My favorite scene from Vertigo, and easily one of the best and most memorable classic scenes from Hitchcock...
Bernard Herrmann's music alone is pure classic.
Simply put: A-mazing!
Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
#E3 NEWS! 1st day recap part 3
E3 2012 blogposts continue!
Now with more scifi and returning classics!
First up a look at the upcoming Halo 4!
Microsoft said a lot regarding this one. I'm sure everyone's got their own opinion on this game.
I just hope it gets a more science fiction-ysh and interesting story (not just something fanboys notice, but something mind blowing and engaging for everyone!).
Something closer to Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay rather than Quake 3 Arena hopefully - story-wise.
It certainly looks impressive visually!
~
Tomb Raider is back!
Yay!
It's a reboot!
Nay...
Anyways, this new game will take some cues from recent adventure/platformer games such as Assassin's Creed and Uncharted.
More cinematic, it does look quite impressive. I'd have preferred the series to continue on Crystal Dynamic's Legends/Anniversary/Underworld's path. At least we still got them behind the series, right?
It does look stunning!
And quite "Next Gen" if I may say so.
It doesn't look that far from past TR game though. Only sans the jumping around.
~
RE is back with Resident Evil 6!
Tons of new details regarding the new story have surfaced!
The atmosphere seems to draw some inspiration from both past and present RE games.
The game looks graphically gorgeous, much better than the series ever been so far.
New villain, Ada Wong back, Sherry all grown up and it seems we'll get about 6 lead characters this time around!
This one will be out on October 2 for both Xbox 360 and PS3.
~
Activision's Transformers: Fall of Cybertron is back on the frontline with an all-new badass video:
Robots, giant robots, dinosaur robots... And lotsa lasers!
Looks like everything Michael Bay's movie should have been in the first place!
Definitively something worth keeping an eye on.
~
And that's it for this post!
#E3 NEWS! 1st day recap part 2
E3 2012 continue!
Let's have a look at what Ubi's showed this year!
First, Assassin's Creed!
I'm trying to avoid spoilers and watching too much, but this new Assassin's Creed 3 is shaping up quite nicely!
Here's an all-new CGi trailer:
...and because Ive got so much hype for it, here's another more cinematic and less spoiler-y trailer:
It seems the game will be oustanding!
It will include some new elements such as naval warfare and a complete and realistic weather system. (the weather in past games was more locally and settings generated, to set the mood during the story).
And here's some gameplay just for comparison, to see how more improved and realistic it is now:
And accompanying this title there will be a 2nd Assassin's Creed game, on a portable system. Like with much of the previous titles.
This time something more original though.
Assassin’s Creed III Liberation will be an exclusive episode for the Vita.
But unlike past PSP and DS game it won't feature Altair or Ezio, or bring Connor from the main new episode on a portable adventure.
Instead it will have new story that takes place in New Orleans and stars the series’ first ever female heroine!
How cool is that! I've been hoping to see some more new characters and original protagonists on portable episode. And now I see it will have this kickass lady as main character - something I'd have even preferred in a main episode.
Anyway this looks like 1 definitive good reason to get this console! (like I wrote here in the past, I need at least 5 good reasons to wanna invest in a new system)
Sony already announced a bundle with the game, something that will sell some consoles no doubt!
~
Meanwhile, the new Rayman gets explained and new infos.
Rayman Legends seems to be confirmed for almost all possible systems. (Wii U, PS3, 360, 3DS, Vita, etc.)
But only the Wii U version's been showed, as well as it's Wii U exclusive aspects, such as using the screen-gyroscopic controller, etc.
A new returning character from Rayman 2 named Murphy.
And more!
The game is a direct sequel to Origins and will sport more of the same kind of gorgeous 2D graphics. I'm not a big fan of the new shading. But it looks great nonetheless!
Check this out, there's some mix of 2D and 3D here and there, and it looks fantastic!
~
But WAIT!
That's not all!
Some other ips have returned, such as Sam Fisher!
Splinter Cell Blacklist looks simply amazing!
It seems it will have a new engine, and spotlight the best gameplay elements of the franchise so far.
I hope for more Conviction that Double Agent personally.
Also a core element from the series has been announced integrated into the gameplay now. What could it be...?
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist will be out next year.
It will bring some more Assassins Creed element to the series, with more walls and buildings being climbable!
Welcome to Forth Echelon...
Can't wait to see Sam back in action!
~
And that is not all!
Ubi also announced some new ips unlike many others.
Such as Watch Dogs.
It will be an action thriller that plays like an open-world "superhero" game. With tech and gadgets at your services.
Here's a trailer:
No systems yet.
It does look great though.
~
And if that wasn't enough for ya, there's also a more simpler and mindless fun game, ZombiU for Wii U!
Don't disregard it due to its title though.
Looks legit to me!
It seems this one was built from the remains of Killer Freaks from Outer Space, Ubisoft's former Wii U horror exclusive -shown at E3 last year - which has been canned and recycled it seems.
This could well be a nice surprise for next year!
It looks like a Dead Island meet Dead Rising mix. And it is being developed at Ubi Montpellier!
~
And that is all for this post!
Friday, June 1, 2012
#Recap - Prometheus
So yesterday evening I went with my bro to see Ridley Scott's Prometheus - which is already out over here.
And here's my lil' recap, as usual.
Let me start right away with this.
How was the movie? Great...but...
