This Week’s Fan Events: The Dark Knight Manual Signing, Kingdom Hearts 3D Launch

Posted on July 25, 2012 by geelw

Hey! If you’re in the NYC area, have some spending money ready for a couple of cool new items and don’t mind a bit of queuing up, well, here you go: two events worth getting up early for (or skipping work for if you’re employed and can actually get away for a bit without getting caught by the boss). The first is at Midtown Comics’ downtown location this Thursday where author Brandon T. Snider will be signing copies of the just released (and pretty sweet goodie-packed collectible) Insight Publications book, The Dark Knight Manual.

The second event is this Saturday at the Nintendo World Store where Square Enix will unveil the newest in the popular Kingdom Hearts series of games, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. Both events should be pretty hectic, but I’d say Nintendo has the edge here, as every event I’ve ever been to at the store has been packed with freebie-loving fanboys and girls ready for their close-ups. Anyway, get to both early and enjoy the day if you’re headed to either.

Advance Screening Alert: See DREDD 3D For Free At San Diego Comic-Con!

Posted on July 4, 2012 by geelw

Hey! Are you going to San Diego Comic-Con this year? Good! Want to see DREDD 3D for FREE months before everyone else? Well, OK, then! Here’s info direct from Lionsgate on how to get in on this:

We’re excited to announce that Lionsgate is kicking off San Diego Comic Con 2012 with an Advance Screening of Dredd 3D!!

**SCREENING:

When: Wednesday, July 11th, 10:00PM

Where: Reading Cinemas Gaslamp. 701 5th Ave., San Diego

Note: Star Karl Urban will introduce the screening!

To learn more about the above, and register for the exclusive screening, visit www.JudgementIsComing.com and retweet DREDD 3D’s tweet! #JudgementIsComing

**MASTERS OF THE WEB PANEL:

When: Thursday, July 12th, 4:30PM – 5:30PM

Where: Room 24ABC

What: Masters of the Web – The annual gathering of some of the most prominent and influential film pundits on the web discuss the film industry, writing for film online, film fandom, and a whole lot more. Moderated by star of the new Lionsgate film Dredd, Karl Urban (Star Trek, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), with special surprise cast members from the film. Panelists include Mike Sampson (ScreenCrush.com), Jen Yamato (MovieLine.com), Mali Elfman (ScreenCrave.com), Erik Davis (Movies.com), Steve “Frosty” Weintraub (Colider.com), Grae Drake (Fandango.com), Jenna Busch (Cocktails with Stan Lee), and Edward Douglas (ComingSoon.net), and hosted by John Campea (AMC Theatres). AMC is generously providing free movies passes to all attendees of the panel this year! Room 24ABC

http://www.facebook.com/dreddthemovie

Tweets by LionsgateMovies

#Dredd3D

Metal Gear 25th Anniversary: Meet Hideo Kojima & Yoji Shinkawa In NYC!

Posted on June 3, 2012 by geelw

Do you LOVE the Metal Gear series? Are you going to be in New York City next week? Do you need some new (and really cool) T-shirts and don’t mind spending a little money? Well, here’s something awesome you can be a part of.

Er, cue the press release, as I’m buried under pre-E3 stuff:

©Konami Digital Entertainment

METAL GEAR 25th ANNIVERSARY UT T-SHIRTS GO ON SALE

HIDEO KOJIMA / YOJI SHINKAWA AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS (JUN 8 & 9)

WHAT:

UNIQLO Celebrates the Metal Gear 25th Anniversary and UT (UNIQLO T-Shirts) Collection by hosting Autograph Sessions with game designer Hideo Kojima and artist Yoji Shinkawa

WHO:

UNIQLO

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., Metal Gear game designer – Hideo Kojima

Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd., Metal Gear Solid artist – Yoji Shinkawa

WHERE:

UNIQLO New York 5th Avenue Global Flagship: 666 Fifth Avenue at 53rd Street

UNIQLO 34th Street Flagship Store: 31 West 34th Street, bet. 5th and 6th Avenues

WHEN:

Friday, June 8th at UNIQLO 5th Avenue 6:00PM – 8:00PM

Saturday, June 9th at UNIQLO 34th Street 4:00PM – 6:00PM

DETAILS:

The Metal Gear series is taking over two UNIQLO stores on June 8th and June 9th to welcome the arrival of a special UT and UNIQLO T-Shirt collection in honor of the series’ 25th Anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, UNIQLO will be hosting autograph sessions at their 5th Ave and 34th street locations featuring the game’s designer Hideo Kojima and artist Yoji Shinkawa. For the first time in New York City, fans will be able to get autographs from both of the game’s key influencers at the same time! In order to get these coveted VIP autographs, both events require a minimum $30 UNIQLO purchase.

The limited edition Metal Gear UT merchandise will go on sale at UNIQLO 5th Avenue the morning of June 8th and then at 34th Street the morning of June 9th. All 10 exclusive designs retail for only $19.90 each!

