Chat Bots Don't Exist on Xyxizia Prime

SETI recently stumbled across a transmission between a VERY open minded 22 year old female and....well, just read for yourself after the jump.

Screw PC Gaming

Prepare for a rage post, guys. Back in August, a small game came out, rather obscure, maybe you've heard of it, called Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Now, normally I'm a console gamer, but something like Deus Ex demands you experience it as the original was played, on a PC. This is where I made my first mistake. Read on to discover the horrors of relearning the PC gaming world.

A bit literal, but apt.

Batman: Arkham City Impressions

If you look at the blog for, oh, say, a week, you might notice that there haven't been too many posts. If you happen to look back to the 18th, you may also notice that a certain game was released on that day. Now, I don't want to say Batman: Arkham City has actually taken up all of our free time in the past week, with us playing until 5 in the morning on some days, but....No, wait, that is exactly what I wanted to say. The game is fantastic. Go buy it right now. Right now. Go.


What, you want more? Ok, but this is seriously cutting into my playtime here.

"Why are they not playing right now, Quinn?"

John's 2 cents on NYC Comic Con 2011

      Well, Tom covered the most of the story.  I'm just here to add a little extra.  You know, like having your appetizer after your entree', instead of before.   

      This was my first time at the Con.  Overall, it was a very fun experience.  Who doesn't love free t-shirts and posters of their favorite video games, movies, tv shows, and comic book characters?  And where else can you see 2 guys dressed up as Wario and Waluigi interviewing The Joker, with none of them actually speaking coherently and just laughing maniacally? ( I wish I had a picture to prove that I'm not making that last part up, it was hilarious.)  Anyways, on to business...  

Tom's New York Comic Con 2011 Highlights

Conventions are, oddly, very tiring. You need to wake up early, go to bed late, walk all day, and MAYBE get some food in between. The original plan was to post a day by day account of NYCC, but by the time we got home, it took effort not to just fall asleep, let alone write an article. So here I present a look back on my 2011 New York Comic Con experience, entitled, "The Forever Wait".

This was from 2 years ago. Imagine this, but with more people.

New York City Comic-Con 2011

 


We'll be there this weekend trying to get the scoop.  Hopefully, we can provide pics and info.  Check back for more. 

Homeland: "Grace" Review

 

      I have been excited about 'Homeland' for months.  It just seemed like a very fresh idea for a drama and it was on premium cable, so that's always a plus (creative freedom and all that).  Howard Gordon is at the helm as executive producer and showrunner, having '24' and 'X-Files' on his resume.  My one worry was the week to week progression of such a complex story, and how it would play out in the long run.  'Grace' alleviated these worries, without a doubt.  

The DC Reboot: My (Belated) Thoughts

On August 31st, DC finally ended their 75+ year continuity and started anew. Every character was redesigned, some given a new back story, and all of them given collars.

Even Wonder Woman, somehow.

While some saw this as a radical step, I was curious to see where this went. There is no debating the fact that DC's continuity is almost impenetrable to the casual reader, but was it necessary to just wipe the slate totally clean? More importantly, are the new stories worthy of the DC name? Read on to find out!

Rage Final Impressions

It only took me a week, but I have finally conquered the wastelands of Rage. I already gave my initial impressions, but what do I think of the rest of the game? Read on to find out!

READ ON HE SAID!

Breaking Bad : Season 4 'Post-Mortem'

                                                            He IS the one who knocks!

     Well, that was quite a roller coaster of emotions.  I don't blame you if you need some ant-acids, my heart was in my throat for most of the season, as well.  Breaking Bad has always had a very deliberate pace with it's storytelling.  It has never succumb to fan pressure and tipped its hand too early.  And in the end, we are truly the ones who benefit.  Let's break down how this season progressed and how Walter White went from high school chemistry teacher, to Scarface.

                                                 ***MAJOR SPOILERS*** 

Dexter "Once Upon a Time..." Review

     Last night's Dexter was an episode about Men and Monsters, first impressions, big decisions, betrayal, and hot interns. Let us discuss.

*TSSSS* "OH IT'S ACTUALLY HOT, I ONLY WANTED TO SCARE YOU!!!"

Do we need a new generation of consoles?

