This picture is from an old Otakon, but the cosplayers were out in full force this weekend yet again.

With Katie away for the weekend I took full advantage of my video game availability. Like, super full advantage.

Movies

Elysium – Katie didn’t really want to see this one, so Min and I went to see it solo. Her impressions from the trailer were right (and I should have realized that good blockbusters don’t come out in August). It’s just overloaded with “purpose”, but without the requisite seriousness. The movie is just not good enough for the gravity it’s seeking to have. Not enough robot explosions either. Can’t win them all, I guess. Should have watched Pacific Rim again instead

TV

The Newsroom – A patronizingly simplistic episode about “Africa” (as if it were a country and not a continent) may mean I won’t have to watch this show any more. Phew…

Childrens Hospital – And just like that they handwave away the death of “Blake Downs”/”Cutter Spindell”. Hilariously done. I like that they’re in Japan now instead of Brazil, which is where their hospital definitely was.

NTSF:SD:SUV:: – Adding Karen Gillan to the show seems to have been an awesome choice. Other reviewers don’t agree with me, but her character’s hilarious sociopathy is…well…hilarious.

Breaking Bad – Just in time to miss the half-season premiere, I started watching the preceding half-season. Walt is terrifying, yo.

Futurama – Boy is this show’s brand of humor mild compared to modern animation. Good enough to fall asleep to, I guess.

Music

Not feeling it this week

Books

Didn’t happen this week

Video Games

Shin Megami Tensei IV – The Tokyo map is a little confusing to manage, but it’s also kind of par for the course for SMT games. The plot continues to deepen, but very slowly.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf – I missed another fireworks festival!

Pikmin 3 – Almost didn’t get this one, but I’m so glad I did. Everything about it is so charming and fun. The localized writing is top notch and the game mechanics are a real joy to experience.

Spelunky – Daily challenges, man. That mode is great. Now that Lee’s got the game too I have someone to score attack against as well. Loving it on PC.

The Last of Us – Beat it. Saw the controversial ending. In the end I think the writing was top notch. About on par with a B+ movie. The mechanics were a little repetitive and not as fun as they could have been. Plus, will someone please let me stop moving ladders and transporting Ellie on pallets?

Rogue Legacy – Controls floatier and less precise/tight than I would have guessed, but addictive and fun. Every time I lose a guy I want to just barrel right back in. I only hate it when I don’t have enough money to actually buy any upgrades.

Papers, Please – Exploring the mundanity of bureaucracy one day at a time. It’s actually a very neat game that’s worth checking out. Got one of the twelve endings. It wasn’t a good one.

Cart Life – Couldn’t get into it within like 15 mins because it started me at 4AM and I couldn’t remember where I was supposed to go for a permit.

Analogue: A Hate Story – Finished the *Hyun-ae ending. Another well-written Christine Love joint.

Donkey Kong 94 – Just a few levels here and there.

EDIT: FORGOT TO ADD…

Dead Space 3 – Dave and I finally beat this guy. Tune in like a year from now to see us complain about all the game’s failings during the ending credits, haha.

Civilization V – Started a multiplayer game with the brothers. Let’s see if we actually finish it.

I recently had an argument with someone about water draining from a tub/toilet. The scale’s too small. Enjoy the video and the learning that comes with it.

Wow, EA’s money is apparently being put to use to make crazy CG cutscenes. The new plants seem neat, so I dunno, I can’t wait to see what’s up with PvZ 2.

So it doesn’t look like too much of a stretch from Hot Fuzz or Shaun of the Dead, really, but it sure looks fun, no?

Anyway, it’s the final piece of the Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy (you learn something new every day), so…yay!

The answer is what you might expect, actually, but maybe not in a way that you’ve thought about it before. Fascinating.

I think it’s pretty funny, guys.

Alison Brie does things and I repost them because she’s adorable and awesome

Remember when this blog first started and all I did on it was post Metal Gear trailers and talk about how good Metal Gear was?

That time seems to be coming back…

This trailer looks…amazing. It’s also far better to play as Big Boss than Solid Snake. Could be an interesting game.

PS: I also dig the Garbage song that plays throughout.

If you didn’t see Wreck-It Ralph this year then you might have missed the short that Disney put before it, “Paperman”. Guys, watch this. It’s awesome.

This is totally my favorite Jimmy Kimmel segment. Love watching the reactions. I wonder if they come in with pre-selected tweets or if Kimmel’s crew supplies it for that first reaction.