...Make A Service Announcement

In an effort to actually start producing more posts, more often, I'm going to write smaller and more personable notes before I publish my usual posts. This way, I'll be giving you guys (well, whomever reads this stuff) some insight into what has inspired me to write about this, why I'm writing about that and hopefully to get you guys to know what type of person I am, instead of just being some schmuck who writes blog posts on Movies, Games and Sport - and who probably uses a comma way too much, y'know?

...Discuss: 12 Years A Slave

A subject which is not often explored enough in film, especially considering it is relatively recent in the history of the world and our society, is the subject matter of slavery. Where we have been given a lot of different stories, from different perspectives of other major events and periods in the world's recent history - and in particular, wars - there has not been anywhere as near as many stories being told regarding slavery.

Possibly because in war films, the Americans, British and the rest of the Allies are seen as the 'good guys', going up against the evil of the Nazis or whomever they may be. It is an easier sell to the studios or investors in getting the film made as there is often spectacle, battles and there is a clear and archetypal hero. Whereas, in a film depicting slavery or the events around that time, there's going to be racism, torture and brutality; and well, that is not an easy sell - especially considering it is already a tough and possibly all too familiar subject matter for the audience. There is no mistake why not enough films explore the subject of slavery. It potentially won't be able to sell enough tickets and make a financial profit for those who finance the film - it just doesn't make business sense.

Steve McQueen (Left) having a chat with Chiwetal Ejiofor during filming
of 12 Years A Slave.

However, director Steve McQueen (no, not that one) has made a film that deals with this most harrowing of subjects and has created something that seems true to the time. He has instead told the story through the eyes of the world; refusing characters to be uncomplicated and refusing sentimentality to seep through. As a result, he has told the story of a free man that was captured and made to work as a slave on the plantations of the South of the United States and how this man used his wits and the hope of seeing his family again in his efforts to live.

12 Years A Slave - adapted from the true life story and book of the same name - tells this story and tells it as honestly, truthfully and, as a consequence, ruthlessly as a story about slavery should be told. No punches are pulled; no shade has been toned down. It is emotional, gut wrenching, hard hitting and powerful film-making, all at once.

The film's commercial success since its release has been helped enormously from the award season appreciation that it has received. In many respects, it is a film that succeeds or fails by the recognition it is awarded during this particular time of the year. Coupled with the fact that the film tells a true story, with astonishing performances throughout the cast and that it avoids any sense of sentimentality means that the film has been able to flourish.

But what of more stories being told on this subject? It is clear that not all would be a commercial or critical success; as is the case with any other genre of film. And there are different ways and perspectives that such a topic, like slavery, can be told. A year ago, Quentin Tarantino made Django Unchained, which was in reality an exploitation movie, more so than it was a movie about slavery. Incidentally, it also did very well for itself, landing Tarantino a best original screenplay award at the Oscars, along with numerous other nominations.

As for 12 Years A Slave, the story about a man trying to live and merely not survive, is a true marvel to behold. It should be in your consideration to see and judge for yourself.

...Flounder at Manchester United

For Manchester United and their new manager David Moyes, 2014 has begun pretty disastrously with two successive home defeats. These results are completely uncharacteristic of Man Utd as a club - especially if you take into account the last 23 years. However, when you consider factors such as the introduction of new management, coaching staff and set-up, it is plain to see that there are major changes occurring to a club - even one as astronomically big as the Red Devil's - that there would be a transition period where such inconsistencies in performance are to be expected on the field. Even more so after experiencing more than two decades of success with the same manager - the immortal Sir Alex Ferguson - and then leaving that behind for a new man who still has a lot to prove; along with the fact that he (Moyes) still has yet to win a major honour during his time as a football manager.

Therefore, giving Moyes a chance to settle into the role, to sign his own players and to stamp his own personality onto the team is of essence. But we know well enough that in football, sufficient time is often not provided for a manager to achieve success in the long term. This is because the people who run the clubs, whether it is the billionaire (or multi-millionaire) owners or the directors that represent the shareholders, often want instant success instead of planning for the long term success of a club. It could also be said that it is because of the times that we are in; football is a hugely lucrative business, now more so than ever so the stakes are higher than ever for the hierarchy at the clubs. So, next comes the question of whether what most clubs do - which is to sack their manager after a short period of bad results - is the right thing to do?

Sir Alex (left) with Moyes (right) (before Moyes became the Utd boss)

To answer this, all you have to look at is the success of two of the most successful managers in the Premier League over the last 20 years: Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. Sir Alex, much like Moyes at the time of writing this, suffered an unsuccessful early spell at Manchester United; where the club were stuck in the middle of the table and even after an unsuccessful two and half years was not making any inroads into winning the Championship (or as it was then, the old division one title). The Board, and especially Sir Bobby Charlton - a club legend who had up until then been the last Manchester United captain to lift the English title in 1967 - was forthright in his support of Sir Alex. This unwavering backing resulted in a 26-and-a-half year reign that has brought 38 major trophies to the club; thus making Sir Alex the most successful British manager in history.


