Video Game Review – Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir

You readers are probably used to my backstory rambling by now, so here’s another dose before the actual review.  I’m a CRPG lover.  Have been since Baldur’s Gate.  To me, Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn is still the best video game ever produced.  It’s the gold standard by which I judge all others, the 10/10 that’s never been touched.  From gameplay to graphics, plot, sound and replayability, BGII delivered an unparalleled gaming experience.  Its epic scope, extraordinary voicework, immersive plot and compelling characters made the game feel more like an incredibly well-written fantasy novel than a mere video game.  As the years have passed, there have been many Baldur’s Gate imitations like the Icewind Dale series, Planescape: Torment, the original Neverwinter Nights and its two expansions Shadows of Undrentide and Hordes of the Underdark, and finally Neverwinter Nights 2 and its expansions Mask of the Betrayer and now, Storm of Zehir.  One could easily infer that every single CRPG since BG has been influenced by it as well.

 I have to admit, the original NWN was a slight disappointment for me.  The true gems came from its Aurora toolset, which allowed players to craft their own campaigns.  A vast majority of fan content that I played was significantly better than the officially licensed campaigns created by Bioware.  When the NWN franchise switched hands to Black Isle (the creators of the Baldur’s Gate series) offshoot successor Obsidian Entertainment, my interest was piqued (Bioware was the other offshoot).  Though the game itself had some incredibly steep system requirements that were semi-disproportionate for the quality of graphics required, it was a true return to the epic storytelling of the Baldur’s Gates.  A phenomenal conversation system (taken from Knights of the Old Republic 2), excellent voice-over work, an interesting spin on the typical “hero’s journey” and compelling plot came together to form the closest thing to BG2 I’d yet played.  Unfortunately, the inability to travel with more than three other characters, buggy gameplay and recycled NWN music prevented the game from reaching true greatness.  Its first expansion, Mask of the Betrayer, was an interesting exploration into a rather underdeveloped area of the Forgotten Realms.  It fixed certain gaming issues common in NWN2 but lacked a compelling plot.

 Enter Storm of Zehir, which feels more like an entirely different game than an expansion pack.  Its plot is lighter, its color palette brighter, and the overall feel is more swashbuckling than epic.  Storm of Zehir is a CRPG of sheer fun and surprising humor.  So buckle your swashes, draw your swords and prepare for my review of the most singularly summery of Forgotten Realms-set CRPGs.

 Plot

Storm of Zehir ditches the rags-to-riches hero’s journey clichéd fantasy epic origin story that’s been the standard plot for virtually every single fantasy RPG.  Instead, you start out on a ship with a group of four adventurers of your own creation.  A brief tutorial ensues as you interact with the ship’s crewmembers (and continues whenever you encounter a new game feature).  Upon confirmation of your four party members, the ship is swept up in a storm and crashes upon the banks of Samarach, a hostile, xenophobic human nation.  My party consisted of a Human Ranger (my main character), a Sun Elf Favored Soul (my healer), a very short Human Rogue and a Half-Elf Wizard.  I almost always play a Paladin and wanted to try something different.  Lacking a truly brawny “tank” type character, I wanted to challenge myself a bit with the party. 

Samarach is a bright green jungle with enormous plants

Once discovered by the soldiers of Samarach (who arrest your party), your character is rescued by a powerful merchant named Sa’Sani.  She had hired the ship your party was sailing on and asks for your assistance.  Thus begins your adventure…uncovering what went wrong with the shipwreck, revealing corruption within the merchant organization, establishing yourself as a valuable member of Sa’Sani’s cartel and exploring anywhere and everywhere within a vast, colorful and dynamic fantasy world.

 While not as darkly epic as the Baldur’s Gates (where your character is dealing with severe daddy issues…you’re the son of Bhaal, former God of Murder), or as sweepingly urgent as NWN2 (where a portion of the game involves preparing a castle for a massive siege), expanding a gigantic merchant organization is a great deal of fun and adds a deeper level of strategy to the way you play the game.  Sub-plots and sidequests are well-written and enjoyable, often venturing beyond the usual “fetch” quests that most RPG gamers despise.  Character development isn’t nearly as deep as in past Obsidian titles, but I actually liked that I wasn’t worrying about party members leaving if I ticked them off too much (or backstabbing me during the final confrontation like 2 characters did in the NWN2 campaign…I can still hear their dying screams).  This reduced character development lent itself to the more light-hearted plot and in no way detracted from my gaming experience.

 Overall, the sunnier plot and enjoyable quests created a world less dangerous and more fun than previous Forgotten Realms game installments.  However, the game deals with the emergence of a new God and foreshadows the coming doom of the Spellplague (an event that occurs soon after the game ends and changes the world of the Forgotten Realms forever).  Including this foreshadowing was a brilliant move on Obsidian’s part.  They also toss in a few very surprising plot twists, each of which I had to re-read the dialogue for several times.

 Gameplay

Storm of Zehir has had some significant gameplay improvements over its NWN2 predecessors.  First up is the character creation system, which allows the player to create from scratch four members of their party.  The increase in maximum party size to six characters (five without a special feat) is also a vast improvement over the 4 character cap of previous installments.  This allows for a more diversified combination of abilities and skills within your party, as the plentiful in-game companions are also valuable options to include. 

Every highlighted character on this screen can be a member of your party. Mix and match at your own risk.

As I had previously mentioned in my first impressions post, another changed aspect of Storm of Zehir is the World Map.  Obsidian replaced the good ole’ “click on a location and encounter a random band of enemies in transit” map system of most RPGs with an Overland Map.  The Overland Map is a zoomed-out gameworld where you actively move your party from location to location.  Depending upon the skills and feats of your primary selected character, you can avoid wandering monsters, find hidden treasure, encounter friendly patrols and sneak up on enemies for surprise attacks.  While my Overland Map skills were abysmal when I started playing Storm of Zehir, I absolutely fell in love with it after a little bit of practice. 

