The Wolf Among Us: Episode One: Faith Review

Telltale has done it again, crafting yet another addictively compelling narrative. Set in the fascinating world of Fabletown, a New York neighborhood where all the characters from various fairy tales and folklore live. You play as Bigby Wolf (The Big Bad Wolf), the sheriff, as you try and keep the fairy tale creatures protected from those in the real world as well as each other. Coming off of the astounding success of The Walking Dead, Telltale has delivered another fantastic comic book adaptation, but more surprising is the fact that The Wolf Among Us improves on every facet of the adventure game formula they seemingly perfected last time. Better written and voiced, each character breathes life into a world bursting with details and intricacies the likes of which are rare in any video game genre but near absent in modern adventure games. Character animations and scene transitions are smoother making it more seamless than ever, even the technical blemishes that plague The Walking Dead have been ironed out.

The first episode of The Wolf Among Us plays out like a typical detective story, searching for clues in the environment and questioning people for answers. The way Telltale ties all the different fairy tales together is astounding and easily one of the most engaging aspects of the entire game. Bigby is a tad to cliche, with a gravely voice worn down by chain smoking and whiskey; the stereotypical noir detective in a brutally violent rendition of fairy tale lore. Gameplay is choice focused with bursts of button prompt actions that are more fluid and exciting than those from The Walking Dead. The games striking aesthetic are achieved through impressive lighting and a comic book heavy outline. The game is dense with references and names from the decades of comic book history and can be overwhelming but the story smartly focuses on the characters involved, and what a bunch of characters they are. Without a single weak link or lacking moment this first episode of The Wolf Among Us is a massive technical and storytelling accomplishment for a developer who seems to be getting more proficient in its execution with each new endeavor.

(5 out of 5)

A Month of Terror Continued ...

Oct 14th - The Frighteners (3 out of 5)

The Frighteners is a dark comedy, that balances at the time state of the art technology with a unique and compelling story lead by the affable Michael J. Fox. It's not as funny nor as scary as it thinks it is, but all the actors involved sell it, making even the more outlandish moments, either of violence or gags, work. Notable for necessitating the creation of Weta Workshop, who would later go on to design the magnificent Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Frighteners is groundbreaking for its use of many special effects techniques that are still used today. The Frighteners was personal favorite growing up, but the times have not been kind to the film as actors had yet been trained to stare at tennis balls on sticks where CGI would take over and very obviously stare blankly into nothingness. The film, like so many of Peter Jackson's oeuvre, is a tad too long and leans to heavily on the effects rather than the story or its characters.


Oct 15th - Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (3 out of 5)

While the Orphanage which I reviewed a few days back projected horror elements unto very real parental fears, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark uses children's fears. Abandonment, not being believed, and more simply, the dark, are all used to alienate young Sally away from her parents and forcing her to confront whatever evil lives beneath the house. Unfortunately every character makes stupid choices simply to propel the plot to a place where scary things can happen, it's very often frustrating as every problem appears to have a simple solution that hilariously eludes all characters involved. The monsters are very particularly aimed at children's fears, they creep around in the darkness and eat children's teeth. The film does a great job setting up the back story for these little creatures, going so far as to making them the inspiration for the  tooth fairy. It's a suitable creepy antagonist for a horror film, but one that is much more frightening to children than a logical adult. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark would probably haunt a young child for years to come, but most adults will simply enjoy the creepy atmosphere and the slowly revealed nature of these beasts.

Oct 16th - Ju-on (3 out of 5)

Ju-on is the film The Grudge was based on, and this original release is an exact replica of the Hollywood remake. Unfortunately I saw the remake years ago and thus this near shot for shot original is less impactful but still plenty creepy, just never truly terrifying as the first time watching The Grudge at age 13. The film is cheaply made and thus some of the horror relies on simple make-up and contortionist skills and that can sometimes be quite frightening as your imagination fills in the rest. There are some legitimately unsettling moments as the filmmakers up-heave the traditional safety nets of horror films, having the spirits strike in the most ordinary places. If you had to watch one, I doubt it would matter which as the two films are near identical, but whichever you watch stick with it as the original nor remake are different enough to enjoy individually.

