Remakes That Are Better Or On Par With The Originals

I often find myself baffled when a remake of a well known motion picture is hitting the theater, and like a lot of people, I am left with a intriguing question. Will it blow the socks off the original film or will it bite the dust? Well, sometimes, you get a little taste of both. Sometimes movie remakes can be a glorified version of the film it was based upon, or sometimes, or as some people would say, all the time, movie remakes simply put do not live up to the original film. But as the big movie person I am, I feel that there are a lot of remakes out there that are better or on par with the originals, each containing lots of different characters and plot points, but overall, not straying too far from the original films they follow in vain. With that said, let's have a look at some of my all time favorite film remakes, some coming from a few of my all time favorite directors and starring some of the most gifted actors in Hollywood.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory





Yes, say what you want about this film and how it is much more whimsical twist on the beloved original, but I think, for a remake that follows in the footsteps of the well known 1971 film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory got the job done properly. Containing many differences from the original, this film, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka, followed less of the original film and more of the original 1964 novel by Roald Dahl. Instead of geese that lay golden eggs like in the Gene Wilder version, it's back to walnut cracking squirrels. Charlie's father, who was entirely absent from the original film is present in this film, screwing the caps on toothpaste tubes at the nearby toothpaste factory. Even some of the minor elements from the original novel are present in this film, like the Indian prince who had Wonka build him an entire house out of chocolate, and hair toffee that makes people's hair grow to an incredible length. Sorry folks, no fizzy lifting drinks or HSAWAKNOW (Wonkawash spelled backwards) or boat rides that will scar children for life, but it's all good. Unlike other remakes like Planet of the Apes, Tim Burton handles this film very nicely, and delivers a different, yet exciting and innovative remake of a classic tale, one that others will enjoy just as much as the original. And would you believe the original wasn't released in Germany until after this film came out. That's a shame, honestly, for all should be able to see both of these magnificent films, full of edge of your seat excitement and wonder. By the way, Burton's film doesn't have cheesy looking everlasting gobstoppers and giant lollipops that are clearly inflatable balloons!

The Fly





Even without the famous Vincent Price, the remake of the 1958 film The Fly holds up quite well to the original, even if they are a few, somewhat gruesome changes here and there. Most of the key elements are still there, the teleportation pods, the relationship between the male and female leads, even some of the musical compositions are somewhat similar to the ones that can be heard in the original film. However, the most significant departure from the original, and the thing that got Chris Wales an Academy Award for Best Makeup was the horrid transformation of Seth Brundle into the hideous fly creature. It was horrifying and amazing to look at, and really makes the film all the more interesting and different from the original, where Vincent Price just simply pulled off a cloth to reveal his insect face. The acting in this film is also quite adequate, and very appropriate for an 80s remake, as the dialogue in the original film was appropriate for the 1950s time period. Either way, both films are great, and I enjoy picking out all of the significant differences between each film, for there are so many, I can't even mention them all within one entry. And the remake was so successful, it spawned a sequel 3 years later, with Seth Brundle's son as the title character. The sequel, like the sequels to the original film, didn't quite live up to the first film, but was still quite satisfying in it's own right, and worthy enough to make quite a bit of money at the box office. Nevertheless, the remake of Kurt Neumann's 1958 classic was a worthy contender, and one of the best films of the 1980s for sure. It might be a much darker, bloodier take on the original, but it is very unique and one of the most chilling motion pictures I have ever seen. Check it out, because there are not too many films out there like this!

King Kong





As I had stated a dozen times before, the original Merian C. Cooper King Kong film from 1933 is one of my all time favorite motion pictures. I personally could go on for hours and hours talking about the stop motion effects, the action, the relationships between the characters, I love the film that much, and usually when a film is very popular among movie goers, it often gets remade in the years following. Believe it or not, this wasn't the first time the hairy black monkey of destruction saw a reinterpretation. In 1976, an extremely low budget remake was made starring Jeff Bridges and Charles Grodin that was horrifically received at the box office and panned by Roger Eberts all over creation. What's even worse is that they actually made a sequel to this remake, much like they had made sequels to the original King Kong in the past, and it is often considered to many as the grand turd of terrible flicks. But in 2005, The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson would finally bring us the King Kong re-imagining we've wanted for years, displaying the iconic tale of Beauty and the Beast in a different, unique, and yet satisfying manner. The acting by the actors in this film is on par with the acting from the actors in the original film, although I think we can all agree, Naomi Watts simply can't pull off the same horrendous high pitched scream of Fay Wray, who's legendary scream echoes in my head to this very day. And of course, the CGI effects in this film simply don't put a dent in the glory of the stop motion effects of the original. Being such a big fan of the original film, it's very hard to say that the CGI effects in the newer film are better than the effects in the original. Sure, making CGI effects is just as tedious and time consuming as making frames and moving models for stop motion effects, even Peter Jackson admitted it was hard making a stop motion effects sequence when trying to create the lost spider pit scene from the original film, but CGI doesn't seem to have the appeal and charm of stop motion effects in films like the original King Kong, sometimes looking synthetic and unrealistic, although, sometimes, admittedly, it can blow my socks off.

But don't get me wrong, there were some things in the remake that I thought we even better than some of the things in the original. The natives of Skull Island are much darker and solemn in appearance and not as goofy and ridiculously dressed as they were in the original film. And speaking of darker and solemn, this whole film in general was much more darker and contemporary than the original masterpiece. Of course in this day in age, it comes as no surprises things would be remade in a more realistic sense, but Jackson's King Kong kicked it up a supreme notch, and really delivered a much more intimidating appeal, even with James Newton Howard's blood pumping score to really send us to the edge of the wall. It also had it's share of light hearted scenes like the original, like Watts' Anne Darrow skating on ice with Kong, and Carl Denham trying to give a Skull Island child chocolate. It was very interesting to see what Jackson did to give the King Kong story a little more zest and expansion, and while it doesn't quite have the exact same feeling of the original, it has a unique, refreshing feeling to it, and I was very impressed with every bit of it. Surely it wasn't as good as the original film, but it was surely one of the best remakes I have ever seen, and watching both the original and the remake back to back, you can really see the significant differences that really make each film stand out. And the great brawl between King Kong and the airplanes atop the Empire State Building is breathtaking and heart pounding in each film, for the special effects in each version really add to the tension and wonder of how exactly they were able to make scenes like that.

Clash of the Titans 





Yeh, I know what might be running through a lot of your heads. A lot of people didn't think this film was all that great and makes a fool out of the cult classic original film, but in my eyes, I think this film really did a great job of tackling the ancient tale of Perseus of Greek mythology, showing the story in a bloodier, more vicious perspective than the original 1981 film. The original Michael Moorey film is hands down the superior version of the two motion pictures, and for many reasons. RAY HARRYHAUSEN! Gosh darnit, he is one of the greatest stop motion artists of all time. Once you see his trademark stop motion effects in films like Jason and the Argonauts and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, you immediately know it was him that made them, and you can really see the time and effort that was put into those effects to make them look as consistent and realistic as possible. So it's no surprise that the final fight between Perseus and the Kraken is one of my all time favorite stop motion fight scenes of all time, even if the Kraken looks nothing like his Greek mythology counterpart. But the appeal of the originally is almost unforgettable. It has that early 80s feeling to it that really sets the mood for the classic, released on the wake of other cult films like TRON, and even though a lot of the scenes in the film are cheesy as an episode of the 60s Batman, especially with the robotic bird Bubo that is very reminiscent of R2-D2, it is a film like no other, and one of the best films of the 80s. Plus, it stars Laurence Olivier as Zeus. HOW FITTING IS THAT!

