Cinemagical – Inception Review - No Spoilers

This time on Cinemagical we are to review Inception. (Yes that is the royal we)

Qualifications
First my qualifications. I am a true fan of the cinema, a big difference from a film snob mind you. I love the medium in all its glory and and in all of its shame. I believe there is inherent value in even the worst movies. Even if it is to say, “this is not how you do a movie.” My immersion factor is probably one of the highest known to man. I didn’t lose immersion even in Carnosaur 2. Beat that! Well any way lets get this thing started.

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Inception



If you follow me on twitter you may have seen my overly annoying reaction to this movie Screaming it from the mountain tops as it were. Well some of that was in jest. But after the giddy glow of the post orgasm has faded, I still find myself thinking fondly of what I experienced in this movie. A good sign.

Is Inception Nolan’s Masterpiece? Is it going to sweep the Oscars? Is it the greatest of the great things invented by man, so you have to decide to not see it because so many people like it and you hate that?

Nyet.

What we do have here though is an incredibly competent, well made movie, that manages to hit the viewer on multiple taste buds at once. It has a multi-layered plot, drama, a charming caste, mystery, good action, beautiful imagery, and it makes you use a lil bit of your brain too.

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Synopsis
I’m not going into the plot to much. Since that defeats the purpose of going to see the movie.

What we have here is a world were people can go into your dreams. And by doing so they are able to steal information from your mind. Enter our Mr. Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) a man that specializes in going into others dreams and extracting sad information.

From there the plot expands on multiple fronts. From delving into Cobbs back story, to explaining the world of Dream Extracting, to Laying out Dream rules. And some nice but minor “The implications of it all” philosophy. And then running up to the main plot.

That of the “Big Job” if you are familiar with television tropes.

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Substance
I must say. It was a joy to experience this world. It was a film were the more the movie went on the more it engaged you, just in pure entertainment alone. It was quite nicely crafted and had many layers to it.

The pacing was one thing I can say was perfect. Disorienting at first (like waking up from a dream), then languid as introspection and the build-up to the run occurs. And then this Pressure as the plot delves deeper and deeper the closer we get to the breakthrough. If I am using my metaphor correctly. Good use of tension.

The music nicely compliments the movie in many places. And is probably one of my favorite soundtracks this summer. Good job Hans Zimmer. In fact I am listening to it as I write this review. It helps pull you into the movie at times, and others helps ramp up the action. Also setting the pace for the more calm or confrontational scenes.

I have to say also, this is probably one of the best caste movies I have seen in a long time. All of the actors in this movie gave rather great performances. Not anything Oscar worthy, despite me being a Major DiCaprio fan. But The film is just just highly competent. Perhaps it is just the nature of the summer movie, were we are used to such mediocrity that a fairly decent performance wows us. The last movie I saw was Iron Man 2 and well, while it was good, it had summer movie over the top outlandishness in it.



The Dynamic Trio! Aurthur <3, Cobb <3, and Eames <3 <3

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Congrats to

Leonardo DiCaprio (I am a DiCaprio-Fanboy)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Really was a treat, he played straight man to Leo’s gruff edgy)
Marion Cotillard (A great femme-fatale)
Ken Watanabe (my Boy!)
Tom Hardy (Tom Hardy’s performance as Eames was, well, I may be in mancrushlove with him now)
Ellen Page
Cillian Murphy (No one ever gives Cillian much notice but the dude is actually pretty good)

Special shout-out to some of the bit actors as well. All great.

Dileep Rao
Tom Berenger (Havent seen Tom in years was great to see him)
Michael Caine
Lukas Haas
Pete Postlethwaite

Indeed I had to coin a term for this caste. Called the Ouroboros of Awesome, as they kept stealing the scene from each other, while not diminishing the others.



Mmm mmm. Ms. Cotillard

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Negatives
About the only thing that detracts from the movie, might be the music. Which is weird as I just got through praising it earlier. But even if good and used well through out, at some places in the movie, (Few thankfully) it can be oppressive. And can seem to go on too long where it might not have been needed. Just my opinion.

