So I've been busy pulling hair out and nearly throwing my controller through my TV while playing Rockstar Table Tennis.  The game creates a new level of hate for me.  Oh I've hated games before and have sweared at a TV set on many occasions, but nothing like this.

I've managed to get through the Easy and Medium tourneys with relative ease and only a bit of TV swearing.  But level Hard is really kicking my ass.  The word "Hard" is an understatement by the way.  The worst part is when you get off center of the table and the computer decides to serve one up to you on the other side.  Well if the characters didn't move like they're playing hop scotch and actually run over in the direction you telling them to it wouldn't be bad.  Sadly they don't so it is bad. 

Oh and the thumb sores.  Most games I can play for hours on end if I feel so inclined and it won't even phase me.  If I play Table Tennis more then an hour I get the worst case of numb thumb I've ever had.  It lasted for 2 days when I first got the game and played a couple of hours.  I know this could be solved by using the thumbstick to shoot instead of the buttons but then I just suck even more.

I think I'm done with this game for awhile. 

"Fear can hold you prisoner, hope can set you free." That's the basis of The Shawshank Redemption, which no doubt every one of you has seen. I received the 2-disc special edition DVD the other day and just watched the film for about the 20th time last night. Man I love this movie. It's such a great story. It's a film that can literally take you there because it's so engrossing. I like how it's told through the eyes of Red, a convicted murderer sent to prison for life, "And that's exactly what they take." as Red puts it. Morgan Freeman's narration is perfect. Then there's Andy, convicted of a crime he didn't commit and his life seemingly destroyed. Though, throughout the film he retains what most in his shoes have lost, hope. The conflicts with the crooked warden and guards makes Andy's redemption at the end all the more satisfying. Over the course of the film you begin to see these characters for what they are, people. Not the criminals society has labeled them. All of the supporting cast is not what you would suspect from prisoners. They've adapted to this place, this hell. They've made what they could of it and it has broken most of them. The ending has no doubt brought tears to eyes of many who have seen it. I know the first time I saw it I was moved by it like no other film before it and I still get that feeling each time I see it. Every aspect of this movie is pure gold. The storytelling, acting, musical score, direction. Everything. I don't think a movie like this will ever come along again.