Monthly Archives: December 2011

Our List of the Best of 2011 in Movies and Games

Posted on by

Tonight at midnight brings us 2012 and with it, a chance to look back at the year that was as well as reflect on the year ahead. With that in mind, I compiled a list of our favorite movies, games, and tech of 2012. The lists are ranked in no particular order but the movies reflect the ones that we enjoyed the most, and no, I did not include the high brow art films, as we will be getting enough of those during the upcoming award season, I included the mass market films that clicked for us.

Movies

“The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”

David Fincher’s bold and dark adaptation of the Stieg Larsson book had a star-making performance by Rooney Mara in the title role. The film was a masterfully shot and paced thriller that stayed true to the source material and did not dishonor the Swedish language version that preceded it.

“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”

Jude Law and Robert Downer Jr. had great chemistry and timing in their second outing as Watson and Holmes and deftly combined action and humor in a sharply paced and very enjoyable film.

Jared Harris was a great Moriarity and Noomi Rapace showed that she is a star on the rise.

“The Muppets”

Jason Segel wrote and helped produce the iconic and beloved characters return to the screen in grand style. Mixing music and laughs, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie, and the gang blazed a triumphant return to the screen in a film that appealed as much to the adults who were raised on their show as the kids who discovered the magic of the Muppets for the first time.

“Contagion”

Steven Soderbergh crafted a chilling look at the devastation brought on by a mysterious virus which is unleashed upon the world. An all-star cast and captivating story made the film a chilling thriller that could not be forgotten.

“The Source Code”

Director Duncan Jones follows up “Moon” with a stylish techno thriller about a soldier played by Jake Gyllenhaal who is sent back in time again and again to solve the mystery of a deadly training bombing. The film cleverly combines Science fiction with drama, action, and a touch of romance to make a winning film.

“War Horse”

Steven Spielberg’s visually stunning, and emotional look at a horse named Jeremy and his exploits during World War I. The movie is an unforgettable journey that will tug at the heartstrings without being overly sentimental.
Spielberg is at the top of his game for this and do not be surprised if the film gets some Oscar nods.

“We Bought a Zoo”

Matt Damon leads a great cast in this true story about a man who wanted to change his life and in doing so inherits and saves a zoo and it’s animals.
Inspiring and touching this film came out of nowhere to click with us and made the list.

“Fast Five”

Usually by the time a movie series enters the fifth chapter it has run out of gas and fresh ideas. Not so for this series as Justin Lin has crafted the best of the bunch. The Rock, Paul Walker, and Vin Diesel mixed action, driving, and amazing stunts to show that there is plenty of mileage left in the series.

Video Games

We prefer to play the games on Nvidia based cards from EVGA.
The GTX 560 Ti with 448 cores is a very great and affordable choice for high end graphics and Direct X 11 capability. Playing Skyrim on full settings is worth the price alone.

If you want the top of the line, then we suggest The GTX 580 Classified by EVGA which offers cutting edge
Direct X 11 graphics and performance to power the
best of today’s games and tomorrows hits. The GTX
580 can power up to three displays and powered by an
NVidia chipset and 1280 MB 320-bit GDDR5 memory
will render eye popping graphics and performance on
all your games. www.evga.com

Star Wars: The Old Republic

The Star Wars MMORPG we have been waiting for. Epic in scale, and allows you to play as either good, bad, or in between. Epic cut scenes, vast and exotic locales, tons of customizations make this one that is going to be around for a long time.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Yes I know that it is more of the same at first glance and that the solo play campaign was a bit short. That being said, the game was an epic thrill ride and took the games signature multiplayer action to a new level with new gameplay modes such as Kill Confirmed and Team Defender.

People love to bash the popular series but one billion in sales in 16 days and millions of people playing online show this game delivers.

RAGE

While I found the solo play campaign to be a bit to short, and ended to abruptly for me, the mix of first person shooter and role playing game won me over. Powered by the ID Tech 5 engine, the ability to craft your weapons, trade, race for money, and deal tons of mayhem in the post apocalypse setting won me over.

The online vehicle combat and in game modes were some of the fastest action anywhere to date.

“The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”

Epic hardly does justice to this game which comes as close to being the perfect RPG ever created. The vast landscape, stunning, graphics, and tons of options make this a game that players will become caught up in again and again.

Batman: Arkham City

While Arkham Asylum set the standard for superhero games, this one took it even further. Larger, darker, and more dynamic than the previous game, this is the ultimate Batman experience.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

This PS 3 exclusive delivers a great mix of action and adventure and this time out brings in multiplayer and 3D. The winning formula is an action fans dream and makes this a must own.

Portal 2

Our pick for game of the year took what made the original so epic and took it to a new level. As if the puzzles and stories were not enough, the addition of multiplayer made this an addictive game that we could not stop playing.

SeaWorld for the Holidays

Posted on by

During a recent trip to San Diego, we got to visit one of our favorite places, SeaWorld. Although we had visited earlier in the year, we were not able to experience the new Turtle Reef attraction which was still under construction at the time of our last visit.

Upon entering the park we made sure to purchase a dining option that for roughly $30 per adult offers unlimited dining at several of the parks restaurants. This is an exceptionally good value as you can have breakfast, lunch & dinner throughout the day and evening with cuisine ranging from burgers to barbecue or sandwiches to Italian food.

