Archive for June, 2009

It’s time to get those proton packs charged. We’re in for a double dose of ghostbusters. The original Ghostbusters will be available on Blu-ray DVD this week. As well as The Ghostbusters game. Available on both XBox 360, and PlayStation 3 systems.

This is the Marvel event that I have been waiting for. Being a comic collector for over 20 years ,there have been just a few monumental events that just causes everything to stop. This is one of them. The following is brought to you by Comics Continuum.

“A story that captured international attention, Captain America #25 polarized shocked audiences by starkly depicting the murder the cultural icon. On that fateful day when shots rang out on the courthouse steps, Cap¹s greatest enemy — the Red Skull — achieved his greatest ambition — or so it seemed. Since that time, the Marvel Universe has been in chaos, as as the Red Skull has worked towards his true endgame. But now there is a ray of hope in the form of Steve Rogers!

“How can Steve Rogers return from the dead, and will his rebirth be enough to stop the global threat of his sworn enemy? Hitting shelves on July 1, the special five-part series Captain America Reborn finally reveals the true scope of the Red Skull¹s nefarious plan, and begins Captain America’s triumphant return.”

Marvel has unveiled the cover art by John Cassaday and Alex Ross for the first issue, as well as the Joe Quesada variant that will be available on July 22.

The series will be written by Ed Brubaker, current writer of the Captain America series. And art by Bryan Hitch. Truly Hitch is one of the top artist Marvel has. Steve Rogers return could not have been made better.

Ultimate Captain America By Bryan Hitch

Just some new pics and a video clip from Final Fantasy XIII. From what I’ve been able to gather, each character will have their own summon. This is our first look at how it works. Apparently the names of the Shiva sisters are Nix and Styrai. We also have some E3 demo footage from the guys at G4. In the first demo shown the player only had control of one character in battle. This video demo explains just a little bit more of the battle system.

Every week I hear something about these supposed game wars. The Microsoft fans. And the PlayStation fans. Everyone believes the system they support is the best one. I own both systems. Though I do tend to lean ore to my PlayStation. The Xbox is just as awesome for different reasons. Anyway this is about one of the reasons why Sony is trailing behind Microsoft.
After playing Resistance 2 online for months, I noticed one big problem. More than half of the people online don’t have mics. And that just sucks. Sony has yet to package together the system, a game and the head set all together. When I got my Xbox 360, (The Elite) it came with two games and a head set and an HDMI wire. You had to love it. Now all I had to do is get my live subscription and I was good to go. Sony has free online service but does little to make players believe that they need it. The bundles the produce for PS3 and even the PSP have become a joke. Sony needs a incredible combo that just can’t be ignored. With an awesome marketing campaign behind it. Give people a reason to spend the money. Yes we all know about the blu-ray, 80GB hard drive, wi-fi, and free online service. BUT! What can I do with all that. Really, today it seems as gamers only want the system their friends have. Why do I want a PlayStation? This is the question on the consumers minds. First lets take a look at some of the previous bundles Sony has released.
I believe this was the first bundle they had. it should have come with a game. Resistance perhaps.

A great way to put playstations in homes. Nice size hard drive and a PS3 exclusive. The MGS 4 blue tooth came out the same day. Why not package it all together. And add a MGS 4 skin to make the PlayStation look more custom.

Why?!?!? We all know that this title is not strong enough to push systems.

Uncharted is one of my favorite PS3 exclusives. Again just a bigger hard drive may not be enough to sell it. This came out last year around holiday time, I believe. Resistance 2 came out during that time. Put the system with that game. Add a blue tooth and a skin. And make sure it’s Resistance 2 special edition.

Another great PS3 exclusive. I’m playing it now. But again no head set, skin or extra goodies inside. A t-shirt, anything.

This is a good bundle. A movie and a game. It would be nice to add the skin option. Decoration is always cool.  But I may have waited until Terminator Salvation hit blu-ray. Late for the game. Although people may have thought they were getting more with the new movie and game of the same title. Showmanship is what it’s about.

WOW!!! We didn’t even see this in America. Let’s say the system is the 80GB. Throw in the RE5 head set. Yes they sold those on the same day of release. The two dual shock controllers and the special edition version of the game. And a skin. Can you say sold out. I bet you could.

This year will see all types of games hitting the stores. Especially holiday time. What will PlayStation do? They have a few exclusives. And there are games that will just grab all gamers attention. Can someone say Assassins Creed 2. With Sony releasing Uncharted 2 Among Thieves with co-op and competitive play. And MAG the massive multiplayer FPS. There should be a system bundles with either game. Along with a PS3 headset, a skin, and some type of DLC (Down Loadable Content) extra. And market it to death. Billboards and commercials in time square. Commercials connected to different TV shows. The works. “If you build it. They will come.” But you have to built it right.

Next year if Sony has any sense. They have an opportunity to us certain games to there advantage. God of War 3, and Final Fantasy XIII and maybe Resistance 3. It will most likely come out holiday 2010. Insomniac has a good record for releasing sequels every other year. And if these titles are bundles (which they should be) all those extra tidbits will definitely make the PS3 so much more appealing.
And I haven’t forgotten the PSP. I’ll be bearing down on that little guy closer to the PSP Go release. Until then, if you don’t own a PS3. Get one. And don’t forget the head set.

