(For the record, sometimes I just choose random words for the “edition.”)
ODD: Looks like people really dig the Heinz Burger Blaster. Who knew? I’ve got to dig up some other random old toys like that. Can’t think of any off the top of my head right now, though.
END: Had the day off yesterday. I had lots of big plans, but ended up mostly just playing the new Incredible Hulk game for the 360. I just read IGN gave it a rating of 6/10, which I’d say is a bit on the low side for how much fun I’m having playing it, but it’s true it isn’t as fun as Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction from a few years back (despite cribbing from that game). I suspect the new Hulk also suffers from comparisons to the free-roaming city of GTA IV. Anyway, I’m enjoying it. I also got the Simpsons game from my cousin Ed (a.k.a. Mistah Plow), so I’ll have that when I get sick of Hulk. Speaking of new fan-favorite Mistah Plow (judging from my readers’ comments), check out his review of Mario Kart Wii.
ODD: I spent half the weekend rearranging my action figure displays for no real reason. I ended up with Toy Island’s Creature from the Black Lagoon and Mandarin Spawn: the Scarlet Edge in the prime positions on the left and right sides of my desk. I don’t know why, but I’m really fond of that Creature.
END: It’s freakin’ hot here in Boston. I wouldn’t have guessed the Celts would actually be cooler out there in L.A. Also, keep in mind that all my mention of the Celtics is bandwagoning on the level of Homer Simpson. The last time I paid attention to the Celtics was when I played NBA Jam. (Why hasn’t that shown up on XBLA or WVC yet, dammit?)
ODD: There’s a spoilerific TV spot out for The Incredible Hulk featuring a high-profile cameo. While it’s kind of lame that they revealed the cameo, I think there’s a very good chance it will boost audience interest. Marvel may be on to something interesting with these self-financed, interconnected films; it’s almost as if Incredible Hulk is a semi-sequel to Iron Man hitting just a few months later. In any event, I was already planning on seeing Hulk this weekend. I think if I ever got the chance to write for comic books, the two characters I’d like a crack at would be Batman and Hulk.
END: For the love of God, someone get “Pork and Beans” out of my head.
I bought the new Weezer and the new Portishead the same day, which may have been a mistake: I've been listening to the Portishead as much as I can, but haven't thrown the Weezer back in yet. (Granted, I have about a half an hour any given day when I get to hear music.)
Disappointing that IH isn't as good as UD. What are its biggest detractions, Poe?
It's a bunch of little things. The gameplay feels a bit slower and less frenetic than UD. City strike teams don't go away until you either find a place to hide for five minutes while your threat level goes down, or you run into a subway; you can't just destroy the strike team and reset the threat level.
The fights can be something of a slog, especially against the U-foes (homegrown super heroes). But what I really miss are the funny mini-games, like boulder-golf and the one where you whack the Special Forces guys into the harbor. I guess those might be in the game–I haven't finished it yet–but so far, the mini-games are limited to standard running, jumping, and smashing stuff.
Basically, I'd say the graphics are a bit better–and being able to use the Red Hulk skin is awesome–but everything else is maybe a little less fun. Not less fun enough for me not to enjoy playing it, though
That last sentence made my eyes bleed.
You and your random titles… I was all excited for mention of Dr. Acula from Scrubs!
New Weezer disc is pretty damn good… first half is really strong anyway.
Thanks for your input on the Hulk game. I was really worried it would suck.
(SPOILER WARNING)
I am a Marketing Genius. Right after I saw Iron Man (and knew that TS would be making a brief appearance in The Incredible Hulk) I said, "If Marvel/Universal is smart – they'll feature TS in the ads." That's how amazing Robert Downey Jr was – his Iron Man was magnetic and really gave the film cross-demographic appeal.
And, lo and behold, here he is.
Now – if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my marketing campaign for The Happening. We're going to really emphasize the R rating by shooting a puppy in each ad.
The Happening's sales pitch: "Did you like 28 Days Later…? Dawn of the Dead? I Am Legend? Pulse? Stephen King's novel Cell? Well, here's another one!"
Oh, I've been sharpening my knives for the Happening: Shyamalan can do such a great job building a feeling of dread, but can also halfass an ending like nobody's business. I've got a rant on Signs coming Friday…
The problem with Shyamalan is that once you realize he only has one kind of plot device up his sleeve, every single movie of his becomes completely predictable.