The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing: The Title Sucks. The Game Certainly Doesn’t.

Posted on April 8, 2013 by geelw

Van_H_banner

So far, so good for this upcoming vampire-killing chase & chop, I say. Well, the title is still kind of dopey (it sounds like a very wrong Saturday Morning cartoon), but I’m really liking what’s happening with this NeoCoreGames-developed action/RPG. If they can pull off everything they’re planning, this one will be a hit (dorky-sounding name and all). Hey, I’m just saying that a better name will keep some skeptics from their snickering, especially with everything looking so great on the presentation side. I don’t mind the HUGE damage numbers at all, as they add a nice touch of humor to things. That said, being able to toggle them off would be a good idea.

Of course, with everyone comparing every isometric action game to the Diablo series (although Torchlight is more enjoyable to some extent if you add Diablo III to the mix), that’s another hurdle to overcome. Not for me, however – I love these types of games and will definitely play this one to death. Or Van Helsing’s death, as I’d be hiding in the broom closet if there were any real-life vampires and werewolves coming after me. Anyway, a PC version is coming this Spring with an Xbox 360 version via Xbox Live on the way later this year. Hmmm… someone get these guys PS3 and Vita dev kits, I say. And what the hell, a Wii U one as well, as all those systems could use a few more great looking hardcore vampire slaying games (that aren’t called Castlevania)…

Defiance: Preaching to the Converted Always Works Pretty Well…

Posted on April 8, 2013 by geelw

So, next Monday is the “Big One” (Part Two) for Trion Worlds, syfy and any fans of the game as well as soon to be fans of this show. All signs point to it doing well, but it’s the ridiculously fickle nature of how viewership naturally swells and dips that can spell doom for any show, no matter how well done. Personally, I say ANY show should get at least a season the breath and find a fan base, but TV, movies and games work under the most unrealistic of expectations all too often. For my money (and I’m a cheap bastard), Defiance really does look like it’s got longevity going for it as far as the dedication to the project from its creators, cast and crew. Let’s see if the viewers agree and keep those ratings up, as it would be a shame to see all that time and money go down the drain after a single season…

Iron Man 3 Clip #1: Tony Stark Makes You Feel…

Posted on April 8, 2013 by geelw

So much for the “He’s a cool exec with a heart of steel” stuff, huh? When the man gets mad, he gets really mad, so if you’re reading this post and wearing ten rings on your fingers (even if you’re not The Mandarin, which means you also have bells on your toes), you should be shaking in your boots and fancy robe (yeah, you KNOW you have one on right now – I won’t tell a soul). Anyway, let’s see now… 48 seconds… times la, la… carry the one… OK, at this rate Marvel can show the entire movie on YouTube in something like 57 more of these clips and you won’t have to pay a DIME to see it. Unless they figure out a way to may you PAY to use YouTube (cue *JINX!* music)…

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: The Right Profile(r)…

Posted on April 8, 2013 by geelw

Say, where did I see this guy?
In Red River?
Or A Place in the Sun?
Maybe the Misfits?
Or From Here to Eternity?…

The Clash, The Right Profile (1979)

It just hit me a few days ago that Francis York Morgan (just call him York!) looks a little like the late film actor Montgomery Clift. Now, I haven’t mentioned this to him just yet, as he’s been out and very busy on this Red Seeds Killer case, but it’s a striking near-resemblance, don’t you think? Well, OK, the hair is different, but it’s raining in that screenshot. Here’s something tragically hip, though. Just as Monty had a terrible auto accident in 1956 that left scars and forever changed his life, York arrives in Greenvale thanks to a car wreck of his own. He’s unhurt, however… but like this real-life Hollywood actor, he’s got some demons to deal with both inside and out on his strange journey in and around that sleepy little town plagued by a vicious killer. Hmmm. I wonder if there’s a movie being made about this particular incident and who’s going to be cast as the handsome, troubled profiler with an unusual past? I’d bet it would be Monty Clift if times were shifted and he was around today looking like he did in this photograph… “There I go again shaking, but I ain’t got the chills…”

Before you get to the debating of the validity of working time travel and how it could affect classic Hollywood stars here, make sure to pre-order a copy of Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, coming exclusively to the PlayStation 3 on April 30, 2013 from Rising Star Games. Featuring no actual Hollywood stars, but updated HD visuals, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, over 100 tweaks and changes to the original Xbox 360 game and more, this is bound to go down as one of the modern classics to be long remembered as years roll by.

