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Adventurer

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Blog Entries posted by Adventurer

  1. Adventurer

    It's Done

    By Adventurer,

    Entire inbox is down to two messages... Though I have a lot of stored ones...
     
    Now that is out of the way, I am slowly catching up on house-keeping stuff. I next plan to see if I can get back into helping out with FT topics and I'll also start maintaining my BS01 account (again ). I also need to catch up on missed serials etc... As well as the Bioshock 2 Viral (Something In The Sea)... I had been neglecting both...
     
    Once all that is done, things will start to get back to normal for me.
     
    Oh also, something I like about these current ranks I'm getting is how they foreshadow the next one (look at the shadow in the middle); kudos to whoever came up with the idea.
     
    'Tis all for now I think...
  2. Adventurer
    Went to an amusement park yesterday with some friends and as a result I have reinstalled RollerCoaster Tycoon... I've already spent way too much time on it.
     
    In other news I heard that Final Fantasy XIII was going up on the PSN, which is good for people like me who haven't been gaming since they were two months old. (Oh yeah I have a PS3 as well as a 360, PSP and Gaming PC now. Mother also wishes to get a Wii and DS for herself. )
     
    I've also been thinking of my new avatar and banner and I decided when I have the software, I'll try and make a Saxton Hale banner and a yellow Rahkshi avatar... Both will burn the eyes, but I don't mind.
     
    'Tis all!
  4. Adventurer
    » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « 
    OK, I'm not too good at putting my thoughts together, especially at this time, so I'm going to use a bullet list style to review Avatar.
     
    The BAD
    Some awkward dialogue in places, mainly during the times when Jake was joining the Na'vi culture for the first time. Mainly when he first met Neytiri too. I'm not sure if it was those lines themselves or the way they were delivered. I suppose it suited Jake's character at the time being a Jarhead and not really knowing how to act in such a diplomatic situation, but otherwise it was fine.
    The character motivations seemed a bit muddled in the bit where Neytiri first meets Jake. To me they seemed to accept each other much too fast, possibly due to content being cut, or the creators knowing that they needed to save time for the big ending. Whatever the reason, they all seemed to move through this important part of the movie very quickly, relying on Jake's T2 like narration. I would have liked to have seen a more gradual ease into Na'vi culture; maybe an extended director's cut will fix this?  
    All in all though, the two characters became too accepting of each other too quickly it seemed and the scientists came to like Jake too fast for my liking. I feel that in the actual timeline of the story (not the plot) Jake was shown to fit in with everyone else, in the movie's plot though it was made that that process of everyone getting to like Jake wasn't shown...

    Story and a lot of the design isn't original. I personally don't give a cat about this, but apparently other people do. The material is taken from a large enough variety of base sources to make it feel fresh and there are quite a few good homages. The design elements of the human technology seemed heavily inspired by Aliens and Terminator, but this is fine and I actually quite liked it. The plot however is fairly predictable, not the point of it feeling redundant for even having it, but enough to not keep you guessing what is going to happen next (ie. don't expect great plot twists etc...) This is in part made up by a few other elements which will be mentioned later on.
    The main character isn't likable. This is sort of a good thing at the start, District 9 did the same thing, but some people still find it jarring. Unfortunately in some ways, Jake becomes a completely different person at the end, which can sort of diminish some of the movie's meaning. However, that movie's meaning in that respect is still well portrayed through the villains and Jake ultimately comes to represent what the creators (or Cameron) believe humanity should be doing in it's general attitude towards things. The GOOD
    Great supporting cast. I felt that some of the minor characters were acted out really primarily Grace (Sigourney Weaver) and the Colonel (Stephen Lang) who I felt were very well done. I actually heard that James Cameron had wanted Stephen Lang to be in Aliens, but decided to go with someone else and that it was his memory of him from then that gave him the role (just thought I'd throw that there ). The other actors did pretty good jobs, especially considering the circumstances in which they were being filmed in.
    Nice homages. As mentioned earlier, there were some nice homages in the film, especially to Cameron's earlier work. I won't try and list all the ones I saw, but one I liked in particular was the sunglasses which the marine pilot (whose name is Trudy apparently according to Wikipedia ) which are pretty much the same to the ones worn by the dropship pilot in Aliens (I know that style of Dropship pilot was ignited by Starship Troopers, but Aliens was heavily inspired by that to the point where the actors were required to read the book ).
    Beautiful. In case you didn't know, this is one of, if not the best looking movies ever.
    3D is not overused. It's becoming more common, but Avatar is a movie which doesn't abuse it's 3D and use it as a gimmick. Just so you all know.
    Pandora. Obviously inspired by a multitude of other science fiction settings, Pandora is a very interesting location full of remarkable wildlife. The planet is connected by a tree mind such as in Sage of Seven Suns' Worldtrees and the animals can neurally connect with the Na'vi. None of this on it's own is new, but the way it is presented and out together makes it feel real (at least for me anyway). The world also seems have had some history put into it; I could imagine books being written as prequels explaining the history of the Na'vi, their culture and how man first came to Pandora and the situation it is currently in. 
    It is also always cool to see Polyphemus (named for it's one storm-eye perhaps?) in the background. No matter how many times I see it, I love seeing planets seen on the horizon as huge structures.

