I, Robot is a futuristic thriller staring Will Smith in the lead role of Detective Del Spooner.
Will Smith is one of those actors I normally refer to as popcorn actors – in other words, there movies are perfectly complimented by a big bowl of popcorn, and not your brain.
But I,Robot is different. Based around some short stories by Isaac Asimov, this is a movie that almost gives Will Smith some credibility as a serious actor.
Set in the year 2035, robots have become a trusted and essential part of life for everyone, except Detective Spooner. Spooner likes the old days, when you valued what you did, because you had to do it. His go against the flow attitude is emphasized with some great product placement in a pair of old school 2004 Converse shoes that he receives at the start of the movie. His petrol driven motorbike further reinforces this.
So when a robot seemingly kills a human – something they are not supposed to be able to do – Spooner is sent to investigate. Whilst everyone else is saying suicide, Spooner is like a dog with a bone, not willing to let go of his ‘the Robot did it’ theory.
And this is where the movie really takes off, with a mix of action, suspense, and awesome special effects.
The movie could have easily gone down the no-brainer road, but thankfully doesn’t. Instead it turns into a rollercoaster ride, with many spiritual themes abounding through a twisting and turning plot.
This special effects laden end of the world movie is probably one of the most positive of the recent glut of movies in this genre, and is essential viewing for anyone who likes a good action movie as well as food for thought.
Without A Trace (S1)
The premise behind Without A Trace is not too far away from the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Some one is reported missing, and the FBI’s missing persons team swings into action. And like the Shepherd, the team on Without A Trace put everything on hold until they find, or find out what happened to, that person.
The way they find missing people is to try and discover what sort of person they were, so that they can figure out what they may have done. Using a timeline and whatever evidence they have the team carefully piece together the events leading up to the disappearance, and then figure out what happened after.
What sets this programme apart from the glut of crime dramas on TV at the moment is the sense of hope. The team never give up on hope. They are as positive as they can be, with a desire to find the person alive.
With season 2 currently running on TV2, it’s nice to be able to revisit season 1 on DVD. Not only do you get a perfect picture and sound, the proper aspect ratio, but you also get to enjoy it without the adverts.
The way they find missing people is to try and discover what sort of person they were, so that they can figure out what they may have done. Using a timeline and whatever evidence they have the team carefully piece together the events leading up to the disappearance, and then figure out what happened after.
What sets this programme apart from the glut of crime dramas on TV at the moment is the sense of hope. The team never give up on hope. They are as positive as they can be, with a desire to find the person alive.
With season 2 currently running on TV2, it’s nice to be able to revisit season 1 on DVD. Not only do you get a perfect picture and sound, the proper aspect ratio, but you also get to enjoy it without the adverts.
Cold Creek Manor
With their marriage on the verge of collapsing, and their son almost being killed by impatient motorists, New York career-focussed parents the Plummers sell up and take their two children to find a simpler life.
They purchase a recently repossessed mansion in small town America, without bothering to find out it’s history. It’s a bit of a shambles, but the locals seem eager to help them.
Whilst the story line is pretty much Hollywood style check-your-brains-at-the-door fare, if you can ignore the stupid mistakes the Plummers seem to make at every turn, Cold Creek Manor makes for a very entertaining, edge of your seats ride. It has the formula down pat, with scares, moments of tension, and the occasional bit of humour.
They purchase a recently repossessed mansion in small town America, without bothering to find out it’s history. It’s a bit of a shambles, but the locals seem eager to help them.
Whilst the story line is pretty much Hollywood style check-your-brains-at-the-door fare, if you can ignore the stupid mistakes the Plummers seem to make at every turn, Cold Creek Manor makes for a very entertaining, edge of your seats ride. It has the formula down pat, with scares, moments of tension, and the occasional bit of humour.
Halo 2 (X-Box)
Halo 2 is probably the most hyped game ever.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve probably just woken from a coma. The original Halo helped launch Microsoft’s X-Box, and helped put the GameCube in a distance third place in the consol wars.
With Halo being the best selling game on X-Box, Halo 2 was a sure thing, and expected global sales are projected at 10 million units. But what makes Halo 2 so good?
Having never played the original, I can’t comment on improvements, but what I can say after my first two hour session last night, is that it’s huge in scale.
Stunning cinematic cut scenes and movie like musical scores set the scene and create an atmosphere of expectation. And the game delivers on this expectation.
Microsoft won’t score any points on original gameplay – this is no Fable – it’s the tried an tested first person shooter, but there’s something about it that makes it special. It’s the feeling that you are a part of something – the game play draws you in. The environments are beautifully rendered, and the ambient noises add to the sense of being there.
The tone is definitely futuristic, with the first level being on a space station, but when you get down to Earth, it soon looks like Full Spectrum Warrior with the decaying and battle scarred urban settings.
Unlike Full Spectrum Warrior, you are in control and it’s up to you to dispense of the hoards of alien invaders, and they’re not dumb. You can expect them to come at you from behind, beside or even above you, so look out. You do have a couple of buddies on your side, but from time to time you’ll find it’s just you, and you’ll have to think – and move – fast to make it through.
All in all, Halo 2 was worth the hype – it’s a very enjoyable game, packaged in great visuals and sound.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’ve probably just woken from a coma. The original Halo helped launch Microsoft’s X-Box, and helped put the GameCube in a distance third place in the consol wars.
With Halo being the best selling game on X-Box, Halo 2 was a sure thing, and expected global sales are projected at 10 million units. But what makes Halo 2 so good?
