Yes... wait, no... well maybe it's the funniest movie of all time? Regardless of whether it can take the title of "funniest of all time," Ted at least makes me have to think about it. In world filled with mediocre and stupid comedy movies, Ted finally can satisfy the humor taste buds of even the pickiest consumers.
The Official Red Band (unrated) trailer for Ted
The premise of Ted revolves around a young boy name John who wishes his teddy bear were real. When he wakes up to find his wish has comes true, John and Ted decide to be best friends forever.
Now fast forward 25 years...
John has found perhaps the love of his life in an extremely successful advertising agent named Lori, but his relationship of doing irresponsible (and illegal) acts with Ted jeopardizes his future with her. In a desperate attempt to help John grow up and take control of his life, Lori gives John an ultimatum: either she moves out or Ted does. John must decide to just stay a boy with his teddy bear, or grow up and leave his beloved Ted behind.
Ted is one of those great movies to just go see with you best buds. It draws ties in your mind to the best times you have had with your friends, exploring the interesting depth of "bromance" among men these days. The humor is also very clever, and Seth MacFarlane's knowledge and employment of pop culture references go unmatched, but the characters also have good depth. You can really get connected with the characters, and the movie resonates as one of those "feel good" types.
Be sure you get out and see Ted with your best buds, but don't just take my word for it. Check out the ratings of some of the most prominent movie review groups.
Microsoft has unveiled the designs of its latest innovation - the Microsoft Surface. The new gadget was created with the intention to compete in the ever-expanding tablet marketplace, but there might a problem - is the Surface a tablet, or something else entirely?
Microsoft's promotional trailer for its all new product, Surface.
The Surface Pro model sports some serious features, and is able to do anything a modern desktop can because it will be running Windows 8 Pro with a Quad Intel-Core Processor. It also boosts up to 128 GBs with a 10.6 inch ClearType Full HD screen. This powerful unit will allow you to run traditional apps similar to other tablets, run graphic intensive computer games, and allow you to power through work with the high processing speeds. It already sounds like a dream come true for a tablet, until you see the pricing.
Microsoft is hinting at colorful and customizable removable keyboards for its new product the Surface.
You can buy a new 16GB Apple iPad for $499, but according to an article by PCWorld.com, the Microsoft Surface Pro's price will be more comparable to that of an ultra book, but without the features. This has some asking, what's the point? Why would Microsoft choose to make a tablet-style device that serves more of an ultra book type purpose? A simple answer: they are trying to innovate and engineer an entirely new platform.
The Microsoft Surface will have the undeniable appeal of convertibility due to the revolutionary removable keyboard feature. With this feature you would be able to use a touch screen tablet-style device, and then when you need to do some serious work you can slap on the keyboard for a full ultra book experience. Although it is smaller and less powerful than an ultra book, the balanced design of the product might justify the tradeoff.
The removable keyboard and built-in kickstand add to the already stylish and thin design of the Microsoft Surface.
Despite the debate on whether it is truly a tablet, the Microsoft Surface was designed to directly compete with iPad, and plans to do it using creative features. Surprisingly, the Surface will be the first tablet-product to allow you to run multiple apps at one time and on the same viewing screen. It also will have more connect ability than an iPad, sporting more ports than any other tablet in existence. The built-in kickstand is also another desired feature most competing tablets don't have as of right now.
There are more possible downfalls with the Microsoft Surface, however. A major one is that people are already sold on the apps used for the iPad, and so it will be a daunting task for Microsoft to develop a similar sort of fan base that Apple has created. Another big problem is the weight, at 1.5 pounds the Surface will be by far the heaviest tablet in a market that is downsizing with every new model.
Overall, the Microsoft Surface may make big waves in both the tablet and ultra book worlds. The compatibility to change from a tablet to a full-force laptop is a very appealing feature to a growing group of consumers who want to be able to consume all their technology on one platform. The release date for the Surface is not yet set, but expect to see it on shelves sometime this fall.
It has been a long wait, but finally the flurry of great summer releases are finally here! June kicked off with one of the most anticipated films of the year, Ridley Scott's alien fable: Prometheus.
The protagonist of the film, archaeologist Elizabeth Shaw
(Noomi Rapace), escapes after a "foreign entity" was removed
from her stomach.
Ridley Scott is most popular for the Alien series, and this film continues on that... well sort of. What is really interesting about Prometheus is that it exists in the same universe and timeline as the original Alien movies, but sports a completely independent storyline and theology. This allowed for some breathing room for newcomers to view Prometheus as a stand alone feature, while also rewarding hardcore fans of the series with foreshadowing and background from things that appear in the later Alien films. But what exactly is happens in Prometheus, and is it an entertaining and successful movie?