Arsene Wenger's success at Arsenal came a lot smoother than Ferguson's. It only took him 18 months to turn the Gunners into a title winning team, which meant that his job was never in jeopardy for the first 10 years of his tenure. However, in recent times he has had his critics and there were rumours, as recent as the summer of 2013, that his contract would not be renewed because no silverware had been won since their FA Cup triumph in 2005. To date, though, he has been at Arsenal for 17 years and has kept the club in a great financial position despite at times not having much funds to spend on world class players and has always qualified his team for the lucrative Champions League.

Arsenal boss Wenger: he has a problem zipping up
coats but he sure knows how to manage a team

So, what can be deduced from these two long serving managers is that success, no matter how relative that success is (whether financially or whether it results in silverware), is more likely to be achieved with managerial stability and structure. Though there are also many cases of clubs - most notably Chelsea - that chop and change managers ruthlessly and frequently to achieve success, but have the means to do so with an extremely wealthy owner, it can be very costly and not all clubs have the insurance of a multi-billionaire owner to do this.

Manchester United are not one of these clubs. Having been bought by the American based Glazer family, mostly on credit, and who now use the clubs incomings to pay off the huge debt that they saddled the club with (and taking there own cut, obviously!), chopping and changing the manager would not be feasible considering that Moyes was given a 6 year contract and that would need to be paid off if he were to be booted out of the hot seat.

What I am getting at is that David Moyes does need to be given the time necessary to turn things around, despite the fact that even the performances of the team have been way below par of what the standard has been in the last two decades. Maybe it is this that is making it harder to swallow; because if Man Utd were losing but still performing well and creating numerous, clear goalscoring chances in every match then there would be more to look positively towards. At present (and I mean the whole of this season to date) there has not been convincing performances that would show the experience and the command to navigate a season and to be in contention to win the league. Man Utd have already lost 5 home matches and only half the season has been played. It is easy for everyone to see that the intimidation and fear factor of playing the Old Trafford outfit has evaporated.

It will be interesting to see how the next season pans out and whether the theory of giving a manager sufficient time to bring success to a club actually plays out. After all, when Sir Alex entered the fray all those years ago, the game was different. There wasn't the same money, competition or any financially superior opposition to really challenge the might, history and tradition of Manchester United. Moyes is not so lucky any more, as there is now a handful of teams that are all contending for United's throne as English Premier League Champions.

Play The Last Of Us

What is a masterpiece?

A masterpiece is defined as a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship. It is safe to say that not everything is a masterpiece, so when you are faced with something that is, it is something of a privilege to have witnessed or experienced it. Therefore, if I have just so happened to have come across such a thing, then I believe it is my duty to tell everyone, that will listen, about it. In this instance, I am referring to The Last of Us.

The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic zombie survival horror action-adventure game on the PlayStation 3, made by that dog pound of a studio (that's meant to be a compliment, in some sort of way) - Naughty Dog. And this is no anomaly in terms of the quality of the game that Naughty Dog have produced. Nope. They are also the makers of Crash Bandicoot (remember that game from the PlayStation 1 era?), Jak and Daxter and the more recent Indiana Jones inspired Uncharted series.

The game is set 20 years after an outbreak of a virus that has desolated the population, and which turns those that have either inhaled the poisonous spores or been bitten by an infected person into mindless creatures that have no control over their own actions - basically they are similar to the zombies that you see in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later. The main difference is that the longer a person has been infected with the Cordyceps virus, the more like fungus their face and body morphs into, and the deadlier they become.

The story revolves around two characters. The first is Joel, a gruff middle aged man that has had to survive 'D-day' and the ensuing fall of civilization. And the word is survive, as we see in this world, those that have survived so far have left behind - for the most part - their human side and what made humans different from animals. As Ish - an off-screen character - later remarks very accurately in a note, "humans are back on the food chain!" And that is really the difference that has been made in this world. To survive, you have to be ruthless and use whatever edge you have to make it; be it your wits or your strength - after all, it is survival of the fittest now.

The second character is a 14 year old girl called Ellie; an orphan, probably in a world plagued by them, where it is normal to see loved ones die, either by the infected or by other humans - hunters as they are called in this dog-eat-dog world.

The story goes that Joel is tasked to escort Ellie to a rebel group known as the Fireflies, but when they make it to the rendezvous point, they find that the Fireflies have all been killed. Joel is asked to see out this task as a favour to someone close to him - something that he 'owes' this person. Thus, the duo travel across what was the United States, so that Joel can deliver Ellie to the Fireflies.

Yes, it seems like a simple story, but the execution of the storytelling and how the gameplay mechanics integrate fittingly into this make it something much more than an escort story. (This becomes apparent when you actually play the game as I have excluded a lot of the detail and further plot points, so as not to spoil it for anyone yet to play the game.)



