Ain't No Moshpit Like A GameStop Moshpit

Activision reception = Awesome. I have a new, albeit begrudging, respect for turntablists. DJ Z-Trip layed down beats from Jay-Z to House Of Pain mixed with the likes of Kansas and Pantera. Not my normal forte but still good fun. Then Camp Freddy (Donovan Letich son of crooner Donovan, Chris Cheney of The Cult, Matt Sorum of Guns 'n Roses, Dave Navarro and a bassist I can't remember) took the stage. With the help of a few friends (Duff McKegan, Mark McGrath, Steve Stevens, Steve Smith from the fucking Sex Pistols, Corey Taylor, John 5 who slayed, and the Prince Of Motherfucking Darkbess...Ozzy) blazed through a set of classic cock 'n roll songs from the likes of Thin Lizzy, Ozzy, Van Halen, Ted Nugent, and Cheap Trick. It was a blast...despite Mark McGrath using the mic as a stunt cock.

Day One Down.

Nothing cool to report. Saw ODST gameplay and that's about it. I'm in transit to The Hard Rock for Activion's reception. Free food, booze, and music from some has-beens and John 5

Nergal Is My Co-Pilot

Airborne, I'm looking out the port side window of an all too small turboprop airplane. Less than six feet from my seat the wing mounted engine spins the attached propeller at a massively high rate of speed. Suddenly it occurs to me that the slightest stress fracture or flaw in said propeller's design could send it hurtling through the fuselage and directly into my body. My sleep deprived mind wonders at the similarity of the cloud shrouded landscape below to that of a huge miniature (oxymorons yay!) someone has constructed using looooots of spun cotton candy to simulate cloud cover.

Paranoia aside. I've landed safely at SFO. In flight music? Behemoth - Evangelion. Nearly the perfect running length...and blastbeats are fucking brutal whilst suffering through turbulence and small aircraft waggle.

Hitler On Avatar

Earlier we posted on the Avatar trailer...

I finally had my interest sparked by the trailer (which wasn't out of excitement) and wanted to investigate further on what Cameron has promised. Although I wasn't impressed by what I found (mostly because it all seems to add up to what is going to be a disappointing film) I did find this hilarious video featuring everyone's favorite fuhrer.

Watch it HERE!!

Joshua

Wish Me Well

Tomorrow, at the ungodly hour of 5:30am, I fly my way to Vegas for my annual conference. I expect to see a shit ton of cool games in play...and exponentially more uncool games. Either way, you'll be briefed intermittently throughout the week. Hopefully the walking won't kill me...or my inevitable buzz.


Tyler

D-10

Well it was inevitable...those son's a bitches that run the show have decided they want a D-9 sequel, they refer to jokingly as "District 10".

In a interview with writer/director Neill Blomkamp by SciFiMoviePage they discuss weather the next movie will be a prequel and what to do about the main character Wikus.

CHECK IT!!

Joshua

Can You Put A Price On Evil?

Taco Bell can. Evil is pretty reasonable though.

For your trouble you get a small drink, Nachos Supreme (no tomato or sour cream), crunchy taco, Ranchero chicken soft taco, and a side of nacho cheese. What? I was hungry! All for the highly demonic price of $6.66. Oh, and your eternal soul.


Tyler

Waxing Twilight

Vampires...they are the antithesis of sexy...Robert Pattinson should beware...

According to the diagnosis laid forth by legal novelist Chuck Hogan and master storyteller Guillermo Del Toro, the vampire is little more than a vermin to be exterminated with extreme (hatred for faggoty pseudo-romatic interpretations of the affliction) prejudice. I tend to agree.

The Strain is the first novel in a vampire-centric trilogy concieved by Del Toro and co-written by Hogan. Alas, this will not portray the vampire in the cinematically erotic position of 'Twilight' or 'Interview With The Vampire'...the decidedly romanticised vision of the vampire in cinema. Instead it will present the vampire in a more realistic light, as the scavenger of human sorrow.

The Strain starts with a plane landing without incident, but not answering any calls after the landing...not unlike that ship from that one vampire book...what was that ship called?!?! The DeeMeeter? Maybe The Demeter?

Yeah, everyone but four survivors are dead...sure the four survivors walk away...but after dark the rest of the passengers disappear from their respective morgues...

Despite what you've been shown...the sting of the vampire is not an erotic experience...but a savage emaciation by blood-thirsty savages with no regard for life of any kind!

