The Hangover Part II Review

As The Hangover Part II begins we are treated to a strange sense of déjà vu with Phil (Bradley Cooper) on the phone with his friend’s girlfriend who seems anxious and worried as to where they are; Phil, Stu (Ed Helms) and, Alan (Zach Galifianakis) stand dirty, scared and, delirious as Phil utters the words “We Fucked Up… Again”. This scene is almost a line for line recreation of the opening of the first Hangover and for better or worse sets the stage for the entire rest of the movie which is a mixture of reused or slightly altered jokes or increasingly insane and ridiculously improbable scenarios that the Wolf Pack (Alan’s name for the 3 of them) have to overcome.

The Hangover Part II is a lot more of the same and not for the better, it follows almost exactly the plot of the previous movie and deviates only in location and who is getting married. This time its Stu’s turn to get married and his friends travel to Thailand for the wedding. The night before they all gather on the beach along with the brides 16 year old Stamford graduate brother, Teddie and as they raise their beers in a toast the screen fads to white and we are transported to the most foul hotel room in existence (located in Bangkok) with cockroaches crawling over the beds and 17 different colored stains on the mattresses and of course a finger in a bowl of blood. Just replace a trashed Vegas suite with this nasty hotel room and replace a tiger in the bathroom with a chain smoking clothed monkey and the game as been set. When they wake up they find the brides little brother missing instead of Doug like in the first movie and so begins a long retread of the events in the first film as The Wolf Pack must try and locate Teddie and get back to the wedding in time. The 3 friends must retrace their steps and piece back together what happened the night before while along the way discovering the chaos they instilled in the shadier parts of Bangkok.

As the movie progresses Phil, Stu and, Alan are confronted by Russian and Asian mobsters, ladyboys, and a monk monastery. With each new obstacle they learn something deep and disturbing about their actions and as Stu states “There is a demon living inside me that is the only explanation for the things that I have done”. The Hangover Part II sees the return of Mr. Chow the Chinese gangster who the boys found in the trunk of the police car in the last movie and now Alan has invited him to party with them. The movie amps up the action quite a bit with shootouts, car chases, and riots but even through all of these insane set pieces I can’t help but feel like the film makers couldn’t come up with any fresh jokes and instead added a bunch of preposterous scenarios that are just so far over the top that that serves as the joke itself.

The Hangover Part II isn’t all bad with the return of some great characters including Mike Tyson. And some amazing scenes from Zach Galifianakis who truly steals the show as the increasingly sociopathic Alan, as he has all the most hilariously memorable moments. The monkey makes quite the impression as well with his tendency for nibbling on penises.

Though The Hangover Part II made me laugh and entertained me quite a bit it is too much of the same and not creative enough for me to recommend it, even more so considering the amazing quality of the first movie. With more action but less laughs the Hangover Part II is a mixed bag, not nearly as memorable as the first but also cranking up the ludicrous scenarios The Wolf Pack find themselves in. Hopefully after this hangover they will say “never again” before they run any good will they have left into the ground. 

(3 out of 5)

Converted: The Office

   For a long time I have had a vocal hatred for The Office, I never understood why so many people watched the show and thought so highly of it. I have tried many times to watch The Office and every time I sat down to watch an episode I find myself consistently annoyed and uncomfortable with the way the characters on the show acted. I thought Michael Scott was the embodiment of everything I hate in people; he was ignorant, disrespectful and incredibly annoying. Dwight was such an outlandish caricature and a borderline sociopath I could not believe he could ever function in society let alone handle a job where he is required to interact with other human beings. So even though I had tried several times to try and break into the show I found it impenetrable.

   Recently friends of mine started watching it and came away with very positive feelings, I stood in disbelief, and I could not understand what they found so enjoyable about it. Against my better judgment I tried once again to get into the show. I must have stopped watching the first season like 20 times and its only 6 episodes long. I found myself frustrated that I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what everyone enjoyed so much about the show. I laughed occasionally but I cringed every time Michael Scott would open his mouth, and sure enough some insanely insensitive remark or racial slur would spill out and I would get fed up and turn it off but finally I got to the first episode of the second season and like seeing an image of Jesus in my grilled cheese I was converted. 

