Articles by Scott Fairley
Scott one day hopes to make a great lay-down against Phil Helmuth using his own chips, then show his hand to make him tilt. He writes about Poker and TV.
"The Kill Point" – Another Perspective
We were so enamored with being sent a copy of The Kill Point from Spike TV, we decided to write two separate reviews of the show. I watched the three episodes that were sent to Critical-Hits this weekend, separate from The Game to not be influenced by his opinion. (I actually watched them on my own for logistic reasons, but why quibble over the details.) Additionally, I have not read his review of the show, so this review is independent of the influence of Master Dave.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, it is time to talk about the show.
The Kill Point is an intense show about a bank robbery with twists. It has all the drama associated with a heist flick (I love a good heist flick – what guy doesn’t) and as many twists as a Twizzler. John Leguizamo portrays Mr. Wolf, the head of the bank robbers. Leguizamo fits the part of a bank-robber-you-want-to-cheer-for perfectly. On the other side of the law stands an ace hostage negotiator played by Donnie Wahlberg. Wahlberg’s performance shines, as he was my favorite character of the episodes I watched. He gains bonus points for being a stickler for grammar, and that is not just because I am an English teacher. The writers cleverly applied this trait to Wahlberg’s character, and as a result he seems better and smarter than everyone else, the FBI included.
Perhaps the best part of the show centers around all the extra players involved with the plot. In addition to the robbers, hostages, FBI, and police, the show pulls in an important businessman with unlimited resources, secret messages, a hired assassin, and a rogue military unit on the outside loyal to Mr. Wolf. These extras provide strong subplots, interesting conflicts, and fascinating twists that add to the overall complexity and excitement of the show. Who new Pittsburgh could be so compelling?
From what I have seen, The Kill Point is an excellent mini-series that keeps getting better. I am going to watch the remainder of the series as soon as possible and would recommend that the readers of this site give it a look.
Score: 4 out of 5 [Read the rest of this article]
Review: The Bourne Ultimatum
This weekend I had a chance to see the final movie of the Matt Damon is a Badass trilogy, better known as The Bourne Ultimatum. I am unexplainably compelled to watch trilogies, and I was no different with respect to Bourne. Here is a relatively spoiler-free review of this movie.
In the final chapter of Jason Bourne’s movie career, Matt Damon remains true to the character. This is the same Jason Bourne that we saw in the previous movies, a feat not always accomplished by other actors. The other actors in the movie also do a good job of portraying believable conflicts in a believable situation. For me, the best part of all of the movies was the realistic storyline that stemmed from Robert Ludlum’s novels. While I have not read these books, I hear they are fantastic and possibly worth checking out.
The other thing I appreciated about the first two movies was watching Matt Damon beat the hell out of people. While this is still an element in The Bourne Ultimatum, the focus has left this aspect of the character a bit. Instead of constantly fighting for his life, Damon takes the fight to the government as he seeks the truth about his identity. This turns the movie into an unraveling of the mystery of Jason Bourne, instead of a film about fighting and surviving. To be honest, I was less interested in discovering the truth about Jason Bourne than I was in watching Matt Damon beat up extras. As such, this was my least favorite Bourne movie.
However, the movie was able to keep up a non-stop pace despite the draw back of identity discovery. The movie moves very quickly from one scene to the next, rarely giving the audience a chance to relax. It is for this reason that I would recommend this movie to everyone who has scene the first two in the series. If you have not yet seen any of the Jason Bourne films though, The Bourne Ultimatum is not a reason to start.
Score: 2 out of 5
NerdNews Rundown
Despite being currently infatuated with the recent Pirates movie, I am bringing one final news rundown to you before I head out for the weekend. As such, here is a pirate-free news report.
He-Man Movie Planned
Dark Horizons is reporting that Warner Brothers is planning a live action movie entitled “Masters of the Universe.” The following is a quote from the report: “The new version reimagines the property as Prince Adam (He-Man) being a solider who stumbles upon the magical world Eternia where the evil Skeletor is using a technology-fueled army to wipe out all traces of magic.” He-Man was my favorite cartoon as a child so I am cautiously optimistic about this film.
Final Fantasy XIII Will Have to Wait
Fans of Square Enix’s popular RPG series Final Fantasy will be disappointed to know that IGN is reported a delay in the release. This PS3 exclusive title was originally planned to be release in this fiscal year. However, the company’s official Yoichi Wada had this to say: “It will still take a bit more time. At the very least, [a release] this fiscal year is definitely out of the question.”
Shiver me Timbers, Pirates be a Hit!
The newest hyped movie to hit the theatres is Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. This movie is the third installment in the series and features all the prominent cast members from the first two films. Pirates is predicted to rival the record setting box office numbers made by Spiderman 3 just a few weeks ago. I went to see the movie at The Majestic Theatre in Silver Spring, MD tonight, a beautiful theatre that would rival any non-IMAX experience, and here are my spoiler-free impressions of the film.
I feel the need to preface this review by mentioning that it may be a little bias due to my overwhelming love for pirates in general. However, I do not believe anyone in their right mind could dislike pirates (of the fictional variety, or perhaps otherwise). To those of you who hate pirates, this is my subtle way of claiming that you are in some way unfit to be alive. I am kidding, of course, but you get the drift. This being said, I believe that if I were neutral to pirates I still would have immensely enjoyed this movie.
