Game Review: Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7

"Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7"
Game Cover

     I'm going to be honest; I don't play video games. I'm generally not interested in them, nor am I generally good at them. The only game I can properly play and win, is MarioKart Wii. However, my brother, James, is highly skilled in that department. I asked him what game I should do for this media review. He simply handed me an old DS, and a game to go along with it. This game was one of the ones he used to play a few years back (he said it was the easiest to play). 

     Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 is a game that can be played on many platforms, such as PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable (PSP), PlayStation Vita (PSV), Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Microsoft Windows, and even iOS.

     In this game, you go through the last three Harry Potter stories, with everything entirely made out of Lego. The first chapter of the game is the first scene in Order of the Phoenix, where Harry and Dudley are at the playground. They then go to the Ministry of Magic because Harry used magic outside of Hogwarts, and Dumbledore shows up and fixes everything (everything that happens in the first twenty minutes of the movie).

     The mechanics are very simple in this game: •  A button: pick up/build objects (basically
                                                                                 anything you can't do with the other buttons)
                                                                             •  B button: jump/block in duels
                                                                             •  Y button: cast spells
                                                                             •  X button: change characters
                                                                             •  Control Pad/Circle Pad: move around

First scene in the game: Harry is fighting off a Death Eater.

     I didn't play the whole game because at my pace, you'd need months to do so. However,  I did finish the first year. Personally, I like how simple this game is. It's challenging because you have to use your brain to get through some levels, but it is very easy to control. I also like how close they related the game to the books and movies. The graphics on the other hand, are terrible. Before every new scene in the movie, there's a video with no talking to explain what has happened, and to give you and idea of what to do. These videos are probably the lowest quality videos I've seen in a long time. I also didn't like how long it took to use a spell; it might have just been that I was terrible at playing, but every time I tried to destroy either a death eater or a droid and move on to the next level, it took forever to change to the spell I wanted to use, aim and wait for the spell to be ready. And if I waited too long by a millisecond, I'd be killed.

★★★☆☆

6/10

Print Review: There's Nobody Meaner than Cousin Georgina

     "There's Nobody Meaner than Cousin Georgina" by Bernard Gallate, is a childrens' book published in 2000. Like my last review, I have liked this book for a long time. Although, because I received it when I was around two years old, it has been collecting dust on the bookshelf for a good six or so years. 

           The back of the book reads:

"When Cousin Georgina comes to play,

it's double trouble for poor Harry.

"A hilarious picture book about those

relations we sometimes

could do without!"

        This book is about a boy named Harry, whose cousin, Georgina, comes to visit his family for a week during the holidays (equivalent to summer vacation.) The minute she arrives in Harry's home, she is very irritating towards him; not only does Georgina make him sleep on the collapsible bed and make him dress up as a tree, but she also shaves his head, and throws him in the lions' enclosure at the zoo! In the end, she slightly redeems herself by saving Harry from a bully twice his size.

        One of my favourite parts of the book, is its rhyming paragraphs. If I were to have stayed in Melbourne, I wouldn't have noticed this, but the book can only rhyme with an Australian accent. If I were to choose a worse part in the book, it would have to be some of the irrelevant illustrations. While I understand they're there to be humorous, they make no sense, and have no relevance when it comes to the book.

       This book is, and always has been, near to my heart. Four days from my first birthday, my cousin, Lachlan, was born. For my second birthday, (where he had just turned one,) my aunt and uncle bought me this book. At the time, he was my only cousin and I was his, therefore we could easily relate to the book. (Today, we both have annoying ten year-old brothers.) Of course, I'd like to think of myself as less troublesome than the Georgina in the book. This also connects to me, because I have another little second cousin, whose name is Harry.

         Overall, this book is funny, entertaining, and connects to me in a personal way. Starting on a humorous note, then climaxing to a more emotional scene, then ending in an entertaining way, is one of the keys to writing a true childrens' story book.

★★★★☆

8/10

Music Review: I Love You

"I Love You" Album Cover

       The Neighbourhood is an American indie rock band, and ultimately, one of my favourite bands of all time. And even though I have been in love with their music for a year or so, I never really listened to any of their music in depth. In the past two weeks, I have seemed to finally understand the music in this album, the lyrics, and how musically strong it really is.

       It's hard to identify a mood to this album. The indie songs, with an almost hip-hop feel to them, make it soothing, yet incredibly catchy and easy to sing along to. As for the lyrics, while I was doing my research on this album, I came across a review that stated, if you listen to the songs in order, the what seem to be "immature" lyrics have a lot more meaning than what is first heard.

