FRONTLINES : FUEL OF WAR....one heck of a

I don't understand what hype means apparently. Because as far as I know the hype meter and marketing has always been down low with Frontlines: Fuel of War. Thats why when you hear someone ask, what in the world is FFOW? You can't help but realize that Kaos Studios has developed in all its glory, a sleeping giant.

Now this goes to show that the game does have it flaws, like any on release. It won't be perfect, as a matter of fact theres a lot. Plenty enough to keep the mosquito's biting and the press running in circles screaming bloody mary, how dare they make a battlefield rip.
Well the producers of the Desert Conflict mod in 1942 have done much more, in a very unique way. Ultimately to diminish the scattered back stabbings that caused the BF series to be hectic in nature, into a more organized, strategical front that allows a frontal war and exhilarating experience.

The Bads:
1) I had one hell of a time installing the game. This whopping 9 gig double whopper on 2 dvd discs came at a costly 20 minute install. Only to realize I couldnt play the game because it kept crashing to desktop. Apparently many others have this issue and a fix is being looked upon. HOWEVER, 90% is guaranteed to be the problem of that of the player.
By simply updating my drivers, reinstalling to a separate directory and turning off my background tasks on install, I was able to play fine. Great, posted my solution to the community boards.

2) Balance: Some balance issues that I see need addressed. The assault grenade launcher (noob tube) seems to be the most widely form of insta-kills on the battlefield bar none. I admit i've relied on it. While it is very important to have, I believe its effectiveness should be altered. Maybe a larger splash damage with less damage to flush out those campers, or to wipe out a group thats had enough of their share and wounds
Balance: Aerial: I can't seem to kill anything in the air with a plane. Its fun, but tough to get used to. Maybe its just me.

Balance: Helicopter: The controls are funky to me, A and D to yaw and Mouse to roll? Little ackward, we should be able to switch these keys but can't.
Controls: The Invert land vehicles for the mouse is bugged. It wont invert, where as I actually do play inverted.

Graphics: Seems to be annoying hitches whenever you jump into foliage, or certain bumpy terrain. I keep tripping over these things. Maybe I need to change my boots?
Sound: Couple loop bugs.

Server list: We need to let go of the roids, nuff said.

THE GOODS!!

1) Gameplay: It kicks ass, never have I had such an awesome experience in a full 64 player server. Now that is what battlefield could not do, pitting a frontal battle that is a non gun and run, strategical frontal game of chess and placement. You have to utilize every class to its maximum extent to survive and that, is what its all about.

2) Graphics: Whoever says the graphics suck really need to get with the times and get themselves at least an 8800 GTS. Because thats what im running and on very high. I'd like to say im very pleased with the graphics, explosions, details, foliage, fogs, destructible environments, vehicles, soldiers, weapons, etc etc etc.
For a game that throws 64 human beings at eachother in teh internetz lawl, you can't expect Crysis graphics.

3) Multiplayer: The sheer immersion is enough to make you bake a cake in your seat while screaming "oh sh**!!"

4) Dev's: Usually I don't include dev's in the game because you dont see them in the game, but my how they have a mighty role in what the game turns out to be. I'd like to say these are the first dev's i've ever seen stay in such close contact with the community and actually listen, making changes and testing various abilities based on recommendations from public majority. Incredible team and I am 100% positive they will continue to shape this game to perfection.

The wacky SEMI-PRO or the dramatic THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL or...

This week I got three movie choices showing this weekend, I'll Start from the Third :

If you like fantasy. Penelope. In this modern day romantic tale, Penelope is about a young girl's inspiring journey, a mysterious family secret and the power of love. With all odds against her, in order for Penelope to break the family curse, she must find true love with "one of her own kind." The warm and funny adventure leads her to realize the most important life lesson, "I like myself the way I am."Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci), born to wealthy socialites (Catherine O'Hara and Robert E. Grant), is afflicted by the Wilhern spell that can only be broken when she finds love. Hidden away in her family's estate, the lonely girl meets a string of suitors in her parent's futile attempt to break the curse. Each eligible bachelor is enamored with Penelope and her sizable dowry ... until her curse is revealed.Lemon (Peter Dinklage), a mischievous and eager tabloid reporter wants a photograph of the mysterious Penelope and hires Max (James McAvoy) to pose as a prospective suitor to get the shot. The handsome down-on-his luck gambler finds he falling for Penelope, but not wanting to disappoint her or to expose his surreptitious ways, he decides to disappear.Fed up by his latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and ventures into the world alone. She finds adventure and Annie, her first friend (Reese Witherspoon) and becomes the person she was meant to be.

