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Summer entertainment: Movies and video games to look out for
Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 11:38am
Summer movie picks
“The Happening”
Rated R
Dir. M. Night Shyamalan
Release Date: June 13, 2008
From the director of “The Sixth Sense” and “Signs” comes a horror movie of a family on the run from a natural emergency that not only poses a threat to the family but also to humanity. Focusing on a “green horror,” this is one of Shyamalan’s first movies in a while without some kind of monster. With only one other thriller of the same genre, the climate catastrophe tale “The Day After Tomorrow,” this movie does not have a lot to live up to to make an impression.
“The Incredible Hulk”
Rated PG-13
Dir. Louis Leterrier
Release Date: June 13, 2008
A reboot of Ang Lee’s 2003 production of “Hulk,” “Incredible Hulk” depicts scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) seeking an antidote for his condition of turning into a green monster under emotional stress. While on the brink of a cure, Banner must return to New York to save the city from The Abomination, a monster whose powers equal Banner’s. Just like other superhero movies, Banner must overcome a self struggle as to whether to use his powers to benefit others or to lead a peaceful life just as himself.
“The Dark Knight”
Rated PG-13
Dir. Christopher Nolan
Release Date: July 18, 2008
After the success of “Batman Begins” in 2005, Christian Bale returns as the title character to get rid of the remaining criminal organizations in the city of Gotham. Batman soon finds this job to be harder than it seems with the rise of a criminal mastermind The Joker (the late Heath Ledger), who creates even more chaos in the city. Thus Batman must get rid of The Joker to ensure peace for the citizens of Gotham. After the prequel to this film, and the fact that this is Heath Ledger’s last film due to his death a few months ago from a drug overdose, this film is bound to get lots of attention.
Gargoyle Pick: M. Night Shyamalan is a hit-or-miss director with one genuine masterpiece to his credit, “The Sixth Sense.” His latest effort looks promising, as does “The Incredible Hulk” and “The Dark Knight.” All three are sure to be enjoyable summer flicks.
Summer video game picks
“Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of Patriots”
Rated M for Mature
Pub. Konami
Release Date: June 12, 2008
Five years after the “Big Shell Incident,” Liquid Ocelot has now mind-controlled all private military company soldiers. Liquid prepares for world domination, and only an old man can stop him: Solid Snake. “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of Patriots” costs $59.99 for the PS3.
“SoulCalibur IV”
Rated T for Teen
Pub. Namco Bandai
Release Date: July 29, 2008
The fourth installment in the “SoulCalibur” fighting series, this game brings back 25 characters and is introducing seven new ones. The game will also introduce “Star Wars” characters Yoda and Darth Vader. Yoda will be in the Xbox 360 version, while Darth Vader will be in the PS3 version. “SoulCalibur 4” costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360 and PS3.
“Madden NFL 09”
Rated E for Everyone
Pub. Electronic Arts
Release Date: Aug. 12, 2008
The next Madden game returns with new features such as allowing you to train your players in a holographic environment, and also analyzing your playing ability and mistakes. “Madden NFL 09” costs $59.99 for the Xbox 360 and PS3, $49.99 for the Wii, $39.99 for the PSP, and $29.99 for the PS2 and DS.
Gordon’s Pick: These are all highly anticipated games. “Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of Patriots” will be the strongest release and will definitely become one of the best games on the PS3 for a very long time. It is a must-have for all PS3 owners, just as “Super Smash Bros Brawl” is a must-have for Wii owners and “Grand Theft Auto IV” a must-have for both Xbox 360 and PS3 owners. As a matter of fact, “MGS 4” probably will be able to top “GTA IV” as the best game of the year. Sports fans should look forward to “Madden NFL 09,” and “SoulCalibur IV” will satisfy fans of arcade-style fighting games.
Comments
A Comment from Berlin
For 360 owners, it would be wise to wait until the Fall to buy any games. Madden 09 will probably be similar to 08 and Soul Calibur however fun it is has the replayability of the ball and cup. If one wait to the Fall, one can get an intelligent strategy game in Tom Clancy's Endwar, outrageous physics action in Star Wars Force Unleashed and classic shooter action Brother's in Arms: Hell's Highway (another WWII game but it looks fun). Personally, I can't wait to unleash mayhem against the goverment all across Venezuela, in the ever controversial Mercenaries 2. Saint's Row 2 also comes out this Fall and it looks really crazy and different from GTA 4 thanks to an advertising campaign headed by Gary Busey aka Uncle Gary. The Nba games also look to be really good this year. Like last summer, this summer 2008 might seem a little slow but the Fall should do a lot to make up for this.
alright so i have a ps3. i
alright so i have a ps3. i also unwittingly bought a copy of metal gear solid 4:guns of the patriots. im just gonna say it is one of the most frustrating games i've ever played. for one, newcomers to the metal gear franchise will simply be lost in the game's ceaseless story. it takes 20 some odd minutes from the beginning of the game to get to the first actual playable sequence. im betting that 75% of this godforsaken game is cutscenes. and don't tell me that the "story is amazing" and all that. i've played metal gear solid 2 enough times to get the gist of the entire thing. this time around the story is so bogged down and ludicrous it feels like im watching a M. Night Shyamalan flick. and the worst part is, theres barely anything to make up for this pseudo-game. the action sequences are subpar, with difficult controls and not enough stealth-action. as for the graphics, i really can't say anything bad about them except for a few frame rate issues i've had (it may just be an isolated case). i'm just sick of this game getting perfect scores by reviewers who feel it necessary to deem kojima a god.
Spore
I agree with Alan on this one mainly because of a game I've been waiting over a year for. This game is Spore, which is coming out for the PC, Wii, DS, and probably one or two other platforms in early September. It's by the guy who does The Sims (Will Wright), and if you haven't checked it out, I really recommend looking into it. It looks like it's going to be an epic game.
Gears of war 2
Lets not forget that Marcus Fenix retunes in the action packed shooter from Epic Games in gears of war 2 thats sure to be a pleaser.
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