Author: menno

WARNING: Of Course the article is full of spoilers!! Series that are included in the top 10 are: The Shield, Seinfeld, Angel, Mad Men, Roseanne, 24, M*A*S*H, The Wire, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Game of Thrones. If you haven’t seen these series, and are planning to watch them, don’t read the list! It’s easy to get attached to fictional TV characters when you spend time with them every week. The death of any significant character always leave an impression on the future direction of a show, but some character send-offs have the power to be truly shocking. Whether it’s a…

We will not say the following ten dog breeds are ugly, but they are pretty weird looking aren’t they? 10. Löwchen An energetic, affectionate, healthy breed, Löwchens were favoured by sixteenth century European aristocrats. They were pampered pets that slept in their masters bed, as the shaved hind quarters provided warm skin to skin contact during cold winter nights. Also nicknamed the little lion dog, Löwchen are lively extroverts, liking regular walks and rambunctious play, but they are not overly demanding. They are great pets for people with allergies, as their long hair does not moult, and just requires a…

The rise and subsequent phenomenal success of Eminem has been a source of discussion worldwide, with himself claiming to simply be ‘a little white boy from Detroit’. As famous for his private life as he is for his music, Eminem became the biggest white rapper of all time, winning numerous awards over the years, including the first rap song to ever win an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003 (Lose Yourself). His explicit lyrics and memorable melodies have struck a nerve and captured the hearts of many people, creating a huge fan base across the continents. Any top…

There are certain monuments, buildings and statues that have come to define entire neighbourhoods and whole cities. The Eiffel Tower is just one such example, now epitomising the romance and grandeur of not only Paris, but all of France! The following statues may not be vast or even particularly valuable structures but they hold a much greater space in our hearts and imaginations than physical size or beauty could ever explain! 10. Nelson’s Column Nelson has looked benignly over Trafalgar Square in London since 1843, when the commemoration to Admiral Horatio Nelson was placed, just in front of the new…

Any long-running video game franchise needs to change at least a little over the years to keep things fresh. Some give their graphics and gameplay tweaking while others move into different genres but still remain true to their roots. However, there are also those which change direction so dramatically that they’re barely recognisable. While some took risks which really paid off and offered a whole new perspective on a familiar setting, other series weren’t quite so lucky with their creative changes. 10. Red Faction It wasn’t until Guerilla, the third game in the Red Faction series, that the developers finally…

The video game industry has one hell of a hype machine. Developers and studios are never reluctant about promising the earth when it comes to their upcoming games. From impossibly realistic graphics to revolutionary gameplay, gamers usually know when they’re being sold hot air at industry events or from early gameplay demos. Still, this never seems to stop the industry from trying its luck – even if that inevitably means bitterly disappointing gamers and receiving pisspoor reviews. 10. The Conduit (2009) Many gamers didn’t take the Wii seriously and regarded Nintendo’s next gen attempt to be a glorified toy aimed…

Interpretation and analysis are just some of the many joys of being a movie fan. Even some of the most seemingly straightforward plots can inspire intense speculation as fans pick out overlooked themes or details which are capable of painting the movie in a whole new light. Most of these theories range from interesting and plausible to bordering on insane, but there’s no denying that there might just be something you’ve missed in those movies you’ve watched time and time again. 10. Sid from Toy Story Learned from his Mistakes On first glance, it seems that the brief reappearance of…

Maybe tourist attractions isn’t the right word for the following ten momunments in North Korea since tourists aren’t welcome in the country, at least if your not Dennis Rodman … However, it would be cool to check out these massive monuments: Mansudae Grand Monument Mirko Kuzmanovic / Shutterstock.com In honour of his 60th birthday, Kim Il-Sung, otherwise known as the ‘Great Leader’, had this huge bronze statue (to the left) erected to commemorate his rule even during his own lifetime. His statue has been looking down over the capital since 1972, and it did so alone until eventually being joined…

You’d think that any person who would one day become the most powerful political leader in the world would practise discretion, but some of the 43 Presidents of the United States have taken part in some pretty risqué behaviour either before or during their tenure at the White House. Of course, everyone knows about JFK’s womanizing or Clinton’s activities with a certain intern, so here some other ‘presidential affairs’ which are less talked about. 10. John Adams was a fan of Skinny Dipping John Adams (1735 – 1826) was 90 years old when he died. That’s a pretty impressive lifespan…

2015 is set to be a huge year for gaming. Gamers are expecting an embarrassment of riches as next-gen consoles finally welcome the release of some big titles which are hopefully going to be push the powerful systems to their limits. Of course, aside from a few console exclusives, PC gamers don’t have much to worry about neither. Even if only half of the games on this list end up delivering the goods, 2015 will still be a standout year for gaming. 10. Firewatch (PC) Firewatch is not an easy game to sell to the uninitiated. Set in the Wyoming…

