Left 4 Dead 2 gets another DLC drop

The Left 4 Dead 2 "Cold Stream" DLC for the Xbox 360 is now out. It's the third DLC for L4D2 and became available on August 3 for 560 MSP.
Cold Stream itself is a community-made campaign from the same creator of the 2 Evil Eyes community campaign. It features four chapters, Alpine Creek, South Pine Stream, Memorial Bridge, and Cut-throat Creek, which all end with a guantlet even leading in to the safe room. The DLC will also come with ports of the Death Toll, Dead Air, Blood Harvest, and Crash Course campaigns.

Lego Batman 2 a fun superhero ride through Gotham

Growth and innovation is something that gamers expect when a franchise puts out a sequel.

Tt Games has carved out a niche thanks to its Lego license. And they have continued to grow and show promise with each new title. And they`ve had rich material to work with over the years: The complete Star Wars saga, The Clone Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Batman and the upcoming Lord of the Rings game.

Each game has added small new wrinkles, but the core components were a tongue-in-cheek storyline filled with bits of humour, large destructible worlds built with Lego pieces that could be smashed apart and reassembled, as well as replayability thanks to the use of multiple characters once the main story quest had been completed.

With Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, from WB Games for the 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, 3DS, DS and PlayStation Vita, Tt Games has upped the ante further and this bodes well, especially if what they`ve established here carries over to the upcoming Lord of the Rings game.

And that major change is dialogue. Yes, no more mime motions and simple comic gestures to get points across. These characters can all talk and that makes the game play out like a Lego movie. It`s not as minor a move as you might think. In fact, it`s a monumental improvement as it adds more story and depth to a game that both kids and adults alike can dig into.

Lego Batman 2 centres on an initial battle between the Dark Knight and his nemesis The Joker. When the Joker crashes a Gotham City award show that is a man of the year celebration, between Bruce Wayne and Lex Luther, he unleashes havoc as usual. Bruce slips into his Batman cowl and cape and begins to do battle with some of the usual rogue`s gallery, including Harley Quinn and The Riddler.

But Lex sees an ally in The Joker and the duo soon team up. So, that necessitates the introduction of the Justice League into the fray. Suddenly, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern and others are fighting alongside Batman and Robin and that, my friends, is simply awesome.

Unconstrained by a movie tie-in, Tt Games treats us to an original storyline that, for a Lego game, is epic. Large levels that feature save points are a big improvement. The ability to use a wide variety of vehicles is a blast. Soaring above Gotham as Superman or flying around in the BatWing is a geek dream come true, no matter how old a gamer you are.

Having said all that, the battles are pretty typical of the previous Lego efforts, as is the usual collection of studs as you destroy and rebuild environments. But as tedious as that may sound, fans of this franchise know it`s a lot of fun in the beginning and the use of other characters to access various parts of the levels that you can`t get to during the story quest make it worth the grind.

The game certainly has replayability because of this and allows you to pit any number of superheroes against a great lineup of DC Comics villains, including the Penguin, Catwoman, Bane, Poison Ivy and others.

I hope this is a good sign going forward. I want to hear Aragorn, Frodo and Gandalf speak in the upcoming Lord of the Rings game. And I want to see original works featuring the likes of Indy, the Star Wars crew and, dare I say, some kind of deal with Marvel so we can see a Lego Spider-man, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Avengers game.

Oh, the possibilities.

And on one final note, the game does fall back to use Danny Elfman`s Batman scores from the 1990s. I played mine with Hans Zimmer`s excellent Dark Knight and Dark Knight Rises scores playing on my iPod. It adds a much darker tone to the game, which I highly recommend trying for older fans of the Caped Crusader.

Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Rated E10+

Xenoblade: Chronicles a wild Wii game

Sometimes it takes a while for me to write a review if you compare my column’s publish date to the game’s actual release date.

Sometimes that’s because I have a lot of games on the go. Other times it’s because I’m trying to time my column with an event or the release of a similar title. And sometimes it’s because a game requires more attention than others.

In the case of Xenoblade Chronicles, from Nintendo for the Wii, it’s that last one.

Xenoblade hit stores way back in April. This Japanese role-playing game has captivated and confounded me at times. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. I’d get into it for a bit and then get frustrated and put it down. But invariably I’d go back for more. That’s the sign of a compelling, but flawed game. And that’s exactly what Nintendo has offered up here.

The story centres on a sword that offers its owner the ability to see into the future. This is a useful tool in that it helps you change events and remake the world in a more just fashion.

Japanese RPGs have taken a hard rap, especially from North American fans in recent years. And I’ll admit, I’m not always the biggest fan of them. I tend to prefer North American RPGs, like Mass Effect, or Elder Scrolls. The North American games tend to offer gamers huge worlds to explore, extra side quests to explore if you wish, and a story that unfolds as you venture wherever you choose to go.

JRPGs, by comparison, have become extremely linear, often feeling like you’re playing the role-playing equivalent of a shooter on rails.

But not this one. Xenoblade Chronicles is downright North American in its number of options. It offers an impressive world to explore at your own pace. You won’t be guided through the story by the hand. You truly can go where you want whenever you want to. And there are optional side quests to tackle. Plus loads of customization when it comes to the characters.

And that’s commendable. Japanese developers have been fighting for relevance in recent years, as western gamers and their tastes have become the driving force of the industry.

This title proves that, in this case at least, the land of the rising sun still has something to offer the larger world of video gamers.

That said, there are still issues that will frustrate (and occasionally infuriate) gamers. The gameplay choices give you at least 80 hours of story to explore – more if you want to truly try to tackle everything that’s offered up. But some are unbearably tedious. I’m not a big fan of having to collect or kill a certain number of objects or beasts in order to get essential help from a non-player controlled character (NPC). And when these types of ‘missions’ keep cropping up deep into the main plot, the lack of pacing gets more than a little frustrating. The main quest certainly could have used a little more streamlining.

The AI is also questionable at times. Your NPC teammates behave erratically at times during a fight. And this can get really, really annoying.

Thankfully, you have the option of saving at any point, which is a plus for RPGs, especially one with the scope of Xenoblade: Chronicles.

Overall, this is an impressive effort. It represents a good step forward for the Japanese development system and a solid mesh of eastern and western philosophies. But there are some bumps to smooth out.

Rating: 3.5 stars. Rated T.

Movie tie-in games back for summer season

The summer season is upon us, which means gamers once again have a choice of titles based on big screen flicks showing at the local multiplex.

As most seasoned gamers know, movie-based video games have a tendency to fall well short of expectations, typically because they’re under tight time restrictions in order to come out at or around the same time as the film’s release date.

One notable exception this year is an Avengers game. The film has done astounding business at the box office, but developer Ubisoft is planning to release a game – Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth – either later this year or in 2013. Ubisoft has said it is not based on the movie, but rather the comic series ‘Secret Invasion’ and will feature more than a dozen Marvel characters.

That said, there are titles currently available based on flicks you can see either at the first- or second-run theatres in your city. Here are a few that I’ve taken for a spin:

* The Amazing Spider-Man (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, 3DS, DS; Activision): I played the 360 version and two things immediately jumped out at me. First, this game is surprisingly fun. Second, it’s clearly been influenced by the Batman Arkham games.

The game is set after the events of the film, allowing you to battle more of Spidey’s rogue’s gallery of villains. You also are free to swing through Manhattan and tackle main missions and side quests at your pleasure. The elements of stealth attacks, bullet time action and increased, specialized attacks are familiar and executed well. Cynics may decry the influence of other popular titles, but the fact is they work and they make this game entertaining.

And in the end, that’s what you’re looking for when you plunk down your money.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5. Rated T.

