrated and put out tracks that just fall flat. That is not the case with the Foo Fighters. They always deliver amazing tracks that hold onto that iconic sound while still evolving.
Enjoy! and scroll down for a tangent afterwards….
Tangent… I believe a band is only great if they hit on multiple levels. 1. Sound, 2. Lyrics, 3. Live shows, and 4. ego. You only have to watch this group live once to see that they hit on each and every one of those levels. At their shows it is not about the flashy costume changes, it is about the music and the fans. I went to see them play a huge arena show a few years ago and we were in the pit against the railings about midway in the crowd. They had a catwalk and lowered a second stage from the ceiling so that the people in the back of the arena could have a front row view. They used their stage in a way where even 5’3” Natalia could see everything. They were even gracious to their opening acts, thanking them and expressing how much they enjoyed touring with them. This time it was Weezer who opened for them and since it was the last date on the tour Dave decided to pay male strippers dressed as rock meds to dance behind as they played. I think the massive amounts of cat calls and laughter alerted Rivers to what was going on and it was pretty priceless. So yes, 1. nailed it everytime. 2. everlong… enough said. 3. Best views, great sounds, long sets, guaranteed encore. 4. T-shirts and Jeans, no hollywood crap, c’mon the frontman plays drums for up and coming bands because he loves music. (See: Them crooked Vultures, Queens of the Stoneage etc.), gracious, no frills!
This news is cool. Cool, cool, cool.
According to Deadline, NBC has decided to renew Community for season 4. The order, however, is only for thirteen episodes. This is not terrible news because it also appears NBC is saving money on comedies by ordering shorter seasons.
I, of course, am looking forward to this. As I said in the recent DVR Weekly, I’ve been a fan of Community from the beginning. Hopefully Troy and Abed continue to be prominent in the series, as they are the most fun.
Assassin’s Creed 3 Gameplay Trailer
Pretty straight forward. Ubisoft released the Assassin’s Creed 3 gameplay trailer today. Here it is via joystiq.
Continue after the jump for some of my opinion. Read More…
Ka-Pow 101: Avengers’ Next Villian
Avengers is almost a week old. While I can write a glowing review on the awesome move that is the Avengers, but instead I want to explain to the audience about a guest appearance in the movie. Before I move on, anyone that has yet to watch this amazing movie should know that there will be spoilers.
WARNING SPOILERS FOR END CREDITS OF AVENGERS!!
Do-do-do Do-Di-do It’s time for … The Album of the Week!
Hello by Karmin 
Karmin is: Amy Heidemann (Lead Vocals) and Nick Noonan (Keyboard, vocals)
I just bought the album which was released yesterday 5/8/12
Amy is amazing, she is the clearest rapper I have ever heard. I found this group on You Tube after they covered Look at Me Now by– Chris Brown feat Busta Rhymes. Amy was able to belt out this song with amazing pacing and clarity! Busta Rhymes would be proud!
I really enjoy this duo because they have such a different style. I am one of those people complaining about the lack of originality in popular music today, so a group like this is a fast favorite. My iPod has been playing singer/songwriter stuff for about a year now and I think that this group might help push me out from under my musical rock. If I had to compare this group to any other artist I would say that Amy does sound like a cheery version of Fergie when she raps. A bit nasally and she has a cute girl attitude when she spits her dope rhymes…yo.
Most of us have heard Brokenhearted on the radio in the past few weeks, there is one other song that I think will be released as their second single Hello which is also the title of the album. These two tracks stick out above the rest, but if you enjoy this upbeat-synth-pop-rap style you will enjoy this album. It is on sale at iTunes for $6.99.
Battle Royale: Game of Thrones Ep. 2.06
So as a trio, we enjoy getting together to watch certain shows. The current series we’re enjoying as a group is Game of Thrones. For those wishing to avoid spoilers of the books or who haven’t seen this week’s episode, avert your eyes.
Without any further ado, Game of Thrones Episode 2.06: The Old Gods and the New.
Ricky
The amount of things that are being changed from the book interests me. So far, we lost Storm’s End and Edric Storm, and in this episode, we’ve lost Reek to the gods of adaptation. Granted, his true identity is mentioned as the Bastard of Bolton, but we’re bound to only see him take Winterfell. The occurrences surrounding Daenerys’ visit to the House of the Undying is changed. Only time will tell if it was for the better. Overall, a good episode. A first glimpse of Ygritte, and yet again the circumstances are slightly different. But those scenes were enjoyable.
