Category: My Opinion

Categories
For the Geeks Game Reviews My YouTube

My 3rd Contribution to YouTube for Sam & Max Episode 3 – The Mole, The Mob, And The Meatball

Image taken from actual game play

Click onto the video below contributed to YouTube by me and you won’t regret it!

The 3rd monthly installment of this point-and-click adventure game Sam & Max based on two hilarious comic book characters is out and I took no time in completing this episode (for more introduction on this PC game, please visit my previous blogs as linked below). There is one particular cut-scene that is the most hilarious clip I have seen so far. I have made it into a video clip and uploaded it to YouTube for sharing.

Humours aside, this 3rd episode suffers from mid-episode-syndrome. The 1st episode is new to all and the puzzles took a while to solve. For the 2nd episode, most of the tricks are already made known by 1st episode and the main entertainment value comes from the extra contents generated from various reality TV studios that Sam and Max have to go through. As for the 3rd episode, it is the shortest installment so far and lots of contents are recycled from the 1st episode. Most of the puzzles are straightforward and intuitive, which is not necessary a bad thing because I found myself sat back and chuckled through the scenes. Extra effort has been put into the scripting and it shows. It took me about 3 hours to complete the entire episode and I am looking forward to what the last 2 episodes will look like.

Related Links and Blogs: Official Site of Telltale Games, Sam & Max Episode 6 – Bright Side Of The Moon (End Of Season 1), Sam & Max Episode 5 – Reality 2.0, Sam & Max Episode 4 – Abe Lincoln Must Die!, My 3rd Contribution to YouTube for Sam & Max Episode 3 – The Mole, The Mob, And The Meatball, Sam & Max: Episode 2 – Situation Comedy, Sam & Max: Episode 1 – Culture Shock, Sam & Max at Wikipedia

Categories
Music Reviews Pop Rock & Alternative

Katharine McPhee’s New Album Is Not To Be Missed

There are times in life you act against your head and in this case, I am glad that I did just that.

Friends of mine know that I am a huge fan of American Idol’s runner-up Katherine McPhee. I took leave on that day to watch the final live ready for a celebration when my dream was crushed by you-know-who. But that was then. As I was about to sample McPhee’s debut album, I really did not know what to expect. Honestly speaking, I would have given this album a pass after the first 2 songs if she was someone else.

The album has a wide collection of upbeat R&B and slow ballads and is easily one of my most listened to album of 2007 so far. Her slow ballads remind me of Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey such as “Home” (track 4), “Ordinary World” (track 8), “Better Off Alone” (track 10), “Neglected” (track 11), and “Everywhere I Go” (track 12). Her upbeat numbers remind me of Beyoncé. Most notable tracks are “Open Toes” (track 3 – the fun kicks in at 2.30 mins when the beat changes), “Not Ur Girl” (track 5), “Dangerous” (track 7), and “Do What You Do” (track 9).

Katherine McPhee has a warm and gifted voice and does not sound overpowering. The music arrangement of the songs are addictive to listen to. Overall, this album is pleasant to the ears. If you have time constraint, sample “Open Toes”, “Home”, and “Not Ur Girl” from Amazon.com. They are my favourites. By the way, did you know that Katherine is only 23 this year? I thought her voice and outlook looks more mature than that.

Related Links: Katherine McPhee’s Official Site, Katherine McPhee at Wikipedia.

Categories
For the Geeks Game Reviews

World Of Warcraft – The Burning Crusade

Image from actual game play

Friends of mine must have found it odd that despite my passion with the online game World of Warcraft (WoW), I seldom write anything about it. Not even a review on its long awaiting expansion after its January launch. I was asked a number of times if I was one of those who queued up at SunTech on the launch day itself and to tell you the truth, I was not even keen to get the expansion. WoW and I have gone a long way – good and bad.

During the time when Cynthia was studying for her Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exam, she said she would try out WoW after the exam when she did not need to spend hours studying risk management books every evening. FRM must have driven her crazy. Imagine someone who does not play any video games at all and even when she did play Football Manager because she is crazy over football, she never gets hooked onto it wanting to play time after time. For the longest history of time I have tried various different ways to tempt her with my wide spectrum of computer games with no success. Over time I am more and more determined to find out if there is at least one video game somewhere for each of us. I am a computer engineer and scientist by training. Friends of mine know that I don’t buy a game to finish it. I admire how the images are being modelled; I am intrigued by how the artificial intelligence is being implemented; I observe how the user interface is designed; and I study the “fun” factors that the designers are putting into the games.

