Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 27th, 2008
The Nines truly is a film that defies description, albeit in not an entirely new and convincing manner. For instance, I could tell you that I just got done eating a chicken sandwich after consuming several mojitos and a beer, and at least with that statement, you could tell what it is that I’ve done, you know? But to be fair, The Nines decides to take on some daring filmmaking and storytelling, and does it in a way that you can’t help but want to watch it again, even a little.
Written by John August, who had been notorious for penning such films like both Charlie’s Angels films and several Tim Burton outings, August directed it in his initial effort. The film is actually three parts, all slightly tied into one another, though in no linear fashion to speak of, and the main cast inhabits roles in all three parts. Part one finds Gary (Ryan Reynolds, Smokin’ Aces), a successful television actor, engaged in a drug-soaked frenzy that leads him to crash his car and go under house arrest; Margaret (Melissa McCarthy, Gilmore Girls) is his handler designed to keep him on the straight and narrow during this time. Gary finds Sarah (Hope Davis, About Schmidt), a neighbor next door as his connection to the outside world in more ways than he can anticipate. In part two, Reynolds is Gavin, an aspiring television show creator, Davis plays Susan, a network television producer, and McCarthy plays herself as the focus of the show. And in part three, Reynolds is Gabriel, a video game producer, McCarthy plays his wife Mary, while Elle Fanning (Déjà vu) plays their daughter. What, no Davis? That’s what you think! She plays Sierra, a woman who helps Gabriel try to find help for his family on a deserted mountain road.
Posted in: Game Reviews by Michael Durr on March 26th, 2008
A cold day in Vegas no more. Hopefully over the short vacation, you have had time to hit the slots, schmooze the local women and even rubbing your barrel a little more than you should. Why you ask? Because Rainbow Six, Vegas style is back. That's right; more taking cover and sneaking around killing terrorists in the land that never sleeps. Apparently the rent on the automatic terrorist prevention machines was a little high and so they have asked for your MTar firing, Flashbang throwing behind to lead the charge once again. Rainbow Six Vegas 2 takes back your 360 and hopefully sends us more than new maps and some spit and polish.
Graphics
I would probably be called a liar if I claimed that the graphics in RSV2 have been upgraded significantly in any fashion. It's still really good and very little difference can be deciphered. There is some improvement in shading and terrorists look more distinct. Guns do look fancier and I did notice an upgrade in blast patterns from various explosive devices. Advertisements also appear of better quality, but as you can tell I'm grasping at straws. One detrimental thing I noticed was that you find yourself shooting at your AI teammates a lot (or nearly) especially if you are taking on the role as Knight, Bishop's teammate in story mode. Human players are usually distinct but the two AI's look like any other terrorist.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on March 26th, 2008
Rainbow Six Vegas 2 bugs, No Waggle in the Rock Band Wii and Powerball action - Welcome to the column that keeps scratching even when it should have stopped a long time ago known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. Yes it's World of Warcraft corner with your host, IAMMurloc. Or rather Kedrix (I know Sarah would appreciate that). Up to 33 on my Troll Rogue, 14 on my Dwarf Priest. I'm not sure what I did for most of the week with my characters to be honest. (Because I was going back and forth between WoW and Rainbow Six Vegas 2) But my highlight actually happened when the patch 2.4 hit. More importantly it hit the status of an item I had been holding in my bank for merely cosmetic purposes. Bloody Brass Knuckles which is actually a white item and to be honest, nothing more than "Oooooo, cool". It drops off Vishas in Scarlet Monastery. It's been changed to a superior item or more importantly, a blue with stats. The DPS has increased significantly (making it better than my sword I have currently equipped) and adding a whopping +8 strength. Let the bludgeoning commence!
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 25th, 2008
“Are you retarded or something?” is the line that stands out the most for me from
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Michael Durr on March 25th, 2008
Do you ever look at some covers in disbelief and wonder why this ever got made? Okay, some directors are trying to break into the business or perhaps an actor is taking on an indie release that one can show their acting range with. But if a movie looks, smells and feels like a B movie; then most likely you are in for a rough ride. At the end, you might come out okay. A lot of times however, you might not. I witnessed such an example in Killer Pad. A movie directed by Robert Englund. Yes, the "Freddy" guy. The box sports some clueless guys and a hot devil lady. Oh and a spooky house behind it all. I'm scared, mainly cause I have to watch it.
