The Sallie Gardner Effect: What does EE think about this movie?

Issue # 10
Knowing (2009) Review
by ManicallyDepressed

IMDB

Although I’m a sucker for mind challenges, I wouldn’t waste two hours of my life solving a piece of paper that appears to contain nothing except random numbers on it. Then again, I would rather solve this piece of paper than waste two hours on watching this movie again.

(Big spoilers ahead)

Et Cetera 01/30

Stuff we found on the Internet
by ManicallyDepressed

Recently, Apple announced the iPad. The name sucks, we know. But enough about what we think, instead, here’s Cracked.com’s views on the iPad. [ARTICLE]

Because of this week's Idol episode, I now officially love Katy Perry. [VID]

Spike.com’s Top Ten Worst Artists to Win A Grammy. [ARTICLE]

I’m sorry sir, but we prioritize rules over logic. [PIC]

As threatening as a butter knife. [NEWS]

The Psychic Vortex

The Big Bang Theory S03E12 Review
by ManicallyDepressed

For this episode, Penny and Leonard argued about Penny’s belief on psychics while Raj and Sheldon went to a university mixer with Sheldon acting as Raj’s wingman.

Finally, Raj gets the airtime he deserves. Although as expected, Sheldon delivers most of the punch lines, Raj and Sheldon has good chemistry. Last time we saw them together was in The Creepy Candy Coating Corollary (S03E05) wherein they joined a trading-card competition. Their good chemistry was also undeniable in that episode, though this was more effective in terms of comedic opportunities because their situation is of non-geeky nature (“wingman”-ship). It also introduced some female characters that we might see again. The Penny-and-Leonard plotline was lame. It is simply forgettable and bland. I think it might have been funnier if there was a scene where Penny and Leonard actually met with the psychic.

In summary, it was a good episode, all thanks to Sheldon and Raj. The Incredible Hulk impression of Sheldon is the funniest thing I’ve seen on TV so far this year.

5 Reasons Why We NEED to Watch Chuck Season 3

by ManicallyDepressed

In less than 24 hours, our favorite geek is back! It seems like it was only yesterday that TV executives are debating on continuing the series. Although with budget cuts, I am excited for the 2-hour premiere and the rest of the season. In this article, I give you 5 reasons why canceling this great series may start World War III. These are the things we may be expecting for this season.

If you are not into the series, do NOT continue reading. This article includes big spoilers.

Thoughts on Sharon Cuneta’s Win on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

by ManicallyDepressed

Yes, you read the title right. A few hours ago, Sharon Cuneta beat the game to win 2 MILLION PESOS for a charity institution. The big question is…

How did she do it?

To answer the question, let’s do this the Slumdog Millionaire style.

A.) She cheated.
B.) She’s lucky.
C.) She’a a genius.
D.) It is written.

Hmm... I think I’ll go with D.) It is written. And I don’t mean it like how it was meant in Slumdog Millionaire.

If you still don’t know what I’m trying to say, what I’m simply saying is that Sharon Cuneta’s win is scripted, prearranged, for show only, or “lutong macau”. Need I say more?

First of all, I’m not saying that Sharon is not smart enough to win this game. I’m saying I can’t believe the way she did it.

Et Cetera 1/8

Stuff we found on the Internet
by ManicallyDepressed

Next week premieres the 9th season of American Idol. Same as ever, the season will start by giving us our serving of the worst auditions.

Mickey Mouse is dead! Sort of. 13 Overlooked Deaths of 2009.

No, Tiger Woods isn’t in this list (Sarcasm).

Bauer: Where were you on the night of the 24th? WHERE WERE YOU?!

My toy! My toy! MY TOY! ROAAAR!

The Sallie Gardner Effect: 2009 Movie of the Year

Issue # 9
by ManicallyDepressed

2009 is almost over and what a year it was! From the highly disappointing Transformers sequel to the sleeper hit, The Hangover, this year had its fair share of both good and bad movies. For this issue, I reviewed a movie I considered the best for this year.

Read the review for ManicallyDepressed’s 2009 Movie of the Year after the jump…

Et Cetera 12/24

Stuff we found on the Internet
by ManicallyDepressed

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Childhood memories crushed. The 6 Most Horrific Ways Pop Culture has Misused Santa Claus.

The ugly truth behind Home Alone.

Whose lap are you willing to sit on? The 10 Types of Mall Santas.

Merry Christmas, Batman.

Management: We want you to be VERY sure of what you’re buying.

The Sallie Gardner Effect: Terminated

Issue # 8
Terminator Salvation (2009) Review
by ManicallyDepressed

IMDB

Unless you’re living under a rock, then you’ll know James Cameron’s Avatar is now in theaters. So far, it is doing financially and critically good. Unfortunately, I haven’t watched it yet, so instead I’ll be reviewing the fourth movie from a franchise started by James Cameron, Terminator Salvation.

I am a very huge fan of the Terminator movies, so it’s a shame that it took me this long to watch this one. Probably, I avoided watching this movie, because it was widely panned by critics. Now, it’s my turn.

Et Cetera 12/18

Stuff we found on the Internet
by ManicallyDepressed

Avatar is now in cinemas. Yay! Here’s an article on a slugfest between Avatar director, James Cameron and LOTR director, Peter Jackson.

Cooler than the self-lacing shoes from Back To the Future. 21 Shoes Every Geek Would Love.