The gameplay is a balance of stealth action and third person shooter. Playing as Joel, you can take cover behind walls, tables and other such objects to stay out of the sight of oncoming enemies. This option of how to tackle certain situations adds a lot of variety to the gameplay as you can choose to go gung-ho and charge at the enemy with an assault rifle in tow, or you can pick off enemies one at a time. However, the fact that this is the post apocalypse and there is not an abundance of supplies means that the former option is often harder to do and, unless prepared with enough medical kits and ammunition, would mean that the chances of successfully advancing are made harder to do so. Therefore, going through areas using stealth is often the more practical, and rewarding, way of playing the game. But don't worry, there are multiple times in the game when the only way forward is playing with a little anarchy.

As a result, these two mechanics can change the tone of the game entirely; from one of tension and thrill of killing an infected to the moment that you are spotted by a group of hunters and you now must use everything available to you from bricks, bottles, nail bombs and your guns, to your very fists as a way of surviving. And you will need to use everything at your disposal because if you are ill prepared when entering an area littered with infected or hunters, then that makes Joel and Ellie's life much harder.

There are a few different types of enemy in The Last of Us. First, there are the Hunters; they are gangs of (human) militia that have weapons and are as much of a threat than the infected are. They are more clever and methodical as they talk to each other and alert other Hunters if they see a body that you killed or if they spot you sneaking around. Thus, it requires planning and resources to take them on as they are ruthless and attack as a pack.

The zombies, who are actually infected and mindless humans, come in a few different forms. Those that have been infected a shorter time are called Runners. They are generally, the easiest enemies in the game to take out. Then there are Clickers - endearingly named so for the sound that they make. Clickers are those humans who have been infected for longer and have had their body covered with fungus, thus blinding them. However, as a result, their hearing senses have been heightened. Therefore, killing a Clicker requires more nous, patience and shivs; but really, if you are heard by them and they get into touching distance of you then it is lights out - they are a deadly and scary foe. And Clickers coupled with Runners presents a different kettle of fish altogether; making you have to assess and tackle the situation accordingly. Lastly, there are Bloaters; the less said about them, the better!

To tackle these enemies, Joel has been given a little bit of an edge of his own: an acute sense of hearing, almost like sonar. By holding the R2 trigger, Joel will crouch down and listen to his surroundings, which gives a picture of where enemies are located and moving to. In effect, it is a radar which helps you evade or kill enemies, and navigate an infested area. Playing the game on the hardest difficulty, though, will not allow you to use this ability, so for those seeking a tougher challenge on a second play through can opt for this.



Scrounging is the order of the day and what you need to do in this game, as finding cloths, alcohol, scissors and other materials and tools allow for you to make new weapons - like a shiv that you will need to take out Clickers without attracting the attention of the infected. Scrounging allows you to manage your inventory and helps prepare you for any surprises that may just be around the next corner. Plus, the fact that things are scarce in this world means that you can't pass on the possibility of finding something in that abandoned house or dilapidated record store that is just across the street. This, you may think, would be a bit of a hassle, having to explore all the areas of the game world to ensure you are fully stocked, but it is not because you often find notes from the people that were in these places which tell you the stories of their predicaments and what happened to them; they are human stories of struggles and hurdles from the points of view of different people from different backgrounds - even the Hunters. It is this environmental storytelling that Naughty Dog do so well. One example was when I walked into an abandoned apartment and an infected ran at me. After I had killed it, I saw on the wall that someone (probably the person that used to live there) had written "Rachel" on the wall with an arrow pointing downwards to a table that had a note on it. The note was from the day that the town (Lincoln) was to be evacuated and was meant for Rachel - presumably the author's partner - stating that he had to leave with the evacuation crew because she did not return in time, and that he would be waiting for her in the evacuation zone. It makes you wonder if she ever saw the note, or if they ever saw each other again. Certainly, it brings up a lot of questions. Little touches like this are scattered all throughout the game and it is the way that Joel and Ellie interact with these stories and other points of interest in the environment that really elevates the story to a whole other level. This simply does not and has not appeared before in an action game. And as a result, it pulls you into this devastated world and reminds you that at its core, The Last of Us is a game about human relationships.

What helps build the above is the gradual relationship that is formed between Joel and Ellie. Ellie was born into this world and does not know anything about a pre-devastated world where an ice cream van would go around neighbourhoods and sell ice cream to kids (which she thinks sounds ridiculous and sort of does when she repeats it). On the other hand, Joel is trying to forget the past, but is having difficulty letting it go as he has not allowed anyone - to truly - get close to him since the world went to hell. When their paths cross and their journey begins, their interactions with each other break down these walls that Joel has had around him and they talk about the old world and the difficulty of their journey, whilst facing up to their pasts and enduring hostility like no other. Moments, such as when Ellie spots an advertisement of a slim woman and exclaims that she thought people had an abundance of food in Joel's time explains it all, in truth. She cannot fathom a world other than where you do everything to survive, and believes that not eating to look beautiful is silly. Conversations like this where Joel explains things about the old world and Ellie's incredulity or intrigue about a world before the infected are beautiful moments of interaction, story building and help us understand Ellie and the thinking of those in this world much more.

