Well, the Oscars are just around the corner, and with the nominees for each category just announced, I thought that I would share my picks for who should win at the Oscars 2011. I won't be doing every category, only the big ones, because A: I haven't seen every film in that category, or B: I don't care who wins best costumes. So, let's begin! My picks will be the ones in bold, with runners-up in italics
Best Actor in a Leading Role:
* Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”
* Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”
* Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”
* Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”
* James Franco in “127 Hours”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
* Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
* John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”
* Jeremy Renner in “The Town”
* Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”
* Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”
Best Actress in a Leading Role
* Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”
* Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”
* Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”
* Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”
* Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
* Amy Adams in “The Fighter”
* Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”
* Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
* Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”
* Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”
Best Animated Film
* “How to Train Your Dragon”
* “The Illusionist”
* “Toy Story 3”
Art Direction
* “Alice in Wonderland”
* “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1”
* “Inception”
* “The King's Speech”
* “True Grit”
Best Directing
* “Black Swan”
* “The Fighter”
* “The King's Speech”
* “The Social Network”
* “True Grit”
Best Music (Original Score)
* “How to Train Your Dragon”
* “Inception”
* “The King's Speech”
* “127 Hours”
* “The Social Network”
Best Visual Effects
* “Alice in Wonderland”
* “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1”
* “Hereafter”
* “Inception”
* “Iron Man 2”
Best Picture
* “Black Swan”
* “The Fighter”
* “Inception”
* “The Kids Are All Right”
* “The King's Speech”
* “127 Hours”
* “The Social Network”
* “Toy Story 3”
* “True Grit”
* “Winter's Bone"
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday's News 1/28/11
Happy Friday ya'll! Before we get too caught up in the weekend, here's a quick look at the newest Nintendo News
The Wii is Not Done
Although others may say differently, the Wii still has a lot of life. Earlier today, Nintendo's representatives revealed information about all new original Wii titles including a new Kirby game, as well as a 3D Pokemon RPG. Also announced was a new Rhythm Heaven, exclusively for Wii. If this is all true, this year may not be the Wii's demise as foretold. Here's the trailer for the all-new Kirby Wii:
3DS Friend Codes
Yes folks, they're back, everyone's least favorite codes: friend codes! But this time, they're not as sucky. In a recent interview Reggie Fils-Aime stated that while the 3DS will use friend codes, they are exclusive to each 3DS and to play online with friends, you only need to trade that one code for all of your games.
The Wii is Not Done
Although others may say differently, the Wii still has a lot of life. Earlier today, Nintendo's representatives revealed information about all new original Wii titles including a new Kirby game, as well as a 3D Pokemon RPG. Also announced was a new Rhythm Heaven, exclusively for Wii. If this is all true, this year may not be the Wii's demise as foretold. Here's the trailer for the all-new Kirby Wii:
3DS Friend Codes
Yes folks, they're back, everyone's least favorite codes: friend codes! But this time, they're not as sucky. In a recent interview Reggie Fils-Aime stated that while the 3DS will use friend codes, they are exclusive to each 3DS and to play online with friends, you only need to trade that one code for all of your games.
Once you've added your friends, you'll be able to see who's playing, what they're playing and Nintendo's promised that it will be extremely easy to join them.Sounds like a great leap in the right direction if you ask me!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Top 5 Nintendo DS Games
With the 3DS sneaking up right behind us, I thought it would be nice to (send-off?) commemorate the DS and DSi with my list of my top 5 Nintendo DS Games. Keep in mind that these are of the ones that I own, and I will provide reasons, as well. Also, most of these games are games that I've reviewed, so be sure to read the reviews to get my full opinion!
#5
Super Scribblenauts
The sequel to the popular sleeper hit, Scribblenauts does more than expand on the +25,000 word dictionary, it also fixes all the problems from the original concerning control and item interaction. Scribblenauts charmed us with its unique concept and gameplay, and earns its rightful place at #5.