Overland map of the Sword Coast North. It's a great way to get around.

The new trading system is fantastic.  Once you establish your merchant company, you may create trading posts in different towns, start trade routes between cities and collect your profits.  Profits can then be either invested into your company or traded in for cold hard cash.  It’s a great way to make money and a lot of fun to micromanage.

 Conversations were also changed.  Rather than using the KOTOR-inspired cinematic conversation system from NWN2, Storm of Zehir opts to use text boxes similar to the original NWN.  However, all members of the party partake in conversations.  Characters have different response options based on class, skills, alignment or race which really flavors each dialogue within the game.  While there is not much character development within the party, the conversation system gives each party member their own voices and adds to the player’s immersion in the game.  I still wish they could have worked these options into the film-like KOTOR-style conversation system.

 New classes include the aptly titled Swashbuckler and the two Prestige Classes of Doomguide and Hellfire Warlock.  After some time, I decided to multiclass my ranger into a Swashbuckler/Ranger, which actually turned out to be a REALLY fun idea (with all his equipment, he looked like a purple cloaked cross between D’Artagnon and Robin Hood).  Tweaks were also made to the crafting system, new races were added, as were new spells and new feats.  Overall, the gameplay was a real improvement over the previous NWN2 titles, with the non-cinematic conversations the only real let-down. 

May I present D'Artagnon of Locksley

Graphics

While not earth-shatteringly impressive, the somewhat dated NWN2 graphics are brighter and bolder than in past series titles.  New face options for characters, fantastic spell effects, frightening adversaries and some beautiful environments ensure that the game still looks good (but not jaw-droppingly amazing).  The Overland Map is fun and stylized, but almost reminds me a little too much of 2002’s Warcraft III.  Graphics are perhaps Storm of Zehir’s weakest area…but the game’s good enough that it doesn’t matter. 

At this castle I shall build peasants. I need a barracks to build my footmen.

Sound

WE FINALLY GET NEW MUSIC!!!!  Where previous NWN2 installments recycled themes from the original NWN, Storm of Zehir gives us a lush new score.  I’m absolutely grateful for this.  Voicework, unfortunately, is a little weak.  As a trained performer (I did just receive a B.M. in voice performance, which is just as much about using one’s speaking voice as it is about singing), the work of several characters (especially Sa’Sanni’s voice-over artist) was just sub-par.  The actors for previous installments all did fine jobs, but the voice-over work in Storm of Zehir was mediocre at best.  As for regular sound effects…they were fantastic as always.  Forgotten Realms games don’t generally get any marks taken off for basic sound.

 Bugs

Storm of Zehir is the most bug-free of the NWN series I’ve played.  I only encountered one bug.  I couldn’t access an exit from a room because the carcasses of fallen comrades were in my way.  Shouldn’t I be able to climb over them or something?

 Conclusion:

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir is one of the best expansions I’ve played.  Refining and changing an already great game into a truly shining one, it provides massive amounts of dungeon-crawling, dragon-slaying, swashbuckling, sword-fighting, magic wielding fun.  A light-hearted and enjoyable plot, vastly improved gameplay, great music, few bugs and decent (yet dated) graphics are tempered only by lackluster voice-over work and a loss of cinematic scope.  Storm of Zehir is the perfect compliment to my “best movies to watch in the summer” article, as it may very well be the perfect summer RPG.  Filled with buckets of sheer gaming fun, Storm of Zehir is easily an 8.5/10 in my book (add an extra .5 if you know what a kobold is).  I cannot WAIT to see what Obsidian cooks up next (and with the effects of the Spellplague…can I please hope for a Baldur’s Gate III?)!  If you already have NWN2, Storm of Zehir is definitely worth the investment.  If you don’t and you’re a self-respecting RPG fan, you probably should go get them both!  So sayeth the wise Alaundo.  Necca out.

And they all disappear beyond the horizon, capes billowing gallantly in the breeze…

Note: All screenshots were taken from my playthrough of  Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir, which is a property of Atari and Obsidian Entertainment.  I am in no way profiting from their use in this article.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

From everyone here at the Low Budget Review, a very happy Father’s Day to each and every Dad out there.  Enjoy your day!

Fifteen 2009 Movies

A list of 15 movies from 2009 and where they stand with me as of right now.

1.) Watchmen- Loved it, loved the graphic novel more though.

2.) Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen– I could care less, the trailers made it look awful and to be honest I wasn’t impressed with the first one.

3.) Inglourious Basterds- Probably going to be a great movie, or well as great as a movie about group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of retribution can be. It’s just not my kind of movie but please let me hear your thoughts about it when the time comes.

4.) X-men Origins: Wolverine– I saw most of it and it was pretty disappointing. I really think we could have done without it and been just fine. Lets hope the Deadpool movie is more promising.

5.) Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins– I’ve heard all around bad reviews about this movie but the trailer still haunts me, it looked really promising I’m going to have to find out for myself.

6.) Sherlock Holmes– I really want to see this movie. I love movies like this, not just because I love Robert Downey Jr. Mysteries are fun! Lets hope it is as fun as I anticipate it to be.

7.) GI JOE: Rise of Cobra– I know nothing about GI JOE but the movie looked pretty awesome to me. I know most people I’ve talked to said it looks cheesy and lame but it looks pretty entertaining to me. We’ll see!

8.) Bruno– I’m not against this movie by any means but I don’t think it is going to top Borat. It looks like it is going to put up a good fight but nothing usually tops the first.

9.) Star Trek– This was a hands down awesome movie. I’m not even a Trekkie nor have I watched more than 2 of the older movies and I’ve never laid my eyes on any of the TV shows but this movie certainly got me interested.

10.) Where the Wild Things Are– I’m very interesting in seeing how this movie turns out. I’m a fan of the book and of Maurice Sendak in general. *Fingers crossed*

11.)  UP– This movie looks like another pretty and promisingly fantastic flick.  I’ve wanted to see it for awhile now just haven’t gotten the chance. I’m almost positive it won’t disappoint.

