Takashi Miike’s 13 Assassins is, arithmetically speaking, almost twice as good as the 1954 Akira Kurosawa classic The Seven Samurai. The movie makes no excuses about being inspired by Kurosawa’s 1954 classic, and two movies definitely mirror each other thematically. Though all the assassins in the newer film are also samurai, only a few of them are ronin, a samurai without a master. For the most part the group are in the employ of their leader, Shimada Sanzaemon, who in turn serves the shogun himself. Yet the movie still strongly advocates for the abolition of the corrupt ruling class and highlights…
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Over the past couple years a new trend has appeared in the world of video games. Games that have a high replay rate, such as massive multiplayer games and action RPGS, have moved away from the traditional retail scheme and moved into a shockingly productive new venture: Free to play, or F2P, games. Games such as Dungeons and Dragons Online and League of Legends have found a new fanbase by not only eliminating monthly fees, but purchase prices all together. The concept behind the movement is quite simple: instead of charging a one time fee to purchase the game and…
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As a child my afternoons at school consisted of me sitting alone at lunch, eating in the corner of the playground. Nervously watching should a ball come near that I might be called upon to attempt to kick it or throw it back. Knowing that should I have to, I will only be betrayed by my own awkwardness when I attempt to return it. One day, I was approached by an older boy. Skinny, pale, long hair, black trench coat who asked if I played role-playing games. I answered that I loved playing board games — between visits with friends,…
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Thats right, it’s actually happening! After months of rumors, years of hoping, and weeks of waiting…the first pictures from the set of World War Z are rolling in. The movie features a script by master zombie survival authoritarian and World War Z author Max Brooks, as well as J. Michael Straczynski (Thor, Ninja Assassin). Currently IMDB only lists a couple confirmed actors but the lead is obvious from these pictures, Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt rides in the passenger seat of a car while filming more scenes for his new movie, World War Z, on Saturday (June 25) in Valletta, Malta. The day before, the 47-year-old actor hit the…
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Just before his tragic demise last week, Ryan Dunn had premiered his new show Proving Ground on television channel G4 with co-star Jessica Chobot. While the rest of the un-aired episodes have been put on hold, G4 have announced that they will air a one hour special tribute episode of Attack of the Show in Dunn’s honor. The special episode will air July 19th at 7pm EST on the popular culture and gaming channel. The episode is said to reveal some of our favorite Ryan Dunn moments, as well as interviews with some of his friends and relatives. Following the special episode of…
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The label of “geek” is one that has evolved over time. Where it was once a derogatory term for someone outside the norm, possibly stemming from the word’s Low German origin where it meant “fool” or “crazy”, it has now become the descriptor for a rich subculture that focuses on esoteric subjects marginal to the social mainstream. But is this where the evolution has stopped? I think not. I believe a newer breed of geek has more recently started emerging from the ranks. I believe the next generation in the development of the geek is already here: the post-geek. The…
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Even with the shelves thrown around, it’s obvious that this building wasn’t always a battleground. While the dust and destruction may disguise its past, this was once a grocery store, a bustling hub of commerce for COG citizens, until the bogeymen clambered onto the surface to seize control. Like so many tales told to scare children, they came out from under our beds, emerging from the darkness with the remnants of our war-torn past, laying waste to places like Hanover. Now, near the checkout area, a shadowy figure lurks, shotgun in hand, waiting for the right moment to strike. It…
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If you are interested in getting into the designing toy scene as a collector or an artist, I recommend the Kidrobot Forums. I spent a lot of time there a while back, learning the ropes, talking to artists and collectors, and getting some great deals on used vinyl (toys not records). Most everyone there is very friendly and always willing to share their experiences and knowledge. The forums are where I met many of the designer toy artists I have interviewed over the years. This next artist had actually posted a thread about needing to sell some custom pieces because he…
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