Patch Note Previews (For October 25 – October 31)

Patch Note Previews (For October 25 – October 31)
Variety is what everyone gets next week in the final week of October, especially with a fighting game looking to take back the crown, some turntables, and as real as it gets racing. The video game world says Happy Halloween to everyone! If you’re a person who likes plastic peripherals, then it’ll definitely be a happy Halloween filled with treats rather than tricks.

DJ Hero (360/PS3/Wii/PS2) (October 27th) Activision

Have you ever wanted to be DJ? Trying to continue with the major success of the “Guitar Hero” series, Activision is releasing “DJ Hero”. The focus of “DJ” is on turntablism and many artists contributed to the development of the game with music, mixes, and their likeness to be used in-game like Eminem, the DJ AM, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Daft Punk and many others. It’s played similarly to “Guitar Hero” with the racking up of scores by keeping the beat alive and scratching the turntable controller that comes with the game for a pretty penny. “DJ” is a nice change of pace from all of the rock band and guitar hero games that seem to come out every month. Will it be as successful? That remains to be seen.

Tekken 6 (360/PS3) (October 27th) Namco Bandai Games America

The next iteration of Tekken is finally upon us, but the wait is well worth it. New characters, new moves, new customizations accompany this release of “Tekken 6”. The most unique upgrade to “6” is the rage system that grants the player more power when their character is on the brink of defeat. A wireless arcade stick is the main attraction to the collector’s edition, but the price is pretty steep and the stick isn’t a requirement. “6” looks to bring most of the old back with a few new elements to the table. Can this compete with “Street Fighter IV” for who’s playing what online? It has the tools, so it’s definitely a possibility.

Forza Motorsport 3 (360) (October 27th) Microsoft

Microsoft’s realistic racing simulator is back with the third version in “Forza Motorsport 3”. “Forza 2” was already an amazing racing sim and “Forza 3” looks to bring it all back and then some. Players thought there were a lot of cars in “Forza 2”, then they’ll be blown away by the 400+ cars in “Forza 3”. If that’s not enough cars, there will be 100+ cars on the second disc. Also, in this iteration, trucks and SUVs are introduced for the first time in a forza game. “Forza 3” is looking to be better than ever in customization and graphics when it was already a beautiful game to begin with.

“Law Abiding Citizen”, Overture Films

The majority of people would go to the ends of the earth for their families and do absolutely anything for them. Our families are the people we see and interact with everyday. We love them, but what happens when they’re taken away in one fell swoop? Just like that in the blink of an eye, the ones we love the most are gone forever. In normal cases, a period of mourning will take place, followed by a period of trying to move on. Tell that to Clyde Shelton (Gerard Butler).

Then there’s the extreme case in “Law Abiding Citizen” where Shelton, a father and husband, loses his wife and daughter. In the very first scene, the Shelton residence is invaded by a couple of low-life goons who kept pressing the doorbell (more of an annoyance than anything). Shelton neglecting the door peephole and answering the door is beyond me, since he’s a genius (more on this later). Shelton is tied up and completely helpless, while his wife and little girl are murdered.

Jamie Foxx plays Nick Rice, a hotshot prosecutor, doing his best to keep bad guys off the streets, even if that means striking plea bargains to get what he wants. Rice reaches a deal with one of the cooperative murderers, who testifies against his assistant, to receive a shorter sentence. This infuriates Shelton to no end because it seems like Rice isn’t even willing to try the case because of his precious 96% conviction rate. Rice coyly replies, “Some justice is better than no justice”.
What follows 10 years later is the calculated vengeance Shelton has conjured up to the precise detail. No one is safe and “If Clyde wants you dead, you’re dead”. Shelton wants revenge on everyone and Rice has to stop him before it’s too late.

Throughout the movie, we’re questioning ourselves along with Rice because, well, we’re perplexed. How the hell is Shelton doing all of this? Shelton’s in prison, is it magic? No, it can’t be magic. Is he even the one doing this? Does he have an accomplice(s)? We learn quickly that Shelton is a genius who can do anything, outthink anyone and everyone in the city of brotherly love, kill anyone in a assortment of ways, and he’s going “to bring the whole [judicial] system down on [Rice’s] head”.

The many interactions between Shelton and Rice are adequate with some one-liners thrown in as comic relieving points, especially with Rice dropping the f-bomb over and over.

The suspenseful buildup towards the ending is monumental and almost “biblical” with explosions galore, variety of kills, and viewers constantly asking, “How?!”, but the ending just leaves you asking yourself, “Did that really work?” and “What the hell?”

“Law” is a decent suspense/action movie with star power enlisted, but the ending kind of makes the movie fall flat on its face. What’s the word I’m looking for? Oh yes, underwhelming.

