Video Game Review: Injustice: Gods Among Us

Since its release early this week, I've been relentlessly playing "Injustice: Gods Among Us" - Warner Bros. Games and NetherRealm Studios' latest effort in bringing characters from DC Comics into the fighting game realm. Developed by the makers of Mortal Kombat and featuring popular heroes and villains from the DC Universe, I didn't expect much from the brawler save for nods to established comic book characters and a lot of fan service where your favorites duke it out with style and punishment. I'm happy to say that the game is certainly MORE than just that, and it's easily a candidate for "Game Of The Year" when the time comes to decide your picks come end of 2013.

Word to the wise for those jumping in to this review - The game contains a lot of references and nods to certain storylines longtime DC readers know and love well, so consider this your SPOILER ALERT before continuing on with my review of this fantastic game featuring the world's greatest superhumans. I'm also going to weigh down things based on personal preference and fandom alone, so the opinions here may not necessarily reflect what is being said by others and elsewhere.

And with that disclaimer aside, here are my thoughts on INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US.

Movie Review: Oblivion

Going on its second week and playing conventional and IMAX theaters, the film known as "Oblivion" carries a lot of themes that buffs of the Science Fiction genre will easily recognize. Set in the near future where the planet Earth is a mere shadow of its former self, Hollywood actor and action man Tom Cruise stars as Commander Jack Harper - a mechanic and drone repair man in the near future who is forced to question his reality when truths about his life and Earth surface. I saw the film last week in IMAX, and it's definitely got something to show for the summer list of movies for 2013.

Special thanks again goes to Solar UIP and Universal Pictures for for the screening!

InstaBat Photography #2 - The Sonar Detective

Inspired by the Batsuit's capabilities in Christopher Nolan's epic second installment of the The Dark Knight Trilogy that is "The Dark Knight", I decided to make a shot using this awesome Christmas Ornament for The Dark Knight Rises given to me by my friend and Justice PH teammate Gerard "Superman".

The pose alone is epic enough.

Even with the grainy shot taken with an iTouch, the grainy result gave Batman his distinct "White Eye" look, so I took advantage of that and decided to go with the Sonar theme, hence "The Sonar Detective".

InstaBat Photography #1 - The Brave Guardian

It's April Fools Day today, and beyond the pranks and jokes, I decided to start something old and new again.

In light of my continuos use of Instagram, I've decided to put up an "InstaBat Photography" theme that'll run and go for as long as possible. The theme is quite simple - Using Batman related items, or in this case toys, and shoot them and post at Instagram as necessary to share fandom and joy to fellow Caped Crusader enthusiasts.

And here's Instabat Photography #1 using a Batman - The Brave and The Bold collectible I got in Jollibee a while back. The piece is aptly titled "The Brave Guardian".

More to come soon, and check out more using the hashtag #InstaBatPhotography or my Instagram.

Movie Review: G.I.Joe: Retaliation

As a kid of the 80's, I've been lucky enough to enjoy and appreciate most of the cartoons and TV serials of that time, which have gone on to become legendary shows in popculture history. Two that quickly come to mind as definitive childhood moments of the era are G.I.Joe: A Real American Hero and The Transformers. Both properties belong to Hasbro, and have sold commercially well thanks to its humble beginnings as toys and action figures, later on expanding its reach thanks to the aforementioned animated series and comic book tie-ins released by Marvel. Decades later, these franchises have stood the test of time, evolving into recognizable brand names and even getting their own live action feature films.

While Transformers was the first to get its own movie and inevitably spawn two sequels, The Joes and their mortal enemy Cobra soon followed with their own live action flick - G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra. An origin flick serving to establish the franchise for a new generation, the film starred the likes of Channing Tatum as Conrad "Duke" Howser, Dennis Quaid as General Hawk, Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as The Doctor/ Cobra Commander, and Ray Park as Snake Eyes. Directed by Mummy director Stephen Sommers, the film was pretty far from the source material, but still managed to entertain and pick up some good numbers to warrant a sequel. Hence, G.I. Joe: Retaliation was given the greenlight, with Jon M. Chu directing it and starring the likes of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Bruce Willis.

Did it succeed and do better than its predecessor? Find out with this review.

UPDATE: Special Thanks again goes to Solar UIP, Paramount Pictures, Hasbro, and ToySoldier OneEighteen for the special advanced screening last March 25th at SM North EDSA IMAX at the RP!!!