First 5! Avalon Code DS

Avalon Code is seriously one of the most unique action role-playing game I have played. Now, the game starts off with the familiar story of chosen hero, sword of truth hero guardian thingy. Now the mechanics is also the familiar hack & slash thingy until an interesting NEW mechanic is introduced. The Book of Prophecy.

Now, the idea of The Book of Prophecy is that the world is dying. And you the lucky one get to record all the good stuff in this old world which can be copied over into the new and improved version. What's cool about this book is that you get to do what your teacher has been doing when you doze off. Smack yah with the book. Well, with the Book of Prophecy you get to smack everything from friends, gears, plants, enemies & weapons and then their data will be stored into the book. Once in the book you get to reorder it's "code" to make it better, weaker, flameable and what not. Which opens a new possibility of gaming! e.g.: A tough monster is giving your trouble, Smack the fellow, add an ILL "code" which will reduce its health and you get yourself a weaker version of the same monster. Cool eh?

Granted you can only set aside 4" code"s at one shot and each "code" can vary in shape and sizes which create a heck of a puzzle itself. Granted, the amount you can hold will be increased over time. Now, the book also act as the save file, load file, map, glossary, history book and all that - which is a pretty good way excuse of chunking everything into one area at the lower screen. Good use of space! Control of character is with D-pad and certain things require the use of touchscreen but generally the battle is done using the control pad and anything book related is touchscreened.

Summary

This game is a new an revolutionary way of changing the ARPG mechanics that have been around for sometime breathing a fresh breath into the otherwise simple hack and slash. I have yet to explore deep into the game but this is one of the more promising must get game available.
It is quite an injustice when you realise that this game is not that well known due to its lack of advertising. But don't let that deter you, so get this game at Play-Asia HERE.


-Because I Can-

Review: Elebits - The Adventures of Kai and Zero (DS)

Think Pokemon! 493 Pocket Monster to be caught at last count, utterly cute monster that just screams to be hugged and evolution chart that will boggle your mind. Well.. Not really...

May the adventure BEGIN!

Elebits first appeared in 2006 at Wii console as a search and capture game where gamer uses the Wii Remote to move objects around to look for the Elebits. Fast forward to 2008, we have Elebits 2; continuing the adventure of Kai and Zero from last season. The gameplay is utterly simple to follow. Go in, capture the elebits, shake the tree/stone, capture more elebits, beat the boss, walk around, talk to everyone else, find more elebits.

You can run! But you can't hide!

The learning curve is soooooo easy. But the puzzle is a bit out of grasp for me. This might be an individual case but I have been having trouble solving the puzzle. Case in point, I was stuck in front of a barrier for more than 2 hours, trying various elebits power to open the barrier when I finally gave up and ask online forums for help, then I found out I am supposed to get in from another map.... What The....

Gotta Catch Em All!

Now I found myself stuck in the same world but different map. The solution is ridiculously easy but I know for a fact that it will still eludes me in the end. Which begs the question, is the game easy or am I just plain old st.... (lets leave it at that)

I choose you!

(p/s: I am using too much Pokemon quotes...)

Conclusion
Irregardless, I am in love with this game. Elebits DS is a well designed game with great soundtrack, good graphic, easy learning curve but heck of a headache inducing puzzle (for me). It's no pokemon game as you don't go around capturing pokemon or having a fight in the middle of bushes. This is a game of exploration, puzzle, elebits capture and just plain ole enjoying the music and scenery. I am really looking forward for the english version of this game which was SUPPOSED to be out in Jannuary 6th 2009. Last I heard, it has been postponed.

I prefer the Japan Cover for Elebits, they are a lot more cuter than the US version....
Check it out!

If you are interested in purchasing this game, head over to HERE and make your pre-order now.



-Because I Can-

Review: Prince of Persia PC Port

Many moons and many suns has pass since I wrote anything on Awwsnapped and I have a perfectly good reason for that. The L word (pun intended). I got lazy. It's not that there is no new game, or no new toys or no new well... anything. It's just that I got lazy but I am here today to change that and I will start off today with this brilliant brilliant looking piece of work. 