Confusion Factor
Whenever a movie comes out with a semi-complicated plot, there is chance for you to run into the “I didn’t understand it, so I am pissed” factor people. Let me tell you though the movie is layered, and multi-plotted it is in no way hard to follow. Even though some have said there are plot holes, I haven’t seen anything that you couldn’t piece together yourself.

There is some subtlety to some of the rules of the world of course. And definitely some ambiguity to happenings in the film. I know some people cant handle ambiguity, but it spells things out fairly well I thought. It does require you to make your own judgement at a few points though which is healthy for you.

If you have any theories or things you want to talk about send me a comment.

A Clone? (Dont be facetious)
Some have tried to dismiss this as some sort of clone of existing movies. Usually done by dismissing it before even considering to give it a chance. For those who want to know. It shares little with Matrix, or Paprika, or Perfect Blue. About the only thing they share is that they deal with altered reality/dreams and are pretty damn awesome. Story wise and execution-wise its highly laughable to even think they could be similar.

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Verdict – 9/10
Finally a movie that satisfies on many levels. And doesn’t insult your intelligence either. Well made, well caste, well scored. Probably the must see of the summer, truthfully. I know I will be seeing it multiple times. Hope to see you there.

Opinions? let me know.

Games of Christmas’ Past – Metal Marines

Games, of Christmas’ Past

Been planning on doing this type of blog for while. Gonna go into my past and swim in some sweet sweet nostalgia. In which sometimes things ripen with age like wine, but sometimes spoil with age, like milk.

This time I am going to focus on a classic old game for SNES. One near and dear to my heart.

Metal Marines
This is a weird little monster actually. It is a primarily Real Time Strategy game. It was one of my first introductions to the genre and it SO enraptured my attention.





The Find.
I originally found this game in Movie Gallery, in the SNES video game rental isle. Now Movie Gallery was of sufficient awesome that it warrants its own “Of Christmas Past” article. But anyway Video gaming rental was quite the innovation, especially for us money strapped kids. We (The Familial Unit) would make our weekly pilgrimage to MG and stock up on movies and games. By chance they had this little one on the shelf. Lets just say I ended up not playing any of the other games that time, so engrossed was I on this little gem

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Story
As I recall this game takes places around 2400 AD. We humans had a pretty advanced society. And even space Colonies of the O’neil cylinder type.

But with advanced technologies comes advanced weaponry. And in a chilling opening sequence we see the Earth breakout into War, not nuclear war, but something that appears to be even worse. Anti-matter perhaps. Because the blast radius doest just scour the land it disentigrates it. In the opening scene you can see that continents are shattered like swiss cheese, turned into inslands by the weapons.

The colonials watch in horror as the Earth nukes itself. But then later, a force lifts from the earth and tries to invade the Colonies. This attack is repulsed and you see the Earth forces, burning up in earth atmosphere.

Some time passes and the Colonials decide to descend to earth with a liberaton force to Free the Earth from the despotic regime. The primary weapon of war used on the battle field is the Metal Marine. Giant Robots from with the games derives its name.

Nice eh? Pretty badass story for a lil kid. I loved the idea so much.

Goal
The goal of the game was built around the basic idea of trying to liberate the rest of the remaining islands back from the enemy.

Each area of the planet had a two enemy base areas to take. I think there was about 18 stages. After each initial stage you are present with a cool little scene/pict. After the main base you get to see your ship moving to the next continent.



Remnants of North America :(



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Operations

Your Base
The first thing you do when starting a new level is deciding where to put your 3 headquarters. This is where you are presented with your island map, this is what you will be seeing most of the time. The 3 HQs are what you must protect. If they are destroyed its game over. And you can place them any where you want on your island.

The maps are in a ¾ Isometric style divided into grids. Buildings, like the HQs are placed, on these squares. Though only HQs don’t require construction time, ever other building or unit will though. Some buildings and units can be upgraded that makes them into better versions.



