Within Temptation – Unforgiving Album
| Artist: Within Temptation (band)
Origin: Holland Genre: Rock |
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Within Temptation is one of those very rare bands that has the guts to self-invent themselves every album. Besides Sharon's vocal that is so recognizable anywhere, WT's music is very much different each album.
So after hearing this for a while *smirk*, like a lot of people I was very confused with the overall musical concept of the song. I mean seriously, 80's rock? I want to hear Sharon wail like a battle maiden as if the whole worlds depends on her operatic vocal to win wars! How the sound of a whole ensemble of orchestra is behind her, screaming with their instruments trying to keep up with the sound of the band!
Where did THAT go!?
Alas, my cynical bias starts to fade after awhile as songs, one by one, starts to creep into you like past WT's album. They still have the ability to hold you in a bliss of power vocals that just takes you away. At first, it would seem that Faster wasn't the obvious choice as the first single. But how it beautifully tells you that they "...can't live in a fairytale of lies / And [they] can't hide from the feeling cause its right" with such powerful vocals just stupefies me to a wonderful sonic oblivion.
The song also makes me wonder; how is she going to sing this song live?
You can find a sense of their past work in other songs like "Where is the Edge", "Iron" and "Stairways to the Skies" and sparingly in Martijn Spierenburg's keyboard playing through out the album. And that is probably how far you will find their old style because they're still one of those very rare bands that has the guts to self-invent themselves every album. And with that in mind, the album becomes another original entry to their repertoire and with very solid songs.
The limited edition DVD is also worth the extra few bucks featuring several clips and the whole "mother maiden" videos. It's just too good to pass up.
Rating:
5/5
Tron: Legacy Review
| Watched it where? Plaza Senayan XXI Any snag(s) while watching? I'm one of those people who finds 3D as a distraction with no additional merit to my movie experience. XXI's decision to limit my selection of theaters is a major disappointment. I want the ability to choose how and where I watch any movies that I want. I will definitely ignore any movies in the future that has the same treatment in the future. |
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Tron is the Disney movie that sparked millions of kids in 1982 to view technology differently. I've watched the old movie and you can see how people view computers then very differently from now. There was so many technological trash babble that kids these days might find it a bit far fetched.
Well things are different now and the movie has moved on to contemporary themes that would fit with the contemporary crowd. The first 20 minutes showed promise with the story taking a nudge on current topics like open source technologies. But after the protagonist enters the Grid, reality flies out of the window and unfortunately also the plot.
But having reality flew out of the window do have its merits like in the Matrix movies. In the Grid, things are high tech, visually stunning and ephemerally illustrious. The story was gibberish, but the visuals was spectacular.
On the side is probably Daft Punk's most awesome musicality that fits beautifully with the visuals of the film. Sometimes fast paced and at certain point moving with their capacitor intense sounds. Which makes it one of the most original and riveting film score that I have heard for a long time.
Regardless of how you will watch Tron: Legacy (Whether in 3D or plain old 2D) it will be visually stunning and sounds wonderful.
As its predecessor, Tron: Legacy will be remembered as an experience that will stir your mind and senses.
Rating:
8.0
Rapunzel Review
| Watched it where? Senayan City XXI Any snag(s) while watching? |
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So the war between 3D animation and 2D animation rages on, and Rapunzel (or Tangled in certain part of the world) is the new bullet for the 3D horde (If it is an awesome movie) or the 2D zealots (It it fails). And above all, this is another movie produced by John Lasseter (Pixar’s head honcho), the man Disney say was a heretic by introducing 3D animations to the Mouse House and was removed from their employment and went on creating Pixar. Oh the irony…
Rapunzel is a take on the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm who, in its original form, not as happy and go lucky as this one. So far the writers has taken a liberal rewrite on the plot and created a new story all together.
First thing you’ll notice is how they manage to make Disney’s signature 2D animation in 3D. I personally couldn’t believe how they manage to interpret animated hand drawings into a 3D object. The 3D animation was also spot on with exaggerated and none real world actions that creates a perceivable cartoon world in 3D. All without a dose of cell shading which would actually distort the luscious world this movie presented.
Also returned is Disney’s fabulous tunes ingeniously injected between plots with some of the catchiest tunes since Aladin (Mother knows beeeeeeeeest!). The songs didn’t bog down the plot and created small spots where the narrative turned into explosive visage of exuberance.
All enclosed in one of the most heartwarming and laugh-out-loud story littered with characters that you will love and remember. As usual plot is thin, but this movie is another awesome emotion roller coaster ride.
Rapunzel is beautifully animated, excellently written with chockfull of sonic bliss that many have missed.
So the question remains. 2D or 3D?
I think it is obvious that they’re both mediums and for this movie, it so happened that the story tellers of this movie are most proficient telling a story with the 3D medium.
Rating:
9.0
10 Reasons Why You Need to Try World of Warcraft!
In my country, online gaming has become a stable and healthy industry. Though there are a bunch of people who disdain it for one reason or another, the industry has become a part of the social and economy cosmos of this nation. In short; it is here to stay. And it was a great pleasure to see it grew from a fledgling money maker of five digits CCUs to current seven.
