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Rowmote: Remote Control for Mac
Utilities and Productivity
App
Rowmote lets you seamlessly control audio, video, and presentation applications on your Mac from...
Tinnitus Help for iPad
Medical and Health & Fitness
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‘Tinnitus Help’ - eight programs in one. The ultimate application for tinnitus sufferers. Only...
ConnectStats -
Health & Fitness and Lifestyle
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DESCRIPTION Connect Stats is an activity viewer for Garmin Connect or Strava. It provides in-depth...
Technutri - Diet and Fitness
Health & Fitness and Lifestyle
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Do you want that perfect body but do you not succeed on your own? Try Technutri! You are able to...
Handbook of High-Frequency Trading and Modeling in Finance
Ionut Florescu, Maria C. Mariani, H. Eugene Stanley and Frederi G. Viens
Book
Reflecting the fast pace and ever-evolving nature of the financial industry, the Handbook of...
Global Tide - Weather Forecast for Marine Sports
Weather and Sports
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Global Tide is a free app specially made by Catches for outdoor enthusiasts to fishing, diving and...
Video & TV SideView: Remote
Entertainment and Lifestyle
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Notice regarding discontinuation of TV Programs and Video on Demand Thank you very much for your...
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of STAR WARS Battlefront in Video Games
Jun 19, 2019
We have spent a lot of time with EA Star Wars Battlefront since we did extensive coverage for the game at launch with our various Holiday Gift Guides. In the time since launch, we have seen comments both good and bad about the game and as such; I took my time with the program before entering into the written portion of our coverage. The game is a fantastic looking solo and team-based shooter set in the classic era of the Star Wars trilogy. Few dispute the absolute gorgeous graphics of the game and the incredible attention to detail that the developers have poured into the game. The biggest criticism seems to be that some believe the game is little more than a shell for the DLC that is available for an additional price and that the finalized game is lacking enough to justify the full retail price.
To me this is complete and other nonsense as I don’t know what people had in mind for the game one was announced but for me; the developers have delivered what they promised. The game features multiple online modes of play ranging from starfighter battles, Walker Assault, Blast, solo training modes, Supremacy, Cargo, Droid Run, Drop Zone, Heroes versus Villains, and Hero Hunt.
Each mode lets players play as either the Rebel Alliance or Empire and they can customize their loadout which includes the look of their character, weaponry, special abilities, and special weapons. As players gain experience the rebel to unlock new and better options as well is gained special weapons, vehicles, and even the chance to play is a classic character thanks to special icons located throughout the map.
Each gameplay mode has multiple maps although locations are set on Hoth, Tattooine, Endor, Sullust, and such. There are however multiple maps for each locale.
EA has also released two free updates of significance one that offered a new gameplay mode called Turning Point which features to locale set in Jakku from the most recent film. There has also been a recent update which brought new enhancements to the game as well as costumes and additional maps made available for various gameplay modes all at no cost.
While I understand some people’s complaints about the game not having a campaign, it was pretty clear from the beginning that this was designed to be an online experience. My biggest complaints center around the balance issues such as some characters taking multiple hits from a rifle and grenade and walking away while others go down fairly easy in 1 to 2 blasts. It’s simply a matter of getting to know your weaponry and what it takes to successfully take down an opponent as once you get into a groove, you’re able to do quite well. Players are going to die a lot as there is a lot going on specifically in the Walker Assault and Turning Point modes but if you stick with it, you are often rewarded and getting to play as a classic character or taking the controls of a vehicle is always a very nice bonus and allows you to turn the tables quickly on the other team.
EA has listened to the community and continues to offer refinements to the game and have said they will do so beyond the DLC which is coming this year. For me, EA Star Wars Battlefront is a true gift to the fans in that it gives games a graphically detailed and gorgeous as well as immersive Star Wars experience that is fun to play and is constantly being refined and added to by the company.
I had a fantastic time playing it since it came out and I look forward to seeing what is coming next in both the free and DLC categories for this game as it is truly been and can used to be a real treat for Star Wars fans especially when you consider how many bad games based upon the license have been released over the years.
http://sknr.net/2016/02/08/a-review-in-defense-of-the-awesome-ea-star-wars-battlefront/
To me this is complete and other nonsense as I don’t know what people had in mind for the game one was announced but for me; the developers have delivered what they promised. The game features multiple online modes of play ranging from starfighter battles, Walker Assault, Blast, solo training modes, Supremacy, Cargo, Droid Run, Drop Zone, Heroes versus Villains, and Hero Hunt.