* Brave (360, PS3, Wii, DS; Disney): I played the 360 version of this game, which is based on but also expands on the Pixar movie. You play as Merida, the red-headed heroine of the film, as well as other characters, doing battle with swords and bow and arrows (Kinect support for Xbox lets you shoot and slash with arm movements).

The game offers a decent mix of solving puzzles and battling various creatures. It lacks the heart of the movie and as a game, it suffers from the usual tie-in issues of being rather thin. This is a game that won’t take long to finish and has limited replayability.

But youngsters who adore the movie will enjoy it before tiring of it.

Rating: 3 stars. Rated E10+

* Madagascar 3 (360, PS3, Wii, 3DS, DS; D3 Publisher): I went all Nintendo for this review, playing the Wii, 3DS and DS versions and basically my reaction to them was all the same … indifference.

I have enjoyed the films, but as most film franchises peter out by the third movie, this game suffers from a real lack of inspiration. Basically, you undertake a series of missions and play a bunch of repetitive mini-games as you try to help the characters get back home.

Kids may enjoy the mini-games, but I think the repetition and the occasional control issues will turn them off rather quickly.

Rating: 2 stars. Rated E.

*Men In Black: Alien Crisis (360, PS3, Wii; Activision): Back to the 360 on this one, which is not based on the rather lackluster Men In Black III film. You play as a trainee, assigned to help protect the Earth from all manner of alien threats.

The game offers some occasionally interesting gunplay thanks to some unique weapons, as well as multiplayer split-screen action. But overall, it lacks inspiration. Given the fact you play as a guy named Delacoeur, it’s disappointing to find the only heart in this game is in the character’s name.

Rating: 2 stars. Rated T.

*Coming soon in future columns, watch for reviews of Dragon’s Dogma, Xenoblade Chronicles, Dirt Showdown, London 2012, NCAA Football 13, Lego Batman 2 and more.

DLC worth taking a look at

Downloadable content has certainly become prevalent in the gaming world in the past couple years and we’re seeing more and more use of it by publishers every day.

While some may look at DLC as a means of companies taking money from gamers for content that should already be included in the game you purchased, writing off all of it would be wrong. There are some excellent add-ons out there, including the much ballyhooed Mass Effect 3 extended cut ending for all those who complained about not liking how Canadian studio BioWare wrapped up the trilogy earlier this year.

But there are also some good games out there in DLC land to download. Here are some you may want to invest in:

* Fable Heroes (Xbox Live Arcade): This colourful, more animated take on the Fable role-playing game universe is aimed at attracting a younger audience. It’s a good primer for kids who might be wanting to dip their toes into the RPG waters, although the combat is a little wanting no matter how old you are.

* Euro 2012 ( XBLA, PlayStation Network): A downloadable only addition to Electronic Arts FIFA 12 game, this DLC features all the stadiums and teams from the recently wrapped up European soccer championship. So take heart, Italian fans, maybe you can capture the title on this virtual pitch.

* Batman: Arkham City: Harley Quinn’s Revenge (XBLA, PSN): If you love the Dark Knight’s two Arkham adventures, this is a must-play for fans.

The sexy and deadly Harley Quinn, also known as the Joker’s evil sidekick, has gathered a gang of baddies and put Batman firmly in her sights as she seeks to avenge the events of the main game.

Hey, any extra time spent in the awesome Arkham City universe is well worth the time, effort and expense.

* Jeremy McGrath’s Offroad (XBLA, PSN): A decent arcade-inspired racing game with loads of different modes to play with. The graphics aren’t anything to write home about, but that’s beside the point when you and a pal are tearing across various landscapes in all manner of offroad racing machines, or if you opt to do battle with online opponents. Thankfully, it’s pretty fairly priced for what you get, so the lack of ‘realism’ compared to some other racing titles where you can see every pristine reflection on the surface of your ride shouldn’t really deter you.

* Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut (XBLA, PSN): Personally, I don’t think BioWare had anything to apologize for when it came to how they opted to wrap up the game the way they did earlier this year (and I got the worst possible ending of all of them). But you have to give the Edmonton doctors, Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk, credit for not only responding to the criticisms of ticked off gamers, but offering it online for free.

Not going to ruin how it now ends, but there’s another option available to you and it should satisfy the crybabies out there.

* The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Dawnguard (XBLA): The first official DLC for the outstanding role-playing game adds an interesting dimension to Bethesda’s signature title. The plot sees the Vampire Lord Harkon trying to destroy the sun in order to usher in an age where vampires can roam the world free from the ravages of those nasty ultra-violet rays. Standing in the way is the Dawnguard. Will you defend the sun and humanity or join the vampires and attempt to take over the world? The choice is up to you.

Other recently titles that popped up online include Dragon’s Lair, the second chapter of The Walking Dead game and, of course, the crazy popular Minecraft game, which my children are completely addicted to. I’ve now become one of those parents who looks at a popular game (with horrible graphics) and says, what the heck do you like about this so much? All you do is build stuff, dig holes and kill pigs and sheep? Apparently I’m not as cool as I used to be.

Maybe someone will let me download something to up my cool quotient again.

London 2012 video game earns a silver

As I sit here writing this review today, Canada has two silver medals and five bronzes at the actual London 2012 Olympic Games.

Virtually, I gotta admit our country is kicking a little more butt thanks to my skills at playing London 2012, from Sega for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Playing the 360 version (and without the Kinect hooked up … I’m fine being a virtual athlete with my butt planted firmly on the couch, thank you very much), I’ve come away quite impressed with what Sega has managed to produce here.

Usually, tie-in games tend to be on the sucky side. Tight margins for turnaround often mean games aren’t fully polished and bug-free when they hit the market timed to coincide or capitalize on particular event.

But London 2012 is far more enjoyable than anticipated.

Growing up, way back in the 1980s when you had these things called arcades, there was a game that Konami put out called Track and Field (you can pick it up as an arcade offering these days for the consoles). I sucked at that game. It involved pounding buttons with your hands in a drumming motion and then slapping another button to jump or launch a javelin or shot put (making sure you held on long enough to get the right angle so your aerial missile would go as far as possible).

God, just thinking of that game, my wrists and palms hurt.

Not that there aren’t elements of those mechanics in play in London 2012. But it’s not to the same degree at all. Stick pushes now launch you over a hurdle, or fire your javelin or shot put.

Mostly, it’s about tapping buttons in rhythm to get your athlete to perform. Sure, you have to slap that button rapidly at times (at least with the old arcade game you could use your whole hand, in a kind of palm-drumming motion) so expect some sore digits, but there are times to rest and regain stamina before having a big go at it again.

There’s a decent number of events to play, including: 100m and 200m sprints, 100m hurdles, 400m races (the women finally get to run at 400m, they’ve been held out of the other events for some stupid reason), discus, high jump, long jump, triple jump, swimming, diving, shooting, archery, trampoline and vault, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, rowing, table tennis, weightlifting and beach volleyball (this, of course, is the women so we can amp up the spandex sex appeal).

Unfortunately, some events are missing. I’m sure the lack of basketball and soccer is due to other companies holding the rights to the pro players taking part in London.

But overall, this game does provide some nationalistic entertainment and enjoyment. It’s a nice accompaniment to the actual games.

Overall, the controls for all the sports aren’t exactly spot on, so expect some occasional frustration (as well as digit pain). But it certainly gets enough right to earn a spot on the podium.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5. Rated E.

Game of Thrones story draws you into video game

One of the perils of working in journalism is the hours. Specifically the fact I work nights. This means, I rarely watch TV.

So, when I hear about a great TV series, I often wait to buy it on DVD. And if it’s a series with a lot of hype, I’ll often wait until there’s at least two full seasons on DVD before I dive into it.

Such is the case with Game of Thrones. I own the first season on DVD, but have yet to watch it. Waiting until Season 2 is available later this year.

