Monday, 1st October 2012
Like zombie movies, zombie video games explore the different facets of the genre - some add elements of comedy, some are all-out gore fests, some take on that near-impossible sub-genre called the ZomRomCom (hats off to Shaun of the Dead). Let me present to you two zombie video game trailers that take extreme ends of the spectrum: one is an absurd re-working of one the genre's more established titles - set in an amusement park called Uranus Zone no less, while the other reminds us of the endless potential for human drama that a zombie apocalypse can provide.
First up, we have Dead Rising 2: Off The Record. This pseudo-expansion replaces Dead Rising 2's protagonist, Chuck Greene, with the wears-shades-at-night retard of the first Dead Rising, Frank West. An Eastwood-esque anti-hero with modern sensibilities, Off The Record follows Frank West's adventures in Uranus Zone as he fights the hordes with the kinds of weapons of mass destruction one would normally associate with a theme park, such as a water gun. Or that incredible rocket-shaped plastic melee weapon at 0:38, which Frank uses to shove up a zombie's undead butt. Literally.
I wish I was shittin' you.
At the other end of the spectrum, there's the heart-wrenching, tear-jerker of a trailer for Techland's massive hit Dead Island. Backed by a score reminiscent of Michael Giacchino's work with popular TV series Lost, this trailer doesn't exactly sell the melee madness and vivid violence the game is known for. Instead, it tells the story of a family forcefully torn apart (double meaning there) by the undead horde. Told in a non-linear fashion for a very non-linear emotional ride, this trailer was the moment where shit got real for zombie video games.
Enjoy, ladies and gents:
98.7FM's Radio Star
Thursday, 27th September 2012
In 2 days, we get to determine the next big voice on what is arguably Singapore's most relevant radio station, 98.7 FM. From 3pm - 5pm at Orchard Central this Saturday, 29th September 2012, we see Naomi Yeo, Isaac Chan, Rachel Yeo (I don't think she and Naomi are related), Brian Peters and Sonia Chew slug it out to be crowned 98.7FM's Radio Star.
My money's on this one:
She has a good voice, though I think the one thing that makes her stand out from the rest is her personality. Mixing a seasoned edginess with intelligent wit and disarming charisma, Sonia could offer Singapore radio something it's been lacking for quite awhile - someone people could listen to all day without thinking, "What Singaporean talks with that kind of accent?" or "Why the fuck is he calling the other guy mutton?"
Her only weakness: camera poses.
In 2 days, we get to determine the next big voice on what is arguably Singapore's most relevant radio station, 98.7 FM. From 3pm - 5pm at Orchard Central this Saturday, 29th September 2012, we see Naomi Yeo, Isaac Chan, Rachel Yeo (I don't think she and Naomi are related), Brian Peters and Sonia Chew slug it out to be crowned 98.7FM's Radio Star.
My money's on this one:
She has a good voice, though I think the one thing that makes her stand out from the rest is her personality. Mixing a seasoned edginess with intelligent wit and disarming charisma, Sonia could offer Singapore radio something it's been lacking for quite awhile - someone people could listen to all day without thinking, "What Singaporean talks with that kind of accent?" or "Why the fuck is he calling the other guy mutton?"
Her only weakness: camera poses.
 |
| I mean, is there something wrong with your chin, woman? |
The Killers: Battle Born - A Review
Friday, 21st September 2012
When I was in Journ class, my teacher told us to always build background when we introduce an article. I'm not going to do that, because this back story involves a lot of yada-yada about The Killers doing solo projects and other things you can find on Wikipedia. Let's just cut to the chase.
When I was in Journ class, my teacher told us to always build background when we introduce an article. I'm not going to do that, because this back story involves a lot of yada-yada about The Killers doing solo projects and other things you can find on Wikipedia. Let's just cut to the chase.
Battleborn by The Killers is fucking brilliant, hands down.
I could give a pretentious review where I make references that aren't quite as relevant now. It'll go something like, "Battleborn takes the Springsteen flavour, gives it power hooks that will put Toto and Journey to shame while it brings you back to the late 80s/early 90s in a rousing, anthemic, almost divine sound that firmly imprints itself in that great log of select tunes that define the soundscape of Americana."
But fuck that, I think Battleborn is accessible enough to be enjoyed by the people who wouldn't quite understand the above references, or who no longer give a fuck about The Boss (that's Bruce Springsteen, you 90s kids). As a CD to play in your car, it embraces you in a commonly-relatable nostalgia, breezing your highway cruise with epic anthems of us-against-the-world romances (Runaways, The Way It Was), fist-punching rock numbers designed specifically for arenas (Battleborn) and even a potential Lounge soundtrack in Jacques Lu Cont's remix of Flesh and Bone.
As a CD to have (I know how CDs have become antiquated in this Day & Age - HAH pun intended - of mp3 downloads), Battleborn is a must-have as the most updated piece of anthemic Americana. It is the CD to pop in on rebel-yell Mondays, or Fridays crossing your stars with your favourite girl's.
Here's the leading single, Runaways, for your aural and visual (I'm a heterosexual man, but Brandon Flowers is a dashing beast in this music video) pleasure.
SHAVE, DAMMIT!
Monday, 17th September 2012
This is Jared Leto at last year's GQ Man Of The Year Awards.
This is Jared Leto at last year's GQ Man Of The Year Awards.
This is Jared Leto at last week's Much Music's "New. Music. Live." in Toronto. Or at least, someone who vaguely looks like Jared Leto. I can't tell past all that pubic hair beard.
