Scrivener

So I just watched that new SciFi channel 'documentary' on M. Night Shayamalan. At the moment I'm still a little conflicted about it's authenticity, but here are the options I see right now: 1) Blair-Witch style staged documentary, written by M. Night himself 2) Documentary that stumbled on some interesting tidbits and dramatized those tidbits for TV I'm guessing option 2 isn't very likely, theres some stuff thats just too... stupid. Now there *are* some aspects that just rang too true and honestly freaked me out. Those bits would usually be followed by something silly that stank of shens... like the kid with the Ouija board or the lousy chop-cuts or convenient 'sound problems.' At some level, there is honesty in there, though. If option 1 is true, then M. Night really is keen on some aspects of reality that most people aren't - as I've said, there are bits that just ring too true to be fabricated. Paranormal research has been a personal hobby of mine as far back as my earliest memories - and there are things I'm keen on that just aren't common knowledge, and this documentary touched close on a few things and alluded to others. My guess is that option 1 is the truth - M. Night wrote this as a Blair-Witch style piece, but incorportated a fair helping of honest-to-God bits of truth. The clincher is a phone message from Night at the end of the film - where he tells the 'documentary crew' that no one will believe them... which sounds like M. Night doing subpar voice acting (remember, he is an actor too... and not a very good one). I'd cover the true bits here (there's about a handful of tidbits, but it's not exactly the most potent stuff), but talking about it makes me uncomfortable - and it's really bloody late. Someday I'll either launch a website or write a book, but if you have any specific questions, I'll be glad to answer in the morning... that is, later morning =)

oh - my - god. This is the best week in computer game history. SC, do you even have to *think* about it? DO IT! If ANYONE can pull off another Freespace game, it's you. We need to fight off the Shivan threat in the earth's atmosphere, over huge futuristic megalopolises, above the lunar surface - and generally fight for the very future of our species in our own territory - Sol. And we need to see the biggest baddest mothership ever witnessed in a videogame. A world-destroyer. One that makes the saucers from ID4 look tiny in comparison. My tiny cold heart is about to burst with the possibilities.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=shire 'The Shire' is about as original as 'The House', 'The Nation', 'The Country', or 'The Planet.' Niether the Tolkien estate nor the LOTR license holders have any rights to the term 'shire' - unless they next plan on suing numerous British towns for including the word as part of their name. How utterly ridiculous.

quote:You're not talking about the Sean Connery (?) one are you? Oh, good heavens no! That one was First Knight and starred Richard Gere (whom I loathe) as Launcelot, directed by the despicable Jerry Zucker - who was also responsible for such cinematic trash as Ghost and Rat Race (the 2001 remake). The film I'M talking about stars Nigel Terry and Nicholas Clay as Arthur and Launcelot, respectively. It's directed by John Boorman (who has since done a plethora of decent, if not fantastic, low-budget and indie films) and has a brief appearance by Patrick Stewart. My only complaint about with Excalibur is that they purposely shone this green light on everything because of the poor light and terrible weather they were filming in most of the time. The idea was to make the forests more green and bright, but instead managed only to add this annoying green glint to everything metalic on-screen. Nevertheless, it is, by far, the best Arthur movie ever made. Check it out on Amazon Or Netflix

While I liked Morrowind, I didn't think it was fit to eat decomposing tablescraps in Daggerfall's shadow. I know plenty of people that loved it, but they were never exposed to Morrowind's vastly superior precursor. Heck, thanks to DosBox I play Daggerfall to this very day. The big worry is that Bethesda really cut the balls off of Morrowind as far as Mature content is concerned. Daggerfall was stark and unflinching - not so with Morrowind. And then you have to admit that Fallout could get pretty f***ed up sometimes - and that was part of it's charm. To me, the looming threat isn't the perspective (I wouldn't mind a first/third person Fallout) - but whether the content and gameplay remain true to the series. That also means NO simultaneous console development.

