There’s nothing like a big shit bomb to really brighten up your day when you’re already struck down by Man Flu. Yesterday Clydebank College was nice enough to send me a letter reminding me I have yet to pay for my course fees. It turns out even though I chose the “2 year option” on SAAS’s website last year; I still have to refill their tedious forms again this year!
I of course didn’t know this, as having an option to choose 2 years, to me, seems like a good reason to think you are covered for both.
Okay so I made a mistake and I’m far from an innocent party. I admit that and in a way it’s my own fault. But why o’ why do I get this stern letter about lack of payment 4 DAYS before I’ll be billed personally!?
It’s like the letters are jumping from the page, gripping you by your throat demanding a payment before the ever more suspenseful approaching deadline. Why did Clydebank College wait so long to finally tell me I made this error? Why days before an ominous deadline, which may result in me personally having to pay £1,300? Are they a fan of Jack Bauer and felt a nerve dreading race against the clock would be much better than advance notice?
I phoned up and now I have to speak with an advisor tomorrow with regards about getting my SAAS application “fast tracked” through their backdated system. Fellow students of mine tell me of how SAAS can be - as some of them were in near starvation before SAAS coughed up their loan.
On the good side my severe case of man flu is rapidly fading with each punch of the key. I was in work tonight, shovelling the usual Hollywood garbage to customers in [CENSORED DUE TO STORE POLICY] and while I thought I’d be sputtering and shuffling like a zombie I was surprisingly fresher than expected. So whoop, it’s away.
Two fucking days too late. Two days off college means two assessments missed and I still have to edit 6 minutes of video footage for next week - as well as write up the accompanying paper work - which teaching shaman Disco Dave conjured up for us the second last week before we finish.
Finding out new crucial information close to deadlines? It rings a very obvious deafening bell.
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Anti game-blame article I did a while back for college.
Video gaming will be forever etched into our society and culture for many more years to come; but will it be for the good? After all, video games make us fat, make us violent, make us addicts and destroy social lives. Well according to the media anyway. Cases from death and murder to exhaustion and obesity have all been linked to video games in the mass media. But what is the truth about Video games? How well do they fit in today’s society and the most important question of them all… Are they welcome?
A history of Violence
In April 1999, Columbine High School was the centre of a horrible tragedy that shook America. Two young males, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, age 18 and 17, stormed into school one morning bearing guns. They murdered 12 students, a teacher and injured 23 others before killing themselves in the library. This act of inhume brutality was the first time video games were put under the spotlight. Along with movies and musicians such as Marilyn Manson, video games were under scrutiny for their portrayal of violence and how they may have contributed to the killers mindset and motivation. After all, it was widely publicised that the both shooters were fans of a popular shooting game called “Doom” and that the massacre they would commit would be “just like Doom”. A lawsuit was filed against the publishers of the game ID but was unsuccessful. Motivations regarding social issues were brought up during the investigations. Both killers were outcasts and frequently bullied by the “jocks” of school. Given the established motivation of the killers, can video games still be held accountable? Graeme Kennedy - a post graduate student of the industry believes that video games do not cause people to be violent. He states “I don’t think games cause violent behaviour. I have seen studies which suggest video games can actually reduce stress”.
From Columbine onwards, video games have been popping up in the news relating to various murders and crimes.
In 2001 a 16 year old in America blamed his obsession with Grand Theft Auto 3 during court while on trail for murder. In 2003 an 18 year old killed two cops and claimed that another Grand Theft Auto game caused him to do it. These two cases, along with many other similar examples, in the end excluded video games in court.
The media, of course latched onto this aspect each and every time a crime reared it’s ugly head. Video games would be stigmatised over and over again.
Graeme Kennedy says “I think it is a step to far to blame on particular game for a persons actions. The media is too quick to use video games as a scapegoat, it does nothing to identify or solve the real problems.”
Graeme is right. The media - and especially within the USA - continued to emphasis the terrible effects on our society by violent video games. In America, this claim is in fact far from the truth.
The Department of Justice and Bureau of statistics in America have recorded that violent behaviour amongst young people is in fact at an all time low. Coincidently or not, their flow chart displays youth crime decreasing significantly from 1999 onwards. 1999 was of course the release of one of the biggest selling game console - The Playstation one. Another report from the FBI in 2004 claimed that violent behaviour dropped even further (by 2.2% since 2003) and hit an all time low on record. Another coincidence, if one believes so, is that the release of the biggest selling PS2 game was released. The very violent and controversial fourth instalment of the Grand Theft Auto series, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Grand Theft Auto was always a media favourite for attack, surely a game so corrupt couldn’t be played by the most un-violent youth in history?
Digital Junkies
Added to the accusation of being violence mad, video games have also been linked to addiction. In September 2007, a man in China died after playing Internet video games for three consecutive days in an Internet café. The game was the ever expanding popular role playing game World Of Warcraft, which sees millions of players engaging each other online. There are other similar cases, some involving deaths as well.
In response to such incidents there have been established clinics to cope with video game addiction around the world. Are they necessary, and is it a major problem?
Graeme notes “I think some video games can be very addictive, They are designed to engage the player to continue giving it a go.”
The case examples are very rare and do not apply to most people. When questioned on his gaming habits Graeme had this to say - “I play videogames regularly, about 2 to 3 times a week. But I have never had any problems separating my gaming time from my work or social life.”
Graeme also adds on the subject “It is no worse than being addicted to a favourite sport. Only when taken to extremes it is negative”.
The good, the healthy and the educational
A strange concept amongst the ravaging bad press on video games is the many benefit’s the medium has. Graeme observes “Video games can reduce stress, increase reaction times and improve concentration”. As many games incorporate puzzle solving tasks, frequent challenges to overcome and encourages strategic thinking in order to complete; they can has positive educational outcomes in which the player still has fun. More recently the Nintendo Wii has released many self-benefiting products including the Wii Fit which is essentially an interactive work out game that can contribute greatly towards healthy exercise.
Games nowadays can also be considered works of art like music, movies and books. Games such as Metal Gear Solid 4 have in-depth plots and developed characters with emotional attachment that can be seen in other types of fiction. The Metal Gear Solid series also has important themes on war, weapons technology and the nature of humanity.
So video games can be highly entertaining, educational, stress reducing and can now be played socially with family and friends, thanks to party games such as Buzz! Quiz and the Nintendo Wii.
Video game mythology, icons and characters are world wide recognised by the public, the market continues to grow and is speculated to thrive even in times of the glooming credit crunch. Not bad at all.
Video games fit nicely into out modern culture and they contribute hugely to it. Are they welcome? Hell yes they are.
A history of Violence
In April 1999, Columbine High School was the centre of a horrible tragedy that shook America. Two young males, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, age 18 and 17, stormed into school one morning bearing guns. They murdered 12 students, a teacher and injured 23 others before killing themselves in the library. This act of inhume brutality was the first time video games were put under the spotlight. Along with movies and musicians such as Marilyn Manson, video games were under scrutiny for their portrayal of violence and how they may have contributed to the killers mindset and motivation. After all, it was widely publicised that the both shooters were fans of a popular shooting game called “Doom” and that the massacre they would commit would be “just like Doom”. A lawsuit was filed against the publishers of the game ID but was unsuccessful. Motivations regarding social issues were brought up during the investigations. Both killers were outcasts and frequently bullied by the “jocks” of school. Given the established motivation of the killers, can video games still be held accountable? Graeme Kennedy - a post graduate student of the industry believes that video games do not cause people to be violent. He states “I don’t think games cause violent behaviour. I have seen studies which suggest video games can actually reduce stress”.