12.) Public Enemies– I’ve missed Johnny Depp movies, this one looks pretty good.  Any movie that Depp gets to be a bad ass charming thief sounds good to me.

13.) Land of the Lost– Probably a renter for me. Not always a huge Will Ferrell fan. It’ll probably have its funny moments but I don’t think it is going to be worth the theater price.

14.) Observe and Report– I did not enjoy this movie. It isn’t what I expected, maybe it is the Psychology major in me but there were too many messed up issues going on that were supposed to be shrugged off and laughed at. It was kind of shocking.

15.) Funny People– Another renter for me. Although it does have a great cast and I usually do like Judd Apatow movies I just didn’t get the “LOL” feeling when I saw the previews for it.  The entertainment business keeps pooping out these types of movies, some are stellar and some are pretty much good for a couple laughs.

The Sims 3

I wasn’t planning on buying the Sims 3 anytime soon since I was content with 2 but I saw 5 commericials last night and I finally broke down and decided to try it. By try it, I mean pay 50 bucks to buy it.

Negative aspects of the game:

UPDATE! Sims creation: I lied about character creation, I did not explore it enough. You can customize every detail. Yay!

Time: Also, okay I know a lot of people had problems with The Sims, The Sims 2 and the Time aspect. Everyone used to complain that some things like going to the bathroom took forever and you had to do them constantly, leaving little time to do much else. Well, things are a little different now.  They eat more quickly, they shower and use the bathroom at about the same time but much less often. That is all well in good but here are the kickers! You have to wait forever for them to sleep! Obviously that wouldn’t be a big deal if you were taking care of a family of Sims but if you start off by playing one Sim, it is incredibly boring. I’m warning you now. Ohhh that isn’t even all! Even worse, (but had the potential to be cool) is that you go to work with them. You don’t see what they are doing though, you are standing outside telling them what to do. This also takes an eternity! I sat there twiddling my thumbs, looking at Sim hospital for potentially almost 15 minutes waiting for them to get done work.The worst part is, and I actually thought the game was broken because this happened but the “fast forward” barely made time go by more quickly. They force you to stick with consistent time, perhaps for better time management? Either way it can get frustrating.

Objects: If you are looking for like 2 dozen sets of couches, tables, etc when you get this game think again. It comes with all the necessary furniture and stuff but not a lot of options. I assume they are doing this to get you to buy expansions *yippee* and also use their online store.

Online store: Sort of useful, though right now they barely have any content that you can buy.

Clothing: My last disappointment is that there are no clothing stores in your town. You can just automatically change your clothing by going to your dresser. Everything in your inventory will be there. Which, yeah that is easier but I actually enjoyed shopping for clothes.

Positive aspects of the game:

Personality: I love the fact that you can give them 5 different aspects of personality. You can use your personality special powers in a conversation. It gives you extra things to do or say.

Randomization of objects, this is kind of cool because it’ll show you different colors and patterns with the objects so you usually get something unique.

The town/jobs: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that you have total control over the town you live in. You can zoom out and click where you want to go. You actually need to go grocery shopping this time around, which is neat.  Even more cool though is that you can take classes and increase skills, or you can get a part-time job at one of the companies. You actually get to choose what job you want, for the most part.

The graphics are prettier, and smoother. It can take some getting used to the controls, I actually changed some settings just because I’m picky.

Dialogue: You have a lot more interesting dialogue with other Sims. You can see what they think about you and you can learn things about the other Sim. For example if your girl want to get married and have a family you have to make sure your partner is interested in those things. Also, you have to work harder to get someone to fall for you. I like that more, it’s a challenge.

Cooking: You can prepare interesting meals, for example if you have eggs and apples you can make apple pancakes. There are all sorts of recipes you can learn. I would tell you about dinner but unfortunately my Sim is a trauma surgeon and works 10pm-3:00am so she sleeps through dinner.

Real world experiences: Another cool but challenging thing! You can be on call, I literally worked 10pm-3:00am came home and slept for 5 hours and got called into work.

Alright that is mostly what I have from the few hours I played it but overall it isn’t a bad game. It can be fun if you get used to it. I like how they tried to add more real life situations into the mix.

If you’re a die hard Sims or Sims 2 fan I’m sure you’ll enjoy it, it’ll just take some getting used to. I would recommend it as an addictive, time waster to anyone else!

7/10

E3 and some other thoughts from P$

Just some quick thoughts about E3 and the future of gaming.

YES!!!

E3 has come and gone. We’ve had another year of some surprises and some upsets. This year’s E3 was no different. There were some pretty cool games that were announced: Left for Dead 2, Super Mario Galaxy 2, a sequel to Halo, Red Steele 2 a new Metal Gear Solid game. It was a pretty solid show for every company.

I am not going to lie though, I’m pretty excited for the new God of War game: God of War 3. A game that looks so badass that it doesn’t even need a subtitle. It will be release next year so if you haven’t had the chance to play the other two God of War games, get at it. You’re missing out on two action packed, gore filled games with a wonderful story. Plus if you’re into Greek mythology you should get a kick out of it.

One of the more interesting announcements was Microsoft’s new “project natal” camera system.

Lets hope you have a big enough room.

It’s a camera that captures the player’s entire body and replays their motions on the screen. So if you’re playing a driving game and you mimic turning the car to the right, the car will actually turn. The same thing happens when you push your foot on the imaginary accelerator. If you’re playing a fighting game and you throw some kicks and punches the camera will pick up your movement and you will (hopefully) deliver some blows to your adversary. Understand the picture? It sounds awesome and recent impressions have stated that it works. I mean, I would assume that it would at E3. We will have to wait to see what happens when we get our hands on some actual games. I am hopeful for what lies ahead.

