“State Property 2”: Watching this sequel is like doing time
“State Property 2” picks up where the first film left off, with Beans (rapper Beanie Sigel) serving hard time in a penitentiary for attempted murder.
Category: Reviews
Bigger is the name of the game for 2005
With 2005 just one day away, we look ahead to what’s in store for the videogaming industry. It’s going to be a busy year. With the introduction of its PSP, Sony will be making a bold move to break Nintendo’s domination of the handheld market. And fans of popular games such as “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” will be pleased to learn their favorites finally will be available on other platforms.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
While 2004 has been a strong year for video games, it’s one of the latest releases that has truly made an impact on me. Regular readers of this column won’t be surprised to learn that my pick for game of the year is Rockstar’s “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.”
Game Zone: The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II–The Sith Lords, Crash ‘N’ Burn
The idea is to race cars and crash your competitors out of the race. Simple idea. Simple game. Unfortunately, there’s nothing more than that.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
Believe it or not, the extended DVD version of “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”–which clocks in at a solid 4 hours and 10 minutes — doesn’t feel any longer than the film everybody saw at the multiplex. In stores today, the DVD includes 50 extra minutes of never-before-seen footage added into the original theatrical release, which won 11 Academy Awards.
Series DVDs a great way to catch up with favorites
No matter how many television series are available in syndication, there are some shows you just want to have on DVD to watch any time you please. Some (“Nip/Tuck”) are new. Others, like “The Simpsons,” have been around a while. And then there are faves that have bid farewell (“Friends”). I’ve compiled a list of television shows that are DVD must-haves, whether for yourself or for that perfect holiday gift.
Series DVDs a great way to catch up with your favorites
No matter how many television series are available in syndication, there are some shows you just want to have on DVD to watch any time you please. You can catch up with all the action of the third season of “Alias” starring Jennifer Garner on the “Alias: The Complete Third Season” DVD.
The videogames everyone wants for the holidays
Video games aren’t just for kids anymore. The Entertainment Software Association’s most recent data shows the average age of gamers is 29. While many games still are marketed for the kiddies, video gaming these days is hardly child’s play.
Confident Driver sings own words on first album
Minnie Driver knew that when she released her debut album, “Everything I’ve Got in My Pocket,” some would be quick to dismiss her as just another actor-turned-wannabe-singer.
Tony Hawk’s Underground 2
When it’s all said and done, you’ve got to give your props to Tony Hawk. Though the extreme athlete is getting a little long in the tooth (dude, he’s in his 30s!), he’s got a nice little franchise going with his eponymous skateboarding videogames.
Lori Petty’s shirts shout truth and beauty
Lawd knows Lori Petty’s a busy woman. She’s an actress, painter, director and writer. But that hasn’t stopped the quirky actress from adding designer to her list of credits. Best known for her work in “A League of Their Own” and “Point Break,” Petty has a year-old line of casual wear called Lawd Knows that reflects her inspirational side.
Game Zone: Mario Pinball Land, Law & Order: Justice is Served, X_Men Legends
Doing Dong! Unless you haven’t watched TV in the last few years, you’re probably familiar with the foreboding two-note intro that starts every episode of “Law & Order” and its spin-offs. The latest in the “Law & Order” PC game franchise takes you into the world of an Anna Kournikova-ish tennis star who is found dead the day before she’s supposed to play at a big tournament.
Wanda Sykes: A reality series, movies, a new book, a tour: This actress keeps busy fitting fun ideas into her schedule
While thousands of would-be actors toil away as waiters waiting for their big break, Wanda Sykes is sauteeing veggies in a Chinese restaurant, driving athletes around in a limo and snapping photos of a couple at their wedding. Of course, it’s all part of her reality Comedy Central series, “Wanda Does It,” in which the sassy comedic actress tackles non-showbiz jobs.
“Woman, Thou Art Loosed”
Filmgoers are taken into the mournful world of a woman who never had a chance in “Woman, Thou Art Loosed.” Michelle Jordan’s God-fearing mother resented her for being around, while her “Uncle” Reggie enjoyed having her around all too much, making life at home even seedier than the strip club in which she would later work. As she later tells a childhood friend, “That ain’t my home. It’s just a place where part of me is buried.”
“Bachelorman”: The art — and laughter — of the chase
Ted Davis is the ultimate player. He’s cute, but not too good-looking. He’s charming without being overly smooth. As he notes early in “BachelorMan,” Ted knows he’s not God’s gift to women, but is just optimistic enough to think they’re God’s gift to him.
“Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence”: Beautiful ‘Innocence’ lost in mind games
“If our gods and our hopes are nothing but scientific phenomena, then it must be said that our love is scientific as well.” With that quote from Auguste Villiers de L’Isle-Adam’s novel L’Eve Future, so begins the beautifully animated but excessively philosophical “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence.” The sequel to 1995’s “Ghost in the Shell” — which was one of the most successful anime films of all time — “Innocence” is ambitious and gorgeous to look at, but is so lacking in humanity that at times it is almost painful to watch.
Game Zone: Tales of Symphonia, In-Fisherman Freshwater Trophies, Kim Possible 2: Drakken’s Demise
Kim Possible is kind of a mix between Sabrina the teenage witch and Buffy the vampire slayer. Cute, perky and very athletic, this cartoon character is a popular high school cheerleader by day and a crime fighter at night.
Doom 3
“Doom 3” is not for the faint of heart. Nor is it particularly subtle. But if you like films such as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Nightmare on Elm Street” or even those “Alien” flicks, you’ll probably get a kick from this well-worn franchise.
Game Zone: Catwoman, Splinter Cell, Karaoke Revolution
“I’ve been playing this game called ‘Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles’ a lot with my GameCube these past days. It’s actually the first game that lets you use the Game Boy Advance as a controller. It’s very nifty — you can use it to see maps, status, lists, and stuff like that while you play with other people. ” — Sebastien Lefebvre of Simple Plan, part of Saturday’s Warped Tour show at the Tweeter Center
Jessica Simpson pulls out all the pop cliches
There were moments in Jessica Simpson’s concert that seemed to come straight out of a teen pop version of “This Is Spinal Tap.” Some, like the opening vignette where she pretended to lose her way from the dressing room to the stage, were intentional. But there were other moments, probably heartfelt ones, that instead came across as parody.