The Dullest Hour

Yes, I watched it in 3D coz there aint normal once here in Kerteh

Hello peeps! During my solitary days alone in Kerteh, I decided to catch a movie in Mesra Mall. After scrolling through the internet for the latest movie, I hav decided to watch The Darkest Hour. I never wanted to watch this movie coz I thought it was some creepy ghost movie, but I figured out it was a sci-fi survival movie!! One of the genre that I like hence my expectation skyrocketed but later shot down like a dead pigeon.

SYNOPSIS

The Darkest Hour is described by IMDB as....

"In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply."

Yes thats all that is for the synopsis at the point of time I wrote this post. I'll reedit this post once there is a more detail synopsis on this movie.

TRAILER

Mommyyyyy, keep them away from me!!! T^T

REVIEW

This movie by Regency Enterprise and Summit Entertainment have given me high hopes through their somewhat promising trailer. Any sci-fi freak would fall for this since the idea is similar to a zombie outbreak survival. However, unfortunately I found myself yawning throughout the movie constantly glancing at my phone looking for the time for the movie to end.

I have to admit that the concept of the invasion is quite interesting and I did enjoy probably the first 20 minutes of the movie where they stayed in the room for days and surviving (with a dead body!!!!). But as the movie move on and touched on the technicality part, it becomes questionable to curious minds... not in a good way. Fighting against something you cant see was not as hard as it seems like in Stephen King's The Mists for this movie. And to top that, the CGI for when the ET is visible is so bad it looks abit... cartoonish. x_x

I wish the ET stays invisible and as cool as that forever but nooooo... you hav to spoil it

The acting too was quite normal and nothing interesting really. Having casts like Emile Hersch and Olivia Thrilby as main characters to this movie does not help. Im not really blaming the actors. Sci-fi thriller movies focuses on the storyline and build-up thrilling components that makes viewers restless. But these ETs are not that scary at all when U hav heads on where and when they are coming.

"Psst Ben, how come U get the blonde"

"What... lemme hav some fun Im gonna die later on in this movie"

"... Spolier fag!"

The only thing I liked about this movie is the refreshing skies (or destruction) of Moscow instead of your normal typical LA or NYC invasion. They called McDonalds, Макдоналд in Moscow. How could they Russianize (I just made this word up just now) an American name. Maybe we should call it McDollah here instead *cough2* back to the review.

All in all, I rarely say this but yes its coming... DONT watch this movie unless you hav nothing better to do.  This movie sucks big time I think Ud enjoy watching the trailer more. Seriously... =_=

TRIVIA

Facts

This movie was not screened in advance for North America's critics. Maybe they are afraid of what views they might get from this crappy movie that could ruin their earnings.

MY VERDICT

Storyline - 4

Acting - 4

Cinematography - 3

Replayability - 2

Overall - 3.25

IMDB - 5.2

Rottentomatoes - 10%

I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~

Sideboarding

Good morning peeps >w< This post is about Magic so it might be abit long but bear with me

I told ya in the intro that I will touch a little bit on Magic: The Gathering. I know I should make and intro to the trading card game itself but since I had a good question from one of my friends recently. I am going straight to.... Sideboarding (hang in there for a while noobs :p).

Be reminded that this is my views entirely, Im no pro especially when it comes to Constructed format. 

Intro to Sideboarding

As most of us are well aware of, every T1 and T2 decks allows us to have 15 cards as sideboards for players to change between the original cards in the deck. In competitive tournaments, the 15 sideboard cards should be registered together with the maindeck cards. Sideboard is very important as some might say, the 15 sideboard cards are the performance determinant factor of a particular deck. What cards should I put in the sideboard list U ask? Im just about to go there... be patient young padawan.

Types of Sideboards

There are two types of sideboarding (or three if you take into consideration the combination of both)

• Reactive Sideboards

Reactive Sideboards requires a lot of attention and knowledge about the meta game (the current deck trend in the community or tournament). Reactive Sideboarding refers to siding in cards that is super effective against the deck that U are up against at the point of time. Since the sideboard size is only 15, one should maximize the usage of that 15 slots for cards taking into consideration the probability of match-ups against the deck. 

