Recently in Entertainment news Category

I've not previously mentioned this is any of my earlier posts, but I am a diehard of a Final Fantasy fan. My favourite game of the renowned series is, like most, VII.

Final Fantasy XII was a bittersweet disappointment to me. It had the graphics and a decent gameplay system, but the story, the most important part of any FF game, was very uninvolving - I never once found myself caring for any of the characters.

XII also lacked those magical Square Enix moments that pulled you into a story. Like the time when Cloud jumps from the train in VII and your're thrust straight into a battle with the security gaurds, or the moment Faye Wong's Eyes on Me kicks in when Rinoa finds Squall or even the time you first meet Vivi as Zidane in FFIX.

But this blog isn't about how bad FFXII was, it's about the legions of Final Fantasy fans lashing out at Leona Lewis and Square Enix.

For those of you who don't know, Final Fantasy XIII's western release date was announced last Friday and so was the fact that the western versions would be be using the Leona Lewis track, My Hands as the game's main theme instead of the Japanese track Kimi ga iru kara, performed by Sugawara Sayuri.

Traditionally Square Enix will use the same Japanese track for all versions of a Final Fantasy game, however this time they're obviously going for the moneyspinner and that's what seems to be hacking these fans of.

There's even 341 signatures on a petition demanding the removal of the track from the game.

Most are complaining that the modification of the original to suit a new audience will totally derive from the quality of the game. Others reckon that this move will alienate diehard fans of the series. And some warn that they'll boycott the series because of this.

Why though? This can only be a great thing for Final Fantasy. I'm not the biggest fan of Leona but if there's anything the series needed was a breath of fresh air after the bitter dissappointment that FFXII was. She has a very mainstream appeal and is hugely talented. Listen to her version of Run or Bleedin' Love and you'll see what I mean.

Plus they're probably going to use the track in their ads and marketing campaign and this'll only attract more gamers than ever before to the Final Fantasy series.... we may even get more female FF gamers.

And by the amount of dudes at current Otaku/Videogame/Comic book conventions that's never a bad thing!

- R

Okay, okay. So it's been a while since I actually wrote anything with some proper analysis in here.

So to answer your emails, yes I have been busy, no I haven't read Kevin Smith's Cacophony yet (still waiting on my signed order from Jay an Silent Bob's Secret Stash), I didn't get to a Watchmen preview screening, Batman's fate in Final Crisis did suck and Nolan HAS to direct the third Batman.

I have to apologise for my lack of blogs, things have been extremely busy at work and home. So sorry and thanks for the emails.

Now let's look at Batman in Final Crisis- Grant Morrisons's RIP was, in restrospect, a decent fate for The Dark Knight, it should have ended there and for me it will.

First off the Scots scribe completely places Batman in one of Darksied's uber scifi dungeons, gives him an gun, makes him fire it and attempt murder. The fanboys are saying "Wow! Complete full circle for the The Dark Knight, created with a gun and a bullet, ended with a gun and a bullet. Awesome!"

Newsflash. That isn't Batman of 70 years past. That's a common thug with a gun, just like Joe Chill. Say what you want, but the fundamental elements are the same. You know what really hacks me off though, the fact it didn't even murder Darksied. It wounded him in the shoulder!

So not only does does Batman break his fundamental oath he swore on his murdered parents grave, get fried alive, sent out of DC continuity.............he's a bad shot aswell.

What's next Batman and Fred Flintstone team up/cross over?

I enjoyed Mr Morrisons run on Batman and I thought it was some of the best stuff in recent memory- three ghosts of Batman, club of heroes, the black glove, issue 666-
and maybe this will turn out good in the end. But the whole RIP/Final Crisis feels as if it's been a huge PR stunt of the back of the success of The Dark Knight.

Now onto the Dark Knight sequel. There shouldn't be one unless Chris Nolan or Zack Snyder's involved. Chris Nolan could finish of his planned trilogy or if push comes to shove and he backs down, the third batman would be a great excuse to make The Dark Knight Returns, hence Snyder.

Set it 20 years after the events of TDK and cast an aged Christian Bale. Have a flash back montage to sum up the past two decades- death of the joker, justice league years, the robins-and bam, you have a platform for The Dark Knight Returns.

Having read the Battle for the Cowl preview over at IGN, I have to say I am really excited about Tony Daniel's upcoming mini-series. It's got a lot of hype to live up to, but if his writing is any good as his art, well, it's gonna rock.

Whose the next Batman gonna be check this out....http://i.livescience.com/images/BATMAN676-01.jp

Probably Nightwing, Tim Drake or Alfred Pennnyworth. No one else. Alfred is the obvious choice :P

And to answer other questions,, yes I am looking forward to Watchmen and no I don't consider it thee defnitive graphic novel of all time :)

Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins will delve deeper than any film before into the Terminator universe and show the post apocalyptic wars between the machines and John Connor's human resistance.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight, American Physco) stars as John Connor, humanity's final hope against the machines. Connor finds the future he was raised to believe in in question, following the appearance of the mysterious Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row.

Connor must find decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future or rescued from the past.

As Skynet prepares its final attack on humanity, Connor and Marcus set upon an adventure that will lead them to the very centre of Skynet's operations where they uncover the terrifying secret behind the possible extermination of mankind.

The trailer looks good, but I just don't understand why they've decided to set this in the future and not bring back the governator for a 4th round.

Infact! Imagine they got Stallone and Arnie to star in Terminator 4....walking sticks at dawn anyone?

Your Wednesday question of the day is, what would you rather have seen, the governator back with one more round...with Stallone possibly, or a whole new post apocalyptic, futuristic take on the franchise?

Having seen the new trailer for the Dark Knight animated prequel, Batman: Gotham Knight, my jaw literally hut the floor.

Batman: Gotham Knight bridges the story between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight through six animated short films.

The animation is done in an anime style, with several Japanese animation directors coming on board to direct the shorts.

Batman Gotham Knight is due out on DVD and Blu Ray, one week before the release of The Dark Knight.

A full preview will follow next week, but for now sit back and watch this.

And did I mention Batman legend Kevin Conroy returns to voice the caped crusader?

These are very good times for Batman fans.

Your friday question of the day is, who is your favourtie Alfred and why? Animated or film.