Game play

Prince of Persia. Out a week or so ago, the Prince of Persia series is rebooted in this new series and the new 'Prince' looks very good. Notorious for their steep learning curve and level, a lot of casual gamer were turned off from the Persia series for the hard to execute perfectly-timed-acrobatic-wall-jumping-hanging-from-the-cliff- leaping-from-one-wall-to-the-other gaming mechanism. I was one of them. This all though were naught in the new Persia series. Yes, there is still the jumping here and there, leaping from one wall to the other thingy machingy but instead of the game over screen you constantly get for the first 1 hour of gaming while you learn the curve, you get a beautiful magician lady in distress which will help you whenever you fall off the cliff or failed to time your move correctly. No more game over screen. Hardcore Persia gamer would complain that this tone down the hardness level quite a lot but it is also a refreshing change for the casual gamer which allows us to join the series.

Prince of Persia is best played using a game pad. If you do not have a decent game pad for your pc. Invest in one. I would recommend the XBOX game pad as most game that were ported to PC comes from the XBOX series and they already have an integrated setting for the controller.

Graphic

Each moves and attacks are perfectly and flawlessly executed with a flourish of movement making you want to execute it again and again just to see the move. Graphically enchanting, the game also took a leaf out of Okami game. One of the trademark of Okami game is the slowly expanding of flower with flourish and grace as Amaterasu restore nature. In Persia, the graphic is slightly the same albeit rendered in less flourish. This does not make it look less astonishing, but in varying degree it does give a refreshing look to the same level as your go through it again.

Music,Sound & Voice over

All the conversations in Prince of Persia has voice over, instead of the cheesy stuff that you MIGHT expect, the voice over fits perfectly well with the character. and the dialog is funny enough that you would just like to hear them talk. The music is relaxing and nicely composed but more often than not, some parts of the level are ran through with no accompanying music.

Character

 

What makes this game lovable is not the revolutionary graphic, the superb game play or the beautifully compose music. It's the character. My understanding of the 'Prince' from the last series were always of an uptight Prince which is out to save the world or his kingdom or his loved one. the NEW prince though is a likable "Entrepreneur" which finds opportunity everywhere. Namely, robbing graves. Yeap, no longer a prince of one kingdom or another (as far as I know) he is a grave robber. A very charming, cheeky and mischievous grave robber which thought that he can easily save the secondary character Erika and score a point but instead ended up getting chased by monster, jumping from one cliff to another and losing Farah. His donkey laden with gold coins. 

 Conclusion

The game is a solid restart and brings a much needed refreshing breath to the series. The graphic is nothing ground breadking yet it looks breathtaking enough for you to stop and stare at times. The characters are lovable and provided a curious glimspe of their former life, their attitude and the ocassional banter between characters are superb addition. All in all, Prince of Persia captured my heart.

-Because I Can-

Review: Macross Ace Frontier

With the end of Macross Frontier a month or so ago, there was a sudden lull in my life. A lack of excitement as the fight between Vajra & Humanity ended. The knowledge that, there won't be anymore wonderful song coming in the next week. My life took a turn for the worse. Well, not really but all those thing that I just said make a really cool starting line.

Anyway, as you guys know. Macross Ace Frontier. Thats why you are here. Right? Well lets get a few facts out of the way first.

Is the game coming to US? NOPE! There is some licensing issue or something. I am not clear on this but the chances of this game coming to US is close to nil. Nada. Zip. So start importing if you want this game Is this game playable if I don't understand Japanese? YEAP! The missions are simple. Just go in. Kill everything that you can target and you are good to go.

Is this game WORTH it?
HELL YEAH! Read on to know why!

Is there anyone doing a PATCH/TRANSLATION for this game?
NOPE, not to my knowledge anyway. Granted, there are some translation on gamefaqs.com. I even got a list of the translation! Somewhere.....

Now. On with the review! Macross Ace Frontier combines the 4 title in Macross series. Macross, Macross Plus, Macross 7 and finally Macross Frontier. You can play the 4 series in any order you like. Finish the 3rd one before playing the first, and vice versa. Each type of major characters and Valkyries is playable. But you start off with your own character, partner & operator.

