Archive for November, 2006

Blog monetizing makes me laugh

November 11, 2006

I was performing a few blog monetizing experiments today via Google’s AdSense program and stumbled across this very odd advert.

 

Err…Ok.

No offense to the organization in question but seriously, looking of it does remind one of a phallic-like object now doesn’t it? :P

Positive Noises

November 5, 2006

There is indeed a God in heaven.

If That’s What It Takes

November 4, 2006
I played the part of a broken heart upon a show
I played that part so lonely and so well
Thought that love belonged to someone else, not me and you
Yeah, I know that you’ve been shattered
You been bruised
We both know what it feels like when you lose
But I’d bet my life on a roll of the dice for you

If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
Tonights the night, I’m gonna prove it to you
Do I have to break down, baby just to break through
If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
If that’s what it takes…

I bet you counted all the tears I bet you’ve cried
I bet you swore you’d never let love back inside
‘Cause it hurt you way too bad to say good-bye
Now, there’ll be times when I might put us to the test
And it’s hard for broken hearts to just forget
But I’m driving blind, I’ll lay it all on the line for you

If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
Tonite’s the night, I’m gonna prove it to you
Do I have to break down, baby just to break through
If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
If that’s what it takes…

So, when you feel like jumping
Just when your heart starts pumping
When you’re standing out on that ledge-staring over the edge
I’ll be there to talk to you down
I’ll be there before you hit the ground

If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
Tonights the night, I’m gonna prove it to you
Do I have to break down, baby just to break through
If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
If that’s what it takes…

If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
If we take the time to do it right, I know we’ll put through
If it took all my life, I’d prove it to you
If that’s what it takes, that’s what I’d do
If that’s what it takes…

Download
Bon Jovi - If That’s What It Takes

The Audio Splendor of the Silent Hill Series

November 4, 2006

Heather

WARNING: YouTube heavy post ahead. The author of this blog will not be responsible for the possible browser crashes that may occur during the runtime of these said videos. Do please take the necessary precautions in preventing this potential catastrophe from occurring on your end. Failure to do so may cause a temporal displacement in the circular matricidal vortex in our time and space that may cause this dimension to implode against the quarks and fabrics of our neighboring dimensions. In other words, just be careful and we might actually avert a potential catastrophe. :( This has been a Public Service Announcement from Al-Holic. We now bring you back to your regularly scheduled program.

I have a confession to make before I start this post. In all my years of gaming across all sorts of gaming platforms, as well as being exposed and having the opportunity in playing and completing a plethora of games, I never did complete a single one of the Silent Hill games. :(

I’m serious here! The series just fricking freaks me out! :(

The horrific foreboding mood as well as the twisted imagery inherent all all its releases are just wicked sick! Even though I am so used to so much gore and horror, only the Silent Hill games are the only things that I can think of that makes me cringe every time I attempt to play them. :(

Come to think of it, I’ve got this funny Silent Hill story that occurred a few years ago as I was playing Silent Hill 3, with a few of my friends observing from behind me but I’ll save that story for another time. ;)

Now let’s get to the actual post here today. In today’s post, I would like to speak of my love for the theme songs of from the Silent Hill games. Though many may scoff at the idea that video game music as silly and mundane but lyrically and musically, the songs in this series are, to me, a lot more ‘listenable’ and meaningful than the commercial radio garbage we’ve all been subjected to in this time and age. Anyway, I’ve also decided to include the cinematic openings of the games in question to highlight how effective they are in conveying the mood of the game in question.

Note, we will not really cover Silent Hill 1, simply because to me, it doesn’t have a particularly memorable theme song. :( Plus, I am actually biased towards Silent Hill 2 & 3. :D

Also, Silent Hill 4 sucks. The bastard child of a game should have never been released! Who’s to blame? Blame Konami and their stupid marketing ploys!

Now let us first begin with the Introduction Sequence of Silent Hill 2.

