In a word...AWESOME! First of all, you should just see this because it is a good movie.
But if you have ever played video games and liked them, especially games from the eighties and the nineties YOU MUST SEE THIS.
The basic plot has been plastered all over the internet, but I'll summarize. Scott Pilgrim finds the girl of his dreams (literally) but to date her he must defeat seven evil Exes. This is a world in which video game physics rule (except for cracking open barrels and randomly eating stuff from them or breaking into people's houses and stealing stuff and...well...OK, SELECTIVE video game physics) and Scott's membership in a small indie band and his video game fighting skills come into play again and again.
The graphics are neat.
The homages to ancient video games are neat.
The character dynamics are actually quite interesting.
But the reason you need to see this is because it is also the FUNNIEST damn movie I have seen in a long time. It actually hurt to laugh. That hasn't happened in quite a while.
I can't recommend this movie enough.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
The Dresden Files RPG
Despite rumors that its demise is not yet here, the truth is that the RPG industry isn't what it used to be. Almost everything is moving to electronic. Stores are fewer and farther between, and new games are less. The rpg industry is still vibrant and strong but it is smaller than it was in the 80's or 90's. D&D of course is still alive and well.
One exception to that decline is the Dresden Files RPG, which in two (rather expensive) hard bound volumes creates and refines a system (Fate 3.0) which is revolutionizing most other games (something which in my opinion hasn't happened for a while) but also perfectly captures the spirit of the books upon which they are based. Quite frankly it has been a VERY long time since I've seen a non original (ie adaptation) setting be worth playing. The last one was Angel the RPG and that was what....8 years ago?
The game is essentially story based, which a lot of games claim to be, but this one uses a mechanic and rules set which actually encourages it, with just enough crunch to avoid the floaty 'our game is what we want it to be' feel that a lot of story based games end up being. More importantly in play the thing actually WORKS. It also beautifully put together. Some of the art is merely adequate, but even the adequate work is color INSIDE the book. That's part of the reason this is expensive and it ends up being worth it. This is a new game I not only want to play but WILL play in many games for years to come.
One exception to that decline is the Dresden Files RPG, which in two (rather expensive) hard bound volumes creates and refines a system (Fate 3.0) which is revolutionizing most other games (something which in my opinion hasn't happened for a while) but also perfectly captures the spirit of the books upon which they are based. Quite frankly it has been a VERY long time since I've seen a non original (ie adaptation) setting be worth playing. The last one was Angel the RPG and that was what....8 years ago?
The game is essentially story based, which a lot of games claim to be, but this one uses a mechanic and rules set which actually encourages it, with just enough crunch to avoid the floaty 'our game is what we want it to be' feel that a lot of story based games end up being. More importantly in play the thing actually WORKS. It also beautifully put together. Some of the art is merely adequate, but even the adequate work is color INSIDE the book. That's part of the reason this is expensive and it ends up being worth it. This is a new game I not only want to play but WILL play in many games for years to come.
Movie: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Despite the fact that he basically plays Nicholas Cage in every movie that he's in with only very minor variations on the I Am Nicholas Cage In This Movie character, I actually LIKE Nicholas Cage...he makes crappy movies better. In some cases, he even makes a movie good...like say...Next. In this movie he actually plays the character I like him most in....Wizard Who Looks like Harry Dresden and Acts Like Nicolas Cage Playing a Warden in the Dresden Universe.
And he does a damn good job of it!
Unfortunately this movie is not really about that character at all. Instead its about Clueless but Nerdy Science Wanna Be Mage But Doesn't Want To Be Mage Chosen After a Thousand Year Search Who Uses Science! This kid is an OK actor....I could maybe like him in something but in this movie he sucks compared to what I see what the movie should have been. This kid plays the character like obnoxious side kick when unfortunately the movie is ABOUT the obnioux side kick.
The main villain does a pretty good job. He's not Alan Rickman but he holds his own. HIS Sidekick is actually pretty funny. Draco Malfoy as Duche Magician is the second best part of the movie. Also not very much screen time.
But then again this is a Jerry Bruchheimer film....which is to say don't expect much. If you see this cable, its worth watching. It you pay money like I did, I feel sorry for you. If you put it on Netflix....I assure you there are better movies out there to rent.
And he does a damn good job of it!
Unfortunately this movie is not really about that character at all. Instead its about Clueless but Nerdy Science Wanna Be Mage But Doesn't Want To Be Mage Chosen After a Thousand Year Search Who Uses Science! This kid is an OK actor....I could maybe like him in something but in this movie he sucks compared to what I see what the movie should have been. This kid plays the character like obnoxious side kick when unfortunately the movie is ABOUT the obnioux side kick.
The main villain does a pretty good job. He's not Alan Rickman but he holds his own. HIS Sidekick is actually pretty funny. Draco Malfoy as Duche Magician is the second best part of the movie. Also not very much screen time.
But then again this is a Jerry Bruchheimer film....which is to say don't expect much. If you see this cable, its worth watching. It you pay money like I did, I feel sorry for you. If you put it on Netflix....I assure you there are better movies out there to rent.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Movie: Inception
This movie is by Christopher Nolan, the same guy who did Batman the Dark Knight.
