What's a good horror flick without a good villain? As we all know, the said villain should be properly menacing, horrifying, and ruthless to be able to scare us shitless. It really doesn't matter whether the villain is a person (be it a grown up or a kid), an inanimate object, a vengeful entity or a natural thing. It's not really surprising - people fear one thing or another.
Way, waaay back, the classic monsters reigned over the horror genre: The Phantom of the Opera, Dracula, Frankenstein, Mr. Hyde, Werewolves, Mummies, Zombies, and monsters from the Blue Lagoon and God-knows-where-else, among other things. Relatives of Frankenstein (Bride of Frankenstein, Son of Frankenstein, Frankenstein's Daughter) and Dracula (Dracula's Daughter, Brides of Dracula) also made their presence known, maybe just to show that being a reanimated corpse and/or being undead doesn't mean one should be caught without a social life.
Over the years, I've seen a lot of scary movie villains and so I made a list of the most memorable horror flick villains (for me, at least). I stress "memorable," since some of them aren't really scary and border on campy, hilarious, and/or absurd.
The 10 Most Iconic
Freddie Krueger - If his mug doesn't scare you, his deadly nightmares will.
Michael Myers - The guy wears a William Shatner Halloween mask. Scary.
Jason Voorhees - Hockey mask, machete, and indestructible.
Ghostface (Scream) - Stock up on horror movie trivia.
Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) - Chainsaw and crazy family.
Chucky - Murderous doll.
Jigsaw (Saw) - Crazy and bloody contraptions.
Hannibal Lecter - Dinner, anyone?
Pinhead - Constantly plagued by migraines.
Sadako - Climbs out of the TV.
Unseen Things
The Witch in the Blair Witch Project - Running around lost in a forest at night is not something you'd want on your summer vacation itinerary as it is most certainly not fun. Especially when you think you're being chased by somebody - or something.
The ghosts in Poltergeist - You do not want to hear a kid say, "They're here." Prepare for flying objects, bending forks, and other strange occurrences.
Death in the Final Destination series - We don't actually see a hooded guy with a giant scythe, Death comes in the form of many otherwise innocent things: a trickle of water there, a plugged electric appliance here, and a conveniently placed bath tub over there.
Things from Outer Space or an Undiscovered Species of Something
The Blob - It's a moving pile of gooey sludge. That's eeew factor number one. Eeew factor number two goes to its nasty habit of consuming carbon-based objects, humans included. Note: The pile of hungry goo or something like it can also be found in a short story called Slime (Joseph Payne Brennan), a novel and movie called Phantoms (Dean Koontz), and a movie called The Thing (John Carpenter).
Graboids from Tremors - Just when you thought it ends with the ginormous underground worm, it goes and spawns Shriekers and Ass-Blasters (I am not kidding, that's what they called the gliding versions of the things).
The Alien in the Alien flicks - Acid spit. Acid blood. Barbed tail. Secondary mouth. Facehuggers. Thank god for Ellen Ripley.
Kothoga in The Relic - The Relic is often called "Alien in a Museum" and for good reason. And nope, there isn't an eerie resemblance between the movie monsters.
Inanimate Objects and other Otherwise (outwardly) Innocent Things
The Mist - The Mist is not to be mistaken with The Fog - though they're both weather conditions, the former is good while the latter is just, blah (just goes to show that even Superman can't breathe life into a baaad movie). Anyway, what exactly lurks in the mist? You must watch the 2007 film. Watch it, or at least read Stephen King's novella of the same title.
Billie the doll in the Saw series - It's creepy, even creepier when seen riding a tricycle.
The House in The Amityville Horror - 112 Ocean Avenue. In case you're rusty in horror-speak, it's a haunted house and it still exists. Site of the DeFeo murders. Note: While we're on the subject of evil places, I should probably throw in the evil hotel room in 1408 too.
Puppets in Puppet Master - Damn. (It's another one of those movies I watched as a kid.)
The Overlook Hotel in The Shining - It's not only haunted, it's also THE malevolent entity (like the Amityville Horror, Event Horizon, and 1408) in the Stephen King classic.
Event Horizon - Okay, it's from a sci-fi flick, but you've got to admit, the Event Horizon was pretty evil.
The mirrors in the recent movie Mirrors - There are dozens of horror stories about mirrors (Bloody Mary, Candyman, person appearing behind you but isn't there when you look over your shoulder) and heck, a room full of mirrors is just plain scary.
Scary Kids (In movies, and most horror video games, there is nothing scarier than a creepy looking kid.)
Toshio (the kid) in The Grudge - Him, together with the weird scuffling and croaking sounds, are guaranteed to make the hairs you didn't know you had stand up on end.
Alessa Gillespie in Silent Hill - She has achieved infamy both in the survival horror video games and the film adaptation.
Damien Thorn in The Omen - He's the antichrist, so he's got to look and act the part, right?
Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist - Projectile vomiting, spider walk down the stairs, and impossible head twists. Enough said.
The Children of the Corn - Who would've thought that a strange cult full of half pints can wipe off all the adults in their town?
(You can add the kid from the Korean movie Acacia - if you consider Acacia a horror movie and not a documentary about the blasted tree.)
Unkillable, Demented, and Downright Scary (or Downright Absurd)
The Shark in Jaws - Come on, tell me you didn't shout "Get out of the damn water!" or "Swim faster, you idiot!" at the TV when the fin popped out of the surface and the accompanying "dun-dun-dun-dun" background music came on. Note: This entry is probably also applicable to the giant croc in Lake Placid and the Anaconda in that movie with JLo and Ice Cube.
The zombies in 28 Days Later and the remade Dawn of the Dead - Which is scarier - running for dear life with zombies right at your heels or running for dear life while zombies shuffle behind you?