One evening Cynthia came up to me and said that she wanted to start a character in WoW. Very well, I said and walked her through the initial stage of character creation. Of all the classes that WoW offers, she chose to be a warlock – one of the most complex classes around. I tried suggesting some other easier classes but she wished to stick with warlock. Cynthia took no time in familiarising herself with the user interface and half an hour later, she was on her own exploring the World of Warcraft in her own way. Looking at Cynthia playing an online computer game baffled me. WoW is not exactly a simple game to pick up and definitely not one that I would recommend for first-timer. But the magic of WoW charmed her and till today, she plays the game occasionally when she has the time. Cynthia definitely plays more than I do after the launch of the expansion.

World of Warcraft is one of the modern commercial miracles that I admire. Created by Blizzard based on their award winning Real Time Strategy game Warcraft series, WoW is a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game where tens and hundreds of players interact with one another within the same “realm”). A genre that is not new but Blizzard managed to turn it into a commercial miracle when the gaming industry was plagued with piracy (still do in a certain extend). For online games, players are required to buy the original game and pay a subscription fees. With the arrival of WoW, the MMORPG community has exploded and passed a recent 7 million mark. What does 7 million subscribers mean commercially? Imagine nearly all subscribers will buy the US$40 expansion pack in the first couple of months and that is a US$280 million sure-win business. For a US$15 monthly subscription fees, that is US$315 million per quarter. If that is not enough, Blizzard offers a paid service to transfer players’ characters from one realm to another realm (mainly to join their real life friends or their realms get too crowded) for US$25 each. Believe me, there are many characters get moved around for various different reasons.

There are many success factors to write about Blizzard. They have an active forum where players exchange and voice out ideas and Blizzard listens making improvements to the game gradually. New contents are being created and pushed out into the game in a regular basis. There are lots of fun things to do within this virtual fantasy world. Blizzard has made a game that pleases both casual as well as hardcore players for all age groups (the youngest I have met is 12 and 60-ish the oldest), different nationalities, and from all walks of life.

That is how some others appreciate the game. As for Cynthia, she loves the look of her character, the beautiful scenery, the vast area for exploration, and new abilities as her character progresses. And for me, well, I have been there done that and am glad that I have gotten detached from this time sink. WoW is a fun game but please exercise self-restrain when you play it. Try not to play more than 2 hours a day and have at least 2 days per week free from WoW. A friendly reminder from someone who has already clocked 3,000 hours in the game.

Related Link: World of Warcraft Official Site.

Categories
J Pop Music Reviews

Made In Twenty (20) – Another Japanese Album By Korean Singer BoA

She released her first Korean album (rank #10) at the age of 14. She released her first Japanese album that hit the chart #1 position 2 years after. Subsequently, she released albums in both Korean and Japanese markets (all at #1 position). At the age of 20, she has her 10th full length album in Japanese. She is fluent in both Korean and Japanese, able to converse in English and now learning Chinese Mandarin. She dances well and is very beautiful. Her name is BoA.

Call me having a stereotype on Korean culture but I think they are best in producing tear-jerking dramas and not necessarily in the music industry. That explains why I have yet to own a Korean CD. BoA is a South Korean and that rules out all the possibilities of me owning any of her 5 Korean albums. As for her Japanese albums, my mindset is or rather was that … leave the music to the Japanese and she is not one. Last year, Cynthia got me BoA’s OUTGROW when she came back from her business trip at Japan. I did quite enjoy listening to that.

“Made In Twenty (20)” – an album of just over 60 minutes – is packed with typical Japanese Pop music (except the last track “Last Christmas”). The slow ballad “Winter Love” is definitely my favourite. I find myself listening to this album a lot as it does grow on me. I am still trying to get used to BoA’s voice but I definitely love the music.

The album comes with a DVD as well. Instead of all music video clips (like many do), she only includes 3 music videos and fills the rest of the disc up with 10 live clips from various albums of hers. I was expecting a live concert full of dances (that was how I noticed her in the first place) but it is not. The clip below is from her DVD and that showcased her vocal ability that is full of emotion. Even if you are not currently a BoA fan, be warned, you can easily be converted into one after viewing this DVD.

Related Entry: BoA – The Face – And The Conquest Continues

Categories
Drama Movie Reviews

My Coincidences And The Illusionist – A Magical Movie

Before reviewing on this Academy Award-nominated (Cinematography) movie, I wish to touch onto a category that I seldom have a chance to pen the stories down. Mainly because “coincidences” are usually in bits and pieces. I have this ability to remember certain faces in a short time frame (I am sure many of you can do that too) and because of that, I recognise the same lady whom I saw on my way to work, then on my way out for lunch, and when I was walking back to my car after a long day’s work, I saw the same lady having coffee break with her friends – all in one day. I mean, what’s the odd of that right? Or the same person I saw in consecutive days and never to see him or her again. Some friends of mine pointed it to the pattern of routine. But still, what’s the odd?