Next choice is if you prefer drama, there'sThe Other Boleyn Girl.Based on a novel by Philippa Gregory, "The Other Boleyn Girl" revolves around the ferociously ambitious Boleyn sisters, Mary (Johansson) and Anne (Portman), who are rivals for the bed and heart of 16th century English King Henry VIII (Eric Bana).A sumptuous and sensual tale of intrigue, romance and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in European history, "The Other Boleyn Girl" tells the story of two beautiful sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn who, driven by their family's blind ambition, compete for the love of the handsome and passionate King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). While both women eventually share the king's bed, only one will ascend to the throne for a brief and turbulent reign that ends tragically with a swing of the executioner's sword.

Of course my top pick of the week, SEMI-PRO because I love to laugh.Will Ferrell stars in Semi-Pro, an outrageous comedy set in 1976 against the backdrop of the maverick ABA - a fast-paced, wild and crazy basketball league that rivaled the NBA and made a name for itself with innovations like the three-point shot and slam dunk contest. Ferrell plays Jackie Moon, a one-hit wonder who used the profits from the success of his chart-topping song "Love Me Sexy" to achieve his dream of owning a basketball team. But Moon's franchise, the Flint Michigan Tropics, is the worst team in the league and in danger of folding when the ABA announces its plans to merge with the NBA. If they want to survive, Jackie and the Tropics must now do the seemingly impossible - win.

What's your pick ?

RAMBO'S Last Fight

I know these review may have taken so long, but it’s finally here, John Rambo the latest installment in the Rambo series. After almost twenty years, Rambo returns to the big screen.

John Rambo is now just a Snake Hunter in Thailand, who had been asked to guide Medical Missionaries to bring Medicine to the war torn Burma. The Medical Mission Team was captured by these barbaric, gun slinger Military Men and John Rambo was once again asked to rescue them together with some Missionaries.

Rambo is now fighting with a team and is no longer a one man crew. This movie is bloodier than the first three films, with head exploding, arms and leg being torn. Stallone surely knows this John Rambo character.

John Rambo has lesser action sequences compared to the first three, that maybe because John Rambo is getting old and he could not run anymore. Some of the musical score is still there, but the music wherein he prepares for a big fight is no longer there.

I grew up watching Rambo films, and it is with my honor to pay homage to the 80’s greatest one man hero. Feels like old school and John Rambo is a very sentimental film for Stallone that is probably why he made this film. This maybe the last movie for Rambo, because during the end of the movie, he is shown heading towards his home.

If you liked the first three Rambo films, you’ll probably get a little disappointed with this one in terms of action. This is more like a dramatic film, more of homage to John Rambo’s character. I somehow kinda liked it, the end story for one great cinema icon. John Rambo’s last big fight.

NBA Blockbuster Trade Thoughts

Here is my assessment on this year's NBA Trade :

Cavaliers. They acquired Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Chicago and Seattle for Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Ira Newble, Shannon Brown, Donyell Marshall and Cedric Simmons.)

Cleveland is . . . better? Marginally so; Szczerbiak is a dead-eye shooter and Wallace a good pickup for battles down the road. But if the Cavs have more playoff-tested veterans now, they also are a little older and slower. They will now have to slug games out in the paint, and you wonder how LeBron James feels about that.

Mavericks. (They acquired Jason Kidd and Malik Allen from New Jersey for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Keith Van Horn, Maurice Ager, Trenton Hassell and draft picks.)
Van Horn saved Dallas by taking a prorated $4 million to play for two months. Kidd should make the game easier for everyone. But Dallas has to break through and win a title now. And the Mavs will miss Diop's size just as much as Harris' quickness.

Suns. (They acquired Shaquille O'Neal from Miami for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks.)
Phoenix rolled the dice by bringing in the 36-year-old Shaq, but the bigger question is whether Amare Stoudemire can do what Marion did for the Suns at the defensive end. If Wednesday's home loss to the Lakers is any indication, the Suns have work to do. But the trade was still worth making; it gives Phoenix desperately needed size up front.

Lakers. (They acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol, and draft picks.)
How can one say anything different after watching a rejuvenated Gasol, who has fit right in with Kobe Bryant and the surging Lakers? Los Angeles also opted not to move Lamar Odom before the deadline, giving this group a chance to mesh. GM Mitch Kupchak should drive to Vegas tonight and bet the ranch. He's on a roll.

Spurs. (They acquired Kurt Thomas from Seattle for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson, and a 2009 first-round pick. They also signed Damon Stoudamire.)
San Antonio strikes again, getting the rugged Thomas for the playoff run in the physical West while not having to mortgage any of its key pieces. Stoudamire should help down the stretch if starter Tony Parker continues to be slowed by injuries.

