La Petite Parade: Because You Need A Decent Laugh Once In A While…

Posted on July 25, 2012 by geelw

I haven’t seen this vintage cartoon in ages, so thanks to a friend I ran into a few weeks back and a conversation we had about Harveytoons, here you go. I bet that version of the parade music the matchmaker sings in his hilarious complaint to the Minister of Parades gets stuck in your head after watching this. You’re welcome.

Oh, by the way (or: memo to the crazy people who watch too much cable news and believe what’s said about foreign countries), French people aren’t really like this at all. So don’t go looking at this as a “historical” document or anything like that.

-GW

Hey Nutella, I’ve Got Your Back…

Posted on July 25, 2012 by geelw

Yeah, a recent and rather silly class action lawsuit which cost the folks behind one of my favorite (and occasional) guilty pleasures about $2.5 million bucks isn’t the best news to scribble about. However, considering that we live in a world where every product advertised in any form of media relies on a bit of Pinocchio-style truth stretching, it’s odd that Nutella became the latest poster child for “misleading” ads. Granted, it’s got palm oil, vanillin and other stuff that (if consumed in large enough quantities) will probably give your tummy a royal deluxe ass-kicking. So (duh), if you consume it in quantities outside the amount recommended on the label (as in sitting on your oh so fat ass in front of the TV eating an entire jar), it’s probably not the best thing for you. But yes, it’s far from the worst thing you can do to yourself these days. No, wait… this is worse (much, much worse).

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Hyper Princess Pitch: This Royalty Needs No Rescuing, That’s For Sure…

Posted on July 24, 2012 by geelw

I know a few people out there who can’t stand most Mario or Legend of Zelda games because they’ve outgrown them or never really got into them at all, but somehow, Hyper Princess Pitch is right up their alleys when I point them to it. Granted, Nintendo hasn’t made a game like this (and probably never will), and yes, the game owes more to Smash T.V. and Robotron that any mascot character classic. The story is silly fun with our heroine going after a bad Santa and his gift-giving ways (try not to take what’s here out of context, as it’s SUPPOSED to be goofy). Heck, you can suplex enemies when you’re not running around with a brick, rainbow or freeze launcher and there are bonuses galore for those willing to take the time to unlock them. Yes, you can use a keyboard to play this, but a dual analog gamepad is very highly recommended. Get this one for FREE (as in absolutely nothing) here and check out some of Remar Games other fun retro styled projects (all made with the Game Maker program) while you’re at it.

WRC 3 Trailer Makes Me Jumpy In All The Right Spots…

Posted on July 24, 2012 by geelw

If you know me, then you know I love a good rally game. WRC 3, headed to the PS3, Xbox 360, PC and Vita this year (well at least outside the US), absolutely looks like something I’ll want to play. Granted, since no one bothered to release the other two current-gen WRC titles in the U.S. of A., I’m a bit annoyed about that little issue (I’ll need to import the PS3 versions when I can find them cheap enough). From my poking around online as soon as I saw this trailer, it looks as if UK gamers will see this one in October, but I’m hoping a smart US publisher can snap this up at some point. Milestone has put out some fun racers over the years, but thanks to a new graphics engine and what’s looking like more attention to detail, WRC 3 could be the best game yet in the series. At least for the current console cycle, as Evolution Studios set itself the task of making the PS2 home to aome of the best rally games on a console with its five WRC games (only ONE of which was released stateside, boo! Thank goodness I also have a Japanese PS2 here). My fingers are officially crossed for a US release (retail, PLEASE), so let’s see what happens…

The Man of Steel Teaser Trailers: Snyder Does Malick. Or Something Like That…

Posted on July 24, 2012 by geelw

I’m gathering Zack Snyder has been listening hard to criticisms leveled against his films and some elements of his directorial style certain vocal fans dislike. Either that or he’s been watching Terence Malick’s exquisitely mind-blowing The Tree of Life one too many times while eating bowl after bowl of Corn Flakes and reading a Ralph Lauren catalog shot by Bruce Weber. Anyway, these new Man of Steel teasers manages to be vague, impressive and inspiring all without coughing up a single spoiler or explosion. That said, I’m hoping the final film has a wee bit more color in it, as this sort of bleached out look in movies is fading fast (har har). With plenty of time to go before the Summer 2013 release, here’s to more revealing and intriguing future trailers that don’t give away a thing while managing to be equally thrilling.

