Three Must-Own Video Games
Borderlands: This game has a good feel to it. It plays fluidly and there is plenty of action throughout the game. I haven’t completed it yet, but I’m close (I think). You have four different characters from which to choose so your options aren’t lacking. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to find the vault that is said to hold secrets and technology. Of course you come across baddies on the way and you take them out in any fashion you’d like. This RPG, though, is really pretty good. It doesn’t just base itself on the killing. There is some kind of plot and storyline that makes this game worth it alone. It could be translated into a scifi movie (notice I didn’t say Syfy) and do very well.
Halo ODST: The new Halo installment. This game is pretty awesome. If you’re a fan of Halo, then this one will fall right in line. Skeptics were weary of it because you don’t play as Master Chief. You play, dare I say, as humans, but hey, it’s still pretty good. I venture to say this one has more action to it than others. The graphics and CG are far better and the environments play a bigger role in your survival. Definitely one of the best Halo additions. If I were to rank them, it’d be Halo 2, Halo ODST, Halo 1, Halo 3, then Halo Wars.
Uncharted 2: You’re almost playing a movie. This game is pretty awesome. Uncharted 2 follows up a couple years after the first one and your essential mission is to discover what happened to Marco Polo’s mysterious voyage home from China. There are several twists and turns and the game play is simulated so well that it really does suck you in. This is as good as it gets. There’s plenty of action involved in the game and you go through some crazy fast scenes that give you a jolt of adrenaline. Think Indiana Jones mixed with the action and game play of Halo. Pretty intense, fun, quizzical and revolutionary.
Paranormal Activity
I can’t say enough about this movie. This was by far the best movie of the year so far! I’m not saying that out of exaggeration. This docu-style film follows a couple (believable acting from beginning to end) who live in a haunted house. Blair Witch was dubbed scary because of the docu-style filming and the freakiness behind it, but this one takes it to the next level. Literally, I was on the edge of my seat. A part of me wanted the movie to end because I was shaking so bad. This movie is believable. The gradual change of the lead female is awesome. There’s no other way to describe it. It’s so believable the goosebumps will come out of your body. You’ll be genuinely terrified. The actors are scary good. Literally I’m shaking writing this post. As such, I have to end it, but if you get a chance, see it. 11!
Where the Wild Things Are Review
The beloved children’s book comes to the big screen, directed by Spike Jonez. This movie is a mixed bag. While not altogether bad or great, the movie does have some bright spots that can carry the movie. I was overly excited about this movie; the book was one of my favorite books as a child. I think this movie is a perfect example of why books should not be turned into movies–LOTR, an exception. This movie focused more on the outside elements, not so much about the child’s imagination. The book focused on the child’s imagination and while this movie attempted to, you started to feel siding with his family or him; the outside forces were brought in the forefront more than they should have. On the other hand, though, the creatures fit into the image of the movie very well. The child and the creatures’ interaction were pretty sysnonymous with one another. It was, at times, emotional. Not too scary, not too cheesy–just right. If anything, Where the Wild Things purists will probably be disappointed with the direction of this movie. It started out very well, then smoothed out in the end, like a mediocre cigar. Decent, yes. Exciting, no. I wouldn’t give this a bad grade because there were enough redeeming qualities to it that made it okay. So, as such, I give this a 6.
Things to be aware of this October
Fortunately, there won’t be any remake of any Halloween movies, but there will be something to look forward to on Friday nights.
1) The Syfy lineup on Friday nights looks great considering BSG isn’t on TV anymore. Stargate SGU and Sanctuary (smashed SGU’s record of viewing) will be back-to-back.
2) Syfy Channel in general will have movie marathon on certain days. Don’t hold your breath for anything spectacular, though one may surprise you.
3) Where the Wild Things are comes out in theaters on October 16th. I’m thoroughly excited because it was one of my favorite books as a child. Music video directors usually make a good transition to the big screen.
4) Saw 6 comes out, though I don’t know how much more convoluted the storyline will be. It shows no signs of the end either because Saw 7 and 8 are already in the works.
5) Extended trailer for Jonah Hex will be coming out and an extended trailer for Inception will also appear, though it was supposed to arrive in November.
6) For those who loved the Halo games will be pleased to know that Halo: Evolutions will hit book stores on October 20th.
7) Uncharted 2 comes out. If you were a huge fan of Uncharted as I was, you’ll love Uncharted 2. This game almost feels like you’re playing a movie. It’s got a great mix of action, dialogue and character development. This is a one of a kind game.
The Iowa Icon convention is going on between October 23-25. This is a great con to go to if you want to learn more about how to be a fantasy or scifi writer. http://www.iowa-icon.com/
Of course there’s plenty more to do, but this is just a snippet of the numerous fun activities that one can go through.
Trailer for Nightmare on Elm Street
In case you haven’t seen it, the official trailer for the new Nightmare on Elm Street is available. For those who are wondering, the movie is a reimaging, but like the Friday the 13th that came out recently. The new Elm Street will start Jackie Earl Haley (Watchmen) in the main role. It is still unclear as to whether or not Robert Englund will appear. This one promises to be a little more bloody than the original. Either way, it should be a good one. Without further ado, the trailer can be seen here.
A Nutshell Review of Zombieland
Where to begin. This is probably one of the funniest comedy-horrors out there. While this is somewhat reminiscent of Shaun of the Dead in terms of comedy, Woody Harrelson stole the movie. His performance as a zombie-killing psycho is hilariously good. Think Natural Born Killers meets Cheers. The plot isn’t the most fascinating, but it works because of the type of movie this is. There are plenty of holes in the plot and it’s your basic survival story–just with a twist. With only literally a hand’s worth of fingers of survivors, why not live it up? It’s not meant to taken seriously in any aspect. The deaths are over-the-top and the acting was surprisingly good. There is a small cast of survivors, among them Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, Nim’s Island). Her performance is especially good, given this genre. It shows that she can be diverse, but don’t plan on seeing her in many of these gore-fests. Woody Harrelson had a good career, at least to me, but seeing him in this role was great. This movie is deserving of high praise. This movie gets a 9. I rarely give tens, but this was pretty close.