The Avengers: Movie Review

Every now and then a movie comes along that actually lives up to the hype. Enter The Avengers, a movie that comes in with high expectations. Rumors starting swirling about this film after the success of the first Iron Man film. However fans have been in a frenzy ever since the trailer appeared at the end of the Captain America film.


Breakdown:


Director:
Joss Whedon


Stars:
Robert Downey Jr.(Tony Stark/Iron Man)
Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury)
Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/The Hulk)
Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America)
Chris Hemsworth (Thor)
Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow)
Tom Hiddleston (Loki)
Jeremy Renner (Cliff Barton/Hawkeye)
Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts)


About the Film:

Genre: Sci-Fi/Action/Adventure
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 143 Minutes
Released: May 4th (US)


Plot:


Loki the exiled and adopted brother of Thor has struck a deal with the Other, the leader of a power hungry race know as the Chitauri. If Loki retrieves the power source know as the Tesseract, Earth will be his to rule. The item is currently in the possession of Nick Fury, the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.. During their experiments, the Tesseract opens a doorway that allows Loki to enter Earth. Loki attacks, takes the Tesseract and enslaves a few members of S.H.I.E.L.D. to boot. Seemingly out of options Nick Fury decides to restart the Avengers Initiative to try to save the planet.


The Avengers is a culmination of events that took place in films that came before it. Namely Thor, Captain America, The Hulk and the Iron-Man films. As such the story of the Avengers centers around these characters. The film mostly succeeds in giving enough attention to each character to satisfy each fan base. However to be completely accurate Iron Man/Tony Stark is the focal point of the movie, and that's what makes it work. Although there is a war going on, the film doesn't take itself too serious and it is actually quite humorous. The film is a little slow to start, but once it gets going it's a thrilling ride that will leave you captivated. 


Visuals and Sound:

The Avengers sports a near futuristic look that is pleasing to the eye. There are some awesome visuals that draw you in and excite you. Explosions, magic and even Hulk's transformations are all well done. Often times what happens in these films is when the action ramps up, things happen so fast that you can't follow whats going on for a second. Thankfully that doesn't really happen here. High quality sound effects add to the experience and make the film sound just as good as it looks. All that aside, there is no reason to see this in 3D. It adds absolutely nothing to the film. It's a nice idea, but you will enjoy the film just as much without the plastic glasses. 


Performances:


Robert Downey Jr once again returns to is role as genius billionaire playboy Tony Stark. This role seems tailor made for him and he does a great job. Stark is a driven, charismatic and arrogant character who seems to take nothing serious. This causes conflicts with some of the other characters in the film. This is most evident in scenes with Captain America. Downey Jr is the reason why most people who aren't fans of comic book heroes will see this. He also gives the best performance in the film.


Chris Evans plays the leader of the Avengers, Captain America. His second appearance as Cap is much like the first. While he does a decent job in his role, he doesn't seem to have the strong screen presence as some of the other actors and is in effect overshadowed by them.


The Hulk is played by Mark Ruffalo. This was his first performance as the big green guy and its a good one. Ruffalo as Bruce Banner seems careful and uneasy on screen. He really makes you believe that he's in control, yet also like he could turn into the Hulk at any second. As the Hulk, Ruffalo has some of the most memorable scenes in the movie.


Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as the proud, yet warmhearted warrior Thor. This time around Thor is much less of a meat-head. He also still has a bit of a soft-spot for his brother Loki. Hemsworth does a serviceable job, but is at his best when the action starts. When he's not swinging the hammer, he's much less compelling.


Nick Fury is played by Samuel L. Jackson. Although he doesn't do a bad job as the leader of S.H.E.I.L.D., his performance seemed a little flat. Nick Fury is the man behind the force that is The Avengers and I expected him to be a bit more bad-ass. Additionally his line delivery wasn't quite as on point as I've seen from him in the past. He didn't have to go full-on Jules and lay mushroom clouds in this film, but I expected more from him.


Tom Hiddleston is the villain Loki. He seeks to invade Earth and rule it as his domain. Loki is a scheming, vengeful and power hungry character who will do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals. These qualities are captured in Hiddleston's performance and it gives the film a potent threat to deal with. 


