Our Top 5 Favorite Star Wars Themes

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John Williams is one of my top three composers of all time. His resume is truly amazing and unmatched. Since it is Star Wars day I thought I pick my top 5 favorite Star Wars themes. Yes this is in order.

1. Across The Stars (Love Theme) from Star Wars Episode II Attack Of The Clones


Justin - This is indeed my favorite Star Wars theme. It has such a lovely sound to it. It's really hard to capture an emotion or describe it in music. However I feel John Williams captured Anakin and Padme's love very well. A strong love, but also a sad love.

2. The Force Theme From Star Wars Episode IV


Justin - The theme of the force is a very epic theme. When I listen to it I can feel, like the force is being describe as something mystic. A power that a great people wield, but I also hear sadness in this theme.

3. Battle of the Heroes From Star Wars Episode III Revenge Of The Sith


Justin - This theme is pack with so much emotion and sadness. It's not just a fight theme, but a theme that represents the end of a friendship. I like this theme better than Duel Of Fates which is a wonderful theme.

4. Anakin's Betrayal From Star Wars Episode III Revenge Of The Sith


Justin - If you can't tell by now. My favorite themes are the ones that depict emotions. This is the saddest Star Wars theme to me. Anakin's fall into the darkside was the best scene to me in Episode III.

5. Final Duel From Star Wars Episode VI Return Of The Jedi


Justin - The real theme kicks in at 1:13 and it's very haunting and dark, but I love the foreshadowing of the Force Theme creeping in there.

Darth Bane

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Unless you are true Star Wars geek and read the novels you never heard of Darth Bane. Darth Bane was the Dark Lord Of Sith responsible for Rule Two. Rule Two states that there would be only two Sith at one time, a Master and an Apprentice, guaranteeing that when the Apprentice became capable of usurping the Master, they would be worthy of the title. The former would take the latter's life and role, and begin the cycle anew. Both Master and Apprentice were considered to be Sith Lords. Here is a little history taken from Wookieepedia.

History - Darth Bane, born under the name of Dessel, was the Sith'ari and the Dark Lord of the Sith responsible for creating the Rule of Two. Born in 1,026 BBY, he was raised as a poor miner on the Outer Rim planet Apatros. After killing a Galactic Republic ensign in a fight in 1,003 BBY, he was in danger of being arrested by the Republic. With the help of his friend Groshik, Dessel escaped off-world to join the Sith Brotherhood of Darkness. Initially serving as a foot soldier in the Gloom Walkers, he was recognized as a Force-sensitive, and taken to the Sith Academy on Korriban.

He studied there for a time, quickly becoming one of the best students before he lost his faith in the dark side of the Force. After a short time, Bane, as he was now known, was able to regain his faith and determination to become the best. However, he would soon lose confidence in the Brotherhood of Darkness, believing its leader, Kaan, to be a coward and a fool. Deserting the order, he studied the holocron of Darth Revan, and, armed with new knowledge, helped destroy the Brotherhood, allowing him to create his own Sith Order. Bane then instituted a Rule of Two, which stated that there could be only two Sith to avoid the infighting that had plagued the Sith for millennia. He styled himself as Darth Bane, and took as his apprentice a Human female, whom he christened Darth Zannah.

In 990 BBY, he sought to learn how to create a holocron, through which he would pass down his knowledge to future Sith Lords. The Sith journeyed to the Deep Core world of Tython to locate the Sith holocron of the ancient Dark Lord Belia Darzu. However, while Bane was on Tython, the Jedi learned of his existence, and sent a group of Jedi to kill him and his apprentice, who had recently arrived to tell him that they were being hunted. Once the Jedi arrived, they confronted the two Sith in Darzu's fortress. Though outnumbered, the Sith were able to defeat the Jedi; however, Bane was grievously injured. Zannah took him to Ambria, where she convinced the healer Caleb to help them. Caleb notified the Jedi Council, only to have Zannah use her powers to drive Caleb's assistant Darovit insane. He then killed Caleb, and was killed by a group of Jedi when they arrived, as they believed him to be the Sith Lord. Thus, Bane's order was kept safe from the Jedi.