After a nice breakfast al fresco at Seaport Market we took the time to admire some of the Christmas attractions that were still under construction for the upcoming holiday. We got especially excited at at the preparation of the “SnowWorld at SeaWorld” – a 6,500 square feet arena at SeaWorld’s Arctic Plaza. With fresh snow each day and impromptu visits with SeaWorld’s arctic foxes, who could ask for a more wintery experience? SnowWorld is now open daily through Jan. 1.

Our next stop was Journey to Atlantis and sadly I chose to sit in the very front of the boat which resulted in me being drenched by two gigantic waves during the ride. Even though I was soaked thoroughly I had an amazing time and the gigantic dryers that are available helped dry me out quickly.

Next up we took in the Blue Horizon show which replaced the long-running dolphin and pilot whales show. While dolphins remain a part of the show, the vast majority of it is made up of aerial performers in elaborate costumes doing routines over the water. The dolphins still do some amazing work in this new show.

Up next, we checked out the new Turtle Reef and were just amazed at the variety of sea turtles in a beautiful, and very relaxing, setting. The grace and unique characters of these creatures were truly awe-inspiring and the very informative exhibition even included an interactive sea turtle videogame for guests to enjoy.

Upon exiting the exhibition, we decided to give the new Riptide Rescue ride a shot. Sadly the small ride boats were not built for my 6’4″ frame to comfortably sit with another person, so the wife and I had to take separate boats. The very helpful staff told me that during its design there was concern that the boats were not big enough for many guests and that this is something that is being looked into. It was a bit of a squeeze to get the safety bar down to the required two clicks, but once it was in place, the ride was a twisting and twirling thrill that needs to be experienced.

After stopping for a pizza and pasta lunch at Mama Stella’s Pizza Kitchen , we took in the Sea Lion Live (SLL) show, which was a hilarious show of prank-loving sea lions starring in TV-show spoofs in the style of Saturday Night Live, complete with dancing by the sea lions. The charm and comedic timing of the sea lions stole the show as they interacted with their human performers in and out of the water. Get seated early to catch a bonus act from one of the human entertainers who re-creates some of the greatest dance routines from a bevy of Hollywood classics. This time of year, the stars of SLL, Clyde & Seamore, are putting on their version of “Night Before Christmas.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon experiencing the numerous rides, exhibits, and shows that the park had to offer and noted with anticipation how well the new Manta roller coaster is coming along. Tremendous progress has been made since our earlier visit and the spectacular Bayside Sky Ride gave us amazing views of not only the progress of the construction but the scenic bay.

As night fell, our noses lead us to the Calypso Bay Smokehouse to dine on barbecue tri-tip, ribs and chicken before we made our way to the Shamu Rocks! show which blends music and lights to impressive routines with the world-famous Orcas. While the trainers did not interact in the water with the show’s stars, it was still incredible to see the grace and splendor of these majestic creatures up close. If you visit now, Shamu and friends celebrate Christmas with music and merriment, including live singers, a saxophonist and Christmas carolers spreading good cheer. Shamu Stadium transforms into a winter wonderland with Christmas trees, decorations, and beautiful Christmas scenes on the 80-foot-wide LED screens.

I was sad to see that one of my favorite attractions, Shipwreck Rapids, was down for maintenance during our visit, but we certainly had no shortage of activities and relished being able to experience such beloved classics as Wild Arctic, Pets Rule, Journey to Atlantis, and countless other offerings SeaWorld has available. For children, the Sesame Street themed rides like Elmo’s Flying Fish and Oscar’s Rocking Eel offer fun thrills. Now through New Year’s Day, the talented shelter animals that present Pets Rule offer more silly antics as they take over the house for Christmas and throw their own holiday party.

We were a little early for the holidays, but knowing what SeaWorld has to offer for Christmas, we’ll definitely include it in next year’s holiday travels. Frequent guests will want to look into the 2012 Fun Card, Silver or Platinum season passes as they quickly pay for themselves within a couple of visits and offer a full year of visits and perks.

We Bought a Zoo

Posted on by

From the director of Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe has brought us a great new film starring Mat Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Hadden Church and up and coming star Elle Fanning. Packed with amazing talent; “We Bought a Zoo” is a heartwarming true story of a man who wants to start over and in doing so, he provides a new life for his young family and his new friends.

Benjamin Mee (Mat Damon), a widowed father of two young children Dylan (Colin Ford) and Rosie (Magie Elizabeth Jones) are in need of a new start. Benjamin’s brother Duncan (Thomas Haden Church) has always provided Benjamin with useless and impractical advice. Only this time he strikes the nail on the head by telling his brother that he has to start over. He teams up with Mr. Stevens (J.B Smoove), a first time real estate agent and his daughter Rosie to find the perfect home to start there new future. When they come across the perfect house it comes with some big responsibilities. The Mee family have just become the new owners of a struggling Zoo (Rosemoore Wildlife Park). The Zoo is run by Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) head zookeeper, Peter, Robin and her cousin Lily (Elle Fanning).They are in need of someone to take charge of the Zoo or it will close forever. With over forty seven animal species, the Zoo is in need of someone with lots of heart and determination to keep it from closing. Although everybody has doubts about Benjamin, even himself, he never gives up. Benjamin and his family are able to start fresh and after an argument here and there among father and son, are able to leave the past behind and look forward to the future.

