tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39270361478514558262024-03-13T12:15:44.545-07:00{ Boondoggle }* The official-unofficial blog of independent video game journalist: Stephanie K.Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-81003046914684617212012-07-01T20:17:00.000-07:002012-07-01T20:17:09.832-07:00YouTube for ThingsJust a brief update after...Months!<br />
<br />
I now have a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/DigitalBoondoggle" target="_blank">YouTube</a> channel to upload random videos I make when I'm very bored.Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-19693087885433831662012-03-17T00:59:00.000-07:002012-03-17T00:59:21.914-07:00Big Bang Bust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>The Big Bang Theory</em> has been a tolerate/hate relationship with me. Like eating Taco Bell at two in the morning, it is something that is best avoided but for one reason or another I give into its delicious, crusty siren calls. I originally started watching it sometime after season two started after being told to give it a try. I am one of those people that I do not feel like I can build a proper opinion regarding something unless I've experienced it. So I gave it a shot. The first two seasons were nauseating to sit through. Overwhelming stereotypes were forced down viewers' throats tainting any possibility of it being enjoyable. However, going into season three the characters started to develop slightly better personalities; acting more like actual people with conflicting complexities instead of just being the "awkward, nerdy" guy or the "super smart but stupid" guy. Even though the geeky jokes are very forced and mainstreamed, the science humor added a slight bit of charm that started to appear which led me to watch through it the fourth season until it went downhill again. Nonetheless, I had invested enough time into it to keep going. It soon became the thing I watched when bored and sleep deprived. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 12px; overflow: hidden; width: 620px;"> <br />
Normally it takes quite a bit to offend me, but the latest episode of <em>Big Bang Theory</em> rubbed me the wrong way. In "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n24eXKoEyuc" target="_blank">The Weekend Vortex</a>", Raj suggests that the men partake in an forty-eight hour gaming marathon playing <em>The Old Republic</em>. The idea of an 'all guys' weekend mixed with Star Wars instantly catches everyone's attention but drama develops when everyone's relationships begin to clash with their plans. The weekend is turned into a girls vs guy battle after Sheldon bails on his commitment to Amy to accompany her to her aunt's birthday party. She spreads her hurt feelings to Penny who helps her crash the guys' weekend as revenge and to set Sheldon straight. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/user/5/56584-223959-weekendvortexjpg-620x.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
On top of that, Bernadette invades the guys game by tagging along with Howard. She comes over with him with a bright pink laptop and begins to fill the "cute but clueless girl gamer" role. (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHT51XxPqNQ&t=3m24s" target="_blank">Clip</a>) While playing the game, we see her making gun shapes with her hands and going <em>pewpewpew</em> before being corrected to use your mouse and keyboard. She banters Howard into dressing like her character so they match to display that they're together in the game and refuses to heal the other members of the party except for him. Ultimately she begins to frustrate the guys by disturbing their questing due to failure. Tension rises as neither Raj, Sheldon, or Leonard want to speak up against her lovey-dovey attitude towards her fiancé nor want to risk hurting her feelings but the irritation is clearly seen on their faces and in their silence. <br />
<br />
"The Weekend Vortex" was an eye opener. It made me realize that a demographic being overlooked - the average nerdy girl. Let's take a closer look at the three main female characters in the show, shall we? <br />
<br />
Penny is the "hot chick"; this is something that cannot be denied. She's your average person scrapping by to make a living. Not really intelligent or into nerdy hobbies like the rest of the cast, her role is add a bit of sexy spice to the mix and make up for everyone else's lack of social skills. Bernadette is the "attractive, smart chick" whose character pushes borderline-feminist ideals without being overly bold about them. Throughout the series, she obtains her doctrine in microbiology yet has a healthy sex life as well as being pretty. Her career becomes very successful, leading to the development of the strong, modern day woman archetype. She expresses a disliking for children and fears losing her career to becoming a house wife before proposing that Howard takes care of the children as she works; after all, she already makes more money than he does. Her character becomes an example of how a woman can be both smart and beautiful while also keeping a sense of independence. Then we have Amy who is the "bland, smart chick". With a doctrine in neurobiology, she is the least attractive of the three main female characters and is portrayed to be the most pathetic of the bunch. Having very little physical relationships in her life and bullied while growing up, she's the quiet shy girl that no one really talked to who becomes overly clinging and sensitive towards those around her. Personality wise, she's just as socially awkward and strange as Sheldon, thus balancing out the attractive factor that the other two already established in the show. <br />
<br />
