And More: Revue - Fantastic Four (2015) [Spoiler-Free Review, Text-Only]

I love movies - who doesn't? I like reading Reviews of them sometimes (not all of the time) - who doesn't (sometimes)? Now, while this is more of a game-centered blog [well, supposed to be haha] I wanted to start sharing some Reviews of movies I write, here. Not often maybe - and don't worry, they won't be 'long' [my personal illness along with ADHD takes care of that]. Maybe I'll call them a movie 'revue' - borrowing from the term for 'review' in the sense of smaller summaries, jokes and plays that were based on larger works. Yeah, that's it: The Game Tips And More Blog Presents... fadeawayto...REVUE...fadeawayto...insert-movie-name-here... [Heh. Hmm, kind of cheesy, but not too bad..].

Note: 

All "Revue" articles will be SPOILER FREE (and to help with that, also image-free, other than a Title Screen / Header image) and Safe-To-Read even before viewing [I personally don't like to read Reviews before movies, but I know many do - please let me know if any of my Revues are 'too spoiler-y' and I will adjust them]. Enjoy!

Revue #1 - Fantastic Four (2015)

What an oddly finished product to make an opinion on... I just watched this on Netflix, and while it's not just that the movie feels disappointing, it also left me feeling 'empty' or even ‘sad’ somehow. Like the movie was a small animal that someone found, took in to care for, then forgot it out on the street again later on... That odd mixture of disappointment and sadness is what I came away from this movie with. 

Without getting into the ‘technical’ or ‘background’ details of it (how they handled the Origin Story is what most people did not like, for example), the first two-thirds of the movie is actually not bad, if a little slow-paced. It develops their backgrounds slightly and places them together, trying to get you to have empathy for the characters somewhat. It does in fact feel like a caring hand was hanging over it all, keeping it ‘realistic’ and the work put into that made me ignore the slow pace of the development. The cast themselves by the way, seem like they could become decent actors, but they all feel ‘held back’ and are almost stoic here. 

Then, after about three-quarters of the movie has gone by, they throw everything out the window and ‘chop together’ a 1980’s-quality “battle-with-the-bad-guy” that has none of the feeling of care and pace of the first majority of the movie. Now, I know production houses, crews and casts all have time limitations that put chains on a movie - turning into whips at times, urging completion; but this last section of movie feels like someone forgot about the animal they found out in the wild that they cared for so well up to now and left it out in the elements again... In my opinion, they could have even eliminated the ‘final battle’ and just finalized the development of the Origin of the characters - maybe with some ‘competition’ or other plot point, to end on; at least then, this could be an Origin Only movie and you would be left with some feelings for them after it was all over, not minding 'the wait' until the expected Sequel with 'real action' could come along. 

While the 2005 Fantastic Four is a bit ‘campier’, it still is in my opinion a better movie than this, because of its' overall polish and the mistakes of this one. In the end, I gave this movie, not a Zero like many, but a 2 out of 5 because of the effort that was put in ..at times

Review submitted and published on Netflix

[Personal Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Netflix in any way, pay my own account with them, and have not received any compensation, in any form, for mentioning them here. I am merely an enthusiastic user of their service; but have also utilized other, similar services as well, such as Amazon's PrimeVideo and Sony's Crackle and other online streaming services. All opinions herein are my own personal opinions and do not reflect in any way, any opinions or influences of the companies, production houses, peoples or persons involved with the projects mentioned (movies). These articles which are "Revue" posts are my own personal ideas/opinions/predictions and are not open to 100% re-posting or re-distribution (please try to stay ~50% re-posting of the text involved). Some Rights Reserved.]

The 2015 Extra Life 24-Hour Gaming Marathon, In Support of The Children's Miracle Network Hospitals [Post Updated All Weekend]

http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=190360

Despite recently undergoing surgery [and a great reason to do so!], I will be taking part in the Extra Life 24-Hour Gaming Marathon, a fundraiser event supporting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals this weekend!