So, when Atlus fired me up a copy of the Game of Thrones video game to review, I was a little concerned. I don’t want the series ruined for me. Thankfully, the game, which is available for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, tells its own unique story in George R. R. Martin’s universe.

The game was written in conjunction with the popular fantasy scribe. You play as two former soldiers from a rebellion who must unite to face a threat to the Seven Kingdoms.

The story apparently parallels the first season of the show, so while it tells a unique tale, you do interact with characters from Game of Thrones, namely Cersei Lannister, Qhorin Halfhand, Jeor Mormont, Varys and Chataya.

I can’t attest to whether those interactions are true to the show’s characters. But I can say that the journey you embark on in the game is the real highlight. The story is completely engrossing and you are tasked with making moral choices that shape your own character’s journey.

I love story-driven games, so the fact the plot of this game, advanced by character-driven cutscenes, gives you a meaty treat to gnaw on for hours, I enjoyed my virtual trip into the Song of Ice and Fire universe, as Martin’s creation is known.

Unfortunately, the actual combat and some of the NPC (non-player character) interactions are actually a little weak, especially when compared to other games in this genre, such as Elder Scrolls’ Oblivion and Skyrim franchises.

Despite the weak combat and the repetitive NPC dialogue, the story is so engrossing, the world so fully fleshed out and the cutscenes so captivating that most gamers will stick with this tale.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5. Rated M.

N n n

Here’s a quick look at another title currently available:

* Zumba Fitness Rush (Xbox 360; Majesco): Use your Kinect to turn this title into your own personal trainer. There are 42 routines, including 10 specifically for the Kinect. The music is pumping, you can play with a friend in a two-player mode, track calories burned and even create your own workouts.

As far as weight-loss games go, this one is a solid, lively entry.

Rating: 3.5 stars. Rated E-10+

* Country Dance All-Stars (Xbox 360; GameMill Entertainment): Not a big fan of loud, adrenaline-pumping, bass-thumping dance music? Well, here’s a chance for country music fans to kick up their heels and dance to more than 30 hit songs, whether you play alone or with a friend. The game supports Kinect. As for the music, you’ll find cuts by the likes of Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Sugarland, Johnny Cash, Miley Cyrus, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Miranda Lambert and more.

Rating 3 stars. Rated E-10+

Future Soldier rises above average squad-based shooter

In the world of military fiction, you’d be hard-pressed to come up with a bigger name than Tom Clancy.

He’s the big literary dog. And Ubisoft has tried hard for more than a decade to try to use Clancy’s name to impact video gamers.

The results have been largely successful, thanks to the Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon franchises (let’s not talk about HAWX or EndWar). Splinter Cell earned its blockbuster cred, but Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon have failed to carve out a sales crater the way Call of Duty’s Modern Warfare and Black Ops series have. Battlefield 3 has also arguably made a bigger splash in the past year, elevating that franchise above the Clancy-named efforts.

And to be honest, multiplayer is why those other games have staying power. While I’m not a big fan of multiplayer, there’s no denying that today’s youth love going online to battle and trash talk one another for hours on end using the same maps and make-your-own-entertainment approach.

Given that, how does the latest Clancy-inspired title, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3; Ubisoft), stack up? Time will tell, but in my books it’s right there with the big boys in terms of campaign gameplay and even this crusty old-school gamer found the multiplayer to be worth more than a passing glance.

Story-wise, Future Soldier is set in the ‘near future’ and terrorists still have a hate-on for America. A plot to unleash nukes sends a group of four Ghosts on a series of 14 missions to take out high-value, high-risk targets around the globe.

I know, the usual plot of a terrorist group trying to nuke the Yanks. Yawn. But that’s just the excuse to strap on some killer tech and guns and head into some truly intense campaign missions. With more than 50 weapons that you can strip down and customize, optical camo suits that let you blend seamlessly into the environment (think Metal Gear Solid meets Predator), drones galore and squad-based tactics that include sniping groups of enemies en masse after setting targets for your AI-controlled teammates … well, it’s pretty awesome third-person shooter action.

The various campaign missions require you to use a variety of tactical approaches in order to succeed. There are times where stealth is the best option and others where running-and-gunning rules the day. You can try to mix these approaches up and there are some trial-and-error moments as you make your way through the game. But overall, the gameplay and mission setups do a good job of hinting at the best way to approach the various scenarios.

I really enjoyed the responsive squad-based combat. When you have AI-controlled soldiers who respond intelligently and logically, it’s a real plus. You feel like the developer actually has your back and that’s a good feeling.

While the plot is clichéd and the scenarios are pretty cookie-cutter, the ability to attack the enemy using cool tech and different strategies elevates Future Soldier above the average squad-based shooter.

As for the multiplayer, what attracted me was that the gameplay focuses largely on a squad-based concept. Rather than a team of lone wolves just seeking to amass as many kills as possible in the hopes of winning achievements or trophies, Future Soldier wants gamers to truly gain an insight into what it means to be part of a team. And while the skill level and approaches of your teammates goes a long way to determining how much you’ll enjoy the various modes (there are 10 maps and four different game types in the initial release, with DLC coming this summer), Future Soldier had me sticking around a lot longer than I usually do.

Overall, Future Soldier won’t redefine military squad-based shooters, but it sure makes for an entertaining romp.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5. Rated M.

* Coming soon in future columns, watch for reviews of Game of Thrones, Dragon’s Dogma, Dirt Showdown and more.

Hardy, Pine outshine Witherspoon in action-comedy This Means War

It’s been a busy few weeks, dealing with some rather nasty salmonella poisoning of me and my younglings.

But if there is any bright side to be taken from all of that blech-ness, it’s that movies and DVDs are a real life saver at times like that.

And I’ve been getting lost in a number of films lately. So here’s a look at what has captured my eye from what I’ve received the past few weeks.

The main new flick out there is from director McG, which is at times a bro-mance, an action-buddy comedy, as well as a rom-com.

This Means War stars Chris Pine, Tom Hardy and Reese Witherspoon. Now, as any good reviewer should, time to reveal my own personal biases. First, I have a man-crush on Tom Hardy. I think the guy is one of the best actors of his generation and I’ve yet to see a film with him in it where I wasn’t impressed by his performance. Second, I really don’t much care for Witherspoon. I don’t find her sexy or attractive in the least, so two guys fighting over her makes about as much sense as two guys battling over a copy of Vanity Fair.

And finally, McG … I have a love-hate thing with him. I love Supernatural, which he produces, as well as We Are Marshall and Terminator Salvation, which he directed. But I detested the two Charlie’s Angels movies and the completely unnecessary TV reboot of Nikita.

OK, there. Biases revealed.

This Means War features a pretty basic plot. Hardy plays Tuck, a divorced, absentee dad. Pine (best known for his role as Kirk in the Star Trek reboot) plays FDR, a lover of all things female. Tuck and FDR are CIA agents and best friends.

When some bad guy targets the duo, the agency tells them to take a break for a bit. Tuck decides to post a profile on a dating website, which catches the eye of Witherspoon’s Lauren. They meet, have chemistry and agree to meet again.

FDR, meanwhile, bumps into Lauren at another time and hits on her. She’s intrigued. She wants to see him again.

The boys find out they’re both after the same woman. Out of respect, they agree to let her choose. But their competitive nature drives them to start using their training and gadgets to monitor the other’s dates and sabotage him whenever possible.

And then, of course, there’s that bad person who wants them both dead.

Like I said, basic plot.

This is one of those cult of personality movies, where how much you like the characters goes a long way to determining whether you’re going to enjoy your 99 minutes with this trio. And to me, the movie works best when Hardy and Pine are working together or against one another. Thankfully, that’s a large section of the movie. The plot-necessary stuff with Witherspoon is predictable and moves by relatively quickly. Give McG credit for knowing what an audience is really interested in.

