entertainment – Page 37 – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at Aliens vs. Predator #4 (1990)

June 30, 2023June 29, 2023carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1990 to take a close look at one of the more significant non-superhero crossover comic book events ever published – Aliens vs. Predator!

In my previous review, things changed for the worse for the humans as their colonial community gets overwhelmed by the presence of Aliens and Predators. Risking her own life, Machiko Noguchi does what she could to protect her constituents. Along the way, one certain Predator that was restrained and examined in the laboratory eerily decides to help the humans.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Aliens vs. Predator #4, published in 1990 by Dark Horse Comics with a story written by Randy Stradley and drawn by Phill Norwood. This is the final issue of the mini-series.

Early story

The story begins with Noguchi and Miriam flying in a Copter and right below them is the chaos composed of a cattle stampede and the ongoing conflict between Alien Xenomorphs and the armed Predators. While flying, Noguchi and Miriam spot a lone Predator climbing up a tower while fighting off several Xenomorphs chasing him unrelentingly. It turns out the said Predator was Miriam’s own patient at the laboratory and she urges Noguchi to help him.

As part of the tower separates itself, the Predator is about to fall down and the Copter piloted by Noguchi comes closer to help him. Miriam uses a communicator to help the Predator realize they are helping him. As the Predator hangs on to one part of the Copter, an Alien jumps towards the vehicle causing Noguchi to react instinctively by jerking the controls. The Copter then spins on its axis as the nearby tower collapses.

The Copter begins to fall down on the street below…

Quality

*Even as this comic book is packed with lots of action scenes, thrills, and Aliens-Predator fights, the creative team succeeded in emphasizing the narrative all throughout.*

I am delighted to say that the Stradley-Norwood duo succeeded with maintaining the high quality works of this mini-series and concluded it with impact. At the heart of the story is the theme of survival with the humans being symbolized as casualties of a raging conflict between the fully determined and instinctive Aliens and the strategic and technological Predators.

Through the protagonist Machiko Noguchi, readers will realize that as a species, humans can survive not only by having a powerful will to progress backed with focus, but also by communicating and cooperating with an intelligent non-human species that shares their traits. In this case, the non-human species I’m referring to are the Predators. That being said, the Aliens are the non-human species with limited intelligence, fully determined to hunt anyone or anything, and absolutely do not care about morals nor the existence of any species they find different from themselves. All the symbolism about the three species got portrayed powerfully and creatively throughout the story here.

As before, the plot moved at a medium pace and details are emphasized through dialogue, visuals and narrations without ever dragging the pace down. This shows how the creative team proved to be efficient with explaining the details as they focused on telling the story in ways to keep readers engaged.

I should mention that the protagonist Machiko Noguchi became even more significant in this comic book. Without spoiling the details, I can say she blossomed into a heroic figure who risks her life to help many even as she faces tremendous odds. In case you are wondering, Noguchi is NOT a rip-off of Ellen Ripley as she is the colonial overseer dedicated to the corporation. It just so happens that Noguchi shares common traits with the cinematic icon such as bravery, the refusal to give up and having the will to help others even while risking her own life. I can only imagine Ripley and Noguchi conflicting with each other if they were together under normal circumstances.

Noguchis’s short but intense union with the cooperative Predator was told very believably which added depth to the story as well as impact on the conclusion.

As this is the final issue of the mini-series, the creative team really ramped up the big-payoff to what was built up before. In fact, the final conflict here seems to show that Stradley and Norwood were aware about what made the cinematic final conflicts of Aliens (1986) and Predator (1987) entertaining and memorable to moviegoers. That being said, I can say that certain action and sci-fi elements from those movies were implemented in this comic book’s final conflict which I found really engaging, inspired and fun to read.

Conclusion

*The union between Machiko Noguchi and this particular Predator is a must-read!*

Aliens vs. Predator #4 (1990) is truly a great comic book as well as a powerful conclusion to this very significant comic book mini-series. The creative team not only told the whole storyline with great quality, a steady pace and strong engagement all throughout. It is also here where you will get to see Machiko Noguchi become very significant not only within the Aliens-Predator comic book universe of Dark Horse Comics but in sci-fi comics in general. The ending of this comic book is very powerful and served also as a big pay-off to what preceded it. This is a genuine sci-fi comic book classic!

Overall, Aliens vs. Predator #4 (1990) is highly recommended!

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Forza Motorsport (2023) all set for October 10 release on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC plus Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass

June 27, 2023June 23, 2023carlocarrasco

Finally, the much-anticipated Xbox-exclusive simulation racing game Forza Motorsport (2023) is set for a global release on October 10, 2023 on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC with availability on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass and Steam. This was announced during the recent Xbox Games Showcase 2023/Starfield Direct double feature.

To begin with, watch the official game trailer below…

To put things in perspective about what gamers can expect from Forza Motorsport (2023), posted below are selected excerpts from the official Xbox.com article written by Turn 10 Studios’ Creative Director Chris Esaki. Some parts in boldface…

Experience Over 500 Cars at Launch – As we mentioned in January, Forza Motorsport launches with 20 completely rebuilt tracks from around the world with multiple layouts, including 5 never-before-seen tracks in a Motorsport game. Each feature fully dynamic time-of-day with weather, living crowds, and tracks that rubber in and react to temperature changes.

