Game of Thrones Season 3 Recap. A Little Real History to Go With The Fake One…

Posted on March 3, 2014 by geelw

Ah, if only actual politics were as simple as letting loose your dragons on some fool who thought he’d get the better of you or getting all stabby-stabby with enemies you lure into a formerly blissful wedding celebration. Nope, I don’t think we’re headed for World War III anytime soon, but the dicey situation between a few countries these past few months have a nasty parallel to the years 1936-39 if you poke through the history books. Of course, it’s hard to gauge the future based on current actions, but if the past is any indication, a lot of us will be turning to shows like GoT for some time off from real world issues. Let’s also hope that someone shows Mr. Putin some of those history books so he sees that working your way to the top over the bodies of others means the bottom rushes up faster at some point to meet you.

Orphan Black is Coming Back In April. Time To Get Teased…

Posted on March 1, 2014 by geelw

I didn’t think I’d like the show, but after a friend bugged the heck out of me, I caught the third episode of Orphan Black and got hooked in before I knew what hit me. I ended up catching the rest of the season and watched the entire thing On Demand over a weekend and got even more respect for Tatiana Maslany’s outstanding performance as so many clones is so many wigs and glasses and personalities.

If you haven’t seen th show yet, you may want to check it out even if sci-fi isn’t your cup of tea (or other beverage). The writing is solid, all those characters Maslany (who was ROBBED at the Emmys this year) plays hold your interest (even the ones that don’t make it out alive) and yup, you’ll be left on the edge of whatever you were sitting on when all is said and done.

Anyway, The new season kicks off Saturday April 19 at 9/8c only on BBC America (of course). I’ve been avoiding looking at these teasers because I want to drop into the new season as cold as possible, but I’m posting these here to get you folks who’ve yet to see the show all worked up about it. If I’ve done my job properly, the show will have a few new fans camping out at home on a Saturday night…

Dark Souls II: March’s Game of the Month (And It’s Not Even March Yet)

Posted on February 28, 2014 by geelw

Yes, I’m a little early, but based on some demo time and the fact that veteran developer FromSoftware didn’t water the experience down one bit (in fact, in a few ways the games is more challenging than previous Souls titles), Dark Souls II is my Game of the Month for March. Offline play is key for me and many others and while the game does have that wonderful and extremely annoying element of other live players being able to pop into your online game to stalk or assist you (or both), it’s in the solo mode where many new and veteran players will first poke around just to see if the game is as intense as ever (it is and then some).

Add in the new game engine (which makes for some even lovelier character models, creepy as all get out enemies and lush, deadly environments – see the site banner and background), improved gameplay, a much bigger world to explore and a massive amount of replay value for an instant classic. No matter which version you get your hot little hands on, you’re guaranteed a VERY well crafted and rather intense and gloomy singular experience that’s also pretty interesting to watch someone play if you’re not into the gaming thing. March 11 is the date for the North American launch and I’m expecting some people to contract a strange flu-like non-flu for a few days around that time (myself included)…

Koe (声) Kickstarter: Learning Japanese? I Really Think So…

Posted on February 27, 2014 by geelw

One of the main hurdles (if not THE main hurdle) for some gamers who lobe Japanese games is the language barrier. Another hurdles is laziness when it comes to learning new and important things like languages. Yeas, I said it and you can go on ahead and admit it if you’re reading this and happen to collect or be interested in collecting and playing games from Japan. Some of you (your narrator included) know a teeny tiny bit of the language but just haven’t had the time to sink into some proper learning situations for assorted reasons (lazy!) or are indeed too busy to seek out a tutor. Or we’re just too darn cheap (hey, a good tutor costs good money!). Anyway, Strawberry Games (Jitesh Rawal, Sayuki and Dan Tsukasa for now) is working on what’s looking like a fantastic solution and yes, it’s a Kickstarter project worth helping fund for a few reasons… Continue reading →

Thank You, David Lynch For Making It Clear (Again)…

Posted on February 27, 2014 by geelw

(Thanks, BrittneyGilbert!)

So, I’m working on a long post about the demise of movie theaters in the area where I live because it just blows my mind to bits that something like fifteen to twenty or more cinemas around here are gone for what seems to be good and it’s a total joke that no one seems to care or mind. Granted, those people who don’t give a crap are a big part of the reason why theaters are vanishing from this part of NYC, but tell them that and they tend to get a bit more obnoxious than they would if you told them to shut off their damned cell phone BEFORE they even bought their tickets. Anyway, mini-rant over (although it’s not really a rant at all)… Back in a bit.