Nintendo had a better year at E3. They couldn’t really go anywhere but up from E3 2008, so it’s a start. Last year Nintendo gave us just a glimpse of the new Wii motion-plus add on for the Wii remote. I didn’t believe it was anything crazy at the time. It was more of an “about time” feeling that I got from the event. E3 09 added to the hype with a better demo of Wii Sports Resort. There is a whole array of different games plus some old classics like golf and bowling. From what I know, bowling and golf seem to be a lot better with the new controls. At the same time they were a blast in 06 so an enhanced version of those sports will be a huge welcome to the casual (and dare I say hardcore) community. We will all get our chance to play Wii Sports Resort when it is released next month in the US.

New Super Mario Brothers 2 is shaping up to be one hell of a game. It’s classic 2d platforming but adds chaos to mix with the option to play with friends. If you’re not too sure what I’m talking about just think of the original Super Mario game but with three other friends playing at the same time. So far it seems that you will only be able to play as Mario, Luigi and two toad characters.  It’s too bad you can’t play as Peach, but then again, Peach is pretty useless. Remember her DS outing?

She used her emotions as weapons.

Typical

So where are we going with gaming? Microsoft and SONY are diving into the world of motion sensing games. It wasn’t too long ago when both companies scoft at Nintendo’s idea to include Mom, Dad, and Grandma to the table. So what’s the deal? I would have to argue that Nintendo has really changed the landscape for developers and gamers alike. Can we really claim that the Wii is just some gimmicky console when their competators  are copying their formula for success? I guess that will be for another post.

Until next time folks,

Dave P$

Dave B’s Top Ten Movies to Watch in the Summer (and why you need to see them)

One of my favorite professional movie review websites is run by Drew McWeeny (formerly Moriarty of Aintitcoolnews).  Obligatory link HERE: http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/2008-12-6-motion-captured.  Last week, he ran a few pieces on several filmmakers and writers answering the simple question “what is your favorite summer movie and why?”  Most answers were so fantastic that it got me thinking.  What ARE my favorite movies to watch in the summer?  What movies can I watch again and again to just HAVE FUN?  Why are they so special to me personally?

 So I pondered.  I contemplated.  I established a criteria.  What defines a perfect “summer movie” for me?  Well, they need to be DIVERSIONS.  Most watch movies in the summer to transport us away from our own troubles.  They needn’t have any obvious philosophical undercurrents or deep dramatic morals.  Ultimately, summer movies need to be fun and emotionally engaging with humor and energy.  Oh, and for me it’s CRUCIAL that a true summer movie have a happy ending.  However much I ADORE The Dark Knight, it’s too heady and intense to make my summer popcorn blockbuster list.  True, TDK was released in the summer and grossed higher than any other film save Titanic.  But it’s grim and dark and gritty, not droll and bright and exciting.

 So without further adieu, I present to you my 10 absolute favorite movies to watch in the summer (and why you need to see them if you haven’t already…or see them again if you have)…

 10: Independence Day (1996)

Independence Day was awesome.  As in literally awe-inspiring.  The gargantuan flying saucers are still the definitive hostile alien invasion spacecraft in my book.  Though the plot was fairly standard and some characters (Randy Quaid’s alcoholic crop-duster pilot comes to mind) lacked compelling development, it didn’t matter.  A winning combination of charismatic leads, smart dialogue, perfect chemistry amongst the cast, a victorious score by David Arnold and glossy, gorgeous direction from Roland Emmerich swirled together to create a true sci-fi summer popcorn classic.  The entire movie is absolute bucket-loads of pure unadulterated dumb fun (which is what summer movies are all about).

 9: Jurassic Park (1993)

I dug dinosaurs as a kid.  To the point that I seriously wanted to be a paleontologist up until about age ten.  I was only 6 when Jurassic Park came out, and wasn’t allowed to see it in theaters.  BUT, JP was still the first PG-13 movie I ever saw.  I remember when my dad brought home the pink new release VHS case.  It was family pizza and a movie night, and I was completely blown away by what I saw.  Even now, those dino-effects have remained the CGI dinosaurs to beat.  Plot was great, acting was phenomenal, John Williams’ score was perfect and Spielberg had another absolute blockbuster on his hands.  JP still stands as one of the smartest, most suspenseful, funniest and scariest summer movies to date.  It’s also one of the most re-watchable movies I’ve seen.

 8: Wall-E (2008)

Of all the Pixar animated movies, Wall-E deserves to be on this list.  It’s entertaining, fun, tear-jerking, heart-wrenching, hilarious, romantic and absolutely wonderful.  Only sheer filmmaking genius could have achieved the sublime beauty of the film’s near-silent first third.  The animation is incomparable.  Thomas Newman’s score ranges from subtle to enthusiastically exciting.  And the story is perhaps the most meaningful and genuine of any film on this list.

 7: Star Trek (2009)

Read my full review to learn why I loved this movie in general.  My reasoning for its summer flick perfection is slightly different.  Star Trek is a unique spin on the hero’s journey.  The hero himself is not a naive orphan but a true rebel without a cause.  Over the course of the film, he discovers the key to greatness is not simply within himself, but in the relationships between a remarkable group of individuals destined to roam the cosmos together.  For this reason – the sheer emphasis on camaraderie, friends and good times – Star Trek deserves to be amongst the greatest movies to watch in the summer.

 6: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Unfairly overlooked and neglected, The Mask of Zorro is a true swashbucklingly fun and finger-smackingly good movie.  Combining a pretty darn predictable (yet highly enjoyable) plot with extremely charismatic actors (SEE: YOUNG CATHERINE ZETA-JONES), multitudinous stunt-filled high jinks, the smoothest swordsman and Anthony Hopkins can only lead to a 100% fun time.  James Horner’s score is sweeping and romantic.  And the Zorro costume, as always, is possibly the best masked vigilante outfit ever invented.  I will provide a disclaimer, however: WATCHING The Mask of Zorro MAY CAUSE THE INSATIABLE URGE TO DRESS IN A CAPE AND ATTEMPT TO SWORDFIGHT ANYTHING THAT MOVES.  You have been warned.