“We Bought a Zoo” is such a heartwarming true story that will leave you with inspiration. The film is filled with vibrant colors, great cinematography, amazing actors and filled with such inspiration that I would be surprised if it is not in this years Oscar line up. Mat Damon surely delivers in his portrayal of Benjamin Mee. Most children actors don’t go far in the showbiz but great things come in small packages with Magie Elizabeth Jones. At her very young age of seven and her performance in this film I would be surprised if she doesn’t end up being a big star. Elle Fanning and Colin Ford make the perfect young couple and were perfectly paired up as the roles of Colin and Lily and like her sister Dakota Fanning she is becoming a great young actress. I wasn’t very impressed with Scarlett Johansson in this film as she always in my opinion plays the same sort of character in most of her movies with the exception of The Black Widow in the Iron Man films. Though having a somewhat small part in this film, Thomas Haden Church always seems to live up to the characters he portrays especially as Duncan.

This film is one that definitely can not be missed and is a perfect film to kick of the new year. If you love animals and are wanting to see a heartfelt film you will with out a doubt love this film and is definitely Oscar worthy. I left the theater feeling inspired and wanting to help animals that are going extinct. Big cats are disappearing at an alarming rate and with our help we can cause an uproar. To help go to causeanuproar.org to help.

5 out of 5 stars.

War Horse

Posted on by

By Chris Daniels

“War Horse” is one of Steven Spielberg’s newest silver screen stories. His flair and panache are present, as ever. This gorgeous film pulls on the heart strings, and plays on several different emotional chords.

The story starts as you might guess: a young British lad, Albert Narracot, who is present at the birth of our four-legged hero, Joey the horse, becomes immediately entranced by the grace and majesty of said equine. As any equestrian will tell you, a bond between person and horse is about as magical and mysterious as this film alludes to.

As Joey the horse comes of age, Albert’s father, a drunk, down-and-out soldier-turned-farmer, also sees the beauty of this animal, and bids exceedingly high at auction to win Joey, but does so against his own landlord.

Albert’s father comes home with the horse, intent upon using this thoroughbred as a workhorse, tilling fields instead of running free. Unfortunately for Albert, demands on the farm soon force the horse to be sold, in order to save the family’s home. The British military purchases Joey, and off starts the wild adventure of one horse through the landscape of World War II.

Though many of the scenarios Joey faces are fantastical, this film mixes moments of great sadness, brutal war scenes and amazing joy, sprinkled throughout with laugh-out-loud humor. The unexpected humor accentuates the film, though it occasionally feels awkward, since the subject matter doesn’t lend itself to laughter and merriment. Perhaps this is what makes it so unique; it’s a delightful departure from sad stories that only have a single uplifting moment at the end.

A word of caution to all horse lovers: Joey the horse experiences what the director wants us to perceive as great physical pain, in various parts of the film. I can imagine for some equestrians this will be a bit much to handle.

The only major flaw I found in this film is that they made the horse appear overly intelligent. While I know horses to be very intelligent creatures, there was one scene in particular where Joey took the place of his buddy (another horse) in such dramatic fashion that it seems far too human-like to be plausible.

All in all, the film is a win. The cinematography alone is captivatingly beautiful. The acting, writing and music make up for whatever the film lacks in realism regarding the horse’s fantastical journey.

4 of 5 Stars.

Final Destination 5 on Blu-Ray

Posted on by

Director Steven Quale brings us the latest bloody installment of the “Final Destination” series which has arrived on Blu-Ray and DVD from New Line Home Entertainment.
In this installment Sam Lawton (Nicholas D’Agosto) and his girlfriend Molly Harper (Emma Bell), work in the same office with their friends and boss Dennis (David Koechner).

Sam has been offered an apprenticeship in Paris as a cook and though this has been Sam’s dream Molly feels that she is holding him back. This becomes awkward for the both of them as this happens right before they leave for a conference with their co-workers.

As with past films in the series, Sam has a vision of a very gruesome accident that kills him and his friends in a very grisly manner, this time through a bridge accident.

Sam awakens from his vision and manages to get several of his friends and his boss to safety before the accident happens. Despite being unable to explain how he saw the accident coming to his friends and the local authorities, Sam and his friends are thankful to be alive.

As fans of the series know, death does not like to be cheated, and one by one the survivors die in a series of freak accidents. In a race against time, they must follow the advice of a creepy medical examiner (Tony Todd), who advises them they must find someone to replace them in order to escape their fate.

What follows is a carnage filled thrill ride which will have you on the edge of your seat. Even though the film was released in 3D it shines in the stunning 1080p High Defintion transfer and Dolby 5.1 sound.
Bonus features include alternate death scenes to special effect segments. If this was not enough, there is even an Ultraviolet digial copy included so you can watch the movie on the go.

Dolphin Tale on Blu-Ray

Posted on by

The inspirational true story of Winter the dolphin comes to home video and Blu-Ray in time for the holidays from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
When an injured dolphin is found and brought to a marine hospital, her extensive injuries cause the dolphin, named Winter to lose her tail. As a result, her prognosis for survival is not very good. However with the help of a boy named Sawyer who enlists a marine biologist (Harry Connick Jr.), and a prosthetic specialist (Morgan Freeman), the team are able to craft a prosthetic tail for Winter.

The film is very uplifting and Winter is amazing to watch. She plays herself in the film and is a true inspiration. The strong cast does a good job keeping things moving and the amazing sound and visuals of the Blu-ray bring the adventure to life in vivid detail and clarity.

