BIOSHOCK

Everyone is talking about this game. I remember when I first received information from Take Two UK about it. I had only glanced at it (given I was more hyped up in reporting their European release of Fatal Frame III: The Tormented.), it seemed at first glance to be some sort of bizzare wargame being passed off as a thriller.

I wasn't impressed, so I moved on. I regret this now.

Well, it wouldn't leave well enough alone. 'Have you seen Bioshock? You Should check out Bioshock! Have you heard about Take Two's Bioshock?'.

Again, I would wave off fate because again, didn't really get a good close look, and I was sticking to my initial first impression.

It wasn't until my husband downloaded the Demo from Xbox Live that Bioshock finally took my attention. I can now see what the hype was/is about...and I admit I am waiting anxiously for a good excuse to go buy this game. After seeing the gameplay of the demo, it definately looks interesting.

The demo appears to be the first chapter or so of the game. Your plane crashes and you wake up in this iron bathsphere...which takes you, low and behold...into a underwater retro paradise. Although, I do have to question...what actually keeps the huge blue whale from the FMV from not randomly hitting buildings with the back of it's tale. The city is called 'Rapture'...which...having a name like that, and being a survival horrorish game..you know the city probably doesn't have the best chances of being the utopia its plugged to me.

The conceptual art for this game is pretty savvy too. Best job ever, drawing mechanical killers spliced zombies, and deformed creatures.




So, I eat my words, I will play this game..and I think I'm going to enjoy it. The look and feel reminds me a lot of The Suffering games...except the plot seems more eye catching and intriging...and being stuck in the center of the ocean is a nice twist.

While having their normal gamesite ( www.2kgames.com/bioshock/) there is also a secondary site called the 'cult of rapture'. (http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/) It's sort of an official soundtrack with all kinds of information for fans plus articles on the game itself.

Take Two appears to have great things riding on Bioshock...as they should. Count me amongst one of The Cult of Rapture please.

Laurean Leigh was spirited away at 8:17 AM
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Alone (2007) Thai Movie

My initial first thoughts when hearing about this movie: If this movie doesn't prove that directors Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom are Fatal Frame fans, no movie will.

The two Thai directors are responsible for the hit 'Shutter'. Which, while outright doesn't have any nods to the popular videogame series, definately lends similar imagery and the theme of spiritual photography.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Shutter. In fact, you can now get the DVD in the states, and I suggest you go and buy it. Most asian movies, I'd say 'rent first', but this is one of the exceptions.

So, when a girlfriend told me about this movie, I admittedly have been trying desperately to get my hands on something more than just it's taunting trailer. The theme of the movie (ironically, the exact same as found in Fatal Frame II:Crimson Butterfly) concerns twins and the tagline "We promised to be together, forever."

The story centers around the story of a pair of conjoined twins, Pim and Ploy, who are put through a seperation operation...where one of the girls dies. Years later, the surviving twin, who has put her sister's death and her past behind her, must return back to her home and memories. As these memories flow back, Pim starts to realize that these memories aren't just memories...but something..that doesn't want to be forgotten.

The english version of the website is really cool, and well done. (As to be expected, since the Shutter website was just as detailed). It's very english speaker friendly, so intrigued asian horror enthusiasts should check it out.

The full trailer for the movie can be found on youtube.


On a final sidenote....the main music themesong of this movie, is pretty sweet yet eerie at the same time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e_bxy9UVxQ

As soon as I get my hands on this movie, I'll give a more full and accurate review of the entire thing.

Laurean Leigh was spirited away at 2:44 PM
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