Mikko Saari in English

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Into the Mirror (Geoul sokeuro)

This South-Korean movie promised terrible horrors, but failed to deliver fear. However, even though the fear factor stayed pretty low throughout the movie, Into the Mirror was an exciting film with an interestin plot. We felt it needed some condensing and I think the main actor could've been better, but the movie did have a rather amazing ending which I enjoyed a lot. Final verdict: good, but not outstanding.

31.01.2005 klo 08:59 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

IR humour

What's the favourite movie of someone doing information retrieval? Total Recall

(And here's the explanation for this lovely joke invented by my also very lovely wife: the effectivity of information retrieval is measured by two things, precision and recall. Precision is the amount of relevant documents in the found documents and recall is the amount of relevant documents found vs the amount of relevan documents in the database.)

27.01.2005 klo 08:16 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

Fluff and time travel

First movie of yesterday was fluff. Mean Girls was yet another high school comedy with a rather typical setting. Nice, but nothing that needs to be seen. The movie had some twist in it, but would've needed a lot more.

The Butterfly Effect was much more interesting. While Ashton Kutcher is quite far from a good actor, it was still a decent movie with a rather interesting plot. However, it went a bit astray at times (the prison episode was, for example, too much). Still, thanks to the sharp ending (which was quite dull and stupid in the theatrical version, I read) the movie left a rather good taste. The plot will probably fall apart if examined more closely (Johanna found a problem right away), but that's the risk with time travel movies. The concept of how changing a small bit in the initial situation results in huge changes in the end was made clear.

While I recommend the movie especially to those who enjoy time travel themes, make sure you see the director's cut and not the theatrical version. There's a big difference... And Ashton Kutcher still sucks, no matter what.

16.01.2005 klo 18:26 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

On games and PHP objects

I've been reading Jonathan Schaeffer's book on his Checkers computer Chinook and it inspired me to do some game programming. The book (One Jump Ahead : Challenging Human Supremacy in Checkers, Springer Verlag, ISBN 0-387-94930-5) is excellent, by the way, and I will cover it later in better detail (probably in Gameblog) after I finish it.

Anyway, I wanted to do some game AI programming. To do a game AI, I need a game for the AI to play. As it goes these days, it means a web implementation of a game or another. I chose Geschenkt - it's hardly a challenge AI-wise, but I wanted to do something simple anyway. Besides, I'd like a web version of Geschenkt.

I've always thought that object-oriented programming would be a good basis for a game program. After all, games consist of different objects that interact with each other. I've toyed with the idea before, but now I actually started writing code. My game consists of two classes of objects: there's Game that contains information about the game state and Players, who do what the Game says. Game asks the players for move, telling the current situation of the game as parameters. Players use that information, formulate a move and return that to the Game.

Simple, and it actually works pretty well. It has other benefits, too. Saving the game state couldn't be easier. Instead of a complicated SQL table, my game state table has exactly two columns: id and data, which holds serialized game objects. That's it.

However, it also has problems. I've done something with objects in PHP before, but most of my object-oriented experience comes from Java, where objects are both natural and mandatory. Handling objects is more complicated in PHP and I really had to struggle with references to get everything work well. The problems were of annoying nature: I'd set a value to an object attribute somewhere, but it wouldn't carry on so I could use it elsewhere. I got it all sorted out in the end, however.

While the object-based structure was even elegant, it didn't work too well with the fact that the application would be run over web. The result is the single most bizarre piece of web code I've written. There's the main script, which initiates the games and passes variables, but most of the action happens in a class method, somewhere in include files. That's not good and kind of undermines my object method, but I can understand it and it works. That's enough.

I got the game running pretty smoothly now. What needs to be done is loads of interface work, boring basic website tasks like user management and finally, the main reason for this project, AI coding! Then I'll have a nice web version of Geschenkt I can show to other people. Temptation to keep it mine alone is strong, because that would mean I could forget nice user interfaces and user management.

