Apocalypse No… Oh Wait, We’re Still Here (Er, Carry On, Then!)…

Posted on December 21, 2012 by geelw

Hmmm. So, the world did NOT end (well, for most of you) and I’ve heard that it seems to have ruined a few otherwise well-made doomsday plans. Hopefully you’re not one of those folks who was thinking of ending it all or that we’d go up in flames due to nuclear, planetary collision, zombie or some other sort of holocaust. Because my snarky side (which has just activated – you’ve been warned) would kindly point you to the nearest window (even if you’re in a basement), then the clock on the wall and tell you to get to it already so we don’t have to hear you wailing about how that Mayan calendar was upside down and it’s NEXT year or when the Cubs win the Super Cup or when the next season of GIRLS begins because it’s a show made by the Devil himself. Whatever.

One of those MAY be true, by the way…

Continue reading →

A Friendly Reminder From Black Pants Game Studios…

Posted on December 21, 2012 by geelw

No, not that the world is ending in a few hours (well, for some people out there)… there’s a NEW demo for Tiny & Big: Grandpa’s Leftovers available on Steam! Go get it, play it and laugh yourself silly while things go to heck in a handbasket or something. Look at it this way, if you love the demo enough and the earth doesn’t blow up, you can actually go BUY the game and play the whole thing. Even better, the game is 50% off until doomsday (I’d gather that’s later today), so get while it’s hot. Or before you burn up when Melancholia hits. Or something like that. The talented gentlemen at Black Pants will thank you kindly, and I’ll have done my good deed for the day because I’ve turned you on to a really cool (and really funny) game experience. OK, I’m off to watch some cartoons now… Good Night!

Christopher Lee. Heavy Metal. Christmas Songs. Yeah, They All Go Together.

Posted on December 20, 2012 by geelw

“There was a time when Saruman walked through my woods, but now he has a mind of metal…”

You know how people say “Now I’ve seen everything!” all the time? No, no… they haven’t. THIS, on the other hand, helps cross a huge bunch of stuff off that long list list of “everything” in one gift-wrapped shot. According to Loudwire, 90-year old Christopher Lee, who’s played everything from Count Dracula, Lord Summerisle in the original (and still outstanding) The Wicker Man, and more recently, Saruman in The Lord of the Rings films has released an EP of two Christmas songs that’s now available for download on iTunes, Amazon and other music sites. I’d normally be clutching my chest and cracking up, but I’ll just tip my cap to the man for still doing what he does at that age. It’s not even the first time he’s done recorded work, as you’ll find out by simply Googling the man up and seeing what the results are.

Hell, the next time you can’t get out of bed because of a “serious” case of the sniffles, you might want to watch your back, you lazy git. Christopher Lee might have your job when you finally get back to work… and he’ll be doing it better than you ever did…

Random Film of the Week: Soldier in the Rain

Posted on December 20, 2012 by geelw

(thanks, Mind Hunger!)

Steve McQueen may have been the “King of Cool” in his prime, but if his performance in 1963’s Soldier in the Rain is any indication, he was also a pretty lousy comedian. On the other hand, the film is all Jackie Gleason’s, and he makes it well worth viewing. The film is one of those interesting comedy/drama hybrids that tends to lean too far into either direction when a more subtle middle ground would have worked better. Despite the flaws, this Blake Edwards-produced film has enough laughs and some fine performances throughout. McQueen plays Eustis Clay as a goofball caricature who’s great at whipping up scams that never net him the fortunes he dreams about. Gleason’s Master Sargent Slaughter (no relation to the 90’s TV wrestler) is a career man, heavyset and aging who humors Clay and his crazy schemes partially because they brighten his usually dull days. Continue reading →

Larian Studios Brings Some Holiday Cheer to The Year of the Dragon…

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

I got a few holiday-themed digital cards and videos in my packed inbox, but I like this one the best because it’s amusing, has real people in it along with a bit of game stuff and yes, you can sing along (as long as you keep it down and don’t wake the neighbors). Oh, yeah – you should probably buy one or two of Larian’s find RPGs for yourself or as a gift for a gamer you know. I’m just saying… it IS the holiday season and all. That and you don’t want some huffy dragon hanging out on your porch or windowsill glaring at you until you do so…

A Few Minutes of BioShock Infinite: Starting Off on the Right Foot (and Way Up In the Sky)…