From Columbine onwards, video games have been popping up in the news relating to various murders and crimes.
In 2001 a 16 year old in America blamed his obsession with Grand Theft Auto 3 during court while on trail for murder. In 2003 an 18 year old killed two cops and claimed that another Grand Theft Auto game caused him to do it. These two cases, along with many other similar examples, in the end excluded video games in court.
The media, of course latched onto this aspect each and every time a crime reared it’s ugly head. Video games would be stigmatised over and over again.
Graeme Kennedy says “I think it is a step to far to blame on particular game for a persons actions. The media is too quick to use video games as a scapegoat, it does nothing to identify or solve the real problems.”
Graeme is right. The media - and especially within the USA - continued to emphasis the terrible effects on our society by violent video games. In America, this claim is in fact far from the truth.
The Department of Justice and Bureau of statistics in America have recorded that violent behaviour amongst young people is in fact at an all time low. Coincidently or not, their flow chart displays youth crime decreasing significantly from 1999 onwards. 1999 was of course the release of one of the biggest selling game console - The Playstation one. Another report from the FBI in 2004 claimed that violent behaviour dropped even further (by 2.2% since 2003) and hit an all time low on record. Another coincidence, if one believes so, is that the release of the biggest selling PS2 game was released. The very violent and controversial fourth instalment of the Grand Theft Auto series, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Grand Theft Auto was always a media favourite for attack, surely a game so corrupt couldn’t be played by the most un-violent youth in history?
Digital Junkies
Added to the accusation of being violence mad, video games have also been linked to addiction. In September 2007, a man in China died after playing Internet video games for three consecutive days in an Internet café. The game was the ever expanding popular role playing game World Of Warcraft, which sees millions of players engaging each other online. There are other similar cases, some involving deaths as well.
In response to such incidents there have been established clinics to cope with video game addiction around the world. Are they necessary, and is it a major problem?
Graeme notes “I think some video games can be very addictive, They are designed to engage the player to continue giving it a go.”
The case examples are very rare and do not apply to most people. When questioned on his gaming habits Graeme had this to say - “I play videogames regularly, about 2 to 3 times a week. But I have never had any problems separating my gaming time from my work or social life.”
Graeme also adds on the subject “It is no worse than being addicted to a favourite sport. Only when taken to extremes it is negative”.
The good, the healthy and the educational
A strange concept amongst the ravaging bad press on video games is the many benefit’s the medium has. Graeme observes “Video games can reduce stress, increase reaction times and improve concentration”. As many games incorporate puzzle solving tasks, frequent challenges to overcome and encourages strategic thinking in order to complete; they can has positive educational outcomes in which the player still has fun. More recently the Nintendo Wii has released many self-benefiting products including the Wii Fit which is essentially an interactive work out game that can contribute greatly towards healthy exercise.
Games nowadays can also be considered works of art like music, movies and books. Games such as Metal Gear Solid 4 have in-depth plots and developed characters with emotional attachment that can be seen in other types of fiction. The Metal Gear Solid series also has important themes on war, weapons technology and the nature of humanity.
So video games can be highly entertaining, educational, stress reducing and can now be played socially with family and friends, thanks to party games such as Buzz! Quiz and the Nintendo Wii.
Video game mythology, icons and characters are world wide recognised by the public, the market continues to grow and is speculated to thrive even in times of the glooming credit crunch. Not bad at all.
Video games fit nicely into out modern culture and they contribute hugely to it. Are they welcome? Hell yes they are.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
FIlm round up. Reviews of films I have seen recently.
I intend (or intended), but I might still (or maybe not) use this blog as a means to review films and television shows. It is a good idea, especially for someone who is a bloody media student and has interest in that sort of thing. Well, I'll give it a crack, bit in a little less depth. I couldn't be bothered picking any particular film, so I'll bitch and/or praise away the most recent ones I've seen. If you like, let me know. If you hate, then that's my ambition down the toilet and you've crushed my dreams, dick.
Drag me to Hell
Sam Riami crawls out of the hell that was Spiderman 3 and delivers something better and less offensive. A straight forward, clicking-tock horror film that racks up the suspense and horror as a poor woman is literally being dragged to hell by a demon due to some old bats Gypsie curse.
I found it genuinely scary in bits, and positively repulsive in others. It's the usual Riami mix of extreme sillyness with terror. The cast give serviceable performances for the genre and the lead is likeable enough and not just because she's hot. Everything is scripted rather well, with some clever cinematography and editing to drive home its narrative.
Friday the 13th (remake)
Destroying a lineage of 500+ crappy films with another crappy film. Oh but it's new.
The film actually started on an oddly high note. The characters were strangely likeable and could muster up enough acting talent to actually make me believe in what I was watching. It had a bordenline arsty farsy cinematic technique with its use of music in one scene that made me think that it might actually be alright. Of course, lug-head Jason finally comes around to ripping them apart with his machete, and like his victims, the film is turned into a bloody mess.
The new and shiny main cast then take stage and are instantly begging to be slaughtered. I hate the movie but I love Jason! Kill those annoying shits.
There's nothing much else to say on this. It's the same old rubbish. Predictable formula, lame teen dialouge with lots of drugs and sex talk. No character development, okay filmmaking, okay this, bad script and the not so surprising twist of "oh wait, he's actually alive!" - Insulting.
Trick 'r Treat
Jees, all I've watched is horror recently and not cause it was Halloween! Subconscious is definetly at work here. damn you! - conscious mind
Trick r' Treat is an odd anthology of 4 intertwining tales that actually revolve around Halloween night. It isn't that scary, nor is it --
Okay if I do reviews I'm doing one film at a time here. I'm bored and it's time to play Uncharted.
Sorry media folks, if someone is here to give me a job based on my writing work on this blog, I'll still be happy knowing I was playing the PS3.
p.s Trick 'r Treat is weirdly entertaining despite the negative note I came to a crashing halt on.
Drag me to Hell
Sam Riami crawls out of the hell that was Spiderman 3 and delivers something better and less offensive. A straight forward, clicking-tock horror film that racks up the suspense and horror as a poor woman is literally being dragged to hell by a demon due to some old bats Gypsie curse.
I found it genuinely scary in bits, and positively repulsive in others. It's the usual Riami mix of extreme sillyness with terror. The cast give serviceable performances for the genre and the lead is likeable enough and not just because she's hot. Everything is scripted rather well, with some clever cinematography and editing to drive home its narrative.
Friday the 13th (remake)
Destroying a lineage of 500+ crappy films with another crappy film. Oh but it's new.
The film actually started on an oddly high note. The characters were strangely likeable and could muster up enough acting talent to actually make me believe in what I was watching. It had a bordenline arsty farsy cinematic technique with its use of music in one scene that made me think that it might actually be alright. Of course, lug-head Jason finally comes around to ripping them apart with his machete, and like his victims, the film is turned into a bloody mess.
