DOCTOR WHO SERIES 8 TEASER TRAILER!

O my god, the new series of Doctor Who will air in August, closer then I thought!

Marvel Superheroes Vs. Their DC Equivalents - The Fantastic Art Of Darren Rawlings!

Every so often we like to put up a post featuring work from amazing artists to show our appreciation and this time it was Geeksaresexy.net that focused our attention on artist Darren Rawlings (Rawlsy on deviantART) who has offered up an awesome and very cute gallery of Marvel Superheroes vs. their DC counterparts entitled "Little Friends".

Enjoy the pics and visit his page via the deviantART link above.

Disney Infinity: The Avengers Play Set - Video Game Trailer

I posted up the first trailer for Disney Infinity 2.0: The Avengers yesterday and now there's a new gameplay trailer for the play set showing off the various moves and powers wielded by Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Love this.

Big Hero 6 - Teaser Trailer

Marvel/Disney's newest animated feature looks absolutely beautiful and the brand new teaser trailer was released this week!

Synopsis:

Big Hero 6 is an action-packed comedy adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius — thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tamago, clean freak Wasabi No-Ginger, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion — a cutting-edge robot named Baymax—and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery. Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action and all the heart and humour audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios.

Convention Report

Hi Guys,

Sorry it's been so long since my last post. Unfortunately life got in the way for a while but I'm back now with my report from Collectormania MK 21. Myself and my friend and fellow contributor the Mistress of Magic made the trek from Essex to Milton Keynes via London last saturday and as usual it was well worth it.



 

For myself I usually go for the swag and loots but this time I had another reason to go. I went to meet Johnny Yong Bosch aka Adam Park aka the second black ranger, Zeo ranger 4 Green and the first green turbo ranger. This was great, I mean I really can't describe how great a feeling it was to meet him, I got his autograph and my picture taken with him, see below, and he was such a nice guy. Since being in power rangers Mr. Bosch has gone on to be a very prolific voice actor doing a lot of English dubbing for anime, his two most famous roles in this regard being Vash the Stampede from Trigun and Ichigo Kurosaki from Bleach. For more of Mr. Bosch's work please go here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0097765/

Picture unfortunately ruined by having me posed in it.

Next onto the swag and unfortunately this wasn't that great. The only things I got for myself were the first two books in a series called DestinyQuest. I've started going through the first volume and it is a little slow going but enjoyable. The best way I can think to describe it is like crossing a Choose your own adventure book with Dungeons and Dragons, being a fan of both I thought I'd give them a try. Full report on these soon.

Finally my travel companion. The Mistress of Magic and I and are con buddies and go to most conventions together and her reason for going this time was for Mr. Paul McGann, the Eighth Doctor himself but I'll give her the chance to talk about her experience.

Overall great day and I look forward to doing it all again in July for London Film and Comic-Con. I can't recommend attending a showmasters event enough. Go to their site see what takes your fancy: http://www.collectormania.com/.

Agents of Shield- Nothing Personal review

Hello cult lovers,

Following on from Skye's discovery of Ward's betrayal last week I was anticipating this episode immensely. Agent Maria who was last seen in the pilot turns up to what looks like arresting Coulson and his team but once she has a little chat with him she decides to aid them by kicking some soldier butt.
Also, I believe Agent Maria decision may have been influenced by a surprise visit from Agent Mai who seems to spent a lot of her time either trying to protect or save Coulson from inpending doom which I find very admirable.
I think it's brilliant that you never quite know who you can trust as so many of the SHIELD agents have betrayed each other which brings a large amount of gripping viewing and it never becomes boring because the new agents that are brought in all have their own unique characteristics.
As Skye and Ward make their way into a random cafe so that she can decrypt the drive, I loved the dialogue between them because their both playing one another and yet either of them know it so they keep trying to pull secrets and motives out of each other which at this stage in the series enables the plot to flow at a rapid pace that is both exciting and thrilling. Skye's climatic reveal to Ward that she has signed him up as a fugitive online was brilliantly built up with the suspense and tension.
She then makes a break for it but is shocklingly captured by Deathlok who is in partnership with Ward and Hydra.
I thought this made sense as the two most powerful villians are working together creates a believe threat that will lead into a big conclusion.
The creative way Ward's betrayal was revealed to the team was heart pounding because the light from the image behind Skye's writing emphasised the words for me to realise that this is a massive development for the group that was achieved very imaginatively.
Simmons answer to this was 'Pancakes' which was the highlight for me in the episode because it felt so poignant in all the power, war and deceit that is going on that that word just brought a human coping mechanism that felt familiar and a great relation for the show.

Video Game - Disney Infinity 2.0: Marvel Super Heroes - Trailer & Pics!