A decade later, Bane began to worry that his apprentice was too weak to overthrow him and assume the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith, as was necessary under the Rule of Two. He began to research the secrets to prolonging his life by transferring his essence to another body, and traveled to Prakith, where he claimed the holocron of Darth Andeddu. However, while Zannah was returning from a mission on Doan, Bane was ambushed by a team hired by Caleb's daughter, Serra, and, grossly outnumbered, he was defeated and captured. Taken to Doan, Bane was imprisoned and interrogated, only to covertly gain his freedom a short time after. Bane was then attacked by Zannah, who sought to become the new Dark Lord, but he escaped and tracked Serra to Ambria with Darth Cognus, an Iktotchi assassin skilled in use of the dark side who Bane planned to take as his apprentice if Zannah proved herself weak and unworthy. After Cognus killed Serra, Bane, determined to test his apprentice for the last time, sent Zannah a message to meet him on Ambria. Following a heated duel, Bane attempted to transfer his essence into Zannah's body. However, her will proved to be too strong and Zannah defeated him, ending the life of the Sith'ari, yet also validating herself as his successor. Nearly a millennium later, Bane's Sith Order would defeat the Jedi and overthrow the Republic.

You can read about Bane in novels by Drew Karpyshyn.
Darth Bane: Path of Destruction,
Darth Bane: Rule of Two,
Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil

LucasArts WE NEED A BANE GAME!

Top 5 Favorite Lightsaber Duels

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Here is our favorite Lightsaber duels in the Star Wars movies. This is put in order.

1.Obi Wan Vs Anankin

Justin - No lightsaber duel has had more emotion and more at stake than Obi Wan vs Anakin. Not only was the fate of the universe but Anakin's true self was at stake as well.

2. Obi Wan & Qui Gon Jinn Vs Darth Maul

Justin - Double Lightsaber and it's Ray Park c'mon!

3.
Yoda Vs Darth Sidious

Justin - Yoda is pure badass. I think if he stop taking out his lightsaber he would have won this fight.

4. Luke Vs Vader (Empire Strikes Back)

Justin - I love the way Vader is teaching Luke as he is fighting.

5.Luke Vs Vader (Return Of The Jedi)

Justin - You can see in this fight that Luke has a little darkside within in.

Sakura Matsuri Event

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Today I was able to go to the Sakura Matsuri event in Brooklyn Botantical Garden. Unfortunately I missed most of the events due to work. However I did manage to get some cool pictures of the Folk Dance, some Cosplayers and some scenery shots. I didn't upload everything. However here is what I did see it was a very cool event. It's always great to embrace and learn other cultures.

Cherry Blossoms Folk Dance Pic


Cherry Blossoms Folk Dance Pic 2

Cherry Blossoms Folk Dance Pic 3


Folk Dance Pics


Folk Dance Pics 2


Dragon Folk Dance


The Geeks In Full Effect!

Kendo Fight


Kimono


Cosplay


Goth People


Performers


More Pics


Tea House


Poet Enta Kusakabe


Scenery





DLC Pros and Cons

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Intro - Bess and I discussed DLC on our Skype discussion a while back. However I wanted to go more deeper into the topic. Before I begin let me just say that I support DLC and have no problems with it. However there are a few things that I see foreshadowing in the future. I hope it's just my fear talking but I'll let you decide for yourself. Let me bring up Non Gamers, Geeks and Otakus up to speed. DLC stands for Downloadable Content. We gamers are able to download new features to our games that we have already purchased. These features could be anything such as a new level, new map, new clothes etc. It's really a great way to keep the re playability level up. Ok now that is out of the way let's talk about some pros of DLC.

Pros Of DLC - As I just stated. DLC brings us new levels, new modes and sometimes even a whole new game. I really love the add-on edition if it's fair and make sense. A really huge thing DLC does that I love is they sometimes, fix glitches found in your games. NBA 2K10 when first released had a lot of glitches just ask Bess. 2K Sports then released a patch to fix those glitches. Gears of War 2 multi-player had a huge glitch in which Epic supposedly fix. There are even some DLC that allows you to have the soundtrack of the games, which I think is pretty good. You see there is plenty good stuff about DLC *CLAPS* WOOO HOO! DLC, DLC, DLC!

Cons Of DLC - Save your applause this a rant after all. DLC cost MONEY! To be fair some DLC such as whole new level, game mode, or story addition I feel you should pay for. However things like a map and costumes should be downloaded for free. I can hear people already saying this "Justin your ranting about paying for maps and costumes, it's only .99 cents." 99 cents adds up eventually. Say you have to buy 15 costumes for Super Street Fighter IV, that will add up to around 15 bucks. 15 bucks on costumes is ridiculous. What happen to the days where you have to meet a certain criteria to unlock things? I'm sorry I will never buy a costume for a game. Especially when I know the developer could of just entered a few codes and boom more costume options. Another thing I saw that was wrong, Sonic The Hedgehog had a DLC for difficulty setting. That is wrong in so many ways. Why are you going to pay to play the Very Hard setting? I don't care if it cost $2.50 that is Metrocard fare in New York. In the old days if you wanted to play a harder level, you had to beat the game on hard. Beating the game on hard would unlock the harder level. There is good DLC that is worth the money. However a lot of the DLC should and could of been on the disc that we brought. I already the brought the game but you want me to pay more money to keep playing. Let's go to my concerns.