Elite Hunting in Hostel movies - They kidnap people and auction them off to be tortured and killed. I'm not sure about you, but they certainly give the traveler in me the heebie jeebies.
Natre in Shutter - Severe neck pain has never been explained in a more horrifying manner. Well, maybe beside finding a knife sticking out of your neck.
The Wishmaster - This forever smashed my vision of all the genies I ever loved (Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie and Aladdin's Genie).
The Candyman - Say his name in front of a mirror 5 times and watch buckets of blood spill, specifically, yours.
Pumpkinhead - I vaguely remember this movie (I watched it waaay way back) and while the movie itself is bad, the movie monster Pumpkinhead lurks in my subconscious.
Leprechaun - Probably the most evil little green man ever (or at least he was back when I was nine). Can be distracted by throwing dirty shoes as he is compelled to shine them.
It - It's a clown.
The Killer in Urban Legend - I remember her due to the very very creepy message scrawled in blood: Aren't you glad you didn't turn on the light?
Jack Torrance in The Shining - Cabin fever + writer's block + alcohol = Jack is not a happy writer.
Infected in I Am Legend - They killed the dog. I don't care if they kill Will Smith, they killed the dog. Fine, Will Smith strangled the dog after it becomes infected, but that's beside the point, right?
Demon Knight in Tales from the Crypt - Billy Zane as a very cunning, and very evil demon. Buckets of blood everywhere. (Yes, it's another one of those movies I saw as a kid.)
The Fisherman from I Know (I Still Know, I'll Always Know, I'll Forever and Ever Know... wait) What You Did Last Summer - He evolved from a cranky victim of a hit and run to a supernatural vengeance machine out to get those who keep a death secret.
The Creature in Mimic - Over the course of the series (the other two Mimic movies were direct to video), the Judas Breed evolved from a cross between a mantis and a termite into a giant 6-foot cockroach able to mimic humans. You can't squash it as it is probably bigger than you are, and the tactic of flinging a tsinelas (slippers) against it is probably as ineffectual. How exactly do you kill it? Wrestle it into a vat of Baygon? Hmm...
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Chronicles of a Scare: Saw series
Ah, Halloween. Horror movies and Halloween Specials abound (Those who know me know that Halloween Specials and horror movies are only part of what gives me the chills come end of October, but let's not talk about that.) and to a movie marathon junkie like me, it means a lot of on-screen blood, gore, twists, and supernatural events. To commemorate the holiday, I have lined up a couple of favorites to sate my yearly thirst for screams.
Way back in 2004, I watched the original Saw and thought, "Wow, this is somewhat fresh. A twisted self righteous serial killer." And since then, I've followed the series in its sometimes confusing plot of ingenious traps, unrelenting surprises, and bewildered protagonists. The thing with Saw is, you're torn between rooting for Jigsaw (a.k.a. John Kramer), the killer who thinks his victims are taking their lives for granted and thus tests their will to live, and the hapless victims. Every character in the Saw movies are flawed, be it in their individual lives or in their apparent inability to follow instructions.
Moral dilemmas abound. The cop forced to aid and abet in the "games" of three felons. The crooked cop thrust into Jigsaw's game with his son as bait. The doctor forced to keep the killer alive and the father forced to save the last three people on Earth he'd want to save. The list goes on and on, and as the body count rises, I wonder how Saw can cling to its appeal without Jigsaw (played by wonderfully demented and creepy Tobin Bell). Anyway, here's a treat for those who never picked up the Saw series and for those who need some reminding:
Scary movies for Halloween: Saw series
Scary movies for Halloween: Saw and Saw II
Scary movies for Halloween: Saw III, Saw IV, and Saw V
Way back in 2004, I watched the original Saw and thought, "Wow, this is somewhat fresh. A twisted self righteous serial killer." And since then, I've followed the series in its sometimes confusing plot of ingenious traps, unrelenting surprises, and bewildered protagonists. The thing with Saw is, you're torn between rooting for Jigsaw (a.k.a. John Kramer), the killer who thinks his victims are taking their lives for granted and thus tests their will to live, and the hapless victims. Every character in the Saw movies are flawed, be it in their individual lives or in their apparent inability to follow instructions.
Moral dilemmas abound. The cop forced to aid and abet in the "games" of three felons. The crooked cop thrust into Jigsaw's game with his son as bait. The doctor forced to keep the killer alive and the father forced to save the last three people on Earth he'd want to save. The list goes on and on, and as the body count rises, I wonder how Saw can cling to its appeal without Jigsaw (played by wonderfully demented and creepy Tobin Bell). Anyway, here's a treat for those who never picked up the Saw series and for those who need some reminding:
Scary movies for Halloween: Saw series
Scary movies for Halloween: Saw and Saw II
Scary movies for Halloween: Saw III, Saw IV, and Saw V
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
pack that sheet
That is it. I am going to Japan. That's right. Japan. When I get there, I will immediately march into a bookstore and purchase Gatoh Shoji's Full Metal Panic light novels - and maybe grab the Haruhi Suzumiya light novels too. And then go home to read them (a side trip in between to Akihabara might not be a bad idea).
I must have them, I tell you. Dammit, the air fare to Japan and the shit I'll have to go through (I have a Japanese last name and I heard all about the hell my cousins - on different occasions - went through just to get blasted passports and/or visas.) will be taxing on my depleted funds and my frayed sanity, but blast it, I will go there. Either that, or buy the stuff from Amazon.
The problem with the latter option is that the online English mega store doesn't seem to know the difference between light novels, manga, short story compilations, and graphic novels, among other stuff the franchise has spawned. Plus, nobody on the bloody internet seems to be selling the last novels in the series. Wait, scratch that. After exhausting all of my google powers, I found that Amazon Japan has the reprinted versions. Downside is, I have to figure out how to pay for them. Apparently, Amazon.jp doesn't do PayPal. Blast it, I don't do credit cards either.
