Movie Review -- Searching

  “Gimmicky” is a word that is thrown around a lot, but if you ask me just because something is gimmicky doesn't always mean that it's bad. Case in point, I just saw Searching, the latest in a new subgenre of films that take place entirely on computer screens and smartphone screens, a gimmick which isn't quite as boring as you'd initially think.

  At least it wasn't boring in this movie. I have seen the 2014 horror film Unfriended which runs on the same “only looking at the screen” schtick (does this subgenre count as found footage?). It wasn't very good and so I was a bit skeptical for Searching. But it turns out that there's nothing to fear here; simply put Searching is Unfriended done right, for two reasons. The first is that Searching has more dynamic presentation and editing to it. It's not just a static frame of the whole desktop. The “camera” pans around and zooms in on things so that the audience can follow what the main character, David Kim, is focusing on. It also doesn't take place in real time, it happens across several days and on several different computer and phone screens (and possibly some TV screens; it was difficult to tell at times). While this does undermine the narrative structure's unity it does do a fantastic job of drawing to the viewer into David's point of view, which is the second thing that Searching's visual presentation has going for it. Whereas Unfriended was a horror movie where people on Skype just sit around and watch eachother die – with no worthwhile character for the audience to really latch onto – Searching is a story told from just one man's point of view, displaying the paranoia and despair that he's going through as he tries to piece together what's going on. It's a concept done so well that it makes one wonder why the computer-POV thing hasn't been done with mystery-thrillers before (at least as far as I know). It brings new life into a story which would be considered average for any other movie.

  The story is follows David, a single father whose relationship with his 16-year-old daughter Margot has grown distant since the passing of his wife Pamela. Things get tense as his daughter vanishes without a trace one night. David then does everything he can to try to find her with the help of cyberspace. And it's a good thing he's one of those parents who records/photographs everything imaginable! Isn't it remarkable what one can find out about a person through social media nowadays? It's one of those classic “do you really know those who are close to you?” scenarios, but this one carries a surprising amount of emotional weight. I'd say the story of Searching is basically a more down-to-earth version of Taken. There's plenty of red herrings and the ending is pretty decent, though it is kind of silly when you consider the fact that David was able to figure out who the perp was through a simple Google search. The badguy really should've covered up his/her tracks better.

  The cast of Searching all do a fine job. John Cho's performance as David deserves particular praise. It's a role that takes his character to lots of different places emotionally and he pulls it off flawlessly.

  All in all, Searching is an interesting entry in the mystery-thriller genre, with its seasonable subject matter and unique gimmick. If you like missing person dramas and you want to find something new there then look no further... 

  See what I did there?

Grade:

All-Time Team: Washington Capitals (1974-present)

  It's that time of year again: hockey season! And once again it's time to look at the very best of what a particular team's history has to offer in roster form. As with last year we're taking a look at the most recent Stanley Cup champion team, the Washington Capitals.

  As always let's start with an abbreviated history. The Capitals entered the NHL along with fellow expansion team the Kansas City Scouts. This was a time when professional hockey teams were sprouting up everywhere and the talent was spread thin. The Caps finished their inaugural season with a pathetic record – even by the standards of expansion teams – winning a lowly eight games out of eighty and setting a league record for worst ever winning percentage. Their second season was only slightly better (I mean it couldn't have gotten much worse!) earning 32 points against the previous year's 21. Although the next few years saw Washington languish and barely survive they took advantage of some great draft choices (Scott Stevens, Ryan Walter, Bengt Gustafsson, Mike Gartner) who would go on to strengthen the team's lineup for the next decade... or at least would fetch some decent trades (Craig Laughlin, Doug Jarvis, Rod Langway).

  By the time the 1982-83 season came around the Caps had assembled a solid defensive corps and some robust goal-scoring capability. The team earned its first ever playoff spot that year, finally quelling the persistent rumours of relocation. The Washington Capitals were a pretty competitive team throughout the 1980's and early 1990's. They made the playoffs an impressive 14 years in a row (1983-96) and even recorded 50 wins in the 1985-86 season. Unfortunately their regular season success didn't exactly carry over into the postseason, where the farthest they ever made it was the conference finals in 1990.

  After missing the playoffs in 1997, the Caps came back with a vengeance in 1998. They beat out the Bruins, the Senators, and the Sabres to make it to the Stanley Cup finals for the first time ever only to get swept by the defending champions, the Detroit Red Wings. During the next five years Washington would attempt to find success by acquiring notable high-priced veterans such as Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang. In those five years from 1998 to 2003 they made three postseason appearances, losing in the first round every time.