The disc is loaded with features such as a gag reel, and the True Story of Winter as well as behind the scenes and much more.

An Ultra Violet disc is included in the Blu-ray set along with a standard DVD which allows you to see the film from your computer, laptop, or mobile device.
Dolphin Tale stars Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Kris Kristofferson, and Morgan Freeman and is a heartwarming delight that is ideal for children and the entire family this Holiday Season and beyond.

4 stars out of 5

The Adventures of Tintin

Posted on by

From director Steven Spielberg who brought us “E.T.” and the producer of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy Peter Jackson, comes the fabulous “The Adventures of Tintin”. The film is based upon the popular European comic books which were created by Belgian artist Georges Remi and tells the story of Tintin (Jamie Bell) , a young journalist and his canine Snowy who are always seeking to find a one of a kind story to write about.

One afternoon at an outdoor market the two come across a small replica of the three-masted Unicorn sailing ship being sold at a very good price. Tintin then starts to be pressured into selling his replica to a sketchy man Ivan Sakharine (Daniel Craig) who tries very hard to purchase the ship by offering him double than what was originally paid. Without luck, Sakharine leaves and is soon followed by another man who also attempts to purchase the ship, only this time he warns Tintin about what he has gotten himself into. Tintin starts to think that maybe there is a secret about this ship and he is determined to get to the bottom of it. After returning home following a scuffle between Snowy and a neighboring cat, the ship is accidentally broken and concealed in one of the masts is a cylinder that later is revealed to contain directions to hidden treasure.

After being bitten by the curiosity bug, Tintin decides to investigate at the house of Sakharine and ends up discovering a second replica that holds another clue. He becomes captured by Sackharine and imprisoned on a ship headed to find the third and final Unicorn replica. Tintin is imprisoned with the Captain of the ship, Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis). Who learn that they must escape and collect all three of the clues to assemble the directions that will lead them to the treasure.

Both are racing to get to the treasure before Sakharine as there is a history between he and the Captain which further complicates the issues at hand.

After what seemed to be a very long and drawn out opening, the film jumps right into the action with lots of adventure, pirates, comedic moments and realistic scenes. This proves that you really can‘t judge a book by the cover as I have never been a fan of stop motion film at all, in fact it has always been creepy to me.

Knowing that this movie was filmed with that technology, I was extremely hesitant in even giving it a chance but I am very glad I did. The film is very well written and executed and truly delivers. The 3D is also outstanding and makes you feel as if you are a part of the epic adventure. I recommend this film to all ages and if you have your doubts, please trust me and give it a chance. You will not be disappointed.

4 out of 5 stars.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Posted on by

Following the very successful adaptation of Stieg Larssons millennium trilogy into three very successful Swedish language films, it came as no surprise when Hollywood announced that it would be making an English-language version of the series. Director David Fincher was announced to craft the first book in the series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. The new version follows very close to the original material with one fairly big exception which I will detail later in the review.

Daniel Craig stars as Mikael Blomkvist, who at the opening of the film has recently lost a court case for which he was being sued for libel by a prominent business figure. His career is in ruins and virtually all of his savings gone as a result of the trial and punitive damages. So when he is contacted by an attorney representing the wealthy and powerful Vanger family, he agrees to meet. Although highly reluctant to take a meeting, Mikael takes the four hour train ride north of Stockholm to a cold and remote island to meet with Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer). Henrik wishes Mikael to investigate the disappearance of his niece some 40 years earlier, a niece vanished under the families’ very noses and not a trace of her has been discovered since. Henrik is convinced that she has met with foul play, yet every year on his birthday, he continues to receive a gift of ornate pressed flowers in an anonymous package.

Henrik believes that the killer is haunting him by sending the gifts and that a member of his family may be to blame. Although skeptical of being able to find anything 40 years later, Mikael accepts the case and soon sets up residence in a small cabin on the island and begins his investigation by combing through police reports, conducting interviews, and examining photographs and newspaper clippings. Mikael had been warned that the other members of the Vanger family may not be too thrilled with his presence as not only is the family fractured, they all have their share of secrets.

At the same time, a very Goth punk girl named Lisabeth (Rooney Mara), is fighting her own demons. Lisabeth is an extremely gifted computer and surveillance expert who specializes in gathering background information on individuals. As such, her skills have made her in high demand with her employer. Unfortunately, Lisabeth is also a deeply antisocial person who is prone to lash out violently if provoked. Much of this stems from an extremely traumatic childhood spent in institutions which resulted in Lisabeth being placed as a ward of the state, not deemed competent to care for herself. This arrangement requires her to check in on a regular basis with a representative who, unfortunately for her, has recently suffered a stroke and places her in the care of the new guardian.

The new guardian subjects Lisabeth to horrific demands just so Lisabeth can access her money. The traumatized Lisabeth does not play victim long and in a twist of fate, is assigned by Henrik’s attorney to assist Mikael since she did the background check on him prior to Mikael being approached by Henrik for the investigation. The unlikely duo combined to form a highly efficient pair as they start to piece together the clues which indicate a brutal string of murders leading back for decades. As they work together, the relationship deepens and the reserved Lisabeth starts to come out of her shell. Tension mounts as danger surrounds them in an epic race against time to solve the case that certain members of the family do not want solved.

