Mr. Universal's Blog

Let's get one thing straight. No modern stand-up comedian (barring the inconsistent Chris Rock) is fit to even lick the bootstraps of Richard Pryor. NONE. NADDA. ZIP. If we can all agree to this upfront, the following news should hit longtime fans with all the force of a hydrogen bomb. Rumored, denied, and now made absolutely and gloriously official, Eddie Murphy is set to star in a biopic based on the life of one of stand-up comedies most iconic figures, EW.com is reporting.

Written and directed by Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters, Dreamgirls), Richard Pryor: Is It Something I Said? is a $25 million dollar production that will see Murphy waive his typically high fee to play his idol, Richard Pryor. Sources indicate that the film will cover the comedian's private and public life, as well as a significant role for fellow legend, Red Foxx. Fans will remember Murphy's (in)famous impersonation of Pryor in the hilarious 1987 stand-up RAW, which is a must-see if you haven't already.  Murphy, Pryor, and Foxx all starred together in the atrocious film Harlem Nights, also directed by Murphy.

Scheduled to hit theaters in 2010, will this be the one that brings Eddie Murphy his long-wanted Oscar glory? He was nominated for his outstanding performance in 2006's Dreamgirls, also directed by Condon. Regardless, rarely has an actor been so perfectly matched his subject, so let's hope this turns out well. If not, there's always more fat suits that won't wear themselves...

Fun Bonus!  Apparently, the entire film RAW is up and running on HULU.com, so keep reading to see the whole thing for yourself.  Warning - this is 1980s Eddie Murphy, so be prepared!!

True story - it's been less than 24 hours since I picked up the last of four Classic Controllers for the Wii (this one a gift) and Nintendo goes and announces a new version is in the pipeline.  Wonderful.  But if you'll take a gander at the first image of the Classic Controller Pro just above, you'll noticed that the console's most 'standard' controller has gone through a few substantial changes.

Added are gripped edges, as well as two additional shoulder buttons (replacing the diminuative ZL/ZR tic tacs of the original). and what looks like extra spacing between the two analog sticks, and the cord (still no wireless?) now comes out the top.  All this gives the Classic Controller Pro a very similar appearance to a certain Sony version (*cough* DualShock 3 *cough*), but a highly respectful change if I ever saw one and one more thing I'll be picking up upon its release.  At this rate I'll be needing an entire bookcase just for my Wii accessories, but here's one I won't mind one bit.  No word yet on pricing or release date, but all chatter points to "Summer 2009".

Source: Nintendo of Japan

For the fourth time since its launch in the territory, the Xbox 360 has outsold its main competitors and became the best-selling home console in Japan.  Buoyed by the recent launch of the highly-anticipated RPG Star Ocean 4: The Last Hope Microsoft was able to outsell both the Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3 by several thousand units, topping the home console market with 25,334 units.  The Wii continues to slide in its home country, selling just 16,973 for one of its lowest weekly tallies yet and just edging out the PlayStation 3 at 16,149 units.  The DSi and PSP continue to dominate the Japanese market, selling 41,839 and 29,552 units respectively.

The Xbox 360 has previously topped its current-generation competitors in the region, typically following the release of similarly anticipated titles.  The three previous helpers were Ace Combat 6, Tales of Vesperia, and Infinite Discovery.  The current generation Xbox 360 has proven that Japanese gamers are willing to support Microsoft's console, provided the software they want is available.  Kudos to Microsoft for the great showing, and the full chart of this week's tallies are listed below (courtesy MediaCrate):

* Nintendo DSi - 41,839
* PSP - 29,552
* Xbox 360 - 25,334
* Wii - 16,973
* PlayStation 3 - 16,149
* Nintendo DS Lite - 9,975
* PlayStation 2 - 5,029 

Sony announced a career milestone this week as the company's premier console download and gaming service now has 20 million registered PlayStation Network accounts worldwide. Spanning both the PlayStation 3 and PSP platforms, these numbers represent an uptake of over 6 million new account registrations since November of last year, and the largest single gain of new registrations since the service launched in November of 2006.  Great news for the free service, which has made significant gains and updates as of late, particularly in light of Microsoft's 17 million Xbox Live userbase.

