It begins as Matt Instant Messages me a link to a GameSpy preview of World of WarCraft...

Matt: http://www.gamespy.com/previews/february02/wow/

Joe: I should get into one of those games.

Joe: Although I'm generally not thrilled with having to interact with other people.

Matt: when this one comes out, maybe I will

Matt: there's a monthly fee

Matt: so it would really have to be worth it

Joe: Yeah, there's always a fee.

Matt: it be like MUDDING the way it was always supposed to be

Joe: You are aware this will be turn-based combat.

Now that I've finally beaten the majority of the game (although with still plenty of side missions and secrets to uncover), I feel adequately prepared to review Grand Theft Auto 3.

It's fucking amazing. (Actually, "fuck" is one of the words you won't find in GTA3, despite the promises of an M rating.)

It's a game about criminal acts, about dirty secrets and dirtier people. It's a huge leap over the previous GTAs, and a colossal standard for excellence on the PS2. It's consistently surprising, a personal ethical proving ground, and the perfect blend of third-person action and fast, exciting driving.

Rhonda and I saw A Beautiful Mind last night... not out of any raging desire to see the film, but merely because we had free movie passes and it seemed the wisest choice. (Excluding Fellowship for the 5th time, which I'm for... but it's a milestone Rhonda has little interest in achieving.) Besides, if this is the film that's going to beat out Fellowship for the Best Film Oscar, I'd like to see it.

So we see it and we're all moved and stuff, and we're talking about it on the drive home and the next day. It is a great movie, despite an almost balmy need to somehow generate a happy ending. Mid-way through, there's all these important draining shots of the emaciated Jennifer Connelly as Russell Crowe's long -suffering wife... so you know the ultimate payoff is going to be some big happy sunshine scene.