Big Plans

Hello to all who visit this blog. I am happy that people are interested in my opinions and such. As you all know by now, the Power On series is coming to a close. The final episode will be up as soon as I can finish it, so you'll just have to wait a bit longer to see what will become of our heroes. I have also been working on how the site will continue afterward. As you can tell by some of the recent video posts, I am planning to continue the video series; however, it will not be Power On as you know it. In fact I'm not sure it will have a definite title as such. But it will be the video portion of the blog where I (along with Francis at times and maybe some special guests occasionally) will review/ give our opinions on games, tv, movies, etc. A sort of "Back To Form" as it were.
But you can rest assured that it will not be dull or drab. In fact, I am currently writing scripts that will give a new format to the show. I will keep this new format in the dark for another week or so, but it will be awesomesauce. It will be something that people of my generation will find nostalgic and funny, and I hope that younger viewers will enjoy it just as much. I'm working hard on the particulars, and dealing with serious technical difficulties that overshadow the ones that have prevented episodes in the past. Sometimes it seems that my computer is giving up the ghost, but I manage to revive it. It will probably have to go into the shop for repairs and if that's the case, there will be a brief time where there is no Attack.
But once the computer is repaired (hopefully) I will finally catch up to all the videos I've been meaning to do this whole year. Wish me luck, loyal internet audience.
Nothing can stop a Random Ninja Attack.

Random Ninja Attack Opening

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1

Last night I attended the midnight premier of the latest Harry Potter movie. My fiance being a huge fan of the series actually bought our tickets over a month in advance. we even arrived nearly four hours early. Around three hours before show time, they began letting patrons into the theater. There were many people dressed for the occasion. I saw people in shirts and sweaters displaying the colors of Gryffindor house, I myself wore a Slytherin t-shirt and my fiance wore a Hogwarts hoodie over a shirt proudly displaying the word "Muggle"There were even people in full regalia of wizard robes. One young girl was wearing what appeared to be the robes of Ravenclaw, though truthfully It was quite dark and I could not tell. As the fans shuffled in there was a mixture of false British accents and overjoyed shouts all around.
Close to an hour before showtime the patrons were treated to a different kind of performance when a fan stood and shouted, "Mudbloods aren't welcome here," so that the entire theater could here him. Another young man on the opposite side of the row stood and challenged him. In sight of the entire congregation, the two would-be wizards squared off at the foot of the screen. Neither in wizard robes, but both with wands. The Pure-blood on one side and the Muggle-born on the other.
With a flick of his wand the pure-blood shouted "Stupify!" and the Muggle-born flew backward into a pile of empty boxes. Though slightly disoriented, the Muggle-born stood and retaliated with his own spell, "Sectumsempre!" But the pure-blood reacted quickly.
"Protego!" and the spell was deflected into the screen. Almost simultaneously the duelists fired their next spells.
"Petrificus Totalis and Avarda Kedavra" were shouted in such close proximity that no one could tell who shouted what. There was a flash of green and the Pure-blood sank into the floor staring up to the ceiling with lifeless eyes. When the smoke cleared there was a thunderous roar of applause from the theater as the Muggle-born was hailed as a champion.
Finally it was midnight. The lights dimmed and the screen came to life; the familiar Warner Brothers logo appeared in the clouds and there was a shriek of joy from every corner of the theater. At long last after nearly a decade, the end of the saga had begun.
The movie, being split into two parts had more time to draw out scenes. Unlike the others which seemed to be rushed, this one could take a more steady pace. Which I feel really helped the foreboding feeling it was trying to make. There was more scope in the cinematography, showing depth in the world as Harry and his friends journey. Having the movie at a slower pace is not detrimental in the slightest. It gives the viewer a chance to see the world as it changes around the characters, as well as give ample time for character development and little moments, that fans of the books will enjoy just as much as the average movie-goer. Everything builds up to the climactic conclusion in part 2. Not to say that part 1 is without climax, there are several climactic moments which leave the audience on the edge of their seat and leave them wanting more.
While there are moments from the book not present in the movie, it leaves room for original ideas, which, while mentioned in the book, never actually are seen (read.) What is left in, only works for the better, character-wise and story-wise.
If anything this movie has a theme of Loss. Harry and his friends are still feeling the effects of the events from Half-Blood Prince. They are cut-off from everything they have come to know and love in the last six years at Hogwarts. They are on the run without a clue as to what they are supposed to be doing in carrying out Dumbleore's wishes. Once again, their friendship and resolve will be tested. Do they have what it takes to save the world? Are they on the right path? These are but a few of the questions swimming in their weary minds.
In the end, we have a look at what's to come. What will be in store for our heroes in part 2 with what has happened to them so far in part 1. You definitely get the sense of foreboding and loss while watching part 1.
The visuals as, always are beautiful and stunning, the characters are spot on, and the dialogue is straight out of the book. So far, this is possibly the closest book to movie transition ever made, and part 2 is still months away. J K Rowling's world has truly come to life and with nearly a decade of work, Hollywood has finally gotten something right. I thoroughly recommend seeing this movie, not only if you are a fan of the books or movies, but if you love movies, and love the pure escapism. You will be hard-pressed to find a more immersed movie-going experience.

Undead Redemption

Being that today is the Day of the Dead, I thought I would play a game fitting the season. But what to play? I want to play a Zombie survival game that is free roaming with an expansive area to wonder and run from the undead. Something like that awesome free roam western game, Red Dead Redemption...Hmm...What's this?


Oh My God, Yes!
My prayers have been answered. Rockstar Games has heard my plea and has given me a glorious thing. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare is a short horror game available for download on the Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade. Set within the storyoriginal game, this DLC's story takes place shortly after John Marston returns home from his adventure in the regular game. A terrible storm is brewing, and all across the land, the dead are rising from the grave to feast on the flesh of the living. Marston rides out to find an answer to "why?" Along the way, he runs into familiar faces from RDD as he battles with the unholy demon hordes of undead.

The controls handle exactly the same way as in the regular game, however, there is a less abundance of weapons and ammunition. Hundreds of zombies roam the land, and only a few dozen survivors can be found holed up in the once thriving towns. Not only are the recently deceased humans on the rampage, but the skies are filled with cursed bats, and the wilderness is home to undead animals seeking to devour anyone who still lives. You can even ride on undead horses.

The ambiance is amazing, and really fit the intended mood. A dark haze blankets the land, and the sun is rarely seen, with frequent rains and overcast days. And you never know when you'll run into a legion of undead. You need to stay on your toes at all times. Just because you can't see them, doesn't mean they're not there. Many times I found myself standing over the last zombie's body, when all of a sudden there's another fifty or so, springing up out of the ground!

Marston must roam the country, saving towns and helping the survivors. There is plenty to keep the player occupied, from fending off the zombie hordes to hunting down the elusive sasquatch, searching for buried treasure, and even breaking in the four horses of the apocalypse. Each with its own special power. War has the ability to smite your trampled enemies in hellfire, Pestilence is nearly impossible to kill, Famine never tires, and Death causes your trampled enemies' heads to explode!

With new weapons and outfits to find, the zombie apocalypse is a fun ride to enjoy, but be careful, because you might become a zombie yourself!
This game had me terrified and at the same time, reveling in its awesomeness.
It's a bit glitchy, but so was RDD. A great buy, $9.99 on PSN. Totally worth it. 10+ hours of gameplay; and as always with Rockstar Games, the ability to continue to free roam after the story mode ends, and that's always a good thing. It is possibly the best zombie game out there. Now, if only it were a full length game.
9/10