#4
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Running off the failure of Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks had a lot to live up to. It certainly did that, and created one of the best Zelda games in recent memory thanks to its awesome graphics and train-heavy gameplay. With Ocarina of Time 3D on its way, ST won't be forgotten and belongs at #4 on this list.
#3
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
You know I couldn't create a top list of DS games without including our favorite professor, Hershel Layton. Not only does this game have wonderful story and graphics, but its charm comes from the unique and diverse characters you meet along the way in your journey. Professor Layton's first outing easily deserves #3 on this list.
#2
New Super Mario Bros.
Everyone was shocked when we saw the return of our two favorite plumbers after a lengthy hiatus. The DS only adds to the fun thanks to some neat touch screen mechanics for using items and collecting star coins. Without this game, we may have never had the awesome New Super Mario Bros Wii, and therefore earns #2.
And.....
#1
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
The long-awaited return to the Johto region was well-received last Spring when HG and SS emerged, boasting new features such as Wi-Fi play, the ability for your Pokemon to follow you around, and all new areas such as the Pokeathlon! HG and SS easily deserve #1 on my Top 5 Nintendo DS Games
Well, there you have it, my Top 5 Nintendo DS Games. Didn't like them? Post what you think in the comments.
#5
Super Scribblenauts
The sequel to the popular sleeper hit, Scribblenauts does more than expand on the +25,000 word dictionary, it also fixes all the problems from the original concerning control and item interaction. Scribblenauts charmed us with its unique concept and gameplay, and earns its rightful place at #5.
#4
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
Running off the failure of Phantom Hourglass, Spirit Tracks had a lot to live up to. It certainly did that, and created one of the best Zelda games in recent memory thanks to its awesome graphics and train-heavy gameplay. With Ocarina of Time 3D on its way, ST won't be forgotten and belongs at #4 on this list.
#3
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
You know I couldn't create a top list of DS games without including our favorite professor, Hershel Layton. Not only does this game have wonderful story and graphics, but its charm comes from the unique and diverse characters you meet along the way in your journey. Professor Layton's first outing easily deserves #3 on this list.
#2
New Super Mario Bros.
Everyone was shocked when we saw the return of our two favorite plumbers after a lengthy hiatus. The DS only adds to the fun thanks to some neat touch screen mechanics for using items and collecting star coins. Without this game, we may have never had the awesome New Super Mario Bros Wii, and therefore earns #2.
And.....
#1
Pokemon HeartGold/SoulSilver
The long-awaited return to the Johto region was well-received last Spring when HG and SS emerged, boasting new features such as Wi-Fi play, the ability for your Pokemon to follow you around, and all new areas such as the Pokeathlon! HG and SS easily deserve #1 on my Top 5 Nintendo DS Games
Well, there you have it, my Top 5 Nintendo DS Games. Didn't like them? Post what you think in the comments.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Sunday's News 1/23/11
Sunday's News 1/23/11
Loads of 3DS Information!
I'm sure that by now, we all know what the 3DS is. At Nintendo's press conference last Wednesday, more information was revealed about the 3DS including price and release date. It will retail at $249.99 in NA and be released on March 27th. Pre-orders are being taken now.
Mario Sports Mix!
Nintendo's next big game is Mario Sports Mix, a mashup of four different sports and the Mushroom Kingdom's take on them. Mario and his pals all compete in volleyball, hockey, basketball, and dodgeball. Up to four players can play at once, and Wi-Fi play and leaderboards are available as well. Mario Sports Mix will be released on February 7, and will retail at $50.
Loads of 3DS Information!
I'm sure that by now, we all know what the 3DS is. At Nintendo's press conference last Wednesday, more information was revealed about the 3DS including price and release date. It will retail at $249.99 in NA and be released on March 27th. Pre-orders are being taken now.
Mario Sports Mix!