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

Just in case you were wondering how the heck Booker gets all the way up to that fancy, falling apart steampunk sky city called Columbia, Irrational Games presents about five and a half minutes of gameplay from the beginning of their upcoming game. If you’ve played the first BioShock, you’ll note a few parallels to how things get rolling, but this new game certainly takes things in its own direction, that’s for sure. I’ll stop writing right about now, as that trip up to the clouds has made me a bit queasy. I do hate flying, especially when it’s more or less straight up with a few too many twists. More in a bit. 2013 is going to be quite interesting to say the least…

And Now, Today’s Unintentional Hilarity Comes to You Courtesy of David Lynch…

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

Well, David Lynch and the tasty, popular and expensive celebratory adult beverage, Dom Perignon. YES, that David Lynch and yes, this is an actual ad from Morrell Wine Company that popped up in my inbox. No, I won’t provide the exact link just in case WordPress thinks I’m spamming or something. That said, if Mr. Lynch wants to give me a kickback (or put me in one of his films, provided he’s still making them, not drinking too much champagne), I guess we can work something out. At $2039.40 a case, this isn’t cheap at all, but hey – pool up with a few friends and you get a dozen bottles you can swig while you’re watching Mulholland Dr. and trying to make sense of it. No, wait… that’s Inland Empire. I “got” Mulhollhand the first time I saw it, but it still freaks me out each time I see it.

Oh yeah, the product description only adds to the chuckle factor – click below the jump and make sure you’re sitting down. Continue reading →

Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch – Behind the Scenes With Studio Ghibli

Posted on December 19, 2012 by geelw

If that first Ni no Kuni developer diary from a few weeks back made you want to make games, this one will make you want to pick up a paintbrush and get to making some art and/or go watch a bunch of Studio Ghibli’s wonderful animated films. The PS3 exclusive game hits retail on January 22, 2013 (hey, that’s after the world is supposed to end!) and it’s practically guaranteed to be one of the best JRPGs on the console to date. Go give that PSN demo a shot if you haven’t yet and see what’s what.

Star Trek: Into Darkness Trailer #2: A Few Pros & Khans

Posted on December 18, 2012 by geelw

Checklist time! OK, let see now: handsome guys glowering into the camera? Check. More jumping off high places than in the first film? Check. Literally splashy CG effects all over the place? Check. Possible plot spoilers in the trailer just to get butts into seats to confirm it all (even though the obligatory script leak is coming soon?) CHECK.

OK, I’m sold, but I still have a few pesky problems. Why the Uhura smooch? What’s up with that too damn bright Enterprise Bridge? Damn thing looks like a new fast food restaurant. Can’t anyone keep the ship from getting knocked out of the sky (if that IS the Enterprise hitting the water in that impressive shot)? Is everyone running all the time because the teleporters aren’t working (again)? Did the swooning Benedict Cumberbatch fans (who seem to primarily be 15 year old girls who write some really saucy fan fiction) actually go see him in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (OK, not a Trek-related question, but I’m curious about their viewing habits). Actually, none of these are important questions at all – I’m just killing time until the next trailer comes out. I need to go re-watch the first film J.J. directed anyway, as I’ve only seen it once and I think I missed a few things…

Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory LE: Time (Capsules) For Lunch!

Posted on December 18, 2012 by geelw

For JRPG fans who crave omake items galore, Nippon Ichi Software America has been leading the charge thanks to direct pre-order sales from their online shop that over time has allowed them to put together some incredible value priced collector’s editions that are worth snapping up. For Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory, NISA Online is offering up a ton of bonus items for the measly price of $64.99. Granted, you need to love really offbeat JRPGs, cute metal lunchboxes (they call them “time capsules”, but I say no matter what size it is, if it looks like a lunchbox, it’s a lunchbox!). The game is shipping out on March 12, 2013, but NISA says this limited edition is selling out rather quickly. So yes, you know what to do, right?

Anyway, what’s in the box, you ask? Well, let’s see now:

• Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory game for PlayStation 3
• Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory original soundtrack
• Online Store exclusive: Hardcover 36-page art book
• Online Store exclusive: Small Time Capsule Tin
• Online Store exclusive: Large Time Capsule Tin containing all the items listed above

So, it’s like a Russian nesting doll, but it’s not a doll. And you need a PS3 to get the most out of this nifty package. Well, you could call the cute anime gals in the game dolls, but they’d probably get kind of upset and beat you up or something like that. Pillow fight! Or not – game characters don’t get offended my much unless they’re always IN character. Well, that’s what I’ve heard..