I ended up watching this after a recommendation. One of which I sat on for about a week or more, since what little I saw of it reminded me too much of the old Hercules and Xena. And once I knew Raimi was involved, it was like no..
But I was bored enough, and both season were on Netflix so I started watching it. And it's shame that the show was cancelled. I have never read or even heard of the books before now. But the show is your typical fantasy romp, and nothing too complicated. But I can say that it pleasantly falls into the category of being the best of the Hercules and Xena 'Mold'
The show isn't too campy, funny or silly. And strikes the right edge. And the casting turned out to be quite good. I especially liked the 'Train Man' from the matrix. He made a fantastic wizard, and the icing on the cake was the fact they actually spent some money on FX and he could cast more than 1 spell. And they weren't shy about throwing around some lightening and fire in this series.
I would heartily recommend it to anyone who didn't mind the Hercules and Xena style, but a little more serious. I have no idea how it reflects on the books. And being cancelled after two seasons, they still manage to end the show without too much feeling unfinished.
4 Stars out of 5
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy. Show all posts
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Orcs and Elves
Picked up a used DS title from EBGames this week. I seem to remember reading a good review of it sometime ago. And it was on for about $2.65 so what the hell..
It turns out the game has iD and EA attached to it. And started out as a cell phone game several years ago. It's based on something called the Doom RPG engine, which I had never heard of.
The game as it stands seems to be (In my memory)a throwback to the old SSI Eye of the Beholder games I played back in the early 90s. A corridor dungeon crawler. You move from space to space, and fight monsters with a variety of items and magic.
The game is quite fun, and I wish there had been a handful of sequels. Apparently there was at least one, but never made it over to the DS. You don't get to pick or choose anything about yourself. So much more could have been done with a few classes, and races tossed in. And expanded random dungeons and loot.
When I first played it, it reminded me very much of Major Mudd. Back in the day I played a lot of that game, with a graphical UI over top of it. Not too mention even further back with Bards Tale on the C64. Combat is turn based which is great, all the real time twitch based stuff that is so prevalent these days isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I've been looking to see if there are any more 'Retro' fantasy, dungeon crawlers. But I haven't had a whole lot of luck. So, I have been playing O&E a little slower now so I don't finish too quickly.
4 out of 5 Stars
of Retro fun
It turns out the game has iD and EA attached to it. And started out as a cell phone game several years ago. It's based on something called the Doom RPG engine, which I had never heard of.
The game as it stands seems to be (In my memory)a throwback to the old SSI Eye of the Beholder games I played back in the early 90s. A corridor dungeon crawler. You move from space to space, and fight monsters with a variety of items and magic.
The game is quite fun, and I wish there had been a handful of sequels. Apparently there was at least one, but never made it over to the DS. You don't get to pick or choose anything about yourself. So much more could have been done with a few classes, and races tossed in. And expanded random dungeons and loot.
When I first played it, it reminded me very much of Major Mudd. Back in the day I played a lot of that game, with a graphical UI over top of it. Not too mention even further back with Bards Tale on the C64. Combat is turn based which is great, all the real time twitch based stuff that is so prevalent these days isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I've been looking to see if there are any more 'Retro' fantasy, dungeon crawlers. But I haven't had a whole lot of luck. So, I have been playing O&E a little slower now so I don't finish too quickly.
4 out of 5 Stars
of Retro fun
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Thundercats 2011
Been watching the new series based on the old 80s cartoon, Thundercats. I can say that I don't recall much of the original. And I've only seen a handful of them in recent months on Teletoon Retro. And I'm not too impressed with it at all.
But the new series is pretty good. The animation is fantastic, voice acting is good. And story wise it's ok. About what you would expect for this type of show for the audience their aiming for. I find that Star Wars The Clone Wars has better stories. But that could be just that the Science Fiction / Fantasy of Star Wars appeals to me more.
So far the new series is up to 11 episodes and hopefully get's picked up for a new season. I know I liked GI Joe Renegades and it has apparently been cancelled.
So don't let any possible negative thoughts of the original stop you from checking out the new series.
But the new series is pretty good. The animation is fantastic, voice acting is good. And story wise it's ok. About what you would expect for this type of show for the audience their aiming for. I find that Star Wars The Clone Wars has better stories. But that could be just that the Science Fiction / Fantasy of Star Wars appeals to me more.
So far the new series is up to 11 episodes and hopefully get's picked up for a new season. I know I liked GI Joe Renegades and it has apparently been cancelled.
So don't let any possible negative thoughts of the original stop you from checking out the new series.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Once Upon A Time
A new series that premiered here last weekend.
The show seems to revolve around the idea that all the old Faerie tales were true, and they did happen. But the characters are under a curse and now living in modern times with no memory of their past or the events they were associated with.
It may not sound all that great, especially since I just re-read that above paragraph. But the show seems to have something about it, that kept me interested for the first episode so far.
I like the cast, and at first I thought that this might be more of a kids show. Since it debuted here on a Sunday night. But once the episode was over, I definitely don't think that would be the case. At least for kids younger than their teen years anyway.
The show has its fair share of darkness about it. From creepy characters, to the apparent death of Prince Charming at the hands of the black knights.
So, I am definitely interested to see where this show goes in future episodes. With some of the other new shows I've been watching this fall. There seems to be more interesting on this year than usual.
The show seems to revolve around the idea that all the old Faerie tales were true, and they did happen. But the characters are under a curse and now living in modern times with no memory of their past or the events they were associated with.
It may not sound all that great, especially since I just re-read that above paragraph. But the show seems to have something about it, that kept me interested for the first episode so far.
I like the cast, and at first I thought that this might be more of a kids show. Since it debuted here on a Sunday night. But once the episode was over, I definitely don't think that would be the case. At least for kids younger than their teen years anyway.