First up, I just want to say I love watching big science fiction movies with big budget, the way Hollywood doesn't seem to like that much anymore nowadays.
It was big, it was loud, it was creepy and fascinating all at the same time.
Sure I'm sure fanboys and some other nerds will nitpick. Heck even from purely a movie standpoint there's some problems with it.
But I liked it.
The move was basically the myth of Prometheus - adapted as a scifi film.
Without spoiling anything, you know, "taking the light from the gods" and playing "god" creating life, etc.
The question here's is what are the consequence for either man or "the original engineers" (aka Alien's "Space Jockeys"). Yes, it's a bit Lovecraftian , and !SPOILERS!they even got a Chtulu-like creature in here at some point.
Like Predators before, 20Th Century Fox didn't take much risks in making a new entry in the series and simply disguised this new modern take on the original film for a modernday audience.
That's the secret behind this movie.
Predators was simply Predator 1's jungle and characters transposed to an alien planet.
Prometheus basically Alien 1 but instead of a Xenomorph (...or not?) we have a Space Jockey/Engineer this time around.
The movie follows the same basic structure.
Crew arrives on mysterious planet, explores ship, infection, monster on rampage, final climatic fight aboard the lifesupport ship with monster(s). The End...or is it?
The movie serves as a prequel to Alien but explore some new territory Ridly Scott always wanted to explore...before other directors/writers and Fox started following-up his original classic with the same character (Rpiley) and monster (the Xenos).
In a way this movie's the real sequel (or rather prequel )to the themes and universe of the same film...but because of all the stuff that happened in-between (sequels, games, comics, pop culture, etc.) this movie might seem a bit off or apart.
Mr. Scott was already talking about making a third one, this time closer to the events of Alien, either in-between both films or long after everything.
I liked the fact he went free around with the concepts, not taking care if story elements, details or other "continuity issues" worked together. (with the old Mr. Weyland from the AVP films for example, which was such a bad movie anyway...)
He actually got Damon Lindelof from Bad Robot (and Lost) to rewrite the script as less tied-in with Alien. Which is great to explore the same universe.
The picture was so perfect! I missed watching a new blockbuster from such a good director, nothing like those Michael Bays and other Paul Andersons....
Every screen, every angle, every scenery was well presented and well thought.
The musical score was a bit... on the downside.
The score from the previous Alien movies were so iconic and perfect. Here it got either a bit too generic or too similar. The overall tone was closer to the action-filled epic sequel Aliens.
But I'd have preferred something closer to Alien 1's atmospheric and oppressive sound.
The characters were a bit generic as well, not well defined or interest. Which made every death a bit unimportant.
I know some disliked her, but I actually kinda liked Noomi Rapace in the main role.
Her love story/motivations/boyfriend on the other hand...
The crew was just a bunch of douches mostly.
Besides my hero, Capt. Janek, who was awesome and easily the most likable of the bunch!
In the end, it was an highly awaited movie with great hype and all.
I found it great.
But...
So much more could have been done with it.
As a movie, it was fantastic...but a bit too simple coming from Ridley Scott, who usually nails such interesting and original characters in his films (see the fantastic Matchstick Men)
As an Alien movie...well despite what you might hear online, I found it much better. Exploring previously unexplored elements turned out better here that in The Thing prequel. Because the tone was the same here and it didn't feel that cheap. I loved that Space Jockey-ship. While "The Thing"'s spaceship was such a letdown...
I loved the creatures, the creepiness of it all. The "original of life" storyline. Big fun science fiction.
But the movie could easily have been shorter/better handled. The characters more interesting. And music more appropriate.
And here's my lil' recap, as usual.
Warning! I'll try to stay light in the spoilers areas, if possible. In any case, don't read this right away if you fear I might spoil any of the movie's many surprises....
Let me start right away with this.
How was the movie? Great...but...
First up, I just want to say I love watching big science fiction movies with big budget, the way Hollywood doesn't seem to like that much anymore nowadays.
It was big, it was loud, it was creepy and fascinating all at the same time.
Sure I'm sure fanboys and some other nerds will nitpick. Heck even from purely a movie standpoint there's some problems with it.
But I liked it.
The move was basically the myth of Prometheus - adapted as a scifi film.
Without spoiling anything, you know, "taking the light from the gods" and playing "god" creating life, etc.
The question here's is what are the consequence for either man or "the original engineers" (aka Alien's "Space Jockeys"). Yes, it's a bit Lovecraftian , and !SPOILERS!they even got a Chtulu-like creature in here at some point.
Like Predators before, 20Th Century Fox didn't take much risks in making a new entry in the series and simply disguised this new modern take on the original film for a modernday audience.
That's the secret behind this movie.
Predators was simply Predator 1's jungle and characters transposed to an alien planet.
Prometheus basically Alien 1 but instead of a Xenomorph (...or not?) we have a Space Jockey/Engineer this time around.
The movie follows the same basic structure.
Crew arrives on mysterious planet, explores ship, infection, monster on rampage, final climatic fight aboard the lifesupport ship with monster(s). The End...or is it?
The movie serves as a prequel to Alien but explore some new territory Ridly Scott always wanted to explore...before other directors/writers and Fox started following-up his original classic with the same character (Rpiley) and monster (the Xenos).
In a way this movie's the real sequel (or rather prequel )to the themes and universe of the same film...but because of all the stuff that happened in-between (sequels, games, comics, pop culture, etc.) this movie might seem a bit off or apart.