  During 2003 Washington unloaded its old talent and committed to rebuilding itself, missing the playoffs three years in a row from 2004 to 2007. But everything changed in 2004 when the Caps won the draft lottery and drafted the much anticipated Alexander Ovechkin who would go on to become one of the 21^st century's dominant scorers. Soon thereafter additional young talents like Alexander Semin, Mike Green, and Nicklas Backstrom developed into high-scoring phenoms, turning the team into regular season leaders and serious Cup contenders. The Capitals returned to the playoffs in 2008 and since then have only missed out once.

  During this period the Ovechkin-led squad developed a legendary rivalry with the Pittsburgh Penguins led by Sydney Crosby, the other point-scoring machine of this era. Since 2009 the Capitals and the Penguins have squared off in the postseason four times, with the Pens winning the first three series. Washington finally managed to defeat Pittsburgh in 2018 en route to their first ever Stanley Cup victory.

  Since their inception in 1974 (that's 44 seasons), the Washington Capitals have won 11 division championships and three President's Trophies (for best regular season record). They've made the playoffs 31 times, advanced to the finals twice, and won the Stanley Cup once.

  Today we'll take a look at the best players the team has ever had and see what the ideal fantasy lineup would look like. As always, only these players' achievements with Washington will be counted and I've tried only including players who wore the Caps' uniform for at least 250 games. Let's check it out!

Forwards

L-R: Maruk, Bondra, Konowalchuk

Left Wing	Centre	Right Wing
Alex Ovechkin (2005-present)	Dennis Maruk (1978-83)	Mike Gartner (1979-89)
Greg Adams (1983-88)	Nicklas Backstrom (2007-present)	Peter Bondra (1990-2004)
Steve Konowalchuk (1992-2003)	Dale Hunter (1987-99)	Craig Laughlin (1982-88)
Craig Berube (1993-99)	Brooks Laich (2003-16)	Alan May (1989-94)

Unsurprisingly, this team's first line is all about goals. As such I've selected five-time 40 goal scorer Mike Gartner, 130 point producer Dennis Maruk, and the franchise all-time leading scorer Ovechkin. On the second line we've got sharpshooter Peter Bondra, playmaker Nicklas Backstrom, and tough guy Greg Adams. The third line adds a bit of versatility with two-way winger Steve Konowalchuk, power forward Dale Hunter, and forechecker Craig Laughlin. The fourth line is all about wearing out the opponents with the enforcer Alan May, grinder Craig Berube, and solid defensive play from Brooks Laich.

Honourable mentions: Mike Eagles, Lou Franceschetti, Bob Gould, Adam Oates, Michal Pivonka

Defencemen

L-R: Johansson, Langway

Calle Johansson (1989-2003)	Sergei Gonchar (1994-2004)
Scott Stevens (1982-90)	Kevin Hatcher (1984-94)
Rod Langway (1982-93)	Yvon Labre (1974-81)

Washington has been gifted with some very talented defencemen over the years. Picking just six wasn't easy but I think I've found the right ones. Our first pair has two blueliners that served for a long time and put up a good deal of points: Calle Johansson and Sergei Gonchar (who was also one of my picks for Pittsburgh's all-time team). The second pairing adds some excitement with the physical, high-scoring duo of Scott Stevens and Kevin Hatcher. The third pairing grants the team some good old fashioned stay at-home defence from the dedicated all-star Rod Langway and the hard-nosed Yvon Labre.

Honourable mentions: Sylvain Cote, Mike Green, Brendan Witt

Goaltenders

Holtby

Braden Holtby (2010-present)

Olaf Kolzig (1989-2008)

It came down to the two most tenured of Capitals netminders and while Olaf Kolzig was pretty great in his time I believe that he's since been overshadowed by Braden Holtby. Since taking over starting goaltender duties in the 2012-13 season he's put up some impressive numbers:three 40-win seasons, no save percentage lower than .915, and some superb playoff performances. He'll likely go down in history as the best Caps goalie ever... you know, until the next best one comes along. There really is no such thing as a final victory in hockey.

That's it for this week's all-time team. Check back newt time when we cobble together a winning team from a franchise of yore: the Minnesota North Stars.

My Top 20 Favourite Video Games Ever (Part 2)

Sorry about the delay. I had some computer issues a couple weeks ago but it's all good now. Let's take a look at numbers 10 to 1.

10. Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (Xbox, 2005)

I've already written at length about the Brothers in Arms series (back in March 2016) so I won't go too much into detail here, but suffice it to say I think BIA is a great underrated series for fans of tactical shooters. Road to Hill 30 (2005) was a good debut but it was just a bit too linear. Hell's Highway (2008) had a great story but wasn't challenging enough. For me it's the second game, Earned in Blood, that holds the trilogy's crown. It upped the ante in terms of smarter enemies, enthralling storytelling, and more open-ended levels that made you think more. Not to mention it had more multiplayer modes and even multiplayer bots. All three BIA games are fun but if you're thinking of just getting one, Earned in Blood is my recommendation.

9. Splinter Cell: Blacklist (Xbox 360, 2013)

If you've read my Splinter Cell game rankings (January 2016) then this shouldn't come as too much of a surprise. While Blacklist isn't a perfect game it is hard to deny the amount of effort put into it, not to mention the amount of fun you'll get out of it. In a return to the series' signature form, it combines the fluid gameplay of Conviction (2010) with the stealth and level design of the original trilogy (2002-05). A strong contender for most replayable game in the series, Blacklist is bursting with content: in addition to the single-player campaign, there's a coop campaign and an additional twelve levels that can be completed either solo or coop. Combine this with the three different playstyles and you've got a game you'll be playing for a long time. Overall, Blacklist is a fun and accessible game that I would recommend to anyone curious about the stealth game genre.

8. RollerCoaster Tycoon (PC, 1999)

And now for something completely different. I mean, this list can't all be console action games! RollerCoaster Tycoon is an addicting game that I still get out and play from time to time. There's so many fun things to do, it's a game that you can easily lose yourself in. By customizing the names of the park/rides I would make parks with ridiculous themes like King of the Hill quotes or a cyborg revolt against humanity. Whenever guests would die in a roller coaster crash I would build a statue and plant tons of flowers around it, rebuild a new roller coaster in its place, and give it a name that had the word “memorial” in it. Sometimes I would hire about 20 or so guys in animal costumes and have them all patrol the same little strip of footpath, mobbing any guests who tried to pass through. I'd always make at least one ride that was called “Pooping my pants” so that when the guests got off it they'd all say “Pooping my pants was great!” And sometimes if time was running out and my guest count wasn't high enough I'd dig a hole, wrangle up all the people who were thinking “I want to go home”, and drop them into the hole from which they had no means of escape! And all this stuff is just the tip of the iceberg. RollerCoaster Tycoon is a timeless game that never gets old. If you've never tried it before, consider picking it up sometime. You will not be disappointed.

7. NHL 2002 (PC, 2001)

Like most Canadian boys, I grew up playing a healthy amount of hockey... video games. I'm not particularly good at sports in real life so instead I kicked ass on virtual ice with the NHL games -- or "chell" as I like to call it. I've played NHL 98, 99, 2002, Hitz 2003, 2004, 2005, 07, 12, and 17 in varying amounts and out of all of those I've gotten the most enjoyment out of NHL 2002 (with 99 as a close second). This was back when the NHL games weren't trying too hard to be realistic. The players didn't move around slugishly and lethargicly and the contols weren't overly complicated. 2002 is a fast-paced game, just as a hockey game should be. The movement is fluid, the hits are devastating, and the slapstick colour commentary featuring Don Taylor is amusing. For (I believe) the first time in the NHL series you could choose which jersey each team would wear, which as a fan of both retro hockey and the Vancouver Canucks (the NHL team with the most uniform changes) I found to be awesome. Another awesome thing was the trading card system – which if it was done in today's NHL video games, I guarantee it would be tied into loot boxes or other such microtransaction BS – which allowed you to unlock mods and cheats. These mods included silly things such as sumo suits, big heads, higher/lower pitch voices, and my personal favourite, Shrink n' Grow. In this mode players shrink when they're hit and grow when they score goals, and after a few minutes it makes for a hilarious match. It's this whole arcade style of gameplay and presentation that is so sorely missing from recent games in the NHL series. But if you ever want to go back to a simpler time when sports games didn't have to take themselves seriously then NHL 2002 has got you covered.

6. Batman: Arkham City (Xbox 360, 2011)

From a purely objective point of view Batman: Arkham City may be the best video game I've ever played. It's definitely the open world game I've played through the most and one of the very few games in which I found every collectible. In this game Batman takes on Arkham City, an open-air prison full of common crooks, political prisoners, undercover cops, and of course a whole bunch of supervillains. This open world isn't terribly large but it is amazing how much stuff is packed into it including collectible Riddler trophies, Riddler riddles, AR challenges, side missions, destructible objects, hostages who need rescuing, crime scenes to investigate, mysteries to solve, and prisoners to beat up. And the world you're playing in is really fleshed out with all sorts of characters who each have their own backstories. Also the progression system is rewarding since it unlocks new combat moves and gadgets, encouraging further exploration and replays. And did I mention that Catwoman and Robin each have their own campaigns too? The developers' attention to detail in Arkham City is commendable; they've made a game you can spend a ton of time with. If I was stranded on a deserted island and I could only have three games to play there, Batman: Arkham City would easily be one of them.

5. Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory (Xbox, 2005)

I've written about this game before (January 2016) and everyone seems to agree that Chaos Theory is easily the best game of the Splinter Cell series. So let me tell you about why I rank it as one of my favourites. It's a game that makes you think for yourself. The most obvious path to your objective is often the most dangerous and difficult and so you must learn to find your own way through the levels and make use of things in the environment that you normally wouldn't notice. It encourages you to explore for hidden paths. In short, it makes you think like Sam Fisher would. It's what makes completing a level with a 100% success rating feel so satisfying. Chaos Theory was the first Splinter Cell game I played and I'll admit I got stumped a lot. But I persevered, eventually beating it and all the other SC games. Looking back I have to say that this was the Splinter Cell with the best soundtrack, the best level design, and the fairest challenge. It's no wonder why this game is liked by so many people.

4. Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360, 2008)

What can you say about Gears of War 2? It's just a good game, as simple as that. I've played all games in the Gears series except 4 and I believe that Gears 2 was the best of them. It was more refined, varied, and graphically impressive than the first Gears. It was more hardcore, serious, and fun than the third Gears. (For the record, I really liked GOW: Judgment, I just thought it was a bit short.) GOW 2's campaign can accurately be described as a badass simulator, chainsawing vicious foes, firing powerful-sounding weapons, and delivering brutal execution moves all along an interesting plot that takes you to unexpected places. And then there was the multiplayer which I sunk a ton of hours into; seriously, GOW 2 is one of the two games I've spent the most time playing (#1 on this list is the other game). The maps were great and the game modes were even greater. My personal favourite was King of the Hill on Ruins. Gears of War 2 was my introduction to the Gears series back in 2008 and I've been hooked ever since.

3. Civilization III (PC, 2001)

Strategy is a genre I don't play all that often but when I find a good strategy game I stick with it. Just like RollerCoaster Tycoon, Civilization III is a highly addicting game that I've been playing on and off for a decade and a half now. In Civ 3 you build up an empire by establishing cities, controlling resources, trading with other nations, managing productivity, keeping your people happy, and defeating opposing civilizations in battle. It's a game that is rich in detail and deep in terms of gameplay. Each civilization has its own distinct personality thanks to unique military units, historical leader figures, and civilization traits. For example France – the one I played the most because I seemed to do the best with – is an industrious and commercial society led by Joan of Arc and can produce musketeers. It's also really fun to see your empire progress through eras of history, learning scientific advancements which can support new city improvements and military units. Declaring war gives you a rush like nothing else, but it's not a decision to make lightly. Getting into the wrong conflict can have serious consequences! There are several different ways of winning the game, which supports different play styles and strategies, making replays a must. It's a game that never stops giving.

2. Halo 2 (Xbox, 2004)

My first few exposures to Halo 2 were always as I was hanging out at friends' houses playing the multiplayer. The game's presentation was the first thing that struck me: the jaw-dropping sound effects, the captivating music, the crisp blue menus, the multiplayer voice guy, the cool weapons, and the heavy-duty looking player characters just blew my mind. When I got around to getting my own copy of the game I quickly came to the conclusion that Halo 2 is the coolest game ever made. Though I hadn't yet played Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) I found Halo 2's story and universe to be fascinating. With such likeable characters, interesting enemies, and great locations I found the experience quite immersive. And the gameplay was fantastic also. The Legendary difficulty setting on Halo 2 was notoriously hard – full retard, basically – but after years of learning the intricacies of combat and all the right tactics I eventually beat the sucker on its most challenging setting. Conquering one of my favourite games on an infamously brutal difficulty: that made me proud. Although Halo 2's multiplayer mode was technically outclassed by its successor it is still a phenomenally awesome multiplayer suite, one that my friends and I still play occasionally.

