PS3 news reaction

Sony officially announced that the launch of the PS3 is delayed until November.  They didn’t mention a price and blaimed the delay to finalization of the blu-ray AACS standards.  I don’t buy it.  I’m sure that had something to do with it, but why haven’t we seen any games yet?  Copy protection is not going to stop developers from developing.

Still, I feel optimistic about the PS3.  I’m hoping that industry reports are wrong and that its hardware is significantly more powerful than the Xbox 360 as it will now arrive an entire year after the XB360.  I’m certainly glad the PS3 will come with a built in 60gig harddrive – I found the XB360’s 20gig to be very underwhelming.  I don’t think increasing the HD adds significantly to the cost, either.

Of course I’m still most excited about the Revolution.  I grew up with Nintendo and have enjoyed the many years of Nintendo pushing innovation ahead of its competition.  This time around innovation comes in the form of their wacky controller.  That and the low retail price has me sold already.  I’m extremely hesitant to plop down $400 for a XB360 and possibly more for a PS3 but Nintendo has said the Rev will be come in below $250.  I’m sold.

-Bob

Me Oscar Thoughts

So the big shock was of course Crash winning best picture over Brokeback. I'm a little disappointed because I thought Brokeback was the better film but Crash is making people talk more in depth and isn't used as a one note joke. Brokeback's subtle story of unrequited love over many years was more carefully constructed and beautifully shot than Crash, which pounded its message over your head. Much of Crash was beautifully shot and scored but at times (i.e. the car rescue) it went a bit over the top with its melodrama. The film had characters acting as both pure good and pure evil, leaving the viewer to average them out to grey. I found some of the Crash stories powerful – I liked Sandra Bullock's character and Ryan Phillippe's had an interesting twist, but I just felt it was short of greatness. I guess I am nitpicking because the film was really good, in fact I would have chosen it as my second favorite behind Brokeback. It's just when a movie is almost great it's very easy to nitpick. I am excited for Paul Haggis and hope he has a very successful career to look forward to.

Overall, I was pretty bored by the show though I did appreciate it being broadcast in high def. Jon Stewart started off slow but his jokes got funnier as the night went on. Favorite joke of the night: "Martin Scorsese, zero Oscars. For Three 6 Mafia, one."
Most cringe-worthy moment – Ang Lee saying "I wish I could quit you" upon accepting his directing award. This guy is so sensitive and so smart and so talented so why did he have to quote the most irritating line from his film? Ugh ugh ugh.

I have to go do real work now, but I'll be back later to review my predictions.

-Bob