BladeMan Reviews

Blade Runner (1982)

Fiery the angels fell...

[10/10 · 17 September 1999]

Time enough, to see, to hear this wonder,

Or feel what others cannot for lack of shame.

Have you ever been moved by sound,

One burning song, one uttered note, thunder?

Now shall you be shaken to places unexpected,

Out of the soul, to tears never cried,

Rendering thought useless, dead, raped by a mood.

View bitter scenes with astonishment,

And stun at the roar of a god.

Note the path, upon which you're drawn,

Gathers music beyond one comprehension.

Ethereal rampage of sight and sound,

Lesser children of spirit awe with glee.

In the end we are refreshed by it,

Sufficiently altered by the tranquil ferocity.

Blade Runner (1997 Video Game)

The endings are it's saving grace.

[7/10 · 17 May 1999]

This adventure game is fairly true to the movie, and gives a satisfying conclusion (there are different endings for different choices you make). Yet this and the very good videos (too few) don't really put BladeRunner by Westwood in the same class as Sanitarium or Shivers 2.

There are some good lines of dialogue, a good shooting gallery (in which the gun recoils in a very realistic fashion). But I can't say that the self-proclaimed real-time interaction works, you get a few different options on which alley to walk down or what to say to someone, but that's it and only in some situations. The Esper is very cool, as is Voigt-Kampff machine. But they can only be used according to predetermined parameters. I wonder...can the westwood programmers come out with new data files with different adventures and items to use and look at, and people to test and perhaps kill?

The music, sound effects and videos are outstanding, fabulous and eerily like the movie. These save this game. The design and implementation of scenic graphics is impeccable, with gorgeous images reminiscent of the movie

I gave it a 7 only because of the mood it imparts, not for the low-quality graphics of anything that's not background. I haven't played it since my first run through, which doesn't require an education or wit above that of a 10 year old. Once you're near the end, save the game because you'll get 12 different endings if you're patient, very patient.

Watch the movie instead.

Schindler's List (1993)

A good film with very nice cinematography.

[5/10 · 17 May 1999]

The acting was well-done, except for the lead. And that whiny speech by Neeson at the end, with that ring... ugh, I laughed during it. Taken as a movie, I rate it average.

The Cabinet of Dr. Ramirez (1991)

A wonderfully funny and twisted silent film with a great ending.

[10/10 · 17 May 1999]

Any time this movie can be found it must be seen...drop everything you're doing and watch this well-acted/directed silent movie. Cusack is perfect for the part. The film has no hickups in direction, and flows to a perfect ending. I highly recommend it, though it's very very hard to find.