Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens *SPOILER-FREE* Initial Thoughts

Here are some of my initial thoughts on The Force Awakens. I posted this on Facebook a few days ago, but since not everyone has access to my Facebook profile, I decided to post it here. 

"I enjoyed the movie. Very much so in fact. It feels a lot like the original trilogy, but feels different at the same time. It is faster-paced than the original trilogy, and it feels more mysterious if that's the right word. 
I have some mixed feelings on several things in the movie (those fall into spoiler territory) because I kept comparing the film to the original trilogy, expanded universe, and to a small extent, the prequels.
I plan to see the film at least once more in the theater, but I will go to a standard theater instead of an IMAX 3D screen (which was sweet by the way).
Star Wars is perhaps my favorite fictional property ever, so this film is important to me. I am not sure how additional viewings will impact this film for me, but I am eager to talk more about it and I await Episode VIII (which thankfully is only 1.5 years away instead of 3.)"

So what did you guys think of the movie? No Spoilers in the comments please!

Best to Worst Mario Kart Games

The Mario Kart series is widely considered one of the best multiplayer series in gaming. And why not? The items, tracks, and variety of modes have kept players coming back for almost 23 years!

Today I am ranking the series based on my personal preference. So let's-a-go!

8. Super Mario Kart

To those who love this game, I apologize, but I just cannot get into it as much as most of the rest of the series. It is a landmark game that spawned the Mario Kart empire and was technologically dazzling for the time, but it just gets more and more aged with each passing year. If you play this one, play it with a friend and enjoy a blast from the past because the single-player mode is rage-inducing if your cannot grasp the controls very well.
7. Mario Kart: Super Circuit

Alas, another case of a Mario Kart game I cannot really get into. Perhaps if I had anyone to play with I would like it a little better, but as a single player experience it really lacks. Despite the stiffest turning in the series, I rank it above Super Mario Kart because it contains all of Super Mario Kart's tracks.
6. Mario Kart 64

Here we have another case of a Mario Kart game that has significantly aged. Not to fear, Mario Kart may have stiffer controls than modern Mario Kart games, but it is still extremely playable. Mario Kart 64 was a significant step forward for the series because it introduced 4-Player Versus and Battle Modes, Wario and Donkey Kong as playable racers (they have been in every installment since), and full 3D tracks that were steps above the Mode 7 graphics of the SNES.
This N64 racing giant still captures my interest because of its terrific courses (Koopa Troopa Beach, Kalahari Desert, Rainbow Road) and fun battle mode. One thing to wonder about is the title of the game. Now that they are numbering Mario Kart games, what happens once they reach the 64th Mario Kart game?
5. Mario Kart Wii

Mario Kart Wii is clearly the most culturally dominant Mario Kart game in history. It has sold 35.15 million units to date and still commands a high price. On top of that, most of my peers who don't play many video games think of this Mario Kart game first.
With all that being said, I love Mario Kart Wii. It has some of the best courses in the series (Coconut Mall, Koopa Cape, Maple Treeway) and a wide variety of karts and motorbikes (a series first) to pick from. The online play was also very fun and it's a shame that it's gone now.
All that being said, Mario Kart Wii has several factors that keep it from being my favorite (and many a critic's favorite)Mario Kart game. While it is true that every Mario Kart game has some sort of imbalance in its item system, Mario Kart Wii is notorious for being one of the worst balanced Mario Kart games. The Thunder Cloud and POW Block items appear far too often and are very annoying. Thankfully, Nintendo removed them in subsequent installments. The character selection is a little strange as well. Who ever wanted Funky Kong, Dry Bowser, and Baby Daisy? The game's graphics are also not that great. They look blurry to be honest. The Wii could have handled better graphics, even with its limits.
Despite all of that, Mario Kart Wii is very entertaining game that I will enjoy for years to come.
4. Mario Kart 8

The latest Mario Kart game is one of the most popular games on Nintendo's failing Wii U. The graphics are gorgeous, the controls are tight and responsive, and the antigravity gameplay mechanic is very fun. Mario Kart 8 continues to live on thanks to its DLC. Course/Character packs are available and 200cc (a series first) is on the way. Oh, and memo to Nintendo, please fix the battle mode. I would love some actual battle arenas and some other gameplay options (Bob-omb Blast, Coin Runners)
Mario Kart 8 may not be as magical to me as it is to others, but it is a great game that I will continue to enjoy.
3. Mario Kart 7