Oct 17th - The Woman in Black (2 out of 5)

Painfully traditional in its pacing, The Woman in Black gets bogged down setting up a haunted house atmosphere instead of delivering actual thrills. Cliched to a fault, the film never truly comes into its own as it replicates near exact moments from other more famous horror films. The apparition in the film also doesn't have any clear motivation, nor does the main character so the proceedings become increasingly bewildering as any side of this supernatural struggle could just as easily walk away, instead the creaking floorboards and shadows at the end of the hall persist till the end never culminating in a logical and satisfying way. I appreciate The Woman in Black for trying to deliver a creepy haunted house rather than a relentless thrill ride but it doesn't burrow deep enough under your skin to make the few scares memorable.

Oct 18th - Martyrs (2 out of 5)

I still have no clue what this movie was trying to do, it is so many things and none of those things even remotely comes close to being coherent. A brutal revenge film, a psychotic haunting, gruesome torture, violent cults. The film bounces around delivering plenty of thrills but not so many scares, as the insanity of it all makes it more perplexing than outright scary. Though the events that transpire throughout are unquestionably terrifying in their relentless sadism they struggle to deliver anything more than an incoherent string of interesting but poorly executed ideas. The first 30 minutes of the movie are fantastic and fascinating but are quickly dispatched of in favor of a nauseating left field twist that devolves into existential ramblings from an unfocused and unclear script. Martyrs is defiantly the most interesting movie I've seen in the Month of Terror feature, but I also struggle to understand its intent or message. Absolutely crazy and never not entertaining Martyrs is at least a fascinating failure and a brutally savage film that is far more experimental than most entries in this increasingly stale genre.

Oct 19th - Mama (4 out of 5)

Mama scared the bejesus out of me, with a skillful mix of scary lingering images and sounds along with outright terrifying moments. There are some frustrating moments as with any horror movie where character seems to not take a hint and put themselves in danger for the sake of drumming up a few more scares. I also didn't like the tone shifting so often, the film starts off incredibly dark as a father of two young girls is about to shot them and commit suicide until the titular mama comes intervenes. The story then becomes more classic ghost story, with the children being haunted as mama refuses for anyone to get close to them as an over protective surrogate mother. Then in the final moments the story absconds with a satisfying ending with an unnecessarily dark one that didn't sit well with me. But the scares are varied enough and the actors involved deliver convincing performances even when the script is fairly generic. There isn't much depth to Mama and the revelation as to why this supernatural creature is raising these girls is something audiences have seen before but the movie overall is quite an intense thrill ride and easily worth the paranoid way you'll look around your dark house at night.

Beyond: Two Souls Review

Beyond: Two Souls is the latest game from Quantic Dream, and a significant leap forward in terms of performance capture in video games, it's just a shame it had to be attached to such an uneven and frustrating game. The game follows Jodie Holmes, played wonderfully by Ellen Page, as a girl with a mysterious entity intrinsically connected to her since birth. This entity, named Aiden, is mischievous and highly protective of Jodie. What follows is an in-depth look at her life's journey as well as an exploration into the realm Aiden's more malevolent brethren live. Beyond plays very much like Quantic Dream's previous release, Heavy Rain, with ever present button prompts and clunky character control. Disappointing in its non-advancement, Beyond attempts to delve deep into a characters psyche but trips up indulging in every whim the creative team thought interesting.

While there are some incredibly compelling moments throughout, Beyond Two Souls is poorly written and inconsistent as it fails to pack the emotional punch it so desperately attempts to doll out. A non-linear story makes the already near incomprehensible plot even more disjointed and while providing a sort of highlight reel of Jodie's life it can be quite jarring switching between these significant moments of her life, as her opinions and beliefs all change off-screen. The game also seems to be an excuse for David Cage to design anything and everything he has ever wanted CIA, ghosts, hobos, but the less is more mentality would have kept the experience more focused, instead of the slapdash whirlwind that is the final product. Beyond is at its best when the weight of its phenomenal performances are on display, boosted by real actors, both Ellen Page and Willem Dafoe give impressively subtle performances that sell an otherwise ridiculous zigzagging script.

Beyond's gameplay is a sloppy mess that mixes feigned choices with indecipherable quick time events. The non-choices you make throughout the game alter minor scenes or dialogue but ultimately culminate in the same exact place. Other games like The Walking Dead series from Telltale successfully tricked players into thinking their choices mattered, but here the game will quite literally play itself without player input, which makes for a frustrating user experience. As for the quick time events, instead of big button prompts, the game will slow down during action scenes allowing you time to flick the right analog stick in the direction of motion to continue said action unabated, though it's sometimes hard to determine which direction is required. But to reiterate, regardless of your performance in any moment the game will propel you towards a successful conclusion, it only alters the level of said success.

