Alienated at the Cine-plex!

I didn’t expect much from an AVP sequel. I still think Aliens (thats
the 2nd film) will never be topped for action and overwhelming
alien-frenzy. However I’m a fan: and that’s just what “The Brothers
Strause” are counting on. Guess after some FX work, a Nickleback Music
Vid, and Herbie Fully Loaded they earned the nickname? Anyhow let’s
dive into AVP2. Here is my total take on the film. It’s Critters
(Aliens land in the woods and attack the folks) mixed with Gremlins (I
should say Gremlens 2 “The New Batch” because of the same sequel
formula) and a dash of Pedetor (the Governators old stick).

Theren lies the problem: ITS TOO MUCH! There is so much going on and
none of it is remotely fresh. It’s as if all three of the films I just
mentioned were put into a STRAUSE BROS Cuisinart and served up as an
after-Christmas feast. However I’m still hungry for something. How
about a serving of PLOT? Or some acting with the main course? Or how
about turning on a light while I dine? Geeze even a candle would have
helped. This film is so dark (the fights, the killings, the theater
where I viewed it) I was so happy to hit the lobby afterwords.

I’ve always thought that dimly lit bars make the women seem hotter. Or
maybe it’s the beer…

THATS WHAT I NEEDED FOR THIS FILM BEER! LOTSA BEER!

Official Site of AVPR

A Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton is officially the Master of Dark and Delightful. In his latest goth-fest Burton once again makes black seem brighter than ever. Adapted from the musical Broadway play, Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet street, is a pitch perfect early Christmas gift. Burton once again teams up with Depp (this is his 8th collaboration with the actor) and Burton also reunited Johnny with his Corpse Bride (Carter). I went into the film with a preconceived notion that once again Depp would be quirky and in another of his “Look at how strange I am” persona. I’m glad he didn’t disappoint. He was nothing short of brilliant.

The film, which complements the musical, grows on you. The first hour is spent understanding the despair and demise of a once passionate romance (for the city of London and for Todd). The second act is a tale of vengeance, bloodletting, and tragedy. All this is set to music that is done in an almost Operatic fashion. Most of the songs fill in the story and set the mood of the film. However there are several numbers that you wont easily get out of your head. To make matters worse these numbers are set to a stunning visual reference that will haunt you each time you hum about mince meat pies.

Todd is also filled with an excellent supporting cast. From new faces (Jamie Bower, Laura Kelly) to unforgettable ones (Sacha Baron Cohen and Alan Rickman). I have had several friends state that Cohen is a one-hit-wonder. I have to say that I’m wondering how he hits every note just right in this role. His duel with Todd is like High Noon on a bad Mushroom trip.

Todd being released during the Holidays won’t be a gift for everyone. Even though it is garnering some Oscar buzz; Todd it is still a morbid, dark and skanky tragedy, with pie! So if you’re a fan of Depp, or you love Broadway, or even if the latter two don’t account for your movie dollar, go see this film. However if you you like your music and movies a-la fast food style:

Alvin and the Chipmunks is still showing.

Official Site of Todd

For those who may be wondering…

I just wanted to let my fellow gamers know that it’s been fun. However recently (the past few weeks) I had to ask myself: what’s next? I really wanted XBL Radio to survive. To be a place where gamers could get real game talk. Not the Bullshit that passes for a half ass indie radio show. You know what I mean. I wanted something different. I was never interested in anything but a great show for gamers to be entertained by. I wanted to be honest and talk from the heart. I think that’s what hurt us. While other casts doing the same thing were busy kissing ass to get games, passes, interviews and even Awards from their own Communities; I wanted to get gamers interested in intelligent conversation about video games. I think in the end the latter,  and my straight forward approach to certain situations hurt our chances of getting a lot of positive press from the higher-ups. However,  we can end this on one fact: We never caved in. Our loyal fans wanted that.

Although that’s not why I’m throwing in the towell. I’m a gamer first (and unlike some other podcasters) I don’t need the attention that badly. I want to game. So if your interested in the same hit me up sometime on LIVE. As for this site and the whole podcasting/indie news and info scene…. I’m signing out!

No hard feeling, and at least you still have my favorite indie cast: THE FANBOYS to listen too.

This F*&$in game F*&$ing Blows (and how I really feel)

I just wanted to give all our listeners a heads-up. 

This game SUCKS!

I’m a huge fan of the FPS. In recent weeks us FPS die-hards have been blessed. With Halo3, COD4, and several other games it seems the FPS genra didn’t need a shot of adreneline. However, Kane and LYNCH brings that and not much more to the platform.

The story is your usual “I’m a bad-ass mofo” shoot-em up. However this game doesn’t even reach the guilty pleasure aspect. It’s just GUILT that you will have for playing it. The main characters are so vile you won’t be rooting for yourself, let alone care about their outcome. Resevoir Dogs credits had more style.