You’d think that video games and consoles would be a pretty straightforward product to sell. Simply show a few clips of gameplay footage (or “not gameplay footage” as so often seems to be the case these days), make a few exaggerated claims about how awesome the gaming experience is and then patiently wait for the money to roll in. However, ever since the early days of the industry developers and manufacturers have taken a very different approach which has resulted in some very creepy, weird and downright terrifying advertising campaigns being used to promote consoles and video games. 10. Celebrity…

We’re all drawn to the allure of the unexplainable and the mysterious. Although nowadays most weird phenomena or strange occurrences are often quickly dismissed as hoaxes or misunderstandings (or even worse, viral marketing campaigns), our keen skeptical attitudes and modern science can’t explain everything. Some of the following examples may have their fair share of plausible theories and solutions attached to them, but they have acted as tantalizing proof that sometimes the mystery is much more entertaining than the truth. 10. Starlite Prompted by the tragedy of the Manchester Air Crash in 1985 where 54 passengers died from the inhalation…

Uwe Boll has rightfully earned his title as one of the worst filmmakers in cinema history. The German-born writer and director first came to the attention of audiences with his loose adaptations of popular video games, his first being House of the Dead in 2003. Ever the attention seeker and self-publicist, Boll cemented his notorious reputation by openly challenging critics and negative reviewers – literally going into the boxing ring with them on occasion – and has called out more successful filmmakers in a bid to rattle up controversy (he referred to Michael Bay and Eli Roth as “retards”). Since…

Most amusement parks don’t really bring anything new to the table. Sure they all have different themes and rides, but most are content with the usual roller coasters, attractions, sideshows and parades that we’ve all seen time and time again. However, there are a special few places which are less ‘conventional’ in how they provide fun and entertainment to their guests. Here are some of the most weird and wonderful theme parks the world has to offer. 10. DiggerLand, UK photo: Graham Shaw DiggerLand is an amusement park which gives adults and kids the chance to ride extremely dangerous-looking construction…

Gamers know a thing or two about patience. It’s not uncommon for a video game’s release date to get pushed back and back, while some even get very close to completion before developers start over and try again. Sometimes these long gestation periods aren’t promising – see the somewhat underwhelming releases of Prey, Duke Nukem Forever and Diablo III for example – but at least those games eventually got released. Others aren’t so lucky and never get to see the light of day. Even though some of the games on this list managed to get pretty far into development before…

Leonardo Da Vinci is thought to have been one of the most remarkable geniuses in history. Born in Tuscany, Italy on April 15, 1452, Da Vinci was the illegitimate son of a notary and a peasant woman. Little is known of his early years but it is thought that he didn’t receive much in the way of a formal education (although he did study Latin, geometry and mathematics) until he went to work as an apprentice for the artist Verrocchio at his workshop in Florence. Da Vinci flourished in the creative environment and received education in a wide range of…

The cinematic version of Ian Fleming’s super-suave superspy is remembered for many things. As well as having 7 different actors play the character over the past 52 years, the James Bond movies have featured countless gadgets, cars, cheesy one-liners and ‘Bond girls’. However, the one thing the series has always done well is its iconic villains. From megalomaniac supervillains vying for world domination to former allies holding a personal, deadly grudge, James Bond has faced off against many unforgettable foes. 10. Alec Trevelyan – GoldenEye Pierce Brosnan proved himself to be a good fit for Bond, finding a comfortable middle…

We all love a good conspiracy theory (aliens, JFK ?). They bring out our inner paranoia and suspicions even when they’re completely far-fetched or the supposed evidence is bordering on non-existent. From crash landed UFOs to shady government-approved experiments, there really is no shortage of weird and wonderful conspiracies out there. While some theories are linked to a certain event or a place in time, others stem from very specific locations. Some of these military bases, research stations and even public places are thought to be hiding much more than they say they are, and conspiracy theorists have been eyeing…

Will the console wars ever truly be over? Just when we thought the big three – Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo – would dominate the market for the foreseeable future, Steam announced that their digital delivery platform would find a home on their new console the Steam Machine. Then there’s the augmented reality peripheral Oculus Rift; a device which could potentially completely change the way we play games. The rise of smartphone and tablet gaming has also affected the way developers produce and distribute their latest titles, so who knows what the future will hold? However, veteran gamers have seen these…