At certain times during the game you can switch to Aiden, who, as a floating spirit can manipulate certain objects in the environments and even bestow Jodie with a few choice powers like a protective shield, or more actively aggressive abilities such as asphyxiation. Aiden frequently intervenes at Jodie's request, another limitation placed on an already deceptively choice riddled game. Aiden while all powerful and ever present cannot be summoned at will, there are instances where the powerful entity would seem helpful but the player is rebuffed by a non-responsive switch button. Aiden will most often be used in navigation puzzles, to help Jodie progress through areas she normally wouldn't be able to only to disappear to protect her from armed guerrilla forces.

Beyond: Two Souls is occasionally stunning, with ground breaking performances and some incredible visuals but the sloppy storytelling betray the cinematic illusion. The game is frustrating as David Cage seems more keen on indulging his every interest rather than crafting a focused and compelling game. While wonky controls and illusions of choice coupled with a convoluted plot mitigate any real connection a player might have. Beyond almost succeeds on the shoulders of the performances and graphics alone but uneven storytelling and self-indulgent game design gnaw at the player all the way up to the eye roll inducing finale.

 (2 out of 5)

A Month of Terror

Testing my Sanity... One.... Two... Scream !!!!

I'm going to be doing a new updating feature inspired by Patrick Klepeck over at Giantbomb.com. In honor of this months holiday, I'm going to subject myself to a horror movie every night. Each night my tolerance will be tested until the mounting weight of that signature shadow just outside of view and the noises from unknown sources finally break me. For the sake of my own sanity I'll be mixing in some horror/comedies as well as nontraditional horror movies, but for the most part this feature will be a growing list of hauntings, killers, and the possessed. So pull the blanket up to your face and follow along if you can stand the tension.
*this will be a loooonnnggg feature, so get ready to scroll for updates*

Oct 5th - Gravity (5 out of 5)

Starting with an unconventional horror movie, Gravity. A breathtaking and nerve-raking experience that transports you into this painstakingly detailed environment that will fool you in its validity for its duration. Gravity stars an understated yet powerful Sandra Bullock in a deftly told allegorical story of rebirth. A simple premise propelled by staggering visuals and a compelling performance. Gravity needs not but seconds to thrust its way into your brain and refuse to let go, it's a powerhouse science-fiction film in a genre that has all but given up reveling in the realities of science. This film feels like a sincere fist-pump in the name of scientific progress that not only shows the ingenuity of our race but celebrates our limitations and flaws. This is a movie that shan't be seen in any other way than IMAX 3D it is a legitimately awe-inspiring experience that is easy to lose yourself in. Movie so rarely surprise lately, regurgitating known quantities, content with easy guaranteed hits but Gravity is an astonishing breath of fresh air. A harrowing and beautifully told story that encapsulates everything that makes the cinematic movie-going experience so precious.

Oct 7th - The Conjuring (5 out of 5)

The Conjuring is a measured and precisely executed horror film with a old school feel. The Conjuring made a bad impression on me when it was rated R by the MPAA for simply being too terrifying, the film has very little blood or violence and it has no nudity, language or particularly unsavory material. When I first heard this I rolled my eyes, "What a cheap publicity stunt," I thought, but boy was I wrong. The Conjuring has easily jumped up to one of my all time favorite horror films. Mixing elements from different horror films it avoids repetition by changing up the threats. It's a horror movie made with such love for the genre it's impossible not to appreciate the restrained nature of the proceedings inspired by the classics and drowned out by the recent flood of cheap frantic shock horror that while effective is devoid of any lasting impression. This film takes its time building suspense and raising the stakes so that when terror strikes it is truly frightening in a way that really gets under your skin and makes you think twice about ignoring that feeling of somebody watching you. Unnerving for its entirety, The Conjuring manages to scare like the best of them without succumbing to cheap tricks and excessive violence. An absolute treat for those who like their horror movies more like "Smarties" and less like "Butterfingers".

Oct 8th - The House of the Devil (2 out of 5)

This film felt like a giant trick with no treat payoff. The House of the Devil revels in the longest of build-ups but then delivers a predictable and unsatisfying revelation too far into the film that you'll struggle to care about by the time it finally comes around. The 70's horror film inspired aesthetic is pulled off really well, going so far as to mimicking old cinematography in a way that any movie buffs are sure to get a kick out of. But other than the general look and feel of the film, The House of the Devil is a letdown that contains zero scares, and even less memorable moments. Aficionados may be slightly entertained but casual viewers should stay well clear of this cheap plodding film.