Scarlett Johansson is the master assassin Black Widow. In the past her role was one that was all about business. However this time things are more personal. Johansson displays more range as her character seems more emotionally invested in the events of the film. It was good to see a more human Black Widow and Scarlett does a good job.


Hawkeye, the other assassin on the team is played by Jeremy Renner. Much like Hemsworth he is at his best when the action starts. Not to say that his performance was bad, but I preferred to see him shooting arrows versus anything else.


Rating:

The Avengers is a great movie. There are very few films that I would consider going back to theater to see again, however this is one of them. The plot keeps audiences interested, the action is superb and the acting performances deliver. Awesome visuals and sound only add to the experience. Both old and young fans have plenty of reasons to go see this film. Not only did this film live up to my expectations, but it exceeded them. Definitely worth the wait, I give The Avengers a 4.5 out of 5.

The Hunger Games: Review

This week we take a look at another film adapted from a book series, The Hunger Games. Firstly, this not a film for little kids. There are some scenes that simply put are not appropriate for young children. However that shouldn't stop anyone of age from enjoying this film.


Breakdown:


Director:
Gary Ross


Stars:
Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen)
Josh Hutcherson (Peeta Mellark)
Woody Harrelson (Haymitch Abernathy)
Lenny Kravitz (Cinna)
Donald Sutherland (President Snow)
Wes Bentley (Seneca Crane)
Amandla Stenberg (Rue)


About the film:
Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Drama
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 142 Minutes
Released: 3/23/12


Plot:


Based on the book written by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is set in a post-apocalyptic future. What was once North America is now the nation of Panem. Many years before the events of the film, a war broke out in which the 12 districts that make up Panem rebelled against the corrupt capital. Once the capital proved victorious, they devised an annual competition called The Hunger Games to let the rebels show their forgiveness for their treachery. Each year all of the districts must choose one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to represent them in the games. The 24 contestants (called Tribunes) battle it out live on TV until there is only 1 left.


The film follows Katniss Everdeen, a teenage girl from district 12 who volunteers for the games when her sisters name is picked at the reaping. Paired with fellow resident Peeta Mellark, the two of them are taken to the capital to join the other contestants. Along the way they begin to realize that The Hunger Games is about more than just survival.


Part Gladiator, part Survivor, the story is one of betrayal, respect and survival. The film takes awhile to get to the actual games and that's not a bad thing. The events leading up to The Hunger Games are intriguing and will keep the audience engaged. After the events kick off the film reaches its peak presenting good action scenes and well acted drama.


Visuals & Sound:

The Hunger Games features two distinct visual styles. District 12 is a poverty stricken mining region, while the capitol is a very rich, trendy and futuristic place. This really helps establish the old idea of the haves and have nots. Clever video editing was used in the film's action sequences to establish that this is a very brutal and dangerous event without going over the top. This is probably most evident when the tribunes first enter the arena. Equally as ingenious was the use of sound to set the mood. There is a scene between Rue and Katniss where the brilliant use of sound really helps emotionally engage the audience.


Performance:

Jennifer Lawrence does a good job as Katniss Everdeen. It's established very early on that she is a skilled and tough individual. She has a bit of an attitude, but also has a softer side that is shown throughout the movie. Jennifer Lawrence played all sides well and did a good job of carrying this film. It is her interaction with the other characters that make this film memorable. Her interaction with Rue makes for some of the best scenes in the movie.



Peeta Mellark was played by Josh Hutcherson. Peeta is selected at the reaping to represent District 12. While not the focal point, his friendship with Katniss is the core relationship of the film. He may not be as skilled as his counterpart, but he is a smart guy. His performance matches Jennifer's. Cunning and enigmatic at times, Hutcherson displays more than enough range to deliver a convincing performance.


My favorite performance of the film is Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy. He is a former Hunger Games winner from District 12 and is Peeta's and Katniss's reluctant mentor. Seemingly always drunk, Harrelson does a good job in this film. His performance and one-liners kept me entertained even during the movies lulls.