The Last of Us, as well as having a fantastic story, has in a certain part of the game (which I will not discuss in this post) the most nerve racking, atmospheric, riveting, exciting and adrenaline filled section that I have ever had the privilege of experiencing in all of my years gaming. It is as close to perfection that I believe a game can get with everything that it provides: story, characters, graphics, gameplay, tense situations, and emotion - it has it all. And that is before I even mention the dread-filled beginning or the ending of the game, which is fully deserved and merited as a result of all that we have had to endure to get there. It is brave, fantastic and a fitting end for such a fabulous game and story.

The atmosphere of the game and the level of dread in the air is a brilliantly built up and omnipresent part of the game. You experience it from the off, and it is built by the character you control being vulnerable. Vulnerability made by the fact that resources are scarce and you can never be as well prepared as you would like to be. Even if you have a sufficient amount of ammo in The Last of Us, this doesn't mean for certainty that you will be safe from the dangers of the zombie-apocalypse. Joel's aim is not the best and requires upgrades, in the form of pills, to improve his shooting steadiness. And a word of caution, for not all of the possible upgrades can be upgraded in a single play through, so you will have to choose what you value more than a steady shooting arm: maybe more health, quicker crafting of inventory (ie. health packs, shivs, melee weapons) or the ability to use a shiv as a last form of defence against a Clicker instead? Even when crafting shivs, medical packs and other inventory, the game is not paused, thus compounding that fear that anyone/thing can attack you at any moment. It is terrifying and tension inducing; all created by two decisions Naughty Dog made about the game's mechanics.

THE VERDICT

All in all, Naughty Dog have outdone themselves and have delivered THE game of the last generation. The Last of Us delivers artistry that very few games do achieve and is a game that is not to be missed.

Following on from my last post, it seems that I only deal with them. Quite simply put: a masterpiece.

RATING  10/10   Masterpiece

Review: Gravity

[Note to reader: It is best to watch the film without knowing that much, if anything, about it. So, Avoid reading my review (or any other) before watching the film, even though there are no spoilers ahead...]


Going into a film with high expectations does not often end well. What you usually get is a feeling of being underwhelmed; one of underlying disappointment that it did not live up to the hype. I am glad to say that this is anything but the case when talking about Gravity - Mexican director Alfonso Cuarón's mesmerising space spectacle. It is breathtaking in every sense of the word.

The film opens with the caption "Life in space is impossible." Sure, there is no oxygen to breath, no water to drink; just the vast vacuum of space, filled with huge areas of nothingness that populate the vastness of the cosmos. This, ladies and gentlemen, is our setting and for the next 90 minutes we are treated to the realities of what makes residing 375 miles above Earth so unforgiving.

Gravity is centred around two astronauts. The first is the 'bus driver' (or Captain of the space shuttle to you and me) Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney), a veteran astronaut on his final mission who is enjoying his last experience out in the void and hoping that he breaks the record for the longest space walk while out there. Alongside him is Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), a medical engineer who is feeling tense and a bit queasy at being out on her first NASA journey (and space walk), and who has just completed six months worth of specialist NASA training to attach a new high-tech scanning device to the Hubble Telescope.

Whilst working on the Hubble Telescope, they and their space shuttle are hit by shrapnel like debris from a accident that occurred at a Russian satellite. Thus ensues the crux of the film: the race for survival of two astronauts when disaster occurs in the most inhospitable of places. From this and other major setbacks, they must try to find a way to safety - to survive. In reality, though, this is a film which has more to do with choosing to live instead of just trying to survive; and whether we have the fortitude to want to live, or not.




Unlike that of rookie astronaut Stone, flustered and in a state of panic when she is faced with the possibility of being lost adrift in space, Cuarón handles the entire film with poise and confidence - illustrated immediately with the opening shot of the film. This prologue, which is an unbroken 13 minute sequence before the first cut is made to another camera, sets up the film and throws us into the astronauts' shoes; leaving us little time to gasp for air in what is a thrilling start, which hardly ever lets up thereafter.

There is no doubt that the 7 years it has taken the director to make Gravity have been spent figuring out ways to make the film as real as possible and finding out ways to put the audience right into the action (which includes some awe inducing point of view shots and sequences that make you feel like you are an astronaut). We are given incredible vantages of the action, and with (actual) gravity not playing a part in space, it has allowed Cuarón and his long-time collaborator and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki no restrictions in the free flowing movement of the camera and the orchestration of the entire film. In essence, this gives the feeling that we are out with Stone and Kowalsky in zero gravity. Much like what Scorsese did in Raging Bull in the fight scenes with De Niro, where the camera weaved in and out to mimic the movements that boxers make, Cuarón allows the camera to move everywhere and anywhere to thrust the audience into space. And the imagination needed to map out such long sequences is astonishing to say the least.