I appreciate that Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady have managed to steer away from just having eye candy on the show, but I cannot shake the feeling that both are horrible at writing and developing female characters. The scene of Bernadette playing <em>Old Republic</em> with the guys left a distasteful flavor in my mouth. It fed into the negative stereotypes that women who do play games either start to play to bond with their boyfriends or are impractical players. The floral, pink laptop was cringe worth enough but her actions throughout the scene only made it worse. As a woman who has faced some harassment for liking nerdy things, having a show promote stereotypes like this isn't helping to improve the female community's image while empowering the male half. <br />
<br />
I understand that the premise of the episode was to display the consequences that can follow contradictions that rise when trying to balance a romantic life with a social life. However, like the promo for the episode says, "There's just one problem...The girlfriend." Again, while this is the episodes theme, there have been quite a few occasions throughout the series where "the girlfriend" has come between the man and what he wants. Such as how Bernadette opposed against Howard working on the space station despite it being his life long dream to go to space or constant interferences from Penny with Leonard's other relationships. The show may focus mainly on the main four guys and Penny, but the other two female leads have grown to take bigger parts in the plot. However, the is little to no individuality to them. <br />
<br />
It also does not help that none of the women hold any interest in geek-like hobbies. They three always get together to partake in drinking, gossip, and shopping despite having some knowledge about video games, comic books, and science fiction media. In fact, they all seem pretty disgusted by it. <br />
<br />
For awhile in the earlier season, we saw Penny become addicted to <em>Age of Conan</em> and beat one of the guys in a game of <em>Halo 3</em>, but her accepting/liking of video games quickly vanishes from the series. She tries to learn a bit about the things Leonard enjoys to be appealing and interested to him, and at times, will make a nerdy reference but she still shows plenty of confusion regarding it. Neither Bernadette or Amy really express interest either, often getting things like <em>Star Trek</em> and <em>Star Wars</em> mixed up or being displeased with their boyfriends' "childish" hobbies and behaviors. For a show that tries to glorify science and make nerds look cool, I find it incredibly hard to believe that that is no female character that likes video games, comics, and science fiction. A few minor characters have popped up here and there but none have been well written or reoccurring. <br />
<br />
I do not understand why some geeky traits have not been sprinkled on any of the main female cast. Especially with Penny already having a small background in technological entertainment, they could easily write it in that she picks up gaming as a side hobby even if she played alone. She is a bit of a tomboy so the concept would be rather fitting for her without risking taking her out of character. Plus, with her already displaying some level of skill in earlier episodes, we could see a positive, female geek over the shameful character they have created with Bernadette. Now, it could be argued that maybe they will eventually include a girl who is more like "one of the guys" later in the series. One that Raj could eventually grow comfortable enough around to speak to due to her nerdy habits but at this point, I do not have faith in Lorre or Prady to be that clever and write her all. <br />
<br />
<img src="http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/user/5/56584-223959-TheBigBangTheorymaincharacterspng-620x.jpg" /> <br />
<br />
Because have you noticed the other reoccurring pattern regarding the female characters...? <br />
<br />
All of them are "girlfriends". Each and every lead character that has been a woman was introduced to the show for the sole purpose of being matched up to another character, even if their relationship spanned over a few episodes. I do not mean to write the show off as being sexist because I do not exactly see it in such a way. Relationships always add more to the plot and naturally do occur when people who share similar interests, life styles, and ideals mix. It adds a sense of realism to the storyline but the way <em>The Big Bang Theory</em> has done it has been poor character development. In the very first episode, Leonard had already established a hollow infatuation with Penny to the point of offering to help her retrieve some properly from her ex just based on speaking to her for a few minutes. Bernadette was introduced to the show by being a selected friend of Penny's to go on a date with Howard due to the girlfriend pact: an agreement Penny would set him up with one of his friends. This eventually blooms into their relationship leading up to their engagement. Finally, Amy is introduced by flat out being matched up to Sheldon after Raj and Howard make a fake profile for him on a dating site. <br />
<br />
Though of course the train does not stop there. A few other reoccurring women in the series were also implemented into the plot for little reason other than to complicate relationships and add sexual tension. Leslie Winkle (a rival of Sheldon's at the university) only appeared in a total of eight episodes and grew notorious for casual sex between Leonard and Howard before being written off from the show. Priya Koothrappali (Raj's sister) is yet another character whose traits center around an active relationship with another. Filling the shoes as the "uppity, rich bitch", she seems to hold little value to her relationship with Leonard as she hides it from her family and cheats on him after relocating back to India. Finally, there was Dr. Stephanie Barnette; a surgical doctor that Leonard had a brief, semi-serious relationship with. She was written as a date Howard was trying to impress but felt a stronger connection to his friend instead. In an interview, Prady admits that she was "a chance for Leonard to learn that just because someone loves you, doesn't mean you'll love them back" but nothing more. <br />
<br />