Add this to the fact that I read and write hiragana/katakana like a drunk kindergartener, heaven forbid the kanji. Here's an example of me reading Japanese:
フルメタル
That squiggly line is supposed to be Fu right? (Checks notes.) Oh, yeah, Fu. (On to the next letter.) I remember what that is, I just can't figure out what. Wait, it's Ru. Yay! Next letter is, hmm. That's an M syllable, isn't it? Why don't I just go ahead and look this up in Google? No, that's cheating and I'll never learn if I do that. Ah, I remember now, Me! Next it's... Ta, right? (Stares at notes.) Yes, it's Ta. (Thinks, "I have horrible penmanship, even in goddamned katakana.") The last one's another Ru. FuRuMeTaRu. Full Metal.
By the time I figure it out, I'd be bleeding from bashing my head against my desk.
But I don't care. It might take months before I can fully master all the squiggly lines, but I don't care. I will buy them and I will read them. I need to know what happens to Sagara Sousuke and Chidori Kaname after Amalgam takes Chidori and Mythril's reduced to a pile of burning rubble. I want to know what happens to the rest of them.
I'll explain why I'm this rabid in a few days, right now, I'll need my energy to find the books. Note: If anybody, ANYBODY, suggests that I wait for TokyoPop to translate the rest of the books, which they've had a licence to since last year and have since released the first 3 books (at the rate they're going, I'm going to be sanjuu when they release the last one), make sure that your jaw's ready the next time I see you because I will be sure to break it.
Another note: Those who think I'm a violent, rabid, and unreasonable person will need to get lessons in Exaggeration and Sarcasm. I am serious about getting those books though. If you know somebody nice in Japan who can help me out, please please please please point me in their direction.
I must have them, I tell you. Dammit, the air fare to Japan and the shit I'll have to go through (I have a Japanese last name and I heard all about the hell my cousins - on different occasions - went through just to get blasted passports and/or visas.) will be taxing on my depleted funds and my frayed sanity, but blast it, I will go there. Either that, or buy the stuff from Amazon.
The problem with the latter option is that the online English mega store doesn't seem to know the difference between light novels, manga, short story compilations, and graphic novels, among other stuff the franchise has spawned. Plus, nobody on the bloody internet seems to be selling the last novels in the series. Wait, scratch that. After exhausting all of my google powers, I found that Amazon Japan has the reprinted versions. Downside is, I have to figure out how to pay for them. Apparently, Amazon.jp doesn't do PayPal. Blast it, I don't do credit cards either.
Add this to the fact that I read and write hiragana/katakana like a drunk kindergartener, heaven forbid the kanji. Here's an example of me reading Japanese:
フルメタル
That squiggly line is supposed to be Fu right? (Checks notes.) Oh, yeah, Fu. (On to the next letter.) I remember what that is, I just can't figure out what. Wait, it's Ru. Yay! Next letter is, hmm. That's an M syllable, isn't it? Why don't I just go ahead and look this up in Google? No, that's cheating and I'll never learn if I do that. Ah, I remember now, Me! Next it's... Ta, right? (Stares at notes.) Yes, it's Ta. (Thinks, "I have horrible penmanship, even in goddamned katakana.") The last one's another Ru. FuRuMeTaRu. Full Metal.
By the time I figure it out, I'd be bleeding from bashing my head against my desk.
But I don't care. It might take months before I can fully master all the squiggly lines, but I don't care. I will buy them and I will read them. I need to know what happens to Sagara Sousuke and Chidori Kaname after Amalgam takes Chidori and Mythril's reduced to a pile of burning rubble. I want to know what happens to the rest of them.
I'll explain why I'm this rabid in a few days, right now, I'll need my energy to find the books. Note: If anybody, ANYBODY, suggests that I wait for TokyoPop to translate the rest of the books, which they've had a licence to since last year and have since released the first 3 books (at the rate they're going, I'm going to be sanjuu when they release the last one), make sure that your jaw's ready the next time I see you because I will be sure to break it.
Another note: Those who think I'm a violent, rabid, and unreasonable person will need to get lessons in Exaggeration and Sarcasm. I am serious about getting those books though. If you know somebody nice in Japan who can help me out, please please please please point me in their direction.
Friday, October 24, 2008
kotaete boku no koe ni
Where are you going?
Away. Away from here.
Hahaha. So in the end, you're going to run.
I guess.
Wow, you really are quitting. If you're so decided, why are you still standing there?
I just wanted to see one last time.
See what? Your dead dreams? The promises you couldn't keep? Why?
So I may never forget.
It's time you learned.
I know. I don't see what's funny.
It was doomed at the onset. You knew that.
Yes.
I don't know what's sadder. That you knew or that you ignored the fact.
...
Did you really imagine things would be different?
I did. Or at least, I hoped it would be different.
Oh, grow up. That idealism of yours will be the death of you.
I know.
Take a good look. THAT is not the only thing a shambles here.
It was lost at the beginning.
You knew that and you still bled for it. Now, you're more miserable than when you started.
I can't deny that.
...
...
That's your fourth cigarette in a row.
They keep me sane.
Those will kill you.
Let them. You know, you have an uncanny knack of stating the obvious.
Hahaha. Yes, I do. It's no fun when you're like this, you agree with everything I say.
Yeah.
Oh, you're going?
I have to.
Where to now?
I don't know either.
To be fair, you did what you could.
For those who are curious, "kotaete boku no koe ni" means "they answer in my own voice."
Away. Away from here.
Hahaha. So in the end, you're going to run.
I guess.
Wow, you really are quitting. If you're so decided, why are you still standing there?
I just wanted to see one last time.
See what? Your dead dreams? The promises you couldn't keep? Why?
So I may never forget.
It's time you learned.
I know. I don't see what's funny.
