After the mess that was D&D, Street Fighter, Mario Brothers, Tomb Raider, DOA...etc, Hollywood and the gaming industry still has not learned their lesson.
How else can you explain rumours that Sony Pictures is planning to bring Sony Online Entertainment's MMORPG fantasy game EverQuest to the big screen? The way the rumours has it, the movie is stated for either 2009 or 2010. After all the game-to-big-screen disasters, do we really need another?
Of course not! Here's one gamer who hope that the movie never get made. And I don't even play EverQuest!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The "Rasa Sayang" dispute
In a little known dispute in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are arguing over who has ownership over the Malay folk song "Rasa Sayang".
The folk song was used in Malaysia's tourism campaign and the Indonesians have accused Malaysia of stealing the song from them as it is an Indonesian folk song. They are considering suing Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia naturally say that the allegations are madness. This little small dispute could spark a diplomatic row between the two neighbors.
This is just surreal to me. How can Jakarta even think of suing for copyright when no one even know who wrote the song in the first place? Does it make sense to anyone? It's like when Americans copyrighted yoga; total nonsense!
Hell the song is sung by people from southern Thailand to people in Sri Lanka. Next thing we know Indonesia will accused Malaysia and Singapore of stealing batik and the Malay language. Stupid!
The folk song was used in Malaysia's tourism campaign and the Indonesians have accused Malaysia of stealing the song from them as it is an Indonesian folk song. They are considering suing Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia naturally say that the allegations are madness. This little small dispute could spark a diplomatic row between the two neighbors.
This is just surreal to me. How can Jakarta even think of suing for copyright when no one even know who wrote the song in the first place? Does it make sense to anyone? It's like when Americans copyrighted yoga; total nonsense!
Hell the song is sung by people from southern Thailand to people in Sri Lanka. Next thing we know Indonesia will accused Malaysia and Singapore of stealing batik and the Malay language. Stupid!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Comics this week
Countdown #30- I know Countdown is the 'spine of the DCU' but that doesn't mean the writers should skip the action all over the place! Last we saw, Piper/Trickster were running after crashing Black Canary bachelorette party, the issue starts with them in a cave where several heroes and villains are duking it out. How they got into this position? Why are they fighting? Your guess is as good as mine because there was no explanation at all! Add 2 page cameos for the Jimmy Olsen storyline (which is getting more stupid by the page), Holly and Harley's Amazon adventure (which was kind of amusing this week), Karate Kid's illness (one word: BORING), the saving grace this week is The Challengers From Beyond storyline (aka Jason Todd/Donna Troy/Bob). I admit I'm a sucker for 'elsewhere' stories, and this week they hit a Earth where they ARE the Batman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern of the world. Oh, and General Zod is Superman! Yes, kind of cute in a way but one segment cannot save the mess. I expect more and better for my money.
Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer - Crime Society #1- Last week we saw The Challengers of Beyond pop into Earth 3 and their fight against the Crime Society. This issue is a tour of the Earth 3 like the Wildstorm book was, instead writer Sean McKeever choose to focus on the back-story of the Jokester, Earth 3's version of the Joker, one of the few heroes left in Earth 3. McKeever turned the Joker story on it's head and the Clown Prince of Crime's origin story was a load of fun. Now if only Countdown can follow it's own spinoffs.
Countdown Presents: The Search for Ray Palmer - Crime Society #1- Last week we saw The Challengers of Beyond pop into Earth 3 and their fight against the Crime Society. This issue is a tour of the Earth 3 like the Wildstorm book was, instead writer Sean McKeever choose to focus on the back-story of the Jokester, Earth 3's version of the Joker, one of the few heroes left in Earth 3. McKeever turned the Joker story on it's head and the Clown Prince of Crime's origin story was a load of fun. Now if only Countdown can follow it's own spinoffs.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Orc King by R.A. Salvatore's
The world's most popular drow returns as Drizzt Do'Urden is back in this new Forgotten Realms novel by R.A. Salvatore. The dark elf failed in his attempt to kill Obould Many-Arrows in his last book, The Two Swords, and now have a difficult task as the orc has proclaimed himself king. Drizzt must now convince his friend Breunor Battlehammer, King of Mithral Hall, to make peace with the dwarf's most hated enemies.Does he succeed or will the Forgotten Realms have another war in the Spine of the World?
Yes, he does. How do I know? Because I read the damm prologue!
Salvatore gave away the ending at the very start of the book. The prologue is set 100 years in the future with Drizzt Do'Urden still around. Now that's okay as I never expected them to kill off the drow, but the prologue then began revealing that the orc King Obould succeeds in the creation of The Kingdom of Many-Arrows for the orcs and that Drizzt supports this kingdom. Not only that, he was the one that convinced Breunor of the need for peace. Great! Super! I can stop reading the book right there, can't I?
I have to say this is the only book I have ever read that I hated from the very start! Salvatore did not just gave away the ending at the start; he even tell you how the end came about! By the way, if you are reading The Lady Pentinent series by Lisa Smedman, skip the prologue as it gave that one away as well. What in the world was he thinking!
