Fist Bumps, Robot Hugs, and Microbots

  November marks the start to a few fabulous things.  The beginning of family gatherings, fabulous food, the Christmas season, and of course some great family movies.  This past weekend brought us the opening of Big Hero 6, the tale of a boy named Hiro who has a real knack for robotics.  His brother realizes his potential and encourages him to pursue his dreams by bringing new innovations to the world.  Unfortunately, a tragic event claims the life of his brother and leaves Hiro to navigate the world alongside his brother's invention, Baymax the lovable inflatable robot.  Soon a devastating event forces Hiro to transform his friends into a band of high-tech heroes and save the city.    

  Big Hero 6 is loosely based on a marvel comic of the same name, which has been infused with the magic of Disney animation.  Even though it is not the same as the comic and the characters have a very different look, the movie has been very well done.  Family, friends, action, drama, and of course the big robot, Baymax, make this movie an enjoyable film for the whole family.  Don't be surprised if your heart melts soon after Baymax's very first appearance.  Besides his non-threatening marshmallow of an appearance, his adorable naivety and selfless nature will capture your heart.  For these reasons, Big Hero 6 is proof that Disney will continue to produce great films.  The Disney revival is not yet over and I am eager to see what they will cook up next.  For now, Big Hero 6 will join the ranks of Wreck-it-Ralph, Tangled, and Frozen as some of my most favorite Disney Films.

If you haven't had the chance to see this film, I highly recommend that you do.  Just try to watch this trailer and not get excited. I dare you!

Gen Con Indy 2011: Cosplay Photo Diary Days 3&4

A continuation of the fabulous costumes this year at Gen Con 2011.  Enjoy!

 

 

Gen Con Indy 2011: Cosplay Photo Diary Days 1&2

What a rewarding day at Gen Con! I wandered the hall (trying not to spend too much), played some awesome new games, and made sure to capture the best cosplayers at the show.  And now for your viewing pleasure....Cosplay at Gen Con!

A Summer of Blockbusters

Comic book movies have taken a prominent place in this Summer's movie line up and the movie scene in general.  So far this Summer, Marvel has graced the screen with Thor and the highly anticipated X-Men: First Class.  This past Friday DC joined in the fun with the first of what is bound to be several Green Lantern films.  What else can we expect from this Summer's line up?  Coming this July, we find a spattering of movie sequels including the 3rd in the Transformers series and the conclusion to the Harry Potter series.   I have high hopes that Michael Bay will redeem himself after the wreckage which was transformers 2, and fully expect packed theaters for the epic conclusion of Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows Part 2.  Rounding out the rest of the month is Captain America and Cowboys and Aliens, two more great comic titles.  Both look solid from the previews, and I hope they don't disappoint.  As we reach August, we will encounter a group of interesting reboots, the Prequel to Planet of the Apes, Rise of the Apes, and the Return of Conan the Barbarian.  What a Summer we have in store!

Not only do we have a fantastic Summer movie scene, but the Summer gaming scene is ripe with exciting new titles too.  As most gamers know, Summer is Con season and many of us are busily working away to get prepared for our favorite Con.  Whether you are prepping a new costume, brushing up your magic skills, coordinating play time with your favorite long distance gaming friends, or getting characters ready for an epic role-playing session, we all look forward to seeing the shiny new games that premier at these shows.  Here are some of the exciting new titles you can look forward to testing out this Summer.


July:

• Dixit, the winner of the 2010 Spiel des Jahres, is at it again with their beautiful new edition, Dixit Odyssey.  Now you and your friends can continue your story-telling with a new set of beautiful cards.

• Small World is back with a new stand alone edition.  Now you can venture below the surface in Small World: Underground.  Meet new races with exciting new special abilities.  Play it on its own or combine it with the original for an epic Small World experience.

•  Well the zombie apocalypse hasn't happened yet, but preparation is key.  Hunters Books brings us a new way to prepare in Outbreak: Undead.  This zombie survival simulation RPG provides players with a realistic simulation of a zombie uprising.  What are your chances of survival? 

• If that isn't enough zombie action for you, then you will be happy to learn that Twilight Creations is still feeding your zombie addiction with Zombies!!! X.  And that is just what you will have to do in this fun new expansion, feed your addiction!  

August:

• Food Fight from Cryptozoic Entertainment will pit 2-6 players against each other in a glorious battle of the bulge. 

• If you are a fan of Atlas games innovative Gloom card game, or just a fan of all things Lovecraft, then you should check out Cthulhu Gloom.  Play it by itself or combine it with the whole Gloom family.

• Burning Wheel Fans can now get a sleeker version of the beloved roleplaying game.  Burning Wheel Gold Edition will combine the original two book format into one clearer and more organized volume!

• Fan of the hit TV show Big Bang Theory?  Then Cryptozoic Entertainment has the party game for you!  Bazinga! takes Sheldon's signature catch phrase and turns it into a pop-culture party game of hypothetical social situations.  

• Steam Punk Pirates?  Yes Please!  Cubicle 7 is releasing the Airship Pirates RPG.  You've got an airship.  You've got a crew.  Turn up your Abney Park and sail away into a world of plundering and adventure.

• Here's another one for all you Lord of the Rings fans.  Cubicle 7 is introducing The One Ring: Adventures Over the Edge of the Wild, a new roleplaying game set in the J.R.R. Tolkien Universe.  Establish trade routes, renew bonds, and bring prosperity back to Mirkwood.

• Fantasy Flight brings us another game in the world of Terrinoth.  Rune Age is an exciting new twist on the traditional deck building game.  With four modes of play, you are bound to find the scenario that is right for you.  Competitive and Cooperative players alike will enjoy the dozens of configurations and strategic possibilities found in this innovative game.    

These are just a small sampling of the myriad of new titles coming to your Friendly Professional Game Store this Summer.  Be sure to check them out!  And to all those attending Gen Con, I'll see you there!

X-Men Rebooted

Official Synopsis: "X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, following the classic Marvel mythology, charts the epic beginning of the X-Men saga. Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto’s Brotherhood and Professor X’s X-Men.  The film also stars Rose Byrne, January Jones, Oliver Platt, and Kevin Bacon."

If you are like me, then you are probably expecting the latest chapter in the X-Men franchise to be a big fat disappointment.   As the mother of a son named Logan Xavier, my expectations of X-Men related films are to say the least a little high.  Well, I’m happy to report that X-Men: First Class was truly first class!   Everything from the great script to the wonderful cast (most notably James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender) made this X-Men film my favorite to date.  I loved the budding friendship between Charles and Erik.  The movie gave me a deeper look into the fuel behind Erik's anger and the upper-class life that Charles has been sheltered in.  There were moments when I was disgusted by the the actions of Charles and encouraged by the care Erik seemed to possess for others.  I knew how the friendship would ultimately end, but I still felt myself rooting for Erik, and secretly wanting him to make a different choice. 

I think what surprised me the most, aside from the fabulous cameo of Wolverine and his one-line response to recruitment, was the film's clever combination of an intriguing espionage story with a pleasing coming of age tale.  Even with all the teenage drama, the whole thing worked.  There were of course a few weak links, namely Angel and Darwin, but I am happy to say that almost all of the heroes received descent character arcs.  In the end, its a movie that is sleek and coherent, and it flies by despite its 2+ hour run time.  A definite must see for comic book and movie fans alike.

Stay tuned for our full podcast discussion in Games at the Theatre: X-Men First Class, a Myriad Games Presentation.