The new and shiny main cast then take stage and are instantly begging to be slaughtered. I hate the movie but I love Jason! Kill those annoying shits.
There's nothing much else to say on this. It's the same old rubbish. Predictable formula, lame teen dialouge with lots of drugs and sex talk. No character development, okay filmmaking, okay this, bad script and the not so surprising twist of "oh wait, he's actually alive!" - Insulting.
Trick 'r Treat
Jees, all I've watched is horror recently and not cause it was Halloween! Subconscious is definetly at work here. damn you! - conscious mind
Trick r' Treat is an odd anthology of 4 intertwining tales that actually revolve around Halloween night. It isn't that scary, nor is it --
Okay if I do reviews I'm doing one film at a time here. I'm bored and it's time to play Uncharted.
Sorry media folks, if someone is here to give me a job based on my writing work on this blog, I'll still be happy knowing I was playing the PS3.
p.s Trick 'r Treat is weirdly entertaining despite the negative note I came to a crashing halt on.
Wednesday, 21 October 2009
I don’t care about your opinions; keep them private in public places
Despite being a student and arguably a snob when it comes to film, television or any art form; I find myself torn between two worlds. The artistic world; where I discuss symbolism, theme and metaphor, and then there’s my normal guy world. In normal guy world I hate the sound of people discussing theme and metaphor, be it cinema or novels. It is a grating sound that grips your brain in a thumping chokehold as media half-wits engage in a bloody war of words. Each over-baked stew of insight thrown into the ring against their fellow scarfed opponents comes out as attention seeking nonsense; in which they look into minute unimportant sequences to find some grand symbolism. As in, yes a film has this theme, but a close up of a man’s toe nail does not connate Communist oppression in Russia, dolts.
Not to say I don’t exam (and enjoy) in detail the craft of an author or director’s work, but finding meaning in something that is meaningless is top of the agenda of the fancy student body. My deepest worry, is when I’m in my art world, I sound like them. I hope I don’t, when I talk to “civvies” I always dumb down my artiste knowledge, as to not sound like them. And now I’m coming off that way just by writing this thing!
Perhaps worse is the artful-look-at-me-I-go-to-Uni suck up who drool over anyone who has any sort of artistic output. I was heading up Glasgow town the other day to purchase some new comics with my freshly earned doh, in which I took the delightful travel of the underground. A collection of 3 artistes stood about looking stereotypical when they caught attention to a young 30’s man with a shaved head. He walked past and responded to the attention to the guy artiste out of the two girls. It looked as though they would part instantly but a strange friendship bonded as he hung around with them and even got on the train! Now, he was a stranger, yes, but familiar; and the realisation bell hit me as I heard them talk. He’s some sort of art world celebrity.
I couldn’t figure him out, but he seemed oddly familiar in a mind trickery kind of way. The whole journey had them fawning over him like they wanted to bare his children, kiss his feet and plaster his kitchen. I heard them discuss a project with strained forced interest of “wow, you’re so awesome!” Our mysterious bald headed mini-celeb told about his current project that was about terrorism, to which the group collectively widened their eyes as if to say, “Wow so deep, like man, its like current!” Then Mr. Bald Celeb hit out with, “I mean, everyone is so scared about it just now, that something might happen.” Congratulations social commentator, you’ve hit a completely obvious insight in the head with a blunt 5 year old hammer. I really needed you to point out this enigma of a theme, and you proudly announcing it to your minions on the subway only solidifies the fact that you take a certain better-than-you self pride. Enjoy the smell of your own farts, sir. I know the pretentious noses of your peers will.
What is the theme of this little rant? C’mon arty fartsies, talk like that when in class or at the theatre. When in front of the real world, please don’t try to impress. You come off, simply, as douche bags.
If I’ve ever sounded like this, I’m done for!
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Video game debunk: Games you think are good but are actually shit.
Current trend amongst the gaming community is constant sub-par game releases that seem to get praised, both critically and publically. Okay, this is obviously just my opinion as it is, of course, my blog. But the very real and obvious faults and flaws with these games are glaringly present yet no one takes note of these.
Video game journalists hand out high praise and scores to games that are flat out bad or nothing new at all. A new video game costs £39.99, maybe because they get them for free any old rehashed turkey will do. Sequels in particular always get the marks knotched up. I hate game developers, one month after their game is out, they announce the second and promise all new features and improvements. Cheers.
So here's the list of games, recent and aging, that are flat out bad or just mediocre enough to not warrant 9/10 marks in magazines and internet sites.
Killzone 2(PS3):
In the making for years and seen as Sony's poster boy game; they flaunted it's graphical prowress all over E3 back in 2004 and arrived earlier this year. Did it live up to its hype? According to plenty, yes it did. Wait a minute, didn't I see better or just as good fps arrive in bulk between then? What resulted from Killzone 2 (being a sequel to a medoicre ps2 title) was a mediocre PS3 title. The graphics were nice sure, but the drab colour pallet and level design was horribly boring to look it. I've seen intentionally drab and gritty environments that work effectively. This does not. It's dull and uninteresting. Oh wow, more grey and black, way to show off the "killer" graphics.
Aside from being bored and wondering why anyone would make a game so void of life, you'll also be crushing your controller till the joysticks pop out of frustration. The controls are clunky, the character trudges along like a snail trailing in cement. It isn't fun. I don't want to play a character that feels like Jabba the Hutt. What results is mind numbing migranes as you take a lifetime to just move your gun to the left and kill the 5 odd guys ripping your skin with bullets. Also present is the explosive barrell in bright red for help. Surely in the age of the next gen, this old yeller of a game device is fucking jurassic?
The classic fanboy defense is always "Oh, just cos it aint COD4, doesn't mean it's bad."
No the fact that it's a generic run-of-the mill shallow FPS makes it bad.
P.s the cocky cliche soldier dialouge sucks.
Instead play: Half Life 1 and 2, COD4, Halo 2.
Gears of War:
Macho, macho man. The oozing overcompensation of this homoerotic masterpiece makes it practically unbearable to play. Controlling an oversized grunt along with his equally oiled, and suited up men as you destroy giant vagina monsters is a chore at most.
I can imagine Gearbox making this, sitting with their pudging bellies and horn rimmed glasses wishing they could be this "kewlz." While Gears did work well with the now tiresome hide and cover mechanic, it was also fairly standard 3rd person shooting. You're a big hulking soldier again shooting aliens with zero depth, character development or a decent plot. Monsters come up to attack, grr, shoot them! That's it. You travel your way through fairly uninspired sequences that include all the usual, including the manditory mounted machine gun (see Killzone 2 aswell.)
Instead play: Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, MGS 1 - 4, Resident Evil 1 - 4
Also I shot an alien/monster/reaver/what-ever-the-fuck-they-are-called several times in the head to have him still come at me. That just sucks.
note: Character and plot is important to games, it gives you purpose and motivation to fight on through. Killing that final boss of saving a life feels amazingly satisfying when you have the urge and emotional response in order to do it. Games without this tire, because you feel as if you are fighting for no real purpsoe due to the shallow depth.
