At its release, I decided to purchase an Apple iPod Touch, 4th Generation. Intending to use this mainly for the mobile web and social media aspects of it (as well as that whole music thing), I was completely surprised at what I actually got.
I definitely got my moneys worth.
Applications are designed to further the experience of having an iPod Touch. The application store comes with thousands of applications, each one designed to cater towards a specific topic, and each one holds its own appeal. From Facebook and Twitter to Texas Hold'em, each application has a target audience that it vastly appeals to.
Most notably, I found something that blew my mind the other night, which would be the Sega Genesis games that have recently begun to be released. As a true child of the 90's, it was my greatest passion growing up, even beyond the time of PlayStation and Game Cube, to play the Genesis at every available opportunity.
With a video game in hand, I have now found a lot more stock in this iPod than I used to. Instead of going out and buying a brand new, fancy pants game boy to get me through long trips (where I don't have a book) and lazy days, I have this beautiful iPod that allows me to relive the good 'ol days.
On top of that, the applications that allow me to surf the web, find reference materials and even connect with friends from across the country, the iPod has far surpassed anything I expected it to be when I first purchased it.
Apple itouch 4th Gen gets a 5 out of 5 from me.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Harry Potter exceeds the expectations
As someone who has never read the books from the Harry Potter series, nor seen many of the movies, I was not expecting to find the most recent addition to the franchise, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 of 2," to be any good.
It did, however, exceed the expectation.
The story line followed the typical continuation of any series, with action at every turn to hook the viewers in. Following the death of Dumbledore from the previous film, as well as the return of the Dark Lord Voldemort, Potter and his friends are forced to flee from their homes from the hounds of darkness. Constantly on the run, Potter and his two closest friends, Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson), must set out on their own in hopes of finding the Holocruxes and destroying the Dark Lord.
As someone who has missed quite a number of movies, it was a complete shock to find out that Dumbledore had died in a previous movie, Moving past that quickly however, the movie was filled with action and adventure, something that the few other movies I have seen of the series severely lacked. This film did not disappoint, with an amazing balance of action and adventuring, and plenty of storyline and plot development to keep the die hard Potter fans in the theater happy.
There was however, a massive amount of comedy throughout the movie. While that was not necessarily a terrible direction for the movie to take, simply the vast amount of comedy did seem to be a bit much at times.
Likewise, some parts of the movie had a large amount of plot and no action, while others had a lot of action and very little plot. It seemed like there could have been a better balance throughout the movie, but then that may not have been quite the Harry Potter that the diehard fans had come to know and love.
The only complaint that I had was, as someone that clearly has not spent a lot of time thinking, reading or watching anything related to the franchise, I was completely lost for most of the movie, recognizing few of the characters and completely behind on the storyline. There were some explanations and flashbacks later on in the movie, but not enough to catch anyone up on what exactly they missed.
Not a great movie to start with, but still a decent movie, surpassing my expectations for a Friday afternoon. I rate the movie 4.5 stars out of 5.
It did, however, exceed the expectation.
The story line followed the typical continuation of any series, with action at every turn to hook the viewers in. Following the death of Dumbledore from the previous film, as well as the return of the Dark Lord Voldemort, Potter and his friends are forced to flee from their homes from the hounds of darkness. Constantly on the run, Potter and his two closest friends, Ron Weasley (played by Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (played by Emma Watson), must set out on their own in hopes of finding the Holocruxes and destroying the Dark Lord.
As someone who has missed quite a number of movies, it was a complete shock to find out that Dumbledore had died in a previous movie, Moving past that quickly however, the movie was filled with action and adventure, something that the few other movies I have seen of the series severely lacked. This film did not disappoint, with an amazing balance of action and adventuring, and plenty of storyline and plot development to keep the die hard Potter fans in the theater happy.
There was however, a massive amount of comedy throughout the movie. While that was not necessarily a terrible direction for the movie to take, simply the vast amount of comedy did seem to be a bit much at times.
Likewise, some parts of the movie had a large amount of plot and no action, while others had a lot of action and very little plot. It seemed like there could have been a better balance throughout the movie, but then that may not have been quite the Harry Potter that the diehard fans had come to know and love.
The only complaint that I had was, as someone that clearly has not spent a lot of time thinking, reading or watching anything related to the franchise, I was completely lost for most of the movie, recognizing few of the characters and completely behind on the storyline. There were some explanations and flashbacks later on in the movie, but not enough to catch anyone up on what exactly they missed.
Not a great movie to start with, but still a decent movie, surpassing my expectations for a Friday afternoon. I rate the movie 4.5 stars out of 5.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Eat, Pray, Love is a pretty bad movie.