Mr. Scott was already talking about making a third one, this time closer to the events of Alien, either in-between both films or long after everything.
I liked the fact he went free around with the concepts, not taking care if story elements, details or other "continuity issues" worked together. (with the old Mr. Weyland from the AVP films for example, which was such a bad movie anyway...)
He actually got Damon Lindelof from Bad Robot (and Lost) to rewrite the script as less tied-in with Alien. Which is great to explore the same universe.
The picture was so perfect! I missed watching a new blockbuster from such a good director, nothing like those Michael Bays and other Paul Andersons....
Every screen, every angle, every scenery was well presented and well thought.
The musical score was a bit... on the downside.
The score from the previous Alien movies were so iconic and perfect. Here it got either a bit too generic or too similar. The overall tone was closer to the action-filled epic sequel Aliens.
But I'd have preferred something closer to Alien 1's atmospheric and oppressive sound.
The characters were a bit generic as well, not well defined or interest. Which made every death a bit unimportant.
I know some disliked her, but I actually kinda liked Noomi Rapace in the main role.
Her love story/motivations/boyfriend on the other hand...
The crew was just a bunch of douches mostly.
Besides my hero, Capt. Janek, who was awesome and easily the most likable of the bunch!
In the end, it was an highly awaited movie with great hype and all.
I found it great.
But...
So much more could have been done with it.
As a movie, it was fantastic...but a bit too simple coming from Ridley Scott, who usually nails such interesting and original characters in his films (see the fantastic Matchstick Men)
As an Alien movie...well despite what you might hear online, I found it much better. Exploring previously unexplored elements turned out better here that in The Thing prequel. Because the tone was the same here and it didn't feel that cheap. I loved that Space Jockey-ship. While "The Thing"'s spaceship was such a letdown...
I loved the creatures, the creepiness of it all. The "original of life" storyline. Big fun science fiction.
But the movie could easily have been shorter/better handled. The characters more interesting. And music more appropriate.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
#Gaming NEWS! Doom: The n00b Edition
Woah! What an unexpected news comin' from id software.
When I've been long awaiting for any tidbit of news regarding Doom 4, now that Rage's been released for quite some time already, instead their publisher Bethesda just announced a repackaging of the previous games, revamped and expanded!
Doom 3 BFG Edition is an all new re-release of Doom 3 for current systems Xbox 360, PC and PS3.
It will actually be an HD upgrade of both Doom 3 and its expansion Resurrection of Evil.
Some 7+ new levels will be added under the new title The Lost Mission.
Doom 1 and Doom 2 will also be included, unedited/unupdated.
And fanboys can rejoice, the flashlight will finally be able to be used simultaneously with a weapon.
By the way, I never understood the problem with it. It was always perfectly fine for me to switch between the guns and the flashlight. It created the "mood". And it was easy to use the light as a weapon (which offered a pretty high damage hits to the enemies)
But alas... Kids nowadays are never satisfied, and just complain about anything, all the time! Are you guys ever happy with something?! No complaints whatsoever? Guess not....
Here's a trailer:
As a long time huge id-fan, I will no doubt get this.
But probably later on.
You see, I actually just recently replayed through these games actually, like 2-3 months ago.
What a coincidence!
(loved the expansion, RoE, even more so than the actual D3 on this new playthrough!)
When I've been long awaiting for any tidbit of news regarding Doom 4, now that Rage's been released for quite some time already, instead their publisher Bethesda just announced a repackaging of the previous games, revamped and expanded!
It will actually be an HD upgrade of both Doom 3 and its expansion Resurrection of Evil.
Some 7+ new levels will be added under the new title The Lost Mission.
Doom 1 and Doom 2 will also be included, unedited/unupdated.
And fanboys can rejoice, the flashlight will finally be able to be used simultaneously with a weapon.
By the way, I never understood the problem with it. It was always perfectly fine for me to switch between the guns and the flashlight. It created the "mood". And it was easy to use the light as a weapon (which offered a pretty high damage hits to the enemies)
But alas... Kids nowadays are never satisfied, and just complain about anything, all the time! Are you guys ever happy with something?! No complaints whatsoever? Guess not....
Here's a trailer:
As a long time huge id-fan, I will no doubt get this.
But probably later on.
You see, I actually just recently replayed through these games actually, like 2-3 months ago.
What a coincidence!
(loved the expansion, RoE, even more so than the actual D3 on this new playthrough!)
Friday, May 4, 2012
#Gaming NEWS! "Behind the Lollipop Apocalypse"
Here's a new promo video for the upcoming Lollipop Chainsaw, featuring none other than James Gunn and his "brother from another country", Suda51!
In which they talk about the game, what's behind this idea and how it plays out:
They really seem to had some genuinely fun making this crazy game.
It's all sounding pretty epic so far, can't wait for it!
Probably one of my most expected release for the year
In which they talk about the game, what's behind this idea and how it plays out:
They really seem to had some genuinely fun making this crazy game.
It's all sounding pretty epic so far, can't wait for it!
Probably one of my most expected release for the year
Friday, April 13, 2012
#Movies NEWS! Cabin in the Woods
Speaking of films, it seems I never posted a thing regarding Cabin in the Woods?
It's an upcoming movie being directed by Drew Goddard - a Bad Robot guy who worked on several J.J. Abrams shows like Alias or Lost and movies, including writing on Cloverfield - and written by Joss Whedon who there is no need to introduce here anymore.
