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kaiserwilhelm95
Reviews
Alpha Centauri (1999)
One of the greatest games ever
This is truly a great game. Civilization 2 was a good game, but Alpha Centauri simply blows it out of the water. The idea of the game is deceptively simple. Choose from one of seven factions, (factions, not nations like in other games, so the player can pick the faction with the same goals and morals as the player.) The very basic gameplay is the same as Civ II, Explore, Build, Discover, Conquer, but with WAY more options. The way the tech trees branch out is really the games only downfall. In Civ, if you had the choice between inventing gunpowder and philosophy, it was an easy choice, since you knew what what gunpowder and philosophy were. In Alpha, if you have the choice between Polymorphic Software and Superconducting Fiber, you can feel a bit helpless. These fears are gone once you play a few games though. One of the most interesting thing about the game is how the factions ideology will often conflict with each other. For example, the Spartans, who are a war-like faction, automaticly don't like the Peacekeepers, whose name explains their morals. From graphics to sound to overall gameplay, this game rocks.
Clerks (1994)
Why didn't I think of this?
In the first of Kevin Smith's View Askew movie, we are treated to a movie almost any one could make. Like the old saying goes, a good idea makes you think, "Hey, that's a good idea." A great idea makes you think, "Damn, now why didn't I think of that?" The movie was cost $24,000 to make, after hours, at a store Smith worked at. You just don't get any more indie then that.
But I digress. The actual movie is based on the Divine Comedy by Dante, so one of the main characters is named Dante. Dante is played to a slacker perfect by Brian O' Halloran. The basic idea of the movie is that Dante is having a bad day. He has to go in to work when he doesn't have to, gets pelted with cigs, and finds out his girlfriend has performed the french perversion on 37 men. All of this happens in the first 15-20 min.
The script is one of the funniest I've ever, and while watching the movie it is tempting to wonder whatr the movie would have been like while a "name" cast and a bigger budget.
The movie does have some flaws. The cast is an assortment of Smith's friends, so the acting is only so-so. Also, because of the small budget, Walt Flannagin has to play like, 6 bit parts. Also, if you are looking for artsy direction, you will be disapointed. Smith is not a visual director, most of his scences are long verbal shots, only sometimes interrupted by the antics of Jay and Silent Bob. (Silent Bob is played by director Smith) Other the that, this is a really great movie.