Darren Aronofsky's NOAH Sets Sail as a Graphic Novel
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Hey Boston, We're Giving Away Passes To 'THE LEGEND OF HERCULES' Starring Kellan Lutz!
In the epic origin story THE LEGEND OF HERCULES, Kellan Lutz stars as the mythical Greek hero – the son of Zeus, a half-god, half-man blessed with extraordinary strength. Betrayed by his stepfather, the King, and exiled and sold into slavery because of a forbidden love, Hercules must use his formidable powers to fight his way back to his rightful kingdom. Through harrowing battles and gladiator-arena death matches, Hercules embarks on a legendary odyssey to overthrow the King and restore peace to the land.
And we're giving away passes to see the film on Thursday, January 9 at 7pm at the Regal Fenway.
To download advanced passes to see THE LEGEND OF HERCULES, go to gofobo.com/RSVP and enter the code: FOGJTCQ
The Legend of Hercules opens on January 10th, 2014
For more details visit HerculesTheLegendBegins.com
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INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (review)
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| Review by Caitlyn Thompson |
Produced by Scott Rudin & Joel and Ethan Coen
Written and Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman,
Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake, F. Murray Abraham,
Stark Sands, Jeanine Serralles, Adam Driver , Ethan Phillips,
Alex Karpovsky, Max Casella, Benjamin Pike
Garrett Hedlund, Justin Timberlake, F. Murray Abraham,
Stark Sands, Jeanine Serralles, Adam Driver , Ethan Phillips,
Alex Karpovsky, Max Casella, Benjamin Pike
CBS Films / Rated R
The films of the Coen Brothers often feature some kind of anti-hero. Focusing on a single character's (or group of characters’) journey that rarely ends positively.
Yet, even though characters can be cruel (No Country For Old Men), honorable (Fargo), ridiculous (Burn After Reading), hopeless (A Serious Man) or tough (True Grit), they evoke a great amount of respect, if not, an odd infatuation.
In Inside Llewyn Davis, Joel and Ethan Coen deliver something new: tenderness. A sensitive look at an insensitive man.
We are given a week in the life of a struggling folk singer, who refuses to compromise his integrity to become a successful artist.
And in a few timeless days the Coen’s illustrate the consequential self-destruction of pride.
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'TIS THE SEASON': An Animated Look At What Santa Does In the Off-Season...It Includes Cosplay & Ball Gags So Prepare Yourself
'Tis the Season is a lovely, albeit strange, video Christmas card from animators/directors Jens Blank and Anna Benner who explore the down time of several Xmas-specific characters including: Santa, a couple of presents, a herd of reindeer and even a Xmas tree, all done in a documentary-style.
And while it's nice to see that the reindeer spend the better part of the year eating and crapping in a field, I will admit it's a bit odd to see Santa enjoying a bit of rough-and-tumble sex play via ball gags and a candy cane flogging.
Although, I'm certainly not judging, the man is under tremendous pressure for like 4-weeks.
Video after the break.
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HARLAN ELLISON Has A Few Choice Words About 'Saving Mr. Banks' and One of Them Is "Bullsh*t"
Speculative Fiction writer Harlan Ellison is a prolific author who has over 1700 various works under his belt (including one of my favorite Star Trek episodes ever, The City on the Edge of Forever) so I tend to listen to the man whenever he speaks.
Of course, this YouTube commentary (or rant, if you'd prefer) concerning the Tom Hanks/Emma Thompson flick, Saving Mr. Banks is a little more incoherent than his usual talking points, but even so, I'd rather listen to Ellison pontificate on what he feels is a "bullshit" take on what actually happened between Walt Disney, P.L. Travers and the bastardized version of her book Mary Poppins than pretty much anything else.
So if you're like me and have no desire to do anything resembling being productive, then by all means join me in a fantastic ten minutes of one man's pisstivity about a movie that will probably end up as an Oscar contender.
You'll be glad that you did.
Video after the break.
