I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the new game Alan Wake for the Xbox 360 next week; I've got my GameFly queue all ready for it t be sent to us.
In the meantime, however, I'm wanting to just play something for fun. I was playing Elder Scrolls: Arena (yeah, the very FIRST Elder Scrolls game that's contemporary with, I don't know, DOOM!) on my laptop, but that got me itching to retry Morrowind again. Since my original Xbox is all boxed up, I broke out my Game of the Year Edition to play on my 360.
Now to be fair, GotYE isn't on the list of backwards-compatible games, but the original Morrowind IS. I started up my character and went and joined the Mages Guild. I went through some of my duties, and was having a good time. Then this morning I left to take Cassandra to school. I came back, loaded up my disc, waited for the long wait while the emulator got itself set up to run the game....
... and watched the 360 freeze while trying to load my saved game.
I tried again.
And again.
Again.
Grrrrr...
I cleared my cache. Twice. Waited 10 minutes at one point, and kept getting the message that the game won't work...
... and answered with "YOU WERE JUST WORKING FINE THIS MORNING YOU PIECE OF $H!T!!!"
VERY upset (could you tell?) I tried to load an older saved game under the irrational thought of "maybe something's wrong with this area!"
... and it WORKED.
For a while.
Then later, I died (ok, my character, y'knew what I meant!). I went to reload my game.
ERROR MESSAGE!!!!
AAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!
Still trying to resolve the issue.
End of Demented Rambling.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Person From China, Stay Out of My E-Mail!
So I just signed into my Gmail account to publish a video I took of Lex doing a somersault to Facebook. I was greeted with a message from Google:
"Your account may have been compromised."
It turns out that someone from a Chinese IP address tried to access my Gmail account. Why? Who knows? I'm going to need to go back through the Sent folder and see if anything was sent via my account. Meanwhile, I've changed my password and my password retrieval method to something a little stronger.
What a pain in the ass.
End of Demented Rambling.
"Your account may have been compromised."
It turns out that someone from a Chinese IP address tried to access my Gmail account. Why? Who knows? I'm going to need to go back through the Sent folder and see if anything was sent via my account. Meanwhile, I've changed my password and my password retrieval method to something a little stronger.
What a pain in the ass.
End of Demented Rambling.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Dresden Files RPG
I think I've commented on how much I enjoy Jim Butcher's Dresden Files books. I recently got to read the latest release Changes, and was left wanting more for my fix... and then I was lucky enough to get my hands on the pre-release .pdfs for the upcoming Dresden Files RPG sent out to those who had pre-ordered the game from Evil Hat Productions.
According to what I've read on RPG.net the .pdfs are approximately 90% complete, with some revisions still being done for the final print release (due out around either Origins or GenCon of this year), but I'm hard-pressed to see WHERE such revisions are still needed! The game is, without question, fantastic. Previously I had held Eden Studio's Buffy RPG as the best example of a licensed product fitting its source, but I'm handing the title over to the Dresden Files RPG. (I'm going to shorten this to DFRPG)
DFRPG was written using the FATE system, just like another Evil Hat Productions RPG I've read, Spirit of the Century, but this is an updated version of FATE and has differences. Rather than compare the two, I'm just going to blab about the version in DFRPG! At its core FATE is a simple system using FUDGE dice to determine the results of dice rolls. What are FUDGE dice, you ask? They're a set of six-sided dice, but rather than pips numbered from 1-6, these dice have either a +, - , or ' ' (that's blank) on them. You roll 4 of these dice together, add up all the + signs you get, subtract any - signs from this total, and that gives you the results of your roll, which you then add to any modifiers you might have. Compare that total to the difficulty of your roll, and you've determined whether you've succeeded or not. A pretty simple core concept.
