Department of Radical Kids: New Year Jollies

2011 is turning out to be a good one thus far, and if it weren't for a nasty bout with a cold/fever/flu-like thingy I just suffered through, I'd be a happy panda. Seriously, I can count on one hand how many times I've caught something since graduating High School, and I forget how horrible it is.

To kick off, I've used the Holiday break to catch up on shows via Hulu, to play/watch video games that I wasn't willing to buy at full-price, and watch movies I've missed out on during 2010, each with varying success.

Turns out Inception was an excellent film (R.I.P., Pete Postlethwaite) and I can see where all the hype came from. I admit I wasn't blown away as most everyone else, but that's prolly due to my love and preparation from the likes of Metal Gear and Eva.
Force Unleashed 2 has to be my biggest disappointment of the year, for the critics were right about all it's shortcomings. It's criminally short, the plot wasn't really that great, the boss fights dragged on, the level designs, while good and accurate to the source material, were repetitive, some of the enemies are still cheating and/or illogical Force-cancelling bastards, and the impact and importance compared to the original was severely lacking (Don't put Yoda and Boba Fett in a game for 30 second cameos with no justification other than to pander to the fanbase, dammit.). To be fair though, it was pretty, the music was good, and dicking around with Stormtroopers is still as endlessly entertaining as it'll ever be. Make it up to us in the inevitable FU3, LucasArts.
The Expendables wasn't a great film, but I'm a sucker for some Jet Li ass-kicking, explosions, and an automatic shotgun. To hell with those overly critical people who can't have fun with an action flick, I say!
I absolutely adore Princess Jellyfish. This anime is adorable, from it's art style to its zany characters and parodies. Definitely a nice surprise this season and I hope there's a sequel! *crosses fingers*
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn was as great as I hoped it would be. Plays just as if the series had never been on hiatus for 7 years. Totally sets up for a sequel, and that means 3DS! Think about it: Psynergy in 3D!
Super-excited for LMS. Got my copy of Killbook of a Bounty Hunter, and it's so sweet. Happy to support Adonis in his efforts, love his work, and glad he's got something big on his hands. Here's to the franchise!
I'm head-over-heels for Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. So. Freaking. Badly. Definitely up there with Gurren Lagen and FLCL in my book. Soundtrack is ace, hilarious in its vulgar and blunt humor, Gainax outdid themselves with this one.