As for the cars you’ll be racing on these tracks, Forza Motorsport starts with over 500 cars at release including modern race cars.

Wield Specialized Track Competitors in the Builders Cup Career Mode – Out-build the competition by earning over 800 performance upgrades and race our most advanced AI opponents yet in an all-new, fun and rewarding single-player campaign, the Builders Cup Career Mode.

Race the World Alongside Your Friends – Compete for the podium in Featured Multiplayer events with a race weekend inspired structure or create the racing you and your friends desire in Free Play.

*A sneak peek at the car customization.*

Online racing is safer, more fun, and more competitive with AI-powered Forza Race Regulations, tire and fuel strategy, and new driver and safety ratings.

Pre-order Forza Motorsport to Receive Early Access – Pre-order the Forza Motorsport Premium Edition and be first on the starting line with 5 days of early access beginning October 5, 2023. Xbox Game Pass members, as well as Forza Motorsport Standard Edition and Deluxe Edition players, can upgrade to the Premium Add-Ons Bundle to receive early access and all other add-on content included in the Premium Edition.

Steam players, add Forza Motorsport to your wish list starting today to be notified when pre-orders are available and follow the game to receive the latest news and announcements delivered to your Steam library.

That’s not all! A short time after the Xbox Games Showcase, Turn 10 organized a walkthrough with actual gameplay of Forza Motorsport (2023) (running on Xbox Series X at 4K resolution and 60FPS) which emphasized what gamers can expect and enjoy. You can watch it in the video below and I encourage you to watch it entirely.

I have been anticipating Forza Motorsport (2023) for a really long time now and I really am looking forward to its October 10 release. I am eager to experience Turn 10’s new approach on the career mode (level-build-dominate according to Chris Esaki) as well as enduring the thrill and suspense of simulation racing with next-generation technologies implemented complete with time-of-day changes, in-game weather effects, tire traction on varied surfaces and more.

I am looking forward to other gameplay features such as online racing, car customization, the new car mastery system, acquiring/collecting cars, racing against the promised more advanced AI, experiencing the benefits of the revamped physics and much more.

*In-game night driving as shown in the most recent trailer.*

As seen in the above Forza Motorsport (2023) gameplay presentation, Chris Esaki emphasized the relationship between the player and the car as the core concept of the single-player experience. In my view, this is a daring change compared to the typical single-player approach of racing to win in-game money to be able to customize cars and buy new cars as you make your way through. How the new approach by Turn 10 will impact simulation racing games as we know it remains to be seen.

Watch out for Forza Motorsport (2023) on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC with availability on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass and Steam on October 10, 2023. Those who have money to afford for the premium edition of the game can enjoy early access starting October 5.

In concluding this post, posted below are Forza Motorsport (2023) and Xbox-related videos for your enjoyment.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below and also please consider sharing this article to others. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. If you want to support my website, please consider making a donation. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco/.

Better than Streaming: Do you have Die Hard 4K Blu-ray in your collection?

June 23, 2023June 22, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! As you may have noticed, I am a 4K Blu-ray movie collector and I can say that I really am enjoying watching movies in 4K at the comfort of home with my Xbox Series X console as the 4K Blu-ray player.

When it comes to watching my favorite movies with the best possible video and audio qualities, I always had a grand time replaying Total Recall (1990) on 4K Blu-ray, and I can say the same with replaying the greatest Hollywood action movie ever made – Die Hard (1988)!

*This is my copy of Die Hard 4K Blu-ray.*

Back in 2021, I bought myself the 4K Blu-ray copy of Die Hard even though I already have the Blu-ray (1080p) copy. I simply wanted the best possible visuals and home entertainment experience of the classic movie that starred Bruce Willis and was directed by John McTiernan. In my life, I was fortunate to watch Die Hard in the local cinema here in the Philippines way back in 1988 and it was indeed the most thrilling in-theater experience I had as the film drew lots of reactions from all the moviegoers around me (note: this includes a standing ovation during the final conflict between John McClane and Hans Gruber) and its presentation turned out great. Simply put, Die Hard is one of my favorite movies all of time and the greatest Hollywood action movie of all.

As for Die Hard 4K Blu-ray itself, it came with the 4K Blu-ray disc, the Blu-ray disc and the digital code. I bought it online with a huge discount. Oh yes, the visuals were in native 4K resolution which I always preferred.

To put things in perspective, posted below are the technical details of Die Hard 4K Blu-ray as displayed on its Blu-ray.com page.

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265 (49.50 Mbps)

Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)

HDR: HDR10

Aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit)

Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

French: DTS 5.1

Spanish: DTS 5.1

German: DTS 5.1

Italian: DTS 5.1

Czech: Dolby Digital 2.0

Polish: Dolby Digital 5.1

Japanese: DTS 5.1

Subtitles – English SDH, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Cantonese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Mandarin (Traditional), Norwegian, Polish, Swedish

Discs – 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray Disc, Two-disc set (1 BD-66, 1 BD-50)

Digital – Digital copy expired, Movies Anywhere

Packaging – Slipcover in original pressing

Playback – 4K Blu-ray: Region free, 2K Blu-ray: Region A

*The Blu-ray disc, the 4K Blu-ray disc and the paper for the digital copy.*

In my experience watching Die Hard on 4K Blu-ray disc, I noticed there were indeed visual improvements here and there. The film was remastered in 4K and it maintained the cinematic look precisely while it had assorted visual upgrades along the way. There was also a noticeable noise reduction on moments of intense brightness, particularly the explosions (note: they are longer overly bright and their precise colors and shapes became visible) and the fluorescent lights. I also enjoyed how the colors were improved and with the improvements on clarity, the tiny visuals details that were not visible on other formats became visible in 4K.