It was doomed at the onset. You knew that.
Yes.
I don't know what's sadder. That you knew or that you ignored the fact.
...
Did you really imagine things would be different?
I did. Or at least, I hoped it would be different.
Oh, grow up. That idealism of yours will be the death of you.
I know.
Take a good look. THAT is not the only thing a shambles here.
It was lost at the beginning.
You knew that and you still bled for it. Now, you're more miserable than when you started.
I can't deny that.
...
...
That's your fourth cigarette in a row.
They keep me sane.
Those will kill you.
Let them. You know, you have an uncanny knack of stating the obvious.
Hahaha. Yes, I do. It's no fun when you're like this, you agree with everything I say.
Yeah.
Oh, you're going?
I have to.
Where to now?
I don't know either.
To be fair, you did what you could.
For those who are curious, "kotaete boku no koe ni" means "they answer in my own voice."
Thursday, October 23, 2008
updates from the dank pit
The past week was spent, I am sorry to report, on nothing but wallowing in a dank pit of misery and self loathing. I am more sorry to report that I didn't spend the time in the dank pit alone, in fact, I swear I felt somebody's boot in my mouth a couple of times (but still, thanks). Nevertheless, spending tme in the pit is about as enjoyable as getting your healthy teeth drilled into and then pulled out with a rusty pair of pliers without the mercy of anesthesia. So today, I managed to summon all my strength and pull myself out of the pit slightly to be a little productive.
Progress report:
Progress report:
- I've been reviewing my Jap for a few days and now I can write some kana (hiragana and katakana)! I'll write about what's been helping me next time.
- I made a new blog on Blogspot called In Suspension of Disbelief. Okay, so I made it primarily for Adsense but I think I'll enjoy the freedom of pure lunacy nonetheless - while practicing my writing as well. This will be my mantra: Good enough is not enough.
- I tinkered with Google stuff (AdSense, Analytics, Trends) earlier today and found the lot of them really interesting. Especially the part where they have a world map showing which parts of the world your website was accessed from. It reminded me of that wipe-everybody-off-the-face-of-the-Earth video game, Pandemic. This IS world domination after all, in a tamer, less nefarious (maybe), financially satisfying manner. (Note: We had a visitors from Slovakia and Latvia. I will not rest until we get somebody from Madagascar to check our site.)
- Writing had been blah last week so I never went about writing reviews, among other things. I'm hoping this week will be different.
- The Young Underpaid Professionals (and the old guy XD) have moved to brand new premises: YuppieUniverse.com. Also, HostYourSitePH is up and running. Willing victims can contact the Triumvirate of Evil via anything but telepathy and cryptic passive-aggressive messages. Or can go through the normal means of signing up at HostYourSitePH.com. Also, better-safe-than-sorry peeps may avail of our free hosting trial period, if you cannot risk parting with 450 pesos for a domain though, we really can't help you.
- Most of my time last week was spent trolling blogs and I noticed something: Some of them have really good content and they have decent activity on their blogs, but why haven't they thought of the brilliant idea that is getting their own domains and earning enough cash to maybe pay for the hosting, the domain for a couple of years and maybe even a large frap from Starbucks? Okay, most people earn way more than that, but those are the ones who actually do it for a living. Anyway, I'll put that question in the Pending Investigation pigeonhole in my head.
Now I get it
I've been reading all the reviews I ever wrote (I used to work for a video game website) these past few days and I've realized what's wrong with them. They were spectacularly bland and bleedingly neutral. Go figure, I was there getting paid to sound like I enjoyed playing certain shoddy video games. Some the games were okay and a few were a blast, but I grimace every time I look back at the other gut wrenching shovelware tossed my way. I mean, I could've used the time I spent playing and writing reviews of bad games on something else. Like watching paint dry, which would have been three thousand times more fun.
The rule was to sound neutral but not boring. The reviews must be fun to read but never sarcastic (I never got that down pat. What I learned was to master the use of sarcasm disguised as something else. More often than not, it's enthusiasm.). I'm a routine person by nature so even after the Reigning Lords of the Hellhole changed the rules a bit, I stuck to the writing style I've been trained to use. As you can see, I'm still struggling to shake off the said writing style.
Now, I spent countless of hours at the UST Library's Filipiniana section (even though I absolutely loathed the librarian there) poring over copies of Jessica Zafra's Twisted books and recently, I've been laughing my ass off while reading Ellie Gibson's Wii reviews (in Eurogamer). I compared their articles with mine and the realization hit me like a runaway 18-wheeler: They say exactly what they want to say about stuff.
Hmm...
The rule was to sound neutral but not boring. The reviews must be fun to read but never sarcastic (I never got that down pat. What I learned was to master the use of sarcasm disguised as something else. More often than not, it's enthusiasm.). I'm a routine person by nature so even after the Reigning Lords of the Hellhole changed the rules a bit, I stuck to the writing style I've been trained to use. As you can see, I'm still struggling to shake off the said writing style.
Now, I spent countless of hours at the UST Library's Filipiniana section (even though I absolutely loathed the librarian there) poring over copies of Jessica Zafra's Twisted books and recently, I've been laughing my ass off while reading Ellie Gibson's Wii reviews (in Eurogamer). I compared their articles with mine and the realization hit me like a runaway 18-wheeler: They say exactly what they want to say about stuff.
Hmm...
i am
I am the Egyptian goddess Mout.
I am the voice inside my own head.
I am the prank caller you want to kill.
I am luuurve.
I am the smoke that floats above your lips.
I am the eyes that will ogle you when you feel alone.
I am the one you need.
I will be the person to despise you.
I am the woman sitting on your left shoulder.
I am bored.
I just want to get this over with.
Hate me.
Because I am.
I am the voice inside my own head.
I am the prank caller you want to kill.
I am luuurve.
