So... Avatar

Finally got around to watching it (in 2D) yesterday, and it's... ok.

Visually, very nice. I admit I was always looking out for bits that were in the film (almost) just to show of the 3D effect. This was a good thing because it took my attention away from the very annoying plot and main bad-guy.

The idea that a corporation would be willing to wipe out an entire planet's population for mining purposes was just frustrating. It was the story of the Native American's all over again.

Basically, it's Dances with Wolves in space!

The comparisons between this film and the plot of other is quite crazy. It's like they couldn't be bothered to write an original film, but they wanted to play with 3D. The result, Avatar.

I'd watch it again, but only for background noise while I was doing something else.

And seriously... "Unobtainium"?! Until I looked it up, it just made me laugh every time it was mentioned.

M

Avatar on IMDB

Review - The Dirt by Mötley Crüe

If you are not already a big Mötley Crüe fan, you will be after reading this book!

Starting at the start (where most stories begin) with Nikki Sixx looking for like minded guys to start a band to book takes us on a journey from playing a local club then rushing back to work selling light bulbs to cancelling sold-out arena tours because the guys have had a fight (often physical) and refuse to be near each other.

Soon enough, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil and Mick Mars join Nikki to create the world first Glam Metal band - Mötley Crüe

Each chapter is written by either a member of the band or someone closely related to the Crüe machine. It make interesting reading when you hear about the same events from different perspectives.

It has rocketed the band up my list of favourite music artists, only backed up further by listening to a lot more of their material.

What have I taken away from this book?

• Silence is death.
• The only lesson in life to learn is that there are no lessons, only life.
• No one is crazier than Ozzy Osbourne!

Any rock 'n' roll fan will like this book. I challenge you not to!

Nikki Sixx's book The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star will be one of the next I read, without a doubt.

M

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dirt

Review - Cross Country (James Patterson)

James Patterson's 14th Alex Cross adventure takes him across the globe in search of a gang of killers that murdered an old college friend of his who was writing a book on the political corruption going on in Africa. Sounds like it going to be a good one... Or maybe not.

I've been trying to not think of the Alex Cross series as going downhill, as I have read many people believe, but this latest instalment (to my reading list) is showing to prove the theory.

While I can't really fault the book for being a page turner (a James Patterson speciality) it did seem that there were chapters for chapters sake. There was quite a pattern of 2/3 pages chapters, many of which lead right on from each other.

I'd love for this series to go back to the days of the first 7-10 books, but I'm not sure if it's going to happen.

We shall just have to see what Mr. P throws at us next in "I, Alex Cross"

M

Review - Batman: Arkham Asylum

So, the latest Playstation 3 game to take up too much of my time is Batman: Arkham Asylum. In a word, it is... Awesome!

To pick up and play this game is really very simple, kind of like all those years playing Street Fight II Turbo, button mash until you learn that you can do much more damage if you actually take care in what you are doing. It is very fluid moving, easy to learn the techniques and tricky to perfect them. After all, you don't want it being too easy to fight off 20 guys all hell bent on beating the crap out of you.

The story progresses through Joker's 'escape' into Arkham Asylum, with a little help from his friends, if you can call them that. It is up to Batman to restore order and bring down Joker. As you progress you will meet different characters, both good guys and bad, picking up characters bios as you go. These I found very interesting as I didn't know half of them! You can even listen in on patient interviews conducted within the asylum. The ramblings of Joker, The Riddler, Scarecrow, Killer Croc and more can prove a nice little break from the game.

If/when you complete the story mode, there are a number of challenges for you to complete. These are split into free fighting and predator (stealthy take-down style) modes. Both of which help hone your techniques to be used in the story mode. There are set levels of completion for each of the challenges and an online leader board to compare your efforts against.

The PSN offers some free downloadable content (which is always nice) for you to check out too. These are more challenges and the chance to play as Joker, which is well worth a go.

Throughout the game, both story and challenge, there are a number of trophies to be earned. These range from completing part of the story to performing a set number of moves in combination when fighting off Arkham crazies. Keep your eyes open for 2 in particular though, if you miss them during the story mode, you'll have to start all over again. But then again, that is not a bad thing with this game.

M