Mario Kart 7 helped save my 3DS experience. I got the 3DS at launch and only had Pilotwings Resort to play for over 6 months (spoiler alert: I barely played Pilotwings Resort). Mario Kart 7 is so fun and looks great on the 3DS. The kart customization, along with gliding and underwater segments, help shake up the old Mario Kart formula. Mario Kart 7 is a bundle of racing joy that I will continue to enjoy.
2. Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is one of the most loved Mario Kart games because of its innovations. It was the first game to use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and the first Mario Kart game to have revamped retro tracks. To this day it remains the only Mario Kart game to have a mission mode and customizable emblems (bring these innovations back Nintendo). Mario Kart DS is a brilliant game that changed the Mario Kart series for the better, and is still highly beloved today.
1. Mario Kart: Double Dash!!

Perhaps the only reason this game takes the crown for top Mario Kart game is because of my memories with it. My family and I loved this game so much that we took it on trips with us. My father, older brother, and I drove to Wisconsin back in 2004, with Mario Kart: Double Dash!! in tow. Despite the fact that we were in a moving car with only a tiny television, my brother and I spent our time racing along the beautiful courses of Double Dash.
All that nostalgia aside, Double Dash still has a ton to offer. The battle mode is varied and extremely fun, the dual drivers mechanic allows for customization and strategic mayhem, and the courses are some of the best in the series. Mario Kart: Double Dash is a quirky, innovative game and my favorite Mario Kart game.

So what do you guys think? Agree? Disagree? I would love to hear your opinions. Until next time, Wman1996 out.

Best to Worst Disney Animated Classics

Update!:My list is always changing. Since it is easier for me to edit my list on IMDb, here is the link to my list: http://www.imdb.com/list/zD5luSXjQA0/

Warning: This is strictly my opinion. If you think I placed a film too low or too high, don't get bent out of shape. Your list is likely far different from mine.

So without further ado....

1. The Lion King
2. Beauty and the Beast
3. Bambi
4. Pinocchio
5. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
6. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
7. Fantasia
8. Dumbo
9. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
10. Aladdin
11. The Jungle Book
12. Lady and the Tramp
13. The Little Mermaid
14. Alice in Wonderland
15. Sleeping Beauty
16. Cinderella
17. Peter Pan
18. One Hundred and One Dalmatians
19. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
20. Tarzan
21. Winnie the Pooh
22. The Princess and the Frog
23. Tangled
24. Fantasia 2000
25. The Rescuers Down Under
26. The Emperor's New Groove
27. Lilo and Stich
28. Mulan
29. The Great Mouse Detective
30. Treasure Planet
31. The Rescuers
32. The Sword in the Stone
33. The Fox and the Hound
34. Melody Time
35. Make Mine Music
36. Hercules
37. Bolt
38. Atlantis: The Lost Empire
39. Robin Hood
40. Pocahontas
41. The Aristocats
42. The Three Caballeros
43. Saludos Amigos
44. Meet the Robinsons
45. Oliver and Company
46. Fun and Fancy Free
47.  Brother Bear
48. The Black Cauldron
49. Dinosaur
50. Chicken Little
51. Home on the Range

Agree with some of these? Disagree?  Comments? Sound off!

Ramble: Ranking the Super Mario games

The Super Mario Games are my favorite games ever. Having nearly completed New Super Mario Bros. 2, I thought I would make this list of how I rank the games in the main series based on quality, impact, and my personal enjoyment.

1. Super Mario Galaxy 2
2. Super Mario Galaxy
3. Super Mario World
4. Super Mario Bros. 3
5. Super Mario Sunshine
6. Super Mario 64
7. New Super Mario Bros. Wii
8. Super Mario Bros.
9. Super Mario 3D Land
10. New Super Mario Bros.
11. New Super Mario Bros. 2
12. Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
13. Super Mario Land
14. Super Mario Bros. 2
15. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels

VHS Update (8-8-12)

Today I went to my local flea market and some thrift stores and found some great tapes.