The episode started off like any other with Michael up to his usual shtick, preparing for some idiotic award ceremony he invented to boost morale, like usual I couldn’t stand Michael as he continuously acted selfish and annoying. It wasn’t until the office went to Chili’s for the awards and things started to go south that I became interested. Michael was humiliated by his employees and the patrons of the restaurant and it was there that I finally felt bad for him and once Pam tried to raise his spirits by getting everyone to applaud and cheer I was hooked, it was touching and I found myself caring about these people. I still find Michael’s behavior distasteful but he see him almost like a child, I excuse the things he does because I know I really does have good intentions and really only wants everyone to like him.

   As I am writing this I am deep into the 4^th season and I have no intention of stopping, these characters have grown on me and I have learned to love them all for very different reasons. Dwight is completely insane but is sweet and loyal, Kevin is inappropriately hilarious, Jim is a romantic to a fault, and Angela is bitch (I got nothing). Everyone is great on the show and the cast is so strong they are able to swap characters in and out Ryan becomes a deuce when he moves up to corporate and, Andy who is even more unstable then Dwight (which is impressive) is integrated with the offices when they merge branches.

The Office is a fantastic show and it’s entirely because of its cast, everyone is needed and no can be removed or replaced. They meld together so well and their growth as the series continues is the most compelling part each with their own hopes and dream I continue watching hoping to see Michael find someone to be with so he won’t be alone, to see Jim and Pam married and happily together, Dwight and Angela to acknowledge and relish in their relationship and for … the assholes to get what’s coming to them (Ryan, Andy, Jan, David). I am happy I gave the show a chance (many chances) because I really did end up loving this show with its endearing characters and its strong comedy. 

L.A. Noire Review

     L.A. Noire has been misrepresented that is something everyone needs to know right off the bat. Between the action heavy trailers and an emphasis on "from the Makers of Grand Theft Auto" on pretty much every piece of promotion for the game, I have a strong feeling people are going in unprepared for what L.A. Noire really is. Anyone opting into this game because of the Rockstar connection are going to be surprised, but not necessarily in a bad way. For one L.A. Noire isn't a traditional open world game in the vain of GTA neither is it a by the numbers third-person shooter. Instead Team Bondi (Not Rockstar Games) take a huge risk in making what is ostensibly a $90 million adventure game, and its Astounding.

    L.A. Noire is quite simply the story of young police officer Cole Phelps as he raises through the ranks of the LAPD and comes face to face with the vile, corrupt and, increasingly violent underbelly of 1940's Los Angeles. As the story progresses you will spend time in each of the major crime divisions of the police force from beat cop to Homicide detective. First thing most people will realize is that Cole is unlike any Rockstar protagonist, he is war hero and is dedicated to clean up the streets of L.A. He is a sharp contrast to the world around him and it makes for a very interesting lead, and though Cole may act high and mighty even he has dark secrets that unravel over the course of the story. A decidedly Rockstar trait does rear its head in L.A. Noire and that is a constant revolving door of strong stand out side characters, from the classic Irish police captain to the drunk on the job detective. These characters are always fleshed out and never feel one note, each of these individual people play a large role in your time with the game and by the end of the game you will have strong opinions on all of them. Its a testament to the writing that the characters are never on opposite ends of a good/bad spectrum, most characters have very good traits and crippling bad traits. It all culminates in a cast and story that is gritty and believable which rival some of the best crime movies.