It is not a movie for stupid people. This might be one of the reasons I like it. I think I over analyzed the movie while I was watching it, but despite that I greatly enjoyed it. The real trick to this movie is that because it involves dream logic, you'd better be prepared to change realities like you're changing a channel. The key to keep track of them is to understand that basically each major 'place' in the movie is in fact a dream; a chase, a hotel, limbo and a snow fortress. Dreams within dreams.
There were some bizarre inconsistencies in that, the dreamers could obviously affect the dream but hardly ever did so. They explained some of this away with the fascinating idea that, anyone invading the dream of another became the subject of attack by all the subconscious projections (ie people who populate the dreamscape besides the person invading the dream) but there were times where they distinctly didn't care about whether or not the person was aware and still used really small changes.
Then again, maybe I think more outside the realm of the possible/impossible than normal. Still, as long as you can keep track of what's going on, this movie is quite enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend seeing it with someone who is easily distracted or can't keep track of the plot of something else that was complex though. If you can, see it in the theater, for it is visually stunning but if you can't, DVD is a good second because I hear you catch more things the second time.
It is not a movie for stupid people. This might be one of the reasons I like it. I think I over analyzed the movie while I was watching it, but despite that I greatly enjoyed it. The real trick to this movie is that because it involves dream logic, you'd better be prepared to change realities like you're changing a channel. The key to keep track of them is to understand that basically each major 'place' in the movie is in fact a dream; a chase, a hotel, limbo and a snow fortress. Dreams within dreams.
There were some bizarre inconsistencies in that, the dreamers could obviously affect the dream but hardly ever did so. They explained some of this away with the fascinating idea that, anyone invading the dream of another became the subject of attack by all the subconscious projections (ie people who populate the dreamscape besides the person invading the dream) but there were times where they distinctly didn't care about whether or not the person was aware and still used really small changes.
Then again, maybe I think more outside the realm of the possible/impossible than normal. Still, as long as you can keep track of what's going on, this movie is quite enjoyable. I wouldn't recommend seeing it with someone who is easily distracted or can't keep track of the plot of something else that was complex though. If you can, see it in the theater, for it is visually stunning but if you can't, DVD is a good second because I hear you catch more things the second time.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Movie: Despicable Me
An excellent Children's movie. Its not as good as Toy Story 3, but its still pretty fun. Basically the plot is about a super villain that uses three orphan girls in his plot to steal the moon. Its pretty funny though pretty basic at the same time. Then again, that basic frame work helps make the movie work since you don't ask a lot of questions about how the world works and why the characters are doing what they're doing. Gru (the main character) is by far the most complicated character, since he is both the protagonist and primary villain (though not the antagonist). I'd recommend seeing it.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Movie: Toy Story 3
So, the movie was not all it was hyped up to be. However, that doesn't mean what you think it does. I liked it. It is one of my favorite Pixar movies. In terms of quality I put it behind Ratatoui and Up. So it wasn't a life changing experience. It hasn't and won't be floating in my head for days making me view the world in a profoundly different light.
But that does mean I'm putting it ahead of Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc, the Incredibles, Wall-E etc. All of which are masterpieces. I can think of *NO* other trilogy that goes from Strong, Stronger, Strongest. This movie successfully wraps up the series. It answers questions that anyone seriously pondering the ending of Toy Story 2 can do, it helps children deal with unanticipated questions, and is actually a spiritual thing without being preachy.
I cannot recommend seeing it enough and as usual it is absolutely light years ahead of anything else that is out there. Why Pixar doesn't win best picture each year I simply don't know. A few movies can compete, but when it comes consistently to hitting it out of the park, no other studio even comes close.
But that does mean I'm putting it ahead of Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Monsters Inc, the Incredibles, Wall-E etc. All of which are masterpieces. I can think of *NO* other trilogy that goes from Strong, Stronger, Strongest. This movie successfully wraps up the series. It answers questions that anyone seriously pondering the ending of Toy Story 2 can do, it helps children deal with unanticipated questions, and is actually a spiritual thing without being preachy.
I cannot recommend seeing it enough and as usual it is absolutely light years ahead of anything else that is out there. Why Pixar doesn't win best picture each year I simply don't know. A few movies can compete, but when it comes consistently to hitting it out of the park, no other studio even comes close.
Movie: Splice
This movie is more frightening because it is going to happen. Please understand, it is not a question of "might happen" but WILL happen. It might be a year or five years. It might even be five centuries but sooner or later someone is going to start splicing human genes with animals and this movie does an excellent job of showing the result.
OK....partially. The super superior combo that is the 'monster' in this is not the likely creation. No, instead the part of the movie that is the most accurate is the extremely human child hood of the 'creature' growing up, and the monstrous way that the scientists that created her treated her.
This movie is definitely worth watching, if for no other reason that to understand that sometimes there really *IS* a reason to grab pitch fork and torches, but not for the 'monster' but for the real monsters that make them. And they will.
OK....partially. The super superior combo that is the 'monster' in this is not the likely creation. No, instead the part of the movie that is the most accurate is the extremely human child hood of the 'creature' growing up, and the monstrous way that the scientists that created her treated her.
This movie is definitely worth watching, if for no other reason that to understand that sometimes there really *IS* a reason to grab pitch fork and torches, but not for the 'monster' but for the real monsters that make them. And they will.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)