Hardy and Pine have great chemistry between them … far better than either does with Witherspoon, although Pine and Witherspoon do seem to click a little more than Hardy and the blonde actress do.

The action scenes are crisply shot and there are some fun comedic moments as the boys try to destroy one another’s date nights.

Overall, This Means War is a decent buddy flick with a little rom-com thrown in, making it a date night movie that both sexes can get beside.

* * *

Here’s a quick look at some other DVDs now available:

* The War: Ken Burns absolutely brilliant documentary about the Second World War comes to Blu-ray.

And while the film itself has been given the high-def treatment, there are no new extras and the extras that are carried over from the low-def version are all in standard 480p.

If you don’t already own this amazing 15-hour set, which features personal stories, letters and stirring voiceovers read by the likes of Keith David, Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Lucas and Bobby Cannavale, then I would say rush out and get this set if you’re at all interested in learning about the U.S. involvement in WWII.

But if you already have the standard-def set, I don’t see much reason to upgrade. It’s still the same great documentary, just at a lower resolution.

* Ray Romano: 95 Miles to Go: Part road trip, part comedy show, this documentary features a slightly stunned Romano learning that his opening act and friend, Tom Caltabiano, has hired a film student to shoot their seven-day, eight city comedy tour through the southern U.S. Caltabiano points out that Romano refused to have a big film crew shoot his tour so this was his solution.

The result is a mixed bag, with some truly hilarious bits between the buddies in the car as they banter back and forth, along with some tedious Ray’s an everyday-kinda-guy stuff.

Of course, any ‘reality’ TV or documentary always has to be viewed with some skepticism as people do play to the camera and hold back their true nature most of the time. But what film student Roger Lay Jr. captured here is more often than not funny – if you like Romano. If you’re not a fan, then there’s not much in this 79-minute doc that will convert you.

Extras include more than two hours of extra question and answer sessions, commentary tracks, Romano’s Kansas City stand-up show, as well as deleted and extended scenes.

* Breaking Bad: The Complete Fourth Season: Stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul take their drug-making characters through another gut-churning, intense 13 episodes that sees them dealing with a growing animosity between them, as well as issues with Walt’s (Cranston) estranged wife, his DEA Agent brother-in-law and the drug lord calling all the shots, played by the brilliant Giancarlo Esposito.

Extras include more than 15 hours of cast and crew commentaries, eight featurettes, video podcasts, five uncensored episodes, deleted and extended scenes, a gag reel and an extended version of the season finale. Available on standard def DVD and Blu-ray.

* Route 66: The Complete Series: This massive 24-disc set would be an ideal father’s day gift for the grampas out there who remember this popular series, which ran from 1960-64.

Featuring Martin Milner, George Maharis and later Glenn Corbett, the show focused on a pair of guys driving across the U.S. Route 66 in their corvette, doing good and righting wrongs wherever they stopped along the way.

The show ran for 116 episodes and featured some top-name guest stars, including Buster Keaton, Robert Duvall, Robert Redford, Martin Sheen, Boris Karloff, Burt Reynolds and Gene Hackman.

Extras include a look at vintage commercials, a documentary about the Corvette, as well as a 1990 TV panel featuring Maharis, writer/producer Herbert Leonard and directors Arthur Hiller and Elliot Silverstein.

* G.I. Joe: Renegades: Season One, Volume One: Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock, Snake Eyes and the rest of the Joes do battle against Cobra and another group called the Falcons in this 2010 animated series. The regular voice cast includes Charles Adler, David Marsden, Kevin Michael Richardson and Matthew Yan King, as well as spot performances from Clancy Brown, Peter MacNicol, Lee Majors, Nika Futterman, James Arnold Taylor, Corey Burton and Phil LaMarr.

* Transformers Super-God Masterforce: Part two of the rare Japanese TV trilogy, this five-disc set features 52 episodes of the robots in disguise wrapping up their battle on Earth against the Decepticons. A small group of Autobots remain behind to help protect the planet, while the rest of the crew head off-planet. However, a new force of Decepticons (called Destrons here) come calling, the outnumbered Autobots will need to find help if they’re to win this battle.

Extras include the original Japanese language tracks, English subtitles and an art gallery.

* Victorious: The Complete Second Season

* Cat Dog: Season Two, Part One

*Hey Dude: Season Three

* Hazel: The Complete Third Season

* The Walking Tall Trilogy: Contains all three feature films.

* Drop Dead Diva: The Complete Third Season

* * *

Next week, watch for Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and a new Asian film called Accident.

Prototype 2 unleashes Heller on Earth

Two of the main criticisms many so-called hardcore gamers have about the industry they love are a lack of creativity and the fact game developers now serve a master called corporate shareholders.

Truth is, they’re right. Seems like every developer cannibalizes whatever mechanic or look any best-selling game capitalizes on. A look at this week’s E3 trailers reveals as much (More on that in another blog/column).

And gaming is big business now. Like Hollywood, expect dumb sequels based solely on separating you from your money by capitalizing on your love and faith of a particular character or franchise.

In some ways, it shows how mainstream gaming has become. And there’s also a dark side to success, friends.

So, what to do? Lament? Turn off your consoles in protest? Hold your nose and game on?

That’s up to you.

As with movies, I look for the good parts where I can, support the independent visionaries where possible and keep an ear out for gems worth mining for. And hopefully that’s where I can be of some service occasionally.

This week, my main review is a game that symbolizes the good and bad of corporate influence on a title: Prototype 2 (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3; Activision).

You play as Sgt. James Heller, an African-American soldier hell-bent on revenge due to the death of his family in a monster-infested New York City. He believes the hero of the first game, Alex Mercer, killed his family and Heller will do anything to kill Mercer within the quarantined borders of the Big Apple.

The two face off shortly after the game starts and while I won’t spoil the storyline, which is what is the real reason to keep plowing through the extremely repetitive gameplay, Heller is transformed by Mercer into another Prototype and told to go find out the truth about what really happened to his family – and New York.

Heller is an angry man and he will stop at nothing. When he talks to himself, the game writers offer some funny looks into the man’s character. And as he becomes more knowledgeable and powerful, by killing mutant creatures while hunting down key soldiers, scientists and political masters who are responsible for unleashing this nightmare on New York, Heller’s rage knows no bounds.

And that’s the main draw of this sequel. Heller’s powers, from shape shifting to giant bladed hands to wicked tendrils that can grab multiple targets and vehicles and smash them together in a type of black hole attack, are, as the box advertises, god-like. From soaring like a bird to running like Flash to smashing like Hulk, Heller is destruction incarnate.

While that can be entertaining, it also can get tired. The hunting and infiltration missions do add some fun to the mix, but ultimately become repetitive. It’s not often that I say a story-driven game goes on too long, because goodness knows in this multiplayer-mad, lack-of-story generation most titles toss plot aside like a used tissue, but Prototype 2 overstays its welcome. The story is interesting, but it drags out too long, an excuse for Heller to continue to power up his mutations. There needed to be more varied types of missions.

Prototype 2 looks amazing and has plenty of sizzle, which pleases the corporate side, I’m sure. But the art suffered in service to that. The game feels too mainstream, lacking inspiration to delve into different mission types.

There’s no doubt you’ll have fun tearing people, mutants and vehicles apart as Heller. But expect some tedium to set in as Prototype 2 becomes a game that’s fun to revisit in short stints rather than to consume for hours at a time.

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5. Rated M.

***

Here’s a quick look at another title currently available:

*Street Fighter X Tekken (360, PS3; Capcom): The stars of these two popular martial arts franchises do battle in a two-on-two tag team-based approach, so 1-4 players offline or 2-8 online can whoop each other’s butts over and over. You can play using Street Fighter’s six-button layout or Tekken’s four. If you’re a fan, enjoy. Newcomers, it’s definitely worth a look if you’re interested in buddy bashing gameplay.