Firefly? Dr. Horrible?
Sign me in!
The Cabin in the Woods has been announced as a sort of deconstruction of the horror genre and a playful tribute of the fun films of old, like the Evil Dead series or Brain Dead.
Joss Whedon imagined this movie during the production of Avengers, from which they brought Chris Hemsworth (Thor!!) from.
Whedon said he was tired of the modern torture pr0n trend which has infested horror films these last couple of years. Be it with the dozen or so Saw films and the other Cube-like movies.
This movie will poke fun at that genre and return to the genre of the 80s splatter flicks.
These torture movies are mostly an excuse to see people suffer and be tortured, rather than watching people trying to survive things triumphant.
And here's some trailers!
Looks mighty fun!
Hopefully it turns out better than Sam Raimi's own return to the genre Drag Me To Hell which left many purists unsatisfied. Personally I still have to see it, and it looked nice enough.
But Whedon movie might be better, being self-referential and a Whedon plotted movie simply!
The characters should be fun enough.
It's an upcoming movie being directed by Drew Goddard - a Bad Robot guy who worked on several J.J. Abrams shows like Alias or Lost and movies, including writing on Cloverfield - and written by Joss Whedon who there is no need to introduce here anymore.
Firefly? Dr. Horrible?
Sign me in!
The Cabin in the Woods has been announced as a sort of deconstruction of the horror genre and a playful tribute of the fun films of old, like the Evil Dead series or Brain Dead.
Joss Whedon imagined this movie during the production of Avengers, from which they brought Chris Hemsworth (Thor!!) from.
Whedon said he was tired of the modern torture pr0n trend which has infested horror films these last couple of years. Be it with the dozen or so Saw films and the other Cube-like movies.
This movie will poke fun at that genre and return to the genre of the 80s splatter flicks.
These torture movies are mostly an excuse to see people suffer and be tortured, rather than watching people trying to survive things triumphant.
And here's some trailers!
Looks mighty fun!
Hopefully it turns out better than Sam Raimi's own return to the genre Drag Me To Hell which left many purists unsatisfied. Personally I still have to see it, and it looked nice enough.
But Whedon movie might be better, being self-referential and a Whedon plotted movie simply!
The characters should be fun enough.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
#Ad - Mega64's Cold Fear adverts
Speaking of Cold Fear, the game had quite a fun advertising campaign.
They might haven been heard a lot nor spread out that much like the viral marketing they were intended to be.
But it was quite a fun campaign nonetheless.
Want to know to what kind of lengths Ubi went to advertise the game? They even officially enlisted the help of Mega64 to produce Cold Fear-themed videos!
(videos after the jump, I'll leave you with one of those creepy viral marketing ads I mentioned in my review)
The problem with these kind of videos is that they work too well.
You see people only remember "dem funny parodies by Mega64" and forget the random game that was behind it.
Anyways, here they are, enjoy!
Pretty random. And quite fun :P
Sort of officially approved parodies mocking the game/plot! You don't see those often!~
They might haven been heard a lot nor spread out that much like the viral marketing they were intended to be.
But it was quite a fun campaign nonetheless.
Want to know to what kind of lengths Ubi went to advertise the game? They even officially enlisted the help of Mega64 to produce Cold Fear-themed videos!
(videos after the jump, I'll leave you with one of those creepy viral marketing ads I mentioned in my review)
The problem with these kind of videos is that they work too well.
You see people only remember "dem funny parodies by Mega64" and forget the random game that was behind it.
Anyways, here they are, enjoy!
Pretty random. And quite fun :P
Sort of officially approved parodies mocking the game/plot! You don't see those often!~
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
MR Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
...and after the show, here's the infamous Twin Peaks movie!
Considered a classic of cinema history by some, despised by others, they can only all agree that it is quite a confusing movie - in true Lynch fashion.
Originally, with all the planned script in the picture, lasting as long as 5 hours of runtime, it was then cut down to a more acceptable ~2 hours run (which for the time was quite a lot already if you ask me..).
David Lynch's most experimental feature according to his own words, make way for....
Movie: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
Directed by David Lynch
Release date 1992
Genre Supernatural/Mystery/Thriller/Drama Horror film
Country USA
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me is a continuation of the Twin Peaks TV series.
Neither a true prequel nor an actual sequel, in the purest sense of the meaning.
The story itself is clearly a "prequel", taking place before the pilot of the show, but watching it first will spoil the entire premise of the on-going mystery of the show (for its 1st season at least).
So, be warned, Spoilers ahoy!
Anyway, it is more of a follow-up as far as the exploration of the town of Twin Peaks go, as well as the themes touched, etc.
The story starts with David Lynch's own character, Gordon Cole at the FBI's Headquarters.
Gordon calls Special Agent Chester Desmond (Chris Isaak) about the murder of a Teresa Banks in Deer Meadow, Washington.
After getting a new partner called Sam Stanley (Kiefer Sutherland), both get a special briefing through clues, because Gordon speaks really loud and likes to use codes.
A Blue Rose case. There's been several missing Agents already on similar cases.
Our Agents follow the investigation which leads them to a mysterious ring in a trailer park.... which in returns makes Agent Desmond disappear into thin air!
The following day, we're back with Kyle MacLachlan as Special Agent Dale Cooper (or rather, introduced to Cooper long before he actually arrived in Twin Peaks).
