Ron Fricke’s 2011 documentary, Samsara, is a beautiful exploration of the best and worst of humanity.

The documentary begins with an up-close look at an eastern religious dance before showcasing some of the world’s beautiful landscapes and then turning to other aspects of humanity. Large sections of the documentary focus on humanity’s various spiritual and religious practices. Other sections highlight the inhumane treatment of animals through the industrialisation of farming, and the mistreatment of people through poverty and violence. It finishes on a more positive note, suggesting that despite these horrific acts that have become like religions, there is hope for humanity.

The cinematography is picturesque, using photographic effects, such as time-lapses and skipped frames, to create sequences that are rich in visual and emotional tonality. Accompanying the lush visuals is a beautiful continuous soundtrack that, through its uplifting, melancholic, and introspective tones, brings a deeper emotional atmosphere to the film. In fact, it even lulls the viewer into a meditative state as they appreciate or become horrified at the documentary’s content.

Worthy of note is the absence of dialogue. This is powerful because rather than a narrator giving viewers an opinion of the presented material, it allows the cinematography and soundtrack to speak on their own and affect viewers in a personal and on an unconscious level. Not only is this emotionally affective, but it demonstrates the power of these filmic components to communicate on their own. And it helps make the film a personally affective experience.

While Samsara is not for everyone, everyone should watch it to appreciate not only the majesty and powerful nature of film, but also the beauty of life.

4 stars

Focusing on the growth of the crudely named Fitz Chivalry, Assassin’s Apprentice is a character driven fantasy-fiction story with a richly imagined world and believable characters.

When five-year-old Fitz is dropped at Buckkeep Castle and discovered as Prince Chivalry’s bastard, he’s quickly relegated to the stables under the care of stable master Burrich. Burrich raises him like he does the animals and Fitz forms an unusual and unnatural mental bond with Nosy, one of the stable’s puppies. It’s not until King Shrewd discovers Fitz, that he begins training him as an assassin. Through this, Fitz forms a bond with his mysterious mentor, Chade. When sent on a mission to a neighbouring Duchy, Fitz’s skills are put to the test as he encounters the first of what becomes known as the Forged–people of the Duchies turned into mindless, savage beings. Under duress from Chivalry’s wife, Fitz’s knack with the Skill, a form of mental power, earns him training with Skill master Galen, who inflicts cruel training on Fitz. Through this, Fitz discovers a ploy within the royal family and works to prevent it.

Most of the novel is spent exploring the characters, their relationships, and the world, especially that of the royal court. Thus, while little seems to happen in external world, Hobb builds the characters and world in impressive detail so that readers are still captivated. Some characters are lovable, others detestable, but all are intriguing.

Some of the story’s events set up for events that never fully play out. For example, the Forging is never properly explained, and only serves to push events towards a crisis in an inadvertent way. Perhaps they will played out in the rest of the trilogy. This is a little disappointing, but it doesn’t ruin the fascinating story. Instead, it helps to flesh out a living, breathing world.

Overall, Assassin’s Apprentice is an engaging and gripping fantasy-fiction book, full of mystery, interesting characters, and a slowly unravelling, yet richly detailed plot that will have readers burning through pages.

4 stars

Pitting players against the greatest obstacle in life – the choices we make – Life is Strange is an interactive story with powerful themes and effective emotional scenarios.

Set over five days, the game focuses on upcoming photographer Max Caulfield (Hannah Telle) as she returns to her hometown, Arcadia Bay, to study photography under superstar photographer, Mark Jefferson (Derek Phillips) at Blackwell Academy. Only, after a nightmare that destroys the town, Max wakes in class and learns she has the power to rewind time when she saves Chloe (Ashly Burch), her estranged best friend, from being shot in the girl’s bathroom. Later, the former childhood friends reunite and, over the course of five days, set out to investigate the disappearance of Chloe’s friend, Rachel Amber. This leads them to discover many things about Arcadia Bay, Blackwell Academy, the people that populate it, and themselves.

Gameplay focuses on Max’s interaction with the people that populate the town and school. Through this, she learns more about them and the greater mystery at hand. The level of detail about each character and their lives is immense and creates a sense of Arcadia Bay being a living breathing world. Throughout the game, players are offered choices, stemming from simple conversation prompts to story changing actions. In this way, Life is Strange is little more than an interactive story. Yet, the story is so engaging and well-conceived that only players who dislike story-driven games will be disappointed.

In theory, the diverging storylines provide high replayability, since decisions effect the way the story plays out. However, in the end, players are only offered two conclusions, which detracts from the effect of previous choices. Fortunately, within the game, players do see the effects their choices create.  

The game’s rewind mechanic allows players to undo actions within a scene letting them test which response responds best with their nature and which one provides the best player outcome. With the exception of one scenario near the end of episode five, where the game is so dark players can’t see what they’re doing, the gameplay is free of frustration.

The story itself is a mix of genres, ranging from a teen melodrama as Max becomes involved in the lives of other students, to a mystery as Max and Chloe investigate Rachel’s disappearance, and a love story when it focuses on their friendship and history. It’s also a psychological thriller because of moments of tense action and anxiety and the way player choices affect not only the game, but how they react to it. The story also confronts some important themes for teens and adults, , such as suicide, and deals with them in a mature way. The developers aren’t afraid to show their science-fiction influences either, with nods to Twin Peaks, The X-Files, and Planet of the Apes, amongst others.

For the most part, the story is well paced, ranging from inner school conflict to tense run-for-your-life moments. That said there are a few lulls close to the climax when the story should be at full-pelt. Still, this doesn’t ruin the game. Surprisingly for a game, dialogue is well written and delivered even better by some fantastic voice actors. It readily captures the urban slang of teenagers, and while there are a few moments of duff dialogue, these moments are rare.

Delivered over five episodes, each one has a unique tone, focusing on different aspects of the story. Each episode feels fresh, except the final one, which rehashes a lot of dialogue players have already heard, perhaps in an attempt to catch up players who haven’t played for a while.

The game has a cinematic quality to it, helped by the beautiful motion-captured graphics. Characters look and behave with life-like mannerisms and the environments portray a convincing town and school. The audio design plays a large part in this, offering atmospheric cues and music appropriate for a game based on the life of a teenager. This helps players further immerse themselves in the experience.

Overall, Life is Strange is an immersive experience and its few flaws are never enough to ruin it. Unless you dislike story-driven games, I highly recommend everyone experience Life Is Strange. It demonstrates the power video games have as a storytelling medium.

4 ½ stars

Having explored the future with The Terminator (1984) and outer space with Aliens (1986), in The Abyss (1989) director James Cameron turned his focus to the deep sea with mixed results.

When the submarine USS Montana encounters an unidentified submerged object, its electrical systems shut down, causing the sub to crash. In an attempt to salvage the wreckage, a team of underwater drillers are sent to Deep Core, a private underwater drilling platform, along with a military SEAL team. Included in the diving team are foreman Virgil “Bud” Brigman (Ed Harris) and platform designer Dr. Lindsey Brigman (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), an estranged couple. During their mission, the group encounters several unidentified submerged objects. As a scientist, Lindsey wants to explore the possible new lifeforms but Lieutenant Hiram Coffey (Michael Biehn) is insistent they destroy it, creating much conflict.

At close to three hours running time, The Abyss Special Edition (1993) runs the risk of sagging and becoming lacklustre. It’s a credit to director James Cameron, then, that he keeps the pace of this thriller taut, aided by the interdepartmental conflict, Bud and Lindsey’s torrid relationship, and the witty repartee between the crewmembers. In fact, although the mystery of what lies below keeps viewers interested, it’s the actor’s portrayals of these vivid characters that hold this film together and keep the audience glued to the screen.

The Special Edition adds an extra half hour of material, setting the story in the middle of nuclear conflict between the USA and the Soviet Union, and an extended ending, revealing what Bud encounters below. Unfortunately, the new ending introduces a clichéd science-fiction element that’s out of place with the rest of the film’s realistic tone, and is hampered by a cheap CG sequence. Nonetheless, Alan Davis’ soundtrack is suitably chilling and euphoric, the other extra material adds to the film’s atmosphere, and the rest of the story is still highly engaging.

As an exploration of the submerged (and potentially extra-terrestrial) world, a thriller, and character drama, The Abyss Special Edition works and anyone interested in these things should check it out.

3 ½ stars.

The Reluctant Empath (2014) by Betty Comerford and Steve Wilson is an interesting but shallow insight into the lives of empaths.

Throughout the book, the authors detail different aspects and traits of empathic people, from energy sensitivities and being bombarded by other people’s emotions, to intuitive understanding of people’s truths. During each chapter, they offer advice on how to cope with the sorts of situations empaths attract and offer techniques for managing the energies they feel. They also tell the story of Alex, a young boy described as “different” and overly sensitive by his parents. He grows through life with a sensitivity to the energies of this and other worlds, is susceptible to his need for others’ approval, develops self-destructive behaviours induced from not understanding his empathic abilities, and his eventually comes to cope with and understand his intuitive and energetic abilities.

While the sort of book is needed for people who suspect they may be empathic, the contents are mostly shallow. Alex’s story, for example, while relatable to empaths, will seem alien to other readers and he is presented as flat and lifeless at times. Moreover, some of the advice the authors offer is generic and not specific to empaths. Still, at the core of the book is an important message that offers hope to empaths overwhelmed by the energy of the world. It also helps create a greater awareness of empathic people, what they suffer through, and offers some useful techniques to help them cope.

If you feel you might be empathic, want to understand someone who is, or are into new-age philosophy, this book is worth a read.

2 ½  stars.