Actually playing L.A. Noire is where the the game really differentiates itself. The majority of the game is spent investigating the scene of a crime, you and your partner arrive and are given a quick recap of what might have transpired and you quickly get to work looking for clues in the area that might help solve the case. Interacting with the crime scene is handled well whenever you approach an item of interest the controller vibrates and some music cues up (both of these features can be turned of for added difficulty). Once you have your hands on said object its just a quick turn of the right-stick and you begin to turn and flip the object to see if just maybe there is a case solving clue on the bottom of that coffee cup. Once you feel like you have collected enough evidence you will move unto the next stage of the game where you will need to interrogate suspects to get information. You will enter these interrogation scenes with anyone who may be able to provide more information on the case or on a possible suspect in order to coaxes a confession out of them. These interrogation moments have you asking questions and judging whether the person is telling the truth or is a bald faced liar either with incriminating evidence or by reading their facial expressions, yea you read that right.

This is where L.A. Noire becomes truly ground breaking. Through voodoo and black magic Team Bondi is able to capture the souls of some of Hollywood's greatest characters actors and trap them in this game and force them to act with the false promise that they will be released. In all seriousness Team Bondi was able to create from scratch a process which takes 32 high definition cameras, positions them 360 degrees around a central point, have an actor get into full hair and make-up and then have that actor sit in a chair and perform their lines as if they where in that scenario. The result is nothing short of jaw-dropping, the actors are giving these characters life and its their performance that is being shown and its their skill as actors that makes it better not an animator carefully raising one side of the mouth to create something that sort of resembles a smirk. It is a huge step forward in having videogames crossover from the "toys" or "for kids" mentality and stand tall next to the likes of big Hollywood summer blockbusters. Interestingly and completely fitting L.A. Noire is the first game ever to be shown at the Tribeca Film Festival.

With its outstanding technology that gives the already wonderfully written and realized characters life and a gripping story with twists and revelations that span the gamete of classic noir and refreshing new gameplay that stands out amongst all the rehashed games that fill the market, L.A. Noire is an innovative and engrossing game that no one should miss out on.

(5 out of 5)

About Me and this Site

I have created this site for a few reasons, mostly I just wanted a place where I could write indiscriminately about things I love those things being Videogames, Movies, TV Shows and, whatever else strikes my fancy. Secondly I wanted a place where I could practice writing and have the internet judge me harshly and extremely negatively (I'll just keep telling myself its constructive criticism).

You can expect a wide range of different topics including but not limited to articles about important news (in the field of subjects I named above) , reviews, quick impressions, and just overall opinions on the latest and greatest Games, Movies, and Television Shows.

Jonathan's Game of the Year

Game of the Year 

(1) Grand Theft Auto V is the sheer definition of taking a risk and having it pay off. I was wary of how the game would turn out when Rockstar announced a story focusing on three separate characters, but they found a way develop interesting storylines for all three characters without leaving any one character behind. The heists and story missions are where the game truly shines, however with just a handful of them it leaves me wanting more. The online mode which was later released also has much to be desired when compared to the robustness of the single player game. The lack of heists, campaign style missions, and custom mission editing at its launch left a poor impression of what the multiplayer side of GTA V has to offer. However, even with these shortcomings, I still come away feeling that this was the most enjoyable gaming experience I’ve had this year by far.

(2) Assassin’s Creed IV is what I have been looking for in an AC release for a long time, and makes me very interested in the direction Ubisoft is taking the franchise. The character writing in Black Flag is fantastic and makes up for the main area where I believe its predecessor AC3 fell short. The concentration on naval combat and island exploration are what really gives this game a unique taste in the series. With all of these much needed changes played out so well in this game I’m really look forward to the next installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise.

(3) Bioshock Infinite takes the Bioshock series in a completely new direction by bringing the dreary underwater world of rapture to the skies. The character writing in this game is phenomenal and brings a new connection to the main character that I believe the first two games were missing. The way this game ties in with the previous games give long time fans a treat, while also making the game approachable to any newcomers to the series.

(4) Ni no Kuni is a repetitive, childish, and lengthy game that makes it very difficult to play all the way through. Strangely, this game has a charm to it that just wouldn’t let me put it down. The quirky characters and magical world gave me a pleasant break from the more serious games this year and it was a treat to play despite having some of the shortcomings that still plague most JRPGs. Honestly, you know what, this game is Pokemon. You don’t like Pokemon? Doesn’t matter, play it anyways, the charm of the game may just make you enjoy the game more than you thought you would.