One of the missing Agents - Agent Jeffires, David Bowie(!!) in a random cameo - makes a reappearance to warn Cooper at the FBI HQ. Coop goes to talk with Gordon about his recent dreams and this previous vision. He takes upon this investigation himself. The murder first and now these visions, Coop believes the killer will strike again and they must be prepared.
A year later, we're now in the little town of Twin Peaks.
Following the life of 17 years old High School prom queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) in her very discontinued life.
You see, Laura Palmer has various faces.
Laura juggles different lives she's been going through, two boyfriends, and other strange relationships.
And that is not all!
She has been pursued since her childhood by a man from her nightmares, the one they call BOB.
And it's not over yet!
Her father Leland (Ray Wise) has been acting quite strangely as of late.
And there's also all those dreams of a Black Lodge and a ring...
It's the story of Twin Peaks "before the show".
A very dark tale, fans will notice the absence of humor unlike the show.
The movie came out in 1992, a year after the series ended actually.
Almost all the cast returned for this film, with the only exceptions being Lara Flynn Boyle who didn't reprise her role of Donna Hayward because rumors say she was asking for way too much money, after being quite difficult during the 2nd season of the show, so she was simply recast with Moira Kelly instead who did quite a good job of keeping the character the same. And the lovely Sherilyn Fenn as Audrey Horne , due to conflitcs with her shedules, but she was easily taken out of the story, Audrey having no real connection to Laura Palmer anyhow.
At first glance or view, it might seem like a mess of a movie.
Because it had been cut down from its original 5-hour first cut into such a shorter production.
Various scenes that featured returning TV characters were cut down entirely.
It also requires a familiarity with the universe of Twin Peaks. (for example, Annie appears at somepoint, out of nowhere, murdered, in a vision without any explanation whatsoever)
The movie is full of symbolism and dream imagery. The line between the everyday life and the Red Room/the dream world blurs as we follow Laura in her downward spiral which will result in her death.
It is also quite constructed like a serial, movie or not.
The movie is clearly divided into two overall distinct parts/chapters, each with their own segments/episodes.
The whole end of the movie being the story of the final seven days of Laura Palmer.
Because it was clearly aimed for watchers of the show, it expects you to to know the characters.
The scene of the "clues" briefing with Lil the Dancer is a perfect example of the way fans used to read into every detail of Twin Peaks episode.
Anyways, it's a great dark horror movie, a different kind of horror than the way people are used to with Hollywood.
A beautiful picture, lots of red tones and unique images.
And let's not forget Angelo Badalamenti’s amazing score. Compared to the show, the music here sounds more like a cacophony of lights and sound.
Overall, it is a much darker, bleaker and more brutal vision of the world of Twin Peaks.
It seems that more new mysteries are created than resolved.
It's a very strange experience, unlike any other.
Dark, brutal, probably too consuming for the general public which explains the way it was received originally. One of most disturbing movies you'll see.
What is real or not... the line blurs... blurs... blurs..
Be warned though, do not expect something closer to the TV show.
When it once was originally presented at the Cannes Festival in 1992, the movie was received with booing from the audience (that's just rude!). The negative reception came from a confused audience no doubt.
It's the kind of story that will follow you, making you think and interpret on your own.
The kind of plot that only benefits from repeated viewings. For fans of Twin Peaks and David Lynch mostly.
It's funny to see how more than a decade later, being finally released over there, the movie finally found a commercial success in Japan - which resulted in the heavily TP-inspired Deadly Premonition.
David Lynch originally planned various movies an eventual series of films, "Fire Walk with Me" being the first one because it resolved all the details taking place before the series.
The movie is also quite fast paced, things seem to move forward quickly and jumping around story points here and there, you can feel the heavy cuts specially in the early portions of the movie.
Fans are still waiting for the promised director's cut since the laserdiscs-era. (it seems one was prepared and ready, around 3 hours 30-long)
A great movie.. that is, with prior knowledge of Twin Peaks.
I give it, for Twin Peaks connoisseurs:
2.5 / 3 Necronomicons (must watch!)
For average Joe:
0.5 / 3 Necronomicons (run from it!)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
VGR Cold Fear
Time for another review!
This one's another survival horror, one of these game from the previous gaming generation, and one that mostly got overlooked (is it me or were a ton of really good games ignored last gen, Psychonauts, Jet Set Radio Future, Panzer Dragoon Orta, etc.?)
Mostly ignored in favor of Capcom's Resident Evil 4, this was Capcom's first foreway into the genre...
Was it good, was it that bad? And what was this one about?...
VGR: Cold Fear
From Darkworks/Ubisoft
Played on PCAlso available on Xbox & PS2
Type Survival Horror
Year 2005
Cold Fear is a survival horror that came on the previous 128-bits systems.
It was developed by Darkworks, an independent French studio based in Paris, already responsible for the well-received Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare.
While Capcom reimagined the genre for that generation with a Resident Evil 4 leaving behind the cinematic camera angles and the slow paced gameplay for a more action-oriented 3rd person "over the shoulder" styée. Cold Fear went ahead with a sort of mix of both gameplays.
The game really feels like the missing link between the old classic survival horrors like the classic Resident Evil games and the modern action ones like 4 and 5.
Cold Fear runs on the RenderWare engine (used in other games such as Ubisoft's Rayman 2 or Sega's Headhunter Redemption and Sonic Heroes), it uses both a behind the character 3rd person gameplay and the classic cinematic overviews.