Having never played the original, I can’t comment on improvements, but what I can say after my first two hour session last night, is that it’s huge in scale.
Stunning cinematic cut scenes and movie like musical scores set the scene and create an atmosphere of expectation. And the game delivers on this expectation.
Microsoft won’t score any points on original gameplay – this is no Fable – it’s the tried an tested first person shooter, but there’s something about it that makes it special. It’s the feeling that you are a part of something – the game play draws you in. The environments are beautifully rendered, and the ambient noises add to the sense of being there.
The tone is definitely futuristic, with the first level being on a space station, but when you get down to Earth, it soon looks like Full Spectrum Warrior with the decaying and battle scarred urban settings.
Unlike Full Spectrum Warrior, you are in control and it’s up to you to dispense of the hoards of alien invaders, and they’re not dumb. You can expect them to come at you from behind, beside or even above you, so look out. You do have a couple of buddies on your side, but from time to time you’ll find it’s just you, and you’ll have to think – and move – fast to make it through.
All in all, Halo 2 was worth the hype – it’s a very enjoyable game, packaged in great visuals and sound.
Out Of Time
Denzel Washington plays a very dumb cop in this re-make of a re-make. The story line is pretty simple, small town cop gets duped into breaking the law to help a so called abused wife. But things, as usual for a movie, don’t go to plan.
One he figures out he’s been duped, Denzel has to try and cover his tracks and find out the truth. This makes for an exciting, if somewhat predictable ride for the second half of the movie.
There’s not a lot to it, but Denzel’s screen cred, and some superb acting by John Billingsley make the movie worth watching, add a bag of popcorn and a few friends, and you have a good night in.
One he figures out he’s been duped, Denzel has to try and cover his tracks and find out the truth. This makes for an exciting, if somewhat predictable ride for the second half of the movie.
There’s not a lot to it, but Denzel’s screen cred, and some superb acting by John Billingsley make the movie worth watching, add a bag of popcorn and a few friends, and you have a good night in.
THUG2 (PS2)
Tony Hawk is back – and it’s better than ever. Last years Underground was a huge improvement for the series, but now in version 2, it’s even better.
You start out as a rookie skater who’s been picked for Tony Hawk’s team to go on a world tour – cue lots of exotic locations!! The game play is pretty much the same as before, you skate, do tricks, destroy a few things and find hidden areas.
If the story mode isn’t the thing for you – don’t worry, Activision have included the old style game, where you have two minuets to complete various tasks such as spell “skate” etc. And if you’re really hankering for the old style, the training level is an exact replica from the original game. Well, exact, with smoother graphics of course!
You start out as a rookie skater who’s been picked for Tony Hawk’s team to go on a world tour – cue lots of exotic locations!! The game play is pretty much the same as before, you skate, do tricks, destroy a few things and find hidden areas.
If the story mode isn’t the thing for you – don’t worry, Activision have included the old style game, where you have two minuets to complete various tasks such as spell “skate” etc. And if you’re really hankering for the old style, the training level is an exact replica from the original game. Well, exact, with smoother graphics of course!
Everest.
This documentary follows Pete Athans as he attempts to become the first westerner to summit Everest for the 6th time. But his goal is not simply to shatter the world record, but also to record the exact hight with a GPS measuring device.
It’s an interesting documentary, looking at the enormous task of climbing mountain most of us will never see. And it’s a scary journey – at points the only way forward over crevices, is to walk long ladders that have been roped together to make a temporary bridge – freakishly scary stuff! Buffeted by strong winds, and short on breath due to the thinner oxygen at the high altitudes, it take a complicated journey to get to the top.
It’s an interesting documentary, looking at the enormous task of climbing mountain most of us will never see. And it’s a scary journey – at points the only way forward over crevices, is to walk long ladders that have been roped together to make a temporary bridge – freakishly scary stuff! Buffeted by strong winds, and short on breath due to the thinner oxygen at the high altitudes, it take a complicated journey to get to the top.
Veronica Guerin
Mocked by her peers and threatened by those she tried to expose, Veronica Guerin’s story is one of hope and a strong desire to improve the world.
This movie based on the true story of a newspaper reporter in mid 1990’s Dublin, and follows the fleeting last moments of her life. From the moment she realizes that the drug culture is destroying her beautiful city, to her execution by the drug dealers.
Whilst this movie does deal with the dark side of life, Veronica’s story is one of a bright light that wanted to shine so that all could see the truth. As her articles and investigations got closer to the truth, Veronica and her family were threatened, and even shot at, but she didn’t back down. It only made her stronger and more determined.
The saddest thing about this movie, is that Veronica never lived to see the good her influence, and tragic death helped to achieve.
This is an emotional and inspiration movie, proving that with courage and dedication, one person can change the world for good.
This movie is rated R-13 for violence and bad language.
This movie based on the true story of a newspaper reporter in mid 1990’s Dublin, and follows the fleeting last moments of her life. From the moment she realizes that the drug culture is destroying her beautiful city, to her execution by the drug dealers.
Whilst this movie does deal with the dark side of life, Veronica’s story is one of a bright light that wanted to shine so that all could see the truth. As her articles and investigations got closer to the truth, Veronica and her family were threatened, and even shot at, but she didn’t back down. It only made her stronger and more determined.
The saddest thing about this movie, is that Veronica never lived to see the good her influence, and tragic death helped to achieve.
This is an emotional and inspiration movie, proving that with courage and dedication, one person can change the world for good.
This movie is rated R-13 for violence and bad language.
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