Category: My Opinion

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For the Geeks Game Reviews

Heavy Rain (PS3) – Immersion Can’t Get Better Than This!

How far are you prepared to go to save someone you love? – from the theme of “Heavy Rain”

It is hard to define the genre of this critically acclaimed title “Heavy Rain”.  It is not exactly an action game, though there are some elements of action.  It is not exactly an adventure game either, though it plays like one at times.  Certainly feel like watching a self-directed movie with full fledged orchestra soundtrack – a movie of a serial killer to catch and a kid to save.  172 days of casting, 90 actors selected from 457 auditions.  You get to switch between different key players according to the key story events.  And because you as a player get to decide your course of action and to participate in the action, the story unfolds based on the decisions  and the mistakes you have made.  Believe me, if you are not an expert in using the game controller or if you are like me who tend to press the wrong buttons or move the motion sensitive controller to the wrong direction when you get nervous, you bound to make mistakes.  Making too many mistakes may lead to an alternative storyline.  Continue to make too many mistakes may lead to a character’s death.  I have learned my lesson the hard way.  I thought I could sit back on my sofa and relax, I was grossly wrong.  And because it is one continuous play-through, you have got to live with your mistakes, for better or for worse.

The characters on the screen reacts to the sequence of buttons you press as guided by the game.  Some motions also take into consideration of how fast or slow you move the game sticks or shake the controller in certain directions.  Some scenes require you to press and hold a set of buttons in a sequential order.  How tricky the combination is depends on the situation.  For timed event, you really do not want to make too many mistakes.

“Heavy Rain” runs in 720p graphic quality.  Although it seems inferior compares to 1080p games such as Final Fantasy XIII, it is by and large acceptable.  The motion sequences are realistic (due to filming using real stunt men).  My only complain is the rendering of characters.  The real actors behind the scene look so much better (I thought it should be the other way round).  The interaction between characters – like the kissing scene with the mouths not exactly locked together – has much to desire for.  Still, consider the complicity of the game based on player’s interaction and the sum of all possible paths, the game play has made up for some of these flaws.

My first play-through does not take long to complete.  Such is the characteristic of a non-linear game.  For one play-through, I have probably only seen a quarter of what the game is.  I will need to replay this game multiple times if I wish to explore different storyline, different endings.  Bonus materials are unlocked based on game progress, such as the making-of videos that are entertaining to watch.  Believe it or not, being able to play this exclusive title is one of the major reasons why I bought a Sony PS 3.  And I am very much satisfied.  I will for sure play it again but not right now.  For such a dark game (and the constant rain) – the mood, the suspense, and the sorrow, it can get a bit depressing.  Such is the beauty of immersion.

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For the Geeks Game Reviews

Barking Seed Is One Mobile Games Community To Look Out For

Last week, I have had the opportunity to meet with one of the Indie game developers Breakdesign through a blogger event.  Originally from South African, now based in Singapore, it is inspiring to meet the co-founder of Breakdesign Rick and his team talking about game development with so much passion.  If indeed one of their visions is to offer free mobile gaming to all parts of the world – rich and the not so rich – looking at the latest list of top countries in the battle arena, I think they have more or less achieved that.

Mobile gaming is not new.  But what is special about this Indie game developer is the mobile games community they have created – “Barking Seed”.  Imagine, each time the game is over, you are given the opportunity to upload your score to their website, perhaps add a little comment to shout to the world.  You play to be amongst the top players.  And you play to represent your country as one of the top, stand a chance to win phones and accessories.  Just how additively fun this concept is?  During the blogger event, as our scores were posted to the website in real time, none of us were talking.  We – guys and girls – were going all out to score.

I have tried out three of their games on my touchscreen phone.  These are Flash games – responsive, pretty to look at, and does not take long to play.  Good soundtracks too.  “Monsterilla” (featured above) is my favorite.  It is a colorful puzzle game that has a strong appeal to either sexes.  There is another game that you keep squishing roaches (erm … I know) until you are overwhelmed.  It does get pretty intense and Cynthia got a real shock when she accidentally looked into my screen.  So many crawling roaches!  Looking at “That Roach Game” at a philosophical level, I agree with the co-founder Rick.  You just can’t win.  The third game I have tried is “Ninjani”.  Guys would love this.  This game tests your reaction time as well as your anticipation skill.  The fact that you can get better as you play repeatedly perhaps makes “Ninjani” one of the most addictive games of the three.

