Xbox live Time Warner/ Road Runner Alert

     I tried to get on my Xbox 360 about 27 hours ago, and I noticed my Xbox live wasn't working.  It would connect to the network, the internet, but not Xbox live.  It didn't give any status or why it wasn't connecting (I honestly thought it was an issue connection on my side.
     On Sept 22, 2012 Xbox had put a status on www.xbox.com/service alerts stating that there was an issue connecting with some Time Warner / Road Runner ISP users to connect.  It states that if you're having an issue, be patient and they are trying to work out the problem

     It doesn't state how long the issue may go on, only that they will keep us updated.  I hope if there is much time lost they will at least renew the time that I can't get onto Xbox live since I have to pay a yearly membership to use it.

    I had posted a video on youtube stating this
    You can see it at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3oIYrGOgz4&feature=plcp

Expendables 2 (Movie Review)

    

     Expendables 2 was released in theaters in the United States in August 17, 2012.  Just like the first expendables it brings an all star cast of 80's action film stars (plus some other action stars in their own right)  Sylvester Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, Terry Crews, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Liam Hemsworth and Bruce Willis.  As you can see it has a great cast.
     One of the problems usually seen in movies with a big cast is too much is happening with the actors, or not enough, and the movie just tends not to be good.  The story is slow, too many people to not be able to connect with any of them, etc.
     We saw in the first Expendables movie that this is not just about one actor, and it doesn't show like one actor tries to out do the others in the movie, and offers plenty of introduction to the characters, and gives a purpose in redemption of Stallone's character (Barney Ross) in the movie with going to save a woman who is being held by the enemy.
 
     The second one starts out straight into action, with the team dispatched to Nepal to rescue a Chinese businessman.  They also rescue a captured mercenary (Arnold Schwarzenegger).  A great action sequence showing what the men are capable of (especially Liam Hemsworth characer Billy the Kid as the sniper)  After the mission they are on the helicopter, Jet Li drops with a parachute with the chinese businessman saying "Maybe I will return, maybe not"  (He doesn't, not for this movie anyway)
      Afterwards, while the team is celebrating Barney Ross goes off on his own to collect his thoughts, and runs into Willis's character Church, who informs him that because of what happened in the first movie he owes him, and needs a mission done to retrieve an item from a crashed airplane shot down in Alibania.  And they are also getting a teammate Maggie Chan (Yu Nan).  During the mission they retrieve the mission they retrieve the item, but this is when they are introduced to Jean-Claude Van Damme and his band of mercenaries who want the object.  They are holding Billy hostage, and the team is forced to give the item over without causing bloodshed.
     From there it becomes about getting the item back, because it is proven that is has a location for an abandoned mine with five tons of refined plutonium.  So, with personal reasons and retaining the item the team is set on taking Van Damme (Jean Vilan) down.

My Thoughts
     There is a lot more action within this time around, since there is no need to introduce the characters there is a lot less down time.  There is still some, like hanging out after the first mission, and relaxing in between missions, that can cause for some humor (which is pretty good0.  But the action and story has a better feeling this time around.  In the first Expendables to me it felt like Rambo did, with him going to save a woman for redemption, just had a better team in the Expendables.  So it was nice to see it revolve more with the team this time around.
     This movie shows the introduction of Van Damme as the bad guy (and he does a damn good job and proves to be ruthless), and Chuck Norris (who the team meats along the way).  Along with the return of Arnold and Bruce Willis for this one.
     While Arnold does his one liners "I'm back" of course, the movie actually pokes fun at the actors one liners and catch phrases back in the 80's.  And yes, Chuck Norris even does a Chuck Norris fact in the movie, which was hilarious.

     It was great to see him back on the big screen after a few years, and he still looks good and kicks some serious ass in it.  As does everybody else.

The Ending
     Don't worry, I'm trying to be as spoiler free as I can, but the last battle has every one in one great shootout.  Showing why all of these actors were and are complete bad asses.  And the fight between Van Damme and Stallone was like a dream come true. 

The movie was a great, better than the original, and it makes me look forward to another Expendables (don't worry, there will be another one).  I'd love to see who may make an appearance in that one.

Final Score:  8/10 (Bad ass, and I will buy it on blu ray)

Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes

   
     This is not Metal Gear Revengeance that is getting ready to be released.  Hideo Kojima has announced that a new Metal Gear Solid game named Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes was shown at a PAX presentation
     This is an open-world Metal Gear game, which I believe is going to be just a lot more to do as Big Boss.  Yes, I did say Big Boss because this will be a prequel to the Metal Gear Solid games, with Big Boss back in Foxhound, before he turned into a bad guy.
     Now I myself loved to play Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater.  I know that I had a great time playing as Big Boss, and did enjoy the love interest, (or lack thereof  at times), with Eva.  It was a great story, with some very memorable quotes to gaming history to me.  It wasn't at the time when Metal Gear became over with too many cutscenes (Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots was way too much for cutscenes)
     I love the idea of learning more about the history of the legendary Big Boss.  The story was told at the end of Guns of the Patriots, but I would love to see how it plays out.  I love to be able to get Metal Gear Solid in an open world.  While this is uncomfirmed on the type of interactions that the characters will have, Hideo Kojima said in an interview that he liked the Deus-Ex style social interactions with different characters.  But didn't go any further in an interview stating "...if I say more the female ninja public relations officer, who is behind the door, I will be carved up into pieces"  So they are obviously trying to be tight lipped about the project because as early as it is with any production.
     If there is one thing Hideo Kojima is good at is being tight lipped and not induging much information (such as the surprise to many fans about playing as a different character named Raiden all together in most of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty)
     I myself can't wait to hear more about this game, and I love the idea of taking Metal Gear Solid franchise into an open world.  Giving Snake more interaction with people, more places to go, and much more time to play as the character instead of the linear gameplay that has seen this franchise so much.  I just hope it doesn't take away from the sneaking element and CQC style fighting that Big Boss has become legendary for.

     Only time will tell, but to see a video of the gameplay that is shown for Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes check this link here