In connection to the improved visuals, watching Bruce Willis looking so much younger and with a full head of hair turned out to be unique part of the viewing experience. Oh yes, Alan Rickman as Gruber in a fancy looking suit looks better than ever in 4K!

Indeed, watching Die Hard 4K Blu-ray is the best and definitive way to enjoy the 1988 action classic at home. Don’t settle for streaming nor the 1080p Blu-ray nor DVD. Die Hard 4K Blu-ray is the best! If you don’t have it yet in your 4K Blu-ray collection, go for Die Hard 4K Blu-ray while it is still available and currently discounted!

In case you have made up your mind, you can order a copy of Die Hard 4K Blu-ray right now by clicking https://www.amazon.com/Die-Hard-4K-Blu-ray/dp/B07BF2SPZ3?tag=bluray-051-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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A Look Back at Superman vs. Aliens #2 (1995)

June 22, 2023June 19, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1995 to examine another chapter of the Superman vs. Aliens mini-series.

In my previous retro review, an object from space on Earth and Superman (who previously as Clark Kent learned of the Kryptonian language from the signals transmitted by the object) intervened the discovery of it in the presence of Lexcorp. After much talk and an agreement, Superman went into space with one of Lexcorp’s space ships (under the watch of Dr. Kimble who leads the corporation’s space division) leaving behind Lois Lane at the space station with Kimble. Deep in space, Superman arrives and discovers a ruined city with physical signs of struggle. What he does not realize is the presence of eggs and the Xenomorphs lurking within the new environment.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman vs. Aliens #2, published in 1995 by Dark Horse Comics and DC Comics with a story written and drawn by Dan Jurgens with ink work done by Kevin Nowlan.

Early story

The story begins in space when a space ship sent home by Superman is about to collide with the space station near Earth. As one of the crew members failed to take remote control of the incoming ship, a very determined Dr. Kimble takes over the controls and eventually took command of the said ship. Lois Lane, who showed signs of self-restraint and deterioration of her professionalism as a journalist, watches. As Kimble, Lane and the crew members approach the ship at the station’s docking bay, one passenger was found dead (a Chestburster alien came out of him) while three others were still alive.

As Dr. Kimble and personnel brought the surviving passengers in the infirmary, Lois Lane takes advantage of the situation by climbing up the ship to examine it closely. She knows that without the ship, her beloved Clark Kent/Superman is stranded in space. She is completely unaware of the presence of a fully grown Xenomorph alien watching her from a dark corner.

Meanwhile at the ruined city on the other side of the galaxy, a blindfolded Superman is carefully guided by the armed Kara going to a place that has medical equipment and supplies…

Quality

*Lois Lane during her encounter with the Xenomorph inside the space station.*

This is a solid follow-up to what was established in issue #1. In this comic book, the creative team gradually raised the stakes as two sides of the story were told extensively in alternating fashion – the side of Superman and Kara in deep space, and the other side of Lois Lane and Dr. Kimble (clearly the 3^rd most important character in this mini-series) inside the space station.

As the story went on, Superman became even more vulnerable not only because he grew weaker as he has been cut off from the sun (a primary source of energy for him), but also because struggling with the aliens wore him down a lot and he still insists on avoiding any acts of killing due to what happened to him previously. As the Man of Steel became more vulnerable, Kara (who is experienced already in fighting the Xenomorphs which she referred to as the uglies) became an even more significant character (next to Dr. Kimble) and she became a highly essential partner for the icon.

Even for us readers, Kara creatively became even more engaging as she shared memories of events (note: exposition) that happened sometime prior which explains why her city got ruined and how the Aliens arrived and made her people’s problems even worse. The visualization of the said events were efficiently done for a good immersion into the past.

While the Superman-Kara thread emphasized survival facing tremendous odds, the Lois-Kimble thread became a more significant part of this mini-series as the space station became the new place for Xenomorph attacks. While Dr. Kimble remained obsessed with achieving results with scientific discoveries and corporate interests in mind, Lois Lane became the hunted similar in the style of Ellen Ripley in 1979’s Alien.

If you are looking for action, you will find a lot of them in both threads of the story. While just one Xenomorph on the space station led to some incidental action moments, a lot more action happened on Superman-Kara’s side of the story as they (along with a few human survivors on the ruined city) faced a huge horde of aliens that kept on attacking them from all sides. If you are looking for superhero spectacle, you won’t find it here as the action is more grounded with sci-fi’s interpretation of reality and Superman here is weaker and a lot more worn down physically. Then again, this is not surprising given the tone and concept the creators aimed for.

