To round off a good time for concerts in this country, Muse once again arrived to a huge crowd of loyal fanatics.
While it is hard to look beyond the finely tuned live act that is Muse themselves, the support bands of Glasvegas and Kasabian are noteworthy. Unfortunately, the rabid Muse fans seemed to decry the efforts of Glasvegas who played a good set that was ultimately not suited to the bill. Conversely, the more Muse friendly riff based music of Kasabian may have been a more appropriate appetiser, but was flat in delivery.
These bands obviously had their supporters, many of whom asked me which band I was there to see. I personally found this to be a ludicrous question and I was confirmed in this opinion when Muse took the stage. They tore through an excellent set of sharp, confident space rock with Matthew Belamy's guitar and piano work showing his amazing musical competence. Chris and Dom also maintained their phenomenal skill throughout the concert. The only real criticism that can be leveled at the band was their lack of new material and an obvious set list.
However, Muse are anything but tedious. Any problem with predictability was completely eradicated by the absolutely epic stage show. The stage was adorned with space-age satellite dishes and huge screens and along with this an enormous array of lighting shot out into the night sky. This equipment was used in perfect symphony with each song played, the result of which was a truly awe-inspiring combination of audio and visual.
I was surprised by a taxi driver who asked me if Muse were a band. The answer certainly wasn't in doubt on Wednesday: Muse are no band, they're an unstoppable force.
-The English Student
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda Softworks is easily one of my favourite game developers.
The consistently high quality of games developed by this studio is enough to impress any gamer. The most notable software to their credit would be the excellent Elder Scrolls series and the upcoming Fallout 3. These games have greatly contributed to the RPG genre with their vast scope and amazing visuals.
But Bethesda is certainly not perfect. There was much fan indignation when the fourth Elder Scrolls game (and sequel to Morrowind) arrived. A just criticism can be leveled at the developer for focusing more on graphics rather than actual depth. In addition to this, many believed that Oblivion was designed with the console user in mind.
These criticisms, however, are firmly defeated by virtue of the community Bethesda has fostered. Morrowind was packaged with an extensive construction set and this was continued with Oblivion. This has allowed fans who found fault with Oblivion to change it accordingly to their own tastes. With literally thousands of modifications available for download, it is hard not to find something of interest.
Bethesda games have their faults, but these are usually rectified by a nurtured fan base.
The consistently high quality of games developed by this studio is enough to impress any gamer. The most notable software to their credit would be the excellent Elder Scrolls series and the upcoming Fallout 3. These games have greatly contributed to the RPG genre with their vast scope and amazing visuals.
But Bethesda is certainly not perfect. There was much fan indignation when the fourth Elder Scrolls game (and sequel to Morrowind) arrived. A just criticism can be leveled at the developer for focusing more on graphics rather than actual depth. In addition to this, many believed that Oblivion was designed with the console user in mind.
These criticisms, however, are firmly defeated by virtue of the community Bethesda has fostered. Morrowind was packaged with an extensive construction set and this was continued with Oblivion. This has allowed fans who found fault with Oblivion to change it accordingly to their own tastes. With literally thousands of modifications available for download, it is hard not to find something of interest.
Bethesda games have their faults, but these are usually rectified by a nurtured fan base.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Character Analysis: Prospero
The destructive storm of The Tempest constantly swirls around one character: Prospero.
Initially we are encouraged to think of Prospero as a typical colonial man who has enforced his will on virgin soil. His dominance over Caliban and his claim to be ruler of the island is in parallel with typically portrayed destructive explorers. However, nothing is as simple as this with Shakespeare. Caliban is not a native of the island and Prospero has been exiled there.
This captivity forces us to consider Prospero in a different light. His position as ruler of Milan has been usurped by his brother and this adds a new dimension to his actions. His dominant and arrogant behaviour on the island may just be a reaction to the hardships Prospero has had to face.
The final act of the play reconciles these two theories. An elaborate plan has resulted in Prospero gaining power over Antonio and Alonso. But rather than exact any kind of punishment or vengeance, Prospero seems to forget the wrongs committed against him. It is clear that the former Duke of Milan is nothing more than a power hungry politician.
Shakespeare creates many angles of perception in Prospero and yet still allows us to identify his core nature.
Initially we are encouraged to think of Prospero as a typical colonial man who has enforced his will on virgin soil. His dominance over Caliban and his claim to be ruler of the island is in parallel with typically portrayed destructive explorers. However, nothing is as simple as this with Shakespeare. Caliban is not a native of the island and Prospero has been exiled there.
This captivity forces us to consider Prospero in a different light. His position as ruler of Milan has been usurped by his brother and this adds a new dimension to his actions. His dominant and arrogant behaviour on the island may just be a reaction to the hardships Prospero has had to face.