Speaking of buildings and units….

There are multiple types of buildings that help you in many ways. Your defensive buildings are arguably the most important of them all.

AA missiles. These protect you from enemy missile attacks, which are quite frequent and damn deadly. That’s why the cornerstone of any defense is going to be AA. They are fragile though, easily wiped out by a missile that breaks through your defenses. That’s why yo layer your defense. (Oddly a line of AA doesn’t work as well as a checkered array. Its odd.) Your AA can also be chopped to pieces by a Metal Marine strike force. They cost $15 to build and upgrade to delicious Double AA for $50. So you can have twice the punch in the same area. With enough AA you can stop incoming MM strikeforces as well.



Now that's a well established Anti-Air defense line (~_^).

Bunkers. Bunkers are primary defense against Metal Marines. They can survive a hit from one missile but not two. A common site is your AA taking out one or two missiles only for a last salvo to finally get through and strike. Leaving the Bunkers to defend against a MM strike. Bunkers cost $10 and you will use them a lot. Strategic placement of Bunkers will save your ass.

Mines. Mines are cheap like bunkers. And when you construct them they are camo’d from the enemy. They damage attacking metal marines by HALF!

Radar. Radar Array is kind of expensive early on costing $50 bucks. But they help upgrade your AA’s effectiveness by a certain percentage. You want to strike at these on the enemies base so you can get your own AA through their defenses.

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Now for the Offensive!

Missiles. The standard missile. Your basic offensive punch. You and the enemy will be trading back shots with these trying to soften up defenses to storm in Metal Marines. On can destroy a 9 square area of a map per missile. Costs $10. To upgrade to dreaded double missiles. $40. Protect them with AA though. Very fragile. They make good scouts too to check out the enemy island.

Metal Marines. The stars of the show. They cost $20. Metal Marines are so versatile in defense or attack. They can attack a wide area of a map grid when they land. So useful especially upgraded. They have variable equipment, an All-purpose laser, An anti-bunker Cannon (Strong vs Bunkers and weak vs. MM), and an Anti-MM gatling gun (the reverse. Make sure to pick and choose them wisely. Upclose they use their cool melee attack which differs depending on the equipped load out. Upgraded with $45 they become the even tougher gold armored version. It takes like 3 or 4 missles to soft kill a gold MM.



Ah yes nothing more pretty than upgraded Metal Marines.

ICBM. The ICBM is a missile once fired that is unstoppable, and wipes out an entire area of map. But I rarely use them. 1st they are fragile as hell, 2nd they cost A LOT, 3rd if one tile on that fether is destroyed the entire launcher is useless. Much better use for your money if you are in a tough match. But they are fun to build for the wow factor.

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Economy.
There are there main factors to your economy at the start of a level. Money, Energy, Build Times. Normally you aquire money at a rate of $1 per second. And 1 energy per second. Money is used to buy stuff, and energy is used to attack. You modify this based off

Supply Plant. Building a these will increase the rate of income. I usually build one or two. Saving up the required money to build one can be excruciating. Especially when you are recovering from an Enemy attack. I could build 5 AA for the cost of one. But one you get that income coming in you NOTICE.

Energy Plants. Energy plants give you one extra energy. Useful if you need to make a lot of MM attacks. But most times by the time you build up your preliminary base defenses you have a nice energy nest egg to launch a few MM missions or missiles.

Factory. Factories while expensive, $100, are phenomenal. They increase build times for all units/buildings, and increase your missiles replish rates so you can load more missiles to fire. Also effects repair rate.

Bulldozer. Its not really a unit you build but a tool you use to clear map areas decimated by missiles or MM. You cant build on destroyed ground unless you Bulldoze it. Costs $5

Time to Attack.
Once you have a defense starting you get ready to launch and attack. This takes you to the attack screen from which you will decide where to send your units in an attack. At first the enemy map is obscured. Once you send over Missiles or Marines you can see their placement. You can fire 4 missiles (Single or Double) per launch, and one Metal Marine raid, which can send up to 3 marines.