The film runs approximately 2 hours and 45 min and does take a little while to get started as the landscape and back story of the characters is established. The film has some very dark and brutal moments, which are hard to watch, yet were not as graphic as those in the Swedish language version. Craig and Mara work very well with one another and props to Craig for being willing to put on weight and occasionally looked disheveled to enhance his character.

Mara gives a masterful performance as the complicated Lisabeth, the anti-damsel-in-distress heroine, who subtly shows the many complicated sides to the character. Noomi Rapace first portrayed the character and has gone on to prominent success in Hollywood with a slew of upcoming high profile films. I would expect nothing less for Mara with two other sequels in this series to film. I am sure this breakout performance will not go unnoticed as it is an extremely difficult and daring role that few in Hollywood would want to tackle, much less be able to pull off as convincingly as she did.

I was extremely happy to see that the character names, settings, and situations were not changed in the new version, and it was refreshing to see the film set in Sweden and not relocated to London or New York. The biggest issue I had with the film was with the ending, which deviated from the previous versions. I will not provide spoilers, suffice it to say the resolution was a bit too tidy of a Hollywood ending and in my opinion greatly undermined one of the central characters of the film. That being said the film is a bold and dynamic vision from Fincher and is a deeply dark and disturbing story that is difficult to forget.

4.5 stars out of 5

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Posted on by

Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law return once again as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows“. In this installment, a series of bombings across Europe has positioned the nations of the world on the brink of war. Holmes is convinced that there is a criminal mastermind behind the numerous, seemingly unrelated events and he believes it is renowned scholar James Moriarty (Jared Harris).

Watson, well-accustomed to Holmes’ eccentric and erratic behavior, is dubious of Holmes claims. Besides, Watson has his upcoming wedding to focus on, and only deigns to spend time with Holmes at the promise of a stag party at an upscale gentlemen’s club. While the bachelor party includes an entertaining Stephen Fry playing Holmes’ brother, Mycroft, Holmes has ulterior motives for taking Watson to this particular club. Early in the film, Holmes had cleverly intercepted a message from Irene Adler (Amy McAdams), that led him to a fortuneteller named Madam Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace), a woman Holmes believes has been targeted for death by Moriarty, who just happens to be working at the gentlemen’s club.

Eventually a meeting with Moriarty is arranged for Holmes. The two intellectuals spar with one another verbally in a civilized manner, with menacing undertones. Holmes isn’t able to convince Moriarty that Watson is no longer a partner in any of his endeavors and, Holmes is forced to take drastic measures to ensure the doctor and his new wife stay out of harm’s way. From Paris to Germany and other European locales, Holmes, Watson, and Simza and her gypsy friends race against time to uncover the diabolical plot that Moriarty has set for their demise in his quest to drive nations to war.

The film is an absolute delight and is a rare sequel that is even better than the previous film in the series. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law have amazing chemistry with one another and their timing is absolutely perfect. The duo deftly mix action and comedy as well as the serious subject matter of the plot line and are utterly captivating and enjoyable to watch every step of the way. Rapace continues to impress in a much softer character than her Lisbeth Salandar role in the “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Swedish trilogy. and is poised to become one of Hollywood’s new leading ladies.

Having become familiar with Harris’ work on the series Mad Men, I was delighted to see him expertly portray such a complex character as Moriarty: a gentleman scholar of impeccable upbringing and education who is also a twisted and evil genius. Harris plays Moriarty perfectly and never lets you forget the dark and sinister side of him without ever becoming a campy or cartoony vaudeville villain.

Guy Ritchie returns as director and lets his stars carry the film. The action has been ramped up this time around with some spectacular action sequences but the action never overshadows the character-driven story. The film was well-paced and an absolute thrill ride from beginning to end mixing fantastic action and some great humor for a very winning combination that is not to be missed. I am already looking forward to future outings of Holmes and Watson on the big screen as this was a truly enjoyable experience that shows you how action comedies are supposed to be made.

4.5 stars out of 5

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Posted on by

The fourth chapter in the phenomenally popular Mission Impossible series has arrived in theaters and jump starts the franchise with a dynamic ensemble cast and a bold mix of action and adventure with a touch of comedy thrown in.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol opens with a daring escape from a Russian prison followed shortly thereafter by an infiltration of the Kremlin and subsequent explosion on the famed Russian landmark.

Tom Cruise returns as agent Ethan Hunt and is joined by Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, and Paula Patton. Shortly after the explosion at the Kremlin, tensions between the United States and Russia are at an all-time high. As a result, the president initiates Ghost Protocol, which effectively shuts down the Impossible Mission Force and eliminates many of their resources. As a result, Ethan and his team must take on an unsanctioned mission that will take them from Russia to Dubai to Mumbai in a race against time to not only clear the IMF from being blamed for the bombing, but to stop a deranged criminal from using stolen Russian launch codes to unleash a nuclear strike upon America.

Ethan and his team bring all manner of weapons and technology to bear against the enemy and while the action sequences are intense and the best in the series to date, they don’t overshadow the human element of the film as each character has a back story which helped endear them to the audience. Unlike previous films in the series, the plot is not as convoluted and hard to follow and director Brad Bird, making his live-action directing debut, does a fantastic job of pacing the film, never once letting it drag or become boring.

