8 Days Letter of the Week Winner

"Pirated Talk"

Arrr, Shiver me timbers! Ahoy 8 Days! Blimey, I have waited for this issue #865 featuring my former first mate, Rick Heinrichs [movie's production designer] keeping things ship-shaped and the beautiful wench, Keira Knightley while reading it from the crow’s nest [high lookout platform on a pirate ship]. Begod, isn’t she amazing to standout from all the men and live the pirate life. Avast there, all pirates around the world unite! Chow Yun-Fat will do well to bring Davy Jones into the waters of Singapore - a-pirating we go! Go bring me one noggin of rum now, won't you matey! Fair Winds.

Captain Hooky

Published on 8 Days issue 866 dated May, 24

Movie Review

Movie Review - "Spiderman 3"

Cast - Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church

Ladies and gentlemen, meet spidey the soap opera star! See laughter, fears, joy, spats, tears, hate, love torn between girlfriend, friendship and duty! What has happened here? Tears from our superhero? What the F^&@*! Sam Raimi who helm the entire Spiderman franchise so far, has delve deep into the story as the main focus of this third instalment of the web-slinger. He left no stone unturned, looking to end all the loose ends since the first movie including how Ben Parker died and the story behind our reluctant killer, Flint Marko played by Thomas Haden Church. Also, the movie explores Peter and his alter-ego, Spiderman going through the pains of love, job, fame and pardon me, his dark side. Throw in an alien symbiote that attaches itself to Parker/ Spidey, feeding off the rage within as he seeks out the real killer of uncle Ben with revenge on his mind. The adventure begins harmlessly as Peter decides to propose to Mary Jane and seeks advice from Aunt May on how to pop the question. Meanwhile, Parker's best mate Harry transforms into the new goblin out to avenge his father's demise. After a battle in the skyline of New York, Harry lost some of his memories and was in suspended state of joy till a rude awakening jolts him back into action.

New characters like Eddie Brock, a hotshot photographer out to usurp Peter's job as the Daily Bugle's designated Spidey photo-taker. Another cutie in the form of Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen Stacy, a fashion model which Spiderman saves from a crane accident. Saving the daughter of the city's Police Captain has turned our friendly neighbourhood Spiderman into an icon, honored and adulated by the city's faithful with the key to the city. Such irony is as Parker is finding fame, MJ lost her job when she was let go from the broadway production after a poor review seal her fate. She seeks solace from Harry when Peter was too engrossed is being Mr. Popular. All this while, Flint Marko has been unwittingly moleculed into the Sandman after falling into a experimental facility while on the run from the law. The undying love for his daughter who has a life-threatening disease which requires expensive medical treatment turn him into crime, out of desperation.

Then came the darker side of Spiderman when the alien symbiote takes over our friendly slinger and he ain't mister nice guy no more. See the suave, bad-ass Peter works his mo-jo on the women and becomes a real new yorker for a change! Watch out for cameos by creator Stan Lee, Ted Raimi and Bruce Campbell of the cult Evil Dead series by who else but Sam Raimi. Bruce's five minutes as the Maitre'D of the restaurant where Parker is proposing is very funny and a nice anecdote to an otherwise draggy soap opera-ish moment. I am leaving out the other villian, Venom for you to check out on the big screens or when the DVD is out at the stores!

Two spiders out of five.

Product Review

INTERACTIVE GAMING RIGHT IN YOUR OWN HOME

We have all played video games growing up and the closest we ever get to a workout is probably finger cramps and violent arm movements because the monster is coming to get you. Arcade games like the dance revolution started a new trend of interactive gaming, giving rise to guitar, drum and full blown dance machines requiring arm, leg and hand-eye coordination.

So it came as no surprise that SSD aka “Shinsedai” from Japan has revolutionized home video gaming with a new product named XaviXPORT system and a compliment of games in sports, fitness, education and music. I won a XaviXPORT system and XaviXTennis which comes with a game cartridge and 2 wireless tennis rackets from a local magazine, 8Days “Best Letter Win” contest sponsored by DG Lifestyle @Vivocity. The graphics are tackled in a minimalist approach, a throwback to the Family Com, Nintendo and Sega days. But the interactive side of the system is very addictive once you got the hang of it. The heart of the system is the revolutionary XaviX processor and the multi-channel infrared, optical and radio frequency sensors to provide realistic game play. XaviX application ranges from Baseball, Golf, Bowling, Boxing and so much more.

Getting started was a piece of cake, connect AC adaptor power to unit plus an AV connection to a television set on the video input via color-coded RCA cables and you are all set to go. Insert a game cartridge, in this case, XaviXTennis into the system and press POWER. The wireless tennis rackets comes with adjustable wrist straps, just in case you loose grip on the rackets in a fit of fury or panic and hurt someone or something in the process. Playing tennis right in the comfort of your own home is something remarkable; you do not have to dress up for it, care about weather, keep up with tennis court bookings or who you are playing with. Back to the game, XaviXTennis uses infrared sensor technology to detect the speed and timing with which you swing the racket. Therefore it is possible to hit shots like forehand, backhand, volley, top-spin lob, smash and even run forward for net play like serve & volley. You can also serve up aces at speeds of 200km/h with instant replays on borderline decisions. Start with the training mode and get your angles and coordination down pat before going into exhibition matches and thereafter, tournaments. Trust me when it feels like the real thing, I even did what the pros do and fidget with the tennis racket strings (made of plastic) when my shots are not getting in there. The more adventurous can step up a notch and challenge a fellow mate to a game of tennis in versus mode. Expect lots of grunting like Monica Seles or Venus Williams and ecstatic fist-pumping when scoring a point. Deuce anyone?

For more information, please visit http://www.xavix.com