But the 2010 doesn't have Lawrence Olivier, or Harryhausen effects, but instead has Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Sam Worthington in armor, and CGI effects fitting for each and every scene of the film,even if some of them were a bit "video game-ish". As I said before, CGI effects can often be stunning, but we all know it's fake, we all know it exists within a computer, and it will take a lot of hard work to make CGI effects blend in and look as realistic as possible. So it's no surprised that the effects in this film are a bit inferior to the Harryhausen effects of the original, but are still very very stunning and amazing to look at in some scenes, especially the fight scenes. The acting in the film was also something to talk about. I really enjoyed Liam Neeson as Zeus and Sam Worthington, who also plays Marcus Wright in Terminator: Salvation, did a fine job of attacking the role of Perseus, the famous finder of Mycenae and slayer of Medusa. But I think what really made me like this film the most was it took all the cheesiness of the original and made it into something darker, something to be taken more seriously. It's much more sophisticated and respected in many ways, and the action sequences are just as stellar as the action scenes in the original, very reminiscent of the fight scenes in films like 300 and Troy. And like the original, there are many glorious creatures to be amazed by, this time created through silicon material, but very interesting to examine. As I am aware, this film wasn't met very well in some critics' books, who criticized the acting and the story, but I personally thought it was a worthy re-imagining of the original cult classic, for there were some things I liked, some things I thought could have been done a little bit better. It's a pretty good movie, and I recommend it if you are in the mood for a good action-popcorn film, for it's far from terrible and far from being one of the worst movies of all time.

And with all of your minds in a befuddlement, you are probably wondering in envy what movie I have decided to talk about last. Well, I have given it a lot of thought and I have finally picked the perfect movie to talk about, one of the greatest movies ever made.

Ben-Hur 





One of the greatest movies in all of cinema, Ben-Hur, believe it or not, is not the first film take on the 1880 novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace.MGM made a silent film of Ben-Hur in 1925 starring famous silent movie actor Ramon Novarro, and like many other people as well as film historians, I think this version has a lot of elements that are better than some of the elements present in the famous 1959 version, which is known for winning more Oscars than any other movie in Hollywood. For example, a lot of people consider Ben-Hur's signature chariot race to be highly superior in the 1925 version, filled with just as many eye boggling moments as the famous 1959 film, whose take on the chariot race has become a recognizable element of not just the film, but films as a whole. The silent nature and the mannerisms of the silent movie actors is also at times more amusing to observe than some of the acting and dialogue spoken by the characters in the 59 film, and some of the scenes in the 59 film that didn't have that much tension and drama have those ingredients in the 1925 film, even if it is silent and we can't here the actors speak. Overall, I think the 1959 masterpiece is far superior to the 1925 film, but the 1925 is hands down an uncanny masterpiece in film as well. It was just as epic for it's time as the 1959 was epic for it's time, and both did a fantastic job of recreating the legendary tale of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jerusalem prince and merchant who was displayed as a gallant hero and warrior in both versions. And before I begin to mainly focus on the 1959 epic, I must also mention that there was a fascinating 15 minute film version of Ben-Hur from 1907. I personally have not seen this version and I probably won't anytime soon, but I have read that it mainly focused on the famous chariot race scene and local firemen played the parts of the chariot racers and the horses that pulled the fire wagons played the horses that pulled the chariots through the streets. I have also read that this film was made without the original author, Lew Wallace's permission, and several court cases and copyright claims developed soon after because of this flaw. To put it short, this film is one of the many reasons why people who want to make movies based off of novels must first get the license to make the film from the original creators of the novel, otherwise the film creators could get into serious trouble and ownership suits can begin to brew.

But enough talk about that matter, let us talk about the film that is considered to many as one of the greatest motion pictures ever made, Ben-Hur. I'm simply going to keep this short and bittersweet because there is really nothing more I can say that hasn't already been said infinite times beforehand, especially about the film's trademark chariot race, and for the simple fact that Ben-Hur, while interesting and mind blowing, is not one of my all time favorite movies. Don't get me wrong, it is an excellent movie, and if it wasn't, why the heck would I be talking about it in the first place, but it never really had the same impact on me as other films like Star Wars or The Wizard of Oz, and offering this film to today's film consumers, whose minds are often dominated by the Twilight series and horror remakes, is like offering a two year old a book of Shakespeare plays. Kids at that age most likely won't even understand what some of the words in those stories mean. Ben-Hur is a bore to sit through for many people, but is still just as epic as say a Lord of the Rings film or film focusing on the hardships of war, attachment and how to deal with certain struggles. It's interesting, fascinating, and fun to watch at times, particularly in the action scenes and, you guessed it, the chariot race scene, which has some of the most suspenseful moments ever shot on camera. And the actors, particularly Charlton Heston give a defiant performance, Heston tackling on the role of Ben-Hur with all his blood and guts, delivering some mighty fines lines of dialogue and capturing the embodiment of the character flawlessly, as flawlessly as Leonard Nimoy took on the role of Spock, and Harrison Ford took on the role of Indiana Jones and Han Solo. The other actors also do a fantastic job as their respective characters, Stephen Boyd fantastic as Messala and Martha Scott as the female lead, Merriam, showing that they really take their roles seriously and want to give a prudent performance. The morals of this film are also universally unforgettable. Ben-Hur believed in himself, and though many relentless things brought him to his kneecaps, he got back up again and continued to strive forward, teaching us all the lessons of bravery and courage and how to face many of life's challenging challenges. I also like how they tie this film in with the events displayed in the Bible, Ben-Hur meeting one of the kings of the Magi, Balthasar, and witnessing the crucifixion of Christ towards the end of the movie, learning of Christ's teachings and the ways of forgiveness. The film also displays the hardships and crude nature of the Roman Empire, often showing their motives of greed, obsession and wealth.But not even that brought down Ben-Hur's courageous actions, as he would go on to win the chariot race and learn not to take on the ways of revenge and vendetta, but forgive others and except other people for who they were.

That my friends, is why I enjoy Ben-Hur so much because of it's lessons, for all stories, whether they'd be movies, televisions shows, or books have morals, and teach us things, like how to solve problems and how to accept ourselves as well as others, and I can't help but compare films like Ben-Hur to the tales of the Bible and mythology, for the struggles of the characters are similar to the struggles of the characters of the Bible, the characters changing overtime and realizing things they didn't realize before, making them better, more respective people. That's what I like about remakes, although they are a different take on a classic tale, they still carry the morals and values of the first telling, the characters and the settings and the meaningful elements that we can take with us through life. Although some of them are critically despised and hated by those who glorify the originals, they are still known in many ways to tackle things the original couldn't tackle, and do things in different manners to better the story and the film in whole. I am still not sure what exemplary tales will be re-maded, rebooted, reinterpreted, re-imagined, reexamined, customized in the near future, but whatever they are, we are in for a wild, exotic treat, for who knows what the film makers have in store for us, and how the plan to go about remaking the stories for today's power hungry audience, crazy for good stories, exceptional acting and special effects without the constant use of CGI. It will surely be something to talk about!

Mickey Mania Game Review

Mickey Mouse has sealed himself as one of the most easily recognizable cartoon characters of all time, and I can honestly say, he is my all time favorite for sure. He has made his way into history, starring in countless films, television shows, merchandise, comic books, he has even made his way into the pixelated world of video games, and there is certainly a scrumptious assortment of Mickey Mouse games for me to sink my teeth into. Of course many are familiar with King Mickey in the Kingdom Hearts game series, and how Mickey reluctantly teamed up with the Disney reject Oswald the Lucky Rabbit in Epic Mickey, but during the mid 90s, Mickey was well known for appearing in classic video games of the 16-bit era. And one of these games, declared by many as one of the hardest Mickey Mouse games ever programmed, is Mickey Mania, released by Sony in 1994 for both the  Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the Sega Genesis, also known as the Sega Mega Drive. In my opinion, the Super Nintendo version is quite superior, but both are great in their own right, and a version was released for the Playstation in Europe that is hands down the best out of any version. But it was the SNES version I grew up with, and have many fond memories of playing as a child, although, I have to admit, the Genesis version has many things to rave about as well, so yet's begin talking about this superb Mickey game, shall we?