Documentaries have the power to inspire and provoke, but a special few are able to completely change your world-view. The medium is responsible for bringing countless important topics and subjects to the world stage and some are so effective that they act as the catalyst for change and reform. Whether they are political, economic, social, conservational, scientific or anything else in between, some of the most memorable, mind-blowing documentaries are those that explore the unknown and delve deep into new, thought-provoking areas. 10. An Inconvenient Truth The story of how mankind has changed the Earth is an impressive one, and…

Let’s face it, the relationship between Hollywood and the video game industry hasn’t always been fruitful. Gamers have been burned time and time again by some truly awful cinematic adaptations of popular franchises brought to life with little care for the original material. However, while some wounds will never heal (we’re looking at you Super Mario Bros), many gamers live on in hope that they will one day see movies which do justice to their beloved favourites. 10. The Last of Us The Last of Us was a critically acclaimed adventure horror game which was praised for its character-focused story,…

It’s hard to act surprised when Hollywood announces that it is yet again remaking or rebooting another movie for modern audiences. Let’s face it, even the most sacred of classics have caught the attention of cash-grabbing studio executives. Most remakes seem to range between ‘bad’ and ‘not that bad’ – the latter category providing movies which are serviceable but still not a patch on the original. However, a very lucky few actually manage to surpass the quality of their source material. 10. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) It’s not easy for any actor to rival Steve McQueen in terms of…

Indie gaming has exploded in the last decade. The industry has seen many success stories over the years, but it’s not been until the recent rise in online digital distribution and self-publishing (along with other factors) that the indie scene has really flourished and produced games which were able to rival some of the biggest AAA titles. What indie games may lack in budget they more than make up with in terms of creativity and spirit, and some titles have managed to become massive success stories as a result. It’s tricky defining the concept of ‘indie’ as there are sizeable…

Movie fans have never had it so easy. We live in a golden age of convenience and have digital catalogues full of titles from every genre and every era at our fingertips – and they’re all ready to be viewed anytime and anywhere we please. Of course, we’d like to kid ourselves that we cherish this modern opportunity and use it to catch up with some of cinema’s brilliant, must-see classics, but in reality we’re much more likely to watch a movie we’ve seen dozens, if not hundreds, of times before. Some movies have that indefinable element that just makes…

10. Griselda Blanco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JqECq-2JYY Almost the epitome of a poor ne’er-do-well, Griselda Blanco was born in Cartagena, Colombia and ‘went bad’ almost straight away. One of her lovers claimed that Blanco kidnapped, ransomed and ultimately killed her first victim at the tender age of 11, a child from an upscale neighbourhood geographically close to her own slum home. She went on to become a pick-pocket, running away from her physically abusive mother by the age of 14. Almost inevitably she drifted into prostitution, until she was 20. She married Carlos Trujillo and bore him three sons. Her second husband was…

Horror movies are always surprising audiences who are after a good scare. Sure the genre is full of pointless sequels/reboots, low budget straight-to-dvd titles and lazy schlock fests, but horror filmmakers have always been an innovative bunch. Horror is constantly reinventing and redefining itself, and the last decade alone has seen the release of some horror movies which are destined to become true classics of the genre. Whether you’re in the mood for some found footage, vampires, spooky ghosts or everything in between, these horror movies from the last ten years are required viewing for any horror movie fan. 10.…

Vincent van Gogh only sold two paintings while he was alive. Now, he is considered one of the best and most important painters. Most of his work is preserved and can be found in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Netherland. 10. Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat Van Gogh painted a great many self-portraits during his life, claiming that he had deliberately bought an excellent quality mirror as he despaired of having suitable models from which to work. The brush-strokes centre the picture on the artist’s eyes, and the work is, as often is the case with Van Gogh’s…

TED talks are a global set of conferences which are dedicated to ‘ideas worth spreading’. The talks have seen scientists, academics, celebrities, business people and even former presidents step on stage and discuss a wide range of topics. Through lectures and presentations, TED talks have reached out to a global audience and every single one of them is guaranteed to make you think. Some people use the opportunity to openly challenge and reflect on some of the most pressing issues affecting the world today while other speakers set out to captivate and inspire through their own personal experiences or uplifting…

Video games have come a long, long way. The video game experience has evolved considerably since its early pixelly days on arcade screens, and the medium has seen some truly revolutionary ideas and creative innovation over the years. However, there are some things which just haven’t changed. Whether the following annoyances are found in so many games thanks to technical limitations, to improve gameplay or just because they are plain easier to implement than look for other alternatives, every gamer would be much happier if these clichés would stop appearing in their favourite video games. 10. Cover Me while I…