I am the smoke that floats above your lips.
I am the eyes that will ogle you when you feel alone.
I am the one you need.
I will be the person to despise you.
I am the woman sitting on your left shoulder.
I am bored.
I just want to get this over with.
Hate me.
Because I am.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Demented reviews Time Hollow
Sorry about the delay folks. I guess you'll agree when I say Time is one thing that's about as hard to come by as money. This is my first video game review in a while, so please excuse me if it reads a bit sketchy.
Konami and Tenky released Time Hollow for the Nintendo DS just recently (Japan version was released last March, while North America got its version just last September 23). I barely follow game releases anymore, but since I heard about this game from two other people, I decided to give it a whirl.
After the prologue, I locked myself in my room for five solid hours to play this particular game. First, it's an adventure point and click title and second, it covers a very interesting topic for me, the concept of time.
Story and Gameplay
Here's a quick rundown of the story: You play as Ethan Kairos and on your seventeenth birthday, you receive your inheritance, a Hollow Pen. Of couse, you have no idea what the Pen's for since you're busy figuring out how you became an orphan overnight. Imagine this, one night, you're having dinner with your parents. You wake up the next morning to find that you've been living with your uncle since your parents disappeared 12 years back. It gets more confusing, let me tell you.
Not only confusing, but confounding as well. How exactly do you stay sane under those types of circumstances? Somebody meddles with one thing in the past and everything just goes out of whack. Of course, your meddling with time also has its consequences.
The Hollow Pen, Ethan soon discovers, allows him to open portals to the past and lets him fiddle with events that happened at a certain point in time. Certain conditions must be met before Ethan can open the said portals, like exact time and date of a particular event. Clues come in the form of flashbacks and you can manipulate the stuff through the flashbacks you get. Gameplay in Time Hollow is generally point and click, the staple in most puzzle adventure games for Nintendo's little dynamo, mixed with a little "draw a circle here" gameplay.
Fun facts
ichi. The supporting characters' last names are numbers, particularly, hours. There's a Mr. Onegin, a Mr. Twombly, a Threet, and so on. In the Japanese version, they're Ichi-, Ni-, etcetera, etcetera. All of the names are a play on stuff time related.
ni. You'll find that the game follows some parts of Einstein's theory of relativity.
san. This was created by screenwriter Hata Takehiko and Kawano Junko. Kawano Junko created the PlayStation 2 (PS2) video game Shadow of Memories (or Shadow of Destiny for the US release), which also delves on time travel.
Time Hollow made me remember Groundhog Day and several other sci-fi flicks that delved into the messy and confusing world of time travel and time in general. Also, it made me think of that book Jessica Zafra mentioned in (I think) Twisted 7. If memory serves, the book's called Einstein's Dreams. (Note to self: Find that book.)
Whines and Good Parts
The annoying sound effects during the game (yes, it's supposed have something that sounds like a clock, I get it) can be muted, but you'd want your volume up when the anime-ish cutscenes kick in. Also, you might find yourself lost the first time you encounter "change one thing and everything changes" and the changes your nefarious opponent makes but you'll get the hang of it eventually.
I just finished playing Time Hollow and I loved it. Sure, it made me want to hurl my DS across the room a couple of times but it was all worth it. My frustration with it stemmed from the emo-ish dialogue of one particular character (is it a coincidence that he sports an emo hairstyle too?) and from the Groundhog Day feeling the game gives. Remember that movie where the guy's trying to prevent his girl from dying? He changes something everytime he goes back in time, but the girl still ends up dying. Place yourself in that guy's shoes and I'm sure you'd feel like throwing stuff or bludgeoning the girl in the end, too. (After a couple of minutes of searching, I found that this is from the 2002 flick, Time Machine.)
You'll soon realize Ethan's not alone in the Hollow Pen business. I'm not going to spoil the fun. Go and play it. Note: WAIT FOR THE CREDITS TO END.
Kotaete boku no koe ni
Where are you going?
Away. Away from here.
Hahaha. So in the end, you're going to run.
I guess.
Wow, you really are quitting. If you're so decided, why are you still standing there?
I just wanted to see one last time.
See what? Your dead dreams? The promises you couldn't keep? Why?
So I may never forget.
It's time you learned.
I know. I don't see what's funny.
It was doomed at the onset. You knew that.
Yes.
I don't know what's sadder. That you knew or that you ignored the fact.
...
Did you really imagine things would be different?
I did. Or at least, I hoped it would be different.
Oh, grow up. That idealism of yours will be the death of you.
I know.
Take a good look. THAT is not the only thing a shambles here.
It was lost at the beginning.
You knew that and you still bled for it. Now, you're more miserable than when you started.
I can't deny that.
...
...
That's your fourth cigarette in a row.
They keep me sane.
Those will kill you.
Let them. You know, you have an uncanny knack of stating the obvious.
Hahaha. Yes, I do. It's no fun when you're like this, you agree with everything I say.
Yeah.
Oh, you're going?
I have to.
Where to now?
I don't know either.
To be fair, you did what you could.
For those who are curious, "kotaete boku no koe ni" means "they answer in my own voice."
Away. Away from here.
Hahaha. So in the end, you're going to run.
I guess.
Wow, you really are quitting. If you're so decided, why are you still standing there?
I just wanted to see one last time.
See what? Your dead dreams? The promises you couldn't keep? Why?
So I may never forget.
It's time you learned.
I know. I don't see what's funny.
It was doomed at the onset. You knew that.
Yes.
I don't know what's sadder. That you knew or that you ignored the fact.
...
Did you really imagine things would be different?
I did. Or at least, I hoped it would be different.
Oh, grow up. That idealism of yours will be the death of you.
I know.
Take a good look. THAT is not the only thing a shambles here.
It was lost at the beginning.