In this game, you go through all the classic Mickey cartoons, The Mad Doctor, Moose Hunters, The Lonesome Ghosts, Mickey and the Beanstalk, and the cartoon that is said to be where Mickey 's career really kicked off, Steamboat Willie, although Mickey's initial debut was in Plane Crazy from 1928. In the Sega Genesis version, you can unlock a secret level based upon my personal favorite Mickey cartoon, The Band Concert from 1935. In fact, all versions of this game differ profoundly from one another, the SNES version missing key elements featured in the Genesis version, such as the many appearances of Pluto throughout the game and a tedious staircase scene in The Mad Doctor level, replaced in the SNES version by an elevator stage. There are also many special effects absent from the SNES version, but as I stated before, since I am most familiar with the SNES version and I the most memories of that version, I hold that one at the highest regards. The SNES version is also, in my opinion, slightly harder than the Genesis version, the gameplay somewhat abstract and not as swift as it is in the Genesis version. But all versions of the game are great never the less, and have a lot of things that make them unique for video games released around that time.

The special effects in this game are BRILLIANT as Harry Potter would say, putting some of the effects on the Playstation and Ultra 64 to shame, and I would be a fool not to say that I didn't have a little bit of fun during the moose chase scene in the Moose Hunters level. It kind of reminds me of the wildebeast stampede level in The Lion King video game released the same year, as the main character has to run from incoming creatures while avoiding rocks and obstacles along the way, although in Mickey Mania, Mickey must collect apples to maintain his speed. The special effects are also prominent in other levels, particularly in the Steamboat Willie level and The Prince and the Pauper level with the 3-dimensional staircase and the falling crates. I guess that's what happens when you blend together the wizardry of Sony Image Soft, the animation techniques of Disney animators and the capabilities of the SNES, pure 3-D goodness and really makes the game a real treat to look at in astonishment. The music in this game is also fun to listen too, each tune fitting for each and every one of the levels. For example, the tune in the Steamboat Willie stage is a upbeat, cheery theme that really sets the mood for the level, while the tune in The Mad Doctor stage is more of a haunting, bone chilling symphony, getting the player ready to avoid hair raising bats and skeletons that break apart and throw their skulls at you. Talk about difficulty!

And the difficulty in all versions is frustrating and blood boiling as all heck. The cart sequence in The Mad Doctor stage took me quite a few tries to get right, for you have to jump from cart to cart and avoid buzz saws and spikes, because all games are incomplete without some sort of cart or chase sequence. Another thing that really frosted my cake was the ghosts in The Lonesome Ghosts level, for the ghosts are so hard to catch because they are so fast and are armed with weapons. The staircases also collapses in this level and it can be very hard to walk up them. Just imagine if that happened in real life, when you walked up a staircase, it suddenly collapsed. That certainly drive me bonkers! But other than that, the challenge in this game is fairly reasonable. The controls are pretty good, and in some parts, you can get Mickey to do some pretty nifty tricks, like breaking into the exterior of the boat in the Steamboat Willie level. Mickey also has a swift jump, which can allow him to jump upon enemies and avoid obstacles, sort of like the king of the video game icons himself, Mario. The iconic Mickey voice, provided by Wayne Allwine can also be heard in Mickey's Wah-ohs and Ows. Even Pluto shows up in some of the levels to provide a bit of help for Mickey, particularly in the Moose Hunters level where he helps you avoid incoming moose that are running your way.

And Kudos for Sony Image Soft for providing some stellar animation sequences in the game, such as Steamboat Willie's "steering dance" and Mickey's launch from the champagne bottle right before the Mickey and the Beanstalk level. And I have to be quite honest, I have grown quite fond of Fun and Fancy Free throughout the years, although I have to admit, growing up as a kid, I was quite terrified of Edgar Bergen's Charlie Mccarthy and Mortimer Snerd. I also enjoy a lot of the funny mannerisms and movements of the characters in this game, particularly in the villains and background characters, really adding a heartwarming and child friendly appeal to the game, for this game is not only geared for hard core video game players, but children who love to experience video games as well, today's children obviously indulging themselves in playing games like Halo, Gears of War and Call of Duty which I honestly don't care for. Overall, Mickey Mania is certainly one game worth checking out. If you are a video game person like I am and a huge fan of Disney cartoons and movies, don't hesitate one bit to play this amazing 16-bit masterpiece. It is surely one of the best games for the SNES and the Sega Genesis, and is one of the best Mickey Mouse video games in general, on par with Epic Mickey and the Kingdom Hearts games, although there are many more Mickey games out there that are also quite good as well. But if you are looking for an adventure game that puts you in control of one of the most famous cartoon characters ever drawn on paper, looking no further than Mickey Mania, for it surely shows Mickey at his prime, adds that signature touch from the cartoons that we have all come to love and enjoy throughout the ages. Now, I am off to master the Mickey Mouse's Magical Quest  by Capcom, another hard yet exception game in the Disney game library. CHOW! 

My Favorite Movie Quotes

Movie quotes are often sealed within the minds of all humans, causing them to repetitively chant these quotes over and over again and lampoon them in several other films and television shows. But what are the movie quotes that really stand out for me, for there are so many out there, and everyone is bound to have one or two that they hold most dear. With hard core thinking and analysis, I have narrowed it down to 5 quotes, these quotes catchy in their own way and can either be intimidating or meaningful in life, helping us come to reality and believe in ourselves, as well as be grateful for what we have. With that said, grab your popcorn bucket and 3-D glasses and let's have a look, because it's always interesting to talk about movie quote with my fellow friends and viewers!

Why so serious?





Of all the quotes Mr. Heath Ledger Joker chanted in The Dark Knight, Why So Serious is obviously the one that sticks out like Pinocchio's nose. It is undeniable the most chanted catchphrase from The Dark Knight,  and even though Mr. Ledger said it very few times in the film, it still had a groundbreaking impact, for it really showed the skyrocketing magnitude and power Ledger put into the Joker's character. Just as he says it in the film, it's intimidating as all heck, and really shows how demanded and cruel the Joker is as he mercilessly sabotages many lives in Gotham City as he tries to uncover the true identity of Batman. And come to think of it, I wonder how the other Jokers would have sounded if they had said this line. I think it still would have been pretty kick ass coming out of the mouth of Mark Hamill or Jack Nicholson, just look how scary and demanded he was in Burton's first film. Either way, Ledger did a fantastic job making this one of the most chilling lines ever spoken on film, and it really makes us wonder? WHY SO SERIOUS? Just think about it? Why do we all act so serious at moments? Why do we have emotional breakdowns every so often? Well, the Joker makes us think about that, and this quote, like Ledger's performance, has helped the Joker gain recognition as one of the most iconic comic book villain of all time.

Come with me if you want to live





It's weird to think that these words first came out of the mouth of Kyle Reese in the first Terminator film, but it was Schwarzenegger's chanting of the line in Judgment Day that solidly made this one of the most recognizable elements of the entire Terminator franchise. This quote, also said several times in the Terminator sequels and The Sarah Connor Chronicles, became not only a symbolic to the Terminator's character, but films as a whole, for it gave us all a feeling of protection, courage, and strength, making use realize that there will always be those who stand by our sides and fight to defend us, helping us become much stronger and willing to fight on our own. That's one of the very many lessons the Terminator has come to teach us as, through Judgment Day, we see him become more and more human, until the very end where he sacrifices himself to prevent the formation of Skynet. John Conner and Sarah Connor LIVED because of the Terminator's vital protection, and he would do anything in his power to make sure that the future savior for humanity, John Connor would not be eliminated, for he helped better both their characters, making them much wiser than what they started off as in the beginning of the film. The Terminator's MISSION was surely ACCOMPLISHED.