In the end I will have a object structure I can probably alter to create other similar games. That should be fairly easy (but in reality it won't be, of course).

10.01.2005 klo 10:12 | 2 comment(s) | TrackBack (0)

Dawn of the Dead

We've seen and enjoyed the new Dawn of the Dead, so it was easy choice to pick up the original version. We saw the Romero cut (and not the Dario Argento's cut, which we later regretted, as Argento's version was 30 minutes shorter).

While the remake is dynamic and exciting, Romero's original is slow, boring and silly. The zombies look stupid and aren't scary in any way. It doesn't even work as a comedy. It had some good moments, but even those were usually stretched far too long - over two hours is way too much for a movie of this caliber. The remake is clearly superior.

8.01.2005 klo 11:45 | 1 comment(s) | TrackBack (0)

Don't Look Now

We watched Don't Look Now yesterday. It's a classic thriller from 1970's. It's about a couple who lose their child in a tragic accident. They end up in Venice, where they meet a psychic who sees their child. Mysterious and tragic events occur and things start to turn towards a horrible end.

The DVD we watched was unfortunately cursed with really bad sound and no English subtitles, so at times it was pretty difficult to hear what was said. That was bad, but didn't spoil the movie. It was fairly good, with lots of atmosphere thanks to the grimness of the small alleyways of Venice. What a perfect location. In the end the movie was quite intense, but the intensity was hurt by too much random running around and the climax was a wee bit silly. It should've been better. Still, it was an enjoyable movie and only slightly dated.

7.01.2005 klo 10:22 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

The Grudge

The Grudge was a positive surprise. Having the director of the original version direct this new one (and not Sam Raimi, as I thought) was probably critical, but whatever the reason, the remake was good work. I especially enjoyed the fact that despite all main characters being American, the movie was still set in Japan. The house where the horrors happened was almost identical to the one used in the original version.

There were changes. One significant plot turn (Toyamas) was cut and replaced with something new that was less complicated. The new plot explained the reasons behind the original killings, which was left as a mystery in the original version. Events were generally explained a bit more. While Rika was obviously the main character of the original version, Sarah Michelle Gellar's Karen had a significantly stronger role in the remake.

The plot changes were ok, except the ending. The original has much more interesting ending, which was ruined in the remake. The spirits of the original version aren't one-dimensionally evil, unlike in the remake. How boring. However, the movie was scary and the very important sounds were beautifully done in the remake.

It's Ring all over again, but the other way around. Now it was the original version that was richer and more impressive. The Grudge isn't a bad movie, but the original is better. I gave the remake 3½ stars in Movielens, while I gave 4½ stars to the original.

6.01.2005 klo 12:16 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

Pocket Kingdom

Pocket Kingdom is a weird game. The first time I tried it, I instantly agreed with most of the reviews I've read: the user interface is very bad. Most of the time is spent clicking through various menus. The flaws are very simple and it is obvious how to fix them.

First, stuff in the inventory needs to stack. It's bloody annoying to wade through several copies of each item when you need to fetch the last item on the list (which doesn't wrap around). Stacking items would make browsing the lists easier.

Second, buying and selling stuff should be made faster. For each item you buy or sell, you need to click twice. Nice, but not so when you need to buy, say, 10 copies. How about a possibility to buy or sell several copies at once?

Third, menu shortcuts would be sweet. N-Gage has lots of buttons, why use just two? If an interface could work on a four-button GameBoy, it's less than optimal on N-Gage. Placing shortcuts to different menus on the unused buttons would make playing the game faster.

Despite these grumbles, I've found Pocket Kingdom quite addictive. It's the default game in my N-Gage, the one I keep in when I'm not playing something else. The gameplay is designed well for mobile use: it is possible to spend just few minutes with the game, fiddling some aspect of one's kingdom or perhaps fighting a single battle. For longer sessions one can go on extended raids or perhaps try the human opponents on Arena. It works well and I've already spent a significant amount of time with the game, even if it's been just ten minutes or so at the time.