Hmmm… One of these days I’ll need to ask Game Director Swery 65 about his cinematic influences when creating this game. I know it started life as an homage of sorts to David Lynch’s amazingly weird and wonderful Twin Peaks, but once you play the game, you’ll see other elements pop up. Hmmm… how does the man find the time to watch movies when he’s got all of Greenvale to watch over to make sure only the strange stuff that HAS to happen there happens when it needs to happen? Oh well – I’ll let him finish that beer before I bug him about this. I don’t want to interrupt anyone enjoying an adult beverage with any silly questions…

Oblivion Trailer: Can We Just Send Tom Cruise Into Space Instead?

Posted on April 7, 2013 by geelw

OK, here we go. I’m really not much of a fan of the guy these days, as his real-life issues with real people get in the way of me enjoying anything he’s done over the past few years. He’s been in some good to great films, yes… but all I think when I see any character he plays is of someone who ~~thinks~~ KNOWS he’s better than all of us who aren’t him and he’s got all the best ideas bottled up in his perfect little head and even thought he’ll bend your ear off yakking about them, Nyah, Nyah, you can’t be like him at all because he’s got the bestest destiny in the world (or out of this world). Bleh. I’d rather give myself an eyewash with century old absinthe in a dirty bottle than see this one, but for those of you who want to, go right on ahead. If you DO go, I have an idea: I say ALL the proceeds from this latest soon to be released TC love-fest should go to getting that man onto the next rocket to Mars one way and that’s that. Pack in a few of his deluded pals for company and toss in a film camera or two so we can see the messy results of an ego trip gone haywire. So, yeah – that’s an endorsement from me to check this out.

Just think of it as helping out a really good charity at the end of the day…

Game of Thrones Season 3, Episode 3 Teaser: Things Get Sticky…

Posted on April 7, 2013 by geelw

Well, talk about a surprise ending to this week’s show. I kind of figured it would be a win or lose sword fight, but nope. Hmmm… I guess I now need to go find some some seat belts for the chair in the living room here, as it looks like things are about to get pretty damn bumpy for a few of the principals in next week’s episode. As I’ve said before, I don’t even get attached to any of these characters too much, as it’s basically the writers rolling their fates and we viewers sitting there getting our strings pulled. This arrangement… it works quite well, doesn’t it? Well, unless they kill off everyone in the last episode due to a meteorite crashing into the planet, that is…

HBO’s Behind the Candelabra: Back To Camp Value For A Week In The Woods…

Posted on April 7, 2013 by geelw

Faux Liberace I think there’s a conspiracy going on at HBO to make me laugh myself to death. And you, too. First we get Al Pacino as Phil Spector (not a terrible film if you care about the subject matter, but those wigs were too much) and now it’s Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damn as his chauffeur and lover Scott Thorson. What, that book Scott wrote fell on some HBO exec’s head when he was cleaning out his closet and he had the bright idea to greenlight this potential train-dreck? Hey, even as a kid I knew Liberace was “different”, but seriously… who cares? Like Paul Lynde, Jim Nabors, Rip Taylor and other gay celebrities I first saw on TV in the late 60’s and into the 70’s and onward, I didn’t see them as anything other than entertainers that seemed a bit more lively and fun to watch than other stars when they popped up on TV. “Circle gets the Square!”, indeed. Meh, Bugs Bunny did the best Liberace impersonation, anyway:

Anyway, this one should be a doozy to catch at least once provided Douglas isn’t so much of an egomaniac that we need to see his bare ass again in a movie (Basic Instinct flashback starts up… Yaaah!). If that happens, I’m also going to have a Saturn 3 flashback (if you want to see Mike’s dad, Kirk Douglas’ ass in a REALLY bad flick, go track that bomb down). Well, as with that Spector flick, it might be good when all is said and done, but you have to wonder who the audience is for this one (other than “reality” TV obsessed fanatics of any gender and pretend vampires looking for dated fashion tips, ha ha)…