Conclusion

*Superman and Kara struggling hard as they are surrounded by lots of Aliens. One of Kara’s fellow people is present in this shot.*

Superman vs. Aliens #2 (1995) is really engaging to read and there were lots of fun moments along the way. Even as the creators were building up something for the third and final issue, they managed to pull off big pay-offs to what was built up in issue #1. While the lack of superhero-style spectacle is clear, it is not a problem at all as there is a lot of action involving the many Xenomorphs in the ruined city plus the bouts of suspense and incidental action executed during Lois Lane’s encounter with a single but deadly Alien. Considering how much fun and engagement this comic book has, it remains to be seen how the next issue will live up to it.

Overall, Superman vs. Aliens #2 (1995) is highly recommended!

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A Look Back at Spider-Man 2099 Special #1 (1995)

June 21, 2023June 18, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1995 and explore a part of the Marvel 2099 comics universe through a tale of the Spider-Man 2099 franchise.

Specifically speaking, we will examine a thick one-shot comic book about the futuristic Spider-Man simply referred to as a special. Back in those days, Marvel Comics hired the famous Brothers Hildebrandt and among the projects they worked on were varied pieces of captivating art about Marvel’s 2099 universe. In relation to this particular retro comic book review, the Hildebrandt brothers made the cover art for the special comic book which contained three standalone stories.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Spider-Man 2099 Special #1, published in 1995 by Marvel Comics with the main story “The Menace of the Man-Spider” written by Jon Peterson and drawn by Joe St. Pierre.

Early story

The story begins at 1:45 AM inside the high-tech laboratory of Synthia when the Man-Spider (a human in a monstrous form of a huge spider) causes havoc and tries to hurt the personnel inside in response to their interference of his work. One of the troubled personnel manages to call for help as the Man-Spider tries to get them.

Just as the two workers get hit by the Man-Spider’s organic green web, armored elements of the security force arrived in response to the call and one of them fires a hot at the beast’s right arm causing a serious wound. Suddenly, the Man-Spider violently jumps away smashing through a large window going into the city. The Man-Spider escapes leaving behind a mess at the laboratory including a high amount of organic web that disgusts the people back there.

Hours later at another part of the city, Spider-Man got spotted by a floating drone which declares him as under arrest under the authority of the Public Eye. Spider-Man simply kept on swinging away to another destination until he uses his organic web on the drone and hurls it to a wall and explodes into several tiny pieces. Once alone, he changes into civilian clothes as Miguel O’Hara and rushes to Synthia’s facility…

Quality

Focusing on the main story (the first story), I find this particular tale of Spider-Man of 2099 rather worthy to read even though there were some flaws here and there. Jon Peterson crafted a story that took place sometime before the 34^th issue of the original Spider-Man 2099 monthly series while reflecting what was declared in issue #8 and building up something new with it. The main story was about Spider-Man getting into eventual conflict with the Man-Spider (note: it looks like someone at Marvel decided to copy DC Comics’ Man-Bat and make something new for the Marvel 2099 franchise) who in turn is an antagonist who is deeply troubled and yet not really evil. The Man-Spider is actually a man who does not have super abilities but rather high scientific intelligence and the capabilities to alter genetics using advanced technologies. The Man-Spider is not obsessed with destroying the world or murdering people, but achieving a major breakthrough backed with good intentions.

One of the most notable weaknesses of the script written by Peterson is the emphasis that Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099, Dana and the so-called resident mad scientist Antoine have a history together since their youth. This one felt very forced and ended up being unbelievable.

Still on the world-building aspect of the story, this comic book showed a true link between the company Synthia and the gigantic Alchemax which reflects what was state in issue #8. This link between the two corporations opened up opportunities for the creators to emphasize Alchemax’s moves on securing valuable stuff for the future.

Ultimately, the main story turned out to be a good read even though there were flaws that somewhat took away credibility from its core concept. I should also state that Joe St. Pierre established a rather unique look for the Spider-Man 2099 franchise. His work here is a nice alternative opposite Rick Leonardi’s Spidey 2099 art.

While the 2^nd story of this one-shot was not worth reading at all, the final story has a unique concept exploring voyeurism in 2099 which accidentally reminded me about how social media in real life could ruin the public’s perception and people themselves.

Conclusion

*Spider-Man 2099, Dana and the Man-Spider in a dangerous situation.*

With a good enough main story, one forgetful 2^nd story and a satisfactory third story, Spider-Man 2099 Special #1 (1995) is ultimately a mixed bag. You will find variety here as well as unique takes on the futuristic Spider-Man and 2099’s society from the creators, but don’t expect great stuff. I think the most die-hard Spidey 2099 and Marvel 2099 fans will enjoy this the most.

Overall, Spider-Man 2099 Special #1 (1995) is serviceable.

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A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #385 (1994)

June 19, 2023June 15, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1994 and explore a part of the Marvel Comics universe through one of the many tales of the Amazing Spider-Man comic book series.

In my previous retro review, Spider-Man has been caught by the Jury and gets tried in a makeshift court that is so secretive, getting help from outside is impossible. The trial explored how Spider-Man, who brought the alien costume into their world which later led to the beginning of his murderous mortal enemy, is responsible for the deaths and other tragedies connected to Venom.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #385, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley. This issue marks the final chapter of a 3-part storyline between the iconic webslinger and the Jury.

Early story

The story begins with a restrained Spider-Man declared guilty and sentenced to death by the so-called court of Orwell Taylor and the Jury. Just as the team members are about to execute the webslinger, their teammate Ramshot intervenes and says that Spider-Man saves lives which is a matter of public record. Disappointed by Ramshot’s behavior, Taylor mentions their secondary mission is to obtain a weapon that might allow them to eliminate their true enemy – Venom.