 5: Ghostbusters (1984)

How could I not go here?  Ghostbusters is an action comedy in its purest sense.  The originality of its premise has been imitated by many and NEVER surpassed.  Though the effects are fairly dated, the extraordinary acting by a truly top-notch cast in their prime is something to savor.  Of every movie I’ve seen, I think I quote Ghostbusters the most.  There is not a single dull moment, and it has the ability to be appreciated by both youngsters and adults alike.  Impeccably cast, directed, acted, scored, and delivered in every technical aspect, Ghostbusters stands against the tests of time as one of cinema’s most entertaining achievements.  We all know who you’re gonna call.

 4: Hook (1991)

I know, I know, I know.  Hook was released in December, so it’s not technically a “summer movie.”  Please bear with me though.  Obvious holiday season references aside (they take up the first 20 minutes of the movie), once Peter gets to Neverland things are entirely SUMMER-y.  Hook is a swashbuckling, creative, wonderfully acted movie about accessing one’s inner child and defeating the embodiment of sinister – Captain James Hook.  To this day, no movie in existence makes me remember what it was like to be a kid better than Hook.  This is an extremely special achievement, which is why Hook deservingly resides at number 4.

 3: Tie: Return of the Jedi (1983)/Spider-Man 2 (2004)

We have a tie here.  I hate ties, but sometimes they’re unavoidable.  Both of these movies are sequels.  Both are slopping, epic droves of fun.  Yet what, you may ask, made me decide to place Jedi and Spidey 2 above their comparably fantastic franchise counterparts?  I’ll tell you.  Jedi is undeniably the most light-hearted of the original Star Wars trilogy.  It’s the happy ending of an epic, yet it deals with some of the most important themes the series plays with  – redemption, vengeance, fate, hope, courage against insurmountable odds.  Of all the Star Wars movies, Jedi is the most summer.  Spidey 2 is simply the best of the Spider-Man films (which are the most summer-y superhero flicks I can think of).  Crazy action spectacle, romantic issues, comedy, and spectacular effects make Spidey 2 a surefire winner to watch on a hot summer night.  It may have been the perfect summer movie were it not for…

 2: Men in Black (1997)

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are the best buddy cop team.  Period.  It’s just a fact of life.  Toss into the mix the fact that they’re interstellar cops protecting the Earth from the scum of the universe and, well, you’ve got yourself a sci-fi action comedy so brilliantly hilarious that it’s impossible to surpass in its genre.  A super stellar supporting cast, great gross-out effects, an awesomely jazzy Elfman score, brilliant direction and a really unique plot all congeal into some of the best moments of fun the movies have ever seen.

 1: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Pirates.  Zombies.  Pirate zombies.  Wenches.  Swords.  Blacksmiths.  Ships.  Cannons.  Keira Knightley in the moonlight.  Johnny Depp in thick eyeliner doing a weird Keith Richards hybrid impression.  Geoffrey Rush saying ARRRRRR.  Orlando Bloom with long hair batting his doe-eyes.  This is how summer perfection is made.  I still remember being absolutely blown away by Pirates of the Caribbean the first time I saw it in theaters.  I had no idea what to expect, but the second that ship emerged from the fog I was glued to the screen gasping, laughing, grinning, cheering and having fun in its purest form.  Summer movie watching is about sitting back, relaxing, enjoying yourself and being swept away by spectacle.  When there’s an added dash of wit and intelligence, it’s even better.  Pirates has all this and more.  It’s the perfect summer movie, bar none, and I will argue this point to the bitter end.

Carbon Leaf – Nothing Rhymes with Woman

This is my first post to use “colorful” language. If that offends, apologies, it won’t happen again. It is not meant to be offensive, and hopefully isn’t, but feel free to tell me different.

Carbon Leaf is a band which has either just hit the big time, or has finally come onto my radar in the last couple of weeks for some other reason. Seemingly by desitny, maybe, since they have opened for Dave Matthews Band in their 17 year history, i was fated to review this album next. The album itself is the band’s 7th full length effort, and 8th release, counting their live album. Finding this out with in the last 12 hours, i had no way to go and find enough of their music to compare sound, so most of what will come out in this review is the type of insight that i would give to a band’s first disc, keep that in mind, Carbon Leaf fans.

The disc starts off with a fairly straightforward alt-country song, hooking me immediately. Alt-country is a hard thig for me to defend, since i am such a staunch anti-country activist, but for some reason the use of a dobro on a rock record is a great (greatest?) thing. Not just Dobro mind you, but basic country song tempo and lead guitar. The impression i got fromt he first track is a young band, sitting in a bar in East-Fuck Nowhere, dirt floor and drunken mechanical bull riding, while the band plays on a cramped, dingy stage. Then comes the second track, and the banjo (see the DMB post for my feelings on banjo) mixed with a pretty basic two-step country beat almost make up for the lyrics. There is my major criticism of a very strong album; the lyrics are very unevenly written. Some tracks are so strong, expressive, and creative, and some seem like cop-out rhyme (and sometimes not). But given the strength of the rest of the album’s production values,  sheer talent on the part of the band, and the genre that sometimes goes underutilized, Carbon Leaf has something special here.

Upon repeat listenings, the album gets stronger. Every time i hear it, there is something i hadn’t payed attention to the first (second, eighth…) go-round, and it just increases the feeling of enjoyment i get from it. I think the best part of the record is the ability of the band to create such catchy, singalong choruses. The repeated chorus of each song will have you tapping your toe and humming on just the sec0nd pass, and singling along within 5. But never in that way that makes you feel dirty like most pop music; instead in a way which makes you feel connected to the band.