As a general rule, hanging out with people that I meet at work is off an off limits area. A single fight, accidental kiss or one of my lude comments makes the work environment very uncomfortable.
Despite this, I agreed to go with my boss at The Clarion and a co-worker to a free movie at the Memorial Union Theater last Saturday, Nov. 13th.
Worst. Idea. Ever.
"Eat, Prey, Love" has an interesting concept when it comes to storyline, and there are many decent actors within the movie. Julia Roberts, playing the main character Elizabeth Gilbert, finds herself educated, well employed and living with her husband, a man who loves her dearly, in a house they own.
Naturally, she finds herself unhappy, and soon after she leaves him, has an affair, initiates a divorce and offers her husband every speck of wealth she has to sign the papers.
It is also natural that, when someone is brought into this situation, the best possibly course of action is to take a trip to Italy, India and Bali on the advice given her to by a shaman in Bali years ago.
The storyline is expertly acted out and the actors themselves do an amazing job throughout the film, however it falls far short of what one can even fathom for anything near non-fiction. Despite this, the acting keeps you involved and wanting to see more of the movie, but eventually the story drags on to the point of wearing the viewer thing and becomes too predictable.
The underlying themes to the movie (Eat to fulfill your life, Pray and believe in yourself, and Love unconditionally) are accurately portrayed, and one finds it easy to identify early in the movie. Overall, the movie is interesting, but not worth anything more than a rental.
I rate this movie 2 1/2 stars out of 5.
Despite this, I agreed to go with my boss at The Clarion and a co-worker to a free movie at the Memorial Union Theater last Saturday, Nov. 13th.
Worst. Idea. Ever.
"Eat, Prey, Love" has an interesting concept when it comes to storyline, and there are many decent actors within the movie. Julia Roberts, playing the main character Elizabeth Gilbert, finds herself educated, well employed and living with her husband, a man who loves her dearly, in a house they own.
Naturally, she finds herself unhappy, and soon after she leaves him, has an affair, initiates a divorce and offers her husband every speck of wealth she has to sign the papers.
It is also natural that, when someone is brought into this situation, the best possibly course of action is to take a trip to Italy, India and Bali on the advice given her to by a shaman in Bali years ago.
The storyline is expertly acted out and the actors themselves do an amazing job throughout the film, however it falls far short of what one can even fathom for anything near non-fiction. Despite this, the acting keeps you involved and wanting to see more of the movie, but eventually the story drags on to the point of wearing the viewer thing and becomes too predictable.
The underlying themes to the movie (Eat to fulfill your life, Pray and believe in yourself, and Love unconditionally) are accurately portrayed, and one finds it easy to identify early in the movie. Overall, the movie is interesting, but not worth anything more than a rental.
I rate this movie 2 1/2 stars out of 5.
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Enduring Flame Trilogy, Book 1: The Phoenix Unchained
A trilogy by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory, "The Enduring Flame" is certainly a trilogy that I was dying to get ahold of.
It was early in 2009 that I got 1st of the first book, and not until last week when I got the 3rd and last. Suffice it to say, that huge gap in time really made me yearn for the third book, and I spent 2 days reading and rereading it.
However, during that gap of time, I was able to read "The Phoenix Unchained" several times, and what I've discovered is simple; this author team is amazing, rivaling my favorite authors of all time, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman of the Dragonlance novels.
The storyline starts with 2 averages young men of Armathelieh, Tiercel and Harrier, whom are about to embark on the next journey in their lives and separate, despite their close friendship throughout their years. Harrier is on to become the next Harbormaster, while Tiercel, of a noble family, will move on to study at a university and work in the government.
This all changes with one book, leading Tiercel to experiment with a magic long forgotten. In these days, the "wild magic" is all that remains, and those that serve it serve no authority except the balance that is life. Tiercel however has discovered another kind of magic, the high magic, used long ago with the wild magic to destroy the last known evil in the world. He and Harrier than set out on a journey to understand this magic, unaware of the evil beginning to stir on the other side of the world.
The novel has an amazingly detailed scenery, with beautiful details without using too many large and complicated words, making the book a simple read. Lackey and Mallory find a beautiful balance of imagination as well, without going too far from reality to seem detached or completely unrealistic. Sticking with the fantasy theme though, it introduces all sorts of "Otherfolk," or non-human creatures with intelligence, that add to the general feel of the story.
Beyond that, the way the story is constantly in motion, yet doesn't give up too much storyline too fast, allows for the reader to both be enamored by the content, but yearn desperately for more. This is why the novel is one of my favorites, and will continue to be.