You want to be truly scared...read The Strain by Guilermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan. It's scary as fuck...and steeped inreality...



Tyler

True Lies

Alright class. Raise your hand if you've heard the name Brad Meltzer. Yes, Bobby that's good. Alyssa, fantastic. Frank? You didn't raise your hand...why?!?!

Ok, ok. I'll give you stalwarts a break, sort of. You see, Brad Meltzer penned what some might consider the single greatest Justice League story ever comitted to page. That story is entitled 'Identity Crisis'. If you've not read it, you should consider yourself a slacker by comicdoms standards. Please go read that trade before continuing...

Done? No...really...read that fucker before you attempt this... We'll wait.

Alright...here goes...


In chapter four of the bible, Cain slays his brother Abel. However, the bible has nary a mention of the weapon used by Cain to kill Abel...

In 1932 Mitchell Siegel is slain by three gunshots to the chest. After Mitchell's death, his son Jerry dreamed of a man stronger than a locomotive. A man who could leap buildings in a single bound. A man faster than (and completely impervious to) a speeding bullet...a Superman!

The gun used to kill Mitchell remains undiscovered until a man named Cal Harper discovers his long lost father shot and left for dead in a park. The bullet matching the ones left in Mitchell Siegels body nearly 75 years earlier...

These three fragments...partially fact, partially fiction, start off the tremendous work of Brad Meltzer's novel The Book Of Lies.

If that lead-in isn't enough to get you interested in the book...you probably need someone to change your diapers.


Now that you've been wiped...go read this book. It reads like a crime thriller-family drama-conspiracy theory-spiritual explorarion mixed with the origin of the greatest super-hero ever concieved.


Tyler

SHAZAM!!

Bill Birch along with Geoff Johns take on "Captain Marvel" adaptation for a future film.

But this project has already sat for several years with unsuccessful attempts by William Goldman, Bryan Goluboff, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow, as well as John August.

Peter Segal remains attached to direct and also is producing alongside Michael Ewing.

So is this the winning team? Will we finally see "Shazam" on the silver screen? I sure hope so.

Joshua

Reborn

Todd McFarlane, how could fans forget, but still McFarlane and his creations have become a faint memory (or so says the majority).

Well I'm happy to report McFarlane is back on the scene and has begun writing the screenplay for another "Spawn" movie.

"The story has been in my head for 7 or 8 years," McFarlane said. "The movie idea is neither a recap or continuation. It is a standalone story that will be R-rated. Creepy and scary." He also added that "the tone of this 'Spawn' movie will be for a more older audience. Like the film 'Departed.'"

Now I'm not sure about the "Departed" reference (maybe he's a big fan of the movie) but I'm looking forward to seeing "Simmons/Spawn" get reborn more mature and violently.

Joshua

Thor Casting

The cast of "Thor" continues to grow, but will it pay off? Is there any hope for cloudy and THUNDER (GOD)!! I don't know.

Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Brian Blessed and Chris Hemsworth as "Thor". With Ashley Miller, Mark Protosevich and Zack Stentz (spelled Zak in the credits), two out of three ain't bad. But theres no gaurentee, especially when it comes to comic book movies and there's a bigger problem, Kenneth Branagh...a director who in my opinion is lacking (to say the least).

If anything at least we have the comic series to read (which if you didn't read the review is amazing).

Joshua

Who Are You? And Why Should I Care?

Because the "Futurama Mini Figures" are here...

Thanks to Matt Groening, David X. Cohen and Kidrobot you now can have your own 3-Inch Vinyl figures of your favorite Planet Express employees.


With a total of 12 iconic characters, it doesn't end there, each figure comes with a sticker and gear for your new best friend to handle.

There is only one problem that I see...they are all "blind boxed". Whats that you say, well basically they are all packaged the exact same way with no possibility of knowing which figure awaits inside. This may seem novel or fun for some people but can also be extremely frustrating to others (including myself in the later).

None the less I can't deny my needs, my very desire, my giant man child geek! So I'll buy box after box and if you know me you might just get lucky and receive a (re) gift from yours truly.

Sold individually for $8.95 or by the case (total of 16 pieces) for $136.00

The 31st century never looked so good!

Pick yours up HERE! (Shipping is restricted)

Joshua

Andrew Stanton Goes Live Action

Andrew Stanton ("Finding Nemo", "WALL-E") is making his live action directorial debut with "John Carter of Mars". The screenplay by Stanton and Michael Chabon ("Spider-Man 2") is based on Edgar Rice Burroughs "A Princess of Mars" which is part of the 11 volume "Barsoom" series.