You knew that and you still bled for it. Now, you're more miserable than when you started.
I can't deny that.
...
...
That's your fourth cigarette in a row.
They keep me sane.
Those will kill you.
Let them. You know, you have an uncanny knack of stating the obvious.
Hahaha. Yes, I do. It's no fun when you're like this, you agree with everything I say.
Yeah.
Oh, you're going?
I have to.
Where to now?
I don't know either.
To be fair, you did what you could.
For those who are curious, "kotaete boku no koe ni" means "they answer in my own voice."
Friday, October 17, 2008
happy thoughts, happy thoughts
Several things have been bugging me the past couple of days. Know those things that run amok inside your head and keep running and running until you're too exhausted to think about them? Yep, that sort of thing. Sleep isn't really an escape, I could swear I dreamed about something related just the other day.
And I can't write. I mean I got a thousand ideas I want to write about but I end up starting and pausing at the intro, then I am struck with a bad case of the blasted Blah. I find it entirely idiotic actually. I get an idea, I start to turn it over in my head, I open Notepad++ (thanks Chichar!), then boom, I hit a paralysing blank. I know, I know. I've written about the big bad writer's block a thousand times before, but somehow writing about it makes it go away for me.
Around (hmmm.... what year is this?) four years back, I was at a job interview and the HR person Gino asked me what I'd bring to a deserted island - along with food and water to last me for years. I had answered, "Tons of blank paper and pens."
Back then, I thought I'd be able to write a lot of stuff if only I could get some spare time. It's ironic since now that I do write for a living, all I want is to take a break from writing. Now, staring at blank pieces of paper/blank documents drives me nuts. I guess even the things you love doing become tiresome when used in the same sentence as "work." I'm rambling, I know.
This'll go away, eventually. I have a nagging feeling that this has something to do with 25 slowly creeping up on me, but let's not talk about that.
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
And I can't write. I mean I got a thousand ideas I want to write about but I end up starting and pausing at the intro, then I am struck with a bad case of the blasted Blah. I find it entirely idiotic actually. I get an idea, I start to turn it over in my head, I open Notepad++ (thanks Chichar!), then boom, I hit a paralysing blank. I know, I know. I've written about the big bad writer's block a thousand times before, but somehow writing about it makes it go away for me.
Around (hmmm.... what year is this?) four years back, I was at a job interview and the HR person Gino asked me what I'd bring to a deserted island - along with food and water to last me for years. I had answered, "Tons of blank paper and pens."
Back then, I thought I'd be able to write a lot of stuff if only I could get some spare time. It's ironic since now that I do write for a living, all I want is to take a break from writing. Now, staring at blank pieces of paper/blank documents drives me nuts. I guess even the things you love doing become tiresome when used in the same sentence as "work." I'm rambling, I know.
This'll go away, eventually. I have a nagging feeling that this has something to do with 25 slowly creeping up on me, but let's not talk about that.
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Updates
Recently, "crazy" became the most apt word to describe my pace (let's not talk about my sanity, it's always on crazy). There are a good number of reasons for this, though I'm too tired to discuss all of them right now.
One. We moved! Young Underpaid Professionals has moved to YuppieUniverse.com. To commemorate the start of our world domination plans, I made a banner:
It's not much, I know.
One. We moved! Young Underpaid Professionals has moved to YuppieUniverse.com. To commemorate the start of our world domination plans, I made a banner:
It's not much, I know.Thursday, October 9, 2008
epic and crazy chatlog with the princess
Okay, this chat log has been sitting in my PC long enough. I'd told Mabie I'd post it when the nightmare is over, and so here it is:
On work and Tagalog words:
pulpedpastel: one-man team talaga
iceroz_14: peste
iceroz_14: 7 versus one
iceroz_14: kamusta naman ang ratio
iceroz_14: kuyog amputa
pulpedpastel: what's kuyog?
iceroz_14: imagine jackie chan
iceroz_14: versus ten thousand henchmen
iceroz_14: yun ang kuyog
iceroz_14: parang "pinagtulung-tulungan"
iceroz_14: pero may image kasi ng pile up :D
pulpedpastel: hahahahaha
pulpedpastel: parang "dinumog"
iceroz_14: ayun
iceroz_14: pero ang dinumog kasi is used for something good
iceroz_14: mostly food
pulpedpastel: huh?
pulpedpastel: e baket sa news "dinumog ng mga fans si britney spears.."
pulpedpastel: or "dinumog ng taumbayan ang snatcher"
iceroz_14: LOL
iceroz_14: kinuyog sa second sentence
pulpedpastel: kinumag
pulpedpastel: hahaha
pulpedpastel: di ba parang.. koopal yun
iceroz_14: kinumag? you're inventing words na
pulpedpastel: kumag.
pulpedpastel: di ba.
pulpedpastel: kumag ka
pulpedpastel: i mean, that's how it's used
iceroz_14: sabi mo kinumag eh
pulpedpastel: not you
iceroz_14: XD
iceroz_14: check above ^^
pulpedpastel: o_O
pulpedpastel: i don't know. am sorry.