When kids are your target market, it doesn’t mean they don’t think. The 10 Most Baffling Action Figure Accessories of All Time.

I don’t know who were meaner, the kids who made fun of him or his parents.

Don’t Drink and Read.

The Sallie Gardner Effect: The Not-So-Great Showdown

Issue # 7
Righteous Kill (2008) Review
by ManicallyDepressed

IMDB

Robert De Niro. Al Pacino. In a crime thriller film. Written by the same guy from Inside Man (2006). What could have possibly gone wrong?

The Maternal Congruence

The Big Bang Theory S03E11 Review
by ManicallyDepressed

This episode marks the second appearance of Leonard’s mother, Beverly Hofstader (Christine Baranski). It revolves around Beverly’s visit for the holidays. Dilemma arises for Leonard on whether or not he will tell his mother about his relationship with Penny. What Leonard didn’t know is that his mother is bringing far serious news.

Frankly, I didn’t enjoy this episode. I found the main plot to be dull, and there was no subplot to support it. The episode presents no development to any character, even to Beverly. Beverly’s character had too much focus for this episode, disregarding most of the main characters, especially Raj and Wolowitz. For its humor content, it hardly presents something new. Most of the jokes in this episode are recycled from the episode of Beverly’s first appearance. Beverly’s character was well received on its first appearance. In fact, Christine Baranski received an Emmy nomination for her performance. It is perfectly logical to put Christine Baranski back on the show, but to repeat everything she did the first time, and capping it off with a “Fa-la-la-la-la la-la la-la” (to let you know that this is the last episode before the holidays), will surely not earn her another nomination.

There is really nothing to look forward to in this episode, except if you think a kissing scene between Sheldon and Beverly is funny. Personally, I might have two or three sleepless nights.

Et Cetera 12/12

Stuff we found on the Internet
by ManicallyDepressed

These albums are awful to the EYES. The 25 Worst Album Covers of the Decade.

2009’s Most Ridiculous Uses of Photoshop. Including a Katrina Halili magazine cover.

Warning: Viewing this picture will cause a nosebleed of infinite proportions.

The things people will do to get Legolas-like ears. The 7 Most Pointlessly Horrifying Plastic Surgery Procedures.

Did you notice how desperate Wikipedia become?

The Gorilla Experiment

The Big Bang Theory S03E10 Review
by ManicallyDepressed

The main plot of the episode revolves around Wolowitz being jealous because of his girlfriend’s growing interest on Leonard’s work. This is the third episode we have seen the character of Bernadette (Melissa Rauch). The subplot involves Sheldon trying to teach Physics to Penny.

Admittedly, the subplot overshadows the main plot. The best thing about the main plot is that it grants a huge buildup on Bernadette’s character. I guess we will be seeing more of her in the future. A common-themed humor presented in the episode is the one about the shoes which I didn’t find funny at all. The subplot is simply ingenious. The very thought of having a student-teacher relationship between Sheldon and Penny is hilarious. The subplot paved way to the closing scene, and despite the last joke being predictable, it still turned out funny as Penny delivered it, and was redeemed by the Fig Newton bit.

In summary, the episode was good but not great. I just hope there will be more of Raj in the upcoming episodes. We miss those Raj's one-liners.

The Sallie Gardner Effect: Way Before Spider-Man

Issue # 6
Darkman (1990) Review
by ManicallyDepressed

IMDB

20 years ago, a comic book enthusiast wanted to make a film adaptation of either The Shadow or Batman. They denied him the rights to both comic book characters, so Sam Raimi told himself, “Screw them. I’ll create my own.”

Et Cetera 12/5

Stuff we found on the Internet
by ManicallyDepressed

No, we don’t have New-Moon-mocking articles this week. Only this Edward-Cullen-and-the-entire-Twilight-series-mocking article.

The worst nightmare of each of the 350 million Facebook users.

Awww. I can’t imagine how proud will his parents be.

I mean it’s possible to use these at the same time. It’s just gonna be awkward. Urinal Fail Pic.

But Jay Leno’s monologue is my daily drug habit. Newsweek’s List of Unfunny Comics.

Et Cetera 11/29

Stuff we found on the Internet
by ManicallyDepressed

Great news! You don’t need to waste two hours of your life. Here is The Plot of New Moon Summarized in Three Panels.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… FACEBOOK! 5 Star Wars Status Updates.

Geek-o-meter: See how many of these are you thankful for.

Quit stealing our letters. Seriously.

If you haven’t seen it yet, here is The Muppets Bohemian Rhapsody Video.

The Sallie Gardner Effect: Top 5 Breakups… Not Mine, Of Rob Gordon

Issue # 5
High Fidelity (2000) Review
by ManicallyDepressed

IMDB

After 2012 and Being John Malkovich, I am reviewing another John Cusack movie. So, am I now starting to have an affinity to John Cusack? Yes, after I watched High Fidelity.

The Sallie Gardner Effect: $200 for 15 minutes

Issue # 4
Being John Malkovich (1999) Review
by ManicallyDepressed

IMDB

The movie title refers to John Malkovich, the actor, but this is not a biographical film on him. It’s more like the worst nightmare he can ever have.

One of the, if not the most, essential characteristics of a fantasy-based film, or any literature for that matter, is the originality. Originality is an understatement for Being John Malkovich.

The Un-Culkin

by ManicallyDepressed

Three of the four shown above are Culkin brothers. Who do you think does not belong here?

Find out after the jump.