Heroes and 24 End Seasons on Vastly Different Notes
Now that a few days have gone by since their conclusions on Monday night, let us reflect back on the season for two of the best shows on television. NBC’s Heroes and Fox’s 24 are in direct competition with each other, as they both air Monday nights at 9:00pm EST. Before we ask the question you are all waiting to respond to, how about we look back at each shows run.
Heroes
This was the first year of the hit television show, Heroes. It told the story of several unique individuals who had developed special powers through evolution. Powers such as flight, invisibility, telekinesis, time manipulation, foresight, super strength, and regeneration were some of the more often used powers. However, that is a microcosm of the world of super powers opened up by the show. Without spoiling the show, the “heroes” led different lives that became interconnected and culminated with their gathering in the final episode of the first season.
Before the show ended, a brief introduction to the next chapter of the show was presented. In case you missed it, or missed any episodes for that matter, you can watch them at NBC’s website. The creator of the show, Tim Kring, is quoted as saying, “We could have new people and new storylines and new ideas and new threats and new bad guys and new heroes. So I would prepare the audience for that idea, that it’s not just a continuing serialized storyline about only these people. It’s a little more the 24 model than the Lost model.” Fans of the show should stay tuned for additional updates. For now, you can check out the Heroes website for NBC exclusive material known as “Inside Heroes.” This website provides information about the character’s backgrounds and other information about the hit show.
NerdNews Rundown
Hello fellow lovers of “NerdNews.” Here is the most interesting news surrounding the entertainment and technology industries to start the week.
Get More of Jack Bauer… Online!
Degree (yes, the deodorant) is sponsoring a website called DayZero. Beginning today, this website will feature a short flash animated adventure starring your favorite CTU operative and mine, Jack Bauer. Each Monday will feature a new episode to the story that takes place before the start of 24 Season One.
Buy Pirates Before You See Pirates
Disney’s third installment of high seas adventure featuring Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End will hit theatres this week on Thursday, May 24. Prior to the release of the film, NECA will release the 12 inch and 18 inch Jack Sparrow action figures. The movie’s website provides some information as well as a link to some photographs of the figures in their packaging.
Tech News Now
Here is the latest news in the world of technology.
Sony has announced that it will no longer make the 20 gigabyte version of the PS3. All in all, this does not really matter, because this version of the PS3 was severely handicapped when compared to the 60 gigabyte model. Still, gamers no longer have the option to spend a still not affordable $499 for the system.- G4 has announced that their specialized website for the Nintendo Wii has launched. When surfing on over to the website, your console should be automatically recognized, and the bonus features should be immediately available.
- Guitar Hero I songs are available for purchase for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live. Each song will cost a whopping $2. Keeping in mind that you can purchase Guitar Hero I with a guitar controller on the PS2 for $59, the cost of $2 per song is excessively expensive. These songs should probably cost less than a buck a piece.
- Myspace users will be pleased to know that their free speech writes are protected. An Indiana court ruled that a juvenile’s rights to use expletives to describe her high school principle on Myspace are protected under the first amendment.
Perhaps I will be vigilant and provide continuing tech updates. We’ll see.
For the Intellectual Who Loves Comics!
On rare occasions, work that I complete in classroom studies becomes worth recommending to others. This is one such occasion. Scott McCloud, a writer and scholar of comics, released a black and white graphic novel entitled Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art in 1993. Within the pages, McCloud guides the reader through a thorough understanding of how comics work, why they are an important medium, and why you should never refer to them as “just comics.”
So, why should you read it?
First of all, for you folks who do not like comics, this graphic novel might be just what the doctor ordered. You skeptics out there who do not believe comics are a significant medium or form of literature are sorely mistaken. But, you do not have to take my word for it. Just read McCloud’s novel! At the very least, you will likely develop some respect for the comic book.
For you fans of comics, this graphic novel may work as a key for you. There is magic within the pages of a comic book. Magic beyond what you may uncover by your own exploration. McCloud will show you the hidden benefits of comics. He also explains how they intuitively demand more from their audience than any other form of media. Sound like a stretch? It is not! If you want to know more, pick up a copy of McCloud’s novel today.
Turtle Power!
We’ve spent so much time here at Critical-Hits in awe over the wonder that is 300 for the past couple of weeks, that we critically failed in bringing coverage on a different movie. A movie that does not rely on eight pack abs and buns of steel to appeal to its audience. Enough of that. I’m not here to bad mouth that other action movie in theatres right now (I have done enough of that on the forums), but to revel in the excellence that is TMNT.
In case you have been asleep for the past two weeks, here was an Attack of the Show exclusive featuring an extended trailer.
Having recently seen the movie, I can tell you that it is not as campy as the original movies. The writers tried to do more to be true to the comic books, and I believe they did a good job. There is at times a very dark tone to accompany the ninja action and humor that we are all accustomed to seeing from the turtles. This combination blends the absurd with the serious and the result is the best CGI ninja movie in the world! (Are there other CGI ninja movies?)
Review: Guitar Hero II
With a little practice, you can become the next Slash, Hendrix, or Peter Frampton!
Well, at least in your own mind. Fresh off the success of Guitar Hero, Red Octane has released the first sequel to the highly acclaimed game. Guitar Hero II features new songs, more songs, new venues, and new characters. The Xbox 360 has even additional features, thanks to the ability to download content, making this game the best Guitar Hero to date.
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