GTA4:
I have to say this. GTA4 is perhaps one of the worst games I have ever had the displeasure of playing, and I'm appalled by how mindless the video gaming world can sometimes be (that includes the sheep herded moronic journalists, whoa re too scared to even give it a near negative review.)
Put down the hype, the reputation of GTA and look at the game you are playing just for second. You're playing GTA3 but with a boob job and a bit of make up. Rockstar removed a ridiculous amount of gameplay elements from previous editions (Parachuting, plane driving), and set it in the same city as 3.
Contrary to popular belief the gameplay is neither new or innovative, it has never been. It's the same old familiar running and shooting and stealing car, wow. Now you can duck and cover, but it is near enough pointless it is so poorly implemented. Reviewers seem to cream when a driving mechanice is a tad more realistic or when some other trivial thing is implemented. Why not focuse on the fact that the game is nothing new? Why not focus on the glitches and errors that are present throughout the entire game? I hate the fact that a game being "sandbox" means it's allowed to have all these errors and generic aspects just because you can boringly freeroam the pain site that is Liberty City.
I'll add to that, by saying I dislike all GTA's. I don't hate them because I can have some fun running around, but is a matrialstic fun that soon dwindles away and then my integrity returns.
Here's a list of what makes all GTA games suck:
Countless glitches and hiccups during gameplay
Annoying gameplay devices, more-so GTA with that stupid keeping a friend thing, urgh, so boring and annoying.
Missions become the same old shit constantly in their usual inane gangsta stories.
shoot this guy, chase this guy, do this - yadda. When you fail a mssion at the last minute because of a car crash and you have to restart all over - oh man. Soo annoying.
Getting around the city is a pain in the ass, the small maps are useless. Thinking you've made it to a spot, when realy it's above you on the freeway sucks ass.
Cliche cliche cliche arectype characters.
When GTA5 comes out, and it is the same but with bigger this and smoother that, it'll still get 98% on reviews because Rockstar probably own the world.
Instead play: Anything. Oh and Red Faction Guerilla. A sandbox game, while not perfect has ironed out annoying gameplay elements in GTA and has fully destructable environments on Mars! You're on Mars for chrissake! No boring city!
That's all I can be bothered moaning about now. Here's a short list
FarCry 2
Resident Evil 5
Bleh, I'm going to play DeadSpace.
Video game journalists hand out high praise and scores to games that are flat out bad or nothing new at all. A new video game costs £39.99, maybe because they get them for free any old rehashed turkey will do. Sequels in particular always get the marks knotched up. I hate game developers, one month after their game is out, they announce the second and promise all new features and improvements. Cheers.
So here's the list of games, recent and aging, that are flat out bad or just mediocre enough to not warrant 9/10 marks in magazines and internet sites.
Killzone 2(PS3):
In the making for years and seen as Sony's poster boy game; they flaunted it's graphical prowress all over E3 back in 2004 and arrived earlier this year. Did it live up to its hype? According to plenty, yes it did. Wait a minute, didn't I see better or just as good fps arrive in bulk between then? What resulted from Killzone 2 (being a sequel to a medoicre ps2 title) was a mediocre PS3 title. The graphics were nice sure, but the drab colour pallet and level design was horribly boring to look it. I've seen intentionally drab and gritty environments that work effectively. This does not. It's dull and uninteresting. Oh wow, more grey and black, way to show off the "killer" graphics.
Aside from being bored and wondering why anyone would make a game so void of life, you'll also be crushing your controller till the joysticks pop out of frustration. The controls are clunky, the character trudges along like a snail trailing in cement. It isn't fun. I don't want to play a character that feels like Jabba the Hutt. What results is mind numbing migranes as you take a lifetime to just move your gun to the left and kill the 5 odd guys ripping your skin with bullets. Also present is the explosive barrell in bright red for help. Surely in the age of the next gen, this old yeller of a game device is fucking jurassic?
The classic fanboy defense is always "Oh, just cos it aint COD4, doesn't mean it's bad."
No the fact that it's a generic run-of-the mill shallow FPS makes it bad.
P.s the cocky cliche soldier dialouge sucks.
Instead play: Half Life 1 and 2, COD4, Halo 2.
Gears of War:
Macho, macho man. The oozing overcompensation of this homoerotic masterpiece makes it practically unbearable to play. Controlling an oversized grunt along with his equally oiled, and suited up men as you destroy giant vagina monsters is a chore at most.
I can imagine Gearbox making this, sitting with their pudging bellies and horn rimmed glasses wishing they could be this "kewlz." While Gears did work well with the now tiresome hide and cover mechanic, it was also fairly standard 3rd person shooting. You're a big hulking soldier again shooting aliens with zero depth, character development or a decent plot. Monsters come up to attack, grr, shoot them! That's it. You travel your way through fairly uninspired sequences that include all the usual, including the manditory mounted machine gun (see Killzone 2 aswell.)
Instead play: Uncharted: Drakes Fortune, MGS 1 - 4, Resident Evil 1 - 4
Also I shot an alien/monster/reaver/what-ever-the-fuck-they-are-called several times in the head to have him still come at me. That just sucks.
note: Character and plot is important to games, it gives you purpose and motivation to fight on through. Killing that final boss of saving a life feels amazingly satisfying when you have the urge and emotional response in order to do it. Games without this tire, because you feel as if you are fighting for no real purpsoe due to the shallow depth.
GTA4:
I have to say this. GTA4 is perhaps one of the worst games I have ever had the displeasure of playing, and I'm appalled by how mindless the video gaming world can sometimes be (that includes the sheep herded moronic journalists, whoa re too scared to even give it a near negative review.)
Put down the hype, the reputation of GTA and look at the game you are playing just for second. You're playing GTA3 but with a boob job and a bit of make up. Rockstar removed a ridiculous amount of gameplay elements from previous editions (Parachuting, plane driving), and set it in the same city as 3.
Contrary to popular belief the gameplay is neither new or innovative, it has never been. It's the same old familiar running and shooting and stealing car, wow. Now you can duck and cover, but it is near enough pointless it is so poorly implemented. Reviewers seem to cream when a driving mechanice is a tad more realistic or when some other trivial thing is implemented. Why not focuse on the fact that the game is nothing new? Why not focus on the glitches and errors that are present throughout the entire game? I hate the fact that a game being "sandbox" means it's allowed to have all these errors and generic aspects just because you can boringly freeroam the pain site that is Liberty City.
I'll add to that, by saying I dislike all GTA's. I don't hate them because I can have some fun running around, but is a matrialstic fun that soon dwindles away and then my integrity returns.
Here's a list of what makes all GTA games suck:
Countless glitches and hiccups during gameplay
Annoying gameplay devices, more-so GTA with that stupid keeping a friend thing, urgh, so boring and annoying.
Missions become the same old shit constantly in their usual inane gangsta stories.
shoot this guy, chase this guy, do this - yadda. When you fail a mssion at the last minute because of a car crash and you have to restart all over - oh man. Soo annoying.
Getting around the city is a pain in the ass, the small maps are useless. Thinking you've made it to a spot, when realy it's above you on the freeway sucks ass.
