Loss by Ronald Franklin

About a year ago, I read Ronald Franklin's first book Obin (at least, it was the first one I stumbled upon in the iBooks store). As I pointed out in my previous post, I enjoyed that one quite a bit - so it was only natural that I tried a sample of his second book Loss. Finishing the prologue, I immediately bought the ebook and read it from cover to cover the next few days (I'm not a fast reader mind you!).

Quite different from the first science fiction story of this author, Loss takes you (as the title might suggest) on a much more personal and emotional journey. As dramatic and tense as the chapters are, the main characters still manage to utter the occasional catchy phrase that make you smile or at times even laugh.
Especially the antagonist, a somewhat typical 70s or 80s spy movie villain I'd say, is portrayed in a way that you have no choice but to hate him from the very beginning until the exciting end.

After finishing the book, I realised some kind of underlying message that I found to be intricately woven into the story. Unfortunately, I think that people who aren't regularly confronted with loss (like I am due to my occupation) might miss this so very delicate part of the novel. It's a shame, really, for it adds so much depth to the story.

Verdict: in my opinion, Loss is quite an enjoyable little science fiction novel. I'm eagerly awaiting another book from Franklin, hoping there's actually going to be one...

Mass Effect 3 Controversy

I finished Mass Effect 3 last weekend.

*** Spoiler Alert ***

If you haven't played the game yet and plan on doing so

DO NOT READ AHEAD!

At first, like many, many others I was very confused with the ending.

I didn’t get it.

It didn’t make sense.

The entire God Child sequence seemed weird and the given options were unsatisfying at best.

So I turned to the web to see what other players were saying, and came across the Indoctrination Theory. I was baffled to say the least.

Throughout the entire game series (all three titles), I have always taken the Paragon approach. That, of course, resulted in me choosing the (blue) Control Option in the end, simply because it seemed that except for Shepard everyone would live, and after all, why shouldn’t the hero die at the end of a tremendous trilogy?

Well, that was what I thought, listening to the manipulating little SOB (God Child).

BioWare had done it.

Even though again and again I, the player, was reminded what indoctrination meant, what the symptoms were, in what way the effects would be felt, I ignored all (!) the signs.

I remember playing through the numerous dream sequences in ME3 thinking this could quite possibly be the beginning of a Reaper’s takeover of Shepard’s mind - I thought that, but dismissed it and forgot about it afterwards.

When Shepard got up after being hit by Harbinger's death ray, I noticed the unlimited ammo of the gun (which was not the gun my Shepard character had when she ran towards the beam by the way though it was lying right next to her when she awoke). The radio chatter told me there were no survivors though my Shepard character was obviously standing there, slowly but steadily approaching the beam. I noticed I couldn’t hurt the keeper in that strangely un-Citadel-like yet somehow familiar part of the Citadel. Also, Anderson, who miraculously had no injuries what so ever, could not be hurt with the weapon. I noticed it, and dismissed it the next second.

When the God Child told me, the Illusive Man’s way of thinking was the blue path (which translated “right path” in my mind), I accepted it, even though just seconds before I had been thinking how weirdly husk-like the Illusive Man looks and that he must be under Reaper control - that he is the enemy, even more so now that he’s obviously been indoctrinated.

I didn’t listen to what the God Child said, I just heard what I wanted to hear, what I was “programmed” to hear. The seemingly Renegade option (red) had to be the bad choice, the God Child had to mean that choosing this path would result in Shepard’s death as well as the annihilation of the Geth (who I had happily reunited with the Quarians some hours ago the very same day) and even worse the destruction of the mass relays. I now see, that the God Child never said that, he never said Shepard would die as he prominently did with the other two options. But I heard it nonetheless, because I believed it.

The Synthesis option sounded very weird, very interesting on some level, interesting in the sense that I had to see the result just to see it - not to live with it (I actually played through all options just to see the different outcomes).

So BioWare did it.

Over the course of the three games, they had in fact managed to blind the player (me) that much, that I (the player) didn’t realise that I (the player! not Shepard) was the one actually being manipulated, being programmed, being indoctrinated.

Wow!

In shame I bow my head to have let my beloved Shepard character do what through three instalments of the game I always fought to prevent.

For the past few days, I’ve been thinking about that - imagine your thoughts being occupied by the actions you took at the end of a “mere” computer game. That’s incredible in and of itself.

I can only most humbly congratulate BioWare on their ingenious game design.

You got me! You really did!

I thought I did everything right.

Everything!

All the time!

But in the end, my choices led to my Shepard’s demise, because I actively ignored all the many signs.

Always remember that evil can only be fought with and defeated by evil.

Evil will prevail over good each and every time ‘cause there will always be a situation where the good will reach an impasse, a decision they cannot make for the cost to them is to high. Evil doesn’t care.

Thanks for reminding me, BioWare, and thanks for a wonderful experience!

I’m looking forward to the “clarifying” DLC…

Obin by Ronald Franklin

Well, it's been a while since my last post but I've come across something definitely worth mentioning.

