The Premise: “This new MechWarrior (game) is set on the planet Deshler in the year 3015, and places players in the role of Adrian Khol, a wayward nobleman (presumably from the Federated Suns as it is set during the rise of Hanse Davion) who prefers partying and shirking responsibility over his training and studies. However, when House Kurita launches a massive invasion to conquer Deshler, resulting in the death of his entire family, Khol discovers a purpose to fight for.”
It is only a proof of concept trailer but man does it look GOOD!
According to IGN’s interviews with Jordan Weisman,(co-founder of Smith and Tinker and co-founder of FASA, the company that created the BattleTech/Mechwarrior universe and Russ Bullock, president of Pirhana Games (the Computer Game developer):
“The game is being developed for the PC and the Xbox 360 (No PS3??? BOOOOO), though there isn’t any idea of a release date yet, since the game is still in the middle of development and the companies are still talking to publishers.”
I still remember wasting hours on my Commodore 64 playing Crescent Hawk’s Revenge. And still more countless hours on my PC playing the Mechwarrior and Mech Commander Games as well. I’ve always wanted to get into Battletech desktop miniature gaming too.
There’s just something so cool about 50-100 ton metal juggernauts loaded with missiles and particle projection cannons. And don’t get started about Clantech and the mechs of Kerresnky’s progeny, MADCAT!!!!!
Anyway here are a few game box covers to bring back those fond childhood memories, while we wait for the new Mechwarrior game to arrive ;p
My history with John Hodgman as a comedian has been a bit mixed. But no more.
At first I didn’t like him very much from the Mac vs PC ads, but then strangely I starting liking his character rather than the ads themselves. His lovable bumbling PC was always stealing the show for the hipster straight man Mac. And even tho I do not like the ads to this day, I still don’t mind the comedic talent he demonstrates in them. (For the record I own a Mac and a PC).
My second exposure to him was on the Daily Show with John Stewart. His performances a correspondent were often a bit hit and miss for my tastes. Certainly he had some great moments, but he did not rate higher than my favourites: John Oliver, Aasif Mandvi or Rob Riggle. But his dry wit and dead pan delivery would often have me chuckling.
More recently, I have been meaning to get a copy of his two novels, “The Areas of my Expertise” and “More Information Than You Require”. I have seen videos of him doing live readings of various chapters and they seem quite genuinely funny. Anyone who can fabricate an entire history of hobos and hobo culture in the US has got my vote.
But the event that has solidified my devotion to my new hero and IMHO, the leader of the nerd revolution was the following speech to President Barack Obama at the recent Radio and Television Correspondent’s Association Dinner.
The speech was genius. It was a slow burn initially and then had me laughing out loud and in stitches for the rest. A veritable cavalcade of nerd references. A master performance Sir. I Salute You.
And for the record, to confirm that I am a nerd just like you Mr. Hodgman, I did know the answers to those Dune questions (answers are hidden, highlight the section below with your cursor to reveal):
1)Shai Hulud
2)Thumper
3)Water of Life
I am a Nerd!!!! Nerds and Geeks of the world unite. NERD CORE!!!! ;p
Say what you will about his turbulent social life (recluse, pervert, lost child), but as a recording artist and a song writer very few people can claim that Michael Jackson was not a Superstar. His music spans generations and it’s continuing popularity, even after he stopped recording over a decade ago, is a testament to his undeniable talent.
As a Gen Xer and a child of the 80s, I grew up with his music on the radio and on the TV. His huge string of hits would be the envy of any singer/ songwriter. Throughout his career he achieved an amazing 18 No. 1 Hits (including his days with the Jackson 5), along with many other songs that previewed predominantly in Top 50s throughout the world.
NO. 1 HITS:
“I’ll Be There” (1970)
“I Want You Back” (1970)
“ABC” (1970)
“The Love You Save” (1970)
“Ben” (1972)
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)
“Rock With You” (1980)
“Billie Jean” (1983)
“Beat It” (1983)
“Say Say Say” (1983)
“We Are The World” by USA For Africa (1985)
“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (1987)
“Bad” (1987)
“The Way You Make Me Feel” (1987)
“Smooth Criminal” (1987)
“Man in the Mirror” (1988)
“Dirty Diana” (1988)
“Black and White” (1991)
“You Are Not Alone” (1995)
Twincities.com have a great AP video with audio samples of all the these songs along with photos of Michael throughout the years. So treat yourself to a trip down memory lane and celebrate the career of the undisputed KING of POP.
One of my favourite MJ Songs was Scream which was a duet he did with his sister Janet in 1995:
It’s not that often that world events affect me and cause me to think long and hard about my own good fortune to live in a democracy like Australia. But the recent protests in Iran over the questionable legitimacy of the results of their recent election had me thinking.
Then, today I saw this video of the senseless gunning down of a courageous 26 year old woman, Neda Salehi Agha Soltan.
It hit me like a sledgehammer. How often the democracy we take for granted needs to fought for in other nations often costing the blood of innocents.
Often only through the will of the people can such democracy find voice, form and the will to become reality. Truly Neda will be remembered as a martyr for the cause of democracy in her country and my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Iran and their struggle.