Wes Bentley is Seneca Crane, the head of The 74th annual Hunger Games. Although he was the public face of the games, he comes off as little more that a puppet. While Bentley's performance is solid, it wasn't good enough to make me care about the character.


Donald Sutherland is the sinister President Snow. He is the true power behind Seneca Crane. Don't let his title fool you, he the absolute ruler of the districts. His only care to continue the dominance of the capitol. Snow has no regard for the lives of others and Sutherland play this role eloquently. I would've like to have seen move of Snow in the movie. 


The performances in the film were good overall. There are very few performances that I would label as forgettable. 


Rating:


I can't say that The Hunger Games is great, but it is really good. The story manages to feel both classic and futuristic at the same time. The relationships between characters is what pulls you in and takes you on an emotional journey. The action scenes are exciting without being gratuitous. That being said, this a not a movie for little kids. But don't let that or Lenny Kravitz's gold eyeliner stop you from seeing this one. I give The Hunger Games 4 out of 5 stars.

John Carter: Review

Disney's John Carter opened in theaters nationwide this past weekend. Marketed as the first blockbuster of the year, I had high hopes for this movie. However despite its budget, this film doesn't do quite enough to earn that title.

Breakdown:

Director:
Andrew Stanton

Stars:
Taylor Kitsch (John Carter)
Lynn Collins (Dejah Thoris)
Mark Strong (Matai Shang)
Samantha Morton (Sola)
Willem Dafoe (Tars Tarkas)
Dominic West (Sab Than)
Ciaran Hinds (Tardos Mors)

About the film:
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Rated: PG 13
Run-time: 132 Mins
Released: 3/9/12




Plot:

This movie is based on an 11 volume novel series written by Edgar Rice Burroughs beginning in 1912 . The film tells the tale of John Carter, a accomplished Civil War captain. While on the run from Union soldiers he ends up getting transported to Mars. Not long after his arrival, John is captured by the Thark, a 12 foot tall race of green aliens led by Tar Tarkas. John also learns that Mars is at war and soon takes up arms to try to save the planet from Sab Than.

The film suffers from some pacing issues. It seemed like it took him an eternity to get to Mars. Once there the story moved much faster, but there were still long lulls in between action scenes. Much like the start of the film, the final scenes move at a lethargic pace. This resulted in the plot to becoming difficult to follow and the movie to feel fragmented.

Visual & Sound:


John Carter looks good but isn't stunning. Some of the scenery has a unique visual style that's nice, but some things just look out of place. For instance Sab Than's ultimate weapon almost looks like a blue fishnet glove. Also most of Mars is barren, so there isn't a whole lot to look at. Furthermore, there is no reason to see this film in 3D. There were only a few scenes that made effective use of it. Save your money if you plan on seeing this movie. The sound much like the visuals is good, but not great. The movies action scenes are filmed with classic adventure style music that helps the fights seem much more epic. Other than that nothing really stands out.

Performances:

Taylor Kitsch does an ok job as John Carter. He performed well enough in the movies action sequences, however when he wasn't punching or hitting something, his performance suffers. I felt no real connection between him and Dejah, John Carter's love interest.

For the most part William Dafoe does a good job as Tar Tarkas, the leader of the Thark. Tarkas seemed to have a soft spot for Carter, but doesn't hesitate to try to use him to accomplish his own goals. Dafoe's performance gets a few laughs in spots throughout the movie, but its nothing that left a lasting impression on me.

Lynn Collins as Dejah Thris, yay eye-candy!!!

Lynn Collins plays the lovely & dangerous Dejah Thoris. She is a princess of Mars that will do whatever it takes to save her people. I found her to very beliveable in this role, but much like Kitch her performance is not as good away from the action. When engaging with the other characters, she serves as little more that eye-candy for guys like me.

Dominic West is the evil and power hungry Sab Than. His goal is to rule over all of Mars. I never really bought him as a cunning and fearful leader, he just doesn't come off as intimidating.