Adding depth to this system are Fate Points and Aspects. Aspects are items that add description to your character, either through a phrase, naming a person or organization important to that character, or describing a place or item that's important. Aspects are not only a way of describing your character, they're also a way for a player to tell the GM "Hey, I want THIS in the game!" In other words, if I take HUNTED BY THE BROTHERHOOD OF SKRANG as an Aspect, there damn well better be a Brotherhood of Skrang in the game, and it better be hunting my character! Beyond providing a description of your character, Aspects can also provide mechanical benefits to your character, or offer opportunities to gain Fate Points. Fate Points are used primarily to power certain abilities or to gain benefits from Aspects. By spending a Fate Point a player can invoke an appropriate Aspect to either give a small bonus on a skill roll, or allow the player to re-roll the dice for one skill roll (the player gets to choose). The GM can compel the character in some way through Aspects, either limiting the character's possible actions or introducing new elements to the game through the Aspect to make things more interesting. Players may also try to do this if they think of something neat or interesting. If a player agrees to be limited by the compel in some way, they get a Fate Point. They can choose to refuse to deal with the Compel by spending a Fate Point. I'll talk a little more about Aspects in a bit.
Characters are also represented through Skills, though in FATE skills represent a combination of actual skills (like Guns, for instance), attributes (Might as an example), and backgrounds (Resources fits this category). Skills will fall somewhere on the Ladder (a range of values from -2 to 8, with each value assigned an adjective to help players conceptualize what each value is worth), providing a base modifier for skill check results. So a character might have Guns at Good (+3), where they'll add the value of their dice roll and any other modifiers (like bonuses from Aspects) to that base +3 to get their result. The system also provides a category of abilities called Mortal Stunts that build off of skills and either enhance them (for example, providing an area of specialty for that skill), or providing new abilities to represent the character's excellence with the skill (like the ability to use Weapons to attack multiple opponents at once).
Then there are Supernatural Powers. These range from physical characteristics (Claws, Hulking Size, Wings) to shape shifting, to increased strength, speed, and toughness, to the ability to cast spells. Supernatural Powers each cost a variable amount of a character's Refresh value (the value which determines where how many Fate Points they have at the start of a session), so the more powers you take, the less Fate Points your character has to call on Aspects. (Note: Mortal Stunts cost refresh too, but it's a flat 1 Refresh per stunt, where Powers could be anywhere from 1 to... well, anything theoretically.)
To help create characters that fit in with the Dresden Files books, DFRPG provides a group of Templates that list powers the character MUST have to be that type of supernatural, as well as additional powers that fit thematically, but aren't needed. This helps players design character who fit into the power level of the game they're playing in (for example, if your base Refresh for the game starts at 6, the Wizard Template isn't going to work). Templates will also help players design their character's High Concept, an Aspect that normally MUST reference their Template in some way (for example, Harry Dresden's High Concept is WIZARD PRIVATE EYE).
Character creation is a group process, and players are encourage to figure out the title of the first "book" their character was the main character in (Harry Dresden, for example, would use Storm Front). They then summarize this book, and design an Aspect based on that bit of their background. Then the players pass their stories around the group (it's recommended that the stories get written down on index cards) so that another player may add a small bit detailing how THEIR character was a supporting character in the story, and designing an Aspect for their character based on this guest appearance. Then you repeat the process, assuming there are enough players to do so. In this way each character is tied to a couple other characters, helping to form group unity (or sometimes conflict). I REALLY like this part of character creation, as I've played in far too many games where I was left wondering why the characters were working together.
The magic system does an excellent job of emulating what we see in the books, though I would warn you that the system isn't (in my opinion) meant to be read all at once. As I read through the system I found I had an easier time digesting and processing it if I took the section in small snippets. Your experiences may vary, and all that, but I throw it out there as a point of caution.
DFRPG is being released as two books. The first book contains all the information I've discussed thus far, plus city creation rules (which is also encouraged to be a group activity), more rules on combat and other gaming elements, suggestions for building scenarios, and rules for character advancement. The second book is designed to present the setting of the books to players/gms, and is a mixture of setting material and monster manual, providing stats for every critter encountered in the books (assuming stats are appropriate for them). The layout on both books is excellent, and the RPG is presented as a project written by Billy the Werewolf (fans of Butcher's books might recognize the character), given to Harry and Bob the Skull to look over and edit. There are notes from Billy, Harry, and Bob all over the margins of both books, or provided on Post-it-notes. These notes are either amusing commentary, or helpful suggestions. The illustrations come from the graphic novels adapted from the books, and are generally very appropriate to nearby topics. Getting both books at the same time is going to set you back approximately $90, but the books are well worth it, and you'll be getting a reasonable page count for your money (the first book's .pdf weighs in at 416 pages, while the second book comes in at 272). Evil Hat also normally provides .pdf copies of print books ordered from their website (and anyone who has the "beta" pre-release pdfs will get updated ones once the book is officially released).