As there is no sound in space, Steven Price's score takes on an important role in the tone of the film: to build tension and to double as sound FX (of a sort). Building on the themes of the film, such as confusion, fear, isolation and hope, Price incorporates ethereal sounds and rousing choruses in accordance. It is for all intensive purposes a rounding success. In moments when something bad is happening, to a monologue where the astronauts talk "in the blind" - just incase anyone from Houston is listening when radio transmission from Earth is lost - the score reflects the action on the screen and Cuarón's vision, without overbearing the film.

And what of a film that so far has only been spoken about for its technical achievements and visual majesty? Well, the story does more than enough to emotionally invest you into caring for Stone. Her outlook on life is particularly revealing in one exchange, which goes on to illustrate her withdrawn personality: she will miss the quietness of space once they return to Earth, while Kowalski will miss the view of the sun rising. It is telling that there are unresolved feelings from the past that have been bottled up for too long, which could easily spill out if something 'major' were to happen. Her back story is one that helps explain her disposition to being the nervous, lonely and somewhat introverted character that is hinted at at the beginning; it is in stark contrast to Kowalsky.

For a film that always has the tension running high, as it is a story where the protagonists are on a race against time to survive (oxygen is not infinite in space, folks), it still allows time for quieter, more subtler and emotional moments. In one moment in particular, Clooney, playing Kowalsky as we picture what Clooney must be like in real life - cocksure, charming, with an abundance of charisma -  really does knock a scene out of the park with a warm touch of advice to a troubled Stone.

However, this film is Sandra Bullock's, putting in what must be a career best performance. She gives us everything: physicality, emotional vulnerability, mental fortitude and growth. But, I think it is because she plays someone that we can all empathise and familiarise with that comes across and strikes a chord with us. She is an ordinary person that has been put into an extraordinary situation.

Sandra Bullock's Dr. Ryan Stone

Gravity is an emotional ride. Not in a long time have I watched a film that gave me a lump in the throat on multiple occasions throughout; that welled up a tear in my eye because of its beauty; or something that made me gasp in awe at the spectacle. It is a film that finds time for these moments. It is a character piece set in a place where humans are out of place.

At the beginning of this review, I quoted Alfonso Cuarón's line that "Life in space is impossible." After seeing Gravity, it has been made abundantly clear to me that life in space is possible; with will, determination to survive and a bit of vodka.

Breathless? I sure am.

THE VERDICT

Gravity should be seen on the biggest screen possible and, for once, the 3D is worth it. It is probably the best use of the medium on film to date (along with Avatar) and doesn't reduce the brightness of the picture (which is usually the case). The 3D works perfectly with where the film is set and how the camera moves. You'll have seen nothing like this, so if you can, watch it in IMAX 3D.

It is a visually stunning and unforgettable experience, from a master craftsman who seems to be at ease with the tools at his disposal. Alfonso Cuarón has pushed the envelope for what is possible in film and it should not be missed. Go and watch it, and take as many people as you can along with you. James Cameron sums it up well: "Gravity is the best space film ever made".

RATING  *****  Masterpiece

Look back at The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

I'm approaching an island that I can see in the horizon; only a mere silhouette at the moment. As I gradually get closer I notice that there is something wrong. The island starts to come into focus. The weather, as I edge closer to the island, changes and it seems that a storm is brewing. The King of Red Lions tells me to approach with caution; there seems to be a darkness which is spreading around this world.

I was fourteen years old in 2003 when The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker was released. I remember from the first moment I saw the trailer to the game, over a year before its release, that I wanted it. Up until that point, I had never played a 3D Zelda game before, so I had no previous experiences to compare it with. As I had never owned a Nintendo console, I had missed Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask and only had a hazy memory of the former from a time when I was at my friend's house and we were hunched around a small, boxed television, watching his older cousin running across a green field, fighting zombies and throwing chickens in a pen. Suffice to say that my brief encounter with Ocarina of Time had left a lasting impression on me; one of: "wow, I've never seen a game as good looking as that ever" followed shortly after by "damn, why did my dad get me a PlayStation instead of a Nintendo 64!"

As that console generation passed, I was more than content with my PlayStation and shortly after, the PS2. In particular, I was obsessed with the revolutionary open world of Grand Theft Auto 3. Despite being way under age to be allowed to play it, I nevertheless did and, for me, it took what games were capable of to a whole new dimension - in terms of scope and freedom. However, from time to time, I would still think back to Ocarina and how I felt there was something I was missing out on.

Now, back to the unveiling of Wind Waker... When the first tidbits of news about the game were released, I was hooked. The trailer showed off the new cell-shaded graphical style and it was incredible. It was a living and breathing cartoon - if you will - that would not look out of place on Cartoon Network. And the best bit? I would seamlessly be controlling it all in this gorgeous, charming and large open world - called the Great Sea. It was Nintendo's answer towards Sony exclusives, such as Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the GTA series and Kingdom Hearts, as well as Microsoft's behemoth console seller Halo.