The sequel to the hugely popular Disney Infinity video game released back in 2013 where you use action figures to bring digital versions to life on screen (based on Skylanders technology) has a sequel, and this time Disney are calling in the Super Heroes from its Marvel base.

Disney Infinity 2.0 will grow the franchise and platform opening up new modes (tower defense etc), freedom (toybox editor), and characters (more than just the original 6 Avengers like Spider-Man and the villains etc) with the ability to still use all your old 1.0 tech and characters so you don't have to re-buy everything. You'll also be able to enjoy super powers and the ability to fly as well as mass battles!

The first wave will be the 6 main Avengers starting with a starter pack of Thor, Iron Man, and Black Widow which will include the New York/Avengers Mansion sandbox level and two power/game discs.

The game should be released near the end of 2014 and here's the launch trailer.

Simpsons & Family Guy Crossover Episode "The Simpsons Guy" - First Look!

Yes it's true there's going to be a Simpsons and Family Guy crossover episode called "The Simpsons Guy" that will air in September 2014 (there's also going to be a Futurama/Simpsons episode too!).

Synopsis:

Peter (Seth MacFarlane) and the Griffins get out of dodge and end up in Springfield, where they are greeted by a friendly stranger named Homer Simpson (guest voice Dan Castellaneta), who welcomes his new “albino” friends with open arms. The families get along famously: Stewie (MacFarlane) becomes obsessed with Bart (guest voice Nancy Cartwright) and his old-fashioned pranks; Lisa (guest voice Yeardley Smith) takes Meg (Mila Kunis) under her wing and is determined to find something – anything – at which she excels; Marge (guest voice Julie Kavner) and Lois (Alex Borstein) ditch housework for a little bonding; and Peter and Homer fight over the best beer in town – Pawtucket vs Duff.

Awesome.

And here are the first pics:

Short Movie News Rundown Of The Week

Here's a rundown of the more "minor" news of the week from the world of Movies.

Chris Hemsworth To Star In Lethal Weapon Reboot?

According to various unconfirmed sources online (including Totalfilm.com) Chris Hemsworth has been tapped to play the lead role in a Lethal Weapon reboot. Word is that it won't be a full "remake" as such but could centre on the son of a cop (predicted to be Mel Gibson's Martin Riggs as the dad) who joins the police.

No word on Danny Glover or any other original cast returning yet but original producer Joel Silver is attached as is Fast & Furious director Justin Lin (supposedly). Hmmmm...

New Flintstones Animated Movie In Development?

Supposedly Will Ferrell and Adam McKay are looking to bring back The Flintstones in a new animated movie (we already had two god-awful live-action films). Absolutely no information on this yet other than the idea is out there and probably wouldn't be in cinemas for a good while, considering the animation work that would have to be done etc.

Steven Spielberg Set To Direct Roald Dahl's The BFG?

Roald Dahl's The BFG is set to get the big screen live-action + CGI treatment by none other than Steven Spielberg for release by 2016. The original 1989 animated movie (where David Jason voiced the Big Friendly Giant) is the only other version of this story but you know that if Spielberg is attached it going to be a huge movie for Dahl book lovers.

Batman vs. Superman - Pics Of Batman, Batmobile, Wonder Woman & New Title!

Most of this is old news, so please forgive the lateness, but below you'll find pics from the newly titled Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice movie. We have black and white photos of "Batfleck" in costume along with the new Batmobile (plus a fan coloured version giving us a bit of blue), images of the Batmobile prototype, and then a recent image of Gal Gadot on set in her Diana Prince persona. With the recent title reveal it's obvious that the entire film will be a set-up for the Justice League movie (as if we didn't know that already) with new characters being announced sporadically over the last few months.

The Batman suit is quite obviously taken from The Dark Knight (cowl and chest logo now confirmed) and Kevin Smith has confirmed that although Batman will sport various/multiple Bat-suits throughout the course of the movie (he's "in the know") the one pictured is a blue and grey one. Not to everyone's liking, but nearer to the comics than anything from the Chris Nolan movies. Love it all.

The Flash - New TV Show Trailer

Okay, hands up, I actually shed a geeky tear watching this extended trailer for the new DC Comics Arrow spin-off series The Flash... A lot of people are saying they hate the suit and the CGI used on the speed powers, but I, once again, love the look of this and couldn't have wanted any more. Love the fact that Arrow is connected to the show, love that the storyline is so close to the original comics (Professor Zoom etc), love that there will be other super-powered "metahumans", and love that this trailer looks a hell of a lot like the old 90's Flash TV series trailer. This is going to be a great series! :)

Constantine - New TV Show Trailer

Apart from having seen, and enjoyed, the Keanu Reeves movie back in 2005 I have to admit to not knowing much about the character of Constantine from DC Comics' Hellblazer comic series. I do however think that this trailer has grabbed my interest by the short and curlys and blown my mind. Definitely my kind of show!