I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse 





I'm not much of a Godfather historian, but if I had to pick one quote from Coppola's franchise, it would surely be I'm Gonna Make Him An Offer He Can't Refuse. This line really shows how sinister and calculating Marlon Brando's character of Don Vito Corleone really is, and showing he will do just about anything to get his godson, John Fontane, a role in a feature film that will help his ailing career, even make the head of the film studio and offer he can't refuse. It's a movie quote that has never before been spoken on film and for many movie purists, it is a film line that sticks out like a sore thumb. The Godfather and The Godfather Part 2 have gone down in history as two of the most significantly proclaimed motion pictures ever produced, and part of that has to do with this one line. Just as Marlon Brando says it, you can really feel a tingle in your bones, and the hairs on the back of your neck rise like something terribly wrong is going to occur, and as we all know, something unfortunately does go down the crapper by the end of each film. Since The Godfather's release in 1976, I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse has been penned as one of the greatest lines ever spoken on film, ranking second in the American Film Institute's list of 100 Greatest Movie Quotes, next to Frankly My Dear, I Don't Give A Damn from Gone with the Wind, which agreeable ranked at #1. But in my book, I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse is undeniable one of my all time favorite movie quotes, even if The Godfather isn't my all time favorite movie series to jump on top of.


There's no place like home



As if I even need to go into any detail. Seriously, is there possibly anything I can say that has not already been said countless times by fans and movie purists alike. This line, spoken in one of the most well known motion pictures ever made has gone on to leave an impact like no other movie quote in history, although, ironically, the line was only spoken once by Dorothy in L.Frank Baum's originally novel from 1900, which the acclaimed movie followed in vain. Judy Garland was such a great actor for her time, and her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz really goes to show what she is able to do, and delivering this line towards the very end of the film, you can really see how much Dorothy has changed throughout the movie, from a Kansas farm girl suffering from bordom, wishing to be in a place far beyond her wilded dreams to a sophisticated young lady who comes to realize that she had that all along, and that she could be happy right where she was, even if Kansas was a dull, unexciting place. And she is not alone. Many people in actual reality have come to realize how precise home life really is, college students, scholars, scientists, military sergeants, who have all been indulged in the realm of their careers, and it's all because of this quote.

This quote has helped many realize that there will never be another place on this Earth like the very place you were raised at, the very house you grew up inside and were raised within, the place where you became who you really are. And years from now, when  we move away and live in another town or mountainside, we look back into our memory banks and remember home, a place that can never be matched. This quote has touched the lives of many, no scratch that, all people, for there is perhaps no person on this Earth, except children in infancy that have not seen this masterpiece, a film that will still be in people's hearts 10,000 years from now, and one of the pivotal reasons The Wizard of Oz will spend many years in the spotlight, is because of this quote. There no place like home, it really puts life into perspective, and helps us to understand that home will always be a place where we are welcomed with open arms.

May the force be with you 





As the big Star Wars fan I am, I couldn't go about making a list of my favorite movie quotes without including the signature quote from the entire series. This quote has not only been spoken in the Star Wars films, but in just about every Star Wars video game, comic book, even The Clone Wars television series. And I don't blame them for not including this quote in those stories, because May The Force Be With You is not just the most memorable quote in all of Star Wars, but filmography in general. This quote has been spoken in many other films and parodies as well as people in reality, past actor and US president Ronald Reagan saying the memorable line in a speech about the U.S.S.R.But it is much, much more than just a line, first spoken by cocky smuggler Han Solo in the very first Star Wars film, it is a line that provides hope, giving people supreme confidence and pride and allowing them not to give up. When Luke Skywalker was attacking the Death Star in the film, he believed in the force, even with the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi telling him to Use The Force, he believed in himself, and didn't depend on the technological advancements around him, and this eventually allowed him to fire the torpedoes that annihilated the Death Star and all aboard. This quote could also be looked upon as helping people in real life as well. Do you really think people like Martin Luther King Jr. or Gandhi would have gotten anywhere if they didn't believe in themselves, didn't try, Use The Force. But as we all know, they did, and they made the ultimate difference.

So, in it's own way, the force does not only exist in the Star Wars universe, but our universe as well. It surrounds us, penetrates us, holds the galaxy together. Doesn't that apply with life here on Earth. Don't people often work together and work hard to achieve things. May The Force Be With You in a way had something to do with that, helping us find who we really are, and realizing that there are many things in life bigger than anything we could ever imagine, bigger than our own world, bigger than ourselves. It's always fascinating to believe in the supernatural, like the force, and it can fill us with the most grandiose of feelings.

But it's always a mixed bag as to what movie quotes you hold close to your hearts. As a matter of fact, all movies, good or bad, have quotes that signify them from all the rest. Even if they aren't the most recognizable, they are still acknowledged in a way, and really make the film stand out from all the rest. And I certainly feel that the movie industry is driven to a supreme level because of the memorable quotes spoken in films, for they can leave a critical impact on all those who watch and enjoy films, and they can take these lines with them through life and allow them to inspire their actions.

Get Glasses, You Never What You Will See In Movies

In The Wizard of Oz, people have rumored that there is a munchkin hanging himself in the scene where Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman skipped away. For many reasons, people have argued this for many years, but ut was discovered in the early 2000s that it was a large crane in the background. And I have to agree. But for some reason, people still argue it’s a munchkin hanging himself. What do you think it is? Be sure to keep an eye on this “hanging munchkin”, in the Wizard of Oz, when or whenever it airs.

There are lots of mysterious things you will find movies. In Star Wars: Episode 3, the Millenium Falcon can be seen entering the docking bay on Coruscant. Also, in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the droids C3-PO and R2-D2 can be seen on one of the pillars in the Well of Souls, while Indy is lifting the Ark of the Covenant out of the Well, and the letters 0B-CPO (Obi Wan and C3-PO) can be seen on Jock Lindsay’s plane. And you can forget Club Obi-Wan, a major reference to Star Wars, in Raider’s prequel, The Temple of Doom. You’ll never know what you’ll see in films, you just have to keep your eyes peeled.

In Steven Spielberg’s Hook, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and George Lucas (Star Wars creator) can be seen kissing on the bridge scene. In X2 X-Men United, the names of some famous X-Men can be seen in the scene where Raven Darkholme is looking up police officers on the net. In Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the Ark of the Covenant from the first film can be seen in the Warehouse chase scene. Finally in E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, you will see many references to Star Wars and Sesame Street. Yes, there are many things you may come across in film.

So whether it’s a hanging munchkin or a set of Star Wars figures, you will find many things in movies. So just paste your eyes to the movie screen and see what you can find. Good Luck.

The First Force Unleashed Game Review

Have you ever wondered what had happend between Star Wars Episode 3 and Episode 4. Well, The Force Unleashed explains it all. It tells the untold tale of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, Starkiller (the original name for Luke Skywalker in the early scripts of Star Wars) who is trained to hunt down the jedi that had survived the attack in Episode 3. Along the way, he learns friendship, wisdom, and to break away from evil controlling forces.

Not only does the game express great passion and psychological developement, it always explains why things stand the way they do in the Star Wars films, such as the Rebel Alliance. It explains how one man, who is controlled by a evil demagogue, can go on his own, and in the end, defeat him. And the fight between Vader and Starkiller at the end is absolutely awesome! Nothing but intense lightsaber dashing and slashing, and kicking Vader’s butt. I mean, you literally take off all his armor by cutting at him with the lightsaber.