Jazz. (They acquired Kyle Korver from the Sixers for Gordan Giricek.)
This December deal is still paying big dividends for Utah. Korver has fit right into the Jazz' halfcourt sets, and his presence allows Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer more room inside to operate

I just think the L.A. Lakers is the biggest winner among these blockbuster trade deal, with the Mavericks coming in second.

What's your VANTAGE POINT ?

If there is one movie that is definitely worth seeing this weekend, it must be Vantage Point. It has been long overdue and now we can finally have the chance to see it. I’ve been seeing its trailers in almost every Columbia Pictures DVD as early as last year. I just hope that it’s worth the wait. This is my top movie choice for the week.

8 Strangers. 8 Points of View. 1 Truth.

In Columbia Pictures' "Vantage Point," Thomas Barnes (Dennis Quaid) and Kent Taylor (Matthew Fox), are two Secret Service agents assigned to protect President Ashton (William Hurt) at a landmark summit on the global war on terror. When President Ashton is shot moments after his arrival in Spain, chaos ensues and disparate lives collide. In the crowd is Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker) an American tourist video taping the historic event to show his kids when he returns home. Also there is Rex (Sigourney Weaver) an American TV news producer who is reporting on the conference. It's only as we follow each person's perspective of the same 15 minutes prior to and immediately after the shooting that the terrifying truth behind the assassination attempt is revealed.

It will mark the first action thriller film of Lost’ Matthew Fox. From my Vantage Point of view it will be worth seeing.

CHARLIE BARTLETT also seems interesting.Anton Yelchin ("Alpha Dog") stars as Charlie Bartlett, who has been kicked out of every private school he ever attended. And now that he's moved on to public school, he's simply getting pummeled. But when Charlie discovers that the kids who surround him - the outcast and the popular alike - are secretly in desperate need, his entrepreneurial spirit takes over. Hanging up his shingle in the Boys' restroom, Charlie becomes an underground, not to mention under-aged, shrink who listens to the private confessions of his schoolmates, and makes the imprudent decision to hand out the pills he's proffered from his own psychiatric sessions. Meanwhile, at home, Charlie keeps charming his way out of an inevitable confrontation with his adoring but utterly overwhelmed mother Marilyn (Hope Davis.)

BLACK SUPERMAN sparks NBA All Star Weekend 08

One of the major reasons why the recently concluded NBA All Star Weekend was such a big hit among basketball fanatics is because of one man, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

Dwight Howard electrifies the crowd with his brilliant in your face dunk. This year he won’t be denied. Eliminated last year in the Slam Dunk Challenge, Dwight Howard seems to have done his homework very well bagging the Slam Dunk Challenge.

Almost everyone in the crowd got their ooh and aah moments as Dwight Howard displays his dunking ability one after the other. The stars are back in the slam dunk, it’s been a long time since a certified blue chip star made the challenge more exciting. Not since Vince Carter under the knee dunk had the slam dunk sparkles.

His first dunk had some jitters but he was able to make it. Dunking from behind the backboard almost made his heat hit the board but perfect timing saves him and it was something new I never saw before.

And then came his highlight with his Superman Costume, He soars highly to the ring and makes the judges giving him a perfect 10. Gerald Green had his share of limelight with the help of a cupcake, I thought he was gonna munch the cupcake but he just blew the candle. Had he ate it before he dunk, he would have won the contest.

Green opened the final with a between the legs dunk but Howard answers back with between the leg pass followed by a left handed bounce off the backboard and a right handed grab and jam move to a thunderous ovation.

Howard finish off the show with a miniature rim to the bottom right corner of the backboard, placing the ball on the little rim then he grabs it and makes a windmill slam dunk in the real hoop. Truly a superb accomplishment for him, the saying “practice makes perfect “is true.

Own WE OWN THE NIGHT ON DVD

If you like Gansgster film, then WE OWN THE NIGHT is for you. It stars Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall and the hot and sexy Eva Mendes. This is probably Eva Mendes sexiest movie, baring his boob. Although I think it’s a body double, since the camera shot was made without showing her face. Eva you just scorch the screen.

Now more on the DVD, if you like trailers this one’s loaded. I won’t mention the title of the movie trailers; it’s for you to find out. Here’s a sample it got 21 and Vantage Point.

The special features of this DVD include commentary with Director James Gray. It also has Tension : Creating We Own the Night. This tells how the film was made in case you didn’t know.

The Special Features also has Police Action : Filming Cops, Cars and Chaos and also A Moment in Crime : Creating Late 80’s Brooklyn. Writers, Director and Producers talk about how the scene was made and how they relive each scene, the backgrounds use.