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100 of the Greatest Action Movie Quotes of All-Time...The Super-Cut
Look, we've all said them (or desperately wanted to) at one time or another and even if these one-liners are cheesy and over-used, it still feels good to scream "YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!" in the middle of a fight.
Right?
So watch 100 of the very best movie quotes from the action movies that we love and feel free to use most (if not all of them) at this year's company Christmas party. Like the rule says, What happens at the Xmas party, stays at the Xmas party...except for murder, that is still frowned upon even if everyone's completely hammered.
Video after the break.
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The Overlooked Flair of Bullwinkle J. Moose
Darrell Van Citters’s The Art of Jay Ward Productions is the first book of its kind, in that its presentation of the art itself successfully destroys a lot of mythology surrounding some beloved animated cartoons.
Everyone knows that the accepted truth about the cartoons Jay Ward produced in the ‘50s and ‘60s is, well true. Rocky & Bullwinkle and its ilk were true TV cartoons, as deft writing and the tag-team relay performances of the voice artists did the heaviest lifting.
The actual art, the drawing and animation, was nonexistent and that was the joke: the drawing and animation didn’t get in the way of the, ah, jokes.
I spent considerable time looking at the earliest TV cartoons researching for Sick Little Monkeys, and my conclusions about that period are the same: most of the fond reverence of that material is blind nostalgia, whereas the Ward cartoons are the only TV cartoons worth taking seriously until the ‘90s boom. As historian Keith Scott said, Rocky & Bullwinkle was The Simpsons of its day.
Unfortunately, it came about thirty years too early.
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MY TOP 5: BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES
And we all hate that.
But that’s just too bad. I get a little sappy, too. I also make the same list that everyone else makes…sometimes even with the same movies.
It’s just that these movies are so good that it’s hard to believe that there are better movies out there. It’s like making a Top 10 Best Movies Of All Time list and being disappointed that it has Citizen Kane on it.
My question would be “Why the hell is Kane not on here?!”
So, here it is. This is my “Best Christmas Movies” list. Just straight up. No jokes. No twist. Just five Christmas movies that I make it a point to watch every December.
PS—I’ve already written about The Lion In Winter twice. I’ll keep that one off of this list…this time.
But rest assured. It would be on here otherwise. I love that movie and it’s a great movie for those of us who need to get away from the family at some point during Christmas.
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That Time of the Week: DVD/Blu Releases From 12/10/13 and 12/17/13!
Our last column for 2013 features more than enough material to allow you to watch some movies instead of imagining sugar plums dancing their hearts out. There's stuff in here for cinegeeks of all ages to fill their stocking with so
Fire up that queue and prep that shopping cart. It's that time of the week!
Fast & Furious 6
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| Universal / Released 12/10/13 |
Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez lead a cast of returning all-stars as the global blockbuster franchise built on speed delivers the biggest adrenaline rush yet. Hobbs (Johnson) has been tracking an organization of lethally skilled drivers, whose mastermind (Luke Evans) is aided by the love Dom (Diesel) thought was dead, Letty (Rodriguez). The only way to stop the criminal mercenaries from stealing a top secret weapon is to outmatch them at street level, so Hobbs asks for the help of Dom and his elite team. Payment for the ultimate chase? Full pardons for all of them and a chance to make their families whole again. Extras include commentary, featurettes, extended cut of the film, and deleted scenes.
Last Word: The latest chapter in this continually evolving franchise wraps up several story threads including Han Leu's ultimate fate. Ridiculously entertaining, Fast & Furious 6 continues the pattern of evolving the series' characters and mythology while providing some over the top set pieces and car chases. More than ever, the series is about family, and the warm camaraderie amongst the ensemble is palpable and genuine. In fact, it might be the most family friendly franchise being released today, with very little in the way of sex, violence and language and instead focusing on pure action. It's hard not to watch the film and not reflect on the sudden loss of co-star Paul Walker. Fast & Furious 6 under the helm of returning director Justin Lin is once again an absurd, over the top summer movie that's a whole lot of fun. Highly recommended.
Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special: The Day of the Doctor
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| BBC Home Video / Released 12/10/13 |
Doctor Who: The Day of The Doctor, written by lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, sees the Doctors (Matt Smith and David Tennant) embark on their greatest adventure across space and time. In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London's National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor's own dangerous past comes back to haunt him. Starring Matt Smith, David Tennant, Jenna Coleman, with Billie Piper and John Hurt, this is the event fans have been waiting for. The special also stars Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart, daughter of legendary Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and Joanna Page as Queen Elizabeth I. Extras include retrospective, two mini-episodes, featurette and trailers.
Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition
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| WDSHE / Released 12/10/13 |
Released from the Disney Vault in celebration of its 50th Anniversary this beloved classic shines like never before on Blu-ray with an all-new digital restoration. Winner of five Academy Awards (1964), including Best Actress (Julie Andrews), Best Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee") and Best Special Visual Effects, Mary Poppins is a movie experience your family will enjoy over and over again.
"Practically Perfect In Every Way" Mary Poppins flies out of the windy London skies and into the home of two mischievous children. With the help of a carefree chimney sweep named Bert (Dick Van Dyke), the spirited nanny turns every chore into a game and every day into a "Jolly Holiday." Share the music, the magic, and the joy of Mary Poppins with a whole new generation for the first time on Disney Blu-ray. Extras include a conversation between composer Richard Sherman and actor Jason Schwartzman, deleted scene, sing-along, reunion and making of.
Last Word: One of the Disney classics makes it's way to Blu-ray in a must-have release. Mary Poppins features all of the caveats of the Disney machine including wonderful animation, memorable songs and rich performances. This release features an impressive presentation and fantastic supplemental features which makes it a must have for any cinegeek's collection. Highly recommended.
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It's A BAD BRAINS XMAS Charlie Brown...A Lovely Punk Mash-up
I don't know how many people are actually going to be reading any of my posts on this bleary day since most everyone I know is running around in a blind panic trying to prepare themselves for the holiday festivities beginning tomorrow, so I'm going to be spending the day amusing myself by plopping down a few oddball Xmas-themed articles that will most certainly be enjoyed only by me.
And the first piece is this lovely mash-up between the holiday favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas and the song stylings of punk/heavy metal band Bad Brains.
Interestingly, it really does seem to work quite well.
Check it out after the break.
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Here's PEE WEE'S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL From 1988, Trust Me, the Guest Stars Alone Are Worth It
If you happen to be at work (and for that, I am truly sorry) there's a 99% chance that you are accomplishing very little, and to help you along with that career goal, here's the entire Christmas episode of Pee Wee's Playhouse that aired back in 1988 which featured a plethora of stars straight out of your ultimate dinner party guest list: Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, Magic Johnson, Dinah Shore, Joan Rivers, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Little Richard, Charo, K.D. Lang, The Del Rubio triplets (does anyone still remember these guys?) and Grace Jones.
Seriously, this is 48 minutes of crazy holiday fun that will take you back to a more innocent time where an adult-themed comedian could get a job hosting a kiddie-show and no one saw his penchant for wacking it in a porn theater coming...oh the sweet memories.
The complete special is after the break.
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NERD PORN: Here's A Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch Dance-Off...Merry Xmas Everyone
Well, I'm off to prepare for a Jewish Christmas (which involves the traditional Chinese Food/Movie Marathon and loads of unopened gifts from gentile friends and family members) so as my gift to you, here's a compilation of swoon-worthy Loki and Sherlock/Khan dancing in various places (but together in my heart).
Like I wasn't going to give you a present...see you after Xmas.
Video after the break.
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Sasquatch Porn, New Lisbeth Salander, Gaiman Goes Scrooge & More!
The Swedish publisher of the late Steig Larsson has announced a sequel to the trilogy will be written by a ghost writer.