Hey man, Zach Galafianakis called. He says keep the beard, it looks dumber on you.
A Peek Into American Horror Story Season 2
Sunday, 16th September 2012
The producers behind American Horror Story have unveiled a whole series of short clips to whet our appetites for Season 2. Most of them, however, aren't as revealing as us eagerly-anticipating fans would like.
There's that one about a woman angrily eating her tablet (I mean a pill, not like an iPad). That's as much exposition as the first half hour of Jurassic Park 3. Maybe the capsule tastes like crap. It would explain why she became so docile after she swallowed it.
Then there's the one where a lady in red gets hoisted off, via bandages, by some unseen force. Supernatural entity or not, the law of Physics demand that the bandages snap before the lady gets pulled away.
There are also many instances of a whitewashed nun. Her job is basically to walk around and make eye contact with us, or participate in the world's biggest epic fail of a body surf.
Oh, and of course - the hydrobath (I think the writers have never seen an actual hydrobath). I'm going to mention the awkwardly obvious here. It's vagina imagery. American Horror Story delightfully spirals the sexuality motif into violence and horror, and this plot theme seems to be continuing into Season 2.
It was only when they released Inside The Asylum where we can see any semblance of plot, character and relationship dynamic. Here's the video:
Ladies and gents, this is Blackbriar Asylum, a darker, spookier setting more adept at housing insane spirits than the mansion of season 1.
The first thing you'll realize is Adam Levine pointing a camera at the camera. We're guessing the Maroon 5 frontman will embody a very hedonistic personality, and it'll be interesting to see how that pans out in the twisted mythos of American Horror Story. At least it wouldn't be acting for Levine.
More importantly, note the cast of Season 1 portraying obviously different characters. Jessica Lange is no longer mad ol' Constance but the sadistic Head Nun, Sister Jude. Zachary Quinto plays the doctor manhandling Evan Peters. Lily Rabe is no longer a ghost displaced in time, but the self-mutilating half of what appears to be a lesbian couple.
They're not playing their characters from Season 1. Instead, they're playing entirely new roles, making American Horror Story an anthology. This might disappoint those of you who want to find out what in blue America happens to three-year-old Michael, the murderous rape-child of Tate and Vivien, who might also be the Antichrist.
But I say let's give American Horror Story Asylum a few episodes before we begin judging. I mean, we did judge them when they introduced that ridiculous black latex suit. A few episodes after, we found it kinky. By the end of the season, we found it outright fucking freaky. Co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk tend to do that. Look at Glee.
By the way, that seductress mid-way through the clip is Chloe Sevigny, playing the role of (as she is billed in the cast list) Shelly The Nymphomaniac. I want to tell you more, but I'm too busy drooling.
The producers behind American Horror Story have unveiled a whole series of short clips to whet our appetites for Season 2. Most of them, however, aren't as revealing as us eagerly-anticipating fans would like.
There's that one about a woman angrily eating her tablet (I mean a pill, not like an iPad). That's as much exposition as the first half hour of Jurassic Park 3. Maybe the capsule tastes like crap. It would explain why she became so docile after she swallowed it.
Then there's the one where a lady in red gets hoisted off, via bandages, by some unseen force. Supernatural entity or not, the law of Physics demand that the bandages snap before the lady gets pulled away.
There are also many instances of a whitewashed nun. Her job is basically to walk around and make eye contact with us, or participate in the world's biggest epic fail of a body surf.
Oh, and of course - the hydrobath (I think the writers have never seen an actual hydrobath). I'm going to mention the awkwardly obvious here. It's vagina imagery. American Horror Story delightfully spirals the sexuality motif into violence and horror, and this plot theme seems to be continuing into Season 2.
It was only when they released Inside The Asylum where we can see any semblance of plot, character and relationship dynamic. Here's the video:
Ladies and gents, this is Blackbriar Asylum, a darker, spookier setting more adept at housing insane spirits than the mansion of season 1.
The first thing you'll realize is Adam Levine pointing a camera at the camera. We're guessing the Maroon 5 frontman will embody a very hedonistic personality, and it'll be interesting to see how that pans out in the twisted mythos of American Horror Story. At least it wouldn't be acting for Levine.
More importantly, note the cast of Season 1 portraying obviously different characters. Jessica Lange is no longer mad ol' Constance but the sadistic Head Nun, Sister Jude. Zachary Quinto plays the doctor manhandling Evan Peters. Lily Rabe is no longer a ghost displaced in time, but the self-mutilating half of what appears to be a lesbian couple.
They're not playing their characters from Season 1. Instead, they're playing entirely new roles, making American Horror Story an anthology. This might disappoint those of you who want to find out what in blue America happens to three-year-old Michael, the murderous rape-child of Tate and Vivien, who might also be the Antichrist.
 |
| Or really loves handpainting. |
But I say let's give American Horror Story Asylum a few episodes before we begin judging. I mean, we did judge them when they introduced that ridiculous black latex suit. A few episodes after, we found it kinky. By the end of the season, we found it outright fucking freaky. Co-creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk tend to do that. Look at Glee.
By the way, that seductress mid-way through the clip is Chloe Sevigny, playing the role of (as she is billed in the cast list) Shelly The Nymphomaniac. I want to tell you more, but I'm too busy drooling.
POPCULT: An Introduction
Our thanks to the good people at The Ankh-Morpork Literary Gazette for this article.
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