Carbon Leaf reminds me of 2 groups specifically, and while my last favorite thing to do is compare bands to other bands, i think it is warranted here. The general groove and feel of this album reminds me of Ryan Adams’ second album, Gold. His was the first real alt-country i had heard, and while i haven’t listened to it since i was to young to appreciate it, ‘New York, New York’ is such a great track, and it is what came to my head as soon as i heard the upbeat songs on Nothing Rhymes with Woman. The other group i think of is a small band based in Pittsburgh called the Clarks. Both bands have the ability to create pop sounding rock songs that are so much more than their first impressions, and both have similar vocals. Carbon Leaf seems to share a spirit with Calexico, not so much musically but in the way that they break the boundaries of their genres to make something reflective of their own personal histories.

Nothing Rhymes with Woman is probably my favorite album this summer so far, but having said that, it won’t get my highest marks. I enjoy listening to it, in fact i have listened to it more times than any other album that i have reviewed (excepting Hazards of Love, which i had before i  decided to review it), but it is not necessarily something i will go back to. I am unsure of its staying power past a few key tracks, namely “Cinnamindy”, “Mexico”, and “X-Ray”. Having said that, it earns a solid 3/5, as fun summer music, but will you remeber it in the fall?

Movie Review: Angels and Demons

I read the novel Angels and Demons almost five years ago.  It was during a family vacation to Maine right after my undergrad orientation in Potsdam, NY.  I couldn’t put it down.  Author Dan Brown has this uncanny sense of pacing, despite being an extraordinarily lackluster writer.  His characters are generally weak, his plots are thin, the twists and turns generally unsatisfying, and his mechanics are insulting at best.  But I still devoured that blasted book like some hard drug-addicted junkie!  Brown’s books aren’t good.  They’re not revolutionary.  But geez does the man know how to build intensity and keep his readers, beyond all reason or sense, GLUED to his pages.

The film adaptations of Brown’s books suffer from an opposite affliction.  Expert filmmakers, effects teams, editors, an Academy-Award-winning writing team, Academy-Award-winning actors and an Academy-Award-winning director all lend their formidable talents to what should be tightly-paced and well-acted thrillers.  Somehow, beyond all reason or sense, they have FAILED TWICE.  The craftsmen are in place, the gems are ready for setting but somehow the films fail to capture the singular positive attribute of Brown’s novels – their EXCITEMENT.  The movies should be upgrades of the books yet they fall so depressingly short of their potential that I truly wonder why these adaptations turn out so flat-out boring.

Angels and Demons has a halfway decent plot that should have been executed with intensity and quick pacing that’s instead ponderous and laborious at the best of times.  We start out with the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, which is apparently experimenting with antimatter and some rather iffy particle physics (not exactly what it does in reality…http://lhc.web.cern.ch/lhc/).  One of the chief researchers is murdered and a canister of contained antimatter is stolen.  Flash forward to Super-Speedo Tom Hanks as not-so-swimmer’s-physique-boasting Harvard bore Robert Langdon.  I LOVE Tom Hanks.  But what is he thinking in this role?  Regardless of the highly disturbing swimwear, he’s summoned to the Vatican.  The Pope’s dead and the forerunners to succeed the Papal Hat Wearing Privilege have been kidnapped.  Also summoned is Italian physicist Vittoria Vettra, a dark-haired beauty who seems like she’d be an obvious love interest…but really isn’t.  Her father was the man murdered during the Large Hadron Collider incident, having been searching for what he dubbed the “god particle”.  Then we find out that the kidnappers are the ancient Illuminati, a secular secret society with an apparent vendetta against the Catholic Church.  Chaos ensues.  Ewan McGregor acts like a holy Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Stellan Skarsgard broods and paces menacingly.  Tom Hanks thinks.  And Hans Zimmer’s music blares epically as the characters speed around Rome in some seriously fantastic police cars.  The plot is more concise than in The Da Vinci Code, but not by much.  You can follow it, but you don’t really have much motivation to.  You don’t really have much motivation to do anything.

Casting’s pretty decent, except each actor seems to know how boring they’ll be made out to be.  Tom Hanks’ Robert Langdon gets to think and cower and think some more.  At least his hair’s a bit better this time around.  Sadly, I don’t think Hanks decided to have his character EVOLVE since the last movie…he’s more cardboard than I’ve ever seen him.  Ewan McGregor’s Camerlengo Patrick McKenna is so beautifully self-righteous and holier-than-thou with an added touch of true compassion that well…you realize Obi-Wan was the right way to go for the character.  He’s definitely the most interesting member of the cast.  Ayelet Zurer’s Vittoria Vettra is a perfect (alliteration-y) companion to Langdon.  She’s not all that spunky, doesn’t seem terribly emotionally invested in what she’s doing and certainly doesn’t match up to the lovely Audrey Tatou’s Sophie in The Da Vinci Code.  Stellan Skarsgard’s Commander Richter, head of the Swiss Guard, was bull-like and extraordinarily imposing.  He definitely commanded every scene he was in, but the character was written so dryly that this fine actor had little to sink his teeth into.  Pierfrancesco Favino was actually a lot of fun as Inspector Olivetti, but the role itself was terribly underwritten.  Nikolaj Lie Kaas was disturbingly believable as the assassin, however.  He portrayed a trained killer with a real single-minded intensity.  As far as supporting actors were concerned…none of them really popped out.  They were all just, well, there.

Effects, cinematography, and editing were all appropriate.  They didn’t stink, nor were they extraordinary.  Sadly, they were simply normal.  Like the adequate script and adequate acting, these aspects of the film were truly middle-ground mediocre.  Angels and Demons as a book was essentially written as if it were a movie.  There was excitement in the novel, and the technical aspects of the film’s creation should have added tension and intensity at every turn.  Unfortunately, they recycle pieces from any chase movie set in Rome.  It’s a gorgeous city.  We get that.  Catacombs are cramped.  We get it.  Italian police cars have tri-tone sirens.  We get it already!