       "This album is autobiographical, starting in the preteen years, the loss of religion/faith (How), pre-teen and teen relations and rivals(Afraid and Everybody's Watching Me), puppy love (Sweater Weather), still working on Let it Go. Then moves on to childhood reflection in Alleyways, where the teen starts to think back on simpler times in life. Then more mature relationships problems reveal themselves in WDYWFM, and first true love in Flawless. Female Robbery deals with depression in the aftermath of losing that first love. The songwriter then shows how they dealt with that depression through music in Staying up and reflecting on the childs past as they move on into adulthood with Float. " ~Unknown Reviewer

The Neighbourhood

       After reading this review, I decided to listen to the album once more, in order. I'm not sure why, but I was listening from a different perspective. Having a storyline to connect to the melody made my job of comprehending the lyrics a lot easier.

       A few of my favourite songs off the album are How, W.D.Y.W.F.M., Let it Go, Flawless, and Female Robbery. The lyrics in these particular songs aren't necessarily significant to me in any way, but there's something about them that draws me in. Another favourite of mine, while not on this album, is a mashup/cover of Say My Name by Beyoncé, and Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake.  I can't say I had any dislikes when it came to this review, but one thing that came to my mind was that the band has so many more songs that could have the potential to be added to this record, while sadly only eleven were chosen.

       I personally love this album. It has the full package, from the catchy songs, to the hidden meaning beyond the lyrics. Not only is it The Neighbourhood's debut record, but it is one I highly recommend listening to.

★★★★✬

9/10

Movie Review: Unbroken

       

          Unbroken, directed by Academy award winner Angelina Jolie, is the true story-to-book-to-film adaptation of olympian's Louis Zamperini's time in WWII.

Louis "Louie" Zamperini

          Within the first ten minutes of the movie, we learn Louie Zamperini (Jack O'Connell) was a troublemaker as a child. Coming from an Italian immigrant family, Louie was made fun of by the other boys, which most likely led to his drinking, stealing and smoking. One day, when racing away from trouble, his older brother Peter notices how fast he can run, and trains him until he becomes his very best. Louie eventually becomes an athlete in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, coming 8th in the 5000m race.

          After the olympics, Louie joins the air force in WWII. While on a bombing mission, a plane Zamperini is on crashes into the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, he survives, along with Russell "Phil" Phillips (Domhnall Gleeson) and Francis "Mac" McNamara (Finn Wittrock). They survive through safety boats, and fishing in the surrounding water. Mac sadly passes on the 33rd day, leaving only Louie and Phil. On the 47th day, the Japanese find the two men, and they become prisoners of war. Because they've been at sea for a month and a half, when the Japanese demand for information, Louie and Phil have nothing to tell them. The Japanese don't believe them, and they are sent to P.O.W. camps. Louie and Phil are separated, and the movie continues on Zamperini's journey.

          At the P.O.W. camp in Tokyo, Louie meets a sergeant called Mutshiro "Bird" Watanabe. The Bird grows envious of Louie, and to make him feel better, beats him often. After two years at this camp, Watanabe gains a promotion and moves on to another camp. Not long after, Louie's camp is damaged after bombing from the Allies, and all the prisoners of war move to another camp, where low and behold, the Bird is yet again in charge.

          After years at this new camp, where they are loading coal barges, the War had ended. The movie finishes with a recreation of an old photo. Louie walks off the plane from Japan, kisses the ground, and reunites with his family. There is then a slideshow, showing what happened after the war. The last slide is a recent picture of Louis Zamperini, in memory of his death in early July.

Jack O'Connell (upper left) and Finn Wittrock (centre left)

          Like all true stories do, there were parts where I teared up, (I think I was emotionally connected to the characters,) and some where I laughed too hard, not because it was funny, but because I was so into the movie. I also think the ending gave us an insight into their lives, and helped us process that something so terrible really can happen. I also was so amazed by the cinematography, and the way everything was filmed. 

          There were some scenes in the movie which puzzled me. I was either not too sure of what was going on, or I was not interested. There were not many of these though, and overall, it was a terrific movie.

          While this movie did have its good and its (very few) not-so-good parts, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to be honest, when I first went in to see this movie, it was because one of my favourite actors from American Horror Story was in it. Although, even though that character was dead halfway into the movie, it was a surprise how much I was engaged. Usually, I'll be found watching chick-flicks or comedies, but this movie surely pushed me out of my comfort zone. 

★★★★☆

If you could spend a day with anyone in history, who would it be and why?

"Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it."    - John Lennon

       My family has little to no musical ability; this is the way it's been for generations.  However, and I don't know how, musicians of all sorts have had a huge influence on me for as long as I can remember. This includes maybe some of the artists my parents listened to when I was younger, to the amazing people that happen to make up my music taste today. Although, there are a small number of artists that I don't listen to the music of, but there's something about them that I find interesting, and they impact on my life everyday. The Beatles, for example, I first heard when I was six, when my teacher was playing one of their songs in class. I forget what song, but since then there's been something about them that's so fascinating. And if I were to spend a day with anyone in history, it would be John Lennon.