    While the plot isn't particularly groundbreaking or noteworthy by itself, I thought that the old story of the big business pushing around the small guy was presented greatly here. If that middle part which I mentioned earlier had been done a bit longer or better, the emotional impact of certain events later in the movie would have been very deep indeed I believe. As it is however, I did feel myself sort of cheering and cursing in my mind at the opposing sides. I understood the main antagonists (Parker more-so than the others), but I still hated them. I really liked how the Na'vi didn't get out of it all thriving and unscathed, something which I thought for a few moments was going to happen. It made a much greater emotional impact in the end.
    The Banshees are awesome. Am gonna buy me an action figure of one as soon as I can.
    The conflict Jake had in choosing which side, while a simple and obvious choice was done well. At one point in the movie I asked myself why he was still going to the colonel when he wanted to help the Na'vi and at another I asked myself why he was getting involved with the Na'vi when he was just a grunt looking for a job. The main seen in which this conflict was represented best was when one of the scientists sees him talking to the colonel and he later mentions that he knows that Grace is in on it all. It made me feel kind of guilty, which is good as it was making me identify with Jake as a realistic protagonist, something a lot of movies fail at doing completely. Jake knew that if he did what he knew he really wanted, he would have to fight and possibly give his life for. Not a new idea at all by ANY means, but very well done.
    The sections where Jake's Avatar life started becoming more real than his real life was done excellently. The genre slowly moved from the science-fiction of the humans, to the science-fantasy of the Na'vi culture. Whenever Jake was interrupted from his Avatar life, it felt like the sterile and unkind human world was just a nightmare he had to cope with temporarily until he could return to the Na'Vi and his romance, which I might add I think represented his growing connection to the Na'vi culture and way of life. I hope I haven't been too positive and I apologise for the bad grammar and poor structure ('tis 2:00AM), but I do really think this movie clicked with me. Overall, this would tie for my favourite move of the year with District 9 and is one I am definitely going to try and see again .
  5. Adventurer

    *jumps In Joy*

    By Adventurer,

    Just saw this. I was afraid that PAL regions weren't going to get the collection and the ultimate edition before God of War III, seems with get both at once.
     
    Also I've got word that Titan Mata Nui has arrived at my Mum's house. Won't be there for quite a while yet, but still:
  6. Adventurer

    I'm Back

    By Adventurer,

    Man, where to start. I leave BZPower staff for several reasons and then I put BZPower on hiatus for house moving and exams. I come back, see that Bionicle sets are being replaced with Ben 10 or whatever and that the Moon is about to crash into the Earth! I decide that nothing can stop me from my mission now and I put on my ultra-man (woman) outfit and I snap into action and make this blog entry. I'll post my proper thoughts on all of this once it has all digested properly.
     
    Essentially though, I'm active again and ready to kill some TtW (if I can find some to kill that is ).
  7. Adventurer

    The Adventurer Club

    By Adventurer,

    I decided to make a club so I had something to shove in a content block. If you want to join just leave a comment about why you want to join. Everyone who joins will appear in a content block and will get a free hug!
  8. Adventurer

    Tlr

    By Adventurer,

    Just got TLR, will be watching it in a few moments. I also found that old Bionicle game (the one everyone says is bad ) which I never got around to getting, so I'm happy.
  10. Adventurer

    Hey All!

    By Adventurer,

    Well BZPower's back finally!
     
    Well I met Vezon the Charming Maniac and Black Six in NYC. Both were very interesting to meet and (is being held to ransom to say this) awesome.
     
    There's a bunch of other stuff that has happened, but I don't think anyone would really care about that. I will however say that everyone must see District 9. Saw it a bit over a week or so ago and it's awesome. B)
     
    EDIT: And my birthday is like real soon.
  13. Adventurer

    Telephone

    By Adventurer,

    Anyone know where I can find the Official Bionicle Love Topic? Google no longer has it I'm afraid so I was wondering if anyone had it saved. I would have but it was on my Dad's old computer which he got rid of a while ago... I doubt anyone would have it, but it'd definitely help if they did.
  14. Adventurer

    Holy Mog!

    By Adventurer,

    Wow, what just happened was really surprising, see if you can guess what it was.
     
