Harvey Dent

Unbelievable atmosphere and brilliant ending to a test match which pretty much had it all. It was just so tense, there was a group of Aussies who kept shouting "only 110 to go!" in a joking fashion until it starting really looking like they were going to do it. Anderson is just the tits really, isn't he? Really impressed with the Aussies flat out refusal to die, haven't seen that from then in a while. Fortunately I've got some tickets to Manchester too, but roll on Lords next Thursday.

I'm going to the Birmingham date, love Alice in Chains. Still haven't really given Ghost the time yet but I'll check them out sometime. Was planning to check them out at Download but I think I was watching the excellent Red Fang instead.

I rate Finn, but when he's off the boil it really shows. This has been a ridiculous game, at this rate they'll be counting out the Day 4 ticket refunds, let alone my measly

Pretty mad day, all in all. Obviously not a great total but to have the Aussies 4 down shows there's been nerves on both teams. Key is obviously that delicious ball from Jimmy Anderson to send Clarke packing. Get rid of Smith and Haddin cheaply tomorrow and we could be bang on top. I have tickets for day 5 on Sunday so hopefully they save a little for then.

Any of you guys read much Superman? I'm thinking of getting some in before Man of Steel. Does Supes have stand out must read books like Dark Knight Returns, Year One, Long Halloween etc?

All Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. There are only two volumes. The second volume is more out there, but it's still mostly accessible. It's absolutely gorgeous.Also 'Birthright' is good as well.

I traded in a few games at the weekend and got Injustice: Gods Among Us. I'm shit at Mortal Kombat and those types of games but I'm having great fun with this being a DC fan. Aquaman is an absolute bad ass.

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yeah I get that, but Killien saying he is the Mandarin just didn't really have any weight. It was just a throwaway line after he'd already explained his ruling from behind the scenes.

 

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Jaime is probably my favourite character and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau absolutely nailed that scene. Awesome episode agein this week. Just had a lot of real emotional weight and powered a lot of stories on.

I saw Iron Man. It's a great film, but....

 

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Really surprised and disappointed to see a great character like The Mandarin, Iron Man's arch nemesis, relegated to no more than a punch line. It a embarrassing. I mean, it was good for a cheap laugh and it served the story they were trying to tell but it just felt sour to me as a long time comic fan

 

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That said, there's a lot to love about it. It's very much a Tony Stark movie and showcases both how brilliant a character he is and how perfect Downey Jr is in the role. His best turn as Tony for my money and if this is his last solo outing then it's a strong and fitting finale for him. He just has that perfect blend. Rhodey was much better utilised in this one too which I really enjoyed. Also highlights that Shane Black needs to direct more, he's awesome.

 

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He wasn't. Who you *thought* the Mandarin was was a punch line, but the real Mandarin was Killian the whole time. Apart from the fact he yelled it at the end, he also had all those dragon tattoos. He's a reimagining, but they had to reimagine the character tbh

 

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yeah I get that, but Killien saying he is the Mandarin just didn't really have any weight. It was just a throwaway line after he'd already explained his ruling from behind the scenes. I've seen it a few times now and it doesn't bother me anymore anyway. They couldn't do the comic Mandarin and the more I thought about it I really like what they did, even if I'm still a little disappointed not to see a big, bad movie iteration of Mandarin. One really great thing the movie does is take a story very familiar to me and surprise me with it. I still prefer the first one but its a cracking movie nonetheless.

 

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And in non spoiler talk, Iron Man 3's international opening took in $195 million, which is $10m more than Avengers did.

I saw Iron Man. It's a great film, but....

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Just insane from Gayle. Shame it was in the IPL instead of an international game/tournament.

so, after a few weeks away to get married and go on my honeymoon to Rome, here are my two most recent reviews

 

Volbeat - Outlaw Gentlemen & Shady Ladies (Universal/Vertigo)

Been a huge Volbeat fan over the last few years and wasn't really feeling this new record on the first couple of listens but I'm really into it now. Definitely grew on me quickly though, maybe I just wasn't paying attention. I really hope they do get 45-50 minutes at Download. They're probably the kind of band that would benefit from a high profile support spot over here. Get them on the Sabbath tour or something and I think it'd open doors for them.

Watchmen is an ok film, it's biggest problem is its based on a phenomenal book. Well, that and half the casting is poor. It was just too literal a translation of a work that just doesn't fit in a film very well. I do really like 300 but the less said about Sucker Punch the better. I don't think a film Snyder directs would make me want to see it any less for that reason, but I'd hardly be drawn into a project because he's directing either. Man of Steel definitely has potential, but Warner's DC movies are so inconsistent.