But what is it actually about?
The story starts out with Tom Hansen.
Member of the U.S. Coast Guard who is dropped along his team to investigate a mysterious Russian frigate - the Eastern Spirit - that lost contact with the authorities.
A certain Barnett sends this crew on a rescue mission since nobody's responding.
Quickly the rest of his team disappear one by one or end up brutally murdered near our main protagonist.
What happened on this boat?
As Hansen, you are left alone aboard this ship to find out what is going on.
Hansen will try at first to help the crew and rescue the members that were left behind, but he is quickly met with defensive forces.
Meanwhile, the night is only starting out, and Tom will have to survive a dangerous storm, somewhere in the middle of the ocean.
But don't worry! You won't be alone for long.
Hostile Russian men, who seem to be succumbing to fear and won't recognize a rescue mission, will try to shoot Hansen!
And did I mention those alien creatures?
A strange form of parasites, called Exocells by the scientists, are seemingly using human bodies and other creatures as hosts and to feed themselves.
Like Aliens from the movies, they seem to take over people and use them to expand, survive and reproduce.
The boat is literally invaded by them!
They will attack Hansen either inside these "zombies" or outside hosts.
While investigating this mysterious ship, Tom Hansen will discover that a lethal cargo was being transferred from the ship to an oil platform, the Star of Sakhalin, not far off the boat.
It seems some pretty unethical experiments were being conducted over there. Thanks to a bunch of logs found here and there throughout the game, the full story will be revealed bit by bit.
A certain Dmitri Yusupov from the mafia used that platform as a place for smuggling when the exocells were originally discovered.
He had the Doctor Victor Kamsky brought over to study and try turning these creatures into bioweapons.
Another scientist Pavel Bakharev started working by his own, just in case....when suddenly Viktor went insane, became crazy with those monsters and let them all roam around the platform, infecting everyone voluntary!
Gameplay-wise, the game seems like a natural progression of the survival horror genre.
You "can" sort of choose between a behind the shoulder camera like in Resident Evil 4 or alternate with fixed angles.
Not actually choose, but when aiming, the camera will go over the shoulder for the more action-oriented gameplay. And you can actually move while aiming your weapon, allowing to play whenever you want with that perspective.
Or just let the more moody cinematic angles show you around.
All in all, it does make Cold Fear seem like the missing link between Code Veronica and Resident Evil 4.
Another specific element from Cold Fear to mention, is the conditions of the environment.
Alongside the health bar on the HUD menu, Tom Hansen also has a stamina bar that depends on the actions.
Like running, which will take a bit of stamina out. Hansen needs to rest to replenish it.
The conditions on the deck of the ship will affect the character.
A huge part of the engine was used to play with the environment and make these conditions part of the gameplay.
The ocean and storm can affect AND harm Hansen.
The movements of the ship might throw him out overboard, you will need some stamina and/or to grab something to not fall over.
It will also provide other sources of danger, like throwing you off while aiming or just being hit by cargo and other environmental hazards (like electric wires or crates hanging, etc.).
You won't be truly alone all the time though.
Hansen will find a woman, Anna, who will tag along, much like other characters did previously in the classic Resident Evil games. (Sherri comes to mind)
She won't fight alongside Tom Hansen, and is one of those that needs helps and being protected to stay alive. Thankfully, she doesn't throw herself into danger and usually manage to keep her health intact by avoiding enemies. Also, these segments are usually short and dispersed enough.
Cold Fear is quite an atmospheric survival horror, where the inhospitable boat really make this experience a true "survival" "horror".
There's a lot of "monsters jumping out of closets" moments. The very well done storm is realistic, there's rain and wind and all. Perfectly rendered.
The various realistic weapons only contribute to the experience. A handgun, an AK, a speargun, a shotgun, grenades. You will also get a flamethrower and a little "surprise" later.
The savegame can be annoying, specially if you're new to the genre.
It's a "survival horror"-style difficult save system to manage, like in Resident Evil 1.
Here, you will get automatic checkpoints after each mission objective completed, most of the time in rooms you need to reach, people you need to find or before bosses/difficult situations. It's alright if you're ok with replaying little segments when you die. I, personally, never had a problem with it. You only need to assure you have enough ammo/manage well your weapons/health when you reach a save. (you also get various saveslots)
Anyway, it's a fun, entertaining and long enough game for the genre.
Let's also mention the flaws, which can't be ignored.
It's a pretty classic plot and game.
You unlock bonus martial in the form of art, screens and concepts, but no other mode. So the experience feels a bit lacking at the end of the day. You can just replay harder settings if you want.
The game got a fun marketing viral at the time in the form of fake scientific websites and news report, which ended up doing more negative damage for the game than selling copies. Some people still think those are actual real pictures.
It's still a great art direction anyway.
The beautiful cover art of the game is just proof of that, the lead art, concepts and characters were the work of Aleksi Briclot.
The fantastic score is quite epic. The great main theme will haunt you, and you'll hear lots of it and its variations throughout the game.
Finally it gives the whole experience a sort of serious B-movie tone.
Cold Fear is a survival horror that came on the previous 128-bits systems.
It was developed by Darkworks, an independent French studio based in Paris, already responsible for the well-received Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare.