Nintendo's next big game is Mario Sports Mix, a mashup of four different sports and the Mushroom Kingdom's take on them. Mario and his pals all compete in volleyball, hockey, basketball, and dodgeball. Up to four players can play at once, and Wi-Fi play and leaderboards are available as well. Mario Sports Mix will be released on February 7, and will retail at $50.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Metroid: Other M Review
Metroid: Other M (Wii)
When Metroid: Other M was announced at E3 '09, it caused some confusion. Team Ninja, most well known for their Ninja Gaiden series, were teaming up with Nintendo to bring us Other M. The trailer rocked our world, but can this achieve the same success as the Prime series when Retro took control?
The story is a huge part of Other M, and when I say huge, I mean it. It begins where Super Metroid finished, with Samus finishing off Mother Brain, and the baby Metroid sacrificing itself to save Samus. Samus, after leaving the Galactic Federation, then receives a signal from a lone bottle ship in space, and decides to investigate. There, she meets up with former commanded Adam Malkovich and his team, and they continue the investigation together. The whole story is told between flashbacks and real life sequences in the ship. It delves into Samus's backstory with Adam as part of the Galactic Federation when she was very young, and explores her relationship with Adam as a father figure. These are all told in very elaborate CGI-cutscenes, and these look sharp, especially on Wii. Voice acting was a bold move to place into a Metroid game, but sadly, it wasn't the right choice. Samus's voice actress sounds like something from a daytime soap opera, and her boring, expressionless tone leads us to believe that she is nothing but there, and leads to some awkward dialogue. Instead of her acting as a bad-ass bounty hunter who doesn't take crap from nobody, she is displayed as a puppet, and sounds more like a 12 year old reading her diary.
The gameplay in Other M revolves around third person action mixed in with first person shooting. The game is played holding the Wiimote sideways, and with a 90 degree turn of the Wiimote, it switches Samus into first person mode, allowing her to scan and investigate the environment, as well as shoot missiles. As you investigate the bottle ship, you'll come across hundreds of creatures that can be disposed with Samus's blaster, and a strange auto-aim feature allows for precise accuracy. Of course, Samus's ball-form is back and better than ever thanks to some clever puzzles surrounding it. New to Samus's arsenal is her ability to take out downed enemies using swift melee moves, and these are a treat to watch, especially in mid-boss battles. Samus isn't using her huge weapons and her full abilities unless being authorized by Adam, her commander. There's lots of reason to come back, with hidden doors and passages that can only be explored once you have a certain item.
The graphics in Metroid: Other M are beautiful. Environments blend perfectly with mixes of long hallways in addition to breathtaking deserts and ice worlds. The characters look slick, as well. The sound in the game is hardly not there, with just environmental tones and heightening sound effects when an enemy is near.
Metroid: Other M is a great return to the Metroid series. Although not as drastic a change as when Retro took over earlier, Team Ninja did the series justice, thanks to a great story and great gameplay. Although it's not perfect, it's at least worth a rental.
Pros:
Great Story
Mix of First and Third person gameplay
Beautiful graphics
Cons:
Voice Acting
Portrayal of Samus
Music
Overall: 7.0/10
When Metroid: Other M was announced at E3 '09, it caused some confusion. Team Ninja, most well known for their Ninja Gaiden series, were teaming up with Nintendo to bring us Other M. The trailer rocked our world, but can this achieve the same success as the Prime series when Retro took control?
The story is a huge part of Other M, and when I say huge, I mean it. It begins where Super Metroid finished, with Samus finishing off Mother Brain, and the baby Metroid sacrificing itself to save Samus. Samus, after leaving the Galactic Federation, then receives a signal from a lone bottle ship in space, and decides to investigate. There, she meets up with former commanded Adam Malkovich and his team, and they continue the investigation together. The whole story is told between flashbacks and real life sequences in the ship. It delves into Samus's backstory with Adam as part of the Galactic Federation when she was very young, and explores her relationship with Adam as a father figure. These are all told in very elaborate CGI-cutscenes, and these look sharp, especially on Wii. Voice acting was a bold move to place into a Metroid game, but sadly, it wasn't the right choice. Samus's voice actress sounds like something from a daytime soap opera, and her boring, expressionless tone leads us to believe that she is nothing but there, and leads to some awkward dialogue. Instead of her acting as a bad-ass bounty hunter who doesn't take crap from nobody, she is displayed as a puppet, and sounds more like a 12 year old reading her diary.
