Upcoming 2011 Releases (Video Games)

Here are some upcoming video games that I'm looking forward to in 2011. Again, it's a short list, but will definitely grow as the year goes on.

Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (November 1 on PS3)

Gears of War 3 (Fall 2011 on Xbox 360)

Bulletstorm (February 22 on Xbox 360 and PS3)

Dead Space 2 (January 25 on Xbox 360 and PS3)

L.A. Noire (April 5 on Xbox 360 and PS3)

Mortal Kombat (April 2011 on Xbox 360 and PS3)

Batman: Arkham City (Fall 2011 on Xbox and PS3)

inFamous 2 (TBA 2011 on PS3)

Upcoming 2011 Releases (Films)

These are upcoming movie releases that I'm looking forward to seeing in 2011. I know the list is short, but as the year goes on, I'm sure there will be others that I'll be wanting to check out.

"Battle: Los Angeles" (March 11)

"Paul" (March 18)

"Sucker Punch" (March 25)

"Scream 4" (April 15)

"The Hangover Part II" (May 26)

No trailer as of yet.

"Cowboys & Aliens" (July 29)

"Piranha 3DD" (September 16)

No trailer as of yet.



Merry Christmas!

Just wanted to take a quick minute or two to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

While waiting to open presents, I'm watching "A Christmas Story" (1983) courtesy of TBS who runs the 24 hour marathon every year. Later, I'll be watching "Christmas Vacation" (1989). Should be a great day and I hope the same for you!

Christmas Movie Recommendations Part 2

"Trading Places" (1983) - Due to a bet between two millionaires, a successful commodity broker trades places, not by choice, with a streetwise hustler. The bet is made to see if a common criminal can be made into a successful businessman and if the wealthy broker will resort to crime if everything he has become accustomed to was taken away.

One of Eddie Murphy's best movies and the rest of the cast is great as well.

"Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1983) - Disney's version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

It may only be 25 minutes long, but it's a classic in my eyes.

"Scrooged" (1988) - Another and more modern version of A Christmas Carol.

A hilarious and fun movie with an awesome opening scene.

"Jingle All the Way" (1996) - A father wants to get his son Turbo Man for Christmas. However, it's the hottest toy out there and it's Christmas Eve, so he ends up having to search high and low hoping to snag one no matter what it takes.

Not the best Christmas movie out there, but it's one that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It's silly fun.

"Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966) - Do I even need to give a explanation about what this short (26 minutes) is about? I didn't think so, but I will say that for anyone who hasn't seen this yet, get on it because it truly is a Christmas classic.



Christmas Movie Recommendations Part 1

After listing some Christmas horror movie recommendations, I figured it's time to list some that are non-horror. I'm nice like that!

"National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" (1989) - All Clark Griswold wants is the perfect family Christmas. Unfortunately, everything that can go wrong, goes wrong...in a hilarious ways, of course!

To me, this is a Christmas classic and one that I watch every year.

"A Christmas Story" (1983) - Ralphie wants a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas and does everything he can to convince his parents to get one, but not only are his parents against the idea, so is his teacher and even Santa. As they say, "You'll shoot your eye out."

Again, a Christmas classic that I watch every year.

"Home Alone" (1990) - Kevin has to defend his home against some bungling burglars after being left home alone on accident by his family, who have left to France for Christmas.

A funny and entertaining family flick. The sequel is worth watching, too.

"Bad Santa" (2003) - Two con men pose as Santa and his elf at malls with the intention of robbing the place on Christmas Eve. Trouble arises when Willie meets and befriends a young boy, who ends up teaching his the true meaning of Christmas.

Billy Bob Thornton was the perfect choice to play Willie and his performance is one of the main reasons why this movie worked for me. This is a black comedy for adults only, no kids.

"Die Hard" (1988) - A New York cop, John McClane, arrives in Los Angeles to spend Christmas with his estranged wife and their kids. Soon after arriving at the building where his wife works, terrorists take it over during a Christmas party and hold everyone hostage, including John's wife, while he's able to avoid being captured. He sets out to take down the terrorists and save the hostages before it's too late.

One of my all time favorite action flicks.

 

Blu-Ray/DVD Releases I'm Looking Forward To...December Edition

"The Walking Dead": Season 1 (2010) - March 8, 2011

Plot: A police officer, Rick Grimes, and a group of survivors try to survive a zombie apocalypse.

Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden and Steven Yeun.

This is easily my new favorite show. I can't wait for season 2 and while it won't air until October 2011, I have a feeling it's going to be worth the wait.

"I Spit on Your Grave" (2010) - February 8, 2011

Plot: A woman seeks revenge after being brutally attacked and left for dead.

Cast: Sarah Butler, Chad Lindberg, Daniel Franzese and Jeff Branson.

This is a remake of "I Spit on Your Grave" (1978) and the main reason I want to check it out is to see how it stacks up to the original. I can say that the original was brutal in some ways and I expect the same from the remake, so it won't be a movie for kids and I don't recommend it as a "date movie". *Note: if you see the original, watch it with the commentary by Joe Bob Briggs.

'Tis the Season...For Horror

It's December, which means Christmas is right around the corner and it's the time of year to settle down on the couch with a blanket, grab some hot chocolate and watch some Christmas themed horror movies that will get one into the Christmas spirit!

Here are some recommendations (more may follow later in the month) and feel free to share your favorites.

"Silent Night, Deadly Night" (1984) - As a child, Billy witnessed the murder of his parents by a man dressed as Santa. He and his younger brother end up at an orphanage where the nuns, Mother Superior especially, are abusive to Billy. Years later, he gets a job at a local store where he is forced to wear a Santa suit around Christmas, which causes him to snap and go on a killing spree.

Awesome 80s slasher. So awesome, in fact, that back when it was to be released, the PTA tried to get it removed from theaters because the killer was dressed as Santa Claus and that it was released during the holiday season.

"Black Christmas" (1974) - Sorority sisters begin to receive menacing phone calls around Christmas time, but then things go from bad to worse when the killing begins.

A bit slow moving at times, but definitely needs to be watched because it's a great slasher film. The director was Bob Clark, who went on to direct another Christmas themed movie, A Christmas Story (1983).

"Jack Frost" (1997) - After coming in contact with some genetic material, a serial killer is transformed into a snowman, who then goes out to seek revenge on the sheriff who captured him.

Bad movie? Yes. Entertaining and hilarious? Yes.

"Tales From the Crypt" (1972) - An anthology with five stories. The first story is Christmas themed and it's titled, "...And All Through the House". A lady hears a news report that a homicidal maniac dressed as Santa is on the loose. The maniac ends up at her house, but she can't call the police because she had killed her husband just before the report and she didn't have time to get rid of the body.

The HBO series, Tales From the Crypt, featured a remake of this story, which I'd also recommend.