Concerns - My biggest concern is that we gamers will have to pay to play soon. I feel that developers are going to be withholding content on purpose, that way we have to download the DLC. Crazy imagination I know but I just feel that is on the way. It's like I said on the Skype discussion. Imagine you buy a music CD with 15 tracks and you can't hear the last 5 songs. You will have to enter a key to unlock those songs. Sounds crazy right? Well imagine buying a game and a mode is locked and you have to unlock it buy $. I'm looking at you Resident Evil 5 multi-player mode. That is wrong. Why buy a game and you still have to pay for more stuff? Just give us everything at once. What is really scary is that they are announcing DLC's before the game comes out. Why announced it? Put it on the disk I say. What do are you thoughts on DLC? Do you think it's heading to a monopoly direction? Or we should pay to play?


Favorite JPop/JRock Artist (Justin's List)

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As Anime Angel stated the Sakura Matsuri is happening this weekend in New York City. Since I will be working all weekend I won't have no coverage of the event. I know so lame. But anyway we thought it would be cool to share some of our favorite artist from Japan. Check out my list. Tell us some of your favorite's. Also I won't put everyone on here.

Utada Hikaru - I love Hikki to death. If I'm a Fanboy for anything on this earth, it would be Utada. She is my favorite female artist ever! She is very versatile with her music and style. You never know what the next album will sound like. Here are some of my favorite songs from Hikki.


Simple & Clean


About Me


Ticket 4 Two


Beautiful World


Close To You (Cover)


Sanctuary


Tsukiko Amano - I love Tsukiko as much as I do Hikki. This woman is very underrated. I first heard her on the Fatal Frame 2 souindtrack. Once again I was hooked and started listening to her albums. Check out some of my favorites from Taukiko.


Chou


Zero


Joker Joe


Utakata


Ningyou


Do As Infinity - I first heard Do As Infinity on the ending song of Inuyasha. After I heard that song I was hooked to the band. Here are some of my favorite songs.


Shinjitsu No Uta


Nice & Easy


Summer Days


NICO Touches The Walls - I came across them by chance. I was youtubing JRock and they pop up. Now they are one of my favorite bands. Check out my favorite song from them.


Broken Youth


Field Of View - Not putting Field Of View in my favorite would be a crime. You heard these guys on the DBGT opening theme in Japan. That's not all they did. Check out some of my favorite songs.

Dan Dan Kokoro Hikareteku


Last Goodbye


Nami Tamaki - I love her music. Click below to see why.

Believe


Brightdown


Promise Land


Supercar - I heard them on Eureka Seven and was instantly hook.

Last Scene


Lucky


Storywriter


That's it for now. There is many more but don't want to list them all. Let us know your list in the Comment Section below.

Favorite Songs From Japan (Anime Angel's List)

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To celebrate the Sakura Festival that is happening in New York, I'm going to list my fav songs from anime, j-pop, videogames and j-rock. I hope you all enjoy. Anime Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Tsubasa Chronicle- Loop




Tsubasa Chronicle- You Are My Love




XXXHolic- Reason




XXXHolic- Nineteen




Black Cat- Daiya no Hana




Soul Eater- Papermoon




Soul Eater- Bakusou Yumeuta




Persona 3- Burn My Dread




Persona 3- Heartful Cry




Persona 3 FES- Opening




Persona 4 OST - Reach Out To The Truth -First Battle




Fruits Basket-Serenade




Utada Hikaru- Final Distance Remix




Bleach- Life is Like a Boat




Bleach- Happy People




Aqua Timez- Alones




Bleach-Chubura




Utada Hikaru-Come Back To Me




Vampire Knight- Still Doll




Vocaloid- Fear Garden




Vocaloid-Twilight Circus




Vocaloid- White Doves




Heartsdales feat SOUL'd OUT-Candy Pop



Soul Eater- Style

Batman: Under The Red Hood First Look & Trailer

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A new Batman Animated movie is being released July 27th. This one centers around the aftermath of the book "Death In The Family". Featuring the voices of Bruce Greenwood, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Isaacs and Jensen Ackles. This looks really good and will have a review of this when it comes out. Yes we all know Kevin Conroy is the best Batman for voice acting. Give other people a chance!

Batman: Under The Red Hood Trailer

Batman: Under The Red Hood First Look




Ghost Hunt Review

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Hello guys. It's been a while. Well you all have been waiting for it and here it is. This is the review for Ghost Hunt!!!!!