I'm just happy to wait and see it really, far too many people on these big blockbusters have already decided its going to be a pile of shit or the greatest thing ever way before they actually see it.

I'm not sold on Man of Steel from the trailers and photos. Looking forward to seeing it but not much past that. Zack Snyder is very hit and miss.

I don't want to throw out a load of spoilers, but Bioshock Infinite is absolutely spectacular. I feel it raises the bar for story telling in video games, it's so expertly crafted. The world of Columbia is simply mesmerising, you should definitely be playing this game.

Haven't killed anyone yet? Get ready for things to escalate quickly. I've had a few hours on it, it's fucking awesome.

Recently finished Tomb Raider. As others have said, it's very good and an encouraging reboot of the series. The graphics are great and the combat is good (albeit with a few cover issues and the lack of blind fire/shooting from the hip). Not a few minutes go by though without something making you think of Uncharted, and although Uncharted was inspired in part by Tomb Raider this is much more of a copy of Uncharted than Uncharted was a copy of the original Tomb Raiders (with a little bit of Resident Evil 4 thrown in). That's not a bad thing though, as although the last three games in the series ranged from good to very good, the Tomb Raider formula did need freshening up. I do also like that you can go back and revisit areas after the story has finished to find the remaining collectibles and missed tombs as you get to concentrate more on platforming then.

 

Must disagree with LaGoosh about the characters though. They've done a very good job with Lara, particularly earlier on in the game, but the majority of your crew and the rest of the characters are pretty bad, with a lot just being lazy stereotypes. The storyline wasn't amazing either, was very predictable in parts and the other characters' dialogue was pretty cheesy at times.

 

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For instance, Whitman being bad was pretty obvious from early on. It was also pretty obvious that the nerdy guy was going to be toast once you found out he had a crush on Lara.

 

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Have also being playing the Citadel DLC for Mass Effect 3. It's excellent, and definitely gives Lair of the Shadow Broker a run for it's money as the best Mass Effect DLC. If you're a big fan of the series, it's a must buy.

 

I just finished Tomb Raider and really enjoyed it. As you say there story didn't do anything it didn't have to, but there were some surprisingly emotional moments. Lara takes a real kicking in this. It was always exciting to play though the the fluidity was great. I did get a little kick at the end where

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Lara ends it with the classic two handguns. Nice bit of fan service that.

 

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I've borrowed Dead Space 3 from my brother so I'll be tucking into that next before Bioshock Infinte hits. Then I'll definitely pick up the ME:3 Citadel.

In case anyone hasn't seen, Marvel have put up 700 issue 1's on comixology and their own app until tomorrow. You might struggle to actually download them, but as long as you complete the "purchase" by tomorrow, they're all yours for free.

Also today, DC announced Scott Snyder's next big Batman arc entitled Zero Year. Starts in June, can't wait to start reading it.

Anyone else been playing the new Tomb Raider? I'm very impressed with it. They've managed to import the big production value of Uncharted without making it just feel like Uncharted with Lara croft in it. It's plays so fluidly and is beautiful to look at. The upgrade system is great as well and fits in very well with the flow of the game. I'm really enjoying it.

 

Impressive. Can't wait

Love it. Looking forward to this one the most of all this year's comic offerings.

I literally just caught fully up to date. I was overly sucked in to begin with because I just didn't like any character bar Jesse, they all just act like total twats. But it really drew me in from season 2 and I'm jonesing to see what happens. When does it startup again and is season 5 the final season?

Saw trailers for both Man of Steel and the new Iron Man at the cinema the other day.

 

I wasn't really too pumped for Man of Steel before but I'm starting to get a taste for it I think. Not sure I'll make a trip to the cinema for it though, unless it's getting rave reviews.

 

Iron Man trailer looked good, but no sign of the Extremis storyline in the trailer. Doesn't mean it won't be in the film, but I hope it makes up a significant part of the plot. Mandarin looked cool. This one will almost certainly be worth seeing on the big screen.

The Extremis stuff could definitely be in somehow, Rebecca Hall has been cast as Maya. I'm really excited for Iron man 3. Don't mind the new suit, there's so many by now in various media. Gotta keep those new toys coming haven't they?

Fuck, Phantasm totally slipped my mind. That is better, but DKR part 2 is a close second.

Just watched Dark Knight Returns Part 2, wow. The best DC animated movie so far, killer stuff.

I only use my vita for ps1 games and the Metal Gear collection. I only bought it as I had I had knee surgery and it served me well in hospital and in bed at home. Hasn't been touched for a while though.

I finished everything in far cry 3 the other day but I'm still wandering around the island. Mainly just with a flamethrower setting tigers and pigs on fire. I hope they come up with some cool DLC for it.