(5) Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is not only a good game based on an anime, it’s also an enjoyable fighting game to those that know nothing about the series. The fighting mechanics may be simplistic, and the special moves may be the same for each character, but I haven’t had this much fun with a simple fighting game since Super Smash Brothers Melee. The game features a story mode that has anime level of quality cutscenes, and even those looking to just catch up on the show can take solace in the fact that the developers did a good job in keeping true to the story without spoiling too much at the end for those currently watching the series.  

(6) The Last of Us is a beautiful example of what a post-apocalyptic world should be. It makes the PS3 look like it can hold its own against next gen graphical quality. Hell we may not need next gen after all if we can keep up the level of quality this game has. The writing and story in this game is fantastic. The way Naughty Dog captured the voice actors performances using mocap really brought the emotion they were trying to evoke from the actors into the game. I honestly wish the gameplay was a bit faster paced though. I’m not saying the gameplay isn’t good, it holds up well with the whole survivor game genre, but it always bummed me out that I had to go back to actually playing it once the cutscenes or interaction moments with Ellie were over.

(7) Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen was a fresh try at a new IP that Capcom gambled on and I’m very glad they stuck with it and released this expansion. The main game had some issues like fast travel that was such a pain in the ass it made me want to not venture far from the city to explore, which essentially defeated the purpose of a world that size and traveling so slow. Releasing all these fixes in the form of an expansion though was kind of a letdown considering the main issues the game had could be released as a patch, but the post game content they added justified it enough for me to me to go another round with the game.

(8) Saint’s Row IV might as well just be called “Fuck It: The Game”, but after playing it I’m glad they did because it seems like just the level of stupidity the series needed. The addition of super powers to the game was quite a surprise considering the games roots came from it being a GTA competitor, but God knows I can’t go back to roaming around the city without causing a fucking hurricane of destruction anymore. The game pokes fun at itself pretty often, and still maintains its level of toilet humor. Literally, you’re a toilet sometimes.

(9) Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was pretty odd for a MGS game, following pretty much none of the previous mechanics of the franchise. Well, there’s a box to hide in, so there’s that. It’s a hack’n’slash game where Raiden is the protagonist and the story revolves around Raiden’s mysterious past. The slow-mo cutting mechanic they added for Raiden’s blade is pretty neat for a while but becomes repetitive throughout the first half of the game and then pretty useless the last half except for specific boss battle moments. The ending is also probably one of the craziest endings I’ve ever seen, but I still had a laugh at the way the events unfolded and put the controller down after beating it with no real gripes against it. I probably ended up liking it as much as I did because I wanted to play a Ninja Gaiden type of game but the new one was terrible.

(10) Ah yes, Tomb Raider. This is one of the more approachable games in the entire series, and this reboot is one that I actually like more than the original. I like the new Lara character direction, despite the Nathan Drake level of survivability I keep seeing in games, but oh man the other characters were terrible. They might as well have just not been in the story, just leave Lara alone on the island and let her figure things out by herself. The game looks nice both in character detail and environments and I enjoyed the hunting system they used for crafting. Also, the game has bows. I like bows.

Valeria's Game of the Year

Game of the Year 

From beginning to end, The Last of Us successfully delivers a powerful story filled with many impacting moments that often left me on the edge of my seat. The incredible voice acting, soundtrack, and graphics were key ingredients that helped set the right moods, and I was blown away by the characterization of all the characters. The character development and growing bond of the two protagonists was especially well done. Overall, due to its beautiful and often heartbreaking narrative, impressive graphics, and immersive universe, this game is easily the best one that has come out this year. 

(2) Bioshock Infinite presents a beautifully crafted universe that takes place in a city in the sky. But despite the enchanting, colorful world it presents, there is a darker story beyond the surface that slowly unravels as you continue playing. This game was fun, touching, and enjoyable in every way possible. With characters that you absolutely fall in love with, a plot that leaves you reeling by the end, and a combat system that’s easy to enjoy, this game is unquestionably a unique and fantastic experience that no one should miss out on.  