The attack preplanning screen. Anything could be out there waiting be careful.

Missiles are auto they ether hit or they don’t. They can damage a 9 square area. Double missiles pack more punch per launch. They fire staggered, then the MM carrier will head in. Hopefully the enemy AA isnt enough to shoot you down. Once Metal Marines land you decide where to drop them and they will auto-target and take out the nearest buildings. BUT you can control individual Marines and guide them to targets you want. THIS is a very important tactical trick, since you can steer a MM away from a row of Bunkers. And get the AA or missiles first.



Metal Marines storm an enemies headquarters. Shouldnt. be too much of a problem.

That’s the basics of the strategy. The terrain differs depending on the Map. Some are hilly or mountainous and some are flat and hard to defend. Uphill offers a bonus to damage. So storming MM up his is trouble. Some times the enemy map will make for some diabolical defense set ups. Gotta storm a Marine assault or get a good missile attack in to soften things up. You will lose units.

Man I have had some great battles, quite memorable where a last ditch assault managed to bring me back from total defeat. Yeah I have been pushed back to one base and only a few bunkers to my name before…. An enemy double missile can really ruin your day. I’ve had lucky missiles decimate my AA defenses and wreck everything I spend minutes building up. With the only way to survive is to launch a suicide MM attack and find those Enemy launchers! But most times with a good build plan and attack strategy the enemy will not be too much of a problem. Some times I would play with the enemy and let him actually rebuild his bases up some….

The final mission is a tough old broad though. The graphics were quite pleasant if basic. With little details on the maps like old buildings or roads. Usually decimated by missiles though. I remember one match we had trashed each others island so much it was all brown except for our facilities. Also I really liked the inbetween art scenes and the communications you get from the enemy commander of that level during the match.





Uh oh she's gonna gloat....





Not so happy now huh lil buddy? Nothing like a successful assault.

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Verdict - 9/10
A grand game for its time. Just on time spent playing, it so pays for itself in entertainment.

Does it hold up? – 7/10
I think it is quite cool still. Played it on emulator, but it’s not the same as I am tempted to cheat with the Save State function. No saves on the SNES. That really would get your blood pumping. Graphics aren’t what we are used too now but oddly old SNES/ Genesis games have a way of retaining their cuteness unlike old PSone games. Its those polygons…

If you get a chance try to find this one, especially if you are a Strategy game fetishist. I eventually ended up buying it after I rented it that time. Got it for like $10.

The Party List! – A lil bit of everything

Okay time for a little Kei Katan download. Ah! But focused on what? What I am entertaining myself with of course. What I like to call my party list.

Jakarutu hit me rather hard so I have faltered in my duties to this blog. But I hope I can turn it around. Went through a particularly bad patch but I might be fine now. Its turning.

So let’s start off Party List with….

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Food and Mead

Garibaldi’s – Restaurant of purest Sex

Cucumbers - Favorite snack food of month

9” Cheese Steak Deluxe – Most Satisfying meal of the week

LTD – “Best start to weekend” beverage/liquor

WildBlue – Surprisingly tasty desert-like beer that can secretly mess you the F up!



Guava Nectar, Generic Brand - Nectar of the Magical Healing

Cake Donot Holes, cinnamon – Unhealthy Treat most addicted to currently

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Media

With the Magic Defeated…..and that Adulterer having another ring…. I am finally done with Basket Ball.

Ah but then….. World Cup began. And thanks to Univision’s streaming I can watch it. Sadly I may have to take off days of work to enjoy it. (They watch bandwidth and other stats here). – update. Enjoyed World Cup this year. Missed a lot of games cause of work. I may do a world cup centric post. I will be downloading some of the matches to re-watch on those rainy afternoons.

