Articles written by Al Shield

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About me - Al Shield

Professional radio lunatic, mc for hire, amateur import driver, hack guitarist, mild adventurer and somehow amongst all that, a dab hand in the kitchen. After 8 years of talking to cows, sheep and people in that order, I'm off to forge a career in writing

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Entertainment > Movie Reviews Movie reviews: Death Race: 1 of 8

Park your brain at the door with this one - From the first time you witness a driver being impaled by protruding spikes and then crushed by said retreating spikes, you'll realize that Death Race is zero brains and pure unfiltered brawn and it pulls no punches about what it is. Take the high speed thrills of Bullet, Gone In 6...
Entertainment > Music (Other) Best ever cover version: 2 of 12

Cover versions of songs are a little like the automotive industry. Someone looks back to a model that made waves back in the day and keeping the core, attempts to create something that will be just as popular today. As you know, it's easier to work with something already built than start a project from scratch. Sometimes it'...
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Cars: 11 of 61

I'll admit this, I like the simple things in life. A cheeky glass of red wine, a roaring fire, an easy meal, cars that go fast - the simpler the better. Why oh why my fascination with all things automotive led to me purchasing a Mazda RX7 89 Turbo (otherwise known as 'That Japanese buzz saw') is still a cause of argument bet...
Entertainment > Movie Reviews Movie reviews: In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale: 1 of 5

Strap me to the front of my car and drive me head first into a wall, I've done it again. I've watched another Uwe Boll film. Which if you've had the fortune to never cross paths with one, is equivalent to munching on a grenade sandwich without a pin and to make matters worse, the bread is stale. If you did have the misfortun...
Entertainment > Movie Reviews Movie reviews: Step Up 2 the Streets: 1 of 4

The critic who would undoubtedly give a favorable review for this large chunk of Hollywood fluff would ideally be 14 years old, female and the possessor of a repertoire of more than two dance moves in total. This highlights three problems for me, namely being that I'm twice that age, male and don't break out into dance unles...
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Reviews Downloadable game reviews: Avernum 5: 1 of 4

Load up your bows, sharpen your swords, commit a few handy spells to memory and get ready to brave the underworld once again - your team of 4 intrepid adventurers are going to face one hell of a quest in Avernum 5. You might want to buy shares in a healing potion producer too, you'll need them... Your Empress has been attack...
Entertainment > Music (Other) Radio stations offer repetitive music: 2 of 7

'Hey Mr DJ, you play way too much at your station.' Well I don't, the on air computer does but that's beyond the point. It's a passing comment I've faced since my very first week 8 years ago in the radio industry and one that will no doubt haunt me till my dying day. Yet the strange thing is, radio listeners never look to th...
Entertainment > Album Reviews Album reviews: Pretty Odd, by Panic at the Disco: 2 of 6

I pity the sledgehammer/ dumptruck/ nuclear weapon that tries to dent Panic at the Disco's enthusiasm, as it has a very tough task ahead of it. With a swag of infectious radio hits already under their belt from their first outing - 'A fever you can't sweat out', there was plenty more fun and good times predicted for the foll...
Autos > Buying & Selling Cars Tips to avoid getting taken for a ride when buying a used car: 1 of 3

A great looking used car is like a supermodel - sure it turns heads, but without any information on the background, you could have a completely volatile diva on your hands quicker than you can say 'but sure it looks great!'. And with some many makes, models and conditions of cars flooding the market every day - how do you av...
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Reviews Video game reviews: Spartan -Total Warrior: 1 of 3

It's not a good day to be a nameless Spartan warrior is it? Your city is the last blip of defense on the Roman map and now it's completely surrounded by said Roman's hell bent on crushing you under heel. You're under trained, barely armored, completely outnumbered and to make it worse now you've got the god of war (Aries, no...