Movies You Didn’t Know You “Needed” A Sequel To (1): Pineapple Express 2

Posted on April 7, 2013 by geelw

OK, I liked the first one because it was insanely silly and serious in that weird way (sort of like the love child of Scorcese, Apatow and Hal Ashby), but a sequel? Really? Yeesh. Granted, this trailer did make me laugh a little bit, but I’m also getting a Hangover from these serio-comedies that some studios keep feeling the need to give new installments. Sometimes, meeting a certain type of person ONCE in a lifetime is more than enough, I say. Hell, at this rate that In Bruges sequel should be rolling up at a theater near you in oh, about six months or so. By the way, that’s a big in-joke considering how that film ended. Go check it out if you haven’t – it’s absolutely NOT for all tastes, but it’s pretty damned hilarious if you’re an adult with a decent sense of humor who knows every movie isn’t a mirror to actual events…

Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut Random Screenshot of the Day: Sunday’s Cool…

Posted on April 7, 2013 by geelw

Sundays at the A&G Diner are usually pretty quiet unless it’s about and hour or so before or after church when everyone holy rolls in to have breakfast, lunch or an early dinner. On those days when the sermons are truly soporific, sometimes you’ll spot a someone in their Sunday best along with a few fancy hats a bit earlier than usual popping in for a Sunday Sundae. And by the way, it’s THIS Sundae and not THAT Sundae (the A&G’s cook isn’t that well-versed in many ethnic cuisines). Granted, some of these dashingly dressed deity-fearing diners have heard some of that practiced polished proselytizing plenty of times in the past. Nevertheless, religious or not, everyone loves a tale well told at the end of the day and yep, they’ll be back to routine next week – just you watch. Of course, heathens of all types are more than welcome to stop in at the A&G any day they want to. Money is after all, non-denominational in its own special way.

I’m not sure if FBI Special Agent Francis York Morgan (just call him York) is one of the converted flock, but there’s something really weird about the guy in a strangely spiritual way. I hear he talks to himself in public or something, which isn’t TOO weird (everyone does this at some point, right), but that’s not really my business. If you’re also a happy heathen, you can spend a Sunday with York in Greenvale when you play Rising Star Games’ PlayStation 3 exclusive Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut, headed to stores on April 30, 2013. Updated HD visuals, over 100 improvements from the original version, PlayStation Move and 3D TV support, new content and more, all of which will have you singing this game’s praises to the heavens. Don’t be surprised if you actually see some angels at some point during your time with the game – it may not make sense, but they’re in there…

Oh, when you do stop by the A&G on a slow Sunday, keep an eye peeled for Game Director Swery 65, as he tends to drop in from time to time when he’s close by the town. I think Greenvale has no “blue laws” in place, as you’ll probably spot him having a cold beverage or two that ISN’T a Sundae. Hint, it happens to go REALLY well with more afterward and is even better with a good burger and side of really awesome hot hand-cut fries. Hmm… now I’m REALLY starving all of a sudden. Off to get some dinner that’s not as much of a “guilty” pleasure (but it WILL be a miracle if I can whip it up before Game of Thrones starts up – back in a bit.)..

Young Justice: Legacy Gallery: Little Orbit & Freedom Factory Are Doing It Right For The Fans…

Posted on April 6, 2013 by geelw

Fans of this freshly canceled (or hopefully just “on hiatus”) Cartoon Network show will have one really cool thing to comfort them in these desperate times: Young Justice Legacy is coming along REALLY nicely. While my overall impressions are embargoed for a few more days, I can safely say that fans of games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance, X-Men Legends and yes, even Justice League Heroes should be pleased with what’s coming from Little Orbit and Freedom Factory. That trailer shows off an older build, as the HUD is now different (it’s in a corner now) and anything else you want to know will have to wait (sorry!). As for looks, the stylized 3D visuals mimic the show’s 2D art style well enough and I like that the dev team didn’t go for the overused cel-shading some probably wanted or expected.

Of course, the BIG question is will the game do so well at retail that the powers that be over at Cartoon Network and DC want to kick things back into production? That, dear reader… is all up to YOU. Petitions are groovy and all, but buying the game and telling as many friends with a PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, DS and 3DS (Hey! Where’s the Vita version?) as possible and making sure they also vote with their wallets is the best thing to do if you want to see something positive come from all this hard work. Hey, even if the show never gets a second chance on TV, I’d say the game deserves a solid sequel that addresses that cliffhanger finale, right?