A fascinating and important article on writers with privilege.
On the passing of the young adult author.
How Amazon isn't a fan of all erotica, especially any involving bigfoot.
An article on Stephen King's next novel, due out summer 2014.
Some lucky people got to enjoy Neil Gaiman reading A Christmas Carol with voice and beard.
Shelf Awareness reveals its top reads for 2013.
Think you know how Amazon runs things? Here's a true of false selections of questions for you to parse.
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The Top Three Classic Rock Christmas Songs
But the overindulgence of tryptophan had me stirring the next morning to what I assumed were angels singing in the background.
It was a festive sound, but then I realized there were no harps or even Victoria's Secret models with wings.
And since I long ago passed the requirement for Billy Joel's "Only The Good Die Young," there was a better chance I had made a u-turn on the stairway to heaven and was heading in the opposite direction.
Then again if I wanted to declare Billy Joel my spiritual advisor and musical guru, this could be a joy ride where "sinners have much more fun." And besides, maybe I could melt off a few pounds in the heat.
When my head cleared from the turkey fog, I realized I hadn't gone to rock'n roll heaven or hell. I had only slept through the official change in holiday seasons and the classic rock station on my clock radio had changed formats.
I must'a had too much to dream last night.
It's officially Christmas Season and a simple sleigh ride through the radio dials brings that message home faster than if you were living next door to Clark Griswold. It's the only time of the year when Burl Ives, U2, Mariah Carey, Willie Nelson and Perry Como can co-exist on one single airwave.
You wanna hear some Bruce? Okay, he's in the mix. But instead of arriving in a pink Cadillac he's riding with Santa Claus all the way to town. The Beach Boys are there too with Little Saint Nick sitting shotgun in their surf woody.
I don't know when this conglomerate of standard, classic and modern holiday jams started, but guess it was a commandment from the higher ranks of Clear Channel or another radio god. I don't have it in front of me, but somewhere there's an office memo stating after the last bite of Thanksgiving turkey knocks everyone semi-unconscious, thou shalt not play nothing but Christmas music on thy classic rock radio station.
At least that's what happened in my demographic and I've been living with it. I have to, since I padlocked my station of choice on my vintage boom box so the kids can never change it.
Based on what I'd learned in required college math classes and unused since graduation (until now), we spend one-twelfth of the year listening to Christmas songs. Some are pretty good, while others remind us that life's not all that bad when Christmas vacation is finally over and you voluntarily have to attend school assemblies if you want to hear children's choirs.
In case you missed it, that was a well hidden reference to my personal music hangover caused by hearing the children's dirge from A Charlie Brown Christmas over and over again on the radio without benefit of watching the animation on the tube. I just felt it might have been too hidden for some of you, so I tore off the gift wrapping and just said it.
As my kids would say, that's real talk. As Charlie Brown disciples might say, get over it Mr. Grinch.
It may not sound like it, but The Classic Rocker is into the holiday spirit and hasn't even thought about breaking off the dial padlock on the vintage boom box so I can listen to songs we hear during the other eleven-twelfths of the year. There are some definite favorites and hearing them slip-sliding over the airwaves is like welcoming an old friend home in time for the next family sanctioned holiday feeding frenzy.
Some Christmas songs are classic just because of the circumstances.
For example, the pairing of David Bowie and Bing Crosby for Little Drummer Boy can still cause more second looks and confusion than trying to figure out how Charlie Brown's pal Schroeder can outplay Billy Joel on a toy piano.
And Keith Richards' holiday ode to Chuck Berry with Run Rudolph Run only shows that a rock star's eggnog is more potent that what we can legally purchase in the grocery store.
I would say those two songs are worthy runners-up for the list I'm about to rock around your Christmas tree.
And I'm also tempted to give a shout-out to Mariah Carey for All I Want For Christmas Is You, except that would be like inviting one of your kids to the office Christmas party. I ain't gonna happen, but here's a gold star for your effort anyway, kid.