(3) I could go hours singing praises to this game, but nothing I say will properly describe how beautiful it was. Despite the fact that there was absolutely no dialogue in this game, it still manages to present an amazing, heartbreaking story. The controls of it might be a bit jarring and hard to get used to at first, but it was a great choice as it served to develop and showcase the bond and codependency between the two brothers, which really makes an impact by the end of the game. Overall, it was a fantastic experience that was well worth playing.

(4) Telltale has once again built an enchanting universe full of interesting characters. This time, they put a spin on old fairy tale characters by placing them all in a modern-day city, where Bigby Wolf, previously known as the Big Bad Wolf, takes charge as the local Sheriff. Though short, this game has an immersive storyline full of fast pace action, forcing you to make split-second decisions at critical points, which will not only affect future gameplay but also makes it hard to stop playing midway through. Undoubtedly one of my favorite games this year. I look forward to the upcoming installments, and to uncovering the intriguing mystery surrounding this story.

(5) Namco’s latest installment delivers exactly what any fan of the Tales series can expect—an intriguing plot, a great cast, all of which are voiced by excellent VAs, and its usual exploration of heavy themes like human nature, racism, and morality. This particular installment stands out amongst its predecessors due it its refined battle system and the ability to play as either of the two main characters, allowing another opportunity to replay the game while taking advantage of its New Game+ features. Though at times overly cheesy and predictable, this is a game any JRPG fan should not miss out on. 

(6) This game is easily one of the best experiences an adventure game can provide, but more importantly, it’s a great installment to a series I’d long left behind. The outstanding graphics, fun levels, and perfect balance between exhilarating combat and quiet exploration made for a great experience, but the best part of it all was watching Lara’s character growth as she struggles to survive and escape the island she and her crew are stranded on.

(7) Layton fans might be disappointed for the lack of brainteaser puzzles, but others who are fonder of the Phoenix Wright series will find this game just right. Out of the nine cases available, only the first two are free to play, but I was more than willing to pay full price to solve the mysteries behind this story. Following Professor Layton’s son, Alfendi, and his new assistant, Lucy Baker, this game provides you with the opportunity to investigate several crime scenes and get to know a wide variety of colorful cast members. This is one game I’m definitely crossing my fingers for, hoping that more installments will come out in the future. 

(8) Though I've played Harvest Moon for longer than I can remember, the Animal Crossing series has always had a certain appeal that I've never been able to fully enjoy until now. It truly lives up to its best potential as a handheld game since you can take it anywhere with you, forget about it, and pick it up again to continue to pay your endless debt to Nook without the hassle of being tied down to a console. Though the general concept of the game has not changed, this installment adds several new features that keep it interesting and refreshing, among which is the opportunity to become the village mayor instead of a random citizen, allowing more autonomy for the player. Moreover, Nintendo is steadily promoting free DLC for a limited time only, keeping players alert and always coming back for more. 

(9) Gone Home is a short, quaint game that is unlike any other I've played before. Its premise presents the story of a young woman coming home after traveling abroad, only to find her family gone. This game gives you the opportunity to take your time and let yourself get truly lost in the story as you explore the dark, wide mansion looking for clues regarding your family’s whereabouts. There is a heavy, mysterious atmosphere that clings to you, adding to the ongoing tension of the story, and it all culminates in a powerful ending. This game was a truly enjoyable experience due to its storytelling capabilities as well as the unique themes it explores. 

(10) Anime series rarely get good video game adaptations, and to date, the Naruto series in particular has been lacking—until now. CyberConnect2 has finally managed to deliver a game that is almost up to par with the .hack games, creating a satisfying way to experience the Naruto series all over again. Though we have Kishimoto to thank for the heart-wrenching scenes and engaging plot, there is enough additional content to keep any fans “in the know” entertained through both the ability to build relationships with other characters and through its mission system. Players will be pleased to note that the game offers the option to choose between English or Japanese voices. Additionally, the game provides a clever way to deliver any background history newcomers might not be already privy to. With an engaging battle system and a wide berth of characters to choose from, Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 provides a good experience for both fans and newcomers alike. 