For the next few days, I will be playing as much as I can for the Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, as I was born and raised in the wonderfully-friendly province of Alberta, Canada.

If you wish to take part, you can Pledge/Donate via the Badge/Logo below or through this link: http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=190360 - and whether you pledge anything or not, feel free to visit The Blog's main Twitter Feed or The Blog's new Facebook Page or just return to this posting, for gameplay time Updates, Screenshots, Video Clips from the weekend - and more!

[Badge from 2015 has been removed since event has ended]

See You In The Game!


Update, Saturday 9:00AM PST: The Marathon Begins!

Update, Saturday 10:00AM PST: Warmed Up with some Hearthstone (it detected it as "Unknown" at first for some reason [15 Minutes Gameplay Time], had to add it to the AMD Gaming Evolved / Raptr Game Client manually) - but not feeling great... going to be a hard weekend to play as much as I can!

The Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Gameplay Client Post-Game Popup, which the client automagically posts to the Raptr Profile Feed. Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 0.5 hrs

Update, Saturday 11AM PST: Played some ['semi-relaxing' due to Hardcore Mode] Minecraft - I will eventually Upload some Raptr/Plays.TV gameplay recordings or screenshots right here in this post - taking more Pain Pills and a Lunch Break already... whew!

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Gameplay Client interface and Time Tracker that is found in the Notifications area of the client (by clicking on the bell icon).
Click to see Full Size 

Total Gameplay Time: 1 hour

Update, Saturday 12PM PST: Currently playing Minecraft in Hardcore Mode...

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon  - Starting a 'garden' in Minecraft - Hardcore Mode!
Click to see Full Size

Update, Saturday 1PM PST: Played some more Minecraft - Hardcore Mode! Time for a break...

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - The 'garden' grows and a hillside 'house' begins in Minecraft - Hardcore Mode.
Click to see Full Size

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Client interface Post-Game Popup, which the client can automagically post to the Raptr Profile news feed . Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 2 hours

Update, Saturday 5:30PM PST: Had to lay down for a while, then played some more Minecraft in Hardcore Mode. Taking a break, will post some more Screenshots Soon™...

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Interface and Time Tracker, for Minecraft just now. Click to see Full Size

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Minecraft, the 'garden' is full and 'bamboo' is on the way!
Click to see Full Size

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Minecraft, "Taming The Land (So To Speak)", utilizing environmental resources and building glass houses to throw stones in (Hardcore Mode).
Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 3 hours

Update, Saturday 8:00PM PST: Took a break, then played some more Minecraft in Hardcore Mode... Went to The Nether Lands (now called The Nether Realm or The Underworld or just The Nether). Taking a break, between my illness and my recent surgery (Gall Bladder Removal / Cholecystectomy), this is hard - but it's for a good cause!

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Client interface and Time Tracker (the Post-Game Popup, which summarizes the gaming session and offers to post it for sharing, doesn't seem to be working all the time?). Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 4 hours

Update, Saturday 9:00PM PST: Played some Hearthstone to change things up a bit - got a pack of Tournament cards - lost almost every game! haha

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Client interface and Time Tracker. Click to see Full Size

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of Hearthstone, creating a Priest Deck in Arena Mode.
Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 5 hours

Update, Saturday 11:00PM PST: Went back to the cubic world of Minecraft in Hardcore Mode... Expanded my 'garden', did some roofing on my 'glass house' and did I mention earlier that I finally found Diamonds?! That's it for tonight I think... unless I can't sleep, then I'll play some more haha

More Screenshots tomorrow - and of course, a ton of them at the end of the weekend and videos, too!

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Client interface and Time Tracker, showing the Minecraft gaming session(s), just now. Click to see Full Size

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of Minecraft, "My Glass House (To Throw Stones In), A Work In Progress" (Hardcore Mode). Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 6 hours

Update, Sunday 6:00AM PST: Woke up waaay too early, hours ago... but was able to play some Minecraft Hardcore Mode! Going back to sleep Zzz...

