In the past two weeks, I have played three games, started a fourth, have watched two new movies, and have finished three books. I used to keep brief reviews in my Franklin planner each time I finished some form of media. I thought I would start something similar here.
Batman Arkham City - A+
This sequel to an already amazing game blew me away. While my family complained of its dark palette and themes, I think they fit the Batman universe perfectly. This game, as opposed to its predecessor's linear approach, gives Batman the chance to explore a more open-world style of experience. It didn't feel like the game was much longer than the first. Still, it took the great beginnings and made them better.
Assassin's Creed II: Revelations - A-
I love all of the Assassin's Creed II games. While Brotherhood still stands as my favorite, I deeply enjoyed this game. They could have done without the tower defense-style mini-game as it was poorly implemented, but I liked that notoriety had consequences unlike previous games. I also feel that the money pacing did not keep up with the story line as well as Brotherhood. I have all of the missions, treasures, and side quests completed up to 100%, but I still don't have Constantinople and all of the books there.
Uncharted 3 - A-
Anyone who has not played the Uncharted series is missing an excellent set of stories. While the game play is not quite up to speed with the other two games listed above, the story, direction, and acting are amazing. I openly laughed at more than one occasion and keenly felt the deeper emotions this games tries to convey.
The Hunger Games series - B
I liked the first book the best and didn't find the last book to be all that satisfying (Katniss's contribution seems minimal, especially considering the number of people who die supporting her). I felt the evil Capitol (and other evils) were just too one-dimensional. It felt like the atrocities committed by them were too unbelievable for me to fully invest in the world. I think it is a good series, especially for teen readers, and I hope it has better fame than the absolutely horrible Twilight series has managed to achieve.
Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol - B+
As much as I don't like Tom Cruise, the celebrity, I love his movies. This one keeps an amazing sense of action and tension. Unfortunately, I think it is going to be a bit forgettable (as the third one is for me). It was great, non-stop action, but nothing truly resonated with me as certain scenes from 2 and even Knight and Day have done for me.
Super 8 - B+
A great movie about adolescence. My only caveat is that the end felt like they didn't quite know what to do as the characters had very little effect on the outcome of the story. I was also disappointed that the Super 8 film which the titled is named after didn't have more relevance to the overall story. Still, I think the film is a must-see if only for the amazing performances of the child actors (I can't believe that actress was only 12).
This sequel to an already amazing game blew me away. While my family complained of its dark palette and themes, I think they fit the Batman universe perfectly. This game, as opposed to its predecessor's linear approach, gives Batman the chance to explore a more open-world style of experience. It didn't feel like the game was much longer than the first. Still, it took the great beginnings and made them better.
Assassin's Creed II: Revelations - A-
I love all of the Assassin's Creed II games. While Brotherhood still stands as my favorite, I deeply enjoyed this game. They could have done without the tower defense-style mini-game as it was poorly implemented, but I liked that notoriety had consequences unlike previous games. I also feel that the money pacing did not keep up with the story line as well as Brotherhood. I have all of the missions, treasures, and side quests completed up to 100%, but I still don't have Constantinople and all of the books there.
Uncharted 3 - A-
Anyone who has not played the Uncharted series is missing an excellent set of stories. While the game play is not quite up to speed with the other two games listed above, the story, direction, and acting are amazing. I openly laughed at more than one occasion and keenly felt the deeper emotions this games tries to convey.
The Hunger Games series - B
I liked the first book the best and didn't find the last book to be all that satisfying (Katniss's contribution seems minimal, especially considering the number of people who die supporting her). I felt the evil Capitol (and other evils) were just too one-dimensional. It felt like the atrocities committed by them were too unbelievable for me to fully invest in the world. I think it is a good series, especially for teen readers, and I hope it has better fame than the absolutely horrible Twilight series has managed to achieve.
Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol - B+
As much as I don't like Tom Cruise, the celebrity, I love his movies. This one keeps an amazing sense of action and tension. Unfortunately, I think it is going to be a bit forgettable (as the third one is for me). It was great, non-stop action, but nothing truly resonated with me as certain scenes from 2 and even Knight and Day have done for me.
Super 8 - B+
A great movie about adolescence. My only caveat is that the end felt like they didn't quite know what to do as the characters had very little effect on the outcome of the story. I was also disappointed that the Super 8 film which the titled is named after didn't have more relevance to the overall story. Still, I think the film is a must-see if only for the amazing performances of the child actors (I can't believe that actress was only 12).
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