Rating 3 stars. Rated T.

*Coming soon in future columns, watch for reviews of Game of Thrones, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Dragon’s Dogma and more.

Kathleen Kennedy to become Co-Chair of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Check out this press release from Lucas, which deals with George's retirement and the handing over of the reins. Not sure what this means, but Kennedy certainly has a good track record so let's hope that bodes well, Wars fans ...

SAN FRANCISCO, California—June 1, 2012—Lucasfilm Ltd. today announced that Kathleen Kennedy will become Co-Chair of Lucasfilm. In an effort to move forward with his retirement plans, George Lucas will work with Kathleen Kennedy to transition into her new role. Lucas will become Co-Chairman of the Board of Lucasfilm and continue as CEO.  Micheline Chau will remain as President and COO of Lucasfilm, and continue to focus on the day-to-day operations of the business.

“I’ve spent my life building Lucasfilm and as I shift my focus into other directions I wanted to make sure it was in the hands of someone equipped to carry my vision into the future,” said George Lucas.  “It was important that my successor not only be someone with great creative passion and proven leadership abilities, but also someone who loves movies.  I care deeply about my employees—it is their creativity and hard work that has made this company what it is today.  As the company grows and expands I wanted to be sure the employees of Lucasfilm have a strong captain for the ship.  I also care deeply about our fans and it was important to have someone who would carry on the passion and care that I’ve given the films over the years. So for me Kathy was the obvious choice, she is a trusted friend and one of the most respected producers and executives in the industry.” 

Director Steven Spielberg said, “George's prescience is once again proven by his choice of my long time producing partner, Kathy Kennedy to co-chair Lucasfilm. Kathy has been a member of both of our families going into a fourth decade so it does not feel like she is going to another galaxy far far away.  She will get just as much support from me with Lucasfilm as George has given both of us all these years.”

“George is a true visionary,” said Kathleen Kennedy.  “I’ve seen him build Lucasfilm from a small rebel unit in Northern California to an international fully integrated entertainment company.  I’m excited to have the chance to work with such an extraordinary group of talented people.  George and I have talked about the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for the company, and as George moves towards retirement I am honored that he trusts me with taking care of the beloved film franchises. I feel fortunate to have George working with me for the next year or two as I take on this role—it is nice to have Yoda by your side.”

Seven-time Academy Award nominated Kathleen Kennedy is one of the most successful and esteemed producers and executives in the film industry.  As a producer she has an impeccable record with a robust filmography working with such filmmakers as Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, Martin Scorsese, Robert Zemeckis, Barry Levinson, Clint Eastwood, David Fincher and Gary Ross.  As a testament to her standing in the film community, she previously held the position of governor and officer of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and currently serves as a member of the board of trustees. She is also a former President of the Producers Guild of America.

Kathleen will step down from her role at The Kennedy/Marshall Company, shifting her responsibilities to partner Frank Marshall. The Kennedy/Marshall Company is currently in post production on LINCOLN, directed by long time collaborator Steven Spielberg whom Kennedy also produced for on the INDIANA JONES and JURASSIC PARK franchises, and THE BOURNE LEGACY, written and directed by Tony Gilroy and produced by Marshall.  Under the Kennedy/Marshall banner, the pair has produced such Academy Award nominated Best Picture films as WAR HORSE (six nominations), THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (thirteen nominations) THE SIXTH SENSE, (six nominations) and SEABISCUIT (seven nominations), as well as blockbusters including the BOURNE series and THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN. Marshall will oversee the company’s current slate of projects and continue to expand it via their development deals with DreamWorks and CBS TV Studios.

Star Wars 1313 a new Fett video game

Here's a link so you can check out this breaking news about the upcoming Star Wars video game: http://www.lucasarts.com/games/1313/

3DS a welcome addition to gaming world

During my hiatus, a couple pieces of hardware debuted and while I’ve had a chance to play with them, I haven’t written much about them until recently.

I wrote about the PlayStation Vita a couple weeks ago and now it’s Nintendo’s 3DS handheld’s turn for its closeup.

For those who wonder if it’s possible to get a 3D viewing experience without the silly glasses, the answer is yes. Unfortunately, it’s only available on a very small screen at present. The screen is about 3 ½ inches wide and has a resolution of 800X240 (400X240 for each eye). The second touch screen, on the bottom panel, is not 3D.

It’s a light piece of hardware, quiet and easy to carry. It features three cameras, gyroscopes to allow you to play by moving the handheld around, as well as a slider that lets you adjust the amount of 3D effect to your liking. That’s a nice feature, in that if you’re not crazy about 3D, you can dial it completely back of 2D, or you can use it to varying degrees.

The unit comes with a 2-gigabyte SD memory card, but you can buy other larger cards if you desire.

The battery life is pretty solid, as well, clocking in anywhere up to five or six hours depending on how much 3D you use and how intense the game you’re playing is in terms of the graphics.

The 3DS is backwards compatible with DS games, as well as DSI titles.

Personally, I’m a big fan of this handheld. I like the power of having a 3D gaming experience in my hands without having to resort to wearing glasses. And while the images are a little dull in comparison to 2D games due to the 3D effect (anyone having watched a 3D movie at theatres and seeing how the image on the screen dims a bit when you put the glasses on understands this), it’s not a terribly distracting issue.

One of the newest titles for the 3DS is Mario Tennis Open, which is an easy, kid-friendly, accessible arcade sports title featuring the usual wacky powerups, crazy courts and characters of Nintendo’s iconic main character.

You can play solo, play versus or co-op with two to four players, the game supports download play, so others who don’t have the game can transfer a temporary version to their 3DS so they can play with or against you, as well as online play over a WiFi connection.

The gameplay is quite simple, such that any six year old could pick up and play this game. The use of 3D may take younger games a while to adjust to, but once they do they’ll be hitting the ball (or turtle shells) around with abandon.

Overall, the 3DS is a winner and appears to have a solid future in terms of advancing gaming technology.

The score: 4 stars out of 5.

As for MarioTennis Open, the score is 4 stars. Rated E.

* * *

Here’s a quick look at some other 3DS titles currently available:

*Kid Icarus Uprising (Nintendo): A long-awaited sequel featuring a popular character finally got its day in the sun, but it has been a bit divisive because of control issues that, depending on the player, either make the game or completely ruin it. I found it to be a challenge and didn’t stick with it too long, but others I know do enjoy it immensely. Try it at your own risk.

The score: 2.5 stars. Rated E-10+

* Tekken 3D Prime Edition (Bandai Namco Games): A good martial arts fighting game in which you can play solo, co-op or head to head featuring the usual Tekken roster.

The score: 3.5 stars. Rated T.

* Tales of the Abyss (Bandai Namco Games): The old PlayStation 2 Japanese role-playing game makes a slight makeover to move onto the 3DS. The result is an OK RPG, but it feels dated and really could have been an original title rather than a port.

The score 2.5 stars. Rated T.

* Nicktoons MLB 3D (2K Games): A solid into to virtual baseball for young gamers, thanks to licensed characters like SpongeBob, Stimpy, the Last Airbender and Jimmy Neutron, as well as some real major leaguers. 

The score 3 stars. Rated E.

* Spirit Camera: The Cursed Memoir (Tecmo): An interesting game in which you use the 3DS cameras to see a spirit in your environment, assisting her by solving a mystery involving a nasty woman. The game is incredibly short, though.

The score: 3 stars. Rated T.

* Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater (Konami): This is a game for the adult gamers to dive into, filled with spies, stealth combat and more Metal Gear plot developments for fans of the popular third-person action-shooter franchise. It doesn’t disappoint, with a deep story, excellent mechanics and all the twists and turns that make MGS one of the great story-based franchises.

The score: 4 stars. Rated M.