One of the better performances of the film was that of Mark Strong. His admirable performance as Matai Shang the cold and calculating king of Therns made some of the scenes more tolerable. Strong line delivery was spot-on, especially when interacting with John Carter and Sab Than.

Overall the performances in this movie are ok, but no one is going to win an award here. I think the performances would have been better if the movie had better pacing. Some of the scenes felt rushed and this impacted character development.

Rating:


Overall John Carter feels like a mix of Avatar and Prince of Persia, except it's not as good as either. John Carter is no Jake Sully and the Thark aren't the Navi. Not enough was done with the Thark to make me care about them. Due to the way the story is presented some people will leave this movie confused. Furthermore, some of the lackluster performances will leave you feeling like something is missing. Some will enjoy the action sequences as they are well done. The movie isn't terrible, but is not epic like Disney wants it to be. I give John Carter 2.5 stars out of 5.

Which is the best Mass Effect game?

Mass Effect 3: Review

I have been waiting for this moment ever since I completed my playthrough of Mass Effect 2.
The invasion of the Reapers is at hand and let me start by saying Mass Effect 3 is everything I expected and more.

Breakdown:

The Reapers are here!

Developer: Bioware
Distributor: Electronic Arts
Engine: Unreal Engine 3
Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Modes: Single and Multi-player
Genre: Action Role-Playing
Rating: M for Mature
Release Date: March 6th, 2012 (US)


Story:

For years, Commander Shepard has been telling anyone who will listen that a war is coming. The Reapers are finally here and they mean business. They seek to stamp out all organic life in the galaxy, and planet earth is one of the places that gets hit the hardest. Once again its up to Shepard to save the galaxy and hand out a heaping helping of "I told you so". It's not so much about building your team as it is about gathering forces to stop the Reapers.

To get the full benefit of the story, you have to play Mass Effect 1 & 2. The decisions that you have made in those 2 games carry over and effect the storyline here. For instance, if you killed Wrex in 1, he wont be in part 3. It really does encourage multiple play-through to see just how the story line is effected. No matter what path you choose in this game the story is an enjoyable emotional tale filled with twists, turns and hard choices.

Presentation:

Liara

Mass Effect 3 is a gorgeous game, defiantly the best looking of the series. The character models are the best looking of the series, biotic powers look cooler and environments are much more dynamic than in the previous games. There are a couple stages that cleverly use lighting to set an ominous mood. Visuals on the menus have been revamped and are better for it. As good as all this is however, there is still an issue with texture pop-in that has been evident throughout the series. There were even a couple of instances where characters were invisible during conversations. Additionally load times seemed a little longer than previous games.

Gameplay:

Just like its predecessors Mass Effect 3 is an action RPG, but there are some additions that breathe new life into the franchise. For instance, the way in which the Normandy navigates the galaxy map has changed. Scan too much in a Reaper controlled area and they will come after you. This adds a little strategy when traveling as you will have to flee and come back when the Reapers aren't aware of you presence.

There have been a number of tweaks to the combat system that make fighting more enjoyable than in the previous games. I think Commander Shepard has been hanging out with Marcus Fenix, because he moves a lot like him on the battle field. That's right, you can finally dodge. Additionally the cover system has been adjusted as well. You can now move between short gaps and stay in cover. These changes make it much easier to evade oncoming fire.

Voice commands have been added for all you Kinect owners out there. To get Commander Shepard to use "Warp", just say "Warp". Want to use your squad mates powers? Here's an example of how to do so. Just say "Ashley", "Concussive Shot". The voice commands are simple to do and they make combat in Mass Effect 3 a much freer experience. Players no longer have to stop the game-play to switch weapons or use biotics. You can even use them in conversations in lieu of the controller. To make full use of Kinect, take a minute to adjust your settings. It's no fun getting shot while you're yelling "Shockwave" at the top of you lungs.