Gameplay is awkward at best. After playing such well crafted titles in the past weeks it’s hard to go back to a game with this much of an uncontrollable feel. Even the so called tutorial doen’t do a good job of getting the rythem down. How can it? It feels like GTA without the GRAND!

I also would like to comment on the dialouge. They said, at PAX, this was an homage to Tarintino. Damn this is how you pay tribute?  There were so many “F” bombs, I started shouting them back at the game for making me listen. I mean I love Tarantino, I don’t mind cursing, but come on starting a sentence with Fu*$ and then ending it with FU*$ is proof you had nothing to say. It was torture to “F’n”  listen to.

 In closing I just wanted to do an early review of my first impressions. I’ve only played for several hours so far, so this is far from over. It may get better. However I don’t want any of you to go out of your way to rent or buy this game and not know what I know. KANE should get LYNCHED!

XBL Radio ver 56.0 (The Fall Update*)

and introducing The Other Guys…

*New Features *New Hosts *New Attitude

This week we revise the Podcast for a new Season. Join the old cast as they introduce new members to the show: X3RO and KEMAN (two new Gamertags) who are now your new hosts.

+NEWS:
-Did Rockstar go POSTAL when they released Manhunt?
-Becoming an educated gamer. Does your GPA match your Gamerscore?
-The Writers Strike: Will it effect gaming?

+GAME TALK:

-XBLR visits Springfield. Is the latest Simpson’s Game worth missing a few episodes of the show? -Guitar Hero 3: This game wants it’s Money for Nothing and it’s on the Wii… -COD4: You had me at BETA. This game will PERK up your appetite for gaming. -KID PIX (Viva Pinata Party Animals): Cameron says these Pinatas can’t be beat when it comes to the best party game on the 360.

PLUS:
-SquidPunch with the 360 FriendSpotSpot tells us the top played games in October.
-The Marketplace Minute: We search for the right WORDS to explain the newest Arcade release, and more on the all new and improved XBL Radio Podcast.

(MP3) Direct Download ver 56.0
Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
–Duration 01:09:00 (Stereo) 96Kbps (47.40MB)–

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Looking for ANotherGuy to replace TheOtherGuy!

He has been with XBL Radio from the start. However as with all good things, this too must end. TOG (as we know him around here) has come to a pivitol point in his XBLR partnership. He had to choose between Family and Football or Friend Requests and Frequent Late-Nights. Its hard to do a podcast, be a gamer, and still have time to enjoy your other hobbies. As most of you know TOG is quite a Bike rider. This and his 1 year old Son bites into a shrinking personal time. So he made a decision and XBLR will have to respect it.  He has been an asset to the Staff and will always be remembered as the Inspiration for the XBL Radio Podcast!

That said: I may plan to carry on. However I choose not to do a one-man show. So if interested send me your inquery. I will get back with you. Until then; enjoy XBL Radio (even in it’s new form).

Xbox Live Arcade Running Out of Gas…

Recently I was involved in recording Live on Live, a gamers roundtable here at XBL Radio, and the topic “Is the Live Arcade falling short?” came up. It made for an interesting conversation. However the topic ended up in a united decision: The Arcade isn’t what it should be.

Just today I came across this article online :

 GameTap, Turner Broadcasting System’s “broadband entertainment network” will hit 1000 games available to subscribers on Nov. 15. A good portion of the games are new titles, while a majority are classic games you can’t normally play without dragging out the old consoles from mom and/or dad’s attic. GameTap also keeps a pretty solid list of free games available for non-subscribers .

Meanwhile computer owners can endulge in emulator add-ons. Usually giving the user the ability to play thousands of retro-arcade titles. And let’s not forget about all of the other sites that offer “free to member” gaming:

Free to play addictive and fun.

 Games and prizes. Free membership required.

 Known as Uproar a place to play for free online.

 Addictive puzzle games and tourneys.

 Tied to you MSN account.

Now I’m not trying to diss the Live Arcade; I’m just posing the question why US gamers would pay 10 to 15 bucks on average for one arcade title. Is it co-op play? Is it the hi-def graphics? Or is it the Achievements? Whatever it is I am losing interest. And most of my Online Friends seem to feel the same way. So whats the solution?

Here is my remedy. The word Arcade implies a nastalgic feeling of the Aracades of old. You remember; the time when a roll of quarters was all you needed to pass the day away. Why not offer the same with many of the Arcade titles on Live?

Examples

Convert the POINTS into tokens: One token per play. And just like days of old you would have to add credits if you wanted to continue after your lives are up. This would bring back the feel of the Arcade. It would also enable more gamers to enjoy a variety of titles and achievements. And if you’re truely  compelled to play offline, make the game still available to purchace.