Zombie shooters invade consoles, handhelds

I admit, I’m a man with a broad scope when it comes to genre appreciation.

Entertainment-wise, I love a good zombie flick. Gaming-wise, shooters are my go-to choice for fun.

Combining the two should produce great results. But not always.

There have been some good ones – the Left 4 Dead franchise and even the old Resident Evil: Dead Aim PlayStation 2 title come to mind.

So, I had high hopes when I popped in Capcom’s latest zombie shooter, Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, available on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. And things went south in a hurry.

Plot-wise is where ORC shines brightest. It’s September 1998 and you are a member of a four-person assault team working for the Umbrella Corporation. This is the group responsible for developing the zombie-creating T-Virus, which has turned the citizens of Raccoon City into brain-hungry creatures. The fact you’re working for the bad guys, blasting your way through seven co-op missions that can be played online or offline, is an interesting concept for the RE franchise. You’re tasked with eliminating key witnesses and evidence that tie Umbrella to the outbreak.

You’ll visit come iconic locations and meet up with some classic RE characters during the game, including a young male cop who you’re tasked with killing.

Where ORC falls apart is in telling the story and the actual gameplay itself. There’s not a huge amount of character development. Granted, you can play as one of six different agents who have special skills, but the storyline could have included more character revelation and moments. I know there’s not a lot of story and character development in Left 4 Dead, but a story-driven gaming nut can dream, right?

And the mechanics of playing ORC are cumbersome at best and downright frustrating at worst. Trying to manoeuvre and shoot in some of the locations is an exercise in patience. The aiming mechanics are awkward, as is the lack of precision targeting when chucking grenades. As such, the game feels sloppily designed when compared to other co-op shooters.

Offline play is also frustrated by the poor AI of your non-player-controlled squadmates. They lack tactics and basic intelligence. I know the bad guys are supposed to be stupid or clumsy or arrogant, but this is beyond frustrating given the fact not everyone wants to play online with other people.

Overall, the voice acting is solid, led by Nika Futterman, who is best known as the voice of Asajj Ventress on Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series. But there’s a lot more that could have been done with the characters and the gameplay needed to be tightened up in a big way. Great concept. Poorly executed.

The score: 2.5 stars out of 5. Rated M.

***

Here’s a quick look at some other sports titles currently available:

* The Walking Dead: Episode One (360, PS3; Telltale Games): The first of a five-part series of downloadable titles based on Robert Kirkman’s graphic novels, you play as Lee Everett, a convict who gets a second chance at life at the end of the world. The story and character development in this game is outstanding and the action, while occasionally uneven, is engaging as you battle zombies and deal with other characters and some truly emotional, almost gut-wrenching scenes. If you’re a fan of the graphic novels, the TV series or intelligent games featuring hordes of zombies, this is a no-brainer. Play it today.

The score: 5 stars. Rated M.

* Resident Evil: Revelations (Nintendo 3DS; Capcom): Set during the time between Resident Evil 4 and RE5, this story takes place on an abandoned cruise ship (remember Dead Aim?). It’s a good shooter that makes good use of the handheld’s 3D capabilities. It’s quite atmospheric, especially if you play in the dark with headphones on. Handheld games have certainly come a long way and this is one of the best genre titles you’ll find out there.

The score: 4 stars. Rated M.

Underworld Awakening takes series in new direction

Let’s climb into the Way Back Machine and head back to 2002, when the first Underworld film was being shot.

It was a cool concept: Vampires vs. Werewolves in modern times, featuring two up-and-coming hot leads in Kate Beckinsale and Scott Speedman.

Beckinsale had just come off the bomb that was Pearl Harbor, while Speedman, an English boy who grew up in Toronto, was considered a TV hunk, after his role on the cult hit Felicity.

The movie did well. It helped launch Beckinsale, who rocked a shiny black leather corset and is to blame for causing copious amounts of man drool, onto a modestly successful film career (including a bit role in Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator).

Speedman, however, became something of a forgotten man. He was no longer the TV hunk of the moment and he was playing second fiddle to a hot English chick in a shiny corset.

Which brings me to this week’s feature DVD review: Underworld Awakening. For those keeping count, this is the fourth movie in the franchise. However, it’s only the third for Beckinsale and Speedman.  (The third film told the back story of Lucian and his vampire lover, which starred Michael Sheen and Bill NIghy and was actually a really cool little action flick.)

But if you’re a Speedman fan, don’t blink. He’s in it for a few seconds. He’s become like the Where’s Waldo of the Underworld universe.

Beckinsale, however, remains front and centre and she continues to rock that corset while mowing down baddies with dual machine pistols and a deadly serious, but oddly sexy grim countenance.

This time around, we pick up with Beckinsale’s Selene and Speedman’s Michael making plans to flee after the end of the second movie.

But they’re captured.

Fast forward many years and Selene wakes up, finding herself trapped in some lab where people have been studying her while she was in stasis. Turns out that the world has changed. Humans are now aware of the vampires and werewolves and humanity declared war on the two groups, killing them en masse and bringing both sides to the brink of extinction.

Both groups have been driven underground and scientists have been studying Selene and Michael, as well as a little girl, to see if they can’t figure out some sort of way to reverse their conditions.

Selene escapes and has visions seen through the eyes of another. She assumes it’s Michael as they share a telepathic connection. Turns out to be the little girl, who is more than meets the eye.

From that point on, it’s basically a chase movie, with Selene trying to protect the child from the scientists determined to capture them and experiment further on the little girl.

But the scientists have secrets of their own, including a giant werewolf who does their bidding in tracking down the remnants of vampires who live underground on the fringes of the city.

Selene gets wind of the scientists’ evil plan and is determined to stop them, save the girl and free Michael from their clutches.

Director Len Wiseman, who helmed the first two movies (which were the best films), has since moved on and is now working on the Total Recall reboot starring Colin Farrell and his main squeeze, Beckinsale. And his hand on this franchise is missed. While he helped write Awakening, it’s clear the franchise misses his hand because he had a real understanding of this unique genre and took it seriously enough that he kept it from becoming bizarre camp.

European directors Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein do a decent job of staging the gun fights and action sequences in Awakening, but the character development and sense of dark fun that permeated the first three films is decidedly missing from this one. And it suffers for it.

Sure, there are some great gun battles in Awakening. Sure, Beckinsale looks great kicking butt. And sure, the big werewolf is cool, menacing and leaves a satisfying amount of destruction in its wake. But the film feels flat.

Thankfully, the DVD version spares you from the hideous 3D screening that I paid to sit through in theatres earlier this year. It gave Clash of the Titans a run for worst looking 3D movie of the current era. But in 2D, the action is more palatable.

Overall, if you’re an Underworld fan, there’s enough here to keep you interested during the quick 89-minute flick. But it’s a pale imitation of what the first three movies represented.

The extras are limited to a filmmaker’s commentary track, which is disappointing, since I would have liked to gotten a lot more into the making of the movie in the hopes of understanding why they streamlined the story and took it in the direction they did.

* * *

Here’s a quick look at some other DVDs now available:

* John Wayne Film Collection: This 10-disc set features some of The Duke’s iconic flicks, including, for the first time on DVD, The Barbarian and The Geisha. Other flicks include The Undefeated, The Longest Day, The Comancheros, The Alamo, North to Alaska and The Big Trail. Longest Day and The Alamo are certainly iconic films, but be sure to check out Barbarian, which was directed by the legendary John Huston and sees Wayne playing an American diplomat who meets a beautiful Japanese Geisha girl.