A particular science fiction story caught my eye when I was recently browsing Apple's iBooks store on my iPad:

Obin by Ronald Franklin

The unassuming short title of this about 200 pages long ebook and the brief description sparked my interest. As a big Star Trek and Stargate fan I decided to put down the two bucks and purchased it. I didn't regret it.

The yet mostly unknown author manages to hold the reader in suspense at the end of nearly each sub chapter, leaving one continually wanting to read on. The science fiction ideas presented throughout the mysterious story, though some not new, are put together in a very fitting and convincing way with believable characters.

Though admittedly, there are some "slow" chapters in the middle, the last fifty or so pages culminate in an intriguing and dramatic finale comparable to blockbuster science fiction motion pictures.

If you like science fiction like Star Trek, Alien and such, this book is a must read!

Find the ebook at Apple's iBooks, Barnes & Nobles and Lulu.

Game: Torchlight first on Steam for Mac

I like Torchlight very much, I liked it on the PC and I very much like that it was the first "professional" non-Valve game to hit the new Mac-Steam store.

It's very pleasing to the eye, gameplay is straight forward and with all the in-game help (explanations everywhere - in a very positive sense and an unintrusive way) you feel at home (instead of lost) from the first second of playing to the end (haven't been there yet).

If you like dungeon crawlers, try Torchlight - available on Steam for Mac and PC!

Game: Dirt 2 - what a game!

I'm not one for racing games, I'm not a car driver either.
But some weeks ago, I felt the urge to play a racing game again.

So I had a look in the Steam store only to find Dirt 2 selling together with four other racing games for only 16 bucks (some weekend special offer it was).
Long story short, I've been playing this game ever since now.

The visuals are stunning, the steering even with a keyboard is excellent and the fun factor is great.

If you're into racing (well, rally at least), this game is a must buy for you!

Movie: Despereaux

Some days ago, I watched Despereaux, an animated movie released some time last year I think.

Well, graphically and technically this movie is nice, the music is great, but the story lacks…well…everything. There are too many plots (kind of) evolving at once that, in the beginning, seemingliy do not have anything to do with each other…

Well, overall, as I said, the story is bad, the storytelling even worse, but the visuals and the soundtrack are from nice to great. (That's probably why the movie was not shown in theaters in my country.)

And there it is… :)

…finally, I'm looking at the impressing and beautiful 27" screen of my brand new i7-iMac.

And what a monster that machine is: a screen that requires you to turn your head to see from side to side and a quad-core CPU that runs as if it had eight cores - just amazing.

Well, my old "tiny" 19" monitor sitting beside the new iMac appears kind of small now… ;)

Again I have to say: Apple rulez!

Saw VI

Just watched Saw VI with my brother - first impression: good continuation of the series and would be a good end - if it is the end… ;)

Overall, it's incredible how, again, the story is very much intertwined with the previous movies. If you liked Saw I through V, you'll like Saw VI.

Happy new year!

Well, guess what's the first thing I'm going to do this year! Right, after having experienced Avatar in a standard movie theater I'm going to enjoy it tonight on the very first day of 2010 in 3D in digitally enhanced quality (in some modern movie theater).

That's one good way to start the year, now isn't it? ;)

Avatar

Wow! Amazingly beautiful! Incredible!

Just got home from the movie theater after enjoying over two hours of Avatar, James Cameron's new masterpiece - and a masterpiece it is, well at least visually.

The Na'vi's homeworld is stunningly beautiful and the special effects are exceptional from the first second of the movie to the end.

Storywise, well, it's the well known American story: bad people (Humans) come and try to take over the world (land) of the native people (Na'vi). Sounds familiar? Yes, it does - I'm thinking of Indians, you too?

Nonetheless, this movie is quite an experience to watch and visually so awesomely enjoyable that I can only say this: Go see this movie, now!

Unfortunately, at the moment, it seems impossible to pre-order the DVD…yet… ;)

Taken

Watched Taken (Liam Neeson) last night.
It's a good action movie. Violence usually comes in short but extensive bursts - each time remarkably without any hesitation - it's very well coreographed, too.

If you like action, TV violence and if you're interested in the serious topic of kidnapping and human trafficing (there no cool short liners in this movie) this is a movie for you.

2012

I watched 2012 yesterday with a friend and we had so much fun!

This movie totally rocks! The amount of destruction Roland Emmerich has produced with this one is incredible! There are numerous very cool action sequences with superb special effects. If you're into that kind of stuff go and see the movie!

Bottom line: A must see!

Got my new iPhone 3Gs 16GB!

The day is finally here: well, two days ago on wednesday, I bought my new iPhone 3Gs 16GB (black, of course).

After nearly two years with my beloved first generation iPhone (8GB) that I got through unofficial channels, I finally decided to switch to the real thing, the shiny new and faster iPhone with a mobile plan by T-Mobile (the Apple associated carrier in my country).

And, of course, I couldn't be happier. The iPhone 3Gs is a great improvement compared to my old iPhone (that I sold already by the way) in speed and features. The new camera with the video feature is a VERY nice addition and thanks to T-Mobile I now have nearly total coverage.