Taylor then says that if Spider-Man would help them destroy the greater evil, then the court would consider commuting his sentence…

Quality

*Something unfortunate happens during the mission involving Spider-Man and the Jury.*

Considering all the drama and tension that was built up in the previous two issues, the story here is a letdown. For one thing, all the discussions about Spider-Man being responsible for the killings and violence caused by Venom lead to nowhere as the story took a turn for the bizarre concept of the hero getting spared to work with the very team that went after him. Secondly, the mission that Spidey and the Jury worked on really did not have a justifiable goal. This resulted in a disappointing turn of events. Ironically, in this comic book you will see more of Taylor’s cunning on top of his own distorted view about justice.

If there is anything notable here, it is the fact that Spider-Man’s wife Mary Jane gets a good share of the spotlight as she literally moves towards the edge in relation to the deteriorating marriage. This shows that as Spidey spends more time away to do what is good and push back against the forces of evil, his wife gets lonelier and desperate as life turns for the worse. At the very least, this comic book expresses that the marriage of Peter and Mary Jane could be doomed.

Conclusion

*This is how Mary Jane deals with loneliness and the decline in her life.*

Considering what was built up and heavily dramatized in issues #383 and #384, Amazing Spider-Man #385 (1994) is a rather weak conclusion. The way Spider-Man and the Jury parted ways felt more like sudden retreat than a real finish to what was started between them. Strangely enough, the focus on Mary Jane’s decline and desperation literally saved this comic book from becoming a creative disaster. The ending does not have much to do between Spider-Man and the Jury, but it was surprising in a crude way.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #385 (1994) is serviceable.

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Xbox-exclusive fantasy RPG Avowed to be released in 2024

June 16, 2023June 15, 2023carlocarrasco

Following the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 and Starfield Direct double feature, excitement is high for Xbox-exclusive games as well as other games coming into the Xbox Game Pass (XGP) subscription service plus the others that the 3^rd party game publishers will be releasing.

During the showcase, I was very delighted to see the gameplay trailer of Avowed, the brand-new fantasy role-playing game (RPG) from genre specialists Obsidian Entertainment (an Xbox game studio) for the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Windows PC with availability on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass and Steam. The Xbox-exclusive RPG should be released sometime in 2024.

Avowed’s recent showing is significant not only because it is the first major update in three years but also because Team Xbox and the developers showed a trailer that ran on in-game graphics and featured the first-ever gameplay clips. To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Xbox.com article written by Obsidian’s studio head Feargus Urquhart. Some parts in boldface…

Expanding the universe that we created for the original Pillars of Eternity games, Avowed brings a new perspective, a new way to fight, and a new land to explore in the world of Eora. The Pillars games are near and dear to us and we can’t wait to share Avowed with everyone next year.

In Avowed, you’ll explore the Living Lands, a plagued, wild island set in the world of Eora. The Living Lands are full of mysteries and secrets, danger and adventure, and choice and consequences.

*What comes to your mind with this view from Avowed’s fantasy world?*

Unique to the world of Eora, the Living Lands is home to bustling port towns and rolling hills adorned with weird and fantastical plant life. Every part of the Living Lands is home to its own ecosystem. Around every corner there are creatures, sentient mushrooms, or tribes of lizard-like Xaurips looking to make you their next meal…

As with all our past RPGs, the companions in Avowed play a major role in your adventure. The first companion you will find is Kai, the narrator of this gameplay trailer. Kai is a Coastal Aumaua currently residing in the Living Lands and is one of the only friendly faces you’ll find here. He is a former soldier, and his idealistic and pragmatic temperament will help guide you as you venture out into this wild frontier.

First-person combat has been a huge focus for us. We’ve incorporated a host of ways for players to fight the flora and fauna of the Living Lands. You will have swords, shields, pistols, magical spells, and more at your disposal, including the ability to dual wield, creating a vast number of combinations to choose from.

*A look at the first-person combat in the game.*

With combat so full of possibility, diversity in choice will be needed as you explore the treacherous Living Lands. Home to the Xuarips, plagued undead, and dangerous flora, this island is full of unique enemies to encounter. 

 We’re looking forward to sharing much, much more with everyone as we get closer to the release of Avowed next year.

I have reasons to be very excited for Avowed which happens to be one of the main reasons I bought an Xbox Series X and subscribed to Xbox Game Pass. In my experience as a gamer, I played past RPGs that Obsidian Entertainment made such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II on the original Xbox console, Fallout: New Vegas on the Xbox One and The Outer Worlds on the Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Whatever concept or type of gameplay they came up with, Obsidian delivered on gameplay that is fun and engaging, supporting characters that are worth remembering, and making role-playing really work.

On face value, Avowed looks inspired by Bethesda’s juggernaut RPG Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Like the old game, Obsidian’s new RPG has a first-person view and a lively fantasy setting filled with lots of characters and monsters. However, Avowed is distinct as it has the Pillars of Eternity as a fantasy foundation and the gameplay trailer shows how stylish and functional battles are. Definitely this is not a blatant rip-off of Skyrim.