I cannot help but feel somewhat insulted by all of this. Not only does my niche in the community not seem to be noticeable, but apparently woman are only good for making our male counterparts not lonely. While I do not feel that show is intentionally sexist, I do feel that there is plenty of room for the women of <em>The Big Bang Theory</em> to grow, especially in the geeky department. Poor writing choices have led to rather disappointing evolution of the characters. I do understand that not all scientists or doctors enjoy technology and science fiction hobbies, but this is a sitcom about scientists who <em>do</em> enjoy those things. Why can't we have a woman be like that, too?</div>Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-74789640354714744992012-02-27T17:40:00.001-08:002012-02-27T17:41:11.714-08:00Bloggers Wanted: Happiness is Boring.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="155" src="http://bulk.destructoid.com/ul/user/5/56584-222841-happynothappypng-620x.jpg" width="320" /> </div><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Disclaimer:</b> (Yeah, late again as usual but oh well...)The first part of this article may start off non-game related, but I promise it is relevant to the topic. Just bear with me for this the best example I could provide for my point. <br />
<br />
Also, I am going to be doing like I did when I wrote about the Chzo Mythos series by providing a link to an image that farther describes what I have to say without risking unintentionally spoiling anything. So please, do not read the links if you have any intention of playing or watching what I am speaking of. <br />
<br />
Thank you, and you may now continue with your reading. Anyway... <br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Have you ever seen <i>To the Ends of the Earth</i>? No? Well, I am not surprised so allow me to tell you a tad about it, and spoil it. It was a mini-series consisting of only three episodes that aired in 2005 and is based on the book trilogy of the same title. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, it tells the tale of a young aristocrat's voyage from England to Australia in 1812. We can assume that as an aristocrat, Edmund lived a fairly sheltered life but was exposed to a more colorful scene as he is socially forced to interact with his fellow shipmates. His ignorance slowly fades away as we witness a young man grow mentally and emotionally through hardships and others' perspectives. <br />
<br />
Half way through the series, the ship ends up encountering a second ship upon which the two spend a night mingling in celebration of the end of the war. During the party, our fine young gentleman meets a lovely young girl who he almost instantly falls in love with. He tries to convince her to travel to Australia with him but she refuses as she cannot go against the wills of her elders. The two are separated when the ships part, leaving Edmund heartbroken but learning to accept that life moves on despite his brooding over faith in love. <br />
<br />
After surviving all the struggles of the journey, he begins to settle in Australia which opens a new chapter to his ever growing life. Edmund is forced to face new challenges as friendships are severed from social statuses, leaving him alone with what could have potentially led to him realizing he needs to let go of his dependency and become a real man.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Stephanie+K/endings-happiness-is-boring--222841.phtml" target="_blank">Read More ---> </a>Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-14238260707935345182012-02-27T17:38:00.000-08:002012-02-27T17:38:45.741-08:00Succumb to the Darkness II<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DarknessIIcover.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3694" height="300" src="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DarknessIIcover-242x300.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><br />
Somewhere in the heart of New York City, a cursed bloodline roams the darkened streets. A shattered man silently prowls, hunting down rival Mafia mobs as its host struggles to reclaim the fame he lost. Yet even as he surrounds himself with glory, nothing can fill the void that cut through him. A faded photograph sets on a shaky table decorated with withered rose pedals and a flickering candle. The woman’s smiling face pierces him as the voice of the Darkness mocks him, reminding him of the hell he is damned to live in.<br />
<br />
<em>The Darkness</em> first slithered onto store shelves back in 2007. As a mediocre shooter, its presentation and atmosphere were greatly unappreciated but <em>The Darkness</em> has resurfaced again. Its ugly heads sprouting from its new sequel upon which I must warn now…<strong>Spoilers of the first game will be included.</strong> So if you have not yet played it, go out, get it, beat it in a Saturday, and <em>then</em> come back to read about <em>The Darkness II</em>. It will be the best seven dollars you will ever spend.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://royalflushmagazine.com/2012/02/26/succumb-to-the-darkness-ii-review/" target="_blank">Read More ---> </a>Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-28993381500462589992012-02-09T20:07:00.000-08:002012-02-09T20:07:27.072-08:00OverwhelmedJust a quick note since I said I would try to blog more...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
There just simply is not enough time in the day. Either that or there is too much I want to do in the short free time I do have. One thing I started doing last week was beginning to exercise more and eat healthier. While I was never really overweight, I could start to see some noticeable pounds and a routine check up at my doctor's this pass Monday confirmed I had gained a bit of weight since the last time I weighed myself. Again, I wasn't getting fat but I was starting to fall down a path that could lead to an unhealthy life style if I kept it going. So I figured it would be better to set putting myself into the right habits now before it got out of control. I've started cutting back on soda greatly, limiting myself to only drinking it with meals in order to get my mind set on the idea of it being a "treat" when I eat and not something to sip on all day long like I have been.<br />