More tagalog:
pulpedpastel: omg. sabi ko na nga ba tulog pa tong hinayupak na to
pulpedpastel: (oha! hinayupak!)
pulpedpastel: =))
pulpedpastel: anong root word nun?
iceroz_14: hayop
iceroz_14: :D
pulpedpastel: wada --
pulpedpastel: i was thinking like..
pulpedpastel: ahh..never mind.
pulpedpastel: ahaha. pagtatawanan mo lang ako uli
iceroz_14: h - in - ayup - ak
pulpedpastel: H -in -AYUP -ak
iceroz_14: right
pulpedpastel: omg! we're sooo espn!
iceroz_14: :D
pulpedpastel: :))
iceroz_14: :))
pulpedpastel: so what that does mean? animalized?
iceroz_14: hindi
pulpedpastel: we've got a lot of weird, non-real words, noh?
pulpedpastel: not my fault am confused, therefore
iceroz_14: hindi animalized, but showing animal (mis)behavior
pulpedpastel: ah
pulpedpastel: animalistic
On giving names:
iceroz_14: yeah you're my super coolio master crammer ghostwriter princess
iceroz_14: shet haba
pulpedpastel: hahaha!
pulpedpastel: try a kickass acronym for that bitch
pulpedpastel: :))
iceroz_14: ahahaha
pulpedpastel: kung yung rich fat (short) frat chinese bastard nga e
iceroz_14: i'm sticking with mahaderang non-editor
pulpedpastel: at may singit na thought pa yun ha!
pulpedpastel: ...
pulpedpastel: hmm. i thought you were resigning?
iceroz_14: :))
pulpedpastel: how come?
iceroz_14: i am
pulpedpastel: bati na kayo?
pulpedpastel: or may rineto syang ayus
iceroz_14: i just found out that a usual mag article costs quadruple
pulpedpastel: what do you mean?
iceroz_14: wala no, tangina nya, i won't work for her anymore
iceroz_14: not after this shit
iceroz_14: di ko naman sya pedeng iwan ngayon
pulpedpastel: but you said you're sticking with her..
pulpedpastel: o_O
pulpedpastel: ahh for now.. lang?
iceroz_14: pulpedpastel: try a kickass acronym for that bitch
pulpedpastel: so until when are you duking it out
iceroz_14: so sabi ko, i'm sticking (with the name) mahaderang non-editor
pulpedpastel: am not your mahaderang non-editor naman di ba?
pulpedpastel: :S
iceroz_14: hindi, si publisher
pulpedpastel: am your (insert oober habang imbento name here)
pulpedpastel: oh shit
pulpedpastel: another round of labo thread
iceroz_14: mabie, you're not functional
I'm going to post about this.
iceroz_14: you know i'm going to blog about this when this shit is all over right?
iceroz_14: :))
pulpedpastel: hahahah. yeah.. @_@ it's just way too riveting to pass up.
On the (omitted) car convo:
iceroz_14: gusto ko syang sikuhin na mukha
pulpedpastel: it wasnt that bad
pulpedpastel: parang qj lang yan e
iceroz_14: well, it's just really sad
pulpedpastel: i could leave if i wanted to, but in the meantime i have nowhere else to go naman talaga and am curious as to what will happen next, so i guess i can afford to be the curious cat
iceroz_14: it's sad because a. there are no shops where men can buy balls and/or backbones for themselves, b. there is relative. moving from point a to point b usually requires some moving, and c. the universe and human nature suck.
iceroz_14: and dammit, you deserve better
iceroz_14: you deserve something more than fucking "i'm getting there."
pulpedpastel: i know.
iceroz_14: :-<
pulpedpastel: awww
pulpedpastel: that's cute!
pulpedpastel: how's that???
pulpedpastel: (adhd)
iceroz_14: i love that smiley
iceroz_14: : - <
pulpedpastel: :-<
pulpedpastel: awwwwww
pulpedpastel: gigil!
pulpedpastel: and sad.
Entrepreneurship:
iceroz_14: anyway. maybe i'll put up a shop that sells balls and backbones. it caters to women
iceroz_14: madami naman siguro akong mabebenta no?
pulpedpastel: baket it caters to women?
pulpedpastel: e mas marami ngang may ganyan sa babae e
pulpedpastel: dapat for guys
iceroz_14: ibibigay nila sa mga mokong nilang whatevers
pulpedpastel: hahah! so gift shop ito?
iceroz_14: iisipin ba ng guys na kailangan nila ng balls?
iceroz_14: hindi diba?
iceroz_14: oo, pedeng gift shop >:) ang tagline: for people who don't know they need it
pulpedpastel: =))
pulpedpastel: WINNER!!!
pulpedpastel: OLYMPICS WHITE GOLD MEDAL!
pulpedpastel: o, mas syala sa yellow gold yun ha
pulpedpastel: or.. PLATINUM
pulpedpastel: oha.
iceroz_14: we'll make tons of money with that
iceroz_14: idodonate natin sa charity for retards who think they're smart
pulpedpastel: hahahaha!
iceroz_14: hay, oks nga sana kung pede yun no?
Hit and Run:
iceroz_14: it's amazing how she does that. she hits you then runs away. and you're left with a sore jaw and with nothing to do about it.
pulpedpastel: hahaha
pulpedpastel: stunned and shit.
That's the epic chat I had with Mabie. Mind you, all of that was in ONE convo. I saved it for posterity. And as a record of our retardation every morning.
On work and Tagalog words:
pulpedpastel: one-man team talaga
iceroz_14: peste
iceroz_14: 7 versus one
iceroz_14: kamusta naman ang ratio
iceroz_14: kuyog amputa
pulpedpastel: what's kuyog?
iceroz_14: imagine jackie chan
iceroz_14: versus ten thousand henchmen
iceroz_14: yun ang kuyog
iceroz_14: parang "pinagtulung-tulungan"
iceroz_14: pero may image kasi ng pile up :D
pulpedpastel: hahahahaha
pulpedpastel: parang "dinumog"
iceroz_14: ayun
iceroz_14: pero ang dinumog kasi is used for something good
iceroz_14: mostly food
pulpedpastel: huh?
pulpedpastel: e baket sa news "dinumog ng mga fans si britney spears.."
pulpedpastel: or "dinumog ng taumbayan ang snatcher"
iceroz_14: LOL
iceroz_14: kinuyog sa second sentence
pulpedpastel: kinumag
pulpedpastel: hahaha
pulpedpastel: di ba parang.. koopal yun
iceroz_14: kinumag? you're inventing words na
pulpedpastel: kumag.
pulpedpastel: di ba.
pulpedpastel: kumag ka
pulpedpastel: i mean, that's how it's used
iceroz_14: sabi mo kinumag eh
pulpedpastel: not you
iceroz_14: XD
iceroz_14: check above ^^
pulpedpastel: o_O
pulpedpastel: i don't know. am sorry.
