Ugh - seriously, i really hate these things. I’m still trying to figure out why I’m posting it. Don’t ask. Just kinda interesting where things lie:
| This Is My Life, Rated | |
| Life: |  6.9 |
| Mind: |  5.6 |
| Body: | 6.4 |
| Spirit: | 6.4 |
| Friends/Family: |  5 |
| Love: |  9.1 |
| Finance: |  9.3 |
| Take the Rate My Life Quiz | |
I’ve been keeping myself away from the computer this last week in an attempt to use my precious days off as well as I can - even after having the entire week off, I don’t know if I actually succeeded in using the time wisely.
But I am well rested and ready to face the world again - or at least that’s what I think, mere hours into the new work week. We’ll see how long this rested feeling continues.
Last weekend I went to see three of the eight Horrorfest movies and, for the most part, I wasn’t too pleased at all. The film festival boasted of 8 movies, completely unrated and “too horrifying for the big screen” and not only were all three of the movies I saw far from being even a “hard-R”, two of them were completely tame, one of them being atrociously lame at that.
Reincarnation came from the same director of Ringu and Juon - so I expected well done Japanese horror movies. Although I got an admittedly well put-together movie, it had to be one of the duller horror movies I’ve seen this year. The movie had a overwelming amount of potential and just never went anywhere with it - until the end. Even then, it was pushed so far to the end of the movie that it couldn’t make up for the fact that you had just sat for more than an hour waiting for something to happen. This is the overall problem with Japanese, as well as Asian in general, horror movies - they tend to push the story on hard and forget that without some inkling of suspense, even the most eliaborate story cannot manifest audience-driven terror. The story revolves around a studio’s attempt to produce a movie about a murdering spree that happened at a hotel some years ago when a good portion of the actor/tresses end up getting possessed by the ghosts of the departed - and die. There’s so many holes that you’re left wondering what happened to everyone else as the storyline doesn’t follow up on 7-8 of the other “actors”.
The Grave Dancers was the worst of the three. Once again, lack of suspense was the main culprit here. Any suspense that existed was ruined by plucky comedy in the midsts of it as well as piss-poor acting on a good portion of the actors parts. When they finally introduced some parts that were supposed to be generally frightening, it was met by gut-busting laughter from the audience as 80’s-style monster masks and CG-effects splashed all over the screen. After this one I felt like asking for my money back. Storyline revolves around three friends who party in a Graveyard after a good friend is buried - they end up reading a spell in their drunkeness that curses each of them with the ghost of the person they danced above. Interesting storyline but with a B- budget, nothing could’ve saved this.
Wicked Little Things was actually pretty good - they managed to keep the mood creepy as well as have an engaging storyline. Acting was pretty good and there actually wasn’t anything to complain about. Storyline follows the haunting of children who were killed in a mining accident - children who have become zombie-esque ghosts who kill all the locals if not appeased. Interesting story and it actually held up well - in fact, the only saving grace of the three movies I saw.
I do have to admit my own stupidity - just like the “UNRATED” editions of recent movie releases, the “unrated” doesn’t mean anything - short of the fact that the studio didn’t take the time to get the MPAA to re-rate the film. In fact, most of the time it doesn’t even mean that any additional blood, gore, violence or nudity was added - much the same way that the movies in this film festival were touted as being “unrated” when they obviously were most likely not even submitted to the MPAA for rating - none of the three I watched even deserved a hard-R - the second one could’ve easily been made-for-TV.
As for my Wii Update, the current totals are a little skewed:
11 hours saved in Zelda - 13+ actual
3-4 hours in RedSteel
10-15 hours in Wii Sports
Most of my time in Wii Sports is due to other people playing - there has been quite the call to showcase my little system that can. I took it over to a friends house on Friday and am already planning a few more showcases of it later on this week. I’m making all my friends create a Mii (game character) and it’s actually fun for all of them - had very few complaints from anyone using the system - short of the standard “this controller isn’t working right” aka “i suck and I want to blame it on something else”. Overall, the system is amazing and I’m having a great time with it. Looking forward to getting more multiplayer games to add to the social shananagians. Some friends are even talking about buying a controller just so that they have their own for game nights - as they are kinda steep, it makes sense for others to buy a few rather than shelling out the $60 for a Wiimote and Nunchuck for each player.
Ok…so apparently there wasn’t much “mini” about this update… but still, more later.
For those of you following the rash of Wii-related damages to LCD TV’s, I decided to fix my problem before it actually was a problem - a simple $15 piece of plexiglass (or lucite in this case) cures the inevitable throw-happy player from ruining a television that, no doubt, they can’t afford to replace. Not to mention, the last thing I actually want to deal with is ruining a friendship over someone’s ambitious attempt to hit a homer in Wii Baseball or make a Eagle on Wii Golf.
Thankfully this LCD-damage seems to only be a problem with the Wii Sports game, as most people don’t get that ambitious over Zelda or other titles, but I’m sure these few isolated events are only the beginning of what is to come - more people desperately trying to sue Nintendo for faulty design or petition their insurance company for coverage.