The final act of the play reconciles these two theories. An elaborate plan has resulted in Prospero gaining power over Antonio and Alonso. But rather than exact any kind of punishment or vengeance, Prospero seems to forget the wrongs committed against him. It is clear that the former Duke of Milan is nothing more than a power hungry politician.
Shakespeare creates many angles of perception in Prospero and yet still allows us to identify his core nature.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Wishing to be Mr. Skimpole
In Charles Dickens' Bleak House we are shown a dark portrayal of London life. But throughout the murder, deceit and corruption, one character remains aloof.
Mr. Skimpole is a self processed child in an adults' body. He claims to have no concept of the value of money or any knowledge of the legal system that entwines his closest friends. We are encouraged to believe that Skimpole truly does not engage in any sort of responsibility and as such, enjoys a carefree existence.
It is hard to read about the life of the whimsical Skimpole and not feel a twinge of jealousy. This is a man who is not concerned with the pressures enforced by society. Skimpole is not even committed to any past-time or hobby, but moves around freely as his mood changes. The man is in love with the natural way of living and even the very dutiful Jarndyce and Summerson cannot help but enjoy his company and forgive his innocence.
But in reality, no one would abide by this behaviour. While children are allowed some space from responsibility, this simply cannot extend into adulthood. But even besides this, we owe duty from the moment we are born. As we grow, we become even more indebted to our friends and family. While this can seem like a "trap" of responsibility, it is one that we cannot escape.
My blindness in this regard has caused me to fail in my duty to a friend and I do not deserve forgiveness for it.
-The English Student
Mr. Skimpole is a self processed child in an adults' body. He claims to have no concept of the value of money or any knowledge of the legal system that entwines his closest friends. We are encouraged to believe that Skimpole truly does not engage in any sort of responsibility and as such, enjoys a carefree existence.
It is hard to read about the life of the whimsical Skimpole and not feel a twinge of jealousy. This is a man who is not concerned with the pressures enforced by society. Skimpole is not even committed to any past-time or hobby, but moves around freely as his mood changes. The man is in love with the natural way of living and even the very dutiful Jarndyce and Summerson cannot help but enjoy his company and forgive his innocence.
But in reality, no one would abide by this behaviour. While children are allowed some space from responsibility, this simply cannot extend into adulthood. But even besides this, we owe duty from the moment we are born. As we grow, we become even more indebted to our friends and family. While this can seem like a "trap" of responsibility, it is one that we cannot escape.
My blindness in this regard has caused me to fail in my duty to a friend and I do not deserve forgiveness for it.
-The English Student
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Brilliance of Top Gear
I have never seen cars to be anything more than tools for getting from one place to another. But BBCs' Top Gear is doing a good job of making me care.
While I had been learning to drive for a short period over the last year, it was not long before I took a break from my lessons. I felt that there was no real reason for me to get a license at this time as the public transport system in my area was adequete. Of course, coupled with this was my intense fear of the dangers inherent in driving.
As Top Gear goes into its' eleventh series, I have been wondering why it is I enjoy the show so much and yet still despise cars. The wit and banter of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May all contribute to my enjoyment of this BBC classic, but their personalities are not strong enough to defeat my natural aversion to their subject matter. The answer, I believe, lies in more subtle aspects of the show.
Often during Top Gear, a pre-recorded clip will be played wherein a car will be reviewed or a challenge will be addressed. The director of these shorts is an absolute genius. A huge variety of camera shots that include amazingly fresh angles are consistently used. In addition to this, very appropriate music from excellent musicians is used to great effect. This combination of visuals and audio are used in perfect symphony with each other and it is for this reason that I find great pleasure in the program.
The BBC would do well to make great use of talents such as the crew on Top Gear. "And with that bombshell", it is time for me to sign off for another week!
-The English Student
While I had been learning to drive for a short period over the last year, it was not long before I took a break from my lessons. I felt that there was no real reason for me to get a license at this time as the public transport system in my area was adequete. Of course, coupled with this was my intense fear of the dangers inherent in driving.
As Top Gear goes into its' eleventh series, I have been wondering why it is I enjoy the show so much and yet still despise cars. The wit and banter of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May all contribute to my enjoyment of this BBC classic, but their personalities are not strong enough to defeat my natural aversion to their subject matter. The answer, I believe, lies in more subtle aspects of the show.
Often during Top Gear, a pre-recorded clip will be played wherein a car will be reviewed or a challenge will be addressed. The director of these shorts is an absolute genius. A huge variety of camera shots that include amazingly fresh angles are consistently used. In addition to this, very appropriate music from excellent musicians is used to great effect. This combination of visuals and audio are used in perfect symphony with each other and it is for this reason that I find great pleasure in the program.
