Review: 300

Ive just two things to say before i start this review, 1. How the heck was this film classed as only a 15 and 2. this film is absolutely brilliant! The film tells the story of the battle of Thermopylae, an event that took place in 480BC, a battle in which the Greeks led by 300 Spartan warriors faced down the vast Persian empire and that is where the films relationship with historical accuracy ends except for the names and places used. If your expecting an historically realistic epic then you'd be disappointed, but this film never claims to be that. Its inspired the Frank Miller graphic novels and is shot in a style that makes the movie appear more as a cartoon than a regular picture, and it does this with great affect. The visuals are stunning!.
Now back to the question of its age rating, the battle scenes are brutal and when the Spartans go into battle they don't hold back on the violence, with their swords swinging limbs are lobbed off and heads go a flying, blood sprays all over the place, in a sense the director has captured the brutality of battle in all its horror. So to all those critics who say this film glamorises violence id have to say to you, you guys must be a bit sick because what is shown is by no means glamorous and as for this film supposedly being a meaning for American dominance over the east i say that is utter tosh.
This film, although more stylised and fantasy based is a tribute to the 300 who stood their ground and does a good job of showing its audience just how tough the Spartans really were.
Overall if you want to see a fantasic looking film go and see this now, you wont be disappointed.

CGM score: 4/5

Shivering Isles

Shivering Isles features more than 30 hours of new gameplay and allows you to explore an entirely new plane of Oblivion – the realm of Sheogorath, the Daedric Prince of Madness. Shivering Isles adds to the existing world of Oblivion so you can continue playing with your existing save game/character, or create an all new character just to explore the new content.
“We’re thrilled with the response that Oblivion has received to date and feel that Shivering Isles will offer a whole new and different experience to anyone who played and enjoyed Oblivion,” said Todd Howard, executive producer for The Elder Scrolls.
Within the Realm of Sheogorath, players can explore the two extreme sides of the god’s madness – the sublimely creative and the completely psychotic. Something is happening to the Shivering Isles and Sheogorath himself looks to you to be his champion and defend his realm and its inhabitants from destruction. Do you have the strength to survive his trials, tame a realm fraught with paranoia and despair, and wear the mantle of a God?
The Shivering Isles features a bizarre landscape split between the two sides – Mania and Dementia –filled with vast, twisting dungeons mirroring the roots of the trees they are buried within. You’ll encounter more than a dozen new creatures including hideous insects, Flesh Atronachs, skeletal Shambles, amphibious Grummites. Throughout your adventure, you will discover all new items, ingredients, spells, and more, and have the talented craftsmen of Crucible and Bliss forge new armor and weapons just for you.
Xbox gamers will be able to download the Shivering isles from the 26th of March and it will be on retail sale for the PC on the 30th.

Mass Effect delayed!

The highly anticipated sci-fi RPG Mass effect has been put back once again. Originally listed for release in the middle of February by on-line retailers it has suffered a string of delays. It was pushed back to March and now according to Amazon it wont be out for general release until the end of July. Ideal for killing some time over the summer holidays, lets just hope it doesn't get put back again!

The Devil turns to 360

Yet another PS3 exclusive has jumped ship and landed in the lap of the Xbox 360. This time its the amazing Devil may cry series. Good news for xbox owners but a massive kick in the pants to Sony. Capcom revealed that Devil may cry 4 will now be released on the same day for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. According to Capcom "each version of the game will be maximised to take full advantage of each platforms strength". Mysteriously theres been no info on what this might entail.
The loss of DMC is not the only former exclusive Sony has now lost, at E3 last year it was confirmed that Grand theft auto 4 would also be appearing on both formats. Whats next to lose its exclusivity Metal gear solid 4 perhaps? 360 owners live in hope.