Dark Souls II Collector’s Edition Reveal: I Need To Put Up Some Shelves, It Seems…

Posted on February 26, 2014 by geelw

Well, wow. I have no room for those big box set Limited and Collector’s Editions some (and some would say too many) games get these days, but I’d sell someone’s kidney for this one. As usual, I have to say “someone” because I rather like both of mine (we’re VERY close) and I think I can find a willing volunteer if I look hard enough. Hmmm… I wonder how I can word that Craigslist ad so it makes it look appealing that some ~~sap~~ willing ~~victim~~ soul would be more than happy to go under the knife AND sell their own part (or parts if there are any other organs they thing they have no use for) on the black market AND deliver me the cash (cash ONLY!) before the game ships out on March 11? What, that’s TOO much to ask for? Nonsense, I say! Heck, I’d go to GameStop myself and BUY the game after all that, so it’s not as if I was asking that ~~fool~~ person to do that (which is the most painful thing of all if you’re like me and hate going to GameStop)…

You know where to reach me, folks. I just need ONE ~~sucker~~ volunteer…

Hey, Spider-Man 2? Even Electro Doesn’t Spark My Interest…

Posted on February 24, 2014 by geelw

Uh… nope. I’m not feeling this new Spider-Man movie at all for a few reasons. The reboot was kind of lame and forced with way too many CG effects (par for the course for this franchise) and worse, separating it from the rest of the Marvel movie lineup has always been a terrible idea because as come comic fans know Spidey WAS an active Avenger for a brief time. Anyway, this new film has too many villains, too many connected bits (I think the Oscorp-created heroes is a terrible idea) and nope, I don’t like the casting here at all. That said, this one will rake in the dough as it were because the fans don’t seem to care thanks to them just wanting more of the same but bigger and louder.

That said, I’d really rather see a filmed version of that now dead Broadway musical Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark just because of all that behind the scenes turmoil that went into the live show and all its changes during and after its initial previews and premiere. I hope someone was smart enough to shoot that, as even as a flawed work, there’s something about a live show (or a filmed version of one) that’s a good deal more interesting and impressive than a film with a room full of computers powering the better parts of the action scenes…

Things I Learned @ Toy Fair 2014 (#1): Super Sprowtz Wants To Help Your Kids Eat Better*

Posted on February 24, 2014 by geelw

Well, besides there being way too much stuff for one person to cover without going slightly mad, I did pick up a few helpful life tips while poking round this year’s show. Below (and for the next few days) you’ll find those tips with a few products that come in quite handy for learning some essential life skills. Yes, this is a humor piece of sorts, but everything in these posts are things I saw and liked, so plugged it shall get. Onward!

(Thanks, SuperSprowtz!)

Eat Your Veggies! Super Sprowtz wants to change the way parents and kids look at and eat food and if their TF2014 presence was any indication, these healthy looking guys and gals are going to make a major impact over the next few years. Launched in 2011 by WILD Restaurant owner Radha Agrawal, the company is dedicated to getting kids to see and appreciate vegetables in a more positive manner using a wide range of media and fun activities to get them motivated and moving towards more healthy eating choices… Continue reading →

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 Launch Trailer: Vampire Post-Weekend Busts Up The Monday Blahs…

Posted on February 24, 2014 by geelw

Well, here’s a fine way to kick off a Monday, folks. Knowing that Tuesday will be better because Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is arriving in stores and online here in the US (Europe and the UK get theirs a few days later). Well, tomorrow is a big launch day for a few titles, but I’m thinking this one will be the one many are looking forward to the most. With developer MercurySteam going out in style here, it’ll be interesting to see what new plans Konami has for the franchise in the future. As for the present (today) and near future (tomorrow), I’d say fans and new players should enjoy what’s here quite a lot.

Random Film of the Week: Master of the World

Posted on February 24, 2014 by geelw

Ah, Master of the World… you’re so well intentioned but when all is said and done you’re just not as good a film as you wanted to be… and that’s too bad. Even the great Vincent Price reading the words of the great Richard Matheson (who reworked elements from two of the great Jules Verne’s books into a screenplay) can’t save you from your crushing mediocrity. Nope, those barrel bottom visual effects work and an unfunny comic relief chef character tossed into the rather serious story can’t keep this Albatross afloat at all. That said, it’s an OK flick if you don’t mind it reminding you of a few better ones it tries so hard to template.

Now, call me crazy… but I think the idea of a war-hating kind of madman flying around the world and waging war against people who wage wars is both nuts and necessary in this day and age. However, this film fails to excite on a few levels other than giving Price his juicy lead role and Charles Bronson a chance to play a rugged-looking 19th century good guy for a change. For all its explosions and shouting, it makes the idea of Price’s bomb-dropping anti-war antihero Robur a pretty dull one and the film wears out its welcome around the halfway point… Continue reading →