Overall, TFU is a great game, and satisfying to any Star Wars fan. By the way, you get to slaughter wookiees. I know some people think that it is cool, and I admit, it is awesome, but cruel and sad at the same time. I mean, to think Chewbacca is a Wookiee. Anyway, The Force Unleashed is surely a game worth checking out! L

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Review

X-Men Origins: Wolverine isn't your average run of the mill superhero film, in my humble opinion, it is a film that strays far beyond action and excitement, clearly setting up the events that would follow in the mainstream film trilogy. So, what can I say about this new prequel to the epic X-Men saga. It was pretty darn cool! A lot of people are complaining about this film, saying it was too complex and didn’t seem like a hard core X-Men movie, but in my opinion, it surpasses the so called “flat” X-Men: The Last Stand, and sets up the groundwork for the other X-Men films.

Hugh Jackman does an excellent job as Logan, aptly name, Wolverine, who has the ability to wield bone claws from his wrists, as well as heal himself after being injured. After his half-brother, Victor Creed aka Sabretooth beats him and kills his girlfriend, Silverfox, Logan voluteers to have adamantium bonded to his skeleton, giving him his trademark metal claws. Now what can I say about the action scenes in this film. They were cool as well. The battle with Wolverine and Gambit was brilliant, displaying the Gambit we all know and love from the comics. Another battle I really like is the battle between Wolverine and Sabretooth. I love the emotion and the anger they display, on a count of Sabretooth doing all these terrible things to Wolverine. 

So after talking about all of these good things in the film, you probably think I am going to swamp Deadpool. Well, I’m not. To be honest, I am not a big Deadpool fan, and I don’t mean to kick a dead horse, but he really doesn’t appeal to me that much. But in the film, he was pretty cool. How he whips them swords all over the place, cutting bullets in half and doing groundbreaking stunts, it was awesome. And when they turn him into Weapon XI, he was okay. I like the idea of him having all of these powers, like Wolverine’s healing factor and Cyclops’ beams, but I really wasn’t a fan of his mouth being sewn shut or two swords coming out of his hands. Every fan knows that Deadpool likes to cock off and make jokes, so how is he able to do that with his mouth sewn shut. But he was okay, and my theory is that he is a clone of the real Deadpool, and the two Deadpools will come face to face in the Deadpool spin-off.

 

So overall, it was a great film, and I highly recommend it to any Wolverine fan. And this is also one of them films that you want to stick around for after the credits. Also, there is a cameo of someone from the first three X-Men films, but I will not spoil it for anyone who has not seen the movie. So I hope you have enjoyed my review of this film, and have a good day.

Star Trek 2009 Review

Well, after the somewhat dreadful movie takes of Star Trek that have hit the big screen in the past years, you would think that a new Star Trek film would be a waste of time. However, we were all proven wrong when the new Star Trek film hit the big screen this past month. This movie has for sure gone where no Star Trek movie has gone before and has grossed the most money out of any other Star Trek film. So, what can I say about the new Star Trek film, well there isn’t really  that much to say about it. It was pretty cool, that’s for sure, but it is more then a Star Trek film. It is a drama, a fantasy, and a climatic turn on a classic. This film is perhaps one of the greatest sci-fi thrillers I have ever seen.

So to start, we are introduced to all of the characters, Kirk, Spock, Bones, Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, and Scotty, and I must say, the character development is quite magnificent. We see Kirk’s birth, as well as his childhood, and see the development of Spock as the film progresses. I also like how they somewhat built up on the characters, making them more then you use to be. They made Bones seem a little insane at first, made Sulu more skilled with a sword, and gave Uhura a more feminin appeal. The special effects are also something to babel about. They were so cool, it is almost if they had existing in real life, not through a computer. In my opinion, these effects were quite superior to the ones in the past Star Trek films.



Leonard Nimoy returns as Future Spock, who I must say, still has the overall embodiment of Spock, even after 45 years. It is very strange seeing New Spock talking to Old Spock, Old Spock telling New Spock what is to come of his journeys on the Enterprise. The villain is a Romulan named Nero, which is the name of final ruler of Julio-Claudian dynasty in ancient Rome, you know the one who burned Rome and played the flute as it burned. I really think that the development of Nero is quite good as well, seeing his homeworld destroyed, and his wife and unborn child being killed. I really think the villains of Star Trek are still fantastic, but I think that Nero really tops it in this film.

So, those are my thoughts on the new Star Trek film. On a count of being close to the original series we know and love, this film is the best Star Trek film ever to be released in my opinion. I am looking forward to seeing sequels in the near future, and maybe a reboot on the Next Generation. I really don’t know. All I know is that Star Trek is still a great sci-fi classic, even to this day. Live long and prosper, as Spock would say.

Avatar Movie Review

About two years ago, a film was released by director James Cameron, a film that took the box office by storm and currently ranks as the highest grossing movie of all time. I am of course talking about the spectacularly blue sci-fi thriller, Avatar. Now, if you are not a fan of James Cameron films (Alien, Terminator), you may change your mind if you see this film, because this film is just spot on and flawless, and in my opinion, along with The Dark Knight and Star Trek, one of the best movie of these past couple years

The special effects are incredible, especially in 3-D, because they really stand out and make the movie more solid. I also thought the 3-D effects done on the humans was awesome as well. The Na’vi creatures are some of the most realistic looking creatures ever shown on film. I also enjoyed the action sequences in the film. The struggles in the film are very well reflected from the spell-binding action scenes, and really make the film a whole lot of fun. The casting was also something to talk about. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are excellent, and even an old friend from Alien, Sigourney Weaver make an appearance as Dr. Grace Augustine. And Giovanni Ribisi is one bad ass villain in this film. He is very cruel and dark, and really angered me in some parts of the film.

I also thought the world of Pandora was amazingly beautiful. I love the exotic plants of lifeforms present on the world, as well as the Na’vi themselves. They are sort of like tall, blue, Native American cat like people. Some of the technology in this film was really prudent as well, reminding me of something straight out of Star Wars. Overall, Avatar is an amazing film, and up there as one of the best sci-fi thrillers of all time. Maybe if I get around to making a list of my all time favorite science fiction films , I will have this film on the list, because this film is terribly spot-on and worth all the praise it is getting. It’s is cool and exciting and, well.......CHECK IT OUT! I guarantee you, you will like it! If you are a sci-fi buff like I am, you will love this film as much as sliced bread.

Temple of Death - A Custom Board Game

A couple of years back, a friend and I designed a board game that I would like to share with you. It’s called Temple of Death, and it’s a fun, challenging, and simple game that I personally enjoy playing. The game was slightly based off Indiana Jones, as well as another board game I had as a child, Risk. Here is how it works.

There are four players in this game, Jungle Jack, Safari Sam, Archaeology Arthur and Museum Moe. The object of the game is to make it around the board to get the ancient treasure on the other side. The hard part is that there are several obstacles around the board, such as booby traps that sends the player back to the starting point, and places where the player must go back a turn. However, there are points where a person can excel two places, as well as retrieve several ancient heirlooms. And I got to tell you, as much as I enjoy playing it, there are several part that can make you foam at the mouth. It’s tedious and fun at the same time.

We also made other board games as a child. One game was even based off of the danger room from X-Men. I don’t know where that is, but if I am to find it, I will share that as well. Anyway, Temple of Death is perhaps my greatest invention, and I plan to torture my friends with it’s wrath of fun for many years to come.

