[AX] Awesome Cos is Awesome
Day two at AX has just finished for the 8th-circuit gang and I. By some technical problems prevented us from getting video footage, we were able to string together some photos of some of our favorite costumes and outfits. Enjoy the pics and be sure to check in again soon for some shots of our soon-to-be Saturday through Sunday all-nighter. Also, for those attending the con, keep an eye out for some of the 8th's eds, including myself, in costume at the Valve meetup Saturday morning at 10.
Edit: Due to some unfortunate technical failings (mostly my fault), the gallery is now located here.
[AX] Day One: Accomplished!
Hello, hello from Anime Expo 2009! Day one for me has just drawn to a close; my feet ache, my stomach is rumbling, and I can barely keep my eyes open for the drive home. But by God, I had a great time. Now to preface my previous complaints with some background, to say that AX came around at a rather inconvenient time would be an understatement.
Review: Public Enemies
In these stressful economic times, wouldn’t we all just love to rob a bank? Well, hopefully none of us will act upon this wishful desire; otherwise Public Enemies will become one of too many films that have had public actions of homage pinned onto them. The newest Michael Mann picture glorifies bank robber John Dillinger much as Arthur Penn did with Bonny and Clyde. Overall, the picture tries to be an epic gangster flick but never quite coalesces. Nonetheless it is beautiful to watch and listen to, while probably being one of the more intellectual blockbusters of the summer.
StarCraft II: Battle Report 3
WoW! (pun intended) The third Starcraft II Battle Report is amazing. While the new map, Scrapyard, might seem to be a little lopsided, giving the player on the right a slight advantage, I could be completely wrong. Battle Report 3 also introduces a new terrain quirk, the smoke vent. Smoke vents are strategically placed around the map and prevent units from seeing within, allowing a player to hide and mount a sneak attack. Aside from the smoke vents the map is similar to the maps shown to us in previous battle reports.
Music Video(s) of the Week, part 17: The Return
Hello everybody! Did you forget about me, or have you died of music video deprivation? I hope not, because that means I’ve written this article for zombies who probably won’t be able to appreciate it. Nevertheless, let us continue; I apologize with my lack of articles for the past two months, but now that we are fully into summer, nothing can stop me from invading your music life every Monday. Now, who’s ready for a dive into some unconventional videos?
A Week in Review - June 28
Been missing what's going on this week? Feeling left out? Not to worry! Check out a list of some of the major going-ons on the 8th and around the interwebs.
Video Games | Film & TV | Literature & Graphic Novels
Second Opinion: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
It’s finally happened. It’s been many years in the making, but it finally happened: Michael Bay has lost his goddamn mind. In what can only be described as the ultimate example of spectacle over substance, Bay rides the fine line between insanity and self-parody into an ego-fueled romp displaying the dangers of giving the man a $200 million budget.
Review: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Or: what’s with the unnecessary subtitles? Just call it Transformers 2
I wouldn’t call myself the biggest Transformers fan. Sure, I’m semi-familiar with the characters, and I watched the awesome early 90s Beast Wars; but other than that, I can’t say I’m particularly familiar with Transformers. Regardless, the 2007 live action film was a pretty big blockbuster and so I found it to be my duty as a critic to watch said blockbuster, and its recently released sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Lend a Helping Hand
Remember Retro Game Challenge, a title we awarded a rather impressive 8.8/10 to? Well, if not, you would be well advised to read up on our review!
Daybreakers Trailer is Really, Really Good
Okay, maybe I need to stop complaining so much about the lack of original ideas in Hollywood. From District 9 to Inglorious Basterds, there are some really awesome, and original, films coming out in the near future. Add to that list Daybreakers, which came to my attention today in the form of a truly spectacular trailer. The film is set in a world where a disease has turned a vast majority of mankind has been turned into vampires. Unlike most films of the "monster plague" genre, society has continued to function much in the same way it had before, factoring in the advantages and disadvantages of being a vampire of course.
District 9: Level 5 Alert!
The fan response to Neill Blomkamp's District 9 has so far been pretty split. However, I can definitely say I stand on the side of, this movie looks like one of the most intriguing and original films to come out in a long time.
Tarantino and his Basterds
an editorial
This summer has kind of been a dim one blockbuster-wise. Sure, Star Trek was good, but it wasn't as good as Iron Man. And yes, I was pleasantly surprised by Terminator Salvation, but only because my expectations were so low. That being said, things might be getting a bit brighter. With Public Enemies, Bruno, and Funny People on the horizon I'm finally starting to feel the summer season excitement. But the film that really gets my blood pumping in anticipation in Inglorious Basterds.
All Things Print - Wikipedia the Book
Every few years you hear about brilliant college kids who start their own media empires in their basements; Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, true greats. Today it was reported that college Rob Matthews of Brighton will not be among those people for his radical new idea. Matthews intends to turn Wikipedia in a book.
Max Payne 3: Fatter, Balder, Beard...er
Max Payne has not aged very gracefully. Twelve years after the events of The Fall of Max Payne, our antihero finds himself in Brazil. No longer a cop but a bodyguard for a wealthy Sao Paulo family. Rockstar has now released six new images of Payne kicking ass and taking names in Brazil's gritty gang-war battlefields. Check 'em out below and be sure to click through each image for a link to a full rez pic.
Preview: Final Fantasy XIV
As a Final Fantasy XI player, I can tell you that FFXI’s online community carries some of the most loyal and hardcore fans in the MMORPG world. There has been a slew of new content for FFXI in terms of downloadable contents since its release, and thus many of the fore mentioned gamers play the game regularly. It is no secret that FFXI is a great game, but one must accept that it has lost some of its luster. Alas, it is truly the right time for a sequel. Enter, Final Fantasy XIV, an indirect “sequel” to FFXI.