The official movie poster
of Prometheus
Prometheus focuses on the origin of life, boosting a rich storyline centered on the human cast trying to discover the nature of their creation. Two archaeologists discover ancient paintings that reveal the location of a star-system galaxies far away, with the allusion to some sort of greater being. Believing the system shown might be the galaxy of their creators, they journey there after receiving funding and a ship called the Prometheus. The supposed creators are referred to by the cast as the "Engineers," and believe them to be a superiorly advanced race that engineered the our species. Once landing on the planet they discover they may not have found the answers to the origin of human life, but perhaps the answers to the end of it.
Android David (Michael Fassbender)
analyzes the Engineer's space map.
If you want to know more you are going to have to check out Prometheus for yourself, which I highly recommend. In my opinion Prometheus is the best film of the year so far, and perhaps even my personal favorite of the Alien series (very close between Prometheus and the original Alien). It is visually stunning, grotesque in nature, and will have leaning on the edge of your seat clenching your stomach in agony. It's brilliantly plotted, with deep and intense allegories the origin of life and human purpose. It ties in the storyline of the alien series in an ingenious fashion, and instead of spoon-feeding you Ridley Scott really leaves much of the story something to be pondered upon. If you are a fan of Alien series, a Sci-Fi fan, or just love movies that engage your analytical thinking skills, than this film is for you.
But don't just take my word for it, take a look at some of the major movie-rating entities below.
Revolutionized and Revitalized--this is what fans of the Halo series are looking to see in the next release. Based on the warm reception Halo 4 is receiving from E3 goers, it appears as though the staff at 343 Industries have done just that.
The Official Commercial Trailer of Halo 4 released at E3
343 Industries took over the franchise from the famed Bungie Studios - producers of Halo: CE, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 3 ODST, and Halo: Reach. After a dismal disappointment in the form of Halo: Reach, Bungie had a massive fall-out from its fan base, who claimed Bungie had ruined the series. Perhaps the biggest problem for fans was not the poor multiplayer game or unbalanced add-ons, but a campaign storyline that didn't include Microsoft's flagship character: Spartan 117, The Master Chief.
I include myself in a list of Halo fans that have been around since the beginning of the series more than 10 years ago, and I know how sensitive and committed Halo fans are to this game and to the Master Chief. With that being said, the Halo community has come out in full support for 343 Industries to take over the franchise and deliver the storyline and gameplay that was lost in Reach. From what has been reported and seen at E3, 343 Industries has re-instilled hope to fans of the series. Because of my history with this game (playing more than 10 years and playing on the MLG circuit) I consider myself an expert on the series, particularly the multiplayer gameplay aspect. With that being said, this article will deliver a comprehensive breakdown to what was seen at E3, and what Halo 4 needs to do to reclaim the video game throne that once belong to it.
343 Industries had an open booth at E3 where fans could play
one of the missions from the Halo 4 campaign. Here is an
official video walkthrough of that gameplay.
The campaign is a huge part of what makes the Halo experience what it is, and it isn't just about the gameplay. The storyline of Master Chief and his heroism is what has engaged fans in such a way made the series so popular. In Reach, the presence of Master Chief was missing, and the game's campaign was considered a failure largely in part to this. 343 Industries learned from Bungie's mistakes, continuing Halo 4 right where Halo 3 left off, with Master Chief floating endlessly in space after saving the universe and ending the war against the Covenant. This is really important to the campaign because many fans are going to invest themselves into this game simply just to find out what has happened to Master Chief. The type of rich story-lines present in the previous games will need to be in Halo 4 if it is to re-emerge as Microsoft's flagship game once again.
A screenshot of the HUD from Halo 4. Notice in particular the
updated design to the health, ammo bar, and target reticle.
Now for the gameplay: what features look good, and what may need further improvement or perhaps even removal from the final product. From a technical standpoint the game looks revitalized. The visuals and sounds are just stunning, and the environments are rich and immerse, making for by far the biggest visual update to series thus far. The huge question remains though: does it play as great as it looks?There are thousands of components that go into Halo to make it a great video game, but the most important is balance. It was the feeling of balance that lacked in Reach and turned away many fans of the series. Balance will always promote skill-gap, and skill-gap will always promote competitive and engaging gameplay. From what was seen at E3, and what 343 Industries has been saying to the press, it appears as though balance was one of the most important considerations going into the Halo 4's development.
