10 video games not to buy for kids

Some interesting news is out about a list of 2007 videogames that is unlike most lists you may have seen before. Unlike the usual top seller lists, or the Best of 2007 that you are going to see from various retailers and websites, this list details what not to buy.

It’s not a worst of the year list either. This is a list that focuses on the most violent and child-inappropriate games in the industry. I have to say that the list is accurate, though to be fair, the games on the list are all rated for mature gamers. These aren’t games intended for the Game Cube or Wii. In fact I would imagine that the titles alone are enough to make most parents realize that a young child should not get or play this game.

Without guessing I’m sure you can imagine the #1 game on the list of 10. Obviously it is the drug and violence promoting Grand Theft Auto. It doesn’t matter which iteration of the game you want to think of, they all are equal on this subject. Even worse if you consider the abysmal portrayals of African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics.

The rest of the list includes 3 movies conversions, 2 video game dynasties, a rapper and a few other popular games. The full list follows:

• 1. Grand Theft Auto
  
• 2. Manhunt
  
• 3. Scarface
  
• 4. 50 Cent Bulletproof
  
• 5. 300 The Videogame
  
• 6. The Godfather
  
• 7. Killer-7
  
• 8. Resident Evil 4
  
• 9. God of War
  
• 10. Hitman Blood Money
  

The things I can’t imagine are why any parent of a young kid would buy them these games. I mean Manhunt? Hitman? What do you want your kid to group up to be? Are they also looping The Professional and Reservoir Dogs for the kids as a bedtime story?

I will say this though, this is the first list that includes the bewilderingly insipidly named rapper that I think he deserves and I’m happy to know about. If for no other reason, if this prevents the sale of another product targeted directly to African Americans (and yet oddly enough bought mostly by White Americans) that depicts us as mindless criminals’ intent on nefarious activities, then I am pleased to blog on it.

I will also note one other thing. I love the Hitman and Resident Evil series. I think they are some of the best done games each time they come out with a new version. I equally feel that there is no way I would let a little kid play or watch any of them either.

Some things are just obvious.

Review of the Hitman movie - 11.28.2007.1

So I went and saw the Hitman movie recently. I have to say it was worth the money and time. For fans of the video game, it does pay attention to the game. For those that never played it you won’t be lost, nor enjoy the movie less.

I am a fan of the Hitman video games, so I went to this movie with a bit of trepidation. Far too often videogames turned into movies are a let down. Either they ignore the source, or they fail to expand on it. In increasingly rare numbers we see glimmers of all the right things, and this movie gives us just that.

Prior to seeing the movie I questioned whether Mr. Timothy Olyphant could pull off the role. While his work in Live Free or Die Hard was quite good (I own the DVD – the uncut version is barely different than the official theatrical version) it was not outstanding. Any of his other work was not really memorable so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Happily he hits the mark in the movie, being stolid and rigid as the nature of his character demands him to be.

In fact the 3 most funny and memorable no-action events in the movie works because of his detachment to everything but his work. But there are a couple of glimmers of humor and bewilderment in his eyes in those scenes as well, giving us a clue that more is going on inside #47 and that he is in fact human. And every geek in the world will understand the awkwardness that #47 feels in certain situations (actually I’m sure every guy can relate to it at some point in their lives).

The action of the film is well paced. There are plenty of scenes where the number of bullets flying could equal any Rambo film, well maybe not a full film but you get the point. The best thing about the action is that like the video game, and unlike most films of this nature, it’s well rooted in reality. A shot from a handgun doesn’t send a bad guy flying 15 feet, explosions affect everything in the area of the blast, and the main character knows he’s not bulletproof no matter how good he is.

And it’s not just a shoot’em up film. There is a reason for every shot, and where it lands. Nothing #47 does is without reason. He is as sharp in his planning as the creases in his clothing. And he knows how to get physical when bullets just won’t do.

The female lead, Ms. Olga Kurylenko, is fun and slutty as the character demands. I think she pulls off perhaps the best line of the movie (I will tell you it happens in the car with #47). While she doesn’t have a lot to do, beyond be a temptress and drive me nuts about the implication of her tattoo, she does hold up her part of her scenes.

For those that are considering letting younger kids see the film, beware even though there is no sex scenes. In fact there is no sex in the film, which is a nice break from the usual trend in this genre. Actually you may find yourself watching and hoping it doesn’t happen. Though that could be me, because I think Ms. Kurylenko seriously needs to “eat a couple of Big Macs” as a good friend likes to say. You really notice it in a couple of scenes where there is frontal nudity.

Overall the film is an example of precision in action. It’s logical, purposeful, and filled with action. There isn’t a lot of dialogue, and the action is big. Will it win an Oscar? NO. Will it be noted as a great film? No. But will you enjoy getting caught up in the film and following #47, absolutely. Perhaps the main complaint I have is that the Ave Maria (sung wonderfully by Christina England Hale) we hear in the trailers is not in the film beyond the opening scenes. I love that song and its tempo is perfect for the film, but at least it’s in there.

