Mass Effect [Video Game] and Tropic Thunder [Movie]

Welcome back to the mediocrity! Lately I haven't been doing too much aside from playing Mass Effect; I know I'm a bit late, but I figure better late than never. Anyway, from what I've seen of Mass Effect so far, the game exceeded my expectations--granted, that isn't saying much seeing as how I didn't think the game was going to be that great in the first place. Still, I have to admit that I'm actually having a lot of fun with the game, it's got a great story, including party interaction and sub-plots based around the various characters.

This brings me to my first gripe, however. I really wish there could have been a few more characters added to the main cast, or perhaps deeper conversation trees between the player and his or her team, as is there's really only one new branch to unlock after every mission in the main storyline, and that was a bit disappointing for me. Still, I guess I'm nitpicking at this point, and asking for a bit too much out of a decent game, it just seems that these days, most designers focus more on stunning visuals than storyline, and it's a real shame.

Anyway, if you like science fiction-themed role playing games, you should really check this one out, especially with it's current price tag. Bioware keeps doing what they do best.


On to my next topic: I've recently ran across a newer movie called "Tropic Thunder," starring Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and dare I say Ben Stiller? In fact, Ben Stiller was a writer and director of this cheesy flick. Don't let that scare you off though, in fact it's actually a pretty decent movie if you can stand to sit through an hour and a half of bile flowing out of Ben Stiller's mouth. Honestly though, I'd have to say that Robert Downey Jr. really steals the show here, and as much as I like Jack Black, he just wasn't *that* funny in this film, which was a real let down for me as I'm a fan of many of the other movies he's in, just because he's a part of them. Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, and Danny R. McBride, were kept in the dark--so to speak--for most of the movie, and that was also a shame, seeing as I'd like to see their characters developed a bit more, but I guess Ben Stiller decided he needed more screen time focused around his character killing and wearing a panda--I can't make this shit up.

All in all, if you like the cast, go check out Tropic Thunder, I personally don't think it's a waste of time, I enjoyed the movie, aside from it's faults. Don't be scared off by mention of Ben Stiller, he's a funny guy sometimes, but in this movie I think he tried too hard and failed miserably.

Tropic Thunder: 6/10*
Mass Effect: 7/10*