Captain America Reborn Prelude
Normally I don’t get too excited about Marvel’s Digital Comics initiative (don’t get me wrong, digital may very well be the future, I just haven’t seen anything on the site I need to have), but I’m going to make an exception here. If you go to Marvel’s Reborn page, you can read FOR FREE an 8 page prelude to tomorrow’s Captain America Reborn #1 that is exclusive to the site (as in not going to be in print) and done regular Cap writer Ed Brubaker and penciller Luke Ross. I checked it out, and it’s pretty solid stuff.
So check it out here.
Watchmen Maximum Movie Mode Finally Makes Blu-ray Worth While
Pretty much all of us here at Project Silence-while we do own Blu-ray players-have been complaining for a while that Blu-ray’s potential just hasn’t been reached, not by a long shot. Well it looks like Zac Snyder is doing for Blu-ray what he did for Comic movies, make it bad ass. The upcoming Watchmen Blu-ray will include a feature called Maximum Movie Mode, where in Mr. Snyder himself walks you through a detailed making of his film. Think commentary, but with audio and visual components, and even greater detail. I want to hold out for the inevitable Ultimate Edition of Watchmen (with Curse of the Black Freighter included in the film itself), but I have to admit, this makes the upcoming Blu-ray very appealing.
Too Human Review (Xbox 360)
It’s become obvious to me recently that I will almost never buy a game for $60 again. It’s a lot of investment for something you can’t be sure about in most cases, and it’s going to become a problem for the Video Game Industry, an industry already built on the success of mega hits like Grand Theft Auto and Halo 3. I’m a grown man with a reasonable income, I can afford $60 games, but I just find the value is not there.
When a game like Too Human arrives – a name and studio few are familiar with – most people are going to take my approach, wait and see, and for good reason. Too Human doesn’t do much to grab the player early on and it’s repetitive nature doesn’t allow for any real long term investment.
Read the rest of this entry »
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” Movie Review
This weekend, I took one for the team. Am I a hero? No. Am I a saint? No. What I am, though, is now partially deaf after having been both visually and audibly attacked by “director” Michael Bay’s latest abortion, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”.
I realize that those are strong words, but let me explain myself: I’m one of the few people I know that will admit to having enjoyed the first “Transformers” movie a couple of years ago. I went into it expecting to be entertained by giant fighting robots and I was not disappointed. When I heard that a sequel was on the horizon I thought, “yeah! More, even bigger robots fighting!”.
Be careful what you wish for.
Read the rest of this entry »
The Ettatorial for the Week of 6-24-09
The single biggest shipping week (at least from the big 2) in the last ten years, and I have to say, I’m impressed. Tons of books released, and they definitely put a dent into my wallet. And with all these new releases, there were a bunch of great books. After finally getting through them all, I narrowed my picks down to two. So without further ado, here we go.
Read the rest of this entry »
Project Silence Podcast 42: Meanwhile… Three Months Later
It’s been a while, but the Project Silence Podcast returns with all the things you love. Reviews of Movies ranging from Star Trek to Terminator Salvation and more, Video Game reviews of Ghostbusters, Quantum of Solace and more!
The Ettatorial for the Week of 6-17-09
A great week of releases this week, including a special Monday release for a much-hyped-by-the-media Marvel book. But while that book (Captain America #600) was a quality read, it wasn’t what really captured my attention. No, that honor goes to another Ed Brubaker release.
My pick for this week is Incognito #4. This mini-series is a consistent pick here at the Ettatorial, and there’s a reason for that: every issue is a perfect example of comics done right. Creator-owned, well written, well-illustrated, and not part of the big-two’s next big event, this is what readers are supposedly looking for. But while that’s the claim, sales say otherwise-if what readers claimed they wanted was really what the bought, books like this or Rasl, Scalped, or Chew would be dominating the charts. Instead, it’s the next Dark Reign or Black Night tie-in (not that there’s anything wrong with those, I’m a pretty big supporter of both). So here’s your chance to match your words with deeds. Go out and buy Incognito #4, and support the kinds of books that the market needs more of. Be part of the solution to diversity in the marketplace. This issue is full of great moments, be it character building or action, and is full of the twists that made the series so enjoyable to begin with. And just like previous issues, the back matter material on great pulp magazines of the past is both enlightening and interesting.