The Wolf Man Review

As you all know, I am a big fan of classic monster movies. I like Frankenstein, Dracula, Godzilla, you name it. So when I heard they were making a remake of the 1941 Wolfman film, I was a bit concerned. I thought the people making the film would be overwhelmed by the CGI and the acting would be vague. But I was proven wrong by this film, because in my opinion, this film surpasses the 1941 film in many ways.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the 1941 film, but his film adds a whole new look to it. It’s bloody, vicious, and horrifying in some scenes. I was surprised I was able to keep my food down while I was watching this film. The werewolf transformation in this film is also something to talk about. The dull, fading effect done in the previous film has been replaced by a unique growing, CGI effect. I also liked the acting in this film. Benicio del Toro was perfect as Talbot, and the resemblance between him and Lon Chaney Jr. is remarkable. I also like Anthony Hopkins in this film, as well as the woman who portrayed Talbot’s girlfriend.

The action scenes in this film were very prudent, and the use of computer effects as I noticed was becoming obsolete. I really like the way the Wolfman attacks his enemies in this film, because it really reflects that he is unable to control his abilities and that he is a monster. I was also shocked by the ending of this film, because I was not expecting it to occur. Overall, it’s a good film, and needs to be taken seriously. I really enjoyed it and even though it was far different than the 41 film, it has a style that I really liked. If you want a film that has a lot of action as well as horror and mystery, this is the film for you. Twilight can go eat an ant sandwich, this is the ultimate werewolf film! 

Now, if they would make a remake of Frankenstein Meets The Wolfman, that would be the best thing since sliced bread!

A Brief Review of Mario Kart Wii

Well, I am pleased to inform you that I have come across Mario Kart for Wii just a few days ago, and I must tell you, I am pleased. The graphics and coordination of the game is excellent, and the spirit of the Mario Karts of the past are strong. I love playing this game, especially with it’s thrilling and exuberant backgrounds. My favorite is Wario’s Mind.
This game takes me back to the first time I’ve played Super Mario Kart, on the Super Nintendo a couple of years gao. It was fun and thrilling, just as I pictured it., explaining why it is such a milestone in game history. You could play as  Mario (of course), Luigi, Princess Peach, Yoshi and many more. On Mario Kart Wii, you can play as characters like Wario, Waluigi, Donkey Kong, and even Baby Mario from Super Mario World 2. Beside the opinions of others, I love this game, and it’s very fun to play.

There is one background that really is cool. It is Ghost Valley from the SNES, and it’s exactly the same as it was before. The same music, same track, and same set up. It’s awesome, and even though I don’t always get first, I still love it. If you want classic reincarnated into something new, Mario Kart for Wii is the game for you.

Super Mario Bros Wii Review

A few months back, I described my thoughts on Mario Kart for the Wii Virtual Console. Now, I had recently gotten the newest installment in the Mario games library and it’s called Super Mario Bros Wii. Now, if you liked the first 2 Mario games, you will love this one. It takes all the things that made those games iconic and rolls it into something brand new. This game is not only fun and challenging, but great to play with someone else. If you are breaking your balls at a certain level and need help, have a good friend play along with you, because like they say, more people on the job help get the job done faster.

Now,we all know the story of the Mario Bros, so I will not go into much detail with that, but I will say that like Super Mario Bros 3 and Super Mario World, Mario and Luigi are up against the deadly Koopa Kids, and as any traditional Mario game, they are stomping on Goombas and sending Koopa shells in the other direction to get coins. And trust me, you will need 2 players in this game. Some of these levels are so erratic, you are going to need help from another hand, especially during the final levels of each world. The worlds of this game are also unique from one another. There are polar worlds, desert worlds, grassland worlds, and even some worlds you may remember from previous Mario games.

Also like other Mario games, you get new suits. Similar to Raccoon Suits and Frog Suits, you get Helicopter Suits, Penguin Suits, and even a suit that allows you to throw ice, similar to the art of the fireflowers. And it’s just so much fun to use these suits to trick your enemies and guide them in the right direction. The control and over look of the game is flawless. The 2-D nature makes the game stand out in a good way from other games like Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, and some of the 3-D effects seen in the game really make it seem like a traditional 3-D movie. It’s also fun to use Yoshis to kill enemies and find special warps that lead you from one world to the other.

Overall, Super Mario Bros. Wii is a fantastic game. If you love Mario games, this is a must have. As you play the game, you will flash back to playing the other games in your youth, and you will have fun going from one world to another. I have also observed that it’s even more fun to play with a friend. If you have been looking for a Mario game that carries all the fun of the originals and rolls it into a whole new game, I strongly recommend it, because once you start playing, it’s impossible to stop. You will absolutely love it.

Batman Forever Review

I had a privilege of playing Batman Forever on the SNES this weekend, and let me tell you, this game is HORRIBLE! I have never played such a frustrating, confusing, incoherent game in my entire life! I was very anxious to play this game for a long time, and according to reviews of the game I have seen on the internet, the game’s controls were terrible, the effects were cheesy, and the game had many confusing parts. But that didn’t stop me from playing this game. But now that I think about it, I wished I had never played this game. It’s terrible, stay away from it!

I also find this game to be very identical to Mortal Combat. I know the game was made by the same company, Akklaim, but why couldn’t they come up with something new and fresh. Even the controls are quite similar to Mortal Combat. It should be called Mortal ComBat! And the controls themselves can get very stiff at times. I had to push the buttons down so hard, my fingers turned blood red, and yet, it still didn’t work. The thing I also find weird is that you can play as Robin. Who the heck wants to be Robin! All he can do is whack people with his long stick thinger that doesn’t even do much damage. I rather use a pan to fight off those pesky henchmen.

The thing I find most annoying in this game is shooting the grappling hook. You have to push the select button at the exact right time in order for it to work, but if you do it at the right time, you are pretty much screwed. I can tell you how many times I had to do that trick before I got it right. Imagine if in Super Mario Bros, you had to shoot a grappling hook. It would drive you up the wall wouldn’t it? Also, Batman has a very provocative way of shooting the grappling hook, and if you’ve played the game, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

It’s also interesting to note that when you rescue the security guards from the thugs, they do this dramatic pose. I’M THE KING OF THE WORLD! It’s like come on, it’s not a basketball game! The villains are also weird. There guys in flashy suits that look like drug dealer, guys in masks that wield chainsaws, and the 2 core villains, Riddler and Two-Fac,e who look nothing as they did in the movie. The atmosphere in this game is also annoying. It’s so dark and colorless, it’s hard to tell where things are that you need to excel to the next level.

Overall, Batman Forever is a terrible game. I was very disappointed with it and wish I had never played it. If you thought the movie was bad, think again. It’s campy, choppy, and carelessly designed. Why couldn’t it have been made like Batman Returns for the SNES, I don’t know, but all I know is that this game should be avoided at all causes. It’s HORRIFYING!

Super Mario Bros 2 Review

Let’s review a video game today. I will get back to other objectives later, but for now, I just wanted to take you through my thoughts on one of my favorite video games of all time. I am of course talking about the blacksheep of the Super Mario Bros. series, Super Mario Bros. 2.

Before I begin, I will give you a little back story for the game. Would you believe that this game isn’t even a Mario game at all? It was originally a game released in Japan called Yume Kojo Dokki Doki Panic, a game about four characters, Papa Imajin, Lina and Mama going into a storybook to rescue the children from the evil Mamu. Because Shigeru Miyamoto spent so much time with this game than the original Super Mario Bros. 2 (Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels from All Stars), which was only released in Japan, he decided to redesign the game into a Mario game, retitled in America as Super Mario Bros. 2.  So, in a matter of speaking, Super Mario Bros. 2 isn’t even a Mario game, and not even the real Super Mario Bros. 2. But what difference does it make? Absolutely nothing, because fans enjoy the game anyway.