Multi-player

The biggest change to Mass Effect is the addition of multi-player. At first I was skeptical just how this mode would fit in the game. However after a few rounds my doubts vanished. Not only is multi-player good, but its down right addictive. Much like the horde mode in Gears of War, players are expected to survive waves of different enemy types. Its not just about survival however.
Some waves you will be asked to complete tasks like taking out a specific target or hack a computer. This helps keep the action from getting stale. You can choose from any one of the 6 classes, but in the beginning, only the human race is available. Completing waves earn you credits, which can be used to unlock weapons, and the other races. While I do like the bulk of multi-player, I don't like the looting system. To earn new items you are forced to buy packs which give you a totally random group of items. This means getting really good gear and unlockables are left completely up to luck. This aside, its still great to use your biotic powers and gun down Geth with a group of friends. Your results in multi-player contribute to your galactic readiness which effects the ending you receive in the main story.

Rating:

Liara & Shepard

Mass Effect 3 truly closes out the series in style. The story is top-notch, the graphics are amazing and the game-play is the best in the series.
Multi-player is well done and adds another element to an already amazing game.
All these things included give this game a high amount a replay value. There are some minor technical issues here and there, but this shouldn't stop anyone from picking this up.
I haven't been able to put my controller down since I bought it. This is one title you shouldn't miss. I give Mass Effect 3 a 9 out of 10.

Asus Transformer Prime

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island: Review

Today I finally mustered enough courage to take my family to see Journey 2: Mysterious Island. The trailers left the impression that this was going to be a cheesy and boring moving. However I quickly found this wasn't the case.

Breakdown:


Director:
Brad Peyton

Stars:
Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock (Hank Parsons)
Josh Hutcherson (Sean Anderson)
Vanessa Hudgens (Kailani)
Michael Caine (Alexander Anderson)
Luis Guzman (Gabato)
Kristin Davis (Liz Anderson)


Genre: Action/Adventure
Rated: PG
Run-time: 94 Mins
Released: 2/10/12


Plot:


As the title suggests, this is the sequel to the 2008 film Journey to the Center of The Earth. Much like the first film, it is loosely based on novels written by Jules Verne. However that's where the similarities end. Brendan Fraser is nowhere to be found in this film and there is no explanation as to why he isn't there. Hutcherson is the only returning member, and there is almost no reference to the events of the previous film.

When we catch up with Sean Anderson, he is on the run from the cops for breaking into a satellite facility. When he fails to escape, the police call his stepfather Hank Parsons to pick him up. The next day Sean admits that he broke into the facility to capture a broadcast that he believed was from his grandfather Alexander. Hank and Sean decode the message and discover that the message was about The Mysterious Island. The two of them set out for the island of Palau to search for its location.

Much of the plot of Journey 2 is rather far fetched, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying this movie. The story won't win any awards, but it entertaining none the less. Parts of the movie felt a little rushed due to the pacing of the film, but it didn't kill the movie. It always seemed like there was something going on, and this keeps the audience interested.

Visuals & Sound:

Journey 2 is a good looking movie. The CG creatures in this movie were well done and there were only a few that looked out of place. Additionally there were some breathtaking shots of the locale that really make the island feel authentic. 3D works well in this film, although some will feel it wasn't used enough to warrant the extra cost. There are a few bird and bug scenes that looked really cool in 3D. The sound is ok, but nothing spectacular. I think that it could've been more effectively used to help setup some of the scenes.

Performances:

Josh Hutcherson again plays the role of the smart but sometimes moody Sean Anderson. At the start of the film he has a bit of a superiority complex toward his stepfather Hank. Once he meets Kailani, he becomes a more likeable character. Hutcherson does a good job, however he doesn't have the same presence as some of the other actors in the film.

Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson brings his trademark swagger to the screen as Hank Parsons. I found it very entertaining watching the dynamic relationship between Hank and Sean. Even though he spent a majority of the movie trying to earn Sean's respect, it was entertaining and funny. I also want to know if he ad-libbed some of the nicknames used because they are awesome. My personal favorites were "The Pec Pop of Love" and "The Thunder Cookie".

Luis Guzman as Gabato was my favorite performance of the film. He is the loveable tour guide and father of Kailani. He has a warm and humorous personality and makes every scene he is in more enjoyable. His performance kept the movie from getting too serious and that's a good thing.