Whatever mission you do, they wil be there to support you. The controls for the game are easy. Shoot, lock on, block, avoid, boost, missile, melee and the more difficult one. Specials. Specials require different type of button combination. The problem is not in the button. The problem is, in knowing which one you are unleashing. I have limited knowledge on this so I won't dwell on it.

Graphic wise, this game is superb. The background is beautifully rendered, the Valkyries are superbly animated, even the transformation is breathtaking. The fights between you and the enemy are fast and furious and will easily kill you off if you are not familiar of what you are doing. Even the wrong weapon will get you killed sometimes.

But there are a few problems here and there. The Glitch, oh yes. The much feared glitch. When you are locked onto a target, the view cam follows the target on the far end. so if he takes a 360 degree swirl around you, the camera will be swirling around too. Very irritating. Then there is the wall. When you are in a cluttered environment or there is a huge ship/building in front of you. You will be stuck there and moving very slowly but you won't know what hit you as the view cam will glitch into the building. A big no no for this fast paced game

I also had the privilege to try some wifi action and its quite disappointing. The lagging is noticeable, granted all the shooting and flying action is fun but the lagging is not. There are 2 modes in wifi that I know about. VS between 4 player and VS PC. The VS between 4 player is a deathmatch but the VS PC though I think its a mission based game? I did not manage to try that part of the game though.

Anyway, all in all. this game is a superb game if you are a fan of Macross, simulation game or mech game. Not a game for those which can't follow fast paced action.

Find more picture and purchase information HERE

-Because I Can-

First 5! Star Wars - The Force Unleashed (PSP)

Star Wars The Force Unleashed for PSP is an interesting game which hurls you straight into action while slowly showing you what you need to do. Provided you can remember the moves that were shown to you while you are slashing away at storm troopers and enemy alike.

The first 5 minute impression of Star Wars to me provide enough headaches. No, its not the gameplay, its the camera. The camera pans around and follows you automatically. The only problem is, its either too fast or its too slow. It takes a while to get used to the camera angel and when you finally did, the game flows in smoothly together.

The amount of customization for Star Wars The Force Unleashed (SWTFU) at first glance is staggering. Starting from the light saber and moving towards the costume which you need to unlock first. Then you have the amount of moves you can make, force choke, aerial shock, choke, sith strike and a lot more. Each moves can be bought, upgraded and then practised on your various enemies.

What about the storyline then? Well, I ahve only pop the first 5 minute hence I don't know how the storyline will fare but at the rate that this game is progressing, this might just prove interesting. What about the graphic? Well, it tries just too hard to look nice. But ignoring that problem of trying to look too good. I would say this is a promising looking game!

To end this article I am going to provide the lord of all cheat code for Star Wars - The Force Unleased (PSP)

Unlock All Costumes - GRANDMOFF

Star Wars - The Force Unleashed can be purchased HERE

-Because I Can-

Review: Wall-E

Before going to this show, I have been getting mix reaction from fellow bloggers and friends. Some say the movie sucks because it long, there is no talking and erm, well.. Some other crap. Then I have been told that the movie is boring and stupid. Granted, I took it all in stride and insisted on watching it.

Frankly, the Wall-E is brilliant! The graphic surpasses anything that they have done before, Wall-E is lifelike with all his expression etched for the viewer to see using his eye, his hand movement and his body stance. Granted he speaks no more than 5 words in the whole movie. Wall-E surpasses anything that Pixar has done before. All animation with minimum dialog.

Wall-E tells a story about a robot and his discovery of life and his loneliness working alone. But in the deeper sense, Wall-E tells about the situation on earth if we do not start recycling. Touching on wastage, human laziness and the eventual collapse of the eco system. Wall-E weaves a tale of love, environment hazard and human behavior into a great story.

Be prepared to laugh your heads off and wondering what happens next when you watch Wall-E as it is an experince for your inner child.
-Because I Can-

Review: The Dark Knight

Conclusion: I am gonna put the conclusion here instead of the bottom to save you guys from scrolling down through my rant and thoughts. Batman is the MUST WATCH MOVIE if you are a fan, not a fan, going to be a fan or have been a fan of Batman. The effect is gorgeous, the storyline is superb and the characteristic is out of this world. Be prepared to be taken through 2 hour and 30 minutes of whirlwind of psychological reasoning with cat and mouse game. 

