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Reviews
The Flash (2014)
Well Written With A Great Cast
Unlike other superhero TV shows that have aired in the past, The Flash is both true to the source material while keeping itself from getting too campy or ridiculous. This is a tough line to draw given that we're talking about a show where some of its characters have superpowers.
What I enjoy about Barry Allen's character is that he's a genuine force for good in the world. Yes, many people are so typically looking for a character that starts off jaded or corrupt and will progress through the show looking to find redemption. That's not what is happening here.
The Flash shows Barry as both a strong character in his maturity while remaining altruistic in his intent. He's smart in as the source material while also accessible with his emotional connection to his love interest (Iris).
I've enjoyed each episode and the constant nods to its DC comic source materials. The shows have been fantastic with the possible exception of a few details in the third episode (Things You Can't Outrun). As a show, I'm always finding myself looking forward to the next episode. Some of that might be the relentless hooks that they setup at the end of each one. The show stands well on its own while still interacting well with its sister show (Arrow) via some cross-over episodes.
I'm finding myself setting aside time so that I never miss the show.
Constantine (2005)
It has its shortcomings but it's still good fun.
I looked at the reviews for Constantine prior to seeing the movie. I must say that I was a bit less than optimistic about how good the movie was going to be. To my surprise, I liked it.
Keanu Reeves plays the role of John Constantine. He is a man who has been to hell and returned to earth with the knowledge that he is damned. Rachel Weisz plays the role of Angela Dodson, an intuitive cop who always seems to know where the bad guys are. The two come together when Angela's sister dies in an apparent suicide and Angela gets the help of Constantine to find out if it was truly a suicide or if it was murder.
Constantine is far from flawless but what it does right, it does very well. One could forgive the holes in the plot and a strange animated movement that Keanu Reeves makes every time he shuts the lid on his lighter. The movie's faults don't seem so bad when you notice that you're having fun watching the movie. The interaction between its characters is interesting and the overall look of the film goes back and forth from exotic to spooky.
Francis Lawrence, the director of Constantine, did a fine job considering that this is his first major motion picture. Prior to this he has directed music videos including those of Britney Spears and Aerosmith. One could say that sometimes it takes a fresh perspective such as that of a music video director to add some new light to the theatrical movie scene. Oddly enough, his road is quite similar to that of Russell Mulcahy when he directed the original Highlander back in the 80's. Incidentally, I liked Highlander as well.
There will always be little things that anyone can say to put down a movie such as this one but after watching countless mind numbingly boring movies as of late, it's nice to finally see something that I enjoyed. I also liked the little bonus that is given after the credits.
Legacy of Kain: Defiance (2003)
Great Story Though Hindered By Restricted Camera System
Fans of LOK games have been hooked by the ongoing story ever since the series stepped up its theatrical presentation with its second incarnation: Soul Reaver. Simon Templeman, whose rendition of Kain continued in Soul Reaver as a principle character in the story however, the game introduced a new character, Raziel, who became the protagonist of the game.
The character of Raziel was brought to life with the voice talents of Michael Bell. The dialogue between he and Simon Templeman is what turned what would otherwise be a good game into a chapter in a story that got LOK fans hooked. This was also with the helpful of support from Tony Jay who plays the role of the Elder God. Though the game ended with a cliffhanger, it had enough substance to enlist its own cult following that stayed with the series just to find out what happens next.
What did happen next was Soul Reaver II. The story continues but, instead of answering all of the questions of the first game, it introduced some new questions and twists to the story that would leave anyone's head spinning. Voice actors, Tony Jay, Anna Gunn and Richard Doyle return to play their respective supporting roles in this sequel. Paul Lukather, from the original Blood Omen, reprises his role as Vorador. Rene Auberjonois, of Star Trek DS9 fame, is introduced to the series to reprise the role of Janos.
Finally, there is Defiance. The third game in this storyline and the fifth LOK game overall, this became what I feel to be the game with the best-written story out of all of the series of LOK games. The efforts put into putting this game together become obvious as the story unfolds itself. There are twists and unexpected turns in the story leading to a satisfying ending.
Unfortunately, Defiance's gameplay doesn't match its theatrical prowess. This is the first game where both Kain and Raziel are playable characters in the game. Though both characters are powerful, I can't help but wonder why they had to be made virtually identical in terms of capabilities. These two characters that are supposed to be so different offer virtually nothing that the other doesn't as well. It is one of the shortcomings of the game.
The greatest shortcoming of the game is actually something that the makers of the game consider one of its improvements. The restrictive nature of the camera system in this game inevitably lead to disorientation with allot of people who play the game. The camera will reverse the angle as you go from one area to another, which can, and often does, send you back into the area from where you just came.
The developers of the game say that the camera gives you "the best possible point of view" but unfortunately, that just is not the case. It would have been a massive improvement for the sake of those interested in playing the game if the developers would offer the option to give the player control over the camera. Their reluctance to do so adds an unnecessary level of frustration that takes away from all of the things that are so good about the game.
In all, the game is a mixed bag of good, great and disappointingly bad elements that leave you wondering if the game was good or not. To take it all and average it up, the game is adequate. The real shame is that it could have been so much more.