Cliche cliche cliche arectype characters.
When GTA5 comes out, and it is the same but with bigger this and smoother that, it'll still get 98% on reviews because Rockstar probably own the world.
Instead play: Anything. Oh and Red Faction Guerilla. A sandbox game, while not perfect has ironed out annoying gameplay elements in GTA and has fully destructable environments on Mars! You're on Mars for chrissake! No boring city!
That's all I can be bothered moaning about now. Here's a short list
FarCry 2
Resident Evil 5
Bleh, I'm going to play DeadSpace.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Comic Con Chronicles...
I have just returned from the strainously long trip that is San Diego > Philly > Glasgow, which made me arrive a whole day later due to the jump in time zone. Yes, I traveller forward in time. Sweet.
So after a small kip I just had (well 5 hours), I will document my experience of San Diego and Comic Con; the highs and lows, the fun and more fun and day to day activities of awesomeness.
DAY 1:
Okay more like night one since we arrived at 8pm and were train wrecked with jetlag. So we checked into the sleazy motel/fancy resort, a strange hybrid of both being a dump but servicable and comfy. Graeme and I hit the onsite convienence store for water and snacks, in which was probably the hardest short walk ever as the tirdeness anchored me down. We got back to the room, bitched about the place and near enough instantly feel asleep. Oh I don't unpack, I live out the case.
DAY 2:
2.30 am, shit I've woke up.
4.30 am, shit again!? The aircon is amazing, so it isn't sticky heat that is disturbing my slumber.
6.30 am, AGAIN! Well actually I feel awake! This will do, shower and clean up.
After the mundane ritual of the awakening male, we set out under the grilling presence of that big ball in the sky (a weird yellow thing) and I had to wear blacked glasses and everything.
Breakfast was shit hawt, and subsenquently would be shit hawt every day we ate there. It was an on-site dinner that was a stone throw away (someone with a good shot) across the carpark. So all of us, wearing sunglasses out of necessity, yet looking damn cool doing it, munched the food and went on to explore the crazy San Dan. Comic Con wasn't on till later that night for a preview, so the first day was the exploration of Diego itself.
A hazardous walk under the sun, with Katy and Lynsey nagging at me and Graeme, made us realise we aren't always right. Really hard to imagine. We finally got a bus to where we should be going, as the 10 minute walk to Old Town was actuallly a 15 minute bus journey. Apparently you can't walk on a freeway. Bummer.
Old Town is not only a lovely location, but the apex of our journeys to and fro Comic Con.
We stumbled off, spoke to a lovely Chinese local in a shop who sold me and Graeme an american flag for a dirt cheap price. We didn't burn it while dancing and listening to backstreet boys. Why would we?
So we actually then go to the old part of old town, A western themed historical park in which all the buildings, locations and even staff in dressing were authentic to the time period. It was a trip to the old west, and a simpler life. No pussy assed politics, just cowboys hats, cigars and shootin' mofos at noon if they pissed you off. I wanted to be sheriff, pissed out my tits and corrupt.
Graeme bought the most awesome cowboy hat, one that would make him look like Sam Neil and had me whistle Jurassic park at him every two seconds in San Diego Zoo. Oh, spoilers I go there!
Good times already had, it was Zoo bound. Just a roughly 15 minute journey away, it was a not bad trip, even tho we did go through the Clydebank of San Diego. The trolleys were great, being fairly regular and fast whereas buses could be sparse, but done the job.
The zoo was overwhelming (a feeling I'd get alot) as it was fucking huge. Oh and $35, say what!?
We saw animals, got sky lifted over everything, again more Jurassic Park references, "look there's the raptor paddick!" If only I saw one big pile of shit. So the Zoo was good, but still just a Zoo, burning up under the sun I felt ill as we trudged around the scortching rage of the sun. A good time, but a tiring time.
Home, shower, re-clothed, the usual bus - trolley journey and we were at Comic Con. Man it is huge. Transformer huge. The design also makes it look like a giant spacecraft that has landed to fulfill geeky needs. A very fitting design. We done the death march amonst fellow preview-nighters and got registered. Sweet, I thought! I'm at Comic Con!
Not so sweet.
No big panels or anything on preview night made it the busiest Comic Con visit of the trip, even tho only 4 day members could go. It was a constricted farm of people barging and bumping into each other. You couldn't take 3 steps without manouvering to a different trajectory.
So we looked around for 4 minutes or so before it was munch time. MMMMM food!
Nice night, home bound, in bed by 9pm. What is wrong with me?
DAY 3:
7 am, Blade to neck, brush to tooth, cloth to flesh.
breakfast, yummy.
Comic Con bound! Lovely weather again! Sore from yesterdays sun but I recovered in time.
Comic Con, while still heaving busy had several distraction from the main floor, freein up the space a bit. Comic Con takes up the entire centre, with two floors and even a part of the Hilton hotel nearby. It never used to, but each year it got bigger and bigger until it commandeered everything. Heck it was even announced as Comic Con week by the mayor of San Dan. The geeks will rule and salt the earth.
Katy and Lynsey diverged from me and Graeme and headed for the Twilight panel. Lyns is a fan and wanted a peek at Robert Pattison. Lysney would get slagged for her Twilight fandom rather harshly off me. No wonder! As they done that, we headed to IDW's panel regarding their new comics and fo shizzle. I do admit I fancied some of their stuff, mostly being a reprint of something called WINTERWORLD. At least they announced that ASH WOOD was signing down in the main area.
Down to the pit and we were again bedazzled by the glitz, glamour of it all. The fantastical sites and promotions, the crazy and stunning cosplayers dressed up. The atmosphere each time is just so electric, and belonging. Not to mention the freebies. Oh man I love free stuff. Promo material and merchandise = sweet times! Everyone wanted their business known, and that meant stuff at the cost of them for my hand. Thanks.
IDW booth, at the far right of the hall, in amongst the comic stuff (Video games and movie stands to the far left, liberals) and Ash Wood was signing along with Ben Templesmith of 30 days of night fame. I cleverly call Ben's work, 30 days of shite - hardy har har, but I haven't read it yet( really, really needing to) so tis all in good faith.
Ash Wood signed my awesome robots art book which was freshly purchased. He's a cool Aussie geezer (or is it New Zealand?) Flight of the Concords would be mad. He dressed like me, Skate shoes and baggy shorts. He done an awesome zombie thing doodle on my book which was fricking sweet. It only took us 20 mins as the guy in front was talking with him for ages. He felt my luger press against his back and finally went off.
Graeme and I wanted Comic Con tees but we skipped it on that day because of the huge line, who would have thought that we would never get one as they sold out. Shit.
We embarked on the Odyssey that is getting to hall H, the far end of the centre to see Lyns and Katy in the queue for Twilight. Despite them being 4 hours early, it was already fully packed. Avatar by James Cameron was also on after it. These two HUGE events next to each other like that is a spelling for disaster. If you wanted to see Cameron, you'd probbaly have to queue for Twilight.