I'm a huge fan of Burroughs and especially the "Barsoom" series, not to mention being a fan of Stantons and who didn't love "Spider-Man 2"...seriously? The cast already includes shaping up Dominic West, Samantha Morton, Polly Walker, William Dafoe, Lynn Collins and Taylor Kitsch as "John Carter".

It might be a stretch but I'm already betting on this one being a success and hopefully a multi-film series.

Joshua

Nolan's Mind Fuck

Whats Christopher Nolan been doing... I'm not really sure. A contemporary science-fiction "set in the architecture of the mind", sounds good I guess. But with a cast of true talent (starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Michael Caine and Tom Berenger) and clearly one of the most gifted directors in Hollywood today, I'm not that worried.

And if there was any doubt in my mind, its been blasted out my ear by the new teaser which is both bizarre and brilliant looking.

Watch it Here!!

Joshua

Bastiches Unite!!!

Scott Ian + Sam Keith = New Lobo two issue series.

Check it...

http://www.gorila.hr/go/anthrax-guitarist-shreds-dc-comics-hellraiser-lobo_feeds_wired_com

Fallow the Cult

In case you didn't know were on Twitter...spread the word and check us out.

Keep up with the CULT!!

I Love Hitler And Hitler Loves Me

"Venture Bros." Season 4 preview is looking to continue one of the best series on Adult Swim. But its left me with one question...is "Brock" gone forever?

Watch it HERE!!

Joshua

"Kick Him In The Nards"

Werewolf movies get a lot of flack and for good reason, but "The Wolfman" (starring Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins and Hugo Weaving) is not going to be one of those movies. This Wolfmans got nards.

Watch it HERE!!

Joshua

Return Of The "King"

I'll admit I wasn't overwhelmed with excitement when I first heard of James Cameron's Sci-fi "Titanic", even after reading article after article and seeing all the stills I just couldn't get behind it...but now that I've seen the trailer "Avatar" looks to be staying on track with my previous fears.

Watch it HERE!!

Joshua

Revolution District 9

This is the kind of sci-fi film I wish I'd seen ten years ago. Dystopia isn't new. Segregation is less new. This film, however bleakly, DOES show these situations in a new and fascinating light.

Set in present day Johannesberg, Africa, the film tells the story of Wikus Van De Merwe. A federal agent tasked by his father-in-law to evict the alien refugees known as 'prawns' from District 9. In the process Wikus is exposed to an alien fluid that has unexpected effects on his body.

I really don't want to tell you any more about this films plot or subject matter. It really needs to be viewed to be appreciated visually and narritively.

I will say that the better part is filmed documentary style with cuts to 'real-time' interspersed. Also, this is NOT a popcorn summer movie, but rather a film that has been meticulously crafted to generate discussions about not only race but societal class in the modern world.

Regardless of intent...this is a brutally shot film. Plenty of gore and splatters to engage even the more ardent slasher-flick fan. Nice camera spatter...cranial explosions...full body disintegrations...this is a true benchmark not only for mainstream social commentary, but for gorehounds and conspiracy theorists as well.

Do me and yourself a favor and see this film...then tell your asshole friends waiting to see 'The Final Destination' to skip that piece of shit and watch a film that entertains with gore and educates with more.

Tyler

GAH!

I had a ton of titles floating through my head for this post: "Grasping At Webs", "Hello! McSpidey!"(Cause Bob Gale wrote the Back To The Future trilogy...heh!), or "Maximum Suckage". Either one would fit, but in the end the one I used fit the best.

I am, of course, referring to the recent run of Amazing Spider-Man trades. Starting with 'One More Day' and running through 'New Ways To Die'.

First off: I love Spider-Man. He's the greatest ungerdog. The ultimate reserve Avenger. The fifth of the Fantastic Four. His logo would be the only one I'd consider tattooing on my body...maybe the Silver Surfer too.

ANYWAY. After the last few collections I've read, I'm seriously starting to reconsider.

I'll explain: Post-Civil War, Spidey is a fugitive. He revealed his identity at the behest of Tony Stark...and soon regrets his decision. He goes underground to escape the persecution. Villains come out from the woodwork and try to assassinate Peter Parker. A snipers bullet misses Peter and M.J. but hits May Parker instead. Everyone from doctors to super scientists to the Sorceror Supreme tell Peter to let go and accept the fact that May's time is at an end.