1. Star Wars: Battlefront II (Xbox, 2005)

Please note, I said 2005, not 2017, as if that greedy pile of vomit deserves to share the name of this gem of a game. No, son. This is the classic Star Wars shooter game that deserves your attention, money and time. And that it has gotten; Battlefront II, along with Gears of War 2, is one the games I have played the most. My disc has got so many scratches on it it's a miracle my Xbox still runs it! I grew up during the prequel age of Star Wars and it was pretty awesome. The movies weren't the greatest but we still liked them. The video games were even better and we ate them up. In 2005 there came along an intense third-person shooter that put you into the boots of the soldiers fighting in all the franchise's big battles from episode I to VI. It was busy, chaotic, and fun. You had so many maps, several game modes, space battles, and even heroes from the movies one could play as. You could be Darth Maul cutting down clone troopers by the hundreds with your doublesaber like a one-man army, but sometimes it was more fun to just be an ordinary engineer sneaking behind enemy lines capturing command posts, trying to survive on your own with nothing but your shotgun, your health packs, and your wit to keep you going. You could hop in the AT-AT walkers on Hoth and blow up everything and everyone, or you could be a sniper holding out as long as you could at the shield generator base on Endor. In space battles you could land a squad aboard the enemy's flagship and destroy its systems from the inside or you could get in a starfighter and just fly around and shoot down enemy ships. In addition to multiplayer there was also the Risk-like strategy war game Galactic Conquest (which I don't think I ever completed when played against my brothers, we were just too good to fail!) and the undercooked but still enjoyable singleplayer campaign. With so many things to do and so many different ways of doing them it's no wonder I spent so much time having fun with Star Wars: Battlefront II. It's just that good.

Thanks for reading

Movie Review -- Mission Impossible: Fallout

  How many movie series can you think of that manage to maintain a high standard of quality after six instalments? After seeing its latest offering, I'm definitely thinking of Mission Impossible as a prime candidate. Having only seen parts 4 and 5, I was curious to see what new stuff Fallout would bring to the table. Did it measure up to the greatness of Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation? Let's find out.

  Fallout's plot ties in closely with that of Rogue Nation: after the capture of Syndicate leader Solomon Lane his former associates have, for some reason, formed into the Apostles, an anarchist terrorist group. It's up to Ethan Hunt and his team to prevent the Apostles from making nuclear weapons while working with/against some old friends/enemies as well as some new ones. It's an alright plot with lots of thrills, laughs, BMW product placement, and deal-making/backstabbing to make one's head spin. The only complaint I have story-wise is that there's some stuff involving Julia, Ethan's ex-wife, that comes off as kind of sappy and arguably unnecessary.

  Fallout has plenty of exciting action scenes featuring some killer stunt work and seamless special effects – it looks like Henry Cavill's moustache is really there! – that we're used to from this series. Did you know that Tom Cruise actually did real-life HALO jumps for this movie? Isn't that amazing? But while the action scenes were pretty cool I can't help but think that there's less of them from this film that'll stand out in my mind, not like the Burj Khalifa scene from Ghost Protocol or the diving scene from Rogue Nation. Fallout's action sequences are still good and are aided by its lively direction and its restless soundtrack.

  The film also boasts a talented cast capable of fully bringing each character to life. Tom Cruise brings his trademark mixture of intensity and relatability that few other action heroes can. Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg return as the lovable Luther and Benji respectively. Back from Rogue Nation are Rebecca Ferguson as Ilsa Faust and Sean Harris as Solomon Lane. Not only are these characters a joy to watch, but they add a new level of continuity and drama to the series. Even CNN anchorman Wolf Blitzer makes a guest appearance doing what he does best: delivering fake news. Really the only casting misstep I can think of is that the actresses playing Julia and Ilsa look a bit too similar. Maybe it's because I'm not all that familiar with Julia, but there were several times where I kept confusing the two of them.

  And that's Mission Impossible: Fallout, another great addition to this heavyweight action series which only seems to get better with age. If you liked the previous Missions Impossible then you'll easily like this one. If you're an action fan in general then this film, should you choose to accept it, will entertain you like few other action films this summer will.

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Grade:

My Top 20 Favourite Video Games Ever (Part 1)

This is it, the one list that every gamer wants to make yet despairs when the time actually comes to make it. I'm talking about a ranked list of my personal favourite video games, that games that have given me the most enjoyment over the years, the games that I (almost) never get tired of playing. Making this list wasn't easy; in fact I'm still not sure about the order I've got here. (It'll probably have changed by the time I'm done writing this!) But such is the fate of an entirely subjective list based on preferences that aren't easily quantifiable. Let's do this!

