Author: Daniel Allen

Amish Otaku, Movies

Persepolis: Youth Amid Revolution

Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud’s new film about growing up in revolutionary Iran is as poignant as it is heartbreaking. The movie is lovingly crafted and remains true to Satrapi’s original vision first seen in her two-volume work of the same name, Persepolis.

The movie focuses on a young Marji as she grows up in a rapidly changing Iran in the 70s and 80s and struggles to find her identity in a country she no longer understands and in a world that has ceased to understand her.

The film is also a subtle yet urgent reminder of Iran’s modern history. We are given a firsthand account of the change from peaceful republican monarchy to the radical yet orthodox theocratic republic that we know today. Continue reading “Persepolis: Youth Amid Revolution”

Daniel Allen
Amish Otaku, Bargain Reviews, Features, NES, Nintendo, Video Games

Bargain Review: Ninja Gaiden and Strider

We’re bringing back the Bargain Review with two NES games that first saw the light of day in arcades in the 80s. And since this is the NES we’re talking about, you already know the arcade version of each of the games was better than its console counterpart. Grab your swords and cover your face because today Bargain Review is looking at the first console appearances of Ryu Hayabusa and Strider Hiryu.

Ninja Gaiden
Tecmo, 1989

The first thing you notice about Ninja Gaiden once you start playing it is that it’s nothing like the arcade game which was very similar to Capcom’s early brawlers. In fact, it’s very much like Castlevania. While the physics of the game and the hero’s weapon are different, the core mechanics of the games are nearly identical. Continue reading “Bargain Review: Ninja Gaiden and Strider”

Daniel Allen
Amish Otaku, Comics, Marvel

Stephen King’s The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born

This comic born of some of the best talent at Marvel and the dark mythos of Stephen King’s Dark Tower is one of the most visually stunning series I’ve seen in a while. It’s obvious a lot of work goes into the art and the story is lifted directly from King’s novels, so we’re given an impressive and expansive world to explore.

King works as creative director on the series with help from his long-time research assistant Robin Furth, so it has been held to a higher standard than some of the more notorious movie adaptations of his works (think Langoliers or Cujo). The script was adapted by Peter David, who has been writing for print, television and comics for years now, including work on Incredible Hulk and Babylon 5.

Considering David has worked extensively on expanding the ideas of others, it’s no surprise that he captures perfectly the dark tone and oppressive mood of King’s Midworld – the primary setting for The Dark Tower. Continue reading “Stephen King’s The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born”

Daniel Allen
Amish Otaku, Anime

Ghost Hound

Production IG’s currently running anime, Ghost Hound, may start out slow but it more than makes up for this in its well-timed plot and cerebral story line. Interestingly, this story takes place in the present, more precisely the date in the episodes are congruent to the date they are currently being aired on Japanese television station Wowow.

The idea for this story came from Shirow Masamune, of Ghost in the Shell fame, over 20 years ago. Production IG announced the show to the public only last year, and it went to air this past October. You won’t find any cyberpunk in this story, although it’s still going to throw some science at you in the form of psychology and psychological terms, as well as a dose of Japanese folklore.

The story centers around three teenage boys – Taro, Makoto and Masayuki – with troubled pasts that allow them to leave their bodies and travel the Unseen World, and a girl – Miyako – who can see the creatures that reside in the Unseen World. Continue reading “Ghost Hound”

Daniel Allen
Amish Otaku, Manga

Hellsing Vol. 1

I first came across Hellsing at a game convention displayed next to uncountable other mangas outside the game room. I knew what type of stuff I liked – Crying Freeman, Sanctuary, Blade of the Immortal – and I wanted a new series to sink my teeth into (heh). This is what was handed to me.

The story revolves around the shadowy organization known as Hellsing. Their primary mission is to protect the Protestants of the United Kingdom from the armies of the underworld. Their primary weapon is an ancient and powerful vampire named Alucard who now fights for the Anglican Church. Continue reading “Hellsing Vol. 1”

Daniel Allen
Amish Otaku, Gamecube, Nintendo, Video Games

Ikaruga: One Shooter to Rule Them All

Freaky boss of Level 2
Atari

Ikaruga has a reputation as the best shooter on the market and for increasing the “frothing demand” of IGN editors. The game’s reputation is well deserved, and as we speak many gamers are frothing in their demand for the Xbox Live release of this title first revealed by CVG on Valentine’s Day.

At its core the game is a vertical shooter that has you facing waves of enemy aircraft and fire in beautifully rendered levels. There’s an oversized boss for you to fight at the end of each level.

What sets Ikaruga apart from its competitors is the gameplay. Continue reading “Ikaruga: One Shooter to Rule Them All”

Daniel Allen
Amish Otaku, Bargain Reviews, Features, Video Games, Xbox, Xbox 360

Bargain Review: Burger King’s Bargain Games

Get it your way with Burger King’s new value-priced games.

Sneak King

I’m sure this was the game they came up with first, before they made the other two. This is the game where you get to play the King and do the things he does on TV.

Just like in the commercials, it’s your job to sneak up on hungry and unsuspecting members of the populace and give them a hot and tasty Burger King sandwich or coffee. Pretty straight-forward stuff. Continue reading “Bargain Review: Burger King’s Bargain Games”

Daniel Allen