Sean's grandfather is played by Michael Caine. Through a good portion of the movie, he comes off as arrogant, especially when dealing with Hank. While Caine plays this part well, I didn't fully find him believable as this great explorer.

Vanessa Hudgens plays the smart and feisty Kailani. She is Sean's love interest, but doesn't really do much else.

Rating:


Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is an entertaining thrill-ride that is filled with strange creatures, beautiful settings and good action.  The 3D adds a little something extra to the movie, but some will feel that the extra cost isn't worth it. The story is not epic by any means, but the movie it still enjoyable. This movie feels more like a standalone title than an actual sequel. I think this movie is a good family flick and overall people should give this movie a chance. I rate it at 3.5 out 5 stars.

Which is the Better RPG?

Skyrim or Amalur?

First Impressions: Mass Effect 3

February 14th marked the release of the demo for Mass Effect 3, one of the most anticipated games of 2012. Players will once again get to suit up as Commander Shepard and fight against the Reapers. My expectations for this were high and I wasn't disappointed.

Breakdown:


Developer: Bioware
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Genre: Action Role-playing
Release date: March 6th (North America)

At the start of the demo players are given 3 choices, Action, Role Playing and Story. Action mode allows you to experience the combat and conversations played as cut scenes.  Role Playing mode delivers the classic Mass Effect we are used to, with full control of the dialogue and combat. Finally, Story mode lets you fully control the story without having to worry about combat.

The demo is broken up into 2 sections. The first part take place on earth and is basically a tutorial. It also sets the stage for the beginning of the game. The second part takes place at a later point in the game. Shepard must escort a Krogan to safety, but that's easier said than done.

The overall look of the game is what you would expect, similar to its predecessors, but with some improvements.  Even with that said , Mass Effects 3 is the best looking game of the series. Both the environments and character models look great. Level design seems more diverse than in the previous two games and I hope this pattern carries throughout the entire game. Some of the menus and visuals have been revamped and these changes are for the better in my opinion.

One of the new additions to Mass Effect 3 I was curious about were the voice commands. Through Kinect, you can issue voice commands to both Shepard and his crew. For example if you want Liara to use warp simply say "Liara Warp", and she will cast it on the enemy you're aiming at. It can also be used in dialogue scenes and to do things like open doors. The addition of voice commands really makes the combat in ME 3 feel like a free and seamless experience. Players no long have to open up another screen to switch weapons or use their biotic powers. I do suggest that you check your Kinect settings before you play, just to ensure that mics pick up your voice.

Now that I've played the demo, I am even more excited for the full games release. I have seen no glitches after a couple play-throughs. Everything about this game feels and looks better than in the previous titles. Players should be able to clear both missions in about 35 - 50 minutes. That's plenty of time to get a feel for the game. This is going to be one of the best games of 2012. Make sure you check out the demo for Mass Effect 3.

Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning: Review

I admit that after playing the demo, I wasn't overly excited about the release of KOA: Reckoning. Now that I've had a chance to really get into this game, I have to say that Amalur is one of the best games to come out this year.

Breakdown:



Platforms: PS3, Xbox, & PC
Rating: M for Mature
Genre: RPG
Mode: Single-Player
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: February 7th, 2012


Story:

Penned by 22 time New York Times best selling author R.A. Salvatore, the story in KOA: Reckoning is one of magic, fantasy and destiny. The opening of the game is a little dark considering you're dead. After being thrown out like Tuesday's trash, you awaken in a dumping ground of dead bodies with little idea of what happened. As you seek answers you become intertwined in a tale that feels like an epic fantasy novel.

Presentation:

KOA's cartoonish look will draw comparisons to the Fable series. Just about every environment is filled with vibrant colors. From mist filled caves to lush forests, each diverse setting looks wonderful. Visual effects and lighting are cleverly used and draw players into an immersive world. While it doesn't have the same look as a game like Skyrim, the settings are beautiful in thier own right. The world of Amalur feels much more fantastic. For the most part NPCs fit their settings, however some of their movements are stiff at times. Also, your character doesn't speak or do much else when interacting with them. It almost makes your character seem like a bystander while you choose conversation options. While this doesn't kill the experience, I felt it would've been more engaging to have a character that doesn't come off as a mute.