"Based on the wildly popular comic book series “Hellblazer” from DC Comics, seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult John Constantine (Matt Ryan, “Criminal Minds”) specializes in giving hell… hell. Armed with a ferocious knowledge of the dark arts and his wickedly naughty wit, he fights the good fight — or at least he did. With his soul already damned to hell, he’s decided to leave his do-gooder life behind, but when demons target Liv (Lucy Griffiths, “True Blood”), the daughter of one of Constantine’s oldest friends, he’s reluctantly thrust back into the fray – and he’ll do whatever it takes to save her. Before long, it’s revealed that Liv’s “second sight” — an ability to see the worlds behind our world and predict supernatural occurrences — is a threat to a mysterious new evil that’s rising in the shadows. Now it’s not just Liv who needs protection; the angels are starting to get worried too. So, together, Constantine and Liv must use her power and his skills to travel the country, find the demons that threaten our world and send them back where they belong. After that, who knows… maybe there’s hope for him and his soul after all."

Trailer NSFW.

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For - New Trailer

The Sin City sequel "A Dame to Kill For" is out in a few months and below you'll find the new star-studded trailer. I can't say I'm a big fan of the original, but I know many who are.

Enjoy!

True Blood - Season 7 Trailer

The seventh and final season of True Blood airs in the US near the end of June this year and below you'll find the full trailer. I joined the True Blood bad wagon pretty late and managed to consume 5 seasons in about a week on DVD a year or so ago and then season 6 on TV. I love it and it's a shame it's all coming to an end, especially as this trailer doesn't look that interesting at all and last season was pretty epic...

We'll have to wait and see!

Guardians Of The Galaxy - New Epic Trailer!!!

Out of all the comic movies that are going to be released, or have been released so far, this is the one I've looked forward to the most - Guardians of the Galaxy. Big fan of the comics, the trailers give me goosebumps, and I know it's going to be fantastic.

Here's the newest 2nd trailer (via Geektyrant.com)!

Transformers: Age of Extinction - Trailer #2

The second awesome trailer for Transformers: Age of Extinction is here and yes I am a fan of these movies. Some people hate them, most people hate Michael Bay, but I'm not one of those people. Can't wait for this!

The Inbetweeners 2 - Movie Teaser

As a big fan of both the TV show and the first movie I'm really happy that a movie sequel is due in August this year. The franchise isn't to everyone's taste, but those who love it do seriously love it. And it's now in Australia!

Below you'll find the NSFW teaser trailer.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - New Trailer

Here's the newest trailer for the upcoming movie Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Loved the first one and this one looks pretty good too. :)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - 2nd Trailer

Yes, yes. I'm very behind. But nonetheless here's the 2nd, and most recent, Turtles movie trailer with a bit more footage. Enjoy!

Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof talk Fred and Wesley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/feature/a497906/angel-amy-acker-alexis-denisof-on-their-favourite-episodes.html#~oEOvDSdGwfataZ

Their talking about Fred and Wesley, O boy!

Matt Smith and Fitz from Agents of SHIELD in the same film!

Matt Smith repeating 'Look at my muscles' and Fitz running for his life!

Magic Monday: Child of Light Review

Child of light is the newest game from Ubisoft/Ubisoft Montreal and is absolutely gorgeous to look at, utilising the UbiArt framework engine (also used in the recent Rayman games) to immerse the 3D character of Aurora into a beautiful world of watercolour  masterpieces. Aurora, the daughter of an Austrian Duke passes away one night and wakes up in the strange land of Lemuria which she must save to return home. She is joined by a firefly which can either be controlled by yourself or piloted by another player who helps to collect wishes, open secret chests, daze bad guys so you can sneak up on them, slow their casting time in battle and even heal your fighters, plenty of stuff to keep one or two players on their toes.

They're are lots of chests to find throughout the world for Aurora and ones just for the firefly, all with randomised loot, there are little puzzles hidden throughout too, some of which you need your fireflies help for and some that just need a little imagination or forethought, there are loads of little areas you can look in to find extra chests, big monster battles and even new characters to join your team and fight alongside you in battle! During the course of the story Aurora also gains the ability to fly through the world unlocking loads more areas to explore, treasures to find and plenty of level replay value as you go back to explore the areas above and below you may have missed.

Then we have the battle system, which for me is my favorite aspect of the game. It's very similar to that of other J-RPG's (such as Final Fantasy for example) in that it uses the active time battle system but with a twist. When waiting to act/take a potion etc and then when casting, your characters move across a bar on which you can also see your opponents, when you reach the front of the casting area you choose your action, it may be very fast, medium or very long for example and your characters mark moves across the bar at that particular speed, you have to be careful with your timing though as if an opponent hits you while you're in this casting zone you'll get knocked back out of it and have to wait even longer to act. Both your characters and your opponents can cast buffs to move across the bar faster so it can require strategic thinking, weighing up your options can be important, if you're not sure you can outcast your opponent is it best to go into defense for reduced damage, no interrupt and a speed boost for your next move.