<br />
I've also started fighting against the temptation of eating out - which I believe is the main source of the problem. I like cooking but after working all day it is hard to have the motivation to feel like cooking a meal. It also has not helped that I live within a few blocks of plenty of local restaurants. Smelling the delicious food in the air makes it so easy to just disregard my fridge and pick up some local cuisine. However, by cutting back on eating out, will not only make me healthier but also save me money.<br />
<br />
I have been trying to exercise but again, I have fallen into the pattern of not having much time. On the average day, I have about three to six hours of time where I'm not working or sleeping. Within that brief window, I have to do <i>everything</i> I want to do and <i>need</i> to do. Like I said, there is too much...<br />
<br />
I need to play more of <i>The Darkness II </i>and <i>Resident Evil: Revelations</i> since I am scheduled to write reviews on them both for <i>Royal Flush Magazine</i>. Then on Tuesday, <i>Tales of the Abyss </i>is released, yet another game I will offer to review. Not only do I need time to play these games, but I also need time to write the reviews themselves.<br />
<br />
Then I am getting into a D&D campaign with a few friends. Yet another time-eater...Not to mention I have been trying to get back in the habit of writing a Blogger's Wanted weekly. Especially since I have an idea for this week's topic. <i>And</i> I have been wanting to read more...<br />
<br />
Finally, there is my book which I am dubbing "Project Baskerville". (Why? Because it's a goddamn mystery that not even Sherlock Holmes can figure out.) I have all the ideas in my head but I need to start putting together a list of content and making an outline. Not to mention I need to start writing the rough draft...<br />
<br />
It's hard to believe we're almost half way through February. PAX is about two months away...School starts in two months...And I need to re-apply for the Summer courses.<br />
<br />
I need more damn time.Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-37475514328475837382012-02-08T15:17:00.000-08:002012-02-08T15:17:43.844-08:00SoulCalibur V Review<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SoulCalibur-V-2011-game-Xbox-360.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3566" height="300" src="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/SoulCalibur-V-2011-game-Xbox-360-212x300.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>A sword waits for its inherited wielder — demanding bloodshed and souls to feed its growing hunger. Three years later, the weapon’s quiet whispers are heard again in the latest installment of the Soul series: <em>SoulCalibur V</em>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Seventeen years have passed since the last game’s plot. A curse has befallen Europe known as the “malfestation” that infects all who come into contact with the evil sword, Soul Edge. Sophitia is dead and her son, Patroklos, is out to avenge her while also searching for his estranged sister, Pyrrha. Kidnapped at a young age, Pyrrha has been traveling the countryside as she continues to fall victim to her own “malfestation” while wielding Soul Edge itself. The siblings eventually clash with one another leading to Patroklos taking up the rival sword, Soul Calibur, as he fights for love and justice like every other white knight in games.<br />
You cannot expect much from a fighting game’s story and <em>SoulCalibur V</em> is no exception.<br />
<a href="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/leixia.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3567" height="164" src="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/leixia-300x164.jpg" width="300" /></a>The writing is dreadfully painful with the voice acting being even worse. While I have no issues with the voice casting, their performances are overly dramatic which makes it difficult to even pretend to take Patroklos’ infected genocide seriously. Oh, and in case you have not noticed, the story is a set cannon tale told through twenty chapters of a handful of cinematics and still arts. Also, by set cannon I mean that <em>Project Soul</em> has a solid story that has been limited to the usage of three characters but five play styles. Both Patroklos and Prryha change styles once they both rightfully inherit their proper weapons. The other 25+ characters are present in the story line but are not playable. I give them credit for attempting to make something slightly more solid for the plot’s foundation but the limitations cause more harm than good. You are essentially forced to learn to play Patroklos in order to progress through it; I do not understand why they could not have at least incorporated side plots to at least allow players the chance to play their styles.<br />
<br />
A few familiar faces return along with a new generation of characters. All the styles that Soul fans have grown to love like Ivy, Mitsurugi, Nightmare, and Yoshimitsu return with the addition of a some new styles. (Successors of removed characters step in their place in order to keep well-known fighting styles in the game but manage to add a fresh appearance to old tricks.) Viola and Z.W.E.I add a bit of magic to the mix. The gypsy uses a magical orb to juggle enemies while the manly werewolf summons a wolf spirit to help aid him on the battlefield. Ezio Auditore jumps in as the game’s guest character, featuring his full arsenal at his disposal. On top of the newcomers, the favorited create a character mode has returned as well, giving you the opportunity to make your own characters in any fighting style you choose. <em>Tekken’s Devil</em> <em>Jin</em> appears as a guest style for the custom characters, adding a new style for muliplayer matches.<br />