Alberto's Game of the Year

Game of the Year

The fantastic performance work of Troy Baker as Joel and Ashley Johnson as Ellie made this game an incredible experience. The game's mix of superb facial animations, tense atmosphere, and a great ending drew me into it so much that, it’s hard not to consider this the greatest game of the year

(2) From the moment I started this game till the moment I finished it, I was just blown away by the sheer scope of it. The feeling of being in the world Rockstar creates is unparalleled and it really made the game shine. The mediocre online mode did nothing to prevent me from enjoying the game's single player so much.

(3) From the time I joined the beta a couple years back, till now, I have not stopped enjoying Path of Exile. Now that it is released, it can finally go on my game of the year list. The way that the game handles itemization, potions, monsters, skills, and randomization is extremely well done. From what it lacks in a good story, it more than makes up for in great gameplay systems. All of this, coupled with the fact that it is free and premium features are only cosmetic, it most definitely earns its spot.

(4) I never thought I would end up playing an Animal Crossing game so much, but I’m glad I did, because it is just simply nice to do so. I think the fact that I played this game with my girlfriend (me being the mayor, and her being one of my town’s citizens) greatly helped me enjoy the game. Both of us cooperating on completing public works in our town and sharing the experience together was just pure fun. Other than this, the games music is so well done that it just feels cozy playing the game.

(5) The tale that this game plays out is supremely emotional and the way that it does it is expertly done. At first I was a bit skeptical about the dedicated joystick control for the two brothers that you control, but it ended up being a fantastic choice and one that added to the emotional impact it had on me. This, with the support of the fantastic soundtrack (which I still regularly listen to) and the great art, made for a fantastic game.

 

(6) On paper, this game probably sounds far from an enjoyable experience, but the way that this game paints its atmosphere is great. The way that the drab color scheme, with the communist inspired music, and the extremely harsh work/life conditions of the character all mixed is just fantastic. Don’t be dissuaded from the premise of the game, trust me, it’s really good.

(7) This game like several others on this list creates an atmosphere that just instantly draws you in.  Columbia, the game’s setting, is a city in the sky that is so lovingly crafted by Irrational that you wish you learnt more about it. The story was alright throughout but the ending was easily one of the two best ending in games. The only drawback that the game had for me was the combat, but that was not nearly enough for me to not enjoy this incredible game.

(8) After trying to play Assassins Creed III several times and not being able to get into that game, I thought the series had run its course for me. But after playing Assassins Creed IV, I’m glad that this is not the case. I think the game deserves a spot on my list because it manages to bring me back to a series that I thought I would be done with, which is a thing that many games rarely do. There are so many great aspects to Black Flag including the ship sailing, the shanties, the collectibles, and the superb graphics that it’s a must play. 

(9) I'm sure this game is a title that not many people would put on their top 10 but from the 80 or so hours I played of it, I feel it’s safe to say it was a great game. The game's launch was riddled with server problems, then later the game itself was filled with simulation problems, and finally its city sizes were way too small. But even with all of these setbacks, what Maxis tried to do with the game is supremely ambitious. The way that city data is displayed to the user is just incredible and is, safe to say, the most awesome data view of any game. The way that the city looks and sounds is great and easily the best out of any city simulation game. Now that there have been several major patches to the simulation code of the game (in addition to added features), I strongly encourage anyone interested in playing a simulation game to give this a try.

(10) I have never really been into Tomb Raider games so I thought this reboot wouldn't do much for me but I was pleasantly surprised. I felt that the combat in the game felt super fun and really hard hitting. I never got tired of the combat and that is a feat because I usually grow tired of combat in these types of games. Apart from this, the look of the game was really good. Playing this game on the PC really made this game stand out. Overall, I think it was really fin throughout and absolutely recommend anyone looking to play an action-adventure game to give this one a try.