VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Ultimate Edition

Platform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 27/3/2009

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

Platform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony
Retail Release: 7/12/2007

PLANET EARTH: SHALLOW SEAS 4-D EXPERIENCE (SEA LIFE 4-D CINEMA) ****

UK: Alastair Fothergill, 2006

IMDB reference

More details on the SEA LIFE 4-D Cinema here.

(*) THE MIST ****

USA: Frank Darabont, 2007

IMDB reference

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

Battlefield 1943

Platform: PSN
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: EA
Publisher: EA
Retail Release: 9/7/2009

MYSTERY SOLVED!

I've finally completed the quite excellent Professor Layton and the Curious Village. For my money this is the pinnacle of gaming offered on Nintendo DS. Really looking forward to the forthcoming sequel due for release next month.

WANTED **

USA/Germany: Timur Bekmambetov, 2008

IMDB reference

NO INTRODUCTION NECESSARY

The better half treated me to a welcome surprise today. INFAMOUS for PS3. Played an hour or so far - gripping 'Heroes' vibe.

VIDEO GAME COLLECTION #??

InFamous

Platform: PlayStation 3
Region: UK (PAL)
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Publisher: Sony
Retail Release: 29/5/2009

MOON ***½

UK: Duncan Jones, 2009

IMDB reference

DOLLHOUSE - SEASON 1

USA: Various Directors, 2009 (Created by Joss Whedon)

I've been working my way through Joss Whedon's latest television show DOLLHOUSE over the past few months. Having finally seen both the unaired Pilot episode "Echo" and the postponed/unaired finale episode "Epitaph One" I'm happy to say that this was one of the best - albeit flawed - new TV shows I've seen in years.

DOLLHOUSE has an engaging premise and showcases some fine acting talent to deliver Whedon's sublime dialogue. Ok, it is no FIREFLY but it marks a strong entry in original science-fiction drama. I'm definitely looking forward to the recently announced second season as after a few decidedly average episodes this opening season was excellent.

To be perfectly honest, DOLLHOUSE season finale "Epitaph One" was both bold and baffling. It didn't feel part of the rest of the aired episodes. Whilst I can only admire Joss Whedon's confidence to take risks, I am surprised he would move the story arc in such a new direction this early in the development of the programme. I also think there was more mileage to be wrought out of the 'brainwashed operatives' evolution of self-awareness and the existence of the 'Dollhouse conspiracy'. What now for Season 2? A near-future set dystopia with the titular 'Dollhouse' of the title no more? The rag band of fugitives introduced in this final episode certainly provided a telling self-referential nod towards FIREFLY!

Score: 8/10

IMDB reference

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Basketball

I've just achieved some new high scores in some of my favourite events - YES!

Event: Basketball
Game Mode: 3-Point Contest
Score: 26 (new personal best)

Comments: Yes, I shoot to the top of the leader boards and lay claim to best Wii Sports Resort Basketball player in our house!

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Frisbee

Event: Frisbee
Game Mode: Frisbee Dog
Score: 1300 (new personal best)
Comments: Eat my circular disc of plastic one and all!

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Power Cruising

Event: Power Cruising
Game Mode: Slalom Course Beach
Score: 200.5 (new personal best)
Comments: I'm improving slowly. Great event to play this one.

24 - SEASON 7

USA: Various Directors, 2009 (Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran)

I've recently been gorging myself on the latest season of 24. Yes, the show has certainly eroded its once cutting-edge premise of taking place over twenty-four hours with events unfolding in real-time but hey it is slick entertainment in an addictive package.

This season (I've only got the season finale to go now) has been a tremendous ride with Jack his moody and explosive best at its heart. Not only has the season's first half got a blistering pace, the supporting cast captures an impressive balance of old and new faces (as for the latter Annie Wersching and Jeffrey Nordling a.ka. Michael Douglas dead ringer are both great). As the episodes have come and gone this group of characters have really knitted well - far better than in previous years. The obligatory lunacy plot-wise has been turned up to eleven and the Tony Almeida dance between good/bad guy setting a new head-slappingly silly high. But, for at least it's fun again.

I had given 24 a long berth up until my better half introduced me to the show a few years back. At that point she was up to Season 4 and she kindly went back to the beginning and we have watched each season 1 through 6.

Then came 24: Redemption, a decidedly average, if plain dull, feature length story linking the events of Season 6 with the new seventh season. If anything, 24: Redemption stopped my waning enthusiasm point blank. I had sat through the sublime highs of Season 1 and 2 (well the first half at any rate, which ranks as the most satisfyingly realised story arc in the whole 24 canon in my opinion). Then came the middling and stuttering efforts of Seasons 3 and 4. By Season 5, the whole thing was starting to get too rich for my palette and then Season 6 brought me back in to appreciate the pure entertainment and engaging drama 24 can rustle up when your not expecting it.

However, like I said before, the move length episode was just too damn bland for me to stomach. So I decided to take a break from 24 and didn't watch the show when it originally aired. Taking my time to come back to the table for another blockbuster helping with my expectations at an all-time low. This trick worked with 24: Redemption as having finally managing to sit through the whole thing now, I realise it was adequate rather than a total failure. I feel this is the thing with 24. On the one hand it lends itself, like much 'TV on DVD', to marathon viewing sessions but can actually reward the viewer for taking a much needed break for oxygen between seasons.

In case of 24 Season 7, my theory has proven correct. The more ridiculous aspects of the season's lurches from one plot-line to another would have angered and annoyed me straight off the back of an overdose of the show. However, since I've not thought about 24 for a significant amount of time, I've been able to overlook the flaws and just enjoy the ride. My girlfriend's evident delight in watching anywhere between four to eight episodes a day over the past couple of weeks has no doubt contributed to my upbeat assessment.

Bring on the finale!

Update: Having now seen the season finale I would say overall the season was strong and enjoyable. The last episode served up some more nonsensical twists and turns but it also had a nod to a deeper thematic resolution in regards to Jack's 'deathbed confession'. The season also offered fleeting moments of emotional drama which were genuinely affecting.

Score: 8/10

IMDB reference

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Wakeboarding

Event: Wakeboarding
Difficulty: Beginner
Score: 1630 (new personal best)
Comments: People are getting over 3,000 on this event (Colin and Jack I'm talking about you) I must be doing something wrong! Good to finally beat the missus at something though, lol!

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Power Cruising

Event: Power Cruising
Game Mode: Slalom Course Beach
Score: 198.9Comments: Reminiscent of Wave Race 64 and all the better for it. Controls are excellent.

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Cycling

Event: Cycling
Game Mode: Road Race - 1st Stage - Around The Island
Score: 2:30.66
Comments: Another event I've yet to really sit down and play but having read some negative comments about this sport, I'd say it isn't terrible. Instead of proper Wii Motion Plus controls it feels more akin to the gestures used for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. I'm a fan of that game so no complaints from me.

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Canoeing

Event: Canoeing
Difficulty: Beginner
Game Mode: Speed Challenge
Score: 216.04
Comments: Only had a few goes at this one so far. Great fun!

Wii Sports Resort - High Scores - Basketball

Event: Basketball
Game Mode: 3-Point Contest
Score: 24
Comments: Basketball is another event masterfully implemented in Wii Sports Resort. Easy to play but incredibly challenging to perfect. Again, this is an event in Wii Sports Resort in which my better half can beat me. At present she even tops the rankings over at the WiiDS Leaderboards. Ouch!