Regular characters like Drizzt, Cattie-brie, Bruenor, Wulfgar, and Regis all make appearances in this novel but this is not actually a Drizzt novel. He is in the thick of things but this book give more info about Obould than anyone else. Outside the barbarian Wulfgar (who left for Icewind Dale) and Drizzt's wife, Catti-brie (who is on her road to being a wizard), nothing really happen to the mainstays of the series. The plot of this book is about Obould, the creation of his kingdom, and the revolt he faced down from the half-orc/half-ogre chief, Grguch.
Overall, the book was pretty solid. If you like Salvatore's other works, you will like this one. Just remember to skip the stupid prologue.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Myanmar quiet as crackdown works
As UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari stopover in Singapore, from where he will fly back to New York, the storm in Myanmar seems to be over and the generals are still in power. As Mr. Gambari brief UN chief Ban Ki-moon, probably on Thursday, questions are still been asked about the thousands of people reported 'missing' in Yangon.
Local and UN officials say at least 1,000 people are being held without sanitation inside a warehouse at a Yangon campus, the fate of others are currently 'unknown'. Singapore’s Foreign Minister George Yeo has joined other world leaders to ask for restraint from the generals.
I'm not sure about that. Quite frankly, I think it might be better if Singapore keep quiet on the matter. There's already cries of hypocrisy with regards on the matter, and you have to say they do have a point. Singapore IS the second largest investor in Myanmar, right up there with China and India. If we come out too strongly on Myanmar, we risk been known as hypocrites on the matter. I mean Singapore have been supporting/investing in Myanmar since the 90's. Worse, what if the regime in Myanmar decide to turn the screws on Singapore investments there? Last I heard, Singapore investments in Myanmar totalled well over $500 million.
It is sad what is happening in Myanmar, the missing (or most likely dead) monks, but I think most Singaporeans will not be very happy if Singapore's money get thrown away on the protests. Yes, when the Myanmar junta rise prices by 500%, I fully expect the people of Myanmar to revolt, but this is something which most Singaporeans don't truly care about.
If we shout too loudly, the generals could just take all of Singapore's money in Myanmar. This is something most Singaporeans (like me) will not be happy about.
Local and UN officials say at least 1,000 people are being held without sanitation inside a warehouse at a Yangon campus, the fate of others are currently 'unknown'. Singapore’s Foreign Minister George Yeo has joined other world leaders to ask for restraint from the generals.
I'm not sure about that. Quite frankly, I think it might be better if Singapore keep quiet on the matter. There's already cries of hypocrisy with regards on the matter, and you have to say they do have a point. Singapore IS the second largest investor in Myanmar, right up there with China and India. If we come out too strongly on Myanmar, we risk been known as hypocrites on the matter. I mean Singapore have been supporting/investing in Myanmar since the 90's. Worse, what if the regime in Myanmar decide to turn the screws on Singapore investments there? Last I heard, Singapore investments in Myanmar totalled well over $500 million.
It is sad what is happening in Myanmar, the missing (or most likely dead) monks, but I think most Singaporeans will not be very happy if Singapore's money get thrown away on the protests. Yes, when the Myanmar junta rise prices by 500%, I fully expect the people of Myanmar to revolt, but this is something which most Singaporeans don't truly care about.
If we shout too loudly, the generals could just take all of Singapore's money in Myanmar. This is something most Singaporeans (like me) will not be happy about.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
EPL this month
Another month has come and gone. Who's hot and who's not in the EPL in September
Top Teams this month
Arsenal- They say Arsenal was too young. They say the team will struggle without Thierry Henry. Yes I admit; I said much the same things, but Arsenal was red hot this month. Cesc Fabregas has been nothing short of amazing for them and Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie seems to have a good understanding upfront. With the Champions League starting in October, the team might be a little thin for the run to continue but manager Arsene Wenger seems to have hit it right this year.
Manchester United - They say the mark of a champion is to win even when you are playing badly. If that is true, Man Utd will win it this year because they are playing like crap...but they are winning. The big spenders in the summer has had huge problems on the field. Wayne Rooney's injuries hurt them badly and manager Alex Ferguson does not seem to have a Plan B. But that defence is great and as long as that defence holds, Man Utd will continue to win games.
Man City- Man City continue to surprise as manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's team starts to gel. Playmaker Elano look like the steal of the season as his passes are just picking teams apart. A series of virtuoso displays from Martin Petrov also helped the team's climb up the table. There's still some problems for the team, why does Eriksson continue to start Kasper Schmeichel in goal been one of them, but the team looks good.
Surprise Team this month
Portsmouth- A 7-4 win over Reading? 11 goals in a game? That in short is what's great about Portsmouth, they can and will score goals. Neither Kanu or Benjani Mwaruwari are noted for scoring a lot of goals but the team will find goals from somewhere. They are finding goals from the midfield and both their strikers are scoring in September. As long as them keep scoring, they will do well this season.
Disappointing Teams this month
Tottenham Hotspur- Say what you will, but you can't say manager Martin Jol did not have a chance. 8 games into the season and Spurs are still at the wrong end of the table. Keeper Paul Robinson has been less than solid so far and main man upfront Dimitar Berbatov is still not scoring. A matter of time I'm afraid before Jol get his marching orders from the Tottenham board.