I have to concur on this one: Soldiers is one of the best games to come out in quite some time. Unfortunately I'm having to dock it some points for some really stupid reasons: namely, the needlessly limited camera and offensively cheap packaging. On the up note: I have NO idea how this sneaked by the ESRB with just a Teen rating as body parts go flying and corpses & bloodstains will remain on the field almost indefinately (you can search dead bodies). Nevertheless, the battles look *real*. The environments are completely destructable - every house, every brick wall, every stack of lumber... objects have both cover *and* concealment properties. You may start a mission in a small town - and by the end of the battle it's just a giant field of dead bodies and smoldering rubble. You can pause and slow down time to help with complex maneuvers. Vehicles take realistic locational damage - break the treads of a tank or try to damage to the gun. RPG-style soldier inventories - pick up anything on the battlefield from helmets (they can save your life) to enemy weapons. And it has COOPERATIVE MULTIPLAYER! The mp is absolutely a *blast.* Strangely enough, it gives me the same feeling I get when playing Operation Flashpoint with my friends... it's that good. There is currently no versus multiplayer, but I shed no tears over that. Not a big fan of competitive multiplayer anyway - I'm just glad they shipped with Co-op. Soldiers is DEFINATELY a must buy for any fan of strategy or war games.

I KID YOU NOT! http://www.gamegestapo.com/news/archive/04...12/fallout3.htm

I'm not so angry at the fact that they gutted the story of Arthur and his knights since we get a new Arthur movie every 7 years or so - but I really wish they would've called it something else so we could get that other movie a little sooner. King Arthur was typical do-it-by-the-numbers PG13 mess of a film. The action sequences were about as irritating as the ones in Riddick - lots of motion and shaky-cam stuff but no real substance. I know lots of people try to defend those types of action scenes so let me expound on this a bit: It's_just_bad_direction. It requires ZERO skill. ZERO planning. It conveys ZERO information other than than the idea that there is CHAOS. Good direction gives you a good sense of spatial awareness - of who is doing what and why. The danger is that filming such an action scene properly requires that you cut it a little more realistically (Like the opening fight between Achilles and The Big Guy at the beginning of TROY) - and that means, guess what, an R rating. Crappy fight scenes are a direct and deliberate byproduct of trying to make a PG13 rating. Therefore the sins are threefold: Bad direction, lack of realism, AND censorship. When is Hollywood going to realize that PG13 war movies are crap. The one and only exception is LOTR, but even that would have benefitted greatly from a bump into R territory (at least in the third film). What KA really reminded me of - Tears of the Sun. Honest to god that was the same exact movie. Soldiers sent in to rescue a VIP, ends up bringing along others, death and destruction ensues. Then there is the claim that this is the 'true story' of King Arthur... omg is THAT a lie. 5 vs 5000? Yeah, right. Oh, and they really *do* turn into ponies at the end! I could hardly believe it. Then, in typcial PG13 fashion, swords are used like magical instant-kill bludgeoning tools - you know the kind - you smack someone on the helmet and they fall over dead from the ringing in their ears. If this is the true story of King Arthur, then Harry Potter is the true story of a kid who goes to a wizard school in another dimension. If you've really, really got $10 burning a hole in your pocket then go buy yourself a copy of Excalibur on DVD. It's an immeasurably better movie AND it'll last longer. If you're *still* thinking about seeing KA - just remember one word: "ponies" 3/10

The PC version was developed through Fizz Factor and AMAZE. Fizz Factor is directly responsible for last year's The Hobbit. AMAZE is also responsible for several of the Harry Potter games and before that: The Magic Schoolbus. Tells you a lot about what Activision thinks of us computer gamers, doesn't it? As posted in this thread: another review of Spiderman 2 (PC).

quote: BTW I have the Xbox game, not PC That's what makes me so furious. PC users really got screwed this time. Read this. I *do* have an XBox - but I just can't bring myself to play single player games of any nature on it. My computer has a 21" flat-screen monitor, dolby digital surround and, most importantly, a keyboard and mouse. That tiny little mono-audio TV of mine just can't compete. And people say consoles cheaper... *snic*

quote: ...have watched Fellini fims sa well as Bergman and of course Kurosawa so I understand plotting and narrative and story... Well, shoot. I wasn't comparing The Hulk to the The Seventh Seal. Ingmar Bergman is, like, god. I just though The Hulk was an excellent if not near-perfect portrayal of the character. With the exception of the silly underwater ending, I thought it was simply fantastic.