Story- When you were little, have you ever wanted to be a part of the Ghostbusters? Well Mai Taniyama got a chance (more or less). She is a freshman in high school who stumbled across Kazuya Shibuya who is investigating an old
school house across from the high school. He has an investigating company called Shibuya Psychic Research.
This company helps people drive out ghost or demons that cause the living grief. To make a long story short
Kazuya and Mai are now partners along with four other specialist to place the ghost in the proper place.

Now its time to meet the characters. Woot!!!!!!!!!

Kazuya "Naru" Shibuya
Naru is just like his name says. Naru is very narcissistic. Although he is a genius when it comes to
investigating ghost. Even though he is very prideful and has a heck of an ego, I fell in love with this
character. You will too once you see him in action.
(*Justin is like Naru, that's why I call him that*)

Mai Taniyama
Mai kind of reminds me of myself. When you first meet her you think that she is just a typical
high school student but there is something that she doesn't know about yet. (No spoilers. Gotcha! ^-^).
Anyway in one instance when Mai finds out about why Shibuya was at her school and finds out more about
his personality she nicknames him Naru, the Narcissist.

Lin Koujo
Lin is the very silent one of the group and is Naru's assistant. Lin had to be on leave for a while after an "accident" that happened to him in the first episode. You'll find out what he really is all about in later episodes.

John Brown
As you can tell by the name, John is not Japanese. He is actually a priest and has a Australian accent. He performs exorcisms and has a good heart.

Ayako Matsuzaki
Ayako is a shrine maiden. She has a very big mouth and seems to act like a stuck up b**** in most of the episodes. Although inside I know she has a soft spot for the group.

Masako Hara
Masako is a famous medium that has powerful senses of the spirits. It also turns out that she has the hots for a certain someone in SPR and she will do anything to make him notice/realize her

Houshou Takigawa ("Monk")
His real name is Houshou Takigawa, but we will call him Monk. He is a monk without the baldness and a far from peaceful approach on some things. But I know all of them will love him as I do.

Music- The music sets such a tone for the whole series. It adds suspense to scenes that will freak you out, or lighten the mood when Naru chastises poor Mai.

Effects/Animation- The animation is awesome. The way that the certain items move in one scene and different in another. It sets the scare factor into an overtime high.

Final Grade on the Anime Scale of Awesomeness- I give this show a A+. Great story line, lovable characters, great animation, sense of humor and a sense of horror, this show has it all. If you haven't seen it or pick up a copy of it, do right away. I promise you, you won't be sorry. Remember Anime Rules !!!!!!

Videogame Hardware For The Ultimate Geek

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Credit to my beautiful friend @MissyJay for showing me this. Check out this website link below. Most of us geeks has heard of 8Bit Memory. For those who haven't check out these custom made Hard Drives, USB Ports and etc, gaming style. I'm going to buy one myself, this is just really cool to have. Below is the picture @MissyJay has, she has a custom Legend Of Zelda Hard Drive. Check it out!

Gigabytes of storage in a very geeky package!>


Futagami Double Brief Review

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Story Synopsis - Futagami Sousuke, 14 years old, is a normal student, wishing to live a normal life. But everything changes the day he sees a doppelganger of himself in his house. Since then, the girl he has a crush on, Amane, will introduce him to another side of his world he had no idea about, and it won't be anymore the dear peaceful days for Futagami.

Justin's Brief Review - Futagmi Double is a Managa that has it's moments. I like the characters of Futagami Sousuke and Amane. However I felt that the story was short and simple. It leaves us with a cliffhanger ending that foreshadows a sequel. However I did like the fact that Futagami Sousuke had to face another version of himself, in order to awaken his true self. Futagmi Double adds a great element of Sci-Fi and Paranormal into it's theme. The Doppleganger as explained by Amane is, a paranormal phenomena where a person witness themselves in another form. This element works well with the story, because Futagami shy character is not able to open up until he sees his doppelganger. Since this a brief review I will leave it spoiler free. Here is a list of pros and cons.

Pros
Nice use of Sci-Fi and Paranormal
Great Characters
Wonderful Theme Of Knowing Your Will

Cons
It felt rushed to me.
The shy boy liking girl is so overused in Managa.
Rushed ending.

Final Grade - C+

Madden 2011 Trailer

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Credit to Gametrailers.com here is the New Trailer for Madden 2011. So far I'm not really impressed. It looks like the same game as last year. I'm not liking this one play feature or shorter game. They always say that we are getting something new, but it turns out to be the same game. We'll just have to see.