Iron Man, Dark Knight, Hitman and more movie previews - 11.3.2007.1

It’s time to talk about movies again. With the end of the year quickly approaching, movie studios are trying to capture the holiday shoppers with a distraction from all the sales at the mall, and prepare us for the fare coming in 2008. There are several films that are upcoming that have my attention already. I won’t bother with the fluff that will obviously fail.

I’ve already mentioned the Iron Man film. From the trailer you can see that the dialogue sounds good. The casting of Mr. Robert Downey Jr. is perfection. The fact that Mr. Terrence Howard is involved as well is another indication of the potential quality of the film. And the red and gold suit is a page out of the comic books. Plan for that in May and pray it’s not another Ghost Rider / Hulk fiasco. I truly doubt that it will come to that.



Another film for 2008 is The Dark Knight. This is the sequel to Batman Begins, featuring Mr. Christian Bale as our dark hero. This is a far darker vision of Batman and it hits the mark. I expect the sequel will be equal to the first film, and hopefully better. The main villain is the Joker, which was hinted at in the first film. Mr. Heath Ledger is slated to take on this role.

I know that I initially had reservations about Mr. Bale being able to pull off his portrayal of the Batman. He did an excellent job though. Yet I find myself having reservations again, though this time it is the role of the Joker. I have difficultly seeing Mr. Ledger as the Joker. It’s a critical role. Not only is the acting ability crucial, the look is absolutely vital. While Batman has a suit that creates a large part of his presence onscreen, the Joker is always in costume. If his look misses, his character fails the same as if the acting was bad. Like Mr. Jack Nicholson, or even Cesar Romero, the look is the character and sets the tone of the whole thing. Hopefully the fact that the Joker’s image is still a solid secret means they got it right. If not, this will fail miserably.

Looking at more up coming films there is Hitman, which is based on the video game of the same name. I loved the calculating and thoughtful premise of the game. More than a mere shoot ‘em up, deliberate thought is required. The storyline was well planned and made a lot of sense. It should easily transfer to the big screen of movie theaters. Lots of gun fights, explosions and action. I expect this to do well. I just hope they stick with the classical music in the background as the trailers seem to indicate. It really makes the mood.

Another film of interest is the Golden Compass. Think of this film as a cross of several fantasy genres, most notably The Lord of the Rings. Of course it looks like this film is geared more towards children a la Harry Potter. But the animation of the armored polar bears is interesting. Given the look of the film, it may well be the first film in quite some time that Nicole Kidman is involved with that will do well. Witches, magic, talking polar bears and familiars are all contained in this film, and heavy CGI use. But the trailer looks interesting. This one I call 50/50.



Continued in part 2...

Video games, a good buy or good bye America? - 7.3.2007.2

It’s interesting how video games are acknowledged as one of the fastest growing forms of entertainment and yet slapped down as being the leading cause of the downfall of civilization. The AMA wanted to say it causes addiction, various politicians have jumped on bandwagons from time to time to say games are too violent. Meanwhile Hollywood finds it to be a source of quality movie fodder and Wall Street has rewarded shrewd investors that have seen the potential.

It’s like one hand can’t see what the other is doing. I don’t understand how Wall Street analysts can say that companies like Electronic Arts deserve an overweight rating, and then also says

While we believe the current video-game cycle is likely to see accelerating industry growth over the next 24-months, we view the risk-reward for the sector as neutral in the near-term and look instead toward 2008 as the key inflection year for the industry.

I mean, it’s the summer. Of courser the near term is weak. The Christmas holiday season is the big push for virtually all software companies. Yet the outlook matches estimates that interactive gaming will out perform all music sales and will approach movie ticket sales soon.

But for an industry that makes so many, so much money it’s downplayed as something for kids. They ignore any of us who have grown up with video games and play them now in our 40’s. The games are constantly assaulted, but a movie based on the game is fine. The movies target the 21-35 year olds, contain violence on par with a Terminator meets Leatherface scale, and no one blinks an eye.

Where are the protests about Bloodrayne, or Hitman (movie will be out this fall - looks good too), or Resident Evil (the final story, Apocalypse, will ber out towards the end of this summer. Alice kicks butt.). Actually I’m glad there aren’t (well except for Bloodrayne which was pretty bad). But the point is I’m tired of being told, as a grown consumer of video games, that I can’t play XYZ because it is too violent to be made. I’m tired of being told that the government needs to stick their hands into what can and cannot be made. [Like anyone can name one thing the government regulates well] All the while Wall Street and politicians make money while being the monkey on my back.

Maybe it’s just me. But some need to back up, plug in, and blast a few zombies. I’m sure they will feel better. Thanks for listening to me rant. Now I’m off to find a few orcs to crush.