Three friends; Doug, Craig & Brody (played by Daniel Franzese, Eric Jungmann, & Shane McRae) decide to leave their small midwest lives and head for the Hollywood Hills. After some searching, they meet up with a landlord named Winnie (played by Bobby Lee)who gets them to a sign a deed to 666 Perdition Lane (gee I wonder if it could be evil). Once they get there, they realize it is the house of their dreams and decide to host a party at their "killer pad." Little do they know that the house is haunted and foul things are a foot. The rest of the adventure is spent finding out the answer to various supernatural occurrences and trying to still host the most awesome party ever.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on March 24th, 2008
A decade or so ago, Andrew Niccol’s Gattaca came to a theatre near you. It received a fair amount of critical acclaim, including a few award nods for production design and music, but wasn’t much of a commercial success. Beats me why not, because the film is right up there with the best in the science fiction genre, at least in my book.
Now on a Special Edition DVD from Sony Pictures, Gattaca has another shot at the mass popularity it deserves. But does the special disc treatment add anything to improve its chances?
Posted in: Disc Reviews by David Annandale on March 21st, 2008
A tough-as-nails cowboy (James Denton) unwillingly hooks up with a naive greenhorn (Chris Kattan) when they have a run-in with a bent sheriff. They may think they have some problems now, but things are much worse than they think, as the town and the surrounding countryside are in the initial stages of a zombie plague.
Simon Pegg and company might well be starting to rue the day they came up with Shaun of the Dead. Though not the first zombie comedy (that would probably be Return of the Living Dead if we exclude some non-cannibal zombies appearing in some 30s horror-comedies), their magnificent film and its success are the proximate cause of the current flood of would be “zombedies” (as this flick labels itself). A western zombie comedy might seem like a promising mix, until one realizes how few western comedies have actually worked, and this one isn’t breaking the trend. Its opening scene (a clumsy zombie attacking his family) veers uncertainly from the tired slapstick to the truly distasteful, and the rest of the film has all the comedic zing of dragged out SNL skit (Chris Kattan, I am casting my baleful eye at YOU). Turgid stuff.
Posted in: Brain Blasters by David Annandale on March 21st, 2008
Time to praise another journeyman performer, another unsung hero of the heterodox film scene. Today: Robert A. Silverman. He’s been kicking around the scene for ages, popping up in everything from Prom Night to Waterworld to Jason X. But his most memorable work consists of the sterling character turns he has done for David Cronenberg.
Silverman has been appearing in Cronenberg’s world since Rabid (1977), where he is an unconcerned hospital roommate to Marilyn Chambers’ first contaminated victim. His role is short, but is one of the rare genuinely comic moments in a very black film, and Silverman would continue to bring a dash of off-kilter humour to his roles for Cronenberg.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on March 19th, 2008
I’m not going to spend any time in this piece telling you about the characters, actors, or plots of the new Stargate direct to DVD film The Ark Of Truth. Honestly, if you are not up to speed you will be totally lost here and have zero chance of even remotely enjoying the ride. For the show’s fans, I think you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say that The Ark Of Truth is basically a perfect extended episode of the series. There is a prelude that provides the “story so far” in flashbacks from the series, but let’s face it, Stargate ran for 10 years and it wasn’t really known for its uncomplicated story threads to begin with. Likely instead of catching you up, the prelude will leave you with even more questions. This is not the place to jump on board the Stargate journey. And no, having seen the original film will do you no good at all. If you find yourself suddenly interested in the franchise, go back and start at the beginning. Trust me, the time will be well spent.
Posted in: Dare to Play the Game, News and Opinions by Michael Durr on March 19th, 2008
Multiple Games in MMO's, No More Pro Gaming and Games are Pron - Welcome to the column that thinks Wussy and Nambi Pambi should be submitted as new ratings for the ESRB known as Dare to Play the Game.
Welcome to another edition of Dare to Play the Game. World of Warcraft, oh how I find thee to confound me. Up to 32 on the Troll Rogue, 12 on the Dwarf Priest. Lantanador, the Rogue is up to a pretty nice 125 gold and I still have purple pants. I make mention of this because my girlfriend Sarah torments me that I still have purple pants (which are a high teen level blue item). I do have new pants at 33, but until I hit that level, she will continue to poke fun at me for having noobie gear. As for my response besides "Ah, blow me" (We won't get into the response to the response), it's about stats I guess. I'm having a hard time finding something better. I don't run a lot of instances (though I did go through a couple this past weekend), so I don't get a lot of blues, especially ones appropriate to my level. Not much of an excuse, I know. The priest is excelling in tailoring and enchanting despite the questing being kept to a minimum. At a level 12, I'm making items that are in the neighborhood of level 15-16 items. At this pace, I'll be well-prepared for later levels.
On The Web
Sponsors