     The year was 2006. The date, November 19th. It was a chilly Sunday morning, but nothing too bad. I was standing outside of a Gamestop at 6 in the morning waiting for them to open. And I was not alone. We were waiting to finally get our hands on the Nintendo Wii, a revolution in gameplay and, as I thought at the time, the future of gaming.


     Fast forward five years. Nintendo announces their next console, the Wii U, a system with an odd looking controller, modern graphics capabilities, and not much else (unless you count the even odder name). Between those two points, the Wii had gone on to be the best selling console of the seventh generation, selling almost as many consoles as Sony and Microsoft combined in the US. Yet, to the hardcore gamer, the system is a failure.


     Most developers, even Nintendo, failed to fully utilize the power of the motion control technology. But despite that, Nintendo's competitors have both launched their own motion control peripherals, and have also failed to deliver many worthwhile games for them. It would seem that Microsoft and Sony launched these peripherals because they were following Nintendo's example.


    If this were true, then the announcement by Nintendo of their next generation console will be closely followed by a new Playstation and Xbox announcement. But is it time? Do Sony and Microsoft really need to launch new consoles in order to make better games? Read on as I decide whether or not it is time for the next generation.

"Did somebody say 'Next Generation'?"

New 'Touch' Trailer

   When I first heard about this Kiefer Sutherland ('24')/ Tim Kring ('Heroes') project, I was a little skeptical.  It just didn't sound like something that would grab my attention.  Then I saw this trailer, and my interest was piqued.  Let's see if it does the same for you...   

       

Cool, right?  The show will premier sometime mid-season.  It will likely air in the "Kiefer Slot," Mondays @ 9PM.  Stay tuned and let us know what you think.  

Fringe: 'Alone in the World' Review

     

       It seems a lot of critics are harping on the fact that they feel Fringe's storytelling has become a bit expeditious, in an attempt to attract new viewers to a show that has never truly succeeded in ratings, despite it's overt greatness.  The other pressing complaint is that they don't feel enough of a sense of urgency in relation to how Season 3 left off.  I'll tell you why none of this matters and how 'Fringe' still manages to be "re-invent" itself while still remaining true to its roots.    

The Aura and Mystique of October Baseball

  
       Well, the Division Series are over and all the "favorites" to win the World Series are off golfing somewhere.  Of course, of those favorites, the Red Sox got the head start and are already on the "back 9."  Last night, the "fightin' phils" were stunned to the point that the weren't able to move last night.  Chris Carpenter out-dueled Roy Halladay, quite spectacularly I might add.  The Cardinals, a team that made it into the playoffs on the last day of the regular season, shocked the HIGHLY favored Phillies and their oft lauded rotation.  

Contract Negotiations Galore

      Can you ever have enough money?  Of course you can't, fool!  Well Michael C. Hall and the cast of 'The Simpsons' agree with you.  And they want to share their extra earnings with YOU!!!  Just kidding...

                                                            "We want more...money!"

       Well, I think we can all agree that MCH is one of the most under-rated TV actors around.  And if you disagree, well you just clearly don't know what good acting is.  Sorry.  He's asking for a couple million more per season.  This is, apparently, a big issue for Showtime.  The star of their BIGGEST hit show has every right to ask for more green.  Why is that?  Keep reading.

Playstation 3's New 'Long Live Play' Campaign's Fantastic Trailer

Sony's mysterious new ad campaign has finally launched. And while it didn't really announce any new games or features, the trailer is damn cool. Check it out here:

                                                          Spine-tingling, isn't it?

'Dead Rising 2: Off the Record' Preview

      On October 11, we get the iteration of Dead Rising 2 that many fans of the original clamored for.  I must admit, I was not a fan of changing the main protagonist from the witty Frank West to the bland "father figure" of Chuck Greene.  Sure, the game was still fun and the weapon system was a blast, but it just felt like something was missing. 

     Sure, some people will cry foul that Capcom is using us just like the consumerist society they parody in the 1st game (Seriously, the parallels are scary...).  I think the $40 price tag justifies a game that can be this engrossing, even if it is just a re-imagining.  Besides, we're months removed from Dead Rising 2.  I'm sure we're all yearning to massacre thousands upon thousands of the undead in increasingly gruesome and ridiculous ways.  It's oddly therapeutic.    

                                                        He's covered wars yanno...