Random Film Of The Week: (The) Hideous Sun Demon

Posted on July 24, 2012 by geelw

OK, this week’s selection was relegated to a simpler internet search after my usual “secret” selection method (flipping through a big movie encyclopedia or DVD catalog and randomly pointing at a title on whatever page I stopped on) left me with a few too many controversial choices (Targets, Joe and Badlands came up on the first three pages I dropped a finger on) that, while great movies worth seeing, aren’t exactly films I want to go over at this point. So, I’m substituting a favorite “B” movie that’s awful and hilarious with a nice left hook for you sun worshipers out there who can’t seem to catch enough rays.

Hell, it’s been hot enough these past few weeks that I should have added this flick about a month or so ago. Anyway, the plot about a scientist who ends up turning into quite a crispy-faced creature doing no good things to the general populace after radiation exposure is pretty far out there, but you can say that about most 50’s sci-fi and horror flicks. This one works for me because it tries to play as serious and even gets away with it for a bit, but you’ll be smirking along soon enough…

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DAF Phase Two: It’s Mine, All Mine!

Status

If you’re possessing a good eye (two are even better), you may have noticed the URL change for the site. Yup, it’s paid for as of today and you can use that new addy or the old one. I’m still in the middle of a lot of other major and minor changes to the site, so stay tuned. Off to hold a fund-raiser or something so I can afford a few more WP updates! OK, I’ve been lagging behind in posting for a bit, but fear not – I’ll be adding more posts daily as I carve out a bit more free time (and play through the pile of games that’s steadily growing here)…

Video Game Appreciation 101: Wii Library Update (New Additions)

Posted on July 23, 2012 by geelw

A few new (and used) titles for the collection, mostly thanks to some trades and a few others snapped up at really cheap prices. of course, I haven’t even finished all of these (my time machine is still busted), but have played enough of each to offer buy or bust recommendations. Then again, something I don’t like might be something you may fall over backwards over – that’s one of the more interesting things about gaming for you, right?
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Random Indie Game Of The Week: Cavern of Doom

Posted on July 22, 2012 by geelw

Most of the popular RPG Maker games out there are the usual Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest clones of assorted quality (terrible to truly inspired masterworks), but Cavern of Doom manages to take retro to an even more nostalgic level. Imagine an actual turn-based RPG made for the Atari 260- and you get the idea. If you love the blocky graphics old Atari home games had, CoD will get you smiling as soon as you see it in motion. the guy who made this gem, bobthebobish, clearly has a great sense of humor as you’ll see when you’re playing the game. I love how his chunky sprite monsters, simple use of color and even more straightforward dungeon mazes all tickled the proper nerves while the more modern turn-based combat appealed to my JRPG loving side. There’s also a cool upgrade system where you buy new skills with gained experience, a necessary thing as the game can be quite tough if you move too quickly through the dungeons. A sequel of sorts was in the works, but real life has halted progress on it for the time being. Anyway, CoD is ONLY about a 3 MB download, it’s FREE and if you happen to like the art style, you’ll get a kick out of what’s here even if you’re not big into the genre.

Mugen Souls Pre-Order Goodies Take On The “Stinky Gamer” Stereotype…

Posted on July 21, 2012 by geelw

NISA’s Online Store does it again with yet another nice set of dual pre-order Premium Box sets for an upcoming PS3 exclusive. This time, it’s Mugen Souls, coming your way on September 18 in not one, not two, but THREE editions. Pick one, unless you have that much cash to spare (and maybe want to surprise me with a gift, ha ha). You can pre-order NOW or snap the standard edition later at any game retailer or at NISA’s online shop for $49.99 or grab one of the SUPER limited single print run boxed versions via pre-order (ASAP, as they’ll go FAST) for $64.99 or $99.99 depending on how much swag you want to fill up your shelf space. Both box sets come complete with an art book, soundtrack CD, bath sponge and hand towel, with the more pricey set netting buyers three exclusive figurines you won’t see anywhere else. Gamers who only go for the standard edition have to provide their own fancy washing goodies, or just rub the shrink wrap all over them to get that new game smell. Anyway, the game looks like a ton of fun, promising “overwhelming visuals, massively customizable characters, and never ending gameplay” according to the press release.