Sony was also quick to point out that over 600 titles are now available on the service, as well as over 14,500 different items of digital content for your downloading pleasure across the two consoles. Over 380 million pieces of content have been downloaded between the PlayStation 3 and PSP's combined 70 million userbase, generating over $180 million in revenues. The company also pointed out that since debuting its public beta last December, PlayStation Home has attracted over 4 million users, while Life with PlayStation has gained more than 2.6 million users.

Scores of blurry images and sneaky photos didn't lie as Microsoft makes their mystery Xbox 360 console official.  But its better than that, as the company has opted for a very Sony-like position and have molded the crimson console into a celebration of Resident Evil 5.

The Red Xbox 360® Resident Evil Limited Edition is stuffed to the gills with Capcom goodness, packaged with the upcoming horror-sequel Resident Evil 5, 120 GB hard drive, Resident Evil 5 theme (downloadable), and a digital copy of Super Street Fighter 2: HD Remix for $399.  The console will be limited-edition, hitting stores March 13th, the same day Resident Evil 5, and will be produced in limited quantities.

To help kick off a bright, wonderful new week Capcom is unveiling a bright, wonderful new game!  Last week the company promised a 'new game debut trailer' exclusively on Xbox Live, and today they've delivered.  Lost Planet 2 is coming and it looks like a doozy.  Set ten years after the events of the first game and featuring all sorts of new locales (the trailer shows off forests, cooperative play, and new gameplay elements).  Resident Evil 5 producer Jun Takeuchi takes the producing reigns from Keiji Inafune.

Will this be an Xbox 360 timed exclusive once more, or will the final game hit multiplatform on Day 01?  Not much else is known at this time, but the full Lost Planet 2 trailer is available on Xbox Live for your downloading pleasure.  Snatch it up!

The original Donnie Darko isn't the first movie you might think needs a sequel, but that's exactly what we'll be getting when S.Darko hits DVD/Blu-ray on April 28th.  Following the adventures of Donnie's younger sister (Jake Gyllenhall is nowhere to be seen, but often referenced) Samantha Darko, it looks as if the existential vibe and freaky tone of the first has been retained.  Directed by Chris Fisher with Daveigh Chase returning as the now-teenage Samantha, this should be something for fans to look forward to...even if the bunny is/isn't in the final cut.

Check out the first trailer for S.Darko for yourselves right HERE!

Grand Theft Auto returns to 2D (sort of) with the release of Chinatown Wars for the Nintendo DS.  Rockstar has plenty riding on this one, as it could possibly portend the future of Mature-rated content for Nintendo's portable and beyond.  Plus, packing in the franchise's complex and incredibly deep gameplay onto the dual-screened champ is something of a miracle in and of itself.  Have they succeeded?  Check out the first footage above and get ready to decide for yourselves when the game hits retail March 17th!

Now here's a numbers game that might get you fired up.  Last May it was revealed that Nintendo's ex-Chairman Hiroshi Yamauchi had become Japan's richest man, primarily due to a surging price on the company's stock and explosive growth of the Japanese yen.  Nearly a year later the country has seen its worst financial crisis in decades, mirroring the global recession that's turned many a fortune upside down and in some cases erased them.  Yamauchi wasn't impervious to the trend, as the latest figures from Bloomberg is reporting that compiler Forbest has him falling from Japan's richest to Japan's third richest.