These days there isn’t enough American cartoons to really wet the appetite. With Japanese animation taking over the cartoon channels. We’re seeing a strong decline in good western cartoons. DC and Warner Brothers have begun to produce DVD cartoon movies. While everyone may have there own opinion about it. These animated films are very modern and edgy. As of now the have produced four films. Each now available on Blu-ray and standard DVD.

Superman / Doomsday

Justice League: A New Frontier

Batman Gotham Knights

Wonder Woman

Now Warner Brothers is set to release their fifth animated DVD movie. And just like Wonder Woman. This one looks to be quite enjoyable.

Green Lantern First Flight: Releases July 28th

The long delayed remake of Conan has finally found a director. Marcus Nispel will helm the film of barbarian. He will incorporate influences from his childhood imaginings. Along with illustrations of the world famous Frank Frazetta. Some of the films Nispel is known for are Pathfinder with Karl Urban and this years Friday The 13th.  Arnold Schwarzenegger stared as the Barbarian in 1982. Conan was created by Robert E. Howard. Now , the question is WHO will play Conan? Any suggestions?

Also Thulsa Doom Conans nemesis is reported to have his own movie in the works. Djimon Hounsou will star as the immortal sorcerer.There is no word as of yet if the films will connected in any way.

Ryan Reynolds who played Wade Wilson/Deadpool in this summers Wolverine will be staring in his own feature film. Deadpool. Reynolds stated that he is a huge fan of the character and will be as true to the comic as possible. Authentic he said. he’ll have the burned scarred face, and he’ll even wear the suit.

Rob Liefeld, co-creator of Deadpool said that if Reynolds would again portray the character, that we should see more of is own face than the mask or the scared versions. Liefeld believes that woman would like to see Ryan Reynolds handsome visage more than a mask. Give them some of that Christian Bale Dark Knight stuff.

I personally think Reynolds is going about it the right way. You really don’t need Reynolds face to sell the movie. Ryan Reynolds is a good actor. And a clown to boot. With a burnt face or a mask on he’ll shine through the make up. If you like swords, guns, and a witty sarcasm. Or if you’re just a comic or action film fan Deadpool is for you. Stay tuned for more information on The Merc with a Mouth.

Mickey Rourke is playing Whiplash in Iron Man 2. His Character Ivan Vanko is a Russian who has constructed his own type of Iron Man armor. Anton Vanko from Marvel was a Russian that became the Crimson Dynamo. Director Favreau seems to be integrating two characters into one. Taking the name and nationality of one villain and the whips of the other. This is our first look at Rourke as Whiplash. His unfinished armor looks similar to Starks from Iron Man. No doubt the final look will be a cross between the Crimson Dynamo and Whiplash. And more like Whiplash from the new Iron Man Armored Adventures cartoon. Iron Man 2 opens May 7, 2010.

The E3 is over. But there is still so much to see and experience. All of the conferences were enjoyable. Sony didn’t surprise really, but they showed they are coming hard to all gamers. Microsoft had a very nice lineup for this year and dazzled everyone with Project Natal. Nintendo brought us new things from old favorites. And that truly made us happy with them. Here are some things that weren’t posted and needed to be shown. Get your Christmas money and list ready it’s going to a great year for gamers.

E3 Extras:

Castlevania: Lords of Darkness: This is going to be a true joy to ply. It looks like a cross between God of War and Devil May Cry. Hideo Kojima has out done himself. A jewel among others to whip, jump and slash their way into 2010.

Square Enix Nier: Coming from a company that specializes in RPG’s Nier is shaping up to be quite the action game. Not much is know about the game play. Although it resemble various other Action adventure games. Maybe Square Enix has something brnd new from the masters of RPG’s.

Project Natal: Words can not even begin to describe what Microsoft has created. It seems very cool to me although I have no idea how long I’d be able to stand in front of the TV. How would you like to stand for six hours playing a fully interactive RPG. Glorious fun, but very exhausting.

And don’t forget that both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have extensive  coverage of E3. Down load or stream at your convenience.

An Early Gamers Christmas list: With the economy steadily going down and costing sixty dollars or more a piece, we all may be looking to get most of these as gifts.