While the Skyrim comparisons are raging in many gamers’ minds, it should be noted that Avowed won’t be having the open-world design for exploration. Rather, the upcoming game will have inter-connected open zones and the size of the in-game world will be comparable with those of The Outer Worlds and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II as stated by game director Carrie Patel. Her interview is included in the Xbox Games Showcase 2023 Extend video below…

While it could be disappointing to others that Avowed is looking like it will have the huge and separate maps for exploration instead of the massive open-world design, I don’t see this as a mistake since I myself have played The Outer Worlds which had separate maps that were not only huge but also dense and filled with side-quests, exploration opportunities and memorable discoveries. Take note that using the open-world format to present the in-game fantasy world would have definitely extend the development process of Avowed by at least a few more years not to mention costing a lot more money.

Now that Obsidian gave us a glimpse of the fantasy world, the conflict and moments of gameplay of Avowed during the recent Xbox Games Showcase, they will have to show us next time (note: Xbox Games Showcase 2024) more gameplay and demonstrate other aspects such as selective dialogue sequences, their approach to side quests, the tinkering and customization of weapons and equipment, and perhaps building up villages or taking over the castles occupied by enemy forces.

*Imagine yourself facing many armed and armored people responding to your presence.*

Right now, I am excited for Avowed. Here is hoping that Obsidian will be able to complete and polish the game for 2024 release. At this moment, Xbox is gradually becoming the haven for gamers who love not only fantasy RPGs but RPGs of different kinds.

In concluding this post, posted below are YouTube videos related to Avowed, Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox for you to enjoy.

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A Look Back at Superman vs. Aliens #1 (1995)

June 15, 2023June 13, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1995 to examine what was back then one of the most unthinkable comic book crossovers to ever happen – Superman vs. Aliens (also referred to as Superman/Aliens).

I remember sometime back in 1994, I bought a new superhero comic book from the local comic book retailer and what caught my attention was the print ad on the back – an Alien chestburster crashing through the iconic Superman S logo. A few of my friends who saw the same print ad chuckled at the concept of having the Man of Steel together with the monsters from the movie franchise that first started in 1979 with Ridley Scott’s Alien. Then came 1995 and eventually the first issue of the Superman vs. Aliens mini-series made it on the shelves of local comic book stores. Its cover easily attracted the attention of many and I saw the image of Superman being smaller to the Xenomorph alien in the background, the concept of the crossover started to intrigue me.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Superman vs. Aliens #1, published in 1995 by Dark Horse Comics and DC Comics with a story written and drawn by Dan Jurgens with ink work done by Kevin Nowlan.

Early story

The story begins in space when a fast moving object from nowhere heads towards Earth which was detected by a satellite of Lex Luthor’s corporation. Behind the scenes, personnel initiated an alert for a certain Dr. Kimble.

Clark Kent (Superman) and Lois Lane arrive at the headquarters of Lexcorp. It turns out they were suddenly called for by the corporation due to what happened in space. As they ride the elevator heading towards the rooftop, Clark and Lois talk about Lexcorp’s space program and Dr. Kimble who happens to lead the said program.

At the roof, they meet Dr. Cheryl Kimble and immediately ride with her in the helicopter going to a certain destination in anticipation of the probe’s estimated arrival. During the trip, Kimble reveals that they received radio signals from the incoming probe which were garbled almost unintelligible. She then plays an excerpt of the radio signals for Clark and Lois to listen to.

For Clark, he cannot help but feel shocked as he finds the audio sounding like Kryptonian…

Quality

*Superman finds a dead Facehugger alien.*

Firstly, I can say without any hesitation that the creative team succeeded in making the crossover between Superman and the Aliens believable within this very comic book. For one thing, Dan Jurgens came up with a script and visual design that radically different from what was shown in Superman comic books of the time. The script had this somewhat adulterated tone that made the comic book move away from superhero fantasy and move into the realm of cinematic science fiction. For setting the tone and the look, the creative team scored a home run.

Secondly, the script was properly structured to immerse readers with the tale initially following Superman, Lois Lane and Dr. Kimble which ultimately served as a build-up. The good news here is that readers don’t have to wait too long for the pay-off to be executed. In fact, the pay-off itself (which happens when the Man of Steel finally encounters the Xenomorph for the first time) is huge and immediately the tension and depth of the plot really shifted into high-gear which I enjoyed. Along the way, the expository dialogue or the presentation of details (to help readers understand) was nicely balanced.

Thirdly, I love the way how Dan Jurgens presented Superman as being more troubled and more vulnerable than usual. To see the American icon go into personal obsession over the Kryptonian details was a really unique way to presenting his human side. Also having Superman deep in space far away from any sun or star (the essential source for his powers) really made him truly vulnerable as he actually got weaker even before facing off with a Xenomorph. Being in a vulnerable state, you will see the Man of Steel in real danger which truly goes against type (note: being super strong and invulnerable all the time). As such, the danger of the Aliens against him is believable and intense. What I do find weird, however, is how awkward it is for me to see Superman actually trying to reason with the first Xenomorph he encounters. Of course, he has no previous knowledge about the violent nature of the Aliens but we readers – and millions of people who saw any of the movies – know better than him.

