Tweet RPG: Twitter's next big thing!

I've recently been working on a new project involving Twitter, and the time has come for some shameless self-promotion! 

The project is called 'Tweet RPG'. It's a Twitter feed providing followers with the opportunity to play 2nd-person text RPGs as a community, voting on what decisions to make throughout the narrative and thus shaping it's progression.

The first Tweet RPG adventure is due to begin on Friday the 3rd of June, at approximately 8.00 am GMT. It's a fantasy story called 'King Slayer' - you can find out more by reading the prologue on the Tweet RPG blog.

If you've got a Twitter account, follow @tw33t_rpg and get involved!

First Impressions: Boardwalk Empire and Outcasts

There's loads of really good stuff on tv at the moment, mostly due to all the HBO shows now being broadcast on the new 'Sky Atlantic' channel. However, there are a few original programmes that have grabbed my attention, and I thought I'd fill you in on my initial opinons.

Set in 1920's prohibition-America, Boardwalk Empire tells the story of the illegal import, manufacture and sale of alcohol in Atlantic City, focusing on the life of crooked politician, Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, played by Steve Buscemi. The first few episodes of the programme have been fairly slow-paced, but I think that helps the characters stand out, and there are quite a few characters. The sets and costumes are really impressive and convincing, allowing you to immerse yourself in the narrative. Mister Buscemi is joined by a host of talented actors, such as Kelly Macdonald and Stephen Graham, who continue to build the illusion to greater level. My only criticism so far is that I can't see how the show can develop much further; I guess I'm waiting for a twist that will complicate and lengthen the plot - but I'm sure that twist will be the cliffhanger into season two!

Traveling back across the pond and also into the future, it's the BBC's new sci-fi show Outcasts in the spotlight now. Co-incidentally the recent remake of Battlestar Galactica is now being shown on Sky Atlantic, providing an interesting contrast between high-budget US sci-fi and its not-so-high-budget UK counterpart. I didn't have many expectations of Outcasts, as BBC science fiction tends to be cheap and tacky, but it's actually not that bad. The show is about the residents of the planet Carpathia, a recently colonised world struggling to cope with dissident settlers, rogue clones and a variety of unsavory characters with personal agendas. Although there are a few sci-fi cliches the programme has quite a few original ideas and themes, and doesn't look cheap at all. Some of the performances aren't exactly stellar but Neil Cunningham and Langley Kirkwood hold it together as Carpathia's president and the enegmatic clone leader respectively.

Along with these two programmes I'm also watching Six Feet Under, Battlestar Galactica, The Sopranos and House, so my Sky+ box is going to fill up very quickly! Let me know your thoughts on any of the above shows in the comments section below, or on my twitter/facebook page.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One - Review

Directed by David Yates, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, written by Steve Kloves.

Dark times are coming. All across the land of Britain, men and women huddle in shadowy corners, whispering to one another of the inevitable fate that none of us can elude. Every second draws us closer, ticking away the remaining time before the ominous fear will become reality...when we reach the end of the Harry Potter movie saga!

OK, so that was a bit of a dramatic intro, but it truly is a shame when great film series reaches its conclusion. Think of how you felt when the Lord of the Rings films came to an end (bad example: Return of the King had about fifteen endings); it's a difficult thing to come to terms with. Although the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows does bring with it the beginning of the end, it is nonetheless a thrilling and effective adaptation of J.K. Rowling's insanely popular novel.

HP 7: Part One depicts the outbreak of civil war in the wizarding community, forcing Harry, Ron and Hermione to abandon their studies at Hogwarts as they go on the run, Voldemort's Death Eaters hot on their trail. Harry must follow his task of destroying the seven horcruxes, dark magical items created by Voldemort in a bid to gain immortality. This challenge, given to Harry by Professor Dumbledore before his death, will not be an easy one. As they embark upon their quest, confronting the mystery of the Deathly Hallows along the way, the trio will face all kinds of dangers and trials, threatening their lives as well as their friendships.

After re-watching the entire Harry Potter series so far, it's amazing to see how much the three main actors have grown in their skill and ability. I'm guessing that by now they are pretty much best friends in real life anyway, and so it isn't much of a stretch to portray this on screen. However, this doesn't tarnish the performances of Radcliffe, Grint and Watson in anyway, as they draw you into the fraying relationship between Harry and his best friends. However, it's hard to highlight the three leads in this movie as giving the best performances, when the entire cast is a role-call of the cream of British thespians. If I was going to pick one person who shone brightest for me, it would be Jason Issacs, playing disgraced Death Eater Lucius Malfoy. His portrayal of a broken man who knows he has lost his former status and power is chillingly believable, making you almost pity him.

