Over the last few weeks I've seen a few movies (big surprise there huh? lol) and here is what I thought of them:
The Hangover
This movie was f'n hilarious. It's from the director of Old School and Road Trip. I think it's even funnier than those two movies. Definitely could be the break-out movie for Bradley Cooper (even though he's made a few movies already such as Wedding Crashers), Ed Helms (Andy from the Office) and Zach Galifiankis. To be honest, I think Helms and Galifinakis stole the movie from everyone else. Karli and I went to see this and I think I nearly wet myself at a lot of the scenes. It was outrageous and very raunchy, the perfect type of humour for me. It is definitely R-rated and not for the little ones.
Up
Pixar has done it again and I really don't know how they keep doing it. They just put out quality movie after quality movie and I think this one is definitely one of their best. It really felt like classic Disney film making with the excellent writing and heart of the movie blended with the action and adventure.
The beginning of this movie is a little heavy for the kids but from there on out they should just love it. The talking dogs I think were the best part of the movie.
This is definitely one that both the kids and the adults will love.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
This is a remake of a movie from the 70s that starred Walter Mathau and Robert Shaw. I haven't seen that one so I can't compare it with this one.
This one though stars Denzel Washington and John Travolta and is directed by Tony Scott. Scott's involvement of course means camera cuts that could give a person seizures. Washington plays an NYC subway dispatcher, and Travolta plays the villain who hijacks a subway. For the most of the movie they never see eachother and only talk over the radio.
This was better than I expected. It's definitely not one of Tony Scott's better movies but is miles above Domino. Had a some good action and tension. Travolta is not as good a villain as he was in Face/Off but he was good hamming it up as the villain in this one. Washington was his usual self.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
E3 impressions wrap-up
Ok, I know it's been about 2 weeks since I started putting down my E3 impressions in writing but then I got busy and sick, so I haven't had a chance to finish it up. That's what I'm going to do now.
Thanks to Nintendo, everyone wants to get into the motion sensing game. Nintendo of course started it all with the Wii but now Microsoft and Sony want to get into the game.
Personally, I think Microsoft's Project Natal is a lot more interesting looking that Sony's magic wand. Just the ability to flip through the dash with the wave of a hand looks pretty damn cool to me. The thing that concerns me of course is price. I'm wondering how much Microsoft is going to be able to seel this thing for. If it's under $200, I'm there for sure.
As for some of the games that the other guys showcased for us, Sony's God of War III is going to be the reason I re-buy a PS3. The first two God of Wars are in my top games of all time list for sure. I even really liked the PSP version.
Nintendo showed off a new Super Mario Bros. for the Wii that looks to be in the same vein as the one on the DS a couple years back, which I absolutely loved. My girlfriend and I are thinking of getting a Wii together and this would probably be one of the first games we get for it. It's definitely a game right up her alley too.
Nintendo also showed us a new Metroid game from Team Ninja, the guys behind Ninja Gaiden. To be honest, it'll be nice to play a new Metroid game that isn't a shooter.
In the end though, I think Microsoft definitely had the best showing this year overall but the other two did have a couple things to pique my interest too.
Thanks to Nintendo, everyone wants to get into the motion sensing game. Nintendo of course started it all with the Wii but now Microsoft and Sony want to get into the game.
Personally, I think Microsoft's Project Natal is a lot more interesting looking that Sony's magic wand. Just the ability to flip through the dash with the wave of a hand looks pretty damn cool to me. The thing that concerns me of course is price. I'm wondering how much Microsoft is going to be able to seel this thing for. If it's under $200, I'm there for sure.
As for some of the games that the other guys showcased for us, Sony's God of War III is going to be the reason I re-buy a PS3. The first two God of Wars are in my top games of all time list for sure. I even really liked the PSP version.
Nintendo showed off a new Super Mario Bros. for the Wii that looks to be in the same vein as the one on the DS a couple years back, which I absolutely loved. My girlfriend and I are thinking of getting a Wii together and this would probably be one of the first games we get for it. It's definitely a game right up her alley too.
Nintendo also showed us a new Metroid game from Team Ninja, the guys behind Ninja Gaiden. To be honest, it'll be nice to play a new Metroid game that isn't a shooter.