I completely agree with Curt’s previous comment, there is more than enough reason in these games to get a little overambitious, as I’ve already found myself clipping the other person’s remote during tennis or hitting other things around the room - but I have not slung the controller toward my TV - yet. Thankfully. But, when I do, I’ll be protected.
I’ve submitted the above pic to Engadget, as I’m under the impression that I’m one of the few out there that has come up with a solution to this possible major issue. Lets see if I make the cut.
Sorry for the delay. I can fully blame someone - or, rather, something.
Yes, my Wii.
Since Sunday I’ve been transfixed on my Wii - well, not as much as some of those crazies out there I sure are, but I have been playing it quite a bit - in fact, completely ignoring my FFXII need. Before I go further, I’d like to point out to all those that think that the Wii is a gimmick that, in fact, it is nothing further from that.
Gameplay in all the games that I have that I have actually payed attention to is outstanding. I say that in that manner because the three games, Wii Sports, Red Steel, and Zelda: Twilight Princess have been making me completely ignore Marvel Ultimate Alliance because of their amazing gameplay. Hours have literally melted away in front of this system because, even though it would be foolish for me to say that the controllers fully emmerse you into the game, they do quite a bit to get you closer to it - much more than the standard controller ever will. Aside from me honestly coming forth and saying that I am out of shape, my heart has actually raced during the gameplay. That’s something to say - or it’s a underlined, bolded and italized point that I am way too out of shape. I like the prior.
Cons to the system: For launch titles, there’s nothing out there that truly challenges the system’s abilities - the game reviewers and Nintendo alike note that launch titles challenge the capabilities of a Gamecube and not a Wii. I think the fact that they’ve sold out first week is a easy win for the thought that graphics aren’t all people give a shit about. Neither is 1080i or p. Although I have all intentions to update to 480p very soon on my Wii, my concerns don’t lie in HD. Although waiting to release games that push the system is a valid tactic when you consider that two years down the road you’ll be playing better looking games on the same system where with ps3 and xbox360, their challenging ways will make graphics less and less of a buying point when graphics fail to look better next year.
Other small cons is that the Wii Channels promised months ago aren’t all available now - to be honest, yes, I do want to be able to surf the internet from my Wii - if only for a quick google search. Although this inability is a minor frustration. Additionally, the Virtual Console is… a little lacking on the titles right now. Not the best selection, but seeing that they’ve already added more since launch, I don’t think we’ll be waiting long till I can download premium titles from Nintendo’s history as well as Sega and Turbo Graphix. Heck, I’ve already downloaded Sonic I for the Genesis and it’s autosave function via Wii’s emulator is a pleasing addition to a game that never could save.
The Pros: Um… everything else? The gameplay is nowhere near as frustrating as people were worried when concerning the controllers. Every idiot out there complaining about muscle cramps and having to hold your hand up toward the screen obviously hasn’t heard of a couch and a well-placed elbow-on-knee position. Obviously Zelda and Redsteel (aside from the swordfights in Red) are SUPPOSED to be played from the comfort of your couch and NOT the middle of your floor standing upright - and obviously, Wii Sports IS for the middle of your floor upright. And even so, Wii Sports isn’t straining on your physical prowless anymore than, say, briskly walking down the street. I don’t think we have to worry about overweight geeks having chest pains.
Virtual Console works amazingly - after you get your wireless perfectly configured. Mine required adding yet another layer of security and altering its Channel and then it worked flawlessly.
The games are amazing. Seriously, I’m having people over tomorrow for a second time this week to showcase this system. It is outstanding and fun as all hell. So fun non-traditional gamers have already come over here and had fun. It’s worth picking up. VERY worth it - and with the availablity of PS3’s as well as their harsh price tag, pick up a Wii and save your extra $250-$350 for games.
And, just to show my geekiness, here’s the current stats after 5 days of having my Wii:
8+ hours saved in Zelda (more like 10-12)
4 hours saved in RedSteel
4-6 hours in Wii Sports
Now, before you hardcores out there get on my case, I am SHARING this system with friends and my wife, so, obviously, if it weren’t so, those totals would be quite higher.
More later. Just wanted to blame my Wii for taking me away from the world of the living…
..well, not really. I have been using my time off well and seriously relaxing. I’ve gone to the movie theatre 4 times since Friday and watched a few movies at home as well - had Thanksgiving over at my rents and have just used the time to catch up on sleep and vege - oh, and cook. Cooked a Spicy Black Bean Chili as well as a Green Curry. We’ve got so much food in this house we’ll probably not be eating out for weeks. Especially after the take-home leftovers from my rents today.
More later. I promise.
I am so there.
Finally, Regal Cinemas in town is actually doing something right!
Blog of J. Jason Lazarus, techno-geek, retro-gamer, ranter, avid photographer & new dad.