No doubt there will be those who will cry sacrilege at the choices made by screenwriter Steve Kloves and director David Yates when adapting this novel to the screen, but I agree with their decisions for the most part. I especially liked their choice of where to split the book in two, leaving my taste-buds tingling for the next installment. There were a couple of instances where I felt that tricks had been missed and events mishandled, the blunt addressing of Mad-Eye Moody's death being one example. I felt that the pacing of the narrative work really well however, the drawn-out bleak sections of the story having exciting action sequences interspersed at the appropriate points. I my opinion, this is a very faithful adaptation, with some interesting and effective changes made here and there to made the story suitable for the visual medium. For a more detailed summary of my views on book-to-film adaptations, click here.

Visually, HP 7: Part One is spell-binding (I'm really sorry, I had to use it somewhere!). From start to finish you are sucked into the magical world of Rowling's books, with a mixture of incredible visual/special effects and artistic cinematography. Some of the most beautiful moments of the movie are those set in the wild countryside of Britain, which would feel as much at home in an indie arthouse film as in a fantasy blockbuster. Also worth mentioning are the totalitarian themes and imagery used to depict the Ministry of Magic, now infiltrated and controlled by Voldemort's minions, invoking hints of distopian films such as Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984) and Brazil (1985).

One thing I will admit about this, the latest in the Harry Potter saga, is that the film is definitely intended for those devoted to the previous books and films. There isn't much point watching this movie if you haven't seen those that precede it. I would even go as far as saying that you won't completely understand the plot if you haven't read all the books. Some elements of the story, such as the importance of the wizard Gellert Grindelwald, are included with the assumption that the viewer doesn't require a thorough introduction, which may confuse those less familiar with the series. I don't necessarily think this is a flaw however, because this is the seventh installment of the story, meaning there is a little bit too much to recap at this point. Another small disclaimer; don't take young children to see this movie. It is quite scary at points and contains suggestive and adult themes that are unsuitable for younger viewers.

So, to conclude, my high expectations were very much met by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One. The first section of Rowling's epic teen fantasy has been cleverly and lovingly brought to life on the screen, with a wealth of excellent performances and beautiful imagery. I can't wait for the finale, although I feel a tinge of sadness that the end is nigh. However, there has to be a conclusion, even for the Boy Who Lived.

Visit Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One's IMDb page

If you liked this, then try: the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Narnia saga, the Star Wars saga and the Twilight saga.

'Stagged'

As we turned the corner into the Sainsbury's car-park and I caught a glimpse of a stormtrooper sitting in the passenger sit of my friend's red mini, I knew it was going to be a very interesting day.

Saturday the 19th of June was the date of my stag event, and all I was 'supposed'to know about the day was that we were going somewhere and that there would be a Star Wars/sci-fi fancy dress theme. I say 'supposed' because my brother (one of my best men) had accidentally told me where we were going for the day; Legoland Windsor! I was a little disappointed that I wouldn't have the surprise on the day, but that quickly faded when I remembered; we're going to Legoland!

I had been told that a costume would be arranged for me, and so I stood nervously waiting for it to be revealed, as my friends turned up in their fancy dress. We had a couple of stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Yoda, Darth Maul, Obi Wan Kenobi, the Emperor, a rebel trooper, Buzz Lightyear and a ghost buster! Once everyone was there, my other best man Matt got my costume out; I was to be Princess Leia! My clothing consisted of a white dress (which was surprisingly comfortable) and two Danish pastries taped to the side of my head, meaning that for the whole day my face smelt like a bakery and I couldn't hear a thing!

Once we had all arrived at Legoland my tasks and challenges began. I had a list of items I have to try to obtain throughout the day, such as a used tissue, an AA battery, a piece of cheese and so on. I managed to get seven of the twelve things, which I think wasn't too bad. I also had to undertake some challenges, the biggest one being that I had to recite a poem I had composed during the car journey, containing certain words and phrases chosen by my best men. I have included it below for your literary interest, the prescribed content highlighted.

Lego, will you marry me?

I love Lego, it makes me want to spasm,

I love it so much, I might turn to ectoplasm,

As a young padawan, the blocks I would wield,

Building X-wings and TIE fighters, complete with deflector shields,

When I've got some Lego, I must report,

I feel like Luke, firing down the exhaust port,

I could be anywhere, even Calne Country Festival,

Cos when I've got Lego, I'm feeling best of all,

I'm going to build a Lego house, full of Lego apparel,

A Lego bed, a Lego chair, a basin and towel,

It could be in Crudwell, maybe in Hackney,

But what I need to know is, Lego, will you marry me?