I'm very excited to play this game. I'm currently looking for players to participate in an online game over Google Wave (my dice roller can emulate FUDGE dice), and we've already gathered two players (not counting myself). I'm thinking about putting out an invitation on my Facebook Wall to try and gain the interest of my gaming friends.
If you're interested in reading more about DFRPG, check out the game's website at http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com where you check out plenty of previews, read the game designer blogs, and even download copies of the character sheet, or Harry Dresden's character sheet (aw, heck, here's the direct URL: http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Harry-Dresden.pdf). I'll be VERY eager to pick up physical copies of this game when it releases, though of course my budget will determine if I actually can. If you'd like more information about the books that have inspired this rpg, I'd encourage you to check out Jim Butcher's website at http://www.jim-butcher.com/ where you can read previews from some of the books, check out other books by Jim, read Jim's Blog, or even listen to a podcast!
End of Demented Rambling.
According to what I've read on RPG.net the .pdfs are approximately 90% complete, with some revisions still being done for the final print release (due out around either Origins or GenCon of this year), but I'm hard-pressed to see WHERE such revisions are still needed! The game is, without question, fantastic. Previously I had held Eden Studio's Buffy RPG as the best example of a licensed product fitting its source, but I'm handing the title over to the Dresden Files RPG. (I'm going to shorten this to DFRPG)
DFRPG was written using the FATE system, just like another Evil Hat Productions RPG I've read, Spirit of the Century, but this is an updated version of FATE and has differences. Rather than compare the two, I'm just going to blab about the version in DFRPG! At its core FATE is a simple system using FUDGE dice to determine the results of dice rolls. What are FUDGE dice, you ask? They're a set of six-sided dice, but rather than pips numbered from 1-6, these dice have either a +, - , or ' ' (that's blank) on them. You roll 4 of these dice together, add up all the + signs you get, subtract any - signs from this total, and that gives you the results of your roll, which you then add to any modifiers you might have. Compare that total to the difficulty of your roll, and you've determined whether you've succeeded or not. A pretty simple core concept.
Adding depth to this system are Fate Points and Aspects. Aspects are items that add description to your character, either through a phrase, naming a person or organization important to that character, or describing a place or item that's important. Aspects are not only a way of describing your character, they're also a way for a player to tell the GM "Hey, I want THIS in the game!" In other words, if I take HUNTED BY THE BROTHERHOOD OF SKRANG as an Aspect, there damn well better be a Brotherhood of Skrang in the game, and it better be hunting my character! Beyond providing a description of your character, Aspects can also provide mechanical benefits to your character, or offer opportunities to gain Fate Points. Fate Points are used primarily to power certain abilities or to gain benefits from Aspects. By spending a Fate Point a player can invoke an appropriate Aspect to either give a small bonus on a skill roll, or allow the player to re-roll the dice for one skill roll (the player gets to choose). The GM can compel the character in some way through Aspects, either limiting the character's possible actions or introducing new elements to the game through the Aspect to make things more interesting. Players may also try to do this if they think of something neat or interesting. If a player agrees to be limited by the compel in some way, they get a Fate Point. They can choose to refuse to deal with the Compel by spending a Fate Point. I'll talk a little more about Aspects in a bit.
Characters are also represented through Skills, though in FATE skills represent a combination of actual skills (like Guns, for instance), attributes (Might as an example), and backgrounds (Resources fits this category). Skills will fall somewhere on the Ladder (a range of values from -2 to 8, with each value assigned an adjective to help players conceptualize what each value is worth), providing a base modifier for skill check results. So a character might have Guns at Good (+3), where they'll add the value of their dice roll and any other modifiers (like bonuses from Aspects) to that base +3 to get their result. The system also provides a category of abilities called Mortal Stunts that build off of skills and either enhance them (for example, providing an area of specialty for that skill), or providing new abilities to represent the character's excellence with the skill (like the ability to use Weapons to attack multiple opponents at once).