The gameplay in Other M revolves around third person action mixed in with first person shooting. The game is played holding the Wiimote sideways, and with a 90 degree turn of the Wiimote, it switches Samus into first person mode, allowing her to scan and investigate the environment, as well as shoot missiles. As you investigate the bottle ship, you'll come across hundreds of creatures that can be disposed with Samus's blaster, and a strange auto-aim feature allows for precise accuracy. Of course, Samus's ball-form is back and better than ever thanks to some clever puzzles surrounding it. New to Samus's arsenal is her ability to take out downed enemies using swift melee moves, and these are a treat to watch, especially in mid-boss battles. Samus isn't using her huge weapons and her full abilities unless being authorized by Adam, her commander. There's lots of reason to come back, with hidden doors and passages that can only be explored once you have a certain item.
The graphics in Metroid: Other M are beautiful. Environments blend perfectly with mixes of long hallways in addition to breathtaking deserts and ice worlds. The characters look slick, as well. The sound in the game is hardly not there, with just environmental tones and heightening sound effects when an enemy is near.
Metroid: Other M is a great return to the Metroid series. Although not as drastic a change as when Retro took over earlier, Team Ninja did the series justice, thanks to a great story and great gameplay. Although it's not perfect, it's at least worth a rental.
Pros:
Great Story
Mix of First and Third person gameplay
Beautiful graphics
Cons:
Voice Acting
Portrayal of Samus
Music
Overall: 7.0/10
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Top 5 Super Mario Galaxy 2 Songs!
Hey everyone, I'm posting today to advertise my new video! It's my top 5 songs from Super Mario Galaxy 2. Feel free to post yours in the comments, and I really appreciate you taking the time to enjoy my vids!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rp9IG_MPv0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rp9IG_MPv0
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future (DS)
The Professor Layton series has been a hit in Japan and a sleeper hit in Western states. The third installment, Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, hopes to duplicate the success of the first two, but is it enough this time around? Yes.
The game starts out with Layton and Luke receiving a letter from a supposedly future version of Luke. From here, the game spawns an incredible turn of events ranging from time travel to a few run-ins with old friends and fiends. The game's story is phenomenal like always, and constantly keeps you on your toes guessing as it twists itself through plot-twists. That being said, the story felt right. It was never rushed, and was kept at a great pace, just like the first two. I found the story to not be as compelling as the previous title, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, but it still kept me captivated and wanting more each chapter. Speaking of chapters, the game is split into about 10 chapters, and the game will take you 6-8 hours to complete, adding countless more for all 165 puzzles and extra games and challenges. The overworld is huge, mainly taking place in Future London, and spanning multiple areas such as Chinatown and even Present London. Navigating is much easier thanks to the nicely implemented undergrouond railways, letting you go from one place to the
next.
The whole premise of the Professor Layton titles is puzzles. And the game is full of them. Any citizen around town's got puzzles for you, and interacting with items usually spawn Layton or Luke to challenge each other with a puzzle that reminded them of that item. The puzzles are great this time around, ranging from difficult to just right. Hint coins are scattered around town, and these help you unlock hints for those super tough puzzles. New this time around is the super hint, which costs two hint coins, and usually gives away the answer to the puzzle. These puzzles take place on the lower screen of the DS and have great touch-screen compatibility as you slide blocks and write numbers. I did have trouble with handwriting recognition, but that was just me. Navigating around London is easy, just tap the foot in the lower-right corner of the screen and tap where to go.