We sat on the grass looking around the lovely location of the centre. Great buildings, trees and a clear sky. Katy and Lyns, drained of thier energy from the Twilight mishaps headed back to the resort's pool for a chillaxing soak and sunbathe. The doods charged on through Comic Con exploring the main floor. Only for a short time tho, as it was Dexter's panel next.
The queue was big. but not bad. Ballroom 20 holds 4,000 plus, so we were definetly getting in. It was just a slight annoyance, but queuing is a big part of the Comic Con experience. We got a look at the harbour from the upstairs queue on a rooflike area. I just imagined Dexter dumping body chunks from his boat. How fitting.
We got damn good seats for Dex, nothing amazing but close to the middle. The stars came out (including the fantastic Michael C hall) to much applause and we got a sneak peak (the usual routine for these panels). John Lithgow joined the cast and he was a fucking badass and hilarious. He's the big bad in season 3 and looking good. Oh and Julie Benz was smokin'.
More freebies then home time. Ritual, ritual - clean and clothed and out for dinner at Kansas City BBQ.
The food was okay, but the atmosphere was on fire! Afterall it was used in Top Gun, where thunder God Tom Cruise himself graced it. The place was covered in Top Gun memorabilia. No awesome volley ball net tho.
DAY 4:
Up.
Munch.
Out.
Usual Comic Con awesomeness and then a lovely ballroom 20 queue for the 24 panel. We got in early, or should I say late for the Big Bang Theory panel, which meant when the fans of that left we could snag closer seats. They weren't bad but I wish I was closer to the presence of Kiefer.
The cast and crew of season 8 came out, with the man himself last. The crowd was in an uproar of cheering as was I. Kiefer is such a great actor and awesome guy in general, it was great to see him in person and hear him speak. He was gracious and thanked fans for thier support (sorry for season 6 Sutherland). We got a sneak peak of Freddie Prinze Jnr in action and Jack doning a strange leather coat. CTU is back and is edging towards to the SCIFI look, but definetly intentional as the producers discussed it's appearance before the clip.
So FPJ doesn't look at all that bad in it... maybe. The guy from Slumdog on stage was awesome, what a badass! The Q and A was good but too many Battlestar Galactica comments made towards the latest female cast member. She's blonde haired and a Cylon or something? Never watched the show.
The biggest dissapointment was the missed opportunity to get Kiefer and the ENTIRE cast and team's autograph because we weren't around to get the tickets for it. There was no mention in the guidebook or notices for such ticket collection. Comic Con is also about sacrifice, you can't do everything and doing something else makes you miss other things. We thought we got the tickets at the panel, but these turned out to be for free swag, a crappy 24 alarm clock. We only realised this after rushing down to the FOX booth and being shunned. Completely. Gutted.
Lyns and Katy left for me and Gra to Comic con'it. The usual wonderful sites, some things bought and being knackered aswell. We got food at this awesome irish bar with guiness in Gaslamp. Sweet.
[Oh and while waiting for 24, Gary Oldman and Denzel were in a room close to us for people with exclusive tickets to get an auto. OKay I didn't actually see them, but still pretty cool right?]
That night it was Mexican night as we went to FANDANGOS, yes it has some funniness to it! Nice food with a band making their guitars weep for us. Gave them a tip for being awesome, despite noticing their fancy sounding guitars were basic shitty easy chords that I could crap out. N00bs.
Home.
Sleep.
DAY 5:
The most important day so it was an early exit from our rooms. This saturday was the day of the LOST panel and it was held in the mammoth hall H, which means queue galore outside in the hot sun.
Oh and today I wore my kilt like a badass.
We arrived there, nourished from breakfast and joined the huge queue amongst the tapes and barriers that form a zigzag of Losties waiting patiently. 2 hours early and it was giant, we got a little worried until 30 minutes later, the queue stretched out behind is and across the street and nearly all the way uptown. It was ridiculous, and we were in comparison in a pretty good spot. We got not bad - but a bit far to the back for my liking - seats. The best panel at Comic Con then begun...
Freebies, comedic fan videos, one being Brokeback mountain with Jack n' Sawyer. The producers having a laugh and giving out info about the upcoming seasons along with teaser clips (Kate Austen not killing her dad, instead a worker by accident as reported on a news show...) Wait a minute that didn't happen Cartlon Cuse sneakily jibed.
Suprise guests arrived one by one, Jorge Garcia snuck in by queueing to ask a fan question. Then Michael Emerson arrived and had a slagging match with him, it was fecking hilarious. We were then treated to a faux video of Ben trying for Hurley in the audition.
Sawyer then jumped on stage to a screamig reaction from fangirls. Katy's oggling of him was not amusing!
Then Charlie came out after a video tribute to the dead on Lost; okay as you can see I'm fed up using the actors names, it's easier this way okay?
Will Charlie be back? Is this the reason for his surprise visit?
It was epic, a great laugh, insightful and a must for any Lost fan. Too bad it's finishing and there won't be another one. I love you Comic Con and Lost.
More conage as Katy and Lynsey went home to the pool. Graeme and I explored the many depths of the main floor again and checked out the video games. We also got an awesome picture with the Suicide Girls, with our OR tee's on. We'll be on the website apparently, just waiting for them to put them up! Katy was maajor grumpls that I had a photo with some hawt chicks, but she knows that she's the only tattooed babe for me.
Perhaps the most surreal moment is when me and Graeme actually signed a copy of the Villainous prolouge. An indie publisher and creator was amongst the small press section and I bought his graphic novel. I them got him to give an opinion on our promo material and gave him a copy. he said it was good and asked for it to be signed. Such a weird weird experience, yet flattering and ego boosting. He signed mine and we signed his. He gave some good advice on potential publishing. Very very sweeet!
Home, change, dinner at Karl Strauss which was delicious and had homebrewed beer, sooo good!
Night came to a close and back to slumber, for tomorrow, the sad last day
The last day:
Usual.
Comic Con for buying lots of graphic novels and shit. No real panels of interest, this day was just for a last minute goodbye, getting rid of our promo stuff and spending spree. We dumped our cards, booklet and posters on a table with freebie pick ups, we didn't even know if we were allowed so we coincidentally set them down when the workers didn't look. People were picking a good few up much to my liking.
Katy and Lyns done Seaworld which was excellent.
Home.
Dinner at the diner on site.
sleep time.
THE REAL LAST DAY:
2 am fucking wake up for the flight. Absolute ball buster. Even more so when we find out we actually didn't have to check in as early as we thought, and could have had an exra hours sleep. bastard.
The long journey home was a monotonous flight, waiting, flight. Only interesting thing was the thunder storm that was too close for comfort to the left of our plane.
We arrived home a day later.
I slept.
I then wrote this.
And I notice that my spelling and grammar is getting worse as I type this, it is epic after all.
------------------------------
So yeah, Comic Con along with San Dan was amazing! Lovely people, locations and plenty of great comic book purchases.
All my pics will be on Facebook for viewing pleasure.
- CHUD
So after a small kip I just had (well 5 hours), I will document my experience of San Diego and Comic Con; the highs and lows, the fun and more fun and day to day activities of awesomeness.