Then there are Supernatural Powers. These range from physical characteristics (Claws, Hulking Size, Wings) to shape shifting, to increased strength, speed, and toughness, to the ability to cast spells. Supernatural Powers each cost a variable amount of a character's Refresh value (the value which determines where how many Fate Points they have at the start of a session), so the more powers you take, the less Fate Points your character has to call on Aspects. (Note: Mortal Stunts cost refresh too, but it's a flat 1 Refresh per stunt, where Powers could be anywhere from 1 to... well, anything theoretically.)
To help create characters that fit in with the Dresden Files books, DFRPG provides a group of Templates that list powers the character MUST have to be that type of supernatural, as well as additional powers that fit thematically, but aren't needed. This helps players design character who fit into the power level of the game they're playing in (for example, if your base Refresh for the game starts at 6, the Wizard Template isn't going to work). Templates will also help players design their character's High Concept, an Aspect that normally MUST reference their Template in some way (for example, Harry Dresden's High Concept is WIZARD PRIVATE EYE).
Character creation is a group process, and players are encourage to figure out the title of the first "book" their character was the main character in (Harry Dresden, for example, would use Storm Front). They then summarize this book, and design an Aspect based on that bit of their background. Then the players pass their stories around the group (it's recommended that the stories get written down on index cards) so that another player may add a small bit detailing how THEIR character was a supporting character in the story, and designing an Aspect for their character based on this guest appearance. Then you repeat the process, assuming there are enough players to do so. In this way each character is tied to a couple other characters, helping to form group unity (or sometimes conflict). I REALLY like this part of character creation, as I've played in far too many games where I was left wondering why the characters were working together.
The magic system does an excellent job of emulating what we see in the books, though I would warn you that the system isn't (in my opinion) meant to be read all at once. As I read through the system I found I had an easier time digesting and processing it if I took the section in small snippets. Your experiences may vary, and all that, but I throw it out there as a point of caution.
DFRPG is being released as two books. The first book contains all the information I've discussed thus far, plus city creation rules (which is also encouraged to be a group activity), more rules on combat and other gaming elements, suggestions for building scenarios, and rules for character advancement. The second book is designed to present the setting of the books to players/gms, and is a mixture of setting material and monster manual, providing stats for every critter encountered in the books (assuming stats are appropriate for them). The layout on both books is excellent, and the RPG is presented as a project written by Billy the Werewolf (fans of Butcher's books might recognize the character), given to Harry and Bob the Skull to look over and edit. There are notes from Billy, Harry, and Bob all over the margins of both books, or provided on Post-it-notes. These notes are either amusing commentary, or helpful suggestions. The illustrations come from the graphic novels adapted from the books, and are generally very appropriate to nearby topics. Getting both books at the same time is going to set you back approximately $90, but the books are well worth it, and you'll be getting a reasonable page count for your money (the first book's .pdf weighs in at 416 pages, while the second book comes in at 272). Evil Hat also normally provides .pdf copies of print books ordered from their website (and anyone who has the "beta" pre-release pdfs will get updated ones once the book is officially released).
I'm very excited to play this game. I'm currently looking for players to participate in an online game over Google Wave (my dice roller can emulate FUDGE dice), and we've already gathered two players (not counting myself). I'm thinking about putting out an invitation on my Facebook Wall to try and gain the interest of my gaming friends.
If you're interested in reading more about DFRPG, check out the game's website at http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com where you check out plenty of previews, read the game designer blogs, and even download copies of the character sheet, or Harry Dresden's character sheet (aw, heck, here's the direct URL: http://www.dresdenfilesrpg.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Harry-Dresden.pdf). I'll be VERY eager to pick up physical copies of this game when it releases, though of course my budget will determine if I actually can. If you'd like more information about the books that have inspired this rpg, I'd encourage you to check out Jim Butcher's website at http://www.jim-butcher.com/ where you can read previews from some of the books, check out other books by Jim, read Jim's Blog, or even listen to a podcast!
End of Demented Rambling.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The Death of the Sump Pump, and Setting Your Fiance on Fire
Today (technically, yesterday) was an interesting day. It felt like I spent most of it out of the house. After Lisa got back from dropping the kids off at school while I guarded the house from Lex I went on my merry quest to return our library books and pick up the new books that had come in on reserve.