Grade: C-

Crazy Love by Michael Bublé, 143 Records/Reprise

It isn’t a necessity to be familiar with Bublé’s music and style to take a listen because his music is effortless to delve into. Doesn’t matter if your preferred genre is rock, hip hop, pop, or whatever it may be because Bublé provides comforting lyrics for the soul about the romances of the heart or lack thereof.

Okay fine, it’s not for everyone, but it can be easily listened to by anyone.

“Crazy Love” is the 4th album from Michael Bublé. The title track stands out, not only because it’s named after Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love”, but also because Bublé provides a great cover version. It’s about love (surprise, surprise) and how we act with that special significant other. We can get a little crazy; I guess love can do that to you.

The first single off the album, “Haven’t Met You Yet”, is a playful, upbeat song about meeting that special someone in the future.

If you’re in the market for something simple to listen to with a nice balance of piano-based songs and big band based songs about love, then give Mr. Bublé a call or just pick up his CD. If you’re not into any of the above, then this is obviously not for you, but giving it a listen wouldn’t hurt one bit. Maybe, just maybe you might like it.

Grade: 4/5

Sorry For Partyin' by Bowling for Soup, Jive

Bowling for Soup is back! Wait a second here. Back from what? It’s been three years since their last album and five years since their only relevant hit. Honestly, who knew they were still making music? Before you pause “1985” to buy their seventh album, let’s take a listen.

You get what you get from Bowling for Soup. Their recipe is still the same, but maybe this time their whole CD will be popular? The funny lyrics are still there (depends on the person and grade level?) along with the occasional song about love with “Love Goes Boom” or “Me With No You”. Don’t forget the pop culture references because it wouldn’t be a Bowling for Soup album without them. Some of the references range from Aunt Jemima to The Jonas Brothers to speaking Spanish to not liking Los Angeles.

One of their songs is called “My Wena”. Really? Yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, “my wena”. I can’t make this up. Actually, I can and so could a bunch of grade school kids. Yes, it’s funny, but only for less than a play through of the song. It gets old quick, real quick. Apparently others find it hilarious with this song alone having 158, 205 hits on their site.

“Sorry For Partyin’” is the same old stuff from Bowling for Soup with them trying to reach “1985” glory once again, but I’m afraid it won’t be on this album.
The songs about love are decent, and the one-liners are exactly that. If you’re that curious for a new Bowling for Soup album, go ahead, but it better be for nostalgic purposes. I’d suggest just listening to “1985” or “Girl All The Bad Guys Want”.

Grade: 2.5/5

Patch Note Previews (For October 11 – October 17)

We’re all in for a treat next week with a couple of blockbusters and a pair of marquee heroes joining forces once again. It’s time to pick up your winter gear or uncover and solve new mysteries or rock out ‘til everyone’s socks come off. Which will you choose? Here are the releases for the 2nd week of October.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) (October 13th) Sony Computer Entertainment

The highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster video game, “Uncharted”, finally hits store shelves. Players reassume the role of Nathan Drake as he shoots and brawls with new enemies, while he traverses various lands in Asia like China, Nepal, Borneo, and others. Drake is looking for adventure and a little treasure again, but this time it revolves around Marco Polo and his mysteries. “Thieves” introduces multiplayer modes including competitive play with up to 10 players and cooperative play with up to 3 players. Players looking for a sequel to continue the excellence “Uncharted” started need to wait no longer. A demo is available for download via PlayStation Network. Make your way to a local store on Tuesday to find the secret behind “Among Thieves” for $59.99.

Brutal Legend (360/PS3) (October 13th) Electronic Arts

In “Brutal Legend”, gamers control Eddie Riggs, voiced by Jack Black, a roadie to one of the worst bands ever, Kabbage Boy. Along with Black, Lemmy Kilmister, Rob Halford, Ozzy Osbourne, and others lent their voices as well. Riggs starts by being teleported from the real world to an alternate dimension where humanity is enslaved. He is viewed as chosen, but is he good or evil? “Brutal Legend” looks to mix action/adventure, hack and slash, and more than enough heavy metal music with lots of comedic moments scattered throughout. You can download a demo from the Live Marketplace or PlayStation Network. Rock and roll while you drive to stores so you can purchase “Brutal Legend” on Tuesday for $59.99.

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (DS/Wii) (October 13th) Sega

Mario, Sonic, and all their buddies battle each other once again, but the season has been altered in this sequel. Instead of the summer Olympics, it’s the winter Olympics this time around. Join Mario, Sonic, Yoshi, Knuckles, and more with a few new characters like Donkey Kong and Metal Sonic in winter-themed games. People can grab up to 3 buddies to partake in events like snowboarding, ice hockey, bobsledding, speed skating, and other events. If you and your friends are in the market for winter Olympics with your lovable heroes as the main characters, then this could be the game for you. Bobsled with “Mario and Sonic” to stores to pick up the game on Tuesday for $34.99 for the Nintendo DS and $49.99 for the Nintendo Wii.