Review: Tokyo Sonata

This Japanese import is an engaging and effective look at the struggle of feeling trapped by a countries traditions and cultures, that minus an odd 20 minutes near the end, is pretty solid all around. The Sasaki’s are an ordinary middle class family living a rather normal existence in modern Japan. Composed of mom, dad, […]

Gaming Review – Prototype

(Originally written June 14, 2009) In Prototype, Manhattan’s fate looks pretty grim. There has been an outbreak of some sort, and it is continuing to spread at an alarming rate, basically changing the population into zombies. You take the role of Alex Mercer, a man who avoids becoming one of the mindless masses, but is […]

Gaming Review – inFAMOUS

(Originally written June 1, 2009) Talk about an ending… With a lot of games today the gameplay is all that seems to matter, with a story often tacked on without being smoothed out. These stories don’t necessarily take away from the gameplay, but when all is said and done it’s forgettable. But not with Infamous. […]

Gaming Review – Tomb Raider: Underworld

(Originally written Jan. 31, 2009) I will start by saying that I do appreciate being able to choose just how much skin I can see on my heroine, however, when this is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of positives, it’s a given that this game came up lacking. Yes, the levels […]

Gaming Review – Heavenly Sword

(Originally written Jan. 25, 2009) Finally, a game that I don’t have to feel unskilled at when I resort to smashing buttons. This I will say was the original draw to the game and I did not expect much more from it, however, this allowed it to far surpass my expectations. Though the story is […]

Gaming Review – Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction

(Originally written Jan. 21, 2009) After playing a game like Metal Gear Solid 4 I was ready for some simple fun, and Ratchet and Clank was the perfect game to turn to. The most notable thing about it is the range of colors painted across each environment, keeping each planet just as visually stunning as […]

Gaming Review – Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

(Originally written Jan. 19, 2009) Though this, um… piece of entertainment has a lot to offer epic story wise, it falls short by making the player sit and watch everything happen, keeping them from helping the story evolve by becoming a part of the game themselves. Which is why in the end I have major […]

Gaming Review – Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune

(Originally written Jan. 12, 2009) Though this is not far removed from other “cover, shoot, repeat” games with your random vehicle chases and wall climbing, it is definitely the most fun I have had doing exactly that in a long time. The great thing about Uncharted is that no aspect of the game was sacrificed […]

Gaming Review – Prince of Persia

Unfortunately after June I haven’t had the time to knock out any video games this summer, but if you are looking for a game to kill some time, here are some ideas, starting with Prince of Persia (originally written Dec. 28, 2008): This game is a beauty. Though I can say that I was one […]

The Decade’s Best – Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Pete Docter’s – Monster’s, Inc. (2001) Pete Docter’s Pixar debut was a heartfelt and hilarious look into the world of monsters and what they do on the other side of our closet doors. Sully, a tall and furry blue monster, is the leading scarer at Monsters Inc., a company that harvests children’s screams to power […]