I look forward to more new game releases for the community “Barking Seed”.  I have high hope for them.  Three years it has taken this small team to bring this innovative offering to the world.  I still have no clue on how they generate revenue when the games are free and come with no advertisements.  Only time will tell.  Meanwhile, if you have a Nokia phone, head to OVI Store and download these free games.  If you have not heard of OVI Store – surprisingly many friends of mine who use Nokia phones fall into that category – there are many free applications and games for grab.  Have fun with these featured Flash games and good luck in winning!  As for me, I am going to work Cynthia hard and win me some “Monsterilla” points using my login ID.  Girls are supposed to be better at this sort of cute colorful puzzle games, yes?

External Links: Barking Seed Community Site and Breakdesign Corporate Site.

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Drama Movie Reviews

The Runaways – Got Me Nostalgic Thinking About Rock Bands Of The Past

I used to read biography of the bands formed in the 60’s and 70’s.  Most with tragic beginning or ending or both.  Sex, drug, and rock and roll.  Bands that could not stay together, for whatever reason.  The amount of angst and feeling poured into the lyrics and the music.  The sacrifices too.  Music of that era is unlike what we have today.  On that note, while watching “The Runaways”, countless rock band stories that I have read in my younger days – from the books and from the magazines – flooded my head.  The film got me feeling nostalgic.  Gosh.  I love the music of that era.

Dakota Fanning.  My oh my.  Look what she has grown up into.  I remember how impressed I was when I watched her in Steven Spielberg’s “Taken”.  And some of her movies too.  But “The Runaways” is a whole new level.  Let’s forget about the less than impressive storyline and music for a moment – as the movie is based on a true story of a girl rock band called “The Runaways” and nothing could changed the history.  For the 16 years old Dakota to act out the part of Cherie Currie as the band’s lead vocalist  is in my opinion technically difficult.  She has to smoke cigarettes and take drug, act intoxicated by drug and alcohol, and living in a dysfunctional family; to be a girl who adores David Bowie, trained as a rock band vocalist in the 70’s, and transformed into a sex symbol for the music business; make out with a guy and make out with a girl.  If you stop for a moment and think of Dakota as a little girl growing up, you probably would be like me hoping that this film will not destroy her real life.

“The Runaways” has indirectly set Cynthia and I on a soft collision course.  Why?  It is because she is a fan of Kristen Stewart and I Dakota.  For a film that is co-produced by Joan Jett (acted by Kristen as the guitarist of the band) and by the fact that Joan Jett is the more commercially successful one, you would have thought that Kristen Stewart should have more air time than Dakota Fanning.  In the movie, it does not seem to be that way.  While Dakota is given the opportunity to act out a wide spectrum of emotion throughout the film, Kristen Stewart’s part is rather one dimensional, as demanded by the script.  Dark, with determination to succeed (a good departure from being a vampire’s love interest).  Hence, “The Runaways” may not please Stewart’s fans.  Having said that, my counter-observation is that a lead vocalist is the focus of the band (in this case, the focus of the movie).  When you take the vocalist away from the band, the rest seems to fade away (if it helps, recall what Slash & Co. looks like when Axl Rose left).  And to that extend, it explains why this film seems to be all about Cherie Currie.  It also explains why “The Runaways” may seem to have climaxed a little bit too early.

I enjoy watching “The Runaways” mainly because I care about the music created during that era.  I am unsure if someone may find it awkward to watch girls being ‘bad’ just like the boys.  I have heard pockets of laughter as well as pockets of sighs and disapproval from the audience.  My only stereotypical observation is that in the history of rock, there are a lot more all-guy bands than all-girl bands.  I wonder why.  On a separate note, the director “Floria Sigismondi” has made a lot more music videos than films (this being her second one).  No wonder those music clips are so beautifully made.

If you are curious about the soundtrack inspired by this movie, Dakota and Kristen have sung in 4 out of 14 tracks.  3 tracks from the band “The Runaways”.  1 song performed by Joan Jett called “Don’t Abuse Me”.  From my first listen, the album does sound coherence, sound-wise.  But since I have my reservation on the music of the band “The Runaways”, the soundtrack is pretty average.

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Fantasy & Sci-fi Movie Reviews

Iron Man 2 Bled My Ears

Normally, I love watching movies at Cathay’s cinemas.  Unfortunately, the Digital 4K version at Cinelesiure bled my ears.  I found it hard to enjoy the movie when the volume is so high.  The low frequency vibration was impressive though.  My entire body shook as Iron Man and the pursuing enemies fly low underneath the highway.  That vibration, those powerful sub-woofer speakers behind the screen.