Game-play:

Just about everything you expect to get out of a good RPG you will find in KOA. There's plenty of quests and tasks to keep you occupied. If you need a break you from the grind, there are 3 types of crafting available. Blacksmithing allows you to create weapons and armor. Sagecrafting allows you to make gems that enhance your equipment. Finally you can create potions using Alchemy.

There are 4 playable races to choose from, each with their own perks. There are plenty of customization options to give your character its own unique look. Players can also choose from 3 talent trees. Might is the Warrior class, Finesse is the Rouge class and Sorcery will take you down the path of a Mage. You will be able to mix and match skills from each tree to build a character to suit your style of play. As you progress in the game, you will earn Destiny Cards that further compliment your skills. Players are free to experiment with a wide variety of skills to create a character that feels like it's tailored to them. If you aren't happy with your set up you can simply pay a Fateweaver to start you over from scratch.

While most RPGs have somewhat simple or boring combat systems, Kingdoms of Amalur stands as the antithesis. Not only is the combat system great, it's what sets it apart from every other RPG on the market. Players can chain together insane combos using standard attacks, ranged attacks, special skills and magic. Not only do these combos do a-lot of damage, but they look cool when you pull them off. I found myself looking for things to kill just to see what kind of moves I could pull off.

Rating:


Saying that Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is a good game is an understatement. This game has everything you are looking for. A great story that is well told, addicting combat and a world full of wonder to explore. The number of quests and the high replay value will keep you busy for months. There are a few glitches here and there, but nothing that takes away from the game too much. If you're a RPG fan this game is a must have. I give this game an 8.5 out of 10.

Samsung Galaxy Note

Our thoughts and feelings on the Samsung Galaxy Note

Samsung Galaxy Note: Bridging the Gap?

We've seen this before haven't we? A smartphone & tablet hybrid that promises to give the ultimate mobile experience. Enter the Samsung Galaxy Note complete with built-in stylus.

The Note has a 5.3 HD Super AMOLED touch display that is absolutely gorgeous. It runs Android 2.3.5 (AKA Gingerbread) with a Touchwiz interface. Combine this with a 1.4GHz dual core processor and the Note promises to be not only fast, but responsive as well.

Samsung has decided to include a stylus called the SPen along with this device. It can be used to start apps, select options in menus, and write notes. All of this is nothing new. However the SPen also allows you to annotate PDFs and take screen-shots. There are also a number of apps that have been created for the stylus such as SPad and Smemo.

For you media junkies out there, the Galaxy Note comes with a 8 MP rear facing camera and a 2 MP front facing camera. It's capable of recording video in full 1080p. As far as memory this Android device comes with 16GB built-in and supports up to 32GB with a micro-SD. Powering the device is a 2.500 mAh battery. I have seen varying times, but the battery life seems to be clocked at about 9 hours.

This devices dimensions (146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm) make it bigger than a Dell Streak, but smaller that a Nook Color. It's also not quite as portable as you might want, but it not as bulky as other tablets on the market. It's surprisingly light weighing in at 178 grams.

Smartphone or tablet, which one is it? I have to say that ultimately this is a phone. You aren't going to be buying this just to sit at home and play Angry Birds. You're buying this because you want to be able to make calls and have the functionality of a tablet as an added bonus.

The Samsung Galaxy Note comes state-side on February 19th for $299 with a 2 year contract with AT&T. It's also expected that the OS will be updated to Ice Cream sometime soon. The big question is how this device will be received by the public. Other hybrid devices haven't exactly set the world on fire. When you make a portable device this big, it almost becomes an inconvenience. Ultimately, only time will tell if this truly is the device that Samsung claims it is.

Underworld Awakening

This past Friday marked the release of Underworld Awakening. The 4th installment of the franchise and the follow up to 2006's Underworld Evolution.