How can we help?
Turn your avatars green to show your solidarity for the Iranian people.
Here are the instructions how:
1. Go to picnik.com 2. Upload pic
3. Click ‘create’ tab
4. Click ‘effects’
5. Select ‘night vision’ 6. Save
“A group called the Green Tokyo Gundam Project built a Gundam statue in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the franchise and in promotion of Tokyo’s bid for the 2016 Olympics.
The statue itself stands about 59 feet (18 meters) tall, and is said to be a 1:1 replicate of the Gundam from the show. The statue is built with strong, weather resistant materials. Attention has been paid both to detailed accuracy of the statue, as well as its durability.”
For more pics visit the fantastic gallery over at Engadget.com.
I own a few Gundam figurines and I can tell by the way the right hand is shaped, that perhaps they still need to add a pulse rifle or laser sword. Which would ROCK!!!!
This all shades of awesome. I read several times previously that they were building it, but to see it full realised is certainly a sight to see. One more reason I need to visit Japanese aside from Akiabara and Harajuku.
This was one of the first cartoons I watched as a child. My relatives used to tape the show in Hong Kong and send the tapes to me in Australia. So many fond memories ;p
Just looking at the pictures of this thing, I am constantly waiting for the head to flip back, a hatch to open and for Amuro Ray to climb out. It’s that realistic.
Even found the intro to the anime series on Youtube. Although when i heard it as a child it was in Cantonese. But the tune is unmistakable. Damn, now I want to watch it all over again. haha.
I have a lot of fond childhood memories, and among the most cherished is Robotech. Different to many typical Robotech fans, my favourite story arc is the Third Robotech War, Invid Invasion. I do have a ’special’ place in my heart for Macross and it’s a definitely close race for first spot for me, not much separates them.
But in the end I like the grittier and the more bitter sweet story line chronicling the liberation of Earth from the Invid.
The tragic, but noble Scott Benard who lost his love, Marlene in the initial assault on Earth. But who still stalwartly presses on to complete his mission and finding love again ironically with Ariel (a child of the Invid Regent).
The tough and uncompromising Rook Bartleyand her faithful companion and free spirited partner in crime, Rand.
Lunk, the fallen solider who faces his the ghosts of his past and his cute and sometimes annoying sidekick Annie “Mint” LaBelle. Yeah she’s the Minmei type character.
And last but not least the smart and quintessential solider boy (and sometimes cross-dressing) Lancer.
The Alpha Fighters rock, the Cyclones are uber cool.
My favourite episode would definitely be the one where they run into the compromised and turned traitorous Colonel Wolfe, and his final realisation of the man he used to be and his atonement at the end in saving Scott’s life (the one solider who still believes he is a hero).
The whole Robotech series has memorable songs that I remember vividly. “We Will Win” sung by Minmei and “Lonely Solider Boy” sung by Lancer. But by far my favourite song is “Look Up the Sky is Falling” originally performed by Michael Bradley.
The following awesome video from Xamtarois set to a haunting remix of that song and set to footage from Shadow Chronicles, the 2007 Robotech sequel movie. I liked Shadow Chronicles a lot, the next movie is currently in development at the moment, and I look forward to Shadow Rising.
Personally I want DC to do what Marvel is doing for the Avengers and making a live action movie for all its main characters culminating in the Justice League Movie. I know that there have been plans for a Wonder Woman movie, off and on now for a while. And they have already done one for the Supes and the Bats.
But other than Superman and Batman, who were major influences in my childhood, the next major JLAer I want to see in a feature length film is not Wonder Woman. Although the thought of Megan Gale or Megan Fox (Wow, both Megans, strange…) in a skin tight corset certainly wouldn’t be bad.
Image from: www.slashfilm.com
<—- Image from : www.filmschoolrejects.com
Megan Fox has recently stated and I quote, “Wonder Woman” is a lame superhero… She flies around in her invisible jet and her weaponry is a lasso that makes you tell the truth. I just don’t get it. Somebody has a big challenge on their hands whoever takes that role but I don’t want to do it”. Looks like Megan Gale it is….. ;p
The next JLAer I would love to see on the big screen is none other than Hal Jordan the original Green Lantern of Sector 2814. Well, ok ok… Abin Sur was a GL before Hal and sure technically there were more before him but… He’s the original one from my childhood ;p
The reason I started thinking about this is the Green Lantern animated movie is coming out soon (First Flight) and recently I found these kick ass fan trailers for a potential GL movie. Super props to mike afford and jaron pitts respectively. This is truly inspiring work guys.
“In brightest day, in blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight
Let those who worship evil’s might,
Beware my power… Green Lantern’s light!”
I gotta say, I can kinda see Nathan Fillion as Hal Jordan. Now we need Joss Whedon to helm the project since he pulled out of directing the Wonder Woman film.
Black rain is perhaps the best East Meets West Movie ever. And one of my all time favourite movies. The music by Hand Zimmer, especially the “Nick and Masa” theme, really sets the mood and the end scene, “No Nick San, good friends do this…. You watch your back Cowboy…..”
Ah the memories. Check out the awesome tribute video from youtube set to “I’ll be Holding On”.