1. The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Volume 3: Newfound Friends (1993 Reprint) - This video contains 3 episodes from The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Find Her, Keep Her (This is the only video release of this episode that has the episode's title card), Friend in Deed (exclusive to this video) and Donkey for a Day (Exclusive to this video). This copy is a 1993 reprint with an ink label (This tape my have Green FBI Warnings, but I have not checked).

2. Walt Disney Mini Classics: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1993 VHS) - This is the second release of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree in the Mini Classics line. This tape has an ink label and opens with Green Warnings and for the first time, the short's Buena Vista logo is restored.

3. Walt Disney Film Classics: No Deposit, No Return (2002 reprint) - I was in shock to find out that this 1998 VHS was still manufactured in 2002!

4. Dumbo (Walt Disney Classics 1985) - I was elated to find this tape for only $1! This is the first release of Dumbo in the Walt Disney Classics line and has a Black, puffy clamshell.

5. Storybook Classics: Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1997 VHS) - This is the fifth VHS release of Tigger Too, and the cover art is almost identical to the 1994 VHS.

6. The Star Wars Trilogy - This boxset is from 1992, and is one of the last times the theatrical versions of the  Star Wars movies were released.

7. Walt Disney Studio Film Collection: The Three Lives of Thomasina

8. Home on the Range - I did not own this movie yet, so I was happy. Personally out of all 51 Disney Classics, this one is my least favorite.

9. Make Mine Music - This VHS was part of the Walt Disney Gold Classic Collection. This was the only time the film was released on VHS and the film is edited for content.

10. Dumbo: This is the 1988 VHS of Dumbo. This VHS release is very similar to the 1986 VHS.

Rant: The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The following rant is about the popular Disney animated television show, "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh."

No, this is not a rant on the show itself. The television show is phenomenal. The characters are great, the adventures they get into are amusing, and the lessons that are in the show are invaluable. 

The rant will be, instead, the poor way Disney has distributed it over the years.  

In the early 90s, Walt Disney Home Video released 10 Volumes of the Beloved TV Show. They were as follows (The Laserdisc Releases had two volumes in one package): Volume 1: The Great Honey Pot Robbery. Volume 2: The Wishing Bear. Volume 3: Newfound Friends. Volume 4: There's No Camp Like Home. Volume 5: Wind Some, Lose Some.

 Volume 6: All's Well That Ends Well. Volume 7: King of the Beasties. Volume 8: The Sky's The Limit. Volume 9: Everything's Coming Up Roses. Volume 10: Pooh to the Rescue.

Each volume contained 2-4 segments from The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Most of the episodes were from Season 1, but there were some from Season 2, and a few from Season 3. Unfortunately most of the episodes were shown out of order (the first episode of the show never even got released!).

In 1994, Disney released new video lines with episodes from the tv show. Gone was the name of the TV Show. These videos had some episodes from the other 10 volumes, and some were new. Instead the lines were called; Winnie the Pooh: Playtime and Winnie the Pooh: Learning. Each line had 3 Videos to begin with and contained 2-4 episodes.



Throughout the years, Disney released more videos in these two lines, eventually leading to each line having 5 videos by 1999. In 1997, Disney kicked off Winnie the Pooh: Friendship, and this two by 1999 had 5 videos.

From 1994-1996, there had been Holiday VHS releases of the show that also lacked the tv show's name.

 Then in 2005, Disney released the series on DVD. It was reasonable to expect Disney might release the show in volumes with each episode in order of their original airdate. Instead, Disney released 5 DVDs, none having the television show's theme song. Some of these DVDs are worth getting because they have episodes you will not find anywhere else.

So the question you all might be asking yourself is, why does this matter. It matters because there are thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of people who would love to own the show in a proper format so they can rewatch and show it to their children. After all, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is one of Disney's most sucessful animated shows ever and as such, it deserves more than having episodes as bonus features on other Pooh DVDs, or poor DVD releases.

Do you agree, did you like this rant, constructive criticism? Sound off!

Welcome

Hello, welcome to Freezingred2's Disney Domain! Here I will Disney, as well as other forms of entertainment. I will keep you posted.


Cheers!

-Freezingred2