I remember loving the first installment.  As for “Iron Man 2”, I suppose the beginning is OK.  Maybe because I love F1?  The racing track in Monaco looks authentic.  I remember that famous tunnel.  The ending chapter is comparatively exciting.  Finally, some actions.  Some real good action (two men in iron suit fighting over I-don’t-know-what doesn’t count, does it?).  If you don’t know how red flag in F1 works or how large a particle accelerator is, you probably buy into those far fetched moments.  But still, someone can punch in a pass code, enters into Tony Stark’s laboratory, “borrow” one Iron Man suit like someone walking into a friend’s bedroom and borrows a shirt from the wardrobe – Wow.  How about in “Iron Man” when Tony has to learn how to use the Iron Man suit when in “Iron Man 2”, anyone could just step into the suit, bypass the security (which I presume there is some sort of artificial intelligent?) and fly off with it like a pro?

If I was the filmmaker, I would humbly change two things in “Iron Man 2”.  The palladium in the arc reactor that supposes to keep Tony alive is slowly killing him.  Robert Downey Jr. is one talented actor.  Give him the script to expose the emotional vulnerability of Iron Man, the positive change in attitude towards those who love him.  And if the theme of the movie is about the passing of knowledge from one generation to another as the hero and villain come face to face, develop the story of the previous generation as it should be.  Give us the texture of what the battle is all about.  It is hard to love or hate any characters in “Iron Man 2” as it stands.

On the more positive note, the presence of Samuel L. Jackson and Don Cheadle dwarf the rest of the casting.  I love this pair of actors.  The combat scene of Scarlet Johansson is satisfying to the eyes.  I can picture her staring in a Matrix kind of movie.  The special effect looks great too.  Like “Iron Man”, this second installment has a small bonus clip at the end of the credits.  A very short clip that perhaps doesn’t say much if you are not familiar with the comic.

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Drama Foreign Movie Reviews

Broken Embraces (Los Abrazos Rotos) – What A Way To Kick Start The EU Film Festival

At the end of our last week’s blogger event, we were invited to attend the official opening event of the EU Film Festival.  Later on, on the bulletin board of our Spanish language school, we found out that one could email the embassy to get oneself invited.  I am surprised that we did not meet any of our classmate this evening.  According to the speaker from (I presume) Singapore Film Society, this year’s attendance rate is the highest in the last 20 years.  80% of the tickets for the 20th EU Film Festival have already been sold to the public as of now.  To kick start the festival, the Spanish film “Broken Embrace” was shown at Vivocity starring Penélope Cruz directed by Pedro Almodóvar.

“Broken Embraces” is a story or rather fragments of stories going back and forth in time told by a few main characters.  A story of a blind writer, his agent, the agent’s son, a millionaire, the millionaire’s lover, and his son.  This movie may seem long (129 minutes) but the filmmakers manage to squeeze in a multitude of stories interlinked with one another.  The storytelling technique is brilliant.  Short and sweet.  Tragic yet humorous.  Perhaps with the benefit of narration, some of the missing links can be talked through.  The camera too, is telling a story, by the ways that the scenes are constructed and how they transit.  And like many of the art house movies, there are moments that worth the waiting for.  The casting is talented.  Not only Penélope Cruz, but also the rest of the crew.  As for Penélope Cruz, she has class with or without make-up on.  The most brilliant moment?  At the very end.

Within “Broken Embraces”, there is a movie within a movie, love stories intertwined with each other.  There are plenty of embraces too.  Some inevitably are broken.  Visually and figuratively.

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J Pop Music Reviews

Ayumi Hamasaki – Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus – Another Great Production

At the counter, the sales assistance hesitated for a brief moment and he asked, “Do you want the poster?”.  Do I want the poster?!  I am a fan.  Hit me with one!

Really.  Do I want the poster?  I asked Cynthia where I should paste it.  Dining area, I suggested.  She frowned and counter-suggested the piece of real estate right above my computer monitor.  And there, I pasted Ayumi’s poster onto the wall.  Whenever I need inspiration on what to write, like now, I simply look up.

“You like her because she is cute,” observed Cynthia.  That is not true.  Not entirely.  For those who have followed her career, you would agree with me that she is an inspiration.  On her determination to remain successful.  And success does not come without sustained effort.  11 music albums, over 11 years, and she constantly releases concert recordings too.  At times I wonder: Does she ever rest?  Some observe that her firm control over every detail of production and marketing contributes to her success.   Critics may cite what Ayumi is not.  But I am more interested to read what she is.  Her biography in the future may answer that, I hope.