DAY 1:
Okay more like night one since we arrived at 8pm and were train wrecked with jetlag. So we checked into the sleazy motel/fancy resort, a strange hybrid of both being a dump but servicable and comfy. Graeme and I hit the onsite convienence store for water and snacks, in which was probably the hardest short walk ever as the tirdeness anchored me down. We got back to the room, bitched about the place and near enough instantly feel asleep. Oh I don't unpack, I live out the case.
DAY 2:
2.30 am, shit I've woke up.
4.30 am, shit again!? The aircon is amazing, so it isn't sticky heat that is disturbing my slumber.
6.30 am, AGAIN! Well actually I feel awake! This will do, shower and clean up.
After the mundane ritual of the awakening male, we set out under the grilling presence of that big ball in the sky (a weird yellow thing) and I had to wear blacked glasses and everything.
Breakfast was shit hawt, and subsenquently would be shit hawt every day we ate there. It was an on-site dinner that was a stone throw away (someone with a good shot) across the carpark. So all of us, wearing sunglasses out of necessity, yet looking damn cool doing it, munched the food and went on to explore the crazy San Dan. Comic Con wasn't on till later that night for a preview, so the first day was the exploration of Diego itself.
A hazardous walk under the sun, with Katy and Lynsey nagging at me and Graeme, made us realise we aren't always right. Really hard to imagine. We finally got a bus to where we should be going, as the 10 minute walk to Old Town was actuallly a 15 minute bus journey. Apparently you can't walk on a freeway. Bummer.
Old Town is not only a lovely location, but the apex of our journeys to and fro Comic Con.
We stumbled off, spoke to a lovely Chinese local in a shop who sold me and Graeme an american flag for a dirt cheap price. We didn't burn it while dancing and listening to backstreet boys. Why would we?
So we actually then go to the old part of old town, A western themed historical park in which all the buildings, locations and even staff in dressing were authentic to the time period. It was a trip to the old west, and a simpler life. No pussy assed politics, just cowboys hats, cigars and shootin' mofos at noon if they pissed you off. I wanted to be sheriff, pissed out my tits and corrupt.
Graeme bought the most awesome cowboy hat, one that would make him look like Sam Neil and had me whistle Jurassic park at him every two seconds in San Diego Zoo. Oh, spoilers I go there!
Good times already had, it was Zoo bound. Just a roughly 15 minute journey away, it was a not bad trip, even tho we did go through the Clydebank of San Diego. The trolleys were great, being fairly regular and fast whereas buses could be sparse, but done the job.
The zoo was overwhelming (a feeling I'd get alot) as it was fucking huge. Oh and $35, say what!?
We saw animals, got sky lifted over everything, again more Jurassic Park references, "look there's the raptor paddick!" If only I saw one big pile of shit. So the Zoo was good, but still just a Zoo, burning up under the sun I felt ill as we trudged around the scortching rage of the sun. A good time, but a tiring time.
Home, shower, re-clothed, the usual bus - trolley journey and we were at Comic Con. Man it is huge. Transformer huge. The design also makes it look like a giant spacecraft that has landed to fulfill geeky needs. A very fitting design. We done the death march amonst fellow preview-nighters and got registered. Sweet, I thought! I'm at Comic Con!
Not so sweet.
No big panels or anything on preview night made it the busiest Comic Con visit of the trip, even tho only 4 day members could go. It was a constricted farm of people barging and bumping into each other. You couldn't take 3 steps without manouvering to a different trajectory.
So we looked around for 4 minutes or so before it was munch time. MMMMM food!
Nice night, home bound, in bed by 9pm. What is wrong with me?
DAY 3:
7 am, Blade to neck, brush to tooth, cloth to flesh.
breakfast, yummy.
Comic Con bound! Lovely weather again! Sore from yesterdays sun but I recovered in time.
Comic Con, while still heaving busy had several distraction from the main floor, freein up the space a bit. Comic Con takes up the entire centre, with two floors and even a part of the Hilton hotel nearby. It never used to, but each year it got bigger and bigger until it commandeered everything. Heck it was even announced as Comic Con week by the mayor of San Dan. The geeks will rule and salt the earth.
Katy and Lynsey diverged from me and Graeme and headed for the Twilight panel. Lyns is a fan and wanted a peek at Robert Pattison. Lysney would get slagged for her Twilight fandom rather harshly off me. No wonder! As they done that, we headed to IDW's panel regarding their new comics and fo shizzle. I do admit I fancied some of their stuff, mostly being a reprint of something called WINTERWORLD. At least they announced that ASH WOOD was signing down in the main area.
Down to the pit and we were again bedazzled by the glitz, glamour of it all. The fantastical sites and promotions, the crazy and stunning cosplayers dressed up. The atmosphere each time is just so electric, and belonging. Not to mention the freebies. Oh man I love free stuff. Promo material and merchandise = sweet times! Everyone wanted their business known, and that meant stuff at the cost of them for my hand. Thanks.
IDW booth, at the far right of the hall, in amongst the comic stuff (Video games and movie stands to the far left, liberals) and Ash Wood was signing along with Ben Templesmith of 30 days of night fame. I cleverly call Ben's work, 30 days of shite - hardy har har, but I haven't read it yet( really, really needing to) so tis all in good faith.
Ash Wood signed my awesome robots art book which was freshly purchased. He's a cool Aussie geezer (or is it New Zealand?) Flight of the Concords would be mad. He dressed like me, Skate shoes and baggy shorts. He done an awesome zombie thing doodle on my book which was fricking sweet. It only took us 20 mins as the guy in front was talking with him for ages. He felt my luger press against his back and finally went off.
Graeme and I wanted Comic Con tees but we skipped it on that day because of the huge line, who would have thought that we would never get one as they sold out. Shit.
We embarked on the Odyssey that is getting to hall H, the far end of the centre to see Lyns and Katy in the queue for Twilight. Despite them being 4 hours early, it was already fully packed. Avatar by James Cameron was also on after it. These two HUGE events next to each other like that is a spelling for disaster. If you wanted to see Cameron, you'd probbaly have to queue for Twilight.
We sat on the grass looking around the lovely location of the centre. Great buildings, trees and a clear sky. Katy and Lyns, drained of thier energy from the Twilight mishaps headed back to the resort's pool for a chillaxing soak and sunbathe. The doods charged on through Comic Con exploring the main floor. Only for a short time tho, as it was Dexter's panel next.
The queue was big. but not bad. Ballroom 20 holds 4,000 plus, so we were definetly getting in. It was just a slight annoyance, but queuing is a big part of the Comic Con experience. We got a look at the harbour from the upstairs queue on a rooflike area. I just imagined Dexter dumping body chunks from his boat. How fitting.
We got damn good seats for Dex, nothing amazing but close to the middle. The stars came out (including the fantastic Michael C hall) to much applause and we got a sneak peak (the usual routine for these panels). John Lithgow joined the cast and he was a fucking badass and hilarious. He's the big bad in season 3 and looking good. Oh and Julie Benz was smokin'.
More freebies then home time. Ritual, ritual - clean and clothed and out for dinner at Kansas City BBQ.
The food was okay, but the atmosphere was on fire! Afterall it was used in Top Gun, where thunder God Tom Cruise himself graced it. The place was covered in Top Gun memorabilia. No awesome volley ball net tho.