Silent Hill 2 Introduction (03:52)

In my honest opinion, the introduction sequence of Silent Hill 2 completely reminded me of the old TV show, Twin Peaks. To me, anything related to David Lynch or produces a Lynch-esque vibe is usually very, very good. :D

Interestingly enough, this song is actually very easy to play on the guitar as you will notice if you were to seek guitar tab of it online. I must admit though, the theme song conveys a very weird feeling doesn’t it? It sounds so perfectly melodious and ‘nice’ but there seems something very odd about it that I cannot put my finger on.
Or maybe that’s just me. :(

Upon further digging within YouTube, I also found this weird video, which incidentally is a blooper reel shown at the end of the first Silent Hill game. Though named a blooper reel, there isn’t much in it that I would actually laugh at seeing that everyone in that game in particular was weird as they were already. :(

Silent Hill - Bloopers (01:34)

I will admit, Silent Hill 2 was probably the best Silent Hill in the series. Though I did not actually finish the game but you must admit that stylistically as well as content-wise, it was the best Silent Hill simply because of its premise and the weird antagonists involved in the game. Plus, the dialog in the game was kind of weird and detached, further adding the dread. :(

Silent Hill 3 Introduction (03:11)

The first time when I listened to the opening theme of Silent Hill 3, the first thought that came to my mind was, “Wow, that’s some funky drumming going about in the background!”. If you listen carefully, the drumming in this theme song is pretty amazing in its own right. The way the hi-hats are used in the drumming is pretty insane! Simply put, wicked sick! :D

Also, this song was the first vocal theme song in the whole series and was presented in such an extremely upbeat manner. I’ve also included the lyrics to the song, should you feel the need to sing-a-long to the horrible imagery presented to you in its opening sequence. :P

Silent Hill 3 - Mary Elizabeth McGlynn - You’re not here

Look out to forever,
Green grass blows in the wind & dancing,
It would be a much better sight,
With you with me,
If you hasn’t met me,
I’d be fine on my own, baby.
Never felt so lonely then you came along.
So now what do I do?
I’m strung out, addicted to you.
My body aches, now that your gone.
My supply fell through…
Like you gave me everything I had and more,
You craved my happiness,
When you made me feel joy and we just smiled,
Now, I feel your stress.
Love was never meant to be such a crazy affair, no.
And who has time for tears?
Never thought I’d sit around and grab all you love, tonight.

I also found these other videos related to Silent Hill 3.

Silent Hill 3 - Heather “You’re not here” (02:45)

The Making Of Silent Hill 3 (25:22)

Silent Hill 3 - I want love (Studio Mix) (06:26)

Now for some lyrics. :D

Silent Hill 3 - Mary Elizabeth McGlynn - I want love (Studio Mix)

All right, let’s do this
One, two, three

I want a cup that overflows with love
Although it’s not enough to fill my heart
I want a barrel full of love
Although I know it’s not enough to fill my heart
I want a river full of love
But then I know the holes will still remain
I need an ocean full of love
Although I know the holes will still remain

And this Swiss-cheese heart knows
Only kindness can fill its holes
And love can dry my tears
As pain disappears

I need a miracle and not someone’s charity
One drop of love from him
And my heart’s in ecstasy
The high that is sending me
Is most likely ending me
I need a miracle and not someone’s charity

Fill up my heart with love
Oh, you’d be amazed at how little I need from him
to feel complete here and now
Stirring within me
are these feelings I can’t ignore
I need a miracle and that’s what I’m hoping for

I need a miracle and not someone’s charity
One drop of love from him
And my heart’s in ecstasy
The high that is sending me
Is most likely ending me
I need a miracle and not someone’s charity now
Oh, baby

Anybody’s love but his will never fill this space within me
Now doctor, give me what I need to free my heart from misery

Pretty meaningful, ain’t it?

Now moving along, let’s look at Silent Hill 4.