In the end though, I think Microsoft definitely had the best showing this year overall but the other two did have a couple things to pique my interest too.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
E3 Impressions: Microsoft, Part 1
I know it's been about a week since E3 but I finally have some time to post some impressions of what I thought of what was presented to us by Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. What I'll do is do a series where I'll look at each company individually. Where a game is going to be on more than one system, i.e. Modern Warfare 2, I'll put it with the system I am most likely to buy it for.
I think Microsoft definitely had the best showing of the week. They started out strong by showing us a great preview of Beatles Rock Band. I am not 100% sure if I am going to buy this or not. If I do, it will be the game only as I don't need anymore plastic instruments laying around. To be honest though, I am starting to feel a little oversaturated with all the music games available. I think I'm going to take a break from them for a little while. Really, I think a steady stream of DLC is a far better way of releasing new music than putting out a new disc every year. The Beatles game is a bit of an exception though but with only 45 or so songs on the disc, it seems like a drop from the normal number in a Rock Band or Guitar Hero release.
There were a couple of games that Microsoft showed off that have me really excited. The top of the list being Modern Warfare 2 from Infinity Ward, who gave us Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. After watching the gameplay video they showed off, I have to say I am drooling at the mouth for this one. I mean, c'mon, you get to ride snowmobiles like something out of a James Bond film or True Lies, the last really good Schwarzenegger movie. Please for you to enjoy, the gameplay video shown off at E3:
Left 4 Dead 2 is another game that really has me excited. I, like a lot of other people, was quite shocked that another Left 4 Dead game is coming out only a year after the first one. Perhaps they could have just released some more DLC for the first game but if they give us another 4 or more full scenarios like the first game and some more online multiplayer modes, I have no problem buying another full priced game. I do have to admit that I am really looking forward to whipping out the chainsaw and hacking up some zombies.
Microsoft of course also showed off some new games from the Halo universe. The one game everyone already knew about, Halo: ODST, which comes out this Fall. Include with the new game is a second disc containing all of the Halo 3 multiplayer modes, which are playable with anyone who is using the Halo 3 game disc. Now, I'm not the biggest Halo fan but I think this is a very smart move.
The other new Halo game was Halo: Reach, which caught everyone off by surprise. There is some information about it in the link I posted above for ODST. It appears to be some sort of a prequel. Here is the teaser they showed off though:
The last game I'm going to mention is Brutal Legend, before this post gets too long. This game is from the guys at Double Fine, who gave us the fantastic Psychonauts. This one looks like it'll be a Tenacious D game though, especially with the inclusion of Jack Black. I'm a huge heavy metal fan and I think this game looks like a complete blast. I definitely can't wait to play it.
I think that's it for today. Next post, I'll give my impressions on Project Natal to wrap up what I thought of Microsoft's showing at E3 this year.
I think Microsoft definitely had the best showing of the week. They started out strong by showing us a great preview of Beatles Rock Band. I am not 100% sure if I am going to buy this or not. If I do, it will be the game only as I don't need anymore plastic instruments laying around. To be honest though, I am starting to feel a little oversaturated with all the music games available. I think I'm going to take a break from them for a little while. Really, I think a steady stream of DLC is a far better way of releasing new music than putting out a new disc every year. The Beatles game is a bit of an exception though but with only 45 or so songs on the disc, it seems like a drop from the normal number in a Rock Band or Guitar Hero release.
There were a couple of games that Microsoft showed off that have me really excited. The top of the list being Modern Warfare 2 from Infinity Ward, who gave us Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. After watching the gameplay video they showed off, I have to say I am drooling at the mouth for this one. I mean, c'mon, you get to ride snowmobiles like something out of a James Bond film or True Lies, the last really good Schwarzenegger movie. Please for you to enjoy, the gameplay video shown off at E3:
Left 4 Dead 2 is another game that really has me excited. I, like a lot of other people, was quite shocked that another Left 4 Dead game is coming out only a year after the first one. Perhaps they could have just released some more DLC for the first game but if they give us another 4 or more full scenarios like the first game and some more online multiplayer modes, I have no problem buying another full priced game. I do have to admit that I am really looking forward to whipping out the chainsaw and hacking up some zombies.