Back to “Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus”, it is an impressive production.  The album artwork is beautiful.  The CD+DVD edition includes a booklet of her photographs taken during her trip to UK, where at least one of her songs was recorded.  A total of 15 songs, 2 of which are the introductory track and the interlude track in the usual Ayumi style.  Majority of the material is what you would expect from Ayumi.  And the quality is consistently high throughout the album.  A few tracks stand out in an unique way.  The Goth rock “Microphone”, the Oriental “BALLAD”, and the Arabic feel of “Don’t Look Back”.  “Sexy Little Thing” (recorded in UK) is one of my favorite tracks.  It ties well to the album’s title.  Unique in its own pop way, extremely memorable.  I happen to like “Last Link” too.  That track starts with strumming of acoustic guitars and transits into a pop-rock track.

As impressively so is the bonus DVD.  In the first two back-to-back tracks “~LOVE is ALL~” sunset and sunrise version (same song in different tempo), Ayumi called in her fans – Team Ayu – to help with the music video.  These two videos warm my heart.  One video was shot in daylight (the sunrise version) and for another one, Ayumi was dressed in an evening gown standing on top of a platform singing to her fans.  Both videos have the fantastic backdrop of the beach.

Another amazing back-to-back video is “Sexy Little Thing” (that reminds of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” video) and “Microphone”.  There are some jaw dropping video transition between what appears as disjointed clips.  Besides these four video tracks that stand out, the other four are also a pleasure to watch.  If someone like me who does not know Japanese and still able to comprehend what the stories in the videos are about, I think the directors deserve a pat on their backs.

For someone who has passed the age of 30, Ayumi does not seem to show signs of slowing down.  Maybe because she knows her career will only last for as long as her remaining good ear.  For someone who has put the rest of her life on hold – love and family – to continue creating music, at times I wonder: Isn’t it a lonely journey?

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Comedy Movie Reviews

Date Night – By And Large, Tastefully Hilarious

Cynthia and I have been stuck with each other for more than a decade.  So suffice to say, we can relate to “Date Night” perhaps a little bit more than others.   We are finding it hilarious, even down to the mundane daily routine.  The little conversations or silly things that couples do when they are on their own.  Not sure if that is the reason why the overall review of this show is mixed (as some may not be able to relate?).  If you have watched the trailer, the story is more or less there.  A couple wants to do something different to spice up their marriage life.  They take the table of a no-show couple in a restaurant and are mistaken as the “Tripplehorns”, who apparently are wanted by some gangsters.  Silly storyline aside (it is a comedy!), the main characters Steve Carell and Tina Fey do have great on-screen chemistry.  And they are talented comedians as well.  It is so easy to draw to the main characters when there are in fact quite a number of stars in the show (by the way, Cynthia cooed when she saw Leighton Meester from the Gossip Girl TV series acting in this movie).  From the outtakes, it appears to me that Steve and Tina created some of the scripts on the fly.  If so, that is pretty amazing.

I don’t have much complain on “Date Night”.  I needed something light and entertaining to cheer me up and the show did its job nicely.  The only complain I have is how they trashed the Audi sport car on the screen.  I mean … I really like that car!  My favorite color some more (for that model).

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Book Reviews Non-Fiction

Happiness At Work By Dr. Srikumar Rao – Parables And Advice That Could Be Life Changing

By now, I have joined the workforce for a decade and a half and I consider myself – after years of learning and finding my way – pretty happy at work.  I manage to maintain a good level of work life balance, I have built good rapport with my colleagues, and I take pride in my daily work that contributes at an organisational level.  OK, there are ups and downs.  But overall, I am contented.  So what can “Happiness at Work” possibly teach me?  It turns out that there are more than I have anticipated.  And throughout my working life thus far, I have met friends who are more prone to feeling angry, envious, afraid, exhausted, disgusted, drained, anxious, betrayed, confused, cheated, frustrated, guilty, humiliated, impatient, inadequate, vulnerable, manipulated, embarrassed, neglected, heartbroken, trapped, fatigue, victimized, resentful, or worn out – borrowing the descriptions from the book.  I sincerely wish that they could take some time, read this book, and make a positive change to their lives.