Assassins Creed 2: PS3, Xbox 360

Army of Two the 40th Day: PS3, Xbox 360

Bayonetta: PS3, Xbox 360

Halo ODST: Xbox 360

Tekken 6: PS3, Xbox 360

Dark Void: PS3, Xbox 360

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: PS3, Xbox 360

Modern Warfare 2: PS3, Xbox 360

Ratchet and Clank Future a Crack in Time: PS3

Alan Wake: Xbox 360

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2: PS3

DJ Hero: PS3. Xbox 360

Uncharted 2 Among Thieves: PS3

Bioshock 2: PS3, Xbox 360

Alpha Protocol: PS3, Xbox 360

Singularity: PS3, Xbox 360

Dead ti Rights Retripution: PS3, Xbox 360

Need For Speed Shift: PS3, Xbox 360

Borderlands: PS3, Xbox 360

Splinter Cell Conviction: Xbox 360

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

From the first episode of season one we could all tell this show is different from the others. The power. The humor. The excitement. And the joy Heroes has brought us has undeniably left the show. Season one was, and still is the best. it gave us something new and different to look forward to every week,. All the way to explosive finale. Season two brought us to a new level. All  new characters, and powers. And even more mysteries to unravel. The Writers Guild Strike cut the show in half. Even through that Tim Kring was able to pull through. After nine months Heroes returned in season three with a two hour premier. Villains was fantastic. The only thing that really disturbed me was Author Petrellis’ near omnipotence. And the prolonged return of Peter Petrellis’ powers. Fugitives was just a waste of space. A weak story line. One character “Sylar” carrying the show. The uneven handling of abilities. Matt Parkman and Peter Petrelli in particular. There was no flow to the plot. And really no character development. it was a great disappointment. They can blame on the budget, some of the executive producers, and the viewers general lack of understanding. But really there is no excuse. Jeph Loeb should not have been fired. He was the shows connection to the comic fan base. And an awesome writer also. Please don’t say that there aren’t many comic fans. PLEASE!!!!!!!!! Go to a convention, then we can continue this conversation. I collect comics and my entire family watches Heroes. Yes I’m that “rare” comic collector that actually has a woman in his life. Anyway the show could have been much better. Fear of doing something new, when you know it will break through to the audience is crazy. The answer to Heroes problems is exactly what the sow is about. POWER. Powerful writing. Powerful characters. And powerful promotions. “Save the Cheerleader Save the World”. Are You on the List”? “How Do You Stop an Exploding Man”? These are the themes that propel the show. How long will Peter and Hiro remain silly frightened characters. Taking hold of their abilities only to lose them and their purpose. We’ve seen what they may grow to become. Even if it isn’t that exact future self. Let the characters grow. Not every show can last for eight and nine seasons. Go hard or Go Home. Tim Kring created a series that was indeed special. Now it has grown to be lack luster. In the special features of the season two DVD you could see Kring almost come to tears because of the writers strike. I felt that. I wish I were a part of his writing team. No one wants there dream to fail. And a series such as Heroes just shouldn’t. Let us pray that Volume five will bring the show back to the place that it deserves. But something tells me I shouldn’t get my hopes up. And this is why.

Volume five of Heroes started filming yesterday, June 8th. This chapter is titled Redemption. We will see how the characters start to assimilate back into society. Should they hide what they are? Or should they show the world what they can do? Obviously some will choose one or the other. And maybe go back and forth between.

Claire: She’s off to college and trying to deal with her parents recent divorce. Poor HRG. we all knew he had that coming. And why do children have to deal with something that goes on between their parents. As much as Claire has gone through, she can’t handle that. Well she’s only human. And that will hopefully push her character to develop more.

Peter: Once again he’s going to attempt to be a hero. Saving one life at a time. And to do that he need to isolate himself. Or so he thinks. He finds a love interest in a “powerful” woman. Aren’t all women powerful in one way or another. Ha Ha. thats a way to say she’ll have an ability. he sees that to be a hero he has to stay connected to people. Oh boy. This is exactly what I was talking about.  Does anybody remember season two?!?! Has anyone heard of continuity!?!? What ever happened to Caitlin? His irish girlfriend, stuck in the future. I guess we can just write that off because of the strike. Right?! And Peters Power? The last person he touched was Sylar. What power does he have to save anybody with? Can he even hold more than one ability at a time now? Too many aggravating questions. And the funny thing is. That they may not even be answered. Even a little. Oh well.

Nathan(Sylar): He’ll be discovering many different things. Mainly because he’s really Sylar. This seems to be the best plot line in a while. It ties directly to season one. That is one of the only things I’ll be looking forward to seeing. Nathan being Sylar. Nathan politician. Nathan and his wife, Nathan and his children. Peter vs Nathan. Will we witness any of this? Guess we’ll have to stay tuned after all.

Hiro: The last time we saw Hiro he was becoming quite sick. As far as the ” Future” is concerned there will be no more time travel. They believe that to be an outdated course within plot lines. And Hiro will be getting a new ability?! He’s an important part of the show I think. As a Time displaced hero as well as being just misplaced and misunderstood. He should time travel. Many lessons to be learned in that. It’s not always about changing something that has gone awry.

Matt: Parkman must live with the guilt of transformer Sylar into Nathan. I also hear he will be getting a mentor. Matt has become one of the best written characters on the show. This can only get better.

Noah Bennet(HRG): One of the most powerful characters on the show without an ability. HRG proves to be entertaining at all times. He will be reestablishing the Company with Angela Petrelli, and Tracy Srauss among others. This time they plan to help people with abilities. Not just bag and tag like they used to. And the company must deal with another organization using those with abilities.

New Cast:

Madeline Zima (Californication)

Robert Knepper (Pison Break)

Deanna Bray (Sue Thomas F B Eye)

Ray Parks (Star Wars, G.I. Joe)