2k

One of my favourite games to play for the console is NBA 2k. I've always been a big fan of basketball and just sports in general.

Commonly referrer to simply as "2k", this game is quite addicting. I enjoy playing the feature called "My career". You create your own player and play through his career from the rookie rising stars game which determines which team you end up with to a possible NBA championship you can win.

You make decisions through the way that affect the fan support you get as well as your team chemistry. You keep adding to your stats along the way, improving your player as you go.

If you like really fun sport simulation games, I highly recommend this. It is one of the few games I can play for hours and hours on end.

Daredevil's 2nd Season

A week or so ago Netflix released the second season in the new smash hit series Daredevil. Daredevil focuses on the corrupt city notoriously dubbed as "Hell's Kitchen", where lawyer Matthew Murdock adorns himself in red devil-outfit at night to administer justice.

Unlike other featured Marvel films like Arrow and The Flash, Daredevil packs a bigger punch (pun intended) with its more dark and mature themes and graphic violence. From people getting tortured with an electric drill to getting there faces smashed in car doors, the show is not for the faint of heart. Personally, I enjoy this aspect of the show; when anything goes, shows are much more entertaining to watch.

Charlie Cox does a superb job playing the lead role of Matt Murdock/Daredevil. In the newest season the kingpin is no longer the main focus. A new character emerges in the form of Jon Bernthal as The Punisher, another Marvel hero with a dark past. In contrast with Daredevil, The Punisher (alias Frank Castle) prefers killing his enemies as opposed to sending them to jail. He and Daredevil face off on more than one instance for this reason, although it is apparent at least to me that they have an unmentioned mutual respect for each other.

If you enjoy graphic stylized action violence, good story line, and mature themes, then I encourage you to watch the show, which is available on Netflix. Start with the first season though!

Solace Movie review

Solace is fast paced crime/mystery/drama starring welsh legend Anthony Hopkins and Irishman Colin Farrell that exceeds the movie database ratings I've seen for it.

The storyline focuses on an elderly clairvoyant man (Hopkins) who has been recruited to help the FBI track down a psychopathic serial killer who is far more than just a mere killer.

There are great entertaining action sequences coupled with mysterious plot twists that keep your eyes glued to the screen.

I'm starting to enjoy seeing Farrell more and more on the big screen and he does a superb job playing the role of the psychopathic serial killer. Hopkins, of course, is equally as enjoyable to watch.

While this storyline might be seen as somewhat recycled, this film definitely holds up against others like it.

If you like fast paced action and movies that make your brain fry then Solace is a film definitely worth your time.

Stogie Woes

I have the stogie woes, the 'gar blues. Cigar shops in the UK continue to disappoint me. Even more irritating is the deceitful, very misleading appearance they present, from the rustic looking cubans in the shiny humidors to the nicely dressed "knowledgeable" staff working behind the counter who pronounce the esteemed brand "Oliva", "Ah-liv-uh".

Upon first moving to the Britain both my father and I were beyond excited to have unrestricted legal access to cuban cigars. Most of you are aware of the embargo that the United States has with Cuba ever since the Bay of Pigs under the Kennedy administration. Statements have been made by the president on more than one occasion his intention to end this embargo. Well, as with other things, like shutting down Guantanamo Bay, the embargo has yet to be lifted.

Needless to say, my old man and I were quick to get our hands on a batch when we stepped foot in Union Jack land. We discovered a highly rated tobacconist in Oxford known as (much to our excitement) the "Havana House". As you enter the shop the first thing you notice is the fresh, bold scent of dark tobacco. For an avid cigar smoker like myself, the aroma is quite pleasant. The people working the counter are "Havana specialists", dressed typically in fine italian suits and dinner jackets, warmly offering their assistance, recommending the more expensive sticks when they can.

The cigar collection they boast is admittedly pretty well rounded.In addition to the highy regarded havana tobaaco, they offer a nice assortment of Nicaraguan and Dominican blends as well as popular American operated brands like "Oh-Leev-ah" (Oliva). They also have a nice variety or triple flamed table lighters, cigar cutters, humidors, and even hookah merchandise.

All of the cigars are very nice looking, with attractive visible veins, a nice aroma, and a smooth but rustic feel to the touch. Don't let the cigars' appearance deceive you however.

After purchasing the cigar (which are all typically 3 to 4 times more expensive than priced in the UK), it's quite tempting not to light up the attractive looking tobacco leaves as soon as you get home. It's best to not have high expectations.

Now, if you're new to the cigar world, odds are you won't know a bad cigar if it slapped you in the face. After the being in the game for about 5-6 years now, it's not hard for me to tell. All but one of the cigars that I have purchased in the United Kingdom have been bad, if not atrocious cigars. They have all either tunneled, have trouble staying lit, and just offer an overall bad experience (see my previous cigar post about how to get started the right way, and to find more information on tunneling). Not to mention my dad and my own disappointment to find that the Cuban blends we were so keen to try are actually worse than the other blends! It is very unlikely I will ever purchase another cigar here.