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Client interface and Time Tracker, showing the Minecraft gaming session, just now. Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 7 hours

Update, Sunday 12:00PM PST: Played some more Minecraft, Hardcore Mode - and while trying to cover distance quickly in a boat crossing the ocean, I got killed by a "Guardian" when I was investigating something under the water - crazy! /sigh oh well, such is the life of a Hardcore Adventurer... "Your Deeds Will Be Remembered". Time to look some things up, I guess - see you in the next World!

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) Client interface and Time Tracker, showing the final Minecraft gaming session (where I died in Hardcore Mode), just now. Click to see Full Size

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of Minecraft, "Your Deeds Will Be Remembered" II (Hardcore Mode) - I guess that's it for this World... See you in the next one! Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 8 hours

Update, Sunday 3:30PM PST: Decided to start a 'regular' (Non-Hardcore Mode) Minecraft World/Map - this way, I can 'see how far I can get' for the remainder of the Marathon for fun and I can even continue playing it afterward, amassing even more items and seeing new areas! Whew... time for a break...

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) client interface and Time Tracker, showing the completed Minecraft gaming session, just now. Click to see Full Size.

Total Gameplay Time: 10 hours

Update, Sunday 6:00PM PST: Played some more Minecraft... tired - but trying to play more for the weekend Marathon! Screenshots and video clips from the weekend will be added when it's all over!

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) client interface and Time Tracker, showing the completed Minecraft gaming session, just now. Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 11 hours

Update, Sunday 8:00PM PST: Played Moar Minecraft, made a portal to go to "The Nether Lands" [which is now called The Nether Realm or The Underworld or just The Nether]... whew - time for a break!

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) client interface and Time Tracker, showing the completed Minecraft gaming session, just now (1 hour). Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 12 hours

Update, Sunday 10:00PM PST: Pushed hard to play more Minecraft, made it back to 'base/home' safely and made an Enchanting Table, woot! Tired... may be it for me today, not sure...

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of  the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) client interface and Time Tracker, showing another hour of Minecraft, just now. Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time: 13 hours

Update, Monday 2:00PM PST: Well, due to my ongoing illness (which categorizes me as Physically Disabled) and my recent major surgery (Cholecystectomy), I sadly wasn't able to amass 24 hours in the weekend's allotted time... however, I tried very hard to help out and Play For The Kids™ and really wanted to 'get up to' 24 hours - so I add this to the Weekend: my lovely wife has generously been playing alongside me the past while, amassing an additional 9 hours as an "Honorary Team Member" - "The Couple That Plays Together, Stays Together" ~ (me), I always say! So, with my helpful wife's gameplay, together we have a grand total of 26 hours of Total Gameplay Time (Household/'Team')... In light of my current condition, I hope that The Kids and The Readers out there will accept that, for this year. Next year, I'll try to do it all myself! See you then!

Oh and don't forget to come back here later on, for Screenshots and Video Clips from this weekend!

Thank you, to everyone who came along on this demanding but fun ride. Take care...

The 2015 Extra Life 24-hour Gaming Marathon - Screenshot of the AMD Gaming Evolved (Raptr) client interface and Time Tracker, showing the last gaming session that I will count for this year... Click to see Full Size

Total Gameplay Time (Household/'Team'): 17 hours + 9 hours = 26 hours

And More: Deals and Sales - The 2015 Summer Sales Are Almost Over! [Notice]

Just an quick post as a reminder - or to let more people know, if they didn't already - there are a lot of great 'Summer Sales' going on right now at various game distribution/retailer websites [think of them as 'Winter Wonder Sales' if you are in the Southern Hemisphere!].

Here are just a few samples of deals that are going on (there are a lot more at the individual company websites):

  

Most of these Sales are going to end Sunday and Monday - so get out there and see if you can find anything you've been waiting for 'to go on sale' - and See You In The Games!