Breakdown:


Directors:
Mans Marlin & Bjorn Stein

Stars:
Kate Beckinsale (Selene)
Theo James (David)
Micheal Ealy (Detective Sebastian)
India Eisley (Eve)
Stephen Rea (Dr. Jacob Lane)
Charles Dance (Thomas)

Genre: Action
Rated: R
Run-time: 1hr 29mins
Released: 1/20/12

Plot:

The story picks up six months after the events of Evolution. The war between Vampire and Lycan has changed. Humans now know that these races exist and set to exterminate both of them. Realizing that there is little hope for them Selene and Michael attempt to flee however things go awry.

I like the idea of humans entering the war between Vampire and Lycan, but the movie didn't really do much to build on this. Throughout the course of the movie, this idea just seems to get lost. With this movie the focus here is on action. Awakening is the most action-packed of the series. The fight scenes are frequent, over the top and stylish. It will definitely keep you engaged.

Visuals & Sound:


Let me start by saying there is absolutely no reason to see this in 3D. The majority of the scenes in this movie are so dark, you might not even notice some of the effects, so save you money. The CG was good, but nothing spectacular. The Vampires' blue eyes give them a menacing and supernatural look. Some things looked a little awkward, especially the transformation of some of the Lycans. The sound is good and is well used throughout the movie. This was most noticeable in the scene between Selene and Quint. Overall Awakening has an ominous and dark feel that lasts through the entire movie.

Performances:


Kate Beckinsale reprises her role as Selene who is the focal point of this movie. Her performance was serviceable. She does bad-ass well enough, but when not punching their faces in, her interactions with most of the other characters come off a bit stiff.

I thought India Eisley did well as Eve. Although I never felt the deep connection that Selene and Eve are supposed to have, Eisley displays just enough range to make you care about her character.

Micheal Ealy's performance as Detective Sebastian is largely forgettable and empty. As the movie started, I was intrigued as to what part he plays, but by the end of the film I didn't care.

Theo James plays David, the prodigal son of Thomas. David is a young and brash vampire that aides Selene throughout the movie. James performs well enough to be believable but not truly memorable .

Rating:


Underworld Awakening is a good action film. Beyond that there isn't much else other than watching Kate Beckinsale jump around in a skin-tight rubber suit for an hour and a half, which I am a big fan of. This movie isn't going to win any type of awards for its story. The plot is predictable and plays more like an afterthought. Additionally there is such a focus on Selene and her actions that it stunts the growth the other characters in the film. The action scenes are great and ultimately make this movie worth seeing for action fans. I give this one 3 stars out of 5.

First Impressions Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

The demo for the much anticipated Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning was made available this week for Xbox Live and PlayStation Network gamers alike. When I first started playing the demo I had lukewarm feelings about the game, and playing through the demo hasn't changed that. Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning promises to be a new type of single player Action RPG. It brings together the creative talents of game designer Ken Rolston, artist Todd McFarlane, and New York Times best selling author R.A. Salvatore.

Breakdown:

Platforms: PS3, Xbox, & PC
Rating: M for Mature
Genre: RPG
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: February 7th, 2012


Graphically this game reminds me of Fable. Characters look cartoonish and environments are filled with lots bright colors. It doesn't have the same polished look as a Final Fantasy or Mass Effect. Character creation is nice providing for a lot of customization options. There are plenty of NPCs to talk to along the way, however your character doesn't have a voice. Much like Dragon Age, players must choose from a list of different responses. This isn't the most engaging experience as you character almost seems like a mute when interacting with other characters. Additionally, conversation was glitchy as many times characters voices didn't sync up with their lips.

What will set this game apart from other RPGs is the action packed game-play. Combat is based on a combo system in which players are free to build combos using both weapons and magic. Fighting in the demo was fun, however I could see how it could get repetitive in the full game. Hopefully the talent trees will have enough diversity to keep combat fresh.

The demo was pretty solid aside from the glitches. To me the game feels more like a jumble of borrowed ideas rather than a finished product in its own right. Once you complete the demos main mission you are given 45 minutes to explore the landscape. So players can really get a good feel for the game. While Kingdoms of Amalur doesn't excite me as much as  other RPGs on the horizon, I think its worth a look.