Hans Zimmer’s score, on the other hand, was amongst the composer’s most singularly epic works since Gladiator.  His integration of a large choir amidst his signature thickly-textured and percussive compositions was entirely awe-inspiring.  It’s a gorgeous score, a beautifully composed work, but entirely inappropriate for the film itself.  Mass staccato brass and full choir sounds bombard the audience as our characters do such mundane activities as walk or think or eat.  It’s as if Zimmer read the script, imagined dragons, monsters and mass battles in the background, and composed his score based on that.  This is really the first time in years that I feel Zimmer’s evolved as a composer, but the sheer epic feel is an absolutely poor match for the boredom occurring on screen.  Snoring would have been a bit more appropriate.

Ron Howard has directed a plain ole’ boring movie.  The one element from the novel that should have been religiously incorporated (the pacing) was discarded entirely.  Instead, we’re left with a pretty, normally acted, normally shot, risk-free piece of cinema.  I survived because I attended with a couple of friends who were more than open to riffing throughout the film.  We had a blast making fun of it, but taken alone, well.  Angels and Demons is a simply average, run-of-the mill movie.  It’s not bad.  It’s just not good.  A total lost opportunity, Angels and Demons gets a 5/10 in my book…smack dab in the middle where it belongs.

Dave Matthews Band – Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King

Let me preface: Dave Matthews Band and i have a very spotty history at best.  Starting around the time of Crash, i started to get really into them, listening to that album pretty regularly, followed with a purchase of Under the Table and Dreaming. I kept finding more and more to like, but then i discovered punk. Punk, in essence saved me from becoming the rabid DMB fan you see in colleges and at Burning Man. While i still liked what i had heard, i decided that it wasn’t for me, and that punk was the new way to go. Fast forward to high school, hearing Before These Crowded Streets and only taking in the seeming confusion that was the album, i realized that DMB might be worth looking into again. I sought after The Lillywhite Sessions, walked miles to get a copy of Busted Stuff, etc. Long story short, I took in all forms of Dave, he and Tim Reynolds solo albums, DMB live albums, anything with his name attached.

That is until the quality of the product started drooping. I somehow missed Everyday upon its release, and went back to it later. It was, for lack of a better word, poor. The songs were too pop, they style of the album seemingly changed to get the most airplay possible, instead of playing unbridled jams as they did in concert, or restrained (but only a little) jazz-jam fusion as they did on the superb Before these Crowded Streets. I gave Stand Upa chance, but still was turned off. But when i heard buzz for Big Whiskey, i felt i owed it to the band to check it out.

And i am still undecided as to whether or not it was a good find or not. Don’t get me wrong the album is very ambitious, and i respect the band for playing on and recording (and using) material after the death of founding sax player LeRoi Moore’s death last summer.  After Moore’s death, the band recruited Jeff Coffin, a sax player from Bela Fleck’s  band to take his place.The album does nothing to tell you which tracks were played by which player, and interestingly enough, it strengthens that material for me.

But even as good as the album is, there is something missing, but it is something i am unable to pinpoint. The songs are all very good; stylistically they hearken back to older DMB tunes, 70’s horn sections, (especially on ‘Shake me Like a Monkey’), and electric, almost balls out rock. 2 things ground this as a DMB album, one being Lessard’s percussion, which is an almost unmistakable feature of the band’s albums, and stay true to the jam band roots that Dave has grown from. The other is obviously the vocal. Matthews’ vocals are unmistakable, and he does nothing different here. Take it as a good thing or not, but it is mre of the same patented howl that moves over the upbeat tracks and the same brooding that haunts the slow ballads.

Gone also is Matthew’s as the lone guitar player. Tim Reynolds, a (read: more talanted) guitar player and frequent collaborator of Matthews’ plays here, injecting some much appreciated guitar oomph. Rashawn Ross makes his studio album debut, after being the band’s stage trumpeter since 2006, and his input is also for the better. Banjo makes an appearance as well, and i have to say, a good banjo in a non-country song almost makes said song instantly likeable.

The subject material, as can be assumed, is fairly morbid. The death of a close friend will do that to a person, but somehow this album comes out ahead of Busted Stuff in terms of positive mood. Expertly written tracks have catchy hooks, and the choruses had me singling along after just a few listens. The single ‘Funny the Way it is’ is the perfect example of why peoploe used to buy albums based on singles;: it has a catchy riff, a singalong chorus, and leaves you wishing it was just a bit longer.

But with al the positives, there is something lacking. Maybe it is the free spirit of pre-breakdown Dave, maybe it is just the change in style which is necessetated by the passage of nearly 15 years since their fresh sounding debut album. Whatever it is, it holds this effort back from being perfect. I think after listeningto the album a few times, it hints at the greatnes that was Before the Crowded Streets, and inches so close to it, flirts with it, and then ultimately climaxes just short of where it could have gone. With this effort, Dave Matthews Band has solidified their place in my collection, and are now on my concert and new album radar again. 4/5

Movie Review: The Brotherhood of the Wolf (Le pacte des loups), (DVD, 2001)

The place is the province of Gévaudan, France.  The year is 1764, two and a half decades before the Revolution.  A mysterious beast is ravaging the countryside, slaughtering not livestock but women and children by the hundreds.  King Louis XV sends two mysterious men to investigate.  In the process, they uncover a sinister plot running through all walks of society in defiance of the enlightenment principals taking hold across Europe and the New World.  A dark historical fantasy rivaling the best Hollywood has to offer, this French atmospheric masterpiece is an impressive feat of cinematic opulence.  Loosely inspired by actual events, Le pacte des loups (which premiered in 2001) overshadows every single subsequent Hollywood monster/horror/historical fantasy film (including the Underworld movies, The Brothers Grimm and of course Van Helsing).

I have to admit.  I’m a sucker for anything set in France during the Enlightenment.  There’s something about the contemplative, philosophical, cerebral yet debaucherous nature of the period that just works better when set in France than anywhere else.  Le pacte des loups explores these aspects to a very interesting degree while still maintaining a brisk pace, a sinfully delicious amount of extravagance and a great deal of action.  The script by Stephane Cabel is quite intelligent for an action film no matter where one’s country of origin is.  Cabel demands that an audience knows how to pay attention.  I wouldn’t recommend multitasking when watching Le pacte des loups.  The key to this film is in the details, and I LOVE action/fantasy films that require one’s undivided attention.  Allow yourself to be swept into the extraordinary world that has been crafted.  Immerse yourself in the film without any outside distractions.  This is a shameless, glossy, hands-down gorgeous historical fantasy/horror fest, so you’ll be glad you did.