Although I was the most unusually dressed (one mother told me that my costume will probably traumatize her children), I wasn't necessarily the person who got the most attention. Yoda was a favourite throughout the day, with many children wanting their picture taken with him, and a surprising amount of kids wanted to be killed by Darth Vader and the stormtroopers! It was also hilarious listening to people's reactions to our fancy dress, one dad turned to his son and said, "look, space guys!"

After spending the day being humiliated (but all in good nature) and thrown up in the air whenever anyone said the words 'Princess Leia", we all headed back to Calne and regrouped for a curry later on. A few more of my friends joined us for the meal, one turning up as a Darlek. We moved on to a local pub after the meal and watched a band play, before supposedly returning to my house to wind down the night.

When my brother returned to the living room after being absent for a good twenty minutes or so, I knew my final tribulation was upon me. I passively allowed myself to be blindfolded and led down the road to an awaiting car. After we had turned a couple of corners I had lost any sense of my surroundings, completely unaware of where we were heading.

Eventually I was taken out of the car, a stormtrooper helmet placed on top my blindfold to make doubly sure I had no clue of my location. We stood out in the cold on some grass for a while, my friends chuckling as I nervously chatted away to myself. Then we were on the move again, heading down a hill and then along a path, and stopping on some grass again.

Things got a little confusing at this point, as I was placed in a small inflatable boat and slid down a steep slope onto some water. All I could think was, how did we get to the beach so quickly? Once I had been pushed out into the water a little further I was told to take of the blindfold. I removed the mask and was instantly hit by a barrage of lemonade sprayed by my mates on the river bank. I sat in the dingy, soaked to the bone, only slightly recognising my surroundings (I wasn't wearing my glasses at this point) and wondering how on earth they had come up with this idea!

Once back on dry land, I looked around at the buildings and trees, still not quite sure where I was, even with my glasses on! Then I realised that we were in Chippenham, the next town over from mine, down where the river passes by the sports centre. Up until that point I had no idea at all where we were, a very unsettling a experience!

It was then time to head home, where I could finally shower the baked goods off the side of my face and remove the pink fairy tattoo from my forehead (one of the challenges from Legoland; sadly it didn't survive till the next day!).

So that was my stag day; Lego, pastry and watery kidnap experience! I have to say I really enjoyed the whole day. It was nice to face a few embarrassments and challenges but without it ever going too far. Thanks to Joe and Matt L for organising the whole thing, you did a fantastic job, and thanks to Adam, Dan, Ben C, Matt C, Matt H, Alex, Tim R, Chris, Tom, Tim S, Ben T, Mark and my Dad for joining in with an epic day. May the force be with you!

Avatar - Review

Written and directed by James Cameron, starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver.

When a film is hyped up to be the biggest cinematic event of the decade, with the general populous drowning in a sea of advertising and promotions, I find it very tempting to take a negative view straightaway, dismissing said movie as a load of overblown nonsense. However, after hearing good things from critics and my friends, I thought I'd give Avatar the benefit of the doubt. I'm glad that I did.

Set around 150 years in the future, the narrative of Avatar takes place on the planet of Pandora, a lush jungle world teeming with technicolour plant life and wonderfully exotic creatures. It is also home to a primitive race of tall, blue-skinned aliens called the Na'vi, who exist in a symbiotic relationship with the natural world of the planet. This way of life is threatened however, when the humans arrive with all their hi-tech, smoke-belching machinery and do what we do best, ravage the planet for its nature resources. Enter Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic former-marine who has been recruited to fill his twin's place in the Avatar programme, a scientific experiment that allows people to swap their consciousness into a genetically engineered Na'vi body. Sully begins his mission of integrating with the natives so as to understand them and help the humans co-exist peacefully with them, but the mining company and military presence on Pandora have other ideas, leading to a struggle which could bring about the extinction of the Na'vi way of life.

Let's start off with the negatives and then work our way through to the positives. Firstly, Avatar's plot is paper-thin, you can almost still see where it was scribbled on a napkin and then never redrafted, which is surprising seeing as James Cameron had the idea for the film ten years ago. After the first few minutes it's fairly obvious where the plot is heading, and to Cameron's credit, the film doesn't disappoint in as far as it goes exactly where it says it is. It does feel however that the story was never scrutinised in much detail. Things like the invaluable mineral found on the planet being called 'Unobtainium' feel half-baked, as if the name was thrown around in the planning stages and no-one could be bothered to think up anything a shade less overt. Another weakness with the narrative is how derivative it is. The 'white man goes into foreign culture, initially doesn't understand it but eventually masters it and saves it' plot is seen in pretty much the same form in The Last Samurai, which itself is a copy of Dances with Wolves. Also some of the story-telling elements have been covered before, such as the use of the forest as a natural data bank to store the Na'vi's memories, an idea that occurs in Kevin J Anderson's Hidden Empire series. The concept of floating mountains is also previously covered ground, seen in the video game Final Fantasy XII and Hayao Miyazaki's Castle in the Sky in almost exactly the same guise. So while Avatar doesn't have a necessarily bad storyline, it doesn't push the boundaries in any way.