The show has its fair share of darkness about it. From creepy characters, to the apparent death of Prince Charming at the hands of the black knights.
So, I am definitely interested to see where this show goes in future episodes. With some of the other new shows I've been watching this fall. There seems to be more interesting on this year than usual.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Game of Thrones Episode One
Just finished watching episode one. I'm quite happy with what I've seen so far. Lots of familiar faces.
The scenery and the setting looks fantastic, everything looks like it should. And it would seem that they are not shying away from the nudity and brutal violence for this show.
From what I have read, they described it as a Fantasy version of 'The Sopranos' and that could be a great thing. And already being picked up for a second season should be good news. But this was only the first episode.
But with such mentions as Dire Wolves and Dragons, we can only hope things stay with the fantasy. And not just a medieval version of 'The Sopranos' replacing guns with swords.
Off to a great start though..
The scenery and the setting looks fantastic, everything looks like it should. And it would seem that they are not shying away from the nudity and brutal violence for this show.
From what I have read, they described it as a Fantasy version of 'The Sopranos' and that could be a great thing. And already being picked up for a second season should be good news. But this was only the first episode.
But with such mentions as Dire Wolves and Dragons, we can only hope things stay with the fantasy. And not just a medieval version of 'The Sopranos' replacing guns with swords.
Off to a great start though..
Monday, April 11, 2011
Your Highness
How unusual is this.. A fantasy movie, with good special effects. A cast of good actors, one rather star actress. And what appeared to be a budget to support it.
And it's a comedy too..
The really interesting part is when you take the comedy away, you get a fairly straight forward but nothing original save the princess sort of fantasy movie.
The movie can also be compared down the line to most horror movies. Which I think is the brilliance of the piece. If you substitute every cheap scare or jump scene in a horror movie with a contemporary curse and switch from horror to fantasy you would have Your Highness.
The bulk of the comedic elements are just the timing of a good curse word used by Danny McBride. And like the cheap scares of a horror movie, he throws them out at the right times.
I found the movie to be pretty good really. And I hope it get's a sequel. And it's perfectly setup for one. And hopefully they don't change a thing. And it continues along with the new quest they ended on.
3.5 stars out of 5
And it's a comedy too..
The really interesting part is when you take the comedy away, you get a fairly straight forward but nothing original save the princess sort of fantasy movie.
The movie can also be compared down the line to most horror movies. Which I think is the brilliance of the piece. If you substitute every cheap scare or jump scene in a horror movie with a contemporary curse and switch from horror to fantasy you would have Your Highness.
The bulk of the comedic elements are just the timing of a good curse word used by Danny McBride. And like the cheap scares of a horror movie, he throws them out at the right times.
I found the movie to be pretty good really. And I hope it get's a sequel. And it's perfectly setup for one. And hopefully they don't change a thing. And it continues along with the new quest they ended on.
3.5 stars out of 5
Sunday, November 21, 2010
HP And the Deathly Hallows Part 1
Seen this on opening night. And will say up front that after the last few years I don't remember the book in any great detail.
But with the films, this one strikes me as the best one since Columbus left the franchise. So since around movie 2.
Everything just seemed to flow good for me, and the two hours plus just flowed on by. Which is a good sign, when your not looking at your watch every 5 mins.
Now, I saw a review today on a show that should remain nameless. Where one of the hosts bitched about how he was lost.. Well, you know what. Go read the books, or watch the movies from the start. Like Star Wars and Star Trek, you can't remake the first of every installment from the beginning for the people who know they are going to movie number 7 and yet expect the whole back story explained out to them. Maybe they should just go watch 1 to 6 first, or find another movie.
So, your going to a 'franchise' movie cold and complain you don't know what's going on. Well, guess what. Maybe it's not for you.
4 stars out of 5
But with the films, this one strikes me as the best one since Columbus left the franchise. So since around movie 2.
Everything just seemed to flow good for me, and the two hours plus just flowed on by. Which is a good sign, when your not looking at your watch every 5 mins.
Now, I saw a review today on a show that should remain nameless. Where one of the hosts bitched about how he was lost.. Well, you know what. Go read the books, or watch the movies from the start. Like Star Wars and Star Trek, you can't remake the first of every installment from the beginning for the people who know they are going to movie number 7 and yet expect the whole back story explained out to them. Maybe they should just go watch 1 to 6 first, or find another movie.
So, your going to a 'franchise' movie cold and complain you don't know what's going on. Well, guess what. Maybe it's not for you.
4 stars out of 5
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Gamers
Managed to see The Gamers : Dorkness Rising. And if you have ever played tabletop RPGs before and especially Dungeons & Dragons you will love this movie.
It's a low budget, basically fan film about the adventure of a group of gamers and their campaign. Just like a fan movie of the comic Knights of the Dinner Table. It's funny, and the stuff that goes on should be very recognizable to gamers.
There are lots of nods to the tropes of the genre. Including a appearance of Nodwick, and the line 'Waste'em with my crossbow'
This was more entertaining, and even more with the in game parts than the two official D&D movies combines. Someone should give these people some money for better costumes and CG effects and let them make more.
4 out of 5 Go see it right away
It's a low budget, basically fan film about the adventure of a group of gamers and their campaign. Just like a fan movie of the comic Knights of the Dinner Table. It's funny, and the stuff that goes on should be very recognizable to gamers.
There are lots of nods to the tropes of the genre. Including a appearance of Nodwick, and the line 'Waste'em with my crossbow'
This was more entertaining, and even more with the in game parts than the two official D&D movies combines. Someone should give these people some money for better costumes and CG effects and let them make more.
4 out of 5 Go see it right away
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