Absolutely agree. FANTASTIC film. I daresay better than Hulk - and from me that's saying a LOT. It's really a shame that they botched up the computer game so badly. Anyway, the movie gets a 10/10. Just - bloody - brilliant! But you can always expect nothing less out of Sam Raimi. BTW, Pre-emptive strike on antiHulk commentary: Hulk was NOT boring. You're just a peabrained ninnywitted nincumpoop who dosn't appreciate movies that focus more on the DRAMA than EXPLOSIONS.

Hey, it's the same strategy they used when Ultima Online 2 was nearly done. Develope a game for a few years then, just as it's nearing completion, cancel the project and move everybody over to UO.

quote: I think it is hilarious that conservatives cant even admit this was a well made and effective film by a talented filmmaker.Michael Moore is about as talented as a dead rat at the bottom of a well during a snowstorm during the apocalypse. He has not made a single film that effectively, stylistically, or qualitatively could be called anything more than diversionary. Touching the Void was brilliant - Step into Liquid was brilliant - Farenheit 9/11, Bowling for Columbine, The Big Lie, these films were about as good as an episode of the Crocodile Hunter. The truth is, the only reason Moore's films win anything is because the film festival circuit is owned by liberals. Now for the most part, that's a good thing (can you imagine conservative film festival judges? *shudders* Benji: The Resurrection wins the Palme d'Or?) - but they're also suckers for policially charged anti-conservative filmaking. The film's not good, brilliant, factual, or interesting. It's ultra-liberal, and that's the ONLY reason it's won anything.

OK, let's play this game on your ground. I'm good at that... quote: He had thought at that point and I quote, "There's one terrible pilot". He walked into that classroom knowing that at the very least everyone on that plane was dead accident or not, with a big smile on his face.So when the first plane hit it didn't sound like terrorism. It sounded like a really stupid accident. Just another day on the tely. Makes sense. A second plane? OK... maybe not so much an accident any more. There's something seriously wrong with this picture. Then, the towers collapsed on top of all that. But at the first, still just an unfortunate accident that would require a confolense speach later. Should Bush have gone running off if he heard a bus full of schoolchildren drove off a cliff in Kentucky? On a side point, The Guardian is about as trustworthy as the Time's Al Graib porn photos. quote: ...you don't bother to mention that both Bush and Bath were grounded at the same time for missing medical examinations... Mysteriously enough, just prior to this exam the military had instated drug screenings as part of their medical exams. Hmmm.So? And what if Bush and Bath snuck off to smoke some weed? Do you remember the 60s and 70s? I'd be surprised if he wasn't holed up somewhere with a joint. Shoot... maybe he didn't even inhale? I don't care. Didn't care when it was Billy Boy in office. What's the point? It dosnt matter. quote:Yes war sucks and of course Moore used footage of the carnage to stir emotion. It was no less cheap than Bush hiring actors to portray firefighters carrying a body out of the Trade Centers for a campaign ad. What there wasn't enough stock footage?So Bush should've used stock footage? Maybe. Woulda been more cost effective for sure. But the point of those ads wasn't to drive the audience into a blind senseless rage - which is what Moore tries to do. Anger without reason. quote: You also glossed over the real crux of Moore's attack which is that nothing that we believed we were going in for actually materialized. The people put into power in Afghanistan were oil shills. Why not discuss that too Scrivener, I mean it is proven fact is it not?Ok, here's the discussion... they were successfull *local* buisnessmen. Maybe we should have hired a talent agency to find the next Afghan government? The FACT is that they were the best candidates for the job. Since we're on this topic lets touch on Halliburton, since it supports the point I'm making. If you were to choose someone to do a very important job - who would you trust most? A company with whom you are very familiar or another company you have no experience with? The one thing I do agree with is what these people are being paid (Bus driver being paid $10k a month)- but what do you think happens locally? When someone is contracted to do road work here in Southern California, the same thing happens. Don't like that either, but its a simple reality in a capitalist society. quote: I don't mind people critiquing a movie but when their criticism is based on the lies and then none of the truths are included I have to respond. My criticism is no more based on lies than your's, or Moores, or Bush's, or Limbaughs, or Dan Rather's. You may think your speaking true as much as I do - and we both think the other misguided. However, that dosn't make F9/11 any less deceptive. If there was a third political option, that's where I'd be (I consider myself Libertarian, actually)-but right now we're controlled by bickering idiots on both the far left AND the far right. If this movie had been about Gore, I still would've ripped it a new one. But here's the thing: people like Michael Moore love to make much ado about nothing, making people think normal buisness practice is some kind of vast conspiracy. The same thing happened to Clinton with the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Just like then, I find myself reciting the same old mantra: "So what?"

