By the time Halo 3 came out I had out grown the multiplayer since the lobbies did not agree with me. But, something that did agree with me was the Theater set up for replaying your last game and taking snapshots or video of it. And, then post it. That was a spark of a idea that EA has picked up on and recently put into their Call of Duty Franchise. I think the below video of screen of Call of Duty Elite, a mash between the theater set up and social media/game ladders is big step forward in the way we will play games since the old lobby set up is a little outdated. And, with MW3 due to arrive in November, I’ll be happy to see Elite with MW3. As for MW3 itself, I’m still on the fence. With the firing/exodus of Infinity Ward members and the subsequent formation of Respawn Entertainment I hope the quality of the game did not take a hit. Do have a question about how much a Call of Duty Elite Membership is going to be since it’s mentioned in the fine print at the end of the video…
So, on this hot Tuesday, I ventured forth to the movie theater and grabbed an early showing of Kung Fu Panda 2 and had the entire theater to myself. The first movie I found enjoyable and thought the designs of the characters were great, the Art Book is really something to grab if you’re into seeing character sketches. But, #2, what happened with #2? Nothing a good villain couldn’t have cured. Don’t get me wrong, Gary Oldman was a great quiet villain. But, a Peacock? Really? Psychologically he was a great, Ian McShane came off as greater threat in the first movie. #1 was small movie w/ big characters. #2 was big movie, small characters and I think when the Furious Five are still not really fleshed out is a problem. The bits and pieces of the movie that were hand drawn animation was enjoyable. And, the fact that Po is the only Panda in the last two movies was answered quite well I thought. But, the movie was a little too dark for it’s own good. I don’t mean Empire Strikes Back dark, the plot line regarding Po, his real parents and Oldman’s character is dark enough. It’s the fact that the last half of the movie is at night and parts of the action in 2D were hard to follow. Overall, it’s a good movie but lacked what made #1 so fun and bright.
“Reverse the polarity of the jelly baby.” Overall, it was a good ending for a two parter. People were saved, people died. Multiple Doctors with multiple voice overs. Oh, and that ending. Yeah, about that. It’s nice to see villains are willing to go to any lengths to get what they want. That’s what makes them good villains. Since BBC did not show the previews for next week and since anyone in the USA cannot see the mini eps before next week: Trailer:
I had mentioned previously that I had POV problems in my first two chapters so I went back and thanks to the feedback from the SFF Online Writing Workshop I think I’ve ironed out the problems. Chapter 4 hasn’t been touched since I wanted to get those POV problems fixed first. So the Reynolds for the first three chapters are done. Dunno if I’ll begin Chapter 4 with Spencer or not. Current Bar looks like this: By the way if anyone is looking to use this bar it can be found over here.
“I walk through the valley of death I fear no evil.” Priest was not screened for critics. A PG-13 dystopian, future, western, vampire movie is a lot to swallow. But, for most part, the movie works.
“I have to get there before all hell breaks loose. Ha, I thought I never have to say that, again.” The subject of this episode gets the point across: Identity. Is it mine, yours or someone elses?
“Trade and Profit.” Elizabeth Moon‘s Trading in Danger revolves around Ky Vatta and her unnerving ability for picking up stray puppies only to have them bite her in end. Thankfully, Ky does not stay like this throughout her adventures. Ky’s adventure begins with her expulsion from the military academy for helping out a student only to have it backfire in the end and because of the bad press she is whisked back to her parents. The Vatta Family is in the transporting business and quickly before she can rest her on her laurels for too long her family gives her a simple assaignment to return an old cargo ship to the junk yard to get her out of the newspapers limeline only to find other problems afoot. The characters of the book are enjoyable from the emotionally wounded/inexperienced Ky to her babysitters and her crew. The villains actions are felt and for time being are shadowy at least until their story continues in book #2. Ky’s parents and extended family never come in on a white horse to save her and even when that does happen the white knight is not the helping hand Ky wants. The book is a relative fast read due to the fact it’s not hard core science fiction and is relatively straight forward in it’s universe building. There are several moments when the religious angle pops up but Moon does overburden the reader. The universe created is one any reader can enjoy even if they don’t enjoy science fiction because the hard science is kept to a minimum and there aren’t any aliens to worry about. The overall plot is kept simple and while many of the characters are set up they appear briefly for now until the next book when many of the plots are expanded upon. In the end, it was a fun read and I recommend it.
