Overdue Update #7: Allegro ex-SESI

I’m sure the news has spread to some of you already, but for those who haven’t been kept up-to-date: I recently decided that it was time to take a different step with my career and leave Side Effects Software Inc. It was a great stay with the folks over there, and without question I learned more there than I would have thought. But it seemed like it was the right time to get into production, and so I am now working as a visual effects artist at Starz on Gnomeo and Juliet (notice another SESI alumni, Calin Casain in the image on the site with Sir. Elton John). In short, it is both sad to leave a place that I really liked and exciting to get into production. Also note that the above image was not created by me. I found it. On Google.

In other news, I’ve had some time to watch some movies, listen to some music, and play some games recently. Here’s the list with some brief thoughts list:

Games:

• Left 4 Dead – Fanstastic. Look me up on Steam (Allegro) if you’re interested in having a game when I happen to have a chance
• Metal Gear Solid 4 – Superb. It’s a great movie, with a tiny bit of really good game play. I wish there were more game play though. I picked this up at Future Shop when I had only intended on picking up Left 4 Dead. But for some reason, the special edition was back in stock and selling for $30… regular edition is $60… so, it was a no-brainer to pick this up.
• Mirror’s Edge – Awesome. Haven’t had a chance to get very far yet, but it’s probably the first game I’ve played where I died in the training level.
• Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon – Captivating. I really like strategy rpg’s, and this series is pretty great as deaths are permanent.
• Bionic Commando Re:Armed – WICKED! A remake of the original Bionic Commando for the NES, this game is damned good. Also got to play some multiplayer with Tristan when he was down for the wedding. Kicks Ass.
• Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection – Drool Inducing. A collection of totally rad genesis games. So far haven’t played much of it, but almost all of the titles are awesome. If you’re into RPG’s it’s totally worth it for the Shining Force / Phantasy Star series. Don’t snub the Golden Axe or Streets of Rage either.
• Dragon Quest V – Will make you grin like a school kid. This one was never released in North America back in the day, but is part of the Zenethian trilogy (of which part IV was the first). Dragon Quest/Warrior IV is perhaps my favorite RPG evah, and this one so far seems to be making as good of an impression.

Film:

• Up – Good. I’m not certain why this film has the amazing scores that it does on Rotten Tomatoes… but it is a good film. Too many things that made me go “wait a second…” though to like it as much as either Nemo or Incredibles.
• Terminator Salvation – Bearable. This one does deserve the Rotten Tomatoes score. It’s got some nice eye candy… but if you’re looking for a compelling story… look elsewhere.
• Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete – Very Nice. If only they had included Last Order in this release it would have been perfect. Still, the animated short included was stunning, and this version of the film actually made some sense.
• Vertigo – Damned Good. Never watched an entire Hitchcock film before. I will have to catch up.

Music:

• Dream Theater: Black Clouds and Silver Linings – Radical. The third disc is… extraneous since all they did was strip out the vocal tracks. I’m as disappointed with this disc as I was with the bonus disc from Nightwish’s Dark Passion Play. I don’t count an “instrumental” version as one that simply isn’t a complete mix. The first two discs however are pretty good. A little less melody that I hope to hear when listening to LaBrie… but good nonetheless.
• Chickenfoot: Chickenfoot – Great. A really solid rock cd. Somewhere between Van Halen and Joe Satriani. Glad I picked this one up, and looking forward to seeing them in August.

I’ve also started to sell off some stuff on Ebay. So far, I’ve managed to sell off one broken Playstation 2, and a fishing game for the original playstation. Current items I’m attempting to relenquish include:

Megaman 2 and Megaman 3
Mega Man X5
Civilization II
RPG Maker