Aside from the main quest, Layton's chest offers tons of things to do. If you're lost and need to recap on the story, just tap Hershel's journal and you'll be caught up in no time. The puzzle index is also in here, so if you want to replay a puzzle anytime, just stop in here. The new minigames this time around include Luke's toy car, which offers a fun diversion as you navigate yourself around a little course. Also new is the storybook, a Mad-Libs-esque story, letting you collect stickers and complete picture books. The best one, though, takes place in the parrot mini-game. This little fellow, helping you in your main quest as well, helps you deliver packages to citizens in a fun test of skill. If that isn't enough, just like the last game, Nintendo's offering weekly puzzles in the form of Wi-Fi events, but don't expect any if you're not hooked up.
Once more, the music is the best it's been, offering a new remix on a monotonus puzzle tune, and featuring beautiful pieces for the areas of London. The graphics didn't receive much of an update, but it didn't need it. The crisp voice acting and greatly scripted video sequences are a great addition as well.
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is a fantastic DS title. You can start here, or with any of the previous titles. The story may not be as compelling as before, but it's fantastic puzzles and gameplay keep you around for more. A pure masterpiece on the DS.
Pros:
Phenomenal Puzzles
Great Audio/Videos
Tons to do!
Cons:
Story not as compelling
9.5/10
The Professor Layton series has been a hit in Japan and a sleeper hit in Western states. The third installment, Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, hopes to duplicate the success of the first two, but is it enough this time around? Yes.
The game starts out with Layton and Luke receiving a letter from a supposedly future version of Luke. From here, the game spawns an incredible turn of events ranging from time travel to a few run-ins with old friends and fiends. The game's story is phenomenal like always, and constantly keeps you on your toes guessing as it twists itself through plot-twists. That being said, the story felt right. It was never rushed, and was kept at a great pace, just like the first two. I found the story to not be as compelling as the previous title, Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box, but it still kept me captivated and wanting more each chapter. Speaking of chapters, the game is split into about 10 chapters, and the game will take you 6-8 hours to complete, adding countless more for all 165 puzzles and extra games and challenges. The overworld is huge, mainly taking place in Future London, and spanning multiple areas such as Chinatown and even Present London. Navigating is much easier thanks to the nicely implemented undergrouond railways, letting you go from one place to the
next.
The whole premise of the Professor Layton titles is puzzles. And the game is full of them. Any citizen around town's got puzzles for you, and interacting with items usually spawn Layton or Luke to challenge each other with a puzzle that reminded them of that item. The puzzles are great this time around, ranging from difficult to just right. Hint coins are scattered around town, and these help you unlock hints for those super tough puzzles. New this time around is the super hint, which costs two hint coins, and usually gives away the answer to the puzzle. These puzzles take place on the lower screen of the DS and have great touch-screen compatibility as you slide blocks and write numbers. I did have trouble with handwriting recognition, but that was just me. Navigating around London is easy, just tap the foot in the lower-right corner of the screen and tap where to go.
Aside from the main quest, Layton's chest offers tons of things to do. If you're lost and need to recap on the story, just tap Hershel's journal and you'll be caught up in no time. The puzzle index is also in here, so if you want to replay a puzzle anytime, just stop in here. The new minigames this time around include Luke's toy car, which offers a fun diversion as you navigate yourself around a little course. Also new is the storybook, a Mad-Libs-esque story, letting you collect stickers and complete picture books. The best one, though, takes place in the parrot mini-game. This little fellow, helping you in your main quest as well, helps you deliver packages to citizens in a fun test of skill. If that isn't enough, just like the last game, Nintendo's offering weekly puzzles in the form of Wi-Fi events, but don't expect any if you're not hooked up.
Once more, the music is the best it's been, offering a new remix on a monotonus puzzle tune, and featuring beautiful pieces for the areas of London. The graphics didn't receive much of an update, but it didn't need it. The crisp voice acting and greatly scripted video sequences are a great addition as well.
Professor Layton and the Unwound Future is a fantastic DS title. You can start here, or with any of the previous titles. The story may not be as compelling as before, but it's fantastic puzzles and gameplay keep you around for more. A pure masterpiece on the DS.
Pros:
Phenomenal Puzzles
Great Audio/Videos
Tons to do!
Cons:
Story not as compelling
9.5/10
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