Clothing retailer Tadashi Tadai (#6 last year) takes the top spot from Yamauchi, while pachinko gambling czar Kunio Busujima (#3 last year) moves up to second place.  Yamauchi's net worth was also affected greatly by the country's recession, falling from 7.8 billion (US) to 4.5 billion (US).  While this represents a 42% drop from last year, its still quite an enviable position to be in and a nice way to enjoy retirement from the company he controlled for nearly 53 years.  The full list of Japan's Top Ten richest men is listed below:

01. Tadashi Yanai: $6.1 billion
02. Kunio Busujima: $5.2 billion
03. Hiroshi Yamauchi: $4.5 billion
04. Akira Mori: $4.2 billion
05. Masayoshi Son: $3.9 billion
06. Eitaro Itoyama: $3.7 billion
07. Hiroshi Mikitani: $3.6 billion
08. Nobutada Saji: $3.5 billion
09. Hiroko Takei: $2.8 billion
10. Takemitsu Takizaki: $2.4 billion

OK all you nearly 100 million Nintendo DS owners, are you ready to buy your love all over again?  Nintendo has just announced the US release of their next DS console, and to get you excited they've also released what is possibly the happiest commercial I've ever seen.  Yes, I said happy (that music could save the world).  Full 'o features and other necessary tidbits of Nintendo DSi joy, get up and feel great while being marketed to!

I'm going to let you discover this one on your own, because that's the first thought that zinged through my head when I sat through the debut trailer for The Boat That Rocked.  Richard Curtis, one of the minds behind Black Adder and Mr. Bean heads up a stellar cast that includes Bill Nighy, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Emma Thompson, and (thank goodness) Nick Frost in a period piece that looks stellar.  Check out the debut trailer just above, and the film hits English theaters April 3rd.

But what about a North American release?  Oh, you know its coming...!

Capcom's been quite the oddball when it comes to announcing new games recently.  At times they're expected (Resident Evil 5), unexpected (Street Fighter IV), and sometimes just out of left field (Mega Man 9).  But they've continued to win over fans with a healthy mix of old and new, and who  knows what's in store when they make their next game announcement in a trailer exclusively debuting on Xbox Live next Monday.

No word yet if the game will be exclusive to Microsoft's console (or even if the trailer itself is just a timed-exclusive), but the list of possibilities is almost endless, given how many properties the company has in their back catalog.  While I'd love to see a new Strider, Ghost and Goblins, or even Darkstalkers (make it so!), it could just as well be something completely original.  That's just how they roll, and that's why I'll be glued to the Xbox 360 come Monday.

Killzone 2 is inarguably the biggest title to hit the PlayStation 3 since, well, since Metal Gear Solid 4 touched down last year.  It goes without saying that Sony's monster machine needs a genuine - and exclusive - hit badly, and it looks like they're getting one in the much-anticipated sequel.  Behold the debut trailer, which holds far more secrets than its bullet-chasing scenario might suggest.  So sayeth Scott Steinberg over at PlayStation.blog:

"At the risk of stating the obvious - the Killzone 2 engine is phenomenally powerful. To offer you some insight into the technology behind this game, we will release a playable version of this in-engine ad vignette on the PlayStation Network coming in March. You'll be able to control the camera and hear director commentary on how the production was completed using only the game's technology. The project codename is "Killzone in 4-D" - hope you can check it out."

...an interactive commercial?  I'm totally onboard with the idea, and can't wait to see how the thing controls in March.  Yes, the entire preview up above will be under your control, which sounds mighty game-changing.  Until then, looks like you'll have to 'make due' with the game, which hits the PlayStation 3 next week.

Not ten seconds after we reported that EA has made Dead Space Extraction official does a trailer find its way online...imagine that!  Courtesy of those kindly folk over at Joystiq, there isn't much to see here...but it looks like in-game footage.  More important, it looks GOOD.  We'll make sure to post more as it becomes available, but until then enjoy the first official trailer!

To check out the official announcement, head on over to Popzara Press right HERE!

Over the past week Fox Studios have been teasing Wolverine fans with specially-crafted snippets at the upcoming XMEN Origins: Wolverine film, due May1st.  What makes these clips so special is how much story and depth they reveal, unusual marketing for a superhero movie.  Those fans of Hugh Jackman's portrayal of the famous Marvel character might be surprised to see just how far back their favorite mutant goes...but I won't spoil the fun.