* Frank Sinatra Film Collection: Ol’Blue Eyes may be best remembered by today’s middle agers and youth as an iconic singer, but he had serious acting aspirations in his younger days and made some interesting movies. This 10-film collection features Kings Go Forth (a WWII drama co-starring Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood), A Hole in the Head (directed by Frank Capra), Can-Can (with Shirley MacLaine), The Manchurian Candidate, Von Ryan’s Express, Cast a Giant Shadow (with John Wayne and Kirk Douglas), and two Tony Rome flicks, in which Sinatra plays a Miami private eye. The sequel co-starred Raquel Welch.

* Kojak: Season Four: Telly Savalas stars as the San Fran crime fighter in this six-disc set featuring 25 episodes. Highlights include Kojak tracking down a nut who kidnapped his niece, as well as hunting the serial killer known as the Grim Reaper.

* Fantasy Island: Season Two: Aaron Spelling’s cheesy but strangely addictive TV show about an island where people can find the happy endings they want for their lives. Overseeing the action is the host, Mr. Roarke, played by Ricardo Montalban, as well as his cohort Tattoo, the late Herve Villechaize.

The show’s hallmark was a roster of great guest stars and this season was no exception. Look for episodes featuring the likes of Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Jonathan Frakes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Mamie Van Doren, Don Knotts, Cesar Romero, Roddy McDowall, Regis Philbin, Annette Funicello, Leslie Nielsen, Cyd Charisse, John Astin, Sonny Bono and Janet Leigh.

Vita pricey, but mana for hardcore gamers

Being a single dad, I appreciate a good bargain. And let’s face it, in these days when salaries for most of us tend to be stagnant or falling behind the pace of the cost of living, bargains are important.

But as most shoppers realize, there’s a difference between buying product at your local dollar store or discount joint versus going to a store that sells quality goods.

Sadly, affordability and quality don’t always square in the early days of a product’s life cycle.

Which brings me to Sony’s handheld console, the Vita. At $250 before taxes (for the WiFi unit … there’s a more expensive device that has 3G connectivity), this piece of tech is pricy, no doubt about it. And it requires a memory card, which is sold separately.

But it also the most well-rounded, fully functional and gorgeous handheld created to date.

Launched in February, Vita sports a five-inch OLED touch screen that is brilliant and sharp, as well as a rear touchpad, front and rear cameras, a powerful engine that truly makes this a portable console and, for those of us who have long complained about the PlayStation Portable, the Vita sports dual analog sticks.

In short, Vita is not something you’re going to put into the hands of a seven year old, unless you are a member of the 1%. This is a hardcore gamer’s machine, with a price to match.

Bigger and heavier than a PSP, the Vita looks sharp and has power to burn. I like the solid feel. This unit fits well in your mitts and the front and rear touch sensitivity works well. I worry about people bouncing it off surfaces or dropping it and the long-term effects those will have, especially on the rear pad.

The graphics are stunning. It’s close to high-def, featuring bright colours, excellent contrast and a wide viewing spectrum, so you don’t have to worry about the angle at which you hold it.

The graphics and power do tend to be hard on the battery. Most people report they get about four hours of gameplay on a charge. I was averaging closer to five. But, again, this isn’t a casual gaming device. So, if you’re going on a long trip, be aware you’re not likely to play in fits and starts, so keep the battery life in mind.

Unfortunately, those who have loads of PSP games will find the Vita doesn’t support the format. Unless you have downloadable PSP titles, which it will play. Vita game cartridges are small. I get the feeling Sony would prefer gamers download titles from their online store. And that’s not a bad option if you’re into that (and have the memory card space to do it).

The games play extremely well on Vita. The dual sticks give this a true portable console feel. The front touch screen has excellent response and the rear screen, which isn’t required to use, can be used if you don’t want to block your view of the action. Just remember the rear screen does work on touch, so inadvertent touches do translate into in-game movement, which can be a real pain.

Tech geeks who want more from Vita than gaming will find a web browser and other apps that are built-in, as well as a host of downloadable do-dads. It’s not as user-friendly as an iPod or iPhone though.

All in all, Vita is a powerful piece of tech. It’s not as sleek as Nintendo’s 3DS, but it outperforms that unit in every way. You’ll be reminded of that when paying at the register.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

Here’s a quick look at what I consider to be the best games for the Vita at the moment:

* Rayman Origins (Ubisoft): A 2D platformer, this game showcases the graphics power of the Vita. It’s a great, fun pick-up-and-play title The score: 5 stars. Rated E-10+

* MLB 12 The Show (Sony): Love the graphics and the ability to continue my console seasons and modes by transferring files back and forth with the PS3. The score: 5 stars. Rated E.

* Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Sony): Proof that Vita is a portable console, Nathan Drake’s latest treasure hunting game is a visual treat and makes great use of the dual sticks and touch screens. Indy, eat your heart out. The score: 4.5 stars. Rated T.

* Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3(Capcom): Pit a roster of 50 gaming and super hero legends against one another in a martial arts showdown. The score 3.5 stars. Rated T.

* Hot Shots Golf World Invitational (Sony): Makes good use of the rear touch screen for a unique golf experience. The score: 3.5 stars. Rated E.

* Unit 13 (Sony): You wanted dual analog sticks for a shooter … well, Sony says play this. It’s a solid shooter, letting you blast baddies across 45 levels. The score: 3.5 stars. Rated T.

Cruise, director Bird shine in Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol DVD (plus other reviews...finally!)

Greetings from my new hut, which is why it’s been a while since I cracked open the old DVD vault and filed a report.

But I’m back and ready to bring you reviews, previews and a look at some of the latest and greatest flicks on the market.

Let’s dive into the most recent big release first.

Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol, starring Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner is an enjoyable home theatre experience, especially on Blu-ray, which showcases some of the absolutely gorgeous locations director Brad Bird and crew chose for this action-spy flick.

MI is one of those rare franchises that seem to be getting better with each movie. Like The Bourne Trilogy that gave us Matt Damon: Action Star, Mission: Impossible has become more accessible, interesting and entertaining with each installment. And No. 4, Ghost Protocol, is by far the best of the bunch to date.

Maybe that’s because Cruise needed a bit of a career makeover after some recent PR stumbles. His image took a beating because of his religious-political views and he became a little too toxic for a while. But Ghost Protocol showcases that Cruise, the actor, is still likeable, watchable and engaging. Throw in his appearance in the upcoming musical Rock of Ages, based on ’80s hair bands and music and I think Tommy boy is going to find himself back in the pop culture good books so long as he keeps his wacko views to himself.

OK, enough of that stuff.

Bird is a remarkable director and this marks his first non-animated film. It’s one heck of a live-action debut. Ghost Protocol, which sees the Mission: Impossible team going rogue after being disavowed for their supposed participation in a terror-style bombing attack on the Kremlin, showcases some truly eye-popping stunts and solid character work.

Let’s start with the stunts. Cruise, in one of the real set pieces, dangles outside Dubai’s largest building, the Burj Kahlifa, having to move between several floors by using special spy gloves that stick to the glass. It is a breathtaking sequence, extremely well shot and taut. Cruise proves he still has great action chops and Bird, who is best known for directing The Incredibles and The Iron Giant, shows that he can hold an audience in the palm of his hand with real flesh and blood actors and images.

There’s also an amazing showdown in an automated parking garage in which Cruise takes an absolute beating while chasing down the villain, trying to secure proof that will exonerate him and his team. Between bouncing off cars, falling multiple storeys and a physically brutal fight between the two main characters, it’s another great action set piece.

Pegg, Paula Patton, Renner and Cruise form a great crew of spies. They have real chemistry between them. Pegg’s comedic chops as the gadget geek, Renner’s quiet intensity as a character whose allegiances and motivations seem suspect, Patton’s beauty and intelligence sparkle, while Cruise leads the way with his confident, take-charge demeanor. Characters in action-driven movies are often paper thin and their arcs usually play second or even third fiddle to the plot. Not so here. These characters are front and centre and make Ghost Protocol a much more personal journey than a typical action flick. Credit to Bird, producer JJ Abrams and writers Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec. They have crafted a really spectacular movie from start to finish – one that was amazing on the big screen, but still packs plenty of punch in the home theatre arena.