There are a few Christmas songs that pass the strict criteria I'm laying down to differentiate between what's naughty and nice. Naughty means you're only allowed out for one-twelfth of the year. Nice…?
Well, the following songs are still not gonna be heard on my vintage boom box in June.
But if by chance some deejay was just waking up after attending Keith Richards' Christmas party six months earlier and in his eggnog fog hit the wrong playlist, I could be sitting by the pool drenched in sunblock, sipping an umbrella drink and still reach over to turn up the volume.
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'SKULL KID: A Zelda Legend' Fan Film Debuts on Machinima
In case you were up for countless nights trying to piece together the backstory of the Skull Kid, and the finding of the cursed Majora's Mask from the Happy Mask Salesman, rest assured you'll sleep well tonight.
Writer-director-producer-editor-visual effects-and obviously Zelda fan Jared Potter has put together this labor of live which debuted on Machinima today.
Check it out after the jump.
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Win 'THE PERFECT WEDDING' on DVD!
Co-written by married screenwriting team of New York Times bestselling author Suzanne Brockmann and Edgar Award finalist Ed Gaffney, the charming romantic comedy The Perfect Wedding debuts on DVD December 3rd from Wolfe Video. Gavin (Jason T. Gaffney) and Paul (Eric Aragon), two young gay men, meet and fall in love over a holiday weekend where family and friends are planning the wedding of Paul's sister. The problem is, Gavin is posing as the boyfriend of Paul's ex and the two find themselves in a classic comic quandary as they try to ignore their feelings.And we're giving away three copies!
First time feature film Director Scott Gabriel's cast includes Eric Aragon (The Interview), Jason T. Gaffney (Jolly), Apolonia Davalos (Jolly), Brendan Griffin (The Nanny Diaries), Sal Rendino (Blue Collar Boys), Kristine Sutherland (TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and James Rebhorn (Independence Day, TV's White Collar).
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A CHRISTMAS F*CKING MIRACLE- Run the Jewels...A Holiday Song That Will End Up On The Naughty List
Run the Jewels is a rap duo (featuring El-P and Killer Mike) that slammed into the music world's consciousness this very year and saw their self-titled debut album land on most music mag/website's "Best of" year-end list.
Not a bad way to introduce yourselves.
And here to add some Xmas cheer to the holidays, comes their delightfully tainted A Christmas Fucking Miracle that I'm pretty sure will be one of those songs that families will gather together around piano and sing to while drunk on egg nog.
Now that's one Xmas memory I wouldn't mind making.
Video after the break.
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LIL BUB'S MAGICAL YULE LOG VIDEO: This Xmas Relax In Front Of A Roaring Kitteh
Like those awesomely divine videos of a Yule Log burning to various instrumental holiday songs, this hour-long homage features a roaring fire and Internet sensation Lil Bub purring away for the enjoyment of the masses, which, if I'm being completely honest, is strangely compelling. Why, it's almost as if it is a physical manifestation of Zen koan.
Watching this video will not only release all that pent up holiday stress, it will empty your mind and fill your noggin with a sense of contentment the likes of which one would only be able to reach with the help of a box of NyQuil Zzzzzs and a glass of wine.
And yes, I'm being serious.
I've watched it twice and not only am I already becoming a better human being, I actually felt the tugging of enlightenment pulling at my dried up soul and dipping its ends into a moisturizing bath of purpose...I don't know if I will actually follow through on this feeling, but for now, I'm chalking it up to a Xmas miracle and enjoying it.
So if you are looking for 60 minutes of being all Zen amid the family holiday meltdowns that will no doubt occur over the next couple of days, then watch this video and find that inner peace you are searching for...or better yet, spark up a fat blunt in the bathroom, watch the video on your phone and head on down the rabbit hole, either way you'll feel much better.
I promise.
Video after the break.
