The Blue Haven - 旋風の憂鬱

Zodiac (2007)

13 March, 2007 旋風 No comments

Title: Zodiac
Genre: Mystery/Drama/Thriller
Director: David Fincher
Release Date (U.S.): 2 March 2007
MPAA: Restricted for some strong killings, language, drug material and brief sexual images.

Plot: Based off of an actual case in California, a person who takes the nomenclature of “Zodiac” takes part in various, apparently “random” homicides, leaving the officials – as well as a newspaper cartoonist – to capture him.

Review: The first selling point for this movie before I actually went to go see it was that there was a cipher commonly shown in its commercials. No thanks to a certain friend of mine who I must congratulate for getting into the U.S. Air Force Academy, I became a bit… attracted to codes lately (hence the code on the Splash Page). However, I was a bit disappointed. It really played a miniscule part in the movie, and did not carry through the entire movie.

Nevertheless, the plot itself was quite well kept. I have yet to read up on the actual Zodiac murders of the 1970′s, but after this I will likely look it up. There were plenty of twists to keep viewers guessing – an essential part of mysteries. The cinematography was also well done.

A few issues in the movie though. With all the red herrings, I would have liked it if the movie were slightly more condensed. Each time I thought they found the guy, it turned out it wasn’t. If this happened once or twice, I’m more than likely to say it was a good plot device, but seeing as it was done more than that, less time should have been focused. It was too long drawn. However, to make up for the over-extended suspense, there were some light-aired parts (“Are you some kind of Boy Scout?” “Eagle Scout, actually. First Class.”).

All in all, if you have the time to devote to watching a two hour and forty minute movie, this is a must watch.

Rating: 8.0/10.0

Movies, Reviews none

Drop-down Menu

10 March, 2007 旋風 No comments

Well, I added a JS Dropdown Menu now. Once I get more pages in, it ought to serve more use.

Site stuff none

Desensitivity of Student Mentality

6 March, 2007 旋風 4 comments

Over the course of mingling amongst my peers while in public education, I have become absolutely convinced that we have become desensitized to many issues that should under normal circumstances would be matters of concern.

Take for example, about two years ago: 2 April 2005. Pope John Paul II – one of the most revered pontiffs to have existed – had just passed away. Of course, many were saddened, even those that weren’t Catholic. However, a couple of students in my AP World History class (of which one would think the students would have learned some “cultural acceptance”) were making “pope jokes”. Many of us were upset about this. Yet these paltry individuals had the effrontry to play down a subject others took seriously. In the place of one in the “took this subject seriously”, I have to say, I was quite offended. Even if one were not to have much interest in the subject, one should not make comments that could offend others on sensitive subjects, especially about death.

In the past few years, my school has been on the news multiple times. Freshman year: Stabbing. Sophomore Year: Fight puts student in the hospital. Junior Year: I stopped caring – it became redundant.

Fast-forward to the present. A student reportedly left a cryptic, threatening message in the boys’ restroom. According to an associate of mine, part of it read: “Blood will rain in the halls on 3/8/07″. Investigations were pulled by the local liason officers and determined it a prank. Prior to this being labeled as a prank however, students were playing it down as if it were some hilarious, comedic monologue or something. Now, not saying that one should be supremely worried since it was in the end a hoax, but have we begun so desensitized to homicide and death that we begin to treat it as a huge hoax? I quote: “If someone does shoot tomorrow, I hope I get shot in the shoulder. That way, I get to live and say ‘Hey, that was pretty cool.’” When that person actually gets shot, I doubt that “Hey, that was pretty cool” will be the first thing to occur in his mind.

I also wonder, what causes these people to make such threats – empty or not. Does the prospect of taking lives excite these people? Or does it seem to be the effect that everyone will become fearful? If that is the case, these people don’t do a very good job, as seen by those masochists in the last paragraph. In retrospect, it may do us some good to not be fearful of every potential “terrorist” attack.

Perhaps these people believe that by striking fear into others, they gain fame and recognition. Doesn’t happen if people don’t know who it is. They should also take notice, no matter how large a school is, there’s still not a large proportion of the world that could even give a hoot about whether you threatened a school or not. Would the world’s leaders care if 3,200 students in a high school in the United States was threatened by one fatuous CHILD that believes that by attempting or threatening to kill his peers will mean he accomplished something? Somehow – despite the leaders emphasizing how they are representing the people – I doubt it.

But know this. If it turns out there’s any truth to this threat, I WILL live. I REFUSE to die before this comes out.

Thoughts none

This is the (not) Final Countdown

26 February, 2007 旋風 No comments

I just added a event countdown plugin on the sidebar of the page. Only the closest two events will show.

If you forget when Late Arrival is or something, it will be there.

In other news…

This is AWESOME.

Site stuff none

Trace Memory

21 February, 2007 旋風 No comments

tracememorylogo

Title: Trace Memory
Type: Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T
Available Files: 2
Special Notes for ESRB Rating: Mild Violence
Summary: As 13 year old Ashley Robbins, you find out that your father, who was presumed dead, is alive and wishes to meet you on your 14th birthday. What ensues follows the memories of Ashley and a mysterious ghost by the name D. You must find the truth of each characters’ past utilizing puzzle solving skills.