As part of the build-up, Dan Jurgens inserted details and flashbacks that recalled previous tales that were published during the early stage of the post-Crisis era of DC Comics. This not only includes Superman’s arrival on Earth but also his strategic killing of General Zod, Zaora and Quex-Ul using green Kryptonite (as published in Superman #22 of 1988). As such, Superman’s deep regret of taking life away from others serves as a build-up for his avoidance of killing in this crossover. This actually races the stakes for his upcoming encounters with the Aliens.

Even though the story is told through Superman, Dan Jurgens still had enough room to develop Lois Lane and Dr. Kimble. Kimble symbolizes the driven corporate executive who is in-charge of operations that could help her make claims on scientific discoveries and new technologies. Lois Lane here served as the intellectual opposite of Kimble without ever going into the extremes of gaining something for her journalistic career.

Conclusion

*Superman with Lois Lane and Dr. Kimble.*

Very clearly, Superman vs. Aliens #1 (1995) is indeed a great comic book as well as great opener for its mini-series. Dan Jurgens established a tale that had sufficient build-up and when the pay-off started, the crossover aspect really made the story more compelling to read. Ultimately, this one made the crossover between Superman and the Xenomorphs believable, engaging and intriguing. This comic book is a great start and I am eager to find out what happens next.

Overall, Superman vs. Aliens #1 (1995) is highly recommended!

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Better than Streaming: Do you have Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray in your collection?

June 14, 2023June 12, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back, fellow geeks, Blu-ray collectors and movie buffs! Long before he went all-in with digital filmmaking and made the Avatar movies, James Cameron made a huge impact in the sci-fi action genre with the use of practical effects when they were still the standard in Hollywood filmmaking.

After making waves with The Terminator in 1984, Cameron went on to make the sequel Aliens which became a huge success and remains a fine example of how to do sequels. To be very clear, the production of Aliens (which starred Sigourney Weaver who returned as Ellen Ripley) has a very detailed and colorful history about notable twists in Hollywood that connect it with The Terminator. As Arnold Schwarzenegger worked on a Conan sequel, production of The Terminator got delayed and along the way, Cameron – who got involved in the Alien sequel – used the extra time to make the script for Aliens (note: working title was Alien II) which was 90 pages long. That script was submitted to Fox’s then new president Larry Gordon who loved it and agreed to wait until Cameron completed The Terminator just so that he could direct Aliens.

Aliens was released in cinemas in 1986 and went on to gross over $130 million worldwide while winning mostly positive feedback from movie critics. When the film was shown on TV in 1989, a modified cut with additional scenes were shown. In 1991, the extended cut of Aliens was released on LaserDisc format and it was 20 minutes longer than the theatrical version.

In the year 2016, the 30^th anniversary celebration of the movie happened with the release of a commemorative and feature-loaded Blu-ray and it contained the movie’s two cuts!

Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray.

On face value, the Aliens 30^th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray is quite enticing to both movie fans and collectors as it contains the following content:

Theatrical Version and Special Edition of the movie (2 cuts)
NEW The Inspiration and Design of Aliens featurette
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Superior Firepower: Making Aliens
Superior Firepower: Making Aliens Enhancement
Pre-Production Galleries
- The Art of Aliens
- Gateway Station and Colony
- Vehicles and Weapons
- Aliens
Casting
- Cast Portrait Gallery
Deleted Scene Montage

Look at all that stuff you will get with Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray! (photo source – Blu-ray.com)

Personally, I love watching Aliens which in my view is among the very best works of James Cameron and also the best movie of the entire Alien/Aliens film franchise. Through the decades I saw both the theatrical version and the special edition on different formats from video tape to LaserDisc, DVD and cable TV. The movie has Sigourney Weaver’s finest performance; a story that was crafted with a lot of inspiration; it has great action scenes, stunts and a very clever presentation of showing the Xenomorphs; it has very engaging music by the late James Horner; it has several moments of suspense that effectively served as build-ups for the action or intense pay-offs that followed; it has great creature effects by Stan Winston which proved to be an evolution of H.R. Giger’s designs; the Alien Queen was made possible by James Cameron and Stan Winston and ultimately became an essential addition into the Alien/Aliens lore; and ultimately this film moved the entire Alien/Aliens movie franchise forward creatively while respecting what was established in the first movie of 1979 (directed by Ridley Scott, written by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett).

Aliens also serves as a lively look back at the actors who made nice contributions. There was the late Bill Paxton who went on to appear in more films directed by James Cameron. There was The Terminator actor Michael Biehn who joined the film as a replacement. Lance Henriksen, who also appeared in The Terminator, played the new android Bishop which led to further appearances in two other films of the Alien film franchise.

As much as I love the movie, I have yet to acquire the Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray. In the back of my mind, a 4K Blu-ray release of Aliens could be announced suddenly and I have preference for 4K Blu-ray viewing. Be aware that already there is a 4K Blu-ray version of Alien in the market and even the hugely disappointing prequel Alien Covenant has a 4K Blu-ray release. With the woke Disney company in control of 20^th Century Fox, there is no telling when will Aliens have a 4K Blu-ray version.