I f you’re a big fan of Eva Mendes, this DVD is for you, you can play her sexy scene over and over until your eyes melt. This Movie is hot because of her.

American Idol still SIZZLES....

Just seen tonight’s episode of American Idol, and all I can say is that the show is in fast pace mode. This year the show, cut the crap of grouping those who survived the Audition. Good thing they cut that part, I mean this show is not about a boy band or girl band or a band. It’s about solo performance. Heck if you’ve been in a bad group you’re luck may run out and you may soon get the boot out.

This year the contestants are getting younger and younger. There was a sixteen year old kid who I forgot his name renders Heaven by Bryan Adams and sung it splendidly. Maybe in the coming shows, I’ll remember their names.

It’s obvious though, that the contestant they focus more are the one who will make it to the Top 24. The show is acquainting the viewers to the contestant, so in time for voting the viewers have their personal pick.

It’s still is a long shot and the Top 24 has not yet been announced, so I wont predict this early on. Good old Simon Cowell still throws some humor and holds his frankness, and Randy Jackson still maintains his coolness. Paula Abdul is the balancing act on the show and yet sometimes she’s over reacting.

I’ll keep you updated on the coming shows.

JUMPER or THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES

I guess we hit the jackpot last week as I predict that Fool’s Gold would top the box office across the U.S. This week though, seems tough as I’ve narrowed down my choice movies for the week to two.

This week there will be two good movies that will be shown this week.

First is Jumper, an action caper starring Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson.
It tells about a young man who has the power or ability to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them. This movie is from the people who made the Bourne movies. So I think this one will be an exciting movie.

Then we have the science fiction/fantasy film The Spiderwick Chronicles. Based on the beloved best-selling series of books, “The Spiderwick Chronicles," is a fantasy adventure for the child in all of us. Tells us about peculiar things that’s happening to the Grace family (Jared, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory and their mom) leave New York and move into the secluded old house owned by their great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. Unable to explain the strange disappearances and accidents that seem to be happening on a daily basis, the family blames Jared. When he, Simon and Mallory investigate what's really going on, they uncover the fantastic truth of the Spiderwick estate and of the creatures that inhabit it. I’ve seen the trailer of this movie and I sure think that it’s worth seeing it. It’s for the whole family.

It’s a tough one but I’ll see both this weekend and try to just relax while I enjoy these two movies. So I guess, that leave us to you readers. The choice is yours.

Get ready for a LEGO Indiana Jones

First it was the Star Wars Universe, and then it was Batman’s turn. Now it’s everyone favorite swashbuckling, daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones turn to metamorphose into LEGO.

LucasArts will soon release the Indiana Jones in LEGO format in time for this year’s release of the new Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. I’ve heard that this game will be based on the trilogy instead of the new movie.

The characters in the game are much more in tune with their surroundings and are much more physically active as they encounter puzzles, traps, and enemies. For example, you can pick up objects in-game and use them to battle enemies, solve puzzles, light fires or barrels of gunpowder. On top of that, characters are quite athletic and can now climb ropes and swing on vines, swim, and shimmy hand-over-hand across ledges. All of these open up a variety of gameplay options, That LEGO Star Wars were previously unable to offer players.
The core technology is based on the same engine, but with significant upgrades to allow for the new gameplay elements previously described. That's also not to mention the fact that the game is visually striking and really communicates the unique environments that Indy has the good fortune to visit.
Indy is a natural fit for a game like this that encourages exploration, adventure, and cooperative gameplay, as well as a healthy dose of humor.
I just hope that this game will be available to all gaming console, this is one game to watch out for.

SHAQUILLE O NEAL joins Phoenix Suns

Wise and brilliant move by Shaquille O Neal, I think before he retires he want another championship ring. He just packed his bag and left for Phoenix Suns to be sure that he have a big chance of getting that elusive fifth championship ring.

Although it’s not yet official, it would likely to push through. Shawn Marion will head to Miami Heat in exchange for the Big Man. These will be exciting for the Miami Heat since they now have two of the high flying wingman in the NBA. With Wade and Marion combining forces expect the Heat to change their basketball type, it’ll be like slam and jam type of game for the Heat.

As for the Phoenix Suns, their run and gun style will definitely take a backseat for now. It will be now the Two Towers play now since Amare Stoudamire and Shaquille O Neal will man the paint now, plus the slashing of Grant Hill and the no look pass of Steve Nash.

This will just spice up the Wild Wild Western Conference. I’m pretty sure that other teams like the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks will be worried. They might even think of reshuffling their team before the trade deadline.