In other easier terms, you dont want to waste having 4 slots in your sideboard for some cards to go against decks that people are not playing. U might end up not using that card at all.

Since alot of people is playing wolf run with Inkmoth Nexus, running Wring Flesh in my sideboard is a good idea 

• Proactive Sideboards

Proactive Sideboards is a basically a second gameplan for your deck. Bear in mind that not all decks out there are suitable for proactive sideboarding. 

An easy example for those regular players out there is, a swap from Pyromancer's Ascension to Kiln Fiend is one example of a very good proactive sideboarding (some might also call this transformational sideboarding). Noticing that the opposing player is playing green and thinking ahead that he might side in naturalize for the enchantment, why not make those Naturalize a dead card in his/her hand by siding out the enchantment and gearing into beatdown burn with kiln fiend instead.

 

Pyromancer Ascension to Kiln Fiend, always a good surprise x_x

Once this transformational sideboards is widespread, it allows U to make opponents think into U making transformational sideboard even though ur not. Its like playing poker!! How many cards should reserve for sideboards U ask? What? You didnt ask?.... Im gonna tell you anyways so shut the fug up.

# of Sideboard Card Copies

This was actually the question asked to me by one of my friends. To my opinion sideboard card copies depend on what role does it represent as a sideboard card and against how many decks does this card is effective with. Do take into consideration the number of sideboard cards which is also already in the maindeck. Lets do a little breakdown for those types:

• Tranformational Cards (3-4)

Usually deck build around these are combo cards. Lets look back at the Ascension deck. This deck mainboard 4 Pyromancer Ascension and transform to beatdown + burn mode. In order to win the game, these newly born Kiln Fiend is the win con hence having 4 pieces is necessary.

•  Super Effective Cards (2-4)

Cards like these may vary in numbers as it depends on the effectiveness of the card and ability to be at least decent against a number of other decks in the meta. These cards are usually suitable for proactive sideboarding. If its good against other deck as well, increase the numbers to optimize your sideboard limited size.

• "Tutorable" Cards (1)

Cards like these might be essential in having an edge against your opponent but as the term implies, it is tutorable. For those new to magic, tutor is a widely known term defined by a cycle of well-known cards back in Classic Sixth Edition (I think) as looking for a specific card in your library. A good example for this is the once off Swamp in previous Valakut decks to fuel Memoricide which is "tutorable" with Rampant effect.

• Secret Tech!! (1??)

Hahahaha, as this is where opponents go "Wha? who the hell plays this card?! Im not prepared for this $h1T!!". It is somewhat useful against some decks but not that good in your deck to have more than one copy as some of this card does not fit that well. Simple example is Elesh Norn in GW Gavony piloted by Martin Juza recently. Elesh Norn hav a very high casting cost which makes it not very suitable for a deck which runs a small number of lands but against monored or mirror, the praetor serves as a one sided wrath and overrun to your cute creatures. Apart from that, the praetor is way out of burn range.

Example :

Lets go through a simple example of my UBw control's sideboard list

1 piece

Quite a good sideboard card now where flashbacks cards and graveyard recursion is abundance. Already have 2 in mainboard so 3 copies is more than enough for a costly counterspell.

2 pieces

This card is good against other UW decks which uses Phantasmal Image + Sun Titan. Also decent against token decks but both this decks does not see play that much recently hence 2 copies are enough. Remember to target the Titan not the Image as it will fizzle due to the Image's trigger effects. T^T.

3 pieces

This card is very good against the current meta. The main reason I run this in my sideboard is to go against Inkmoth Nexus in Wolfrun decks but apart from that, this card is also very very effective against agro decks killing 1 drops such as Stormkirk Noble and Champion of the Parish not to mention those pesky illusions. Being an instant gave me an advantage for me to reuse this card with Snapcasters.

