Ghostbusters theatrical review

what can be said about Ghostbusters that hasn't already been said? it's a cinematic masterpiece that has finally come back home. Sony did a great job remastering it both visually and auditory. audio-wise, it was redone in Dolby Surround Sound which let me hear little bits and pieces that i didn't hear just on the regular DVD version. no, the previously mentioned bits weren't anything related to the overall plot (they were just, for example, more cheers in the ending scene before the Ghostbusters went to the top of the apartment building). the sound of the proton packs starting echoed throughout the theater, which was really awesome. visually, it never said what they did to it but it still looked fantastic. now, if only they'd come to their senses and put the series out in 3D.

Ghostbusters: The Video Game review

since the movie's being re-released in theaters, i figured this was as good of a time as any to review this game. once i get home from seeing it Thursday night, i'll be posting a review of it's theatrical run as well.

if you know anything about the Ghostbusters franchise and the video games based off of it, you know that almost all the previously released games were absolutely terrible. it took until 2009 for a good game to come out and appease us hungry fans. it was released in two versions: the "realistic" and "stylized" versions. realistic versions feature movie-like graphics and were completely based on the movies. they were released on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and PC. stylized versions feature cartoon-like graphics and were only loosely based on the movies. they were released on the Wii and DS. i'll be talking mainly about the realistic version, as it's the only version of the game i own.

Atari's 2009 production is a third-person shooter, but obviously there are no guns used. instead, the players get to use a proton pack outfitted with upgrades such as a slime thrower (similar to the one from Ghostbusters 2, minus the giant tank on the character's back) that get unlocked as the game progresses. the player controls an unnamed "experimental equipment technician" who is simply known as Rook or Rookie. the original 4 Ghostbusters are voiced by their actors from the movies, and even this late after the series they still sound exactly like they did in the movies.

the game itself feels just like the long-awaited third Ghostbusters movie, which after playing it as much as i have, is still awesome. the plot takes players all over New York City in search of mandala nodes. these nodes were set up around the city by the crazed architect Ivo Shandor (from the first movie) to flow slime through New York (possibly explaining the slime river from Ghostbusters 2?), going through Shandor-designed buildings acting as the nodes (the Sedgwick Hotel and Dana Barrett's apartment building being the recognizable ones) being used to open a portal to the ghost world and summon a Gozer-like being to destroy the world.

also, the game brings creatures mentioned in the movies to life. for example, Louis Tully's ramblings while being tested by Egon in the first movie mentioned a "giant Slor". a miniboss in the game is a giant Slor that must be defeated to move on.

to conclude, the realistic version of Ghostbusters: The Video Game is what any true fan would want in a game. it's just as much fun today as it was when it first came out in 2009. the stylized version i have yet to play, but i'm sure it'd be a good time as well.

***RATING***- 5/5

Th1rt3en - Megadeth review

finally, we have a new Megadeth album. Th1rt3en is, funnily enough, Megadeth's 13th studio release. (:p) for those who really care, bassist Dave Ellefson is back for the first album since 2001's The World Needs A Hero. personally, i'm just happy to see new Megadeth regardless of new bassist or not.

the album starts with "Sudden Death", a track previously recorded for the video game Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. "Sudden Death" wasn't originally meant to be an album track, so it's a pleasant surprise to see it get a real release other than as an iTunes single. the other previously released singles are "Public Enemy No. 1", written about the 1920's gangster Al Capone but doesn't feature Capone on the single artwork, and "Whose Life (Is This Anyways?)", which was released as a free download on Megadeth's Facebook page from October 14-16. the demo "New World Order" finally makes a studio release on Th1rt3en, after first being released in its demo state on Countdown to Extinction. the song was previously released in an early finished version on the Duke Nukem soundtrack, as well as the remastered version of Countdown.

overall, Th1rt3en is an outstanding release. it's definitely a contender for "Best Big 4 Release of 2011", behind Anthrax's Worship Music, and might even beat Rust in Peace as Megadeth's best album.

***RATING***- 5/5

An evening with Death Angel, Testament, and Anthrax

what a night it was. all three bands thrashed the Cotillion up last night. this concert is definitely one of the best i've ever seen. ever. 

not having heard of the first act, Death Angel, before this concert, i was blown away by their performance. not only did they totally blow me away, they were hanging out near the merch booth and let me have a picture with them as well as some autographs. really cool people.

the second band up, Testament, was just.....woah. that's really all i can say about their performance. Testament can really bring it.

finally, the band i really came to see: Anthrax. aside from a minor power issue they were spectacular. they played pretty much all my favorite songs. and, i picked up a signed copy of their Worship Music album. :D 

all in all, best Tuesday night i think i've ever had. i would definitely go see any of these bands play again.

American Capitalist (Deluxe Edition) - Five Finger Death Punch review

Five Finger Death Punch is one of those bands that is just hard to explain. for example, i couldn't even really think of a way to start this review other than with that sentence. they're one of the few metal bands that actually sounds good playing acoustically (if you don't believe me, look up the acoustic version of The Bleeding, off Way Of the Fist or their cover of Bad Company from War Is The Answer).

anyway, American Capitalist is what we have after the 2-year intermission from War Is The Answer. that's actually kinda funny; all their albums have a 2 year space between their releases (2007-2011). yeah, yeah, onto the review now.

American Capitalist sounds exactly like FFDP's past work. Ivan Moody's voice is impeccable as usual, the guitars and drums are tight, it's exactly what you would want from a Death Punch album. the 4 remixes on the iTunes edition aren't too shabby either. overall, it's just as solid as any of their other albums. if you're a fan of theirs, pick it up. you won't be disappointed.

***RATING***- 4/5

Scrollsaw Workshop blog review

i'm taking a break from my usual review subjects to do one over a blog that has been and continues to be a very useful place for me to visit: the Scrollsaw Workshop blog.

here, you will find video lessons on how to do different things with your saw, free software to print out patterns for keychains and nameplates (Windows only i'm afraid), but more importantly (at least to me) you will find a very good selection of free downloadable patterns. these patterns are, from what i understand, custom made by the blog's owner and are 100% free for everyone to print and use which was practically a godsend when i first got into scrollsawing and didn't know how to make patterns of my own to use.


for example, here's one of my favorite patterns that he's made; a memorial plaque for Steve Jobs:

and here's my finished cut of the pattern:

generally, his patterns are nice, easy to cut pieces. the problems with the letters you see in my finished product are from it being my first project in a few months, as well as using the wrong blade for the job.

in conclusion, the Scrollsaw Workshop blog is the best place i've found online for this hobby. it has free patterns galore as well as useful tips and advice. also, you can plug your email address into a box and have new content from the blog delivered straight to your inbox. 

the blog can be found here: Scrollsaw Workshop

Calling All Corpses - Wednesday 13 review

 

here it is. one of my most anticipated albums of the year, Wednesday 13's Calling All Corpses. i would've honestly liked to see some new Murderdolls material instead, but it's whatever. this album actually sounds similar to the Murderdolls album Women and Children Last which, of course, is a completely different sound than Wednesday's past solo works. that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it may make this a no-go for some fans. those who do say no to this album are missing out on the same Wednesday 13 lyrics they know and love all for the sake of a different backing band and Wednesday's voice sounding a bit deeper and more raspy than before.

overall, Calling All Corpses is pretty good. it may not be the same old Wednesday 13, but it is a new sound for him and it definitely works here. he even parodies The Ramones' song I Wanna Be Sedated with his song I Wanna Be Cremated. if you're a fan of any of his works, pick this one up and give it a shot.

***RATING***- 4/5