       Like many other celebrities, John Lennon started out as a bright musician, doing what he loves most with his three friends. He soon turned to substance abuse. I'd love to know what was going through his mind at that time. I'd ask how he was feeling with everything going on in his life, from being in the spotlight constantly, to his marriage with Yoko Ono, and just where everything went wrong. I find the way people are thinking to be so fascinating, and to know what was happening in his head would help the world understand so much more about him.

I'd also love to know about John Lennon's childhood. Having his dad not there often, and his mom remarrying, leaving him to live with his Aunt Mimi at a young age would have been so tough. Not to mention his mother having been struck by a car driven by an off-duty police officer, Lennon at the time being seventeen. I have been so lucky to have grown up in a family with no problems, so I would have no idea what it would be like to be in his situation.

       John Lennon is such an inspiration, and an influential character to society. Unfortunately, he passed away several years before I was born, and I will never get the chance to meet him face to face. 

Cemetery Path: Composition Assignment I

       Although there are many, many arguments to counteract, I believe it was Ivan who brought his death upon himself. There is so much evidence, and many different types of evidence, to support this. Just a few points are some of his verbal choices, which gave the Lieutenant the wrong idea, to him terrifying himself to death by stabbing his own coat, and finally to his social interactions.

       In the beginning of the story, the Lieutenant states that Ivan will walk around the cemetery in the freezing winter, but dares to cross it. Ivan replies with, “the cemetery is nothing to cross, Lieutenant. It is nothing but earth, like all other earth." Even though Ivan knows he's petrified to walk across, he still pretends as if it's almost as if it's a stroll through the park. This statement triggers the challenge that is then brought forth; to walk home through the cemetery that night. To say that the cemetery is 'nothing to cross,' and that it is 'nothing but earth,' Ivan is simply giving the Lieutenant the idea that he's not scared to walk across on his way home, at night. 

       Ivan was the one who terrified himself to death. He was the one to stab the sabre into the ground, or into his own coat. Yes, it's tragic that this happened to poor Ivan, but if he had just stopped to think logically for an extra minute or so, instead of freaking out like a crazy man and making 'senseless gurgling noises,' he may had very well been able to realize what he had done. 

       We all know that Ivan was lonely; being a 'timid, little man who lives in a lonely shack' clarifies that. He was longing to have company so badly, that he would spend every night with people who despise him. These people were the ones who went ahead and challenged him into killing himself. But there had to be other people living in the village, did Ivan ever think to stop and have a chat with them? Maybe if he had thought to do that, he would've surrounded himself with people who like him, and wouldn't challenge him to do the thing that terrified him the most. 

While many people would say the death of Ivan is the Lieutenant's fault, which in a way, it very well could be, it seems to me that the one behind his passing is none other than himself. Because of Ivan's choices, he petrified himself so much, he had shockingly passed away. 

If you could change three things about yourself, what would they be? Why would you change them?

       If I'm honest, there's not a lot of things I'd change about myself. In the past couple of years, I definitely think I've changed and grown into a person, that I'm generally pretty happy being. Although, there are some things I think I could clearly improve on. These traits include my cautiousness, my sociability and my strength.

       What I mean by cautious is, I wish I would think about my words and actions, before I actually say and do them. I have done things that have changed my life, (and not always in a positive way,) all because I wasn't thinking it through before I did them. One particular, recent incident comes into mind when I think about caution, which I won't go into detail with, but I always wonder what would have happened, if I had stopped to think first. Would I had ever made the mistake if I'd thought about the consequences I received? Definitely not, which is what I regret most about the whole experience. If I had stopped to think for just one moment, I would've avoided it.

       My second change I listed is sociability. Two years ago, I was incredibly shy. I had my group of good friends, but I'd only talk to them, and I'd never branch out. When I look back, I'm not sure why I was like that. Maybe it was because I was too worried about what other people thought of me, or maybe it was because I just didn't like other people. Since then, I've made new friends that have introduced me to other friends, and so on. Although, I'm still not as sociable as I'd like to be. I know a lot of people who I'd talk to more often, if I had the social skills to actually engage in a conversation with them.

      When I say strength, I don't mean my physical ability. Although I'm also probably the weakest person ever, and wouldn't mind being able to do more than two push-ups, I'm referring to emotional strength. In my opinion, I think I've been through a lot in my life so far, which I'm proud of myself for. But, before I overcome these things, I break down. I usually don't get upset about it; instead, I become so paranoid over everything that it becomes overwhelming, and I have no idea what to do. I usually get over it within fifteen minutes, but it can happen over the tiniest of situations.

       Even though I would like to have these changes, I don't think I'll be necessarily happier if they were made. Although being cautious about my actions, becoming more social and gaining strength are all things I could achieve on my own, it would take a lot of effort. I do like myself for who I am now, but improvements could be made.