My Ratings:

Graphics: 8.5/10
The surroundings are well done, and the illustrations and animations are well done as well. However, the bottom screen, in which you play with an overhead view lacks the refined touch (no pun intended) that the still image areas you investigate have.

Story: 10/10
Really, this is the best aspect of this game. The more you play into it, the more you want to continue. I started playing at night and proceeded til I finished.

Gameplay: 9.5/10
The usage of the DS’s features is nearly unparalleled by other DS games as of right now. The microphone, touch screen, the fold cover… Everything was utilized. However, it is minimal, because the game is fairly short. Though fun, it doesn’t last long as the game doesn’t last long.

Music: 5.0/10
Not very impressive. At times, it is quite… annoying. Kind of distracting sometimes. There are points where the music suits the moment, but most of the time, it’s just… “there.”

Overall: 8.0/10
A slight brain teaser. Something that most games lack nowadays. Although the game would have been one of the best games out there, it was sadly rushed too much. The game is barely even 3 hours long. Way too short for a game of its potential.

Disclaimer: Trace Memory and the pictures associated are properties of Nintendo and Cing Inc.

Nintendo DS, Reviews, Video Game Reviews none

Nintendogs

21 February, 2007 旋風 1 comment

nintendogslogo

Title: Nintendogs (All three versions)
Type: Simulation
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E
Available Files: 1
Special Notes for ESRB Rating: Comic Mischief
Summary: You own a pet puppy of the breed of your choice, which will never grow old. You can train it for competitions, teach it tricks, take it on walks.

My Ratings:

Graphics: 8.0/10
When you first play it, you might be impressed by the “realism” of the dogs. And perhaps you may be impressed by the surroundings as well. But after a while, you’ll notice a few graphical glitches, and that the dogs… don’t really have “fur”…

Story: NA/10
Story? This is a freaking simulation! YOU MAKE YOUR OWN STORY

Gameplay: 6.0/10
If you’re a fan of this game, don’t kill me for this score here. It’s fun at first, but after a while, the activities seem more and more limited, and also tedious… after winning the competitions 20 times in a row with a few dogs… it sort of gets old. Not to mention, the commentators comments just get overused. When it gets down to the nitty-gritty… this isn’t really a good simulation of having a pet. In real life, they’re full of surprises… here, it really does get old… I do have to admit that it was innovative though.

Music: 5.5/10
Not a very impressive aspect of the game. Even the records that you find as items don’t really sound that good.

Overall: 5.5/10
Fun for a while, then it just gets old. I only played for about two weeks before I just started to stop playing it. Not worth the money. If you’re wanting a pet, get a real one. Or, if you just want to try it, just rent it. It’s a much better investment in this case than to buy it.

Disclaimer: Nintendogs and the pictures associated are properties of Nintendo.

Nintendo DS, Reviews, Video Game Reviews none

Kirby Canvas Curse

21 February, 2007 旋風 No comments

kirbycanvascurselogo

My Ratings:

Graphics: 7.5/10
The graphics seem a bit… GBA-ish. However, the color choices and background make up for it. There is also a detailed map on the top screen.

Story: 5.0/10
… Has there really been a Kirby game out there that has an excellent storyline? I mean, come on, Dreamland is in trouble, Kirby has to save it. Sure, Mario games are practically the same, but meh. At least there’s a new boss than Dark Matter…

Gameplay: 10.0/10
This is the first “full game” (as opposed to smaller applications like Yoshi Touch n Go) that has fully utilized the touch screen functions of the Nintendo DS. The controls with the Stylus, although one must get used to using one if they haven’t already, are very smooth and easy to work with. The only “working buttons” are the power switch and the start button.

Music: 7.0/10
The music in this game are comprised of remixed versions of the “newer generation” of Kirby game music. Many are recognizable from Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland. I can’t help but be a bit biased in this one, because I mainly played the “older generation” of Kirby games, such as Kirby’s Dreamland 2, or Kirby’s Pinball Land, etc. For those like me though, after collecting enough medals, you can unlock the classic songs in the Sound Test menu.

Overall: 9.5/10
Simply a fun yet challenging game. A must have for Nintendo DS owners. The first full length game for the platform that fully utilizes the touch screen and the dual screens. A lacking storyline, but like most Kirby games, the gameplay and sheer fun of the game make up for it.

Disclaimer: Kirby Canvas Curse and the pictures associated are properties of Nintendo and Hal Laboratories.

Nintendo DS, Reviews, Video Game Reviews none

Welcome to The Blue Haven!

21 February, 2007 旋風 No comments

If you are reading this, you have just witnessed the opening of The Blue Haven.

There isn’t much here, because I’m adapting to this software, but more will be up soon.

There should be an RSS feed somewhere at the bottom of the main page, so you can subscribe if you want.

Site stuff none

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