That being said, one shop in particular did offer a quite juxtaposed experience. The cigar shop in Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare's home, is (in contrast with the whole of the UK it seems) quite nice. Unfortunately I have only ever purchased one stogie from that shop; it wasn't even cuban. It was an unlabeled nicely constructed medium-bodied cigar that the shop owner claimed to be an unmarked experimental cigar from Davidoff. I found this hard to believe because the stick cost only 8 quid (about 13 USD at the time of purchase; for those that are not familiar with Davidoff cigars, look it up. 13 bucks is a bargain if it ever was one).

While I did have to relight it once or twice, the constuction was on par with a stick produced by Davidoff. The flavours were all there and the draw was perfect. That being said, I doubt that I'll ever be in Stratford upon Avon anytime soon.

The Blade trilogy

My newest movie adventures have brought me to the Blade trilogy. If you enjoy stylised action violence and dark themes, then I highly recommend these movies.

Blade is a vampire/human hybrid who possesses all the strengths of a vampire without any of their weaknesses. He is a vampire slayer, seeking to eliminate any vampires who threaten to wipe out the human race. He is an expert martial artist who is also highly trained in firearms and sword fighting, thus giving him his nickname.

Wesley Snipes was perfectly cast for the role and is just a badass on the big screen. I find myself hoping now a 4th movie is made.

Most are unaware that Blade is actually a Marvel comic book character who first made his debut in the '80s. These movies were the first comic book featured films to receive an R rating.

If you ever find yourself bored and enjoy watching intense fight scenes, the Blade trilogy is definitely worth the watch.

Batman: The Animated Series

I love to watch so many different things spanning across virtually every genre. One thing that I really enjoy watching, as random as it may seem, are Batman cartoons/animated movies.

For being considered children's show, the animated Batman shows and movies are quite mature. They contain very dark and adult related themes. They often see their main characters asking important questions regarding ethics and morality.

Many times Batman is faced with a seemingly impossible situation against a foe of his. During several of those encounters Batman is faced with the option of killing his opponent. However, it is Batman (Bruce Wayne's) belief that killing his opponents would in turn make him just like the criminals he has sworn to fight against.

The criminals Batman faces are most often psychologically deranged and confused. They have been through certain traumatic events in their early lives that have led them to their current state.

Batman, the arsenal of justice, fights these criminals in unparalled style and precision. He is regarded as the best detective in the comic universe and is by far my favorite superhero.

I highly recommend checking out the animated series as well as the feature length animated movies he is featured in. They more recent movies are more adult oriented, hardly for children, and they always entertain.

I miss Mexican restaurants

One thing in particular about the UK irritates me. While there are burrito places here, I've yet to find a "proper" Mexican restaurant.

In the United States, Mexican restaurants are everywhere. The food is great and the prices are cheap. It always satisfies your hunger as well.

Normally when you are seated you are given corn chips with salsa, refilled as needed (complimentary with a food order). They always have a combo option that normally includes a main dish (chili relleno, burrito, enchiladas) accompanied with a couple side dishes (normally rice and refried beans).

While I absolutely love Italian, Thai and Chinese food (especially Chinese buffets) not one can satisfy my craving for some tasty Latino meat.

I love chili rellenos and burritos the most. I can eat quite a bit in one sitting for my size, so the fact that they normally serve bigger portions than other places is quite nice as well.

Granted, in all of the UK, I have yet to discover one like in the US that offers the same experience.

I will personally treat the first person that shows me where I can find a place like this with a nice Mexican meal.

Java by Drew Estate: Cigar Review

The other week I smoked a very nice stick, the Java by Drew Estate.

The initial appearance of the cigar is quite visually and physically appealing. It has nice veins and a rustic looking feel to it. It is very aromatic and smells of chocolate and coffee beans.

At first light the cigar is bursting with a sweet coffee flavour with notes of chocolate. It is medium bodied and the sweet flavours do not drown out the natural tobacco flavour.

It is a relatively fast burner and the draw comes fairly easily. The sweet dessert like flavours make it difficult not to smoke too quickly.

Up until the halfway burn point, the construction is seamless. The stick boasts a decent sized ash as well, with a good smoke output.

The last third of the cigar sees the natural, earthier tobacco flavours start to grow in strength and slightly overpower the sweetness.

I would give the cigar a solid 7/10. It is a great smoke for beginners as it is not too strong. I have no real legitimate complaints, although I think that I would have personally enjoyed it more if the tobacco flavours were stronger during the first two thirds of the smoke (although this is just personal preference; I like strong, full-bodied cigars. But I enjoy cigars of every shape, size, and flavour).