A look into the new feature "Promethean vision" in Halo 4
which allows you to see your enemy using a sonar radar.
343 Industries was also keen on adding new features to the game while maintaining the classic Halo feel that separated it from other shooters. Let's look the features: The Battle Rifle (or BR for short) has returned to the series. This is huge because it is the best standardized weapon for competitive play, and probably the favorite weapon of fans in the series. It appears as though the faster charging shield has also returned in place the health bar used in Reach. This is another positive, the health bar isn't necessary because of the shield bar, and a faster shield recharge will make for faster competitive play. The HUD and game interface looks great, with new features to better keep track of ammo and a feature that shows when you bullets are hitting your target. Another positive because these features will help competitive players make quick adjusts during battle.
The best competitive look at Halo 4 multiplayer by MLG pro
Mason "Neighbor" Cobb. Notice old school Halo feel in the
movements and map style.
One concern by fans is that they are keeping the armor upgrades from Reach, which is very understandable. But they are undergoing huge updates to them. There will still be sprint and jetpack, but upgrades such as a shield and "Promethean vision" will be available. I am skeptical of these add-ons as well, but 343 Industries knows the problems they caused in Reach, so if they are truly developing a balanced game they will foresee the problems to make sure the armor abilities are fair, balanced, and fun.
I could go on forever about the list of features that have been revealed for the new game, but if you want to see all the features than check out the commentary below by Pro Gaming Legend "Walshy."
Full multiplayer analysis of Halo 4 by former MLG Pro Halo player
David Walsh, or "Walshy." This is perhaps the best insight into the
multiplayer of the game from a competitive standpoint.
The feature most important to making Halo 4 better than the previous game is a player ranking system. Reach did not have a player ranking system and that is almost entirely to blame for the game's multiplayer failure. A ranking system provides for the most fun and competitive matches; pitting players of similar skill level against each other for the most balanced match. It also gave players something to work for, and the motivation to work on their game and improve their skill and ranking.
It is my belief that if 343 Industries reintroduces a competitive ranking system along-side a balanced multiplayer experience with a strong campaign story, that Halo 4 will put the series back atop the gaming throne where it belongs.
Be sure to be on the lookout for more Halo 4 news closer to the release date on November 6th.
I regret to inform you that I did not come out with a video post this week as my roommate locked the contact paper I was going to use for a backdrop in his room when he left town. I hope to have "anchored" videos starting next week once I get the backdrop done, but now onto the topic at hand: The Electronic Entertainment Expo.
This isn't going to be some extravagant and fully comprehensive preview guide to E3, but the highlights of the Expo. Let's Begin...
The major innovation stirring interest at E3 this year is the announcement and hands-on-look at Nintendo's next generation gaming system,"Wii U." Nintendo is looking to jump back to the top of the gaming world with the release of this incredibly innovative system, but did they go too far?
Wii U feature trailer released by Nintendo at last years E3 presentation
Many of the reasons the Nintendo Wii did not stack up to the dominate forces of Xbox and Playstation has much to do with the hardware. Nintendo has taken the route to be the "innovate" gaming company and provide gamers with an increasingly interactive experience. They failed in this experience, however, to capture the core of gamers who still preferred Microsoft's and Sony's console based system. The Nintendo Wii didn't have a strong enough line-up of games, or the processing power and interface to keep up with the traditional consoles. The biggest failure was in the ingenuity. Many gamers want to kick back and relax while they game, and so a completely interactive experience that forced them to stand up and be engaged physically turned away many potential buyers.
A preview of the Legend of Zelda demonstrates Nintendo's
upgrade to HD on with the new Wii U.
From what I have seen with Wii U, however, it looks as though Nintendo may have finally got it right. The new controller acts as it seems a portable device, allowing you to stop playing your game on the television, and take it with you somewhere else--pure brillance. Nintendo has also made the jump to full HD, and I have got to say that seeing the Legend of Zelda's protagonist Link in HD has got me excited to get my hands on the console.
Facechat features will be included
on Nintendo's new Wii U console.
It appears they took the right steps in ingenuity with features such as video calling and web surfing, really making the Wii U look like a central hub from a complete media experience. I am really excited to see what else Wii U brings to the table when it debuts on the presentation floor on Tuesday.
So the Wii U is the major innovation, but what are the major releases that will be making the headlines next week? I have the answers...