5.01.2005 klo 11:48 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

Ju-On: The Grudge

The rest of our Play order was delivered yesterday. We pondered for a while whether we should see the original Ju-On: The Grudge before the US remake, which we'll go and see today. We ended up watching the original.

It's bloody creepy and ranks among the very best horror films (A Tale of Two Sisters, Dark Water and Ring). The movie begins with murders that leave the spirits of the deceased haunting the house. Of course, lots of innocent bystanders visit the house and end up suffering from the spirits' vengeance.

The plot of the movie isn't linear and that has caused some confusion. For example, a girl called Izumi appears in the movie as a child and later as a teenager. But yeah, movies can have time leaps even if the dates of the events aren't explicitly told! We found the order of the events fairly easy to figure out. Too much explanation hurts the movie and at least we weren't really confused at all. Some questions remain, as usual, but nothing critical.

My expectations for the US remake are mixed. The movie will probably look better. The special effects aren't flashy in the Japanese version. It's still impressive, but perhaps the dead could've used better look than simply white makeup? I do hope they can replicate the excellent soundtrack. The sounds were often more scary than the sights! Japanese horror movies (and games, like the Silent Hill series) have often made good use of scary sounds. The plot will probably be simplified a bit - hopefully not too much.

I'll write more about the US remake tomorrow when I've seen it. Meanwhile, the original is highly recommended.

5.01.2005 klo 11:40 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

Saw

We went and saw the Saw. It's about a twisted serial killer, who doesn't actually kill his victims. Instead he places them in games in which they have a chance to survive through gruesome horrors. Each game has something to do with the things the victim has done wrong in their life - the setting isn't far from Seven.

It's clever, and the main game of the movie is an intriguing setting. Two men are faced in a room. One must kill the other, otherwise his family will suffer. Men are chained to pipes so they can't reach each other, but the room has secrets, which will give the men more possibilities.

The idea is great, but the movie is merely good. Cary Elwes does a substandard job as one of the lead men. Most movies have stupid things which are necessary to make the plot work - in this case, there are probably few too many. Police are, as usual, rather stupid.

Considering the circumstances the movie was made in (inexperienced director and writer, 18 days, 1.2 million dollars, expected straight-to-video release), it's well done. So far it has brought in 55 million dollars in USA alone. That's no Blair Witch Project, but certainly well done!

2.01.2005 klo 15:05 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)

Two sisters and May

Play surprised us by delivering some of the movies we order last Saturday already. We weren't expecting any before Monday, so it was a pleasant surprise.

May is a tale of a young girl, whose life is lonely because of her handicap (a lazy eye!). But, as her mother says, if you don't have any friends, you'll have to make one. She gives her a doll, which then becomes her only friend. So, I guess nobody is surprised if May is somewhat socially challenged, when she meets some real people.

The movie starts peacefully and picks up speed at somewhere mid-movie. May's a bit weird. The movie isn't really scary - we found it more funny - but in the end it turns pretty nasty. It's 18+ for a good reason. It was a good movie, though not really worth buying. We had to, because it's not available otherwise and with the reduced price from Play it was worth it.

Our other movie, Janghwa, Hongryeon aka A Tale of Two Sisters is a another filmatization of an old Korean folklore tale. Now here's a creepy horror movie! Two sisters return from a mental institute to their dad and horrible step mom. It's not a happy family. Weird things (unexpected sounds, opening doors) start to happen right away.

The director is good when it comes to scary - the movie works well in that respect, especially the sounds are creepy. The plot is clever and interesting - but all I'm telling is that this is one of those movies where watching it again will provide a whole new experience as you know what's going on.

It's straight to my horror movie top five, no questions asked. If you're at all interested in chilling horror movies (as opposed to silly horror movies), this one is a must. DreamWorks has the rights to make a new version of it, but I don't think it can be this good. The complicated plot will probably see some simplification, I'm afraid. That remains to be seen.

1.01.2005 klo 13:04 | Be the first to comment | TrackBack (0)