All in all, I deem this one to be a very good move and will surely be happy with this new iPhone for the next two years…

Next on the list: the 27" i7 iMac! :)

The day the earth stood still (2008)

Well, this movie has quite an exciting and thrilling start but once the cat is out of the bag it's just weak - and so is the ending. For only once, I want to see a movie like that (end of the world and all) that actually shows the end of the world, that actually makes humanity pay. I mean, let's face it, a few destroyed American cities that's awful, yes, but a catastrophe of universal dimensions? Well, no, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia were still fine…so…

Overall, the movie is somewhat interesting if you are into science fiction and the visual effects have their moments, but you could do without it. ;)

Pixar's "Up"

I watched Pixar's latest animated feature with some friends and had a lot of fun.

Apparently, Pixar has some nostalgic tendencies (like with "Cars") that I enjoy very much but that others might not like (or understand), especially younger folks. There were some small kids in the movie theater that had trouble understanding the beginning of the movie.

The animation and effects were superb (as expected from a Pixar movie). The kinetics seem to have improved quite a bit or at least have changed somewhat from previous projects - for the better.

Overall it's a nice and mostly funny movie (though the talking dogs were a bit much), but Pixar had produced greater pictures in the past. Most probably, in comparison it will not be able to shine besides Toy Story 3…

Google Chrome Frame: The Death of Internet Explorer?

D'ya know about Google Chrome Frame?

If not, read this: http://code.google.com/chrome/chromeframe/

and watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjW0Bchdj-w

This is one of Googles most brilliant ideas yet - in regards to the competition with Microsoft.

Way to go, Google! ;)

Inglorious Basterds

Yesterday, I went to the movies and watched Tarrantino's new masterpiece - and indeed, THAT it is!

Never ever have I enjoyed the performance of an actor portraing the antagonist this much, nonetheless a German one. Christoph Waltz is incredibly amazing - this has to get him an Oscar!

The movie all in all is masterfully filmed and cut. Slow talking scenes are occationally broken by sudden and immediate (and intentionally short) violence - often extreme at that.

You wouldn't believe it but although the overall theme of the movie is World War II and by that anything else but funny, Tarrantino manages to include quite a bit well placed slapstick comedy.

If you have some knowledge of English, French and German and love really good movies, watch this one! If you can't speak any of these languages and can't read fast, this movie is not for you - it's VERY subtitle rich due to all actors speaking their native tongue (mostly).

Hannibal

Well, I did it, I watched all four movies from "Silence of the Lambs" to "Hannibal rising".

Of course, "Silence of the Lambs" is THE classic, brilliantly played - what can I say.

"Hannibal", which like its sequels was unknown to me, proved to be the best of it all. Why? Sir Anthony Hopkins! Amazing performance! One can only admire his Hannibal Lecter (Dr. Fell in the movie). The pureness of his intellect, his total absence of remorse and pity - brilliant!

"Red Dragon" too much resembled "Silence of the Lambs". While it was enjoyable watching something predating the Oscar winner, the new villain was just too likeable, lacking evilness.

"Hannibal rising" had some great acting by the young star and surely has earned his place in its genre. But in comparison to the other three movies, Anthony Hopkins is missing.

Overall, in my opinion, the first two movies are the best of the quadrology.

Delgo - the poor sucker... ;)

Just watched Delgo - which by the way isn't easy to get a hold of where I live - had to get it via BitTorrent.

The movie is, well, okay.

The visuals are amazing; the scenery, the animals and the people are imaginative and beautiful though the animation itself feels off a bit at times.

The story is quite dark for an animated feature probably targeted at a young audience. I'd rather recommend this one for young adults that are interested in fantasy worlds and love CGI.

The voice cast is great - many well known and popular names and good voice acting indeed.

All in all, it's a nice movie that's good enough to find its way into my DVD collection once there's a European PAL version DVD available. Apparently, as the movie flopped in theatres (boxoffice quite a bit under a million whereas summing up to 40 millions in production costs) it's currently only available in the U.S. as a simple NTSC DVD...what a shame...really!

Jerome Bixby's "The Man from Earth"

Watched this unusual movie yesterday, not really knowing what to expect.

Well, this one is a gem!

Okay, the picture quality of this DVD edition was terrible (it was like watching a VHS tape!) and there's no action in this movie - it could have been made into a theatre play easily - but nonetheless, it's a great movie, well, if you can let yourself be amazed by it's intentions.

Watching this movie made me buy the book by Jerome Bixby. That's a first! ;)

According to the web, this story's been Bixby's last big success.

All in all, it's a must-have for every sci-fi enthusiast - sci-fi without action and special effects just through the magic of words. Incredible!

Also, on a side note, quite an interesting cast: Tony Todd, John Billingsley and Richard Riehle - all three once portraying popular characters on Star Trek shows (Tony Todd as Worf's brother Kurn (among many other roles), John Billingsley as part of Enterprise's main cast as Dr. Phlox and Richard Riehle as the Irish holodeck character Seamus Driscol on Voyager's Fair Haven).