Jack Attack Tuesday

Ted 2, Inside Out, True Detective &

Arkham Knight

Sometimes the movie gods give you something tailor-made for you.  Sure, critics might say it’s garbage and maybe even a few trusted friends gave it shit, but sure enough once in a while you get a movie that just hits you the right way.  For me, that was Ted 2.  I was expecting a dropoff from the first one, as it really boggles the mind how you can continue to make a talking teddy bear funny, but sure enough Seth MacFarlane finds a way with this flick.  Honestly, the flick is as funny as the first one was, which for me was pretty damn funny.  Also, it helps that Tom Brady makes an appearance, so there’s that.  I will say this now though, if there is a Ted 3, and if it delivers on this same level, I will gladly proclaim Ted as the go-to comedy trilogy in terms of consistency.  This is a strong 7/10 for me.

Guys, Jim Law was right!  Inside Out is a return to form for Pixar and gives you all the things classic Pixar films have (and the recent turds of Cars 2 and Brave lacked).  The extreme optimism of Amy Poehler’s Joy played against Phyllis Smith’s Sadness is what drives the film and, honestly, makes it one of Pixar’s best.  It’s difficult for me to see anything topping the Toy Story trilogy but Inside Out marks a return to grace for Pixar, if only for the brilliant cat scene over the end credits (funniest moment in the entire movie).  9/10, easy.

While Ted 2 was a pleasant surprise, I have to admit True Detective was an unwelcome one.  I didn’t expect the season opener to be so convoluted and depressing but I guess that’s probably due to the fact that season 1 must have been lightning in a bottle.  I’m two episodes in, and despite an intriguing ending to the second episode I’m not sure I’ll be sticking around for this one.  It’s just way too bleak and unrealistic for me, and cheesy for all the wrong reasons.  I know the boys harped on some of my feelings in the Binge Cast but I have to say that Vince Vaughn’s character especially is grating to me.  I’m no Vince Vaughn fan but here he comes across as snooty and false-badass, two things I don’t want to try and see that mongoloid trying to ape.  Truly a disappointment, here’s hoping I make it through episode 3.

Finally, we have Batman Arkham Knight.  Despite the technical issues of my PC copy of the game, once I got the game to a playable state this has turned out to be a great Batman story full of unique storytelling techniques and a few interesting plot turns.  While the mystery of the Arkham Knight becomes painfully obvious at one point the game still intrigues with an unmentioned and hidden storytelling device in the game.  I was worried a Joker-less Batman game would diminish this entry but I’m happy to say the writers found a unique way to keep you vested in the story, and in terms of Batman tales this is one of the more compelling ones.  I’m almost through the main story so I’ll have a more detailed review on the next Binge GamerCast, but for now trust me when I say that as a Batman fan this game is meeting my expectations.

That’s it for this week but keep an eye out for our daily content as well as a new Binge SportsCast, Binge GamerCast next week and our special Binge MusicCast featuring Elton John.  Binge On!