Archive for February, 2013

Bungie’s Destiny

Bungie’s new Destiny
Check out this preview for Bungie’s Latest project and we will discuss…

Let’s face it Bungie. Your story tells of a golden age long ago, when your REACH spanned the gaming system. It was a bright and hopeful time…but it didn’t last. Something hit you, tried to knock you down and stamp you out. And everyone knows it was 343 industries.
 
I don’t know about you but in the preview I see a Halo-esque sphere hovering in the distance. The armor looks like something out of a Spartan apocalypse. And the story seems quite similar to well…(insert your opinion here) Halo was your halo Bungie, a glimmering golden arc upon your gaming head that made you a meteor casting Behemoth.
 
You will notice some fresh ideas though. I love the new studio digs and the direction you guys are taking the company. Please note that Iphone or Android apps are welcome if they actually do something other than change your in-game load outs or appearance. I think we are all very interested on this “living world” concept. On another note Activision has signed on for 10 years of this franchise, that is a lot of ground to cover! Can this be your Pathway out of Darkness? Can anything be bigger than the Halo franchise? I guess we will find out…when you set a release date.

Harlem Shake Pronounced Dead!

For Immediate release:
We regret to inform you that today Feb 24th at 0925 hours Pacific Standard Time the Harlem Shake was pronounced dead. Due to this tragic loss the family urges you to PLEASE STOP MAKING HARLEM SHAKE VIDEOS. He leaves behind many illegitimate children and fans that will discover him at a later date. Please ensure them that the Harlem Shake is now in a better place.

 
The life of Harlem Shake:

Born in the 80’s this dance craze was born in Harlem. It was similar to pop-locking style of the west coast, but at a faster rate using the upper body. In the late 90’s and early 2000 Harlem Shake was in several Hip Hop videos. He enjoyed his new wealth and stardom occasionally doing club gigs for charity. He resurfaced in 2012 when a young Electronica DJ, Baauer used his name in a heavily influenced bass track. On February 5th of 2013 He became an overnight smash by going viral on the internet. It appeared things were going up from here, the next 19 days would prove fatal.
 
Events leading to demise

Foul play is suspected from his new business partner Youtube, who would not contact us for an interview. An autopsy at the time of this article reveals that the cause of death was overexposure to the masses. Like all young stars Harlem Shake had bouts of depression and drug abuse. Unfortunately his friends and family let people continue “to do” the Harlem Shake despite overt signs of chemical dependency to dope beats.
 
With such an ease of entry and simple editing anyone, and everyone could do it. “Why even a monkey walrus can do the harlem shake!” they said. Poor Shake could not stand the pressure of this ressurgance of popularity.
 
In memory of Harlem shake.
There were many things that Harlem shake wanted to do in his tender age. recently he was working with his long time friend Shake Weight on a music video. Rumors were that Puff Daddy P.Diddy Diddy himself wanted to do a hip hop Re-Remix of the Harlem Shake. The Harlem Shake will live on in clubs and households across the country and the world. However, please refrain from starting his downward spiral by posting YouTube videos or worse, creating legitemate business commercials. Donations for the Harlem Shake’s funeral expenses can be made here, as he could not afford life nor health insurance on his internet impression budget.
 
Until Next Time,
Teach Me how to Dougie!
-Corona

A Good Day to Die Hard

There I was enjoying the tepid dusk air. I noticed a woman with silky hair and supple skin about thirty yards back. I glanced in her direction and she shuffled quickly towards me. “It must be a good day” I thought as her perfume lingered in the air. However, when our gaze locked it felt like something was off, could this be a Russian spy tailing me? Maybe I’m paranoid but I kept one hand on my fandango just to be safe. When I open the door for her I realize, a shame I am not paying attention to her pert lips. I am paranoid; there are no reflections in the glass or abnormal shadows in the distance. I enter the foyer and casually swing my head to each side to get my bearings. Running potential exit strategies, identifying threats and localizing civilians; I smile as I think to myself, old habits Die Hard! As I get closer to the dark chestnut desk where the receptionist sits I could smell the heavy, buttery aroma of a botched chemical experiment. Suddenly the woman throws her arms around and speaks to me softly with her glossy lips. “Do you want some popcorn?”

 

Now I know John Mclane isn’t known for being the suave spy type that I imagine myself as when I’m in the movie theatre. If you haven’t seen any of the Die Hard movies basically, he likes to blow stuff up and shoot bad guys. And that’s exactly what I needed after a hectic Valentine’s Day. In this Fifth installment of the Die Hard series somehow John runs himself straight into a botched CIA mission while looking for his son. It seems that those hero genes run & gun themselves in the family. His son Jack is being held prisoner and on the run in present day Moscow. There’s a top secret file that everyone wants that brings them all to good old Chernobyl and well… you have to see the rest.

