Author Archives: Martin Mulrooney

About Martin Mulrooney

I am a professional writer and editor from the UK. I graduated with a B.A. (Hons) degree in Media and Film in 2009, specialising in Print Journalism and Advanced Screenwriting. I created Alternative Magazine Online soon after.

by Martin Mulrooney | 28/11/2009 · 12:00 pm

FILM REVIEW – Harry Brown

By Marty Mulrooney

Harry-Brown-poster

I knew from the trailers for Harry Brown that it could end up being amazing, a British Gran Torino, Michael Caine’s swansong, a sharp commentary on British society and gang culture. I also knew that it could potentially be a complete disaster… not everything Caine touches turns to gold and this is director Daniel Barber’s first feature film after all.

To be honest, first impressions were not so good. Shaky camerawork shows a gang of thugs in an underpass, darkly lit, showing off guns and doing drugs. I HATE shaky cams and I was nearly ready to zone out, when I suddenly realised this was actually being recorded from the point of view of an unseen member of the gang on his mobile phone.

We then cut to what has to be one of the most shocking opening scenes I have seen in years, as said thug videos a high speed bike ride from behind one of his friends, before doing something completely chilling to a young, terrified mother in a public park. Once we cut to regular celluloid, Harry Brown has arrived. I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. But I now had hope that it could actually turn out to be a decent little flick.

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2 Comments

Filed under Film

Tagged as Ben Drew, British Gangs, Clint Eastwood, Daniel Barber, Emily Mortimer, Gran Torino, Harry Brown, Harry Brown Film Review, Michael Caine

by Martin Mulrooney | 27/11/2009 · 12:00 pm

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Merlin Crossingham, Lead Animator At Aardman Animation

By Marty Mulrooney

This interview was originally published within the print version of Alternative Magazine Online, going towards my media degree (on my 21st Birthday actually, January 09). Since then, Aardman (who recently celebrated their 20th anniversary!) have kindly given me permission to reproduce the interview in full on Alternative Magazine Online’s rapidly growing site. I hope you enjoy it!

One thing that Alternative learnt during it’s pursuit of an interview with an Aardman employee, was this: they are always busy. But we persevered, and that is how this interview came to fruition. The fact it is conducted via mobile phone whilst the interviewee is on a train only further drives home our point, but we think the results were worthwhile.

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Filed under Alternative Musings, Film, Television

Tagged as A Close Shave, A Grand Day Out, A Matter of Loaf and Death, Aardman Animation, Chicken Run, Fluffles, Merlin Crossingham, Nick Park, Shaun the Sheep, Stop Motion, Studio Ghibli, The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit, The Wrong Trousers, Wallace And Gromit

by Martin Mulrooney | 26/11/2009 · 12:00 pm

How Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2’s Single Player Short-Changed Gamers

By Marty Mulrooney

call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2

I have recently had a terrible time trying to obtain a copy of Modern Warfare 2 for the PS3. To start, my original pre-order went missing in the post, and the retailer I had bought it from was out of stock and couldn’t offer me a replacement. (Only just got my refund today!)

Then, the next copy I ordered came damaged in the post (Hardened Edition) so it had to go back. Then, the retailer (I won’t name them to save embarrassment) took so long to process a replacement, I asked for a refund (still waiting on that, over a week now) and re-ordered again. That one came with a dent as well, so I gave up.

But I digress! I am actually HAPPY all of the above happened, because it somewhat killed the buzz of playing the game on release day, and let me approach the game long after everyone had already played it to death with a less hyped mind. Let’s not beat around the bush either; it is a fantastic game. But it also has some very serious flaws that make me think Infinity Ward were very lazy when it came to creating the single player campaign… (Contains Spoilers!)

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5 Comments

Filed under Alternative Musings, Games

Tagged as Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Single Player Campaign, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Hardened Edition, Infinity Ward, PS3

by Martin Mulrooney | 24/11/2009 · 12:00 pm

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Jakub Dvorsky, Founder Of Amanita Design And Creator Of Machinarium

By Marty Mulrooney

jakub_dvorsky_2

Alternative Magazine Online recently reviewed the fantastic Machinarium here, an indie point and click adventure created by Amanita Design. Founded by Samorost 1&2 creator Jakub Dvorsky, the studio’s latest offering has received glowing reviews from the gaming press, showing that even the smallest indie endeavours can reach a larger audience if enough care and attention is given during the creation process.

Featuring exclusive artwork and insight into the creation of Machinarium, Alternative Magazine Online is proud to present an interview with the man behind it all, Jakub Dvorsky. Enjoy!

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6 Comments

Filed under Alternative Musings, Games

Tagged as Adventure Games, Amanita Design, Jakub Dvorsky, Machinarium, point and click, Samorost