Pegg and Renner are fantastic additions to the series as Renner brings a sense of humanity to his role as analyst Brandt. Pegg gets a share of comedic lines and moments but is not there simply to provide comic relief, convincingly deadly serious when the action becomes hot and heavy. Patton holds her own with the guys and proves she is more than just a pretty face as her fight scene in a high-rise with an assassin is as intense as any action fan could want with a fantastic finale.

Cruise goes all-out in his performance and performs many of the film’s stunts himself, quite a few of them shriek-inducing, judging by the reaction of the ladies in the audience. While Ethan spends a lot of time running in the film, he also spends a lot of time fighting and it was very nice to see him share some of the responsibility for the film’s action scenes with his ensemble cast. I believe that the ensemble works so well that the studio should keep this team together for future installments in the series. The team has a winning formula that reinvigorates the series giving us what I believe is the best film in the series to date.

4 out of 5 stars

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-wrecked

Posted on by

Alvin and the Chipmunks are back in an all new adventure along with Dave and the Chipettes. Directed by Mike Mitchell, this is the third installment in the new Chipmunk franchise. The voices of the Chipmunks and Chipettes include none other than Justin Long (Alvin), Matthew Gray Gubler (Simon), Jesse McCartney (Theodore), Amy Poehler (Eleanor), Anna Faris (Jeanette), Christina Applegate (Brittany), Alan Tudyk (Simone), David Cross (Ian ) and of course we can’t forget Jason Lee (Dave) . This installment, like the other two, are jam-packed with great actors and comedians who together have made an entertaining film not only for children but for adults as well.

The Chipmunks and the Chipettes are on their way to performing at the International Music Awards and are taking a small vacation before their big show to relax. At least that is what the plan was, until good ol’ Alvin, who always has to be the risk taker, changes the plans. Because of his crazy antics he ends up causing himself, his brothers, the Chipettes, Dave and the ships pelican mascot to go over board and get subsequently marooned on a deserted island. Dave and the pelican mascot end up on a different part of the island than the Chipmunks and Chipettes and both groups think they are doomed and will never be found. As luck would have it, they meet Zoe (Jenne Slate). Zoe has been on the island for quite a few years after being marooned herself and has made it her home. When the island is in trouble when a sleeping volcano begins to wake up; it is up to everybody to get over their inhibitions and help each other get to safety. Along the way everybody learns some life lessons but will Dave ever get to see the Chipmunks again and make it to the music awards?

The plot of this film is very simple and a bit short, but you have to remember that it is geared mainly to children. I still enjoy the Chipmunks and it is such a treat after having grown up watching the cartoons and seeing what modern filmmaking offers a new generation of kids. Most adults may not like the new songs and may find it annoying. I on the other hand love it, with some of the songs being performed better by chipmunks than the actual artists. This movie is recommended for families and the young at heart for a great afternoon movie. Although the first two movies in the franchise are my favorite, this installment is entertaining and will for sure put a smile on your face.

3 out of 5

Star Wars The Old Republic and DVD Holiday Gift Guide on Geek Nation

Posted on by

I have our hands on preview of Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as our 2011 DVD Holiday Gift Guide on BJ Shea’s Geek Nation.



Geek Nation and Skewed and Reviewed Talk Star Wars: The Old Republic


Our Gift Guide and free magazines are below.


Free PDF or Digital copy of our latest magazine.

56 pages filled with our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, two Geek Gil Centerfolds, Guild Wars 2, RAGE, PAX Prime, Blizzcon 2011, Travel articles, and so much more.


At Magcloud


Issues 7 and 8. Digital and Ipad Versions

If you do not want to have to sign up for Free Magcloud access you can download the PDF version for free at the following URLS


At Badongo


Issue 7/8 PDF


On Our Skydrive


Skydrive PDF


Winter Issue is the correct file for Skydrive.

Evil Controller Interview With the CEO Adam Coe

Posted on by

Recently we caught up with Evil Controllers CEO Adam Coe, and talked about the past and future of his company which is making big waves in the gaming industry.

What is your background and education and what got you into this industry?

I completed high school and began classes at the University of Arizona, but did not finish. I entered into the industry because I am an avid gamer and I had an opportunity to make a business related to something I’m passionate about.

How did the company get started?

It began in my college dorm at the U of A, where I originally sold my controllers on eBay. My account quickly piled up with orders, so the following summer I decided to officially start the business with my brother.

What were some of the biggest challenges then as well as now?

The biggest challenge in the beginning was keeping up with the demand, but also advancing our brand and product lineup. Being a niche market, it’s a 24/7 job that demands and relies on constant innovation. Now that we have a strong foundation, we are challenged, in a sense, by our success and aspirations. Now that we have structure, every day we improve as a team and each member becomes better at their job. This in turn makes Evil better and the services we offer better.

How do you come up with your designs?

Cosmetic designs on the controllers are done by a few of us at Evil, being gamers we know what other gamers are interested in. However, the modifications to the controller’s internals are done by me and my programmer, who has been with the business since the beginning. There is a lot of input from everyone at Evil about our products and how we can improve them so we constantly strive to do so.

Do you have plans to do PS3 or WIii controls and if not why?

Yes we definitely plan on creating products for those markets as well. They are sadly lacking in innovation, in comparison to what we have done to the Xbox 360 controller. However, we will be addressing them soon and will be happy to offer them in the new year.

How do you handle marketing for the controls as it must be tough in this economy?