1 piece

Playing black gives me the access to the best removals of the set. Having 1 in main board and another Doom Blade makes a piece of this awesome card sufficient as sideboard.

2 pieces

Even though black has the access to the best removals, unfortunately the only board sweeper available for black is Black Sun's Zenith. It is pretty decent but quite costly. Ablility to reshuffle this after blowing up the board is quite a big plus as this deck allows frantic digging with Forbidden Alchemy.

2 pieces

This card is very good against control players which runs alot of counterspells. Against those players this card is alot better compared to mana leaks when players go on a "draw-go" mode until someone pull the trigger.

2 pieces

A hidden gem most people hav forgotten due to the banning of Stoneforge Mystics. This is exceptionally good against agro players in buying time before Wurmcoil Engine. Semi resistant against board sweepers and creature removals.

2 pieces

The meta with alot of wolf runs makes this card better than any other counterspells out there. The restriction does not allow you to play it mainboard but a hard counter for 2 mana on the sideboard is very hard to ignore. Also quite effective against agro red decks.

Wow! Thats a long one. Well that is to be expected I guess.

I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~

Pirates of the Coffee Bean: Stranger Nite

Hawt hawt hawt

Hello peeps, in the intro i told you about having movie reviews here in the blog so here it is :P. The poster are not even the main characters u say? Who cares!! Naked mermaids r hawt hawt hawt!!! (couldnt get one WITHOUT that guy so i guess this will do *sigh*)

SYNOPSIS

The Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger's Tide is described by IMDB as....

"Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Cruz), and he's not sure if it's love -- or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past."

TRAILER

OMGWTFBBQ!!!

REVIEW

I really enjoyed this movie by the collaboration of Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer ... the first time I watched it that is... maybe it is because of it is one of the long awaited movies in 2011 aaaand I really love pirates movies... after watching it the second time recently I just realized that this movie is aint that good... not as I remembered how it was back then :(

The storyline is very simple, expected of the fourth instalment of the POTC franchise. With an established fan base, all you need is a subpar storyline, a few main actors and voila!! Millions of dollars will flow non stop into your pockets. $$$$. As some of U know, im a sucker for twisted unexpected endings. This movie however, unlike its predecessors... lacks it. The ending is quite predictable and I could not really find myself enjoying the climax of the story. Heck! I couldnt even notice the climax!!.
(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

Second highest paying actor for 2011 (50 mil) and 2009 People's Magazine Sexiest Man Alive (??) 

The acting however was superb!! Lined with one of my favorite actor, Johnny Depp... the story was brought to life and given a slice of excitement and laughter. With a resume of weird acting he had done in the past, I doubt there will be no one else more suitable for his role in this movie. Honestly, I think his acting in POTC is more like a drunken-pirate-drag-queen and that what makes him interesting.

"I still cant believe ur my dad"

"What r u saying! We look sooo much alike! Now lets make out"

"....." 

Geoffrey Rush (Barbossa) did quite well too if i might say. Penélope Cruz was also good as expected but nothing more than expected. She is so hawt with those pirate clothes and boots even for her age (whats her age again?). Oh and those awful random cast love story arc is soooo bad and out of place. Yes, im talking to you naked mermaid and young preacher!! You should be ashamed of yourself. >w<

All in all, it is an enjoyable movie to watch for some laugh with friends after a long day at work. And a must watch if you are a big fan of Johnny Depp or the movie franchise.

TRIVIA

Favorite Quotes:

Angelica : How is it we can never meet without you pointing something at me?

Jack Sparrow: Captain, I wish to report a mutiny. I can name fingers and point names.  (I LOLed hard)

Hidden Credits:

Immediately after the credits, Angelica is shown sitting on the beach when the voodoo doll of Jack washes ashore. She picks it up and smiles evilly.

MY VERDICT

Storyline - 6
Acting - 8
Cinematography - 8
Replayability - 5
Overall - 6.75

IMDB - 6.6
Rottentomatoes - 33%

I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~