The Good Stuff

There are quite a bit things that I enjoy. I pride myself in being an individual of eclectic tastes. Every day I am discovering new things to add to my long list of likes and interests. The stuff that "sticks" with me I dub "the good stuff". One of my greatest fixations and hobbies are cigars.

There's nothing quite like a nice smoke paired with a great scotch-whiskey!

Cigars are not for the faint of heart as most are very heavy in strength in flavour. Unlike a standard fag, cigars are NOT meant to be inhaled. Rather, they are meant to be "puffed". They possess varying amounts of distinct tastes and flavours that are best enjoyed and experienced while puffing the cigar and letting the flavours permeate your palette.

Cigars come in several different sizes and shapes as well.

There are torpedoes, churchills, double corona, culebra, and many others. The more tightly the tobacco is packed, the longer it should take you to enjoy your cigar.

There is a cigar etiquette that must be followed if you are to be respected by other frequent cigar smokers. Most amateur stogie smokers tend to force the ash off of their cigar, as if it were a fag. This is wrong! Doing that is equitable to disrespecting the cigar's construction. If the ash is still lingering, it has not yet been fully smoked! It is best to leave it as is, and every so often hold it over the ash tray and give an ever-so-slight shake, or tap of the finger, and if the ash still remains, let it stay. Brag about  it to your mates! The longer the ash the better the construction. The picture underneath is an example of a perfectly constructed cigar.

Another big issue with first time cigar smokers is the proper way to light one up. A common misconception is that the standard zippo lighter should suffice. This is not quite true. Using a zippo lighter can burn the tobacco before it is actually smoked. In addition, zippo lighters are known to take away flavour from the cigar. The chemicals in the lighter fluid can permeate the tobacco and ruin the taste of the cigar at first light. The picture below is an example of tunnelling.

Better than the zippo lighter is a standard match. A match can take a bit of time to fully light a decent-sized cigar. If you do end up using a zippo or match, make sure never to  touch the actual cigar to the flame. Use the heat from the flame as opposed to the flame itself. Make sure the cigar is fully lit before you finish. Some quit when they finally start getting smoke of the draw. This isn't the brightest idea as the cigar may not be fully lit. In this case tunnelling might occur.





Tunnelling is when stick being smoked is not being fully burned. Burning occurs down the sides or in the middle, but not in the full circumference of the cigar.

The best way to light your cigar is by using a butane triple flame lighter. They are not the cheapest but they are the most effective. They are powerful and quick as well as wind resistant.

                                            Above are examples of many different cigar cutters.

Cigar smoking is definitely an acquired taste and a hobby that should be researched and appreciated. Any more questions or thoughts? Leave some in the comment section below and I will answer as best I can!

Deadpool Movie review

First off, I have never been a big fan of Ryan Reynolds. He is an actor who exists mainly to satiate the fantasies of lustful women, what with his checkerboard abs, perfectly white smile, and those all-seeing eyes.

What I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt though, is that Deadpool lived up to the hype, in absolutely every way, shape, and form.

The movie begins in a slow motion action seen, as our "hero" is fighting off the "bad guys" in an SUV in middle of a spectacular barrel roll while classical music can be heard in the background.

The first third of the movie focuses on Deadpool's origin story and Wade Wilson, the man behind the mask. The story does just back and forth quite a bit during this time period, but it is seamless because the action, style, and humor remains consistent.

The whole film is rampant with hysterical dialogue and crude humor.The comic book character Deadpool is known not to have any filter on his words (which is both his greatest flaw and and his highest praise). Ryan Reynolds embodies this character with such brillance. I never took my eyes off him, every word that came out of his mouth was pure gold. Many many tears were shed at the theatre that night.

Another high point of the film is the stylized action violence reminiscent of renowned director Quentin Tarantino, although perhaps it may even exceed it. Because of his abnormal healing abilities, Deadpool fights very recklessly and without care or concern. Even while bullets pierce through him he can still be heard cracking a joke.

After watching the movie premier, I find it hard to envision the movie as rated anything less a 15. It would be impossible to make it into the success that is was without it. With that being said, it wasn't the first "hero" movie to see a rating like that. Before Deadpool there was the Blade trilogy, The Punisher, The Watchmen, and Dredd. all of which (with the exception of the Blade trilogy) I have seen, and they fall short of the standard that Deadpool has set.

Violence and humor aside, Deadpool also has a fairly decent storyline. He has set out to find and defeat the man/organisation that made him into what he was, and to save his ex-girlfriend. He finds himself conflicted when he encounters the X-men, debating his preferred methods,Viewers see an ever so slight glimmer of hope in his character, and that perhaps he truly is a "hero" (only to have the idea shot down by Deapool as he shoots down his enemies).

Deapool was my favorite movie in a long time, and I look forward to the sequel. Expect to see another film review for Batman vs. Superman in the near future (although the movie I anticipate the most is the new confirmed Bourne film with Matt Damon).