    In other news, I totally screwed up my computing assignment, so I'm sad now.
  16. Adventurer

    Thing

    By Adventurer,

    I'll be away without electricity for the next three days, a week after that I'll be at music camp for a week and then a week after that I'll be in NYC... Then the following week after that I get off because of Swine Flu.
  17. Adventurer
    Well I figured you all wanted to hear how I've been, so here's a little update:
     
    1) I am now doing the Mythology section of the BRC and I've got some tasks to give the new RKs, hopefully one day we'll have enough time and power to make another BZP Ultimate Quiz.
     
    2) I had to walk home in the rain today after losing our basketball game. I'm getting better, but still not that great.
     
    3) I saw a bit of E3 stuff, nothing seems that surprising really, except maybe announcing another Final Fantasy before the other one is out. Left 4 Dead 2 (I would have called it Left 2 Die, but whatever ) was a surprise and I'll hold judgment for a bit longer. I am sad that they haven't shown any Episode Three stuff, but oh well. Crysis 2 was announced, but I'm weary considering that it's being co-developed for consoles. I really hope that they don't sacrifice the graphics or large open spaces... Also, if Starcraft II comes out this year, I owe myself ten dollars. B)
     
    (Oh and Monkey Island is back!)
     
    4) I've been playing some Team Fortress 2 and I've become a rather good Spy. I now have a record of eight backstabs in one life. Anyone know which I should use; Cloak & Dagger or Dead Ringer?
     
    5) Official topics... Yeah... Makuta Topic is on hold because of the nest point... Once that's done I plan on tackling the physics topic (yeah right, Adv! You're crazy! :angry: Go back to your little whole, pessimist!)
     
    6) I'm making Kanohi Journal articles again. I figured I'll just work longer hours without pay.
     
    7) Pop!
     
    8) I'm making a new banner too...
     
    9) Pop!
  18. Adventurer
    Since my blog is now being ignored, I can use it to talk to myself in private.
     
    Adv: So how are you today my very good friend?
     
    Aid: I'm very well. And you?
     
    Adv: I'm terrible. It is impossible to kill one who is no longer in reality.
     
    Aid: Maybe you should consider a new target?
     
    Adv: Blasphemy!
     
    Aid: OK, OK.... How about you use someone as a dart board?
     
    Adv: *Throws dart at self*
     
    Aid: Not you! That hurt you know...
     
    Adv: Maybe I should focus on the BRC...
     
    Aid: But the set database is so much more funner!
     
    Adv: True... Well perhaps I should finish that Makuta topic...
     
    Aid: It is finished... Just not posted...
     
    Adv: Maybe get Zedsis to make up some pretty pictures for them? =)
     
    Aid: I'll be on it in a cats eye.
     
    Adv: What the dog does that mean you fool?
     
    Aid: Whatever you want it to mean my good friend.
     
    Adv: I don't like you, go back to sleep.
     
    Aid: But it's two in the afternoon!
     
    Adv: Just do it!
     
    Aid: OK... *Goes to sleep*
  19. Adventurer

    *cough*

    By Adventurer,

    I don't feel good.
     
    In other more exciting news my first BRC thingy should be up soon. I just have to finish the stuff up properly. Hopefully it's alright, but I want you guys to pick it to death.
     
    I also still want people to take more note of the set database, which I have been making a lot of little changes to. Remember to post your suggestions here.
  20. Adventurer
    I've seen Star Trek twice now. Once two days ago and again today in Gold Class. I liked it more the second time as visually, it was a fairly busy movie and seeing it a second time really let me fully see a lot more which I didn't pick up the first time.
     
    I also got Left 4 Dead today (finally) so I've been playing that a fair bit. If anyone wants to play me, post you Steam ID here and I'll add you.
     
    In other news the Official Makuta Topic will be up in S&T as soon as I get around to making the BB code stuff work properly so it looks cool and not broken.
  21. Adventurer

    Cool

    By Adventurer,

    I found $30, wonder what I should do with it...
     
    Oh and also I may or may not be posting some new BRC stuff soon. Depends really if I'm happy with it or not.
     
    Oh and also again, I miss my old colour, but I must say that the new one looks good next to the new FA and BA ones.
  22. Adventurer

    X-men

    By Adventurer,

    Saw the Wolverine movie last night, was pretty enjoyable, though I really didn't like how Gambit was done. It was also a cross between silly and serious at time IMO, but it was pretty cool overall if you know what I mean.
     
    In other news there is no others news.
  24. Adventurer

    Fallout

    By Adventurer,

    Yay they announced a new Fallout game.
     
    In others news schools back. Yay? I dunno but I thought I needed to make a new entry and the entry needs an acceptable amount of content.
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