The BBC would do well to make great use of talents such as the crew on Top Gear. "And with that bombshell", it is time for me to sign off for another week!
-The English Student
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Revenant
It is a dark scene on the streets of our capital city.
Any watcher in the area could see me now as I sprint through the rain-soaked streets. From the park I look to be a blur, rushing along the iron railings. A person in a passing car could notice my slight frame barreling towards the city centre. Eyes from the adjacent apartment block could see my steady trajectory through the storm. But this place is empty. There is no-one in the park, no passing cars and certainly no watching eyes.
There is, however, a mouth. I can just make it out now, moving around the corner ahead of me. Tall, hooded and dark, the bleak figure is running with an alarming pace. I cannot make out much in these conditions, only it's large mouth, split wide open in a silent scream and two enormous arms reaching out vertically above it. A solitary syllable comes to mind: "Run".
But where to run? The figures are quickly multiplying all around me, identical demons with shrouded faces. The street is now a swarm of these hooded creatures. I am surrounded by their horrid mouths that rend my soul to shreds in the unbroken silence. But one is now stepping forward. "You wanted pain. You wanted misery and hate. You even wanted death." These words whisper to my ear from that ghastly hole in the creature. The brief pause is again broken by the figure's guttural tone:
"We are what you desire."
-The English Student
Any watcher in the area could see me now as I sprint through the rain-soaked streets. From the park I look to be a blur, rushing along the iron railings. A person in a passing car could notice my slight frame barreling towards the city centre. Eyes from the adjacent apartment block could see my steady trajectory through the storm. But this place is empty. There is no-one in the park, no passing cars and certainly no watching eyes.
There is, however, a mouth. I can just make it out now, moving around the corner ahead of me. Tall, hooded and dark, the bleak figure is running with an alarming pace. I cannot make out much in these conditions, only it's large mouth, split wide open in a silent scream and two enormous arms reaching out vertically above it. A solitary syllable comes to mind: "Run".
But where to run? The figures are quickly multiplying all around me, identical demons with shrouded faces. The street is now a swarm of these hooded creatures. I am surrounded by their horrid mouths that rend my soul to shreds in the unbroken silence. But one is now stepping forward. "You wanted pain. You wanted misery and hate. You even wanted death." These words whisper to my ear from that ghastly hole in the creature. The brief pause is again broken by the figure's guttural tone:
"We are what you desire."
-The English Student
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Problem with Penny Arcade
This week, gaming's most caustic reviewer Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw took on the realm of web comics.
Yahtzee's usual disdain filled ranting was mostly directed at Tim Buckley's "Ctrl-Alt-Delete". In particular, the lazy drawing style, odd humour and foray into a more serious subject matter was dissected by the corrosive reviewer. However, Penny Arcade is spared a well deserved share of the onslaught.
Of course, both Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik of Penny Arcade have done many favours for the gaming community. They successfully launched their own gaming exposition that has become more prominent with the implosion of E3. Outside this area, the founding of the charity "Child's Play" by the creators has raised over two million euro for entertainment in children's hospitals.
This philanthropy does not, however, excuse the slipping quality of their web comics. Frequently, weekly strips include ridiculous "in-jokes", needlessly obscure references to video games and a dull colour palette. By publishing two web comics a week, Penny Arcade gets constant praise from a fan base that blindly follows the authors due to their fame. By contrast, competing comics such as VG Cats are keeping their work fresh, bright and consistently funny. In this way, it is becoming quite obvious that PA have fallen from grace.
We should all endorse Holkins' and Krahulik's kindheartedness, but to continue to hold the title of "web comic", Penny Arcade must rebuild the quality of their publications.
-The English Student
Yahtzee's usual disdain filled ranting was mostly directed at Tim Buckley's "Ctrl-Alt-Delete". In particular, the lazy drawing style, odd humour and foray into a more serious subject matter was dissected by the corrosive reviewer. However, Penny Arcade is spared a well deserved share of the onslaught.
Of course, both Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik of Penny Arcade have done many favours for the gaming community. They successfully launched their own gaming exposition that has become more prominent with the implosion of E3. Outside this area, the founding of the charity "Child's Play" by the creators has raised over two million euro for entertainment in children's hospitals.
This philanthropy does not, however, excuse the slipping quality of their web comics. Frequently, weekly strips include ridiculous "in-jokes", needlessly obscure references to video games and a dull colour palette. By publishing two web comics a week, Penny Arcade gets constant praise from a fan base that blindly follows the authors due to their fame. By contrast, competing comics such as VG Cats are keeping their work fresh, bright and consistently funny. In this way, it is becoming quite obvious that PA have fallen from grace.
We should all endorse Holkins' and Krahulik's kindheartedness, but to continue to hold the title of "web comic", Penny Arcade must rebuild the quality of their publications.
-The English Student
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