Now, not many people know what a modification is. Modifications are alterations of the game, including changes to items, characters, and other aspects. It is what Counter-Strike is to Half-Life.

Eastern Sun's Beta 12 was released a few days ago, and if you are big fans of this mod like me, you might have already gotten this; if not, get it soon. It is a good mod and the first I played, so I have a soft spot for Eastern Sun. It seems that Perfect Cell has no life because his improvements on Eastern Sun get better and better!

Teknokyo has released the newest version of Descendants of the Dragon. He has been very busy with this little puppy. Adding in new animations and a new level of game play, Teknokyo really does know what the people want in a mod. Descendants of the Dragon (DotD) adds a new type of game play for all those who have tried out Ancestral Recall and are bored of it. (Ancestral Recall is not a bad mod to try out, but the beginning is very newbie-ish.)

One mod I haven't heard too much about, but looks promising, is Nefarius' XyRAX. It looks like a combination of different animations from various games, and some elements of Diablo I (such as The Butcher). XyRAX looks a bit complicated from the screenshots that are available on the website, but I am always in the mood for a challenge.

I would like to report that Larias has made an official comeback to work for the Harry Potter mod! We are getting off to a slow start, but things are working back up again. We are trying to get some ideas together, so if you have some I will put up a thread in the Mods forum section and people can add ideas or things that they would like to see.

Well, that is all for this week; until the next....

Moderator: Madanark

The critics critique -- a matter of opinion.

I love movies. My job is very visual, as I look at imaging all day. Give me a great movie and I transcend all that is wrong in the world, as I vicariously escape to wherever the director has chosen to take me. My commentary this week is about only two topics. They are: What's your favorite television series? and What's your favorite movie?

Let us proceed from the more general, an entire series to the more specific, and single movie.

Serial television got its beginnings before 1950. I remember "The Twilight Zone" in the 60s, "M*A*S*H" and "All in the Family" in the 70s, and "The Simpsons" in the 90s. I enjoyed "Bonanza", "The Fugitive", and "The Avengers".

As to the responders, I agree with Silvermoon and Apsana about "Buffy: The Vampire Slayer". It's a clever niche series with 90s flair. I feel the pain of Beaster, however, who is a southerner like I; "Daisy" can only boost those ratings so much, say 36-38 points, but not into first place. Kudos from me and my kids for Flamearrow; we love "Catdog". Thank you avatar of Boof, lest we forget "Beavis and Butthead".

My pick: "Star Trek"

Now onto the tough stuff. Where was "The Sixth Sense"? Who forgot "Gone with the Wind", "Clockwork Orange" (JK), and "Glory"? Credit to Dj for recognizing what history says should be your Xanadu: "Citizen Kane".

"Shawshank Redemption", one great film, was picked as #1 by Os and mentioned by several others including Cryptic Goten and Rayner. "Saving Private Ryan" (Hammada) and "Gladiator" (Silvermoon and Stomper) are excellent. But, why did no one pick this year's best, "Memento"? You can scold me later if I am wrong.

That is a good summary, but not the point here. "Christ, why must there always be a point," you wonder. So you continue to grow and learn.

Where is the connection? Simple. I have, as part of a course in college, tasted several times the fine wine, "Citizen Kane", and have been taught its "value". Nonetheless, like some wine being perfect for one but not another, it is not for me the best movie of all time. And that is the point; the perfect wine, movie or date is a matter of opinion (read: yours). Respect the fact that the favorites are the best for those people who choose them. I prefer a movie that makes me laugh every time I watch it.

My pick: "Groundhog Day"