 

I enjoyed the acting in this movie. Bruce Willis has his character nailed and everyone seems clear of their character motivations. Jai Courtney as Jack seems a little stiff at first but learns to loosen up during his ordeal. Hoping that was actual the direction of the film maker for his character and not his actual acting style. A very strong performance from Sebastian Koch as Komorov who needs all the help he can get, but will also stand on his own with these two running around.

 

Special effects were great, slightly bending the laws of physics but not really smashing them apart that you would notice. There is a very well orchestrated car chase near the beginning of the film that I enjoyed immensely. As a car guy and I admit haven’t seen a well made car chase in a newer movie in quite a while. I would be stunned to hear how much collateral damage and man hours that scene alone would cost. The pace of the movie is pretty quick from beginning to end so don’t leave your seat! You will probably miss something worthwhile. I think not only Die Hard fans but action fans in general will catch some subtle nuances that John brings to the mechanics of the game.

 

Now I know I poked a lot of fun at this movie before seeing the previews by calling it “Die Hard 15” or “Why don’t you die, Die Hard” Titles that may be relevant in the future, but I was quite satisfied with the experience. I say it lives up to the expectations of the original movie complete with explosions, chases, humor and the occasional double cross. I won’t spoil it for you but you know it’s in there! At its heart A Good Day to Die Hard, Is a touching story about a father coaching his son on the subtleties of being a badass. There are some genuinely funny male bonding moments along with enough thrills rides to satisfy your day.
Until Next time

Yippie Kay Yay Mother…!
-Corona

[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]

Warm Bodies

Who doesn’t love a good zombie story? Now I’ve been a fan of the Resident Evil Games and their movies since the first time a zombie dog crashed through a window as I dropped the dual shock. I am pretty sure I’m the only one here at WhaddupNow with the tools and training required to survive the zombie apocalypse. That being said, I’m not really looking forward to movies like World War Z. It seems like the zombie genre is getting way too generic after an awesome series like The Walking Dead.

 

Here is your typical scenario. Someone is always racing to find a cure through extreme odds. They can’t trust anyone that has the look of hunger in their eyes, but somehow they run into a like minded survivor. They encounter a Corpus Vigere and learn to shoot it in the head or sever the brain stem in an entertaining way. Eventually someone gets and turns on their friends. You know standard stuff.

 

But have you ever wondered what the zombie thought about you? Of course not because we are told zombies don’t think! This is why I was somewhat thrilled at the concept behind warm bodies. Shaun of the Dead was a hilarious departure to the standard shoot them in a head flick. This movie hopes to achieve sort of the same glory but gives us the zombie perspective.

 

This movie is a good break from the nameless, faceless, groaning flesh bags that want to eat your brains shtick. Our Protagonist R explains his zombie habits by being nothing more than forgetting who he was because well… he’s the living dead. Oh and by the way they don’t eat your brains because they want to, but because they have to. As a bonus to eating brains, that’s where all the cool memories are stored! Something happens when he sees Julie blowing away his buddies in a firefight. And in a strange way, it all makes sense.

 

This movie has quite a bit of humor in it regarding the zombie culture but it is well balanced with some action and tender moments. I wouldn’t call it suspenseful but there are some moments that leave you wondering what will happen next. At it’s heart, and this is where it gets interesting… it’s a chick flick. There are some pretty corny romantic subtexts but they also manage to poke fun at themselves which I like.

The performance by Nicholas Hoult as R was pretty spot on and he doesn’t break character. Teresa Palmer as Julie does a great job at being the girl next door that can kick your ass. There is also a shade of vulnerability to her character has that she nails.

The whole love in the apocalypse theme is played out well and the humor in it is worth a look. It’s a balanced movie but nothing really strikes me in it as memorable or exciting. I don’t think it will run into territory of cult classic anytime soon.

If you are a fellow doomsday prepper and would like something different to lighten the mood check it out. Also ladies, if you’re trying to trick your guy into watching a romantic comedy with you for Valentines Day he will probably not cringe at this one. If he doesn’t get a few laughs out of it then…maybe he’s a zombie!

Until next time (Nemesis voice) S.T.A.R.S!
-Corona

[starreviewmulti id=2 tpl=20]

New venue for Beyond Wonderland

NOS Events Center vs San Miguel AmphitheaterIt looks like Insomniac has been working on a change of venue for their popular Beyond Wonderland festival from the National Orange Show Events Center to the San Manuel Amphitheater. This change should be able to boost capacity by quite a bit as it’s double the size of the NOS Events Center.

 

Police Chief Robert Handy and residents from the city of San Bernardino had tensions with Insomniac from previous events which prompted the change. Live Nation Entertainment Inc. would deploy extra security staff and have the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deploy extra deputies to keep the concert safe and orderly. The County Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 2 to allow raves at the amphitheater but San Bernardino City Attorney James Penman, Supervisor Janice Rutherford along with many Devore residents were unsatisfied with the board’s decision because of crime and public safety concerns that come from events like this.

 

Beyond Wonderland is set for March 16, 2013 and ticket prices, as of this post, are $65 for 18+ and VIP for 21+ at $150.

Further detailed information can be found on the LA Times website.