Heroes x Keiyakusha

Update: The girl character taken by Kristin Bell is named Elle. Sure enough, we’ll be seeing more of her in the coming episodes.

It has been almost a month since Darker Than Black was over. Most of the people agree that the ending is rather abrupt and viewers wanted more. I hope the writers listen to our plea. Somehow fate has its own twist, possibly answering to our far-cry intentions. When I said far, it’s thousands of miles far and it goes all the way to Hollywood.

Hei’s Hollywood debut… finally.

Kristin Bell

Last night, I was watching Heroes episode 5 (my weekly dose of TV) and for the record, I am a fan of Heroes. Just a bit unhappy of the ending of season 1 but the call was good. Season 2 kicks off with a big bang. Anyway a new character was introduced in this episode. This cute blonde girl (Kristin Bell from Veronica Mars) who works for The Company was in Ireland to search for the missing Peter Petrelli.

Even Hei is confused.

Now what does she got to do with Darker Than Black? Or even Hei altogether? If you watched that episode, you’ll know. As we know in Heroes, there people who has special powers and this girl is one of them. By now it is all too clear. In Darker Than Black, we know Hei has the ability to manipulate electricity for his contract. In Heroes, there is no such thing as contract and there won’t be a need for remuneration. Also this girl can use electricity too!

Hei got electric powers.

She got it too.

Likely she has the upper hand in terms of power, making Hei looks like a sore loser. No offence, Hei but this girl is good. She can even shoot electric beams! More like a Tesla coil.

Weapon of Mass Destruction!

Now I wonder if Hei migrated to the United States, married a gaijin there and have a family. She might be Hei’s daughter, out in the hunt for all the Contractors Heroes people with special abilities on earth. This kind of story might spark some interest here (pun not intended).

Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC Demo)

Malaysia’s first man in space had finally returned to Earth yesterday, bringing pride and glory to the country. For sure, when he’s back to Malaysia, people will look up to him as a celebrity rather a hero because this is how we treat famous people anyway. Did I heard the “Datuk” title award too?

I know I shouldn’t be doing this but a promise is a promise. In their effort to give gamers some sneak peeks into their latest game, Activision released demo version of Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare to the public. This beta version already available for the XBox months ago but now, it is the PC gamers’ turn to have their hands on this highly anticipated game. This also includes myself. Folks, if you have not download the PC demo yet, you can download at FileFront or Gamespot. Well the game is due to release in matter of weeks anyway, I’d rather be waiting now.

If I am allowed to give only one comment, I will be talking all about the graphics. I was at awe to see the visual effects, everything seems surreal. I am wrong if I compare this game to its predecessors but should I need to compare it, Call Of Duty 4 has one of the best graphics available in market, especially among most FPS games. Animation-wise, the model physics can still be improved but it was suffice to please me. Apparently the graphic demand is so great, I was having doubts if I could play the game. After changing some settings, I am good to go. Obviously, you need at least a dual-core processor, 128MB video card, 1GB RAM and 8GB HD to play this game. And I am saying that it is the minimal requirements. Not to mention if you bring it to multiplayer, likely you won’t survive with such PC. Due to such demanding nature, you must make sure to have your PC capable of this game and upgrade if necessary. But I must say, all the efforts will be worthwhile.

The demo was less than 10 minutes to play (using normal level), the gameplay was satisfying. Apart of its vibrant colours, detailed graphics and top-notch animation, the wide range of weaponry makes this game a must-play this year end. Already in this demo, many types of weapon (some seems rather new) are available for your disposal. Among my favourite is the Javelin, a tank-busting rocket launcher. Even your default rifle (forgot what name, M1A1 I guess) is awesome, readily equipped with grenade launcher. FPS gameplay was never this good. Anyway in this one-mission single player campaign demo, you play as Sergeant Paul Jackson. Along the mission, just bear with non-stop yelling from your commanding chief but do heed his words because those words are your objective. The final part of the mission is the bombing of an enemy flank cannon, which is rather tough since you need to defend a damaged tank before proceeding to that relatively easy task. I must warn you, it is difficult to find cover and always watch your back as the enemy would come from various direction.

I don’t plan to blog long about this PC demo but all in all, this will be my favourite game come once its release on 5th of November this year. Here’s a gameplay video for your viewing pleasure. Video courtesy of syoun678.

Romeo x Juliet (Episode 21)

My final exams are approaching and I have another week stay at home. Sorry for failing to deliver my promise to blog on Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare PC Demo version. I have other commitments anyway. So far about the fall anime viewing, none I have watched yet. And only now, I managed to begin watching Nodame Cantabile. I enjoyed Nodame Cantabile very, very much.