So to start off, we do not only play as Mario and Luigi, we can play as Princess Toadstool and Toad as well. What also makes this game different is that there is no King Bowser, or any of minions, like Koopa Troopas, Goombas, or Lakitu. Instead we get new enemies like Shy Guys, Birdos, Hawkmouths, and a new arch-nemesis, Wart. The object of the game is to jump on your enemies and lift them up and proceed to throwing them at other enemies. Sometimes you must jump on other enemies to proceed to the next level. Unlike the other Mario games, you do not collect coins or get power up mushrooms, you instead must collect items such as cherries and door potions in order to get material that will help you throughout the game. Sometimes you must use bombs and POW bricks in order to get to one area to the other.

At the end of each world, you must confront a boss. The bosses include Mouser, Tryclyde and Fryguy. You will also confront a Birdo at the end of each level. Each end level you play, the Birdos get harder and harder, and I had to battle a couple of Birdos a number of times in order to knock them son of a guns into oblivion. But an enemy that really ticks me off are the Hoopsters. Everytime you climb up a wire or a beanstalk, you will run into many of these nuisance of creatures. But hey, I am a guy that likes challenge so I’m not really complaining much. The final boss, Wart is pretty simple. All you must do is throw vegetables into Wart’s open mouth, so he can turn to stone and fall to his demise. I guess that’s why most kids these days won’t eat their vegetables.

Despite all of it’s differences with enemies and gameplay, Super Mario Bros. 2 also has differences with graphics. This is the first Mario game that really distinguishes Luigi from Mario, making him taller and leaner. The characters also have different powers. Mario basically has the same powers he had in Super Mario Bros., Luigi can jump the highest,  Princess Peach can hover in the air for several moments, and Toad is the fastest of the four. And from my perspective, it seems that you need a certain character for certain levels, or you may not suceed. The best character to use in digging levels is Toad because he can dig much faster and quicker than any other character. But despite their differences, any of the characters are fine when it comes to avoid rivals.

In conclusion, Super Mario Bros. 2 is a great game, and perhaps one of the best Mario games of all time. People may say

Oooh, this game stinks, I don’t like it, It’s stupid! I wanna play Zelda!

Well, all I can say is screw that! This game is excellent, something unique and divergent from all the other Mario games. If you are tired of stomping on Goombas and Koopa Troopas and collecting coins in the hard core Mario games, play this one. It’s the most challenging, the most different, and the most fun of the series in my opinion. The first one is the best, the third one is right up there, and this game stands out as joyride and the most chromatic of the whole series. If you want a game that is 100% different than it’s companions, Super Mario Bros. 2 is the game to play. It will blow you away!

Dig Dug 2 Review

Welcome back to another video game review. As you guys know, I have already reviewed Super Mario Bros. 2, a game that is very different and farfetched from it’s famous predecessor. Now, it’s time to do the same thing, only this time, we are going to be looking at a game made not by Nintendo, but from another famous game making company, Namco. Namco made games like Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, etc. But I am sure everyone has heard of Dig Dug, the game where you dig your way through the ground to blow up enemies with a pump. A lot of people do not know that there is in fact a sequel to this popular game, Dig Dug 2. When the game was on the verge of being released, many thought that it would be similar to the first in many ways, but just like Mario 2, we got something entirely different.

First of all, I will start out by saying that I have not had much time playing this game, and that I was not able to get to the end to see what happens, but from what I have accomplished, I have come to realize that this game is not only challenging, but as complicating as all hell. The game itself takes place on an island of some sort, not under the ground like in the first game, and the gameplay itself doesn’t even involve any digging. You take control of the main character from the first game, Taizo Hori, who this time is armed with two weapons. One is the pump from the first game, which you can use to to blow up enemies like in the first game, the other is a jackhammer, which you can use to whack a certian black buttons on the ground to destroy some of the land, sending your enemies into the water. But while you attempt to destroy the land, you must avoid the vicious Pookas and Fygars, also from the first game, who want to breath fire upon you and stomp on you.

And trust me folks, it’s harder then it looks. Even if you are a micro-second, those gosh darn enemies will still get to you. It is also very hard to get to one end of the island to the other when some parts are crowded with power-hungry Pookas and Fygars. But to be honest with you, when one, two or three enemies are left on the screen, they will jump off the island and into the ocean. Yeh, they commit suicide. Just like the enemies in Super Mario Bros, just like pumpkin in the NES Silver Surfer game, just like the squirrel in Bible Adventures. They kill themselves. A habit that all video game enemies seem to do. It’s also a pain in the neck to destroy enemies when other enemies are ganging up on you. This is also something that happened in the first Dig Dug game, and to describe my bitter hatred of this flaw, here is a little scit I came up with myself that will explain everything.

Little Bob is playing Dig Dug on the NES. He is close to finishing the level.

Bob: Oh boy! I am finally going to beat this game!

There are two enemies left. Bob goes to destroy the last Pooka.

Bob: Alright! I got this game by the rear end! I’m going to finish it! I’m going to finish…

A Fygar comes behind him and blows fire on him. The game ends.

Bob: ……………………………………………..AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! This is the worst game I ever played. I hate it! I hate it! I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate it! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

You see, it’s nothing but a pain in the backside. It takes one stomp or one blow of fire to send your hopes of winning down the tubes. But to wrap up this review, I will ask the question. Why was this called Dig Dug 2.  You don’t dig, you don’t go underground, you don’t really do anything that you did in the first game. It should have been called Island Dug or Hammer Dug, or Dig Dug: The Island Adventure, okay you get the point, but I just don’t get why they would call it that when it’s not even reminiscent. But in the end, Dig Dug 2 is a great game, just a little challenging and hard in some parts, but other than that, it’s a great game. I still prefer the original Dig Dug to this, because that one to this day is still a fun and exciting game, but Dig Dug 2 has it where it counts.

I will be back to do another game sequel review, but I will not tell you what it is, but until that time, take care and have a good day.

Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link Review

Hi guys, it’s time once again to dive into another odd game sequel. As everyone is aware, Nintendo has a habit of making game sequels very much different than their predecessor. Super Mario Bros 2 was very much different than Super Mario Bros and so was Castlevania 2: Simon’s Quest. But is that a bad thing? Of course not. They both turned out to be very good games and defy the video game industry. However, for such games like Dig Dug 2, released  by Namco, they leave fans with a feeling of disappointment and despair, wishing they were playing the first game. But The Legend of Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link is one of those games that surpasses all. It is one of the first video games I had ever seen or played and everytime I see or hear of the game, I flashback to my youth of seeing my brother play it in the late 90s. But is it a good game, and do others like it as much as I do. Well, that’s a hard question, but by the time I am done with this review, it will all be clear, and the mud will be washed from your eyes.

First of all, I will point out that this game has one of the best video game soundtracks of all time. The overworld theme of this game is iconic, and always brings up found memories of the past. Unlike the first Zelda game, this game is a sidescroller and shows Link as a tall, adolescent boy. He has a lot of weapons in this game, such as his iconic sword, his bow and arrow, and his flute. When you are in deep jelly in this game, the weapons are sure to deliver the some high flying action. Also, the experience points Link recieves helps boost his attack and make it better. The game also has many RPG elements, as like many good games, the more experience you get, the more easier it will be in your combat along the journey.

Though the game has little resemblance to the first game, the overworld view is still present in this game, as well as the iconic theme when Link opens a chess. This is also the first game where Link is depicted as a tall, leisurely figure, rather than a small, stubby elf like character like in the first game. The music playing during a boss fight is also something new. Rather than a single tune playing the whole level, you get some hard core music that really pumps you up for the fight. I also like how unique the villains are from one another. Still to this day, the dragon is one of the villains I had ever faced. This game also allows you to use magic, which you can learn through an old man in the villages you pass in. And you will need to use some of that magic in a majority of the levels because sometimes, they get so befuddled.