Honourable mentions: Call of Duty 4 : Modern Warfare (2007), Guitar Hero: World Tour (2008), Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (2005), Star Wars: Republic Commando (2005)

20. Brütal Legend (Xbox 360, 2009)

If you haven't heard of Brutal Legend then I apologize in advance because my words here won't do it justice. You play as Eddie Riggs, voiced by Jack Black, the greatest roadie the world has ever seen as he gets transported back in time to a world inspired by heavy metal album covers. Armed with his lightning-summoning guitar and his trusty battle axe it's up to him to lead the human resistance and defeat hordes of demons, glam rock sellouts, and goth panzies. With its face-melting soundtrack, impressive voice cast, cool character design, jaw-dropping environments, and fun sense of humour Brutal Legend is a game that you'll want to explore every nook and cranny of. It does have a few downsides: the graphics are low-res and light on details, the side missions are repetitive, and the control scheme is a bit puzzling at times. (There's no jump button. Also it took me 2.5 playthroughs before I found out there was a sprint button!) Still, Brutal Legend manages to be a pretty fun game that serves as a heartfelt tribute to heavy metal subculture. Rock on.

19. Ultimate Spider-Man (Xbox, 2005)

Ultimate Spider-Man is a game that has a lot of sentimental value to me. It was the first video game I ever bought with money that I'd earned from a job. At the time I was a huge fan of the Ultimate Spider-Man comic series and I frequently compared myself to Peter Parker in middle school (I wasn't in high school yet). I had previously played the games based on the Spider-Man movies, but they didn't exactly blow me away perhaps because of their non-original stories and sometimes clunky controls. But Ultimate Spider-Man had none of those problems; it was like Spider-Man 2 (2004) but with more refined controls, an original story, more rewarding collectibles/unlocks, and a dazzling art design. And did I mention that you can also play as Venom? Needless to say, this game was one the coolest things in the world to my 15 year-old self. Sure its open world wasn't as big as the previous game's and it could be frustratingly difficult at times but that didn't hinder the feeling of truly being in a story of the Ultimate comic series. Excelsior, true believers!

   18. Call of Duty: Black Ops (Xbox 360, 2010)

Alternate history is one of my favourite subgenres of fiction, one that I wish video games would do way more often. This is probably why I like Black Ops so much. The Cold War is such an enthralling era of history which doesn't have all that many games focusing on it. Anyone who says that video games can't be educational needs to play this game. If it weren't for Black Ops I might never have learned about things such as the Vorkuta Gulag, the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kowloon's walled city, MK Ultra, and Rebirth Island. And it's all wrapped up into a gripping story in which the fate of the world is at stake. As if that wasn't enough Black Ops has by far my preferred CoD multiplayer mode and it even has Dead Ops Arcade, a four-player overhead twin stick shooter that's way more fun than it has any right to be! This game has so much bang for your buck it's unreal.

   17. The Simpsons: Road Rage (Xbox, 2001)

You might be thinking “Tony, what the heck is this game doing on a list like this?” I'll admit, Simpsons: Road Rage is a simple game, one that wasn't meant to be played for hours on end. It's basically a ripoff of Crazy Taxi, in which you take control of Simpsons characters and pickup passengers and shuttle them to their destinations around Springfield as quickly as possible. Successful runs award the player with more cash (i.e. high scores) which allow the player to unlock more locations and playable characters each with their own vehicle. Sounds simple, right? That's because I haven't told you about one on one mode! In this mode two players compete to be the one to deliver more passengers. It involves ramming the other player to steal the passenger, a lot of detours to lose your opponent, and a ton of sneaky manoeuvres to try to shake off your pursuer. I play this game a lot with my brothers and when you get two experienced players facing off it makes for an intense, sweat-inducing game. Seriously, if you can find this game on the cheap its two-player mode easily makes it worth a try.

    16. Doom 3 (Xbox, 2005)

This is some serious crap. I don't play horror-type games often but I thoroughly enjoyed Doom 3's campaign which is set in a dark, creepy research facility on Mars that's been invaded by demons and monsters from hell. The scary enemies that spawn from nowhere without warning, the inability to hold a weapon and the flashlight at the same time, and the unnerving sounds one can hear are extremely effective at putting the player on edge. This is one of the very few “silent protagonist” games in which I felt truly immersed. I think this is due to two things: the outstanding sound design and the PDA. Early on, the player is given a PDA through which they can read emails and listen to audio logs that are found throughout the game. In addition to providing security clearance and helpful tips (such as supplies storage), these emails and audio logs offer significant story details and really help flesh out the world you're playing in. While I do have a couple gripes with this game – the enemies who constantly respawn behind you do get rather annoying, plus weapon switching can be cumbersome at times – I still have tons of fun with Doom 3. Horror developers, take note.