While Capcom reimagined the genre for that generation with a Resident Evil 4 leaving behind the cinematic camera angles and the slow paced gameplay for a more action-oriented 3rd person "over the shoulder" styée. Cold Fear went ahead with a sort of mix of both gameplays.
The game really feels like the missing link between the old classic survival horrors like the classic Resident Evil games and the modern action ones like 4 and 5.
Cold Fear runs on the RenderWare engine (used in other games such as Ubisoft's Rayman 2 or Sega's Headhunter Redemption and Sonic Heroes), it uses both a behind the character 3rd person gameplay and the classic cinematic overviews.
But what is it actually about?
A biohazard occurence...
The story starts out with Tom Hansen.
Member of the U.S. Coast Guard who is dropped along his team to investigate a mysterious Russian frigate - the Eastern Spirit - that lost contact with the authorities.
A certain Barnett sends this crew on a rescue mission since nobody's responding.
Quickly the rest of his team disappear one by one or end up brutally murdered near our main protagonist.
What happened on this boat?
As Hansen, you are left alone aboard this ship to find out what is going on.
Hansen will try at first to help the crew and rescue the members that were left behind, but he is quickly met with defensive forces.
Meanwhile, the night is only starting out, and Tom will have to survive a dangerous storm, somewhere in the middle of the ocean.
A resident evil lurks behind each corner...
But don't worry! You won't be alone for long.
Hostile Russian men, who seem to be succumbing to fear and won't recognize a rescue mission, will try to shoot Hansen!
And did I mention those alien creatures?
A strange form of parasites, called Exocells by the scientists, are seemingly using human bodies and other creatures as hosts and to feed themselves.
Like Aliens from the movies, they seem to take over people and use them to expand, survive and reproduce.
The boat is literally invaded by them!
They will attack Hansen either inside these "zombies" or outside hosts.
While investigating this mysterious ship, Tom Hansen will discover that a lethal cargo was being transferred from the ship to an oil platform, the Star of Sakhalin, not far off the boat.
It seems some pretty unethical experiments were being conducted over there. Thanks to a bunch of logs found here and there throughout the game, the full story will be revealed bit by bit.
A certain Dmitri Yusupov from the mafia used that platform as a place for smuggling when the exocells were originally discovered.
He had the Doctor Victor Kamsky brought over to study and try turning these creatures into bioweapons.
Another scientist Pavel Bakharev started working by his own, just in case....when suddenly Viktor went insane, became crazy with those monsters and let them all roam around the platform, infecting everyone voluntary!
Alone in the dark, and standing guard firmly...
Gameplay-wise, the game seems like a natural progression of the survival horror genre.
You "can" sort of choose between a behind the shoulder camera like in Resident Evil 4 or alternate with fixed angles.
Not actually choose, but when aiming, the camera will go over the shoulder for the more action-oriented gameplay. And you can actually move while aiming your weapon, allowing to play whenever you want with that perspective.
Or just let the more moody cinematic angles show you around.
All in all, it does make Cold Fear seem like the missing link between Code Veronica and Resident Evil 4.
Another specific element from Cold Fear to mention, is the conditions of the environment.
Alongside the health bar on the HUD menu, Tom Hansen also has a stamina bar that depends on the actions.
Like running, which will take a bit of stamina out. Hansen needs to rest to replenish it.
The conditions on the deck of the ship will affect the character.
A huge part of the engine was used to play with the environment and make these conditions part of the gameplay.
The ocean and storm can affect AND harm Hansen.
The movements of the ship might throw him out overboard, you will need some stamina and/or to grab something to not fall over.
It will also provide other sources of danger, like throwing you off while aiming or just being hit by cargo and other environmental hazards (like electric wires or crates hanging, etc.).
It's like an house of the dead abord the ship!
You won't be truly alone all the time though.
Hansen will find a woman, Anna, who will tag along, much like other characters did previously in the classic Resident Evil games. (Sherri comes to mind)
She won't fight alongside Tom Hansen, and is one of those that needs helps and being protected to stay alive. Thankfully, she doesn't throw herself into danger and usually manage to keep her health intact by avoiding enemies. Also, these segments are usually short and dispersed enough.
Cold Fear is quite an atmospheric survival horror, where the inhospitable boat really make this experience a true "survival" "horror".
There's a lot of "monsters jumping out of closets" moments. The very well done storm is realistic, there's rain and wind and all. Perfectly rendered.
The various realistic weapons only contribute to the experience. A handgun, an AK, a speargun, a shotgun, grenades. You will also get a flamethrower and a little "surprise" later.
The savegame can be annoying, specially if you're new to the genre.
It's a "survival horror"-style difficult save system to manage, like in Resident Evil 1.
Here, you will get automatic checkpoints after each mission objective completed, most of the time in rooms you need to reach, people you need to find or before bosses/difficult situations. It's alright if you're ok with replaying little segments when you die. I, personally, never had a problem with it. You only need to assure you have enough ammo/manage well your weapons/health when you reach a save. (you also get various saveslots)
The thing will kill you!
Anyway, it's a fun, entertaining and long enough game for the genre.
Let's also mention the flaws, which can't be ignored.
It's a pretty classic plot and game.
You unlock bonus martial in the form of art, screens and concepts, but no other mode. So the experience feels a bit lacking at the end of the day. You can just replay harder settings if you want.
The game got a fun marketing viral at the time in the form of fake scientific websites and news report, which ended up doing more negative damage for the game than selling copies. Some people still think those are actual real pictures.
