alekspredator87

Once upon a time, tucked away in one of my old game collections, there was a quirky but memorable little title called "Circus Charlie". It's an arcade game about a daredevil circus performer who clearly has no regard for his own safety. How skillfully he performs "on stage" depends entirely on the player. And if memory serves me right - the poor guy took quite a beating.

The goal of the game is to make it through a series of different challenges. You'll be jumping through flaming hoops, balancing on balls, riding horses, walking tightropes with mischievous monkeys, and, of course, trying not to fall off flying trapezes. The farther you progress, the tougher the levels become - and by the end, the game turns into pure chaos.

The trapeze jumping section - or rope swinging, whatever you call it - is a real nerve-wrecker. You have to time your grab just right, calculate your jump to the next swing perfectly, and try not to fall. As a kid, I remember thinking it was downright impossible. The hero would keep falling, and I'd keep wondering how on earth people even beat that level. Honestly, I still consider it the hardest part of the game.

Visually, the game is cheerful and colorful: bright hues, cartoony characters, and a nicely drawn circus backdrop. For its time, the style holds up well. And the music? Absolutely unforgettable. I can still hum those 8-bit tunes to this day.

"Circus Charlie" is a decent arcade game, but nothing particularly groundbreaking. I've played it at different times over the years, but never with much enthusiasm. The mechanics are simple, the levels a bit repetitive, and that cursed trapeze level is pure pain. If you're in the mood for some retro vibes and want to test your reflexes, it's worth a spin - but chances are, you won't want to stay in this circus for long.

6 out of 10.

"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" is a classic of American cinema, blending elements of westerns, adventure, and psychological drama. Directed by John Huston, it presents a solid and multilayered story about human greed, trials of character, and the inevitable consequences of avarice. Filmed in 1947, the movie remains relevant today as it explores the complex nature of the human soul.

The plot unfolds in 1920s Mexico, where three men - Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart), Curtin (Tim Holt), and Howard (Walter Huston) - head into the Sierra Madre mountains in search of gold, hoping to strike it rich. But as their haul of the precious metal grows, so do inner tensions - greed, suspicion, and fear begin to corrode their camaraderie, gradually turning friendship into rivalry. The film explores how gold has the power to change people, turning dreams into nightmares and destroying the trio's plans piece by piece.

The acting is top-notch. Humphrey Bogart steps away from his usual image of the noble hero to portray a complex, morally ambiguous man tormented by his own greed. His character undergoes a slow but striking transformation, and Bogart skillfully brings out the many layers of his psyche. Walter Huston, playing the wise and experienced Howard, earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor - a well-deserved accolade. His character serves as the group's moral compass, the voice of reason amidst growing paranoia.

John Huston masterfully shows how gold becomes not so much a path to a better life as a catalyst for fear, distrust, and even betrayal. It's a story about how material wealth can destroy people from within and unleash their basest instincts.

The film won three Academy Awards - for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay (both going to John Huston), and Best Supporting Actor (Walter Huston). In my view, these accolades are entirely justified. Thanks to the remarkable work of the entire team, "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" became one of the finest cinematic stories of its time.

This film is more than just an adventure - it's a profound drama that examines the darker side of human nature. It's a testament to how even within the western genre, one can tell a story that remains meaningful decades later, asking timeless questions about the human condition.

7 out of 10.

Everyone has long been used to the fact that when "Rockstar" releases a new "GTA", it's not just another game release - it's a real event, a revolutionary step for the entire industry. In 2008, "GTA IV" set a new standard for the genre. This time, we were sent to Liberty City - a living, detailed metropolis where NPCs truly lead their own lives, and the story is filled with its own particular charm.

The plot is a search for the American dream. The main character, Niko Bellic, arrives in the US from Eastern Europe, hoping to start a new life. His cousin Roman promised him a luxurious lifestyle full of money, cars, and women. However, it turned out that Roman was, to put it mildly, exaggerating his opportunities. In the end, Niko finds himself in Liberty City's criminal underworld, where he has to deal with gangsters, a corrupt city, and try to find his place in this new world.

The story turned out to be serious, dark, and mature - it grew up along with those who had started playing the series as kids a decade earlier. The characters are excellently written - each has their own personality, motivation, and memorable, rich dialogue. You can feel the life experience behind every character. You're not just completing missions - you're witnessing Niko's personal story as he tries to figure out what to do in this new world, while also watching how he interacts with others.

"Grand Theft Auto" has always been known for its interesting worlds, but "GTA IV" took it to a whole new level. The city here truly lives its own life - people walk the streets, talk, interact with the environment - basically, they act like real people in a real world. And the way they react to the protagonist's actions feels quite realistic. You can simply stop and watch all of this, and it won't feel boring at all.

What's also cool is that the clear line between the "living" world and "background scenery" disappeared. Visually, the game became seamless - as if the boundaries between the playable parts of the city and the static ones from previous games had been erased. The game world feels much more alive, filled with details, and much more vibrant and engaging. Liberty City feels like a real city, where you can do a lot more than just drive a tank down the streets.

Visually, the game was impressive at launch, and even today it still looks cool. Cars are no longer cardboard boxes on wheels - the driving physics became much more realistic, and vehicles take natural damage in collisions: scratches, dents, shattered windows, crumpled hoods. The environment design is also top-notch: destructible objects, bullet holes, weather effects - all of this makes the world of "GTA IV" feel more alive and believable.

Compared to "San Andreas", here you don't need to change hairstyles, gain weight, or level up your physical stats. Personally, I don't see that as a downside - on the contrary, now you don't have to get distracted by gyms and can focus more on the story and exploring the world.

The missions still follow the familiar formula of "go there, shoot that guy" - but that's a classic of the series. The important thing is that the plot ties them together, and the directing and dialogues keep you engaged.

"GTA IV" became a truly new chapter for the series. It has a strong story, a living world, realistic graphics and physics, and Liberty City feels like a real metropolis you want to explore. The game makes another powerful step for the genre, offering players tons of content, interesting mechanics, and an incredible atmosphere.

8 out of 10.