Couple of days ago while having lunch with Cynthia at Thomson Plaza (up north), I saw this young girl with her grandparents inside the same food court I was dining at. It was her big eyes and oval facial shape that I remember of. Then on the night I finished watching “The Illusionist” at Plaza Singapura, I walked out of the theatre and saw her in make-up with her boyfriend by her side. We must have watched the same movie. Again, what’s the odd?

Magical as my coincidences may seem, “The Illusionist” is truly one magical show. I wanted to give this movie a pass because the context sounds too much like “The Prestige” – another movie about illusionists that I happen to like a lot. While “The Prestige” makes it clear that magic does not exist, “The Illusionist” leaves a lot of room for imagination. At times I found myself gasping with the magic showed on the screen.

A drama written and directed by Neil Burger and starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti, “The Illusionist” is a story of love, politics, and magic. The only qualms I have over this magical movie is that at times the pace is a bit too slow for me and I wish that the script is less predictable. However, no doubt it is an artistic movie to watch.

Categories
J Pop Music Reviews

Ayaka’s First Message Still At No.1 In HMV Chart

I am truly amazed at Ayaka’s debut album’s staying power in Singapore’s HMV Japanese chart. Not even megastars such as Ayumi Hamasaki or Koda Kumi can challenge that. I am sure Ayumi’s Secret has reached #1 position some weeks ago but this couple of months old album still reigns.

I bought this album quite some time ago and what prompted me to do so was Ayaka’s voice. Japanese singers tend to have this higher than normal pitch (according to my buddy Tong Kiat – who worked in Japan before – Japanese girls tend to speak like that too in any normal day). Ayaka has this thick, powerful, and soulful voice that drew my attention when I first sampled her album. If I was to blur out the language, her vocal style is closer to the western music than her Japanese peers. Excellent control of her voice with beautifully executed accentuation and vibratos.

Now that is the good things about her. The album however has songs with uneven quality. Some songs are really good (like the one below called “I Believe”). Some songs are quite forgettable. When “First Message” was released in Japan, it was the highest selling album of the week as well as the highest selling debut album for a female artist in 7 years. Commercially it is quite an achievement.

Categories
Drama Movie Reviews

The Last King Of Scotland – Gruesomely Charming

We practice democracy within our Movie Review Squad. I personally would have given this movie a pass not because it is not a good show but my preference is in the vague order of originality, witty scripts, beautiful scenery/people … and a bit of tastefully done sex scenes won’t harm.

I can’t help but to compare “The Last King Of Scotland” with “Blood Diamond”. Both movies have plots originated from Africa; both are equally intense and gruesome; and both leading actors are nominated for this coming Oscar. Forest Whitaker who acted as the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin has already earned him a Golden Globe Award. I still hope that Leonardo DiCaprio will win the Oscar this year but knowing the strong correlation between Golden Globe and Oscar (so I am told) … we shall see.

“The Last King Of Scotland” is based on Giles Foden’s award-winning debut novel of the same name as inspired by real people and real events. A story spins off from a Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), who found himself becoming the physician and advisor of Idi Amin. Idi Amin is real while the character Garrigan is fictitious (loosely inspired by Amin’s English-born associate Bob Astles). Unlike “Blood Diamond” that is constantly gruesomely intense (or intensely gruesome?) throughout the show, the first half of “The Last King Of Scotland” is actually quite enjoyable to watch. The acting is great and I especially like McAvoy’s carefree character Garrigan. The transformation slowly took place when the charming Amin turned into a brutal monster. Towards the end, it was just blood and gore. I heard a lot of gasping from the audience behind me.

A movie with lots of quality acting, at times humorous scripts, and a slowly build-up of intensity. “Blood Diamond” has a lot of outdoor shots so I got to enjoy the culture side of Africa. Majority of “The Last King Of Scotland” was shot indoor or at some locations that did not seem to be uniquely African. If I have to choose one to watch, “Blood Diamond” no doubt. Having said that, “The Last King Of Scotland” is a show worth watching … for the acting I would say.

Related Blog and Link: Blood Diamond – Intensity With Great Performance (my blog), Official Site for “Last King Of Scotland”.

Categories
J Pop Music Reviews

Does Koda Kumi’s Black Cherry Rival Ayu’s Secret?

Koda Kumi’s new album’s cover may or may not resemble to Ayumi’s “Secret” – though I do see the similarity, the staying power (at number 1) of this album does rival Ayumi’s RAINBOW. To be honest, I do collect Koda Kumi’s albums and DVDs and enjoy listening to her as a talented young Japanese. But as a rivalry to Ayumi? I listen to this album with a pair of extremely critical ears.

Four years junior of Ayumi, Koda Kumi has already released 35 singles, 5 studio albums, and 3 compilation albums (compares to Ayumi’s 40 singles, 8 studio albums, 3 compilation albums, and countless remixes). Koda Kumi may not have a look that kills, she does have the sex appeal to compensate. Some of her videos are so hot that the CD/DVD comes with a “Mature 18” sticker.