One problem. When I got to the library I remember the big stack of books I was taking back were still on the kitchen counter.
Oops.
Not to be thwarted in both my tasks, I entered the library determined to find Lisa's three books and my single book, all of which the Internet told me were on the reserve shelves. One of the library staff was putting out new reserves as I arrived and I smiled to myself, thinking "oh good, if I need help there will be someone right there!"
Second mistake. (The first being that stack of library books which were definitely NOT back at the library.)
I wandered over to the reserves section clearly marked 'B' (as Lisa still uses her ex's last name). I glanced down the shelves to confirm that I was, in fact, at the start of the 'B' section, which I was. I looked through the name tags and found a suspicious lack of 'Bennett' books. The staff member asked what I was looking for, and I explained that three books should be waiting for me on the shelves. She checked her cart and confirmed that there were no books for 'Bennett' there either. I explained that our account showed the books as being in, but we had not yet received our e-mails confirming availability.
I was then directed to the checkout desk, where I patiently waited in the small line to speak with a librarian about the issue. She confirmed that I was looking for books, not DVDs or CDs, and then told me to wait a moment while she checked in the back. I did as I was instructed and waited. She returned to apologize - the books weren't in the back either! So I returned to the reserve section to look again, just as a third staff member was wheeling out a cart which had several other 'B' reserves that had somehow failed to make it onto the first cart.
"What luck!" thought I, but alas, this cart also lacked the books I needed. I was about to question my sanity (always a good idea when your Rambling, right?) when the first staff member looked under the 'A' section and said, "Well the 'B's start here... oh, look! Here are your books!"
Apparently I have been mistaken for many years. The 'B' section does not begin where the shelf tags mark 'B' as starting... they start wherever the hell the library staff (who apparently are not required to understand alphabetizing) decide they start... and just because you are currently shelving books in a section does not apparently mean you actually have any knowledge of where anything is within that section.
Needless to say I grabbed the book reserved under my name and fled, before my grey matter could be sucked from my ears by the help. Thank the gods that checkout is automated! The computer and I had an insightful conversation regarding my library card number and library PIN number, as well as how I had a book waiting on me... I love that computerized checkout system!
I then went over to my parents on an errand, helped my mother remove a leaf from their dining room table, and had a long conversation regarding Cassandra and school. I won't repeat it, as it would require far more background information than I want to Ramble about to give you any sort of context. Suffice to say, we talked a while. I left and got gas in the car and made a quick stop at the bank, and then finally got home around 1:30.
I ate a quick lunch (left over asparagus pesto pizza topped in fontina and romano cheeses, and some vegetarian pot pie... mmmmmm!!!), and then Lisa and I bundled up Lex, grabbed the Library Books of Shame from the counter, and left to pick up the kids from school. We got there EXACTLY on time, meaning that I didn't need to bring The Hobbit (I'm refreshing my memory on it since I haven't read it since the Sixth Grade) with me.
From there we went BACK to the library, where I redeemed my earlier dishonor. Go me!
Next to Wal-Mart where Lisa picked up weed-killer, a new set of sheers, cilantro & mint herbs to plant, a new toothbrush (she's not planting that), and I got some more soap (I might plant that, but not it's not very likely) and looked at the prices of wood burning pens (I've needed a new rune set for some 8 years now, and I'm determined I'll make them myself, dammit). Some paint brushes so Lisa can finish painting the bathroom (if you want it don't well, DO NOT SEND ME, I PROMISE NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY YOU WILL NEED TO REPAINT), and then finally...
... home. Well, not immediately, because of course the scanner couldn't register the first roller Lisa got, so she had to run back and get another one. With a Wal-Mart manager standing right next to the cashier who could have used a walkie-talkie to get someone in painting to read us the price or barcode, or gone back herself... gotta love Wal-Mart!
Ok, so then home. And if you've made it through that you're probably going "I've been screwed, his title promised pyrotechnics and plumbing!" Fear not!