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The Meaning of Justice – The End of All Along the Watchtower
Well, it seems like just yesterday I was writing my very first entry in this Justice League centric series, and here I am now, writing my last. To be fair, that could be because I’ve been up for about 50 hours straight doing writing and housework, so my concept of space and time right now is like something out of a Kubrick film.
I was asked by some readers when this column began what it was about the Justice League that appealed to me so much.
Was it the characters, that is, did it matter who was on the League at any given time?
Or was it what they stood for?
And, really, it’s a definite combination of the two to be sure, but I can’t pretend it’s not more the latter because what’s not to like about the idea of a bunch of heroes watching over us and wanting to safeguard us from the forces of evil?
I was asked by some readers when this column began what it was about the Justice League that appealed to me so much.
Was it the characters, that is, did it matter who was on the League at any given time?
Or was it what they stood for?
And, really, it’s a definite combination of the two to be sure, but I can’t pretend it’s not more the latter because what’s not to like about the idea of a bunch of heroes watching over us and wanting to safeguard us from the forces of evil?
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Ha! Take that, evil! |
Now that’s not to say I don’t have a favorite roster because I totally do, and it’s got to be what I call the Big Seven Plus Plastic Man; one circa Joe Kelly’s run where we had Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, and, of course, Plastic Man because that right there was just a powerhouse team and that made the threats have to be bigger and more sinister to justify why they all needed to chip in instead of just having Batman come up with a plan in like two seconds and end the fight, Grant Morrison Batgod style.
But with all of the different incarnations of the League over the years—and spinoffs like Dark, Elite, and International—there was pretty much always something to like and I think the fact that the concept of the League has endured for so long speaks to something within each of us—well, those of us that aren’t dicks—that wants to see justice done, that wants to see evil punished and good triumphant.
Because, you know what? That’s not necessarily the way it works in the real world.
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What This Year Has Meant For Games Industry
The year 2013 has been monumental for the games industry.
I don't just mean in terms of next-gen console releases or new games, because there were plenty of high-end titles on offer that fell short.
No, this year has seen the way we look at games and what we perceive games to be change.
No longer do consoles rule the roost.
I don't just mean in terms of next-gen console releases or new games, because there were plenty of high-end titles on offer that fell short.
No, this year has seen the way we look at games and what we perceive games to be change.
No longer do consoles rule the roost.
Tablet devices and mobile phones have burst forth over the last few years but have never really been taken seriously; with many veteran gamers, myself included, deeming them unworthy adversaries.
Yet 2013 saw critics, reviewers and journalists revering mobile games and indie titles in the same vein as the usual suspects we usually come to expect like Grand Theft Auto V, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag and The Last Of Us.
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| With much untapped potential and new titles for the next-gen consoles - I can't wait for 2014 |
Personally, I think something in the gaming world has stirred. The air of pretencion and elitist snobbery is starting to thin and indie developers and companies are offering up something new an industry which has, though I hate to admit it, stagnated and become predictable in recent years.
Mobile gaming is still on the increase and are constantly improving with many titles reaching beyond their medium, it's no longer simple, addictive games like Angry Birds or Candy Crush Saga anymore.
I'll admit that I'm actually a little bit afraid. I'm scared for the games industry, for too long (despite being a relatively new industry) it has been caught in a predictable loop, big companies aren't taking the risks that lead to innovation anymore and those that do, make tiny, incremental baby steps for fear of shaking up the status quo and upsetting an audience who have become creatures of habit.
Consoles have become a popularity contest, it's not about the games anymore, it's about the gamers and their social interaction...apparently.
Though, the big three companies - Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo - all seem to forget that we don't give a damn about a console that lets us connect with other people. If we want a social network, we'll login to Facebook or Twitter on other devices.
Our games consoles need only be about one thing; games.
Though, the big three companies - Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo - all seem to forget that we don't give a damn about a console that lets us connect with other people. If we want a social network, we'll login to Facebook or Twitter on other devices.
Our games consoles need only be about one thing; games.
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