343 industries' Halo 4 is one of E3's most anticipated games
The first title that is sure to draw interest at E3 is Halo 4, the next installment in one of Microsoft's most prolific series. After a major let down from the last game released in the series, fans are looking for Halo 4 to bring back that classic Halo experience they fell in love with as kids. Much of the game layout and story has been kept in the dark, but you better believe that is all about to change with the first hands-on-look at the game coming up next week.
Another major title will be from Call of Duty series, Black Ops 2. I have to be honest I have some intense criticism about this game being staged in the future, and in my opinion a faulty game could kill the dominance Call of Duty has exerted over other titles for the past few years.
One title flying massively under the radar right now would be Resident Evil 6. In an unexpected move the game developers actually pushed up the release date of the game (extremely rare in today's day and age), and with three distinct story modes and an emphasis on hollywood style action this game is sure to thrill.
E3 starts next week and I will be following closely, so be sure to check back often for updates on the Expo.
The famed Tom Clancy series has struggled to compete in past years since the emergence of FPS giants Call of Duty and Battlefield, but the release of the highly anticipated Ghost Recon: Future Soldier might be just what the doctor ordered to get this strategy-shooter series back on track.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon:
Future Soldier debuted on May 22nd.
The latest installment in the Ghost Recon series has been almost five years in the making, and after several drawbacks was finally released May 22nd. The game takes the framework from Ghost Recon: Advance Warfighter and expands on it, adding a slew of intelligent new features. The additions to the game, such as active camouflage and complete weapon customization make for a more refined shooter experience. The game creators leave at your disposal complete control of your unit--allowing you to deliver precise and quick orders during combat. Also, the flexibility to map-out how you want to complete a mission provides a fresh experience every time you play.
One of the great new features is complete weapon
customization.
The control interface for the game is splendid--allowing you to move seamlessly from cover to cover unlike any shooter to date. Although 3rd-person shooter games generally give you greater control of your character's movement, Future soldier steps it up a notch by giving you the ability to employ a unique set of dives, spins, hurdles, and rolls. This type of player control fits perfectly into the multiplayer experience the developers have sought to build-up throughout the Ghost Recon series, and it looks like they finally got it right.
The multiplayer game types are completely team-based--a refreshing change of pace from the flurry of run-and-gun FPS titles ruling the market in past years. Even the basic Team Death Match mode has a unique flow. The game incorporates an abundance of futuristic military technology, placing emphasis on utilization of the technology along coupled with quick communication and coordination amongst teammates. Perhaps the most fun game-mode is Decoy. In this game-type two teams work to either defend or attack three different targets--the twist: only one is the real objective and the other two targets are "decoys." Neither team knows which target is the real objective, and so a combination of luck, quick recoveries, and methodical thinking make for gripping gameplay.
Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Official Multiplayer Trailer
With a set of expansive new features as well as the focus on teamplay--Ghost Recon: Future Soldier delivers that perfect combination of fast-paced action and thought-provoking strategy that has been lacking from the Shooter scene. With innovative gameplay, it's no one this game finished in the high ends of the rating scale while earning itself an IGN editors' choice award.
Ghost Recon: Future Solider earned high marks by gaming review leader IGN,
but it also scored well on other major gaming sources.
Check out the complete list of ranks at computerandvideogames.com.
Check back frequently for the latest in video games, movies, and tech trends. Next week #NerdLife plans to make the transition to a purely video-based platform. The new platform is be designed to deliver the latest news with more engaging content at a quicker pace.
Hello, and thank you for visiting #NerdLife--indulging your Inner-Nerd with the latest in video game releases, movie reviews, and technology trends! In my experience, I have seen that society has come to view the term "nerd" in a very negative light, but I have always questioned why? I believe that everyone has an "inner-nerd," or a piece of them that secretly indulges interest into some form of fantasy, technology, etc. If I could define what a nerd is, I would say that a nerd is someone who doesn't act to please society norms, but outright expresses their interest without restraint. "Nerdiness" does not lend itself to one particular set of ideas, but is rather an life approach to a more complete knowledge. A true nerd is one who dedicates a part of themselves to their particular interests, and so there are an infinite possibility of nerds that exist.
I've created this blog to express and share my interests with all the other true nerds out there--the video game nerds, movie nerds, every nerd. This blog will not focus exclusively on first person shooter video games or science fiction movies, but share my personal nerd indulgences with other people to broaden the conversation. The ideology behind this blog is to provide pertinent information about trending topics while disseminating the nerd stereotype. It's designed to be a platform for conversation about what nerds really care about.
Release your inner-nerd and be sure to check back frequently for articles about video game releases, movie reviews, and technology trends!