Prototype 2 Covent Garden Live Ad: Anarchy In The UK. Or Something Like That.

Posted on April 24, 2012 by geelw

OK, this made me crack up quite a bit, as I can see some unsuspecting non-gamers strolling through Covent Garden, coming across this bizarre live advertisement for Radical Entertainment’s sequel and wondering what the hell is going on. Well, it’s certainly an attention grabber, that’s for sure. The game should be rolling into stores all over the place at some point today, but here in the US, we’ll just have to settle for bigger-budgeted live action and CG TV commercials and no faux real-life rumbles in a big case in a public place. Here in NYC, this would just be performance art, anyway…

Lollipop Chainsaw: The Happiest Zombie Killing Game You’ll Ever Play

Posted on April 13, 2012 by geelw

Over the past few years, Grasshopper Manufacture’s creative genius Goichi Suda (or Suda 51) and some of his games have been called “insane”, “crazy” and “weird” (among other things) by journalists who cover his work (and who very much need new thesauruses). But to me, they’ve all been wildly incorrect in their assessments. In fact (and from first impression), Suda is one of the nicest game creators you’ll ever meet as well as a really fun guy to chat with. But don’t let him know I said that – he’s got a reputation to uphold amongst some fans out there who still consider him an unpredictably mad genius flying around Japan in a wrestling mask or something.

That said, Lollipop Chainsaw, a collaborative effort between Suda, James Gunn (Super, one of the best indie films of 2010) and the team at Grasshopper (working the Unreal engine again to excellent effect) is a game that’s going to be called insane, crazy, weird and more by gamers and critics alike. And they’d be absolutely right – particularly those who quickly clue in on how great the game is by accepting all the offbeat content it doles out at a nonstop pace…

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Video Game Appreciation 101 (Field Course): NYU Game Center Takes On “Bad ” Games In New Exhibit

Posted on April 12, 2012 by geelw

Well, now – this is a really cool surprise, so if you’re in the area, get on down to the NYU Game Center tomorrow and do some studying!. Someone actually beat me to an ancient idea I’ve always dreamed of doing. Hmmmm… I may just pop up to see this intriguing show just to hear some of the debate around some of the games on display. Granted, I absolutely LOVE EDF 2017 and Deadly Premonition as well as GoldenEye, although I can see the bad points in each one fully. I just may even suggest a few other games to these folks for a future exhibit, as I have way too many to count here (and hell, I just want to see ANYONE try and make it past the first level of Muzzle Flash)…

Toy Fair 2012: Vinyl (& Plush) Appreciation Society (Part 1): Mezco Toyz

Posted on February 25, 2012 by geelw

There were literally a ton of action figures on display at Toy Fair, so picking just one favorite booth was a losing proposition. However, despite the big guns (Mattel, Hasbro, Lego, et cetera) rolling out some truly impressive new licensed goodies you’ll be snapping up like hotcakes, there were a number of smaller studios that had more interesting and in some cases, more impressive licensed items coming your way in 2012 and beyond. Here’s a peek at a few of my show favorites…

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Toy Fair 2012: Areaware – Fun & Functional Artwork For The Masses

Posted on February 21, 2012 by geelw

Just when you think you’ve seen everything, along comes someone who shows you a cool wooden robot that folds away into an equally cool-looking cube or a silver baby rattle that can double as an art piece. These were just two items at Toy Fair from Brooklyn, NY-based Areaware, a producer of some really interesting products from a wide range of talented artists and designers. It’s impossible to take a look at their web site or online catalog without a smile crossing your face thanks to the selection of everyday objects given a fresh and often amusing spin. A quick (and goofy) example: Say you’re allergic to pet hair, have too many animals in your space but crave more, just like collecting unique pillows or any combination of the three. Well, say hello to a few pieces from Ross Menuez’ Fauna line:

That’s only a few of the about 40 currently available designs (and you’re grinning already, right?)…

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Toy Fair 2012: DIY Nation – littleBits & Big Plushies

Posted on February 18, 2012 by geelw

There were a ton of really cool DIY items at Toy Fair along with a few companies that could knock out custom products for all sorts of occasions or organizations.No matter the age range, there was something for everyone at this year’s show that allowed for free expression of just about any creative urges. Here’s another “Best Of” look at a few more upcoming or already available items or services that really caught my eye…

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And (More) Miles To Go Before I Sleep (But I’ve Got Toys To Dream About)…

Status

Yikes. I’ve a LOT of Toy Fair 2012 stuff to write up, but it’ll get done over the next week. I got a nice laugh earlier because I’d initially planned to do about five big articles that covered everything I saw that I liked. Of course, those plans got steamrolled once I started going through my note, then sorting out catalogs and contact info. Anyway, there will be at least one huge article and a bunch of smaller ones coming, so just watch your inboxes if you’ve subscribed for updates. Anyone else (meaning new folks I ran into at Toy Fair), you’ll be hearing from me directly. That is all – I’m going to sleep, as I’m over my word count for the day…