I am sure that Shaquille O Neal will be unstoppable anew with his new team, remember when he was starting with Orlando Magic, L.A. Lakers and Miami Heat. He brought all this team to the Championship and he was successful with Lakers and Heat.

The questionsnow are, Can Shaq jell well with the rest of the Suns? Can he bring Phoenix Suns to the Promised Land?

Fool's Gold...My choice of the week

This week I’ll talk about what is my top choice for the movie that will be shown for the week or the movie that I’ll predict to rule the box office.

We got a lot of choices for this week, but let me trim it down to four.

If you’re looking for a black comedy, there is Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, which tells the story of Talk-show sensation RJ Stevens, who left behind his modest Southern upbringing and family name to transform into a self-help guru dispensing his "Team of Me" philosophy to millions of adoring fans. With a reality-TV-star fiancee and money to burn, there's no piece of the Hollywood dream RJ hasn't achieved. After his parents request that he come home for their 50th wedding anniversary, that’s where the wackiness of this film come flourishing. It stars Martin Lawrence.

If stand up comedy is the one thing that makes you laugh there’s Vince Vaughn Wild West Comedy Show. It chronicles Vince Vaughn stand up comedy show over the U.S. in 2005.It’s kinda sort of documentary along with the funniest jokes thrown in the tour

If you’re a fan of Paris Hilton or who just like to look or admire her body, then her new film is for you, The Hottie or the Nottie. It tells a story about that started in puppy love that grows as years goes on.

My top pick for the week is Fool’s Gold, the second team up of Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson. Their first team up is the romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 days. This time they are teaming up for an action adventure movie. Matthew stars as Ben Finnegan a surf bum-turned-treasure hunter who is obsessed with finding the legendary 18th century Queen's Dowry--40 chests of exotic treasure that was lost at sea in 1715. In his quest, Finn has sunk everything he has, including his marriage to Tess Finnegan and his more-rusty-than-trusty salvage boat, "Booty Calls." Just as Tess has begun to rebuild her life, working aboard a mega-yacht owned by billionaire Nigel Honeycutt, Finn discovers a vital clue to the treasure's whereabouts. Certain that his luck will change with the newfound information, Finn maneuvers himself aboard Nigel's yacht and, using his good-natured charm, convinces the tycoon and his Blackberry-wielding, celebutante daughter, Gemma, to join him in the pursuit of the Spanish treasure. Against Tess' better judgment, the search rekindles her love... of discovery. But they are not the only ones after the treasure. Finn's mentor-turned-nemesis Moe Fitch has also set out to claim the prize. Let the treasure hunt begins

This is more like National Treasure on a water. Go out and choose. The choice is yours.

GIGANTIC upset by the New York Giants

Talking about upset, the New York Giants just did one gigantic upset in Super Bowl History by upsetting the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. The New York Giants rallied to beat the Patriots 17-14.

The New York Giants are the clear Underdog in the series, and yet they have shown the Heart of a Champion who never bucks down when the game is on the line.

Trailing an unbeaten by four points with only two minutes and thirty nine seconds remaining. Thanks to the fantastic play by Eli Manning, who flung the ball down the middle of the field toward David Tyree. The Giants held on to preserve the win.

It was a bitter loss for the Patriots who are aiming for a perfect 19-0 record had they won over the Giants, but luck seems to be not on their side. They were everybody’s pick to win the Super Bowl but the New York Giants are much better believer with themselves that is one reason they won the Super Bowl XLII.

Lakers get Upgraded

The L.A.Lakers became stronger now with the acquisition of Spain’s greatest Basketball player today, Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. In exchange for Kwame Brown, rookie Javaris Crittenton and two first round draft picks. The Lakers have added another versatile player in the team’s rich roster history.

I think the Lakers now can surpass the first round of the playoffs with Gasol’s inside and outside play. I mean he’s not just a big man, who can not only dominate the boards but also scores and pass.

Pau Gasol is the main reason why the Grizzlies made it to the playoffs for consecutive years, but they just can’t seem to overcome the first round and they never won a single game in the first round.

He is one of the international players who made a big impact on the NBA. Some of his teammates from Spain also made it in the NBA namely Jose Calderon and Garbajosa.
That team dominated the 2004 Olympic elimination until they were ambushed by the struggling Team USA led by Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson.

But they somehow redeemed themselves winning the FIBA 2006 Basketball World Championship by beating Greece in the Finals.

His addition to the Lakers team has bolstered their ranking in the NBA and somehow diminished the ranking of the Grizzlies. Now I think Kobe will be happy now, he now had a proven superstar teammate.

Can’t wait for Pau Gasol’s first game for the Los Angeles Lakers.