I believe making a good product will market itself. If it improves your gameplay experience, then it’s a no brainer, it will catch on. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to advertise. However, marketing outside of word of mouth is a major aspect of our business model that we believe we excel in and can continue to improve upon within our business structure. In reference to the economy, we actually believe that our company thrives more in a down economy. As more people have to change their lifestyles by staying in and taking fewer vacations, they need a source of relatively cheap entertainment After an initial startup cost gaming is fairly cheap in reference to how many hours of entertainment you can receive.

Tell us about the quality assurance standards you have and how the controls are tested please.

Our quality control is very strict when it comes to our controllers, as well as customer service. Each hand modified controller is touched by at least 5 Evil Techs and finally tested by our warehouse manager for approval. Each feature is checked on the controller (buttons and mods operating properly), then each button is pressed to assure the controller feels just like a manufactured controller off the line, and finally the controller is checked for any cosmetic damage before entering our highly protective shipping boxes. When it is all said and done the controller goes through an 18 point inspection.

Where do you see the company in 5 years?

In 5 years I see the business encompassing anything related to gaming and customization. With the new gaming systems coming out in the coming years, I’m excited to have the years of experience in the industry already behind me. With the innovation that we’ve done already, I’m excited to see what we will be doing years down the line. One aspect I believe will be a major part of our business will be making accessible controllers for disabled or limited motion gamers. It’s an avenue that is sadly underground and not growing at the same pace of video games, leaving these gamers to play catch up. We want to even the playing field for every gamer out there!

Our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide is Here

Posted on by

We are happy to announce our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide is here. The guide features what we believe to be the best in gaming, movies, tech, and gear for your holiday shopping and wish lists. We have put over four months of work into compiling the list, testing and reviewing the products, and we think you will be happy with the results of our efforts.


I would like to thank the following companies for Sponsoring our 2011 Online guides as well as the 2011 Holiday Skewedcast which will air on December 15th.


Steelseries


Steel Series


steelseries-logo


Reset games


Reset Games


!cid_C51038C7-D56D-434E-ADE9-0610AF29631B


Fatboy USA


Fatboy USA


FINAL LOGO THE REAL FINAL


Free PDF or Digital copy of our latest magazine.

56 pages filled with our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide, two Geek Gil Centerfolds, Guild Wars 2, RAGE, PAX Prime, Blizzcon 2011, Travel articles, and so much more.


At Magcloud


Issues 7 and 8. Digital and Ipad Versions

If you do not want to have to sign up for Free Magcloud access you can download the PDF version for free at the following URLS


At Badongo


Issue 7/8 PDF


On Our Skydrive


Skydrive PDF


Winter Issue is the correct file for Skydrive.

Red Lion Anaheim California

Posted on by

Recently we got the chance to stay at the Red Lion Anaheim during our coverage of Disneyland’s Holiday Celebration. As we enter our first holiday season at the new southwest office, I am not only enjoying the weather but the close proximity of California and Las Vegas which allows us to greatly expand our travel and event coverage as well as enjoy some great weather while our Seattle office deals with the cold and rainy weather.

Anaheim is a very pleasant and easy drive over from Phoenix and we arrived at the hotel without any issues as the Red Lion is located very close to Disneyland as well as the Anaheim Convention Center. This is ideal as with Blizzcon, D23, and the upcoming Wondercon, there are numerous events for fans of gaming and pop culture as well as the abundance of activities and conferences that are held in the surrounding area.

The hotel offers 310 renovated rooms with tile bathrooms, ergonomic workspaces, and meeting rooms aside from a very impressive list of amenities.

Check in was very smooth and the helpful staff pointed out options such as a shuttle to and from Disneyland, a gift shop and the ability to purchase tickets there should we need them. The front desk also set us up with their free Rewards program and answered any questions we had about it.

The lobby was very trendy and inviting and showed right off the bat that this was a first class locale that offers a full service stay and helpful staff.

I asked about dining and since it was later in the evening, the staff pointed out that the pasta restaurant was closed but that there was an IHOP next to the property that was open 24 hours. There is also a Cafe2Go for those in a hurry which offers drinks, chips, sandwiches, and other snacks.

Families will want to try Red’s Pasta Kitchen for great pasta and treats the entire family will enjoy.

After parking in the lot behind the hotel which is available for $14.00 a day, we checked into our room and were very happy with the modern décor as well as the very comfortable and inviting feel to the room. Everything was spotless and lacked for nothing as it included a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, ironing board, IPod alarm clock, free Wi-Fi, 37’ plasma screen television, and Bath and Body works products.

The dual queen beds were very comfy and that is saying something as we are used to our memory foam bed and often find hotel beds hard to adjust to.

The view from the room was amazing and offered a great view of Disneyland as well as the hotel pool and offers and amazing view of the fireworks at Disneyland. Disney has classified the Red Lion Anaheim a Good Neighbor hotel which means it has earned distinction as a provider of top notch services and accommodations to those visiting the park and staying off site.

The room also had a desk and ample work space and room service was available as well. I noted that the television offered a wide range of stations and not just a handful of options as even The Cartoon Network and Sy Fy Channel were included which is often not the case at most hotels.

The following morning our wakeup call arrived as scheduled and we prepared for a busy day ahead. The hotel gift shop offered plenty of options for those on the go as well as the cafe2go. I had wanted to take advantage of the breakfast buffet at $9.95 but a hectic schedule prevented this.