Microsoft of course also showed off some new games from the Halo universe. The one game everyone already knew about, Halo: ODST, which comes out this Fall. Include with the new game is a second disc containing all of the Halo 3 multiplayer modes, which are playable with anyone who is using the Halo 3 game disc. Now, I'm not the biggest Halo fan but I think this is a very smart move.
The other new Halo game was Halo: Reach, which caught everyone off by surprise. There is some information about it in the link I posted above for ODST. It appears to be some sort of a prequel. Here is the teaser they showed off though:
The last game I'm going to mention is Brutal Legend, before this post gets too long. This game is from the guys at Double Fine, who gave us the fantastic Psychonauts. This one looks like it'll be a Tenacious D game though, especially with the inclusion of Jack Black. I'm a huge heavy metal fan and I think this game looks like a complete blast. I definitely can't wait to play it.
I think that's it for today. Next post, I'll give my impressions on Project Natal to wrap up what I thought of Microsoft's showing at E3 this year.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Review Time: 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
ESRB Rating: M (violence, drug references, language)
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3
Gametype: First Person Shooter
First and foremost let me start off by saying that I never thought I would say this about a game involving Fiddy but I really, really enjoyed this game. I saw a review for it on X-Play and my friend Chris told me he had fun playing it as well, so I figured I would give it a rental.
The story is pretty simplistic but then most shooters are. Basically, Fiddy performs a concert in the Middle East with the rest of G-Unit. When the concert promoter is unable to pay him, he offers him a diamond skull (a skull covered in diamonds, not a diamond shaped like a skull). This, of course, gets stolen sending Fiddy and a G-Unit member of your choice on a chase to get it back.
Aside from the rap soundtrack, which I am not a fan of, this is a pretty sold shooter game that definitely leans more on the arcade side. You rack up a score for kills, chain kills, destroying things, etc. You also earn money so you can buy new weapons, counterkills and taunts (which I never tried). The graphics are pretty solid but not the best thing out there. The sound is great, aside from the aforementioned soundtrack. I found the controls were really easy to
use.
The game does use a cover system much like the one in Gears without the duck and run. The counterkills are really easy to perform as well. You press B when an enemy is near you and press B again when prompted. They are pretty fun to use.
The game does have co-op in it but I didn't get a chance to try it out as no one else I know has it and I didn't feel like it playing with a stranger. From what I could tell from playing through by myself though, I think the co-op would sort of be like Army of Two with the usual helping eachother open gates, hoist eachother up onto high spots, etc.
Overall, I would definitely say this game is a great rental but not a purchase as it only took me about 7-8 hours to play through. A very good timewaster for sure though.
Rating: 7/10
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3
Gametype: First Person Shooter
First and foremost let me start off by saying that I never thought I would say this about a game involving Fiddy but I really, really enjoyed this game. I saw a review for it on X-Play and my friend Chris told me he had fun playing it as well, so I figured I would give it a rental.
The story is pretty simplistic but then most shooters are. Basically, Fiddy performs a concert in the Middle East with the rest of G-Unit. When the concert promoter is unable to pay him, he offers him a diamond skull (a skull covered in diamonds, not a diamond shaped like a skull). This, of course, gets stolen sending Fiddy and a G-Unit member of your choice on a chase to get it back.
Aside from the rap soundtrack, which I am not a fan of, this is a pretty sold shooter game that definitely leans more on the arcade side. You rack up a score for kills, chain kills, destroying things, etc. You also earn money so you can buy new weapons, counterkills and taunts (which I never tried). The graphics are pretty solid but not the best thing out there. The sound is great, aside from the aforementioned soundtrack. I found the controls were really easy to
use.
The game does use a cover system much like the one in Gears without the duck and run. The counterkills are really easy to perform as well. You press B when an enemy is near you and press B again when prompted. They are pretty fun to use.
The game does have co-op in it but I didn't get a chance to try it out as no one else I know has it and I didn't feel like it playing with a stranger. From what I could tell from playing through by myself though, I think the co-op would sort of be like Army of Two with the usual helping eachother open gates, hoist eachother up onto high spots, etc.