Rage Initial Impressions

Tuesday saw the launch of a few highly anticipated games. NBA 2K12 and Dark Souls had gamers at my local store lined up well before midnight. But I was there for only one thing: Rage. Id Software's latest first person shooter/Racer/Post-apocalyptic simulator has been in the works for years, and has finally been released. I've played for a few hours, and I've got a few things to say.

Is this Rage, Fallout, Borderlands, Red Dead Redemption, or an actual desert? Let's find out!

Homeland: "Pilot" Review

     Many tuned into Showtime last Sunday night to catch the season 6 premiere of Dexter. But also airing that night was the promising new series, Homeland. A unique twist on the espionage thriller genre, Homeland attempts a unique, modern, and somewhat edgy direction. Does it come together? Here's what we think:

One of these people goes topless. Unfortunately, it's not Claire Danes.

Dexter: "Those Kinds of Things" Review

     Well, America's favorite serial-killer is back and he's feeling like his old self again.  Sure, that sound's a little counter-intuitive, but we all know Dexter has grown leaps and bounds emotionally since we 1st began listening to his inner monologue. How are things looking this season? Let's take a look.

"Season 5 was disappointing??? Looks like I'm paying some critics a visit...."

Everyone's Mad for Mad Men

       4 seasons in.  4 Emmy's for Best Drama.  I, for one, am still trying to get over the fact that Season 3 of Mad Men beat Season 4 of Dexter for Best Drama.  I'm sure that I'm not alone.  The fact that Michael C. Hall has yet to win an Emmy for his outstanding work on both Dexter and Six Feet Under is dumb-founding, but that's a discussion for another time.  Let's get on to the task at hand.    

                                                                  "What?!"

Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword Preview

     I thought I'd talk a little about the upcoming Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and give you a video that best summarizes this grand adventure. I'll admit I had doubts when it was first announced. Zelda hasn't really changed its formula since the Ocarina of Time days. But after reading up on the game, I've begun to believe that this could be one of the best in the series, and an epic in the truest sense of the word. Nintendo may have managed to make the Zelda game fans have been hoping for ever since the Wii was announced.


     I've posted a video below from the Tokyo Game Show highlighting some of the newer aspects of the game. I hope you enjoy, and I personally can not wait for November 20th.

How to utilize 3D gaming

       As much as I deride 3D as a movie, television, and gaming fad, I was one of the 14 idiots who bought a 3DS. I had held off at launch due to the general lack of worthwhile, "must-have" games, but finally caved in for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS. As I started up the game and began running around Kokiri Forest in amazing, glasses-less 3D, I have to admit, I was really impressed.

Imagine this, but with an extra dimension thrown in.

     But as I progressed further into the game, I found myself using the 3D less and less. It was beautiful, yes, but I wondered, "What's the point?" If I turn the screen just slightly, I suddenly can't see the action, which is kind of more important for an action game than the 3D. So what is 3D good for? Well, let's brainstorm, shall we?

Fringe "One Night in October" Review

 


      Is there any show other than Fringe that can so skillfully weave a procedural "case of the week" story with an emotional, thought-provoking tie to the overall mythology of the series?  I seriously doubt it.  The sheer premise of the shows overall arc allows for extremely compelling stories.  It can force us to feel for a character we've only just met.  **SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!**     
     The episode starts off simply enough.  The tried and true formula of showing us the "mad doctor" and his gruesome way of off-ing his victims.  Naturally, there's friction with the two universes working together on the case (mostly between Olivia and Faux-livia/D-UN-ham).  

                       "Damnit!  I wonder if the alternate me remembered to buy milk."

 

Terra Nova Impressions

     Wow, John is blowing me out of the water here on posts. Guess it's time for me to step up to the plate so to speak. I was originally going to do my first post on why Ghostbusters is THE greatest movie of all time, but I guess that can wait until later.


     For now though, let me ramble about what I thought of the inaugural episode of the short lived new series, "Terra Nova".

Well, it's not cancelled yet, but let's just say Fox has a certain modus operandi.

Welcome to the Crisp Chill of October Baseball

  


      Well, it may not be October according to the calendar, but the MLB begs to differ.  That great month of sports is upon us again: the uneasy tension of playoff baseball and the NFL reaching a fever pitch.  I'm still savoring the Red Sox historic collapse.  What a night of baseball that was.  
    