It's still a great art direction anyway.
The beautiful cover art of the game is just proof of that, the lead art, concepts and characters were the work of Aleksi Briclot.
The fantastic score is quite epic. The great main theme will haunt you, and you'll hear lots of it and its variations throughout the game.
Finally it gives the whole experience a sort of serious B-movie tone.
Like a big budget 80s horror film. The Russian villains go a bit over-the-top to me, and almost ruin the dark and gritty mood sometimes though.
Overall, it's a great looking game.
A memorable experience, and easily one of the best of its time honestly. Visually, it's only missing some "next gen" effects like high definition and blut. But the textures are good, the models well animated.
Gameplay wise, it's perfect!
A memorable experience, and easily one of the best of its time honestly. Visually, it's only missing some "next gen" effects like high definition and blut. But the textures are good, the models well animated.
Gameplay wise, it's perfect!
The survival horror I always dreamt of playing!
The learning curve is easy to get your hands on, soon you'll be taking headshots like no tomorrow!
A great atmosphere built upon a great design and sountrack.
The exomutants are quite reminiscent of Carpenter's The Thing.
I also tried it on Xbox (until I had some problems with my own console...so I only played the beginning).
But even so, the PC version is vastly superior to the console one, hands down.
The graphics are a lot more crisp and clean on the computer port. On console it was a bit slower and blurry...which just goes to show how great the game was for its time.
The gameplay's a bit more fun on keyboard too, with this kind of cinematic-3rd person switchable view.
A real sgane this one got overlooked for RE4. I honestly preferred Cold Fear as a truer Resident Evil. I just wish Capcom had went this way back then...
Oh well..
A great gameplay that really captures the tension of the old survival horror genre with a mix action.
(Darkworks was the studio that was originally working on Ubisoft's recent I Am Alive...until they shut down and the production was carried over at Ubisoft Shanghai and the game changed from an actual full retail release feature to a simpler digital arcade title)
The learning curve is easy to get your hands on, soon you'll be taking headshots like no tomorrow!
A great atmosphere built upon a great design and sountrack.
The exomutants are quite reminiscent of Carpenter's The Thing.
I also tried it on Xbox (until I had some problems with my own console...so I only played the beginning).
But even so, the PC version is vastly superior to the console one, hands down.
The graphics are a lot more crisp and clean on the computer port. On console it was a bit slower and blurry...which just goes to show how great the game was for its time.
The gameplay's a bit more fun on keyboard too, with this kind of cinematic-3rd person switchable view.
A real sgane this one got overlooked for RE4. I honestly preferred Cold Fear as a truer Resident Evil. I just wish Capcom had went this way back then...
Oh well..
A great gameplay that really captures the tension of the old survival horror genre with a mix action.
(Darkworks was the studio that was originally working on Ubisoft's recent I Am Alive...until they shut down and the production was carried over at Ubisoft Shanghai and the game changed from an actual full retail release feature to a simpler digital arcade title)
I give it:
Monday, March 19, 2012
Movie NEWS! Prometheus' all new trailer
Guess who cameos at some point in this trailer??
So 20th Century Fox' just released an official trailer for Ridley Scott's upcoming Prometheus! - much more revealing than the previous teaser.
Watch it in all its full glory.
Warning, this shows a lot of the plot and whatnot.
Enjoy,
I absolutely love seeing the Alien's Space Jockey coming to life!
And the spaceship!! Oh, my!
I dunno for you guys, but this is seriously looking like the best movie of the year to me.
I like where the Avengers are going to. Even Spider-man might be fun despite its moody/gritty premise.
Dark Knight Rises, well....not my cup of tea so far. (to each their own!) Too much Chris Nolan-esque takes on the Batman mytho for me...
But this, Prometheus!
Wooow! Just, wow!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Gamin' NEWS! new pics from Aliens Colonial Marines
Here's a bunch of new screens for the upcoming Gearbox Software/Sega's joint venture Aliens Colonial Marines:
The game is still sheduled for a fall 2012 for now.
It has already been delayed, like, a hundred times.
Let's hope this date sticks.
Check out these beautiful looking pics:
And if, like me, you almost doubt you'll ever get to see this in store someday, here's a trailer:
Okay, so, no gameplay in this recent video...
Well, at least it looks nice? Right?
Oh, wait a second, some actual in-game footage is buried in this following video:
ALIENS COLONIAL MARINES - Présentation de l'E3... par SEGA
The game's announced for PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and the all-new Wii-U.
Wait and see, I guess.
I'd love to see another good Alien game..The last AVP FPS was nice, but a bit too boring looking and dark (like "I can't see no sh**" dark, not scary-dark)
The game is still sheduled for a fall 2012 for now.
It has already been delayed, like, a hundred times.
Let's hope this date sticks.
Check out these beautiful looking pics:
And if, like me, you almost doubt you'll ever get to see this in store someday, here's a trailer:
Okay, so, no gameplay in this recent video...
Well, at least it looks nice? Right?
Oh, wait a second, some actual in-game footage is buried in this following video:
ALIENS COLONIAL MARINES - Présentation de l'E3... par SEGA
The game's announced for PC, PS3, Xbox 360 and the all-new Wii-U.
Wait and see, I guess.
I'd love to see another good Alien game..The last AVP FPS was nice, but a bit too boring looking and dark (like "I can't see no sh**" dark, not scary-dark)
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