Now this article (as you can assume from the title) does not specifically talk about the online game hoo-ha’s. But rather, it’s about a game that I have played for hours for the past two years, a game that has awed at least twelve million people and became the contemporary face of MMORPG in this world; World of Warcraft.
Now, this game has not been officially released yet in Indonesia. Currently I’m playing on a US server so it would seem weird to make a nudge on the Indonesian online game industry while I discuss a game that may seem to not benefit the local industry. And that’s where I will partially focus on this article because many online games in the Indonesia have a self-defeating trend that I find unsavory for the longevity of the industry.
In so, there are two reasons why I’m doing this article:
First is because I believe the Indonesian game industry can learn from the success of this game and make decisions on how they do their business and/or their selection of games.
Second is because after playing this game for two years, specifically on the PVE front, I can safely tell you how good this game is. There are so many reasons to like this game (Which I will try to outline in this article) if you are a gamer, you need to at least give this game a try. With the launch of the next expansion on December 7th, it would be the best time to start your romp in Azeroth.
The Shattering Review
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Bought it where? Amazon.com Price? US$ 14 + shipping (total US$ 24) Item arrived? Prompt (faster than expected) and in good condition
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To the 12 million people who’re playing World of Warcraft a significant number of users actually follows the lore of the game itself. Many have a minor grasped from playing the old Warcraft games, but a significant number of characters and event transpired in books. Not many game developer have the balls to actually expand (and in the same time monetize) their game’s universe to other medium. Blizzard is one of the few that is very successful and it won’t be an exaggeration if I say that Blizzard has the best lore expansion project anywhere.
For me The Shattering is a milestone of its own, because, unlike most of the novels that has been published, The Shattering is the first novel where the main plot has not been pre-defined previously. If you’ve read other WOW novels, you notice that many are retelling of an established story that has been canonized within the game’s universe. True, many has difference and nuances that makes it interesting. And often very different from the Blizzard’s own literature that some lore nerd deem downright heresy (KNAAAAAAAAAK!! /shakefist). But The Shattering is so new in the Warcraft universe, it’s practically a virgin territory.
The Shattering chronicles the story what happened after the defeat of Arthas in Northrend at the end of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King and before the next WOW expansion, Cataclysm. Many of the players already know what WILL happen from many game blogs and news media. Like Thrall is no longer the Warchief, the absent of Cairne Bloodhoof and Magni Bronzebeard, etc. And in this book, all will be explained and more.
Upon reading The Shattering, Christie Golden reminded me again why I loved her WOW novels; she truly loves the characters. I’m not saying that the other novel writer is bad or anything. But there’s something about her description of the world that made it seemed more fascinating. She is also able to add in the story minor nuances that help makes the character even more loveable (“Something about eating your vegetables.”)
As I mentioned the story in this novel is new and has no previous iterated lore base. I am not sure how much liberty was given to the writer, but upon reading the book (hate him as you may), I realized how they made Garrosh seemed ‘human’. Almost all of the characters in the game/novel have some sort of bitter regret that they did in the past. In this book, Garrosh was given a regret that will eat him inside for sure.
Ok, maybe that seemed a bit subjective and the book doesn’t exactly make you love the brown lug. Yet it opens possibilities on how Garrosh can become a greater leader than Thrall. Besides the impossibilities of Orc romance (That’s just kryptonite for dialog writing) a lot of the characters get fair amount of time in the book. This time is probably the first time the Taurens race gets some lime light in the lore (YEAH!).
You will roll a tauren when Cataclysm hits.
In short, The Shattering is a very awesome start to, what most likely be, another awesome expansion for the Warcraft universe. Also because this is the second book to establish the lore before the lore is set, this book has brought Warcraft novelization to a new height of storytelling.
Rating:
Definite Read
Read if you like the subject *
Meh, skim through it
Why did I bother?
Night at the Museum 2 Review 2
Watched it where?
Senayan City XXI
Any snag(s) while watching?
Nope 
The first Night at the Museum was a surprise treat for me. It was a light family comedy that has certain scenes that was quite funny even for adults. The main purpose is obvious; to create interest to the younger audience about history. I don't really how well it manage to captivate its young audiences, but it was quite entertaining. The second movie was also a very pleasant surprise because they manage to make it funnier and fun!
Although Robin Williams is in the cast, his screen time is far less than the first movie. Taking the spotlight though is the guy who gave many of the Simpson's characters voice. Hank Azaria was remarkable in this movie, he is funny as hell and manage to actually out shine Ben Stiller. Even as an evil character bent on dominating the world, he manage to create a facade of a bumbling royalty. His acting was spot on and will probably remembered as one of the funniest bad guy ever.
Plot wise though the movie has taken a downturn compared to the first movie. But I believe because of this, they manage to give the actor and actresses room to improvise. I think it was a good decision because this movie is hands down a whole heck funnier than the first movie.
As a whole, even with the brain dead plot, if you like the first movie, I think this movie will entertain you. It has enough laugh to keep you on your seat while your kids may learn a thing or two about history.