    15. Forza Motorsport 4 (Xbox 360, 2011)

I've played plenty of Forza games and while they're all very finely crafted racing simulators I'd have to hold up Motorsport 4 as my preferred title of the series. It's more detailed and varied than Forza Motorsport (2005), less restrictive than Forza Motorsport 3 (2009), and is more straightforward than Forza Horizon (2012). The variety of tracks and cars available were phenomenal, the unlockable cars (AKA autovista) were really cool, and the number of unlocks, titles, and events was mind-boggling. I especially liked the little things they included such as how each pass, turn, draft, and drift is given a grade from one to four. These grades were surprisingly helpful in teaching the player how to play the game. And just like the other games in the series, it was very highly polished with excellent physics and graphics. Also, the commentary from the Top Gear guys was amusing and gave this game a bit of personality. If you like racing games at all, then Forza Motorsport 4 is a game that's easy to love.

    14. Halo 3 (Xbox 360, 2007)

Please don't get mad at me for not putting this one higher on this list. I had become a Halo fan after playing through Halo 2 the year before and I was all aboard the hype train in anticipation of Halo 3. I was slightly let down at things like the lacklustre sound effects, slower pace of gameplay, and lack of surprises in campaign. While it's not as memorable or as badass as its predecessor I still appreciate Halo 3 for what it is: a well-designed sci-fi action FPS set in a fascinating universe with enemies that are fun to tango with. This entry in the series added new vehicles and weapons, had fun locations for single-player, had a fantastic soundtrack, and gave the players more multiplayer options than ever before. It's a game that my friends and I still play to this day and probably will continue playing for quite some time. From a purely objective viewpoint it's probably the best Halo game ever made but there's just one other game in the series that I prefer over Halo 3. More on that later...

13. Wolfenstein: The New Order (Xbox 360, 2014)

Why yes, this game did come out on Xbox 360. (I don't have an 8^th gen console... yet.) Remember what I said about how much I love alternate history in CoD: Black Ops? That goes double for Wolfenstein: TNO. In this game the Germans have won the Second World War through their use of highly advanced technology. The game takes place in a 1960 in which the Third Reich rules most of the world and has even established a colony on the moon. This is a fantastic – if somewhat absurd – setup for a video game; rarely have I been so enthralled at a game's character and environment design. What's more, TNO boasts some very fun and addicting gunplay as well as some options for those who prefer a stealthier style of gameplay. Though it can be difficult at times, Wolfenstein: TNO never feels frustrating and it rewards players who are willing to change up their strategy from time to time. That's what being a great first-person shooter is all about.

12. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360, 2010)

What can I say about Red Dead Redemption that hasn't already been said? It's one of the best games this decade and one of the best open-world games ever made. Never has the act of driving around – or in this case horseback riding around – and shooting things been presented in a way that's so fresh and exciting. At times it really did seem like I was playing a Sergio Leone film thanks to the excellent soundtrack, enthralling story, and diverse cast of relatable characters. And that's not even counting all the interesting side missions! There's so much to do, so many places to go, so many people to meet, so much trouble to get into. It's a highly detailed and beautiful looking game. Describing it all in depth would take up an entire article on its own. I'll just leave it at this: Red Dead Redemption is a game that took on the often underutilized setting of the old west and brought it to life in the most ambitious and amazing way one could hope for. You done good.

11. Fight Night 2004 (Xbox, 2004)

It's no secret that the best part of an EA Sports game is getting to make your own butt-ugly characters. Fight Night takes it one step further by letting you make butt-ugly characters who can then beat eachother up! My brothers and I would go all out with the dudes we created in this game. I even went through the trouble of making Beavis and Butthead to watch them duke it out. Even without all that silly stuff, Fight Night is a fun and intense game. It's probably my favourite sports game aside from the NHL games. Making your way up to the top and fighting some of history's greatest boxers was a simple yet satisfying setup for a career mode. Really the only complaint I have is that all the punching is mapped to the thumbstick which works well, but if you play the game at length (like I have) I guarantee that your thumb will end up calloused. But as your coach tells you between rounds, “This is boxing, kid: pain comes with the territory.”

That'll about do it for this week. Check back next time for the top 10.

Movie Review Repost -- Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)

Hey, guys. It's been a while since I've posted anything other than a current movie review. Sorry about that. You know, summer and all. I've begun work on a new article but it may take some time before it's finished. In the meantime let's look forward to the next Mission Impossible movie coming later this month, Mission Impossible: Fallout. Let's hope it continues the momentum set up by the previous one, Rogue Nation. Here's the review I wrote for that film back in 2015.