quote:Originally posted by Supreme Cmdr: ....the kind that would give it a $22m opening weekend record?LOL! Indeed, controversy breeds profit.

Alright, I finally had the chance to see this movie - and, like Takvah, the rather socially diverse crowd I was with applauded at the end. Here's the thing - conservatives simply arenÔÇÖt going to see this movie. They just have no interest. So, what kind of audience does that leave you with? Here's my quick hit: Fahrenheit 9/11 was, by turns, false, deceptive, and uninspiring. I am familiar with pretty much ever trick Moore used in this film - and boy did he use a lot of tricks. It makes me wonder what great film was robbed of a Palme d'Or at Cannes this year. Yeah, I threw money at Michael Moore - but I don't consider myself qualified to comment on movies that I havenÔÇÖt seen. And this was one movie I was positive I would want to comment on. The first 30 min or so is spent scurrying as quickly as possible threw a milieu of half-truths, assumptions, and misinterpretations about the Florida debacle through Bush's first year in office. One scene in particular comes to mind: Moore explains where Bush was during the first attack on 9/11... only, he's pushed time out of synch to make Bush's reactions fit the narrative. Moore talks about the first attack as Bush in entering a classroom - leading you to believe that Bush was already informed - the President has a big smile on his face. Then, a man walks up and whispers in the President's ear. That's when Moore starts talking about the second plane (in actuality, that's when President Bush was first informed of the attack) - then Moore explains that the big frown that shows up on Bush's face all of a sudden is because he doesnÔÇÖt know what to do. In reality, Bush had to maintain his composure in front of people, cameras, and a room full of elementary kids in light of terribly devastating news. And this is just one 10min example in a 2hr movie full of these kinds of shenanigans. In another place Moore shows himself accusing the President of desertion during his service in the military. This is really just a set up for another point since Moore quickly scurries past this part before you have a chance to realize that what he is calling desertion is just Bush missing a scheduled medical exam. He then goes on to talk about one of Bush's military buddies who became an international banker who eventually ended up in charge of the Saudi Bin Laden fortune. That's the Bin Laden family, by the way, not Osama. And just like the Smith family of southern Ohio, there are a ton of Bin Laden's in the US (who were in terrible danger and had nothing to do with the attack). So how exactly was flying them safely out of the country a bad thing again? Towards the end of the film Moore preys, in typical liberal fashion, on the emotions of the audience. He shows some soldiers who donÔÇÖt want to be in Iraq, some blood and gore (Hence the R rating), and typical horrors of war. You know what? In war, bad stuff happens. No kidding. Sure maybe our objectives at the beginning of the war were a little imprecise, but the outcome is that millions of Iraqis will have better lives at the end of all this. That's the one thing Moore doesnÔÇÖt ever get around to telling you. There's just enough humor to keep you entertained as Moore bombards you with points just quickly enough to keep from having to explain any of them. The result is a movie filled with *points* but completely devoid of any substance to back them up... maybe that's because the *evidence* Moore constantly claims to have but never shows doesnÔÇÖt actually exist. And hey, if you don't want to risk your neck - don't join the bloody army. If there's no jobs in your hometown, get on the bus and leave. There are always other options. What makes a good movie? One that fulfills it's own ambitions. Fahrenheit 9/11 fails miserably at that. It also fails miserably at being honest, entertaining, or logical. If there's one thing that this movie does accomplish, it's reminding me that stupidity exists on both ends of the political spectrum - but there's just a little Moore on the left. 2/10

Titus.... hahaha... it's just like the Shakespearean trajedy. Anyway, I'm sick of Interplay carnally violating the Fallout franchise. Don't think I'm going to buy any more games until Gothic 3 or UC:E2E comes out... well, and the occassional fun indy (Bridge Builder, Bontago, etc). There's no point, it's all just crap now. Oh yeah... or anything developed by Troika or Obsidian. And what games were it that those guys used to work on, Hmmmmm?

quote: I wonder why.... quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gabe Newell - Founder/Managing Director Gabe held a number of positions in the Systems, Applications, and Advanced Technology divisions during his 13 years at Microsoft. lol! That explains a lot.

Yup. Rolled back the drivers from version 4.5 to 4.4 and now it works fine. I thought ATI wasn't supposed to have these kinds of driver problems any more. *sigh* At least it works now. Thanks, SC.

This new Radeon 9800Pro is really giving me a headache. Blew my whole day trying to make it work right. First, I was getting really bad artifacting - I hypothesized that there was not enough juice from my meager 300W power supply. I was right - I picked up a new Aspire 500W PSU. NOW, I'm having different kinds of problems. Take a look at these screenshots from Thief 3: http://www.gamegestapo.com/BadLighting.jpg http://www.gamegestapo.com/BadLighting2.jpg I get the same types of problems in X2, with shadows popping and getting cut off in wierd straight lines. Any ideas on what's wrong or how to fix it? [ 06-23-2004, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: Supreme Cmdr ]

There is only 2min of additional footage in Pitch Black, and it's pretty inconsequential stuff. Mostly just fix ups for some minor technical errors and some slightly extended footage... like the elephant graveyard and the scene of the kid hiding from the bat-things.

Actually, I just bought a 9800Pro so I probably shouldn't be complaining. I'm just mad at how Valve is conducting their buisness. quote: Valve is starting to shape out to be the Microsoft of gaming More like the George Lucas of the game world. ;-[

AT first I was a little annoyed that she snapped out of it and tried to help Riddick at all - but then I remembered the Furion guy - and Vaako even - so it seems that the Necromongers reprogramming isn't 100% effective. Anyhoo, I wouldn't be surprised if the next movie is Riddick's crusade to resurrect Kyra. You never know what that crazy Necromonger technology is capable of. Maybe it'll have something to do with Lord Marshal's ability to steal souls - and Riddick will try to figure out how Marshal got those abilities. Hmm.

No, Riddick really did get his eyes shined. That is covered in the videogame as well so it's pretty solid. Also - Riddick isn't the last Furion. The Purifier (the priest guy) was also a Furion. It is safe to assume that other Furions may exist - they may be lying low, looking out for No.1, or they may not even know what they are. I also agree with Chavik on the Prophesy/Last Furion bit - why does Riddick have to be some kind of chosen one? Woulda been more fun, IMO, if he just happened to be the one badass guy who threw a wrench into Lord Marshal's plans. *shrugs* I'd have left the Elemental lady out completely. She seemed kind of unnecessary except for VOs. Would've liked Riddick to narrate like in Pitch Black.