Dinner tonight was chicken kabobs on the grill (Lisa has a fancier name, but I don't remember it, and it's freaking kabobs so... KABOBS!!!). After discovering that the recipe did NOT call for Rice Vinegar like she had thought, but rather Rice WINE, Lisa had me go to Kroger to procure the cooking alcohol. 3rd trip to that store in as many days. One day we'll get a complete list for the week, but I don't know when. I explored Kroger up and down before finally finding what I believed to be the Rice Wine (it was), and a bottle of Sake just in case I was wrong and it could be used as a substitute (it can, but we didn't need to). Then back home.
While I was upstairs playing the game of "But Lex, Mommy Needs Me Downstairs so You Have to Stop Crying and Let Me Leave While You Play With Your Brother and Sister" that I love so much, Lisa got the grill out and got ready to start it up. Now, to let you know, the grill hates Lisa, and the feeling is returned by her. The other day she successfully lit it... well, successfully if you consider the fact that after 10 minutes of pre-heating it was barely past 200 degrees and I could barely tell the burners were on (considering the recipe called for the grill to be on 'High'). Despite her disputes with the grill, she decided to make another go at it...
... and when she came upstairs she informed me that her eyelashes were gone and so was some of the hair. I thought she was kidding. Then I stepped in close and smelled that unmistakable burnt hair smell, saw the shorter-than-normal eyelashes, and the much-shorter strip of hair and realized that she had actually created a mini-fireball with the grill.
(Just to confirm, she's ok, though her eyelids were burned and she can't quite apply vanilla to stop the burn from everywhere... oh, and from now on I'm starting the grill.)
I THINK she might have sprayed too much PAM on the grill before lightning it. I know I've had some spectacular pyrotechnics with the stuff when I've applied it to my lit grill without thinking. At least that's what I hope it was; I'd hate to have it happen again.
So dinner was had, and it was good, even though one kabob didn't cook all the way through, and Cassandra whined about the cooked red pepper (because she doesn't like red pepper cooked, you see). During clean up I headed downstairs to put some things away and noticed the walls were looking... moist.
For background, our sump pump has a habit of needing us to manually trigger the float; when we let it go, the basement starts flooding. So I pulled off the cover and prodded the float with a handy-dandy piece of quarter-round left over from the houses construction...
... and watched as the sump pump FAILED to turn on.
I unplugged it, and then plugged it back in.
Nothing.
I went to the circuit breaker, tripped the proper breaker, powered it back on and tried the Float again.
Nothing.
I plugged something else to the socket to confirm the socket worked properly. It does. I plugged the pump back in.
Nothing.
So the sump pump is dead, I've got a tank nearly full of water, a basement on the verge of flooding...
... and apparently a trip to Lowe's in store for me tomorrow while I price out sump pumps and try to figure out A) can I install this myself, B) if I can, how will I drain the tank, and C) if I can't, who do I call that doesn't include limbs on their bill?
Hello Bad Day, unpleasant to see you, go the hell away. Now. Get. Shoo!
End of Demented Rambling.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Semi-Vegetarian
Ok, so on the 2nd I went to my doctor for a physical (trying to keep up with those preventative check-ups, you know?). We got the results back and they were... well, mixed. On the plus side of things, my overall cholesterol was well within acceptable amounts, and my blood work showed absolutely average for any indicators of Type II Diabetes. On the negative, my triglycerides are through the roof. The verdict? Pretty much the one I knew I needed before I went: lose weight, and exercise more.
So exercising is already going on. I'm using the Wii Fit and the EA Sports Active exercise programs to help get my body used to working out again. Once I feel ready I'm going to join Lisa in doing the P90x program (probably one of the lower intensity programs). So we have the exercise change ready to go.
As far as my diet is concerned... well, the physical happened to time just right for Lisa's desire to start lowering the amount of meat we consume as a family. Even though vegetarian diets tend to actually lead to weight gain (lots of carbs), we're hoping that by going semi-vegetarian we can reduce the need to increase carbs, and even make it easier for me to go on no-carb diets, as my body seems to respond well to them.
We've been trying out some vegetarian dishes. Spinach & mushroom lasagna, a hot pot soup, vegetarian pot pie. Tonight we're doing a vegetarian chili. Lots of beans with this change of diet... and, correspondingly, a lot more [insert crude humor joke here].
I'll post as new things develop... and hopefully the posts will be good news!