<br />
Even with the shallow story, there is still plenty to do in the game. Both the ranked and player matches are as smooth as butter with one of the neatest lobbies I have seen so far. Not only can you observe the match, but a chat feature has also been added to allow you to speak to players outside of your party or Friend’s List. A handful of single player modes will help you kill a few hours. The classic arcade mode remains to give you a nice way to improve your skills on our own without pressure from your friends or online strangers. A harder mode is also available known as Legendary Souls that puts you against some bullshit hard opponents but unlocks secret characters. Quick Battle mode will match you against ghost data of professional competitive fighters like Daigo Umehara and <em>Tekken</em> creator Katsuhiro Harada.<br />
<br />
The combat remains fast paced with smooth, swift movements. Stylized attacks help keep an attractive appeal as you fight against the detailed backdrops. If it is one thing <em>SoulCalibur V</em> does well, it keeps you interest and provides an enjoyable experience for both casual and competitive players alike. It does not take long for you to learn what you are doing at a basic level, making it rather accessible for all skill levels. However, the game certainly does provide the necessary tools to help anyone properly learn their selected characters with one of the most useful training modes I have seen in a fighting game. Not only does it help you learn combos but it also has a mode that helps you learn what type of attacks are appropriate for certain situations and that is the key to the game.<br />
<br />
With a three dimensional fighter like <em>SoulCalibur V</em>, half of the challenge you face is knowing proper stances and positions to counter what your opponent is doing. The arenas give you enough space to work with though ring outs are still an effective way to win a match. Stages vary in environments and difficult. Some have full four walls that prevent ring outs while others have no walls giving you a chance to lure your opponent to the edge and kick them off.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Ivy_CE.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-3568" height="212" src="http://royalflushmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Ivy_CE-300x168.jpg" width="378" /></a>“Critical Finishes” have been removed and replaced with a new gauge that builds up over time as you attack. This allows you to pull of stronger moves: “Brave Edge” and “Critical Edge” which act as supers when compared to other fighting games. The “Critical Edge’ attacks are far easier to pull off than the past “Critical Finishes”, allowing them to be more effective as you can chain them into combos over needing to pull off a outlandish button combination in hopes it works. “Guard Impact” returns but now repels attacks and harming the opponent for rushing you. (Though it cannot stop unblockable moves.) A new “Just Guard” maneuver has been added. “Just Guard” allows you to pull off an retaliation quicker.<br />
<br />
All and all, <em>SoulCalibur V </em>is a polished version of its predecessor. Still looking beautiful, it fixes some of the balancing issues with characters that existed in the last installment, while also making the game more accessible. It truly is a solid fighter that offers a little bit of everything to multiple skill levels. Fans of the series will fall in love with the return of the classic <em>SoulCalibur</em> charm while newcomers will find it easy to get into. Its flashy look makes it as fun to watch as it is to play. Regardless if you are playing by yourself, online, or with a group of friends…Everyone will walk away satisfied.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Platform:</strong></em> PS3 and XBox360 |<em><strong> Publisher:</strong></em> Namco | <em><strong>Developer:</strong></em> Project Soul | <em><strong>Genre:</strong></em> 3D Fighter | <em><strong>Release Date:</strong></em> Jan. 31, 2012Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-11203568290732832092012-01-16T21:43:00.000-08:002012-01-16T21:46:36.734-08:00I've Been Sherlocked.<div class="message"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHX-orL5asI/TxUKWhkoUjI/AAAAAAAAAIM/wjFsTvpJ404/s1600/bbc-sherlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHX-orL5asI/TxUKWhkoUjI/AAAAAAAAAIM/wjFsTvpJ404/s320/bbc-sherlock.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Intelligent. Clever. Curiously charming.</div><br />
<br />
If you have been living in the dark (or America), you have probably missed one of the most phenomenal 90-minute dramas to hit television in the pass two years. BBC's <span style="font-style: italic;">Sherlock</span> offers both an intriguing and refreshing twist on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved deductive detective. Written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss (both <span style="font-style: italic;">Doctor Who</span> writers), <span style="font-style: italic;">Sherlock</span> brings Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and John Watson (Martin Freeman) into the modern age, putting technology like GPS, advance forensic science, and iPhones (oh so many iPhones) at their disposal for solving mysteries.<br />
<br />