Be sure to pick it up and read, you won't be disappointed!
I rate this book a 4 1/2 out of 5.
It was early in 2009 that I got 1st of the first book, and not until last week when I got the 3rd and last. Suffice it to say, that huge gap in time really made me yearn for the third book, and I spent 2 days reading and rereading it.
However, during that gap of time, I was able to read "The Phoenix Unchained" several times, and what I've discovered is simple; this author team is amazing, rivaling my favorite authors of all time, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman of the Dragonlance novels.
The storyline starts with 2 averages young men of Armathelieh, Tiercel and Harrier, whom are about to embark on the next journey in their lives and separate, despite their close friendship throughout their years. Harrier is on to become the next Harbormaster, while Tiercel, of a noble family, will move on to study at a university and work in the government.
This all changes with one book, leading Tiercel to experiment with a magic long forgotten. In these days, the "wild magic" is all that remains, and those that serve it serve no authority except the balance that is life. Tiercel however has discovered another kind of magic, the high magic, used long ago with the wild magic to destroy the last known evil in the world. He and Harrier than set out on a journey to understand this magic, unaware of the evil beginning to stir on the other side of the world.
The novel has an amazingly detailed scenery, with beautiful details without using too many large and complicated words, making the book a simple read. Lackey and Mallory find a beautiful balance of imagination as well, without going too far from reality to seem detached or completely unrealistic. Sticking with the fantasy theme though, it introduces all sorts of "Otherfolk," or non-human creatures with intelligence, that add to the general feel of the story.
Beyond that, the way the story is constantly in motion, yet doesn't give up too much storyline too fast, allows for the reader to both be enamored by the content, but yearn desperately for more. This is why the novel is one of my favorites, and will continue to be.
Be sure to pick it up and read, you won't be disappointed!
I rate this book a 4 1/2 out of 5.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2
On a typical Saturday afternoon, you could find me sitting in The Clarion office working on my homework. However, not all Saturdays are typical, and Nov. 6 was definitely not. So, with a break from the homework and work, it was time to try out a new game and eat some Pizza Hut.
Unleashed 2 seems to follow suit with Unleashed, with beautiful aesthetics and unchanged game play. Unleashed was released in 2008, but months before Unleashed 2's release, executive producer and writer for the game Haden Blackman retired. On online gamer news source Techland, Evan Narcisse interviewed Blackman and talked to him about his new company, Fearless Studios. Blackman confirms this as his motivation for leaving Lucasarts.
Unleashed 2 brings in a new, but predictable, storyline. As Starkiller, the deceased Jedi/Sith from the original game, you find yourself imprisoned by Sith Lord Darth Vader, where he has convinced you that you are a clone of the original Starkiller and are simply his puppet. Once Starkiller has escaped, he begins a journey to find himself and seek out the cast of the first game.
While an interesting concept, the game did not go quite as in depth as it could have. The various storm trooper filled levels provide a small challenge, but nothing unique or overly difficult. Leveling has become useless, as you begin with far more force powers, skills and a generally far overpowered character. leaving the player wondering if it was truly worth it to buy this game.
Look for the rest of this review in the Nov. 24th issue of The Clarion, Madison Area Technical College's student newspaper. It will available online that morning at www.matc-clarion.com, or later in the day on the racks around Truax and Downtown campuses. Papers will reach the regional campuses later in the week.
Unleashed 2 seems to follow suit with Unleashed, with beautiful aesthetics and unchanged game play. Unleashed was released in 2008, but months before Unleashed 2's release, executive producer and writer for the game Haden Blackman retired. On online gamer news source Techland, Evan Narcisse interviewed Blackman and talked to him about his new company, Fearless Studios. Blackman confirms this as his motivation for leaving Lucasarts.
Unleashed 2 brings in a new, but predictable, storyline. As Starkiller, the deceased Jedi/Sith from the original game, you find yourself imprisoned by Sith Lord Darth Vader, where he has convinced you that you are a clone of the original Starkiller and are simply his puppet. Once Starkiller has escaped, he begins a journey to find himself and seek out the cast of the first game.
While an interesting concept, the game did not go quite as in depth as it could have. The various storm trooper filled levels provide a small challenge, but nothing unique or overly difficult. Leveling has become useless, as you begin with far more force powers, skills and a generally far overpowered character. leaving the player wondering if it was truly worth it to buy this game.
Look for the rest of this review in the Nov. 24th issue of The Clarion, Madison Area Technical College's student newspaper. It will available online that morning at www.matc-clarion.com, or later in the day on the racks around Truax and Downtown campuses. Papers will reach the regional campuses later in the week.
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