More tagalog:
pulpedpastel: omg. sabi ko na nga ba tulog pa tong hinayupak na to
pulpedpastel: (oha! hinayupak!)
pulpedpastel: =))
pulpedpastel: anong root word nun?
iceroz_14: hayop
iceroz_14: :D
pulpedpastel: wada --
pulpedpastel: i was thinking like..
pulpedpastel: ahh..never mind.
pulpedpastel: ahaha. pagtatawanan mo lang ako uli
iceroz_14: h - in - ayup - ak
pulpedpastel: H -in -AYUP -ak
iceroz_14: right
pulpedpastel: omg! we're sooo espn!
iceroz_14: :D
pulpedpastel: :))
iceroz_14: :))
pulpedpastel: so what that does mean? animalized?
iceroz_14: hindi
pulpedpastel: we've got a lot of weird, non-real words, noh?
pulpedpastel: not my fault am confused, therefore
iceroz_14: hindi animalized, but showing animal (mis)behavior
pulpedpastel: ah
pulpedpastel: animalistic
On giving names:
iceroz_14: yeah you're my super coolio master crammer ghostwriter princess
iceroz_14: shet haba
pulpedpastel: hahaha!
pulpedpastel: try a kickass acronym for that bitch
pulpedpastel: :))
iceroz_14: ahahaha
pulpedpastel: kung yung rich fat (short) frat chinese bastard nga e
iceroz_14: i'm sticking with mahaderang non-editor
pulpedpastel: at may singit na thought pa yun ha!
pulpedpastel: ...
pulpedpastel: hmm. i thought you were resigning?
iceroz_14: :))
pulpedpastel: how come?
iceroz_14: i am
pulpedpastel: bati na kayo?
pulpedpastel: or may rineto syang ayus
iceroz_14: i just found out that a usual mag article costs quadruple
pulpedpastel: what do you mean?
iceroz_14: wala no, tangina nya, i won't work for her anymore
iceroz_14: not after this shit
iceroz_14: di ko naman sya pedeng iwan ngayon
pulpedpastel: but you said you're sticking with her..
pulpedpastel: o_O
pulpedpastel: ahh for now.. lang?
iceroz_14: pulpedpastel: try a kickass acronym for that bitch
pulpedpastel: so until when are you duking it out
iceroz_14: so sabi ko, i'm sticking (with the name) mahaderang non-editor
pulpedpastel: am not your mahaderang non-editor naman di ba?
pulpedpastel: :S
iceroz_14: hindi, si publisher
pulpedpastel: am your (insert oober habang imbento name here)
pulpedpastel: oh shit
pulpedpastel: another round of labo thread
iceroz_14: mabie, you're not functional
I'm going to post about this.
iceroz_14: you know i'm going to blog about this when this shit is all over right?
iceroz_14: :))
pulpedpastel: hahahah. yeah.. @_@ it's just way too riveting to pass up.
On the (omitted) car convo:
iceroz_14: gusto ko syang sikuhin na mukha
pulpedpastel: it wasnt that bad
pulpedpastel: parang qj lang yan e
iceroz_14: well, it's just really sad
pulpedpastel: i could leave if i wanted to, but in the meantime i have nowhere else to go naman talaga and am curious as to what will happen next, so i guess i can afford to be the curious cat
iceroz_14: it's sad because a. there are no shops where men can buy balls and/or backbones for themselves, b. there is relative. moving from point a to point b usually requires some moving, and c. the universe and human nature suck.
iceroz_14: and dammit, you deserve better
iceroz_14: you deserve something more than fucking "i'm getting there."
pulpedpastel: i know.
iceroz_14: :-<
pulpedpastel: awww
pulpedpastel: that's cute!
pulpedpastel: how's that???
pulpedpastel: (adhd)
iceroz_14: i love that smiley
iceroz_14: : - <
pulpedpastel: :-<
pulpedpastel: awwwwww
pulpedpastel: gigil!
pulpedpastel: and sad.
Entrepreneurship:
iceroz_14: anyway. maybe i'll put up a shop that sells balls and backbones. it caters to women
iceroz_14: madami naman siguro akong mabebenta no?
pulpedpastel: baket it caters to women?
pulpedpastel: e mas marami ngang may ganyan sa babae e
pulpedpastel: dapat for guys
iceroz_14: ibibigay nila sa mga mokong nilang whatevers
pulpedpastel: hahah! so gift shop ito?
iceroz_14: iisipin ba ng guys na kailangan nila ng balls?
iceroz_14: hindi diba?
iceroz_14: oo, pedeng gift shop >:) ang tagline: for people who don't know they need it
pulpedpastel: =))
pulpedpastel: WINNER!!!
pulpedpastel: OLYMPICS WHITE GOLD MEDAL!
pulpedpastel: o, mas syala sa yellow gold yun ha
pulpedpastel: or.. PLATINUM
pulpedpastel: oha.
iceroz_14: we'll make tons of money with that
iceroz_14: idodonate natin sa charity for retards who think they're smart
pulpedpastel: hahahaha!
iceroz_14: hay, oks nga sana kung pede yun no?
Hit and Run:
iceroz_14: it's amazing how she does that. she hits you then runs away. and you're left with a sore jaw and with nothing to do about it.
pulpedpastel: hahaha
pulpedpastel: stunned and shit.
That's the epic chat I had with Mabie. Mind you, all of that was in ONE convo. I saved it for posterity. And as a record of our retardation every morning.
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