There you have it folks, your pick for this week. We’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 6-10-09
A slow and small week of releases this week for yours truly, resulting in a trade paperback selection for you instead of issue picks. While I can’t say the 2 books I purchased were bad, neither were anything special to nominate them for books of the week. So instead, enjoy my alternate selection.
Noble Causes Archives Volume 2 is your pick for this week. Following up on his Volume One, this massive trade collects the rest of the Noble Causes series. I originally recommended the first volume way back in November of 2008, and after getting done with this volume, felt the need to do the same. The price on this alone is enough to make it a bargain, with an astounding 598 pages for a cover price of just $19.99 (or cheaper online hint hint). Just like the first volume, the book is printed in the black and white “Marvel Essentials” style to make the book financially viable. Finishing the series off, this volume includes the 5 year jump to the future and the 2 part Extended Family mini-series that had guest writers and artists such as Brian Vaughan and Geoff Johns contributing to the series. Just as good as volume one, this superhero soap opera is an entertaining read. Kudos to Jay Faerber and Image in releasing this terrific series in such an inexpensive and complete format.
There you have it folks, your pick for the week. We’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
The Ettatorial for the Week of 6-03-09
A very good week of releases this week, highlighted by both my choices above. A few books came close to making the list, such as Secret Six, but it was these two that really were excellent.
First up this week is Batman and Robin #1. The first issue spotlighting the new Batman and Robin after “Battle for the Cowl” (spoilers on Dick Grayson is Batman and Damien Wayne is Robin). While I was a bit hesitant about this new launch after the debacle of Batman RIP, this issue alleviated all of my worries. With the creative team of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, the geniuses behind All-Star Superman, this issue is exactly what I was hoping for. The issue hits the ground running, throwing the reader into the thick of the new dynamic duo’s most recent adventure, and introducing us to some of the changes that have taken place for Batman and Robin. Add to that a new addition to the rogues gallery that seriously disturbed me, and you’ve got a winner. Fun, well written, and beautiful to look at, this is a title I can safely say is a certifiable hit. I can finally say it’s nice to see DC bringing a bit of their “A” game to the table once more.
The other pick for this week is Dark Avengers #5. Another well written issue, that makes Norman Osborn one of the most fascinating characters in the Marvel Universe. Harkening back to one of Bendis’ more “talkative” works, Osborn is given an interview that allows him to sum up his past for the reader while at the same time actually achieving the feat of making him sympathetic if one was ignorant of the rest of the story. Based solely on just that part of the book alone, the issue is worth it. Add to that some interesting bits with the “new” Ms. Marvel and Marvel Boy, and Ares and Bullseye (I refuse to call him Hawkeye), and the book just sings. Part of me is just waiting for this series to just not work, waiting for the inevitable time that the Avengers franchise pulls a 1990s X-Men, and kills itself by overextending it’s titles and series by diluting the concept and creators. But every issue is proving me wrong thus far, and I’m thankful for it, especially after reading ones like this.
There you have it folks, your picks for the week. We’ll see you back here next week, same time, same channel.
The Two Music Games I’ll be Playing this Year
The Beatles: Rock Band
If the video above doesn’t convince you, nothing will. This is, quite honestly, the most stunning combination of Audio/Video a video game is going to see. I’ve never considered myself a Beatles Fan, I’ve always respected what they did, but to call myself a fan was too much. In less than two minutes Harmonix makes you realize how much The Beatles gave to music, and how familiar we all are with their legendary sound. There is also the fact that Jason is a Beatles nut and he’ll be in line at midnight for this one, guaranteed.
Lego: Rock Band
If for no other reason, The Final Countdown. Something about Lego: Rock Band feels different, fresh. Sure it will play like all the others, but it says to me, “don’t take this to seriously, lets just have some fun!“. From it’s fresh music selection to unique pairing of two mega-successful IP’s, it just looks like a good time.