      Yankees vs. Verlander (Tigers), Rays (Babes of Destiny) vs. the potent offense of the Rangers.  Surging Cardinals vs. the highly favored (over-rated?) Phillies.  Brewers vs. D-backs.  Where will the cards fall?  What controversies will set ESPN ablaze?  What names will come up big?  Only time will tell.  Who do you swear your allegiance to?  Predictions?  Let us know below.

Batman: Arkham City...Game of the Year Candidate?

   The follow-up to the universally-praised "Batman: Arkham Asylum" is a little under three weeks away from being shoved into the disk drive of your XBox 360 or PS3.  Seems like an eternity, I know.  I suppose talking about how great it will be only makes the wait even more insufferable.  Oh well, here goes.  Improved combat, larger world, more Riddler, and playable Selina Kyle.  What more could you ask?
     I suppose if there is one major gripe I have with Arkham Asylum, it's the ridiculously un-Batman-like final boss battle.  Hopefully, Rocksteady realized that the game is better suited with a tactical approach to boss battles than the arcade-style "OMG he's become huge and grotesquely monstrous!!!" approach.  The game deserved better than that.

                                         "What?  You mean you didn't see this coming?"   

    But enough about that.  We have a seriously improved sequel headed our way.  And that's saying a lot when you consider that most gamers would say the original is among their instant classics.  Arkham City looks to challenge, surprise and thoroughly entertain.  Is it October 18th yet???

                              Whips, huh? I didn't know Mr. Wayne was into that sort of thing.

American Horror Story or Horrible American Story?

      A few months back, I was lying down, flipping through the endless minutiae of late-night cable.  After deciding that watching Iron Chef America was entirely too torturous, I came across something that caught my attention.  No, no, not the Shake Weight commercial, you pervert.  It was an FX commercial for a very peculiar show: a serialized, horror drama.  Confusion abounded.  As much as it excited me, could it work?  Would it be approachable enough to garner a loyal audience?  Alas, these questions are yet to be answered.    
      
       FX has continued to air mysterious ads, each of which confuses me all the more.  To me, the biggest challenge is proposed by keeping the tension and the fear throughout a series like this.  It's not like a movie, in which you can build to a spine-tingling climax after the gratuitous shrieks and scares along the way.      
       
       Secondly, as all of us battle-tested horror lovers have learned, "horror" and "great story" don't often live in the same neighborhood these days.  Hell, they don't even call each other on holidays anymore!  Sorry, got a little off-topic there.  Apologies, dominus.  Woops! Wrong show. Uhhhhh yea, where was I?  Oh yea, this is the part where I hand it over to you for discussion.  So what do you think?  Can it succeed in making us pee our pants on a weekly basis?  Or will it get the classic half season and Rest. In. Peace?(**Yes, that was an Undertaker reference.**)  

               He REALLY wants it to succeed.  Would you really want to piss this guy off?


    Sound off below and be sure to watch the 90-min premiere of American Horror Story October 5 @ 10PM on FX.

                                             Is it wrong that this got me excited???          

Yea, what he said. That was John, I'm Tom. Basically our plan is to discuss our takes on whatever catches our interest on any given day. Maybe John will discuss why Nintendo has let him down lately. Maybe I'll go on way too long about how sick I am of Dark Knight Rises spy photos and story tidbits. I mean, you people really can't wait that you have to pour over every grainy cell phone picture that....No, I'll save it for the posts.

This was just a little introductory spiel by us to give you a sense of what to expect in the coming posts. Stay tuned, both of you, because rambling and witty self important postings await!

[Bear with us as we learn to both use the blog o tron. Perhaps it would be easier to learn without the bear constantly mauling us. ]

Welcome to the Thunderdome of Pop-Culture

Well...where to begin? Sure there are plenty of multi-media sites out there giving you the latest and greatest on everything pop-culture. But don't those people just seem, I don't know, out of touch with the people they're writing for? This blog is aimed at heated debates and interesting takes.

Video game commentaries? Check! TV tirades and reviews? Check!! Help to decide which movies are worth the insane ticket price and which you should catch once the DVD hits the Bargain Bin at your local Target? Check!!! All that and more. Forget the message board wars on the various sites you usually frequent. Bring all your bravado and machismo to one place. Don't like what we have to say? Say it better! Don't agree with our views? Show us your side of the fence. After all, isn't it about time we popped culture wide open?