Dedicated to: Those Who Care
Archive note: This post was originally published on GameSpot by ThumbsUpMaster on April 15, 2009. It is preserved as part of the ThumbsUpMaster GameSpot Blog Archive.
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Readable Archive Version
I don't enjoy blogging the way I used to. The idea of revealing pieces of information about my life to the world wide web makes me feel like one of those Twitter / MySpace whores who care about what other people think about their boring and pathetic life. So this blog is dedicated to those who actually care. I really just blog for my own enjoyment… I can blog in Notepad.exe daily and stop using Blogger if I really felt like it…
From Feburary onto April:
Slumdog Millionaire is one of my all-time favorite movies. I didn't hear about this amazing film until it got the exposure it deserved at the Academy Awards. The build-up to the ending along with the video editing were fantastically executed. One gripe I have is the ending itself. Though satisfying, it ended too much like a fairy-tale. Not that a happy ending is bad but I think the story's ending would have represented a deeper meaning of love if it played out differently. It amazes me how a small film like this can be more enjoyable than all the movies than spew out of Hollywood.. Movies need to lay off the giant explosions and gunfire and focus more on the story and character development – and that's where Slumdog Millionaire exceeds. 9.5/10
I read half of The Watchmen comic during the ride back to California from Arizona in late December. I never finished reading it due to it being a friend's book but nevertheless, I enjoyed it. So, I watched the movie hoping to clear things up a bit …before I found out both endings were different. Anyway, Watchmen was a great adaptation of the original graphic novel. I consider the length (3 hours) a pro rather than a con because after leaving the auditorium, it felt like I experienced a completely different world, just like what the comic did… and that's rare feeling. 8/10
Resident Evil 5 is a great game.. but that's it. It's not a masterpiece and it's not terrible.. it's just… great. Resident Evil 4 was a work of art… Resident Evil 5, unfortunately, takes a step back. The character development lacks horribly. Irvin only has about 3 scenes. Salazar from RE4 has about 20. Kirk has about 5 scenes (you never actually see him). Louis from RE4 has about 15. Jill has about 4 scenes. Ada from RE4 has at least 25 scenes. You see Wesker half way through the game. In RE4, you see Sadalar in the first Chapter. I can go on and on. And speaking of Wesker, when did he becomes the "take over the world" type? I recall Wesker being money hungry.
Where is the mine thrower and the weapon variety? Why can't I just buy items from a Merchent instead of waiting until I complete a chapter? Why is the game so short? Why do I get figurines by shooting emblems instead of a Shooting Range (which is a lot more fun). Why does Sheva get in the way more than Ashley? At least in RE4, Ashley got kidnapped every 5 minutes (ok, 4 times) and was always told to "wait here" while Leon goes into another room and fights a boss or retrieves a key. There are some improvements though, like the graphics (obviously), the inclusion of co-op, The Mercenaries, and Online Versus. I can't really say much about the characters, weapons, level design, plot, and AI when compared to RE4… you know, the important things. But despite all these faults.. it's still a great game. 8/10
Beyond Good & Evil is awesome. I hate myself for being a Nintendo fanboy back in the early 2000's… ??/10
Other movies I watched but too lazy to write about at the moment: I Love You Man (7.5/10), JFK (9/10)
Other games I'm currently playing: Rhythm Heaven, GTA Chinatown Wars, God Hand, Fatal Frame
Also, I'm attending the Coachella Music and Arts Festival this weekend and will watch The Killers live!
Original GameSpot Version
I don't enjoy blogging the way I used to. The idea of revealing pieces of information about my life to the world wide web makes me feel like one of those Twitter / MySpace whores who care about what other people think about their boring and pathetic life. So this blog is dedicated to those who actually care. I really just blog for my own enjoyment... I can blog in Notepad.exe daily and stop using Blogger if I really felt like it... From Feburary onto April: Slumdog Millionaire is one of my all-time favorite movies. I didn't hear about this amazing film until it got the exposure it deserved at the Academy Awards. The build-up to the ending along with the video editing were fantastically executed. One gripe I have is the ending itself. Though satisfying, it ended too much like a fairy-tale. Not that a happy ending is bad but I think the story's ending would have represented a deeper meaning of love if it played out differently. It amazes me how a small film like this can be more enjoyable than all the movies than spew out of Hollywood.. Movies need to lay off the giant explosions and gunfire and focus more on the story and character development - and that's where Slumdog Millionaire exceeds. 9.5/10 I read half of The Watchmen comic during the ride back to California from Arizona in late December. I never finished reading it due to it being a friend's book but nevertheless, I enjoyed it. So, I watched the movie hoping to clear things up a bit ...before I found out both endings were different. Anyway, Watchmen was a great adaptation of the original graphic novel. I consider the length (3 hours) a pro rather than a con because after leaving the auditorium, it felt like I experienced a completely different world, just like what the comic did... and that's rare feeling. 8/10 Resident Evil 5 is a great game.. but that's it. It's not a masterpiece and it's not terrible.. it's just... great. Resident Evil 4 was a work of art... Resident Evil 5, unfortunately, takes a step back. The character development lacks horribly. Irvin only has about 3 scenes. Salazar from RE4 has about 20. Kirk has about 5 scenes (you never actually see him). Louis from RE4 has about 15. Jill has about 4 scenes. Ada from RE4 has at least 25 scenes. You see Wesker half way through the game. In RE4, you see Sadalar in the first Chapter. I can go on and on. And speaking of Wesker, when did he becomes the "take over the world" type? I recall Wesker being money hungry. Where is the mine thrower and the weapon variety? Why can't I just buy items from a Merchent instead of waiting until I complete a chapter? Why is the game so short? Why do I get figurines by shooting emblems instead of a Shooting Range (which is a lot more fun). Why does Sheva get in the way more than Ashley? At least in RE4, Ashley got kidnapped every 5 minutes (ok, 4 times) and was always told to "wait here" while Leon goes into another room and fights a boss or retrieves a key. There are some improvements though, like the graphics (obviously), the inclusion of co-op, The Mercenaries, and Online Versus. I can't really say much about the characters, weapons, level design, plot, and AI when compared to RE4... you know, the important things. But despite all these faults.. it's still a great game. 8/10 Beyond Good & Evil is awesome. I hate myself for being a Nintendo fanboy back in the early 2000's... ??/10 Other movies I watched but too lazy to write about at the moment: I Love You Man (7.5/10), JFK (9/10) Other games I'm currently playing: Rhythm Heaven, GTA Chinatown Wars, God Hand, Fatal Frame Also, I'm attending the Coachella Music and Arts Festival this weekend and will watch The Killers live!