Reading “Happiness at Work” is a journey.  The author has divided the book into bite-size chapters filled with parables and advice.  The materials are largely derived from his experience of conducting workshops to corporate executives on this very topic.  Some of the parables and ideas, I observe, are based on Indian tradition or Buddhism so they could be familiar to some, intriguingly foreign to others.  Depending on your background and level of experience (or shall I say how unhappy you are at work in reality?), be prepared to be confronted and you may find yourself denying or not wanting to accept what the author says.  I too, at times.  But if you read this book with an open mind and go through the exercises as instructed by the author, you may be surprised at how you would view the world and yourself differently.  Some parables, you may recognize, are similar to other self help books or real life stories.  Such as the idea of beginning with an end in mind from the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey (which may also be based on materials from elsewhere).  Or the powerful theme of “This, too, shall pass” that I use daily, in fact, prior to reading this book.  There are still much to learn such as always being positive may not be the most ideal way of dealing with the external factors, investing on the process instead of the outcomes, understanding that there is no right or wrong and the different mental models that work or do not work for you, examining what happiness is and how some are able to attain that, and more.

One powerful lesson I have learned, perhaps, is that there is no dream job or passionate work.  Passion is what inside of us and our ideal job will find us once we start kindling that enthusiasm.  One colleague at work joked with me when he saw me carrying this book.  He said, “Are you not happy at work?  Why do you need to read this book?”.  I humbly think that even if you think you are happy at work, there are still much to learn, to your surprise.  “Happiness at Work” has a high re-read value as you would need practice and constant reminder to get the ideas to work.  And it can be a nice gift for your friends too.

External Sites: Purchase this book from Amazon.com, Dr. Rao’s official site.

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Drama Foreign Movie Reviews

My Rainy Days – Got Me Thinking Of Starting Anew

I enjoy watching Japanese movies.  Mainly because they often touch onto my emotional core.  Perhaps it is something to do with dramas.  Something to do with the way Japanese craft the stories.  If there is one thing that got me thinking late at night, long after finished watching “My Rainy Days” (天使の恋), that would be: It is never too late to start anew.

This movie poster draws attention, needless to say.  But there is a good reason for this photo composition (besides getting your attention of course).  In a way, you may need certain moral flexibility to appreciate the story.  I am not entirely convinced that the main actress Nozomi Sasaki can really act (though I do think she acts pretty well on the sad scenes).  She does look very much like Ayumi Hamasaki.  A younger and taller version perhaps.

A 2 hours movie with much time spent on the character development on Rio – the young teenager with questionable ‘career’ – and her falling in love with a 35 years old professor who is unable to have a relationship (something to do with an incurable disease that is made known minutes into the show).  Is this a typical plot?  Maybe.  But with a relatively more mature theme (not graphically), “My Rainy Days” is not quite the same as other Japanese films.

For those who are curious about the artist behind the main soundtracks, the group is called Love Psychedelico.  And I love their music.

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For the Geeks Game Reviews

Kasumi Goto From The New Mass Effect 2 DLC – A Brief Review

Does this digital game copy of the new Mass Effect 2 mini-expansion worth US$7?  Read on to find out.

I am a big fan of BioWare’s DLC (downloadable contents).  They are often of the right length (read: not too time consuming) and are rewarding to play.  Recently, BioWare has run into quality issue with the Dragon Age franchise and hence, I have stopped buying.  Not until they get their acts together and patch up the game.  Mass Effect, is another story.

“Kasumi – Stolen Memory” is the first DLC (with a file size of close to 1 GB!) outside the Cerberus Network.  The Cerberus Network licence worth US$15 in value and most retail copies I believe come with it.  Does it mean that this is the end for “free” downloads?  I don’t know.  Back to this new DLC, for the price of a movie ticket, it took me about 2 ½ hours to complete.  That includes reading the new codex, going through the conversation options, and admiring all aspects of the game including standing by the hillside looking at the breathtaking scenery of the sea.

For those who have started or planning to start a new game, Kasumi the enigmatic master thief can be a good squad member option.  Kasumi is distinctly different from the existing members because she can go in stealth and near one-shot the enemies from their backs.  Almost like a rogue class in some role playing games.  Because of that, most of the time I have no clue where she is when we are in combat and I have to pay attention to her voice cues.  My character is a Vanguard so that seems to complement the play style (up close and personal).  Too bad, I have already completed the game.  It would be fun to continue grouping with her to develop the synergy.

Half of “Kasumi – Stolen Memory” is non-combat in nature, which is a breath of fresh air from the majority of the loyalty missions.  My only slight grievance is that this DLC does not seem to be challenging enough and I have encountered a bug in the final boss fight (the boss despawned and the mission got stuck).  Also, conversations with Kasumi inside the Normandy is similar to Zaeed (from the Cerberus Network), very one-way in nature.  Other than that, “Kasumi – Stolen Memory” is a beautiful DLC – both in graphics and storyline.  And if you are like me, who are just one level under the cap, completing “Kasumi – Stolen” will shoot you all the way to the level cap of 30.