Patapon - it’s a reasonably simple idea executed brilliantly: your button keys correspond to different drums, and combos timed to 4-beats-to-the-bar is like issuing a command. Mashing a “rythmn” game with a platformer that has some of the quirkiest characters and storyline you can think of. Unfortunately, it is actually really really hard. It’s deceptively simple - keeping a beat going isn’t too hard if you’re musical enough, but the more advanced commands that come into play later on requires precision timing, and the game is rather unforgiving. It’s also very much you’re-on-your-own in many parts, requiring you to pick up on clues that are far from obvious in order to progress, or resort to looking up a guide. Hand-holding is bad, but progression in a platformer should be fairly obvious, one would assume. ...

Burn After Reading: Black-as-pitch comedy spoof of the spy thriller genre from the Coen brothers, starring Pitt, Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton and J. K. Simmons - if that’s not a by-line for a winning movie, then I know not what will convince you. I love movies where seemingly simple storylines weave into an intricate plot, and this is probably one of the best that I’ve seen of the type. Definitely not one for the kids though, particularly with Malkovich in fine form as a swearing alcoholic ex-C.I.A. analyst at the core of the hijinks. ★★★★ ...

You almost want to set a musical to images like those found at this brand-spanking-new tumbl-log. I’ve largely tried to stay out of saying anything on this “credit crisis” because there are far more credible experts out there, such as Nobel Laureates who blog (a first?). However, it’s getting to the point where I just have to ask one thing - why is everyone in a position of authority seemingly caught unawares? ...

Earth from Above: The Big Picture Blog - you know the drill; gorgeous, stunning photos I’d pay good money for etc etc. Go already!

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - There’s only so many times you can kill the same bad guy, right? Which is why Rick and Evie are now All Grown Up and settled in Oxfordshire, England, following World War II (where their exploits for the British Government have set them up for the life of landed gentry). They’re thrown back into things when their son Alex (now very much grown up from his showing in The Mummy 2) uncovers the terracotta warriors… only now, they’re mummies from an ancient curse, and the Emperor isn’t happy with his millenia-long sleep. ...