Chelsea- I said last month that the midfield is beginning to look a little short and an injury to one of their main midfield players could break Chelsea's engine room. Hold and behold, Frank Lampard got injured and Jose Mourinho became the ex-manager of Chelsea. Avram Grant has been promoted to manager and his record in Israel looks good. Still, with several players unhappy in camp, this look like the beginning of the end for Chelsea.
Top Teams this month
Arsenal- They say Arsenal was too young. They say the team will struggle without Thierry Henry. Yes I admit; I said much the same things, but Arsenal was red hot this month. Cesc Fabregas has been nothing short of amazing for them and Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie seems to have a good understanding upfront. With the Champions League starting in October, the team might be a little thin for the run to continue but manager Arsene Wenger seems to have hit it right this year.
Manchester United - They say the mark of a champion is to win even when you are playing badly. If that is true, Man Utd will win it this year because they are playing like crap...but they are winning. The big spenders in the summer has had huge problems on the field. Wayne Rooney's injuries hurt them badly and manager Alex Ferguson does not seem to have a Plan B. But that defence is great and as long as that defence holds, Man Utd will continue to win games.
Man City- Man City continue to surprise as manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's team starts to gel. Playmaker Elano look like the steal of the season as his passes are just picking teams apart. A series of virtuoso displays from Martin Petrov also helped the team's climb up the table. There's still some problems for the team, why does Eriksson continue to start Kasper Schmeichel in goal been one of them, but the team looks good.
Surprise Team this month
Portsmouth- A 7-4 win over Reading? 11 goals in a game? That in short is what's great about Portsmouth, they can and will score goals. Neither Kanu or Benjani Mwaruwari are noted for scoring a lot of goals but the team will find goals from somewhere. They are finding goals from the midfield and both their strikers are scoring in September. As long as them keep scoring, they will do well this season.
Disappointing Teams this month
Tottenham Hotspur- Say what you will, but you can't say manager Martin Jol did not have a chance. 8 games into the season and Spurs are still at the wrong end of the table. Keeper Paul Robinson has been less than solid so far and main man upfront Dimitar Berbatov is still not scoring. A matter of time I'm afraid before Jol get his marching orders from the Tottenham board.
Chelsea- I said last month that the midfield is beginning to look a little short and an injury to one of their main midfield players could break Chelsea's engine room. Hold and behold, Frank Lampard got injured and Jose Mourinho became the ex-manager of Chelsea. Avram Grant has been promoted to manager and his record in Israel looks good. Still, with several players unhappy in camp, this look like the beginning of the end for Chelsea.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Review Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone
With the last book of the Harry Potter series out a few months ago, the whole Harry Potter series is done. So I decided to read the book that started it all.
No. I have never read the book before but I had seen the movie already, so I kind of expected what the book was about. The story of the boy-wizard Harry Potter, and how the world of magic turns his world upside down.
Having read the book, I have to say it was a pretty good read. The pacing was good and tight, especially after Harry was taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As expected, the book fresh out certain characters in the Potter world that got short-shafted in the movie. I never knew his classmates had such an effect on him, or how truly famous Harry was till I read the book. I also finally know how the stupid game of Quidditch was played. When I saw the movie, the game made no sense. Yes the rules made no sense in the book also (why not put all the people in the team after the Golden Snitch; it’s that important right?), but at least I know how it’s being played.
However, I was also slightly disappointed with J.K. Rowling. The book did span 6 sequels and made her millions of pounds right? Maybe it’s the level of expectations that has went up due to its’ success, but I was expecting more from the book. It was a good read but there was nothing that suggested it would be the big hit that it was. I wouldn’t put it with ‘The Game of Thrones’; now that’s a great fantasy book!
That is basically it. Read the book with an open mind and it would probably be a good, solid book. Just don’t expect too much; it’s good, not great.
No. I have never read the book before but I had seen the movie already, so I kind of expected what the book was about. The story of the boy-wizard Harry Potter, and how the world of magic turns his world upside down.
Having read the book, I have to say it was a pretty good read. The pacing was good and tight, especially after Harry was taken to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As expected, the book fresh out certain characters in the Potter world that got short-shafted in the movie. I never knew his classmates had such an effect on him, or how truly famous Harry was till I read the book. I also finally know how the stupid game of Quidditch was played. When I saw the movie, the game made no sense. Yes the rules made no sense in the book also (why not put all the people in the team after the Golden Snitch; it’s that important right?), but at least I know how it’s being played.
However, I was also slightly disappointed with J.K. Rowling. The book did span 6 sequels and made her millions of pounds right? Maybe it’s the level of expectations that has went up due to its’ success, but I was expecting more from the book. It was a good read but there was nothing that suggested it would be the big hit that it was. I wouldn’t put it with ‘The Game of Thrones’; now that’s a great fantasy book!
That is basically it. Read the book with an open mind and it would probably be a good, solid book. Just don’t expect too much; it’s good, not great.
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