“Black Cherry” is packed with 18 songs of close to 72 minutes and it comes with a sizzling hot DVD as well. Now, I wonder how it can get away with a “PG” sticker (I have linked one of the video at the end of this blog as it is too hot to be placed in my site). My initial reaction to “Black Cherry” was mixed. A good number of songs are the Hip-Hop type – a genre that I don’t in particularly fancy except when I am inside Ministry of Sound. The slow ballads and the rock songs though is a different story as I do enjoy listening to them immensely with a tint of guilt. Perhaps I have this “rivalry” mindset and being too critical. After a few listen to the CD, I do find that the songs are pretty good. Enjoyable with high chance that you will listen to the entire album again and again (like I do). The DVD is pretty good as well although I can say with full confidence that Ayumi’s Secret’s DVD is much better.

Categories
Foreign Movie Reviews

Once In A Summer – A Sad, Sad Korean Movie

The excerpt of the movie’s synopsis says “A beautifully-shot, heart-warming love story … as the summer drew to a close, the couple faced a challenge to their willpower.” I picked “Once In A Summer” because of the words “heart-warming love story”. Over our quick dinner, Cynthia asked what we were watching. You see, the “penalty” of rejecting my call due to a business meeting is that you will have no idea what you get yourself into. Korean, I answered. Oh no, she responded. Don’t worry, it’s not a tear jerking movie, I reassured her. How wrong I was. The words “heart-warming love story” should have been replaced by “heart-wrenching love story”. I kid you not. At the end of the movie, I gave my Movie Review Squad a how-would-I-know expression. “It’s a Korean movie! What do you expect?!”, both Cynthia and Tong Kiat chuckled at my apparent ignorance.

“Once In A Summer” has prompted me to read up a little bit on the history of South Korea. Apparently after World War II, American and Soviet troops had occupied the southern and northern halves of Korea. In 1960, a student uprising in South Korea led to the resignation of president Syngman Rhee, whose government had become autocratic and corrupt. I suspect the movie is set before this historical event when the students were gathering their forces from various parts of the country. (See footnote on amendment.)

Suk-young (Lee Byung-hun), one of the students who found refuge in a remote village where he met the beautiful Jung-in (Su-Ae). Without giving out any spoiler, “Once In A Summer” is less on Suk-young’s journey in finding out what happened to his first love years after (again, from synopsis) and more on how these two people fell in love and faced the political challenges of that time.

It is a beautifully filmed movie and I am especially impressed with the set and costumes that the actors wore that give you a convincing movie that happened in the old days. Acting-wise, oh well, Cynthia must have poured out 1 litre of tear until she has missed out some of the plots because she was too busy crying (direct quote). Lee Byung-hun is not new to me (who can forget his performance in JSA – Joint Security Area?) but Su-Ae is. All I can say is that she can really act out a sad, sad movie.

Overall a good movie for those who love this genre of movie. Below is the official trailer. I have also found a soundtrack of the movie. However, if you plan to watch the movie, you may wish to watch it later as it probably gives out too much spoiler (click here to view).

Edit: Now I do recall that the movie does make a reference to Moon Landing and hence, the story is set in the year of 1969 when Armstrong first landed the moon. The 1960 uprising as above-mentioned refers to the installation of the Second Republic of South Korea. Hence, if the movie does follow the history, it is the Third Republic era when the government sought to reduce political activism by the college students through several educational reforms.

Related Site: Official Movie Site for Once In A Summer.

Categories
Drama Movie Reviews

Clerks 2 – Humour With Characters You Grow To Care

Spoilt by a good number of potentially entertaining movies now showing, my Movies Review Squad saved me the headache and picked “Clerks 2” (Me: Why Clerks 2? Him: It’s funny … Me: Ah-huh. Him: … and it is rated R(A). Me: ON!). “Clerks 2” is a sequel to a 12 years old movie, full of at times gross jokes and at times jokes based on the current entertainment news, and with characters you grow to care as the story unfolds.

Bulk of the movie is set in and around a fast food restaurant in one day – Dante Hicks (Brain O’Halloran)’s last day of work leaving his best friend Randal Graves (Jeff Anderson), his boss-cum-friend Becky Scott (Rosario Dawson), and New Jersey behind for a new life. “Clerks 2”, suffice to say, tells a story of friendship, romance, and dreams in life all mixed with 80% jokes and trash talking and 20% quality dialogues between the characters. Many comedies leave the audience nothing when they walk out of the theater (somehow “Hitch” came into my mind). There are something about these characters that make them stick into your mind after the movie ends.

Related Link: Clerks 2’s Behind The Scene Clips.