DAY 4:
Up.
Munch.
Out.
Usual Comic Con awesomeness and then a lovely ballroom 20 queue for the 24 panel. We got in early, or should I say late for the Big Bang Theory panel, which meant when the fans of that left we could snag closer seats. They weren't bad but I wish I was closer to the presence of Kiefer.
The cast and crew of season 8 came out, with the man himself last. The crowd was in an uproar of cheering as was I. Kiefer is such a great actor and awesome guy in general, it was great to see him in person and hear him speak. He was gracious and thanked fans for thier support (sorry for season 6 Sutherland). We got a sneak peak of Freddie Prinze Jnr in action and Jack doning a strange leather coat. CTU is back and is edging towards to the SCIFI look, but definetly intentional as the producers discussed it's appearance before the clip.
So FPJ doesn't look at all that bad in it... maybe. The guy from Slumdog on stage was awesome, what a badass! The Q and A was good but too many Battlestar Galactica comments made towards the latest female cast member. She's blonde haired and a Cylon or something? Never watched the show.
The biggest dissapointment was the missed opportunity to get Kiefer and the ENTIRE cast and team's autograph because we weren't around to get the tickets for it. There was no mention in the guidebook or notices for such ticket collection. Comic Con is also about sacrifice, you can't do everything and doing something else makes you miss other things. We thought we got the tickets at the panel, but these turned out to be for free swag, a crappy 24 alarm clock. We only realised this after rushing down to the FOX booth and being shunned. Completely. Gutted.
Lyns and Katy left for me and Gra to Comic con'it. The usual wonderful sites, some things bought and being knackered aswell. We got food at this awesome irish bar with guiness in Gaslamp. Sweet.
[Oh and while waiting for 24, Gary Oldman and Denzel were in a room close to us for people with exclusive tickets to get an auto. OKay I didn't actually see them, but still pretty cool right?]
That night it was Mexican night as we went to FANDANGOS, yes it has some funniness to it! Nice food with a band making their guitars weep for us. Gave them a tip for being awesome, despite noticing their fancy sounding guitars were basic shitty easy chords that I could crap out. N00bs.
Home.
Sleep.
DAY 5:
The most important day so it was an early exit from our rooms. This saturday was the day of the LOST panel and it was held in the mammoth hall H, which means queue galore outside in the hot sun.
Oh and today I wore my kilt like a badass.
We arrived there, nourished from breakfast and joined the huge queue amongst the tapes and barriers that form a zigzag of Losties waiting patiently. 2 hours early and it was giant, we got a little worried until 30 minutes later, the queue stretched out behind is and across the street and nearly all the way uptown. It was ridiculous, and we were in comparison in a pretty good spot. We got not bad - but a bit far to the back for my liking - seats. The best panel at Comic Con then begun...
Freebies, comedic fan videos, one being Brokeback mountain with Jack n' Sawyer. The producers having a laugh and giving out info about the upcoming seasons along with teaser clips (Kate Austen not killing her dad, instead a worker by accident as reported on a news show...) Wait a minute that didn't happen Cartlon Cuse sneakily jibed.
Suprise guests arrived one by one, Jorge Garcia snuck in by queueing to ask a fan question. Then Michael Emerson arrived and had a slagging match with him, it was fecking hilarious. We were then treated to a faux video of Ben trying for Hurley in the audition.
Sawyer then jumped on stage to a screamig reaction from fangirls. Katy's oggling of him was not amusing!
Then Charlie came out after a video tribute to the dead on Lost; okay as you can see I'm fed up using the actors names, it's easier this way okay?
Will Charlie be back? Is this the reason for his surprise visit?
It was epic, a great laugh, insightful and a must for any Lost fan. Too bad it's finishing and there won't be another one. I love you Comic Con and Lost.
More conage as Katy and Lynsey went home to the pool. Graeme and I explored the many depths of the main floor again and checked out the video games. We also got an awesome picture with the Suicide Girls, with our OR tee's on. We'll be on the website apparently, just waiting for them to put them up! Katy was maajor grumpls that I had a photo with some hawt chicks, but she knows that she's the only tattooed babe for me.
Perhaps the most surreal moment is when me and Graeme actually signed a copy of the Villainous prolouge. An indie publisher and creator was amongst the small press section and I bought his graphic novel. I them got him to give an opinion on our promo material and gave him a copy. he said it was good and asked for it to be signed. Such a weird weird experience, yet flattering and ego boosting. He signed mine and we signed his. He gave some good advice on potential publishing. Very very sweeet!
Home, change, dinner at Karl Strauss which was delicious and had homebrewed beer, sooo good!
Night came to a close and back to slumber, for tomorrow, the sad last day
The last day:
Usual.
Comic Con for buying lots of graphic novels and shit. No real panels of interest, this day was just for a last minute goodbye, getting rid of our promo stuff and spending spree. We dumped our cards, booklet and posters on a table with freebie pick ups, we didn't even know if we were allowed so we coincidentally set them down when the workers didn't look. People were picking a good few up much to my liking.
Katy and Lyns done Seaworld which was excellent.
Home.
Dinner at the diner on site.
sleep time.
THE REAL LAST DAY:
2 am fucking wake up for the flight. Absolute ball buster. Even more so when we find out we actually didn't have to check in as early as we thought, and could have had an exra hours sleep. bastard.
The long journey home was a monotonous flight, waiting, flight. Only interesting thing was the thunder storm that was too close for comfort to the left of our plane.
We arrived home a day later.
I slept.
I then wrote this.
And I notice that my spelling and grammar is getting worse as I type this, it is epic after all.
------------------------------
So yeah, Comic Con along with San Dan was amazing! Lovely people, locations and plenty of great comic book purchases.
All my pics will be on Facebook for viewing pleasure.
- CHUD
Thursday, 11 June 2009
The Macroverse
Hello all, welcome to my first blog. Now what the hell are deadlights?
There is a mass void called the macroverse, a place that surrounds the universe and can only be accessed in a different plain of existence.
Residing in the Macroverse is a giant Turtle and an ancient supernatural foe that cannot be comprehended by the human brain, and thus takes on various forms in order to exploit terror in all of us based on our deepest dreaded fears.
This foe, which goes by the name: Bob Gray, Pennywise the Dancing Clown and "It" can only be pyschically reresented based on perception in our existing world. It's true form can only be described as one thing; the deadlights.
These deadlights are a dangerous force, but from said force is a man in his boxers scratching his balls and hammering away onto a keyboard, producing the barrel scrapings of opinion and insight.
There is a mass void called the macroverse, a place that surrounds the universe and can only be accessed in a different plain of existence.
Residing in the Macroverse is a giant Turtle and an ancient supernatural foe that cannot be comprehended by the human brain, and thus takes on various forms in order to exploit terror in all of us based on our deepest dreaded fears.
This foe, which goes by the name: Bob Gray, Pennywise the Dancing Clown and "It" can only be pyschically reresented based on perception in our existing world. It's true form can only be described as one thing; the deadlights.
These deadlights are a dangerous force, but from said force is a man in his boxers scratching his balls and hammering away onto a keyboard, producing the barrel scrapings of opinion and insight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
