Phil Villarreal's Blog, page 46

PHIL ON FILM: "Playing with Sharks"

 For my full review, click here.

Book Report: "Fosse"

 

Fosse by Sam Wasson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sam Wasson's intelligent, insightful biography is as captivating as the miniseries it inspired.

A probing look inside the mind and life of a tortured creative genius, "Fosse" manages to look up and down at the trend-setting choreographer, film director and promotional mastermind.

Eloquent prose digs into the interactions and intricacies that made the man. Fosse was a walking trainwreck who womanized, abused drugs and drink and -- most of all -- himself as he incessently strove to max out his creative capabilities and manifest his visions into being.

As wretched as a person as Fosse was at times, he also harbored a kind heart that drew friends and admirers into his orbit.

Ever plagued with self doubt and loathing, it seemed Fosse never had the capability of enjoying his dizzying success. Perhaps it was that inability to appreciate that kept him ever reach, ever stumbling, ever falling and ever rising.

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PHIL ON FILM: Movies and Shows Leaving Netflix in August

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PHIL ON FILM: "Black Widow"

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"Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground" Review

The first venture into the strategy real for the dark fantasy spinoff of "Warhammer Age of Sigmar," "Storm Ground" is a rough-hewn experience with its share of exuberant highs as well as stagnant lows.

After the novelty of getting to play "Warhammer" on the Switch wears off, you're left with a clunky, scaled-down version of a middling PC release.

"Warhammer" superfans will no doubt relish the lore and world-building that comes in the story -- at least if they can stomach the mediocre writing and long-winded exposition.

Choosing from among three factions, you guide your forces through the gritty, unforgiving campaign, which provides ample replayability opportunities that let you view the conflict from varied perspectives. Whether you will have the patience to replay the story again is questionable.

The dev team at Gasket Games was creeping on the verge of a breakthrough to let the might of the brand be known on the underexplored territory of the Switch, but instead came up with a moribund spinoff that seems with more in common with a mobile snack than a full-fledged feast.

Publisher provided review code.

PHIL ON FILM: 5 Shows to Binge in July 2021

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PHIL ON FILM: "Clairevoyant" Review

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Weird But True: T-Mobile Serves Up Ginger Beer, Gin

 

Claiming it has "the world's largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network," the carrier is producing "5Gin" and "5Ginger Beer." 
I'm not sure I understand the reasoning behind the products, but I have a theory: You can use one for drunk-dialing and the other to drown your sorrows in carbonated sugar, I guess.
T-Mobile sent product samples.

"Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection" Review

It's rare that a game holds up as well as your memory of it does. The "Ninja Gaiden" games, though, are the rare exception in which actuality trumps memory.

Slick, strategic action flows like wind, with a zen-like succession of blocks, jumps and special moves emerging from your reflexes as you face down scores of hooded enemies and imposing beasts. The franchise that was introduced on the original Xbox thrives three generations later in the form of the upgraded "Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection."

The enhanced, Sigma versions of the 2004 and 2008 games are included, and are the main event. The games hold up well, with Team Ninja devs sticking close to the ports while adding minor quality of life improvements and polish.

The QTE-riddled "Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge" (2013) is the black sheep here, but has enough bombastic moments to make it a necessity play-through for megafans.

Nearly all previously-released DLC is there, with loads of costumes, characters and other bonuses to sift through.

Although the saving system sticks to the original way, there's something to be said for the ability to trigger quick resets that autosaves would prevent to help you gear aup for particularly harrowing challenges.

Likely the introduction to many players to a franchise that had been stuck in the shadows for more than a decade, "Ninja Gaiden Master Collection" blows through the doors with brutal, rhythmic fury. It's good to have Rya Hayabusa back in the game.

Publisher provided review code.

PHIL ON FILM: "Luca" Review

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