Monday, June 28th, 2004 - I'm writing this open letter to announce my resignation from Raven Software effective Wednesday, June 30th and to let everyone know that this pending departure is both amicable and mutual. What can I say? It's been a hell of a ride.

In the past seven plus years I was fortunate enough to be able to contribute to twelve Raven Software titles alongside the most talented group of people I've ever had the good fortune to work with. I want to thank Raven for giving me the opportunity to start my career in game development and I send out my best wishes to everyone at Raven and Activision for their continued success. I know you'll all do well.

I'm sure the question many of you are asking is "why?" (Then again, maybe you aren't!) Put simply, I've reached a point in my life where it's time for me to move on to new challenges…to take some risks and make some time for a few things I've always wanted to do. I don't deal well with "what might have been" scenarios. That said, there are some shots I need to take and I believe now is the time for me to take them. The way I see it, if I don't do it now, I may never get the chance again.

If you need to reach me, feel free to contact me at kenn.hoekstra@gmail.com. Since I don't have any concrete plans right now that don't involve a couch, a case of beer and a stack of unopened DVDs, I should have plenty of time to answer your e-mails after the 30th.

All my best to all of you…

--Kenn

Sunday, June 27th, 2004 - Since my last update talked about crappy movies, I guess it's only fitting that this one does, too. I went to see Fahrenheit 9/11 this weekend and it reaffirms my (negative) opinion of Michael Moore. If you consider this film "journalism," it's certainly slanted. In fact, I think he should have shot everything and shown it in theatres at a 45 degree angle...that's certainly how it was presented. A (left wing) friend paid for my admission and I STILL came out of the movie wanting my money (and two plus hours of my life) back.

I guess congrats are in order since it was number one this weekend... If he keeps making that kind of money, he'll be a card-carrying Republican in no time. If you've seen the movie, I think you should read this article, Unfahrenheit 9/11 - The Lies of Michael Moore. I was going to write one myself and post it here, but this guy saved me the trouble.

As a side note, to whoever the jerkoff is who keeps e-mailing my from the Library as "Public Library User," get a life and stop hiding behind Internet anonymity. Join the 21st century and get a free web mail account.

Tuesday, June 1st, 2004 - Well, the Summer movie season is off and running...or should I say off and stumbling? I went to see The Day After Tomorrow on Saturday (as did a ton of other people, judging by its $86,000,000 opening weekend) and I have to say, they should have called the movie "The Dreck After Tomorrow." Ugh...

Unfortunately, as long as these crappy "visual only" movies continue to do well at the box office, Hollywood is only going to continue to serve up hollow, special effects laden sorry excuses for cinema. For God's sake, make it stop!

Special effects have never been able to successfully carry a film for me. I expect certain things from "good" movies...solid acting, solid plot, solid dialogue, characters you care about and a satisfying resolution to the film. The Day After Tomorrow shot a dismal 0 for 5...worse, even, than Shaquille O'Neal's playoff free throw percentage. The acting is wooden. The science is suspect (though at least consistent). The dialogue is atrociously bad and generally too "on the nose." I could give two shits about any of the characters and the end of the film is, quite frankly, rah rah "Isn't humanity great?" and "here's a sappy, politically charged message to explain what you just watched for the past two hours for you slow members of the audience" crap.

Like most of Emmerich's films, characters and situations are tacked on in an effort to get the audience to care about the fate of the world. There are tons of situations here...kissing babies, mother and child trapped in a cab, "I love you so much" phone conversations...even a sick child at the hospital waiting for an ambulance. It's all tacked on and you can TELL that it's all tacked on. The "man versus nature" theme plays well for the first hour. After that, they basically start inventing random obstacles for the characters to overcome in a vain attempt to keep the audience awake. *yawn* Doesn't work...

As disaster films go, it is better than, say, The Core and Deep Impact, but that's not really saying much. If watching mass destruction and special effects is enough for you, then by all means go see this movie. But if you were disappointed by Emmerich's other efforts, namely Godzilla and Independence Day, the Day After Tomorrow is sadly just more of the same formula.

On another note, if you haven't seen Troy or Van Helsing yet, don't bother. Thus far the summer is off to a thrilling 0 for 3 start. Oh, well... At least there's Shrek 2. That looks promising, anyway.

Archives:

April 2004; March 2004; February 2004; January 2004; December 2003; November 2003; October 2003; September 2003; August 2003; July 2003; June 2003; May 2003; April 2003; March 2003; February 2003;