Overall, I would definitely say this game is a great rental but not a purchase as it only took me about 7-8 hours to play through. A very good timewaster for sure though.
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Another trip to Liberty City.
Last night I finished the main storyline for The Lost and Damned, the DLC that came out recently for GTA IV. I think this is definitely some of the best DLC that has ever been released for a game. At a price of 1600 MS Points, it's definitely one of the more expensive ones but it is completely worth it. The main storyline took me about 7.5 hours to complete with an overall completion of 65%. I probably have another hour or two of side missions to finish to get 100%. That would give me a total of 9-10 hours, which is a steal at $22.00 CDN. I've paid $60 or $70 for a game and barely gotten that much.
This time around you play as Johnny K, a member of the Lost biker gang that Niko had some run ins with in the original GTA IV storyline. The original president of the chapter has just been released from jail/rehab and and you are now forced to do what he thinks is best for the gang despite how much you disagree. The storyline does sort of follow a predictable path but it is very enjoyable and I almost liked it more than Niko's story.
The one thing the game does very well is link Johnny's story with Niko's. You run into some of the same characters such as Niko himself, Roman, Liz Torres, Playboy and Ray Boccino. Some of the missions you play even link directly to the main game, i.e. you are the one who kidnaps Roman, they mention that Niko kills one of your brothers and you even play through the same mission you did with Niko but from Johnny's point of view. I really liked how they did this.
Some of the other additions include some new music. I couldn't tell you how much exactly as I usually just listen to Liberty Rock but there was some new songs on there for sure. They've also introduced a grenade launcher and an assault shotgun, which may be my absolute favourite weapon in a GTA game ever.
The only problem I had with the game and is not a criticism of it but more of my skills, is that there is more bike combat, i.e. having to shoot people while riding your bike. Let's just say, that's not the easiest thing in the world for me to do but it's not something that lessened my enjoyment of the game.
Overall, I am more than impressed with this DLC and cannot wait for the next one. GTA IV was my game of 2008 and this just expands and improves the games. A definite 5/5 in my books.
This time around you play as Johnny K, a member of the Lost biker gang that Niko had some run ins with in the original GTA IV storyline. The original president of the chapter has just been released from jail/rehab and and you are now forced to do what he thinks is best for the gang despite how much you disagree. The storyline does sort of follow a predictable path but it is very enjoyable and I almost liked it more than Niko's story.
The one thing the game does very well is link Johnny's story with Niko's. You run into some of the same characters such as Niko himself, Roman, Liz Torres, Playboy and Ray Boccino. Some of the missions you play even link directly to the main game, i.e. you are the one who kidnaps Roman, they mention that Niko kills one of your brothers and you even play through the same mission you did with Niko but from Johnny's point of view. I really liked how they did this.
Some of the other additions include some new music. I couldn't tell you how much exactly as I usually just listen to Liberty Rock but there was some new songs on there for sure. They've also introduced a grenade launcher and an assault shotgun, which may be my absolute favourite weapon in a GTA game ever.
The only problem I had with the game and is not a criticism of it but more of my skills, is that there is more bike combat, i.e. having to shoot people while riding your bike. Let's just say, that's not the easiest thing in the world for me to do but it's not something that lessened my enjoyment of the game.
Overall, I am more than impressed with this DLC and cannot wait for the next one. GTA IV was my game of 2008 and this just expands and improves the games. A definite 5/5 in my books.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Sean's Top 5 T.V. Shows
I must be feeling productive this morning if I'm doing two posts. :) I just thought I would share my list of the top 5 t.v. shows I am currently watching. They are as follows (in alphabetical order):
30 Rock
This is the funniest show on t.v. right now and has one of the funniest casts going right now too. From Tina Fey to Alec Baldwin to Tracy Morgan to everyone else, I always bust a guy no matter what they are doing onscreen. I also do like the guest stars they are able to attract as everyone seems to want to be in the Tina Fey business right now, and who can blame them. :P A recent newspaper article I read said that the show relies too much on guest stars and I guess I can see that point but generally I love them all. Steve Martin even delivered one of the best lines this season: "We'll go to Toronto. It's like New York but without all the stuff". So very true. lol
Big Bang Theory
My friends Maggi and Chris got me into this one when I visited them last fall and I've been hooked ever since. It has to be one of the funniest shows on t.v. right now. It's a must see for all nerds and geeks really as I'm sure most of us can relate to the characters and their love of comics, scifi, video games, etc. Sheldon as the supergenius arrogant weirdo is probably the best character in the show. I just love how they tie geek culture into it, from Halo Nights to Rock Band to freaking out because Summer Glau is on the same train as them. My only criticism of the show is the overuse of the big canned laughter. Not every joke needs the huge outburst of laughter.