The characters themselves in Avatar also present part of the film's weakness. Drawn from stock archetypes, it is once again very apparent from the start how they will act. This is not to say however that the performances are bad, they're actually pretty good for the most part. Sam Worthington does a solid job as the film's jar-head turned eco-warrior protagonist, as does Sigourney Weaver as Dr Grace Augustine, the prickly but morally-centred lead scientist. While she plays a completely computer-generated character, Zoe Saldana doesn't let that stop her from delivering an engrossing portrayal of Neytiri, the beautiful (if you're into blue-skinned aliens) and deadly Na'vi huntress. Giovanni Ribisi is also very believable as the selfish corporate boss concerned only with collecting the minerals regardless of the cost, as is Stephen Lang, playing the battle-scarred army colonel who just wants to crack some Na'vi skulls. However, all these characters have been seen before in one guise or another, adding to Avatar's missed opportunities for heading into new grounds instead of sticking to well-trodden paths.

Right, we've got the bad stuff out of the way, let's get onto where Avatar succeeds as a film. It won't come as a surprise when I say that Avatar looks absolutely, jaw-droppingly amazing. But don't get me wrong, I'm not just referring to the visual effects, which are second to none. The most impressive visual aspect of the film for me was the creation of the planet itself. The plants and trees are incredibly beautiful, full of vibrant colours and mysterious shapes. The creatures of Pandora move with grace and realism, making you feel like you're watching a David Attenborough nature documentary not a science fiction movie. The Ikran, huge dinosaur-like birds used as hunting mounts, are particularly impressive as they swoop and dive majestically throughout Pandora's sky. The Na'vi also follow this same realism, looking and feeling like a real civilisation, whose world the viewer is drawn into, witnessing their customs and rituals, and on some level becoming a part of their society just as Jake Sully does. No wonder people are suffering from post-Avatar depression when Pandora would be such an amazing place if it actually existed! As I already stated, the computer-generated aspects of the film (which is 40% live-action, 60% CGI if I remember rightly) are sculpted to perfection. However I do have a slight issue with the fact that in some ways this film is just that; a visual-effects exercise. Due to the saggy storyline and two-dimensional characters, it does feel a little like a computer game or just an exploitive way to boost the sales of 3-D cinema tickets, as there wouldn't be much point in watching Avatar in normal cinematic dimensions. But I found that the other aspects of Avatar's visual presentation impressed me so much that this scepticism was easily brushed aside.

While James Cameron's story-creation may not be up to scratch, his storytelling definitely is. Avatar demonstrates that he still knows how to write epic action screenplays. In particular the battle sequences at the end of the film, with the mechs and helicopters of the humans facing off against the Na'vi warriors wielding spears and bows, are perfectly paced and keep the viewer on the edge of their seat with excitement. The music and sound effects also add to this, creating the perfect aural backdrop for the entirety of the film.

While Avatar advances towards perfection in some areas, some fairly large flaws hold it back. Amazing visuals and flashy action can't be a replacement for an original and immersive plot. This isn't to say that Avatar is bad film, far from it. While all the hype surrounding the film may not be necessary or deserved, but I will say that I was very impressed and thoroughly enjoyed it; and that's what it's all about.

Visit Avatar's IMDb page

If you liked this, then try: The Alien Series, Dances With Wolves, The Last Samurai, Star Trek, Star Wars, The Terminator Series and Titanic.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Review

Directed by David Yates, starring Daniel Radcliff, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Michael Gambon, written by Steve Kloves.

Brimming with darkness and gloom but also a surprising amount of clever comedy, the story of a young boy thrust into an extraordinary world of magic is back this summer, prompting an army excited youths and secretly excited adults to descend upon their local cinema to watch the latest instalment in the escapades of Harry Potter.

The film of the sixth book in J.K. Rowling’s best-selling series of young-adult fiction, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince follows its protagonist’s sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where dark deeds are afoot that will change the lives of not only the students at the magical academy, but those of the entire wizarding world, while we muggles (non-magic folk) don’t suspect a thing. As well as struggling with the normal pressures of teenage life Harry (Daniel Radcliff) must discover what his arch-rival Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton) is up to in the upper regions of the castle, knowing that the schemes of the dark lord Voldemort must be involved.

