Now is the time when the collective MMO blogosphere takes a step back. After a rash of criticism towards game mechanics in recent games and upcoming expansions, we feel like we've been a bit harsh. After all, we love these games don't we? We have to prove we're not just critics.

In true passive-aggressive nerdcore fashion, we look inward.

It's time to wax philosophical about us gamers ourselves. What motivates us? How many problems in these games are caused by us, the gamers? How well do we treat each other? And what makes us so important anyway?

There are other, far more important things happening in the world, right? The world markets are hurting (don't say collapse). It's election day in Canada. Led Zeppelin isn't really getting back together.

We're just little squigs specs in this great big ol' Universe.

But dammit, joy and creative urges are the best things to live for. Gaming is part of that for me. If anyone asks me to look at a greater perspective, that's my take. So excuse me if (after voting) I queue for some Scenarios.

Now I just need to remember to kill the dude with the thing.

I enjoy films that are what they are, that specifically tell a story and do it well. Films that aren't trying to be the biggest, hugest, glorious 'experience'. Sure, the blockbusters like Diehard are fun now and then, but crap like the Rambo sequels has really worn me down. When they try to outblast what came previously it gets rather tedious.

Cloverfield has its share of explosions and special effects, but the camcorder-style filmmaking works for me. It's been compared to Blair Witch, but while that film used character-camcorders to make things seem larger than they were, Cloverfield does the opposite and takes what would normally have been an over-the-top monster/disaster extravaganza and brings it down to size.

I don't know if I'd go as far as to say Cloverfield gets personal, but the street-level grittiness worked for me. In this genre at least, perspective is everything.