Lost Done…. And Flash Forward cancelled. My movie/television/video entertainment front was looking really grim. (On some levels)

Almost done with my rewatching of Babylon 5 (all seasons, doubt I will do the movies though). Sometimes I watch an episode a day. Other times I will mini marathon and knock out a whole disk. Always forget the quality of the show, until I watch it again. Great plotting in the story arcs, and fantastic one shot stories in between. I have a super crush on Lyta Alexander. (I wonder how old she is now)



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Movies

Last movie I saw in theatres is uh…

Iron Man 2.
Overall a good movie. Suffers from stage II, sequalitius tho. Namely too many plots, too much going on. So you get the feel of sensory overload. But in this case all of the stuff is actually good and entertaining. Loved Whiplash, pretty good villain, really loved the Monaco scene. So, Gwyn Paltro is cool, (Her mom is hotter than her though) and then we have TL slayer Scarlett Johansson, she’s almost to potent….though I might also be in love with Robert Downey Junior too, now that I think about. The scene with his father really stood out for me, in contrast to the scene with whiplashes dang. Good stuff.

Now I usually don’t have too many movies I am anticipating or that I even see. (Nope even with free dowloads available I am not tempted to see most movies) But there are some coming out I would like to see.

Inception is that movie. Bit Leonardo DiCaprio minion too, always does a good job in his movies and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in it too, hope the kid does good.

Next month is Scott Pilgrim vs the World. Not really a fan of Cena casting (though I will always like him cause of Arrested Development, though he gets tiresome sometimes), but because I like the source material I will be watching it. Knives Chau!!! :P

Expendables is coming out too but I fear it might just suck….. Sometimes multi-superstar movies don’t do well. Ocean’s Eleven did but hmmm this movie is giving me that “EEEEEEN” feeling

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Anime & Manga

Been real slack on this front. Haven’t even read Naruto or One Piece in a week or so.

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Writing

Writing has been hammer slammed for a long time now. I have very much fallen into chicanery. When work is heavy it wears on my brain and it shuts down. Oddly when I am emotionally distress (IE hammer slammed by a women) I write better. But work has the opposite effect. It gums up the pipes, the more tedious the work, the worse it is. Twitter is fine. But it’s terrible for concerted writing efforts. During my bout with Jakarutu I couldn’t even write in my blog. And what’s more I have to get done with the damn job first, which can take weeks. It’s like a mental barrier I cant get past. But I am trying.

I have started on my Nexus story. Got a good flow going. Also created a new story universe the Heroes Return universe. Details to come. Got a lot of stories planned for it.

Will I ever reach the point of completing a story and trying to self publish it? Not sure. I seem to be able to come up with

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Internet

I actually been on internet an internet hiatus since the July 4th holiday. Felt good to take a twitter break especially. Hmm stumbled upon some cool little sites. Here are a few

http://www.cracked.com/article_18476_5-ancient-acts-war-that-changed-face-earth.html

-Of particular note is about the sacking of Baghdad by the Mongols and how it has forever changed the nature and face of the middle east. They have not recovered TO THIS DAY. The Mongols reign is incredibly interesting and I recommend you look into their history.

http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9741919888/m/4041982359

- Super weapon geek article debuncting myths about the Barret .50 Cal sniper rifle...

http://screenrant.com/female-expendables-movie-pauly-67099

- If the expendables movie starred only women. Pretty good list.

http://www.details.com/culture-trends/news-and-politics/201008/interview-boxing-mike-tyson?currentPage=3


- An interest Mike Tyson interview

http://www.heartlessdoll.com/2010/03/top_ten_worst_online_dating_archetypes.php

- Top Ten Worst Online Dating Archetypes. A good article. I HAVE met some of them and I am a few of them. (Can you guess which ones….)

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Arts

For an experiment during all personal e-mails I decided I would only send picture responses. It was quite fun. So I ended up doing that and motivationals….







My favorite creation this week


Kei Katan?


Okay that’s it so far these last few weeks. I will check in again. I am gonna get this thing rolling a