End of Demented Rambling.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Movie Review: Shutter Island
Last night Lisa and I went to see "Shutter Island" on the big screen. We had different reactions to it. But first, a little bias on my part. I am not a big mystery fan; I just can't seem to get through mystery books. My favorite murder mystery movie is "Murder By Death"... specifically because it makes fun of the genre (and it's funny as hell). I also enjoy the Nero Wolfe series that was on A&E because of how odd Wolfe is. But I've tried Patterson and others... and I just can't get into them. Further, I've avoided any movie with Leonardo Dicaprio like the plague. Yes, that includes Titanic. I don't know why... I've just never had a desire to watch him.
So with that out of the way, let's talk about Shutter Island.
We decided to go see this movie after viewing one trailer online. We both agreed that it looked like a fun, scary movie. Knowing little more than the trailer and that it was based on a book, we set off to see the movie the second night it was open.
Shutter Island is about a pair of Federal Marshals in the 1950s who go to a mental institution for the criminally insane in search of a patient who has vanished. The institution is on an island with only one way on or off - a ferry. Edward Daniels (Dicaprio) has a problem with water and we quickly learn of a tragedy in his past. His wife died in a fire in their apartment. The two Marshals are met with odd restrictions and resistance from the staff at the institution and quickly become trapped on the island due to a hurricane. The mystery deepens as we learn that Daniels has an a secret motive behind working this case and that all is not as it seems on Shutter Island... including a twist at the end of the movie.
There is some great acting in this movie. Dicaprio does a good job, though his character is so hard-boiled that there isn't much emotional range needed. When emotion is called for, however, Dicaprio does deliver. Further, Ben Kingsley does an excellent job as Dr. Cowley, the doctor in charge of the institution. You get a genuine sense that Cowley wants to help his patients with a more humane series of treatments than most psychiatric facilities provide during the time period. Even when I suspected that Cowley might be a nefarious genius behind diabolical experiments I STILL wanted him to be a good guy. Mark Ruffalo, on the other hand, comes off flat. At the end of the movie I had a hard time believing that his character was qualified for his job. (Yes I'm aware that my statement is vague, but I don't want to spoil anything.)
The visual quality of the movie is fantastic. There were no scenes in which I had any problems seeing what was going on because of lighting issues. The sets were well-designed, especially for the flashback scenes at the Dachau concentration camp.
The only production element I took issue with was the sound, though this might have been a problem with the theater's sound equipment. At one point there is a gun shot in the movie. The scene is meant to be suspenseful, and the gun shot is meant to make the audience jump - except that it can't because we're expecting it. I jumped anyway because the gun shot was so much louder than what I expected. I actually suspect that this was done intentionally - the director knew we weren't going to be shocked by a simple gun shot, so he increased the volume so we'd jump because our ear drums hurt so much.
Shutter Island was not a scary movie - the trailers are completely off. It isn't even really suspenseful. At no time did I worry about Daniels' life, and I'd figured out a lot of the plot elements before the real climax of the movie. The reality of the big twist threw me for a loop though, but not in a way that I appreciated because it failed to finish off what I had felt was a great movie. The story I had been enjoying was gone, replaced with... well, something else.
Don't get me wrong, I may not have liked the ending, but I don't regret having seen the movie. Further, the movie has gotten me interested in reading the book (purchased my copy today), and what better result can a movie inspired by a book have than to interest a viewer in reading the book?
If you haven't seen this movie, you should consider checking it out with no expectations of being scared. If you're a mystery fan there's a good chance you'll have a different reaction than I did. Lisa loved Shutter Island. If I actually had a rating system for movies, I'd give this a solid three Demented Ramblings out of five.
End of Demented Rambling.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Oh My Gods... Someone Reads This!
I was just informed that my friend Tom Gerlitzki knew about my birthday... from reading this blog!
Someone reads this! I'm actually going to need to start watching what I say!
Ok, this is a crappy post after 10 days (but anyone reading this is used to MUCH LONGER breaks between posts), but I felt the silly need to acknowledge that someone is actually reading this. Yay!!!!
(Side Note: Mass Effect 2 rocks hard core. If you haven't played it, you should. If you don't have an Xbox 360... shame on you. If you don't have a PC that can run it... get a 360!!!)
End of Demented Rambling.
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