Originally airing in 2010 for both countries (season 2 just finishing in England and scheduled for May for America), the series was inspired by both Moffat's and Gatiss' love for the classic stories. However, Gatiss felt that staying within Holmes' original era would risk losing views due to Sir Conan Doyle's stories being "too reverential and too slow". The pair decided to reboot both Holmes' and Watson's, feeling that a current setting would not only be more entertaining but also to give both writers an opportunity to add their own semi-noncannon twists to the stories; somewhat creating their own Sherlock-timeline while still modernizing the classic works. It is very easy to see each each of the six episodes were influenced by Sir Conan Doyle's works but each one has its own unique charm as current technology it put into play. We constantly find Sherlock in forensic laboratories, using the internet, and relaying information to-and-from other characters via texting like the average person today.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Much like the classic-Sherlock, Cumberbatch's Sherlock remains just as clever and keen as ever but with a laboratory and fast technology at his fingertips, and announced mental disorders such as being a 'sociopath' - farther helping to build upon the updated characterization of the classic Sherlock. As for Watson, we see Freeman playing him as a much more well-rounded man who balances Holmes' ignorance with common sense and peaked intelligence.<br />
<br />
The series manages to keep a very enjoyable pace by keeping the suspense high and viewer at the edge of their seats while giving calming moments to catch breaths. Humor is very subtle and somewhat on the grim side, but lighthearted enough to keep the series from being overly dark. At the same time, also enhancing the character's personalities as we see Watson having more generic, sarcastic humor while Sherlock's humor spawns from his awkward bluntness.<br />
<br />
It also touches up on the view interesting perspective of adding the media's point of views of Sherlock into play regarding the plot. Through both seasons, he often shows a disliking for Watson's blog where Watson shares his opinions of their cases to the world. Eventually leading to the detectives gaining popularity as word of their magnificent work spread like wildfire over the net, thus interfering with their personal and business lives. It also explores the bitter relationship between Scotland Yard and Sherlock's private, home-ran "detective agency". It builds upon rivalries and hatred between the characters as Sherlock belittles their lacking observant abilities despite working in a scientific field and shows some paranoia the staff has regarding his strange obsession with crimes.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, this was a perspective I was impressed to see be implemented into the storyline. After all, it is not uncommon for most fictional dramas to overlook the effects the protagonist has on the story's universe. Often neglecting realism for the sake of not throwing the creative flow off track but failing to see the potential suspense and tension that can spawn from adding parts of the real world to the fictional work itself. <br />
<br />
Season two just finished airing in England and is scheduled to air in America on PBS in May. I am not surprised if anyone has not yet seen any of the newer episodes but for those who somehow have...Feel free to read my theory regarding how Moffat and Gatiss will work wound a certain 'plot point':<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Spoiler to Season 2: Highlight to Read) </div><br />
<div style="background-color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white;"><span class="spoiler" style="color: white;">"The Reichenbach Fall" - the finale of season 2 - is based off of <span style="font-style: italic;">"The Final Problem"</span> which was officially meant to be Holmes' death. However, due to public outcry, Sir Conan Doyle was pressured into bringing Holmes' back in his works. Holmes was originally believed to be dead after plummeting from the top of the fall with Professor Moriarty. He later relieves how he survived to Watson, explaining about how he won the struggle and created the illusion that both men fell. However, he manage to climb up the cliff and take refugee near a path leading away from the fall and ran, then went into hiding with the help of Mycroft. Based on the time period, it is very believable to assume his body would not be found had he fallen into the river. The current could have easily swept the body away and without the technology we have now, it would have been extremely difficult to track down his remains. Thus making it possible to assume he truly is dead and giving Sir Conan Doyle the flexibility to write the return of Holmes.<br />
<br />
However, with "The Reichenbach Fall", we see a more solid death for Sherlock. Having been pushed to a forced suicide by Moriarty, he jumps from the roof of St. Batholomew's and collides with the sidewalk in front of Watson and a crowd of passerbys. There is nothing to catch his fall and Moffat/Gatiss set up a real-time timeline of his suicide. We watch Sherlock panic after Moriarty shoots himself and calling Watson while standing at the edge of the rooftop. The two have a brief conversation as Sherlock tries to convince Watson that everything the papers have been saying regarding him are true, though leaving it up to viewer interruption so to whether or not he believes it himself. Seconds pass between when Sherlock hangs up to when he jumps, all of which Watson witnesses and sets the amount of time in stone for the viewer. Unlike the classic where the reader can only assume Sherlock fell with Moriarty based on the sets of footprints Watson finds.<br />
<br />
We may want to believe that Sherlock had somehow cleverly switched himself with a dummy or Moriarty's body before jumping but the evidence supported by the phone call make it physically impossible. There literally is no time upon which he could make such a switch without notice. On top of that - regardless of <span style="font-style: italic;">who</span> actually fell - the body is kicking as it instinctively tries to prepare for the impact, indicating that the jumper <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> a living person thus overriding the possibility of it being Moriarty's body in Sherlock's coat. Plus the close up of the body being carried away fits Sherlock's physical physique. There is no doubt that it was - indeed - Sherlock who jumped.<br />
<br />