Instead of expecting Batman jumping out of building, driving cars/tank/the immovable object through building and then fighting bad guys in the dark while keeping us and the bad guys jumping out of seats when Batman appear out of nowhere. Expect, well... The same thing.

:

The Dark Knight is a great 2 hour 30 minutes ride of roller coaster. This is the first Batman movie that does not feature the word Batman in the title, The Dark Knight  tells not about the struggle against evil or the great escapade of Batman after kicking a huge number of mob asses. In retrospect, this movie kicks the whole realism movie term into new ground. What we have in this movie. Is a telling of how hard it is to be the outcast, the vigilante, the man that has taken everything there is in his life and throw it into his darker side. A man that is tired of what he is doing but is still doing it because he believe its the right thing.

It also tells of a struggle of a "hero" if it is to happen in this world of our own. The problem that he have to go through and the undeniable truth that there are people out there that do things just for the sake of having a laugh of it. Joker.

The character Joker portrayed by the late Heath Ledger is nothing short of brilliant. The sheer craziness on Joker's face every time he pops on screen makes half the cinema goer cringe in disgust and fear and the spark of intelligent and genius planning that twinkle in Joker's eye when he plans out his terrorism a makes you wonder, is there such person in the world.

Then there is the secret character that have been kept silent the whole time while Joker has his way off-screen. Harvey Dent "Two Face". The scariest looking guy on screen. I am not going to spoil it for you but they really did a great job with Harvey Dent. Expect some gruesome scene from Harvey.

Lastly, do you still remember Rachel Dawes? The pretty chick from Batman Begin? Well, the 'new' Rachel Dawes is NOT pretty. Previously portrayed by Katie Holmes, the NEW Rachel Dawes is portrayed by Maggie Gyllenhaal. There is just something wrong with her acting. Be it her not so pretty look or the fact that she is just not that powerful enough. Then there is her acting, at one point. She stands defiantly against Joker but when Joker starts to hold her and threaten her, the look on her face is totally well. different. Lets just say that she is not good in what she does.

-Because I Can-

Review: Hellboy 2 The Golden Army

 Predictable, Lackluster & lacking that hard right hook which shocks you. Comparing Hellboy and the recent onslaught of super hero movies, I would give Hellboy a pass if you are a hardcore fan of comics. The character is there, the effect is there. The sudden onslaught of fighting scene is there too. But it all just seems, Lacking...

Let me put it this way, Hellboy is as it is. An ass which can fight and give a mean right hook when he wants to. But the rest of the crew is just... Lacking... The enstranged Girl friend does not look enstranged enough, the fish guy is so and so but when you add all of them together. The whole movie is more or less, predictable. By the middle of the movie, you could have guessed the ending, know how the movie flow is going to be and glancing at your watch, wondering how long this debacle is going to last.

My criticism for this movie is quite critical due to one very major fact. There is no story. The story has too many looses ends with lots and lots of question mark and random remarks which is supposed to keep you guessing if there is going to be another sequel or why is Hellboy here. Granted, I don't really feel like knowing. Not with how this movie lacks all the story.

Conclusion

Yes its a good 2 hour of punching and fighting and a egoistical red demon, yes its a good set of movie with cool sound effect. No its not a movie that has a good storyline  
-Because I Can-

Review: The Happening

We've Sensed It. We've Seen The Signs. Now... It's Happening.

Yes, another new movie from M.Night Shyamalan. The man behind 6th Sense, Unbreakable, & Lady in the water. I have fond memories of those movies. Of how the intrigue play itself and how everything ties up neatly in the end.

The Happening though is not happening at all. The story has loose ends here and there and the excitement fizzles out in the end. This is not Shyamalan's style at all. There is no good story here. The characters are there but their essence is not. With a slow story that plays out, no explanation of what so ever to the epidemic that hit the world and utterly decimate the population.

