Jack Attack Tuesday -What We Do In The Shadows, Parks & Rec, Dark Souls II and Nostalgia

Jack Attack Tuesday

What We Do In The Shadows, Parks & Rec,

Dark Souls II and Nostalgia

In catching up with the award nominees/winners over the past few weeks, I hadn’t realized I worked up such a craving for some genre stuff.  Granted, it has turned out that most of the movies up for nominations this year are pretty stellar across the board, but still, I like to bring it back and get my fan-boy fix to keep myself grounded.  Cue What We Do In The Shadows, a spoof of The Real World, only with vampires in modern-day Wellington, New Zealand, that plays as the heir apparent to the best Christopher Guest has to offer.  Basically, part of the comedy nucleus behind Flight of the Conchords, Jermaine Clement, and one of his writing partners Taika Waititi, put together a pretty fantastic little comedy-spoof that, for me, hits all the right tones.  As is the case with a lot of comedies, the characters are what sell this, and between Vlad, Viago and Deacon, you’ve got three distinctly different, absent-minded and hilarious vampires.  This is the kind of flick that, to me, is right in line with stuff like Bubba Ho-Tep as a small genre flick with a lot of originality and wit.  This is an easy 8 on 10 for me and rewatchable as fuck.

Not only was I blindsided by the fact that Parks & Rec was starting back up this week, but you can imagine how stoked I was when Werner Herzog showed up in a bit part.  This show has to be the most consistently funny sitcom of the past decade.  There are so many moments, characters and story arcs that make me chuckle just in thinking about them that I can’t help but appreciate everything these writers throw at us.  Add to the fact that despite his star turn in Guardians of the Galaxy that I can still see Chris Pratt as the moronic Andy Dwyer and I’m all in.  Great start to the season and I’m anxious to see where they take us, especially in reference to the mysterious “Morningstar”…

71 hours later I completed my first run of Dark Souls II.  The verdict?  This is easily my favorite medieval RPG of all time.  The challenge this game gives you and the deep customization/effect you can have on the game world is fantastic.  I will admit at times I’ve been scratching my head, trying to figure out what the FUCK I’m supposed to do next/how to kill said boss/why the controller won’t let me jump to THE OTHER FUCKING PLATFORM, etc.  But for all the frustration, I can honestly say this game has everything I want from it.  The combat is fantastic and engaging.  The challenge is consistent and rewarding.  The story, while sparse and impossible to digest in a lot of ways, is mysterious and really fantastic.  I know I’ve fifed over this a few times before but seriously, stop being a bitch and play this.

What, did you think I’d go through an entire article without mentioning my ultimate pride?  I’ve posted that pic above and to the left here before but the one on the right was taken following the New England blowout of the Ponies.  Look, I like and respect Pagano and Luck a lot.  Pagano, with all his personal and health issues and Luck with his respect, patience, intelligence and reverence to the sport and his colleagues are both incredibly admirable people to have in your organization.  The owner might be a drunk, but that’s not my point.  My point is, Manning plays for the Broncos, so I’m ok with the Colts.  Especially since the last four times we’ve played them they have been absolutely spanked.  All that being said, sorry not sorry.  If you can’t capitalize throughout the game and your quarterback is making bad decisions on the field, you deserve to be embarrassed.  Hopefully Luck learns from this and improves his game, because as I said I’d like to see him improve and become a really solid quarterback.  I’ve been lucky to see two AFC Championship games.  I understand the time I’m living in.  My grandfather lived to 78and never saw the Sox win once in his entire lifetime, so I do understand that as a fan I am completely spoiled by this team.  But I’ll tell you what, seeing Brady get the team fired up on the sideline in the third quarter was fantastic.  Belichick giving a rare grin after the win was pretty awesome.  Gronk dancing with the team (unfortunately for me with his pants ON) was a lot of fun and the atmosphere was electric.  I can’t wait for the Super Bowl.  Ammon and I will commence some shit talking, but we will find the right time and place for it (hopefully a podcast sometime in the next two weeks).

Also, I’d just like to take a moment and bring light to something that’s currently making the rounds on NFL media.  The whole Deflate Gate thing is, in my mind, completely retarded.  Also, isn’t it on the refs to notice something like that as it happens?  Also, why did it take the refs so long to actually get the proper ball on the field?  Also, doesn’t temperature change have something to do with ball inflation?  Also, why is is that every great Patriots win has to be questioned on a level that no other team has to deal with?  Also, is the entire NFL butthurt that no one could stop us again?  I think the last question has everything to do with the previous ones.  You’re witnessing the GOAT, stand up and pay your respects.

Keep an ear out for some fresh commentaries and shows this week and, as always, Binge On!