The next song I want to talk about isn’t actually used in any of the introductions but was actually found in the Silent Hill 4 soundtrack. I guessed that their concept of an opening song for Silent Hill 4 was the idea of using moans and groans as well as grainy footage. Disappointing to say the least.

Silent Hill 4 - Mary Elizabeth McGlynn - Waiting for You ~Live at “Heaven’s Night”~

Your gentle voice I hear
Your words echo inside me
You said You long for me
and that you love me
And I want to see you too
feels just like I’m falling
Is there nothing I can do
wonder if you hear my calling

I’m here and waiting for you
where are you, I can’t find you
I’m here and waiting for you
I’ll wait forever for you

Mom’s gone to heaven now
why won’t she come back down
does she have someone
she loves more than me
I thought I could love you better
we were always together
if we took some time apart
you would finally know my heart

I’m here and waiting for you
where are you, I can’t find you
I’m here and waiting for you
I’ll wait forever for you

I fell in love with you and now you’re gone
there’s nothing left in my lonely room without you

I’m here and waiting for you
where are you, I can’t find you
I’m here and waiting for you
I’ll wait forever for you

I’m here and waiting for you
where are you, I can not I can not find you
I’m waiting for you
where are you where are you

And this ends this weird and long post in itself. I’ve also included download links to the songs above should you feel the need to constantly replay the songs over and over again till you decide to throw up. :D
In closing, I hope Silent Hill 5 doesn’t suck. :(

Oh yeah, one more video for the one’s who made it this far. I assure you that the following video will indeed elicit some WTF responses. ;)

Silent Hill Fukuro (03:27)

Yes, I too went WTF.

Downloads
Silent Hill 2 - Theme of Laura (Opening Theme)
Silent Hill 3 - You’re Not Here (Opening Theme)
Silent Hill 3 - I Want Love (Studio Mix)
Silent Hill 4 - Waiting For You ~LIVE AT ”Heaven’s Night”~

Kyle Cooper does it again! Scarface in 3 minutes flat.

November 3, 2006

Scarface: The World Is Yours Introduction

Note: Please ignore the crappy encode. It isn’t my fault, blame YouTube. :P

Before I start, Scarface is one of those movies that the movie-goers of this generation are probably missing from their cinematic diet. All in all, they just don’t make movies like this anymore. :(

The video above is actually a 3 minute summary of the whole movie, Scarface, which in actuality runs for about 120 minutes. The video above is from the introduction sequence of the recently released PC game of the same name, Scarface. Interestingly enough, it does indeed, rather successfully, summarizes the whole movie!

Another reason as to why I even bothered with posting a post concerning an introduction was simply because the production values on this video is simply amazing. The amount of effects and camera tricks involved in it made me wonder as to who would actually spend so much time and money on just an introduction for a game. I mean, mattings, disolves, telephoto focusing, colour toning and a phleora of other tricks used really does make this video unique not only in its content but in terms of its production values.

A little digging revealed that this particular video was actually produced by none other than the infamous Kyle Cooper, which some of you may know is the person responsible for countless of film introduction sequences. The only notable one I can think of right now off the top of my head is Metal Gear Solid 3 but you can bet that there are countless other films in which Kyle Cooper has been involved in as well.

I love this video, it perfectly captures the gritty and cruel mood of the film that it is based on. Then again, crime movies have always been cool in my book. ;)

Another bit of trivia, the word ‘fuck’ is spoken 207 times in the movie, Scarface, which I assume also includes all its variant usages. Then again, it doesn’t sound all that impressive doesn’t it? Well, seeing that it doesn’t, I actually found this video on YouTube surmising all the important bits of the film. :D

Scarface -Fuck-

Good times! :D

Addendum: I’ve finally found out the song title that was used in the opening video above and have decided to offer it for download on this site. The song in question was performed by Static X off their Beneath Between Beyond album of 2004. It’s called Burning Inside which is pretty bitching to say the least. :D

Download
Static X - Burning Inside