Disneyland is roughly a city block and a half away and it was a very easy 15-20 minute walk for those who do not wish to wait for a shuttle. We had no trouble at all walking to and from the park even after a very busy day and evening left us exhausted.

Upon our return after a very busy day, we were greeted by a clean room that the hotel staff had diligently cleaned and enjoyed the comfortable beds.

The next morning came with another prompt wakeup call and we had a very smooth check out. The hotel offers guests access from the front and back of the hotel so I was able to load up our car easily from the back elevators and then easily go to the lobby to complete our checkout.

The staff very helpfully directed us to a nearby gas station and confirmed that we had the correct directions to get us back to the highway.
It is little touches like this as well as the front line features and staff that made this a great place to stay.

The hotel is pet friendly so those guests looking to travel with animals will want to check out this option as well.

In a day when so many hotels either cut back on services or charge a premium, the Red Lion Anaheim offers great value and amenities at an affordable rate and features a fantastic staff and locale. For those visiting Disneyland or the city of Anaheim in the future, make sure to check out this hotel as you will be happy that you did.

Postal 3 Coming for Christmas

Posted on by

I am very excited about this as I voice a small part in the game.


Tucson, AZ: “POSTAL III, the outrageous third installment in the legendary POSTAL franchise is finally coming to town” said Vince Desi, scary mall Santa and RWS CEO.

Not even an Al Gore weather forecast could have predicted the difficulties in seeing this project through. When we started development, Cheney was President, Bin Laden was rubbing his magic lamp to bad Pakistani pr0n and Obamacare wasn’t but a dream of an inexperienced community organizer. “Oh how the world has changed” Desi continued; “Peace, Joy and POSTAL III to everyone around the world”.

The RWS unrated edition of POSTAL III with masterpiece box artwork is now available for pre-order at www.postalgames.com. This is the ONLY place you can get the boxed hardcopy edition.

Note: If this press release sucks it’s because we had to write it ourselves. Our dearest friend, Editor and original RWS member Bill “The Game Doctor” Kunkel passed away this past September. We’d like to honor Bill and the Postal Dude’s best friend Champ (who also passed away earlier this year) by proudly self publishing POSTAL III in their memory.

All of us here at RWS are blessed and we wish you and yours the very best of health and happiness this holiday season. Thanks to the greatest video game fans in the world!

New Years Eve

Posted on by

If you ask me, holiday movies have lost their way over the past few years. Not that there haven’t been any good holiday movies recently, but let’s face it… “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” is no “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I think that New Year’s Eve brings us back to the feel good holiday movies that the film industry has been missing.

The cast in this is huge. Michelle Pfeiffer, Zac Efron, Robert De Niro, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Seth Meyers, Carla Gugino, Katherine Heigl, Jon Bon Jovi, Sofia Vergara, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Abigail Breslin, Hilary Swank and Josh Duhamel are all players in this film. This is only the tip of the ice berg too as there are many smaller roles with cameos from big names.

New Year’s Eve follows several different story lines that are all connected in some way, whether small or big, the stories do intertwine. Michelle Pfieffer plays a meek, timid office worker who finally has had it with her miserable job. She enlists the help of bike messenger Zac Efron to help her complete all the tasks on her “bucket list” type resolution list. Robert De Niro plays a dying cancer patient whose wish is to see the ball drop one last time, and Halle Berry is the nurse that is attending him. Seth Meyers and Jessica Biel play an expectant couple who are in a race with another couple to have the first baby of the New Year in order to win the Hospital’s contest and receive $25,000.

Katherine Heigl plays a chef for a catering company that has landed a huge gig at one of the largest parties in New York. Sofia Vergara is her sous chef who is humorously fanatic over Jon Bon Jovi. Jon Bon Jovi plays a version of himself (a musician) who happens to be Katherine Heigl’s ex-boyfriend. Ashton Kutcher is very anti-New Year’s and during his protest of the holiday ends up becoming stuck in an elevator with Lea Michele, a new tenant in his building who is on her way to a new job as a backup singer.

Sarah Jessica Parker is a single mother who gets to spend the New Year with her daughter, played by Abigail Breslin. But Abigail has her sights set on spending New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Hilary Swank plays the newly appointed Vice President of the Times Square Alliance, which for the intents of this movie means that she’s in charge of the Times Square ball dropping and runs into a few problems along the way. Josh Duhamel is desperately trying to make it from his cousin’s wedding to New York City in time to give an important speech at his company’s party, as well as make another very important meeting.

I found this movie to be a great date movie. It’s cute and funny, but without being overly obnoxious as some holiday movies try to be. It is very clever in its story telling, and makes great use of the stellar cast. Though I personally could have done without the Robert De Niro story line, I really enjoyed the film overall. It is great to see a wholesome Holiday movie that does not have to rely on gags and clichés (not too much anyway).

4 out of 5 stars.

ABC Prep & Landing Teaser

Posted on by

The yuletide adventures of Christmas elves Lanny and Wayne continue this season. With the Big 2-5 fast approaching, Wayne and Lanny must race to recover classified North Pole technology that has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Desperate to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos, Wayne seeks out the foremost Naughty Kid expert to aid in the mission, a bombastic member of the Coal Elf Brigade who also happens to be his estranged brother, Noel.”


Official Site“