A limited edition console bundle, which would include Ocarina of Time and - the never before released outside of Japan - Master Quest was announced and I immediately pre-ordered it from my local GAME store. (Those were the days before ordering off the internet became the norm!) My level of excitement was palpable.

When release date came by, I did something that, now, I would never do. Initially, I opened my new silver Gamecube, set it up and put in the Wind Waker. Sure, on the surface this is what every teenage boy would do. The difference was that I only did this to make sure everything was working so that when I did play it a couple of months down the line - once my school exams were over - I would not be left with a faulty console (just in case I was one of the unfortunate few people to receive a console with a problem with it). Well, as it turns out, everything worked perfectly, and after 'testing' out the console and the game for an hour or so, I packed it up again and left it sat underneath my desk table in my room. Yes, it was and is an unheard of thing for a 14 year old boy to do; especially so for someone who was looking forward to it as much as I was (as I knew many people who weren't at all). This was the deal that I had struck to buy the Gamecube bundle: I would be allowed to buy it if I did not play it until after my exams were over. Suffice to say that it took every ounce of self-restraint to do so, but it was the only way to get my hands on it. Quite simply, if I didn't do what I promised at the time then I would not be writing this post about this pivotal gaming experience in my life - and that would have been a travesty to not have experienced this game. The Zelda series has since introduced me to many other games that I may never have tried as a result; games that are also full of action and adventure, art and innovation (hello Shadow of the Colossus and Okami, to name two). Otherwise, it is possible to assume I would have continued to be a sports nut (no offence to those FIFA and Madden enthusiasts out there)!


The months passed, I sat my final exam with confidence and as soon as it was over I rushed home to (again) open and play Wind Waker. Now I could take it all in, knowing no one would be able to stop me and I had nothing to worry about. From the prologue, to that first stroll through Outlook Island, to sneaking past Moblins in Ganondorf's fortress, to sailing the high seas with The King of Red Dragons, it was and still is one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had in my eighteen years of gaming.

The Forsaken Fortress - no try braking into this place and evading enemy sight!

It is difficult to talk about just one 'thing' which makes Wind Waker so good, even to this day. I've already noted the cell-shaded graphics - which at the time was very divisive. But what I should add to this are the little things that were done with the graphics; for example, if you were stuck with a puzzle and did not know where to go or what to do, then you could turn the camera and observe Link's eyes which would show him looking at something of interest for the player to consider. This would act as a subtle hint to the player and you'd soon be on your way to the next challenge. Little things like this were spread throughout the game and were well ahead of its time.

The combat is still the most fun, intuitive and rewarding aspect of the series; especially when confronted with the more difficult enemies (and I've taken into account Skyward Sword's motion plus sword wielding controls on the Wii before anyone argues). And because of the more seamless and open world of Wind Waker, compared to Twilight Princess in particular, there are many more places (in the shape of islands) to explore, which results in their being an infinite amount more side-quests to distract you from the main stories quest.

In reality, there are too many moments and aspects of Wind Waker to mention here that make the game still endear today. All I know is that, in 2013, I can still hook up my Gamecube and start playing the game and it would not have aged at all. Sometimes, when you go back to classics they leave you with a bad taste in the mouth, not because they are all of a sudden a bad game, but because they have aged badly; the graphics and gameplay have since been bettered and the game that you once remembered loving has now dated. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is one of those, amongst others. Sure, it is still a very good game, however there is an adjustment period needed now to play it on the PS2. Not Wind Waker, though.

Very few games age well, and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker is one of them. I would do a fine wine analogy, but I can't taste the difference between an old fine wine and a new one so I will use this instead: The Wind Waker is like Casablance; it is still as amazing as when it originally came out and as good as you remember from your first viewing. It is a masterpiece and you will find it hard to better. It is still my favourite Zelda game in the series and that is high praise when you see the company that it is amongst.

The Tower of Gods finally allows me to enter. I do not know what I will find inside it, but maybe I will discover the answers to the mysteries that preceded. Now that I have entered, everything is frozen in time - unchanged from a lifetime ago. So too is the Hero of Winds; its experience undimmed and enduring, as if time had stilted...

...Celebrate Birthdays In Film

Birthdays. That special day of the year that comes around for everyone; where we celebrate the turning of the proverbial clock and grow a year older. Throughout our lives they are celebrated in a variety of ways, such as: parties with family and friends, smaller more intimate affairs with maybe a few loved ones at a dinner table, lavish holidays abroad in the sun, or even sitting in an office at work. They can be memorable occasions of joy and happiness or complete disasters because of particular events or circumstances. One thing for sure, though, is that they provide a variety of entertainment and human connection on a personal level.