Each mode lets players play as either the Rebel Alliance or Empire and they can customize their loadout which includes the look of their character, weaponry, special abilities, and special weapons. As players gain experience the rebel to unlock new and better options as well is gained special weapons, vehicles, and even the chance to play is a classic character thanks to special icons located throughout the map.
Each gameplay mode has multiple maps although locations are set on Hoth, Tattooine, Endor, Sullust, and such. There are however multiple maps for each locale.
EA has also released two free updates of significance one that offered a new gameplay mode called Turning Point which features to locale set in Jakku from the most recent film. There has also been a recent update which brought new enhancements to the game as well as costumes and additional maps made available for various gameplay modes all at no cost.
While I understand some people’s complaints about the game not having a campaign, it was pretty clear from the beginning that this was designed to be an online experience. My biggest complaints center around the balance issues such as some characters taking multiple hits from a rifle and grenade and walking away while others go down fairly easy in 1 to 2 blasts. It’s simply a matter of getting to know your weaponry and what it takes to successfully take down an opponent as once you get into a groove, you’re able to do quite well. Players are going to die a lot as there is a lot going on specifically in the Walker Assault and Turning Point modes but if you stick with it, you are often rewarded and getting to play as a classic character or taking the controls of a vehicle is always a very nice bonus and allows you to turn the tables quickly on the other team.
EA has listened to the community and continues to offer refinements to the game and have said they will do so beyond the DLC which is coming this year. For me, EA Star Wars Battlefront is a true gift to the fans in that it gives games a graphically detailed and gorgeous as well as immersive Star Wars experience that is fun to play and is constantly being refined and added to by the company.
I had a fantastic time playing it since it came out and I look forward to seeing what is coming next in both the free and DLC categories for this game as it is truly been and can used to be a real treat for Star Wars fans especially when you consider how many bad games based upon the license have been released over the years.
http://sknr.net/2016/02/08/a-review-in-defense-of-the-awesome-ea-star-wars-battlefront/
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Gemini Man (2019) in Movies
Oct 17, 2019
The Effects Just Aren't Good Enough
Ang Lee is a visionary Director that loves to push the envelope of advances in movie-making technology, so the plot contrivance of GEMINI MAN (a Government Assassin is being chased by his much younger clone) was right up his alley - and he makes good (enough) work of the technology that "de-ages" Will Smith and puts the older and younger version of himself on screen at the same time. This was also his 2nd film (after BILLY FLYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK) that Lee shot in 4K 3D at 120 frames per second (the "normal" shooting speed is 24 FPS).
He should have spent more of his time on the script..
Based on a long gestating screenplay written in the 1990's by David Lemke (and re-written in the 2010's by Billy Ray - THE HUNGER GAMES - and Mr. GAME OF THRONES himself, David Benioff), GEMINI MAN follows a Government Contract Killer, Henry Brogan (Will Smtih) who does "one last job" and is looking forward to retirement. His agency (under the leadership of Clive Owen) decides to "take him out" and sends "Gemini" after him. Brogan tries to escape but his every move is anticipated by the Gemini - a younger clone of himself (this is not a spoiler, it's in the trailer and ON THE POSTER). He is joined by a pair of "buddies" (Mary Elizabeth Winsted and Benedict Wong) in plotting how to outsmart himself.
This film had all the markings of a bad "B" film, but under the watchful eye of Lee and the charismatic performances of Winsted, Wong - and most especially - Smith, this film is actually quite watchable.
What doesn't work - the plot. To say it is contrived is to do a disservice to the word "contrived". It really doesn't give us anything new, it just gives us a bridge from action scene to action. Also, the reasoning of the Government to get rid of Brogan doesn't really work and Clive Owen - as the head of the Gemini program - and the main "suit" that is chasing Smith looks like he is sleepwalking his way through this film.
