Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin: Persona 3

"A nation mourns."

The funniest thing about this episode is how close to home it hits because one of my roommates is currently playing Persona 3 and I asked him the same question when I saw the "initiator" sequence for the first time. I really like the game play elements in Persona 3, but I just can't help but scoff at all the fangirls and fanboys out there who are only playing it because they get to pretend they are Japanese school kids (the game is part sim). Ah well, enjoy your suicidal magic teenagers.

*Note, you may have to click the scrolling bar once if the video doesn't start automatically.

Dragon Ball Evolution: The Movie: The Game

No, you read that right. The highly anticipated film Dragon Ball Evolution will be accompanied by a video game. A real video game. Luckily (or unluckily depending on your situation) for some of you, the game is only being released on the PSP so the damage is relatively low. I believe this to be a good thing seeing as the game looks about as generic as they come nowadays. I mean seriously, why make a fighter? With an action game they could have at least stood a small chance. No one is going to bother with a movie-based fighter... let alone one based off of what is sure to be a crappy movie.

Thanks to kotaku.com for the title image. For more, click here!

Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin: 2008 In Review

"Ash and Anthony discuss how last year measured up to the year before it."


I found this episode of HAWP to be especially interesting, aside from being hilarious, because I honestly don't know why a lot of people are calling 2007 such a big year for gaming. I mean, there were some big games, but I found myself passing on quite a number of them. What about Bioshock, you ask? Well... what about it? I haven't had an excessive amount of time with the game, but from what I've played there really isn't that much too it. Half-Life 2 is still light years ahead in every department. But I digress... enjoy the video!

**I really like Ash's new hairstyle. It makes her look a lot more femine... though I didn't mind it short.

Doctor... Who?

For all of you who aren't watching Britain's long running Sci-fi show Doctor Who, it was announced a few weeks ago that Matt Smith (that's the guy in the video) would be replacing David Tennant as the 11th incarnation of the title character. Many are saying that they expect to see Matt's portrayal as a much more serious Doctor, but I have my doubts. I do, however, see him playing a much more arrogant Doctor. He will be the youngest actor to play the role and he doesn't exactly have the longest imdb profile in the world. (It actually took some doing to even find it) I don't know, I will definitely be sad to see David go, but I suppose he couldn't play the role forever... even if we all want him to.

01/17/2009: Also, is it just me, or is Mr. Smith trying a bit to hard to act like the Doctor in this interview? What is with all of the unusual hand movements?

Repo! The Genetic Opera Impressions

My computer problems have finally been squared away, for the most part at least, so now I suppose it's time to get back to blogging...

Repo! The Genetic Opera has been getting a lot of buzz from certain "scenes," and I read a bit about it before its initial release so let's just say I have had my eye on it for a while now. A suspicious eye, mind you, but mine all the same. Why suspicious? Because Repo! is a dark and gory musical, which I am sure you have never heard the likes of before, with a cast far below that of the afore mentioned link. Sure, I enjoyed Anthony Head's role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Paris Hilton's singing, among others, offset that enjoyment tenfold. I mean seriously, the majority of the musical numbers in this film were just terrible. They felt forced and awkward and the overexaggerated gore just made me feel even more nauseated. I am not squeamish in the slightest when it comes to blood, but this Planet Terror style of gore is just distasteful and downright cheesy.

On the lighter side, the settings in the film were very well done and the costume work was great as well. I also enjoyed the interjections of comic-style panels to tell the character's backstories. None of this, however, was enough to make me enjoy this film.

I am awarding Repo! The Genetic Opera one star out of five because of the terrible musical numbers, and overly gory scenes. This film is just another case of an interesting concept being ruined by poor directing and even poorer casting. The film is right about one thing though. It is the "instant cult classic" that the poster ever so bluntly suggests. I mean, no one else could possibly like it.

Hiatus Due To Computer Problems

Happy Three Days After New Years!

Image by jmonzani

No, you read it right. I have never been too fond of New Years Day, which is another story all together, so I decided to be a little late. I hope everyone enjoyed their time off from school and whatnot, and best of luck in 2009! I will try to better the quality and quantity of my posting in this upcoming year so look forward to them!