Trying to throw in a mix of scary screenplay, Shyamalan resorted to throw in cheap thrill of how the people die. Sudden loud bang and the show of corpse, the whole movie feels... cheap...
My movie meter(my gf) rated the movie somewhere around the level of ok-ok lar. She fidgeted through the whole movie and shifted her hand here and there. Comparatively, in The Incredible Hulk, she sat still and watch the whole movie with no movement at all.

Truthfully, The Happening is just not happening for M.Night Shyamalan. The magic that was in 6th Sense & Unbreakable is no longer there at all.


-Because I Can-

Review: Big Green And Mean. The Incredible Hulk

Green, Big and Mean, totally smashing aside Ang Lee's version of Hulk. No more comic version of flipping through scene and slashing here and there. No more lame looking hulk jumping from one truck to another. The NEW Hulk comes with an attitude and a story to boot.

The Incredible Hulk starts off with a brand new story line, utterly shoving aside the old Hulk storyline and making way for a new one. All this story are told with brief flash back of what happened, why is he on the run and the desperate search by the US army for him, even going as far as throwing in some Stark and Nick Fury technology into the mix.

In this new storyline, it seems that Marvel Studio, the new man in the house is preparing us for a totally new movie in the future. Throwing SHIELD, Nick Fury, Stark Industry & Iron Man into the mix. Its a huge alarm sign saying. Avengers is coming!

And since Iron Man where Marvel Studio started filming their own Marvel movies, their movies are at last heading towards the right direction. With good storyline, not so comic look and lots of promising future, I can't wait to see Spider Man going back to Marvel studio as comparatively speaking, Ironman & hulk can kick spiderman's ass to hell and back.

Anyway, back to the green man in tights. The fights in the movie is fast and furious and dark as hell. The man behind the green man has a story to tell, his survival, his attempt to gain back his identity and how far he went to avoid harm for others and for himself. Be prepared to see a story never told before. A story that does not put Hulk in the center light but put Bruce Banner in the hot seat.

Welcome to the world of The Incredible Hulk.

Favorite Quote of the Movie:

Abomination: Any Last word?
Hulk: Hulk... SMASH!!

-Because I Can-

Review: Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of Crystal Skull

After 19 years since his last adventure in The Last Crusade, Indy is back! Well, his movie is back but his high action, running around, prancing from one level to another and running away from danger is getting less. Admittedly Indy is a lot more older now than then. Heck, he even admitted this fact on the first scene!

But truth to be told, the movie is every bit a good reminisce of why we love Indiana Jones last time and why we still love it now. (Besides the fact that it reminds us that we are old enough to remember the movie) But regretfully, most of Indy's move is a golden age move which no longer appeals much to the modern crowd. His hat, the music, the sound effects and the fighting scene. The joke is sometimes a bit stale but gradually finds its freshness in you.

Under the direction of Steven Spielberg, the movie takes a sharp turn here and there keeping the fighting scene long and fresh, the scenery panning across a continent to another and the scene superb. In the whole outset of the movie, Steven reminded us on why we love Indy in the first place. The wry joke, the metal knuckle fight & the certain scene that makes you cringe away from the scene.

For those that have watched the first 3 movies before, you can see that Spielberg have retained all the same cinematography style from 20 years ago. But within the old style, there is a lot of CGI and new style which blends in seamlessly. Without spoiling the movie at all, I would say that the movie is an uphill and downhill ride of adventure from one continent to another. Swashbuckling across the globe fighting various element of villain and whipping the enemy into order.

Do keep an eye open for some cameo appearance of past artifacts & hints of where Indy has been to and involved in. Figure out the puzzle before him and pride yourself as a stalwart Indy fan. Albeit old.

-Because I Can-

Peanuts Lite Slipon Socks Pouch Picture & Review

Over a week or 2 ago I highlighted this cute Peanuts Lite Slipon Socks Pouch which I recommended for those that love snoopy. Well, I received my sock yesterday and frankly, I am disappointed.