Dubai has seen some truly astonishing urban growth in the last 30 years. Although the city has long been an important port and trading hub, Dubai managed to become a modern metropolis and the most expensive city in the Middle East. Oil money and heavy investment in real estate have seen columns of skyscrapers erected throughout the city, and some of the most lavish construction projects conceivable are making their stake (or at least they will be when building work is finally finished) in this new economic and tourist hotspot. The dazzling city has had some outlandish rumours attached to…

Video games aren’t always solo experiences. Sure, there are plenty of multiplayer and cooperative adventures to be had, but some of the best video games feature a supporting cast of AI-controlled characters who lend some much needed companionship to the main player-controlled protagonist. Whether they are there to lend a hand, kick some ass, provide intelligence over an earpiece or strictly just for comic relief, there are plenty of memorable companions who really add something special to our favourite game experiences. However, there are also those characters whose presence threaten to completely ruin an otherwise enjoyable game. They are typically…

What would video games be without their ridiculous weapons? If there’s one thing that video game developers just love outdoing each other with it’s offering their players a dazzling array of over-the-top weaponry. It doesn’t matter if it’s a gritty shooter, colourful platformer or even a cartoony kart racer, some video games just wouldn’t be worth playing if not for the creative and downright entertaining arsenals they have on offer. 10. The Blunderbuss – Red Dead Redemption It may be painfully slow to reload and pretty useless for shooting at a target which is more than 10ft away, but the…

William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to around 1616 and is the greatest English writer ever. Not only is his body of work more or less intact after all these centuries, he is also survived by a wealth of vocabulary, words and sayings that he coined in those works. Here are his top ten plays: 10. Richard III ‘A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse,’ this saying is perhaps the most famous from this play about the ugly monarch, apart from perhaps the line about ‘the winter of our discontent’! The ugliness of Richard’s exterior is echoed by his…

While Pharaoh Pepi II Neferkare is SAID to have reigned over Egypt for the longest time of any monarch, there is no way of verifying the truth of the claim that he ruled for an impressive 94 years (from 2278 to 2184 BC). He was just six when he ascended the throne. However, the following kings, queens or otherwise titled personages’ reigns have been verified and can be taken as historical fact. 10. John Louis: Nassau-Saarbrucken: 19th October 1472 to 4th June 1545 The House of Nassau was a noble lineage and referred to the European aristocratic dynasty that stemmed…

10. Pigeons While the pigeon post has mainly fallen out of favour with the advent of satellite and radio transmission, it was of great use in the past, especially during periods of war. Pigeons have a very strong homing sense and will invariably head for home when transported elsewhere and then released. So important where these birds to war efforts that some 32 pigeons have received the Dickin Medal, the highest honour awarded to an animal for feats of bravery and courage under fire. 9. Chickens It is not a glamorous reason for featuring on this list, but chickens provide…

There are still a few places in the world where driving a car or riding a bicycle can be an exhilarating scenic experience rather than a traffic-bound, fume-breathing nightmare. Here are ten of the best: Transfăgărășan (Romania) Crossing the Făgărășan Mountains at heights of over 6,000 feet, this road is used by shepherds and hikers as well as cars and lorries, and is usually closed from autumn until June. It is known as Ceausescu’s Folly, as it was commissioned as a military project by the former dictator, without regard to expense, to ensure that the mountains could be defended against…

Few things have the power to topple the rich and wealthy like a sex scandal. Over the years, high-ranking politicians, A-list celebrities and wealthy businesspeople have seen their lives turned upside down and their careers ruined by allegations of a sexual nature, and the media are always keen to get as many pages out of the stories as they possibly can. 10. Pamela Anderson & Tommy Lee’s Sex Tape https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOSoSNCEZXk It’s hard to think this nowadays, but having a sex tape wasn’t always seen as a quick way to get famous and boost a celebrity’s popularity and/or notoriety. In fact,…

If there’s one thing we can always rely on video games for it’s their ability to provide us with pretty grim and bleak visions of the future. Whether they’re set centuries in the future or just a few years from now, developers seem to take sick pleasure in creating truly depressing futuristic environments and storylines. Gamers have seen the world overrun by the likes of zombies, aliens, mutants and good old-fashioned fallout radiation, but they still just can’t seem to get enough of these dystopias. 10. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (2007) There’s something about post-apocalyptic games set in a Soviet…

IQ tests have long been one of the most popular ways to scientifically ‘score’ and determine a person’s intelligence. Research into intelligence carried out by French psychologists Alfred Binet, Victor Henri and Théodore Simon during the early 20th century led to the introduction of the Binet-Simon test in 1905. The test was devised to identify a child’s mental age and to root out young children who were more likely to succeed in school and separate them from those who were not. The research has been refined and improved over the years, but the research by these French pioneers lay the…