Chuck
I've loved this show since it first premiered last season. The character all have great chemistry, the writing is usually very crisp and it also has the geek references we can all enjoy. Adam Baldwin as the NSA agent Casey is just as good as he was on Firefly and the rest of the cast is great in their roles as well. I don't think they've had a single episode that I really haven't liked.
Prison Break
This is one of the most ridiculous, unbelieveable shows on t.v. and that is exactly why I love it. The shows has definitely veered off from the original season's flow and has brought in more conspiracies than one can shake a fist at. The characters always seem to find a way out of every tough situation they face. However, it is a very fun show to watch and always has some very good action sequences. It's just a real shame that it's being taken off the air after it's next 4 or so episodes. To be honest though, I can't believe they found a way to stretch it out this long (that's what she said).
Supernatural
This is probably my favourite show on t.v. and has been one of the most consistently enteraining ones since it first started 4 seasons ago. The two actors playing Sam and Dean Winchester, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, have the best brother chemistry I think I've seen on t.v. in quite some time. They even look like they could be brothers in real life. One of the reason I love this show is that I'm a big fan of horror movies and this show is almost like a 1 hour horror movie every week with bad guys from Reapers to Vampires to Demons to Ghosts to you name it. I love the variety of bad guys they seem to find in the occult and it's not always the same thing although ghosts and demons due show up more than anyothers. The main storyline this season of the demons trying to free Lucifer so he can bring on the apocalypse and the Winchesters being recruited by angels to fight on the side of Heaven has been very entertaining and interesting. I really hope they can get one more season but if it ends after just four, that's ok because not too many shows can be good for this long.
Now I know everyone has shows they would change with what I have set out, but it's my list so too bad. ;) What would you list as your favourite shows? I just listed the shows that I am current and up to date on. I do love Friday Night Lights and Battlestar Galactica too, but I haven't stayed up on their latest seasons and waiting to watch them this summer in one fell swoop. I also enjoy other shows such as The Office, My Name is Earl, Smallville and even the second half of Heroes' season but they just didn't make the cut.
30 Rock
This is the funniest show on t.v. right now and has one of the funniest casts going right now too. From Tina Fey to Alec Baldwin to Tracy Morgan to everyone else, I always bust a guy no matter what they are doing onscreen. I also do like the guest stars they are able to attract as everyone seems to want to be in the Tina Fey business right now, and who can blame them. :P A recent newspaper article I read said that the show relies too much on guest stars and I guess I can see that point but generally I love them all. Steve Martin even delivered one of the best lines this season: "We'll go to Toronto. It's like New York but without all the stuff". So very true. lol
Big Bang Theory
My friends Maggi and Chris got me into this one when I visited them last fall and I've been hooked ever since. It has to be one of the funniest shows on t.v. right now. It's a must see for all nerds and geeks really as I'm sure most of us can relate to the characters and their love of comics, scifi, video games, etc. Sheldon as the supergenius arrogant weirdo is probably the best character in the show. I just love how they tie geek culture into it, from Halo Nights to Rock Band to freaking out because Summer Glau is on the same train as them. My only criticism of the show is the overuse of the big canned laughter. Not every joke needs the huge outburst of laughter.
Chuck
I've loved this show since it first premiered last season. The character all have great chemistry, the writing is usually very crisp and it also has the geek references we can all enjoy. Adam Baldwin as the NSA agent Casey is just as good as he was on Firefly and the rest of the cast is great in their roles as well. I don't think they've had a single episode that I really haven't liked.
