Attention Bat-Fans: Believe it or Not! Mezco Toyz Wants You In NYC For Something Old, Something New

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Holy “I Get To See The Original Batmobile and Maybe Pass Out On Top of (Or Next To) It!, Batman!!” Mezco Toyz is lighting up the Bat-Signal and letting all you classic to current Batman fans know they’re going to be doing something really awesome in New York City on June 25, 2013. Check it out below and get in on the fun, I say.

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Ripley-Lobby-photo credit_michael weintrubThe hilarious thing here is as a jaded and cynical Noo Yawkuh (for life! OK, I’ve left the city and traveled plenty of times), I’ve never been to that Believe it or Not museum and in fact, scoot through 42nd street as quickly as possible whenever I’m in the area. Those crowds can be a bit annoying is all I’m saying. Still, I guess it’s a far sight better than the old nastier 70’s and 80’s where you’d want to run like hell away for other reasons (I’m old enough to tell you some mighty freaky true tales)… However, the chance to see the Batmobile of my childhood (and it better not be made of wax, grrrr… oh, wait, that’s Madame Tussaud’s down the street – another place I avoid!)? Oh hell no, that’s not getting passed up one bit. “POW!” “BIFF!!”, “SOCK!!” Er, “SPLORCH???” Hmmm… er… maybe not a “SPLORCH???”… that just sounds too wrong. Anyway, yeah, SHOW UP and bring your camera and a drool cup. Wear a bike helmet or hardhat if you’re prone to passing out from sheer nostalgia (“THUDDD!”)

Beyond: Two Souls Tribeca Film Fest Screening: Game As Art, FIlm and All Around Masterpiece…

Previously, it was Rockstar Studios showing off Team Bondi’s L.A. Noire at this festival, but Quantic Dream’s eagerly awaited PS3 exclusive is leaps and bounds over that impressive effort. Grab a snack, out the phone on shut up mode, pull up a chair and prepare to be amazed if you’ve not seen this gameplay demo already. Including the panel discussion with David Cage, Ellen Page and others, It’s a long video, so you’ll be dipped into the game world feet first and and hear what some of the talent behind it have to say about their involvement – enjoy the ride.

 

 

Game of Thrones Season 3: Outside The Show, The Show Goes On…

 

I’m not one for this fancy red carpet stuff at all, as I prefer to imagine these actors in the realm of the show (whatever show they’re in) and not outside of it where they’re all preened up and look too pretty instead of gritty, but so it goes on the promotional train. Then again, I haven’t been what you’d call “starstruck” in decades, as I tend to treat everyone I meet the same way (unless they’re trying to run me over with some sort of vehicle for whatever reason).

 

 

And hey, look! Emilia Clarke is in Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Broadway! Go read the book if you’ve never, as it outclasses the film by quite a bit in terms of content. Still, I think the new version needs more DRAGONS or something, and I know you do too. Anywya, the show kicks off next week, so I can stop kicking my TV when I come home and keep seeing Al Pacino in that damned scary Bozo wig… Yeesh, my heart…

Ken Butler @ AIRPLANE: Return of the Home-made Twang Bar King…

KB1 (Custom)OK, class: Time for some art appreciation (siddown, you in the back – you went to the restroom three articles back!). I saw some cool hybrid sculptures by artist/musician Ken Butler last weekend at Brooklyn’s AIRPLANE gallery and found his work to be pretty incredible overall. Some pics are below, but you should probably check out his site to see more and find more about him and his rather amazing work.  I also shot a bit of video of one interactive piece I forgot to write the name down of (oops), so take a look below the jump and let your imagination go wild (or back to normal) as you make up your own story to go with the projected images on the wall. The fun thing about this particular work is it’s all found objects put together and transformed into a multi-purpose art piece (that can probably call down an alien spacecraft if played outdoors, make your cat or dog crazy when they’re chasing lights around the room or perhaps give a burglar a seizure if you play the keyboard fast enough when he’s breaking into your place to steal what he thinks is a time machine)… Continue reading