The irony of this episode is the wedding of Cordelia and Benvolio happening almost too sudden. The reason why it is irony is because it happens after disaster struck Neo Verona. People are having a hard time coping with their loss, yet the two managed to find happiness in moments of despair by exchanging wedding vows. The message is good, and here I refer to the happiness they strive to seek in dire moments but wedding did not came to my mind at all. Somehow it felt misplaced. Even so, I like the reflective mood by Juliet this time. I know, this is just another endless complaints in her life but at least the tone now is much reflective. The message of finding happiness goes well with her intention to accept the self-sacrificing fate after reflecting back on her life – Cordelia, Conrad, Francisco, Curio, Antonio, William and also Romeo. Those people who are important to her and that became her determination to go for it. Not bad for a theme this time.

Hot news. Neo Verona is on fire.

Juliet gained her consciousness and Ophelia was nowhere to be found. She was still shocked by the fact that Neo Verona would end soon and to avoid that from happening, she needs to sacrifice her own life. She questioned her dead parents if it is her fate to take up such cruel burden. If I am in her shoes, it kind of tough to accept it too. Anyway in the aftermath of the great earthquake, the city is badly damaged as the Capulets are trying to help the victimized citizens while Mercutio is well on his preparation to bring the army to burn the whole town as instructed by Montague. Soon enough, a big fire broke out and caused chaos in the city. Romeo who saw this was in shock, especially when he came to know that it was his father’s doing. Infuriated (or rather disappointed) with his father, Romeo disowned Montague as his father. While Francisco and the rest were in their best effort to serve the victims, more fire erupted. Then Romeo caught up to Mercutio and stopped him in his tracks. This I mean by kicking him off from his flying pegasus. Romeo tried to convince him that the action (of burning the townspeople alive) is wrong but Mercutio tried to defend Montague’s decision. In denial, Mercutio ran away.

Romeo x Juliet (Episode 20)

For the record, I try to make this post short as I am chasing time for my tight schedule. FYI, I still have final papers to seat in two weeks time and I am only half way done from my course reviews. Sigh! Procrastinating is bad habit. Even so, I found time to catch up with the new season of major US TV shows, namely House MD, Heroes and CSI. And aslo the demo version of Call of Duty 4. That will follow on the next post.

“This thing tastes like dirt.”

In spite of all the effort done by the Gradisca prisoners on Elbe village, the growing crops that were suppose to resist any harsh conditions, eventually withered. Even so, they are not giving up yet. Paolo investigated the crops and suspected that the soil condition is too poor. So Romeo heads out to see the old man who handed him the seed earlier. After telling him the situation to the old man, he told Romeo that the earth is dying while reciting the Escalus song that foretells the sins of man and the dying earth. Romeo who did not intend to give up was suggested by the old man to help Juliet. Once Romeo reached back to the village, Giovanni informed him that the Capulets had occupied Neo Verona and sharing his concern, the rest urged him to go to Juliet immediately. At Neo Verona, Francisco briefed about the majority of Montague’s soldiers surrendering themselves and some nobles who are willing to offer assistance in their fight though Conrad shrugged it off the nobles as a bunch of opportunists. Then they received a surprise visit from Vittorio (Benvolio’s father). So Antonio brought them over to meet with Benvolio. It was indeed a happy family reunion. That night while Juliet was changing her clothes, she noticed some sort of marking on her chest and wondered if it is a bruise. Cordelia interrupted in, so Juliet began to talk about Benvolio with her, saying of how much he had changed since last time. Changing as for changing from dependent to more dependable.

Daybreak’s Bell [PV] by L’Arc~en~Ciel

Download page has been updated as well. Nothing much though. Cheers!

I am a recent fan to L’arc~en~ciel and I really enjoy their music very much. Their newly released single, My Heart Draws a Dream never cease to get off my head. Now L’arc~en~ciel or Laruku (a Japanese pronunciation for L’arc, which mean rainbow in French anyway) released another latest single for the new fall 2007 anime, Gundam 00 entitled Daybreak’s Bell. In contrary, I am not a fan of the Gundam saga. It’s just too boring! Anyways here’s the PV.

This song isn’t really my type of Laruku that I’ve been enjoying, possibly that it’s on a slower tone as compared to other singles released this year. Frankly the one that I’ve been expecting for Shine, which was used as the opening song for Seirei no Moribito. As much as I enjoyed the song, I also enjoyed the series. In regards to Daybreak’s Bell, it’s not exciting to listen to as I mentioned earlier. It might sound monotonous to some (I blamed it to the overwhelming piano and lack of guitars) but the PV is classic Laruku. They really like to put in a gaijin into their PV. I believe the message goes by being international, is it?