I cannot recommend this DVD highly enough.

Extras include a look at the filming of the movie, the gadgets, special effects and stunts, as well as deleted scenes and an alternate opening.

* * *

Here’s a quick look at other DVDs currently on the market:

* The Descendants: Director Alexander Payne’s brilliant tale of a family in crisis, starring George Clooney as a man dealing with an accident that has left his wife brain dead, as well the knowledge that she has been having an affair that even his children were aware of, is deeply moving.

And yet, rather than being maudlin, Payne and Clooney inject bits of comedic genius here and there to keep the mood a little bit light while exploring a deeply upsetting plot.

Complicating things for Clooney’s character is the fact he has to come to grips with the idea of raising two daughters on his own, plus dealing with a family that wants him to sell off the last and largest remaining piece of pristine land on one of Hawaii’s islands – a deal that would give the family members vast sums of money.

This film was more than deserving of its multiple Oscar nominations as Clooney and Payne deliver a truly powerful movie that works on so many levels.

Extras include some great behind-the-scenes featurettes. One of them reveals why I love watching the extras and listening to commentary tracks. The last image of the movie always confused me. Clooney is sitting on a couch, surrounded by both daughters. One by one, as they are watching TV, they begin to share a colourful blanket, tucking themselves beneath it. When the movie faded to black, with none of the characters speaking in the scene, I thought that was a truly bizarre and, let’s be honest, stupid way to end a really smart film.

But in the extras, you learn that in Hawaiian tradition, they have a version of a healing blanket and that people give these blankets as gifts to help soothe the soul. So by seeing each character get under the blanket, it’s a statement that they have begun the healing process and, we presume, will be ok going forward. That gives the final scene so much more impact. Payne is a truly gifted filmmaker who lives by the ‘show, don’t tell’ rule and it’s obvious that one should always delve deeper into his movies because nothing gets in without having a reason for it.

* The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: Director David Fincher is a man with a dark vision, as his previous films such as Se7en, Fight Club and even Alien 3 have shown. Given the nearly impossible task of turning the Swedish Lisbeth Salander trilogy into a Hollywood production, Fincher dives in and proves adept at crafting a dark thriller that, while different in several ways than the original foreign film and novels, gets so much right that I’m ready to sign on for another two flicks if he’s at the helm.

Daniel Craig plays disgraced journalist  Mikael Blomkvist, who is hired by Canadian actor Christopher Plummer’s dying industrialist, Henrik Vanger, to unravel the mystery of who killed his beloved niece decades earlier.

The suspects are his family members, a twisted group that includes child abusers, wife beaters, former Nazis and truly psychopathic sickos.

Craig is outstanding as Blomkvist, which surprised me greatly as I’m a huge fan of the original foreign films.

But Rooney Mara is an absolute revelation as punk computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, a woman who has been subjected to one of the most disturbing on-camera rape scenes in film history. Mara, who is unrecognizable when you consider her most prominent role prior to this was as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s ex-girlfriend in The Social Network, sparkles. That’s no mean feat given how much love film fans have for Noomi Rapace, the original actress in the Swedish trilogy.

Fincher actually manages to bring out more of the richness and pathos of his main characters, which for a story nut like myself, actually elevates the film above the Swedish original – something I thought would be impossible when I first popped it into my Blu-ray player.

Stellan Skarsgard, Joely Richardson, Robin Wright and Goran Visnjic round out the superb supporting cast.

Extras include a great look at the making of the movie and some of the differences between the original and the Hollywood version.

* Chinatown: Director Roman Polanski’s brilliant 1974 classic crime story, starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway, gets the Blu-ray treatment and the studio has gone all out to give film fans a truly great disc.

Nicholson’s Jake Gittes is hired to investigate a California Water and Power engineer’s death, Gittes is drawn into a darker world of politics, sexual deviance and corruption as he tries to figure out the motivation of the woman who hired him, as well as solve the murder of Hollis Mulwray.

The film is gorgeous in high-def, with a cleaned up transfer that brings the crisp images to life in a new way. There’s also a whole bunch of extras that add tremendously to the enjoyment of this true classic, which was voted one of the top 100 movies of all-time.

A commentary track featuring screenwriter Robert Towne and David Fincher is a must-listen, as he reveals great bits about the plot and the characters. There’s a complete 90-minute documentary that looks at the history and the politics of bringing water to California’s big city, which has taken a huge environmental toll to this day. It’s fascinating viewing in its own right.

There are also extras looking at the film’s cultural impact and the shooting of the film.

Due to politics and legal issues, Polanski isn’t involved in the updated extras, which is a shame. I know he should face the music in the U.S. so that he can become a member of the Hollywood film elite once again, because he’s a remarkable artist and we’re missing out on so much because of his cowardice.

But there’s no denying the skill he has as a filmmaker because it’s on full display in this beautiful Blu-ray release that should be a must-buy for any true film lover.

* Monty Python and the Holy Grail: The British comedy troupe’s classic gets the Blu-ray treatment and while it’s not exactly enhanced by going high-def, there are some fun elements to explore on the disc.

There are outtakes and extended scenes, some lost animations, the priceless Holy Book of Days Second Screen Experience, as well as commentary tracks featuring the Python boys (John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones), a Lego Knights of the Round Table short, a special Japanese version of the film, as well as an ‘educational film’ on how to properly use coconuts.

* Bob’s Burgers: The Complete First Season: This two-disc set features 13 episodes from the animated comedy’s first TV season. The family-run restaurant is one I’d never eat at and this dysfunction family continues Fox’s long traditional of messed up parents and kids smart-mouthing one another through funny, but often distasteful situations.

Extras include commentary tracks on all episodes, audio outtakes and more uncensored material.

* Patton Oswalt: Finest Hour: The 20-year vet of stand-up comedy delivers his unique view on life and work in this funny 67-minute performance. A geek blessed with a cutting wit and snarky delivery, Oswalt is truly a joy to watch work over an audience.

Extras include his encore KFC bit, as well as a look at his pre-show superstitions.

* Alvin and Chipmunks: Chipwrecked: The boys and girls are back. It’s a family flick. I hate talking animal movies for the most part, but there are a few cute scenes in this family comedy, which sees Dave, Alvin and the rest of the group working a cruise ship.

* Ernie Kovacs: The ABC Specials: These five 1961 specials, featuring the soon-to-be-deceased 42-year-old comedian, are a real revelation about someone who was trying to push the boundaries of broadcasting while it was still in its infancy. The set features only five of the eight specials he made, but you can see how his work influenced others who followed, such as David Letterman and early Saturday Night Live comedians.

* And finally, something for the kids: Four sets of animated TV shows they can watch. Real Monsters: Season Two, The Wild Thornberrys: Season Two, Part Two, Hey Arnold: Season Two, Part One and Danny Phantom: Season Two, Part One, bring some smart, entertaining work to the home theatre environment, where your kids can enjoy these series.

Real Monsters aired back in 1995 and featured the voices of Charlie Adler and James Belushi, focusing on the upbringing of three young monsters. Lacey Chabert and Tim Curry starred in Thornberrys, which was a brilliant series about a family of wild life documentarians, their two daughters, an adopted jungle boy and a monkey. The hook was that daughter Eliza could talk to the animals, unbeknownst to everyone else, allowing her to converse with their chimp, Darwin, who has some great lines.

Hey Arnold was an underappreciated series, best known for the boy with the football-shaped head. This 1997 series features the voice work of Dan Castellaneta and Jamil Walker Smith.

And Danny Phantom, which was on the air in 2005, tells the tale of a boy who can turn himself into a crime-fighting apparition.