The pouch is not elastic. Its made out of some crappy cloth which stays in shape. Thats ok with me but the problem arises when I try to slot in my DS. The pouch won't fit! The mouth of the pouch requires 3 minutes of coaxing and gentle pushing at the right position to get the DS in. Once its in, you will see that the pouch does only one thing. Cover your DS. Nothing else. No protection. No nothing.

Now, you figure you might want to put on a hard cover or something to give it shock protection. Right? WRONG! Like I said, the pouch won't fit anything else except for the DS. So don't bother. This Pouch is a novelty product. You buy it for the design. And that's it. I would recommend against buying this if you are looking for protection for your NDS.

If you still want to purchase this pouch. Go to HERE for more purchase information on ALL 4 DESIGN.

My package!

Front design

Back design

Won't fit with a hardcover

Tight fit

-Because I Can-

E-Revolution Motion Speaker Video

I got my speaker over a few weeks ago and have been meaning to post up a video of its flickering light and how the motion sensor works. But I didn't have a decent videocam with me. But yesterday, I figure I might as well just post up a video, regardless of how grainy it is for you guys to see.

A warning though, the video looks bad but the real thing looks very very cool. I would suggest you grab one if you can.

E-Revolution Motion Speaker is retailing at USD19.90 only now at HERE.

Edit: Woops, the motion speaker has since been out of stock >.< You might have to search elsewhere to get this now..

-Because I Can-

Review: Speed Racer Movie

Speed Racer gives no illusion about what movie it is. It does not sugar coat you with all the lovey dovey things that other movie tends to leads you into nor does it do what it is not supposed to be. Speed Racer is all about two things. Speed. Racing.

I was in the preview of Speed Racer movie which is set out to start showing on the 8^th of May and frankly, this movie was not in the list of movie I am going to watch. Not with its comical name and association with the old cartoon from years ago. Neither has the trailer impresses me and my friends. But beggars can’t be choosers when two preview tickets are presented to me by my now constant supplier of free movies. A tribute goes to Anthony!

Anyway, back to the movie. The start of the movie sets the pace of the whole movie. There is no growing up scene. There is no, I am out for revenge thing. It starts with a bang and the bang turns to a boom all the way after 2 hour and 15 minutes. But to give a brief summarization of what the movie is about. Its about a family of racer which give births to a prodigal son of racing aptly named, Speed. It has a brief flash back of how he got into racing intermixed with a bit of current timeline. The flash back and forth blends in simultaneously and does a super job of handing you the introduction of the whole story without slowing the pace.

In most movies, we can see the confusion of the director trying to decide what the movie is supposed to be. Hence they throw in the villain, the hero, the gun scene and then the damsel in distress where they will eventually fall in love and live happily ever after. With Speed Racer, there is no such thing. It focuses the movie on the main character. Speed and proceed to hammer the racing scene into your head over and over again. And the effects are spectacular. ( more about that later) There is no love scene, there is no sad scene, and there is no fist fight scene (well there are some..). There is though, a lot and a lot of car fight scene.

Now, what make this movie more interesting than others are the effects. It does not try to blend the movie into real world. In fact, what it does is to make the whole movie as cartonish as possible. The backdrops have too many colours and are all too bright for the eye, the car races are impossible to be done in real life. The car crashes provides a symphony orchestra of impossible combination of lights and colours. Truly spectacular.

What about the actor? Frankly, I have not much comment on them. They are a bunch of believable act, in fact. The actor portraying Speed is very much the naïve character that he is supposed to be. There are parts of the emotion where he fails to portray the right one but he comes true quite well enough if you can close one eye. What about Rain then? He holds his character well enough by itself and speaks good English too. But there is just something not right with his acting which I can’t quite pin down and some of the actors are just “monkeying” around

Anyway, whatever the actor maybe, one thing is true. The movie is good. The racing scene does not get boring, the car fighting scene is spectacularly colourful and the storyline ties up well. A must watch if you like cartoons, car racing, good movie and are not afraid of clashing colours.