Rating:
8.0
Angels and Demons Review
Watched it where?
Senayan City XXI
Any snag(s) while watching?
Nope
When The Davinci Code was published, the book caused quite a stir with the Christian community around the world. Many abolished it and some find it to be an intriguing view on Jesus's life. For me it was an interesting book but, comparatively, Angel's and Demons was a better book with a better plot and action.
Now, Angels and Demons is actually a prequel to The Davinci Code. But in this movie, they changed it and made this movie the sequel to The Davinci Code. Many scenes make note of this though overall it doesn't effect the overall movie. What they did though, they pretty much removed most of the first part of the book. I won't say they 'butchered' it because the first part of the book is a bit slow while the meat of the action actually starts in the Vatican; right where this movie starts. Some people may not like it, but I think it actually makes the movie has more tempo and the suspense never stopped to the end.
Of course, like I said, the plot of this movie is better than The Davinci Code. The first film takes you and the main character on a conspiracy tour. Angels and Demons though does the same and keeps you guessing who is the bad guy. Since I read the book, I already know who it is. But the screen writer changed a few facts and I think it makes more sense than the original book. Which makes people that read the book has something to look forward to.
If you love or hate the book for its controversial content, this movie is an entertaining and thrilling suspense dabbed with interesting facts about the Vatican and a tinge of conspiracy.
Rating:
8.0
Arthas: The Rise of The Lich King Collector’s Edition Preview
A few month a go, I was playing World of Warcraft as usual when I notice the launcher has a promo for a special limited and signed Arthas novel that will be released next April. For you who don't know what I'm talking about. Arthas: ROTLK is a novelization of the main character from Warcraft 3, Arthas Menethil and chronicles his journey from a young boy to adulthood. The book is written by Christie Golden who is my favorite WOW book writer. I checked the site and in a trance, I just entered my credit card number.
Flash a couple of month later, A little hitch happened (it was supposed to be sent on the 21st of April) and a very friendly and prompt customer service apologize for the late shipment due to the high demand for the book. She assured me that it will be sent soon. It was sent the next day (30th of April) and I received it 10 days later in good condition. I was using their air postal that has no tracking but there were no problem.
Crank: High Voltage
Watched it where?
Senayan City XXI
Any snag(s) while watching?
Nope 
When I made the decision to watch this movie, I was expecting a no brain-er, high octane action movie like the first movie. I like Crank though it was entertaining it was somewhat mediocre but just have enough nonsense in it to make it entertaining. For the second movie, I thought I would probably get the same treatment with a mediocre same formula from the first movie. Before all that, I've seen the trailer and I thought "What none sense is this? He's still alive?". Well that was a prelude to come because for the 90 minute of this movie, I had the time of my life.
Like I said, if you expect something a keen to the first movie, you are half right. From the first five minutes, you may notice a few difference in the way the director directs this movie. As the story prolongs, the surrealistic cinema was treated with hyperactive camera works that, strangely enough, worked and wasn't nauseating. It creates a sense of fast paced and what I can describe as a visual cacophony that is delighting, intriguing and exciting.
The director/writer went all out in this movie and displayed a totally unorthodox way to portray an action movie character with a flair of surrealism and comedy that blew me away. The director manage to make the main character to become, literally, a mythical creature. (Chev Chelios > Chuck Norris) And like a Guy Ritchie movie, none of the character in this movie is a minor character. Each has a pseudo major role (Yes I made that term up) that manage to establish them selves in the story even though they are only minutes on screen.
Plots? Well if you are thinking about plots at this point, you are missing the point of this movie.
To call this an under the radar or a sleeper hit would be a gross understatement. What this movie is, is a new interpretation to the action movie flick with larger than life protagonist. What this movie did was reminding me how fun a movie can be.
Best fun I had this year. And I hope this will be the movie that will define Jason Statham's awesomeness.
Rating:
9.0
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Review
Watched it Where?
Senayan City XXI
Any snag(s) while watching?
Nope
As Marvel studios plow through their old and established movie franchises, especially after X-Men 3, finally the X-Men has the reboot that a lot of fans has been looking for. Although it is a no brain-er why they put Wolverine as the poster child for this movie, it is also understandable because Wolverine has a long back story that would be pretty easy to develop for the movie.
A lot of comic fans will definitely scoff this and it is true that many scene in this movie either doesn't follow the comic or is not in 'character' of Wolverine. I personally find some of the problem in the movie trivial because I try and see the comic and the movie as a different entity. I enjoy the comic and I enjoy the movie.
Considering this is a summer action flick, the story delves pretty deeply into Wolverine's psyche. And they present the plot pretty through while keeping the pace fun with action scenes here and there. There are scenes in this movie that I deemed unnecessary but as a whole the plot wasn't too slow and quite enjoyable. And the action scenes? Well I've seen a lot of action movie and some action cuts in this movie was quite surprisingly cool.
I had my doubts (especially after three), thankfully I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. And I did it because I consider this to be a different interpretation of the Wolverine character. That said, this movie still retains many things that makes the Wolverine character and packaged it in a fun way.
Rating:
8.0