Have varied/different pricing: Let’s face it, some games are worth more than others. However MS seems to think that pricing is simplistic. 800 and up for good games and 400 for crap. (Yes I said it CRAP-Games you shouldn’t be buying in the first place) Why not let the buyers dictate the Marketplace. If the game truely is regurgitated pixels, why not sell it as such. I would like to think most of the vintage games (Frogger, Pac-Man, Defender, Galaga, etc…) are not worth more than a game like Geo Wars. Pricing should reflect that!

And finally Reward your Fanbase: I think this goes without saying. There are many of us who whould gladly pay more per year to get more from their online gaming service. Those “Gold” members should be priority number one. Thus why not implement a “GOLD PLUS” package. Think of it as a privledged member card where if you pay a nominal fee you have access to the Arcade. This would mean (while signed into LIVE with the PLUS members gamertag) you can play everything. A true Arcade! It seems to work for GAMETAP.

Now keep in mind this is just my observation. However I really want to know how you feel. Which method, or name your own, do you think would satisfy our Arcade desires. Because if our only reward, as LIVE members, is a free game like YARIS, we are definitely running on empty!

Podcast version 53.0 - Hands Down Overhyped

TECH NEWS:
-HALO 3 breaks sales records, and a few discs.
-Activision makes a Bizarre purchase.
-Microsoft to get it’s own space on the web 2.0.

GAME NEWS:
-Mario and Sonic games revealed for the Wii Olympics. Sonic to bring the rings…
-Kane and Lynch release date announced. Think: “Reservoir Thugs.”
-Wii announces that it’s newest Mario title will be a SMASH for online play.

GAME REVIEW:

-HALO 3: It’s finally here and TOG and Carpal give you their opinions on how the game was received. The Maps, the co-op, the story and more. So armor-up and get ready for an in-depth look at HALO3. Is the fight finished?

ALL THIS PLUS: -Squidpunch and the 360 Friendspot “SPOT” -Useless Tips™ and Console Crimes™.

And a special (SPOILER ALERT) discussion about HALO 3 in the extended (And-Now-For) Outtakes. It’s almost a whole other podcast; but, we felt we needed to get it off our chests. So get ready to hear Rusty, Carpal, and TOG talk candidly and unedited about the biggest game release to date.

Direct Download ver 53.0*
Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
–Duration 01:54:00 (Stereo) 96Kbps (78.38MB)–

Subscribe now! It’s free! You must act fast…

 

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Here goes any chance of an MVP for me…

     The past year has been hard for fans like myself. I really enjoy gaming. I take it very seriously. I would go so far as to say: I am very defensive about my “Console of Choice”. After all I do a podcast that favors the Xbox Live enviorment. Since the beginning of the 360, XBL Radio has proven with Live on Live, that the Box is hard to beat for online play. However I have to be honest when I say it’s becoming hard to defend my console of choice.

The past years, since launch of the 360,  has brought us: The Red Rings of Death, A faulty wireless headset, Numerous scratched discs, Overheated Bricks, Overheated Consoles, Warrenty issues that had to be addressed, and now the latest in the 360 issues: Similar to the way that the power cables on the original Xbox had problems with possibly catching on fire, the Xbox 360 Racing Wheel can possibly cause your wheel to “overheat” and “release smoke.” Thanks to a couple instances of this happening, Microsoft is instituting a program where you can get an AC adapter replacement for your wheel free of charge.

You can still use your wheel now on battery power (wirelessly), but they recommend that you quit using it while plugged in—which means there’s no force feedback—until you get the replacement adapter.

I know that some may say I’m being too critical on the 360. I am. Since XBL Radio prides itself on being “for the gamer” I want to let our community know that issues such as these are important to us. The 360 is quickly becomming the FIREstone story of the Platform Wars.  

Ver 52: Halo Hype, Huddles, and Hijinks…

Join Carps and TOG as they ponder on the past weeks in gaming…

TECH NEWS:
-Gaming is not a spectator sport.
-PS3 and Back Compat.
-Getting to the Core of Apple’s Rebate.

GAME NEWS:
-Is that WiiDom ROCK? Turn it up!
-THQ can’t pull off the Stunt of selling games.
-HALO3. Less than 2 weeks away. The Hype Continues…

GAME REVIEWS:

-STUNTMAN IGNITION: Howie would be proud as Carpal tries to manage all the director’s cues. -MADDEN 08: TOG tackles his first Madden game. Will it surpass his NCAA addiction?

ALL THIS PLUS:
-Squidpunch and the 360 Friendspot “SPOT”™ -GUI J’s final Marketplace Minute™ -Useless Tips™ -Console Crimes™. And the usual banter from those Southern Boys of Gaming.

Direct Download ver 52.0*,
Right Click here (and save as… for best download experience).
–Duration 01:27:15 (60.20MB) 96Kbps–

Subscribe now! It’s free! You must act fast…

*Leave us comments on the show; It’s not like we’re asking for a PayPal Donation.

EDIT: We have learned that the feed is downloading the wrong show (42.0, that’s twenty weeks ago!) It is now corrected and may take time to update.

 

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