Party Time!

The Fortress wishes you a Happy New Year. Just don't over-do it...


Well, that's 2006 pretty much wrapped up, and so its time to close The Fortress doors for a few days while I get very, very drunk indeed.

I actually don't mind the overall sense of New Year. I far prefer its sentiment, that of looking back over the year and looking towards the forthcoming one, over the bloated, cash hungry mess that Christmas has become.

Well, 2006 was the year that I started this little site, and while its not exactly going to give Google a run for its money, I'd like to think we're all part of something pretty cool. The regular visitors here are JUST the sort of people I was hoping would join; smart, funny and into cool stuff. Hopefully 2007 will see a few more step through those doors.

Hell, 2006 was a very important year for regular contributor Invisible Wolfman, as he told us all himself here. I had to walk away from the site a few times because of my University studies, but it looks like that paid off. I got my results back for this year and I passed, with distinction no less. So expect a few more sabbaticals in 07. A pain I know, but what can you do?

Anyway, I'm signing off for the last time this year. Time to get my dancing shoes on and go pound the hell out of my liver. Whatever you're doing for New Year, Loyal Dwellers - make sure you have a good time doing it.

I'll see you in 2007.

Woooooooooooooh!

Fantastic Four 2: Rise Of The Silver Surfer - The Trailer is HERE!

Let's face it - the first FF movie was nothing to write home about. Flimsy characters, dodgy plot, lack of attention to detail (what exactly WERE Doctor Doom's powers? Did they want another Magneto?) In fact, the best bit in the whole damn film was Jessica Alba stripping down to her underwear. Which, admittedly, would be a hard act to follow in any film.

But they may just have got it right with this one. The Silver Surfer looks set to steal the show - as Johnny rightfully says.. "ohhh, that's cool!"

Thoughts?

Merry Christmas from The Curmudgeon.

Don't worry - the nightmare is almost over.

Well, the shopping is done (and I got off with a pretty stress-free shopping experience this year, actually), the gifts are wrapped and it's almost Christmas Eve. So that means I'll be heading back to the Birthplace Of The Curmudgeon for a few days, and closing the Fortress doors for a festive break.

Now, I don't go around wishing just anyone "Merry Christmas". Hell, I AM The Curmudgeon, you know. But hey - this is MY site - The Fortress Of Solitude - and YOU are here, which makes you pretty damn cool, and deserving of a Christmas that is, by all accounts, Merry.

So whatever you're doing, however you're spending the 25th of December - I hope you all have a blast, and I hope you'll be back on this here site on the 27th.

You know you want that too.

Get ready to drool..

The Transformers Trailer is HERE!

Now, I realise I may be setting myself up for a BIG fall. The words "movie" and "Michael Bay" very rarely sit well with the Irresponsible Hate Monger (well, except The Rock and Con Air, obviously - everything else has sucked). But, who knows, he may well have caught lightning in a bottle with this franchise. And WHAT a franchise.

Transformers. On paper it could never work. But with todays technology and special effects (and THIS is a movie that will benefit from loads of CGI) it could look awesome.

And you know what? It sure does..

http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/transformers_hd.html

I know you don't see an awful lot (it is a trailer, after all) but what's there on the screen looks mighty impressive so far. I think its a good idea that there aren't too many Transformers/Decepticons (same idea as X-Men I suppose - you don't want to fill the movie with characters that will end up getting five minutes of screen time).

Spider-Man 3 - most eagerly anticipated movie of 2007? Meet your competition.

Christmas Movies!

What's YOUR favourite?

First of all, I apologise for THAT image. No-one ever said venturing into The Fortress was risk-free.

Christmas is almost upon us and you know what? I'm actually rather looking forward to it. Its always the same - once the present buying and the cards and all that shit gets out of the way, its not a bad time at all. What, spending time with my family, getting presents and getting drunk? What's not to like about that?

Anyway, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas MOVIES. When you really think about it, its staggering to think just how many there actually are - some good, some bad - some downright hideous. Here's good ol' Wikipedia with a helpful reminder to get your brain running..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Christmas_films

Its a weird genre because not all Christmas films are 100% about Christmas per se, unlike, say, Santa Claus: The Movie or Miracle On 34th Street. Over in Britain, the James Bond movies have become something of a Christmas staple, as has the likes of Wizard Of Oz and, I'm sure will become a tradition - Harry Potter. Not Christmas movies at all, but something everyone enjoys watching at this time of year.

So what's your favourite Christmas movie? I think mine has to be Gremlins. Not an immediately obvious choice, I suppose, but its still a wickedly enjoyable satire and even now in the days of CGI the Gremins themselves still look awesome. Best bit? When they're out carol singing and then all cackle and plump back down into the snow and scurry off. Just a brilliant, funny family film - full of enough wit, action and "awwww" moments for everyone to enjoy.

So that's The Curmudgeon's pick of festive films. And yours.....?

Yup, more Christmas stuff...

So what do YOU want for Christmas?

First of all, a hearty apology for the lack of any new posts over the last week or so. This is due to a few things I won't go into, but mostly its down to that most dreaded of all things - Christmas shopping. Yes, call me a hypocrite if you will, that after blasting Christmas and the hollow, cynical cash-hungry farce it is - and THEN fuelling that very same farce, but there is one very good reason for this. I have a wife.

Now, I'm not so delusional to think I'm not the only one who's going to wake up to new stuff on the 25th (and hey - even The Curmudgeon doesn't mind the actual day itself when it comes), so now's the time to tell us all what you're hoping to get from your partner/parents/whatever.

Now, this WOULD be the time when I would ask, in that stupid voice, if "you've been a good boy this year", but I don't have to for a few very good reasons. 1. You're in The Curmudgeon's Fortress Of Solitude - this entitles you to anything you want; be it gifts, cars or sex. And 2. I'm not a dick.

I think I'm the easiest person in the world to buy presents for. Seriously, I'm into SO much shit that it's almost impossible not to walk into a store and see something you could buy me. My wife has bunched a frightening looking amount of gifts under our tree for little ol' me (well, I'm worth it), and so far I don't know what any of them are. Well, with one exception..

Because it was too big to take to my parents house on Christmas Eve (and because I think she just wanted me to open it) I got THIS gift early..

http://www.roboraptoronline.com/

Yup, just what someone my age needs. You know what though? It's AWESOME. Seriously - it's as good as the advert makes it look. Man, my cat’s days are NUMBERED with this thing.

Other than that? I don't really know. Like I said, I like so much stuff I have no idea what she's got me. The one thing I hope she's got me ('cos I get the annual instalment) is WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2007 for the PS2. Why, it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

But that's just me. Come on, boys and girls, sit on The Curmudgeon's lap and tell me what you want for Christmas.

Actually, get off. I'm getting "feelings."