I manage to snap a few pictures of some Speed Racer stuff I got from KFC while dining with my GF. Its two keychain of Racer X car and Speed’s Mach 5. Also in the pictures are my ticket to the movie and the real racing car present at the movie to “launch” the movie. I heard Amber Chia was there and I “think” I saw her but heck, for the love of all sane things. I could see no relationship of her and the movie. Maybe the cars did but it sure as hell are not flashy enough. ( the opening event that is) If given to me, I would play around with some cartoonish characterism and put a real life model of Racer X and Speed’s car. That might pull more attention. Oh and maybe lots and lots of flashy lights.

Evo decorated with Speed Racer Logo

The Invitation Card (Outside)

The Invitation Card (Inside)

KFC Speed Racer Key Chain

-Because I Can-

Iron Man Short Movie Review (SMR)

Iron Man is a movie not about Iron Man but about the man inside the Iron. The whole movie, you see less of Iron Man (I.M) but more of Tony Stark. This is a refreshing turn from other super hero movie where they strive their best to wow you with their visual effects and fighting scene. While Iron Man does the same, it does it with style and substance.

The movie starts off innocently enough and immediately stamps Tony Starks characteristic into your head. Outwardly cool, good looking and rich, Tony strive to do what he think is the best way to help his country to defend against others and like all good movie, everything goes horribly wrong but what Tony did was different. Instead of prolonging his suffering and making all Hoo and Haa about changing his company policy. Tony went in straight for the kill and refined I.M. From there the movie soars on high and over as it shows how I.M was developed, how I.M came into public view and what Tony did to make his creation works.

The gem of the movie is showing the man behind the Iron, behind the war mongering and behind the gold and red armour. This is what made the movie a good movie. I would recommend this movie if you are into comics, even if you are not. I would still recommend it. Its THAT good.

-Because I Can-

Forbidden Kingdom more like Forbidden Movie

Here is a scene of what transpire in the meeting before Forbidden Kingdom was shot.

Movie Executive (M.E): You know what would be a hit movie? Two of the best Kung Fu master dueling!

Boss: Hmm that’s interesting, but it would be better if the movie happens in the past!

M.E: Yeah yeah! And to add in some spice, lets throw in some Chinese legend. Audience love Chinese legends. I know which one we should use, Journey to the west! But instead of the journey, we talk about the pre-journey!

Boss: Hmm, that might work but I thought Journey to the west is about 4 man going to the west. We need pretty faces in it!

M.E: No problem, lets just add in a cute damsel in distress which is out for revenge against the same villain!

Boss: But what would her dialogue and role be?

M.E: Lets just cast her as an add on and show her face here and there and a bit of background of why she is there. The audience wouldn’t care less!

Boss: But we are targeting American audience aren’t we? Shouldn’t we add in some American element in it?

M.E: The dialogue, jokes and fighting scene is a shoe in for American audience. Don’t worry! We would also cast an American in it! He would be the Staff Bearer! The man that will travel from the future to the past to return the staff to the owner! Hell, the story would be about a group of guys and girls which are good in what they does protecting him to bring back the staff!

Boss: Isn’t that similar with LOTR?

M.E: Yeah! And that’s why its bound to work!

Forbidden kingdom, more like forbidden movie. It was two hour of none stop questioning from me and my GF as to what is going on in the movie. The action is not half bad but the fight is drawn out too much. The dialogue switches between mandarin and English and gives no reason for doing so. In fact, it did not even explain why the Chinese can speak English in the first place! So as a smart audience, we assumed that the staff gave the guy the ability to understand Chinese and simultaneously translate all the language to English for us. Think Babel Fish.

Then there is the plot, good lord. HOW CHEESY CAN IT BE?! It’s a typical B-Grade movie with A-Grade actor. In fact, I would say the only saver in the movie is the name Jacky and Jet. Or else the movie will be a total flop. I would really give this movie a miss if I were you. It’s a total waste of 11 buck for me.

-Because I Can-

Knight Rider 2008

2 hour Pilot. 2 hour of mind blowing return of KITT. I may be only 24 but I sure as hell remember the lovable electronic self preservation sarcastic robotic car! Aired over the weekend last week, Knight Rider makes a return after a 25 year gap in the film world. Casting the protagonist as the son of the first driver for KITT, Michael Knight.