The casting of Le pacte des loups is really quite impressive.  Each actor creates a compelling character whether they portray a hero, villain or someone in between.  I haven’t seen an American action film that was populated with bona-fide character actors who take the craft seriously in ages, and to be so drawn into a foreign-language film is a rarity in my experience (only the absolute best achieve such a feat).  Samuel Le Bihan portrays Chevalier Grégoire de Fronsac, a knight who recently returned from fighting the French and Indian War in New France (Canada).  Le Bihan plays Fronsac as an old-school swashbuckler – dashing, daring, debonnaire and capable – with such innate charisma that you instantly want him to be in every scene.  He’s accompanied by a Mohawk Iroquois mystic named Mani, played by Mark Dacascos.  Dacascos has very little dialogue, but an immense physical presence that beautifully compliments Le Bihan’s charisma.  His fight scenes are something to behold (see the above pic).  Vincent Cassell (known to American audiences as François Toulour in Oceans 12 and 13) assumes his usual baddie type as the embittered, crippled and alcoholic Jean-François de Morangias.  He portrays a saddened, pathetic and envious man extraordinarily well.  Émilie Dequenne is radiant as the not-so-in-distress damsel Marianne de Morangias.  She brings a wonderful charm to her role, layering feigned innocence with a passionate curiosity.  The extraordinary Monica Bellucci (known to American audiences as Persephone in The Matrix trilogy and the Mirror Queen in The Brothers Grimm), exquisite as always, brings a sensual mystique and arresting authority to her role of Sylvia, a high-class courtesan with a deep secret.  Sylvia may just be the most compelling character in the film due to the fantastical and mysterious impressions Bellucci is able to convey.  Jeremie Renier plays the young, bookish Thomas d’Apcher with the brightness and good-humor of youth.  What could have been a comically “nerdy” archetype evolves into one of the most capable characters in the film.  If only intelligence were valued in the States as it is in Europe.  Supporting roles of note include Hans Meyer as the Marquis d’Apcher, Jean-Francois Stevenin as Henri Sardis and Johan Leysen as Antoine de Beauterne.

The color palette utilized in Le pacte des loups is extraordinary, mirroring the harsh differences between seasons, stark contradictory natures of pre-revolution nobility and peasantry, and even the characters themselves.  Production values (especially cinematography) are absolutely exquisite.  The film is a visual feast asking to be devoured ravenously.

Costumes are breathtakingly beautiful and unique, almost Gilliam-esque but sleeker, smoother, more extravagant and more elegant.  Particularly impressive costumes include anything worn (and partially not worn) by Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassell’s black-and-red coat, Émilie Dequenne’s all-red hunting outfit (above, with Le Bihan) and the initial costumes worn by Samuel Le Bihan and Mark Dacascos.  I also realized a tiny tidbit about tri-corner hats.  When wearing a tri-corner, Americans look patriotic, the English look distinguished, but the French look absolutely badass (see below).  Additionally, the makeup is appropriately lovely or grotesque.  Favorite cosmetic applications include a villain’s scarred and withered arm, a wide diversity of 18^th century wigs and some pretty intricate war paint.

Locations and sets were absolutely gorgeous, from a full-fledged castle to peasant villages to untamed yet wildly beautiful countryside vistas.  The cinematography brilliantly captures the nuance of locations, gestures, weather and tone.  It’s also pre-shaky cam era so we’re spared the quick jittery vibrations and quick-cut editing that’s become so prevalent in film since the Bourne movies.  However, fight scenes are filmed with varying degrees of slow motion as Le pacte des loups was released post-Matrix.  These scenes are supplemented with some pretty impressive effects.  The most noticeable use of CG/puppet work is the beast itself, which is ever so noticeable to our CG-trained eyes.  However, it’s seamlessly crafted for a 2001 film and in no way detracts from the film-viewing experience.  The effects hold up extraordinarily well even today.

Today’s epic movies often have matching epic soundtracks.  Starting with John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith and continuing to the likes of Hans Zimmer and Klaus Bedelt, we often expect lush orchestral accompaniment and bombastic brass fanfares to accompany our major action/adventure pieces.  Joseph lo Duca decided to take the score of Le pacte des loups in a considerably different direction.  His score is smaller and smarter, less punch and more atmosphere.  Liberal use of steel-stringed guitar, Native American Indian flute, dulcimers and a chamber-sized string ensemble create a distinctly unique and otherworldly soundscape.  Subtle yet intense, it’s an absolutely perfect compliment to the rest of the film.

So I clearly seem to have loved Le pacte des loups.  Was there room for improvement anywhere?  Well, yes.  It’s long.  Way too long.  As in it probably could have been trimmed a good half hour.  This extra length does not consist of unwanted exposition or superfluous dialogue, it actually occurs during several of the film’s multitudinous fight scenes.  Though expertly choreographed and filmed, these scenes are far too long and often occur amongst characters that generate little emotional attachment.  In a movie with a great deal of motivation and subtext, needless action scenes are irritating at best and downright stupid at worst.

Overall though, Le pacte des loups is an extremely enjoyable film.  A very well-acted horror/fantasy/historical fusion film with absolutely top-shelf production values, director Christophe Gans has created something to be proud of.  Significantly smarter, sleeker, sexier and more elegant than the majority of Hollywood action fantasies, Le pacte des loups brings a rare intelligence alongside the obligatory sex, gore and martial arts.  Portions of wanton fight sequences could have been cut, but the end result is a highly enjoyable foreign genre treat.  Easily an 8.5/10 in my book, Le pacte des loups deserves to be seen by a wide international audience.  Necca out.