It is not possible or sensible to go into too much detail involving the plot of The Half-Blood Prince, not just in the interest of avoiding spoiling the film for those not familiar with the story, but because so much happens throughout the narrative. Trimming the book’s mammoth story back to a more concise version seems to have been the focus of the film’s screenwriter Steve Kloves, making the plot rely heavily on the assumption that the viewer will have read the previous books in the series or at least watched the films. Although appearing slightly disjoined at points, I feel that the film’s plot rewards those who have invested themselves into the series, getting straight to the point and not covering old ground where possible.

As an adaptation of a novel it is inevitable that comparisons will be made between the original book and the film, the usual one being that the film ‘leaves too much out.’ It is rather short sighted to assume that the film should be completely faithful to the novel. David Yates’ task, which he excels at, was to identify the areas of the novel that were particularly cinematic and show them in a way that the book could not. It is an artistic obligation for the filmmakers involved to use their creative licence and knowledge of the Harry Potter universe to remould and add to the story, to heighten its effect as a piece of cinema. The scene in which Bellatrix Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and Fenrir Greyback (Dave Legeno) attack the Weasley homestead is great example of Yates’ team putting their own touch to Rowling’s story in its conversion to film.

Much is often made of the Harry Potter books and films getting darker as the story progresses, maturing as its audience does. However The Half-Blood Prince achieves something more impressive than being a haunting tale for young adults; it is actually quite funny. The humour present in the film goes beyond the childish slapstick comedy that other films for youngsters would be content with (see the new Star Wars films for horrific examples), employing witty dialogue and perfect timing from the actors. The jokes and laughs work in unison with sinister elements of the story, enhancing the horror of the bloodthirsty curses and evil deeds within the story. However some punches are pulled in the regards to the inclusion of children in the audience, due to the film’s ‘12A’ certificate. For example, in the scene involving the destruction of a bridge in London by dark wizards, no one is visibly hurt, which seems quite unrealistic as the attack is proclaimed as causing a high death toll in the wizard newspaper ‘The Daily Prophet’. The harrowing finale of this section of the series has sparked controversy, being seen as downplayed and at worst unfaithful to the novel. These opinions aside, I see the close of The Half-Blood Prince as a way of sombrely setting the scene for the final two films, where there will be no shortage of battles and chaos.

After eight years working together on the Potter series, Radcliff, Watson and Grint have definitely gained a vast amount of experience as actors, demonstrated in this film. Possibly their strongest performance yet, the three young people playing Harry, Hermione and Ron work together excellently, showing genuine friendship and intense passion in their roles, although Radcliff still hasn’t learnt to smile without grimacing oddly. Also providing a sterling performance is Tom Felton, playing the troubled Draco Malfoy. Felton, who has a relatively small amount of screen time in the previous instalments, rises to the challenge of presenting us with an isolated youth tormented by the evil heritage he dare not disappoint. The all-star cast of British actors who make up the rest of the characters, including Michael Gambon as Professor Dumbledore and Jim Broadbent as Horace Slughorn, all deliver strong performances, and no less would be expected from them.

As with the other films in the Potter franchise, The Half-Blood Prince looks spectacular. The costumes conjure the alternate wizard world adeptly, as do the fantastic locations, especially the chilling Victorian-style orphanage where Professor Dumbledore meets the young Tom Riddle (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin), the future dark lord. Special note has to be given in regards to the Hogwarts School, sorrowfully shown in a way that foreshadows its death as a place of freedom and happiness, as Harry and his comrades will not return as students again after this chapter of the tale. The visual and special effects flawlessly depict the magic and wonder of the series, in particular during the Quidditch match, a sorely-missed aspect of the Potter universe which returns after not featuring in the previous three films.

As well as stunning visuals Nicholas Hooper's score floods the viewer’s ears with aural pleasure. The main theme present in all the Potter films has changed for this instalment, no longer mystical and enchanting but taking on a dark warlike feel, prophesying the epic battles to come in the two final films of the series. Playing on the right emotions at the appropriate time, the music is irrefutably one of the key elements in the film's success.

Aside from a couple of small niggling flaws and the unavoidable issues with plot, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a charming film (no pun intended) that takes the audience to the darker places of J.K. Rowling’s imaginary world. It will make you laugh, cry and definitely jump out if your seat at least once, and will make rereading the final book an irresistible idea in preparation of the final thrilling chapters of the franchise.