I have read comment before the Pilot that the movie is more of an advertisement for Ford Shelby Mustang which quite frankly I have to agree. There is just so much I can take on the parallel shot of KITT driving and all its slick surface shots. What I want to see is not the outlook of the car. I want to see what the car CAN DO! In fact, shots of KITT talking gave me goose bump.

Ok before I go on, I also need to clarify one more thing. The Pilot is SUPERB for fan of Knight Rider but truth to be told, the acting and the shots can be a lot better. In fact, the script is a bit cheesy at times. Without spoiling the storyline let me give you an example, High speed car chase. Less than 50 meter braking space for a car and a huge trailer. Both vehicle brakes and does not collide. HALLO? REALITY CHECK! We all know that trailer can’t break for nuts! Not on a high speed chase that is. We also know that high speed chase means high speed and is not complete unless there is a semblance of car crash!

Then there is the acting. Ok, the acting is not half bad and I admit I am nitpicking here but good lord, can’t you guys act better? A dying person has the power to grab something from the pocket, passed it to another, then dies without physical trauma. You would know what scene this is when you see the show for yourself. Then there is Mike Traceur, he need to get his personality straight. Is he a playboy? Or is he a macho everybody heroes? More emotion man.. Seriously…

KITT though, good lord, now that’s a good voice over. Totally dead, when KITT talks, he talks like a robot and without emotion which suits KITT! Man, the whole movie, only KITT shines in voiceover. The rest though need to upgrade their acting and cinematography skill. Watch more car racing movie and car crash movie to get an idea of how to do car chase, or else Knight Rider is gonna look like a third rate B class movie.And keep David Hasselhoff away from the movie after the pilot. We don’t need him. His acting is getting worse. He has passed the reign over to his son. We get it. See yah.

Anyway, all in all, KNIGHT RIDER is a good series in the pass, I love it. I have no idea why. The new KNIGHT RIDER 2008 might not have a good cast and most of its actor need acting class, I still love the show. Not because of who they casted or because of the script. Its all for KITT. Knight Industries Three Thousand.

-Because I Can-

Review: Jumper (Movie & Novel)

Cover for the Movie

One of THE most misleading titled movie/novel ever. Jumper has made a huge mark in my interest for Sci-Fi movie/novel. When I first saw this title on quicktime trailer website, I thought for a moment the movie is about people seeking thrill jumping off buildings or just... jumping around. You would have to pardon my skepticisms of the titled movie due to all this bad movie in the making, has been made and made it out in the market.

Anyway, Jumper is a superb movie for me. The possibilities and the narrating is cool in fact I find no fault for the actor choice for this movie in Hayden Christensen as a cool looking guy which has absolutely no clue on how dire his whole "Jumping" ability is. In fact, I LOVE the movie. The effect is cool looking and the possibilities of being able to teleport here and there with but a whim of a thought is exciting. But what the movie fails to provide is a good storyline. In fact, the storyline is a bit too unresolved and kind of "jumps" out at you (pun intended)

Without spoiling the story yet again for those that haven't watch the movie, the storyline Takes the whole Jumping ability a step further than what it is originally written as. Which brings us now into the Jumper Novel. The Jumper novel story and the movie story is two totally different story. There is no Samuel L Jackson in there, there is no other "Jumpers" in the novel and in fact the story is so different it might as well be another story altogether!

Cover for the Novel

But what the movie lacks is made up all in the novel. The character is lively, David (Davy) Rice is a struggling young kid hit with an implication of his new found ability and his parents took on an altogether darker and more humane side of story while Davy jumps around trying to comprehend what he needs to do and ultimately what he used his ability to do. If I were given a choice I would say, Watch the movie for the effects and the kicks of this jumping thingy but read the book for a better understanding on how his ability and his life works.

I would really recommended this movie if you like Sci-Fi and recommend the book if you find dissatisfaction in how the story of the movie goes. Steven Gould the author of the novel JUMPER did a very good job in building Davy's character and dialogs. In fact he did it so good, it is surprising to read that this is his FIRST novel. Truly a marvel..

Wallpaper taken from Main Jumper movie website HERE

-Because I Can-