Speaking of enemies, there are many enemies to irritate yo, such as bits and bots, geldarm, moblin, and skeleton warriors called myu. Everytime you loose, you get a game over screen that says “Ganon Has Returned”, showing the infamous oversized pig wizard himself. I also think that the overlook of the game is spectacular. The castles, the fields, the houses, the underground layers, they are so convincing and so well-made. Shigeru Miyamoto has hit another game out of the ball park, and it’s a hard one. The final levels of the game are the ones I find the hardest. With more enemies and a hard as hell boss, it is surely a challenge, even more challenging than the end of the first game in my opinion.

Overall, Zelda 2 is a great game. Surely, it’s not as good as the first, but it is surely a classic game that I surely enjoy. Not only is it iconic for it’s linear game style and great gameplay, it’s the game that would spawn a lot of the material present in following Zelda games. Listen to the “Palace Theme” in Super Smash Brothers Brawl!

I hope you enjoyed my review, and I will be back with another game review sometime soon. You played a huge part in this review.

Visit Yoda2245 (Warp 8 Productions) On Youtube

I have been somewhat of a film maker/experimenter for quite sometime now, making several tribute films, stop motion animated films, films using Go Animate, as well as toy reviews. But I have finally formulated the proper headquarters to store all of these videos and share them with the world. Warp 8 Productions, more commonly known as Yoda2245 on Youtube is where I post all of my film making, using techniques in Windows Movie Maker and video cameras and editing them with the transition software and subtitling. I think it's a lot of fun to do, and I am so very proud for what I was able to do on my Youtube Channel, making videos with a little humor and enthusiasm that all can watch and be blown away by, for I had always intended to make films outside of the box and very different from the films other Youtube filmmakers make. It's also very fun to associate with other filmmakers, watch their videos and chat with one another on this matter and what they think of filmmaking, for it is such a fun and exciting hobby that all people can do if they put there minds to it. And I personally enjoy making movies at Warp 8 Productions and to have so many friends, subscribers and viewers who watch my videos. It is truly an honor to be part of this great community filled with some of the most brilliant minds since Einstein.

So head over to Yoda2245 on Youtube and check out some of my work, you will never find a more retched hide of awkward videos and other diverse and fun films that I have worked so hard to make. You can also check out some of the great videos from some of my friends and subscribers on Youtube, for they too have an exemplary passion for making films and sharing them with all humanity, appearing on computers screens all over the world and inspiring others to follow in the same footsteps.

Some Old Posts Now On The Warp 8 Blogspot and Future Plans

After many days of thinking it over, I have decided to post some of my older posts from the Derrick Zurn blogspot here at the Warp 8 Blogspot for all of you to enjoy. As I stated before, some of these were from my early days as a writer and critiquer, so my opinion on certain aspects has changed profoundly, but I figure since these blog entires have been posted on several websites and newsletters throughout the web, I thought it only appropriate to transport them over here for all the read and rave about. These posts, in my opinion, best show my love for older films, cartoons, novels, even films from other countries that I have been observing these past couple of years, hoping to one day be somewhat of a film historian and writer on this matter.

But anything, I hope you enjoy what I have written and what I will write in the not so distant future, for I have so many things I want to share with the world, I don't even no where to begin. I will surely be back with more movie reviews, comic reviews, reviews on video games, and much, much more blog entries in the near future, for withthe uprising of great comic book movies upon us this summer, it's bound to be something worth an adventure. Thanks a bunch and see you all around!

Top 10 Cartoon Characters of All Time

Cartoons. What a remarkable thing. A series of papers flipped together to make animation. And during this past century we have been introduced to hundreds of iconic and rememberable cartoon characters. So here is my list of the top ten cartoon characters of all time. Enjoy!

10.  Gertie the Dinosaur

Uh yes, a beauty for many years. Gertie the Dinosuar is perhaps one of the oldest cartoon characters to date. First appearing in Gertie the Dinosaur in 1914, Gertie the Dinosaur made her way into the spotlight, and has been loved my many people. She is also one of the first characters to have such appealing personality.

9. Felix the Cat

An iconic and charished cartoon. One of the cartoons from the epic silent film era, Felix the Cat brought us some laughs and some great pieces of animation that would affect animation in the years to come. And too believe that they are not even sure who had created this little guy, or where he was created. But we all know he is lovable. With black and white fur and big eyes full of wonder, Felix the Cat makes his way onto my top ten list.

8. Casper the Friendly Ghost

It’s a ghost, dont’ worry he’s nice. It’s Casper. Now, who could forget this little guy. A cute, transparent ghost with a big head and big eyes. He first appeared in the cartoon There’s Good Boos Tonight in 19 48, whic hwas distributed by Paramount Pictures. Later, Casper was bought by Harvey Comics, who replaced his stubby little legs with a traditional ghostly tail and gave him three grumpy uncles. And he is one of the very few cartoons to have his very own live action movie, released in 1995 and produced by Steven Spielberg.

7. Fred Flintstone

One of Hanna Barbera’s finest cartoons. Of course in the famous cartoon, The Flintstones, Fred is known for his fat self and his corpse caveman voice. But did you know that he was based on of Ralph Kramden on the hit 50s show,The Honeymooners? Anyway, he is a lovable old chum that will never be forgotten. Catch him on Fruity Pebbles commercials if they are still on.

6. Scooby Doo

Scoooby Dooby Doooo! How can anyone not love Scooby Doo? A lovable Great Dane pooch from the hit mystery series Scooby Doo, Where Are You?He is also another cartoon to get his own live action movie, along with the rest of the gang, which spawned a sequel and another in the proceeding year. Scooby Doo is certainly a cartoon that will be around when our great grandchildren are old and wrinkled.

5. The Animaniacs

Probably no one remembers these three bumbling knuckleheads from the hit 90s show. But I do, and I must say, that I love them so. I have fond memories of these three cahracters, from the Super Nintendo game, to the PC game, even a series of look and find books. And they were even able to turn Warner Brothers for the first time into a n amusement park that spawned for many years. I will always love the animaniacs, for many moons.

4. Porky Pig

This is the first Looney Tune. Yeh, that’s right, even Bugs Bunny didn’t even come along yet. That’s what makes this character so remarkable, so remarkable, that you’d think he would be the Warner Brothers mascot, not Bugs. With his studdering voice and his plump cute appearance, Porky hits the spot and will always be Warner Brothers’ bread and Butter. By the way, I Haven’t Got a Hat. Yeh, I’ve Haven’t Got a Hat was the first of Porky’s films. Bidda, bidda, that’s all folks!

3.  Simba

A cute little cuddly lion from The Lion King, Simba made his way into the spotlight when The Lion King became a big hit back in 1994. When the film franchise spawned more sequels, we saw Simba grow into a proud lion king, like his father Mufasa before him. But we will always remeber how cute he was in the first film, which is perhaps Disney’s finest. Simba is a milestone for Disney.

2. Bugs Bunny

Like I said before, Bugs Bunny was not the first Looney Tune. Even Daffy Duck came before him. He was original called the Happy Rabbit and first appeared in the cartoon short, Porky’s Hare Hunt in 1938. But he gained a lot of fame and became perhaps the most famous cartoon of all time. It’s because of his wacky personality and his wit that cheers people up when they are down. He is and will always be the best Looney Tune, even when a bigger and better Bugs Bunny 2 comes along.

1. Mickey Mouse

Uh, yes, a proud symbol of cartooning. Mickye Mouse is a very famous cartoon created by Walt Disney in 1928. Though he first appeared in 1928, he was not yet exact. He was first called Mortimer Mouse, and then called Steamboat Willie, and then finally Mickey Mouse. Since that year, Mickey remains perhaps the most famous cartoon character of all time. And he will always be a proud symbol of Disney.

Well, that’s my top ten cartoon characters list. I hope you enjoyed. Good day!