Films just so happen to depict such a range and offer the opportunity to explore the emotions that we, ourselves, experience on our own name days. So, in recognition of my own birthday recently, I have put together a list of birthdays in film. This is not a top 10 list, but rather a run through of some of the most memorable birthday celebrations (or non-celebrations) in film.

--- Possible SPOILERS ahead if you have not seen the films---

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Partying like it's 1999.

Who's Birthday? Bilbo Baggins

Why it's on this list? Not everyone makes it to the grand old age of eleventy-one (that's 111 to us humans), but Bilbo just so happens to be in that exclusive group. In true hobbity style, he is joined by hundreds of relatives and friends (and even unwanted family like the Sackville-Baggins') with barrels of beer, tables full of food and festive music to match such an occasion. Not to mention Gandalf's famous fireworks which catches all the guests by surprise when one rocket - that resembles a dragon - is released at the party, only to explode in the distance as bright as the sun. But what makes this birthday memorable is how it ends; with a speech by the birthday boy himself. Bilbo abruptly announces, half way through his speech, that he is leaving the Shire forever and vanishes in spectacular fashion - now that's the way to make an exit from your own party! There is no doubt that that moment was spoken about for generations to come in the Shire; how old Bilbo disappeared in front of the whole village. After all, to paraphrase Frodo, "half the Shire was invited and the rest turned up anyway!" Now, I wonder how Bilbo did that...

Leathal Weapon

Who's Birthday? Roger Murtaugh

Why it's on this list? Murtaugh's just having a relaxing bubble bath (with worryingly less bubble as the scene progresses) and his family surprise him by all barging their way into the bathroom. He gets the whole birthday cake ceremony while lying in the bathtub, and do you know what? He handles it with no shame or feeling of embarrassment whatsoever, even though he hates the fact that he's just turned 50. The family are managing to catch just enough time in their busy morning schedule to show their love and appreciation to the (old) man of the house - even if he is butt naked. Good thing he doesn't know what the rest of his birthday is going to bring for him...another 3 movies with some guy called Riggs.

Okay, maybe he was a little alarmed when the entire family turned up - with birthday cake in tow. 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

It's the thought that counts.

Who's Birthday? Harry Potter

Why it's on this list? "You're a wizard, Harry". Come on, who wouldn't want to be told that on their 11th birthday, let alone any birthday! After being treated as nothing more than a nuisance and afterthought by his uncle and aunt for the 10 years prior, Harry got just the news and new lease on life that he needed - that he was a wizard. After being chased everywhere by owls hoo (sorry, couldn't resist) were trying to deliver letters relaying this information, the Dursley's take Harry to an abandoned lighthouse where they believe they will not be found by anyone. How wrong they were, as on the strike of midnight Hagrid thumps his way into the dilapidated building to give Harry his first birthday cake that he can recall being given. Heart warming stuff, indeed. Shortly afterwards, Harry is whisked away to his new life to study at some school that you may have heard off - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - where he can learn all the things wizards need to know. Best. Birthday. Ever.

Toy Story

Who's Birthday? Andy

Why it's on this list? It's the day that we found out our toys are actually living secret lives when we're not playing with them. There are two aspects to this birthday. First, Andy is having a standard home birthday where his friends are invited over and they play games, eat cake and open presents; the norm. The second aspect, though, is the interesting one: Andy's toys have set up an undercover operation to report on the present opening ceremony. What we are left with are insecure toys that don't want to be replaced with new ones. However, from this we witness a new, though at first rocky, friendship that will be struck between a shiny new space ranger and an old cowboy doll.

I think this is what one calls 'laser envy'.

Mrs Doubtfire

Who's Birthday? Chris Hillard (on the right)



Why it's on this list? House party? Check. Sheep? Check. Goat and pony? Double check. Lots of kids (not to mention the supervising adult) dancing and jumping to House of Pain's Jump Around? Check-list complete. What you get is probably the best party a kid is ever going to have. However, it doesn't last as Sally Field's highly strung mom - Miranda - turns up to find her house a mess, only to be further upset by Robin Williams' voice actor dad - Daniel - having organised it all. It is redundant to say that it doesn't turn out well for him, which is incidentally how the rest of the film (and the whole dressing up as an old English lady) is set up. This is a good illustration of how a birthday can be ruined in a moment. Sure, if Chris had a secret house party without telling his parents then that is one thing, but your dad sorting it out like a teenager is just asking for trouble - namely from a divorce lawyer. We then see how the three children have to listen to the aftermath of the party in their room and how it affects them. On the bright side, at least Chris didn't have to do the cleaning.


