In the past couple of weeks, I've experienced several cases of being in some way affected by a great story in whatever way. It's easy to become ignorant of how much great storytelling can affect us in today's world, with all of it's advents. It can be hard to find stories that are truly extraordinary, those that will you to ponder them, even long after the story has concluded. It is a remarkable story that can accomplish that, and that's what I wanted to talk about briefly.

Memento

This movie was just recently unveiled to me by a friend, and I can't believe that I hadn't seen it for so long. I suppose I was not nearly old enough to comprehend the storyline when it was released in 2000, but I regret not seeing it sooner. With that being said, it was absolutely fantastic. I find it hard to describe the movie, because it is, well, undescribable. The way the story is told in backwards segments with black and white events going in chronological order is simply invigorating. The way Guy Pearce plays the protagonist in Memebto is superb; you'll be following his tale, paying close attention to every scene, constantly quesitoning the truth that the protagonist seeks, far beyond the credits. The ending, or the beginning I should say, leaves more questions lingering, and demands another viewing for further comprehension.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

Harry Potter is a story that I've grown up throughout my childhood, whether it be reading the books or watching the movies. Through the dividing of the final chapter of the epic series into two parts, the last book has been retained very faithfully, and part 2 did not disappoint, besides when the credits rolled and I realized that it was all over. The fact that a single story would suck me into it so thoroughly for a huge portion of my juvenile life left me with some post-Potter depression once the credits began to roll. It's hard to give up the things that you love, and the case is not so different here, and yet it is a feeling that is more happy than not. Thank you for my childhood, Harry Potter.

Mass Effect 2

I received Mass Effect 2 as a Christmas present in the past year, and regrettably haven't had a chance to play it until, well, this week. What a week it's been, from the moment I popped the disc in, I was completely sucked into the world of Mass Effect again, just as I was with the first of the trilogy. Since I imported my character from the first game, the choices I made carried over, making the game already feeling more real. It's very easy to become attached to the diverse cast as you gain their loyalty over time, and eventually join together to run as the game coins the "suicide mission". It's an incredibly cohesive experience from a story driven standpoint, as Mass Effect 2 exceeds its predecessor with not only a bigger heart, but a better integration of characters that will inevitably feel real to you. The fact that everyone who plays it will walk away feeling differently makes Mass Effect 2 truly fantastic. Mass Effect 3 can't come any sooner.

The stories that we carry with us long after the tale has been told are the ones worth listening to; it's something that will always be important to us.