 

Your firefly can help too, glowing intensely over your opponents and blinding them to help slow the speed with which they move across the bar as well as being able to heal your characters and pick up wishes around the area to regain HP and MP which can come in very useful! He can even help just before a battle as if you approach the creature from behind you can initiate a surprise attack meaning your characters start at the beginning of the casting area of the bar which can be a great advantage in battle, if the creature isn't facing away from you, you can have your firefly hover over them and daze them so you can sneak around them.   As mentioned before, lots to do to keep a second player busy with if need be. Some mobs will also have certain weaknesses and resistances as well, for example the ghost like spirits are vulnerable to light magic, Gargoyles are weak to fire magic and the firey hyena looking creatures are weak to water magic so it tends to help to train your characters in a balanced way to prepare for a load of different creatures. Helpfully you can switch characters during a battle so if you no longer have need for the super fast healing jester Rubella and more in need of the elemental magic wielding Finn you can do so mid-battle if need be.

To help along with these battles you also gain skill levels as you progress and gain experience from battles, for each level your characters level up they receive a skill point to spend in their "skill tree" which allows them to learn new and more powerful spells. They seem to usually have three "branches" each and I guess you can focus on one to start with and then go for the others or mix it up a bit, depending on what appeals to you. Although it may seem overwhelming  to get a skill point EVERY level which can sometimes be after just three or four battles, never fear you won't be forced to choose loads of abilities you'll never use, instead, scattered throughout the majority of the skill tree are improvements to things such as total health points, magic defense and magic points etc as well as new abilities and improvements to known abilities as well.

In addition to the skill tree there is also the Oculi system which acts very much like the gem system in warcraft, the runes and sigils in Guild Wars 2 and materia in FFVII in that you collect Oculi, usually from chests or battles and these can then be added to your items to give certain boots and abilities. In addition to this you can increase their power and even change them completely using the Oculi crafting system, for example crafting together three rough emeralds will create a more powerful tumbled emerald, or combining a sapphire and a ruby to create an amethyst and even, a ruby, sapphire and emerald to create a diamond of the type combined! There are loads of possibilities to create different new Oculi from the ones you collect around the world, which can all help to result in the one of the most powerful and difficult to make Oculi, the Princess Stone (brillant spinel, diamond and onyx are needed!). I like that they've used a very familar system and just tweaked it a bit to make it more interesting and give a goal to work towards while also furthering possible customisation for your characters.

I want to give a brief mention and congratulations to the team who worked on the music and sound effects for Child of Light as the music fits with extremely well with the beautiful backgrounds and dreamlike quality the game portrays (check out the video below for the theme). In addition to the beautiful music someone deserves a good pat on the back for the perfect use of sound effects, for me one of my favorite noises in the game is the gentle noise of Aurora's wings as she flies about. This and many other little sounds really give the game a fantastic presence.



I've left my review of the story itself for last as sadly for me personally it was the weakest part of a fantastic game. There is a story and even side quests to move you around the world of Lemuria but other than the beautiful stain glass windows used every so often most of the dialogue is portrayed through illustrated characters talking to each other, in tune with the J-RPG style it seems to embody these conversations are text based and this is absolutely fine, the one gripe I have with it is that pretty much every sentence rhymes...This was cute and a little funny at first but after ten plus hours of game play it really REALLY began to grate, especially as so many of the rhymes felt extremely forced and a bit random. This can make it hard to concentrate on whats going on the story when you're having to decipher half of the things the characters are saying. Although I do like a good story with my games I find the other aspects of this game so enjoyable that I can look past what was probably meant as a cute little quirk to add to the semi fairytale vibe.

Overall I highly recommend this game, especially to anyone who does like the J-RPG genre and those who enjoy visually interesting games. At currently £11.99 on Steam I feel it's a complete bargain seeing as I've already gotten nineteen hours of play out of it and will probably play through it again as treasure etc is randomised and I'd like to experiment with my skill tree to create a different kind of fighting team to beat the game with. I will say though that anyone playing the game who already has experience with this kind of game may benefit from playing on the harder difficulty at least as even the normal mode is quite easy and although the first few wins are satisfying they begin to seem more like a hindrance than the enjoyable part of the game it is meant to be when you really have to think carefully about your timing and each of your moves.

As mentioned before Child of Light is currently out on Steam (with full controller support), in addition to being available on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4, PS3 and the WiiU.