Gallery: Applied Design @MoMA (1 of 3)

applied designAnd here you go in case you can’t make it to the very cool Applied Design show here in NYC (or if you’re a total cheapskate but have an eyeball for art): a bit of a walk-through in image and movie form. Some of these pics and vids are shot by me, some by artist Linda Dennis who tagged along for the experience (and got to play Pac-Man again for the first time in a long while and Tetris for the first time ever. Too bad the Pac-Man had a “ringer” joystick (which means no one but someone who can work with that thing like it is will make it to the kill screen, which isn’t a short process, mind you). Enjoy! There may be a test later (but I doubt it). Bonus points if you spot yours truly in any of these pics. Trying to stay semi-anonymous on the Internets these days is a total pain in the neck… but I guess I’ll need to get used to it…

More images and a short video below the jump (and more to come tomorrow)…

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Skylanders Swap Force Gameplay (Dramamine Version)…

 

Yeah, I shot that! AND it’s my first YouTube video post. Whee. That said, dear readers… I do hope your chair or couch has a seat belt and you’re not prone to motion sickness, as this footage is shaky central. But the game on the other hand… is amazing. Vicarious Visions takes over from Toys for Bob and brings Skylanders into HD in fine form indeed. The character animation and voice talent are near Insomniac/Naughty Dog levels, the gameplay is enhanced with the new Swap Force characters (and now ALL your old Skylanders can jump in this game, a HUGE plus that opens up the gameplay even more). So far, this is turning into my new favorite future time-sink (Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is also on that list), so yes, I’ll be keeping an eye peeled and posting less shaky updates in the future.

Er, In case your eyeballs are rolling around inside your head from my camerawork, below is the non-shaky full press conference from the superb One of Swords blog:

 

Toy Fair 2013 Is Rolling Up With Too Many Treats…

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Yes indeed, it’s that time of the year again, folks? So, what are YOU doing this weekend? Me, I’ll be getting tired feet and big eyeballs checking out some of the newest toys and games for you guys and gals to drop that disposable income on this year and next. Of course, I may even let you in on some of the cooler stuff I see in a post or three, so stick around for that. Oh, the things I have to put myself through to keep you kids entertained…

Babycastles Summit Update: A More Pretty Version…

Hokay – for those of you who wanted a visual aid about this big event, all you need to know is below the jump. Back in a bit with more game-related goodies… Continue reading

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

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.

The Whitney Museum 2012 Biennial: “Well, I Don’t Know About Art, But I Know What I Like…” (I Think)

OK, I needed a break from gaming for a tiny bit, so yesterday, I took a trip down to the Whitney Museum of American Art here in NYC to check out the 2012 Biennial. It was definitely interesting to see what’s been going on in the art scene since I hadn’t been to a decent museum in a while and over the past two weeks, I’d been to a few galleries in Brooklyn poking around to see what’s what (and finding some nice surprises).  I was expecting a lot of contemporary art in the usual forms (painting, sculpture, film/video, et cetera), but after experiencing some engaging performance art (of the audience perception challenging kind, especially if you don’t “get” Jaques Tati and dislike nudity, even if it’s cleverly silk-screened on different articles of clothing), seeing a dance rehearsal work in progress (made up of dancers and non-dancers), an entire artist’s studio moved into the museum (with the artist included, happily interacting with attendees) and other stuff you’ll need to go see for yourself, I have to say my brain is cooked up pretty good.I feel like making soemthing arty, but I haven’t a clue just what yet…

A lot of other art there was a bit odd, but really interesting from a few perspectives. I’ll probably go back again next week (Friday after 6pm is a pay what you like admission) and maybe do the life drawing session, as it’s been ages since I drew anything from a live model and I’m supremely rusty. Or maybe I’ll stay home and play some more games, as I need to catch up on a few reviews as well as get through the pile of other stuff I’ve started this year. Speaking of reviews, yeah, the two I’m working on are late, but fear not. They’ll get done and posted over the weekend. Not today, though – I have one more arty stop to make, but it’s kind of game-related, too…