To know more about Aliens, watch the following videos below…

In case you are interested or if you have made up your mind, you can order a copy of Aliens 30th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray right now by clicking https://www.amazon.com/Aliens-Blu-ray/dp/B01I0K018W?tag=bluray-021-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

If you wish to join a group of movie enthusiasts and talk about cinema, visit the Movie Fans Worldwide Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/322857711779576

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Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct Double Feature all set this Sunday (Monday in Asia)

June 9, 2023June 8, 2023carlocarrasco

It is that time again for Xbox fans and gamers to get excited as the Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct Double Feature will happen this Sunday June 11 (Monday June 12 in Asia) and viewers will get to watch it on multiple channels.

To begin with, Team Xbox announced that the two showcases will be streamed live via the online channels below…

Not only that, those who want to watch the streams in 4K resolution at 60FPS should head on to YouTube.com/Xbox and YouTube.com/Bethesda. There will also be multi-language support in the forms of subtitles.

What to expect? Based on the recent tweets by Xbox Games Marketing executive Aaron Greenberg, the Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct will combine for roughly two hours non-stop games and it will all be about games. There won’t be any movie trailers to disrupt the double feature. Look at the tweets below…

Already, it has been confirmed that there will be no CGI-trailers about Team Xbox’s games at the two showcases. Personally, I prefer to see gameplay footage showing how the upcoming games function and how they could turn out fun. When it comes to showing story cutscenes, using gameplay graphics is more preferrable to me.

What video games to expect from Team Xbox? While it is inevitable to me that they will show the promised 2023 exclusives Forza Motorsport (2023) and Bethesda’s highly anticipated Starfield, I can only speculate that Phil Spencer and his team will give fans big updates (note: to be showcased visually, not just mere announcements) about other Xbox-exclusives such as Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (read my article), the new Fable role-playing game (RPG), the fantasy RPG Avowed from Obsidian Entertainment (read my last article of Avowed), and possibly State of Decay 3 from Undead Labs. While it is possible that the troubled Xbox-exclusives Everwild and the Perfect Dark reboot could also be shown, I’m not confident about them. I also do not expect anything to be shown about Hideo Kojima’s Xbox project nor the other exclusive game Contraband.

I am anticipating that a final release date for Forza Motorsport (2023) will be announced, and the same should happen with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (possibly late-2023 or early 2024). Avowed, if its development has progressed a lot since the first announcement, could be announced for 2024 and it should help satiate gamers’ demand for the epic open-world fantasy RPG experience of the Elder Scrolls game franchise. In my view, the Elder Scrolls VI is still years away from getting released. As for Fable, it could be shown but without a release date.

Starfield will have its very own showcase immediately after that of Xbox. That being said, I am anticipating a very in-depth gameplay demonstration of the game, some more bits about its story and core concept, and hopefully there will be options for gamers to play the game in 30FPS and 60FPS with varying resolutions. I personally want to play Starfield on my Xbox Series X console in 60FPS. I hope they will show more space battles which I think will add more variety to the gameplay as a whole. We will find out soon from Bethesda and Todd Howard on Starfield Direct.

When it comes to the Gears of War franchise, I’m not really anticipating a new Gears sequel. What would be more doable, in my opinion, is Team Xbox revealing a Gears Tactics sequel which should delight fans of the 2020 game as well as gamers who love playing turn-based tactics games. For me, the time is right to announce a new Gears Tactics game!

*In my view, the time is right for a Gears Tactics sequel to be unveiled while gamers worldwide endure the long wait for the next Gears of War game.*

As for games from other companies that could be part of the Xbox Games Showcase, I am anticipating an appearance and updates about Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes in terms of new gameplay and hopefully a final release date within 2023 (note: this Japanese RPG will also launch on Xbox Game Pass). Very recently, Japan-based developer Rabbit & Bear Studios posted updates about the game on social media which just might mean there will be a possible appearance on the showcase. Take note that Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes’ inclusion on Xbox Game Pass is significant and this weekend’s online event is the best opportunity to promote it and make both XGP subscribers and JRPG fans excited.

There is the possibility that Konami could show Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars and announce a firm release date for 2023. The showcase is also a great opportunity for Konami to promote the classic games to a worldwide audience and finally start executing their marketing plans that should excite Suikoden fans as well as gamers who love JRPGs.

When it comes to dream scenarios (note: the unlikely) that could really make waves if they ever happen at the Xbox showcase, that would be Capcom showing a big-budget remake of Dino Crisis (comparable to what they did with Resident Evil 2, 3 and 4) as well as announcing remastered versions of Breath of Fire RPGs for release on modern consoles plus Xbox Game Pass. I understand Capcom has its very own games showcase scheduled for the next day but the Xbox showcase is still a great opportunity to make waves with gamers worldwide. More wild scenarios? That would SEGA announcing the next Virtua Fighter game or a fully remastered Shining Force III (with all three chapters together), 2K Games revealing XCOM 3 (note: it’s been seven years since XCOM 2) plus Square Enix actually announcing a remastered version of Xenogears (note: this year marks the 25th anniversary of the game).

At this stage, we can only wait and see what will happen next. Team Xbox should show more games related to the latest Xbox Game Studios Publishing developments and other deals they made with developers – both the big and the smaller independent ones – so far. Not only that, there has to be something new and ready to be revealed from Team Xbox’s game studios such as Compulsion Games, inXile Entertainment and others. The excitement and suspense are building up!

Watch out for the games, the exciting stuff and big announcements at the Xbox Games Showcase and Starfield Direct Double Feature this weekend!

In concluding this article, posted below for your enjoyment are Xbox-related videos.

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