Posts Filed Under: movies

Mike sent me an IM, “You want to go see the new Tron in 3D IMAX on Saturday?” I’m like, “Hell yeah!”

Driving down, we had a suspicion it was just a trailer from all the chatter across the web leading up to the event. Rumors were even flying it was attached to an early screening of the new Alice in Wonderland. That made the most sense, with Tron still being 10 months out, and Alice being just a week. Besides, Disney owns both…

It turned out it was only the new trailer, shown twice. (For some proper journalism on the event, check out Mike’s recount on Kotaku.)

The screening was at THE BRIDGE: Cinema de Lux in The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center — my old stomping grounds in Culver City, CA. Culver City also happens to be the place where the original Flynn’s Arcade stood. Now its a swank restaurant called Akasha.

Both Tron directors were on hand — the original, Steven Lisberger, and the new, Joseph Kosinski. This gave me some hope that the movie may turn out all right. That, and the trailer was pretty stunning. It is going to be a must see in 3D IMAX.

From what I gathered during the 20 minute Q & A session (while the film rewound), Daft Punk was heavily involved and will be in the movie, Disney will be recreating Flynn’s Arcade, and expect a game. Sometimes avoiding questions can say more than any press release.

Mike needs some wheels, so instead of carjacking some random SUV like I have been doing for the past week, we decide to go test drive a Nissan.  While at the dealer, talk quickly turns from the practical 5 door Rogue we came to check out, to the soon to be released company halo car, the Nissan GT-R.  Our sales man, Michael Harris, at Santa Monica Nissan confided in us that none other than Donald Sutherland snatched up the first GT-R hitting these shores.  He also explained it was for his kid, which if I do the math correctly means it could be for Keifer – unlikely because Jack Bauer can afford his own – so that leaves Agnus, Rossif, or Roeg Sutherland.  Mr. Sales Man also let it be known the Donald didn’t blink at the $30,000.00 dealer mark-up.

I’m not envious or anything.

I’m just into the GT-R.  Almost as much as Kazunori Yamauchi.

Uwe Boll, this is for you: Tenacious D – Cosmic Shame

JB & KG are swooping down and telling you to STOP in the form of this petition. You will never make a video game related movie that looks as good as the upcoming Onechanbara.

Just like the Simple 2000 budget series video game, it is going to be so bad it’s good. Please face it, Uwe, this concept has been elusive at best your entire “career”, and will never be within your grasp.

Yes, I’m a bit late to the party where everyone gushes over the official shots of the Watchmen, but allow me the opportunity for a handful of OMGs and \(^o^)/s. Above is about the best we could hope for with the Comedian. Sure, it’s the default leathery, ribbed costume that has been in just about every super hero movie, but the lack of Kevlar nipples is comforting. Nite Owl may not have much of a pot belly and Ozymandias may look somewhat milquetoasty but I’m very, very excited.

If you don’t know what Watchmen is, let Wikipedia get you up to speed: “Watchmen is set in 1985, in an alternative history United States where costumed adventurers are real and the country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union (the Doomsday Clock is at five minutes to midnight). It tells the story of a group of past and present superheroes and the events surrounding the mysterious murder of one of their own. Watchmen depicts superheroes as real people who must confront ethical and personal issues, who struggle with neuroses and failings, and who – with one notable exception – lack anything recognizable as super powers. Watchmen’s deconstruction of the conventional superhero archetype, combined with its innovative adaptation of cinematic techniques and heavy use of symbolism, multi-layered dialogue, and metafiction, has influenced both comics and film.”

I think I can also get behind the Silk Spectre look.

Now, how the hell are they going to handle all that Dr. Manhattan junk on display? It’s gonna be a long wait for March 2009.

Have you ever seen something so retarded and out of place that it ends up being cool and working? Well, the addition of Yoda and Darth Vader into the Soul Calibur universe may be just that. The nine year old in me flipped out when Namco announced that the two guest-stars will be appearing in the next installment on their respective color-coded gaming systems.

Please tell me Voldo will have an alternate C-3PO costume.

Every blue moon some information will break about some game that shoots it immediately to the top of my list of most anticipated. I can’t exactly explain why. It may be the timing, or the look, or be based on something that I may have been into some time ago. The track record for these games has been mixed. Off the top of my head here’s a sampling:

Diablo 2, because the original Diablo was so damn good. I remember reading diabloii.net daily for over a year for any hint of a rumor. Diablo 2 turned out pretty good, but I way over-hyped it in my head and nothing could have ever lived up to expectations I had built, not even the Secret Cow Level.

Star Wars Galaxies, because I thought, “Holy shit, the resources of Sony combined with the depth of the Star Wars Universe! How could this not be the most enthralling game ever! Plus, it’s a secret how to become a Jedi! Something about unlocking your Force Sensitive Character Slot!” We know how that turned out.

Dead Rising, because you will be able to kill hoards of zombies with hedge clippers, and fire extinguishers, and oversized stuffed animals! I’m going to get this for the PS3 day one!

Well, a new game has eclipsed all others for the top slot: Ghostbusters.

All aboard the hype train!