Tuesday 11 March 2014

An interview with the creators of Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

In January, I got to sit down with the producers of spy thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Lorenzo di Bonaventura and David Barron. Lorenzo has worked on hundreds of movies, and is based known for working on the Transformers, and David is best known for working on the Harry Potter franchise. The interview starts at 2:28

Click here to listen to the interview

Wednesday 12 February 2014

Look back: V for Vendetta, by Alan Moore (1982)

Look back: V for Vendetta

A retrospective graphic novel review

V for Vendetta, created by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, is one of the best (if not the best) pieces from the late British comic-book industry, and stacks up as one of the high points in Moore's career.


https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCjYTdz_xTBbemYfpu0wg6KEdvAjEM_slypTNOygxFECBgt-yOjminIAMiS9_tg6PzCPeNvMtKfdx_5jbzAvg1XMOvmvOIMmAyJ8Z29zETFuboAHzGYaiMKUBFyaQ1kUy_BSwFqrBgYM/s400/v_vendetta_comic_290x438.jpg


Friday 7 February 2014

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows part 5 - Conclusion

To conclude Spider-Man week, I'll give my final thoughts on the middling-to-poor game, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows by looking at the controls and overall presentation.

Thursday 6 February 2014

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows part 4 - Gameplay

I do wonder if I've laid out this series of article in the right order. I've talked about the story, look and presentation, and only now getting round to the Gameplay of a videogame! Maybe this writing thing isn't for me.



Wednesday 5 February 2014

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows part 3 - Sound

An important part of many games, that is often overlooked, is the use of sound. Let's explore the use of sound in a rubbish 2008 Spidey game.

Tuesday 4 February 2014

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows part 2 - Graphics

Welcome back, True Believers!

I've always wanted to say that.

Lets continue this breakdown of the 2008 Spider-Man game by examining the graphics of the game.

Monday 3 February 2014

Spider-Man: Web of Shadows part 1

Analysing Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, part 1 This week on Highbrow-Lowbrow is Spider-Man week. Spider-Man was my all-time favourite character as a kid all the way up to me late teens, right up until the writers messed with the character and backstory beyond all recognition, and around the time the Marvel Studios movies showed me how awesome character like Iron Man and Captain America are. So, why is this Spider-Man week? Just because.

One of my favourite bloggers, Shamus Young, often writes in-depth reviews of videogames, analysing the story and critiquing each aspect of the game, and they are a joy to read.

Inspired, Spider-Man week is going to be celebrated with a week-long ridiculously in-depth review of the 2008 Spider-Man game, Web of Shadows. It wasn't a great game, but I devoted a note inconsiderable chunk of time to the game, and thought I'd share my thoughts on the game, which developed into a 3,000 word thesis on the bloody thing.


Saturday 18 January 2014

Why The Big Lebowski is the funniest film ever

Why The Big Lebowski is the funniest film ever

Source: http://365thingsaustin.com/wp-content/uploads/the-big-lebowski.jpg

100 word reviews:


The Big Lebowski, 1998

My favourite film is The Big Lebowski, by the Coen brothers, simply because it is one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen. The Coen’s create comedy in every scene, by juxtaposing bizarre situations and dream-like visuals with nonchalant but hilarious dialogue, and the whole artifice is held together by the iconic character of Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski (played to perfection by Jeff Bridges). It’s an excellent parody of detective mysteries and the early 90’s culture, with a wonderful design and soundtrack. This is a rare kind of film that is rewarding on every viewing.

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Look Back: Watchmen, by Alan Moore (1986)

Look Back: Watchmen, by Alan Moore (1986)

A retrospective graphic novel review

Does this seminal comic/graphic novel require introduction. I don't think it does, it is now so ubiquitous to the general comic-book reading, film-going audience. Even if people don't always like it.
Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dpuPyftomWo/T_JNpN1v9ZI/AAAAAAAAM-8/7ONSFApHoO0/s1600/Watchmen_Graphic_Novel_cover.jpg


Wednesday 8 January 2014

Look Back: Deadly Creatures (Wii , 2009)

A retrospective videogame review

Developed by Rainbow Studios, published by THQ

Deadly Creatures is a third party title for the Wii. A lot has ben written about supporting Third Parties in computer games, as these are the studios that take more creative risks with gameplay or premises. Rainbow Studios, part of THQ, took a big creative risk with Deadly Creatures, and it, mostly, paid off.

Thursday 2 January 2014

Look back: De Blob (Wii, 2008)


A retrospective videogame review

Developed by Blue Tongue studios

de Blob is a deceptively simple game. At first glance, it appears to be a game designed for children, with its cartoon graphics and humour and simplistic gameplay based, of all things, matching colours. But beneath that is a deep subtext examining the effects oppression, governmental controls, imperialism and censorship upon a society consisting of Liberal values... not that the games target audience of the "3+" will quite appreciate this.