Prison Break
This is one of the most ridiculous, unbelieveable shows on t.v. and that is exactly why I love it. The shows has definitely veered off from the original season's flow and has brought in more conspiracies than one can shake a fist at. The characters always seem to find a way out of every tough situation they face. However, it is a very fun show to watch and always has some very good action sequences. It's just a real shame that it's being taken off the air after it's next 4 or so episodes. To be honest though, I can't believe they found a way to stretch it out this long (that's what she said).
Supernatural
This is probably my favourite show on t.v. and has been one of the most consistently enteraining ones since it first started 4 seasons ago. The two actors playing Sam and Dean Winchester, Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, have the best brother chemistry I think I've seen on t.v. in quite some time. They even look like they could be brothers in real life. One of the reason I love this show is that I'm a big fan of horror movies and this show is almost like a 1 hour horror movie every week with bad guys from Reapers to Vampires to Demons to Ghosts to you name it. I love the variety of bad guys they seem to find in the occult and it's not always the same thing although ghosts and demons due show up more than anyothers. The main storyline this season of the demons trying to free Lucifer so he can bring on the apocalypse and the Winchesters being recruited by angels to fight on the side of Heaven has been very entertaining and interesting. I really hope they can get one more season but if it ends after just four, that's ok because not too many shows can be good for this long.
Now I know everyone has shows they would change with what I have set out, but it's my list so too bad. ;) What would you list as your favourite shows? I just listed the shows that I am current and up to date on. I do love Friday Night Lights and Battlestar Galactica too, but I haven't stayed up on their latest seasons and waiting to watch them this summer in one fell swoop. I also enjoy other shows such as The Office, My Name is Earl, Smallville and even the second half of Heroes' season but they just didn't make the cut.
What a Piece of...
So last weekend, my girlfriend and I decided, well I guess I decided and she just went along with it, to rent Twilight since it was on DVD. I had heard rather mixed reviews so I thought I should check it out for myself. I have never read the books and to be honest I don't really have a huge desire to do so either.
Well, after struggling my way through it I think it's safe to say it's one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life. The story had no real flow to it and I thought the acting was more or less pretty weak. I didn't think they did a very good job of developing the relationship between Edward and Bella and their chemistry was pretty weak too. I also felt like the whole storyline with the bad guys was just shoved in there and didn't get a good build up. I'm guessing it's because they had to cut so much from the book to fit it in a two hour movie but it was safe to say both Karli and I didn't like it. In fact, I was tempted turn it off but I thought I should see the end. My brother, after seeing it in the theatre, described it as Dawson's Creek with vampires, and he was bang on the money with that description.
I've been told I should check out the book since everything gets explained better in it but I still really don't have any desire to do so even though I've heard the next book is even better, especially with the introduction of werewolves.
We also watched Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist last weekend. It was a pretty cute movie and would be something indie hipsters would really like. I did enjoy the music and it was pretty funny. The only thing is that Michael Cera is starting to play the exact same character in every movie. While I do enjoy his work, he's going to get tiresome pretty quickly. I had the same problem with Vince Vaughn.
Well, after struggling my way through it I think it's safe to say it's one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life. The story had no real flow to it and I thought the acting was more or less pretty weak. I didn't think they did a very good job of developing the relationship between Edward and Bella and their chemistry was pretty weak too. I also felt like the whole storyline with the bad guys was just shoved in there and didn't get a good build up. I'm guessing it's because they had to cut so much from the book to fit it in a two hour movie but it was safe to say both Karli and I didn't like it. In fact, I was tempted turn it off but I thought I should see the end. My brother, after seeing it in the theatre, described it as Dawson's Creek with vampires, and he was bang on the money with that description.
I've been told I should check out the book since everything gets explained better in it but I still really don't have any desire to do so even though I've heard the next book is even better, especially with the introduction of werewolves.
We also watched Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist last weekend. It was a pretty cute movie and would be something indie hipsters would really like. I did enjoy the music and it was pretty funny. The only thing is that Michael Cera is starting to play the exact same character in every movie. While I do enjoy his work, he's going to get tiresome pretty quickly. I had the same problem with Vince Vaughn.
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