Of course, this does not officially mean the impact killed him. Not all suicide attempts end successfully (that's a grim oxymoron) and there even is a <a class="postlink" href="http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-a-Long-Fall" rel="nofollow">Wiki How</a> on how to survive a long fall; so it is scientifically possible to survive the fall, especially with how quickly medical treatment was administered on him. Though we can safely assume confirmation of his death and a funeral service was held since we do see a grave, but was it truly him in the coffin...?<br />
<br />
Do you remember what Irene Adler said in "A Scandal in Belgravia"? After she faked her death and she confronts Watson, she tells him that death reports are "only as good as the DNA says", and DNA can be obtained many ways. We have already seen moments in the series where reports have been forged to manipulate the truth. The first logical assumption is to believe Sherlock approached Molly to reveal his plan and convince her to help forge his reports. Before going to the roof, he approaches her saying he has always trusted her and needs her help, but the concept seems a tad farfetched for a few reasons. The first being that some evidence to support the theory that Sherlock did not suspect the suicide attempt that would be pushed on him; he seems legitimately shocked and panics as Moriarty mentions his plan. So believing that he approached Molly the night before to tell her that he would be faking his death and asking her to change the medical reports seems hard to swallow. The second being that he clearly <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> jump without any sort of plan, at least one that is noticeable to the viewer; why take the risk?<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I believe Mycroft is the reason why Sherlock will be successful with pulling off his "death". We are aware of the high amount of power Mycroft has within the government and if the story follows the classic, then it is safe to assume he will help his brother go into hiding.</span></div></div>Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-58546463325544170622012-01-01T22:39:00.000-08:002012-01-01T22:39:01.443-08:00Productively Active A quick pick at last week's Bloggers Wanted...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
As I glance at the clock on my desktop, I realize that within the next hour the weekly topic for Blogger's Wanted will not matter. However, the fact that I am sitting here preparing to write this is an eye opener. A personal note to myself as proof as to why these resolutions need to be put into effect. Over the years, I have become a tad lazy without actual being lazy - if that statement makes sense. I have shifted into the typical '9 to 5' life style. Forty hours of my week are dedicated to nothing more than working for a living; last year, I broke away from my family to set out on my own and since then, my perspective of priorities has changed. Free time has become a precious treasure as I rarely seem to have it between my shifts, daily routine, and necessary responsibilities that come with being your sole provider. Even tonight, I was home for about an hour or more before I could settle down to do something I <em>wanted</em> to do after coming home from a typical eight hour shift. <br />
<br />
I am twenty-two and at the risk of hinting at a mid-mid-life crisis, one fourth of my life is over. (Of course that is based on the assumption I will live till at least eighty.) I am still struggling against the battle of entering college in order to obtain my degree; despite the hardships I am facing regarding finances, I have come to the realization that I can still have promising opportunities that I can focus on as I continue to save up to pay for classes. Some opportunities that could potentially help fund my education. While my mind is cluttered with ideas and things I want to do, I know time is against me but I am making it my goal to try to discover a way to balance everything in my life. Regarding my social life, my relationship, my job, and my schooling as well as my free time...It would appear that video games may need to take a back seat yet, they are still a main driver regarding my hopes for my future career.<br />
<br />
Read the full article<a href="http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Stephanie+K/resolutions-productively-active-218843.phtml" target="_blank">... ---> </a>Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3927036147851455826.post-30159986068531545992011-12-14T19:19:00.000-08:002011-12-14T19:20:25.674-08:00So it begins...<div style="text-align: center;"><u>A Brief History </u></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I have never been one who has been good at introducing myself, mainly because I find myself to be a very uninteresting person. I am just your typical 20-something year old trying to make a living and pay my way through college. Though, I have managed to begin to build a small foundation for myself while chasing after my dream of being a gaming journalist on top of a hidden internet history.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Back in the middle of high school, I did some articles for a few "wanna be" gaming sites. They were mainly sites that young college students were creating in hopes of becoming a big, popular web site or wanting to define their web design/journalism skills before putting together portfolios. I hopped around from site to site as a reviewer and with a few, I was a moderator for their forums; I even became a co-founder of a handful of forums. Over the course of about two to three years, my reviews were unofficially published on a variety of forums and web sites before time began to work against my fellow co-owners. Pretty much all of sites I had helped developed dropped off the map mainly since their original creator gave up on trying to balance a personal project with school work.