  Well, it's been about three and a half years since the last Mission Impossible film served us up a plate of good old, fun old action. The last one, Ghost Protocol, was amazing; I gave that one the full five stars. So does Rogue Nation accomplish its mission of measuring up? Let's find out.

  The story once again follows agent Ethan Hunt as he and the remaining members of the now-disbanded IMF attempt to uncloak and bring down the Syndicate, a mysterious terrorist organization. Like the other Mission Impossible films it has lots of globe trotting and double crossing that'll keep you guessing who's working for who until the very end.

  A lot of the fun of these films comes from the characters it follows. We've got the ageless Tom Cruise reprising his role as the fearless Ethan Hunt; Alec Baldwin, who sure has risen through the ranks of the CIA since Red October; Sean Penn as the lovably funny computer genius Benji; Jeremy Renner as the serviceable agent Brandt; Rebecca Ferguson as the kickass femme fatal Ilsa Faust who is kind of over-sexualized here (whether that's a good or bad thing, I'll let you decide) (edit: I've since decided that it's not that big a deal!); and Ving Rhames as the token black guy (seriously, did he actually do anything important?). And lastly, we have Sean Harris as the main villain Solomon Lane. The problem with him is that he's sometimes hard to take seriously, with his high-pitched whispery voice and his pouty angry face.

  The action is just as fun as ever, with some terrific stunts and action set pieces. But because of its PG rating, its violence feels a little too tame. There's even a freakin' knife fight scene that doesn't have a single drop of blood!

  Regardless, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is a great action spectacle. I'd say it's not quite as good as Ghost Protocol was; that one had funnier jokes and a better villain. But this one is still a fine choice for any moviegoer.

Rating: four and a half stars out of five.

Movie Review -- Sicario: Day of the Soldado

  Sicario: Day of the Soldado is one of three movies I'm seeing this year – the others being Tomb Raider (reviewed back in March) and Venom (coming out in October) – not out of genuine excitement for them but more due to sheer curiosity. 2015's Sicario is a masterpiece of cinema that nicely wrapped up everything it set out to do. It's another one of those good movies that definitely didn't need a sequel, and yet here we are. So does Day of the Soldado honour the legacy of the first film while also being a good film in its own right? Let's take a look.

  Sicario 2 opens with human traffickers and drug cartels doing their thing along the Mexico-US border, except instead of just illegal migrants they're smuggling Islamic terrorists as well. CIAgent Matt Graver is tasked with striking back at the cartels by starting a war between them – the whole terrorism subplot is dropped rather quickly. For this he enlists the help of his old friend, Alejandro Gillick. It's a film that's just as brutal and badass as its predecessor but with a little more focus on action and less on moral dilemmas and the War on Drugs. There's somewhat less political and moral themes than the first film's although the theme of bureaucratic hypocrisy is still there. Overall, it's a story that isn't as engrossing as the first though it is enough to keep you entertained.

  There's also a problem with the movie's pacing. Within the last 30 minutes I kept thinking “is it over now?” not because I was bored but because there's several times where it looks like the movie could end at any moment. At least the ending we do get is pretty cool.

  Now for the characters. Emily Blunt's Kate Macer doesn't make a return nor is she given a proper replacement in Day of the Soldado. This is a real downer since Macer really gave the audience someone to latch onto in Sicario 1 as she experienced and reacted to the film's moral ambiguity firsthand. Instead Sicario 2 has the audience observing characters at arm's length which isn't as affective or thought-provoking. Josh Brolin returns as one of the film's two main characters, Matt Graver. His performance is more serious and less happy-go-lucky than in the first, but it's still quite good. This film has him faced with the likelihood of betrayal so it makes sense that perhaps he doesn't derive as much joy from his job as he did before. The other returning character is Benicio del Toro as Alejandro Gillick. His performance is spot on, very similar to the first film's. The only difference is that we see much more of him in the sequel and so the aura of mysteriousness he once possessed is a bit lacking this time around.

  Another mighty blow to fans of the first film is that Denis Villeneuve is no longer directing. Instead we've got some dude named Stefano Sollima and his direction is quite different. Gone is the picturesque composition and gone is the colour symbolism. Instead we've got more standard cinematography with some admittedly cool point-of-view shots from inside vehicles. At least that chilling theme song makes a return.

  And that's about all there is to say about Sicario: Day of the Soldado. It's a wholly unnecessary sequel that still manages to be sufficiently entertaining. It doesn't hold a candle to the original, but in spite of its flaws I still enjoyed it.

Grade: