Thursday, June 20, 2013

World War Z Early Thoughts

As a self-proclaimed "zombie movie expert", I had yet to be excited for this movie.  I got an opportunity to watch it tonight, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.  This is kind of a review I guess...I am not good at reviewing anything, so this is really just a collection of my thoughts on it.


Now I hate to admit this, but as a huge Zombie Survival Guide fan, I went out and bought World War Z immediately after it came out.  Unfortunately, for some reason I have never actually cracked it open.  I'm not sure why, and I really have no excuse.  Either way, this film apparently just has absolutely nothing to do with the book anyway.


The film stars Brad Pitt.  While I have never seen a Brad Pitt movie he didn't do well in, I didn't see how he was a good choice for this movie.  After watching it, I'm satisfied with their choice.  He is definitely a believe-able actor, and I can see him being a bad ass without problem.  Nobody else from the movie really seems to stand out after watching it, nobody did a bad job that I can recall.


I'll start with what I like about the movie.  It is pretty intense.  It has a PG-13 rating, which I will talk about later, but still seemed violent and intense.  The action scenes definitely kept my attention, and the zombies seem to be a genuine threat.  All of the scenes with zombies chasing people had me on the edge of my seat.  Parts of the film felt like Left 4 Dead the movie.

Superman Now Available on Netflix!

I recently got out of a screening of Man of Steel, and I have to say I was very impressed!  Finally a Superman movie I am proud to be a fan of!  It honestly was everything I expected and more, but this most isn't about the Man of Steel, it is about what all of you are going to watch after you get home from seeing it.

Justice League (2001)

I have talked about this show many, many times on this blog, and if you haven't watched it already, please do so.  While the show isn't entirely Superman, he certainly is featured regularly.  Typically, the show follows a few characters fighting off some super-villains, but occasionally there is a big enough threat to require them all.  This show has most the classic Superman villains, and while Superman typically has help from the rest of the Justice League, he does do work on his own from time to time!  Both seasons are currently available on Netflix!

Justice League Unlimited (2004)

This show is a continuation of Justice League, but includes a huge roster of characters.  With this huge amount of characters, Superman kind of has less screen time, but still plenty.  Notable villains include Lex Luthor, Brainiac, and even Doomsday in the second season!  Both seasons on Netlix now!

All-Star Superman (2011)

All-Star Superman is based on the comic book of the same name.  I've never actually seen this, and I might need to watch it soon.  The book is very much critically acclaimed, so I'm sure this isn't bad.  The movie is more or less about Superman's last days.  He gets some kind of radiation from flying to close to the sun and has a few weeks to live.  He kind of have a dilemma, does he do everything he has ever wanted to before he dies, or just focus on saving the world like usual.  The movie itself got kind of mixed reviews, but it isn't going to cost you anything but an hour and fourteen minutes of your time.

Superman VS the Elite (2012)

This DC animated movie is based on the story"What's so Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?".  Superman goes against of new team of superheroes/vigilantes.  They are very violent, cruel "heroes".  Superman kind of has a big showdown with them to prove some points.  The movie has some morals to it, like violence isn't the answer and all that.  It's not bad, not my favorite DC Animated film by any means, but worth a viewing.

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse (2010)

As more of a Batman fan than Superman, I am definitely going to recommend this.  It even has Batman the Animated Series and Arkham Series voice actor Kevin Conroy as Batman!  It is really a sequel to Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, but that isn't on Netflix currently.  Regardless, this is still a good movie.  Despite the name of the movie, and the DVD cover, and the trailer...this film is really about Supergirl.  If you watch it expecting mainly Batman and Superman, you might be a little disappointed.  In fact, I fell asleep the first time I tried to watch this, but don't think it is bad because of that.

Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam (2010)

Technically, Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam is a 25 minute short film.  DC Animated does these little short films that act as special features on DVDs.  These are usually about characters who probably couldn't pull their own movie.  They just aren't popular enough apparently.  Anyway, on Netflix they have four shorts strung together as one movie listed as Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam.  I actually haven't watch any of them yet,  and I know very little about Shazam or Black Adam.  I know they are arch-enemies, and Shazam is just a guy (or kid I guess), that was chosen to wield this awesome power to fight Black Adam.  Shazam is also known as Captain Marvel, but don't confuse him with a certain Kree of the same name. 

Justice League: Doom (2012)

I saved the best for last.  Justice League: Doom is quite loosely based on "Justice League: Tower of Babel".  While I prefer the story in the book, this one of pretty damn good too.  As a safety pre-caution, Batman has a file that indicates how to take down every member of the Justice League, just in case somebody goes rogue.  That premise alone is pretty damn awesome, but get these files in to the hands of a super-villain, and you have a heck of a story.  In the film version, Vandal Savage and the Mirror Master get their hands on Batman's files indicating all the physical and emotional weaknesses of each Justice League member.  Savage puts together a team of villains to help him take down the Justice League once and for all.  I don't want to ruin it, but for example, they dig up Bruce's parents and when he goes to check it out, Bane takes advantage of his emotional well-being and beats him.  If you like the movie, I highly recommend reading it, it is really great!


That is pretty much it for Superman available on Netflix.  They are some really old Superman cartoons, but I really can't sit through them.  Maybe modern cartoons have destroyed my attention span.  Either way, they might be worth checking out!  Let me know if I forgot anything!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Marvel Universe Heroic Age Avengers Team Pack


Finally!  I have waited on buying the Bleeding Edge Iron Man figure for so long knowing it was in this pack.


Today I opened my Heroic Age Avengers Team Pack.

Marvel Universe Wave 7 Modern Thor

This is just repaints, but still worth it to me.  I love the Modern Thor figure, and I really do like the new color scheme.  No problem there.  I always need more Thors.

Marvel Universe Comic Pack Wave 13 Hulk

The Red Hulk in this pack is just a repaint of the recently released Hulk figure.  That is okay, a hulk is a hulk I guess.

Thor Series Frost Giant


I really do love everything about this Thor.

Marvel Universe Wave 19 She-Hulk Figure


Here is a figure I know practically nothing about!  It's She-Hulk!



I briefly know her origins, but other than that I'm pretty clueless.  I know she gets around if you know what I mean...

Marvel Universe Wave 19 Future Foundation Spider-Man

I remember her from the '90 Incredible Hulk cartoon and her brief role in Civil War.

Marvel Universe Comic Pack Wave 13 Hulk

Overall she is a pretty solid figure.  I've got a few complaints, but not bad ones.

Marvel Universe Future Foundation Team Pack Invisible Woman

She kind of still has the typical woman body, but it's bigger and more proportioned properly.  He hands seem really, really small though.

Marvel Universe Battle Pack SHIELD Agent
 
Marvel Universe Wave 18 Kraven the Hunter


Thor Series Frost Giant



She is quite articulate and fairly easy to pose.  Her hair is a little restrictive on her neck, but I can get over that.

Marvel Universe Wave 12 World War Hulk


Marvel Universe Comic Pack Wave 13 Juggernaut


Injustice: Gods Among Us Solomon Grundy and Wonder Woman
Marvel Universe Heroic Age Avengers Team Pack Red Hulk

I feel like Wonder Woman and She-Hulk should team up sometime!

Marvel Universe Wave 12 Doc Samson


This is my best reenactment of She-Hulk in Civil War.

Marvel Universe Wave 2 Hulk

Bad Game Reviews - Fast and Furious: Showdown

Alright, so I know of a few people in person, and even more on the internet that bought this game and are upset with it.  Well, you bought a game based on Fast and Furious that started at $40. What were you expecting?


Fast and Furious: Showdown is a typical Need for Speed copy game, with a few added twists.  Now, to be clear, I only played the story mode, I never tried any of the challenges of co-op gameplay.  There are a variety of different levels throughout the game, typically similar levels are spread out enough to help prevent too much repetition.


All of the missions are very much movie themed, some of them straight out of the films.  There are a few basic "racing" levels where your entire goal is just to get in first place, as well as variations of that such as elimination runs.  They all are from the movie, or star characters from the movies.


For example, a few missions are simply just "outrun the cops" missions.  During the fifth film, they pull a giant safe with a car.  You get to do that while running from the police.  It is actually kind of fun.  There are other combat style missions.  One person drives, the other shoots.  There is a small variety of weapons, but I felt there were enough to keep it interesting.  Also, there are two missions featuring the vehicular combat cars from Fast and Furious 6.  I don't know what to call them, but they are the ones that flip cars into the air.  those missions are pretty great actually.


If you are craving a racing game, there is literally nothing here you aren't going to find elsewhere done better. However, if you are really into the whole "Fast and Furious" thing, this is probably for you.  It builds a little more on the characters and is a great introduction to the sixth film.  Also, every level is built to be played with two people.  There are always either two cars, or one shooter and one driver.  I didn't get a chance to play co-op, but I can't see how it wouldn't increase the fun of this game tremendously.


Like I have said many times before, it isn't a perfect game, but that is what Red Box is for.  I beat the entire story mode in under six hours.  I got off work around 9:00 PM and was finished with the game well before 4:00 AM.  It costs me $2 and it was totally worth that.



I don't recommend it for the full price, but it is going to drop really fast really soon.  I do recommend it to any die hard fans of the series, and I know you are out there.  It's got a fun story for fans of the series and familiar characters.  I would recommend it for the $10-$20 range.




Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Marvel Universe Wave 19 Future Foundation Spider-Man Figure


I'm so excited to have all the Future Foundation figures available!


Wait a second, didn't I just do a post about this guy?

Marvel Universe Greatest Battles Spider-Man

Nope!  It was the inverse!


I've always found this accessory useless...

Marvel Universe Greatest Battles Hulk

...until right now!

Marvel Universe Wave 3 Spider-Man