What works - the interplay and "fun" of Smith, Winsted and Wong as the 3 "professionals" on the run - and outsmarting - "the Agency". These 3 work really well off each other and I would love to have seen a "Mission Impossible" style film of these 3 doing some sort of impossible mission. Special note needs to be made of Smith's performance - as the older Brogan. He is world weary and heavy, but still has the twinkle in his eye and the physical acumen to be a top assassin. This is the type of role that Smith - especially at his age and experience - is ideal for. His charisma shines and he holds his own in the physical/fight scenes. Also, Ang Lee knows how to shoot an action sequence. True, there is nothing "new", revolutionary or evolutionary in any of the fight/chase scenes, but they are put together in a competent, professional manner and did a good enough job.
And then there is the younger Brogan - "Junior" - played by a CGI "de-aged" Will Smith.
We've seen the CGI "de-aging" effect before - most notably in some Marvel Movies like CAPTAIN MARVEL - and while it works well enough, I just don't think it is quite there yet. You can tell that something is just a little off - not enough for it to really bother you, but enough to know that something isn't quite right - especially when Junior spends most of this film on screen with his older self. You see the "real" Will Smith up against the "copy" and the "copy" looks like...a copy. Also, the "de-aging" of the voice didn't really work for me. It sounded "off" and at times it sounded like bad ADR.
I was able to shrug off these slight technical anomalies and enjoy this film for what it is - a breezy action-er that certainly entertains for 2 hours. But it is no masterpiece and no "major" technological breakthrough. That will have to wait for another movie.
Letter Grade: B (mostly for the fun interplay between older Smith, Winsted and Wong)
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
He should have spent more of his time on the script..
Based on a long gestating screenplay written in the 1990's by David Lemke (and re-written in the 2010's by Billy Ray - THE HUNGER GAMES - and Mr. GAME OF THRONES himself, David Benioff), GEMINI MAN follows a Government Contract Killer, Henry Brogan (Will Smtih) who does "one last job" and is looking forward to retirement. His agency (under the leadership of Clive Owen) decides to "take him out" and sends "Gemini" after him. Brogan tries to escape but his every move is anticipated by the Gemini - a younger clone of himself (this is not a spoiler, it's in the trailer and ON THE POSTER). He is joined by a pair of "buddies" (Mary Elizabeth Winsted and Benedict Wong) in plotting how to outsmart himself.
This film had all the markings of a bad "B" film, but under the watchful eye of Lee and the charismatic performances of Winsted, Wong - and most especially - Smith, this film is actually quite watchable.
What doesn't work - the plot. To say it is contrived is to do a disservice to the word "contrived". It really doesn't give us anything new, it just gives us a bridge from action scene to action. Also, the reasoning of the Government to get rid of Brogan doesn't really work and Clive Owen - as the head of the Gemini program - and the main "suit" that is chasing Smith looks like he is sleepwalking his way through this film.
What works - the interplay and "fun" of Smith, Winsted and Wong as the 3 "professionals" on the run - and outsmarting - "the Agency". These 3 work really well off each other and I would love to have seen a "Mission Impossible" style film of these 3 doing some sort of impossible mission. Special note needs to be made of Smith's performance - as the older Brogan. He is world weary and heavy, but still has the twinkle in his eye and the physical acumen to be a top assassin. This is the type of role that Smith - especially at his age and experience - is ideal for. His charisma shines and he holds his own in the physical/fight scenes. Also, Ang Lee knows how to shoot an action sequence. True, there is nothing "new", revolutionary or evolutionary in any of the fight/chase scenes, but they are put together in a competent, professional manner and did a good enough job.
And then there is the younger Brogan - "Junior" - played by a CGI "de-aged" Will Smith.
We've seen the CGI "de-aging" effect before - most notably in some Marvel Movies like CAPTAIN MARVEL - and while it works well enough, I just don't think it is quite there yet. You can tell that something is just a little off - not enough for it to really bother you, but enough to know that something isn't quite right - especially when Junior spends most of this film on screen with his older self. You see the "real" Will Smith up against the "copy" and the "copy" looks like...a copy. Also, the "de-aging" of the voice didn't really work for me. It sounded "off" and at times it sounded like bad ADR.
I was able to shrug off these slight technical anomalies and enjoy this film for what it is - a breezy action-er that certainly entertains for 2 hours. But it is no masterpiece and no "major" technological breakthrough. That will have to wait for another movie.
Letter Grade: B (mostly for the fun interplay between older Smith, Winsted and Wong)
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)