The complaint I did have was the riot in King’s Landing, specifically the scene with the High Septon. It just seemed poorly directed. The crowd seemed more like zombies than unruly hellions. And yes, I know in the book they tore him apart, but in a show that is so consistently realistic, it just could have been better.
Danny
They have definitely started to rewrite the story or maybe I just do not remember it from power-reading I did over the summer. Either way while they are leaving some of the fans from the books a little disheveled, they are keeping the story fresh and different for everyone (still surprises to be had for someone who is caught up in the books).
I am a little on edge on whether I liked this episode or not. I mean it still keeps the story interesting, but the whole hour feels disjointed. As a person who was able to follow what was going in season one and knows the story of the second book, I am frankly lost as to where they are in the story. With so many different ideas being rewritten, it is hard to know how accelerated the show’s story has become. Now I have to wonder how Theon and Reek will interact, knowing that there is no subterfuge. The show’s budget is obviously to blame for most of this. Again, I hope it shows when it comes to the Battle of Blackwater.
On a positive note, the show continues to impress me with the location of their shoots. The frozen wasteland of the north is a great backdrop for the Night’s Watch. I especially enjoyed the chase scene between Jon Snow and Ygritte (Ygritte is pretty hot).
Natalia
I think I must have asked Danny 5 or 6 times while watching this episode, “Was that in the book? I don’t remember this at all.” I understand that this show is not going to follow the book word for word, but I think some of the plot points they’ve changed are kind of important. Many minor characters are missing from Winterfell and they killed Sir Rodrik so early! Well, I will put my faith in the series to sort it out.
Was is just me or was this episode kind of funny? We finally get to see Ygritte and she is doing her best to get under Jon Snow’s skin the whole scene. Eventually he ties her up to make camp where they are forced to spoon to keep warm. “Stop Moving!” “I didn’t even realize I was doing it that time…” Another fun exchange was between Arya and Jaqen H’ghar; she is frantic trying to keep Tywin from learning she stole his correspondence and demands that Jaqen kill the messenger. The messenger dies in Tywin’s doorway without a word. Well… my synopsis leaves much to be desired, but I laughed when I watched it.
Daenerys is becoming so strong and her speech about how she is a special person was great. Although I think the choice to have her dragons stolen was a poor one. The character in the book had instilled enough fear and awe that no one would have been successful in stealing her children. Perhaps, I just want to think that though. As I said earlier… I am putting my faith in the series. What would happen to the Mother of Dragons amazing storyline without her dragons? This will be resolved in the next episode… right?
Well four episodes left… I am expecting big things!
Cheap Date: May 9th
Cheap Date brings you the best purchasing options. Every Wednesday, we will give you a list of the best items coming out this week to spend your money on. To top it off, all for under $30.
Let’s get to it.
Comics – $13
Two of Marvel’s best comics are out this week in Uncanny X-Force #25 and Wolverine and the X-Men #10. Uncanny X-Force starts a new arc as Rick Remender cements his station as one of the best comic writers in the business. And in Wolverine and the X-Men, it features a Avengers vs. X-Men tie-in but this series is still one of the freshest takes on the merry band of mutants.
The Walking Dead #97 from Image Comics comes to shelves as it closes in on issue #100. Now Rick and company have to have a band of ruthless oppressors in order take control of the newly found supply lines.Walking Deadbecomes the best when it is human versus human with zombies as the backdrop.
Scott Snyder shows why he is one of the best in Batman #9 as the “Night of the Owls” storyline continues. Batman must defend Wayne Manor from an army of assassins after he nearly died defeated just one. Plus he is looking bad-ass in his new armored suit.
Games – Free-$7
Alright, this is a weird one. Valve has just released the “Perpetual Testing Initiative” DLC for Portal 2. With this DLC, you can create your own Portal puzzles to share with friends and challenge the community. I can not wait to see what comes out of this from the community. The DLC is free for the PC. But if you do not own Portal 2 yet (FOR SHAME!), the game is on sale on Steam for only $7 until tomorrow afternoon. Either way; get the game, play the game and create some new puzzles to share.
And that is is for this week. It is a light week, since no real game or movie releases that I care for. If you did not need to buy Portal 2, then you are under $20 which is awesome. See you next week for another installment of Cheap Date.
CYaN Podcast Episode 2: Shawarma
Another week and another new episode of the Call Yourself A Nerd podcast. In this episode Danny and Ricky will talk about new movie trailers, bad ideas in drinking, Black Op 2, the Walking Dead video game, the Avengers movie and many more things. I hope you have fun listening.
(Right-click, save link as)
Call Yourself A Nerd 