Lost In Translation

Who's Birthday? Adam Harris

Why it's on this list? Okay, I understand that this may be a cheat addition but let me explain my point. So, you're probably wondering who Adam Harris is in Sophia Coppola's beautiful film from 2003. And you'd be correct to wonder who Adam is as he doesn't physically feature in the film. Well, he is Bob's (Bill Murray) son who is only mentioned in a fax that Bob receives upon arriving in his lavish Tokyo hotel - completely jet lagged - which reminds Bob that he forgot his son's birthday. I'm sure Adam had a great birthday, but really, this entry is not about him. It's about a middle-aged man in an unfamiliar country, where he meets a young woman called Charlotte - played by Scarlett Johansson - who is also dealing with the same problems and questions about where her life is heading, and how they come to deal with this. When we meet them, Bob and Charlotte are lost. However, as the film progresses and they spend more time together in this completely alien culture, they discover that it is each other they need to find their way to the next branch of their lives. It is memorable as from that fax, we follow this unlikely pair through their experiences in Tokyo all the way through to that last scene. A whisper that you have to translate for yourself and come to your own conclusion as to what happens to both of these characters' stories. So, that's how Adam's birthday is memorable - it gave us the start of something special.

Bob arrives to his hotel. He's a little tired by the looks of it - and that's not from partying, either!

Kick-Ass

Who's Birthday? Mindy McCready


Why it's on this list? Now, what do you expect an 11 year old girl to ask her dad for on her birthday? Maybe a cuddly, fluffy puppy, or even a barbi doll. Sure, Chloe Grace Moretz's Mindy does ask for these things. The catch is that she is asking in jest; only "fucking" with us - you know, for a laugh. She then settles her father's nerves (played by Nicholas Cage doing a brilliant homage to Adam West's caped crusader) by seriously asking him for a benchmark model 42 butterfly knife. I don't even know what that is! It is suffice to say that the humour and general craziness of the movie is portrayed in this scene and I doubt you'll forget it in a hurry.


Dumbo

Who's Birthday? Dumbo

Yep, that's how babies are born.

Why it's on this list? It shows us how baby animals enter into this world; namely by a stork delivering babies to the parent, much like a postman delivering mail to a house. When baby Dumbo finally gets delivered to his mother, after much difficulty encountered by the stork because of the weight of the 'package', Dumbo gets a lovely rendition of "happy birthday to you" sung to him. We then see him blowing up his ears and getting used to walking whilst trying to avoid stepping and tripping on his oversized ears. How cute is that!

Sleeping Beauty

Who's Birthday? Aurora



Why it's on this list? After having been left out of the celebrations for the birth of Princess Aurora, the villain of the piece - Maleficent - curses Aurora, proclaiming that, before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die. Fast forward 16 years and guess what? She gets lured away from the three fairies, who are supposed to be protecting her, by a trance that Maleficent has induced, and pricks her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel that was hidden away in a secret room. While she lies on her bed - as if frozen in time- it is left to Prince Phillip to battle Maleficent, in dragon form, and to break the curse. What an action packed birthday full of despair, horror and adventure.

Tangled

Who's Birthday? Rapunzel

Why it's on this list? Unknowingly to Rapunzel, the lighting of lanterns into the night sky - coincidentally on her birthday - are in fact for her and not a coincidence at all. Having been snatched away from her family when only a baby for her hair's healing ability, Rapunzel sets out on her 18th birthday for the chance to see the lights. Along the way she avoids danger, makes new friends and falls in love. It is a slice of old Disney magic for a new era. And that scene with the lanterns ain't too bad either.



Batman Begins

Who's Birthday? Bruce Wayne

Why it's on this list? His house gets burnt down once the party finished! In all seriousness, it wasn't Bruce's fault. At Bruce's birthday party, staged at Wayne Manor; a party that was meant to be mundane quickly becomes a threat to his unknowing guests. The League of Shadows have invited themselves and blended into the party and it is up to Bruce to get all of his guests out of the house no matter what the cost to himself. Therefore, Bruce puts on his 'mask' and acts drunk and tells everyone that they are suck-ups and should get out of his house. The guests are disgusted and offended, but what they don't know is how Bruce just saved all of their lives - and not for the last time. From here, Bruce is left to die in his burning house and he must thwart a disastrous plan by Ra's al ghul and the League of Shadows who intend to release an airborne hallucinogen that would make everyone in Gotham tear each other apart and cause the downfall of the city. All in a day's work for Batman.

Not what you want after a house party.

Godfather Part II

Who's Birthday? Don Vito Corleone



Why it's on this list? Even though we don't see the man himself in this flashback scene (Marlon Brando was meant to reprise his role as Vito Corleone in this one scene, but did not turn up on the day of the shoot; no doubt because of financial disputes with the studio), it includes all of the Corleone family sitting around the dining table in conversation; something familiar to all of us. The conversation about Michael enlisting with the marines leads to a heated exchange between siblings, but it is this familiarity and the family dynamic and the discussion about real, everyday topics that is captivating from the start. When Vito finally arrives the whole family get ready to greet him with love and warmth. It's funny how people's moods can change for family on special occasions. What this scene shows is just the normality of even a crime boss' birthday; spending it with the family around a table.

                                        

Have I missed anything out that you would have included? Let me know in the comments.