Peter, being Peter, takes full responsibility of course...but after the meeting with Dr. Strange, is led through the streets of New York by a little red-haired girl who runs away. Trying to save the girl from the dangers of the street, Peter encounters a fat bespectacled man in the park who tells him that becoming a video game programmer was the only way he could become the hero that Spider-Man is. Then, Spidey gets a lift from a mysterious man in a black limousine. The man is rich beyond imagination, but tells Peter that he only became rich to prove himself to the bullies he had in high school. But he also regretted leaving behind the one girl he truly wanted to be with.

Peter's next encounter is with a mysterious figure that tells him that every decision that has ever been made, every turn, every moment could have ended differently. Mephisto!

Mephisto tells Spidey he can save May. For a price. Not Spidey's soul...duh! Something far more valuable. Mephisto will make small changes in Spidey's life in exchange for his marriage...his love for Mary Jane. The one love that comes along in millennia. Peter and M.J. accept...to the bewilderment of Mephisto... as Mephisto explains: "Those people you met on your way to me were all different versions of you, Peter. But, the one you overlooked was the red-headded girl who started you on this journey. The daughter you will, now, never have."

What a great story! Right?! Yes...it is something for the ages...until the end. JMS' last Spidey story is epic and heartbreaking. Too bad the rest of the 'reboot' is trite and revamped shit.

After the 'deal' is made, Peter wakes up alone in his bed at May's house. Spidey's a fugitive for not registering...a criminal, again. Persecuted by the police and "The D.B."(formerly The Daily Bugle) which is no longer run by J. Jonah Jameson but has been bought by Dexter Bennett (initials D.B. blech). Triple J.'s competitor.

Peter becomes a papparazzi for a while, makes some money, gets fired, moves in with a police officer who is kidnapped by the daughter of Kraven The Hunter by mistake...

Those last two semi-paragraphs are the culmination of the three trades after JMS' One More Day.

One More Day starts at AMS #544 and this current run ends at AMS #573. Let's hope for the best after...

Tyler

Bjorn Again

The Thunder God Returns, and he’s bad ass…


On a whim, I picked up the two most recent Thor trades. I haven’t read a single issue of Thor in my life. So, why would I start now? Two reasons. 1: I get a sweet discount on books through my employer. 2: J. Michael Straczynski (Laziness dictates that reason 2 should be condensed to the acronym JMS because it’s a bitch to type out that whole name more than once.). We all know and love JMS from his previous efforts: Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, The Changeling (screenplay), and, of course, Babylon-5. He’s also penned the screenplay for the film adaptation of Max Brooks’ World War Z. I hate to say it, but once again JMS hits a homerun…

SPOILER ALERT! (Not really)
Ragnarok has come to pass. Asgard is no more. The son of Odin sleeps. But Dr. Donald Blake, Thor’s human vessel, convinces Thor that there is still need for him in our world. Seeing Blake’s words for truth, Thor resurrects himself. A god displaced needs somewhere to call his own, so Thor rebuilds Asgard on the plains in rural Oklahoma. Thor then finds out that there are other gods walking the Earth, cast into human hosts with, or without, their knowledge. He then sets out to find his lost brethren.

From then on, the story twists and turns with a subtlety that won’t surprise any JMS fan, culminating with the Thunder God dethroned and banished. The writing is spot-on, muscular and taut while still capturing the loneliness of a god out of his time. The pencils by Olivier Copiel (Avengers, Legion, House of M) give the title the requisite weight and otherworldly ambience it deserves. There are plenty of battle scenes to keep the action factor up to par, including a thorough pummeling of Iron-Man. Thor reduces Stark to scrap with two blows from the mighty Mjolnir. If you’re not a reader of the series, this is a good place to start.

Subsequently, issue 601 sees a splintering of the Asgardians. Some who align themselves with Balder, the new crowned king of Asgard (and Thor's recently revealed brother). Whom, at the convincing of Loki (!!!), has taken refuge in Latveria...home of Doom. But some yet remain loyal to their golden prince, Thor. Though he is banished.

In issue 602 the son of Odin seeks out Dr. Strange to repair the damaged Mjolnir and retrieves the soul of his beloved Sif. Meanwhile, a human who's fallen in love with the beautiful Kelda must prove himself to the new Asgardian company he now keeps. Oh, and Loki returns to his original form.

603 should hit soon...I'm all a'twitter...

Tyler