Oct 9th - American Horror Story: Coven S03E01 (3 out of 5)

American Horror Story continues its unique anthology premise with a new time period, characters and mysteries. Coven centers around witches in New Orleans and is a return to form after a zanier inconsistent second season. Strong performances from a supremely talented cast and a fantastic setting mark an exciting direction for the series. An overly stylized look with fish eyed lenses and camera shots that look like their filmed by a drunken operator as well as cringe-worthy pop-culture references and sometimes clunky blunt dialogue hold back an otherwise fantastic production. As the first episode of a renowned plot twist heavy series it's impossible to tell where the show will be in say, 5 episodes, but this introduction sets the stage up wonderfully. The show continues to sidestep the "horror" portion of its title serving up more craziness than scares, as the scariest moment of this episode was a date rape scenario that while unquestionably scary was uncomfortably realistic. This series has always given off a strangely hypnotic hyper-sexualized and violent kooky nature that I can see really benefiting from this particular setting and theme.

Oct 9th - The Innkeepers (4 out of 5)

The Innkeepers has a subdued tone that masks an existential look at the true fears of life that unfortunately uses too many conventional horror tropes as its crutch. With two compelling dorky leads the film eschews a few formulaic elements and plants the seeds for broader human fears of abandonment, isolation and lack of ambition. The film knows that the truly unsettling things are shrouded in ambiguity, a mysterious noise with seemingly no source which could have just as easily been in your head. This is where The Innkeepers excels, when it plays with your preconceptions on what is scary. It's easy to fear a chainsaw wielding maniac but when you can't even figure out what you're scared of it opens up so many new and terrifying avenues. An ambiguous ending caps the entire film off perfectly leaving you, just like the characters, wondering what, if anything, was real.

Oct 10th - Halloween (2 out of 5)

Imagine my surprise when one of the most revered horror films of all time fell completely flat. I suspect that all the imitators that came after lessened the impact of what at the time must have been genre defining moments. Unfortunately I've been sullied by the times and felt the film was tedious and predictable. Michael Myers makes a formidable boogeyman but other than his inexplicable invincibility there is really nothing here beyond a simple slasher film. I was supremely disappointed by Halloween, as I was expecting some revelatory experience, instead I was surprised it was ever considered frightening at all.

Oct 11th - Sinister (1 out of 5)

Sinister is painfully boring and convoluted. A horrendous script that seems to think spending 15 minutes on a martial dispute is time well spent in a horror film and cliche ridden clunky dialogue that will attempt to force you to slit your wrists. The film is staggeringly un-frightening and at times unintentionally hilarious, which all makes for a tedious experience. The film also bogs down in details of an ancient Babylonian deity while never explaining the plot holes riddled elsewhere. Sinister is a film so pretentious in its execution it makes for a great target to point at laugh at. Attempting to subvert genre conventions in the last few minutes of the movie do nothing to elevate what is otherwise a soulless carcass of modern horror tropes.

Oct 12th - The Orphanage (4 out of 5)

The Orphanage has a palpable atmosphere that while never truly terrifying is always unsettling. The film was enjoyably throughout, with a story and characters first mentality the scares come naturally as the reality of the situation reveals itself along with the true nature of the horrors. Strong performances propel a nontraditional horror film that prays on real parental fears. One of the most refreshing aspects of the movie was the non-antagonistic apparitions. The "monsters" in this movie exist but they aren't forcefully trying to eject the new tenants, this is a great change of pace for the normally evil-for-no-reason ghosts that plague other movies of this ilk. It's unfortunately predictable but The Orphanage is moody and thoughtful, slowly unraveling its mysteries and horrors in an emotionally grounded way that helps sell the final revelations.

Oct 13th - Trick 'r Treat (3 out of 5)

Trick 'r Treat is a breezy exploration of the multifaceted Halloween mythology that is just as heavy on laughs as on scares. Touching on just about every classic horror baddie as well as couching each story in a traditional moral lesson. It makes the film feel rather childish, but in a good way, like a playful scary feature. If this film had been around when I was younger it would have scared me to death, but I imagine I would have looked back fondly on the film. The film is an interconnected anthology in which several characters have their own journeys on this particular Halloween night, but all vaguely intersect at least once throughout this faithful night. It allows the filmmakers to dabble in all the classic stories and myths while even changing up the tone to suit a particular story thread. Trick 'r Treat is a fun, albeit unsurprising horror anthology in a genre that can sometimes use a shake-up and while this movie doesn't deliver any tectonic shifts it does provide enough fun moments to entertain on a spooky night in.