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Growing anxious in wanting to start gaining experience, I took some time to look into free web hosting services in order to begin my own web site - a Resident Evil fan site known as <a href="http://wonderingzombie.bravehost.com/index107.html" target="_blank">Wondering Zombie</a>. I started it during the summer between my junior and senior year in high school, while teaching myself basic HTML and web design. However, my desires and dreams for the site were too much for me to achieve on my own. I wanted it to eventually be a hub full of information on every Resident Evil game, including plot timelines, character profiles, game files, etc... but I was the only one among my friends who understood HTML. I attempted to teach them some coding in order to gain a bit of support to supply content, but I was receiving very little feedback from them and most had little interest in wanting to actual help with the harder part of the site: building the damn thing. As a result, a year after creating it, I placed a bullet in its head back in the middle of 2009. Although the forums remained fairly active for quite sometime after the site itself shut down. A few loyal members attempted to keep it alive but like all good things, they withered away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I cannot recall the specific date, but I was recruited by a friend and independent web/game developer, <a href="http://about.me/andrewrabon" target="_blank">Andrew Rabon</a>., for the development of <a href="http://projectgforum.com/" target="_blank">Project Gforum</a>. Sadly, I did not contribute much to its actual production; Andrew handled all the coding and web host. I, however, worked on providing continuous content to keep readers interested on top of handling the "marketing" aspects of the site - helping to provide events and gaining notice with the public. (I guess I could also be considered the Community Director.) Out of all the sites, Project Gforum is the only one that has grown and still has an active community.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Then in February of 2010, I decided to respond to one of <a href="http://destructoid.com/" target="_blank">Destructoid</a>'s Monthly Musing articles. <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/my-expertise-resident-evil-163433.phtml" target="_blank">My first articles</a> regarding the Resident Evil series was promoted to the front page, igniting a new flame of passion in me for video game journalism. Throughout the year and a half I wrote for them, I have had a total of four <a href="http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/index.phtml?a=56584&tab=1" target="_blank">articles published</a> on their homepage.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;">As of recently, I have started writing for <a href="http://royalflushmagazine.com/" target="_blank">Royal Flush Magazine</a>- a pop culture magazine. Hence the creation of this blog, which is now a hub for the three sites I contribute to as well as any miscellaneous information about me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>As of Recent</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div id="yui_3_2_0_1_1323914887027161" style="text-align: left;"><span id="yui_3_2_0_1_1323914887027158" style="font-size: small;">Watching movies has become a bit more of a hobby of mine as of recently. Over the summer, I went through a Vince Price phase, watching a handful of his black and white and colored works. (<span style="font-style: italic;">House on Haunted Hill</span> has become my favorite film.) Then I had fallen in love with <span style="font-style: italic;">Doctor Who</span>. A group of friends kept encouraging me to watch it and I marathoned the newer seasons on Netflix. Once I started watching it, I could not stop. I really enjoyed the sci-fi feeling and acting, though the first 'newer' season was a tad cheesy but the production values and acting got better in the later episodes. I was really impressed with David Tennant's talent after watching his seasons as The Doctor and watching a few other movies he was in. (In particular, I was blown away by his performance as Hamlet in <span style="font-style: italic;">Hamlet.</span>) I also watched <span style="font-style: italic;">Sherlock</span> - the BBC mini series from 2010 - where I discovered another fantastic actor, Benedict Cumberbatch. I ended up watching another short PBS series he did in 2008 that was a bit of a twist on <span style="font-style: italic;">1984 </span>by applying the 'big brother' conspiracy theory to modern day events. I am not sure why, but I really have gotten into television shows and movies that make you think. Especially ones with psychological themes and unsuspecting twists. (I watched <span style="font-style: italic;">American Psycho</span> for the first time last week and was blown away by the <span style="font-style: italic;">Catcher in the Rye</span> tones it had.) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">I have also started exploring other genres of music. I have developed quite a liking for jazz for some odd reason but have been having trouble finding bands to listen to. Though I've grown to really enjoy progressive rock and mixed genre music. Last month, I got a chance to see <a href="http://www.owenbeverly.com/" target="_blank">Owen Beverly</a> live at a local, hole-in-the-wall bar and was simply blown away. I also stumbled upon <a href="http://www.davidgray.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">David Gray</a> not too long ago. Both singers have very similar approaches towards lyrics but two different tastes with their sound. Beverly is on the heavy rock with a twist of blues to him while Gray has more of a mellow, cheery-yet-melancholic tone.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And that is pretty much it. I think that's not a bad recap of my internet life with a bit of insight into my current life. Don't you think?</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Stephanie Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06098698142958232164noreply@blogger.com0