Angkasawan Malaysia

Updated: Angkasawan is now in space. Dr Shukor made it to orbit and now enroute to the ISS. On another note, Celcom and ASTRO are playing cheap. Their so-called live feed are actually taken from NASA TV, something I can access freely from NASA webpage. For the record, channel 588 is such a rip-off.In the next two hours, a Malaysian will be sent to space. Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will become the first Malaysian to venture to the next frontier, bringing along a renewed hope for the nation who had just celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence. Not to forget are his research materials, specially brought from UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) and allegedly roti canai. I don’t see the reason why should he brings such local delicacies to space. Worst case scenario would be him, sending durian to space. That would definitely kills all the crews onboard the Soyuz spacecraft and the ISS (International Space Station).

Good looking boys always get their candies.How things should work out later.What is so significant about this mission and the Angkasawan project by whole? The government hopes that this will inspire Malaysians to achieve higher goals and aim for greater dreams because the sky is officially no longer the limit (pun intended). Another reason would be the consenting agreement between both Russian and Malaysian government in a deal of buying lots of fighter jets from Russia in exchange of sending a Malaysian to space on board their Soviet spacecraft. My rationale of this mission is to motivate young Malaysians that everything is possible with effort and to excel in various fields in order to reach the higher echelons of the developed society. Malaysia is set to become one by the year 2020 and this project is a part of that vision. Kudos to all who are involved in the Angkasawan project.To watch the action live online, check on this page. ASTRO subscribers can also tune to channel 588 to watch the take-off.Graphics are courtesy of The Star.

---

More updates on our Angkasawan with his Expedition 16S team. Now you can watch replays of that historical launch here. Okay, I admit it that I feed it off from someone else on YouTube. Well credits to ISSSPACE for the video. Bear in mind that this video is taken from NASA TV. The narrator is from NASA TV and the female voice is the translator for the Russian conversation in the background. 

Fall 2007 Anime Anyone?

Last Thursday, I had a brief trip to KL as I have hours to spare while waiting for my transiting flight to Miri via AirAsia. Anyway I made it clear to pay Pavillion KL a visit and it was love at first sight. As much as I wanted to blog about it, given that I snapped a few shots inside Pavillion, I decided to share about it later because I did not bring my camera cable back home. So no photos, no blog post. Also I want to make it official that J.Co Donuts and Coffee is the best – their doughnuts I mean.

I know, it’s fall season and more new animes are out for viewing. I was dire to get the list a few weeks back and got it. Sadly to say, I was disappointed by the anime title. None of them excites me, though we are seeing some sequels in store. Not to mention that Summer 2007 Anime has more better titles compared to this season. Regarding the second season of Suzumiya Haruhi, it was confirmed to be slated for the coming winter season, around January 2008. Well, that shoots down all rumours about the series’ comeback for fall season. Nonetheless I do plan to follow some anime titles, have some preview of those and make my verdict. Here are some titles that were marked on my list:

Darker Than Black (Episode 25/Finale)

Nothing really good for Fall 2007 anime season, other than Shakugan no Shana II. But who am I kidding with? I have not watched the first season, there is no way I will be watching the second one. But I will have a try on the series first. Regarding anime reviewing plans, I’ll get to that later.

This is it everyone, the final episode of Darker Than Black. I only have one thing to say about this. This is not the ending that we all have wanted (or expected for that matter). The only reasoning for this kind of ending is that this won’t be the last of Darker Than Black. An OVA (or hopefully a second season) would make a big break, definitely. By now, we know that Hei is not entirely Contractor (still human) and that Bai’s power is showed only a fraction inside Hei. Yes, Bai is that strong.

After Amber thanked Yin for bringing Hei to her, she explained that she don’t have much time left. Reasonable considering that she had grew (or rather shrink) younger. Outside the Gate, Saitou and Kouno are trying to infiltrate the Gate but to their relief, Matsumoto came with a car to force their way in. Meanwhile inside the PANDORA facility, preparations were made to activate the Saturn ring. Back to Hei, Amber remarked about how sad the city within the Gate looks like. She explained that other than herself to know about the Syndicate and their motives, Bai was also involved and at that time, Hei did not have a slightest idea about it since Bai never intend to have Hei involved into the matter. It seems that EPR existed since back then. She also said that Hei is still human as he have troubles deciding being a human or a Contractor. Hold on. Hei is not fully a Contractor yet? I know he used to be human 5 years ago but have not yet a Contractor until now is a shocking fact for me. From this point onwards, everything Amber talking about are just gibberish.

“The fight between humans and Contractors is on!”