So keep reading to see all three mini-spectaculars, which we've got for you right after the jump, courtesy of our friends over at TrailerAddict.com!  What are you waiting for...?

It looks as if the long-held dream of many a young boy who grew up in the 1980s is about to come true, as Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to join the growing cast of action heroes in Sylvester Stallone's next film, The Expendables!  AICN is reporting (because that's what they do) that Arnie isn't just joining, but playing HIMSELF - as Govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger, with ties to Sly's fictional character Barney Ross.  Shooting will be a one-day only affair, with intentions to get the govenor's scene on celluloid quickly.

If true, this will make The Expendables truly something worth watching, or at least worth watching for.  Schwarzenegger would join Sylvester Stallone (who's also directing), Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Jason Stathem, and Mickey Rourke on this Dream Team of action films.  Rumor has it that Jean Claude van Damn was offered a role, but turned it down to star in the upcoming Bloodsport 2.  No word yet if either Steven Segal or Chuck Norris has been contacted... The film is slated to hit theaters next year!

Despite the global recession that's currently crushing dreams and ruining lives, Microsoft seems intent on pushing forward with investment opportunities and buying up technological innovation. On that list is Israeli start-up company 3DV Systems, which has developed a slew of interactive imaging technology that Microsoft desperately wants to call their own - for a cool $35 million.

Like Sony's EyeToy peripheral (and quite unlike the company's own Vision Cam), the tech developed by 3DV allows users to control graphical interfaces via gestures alone - unlike Nintendo's Wii, which uses a variety of peripherals to get the job done.  Some have already suggested that Microsoft could use the tech in future upgrades to their own Xbox 360 console, which already saw a mid-cycle software upgrade last year in the form of the well-received New Xbox Experience (NXE).

Or perhaps there are broader, more ambitious plans for the motion-sensing tech, including gesture-based movements for the upcoming Windows 7 operating system, which has already been linked to the company's touchscreen displays in Microsoft Surface.

For more information on 3DV, why not head over to the official website at www.3dvsystems.com.

Shalom to Haaretz.com!

I spy with my little eye James Corden and Mathew Horne, who eagle-eyed viewers will know better as the two male leads in the British TV comedy Gavin & Stacy.  So what are they doing in a R-Rated comedy about (you guessed it) Lesbian Vampire Killers?  Who knows, but if they're hoping for a piece of that Shaun of the Dead pie, than I'm all for it.  This actually looks terrific, and if Simon Pegg and Nick Frost can make the trip over the pond, so should Corden and Horne.  Bring 'em on!

Anyone remember that classic line from last Summer's Tropic Thunder, the one where Robert Downey Jr. exclaims, "I'm the dude playing a dude disguised as another dude!"  That's kinda how I feel about the upcoming Dragonball Evolution: The Movie.  Go even further with Dragonball Evolution: The Game, which has its first trailer hitting online.  Never been much a fan of the series (although love Toriyama, if that saves me), but I think I know how fans are feeling just about now.

Its coming for the PSP, for what its worth, and looks absolutely hilarious.  Enjoy!

 

In case you haven't heard, there's a new Street Fighter live-action film coming out.  Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li, with Smallville's Kristin Kreuk taking the flesh reigns from Ming-Na Wen (1994 movie if you must know).  With the new game burning up the Japanese charts, it seems Ms. Kreuk has been making the Japanese (game) media circuit, posing for all sorts of cute pictures and convincing legions of Chun Li fans she's the real deal.  But is she...?

You'll have to make up your own minds, but included in this post are some handy links to Famitsu Magazine and GameWatch, where absolutely no knowledge of Japanese is required to...enjoy...what's on full display.  Here's a helpful piece 'o advice from your friendly World Warrior fan - Famitsu brings the real, while GameWatch brings the funny.

Famitsu Chun Li Coverage
GameWatch Chun Li Coverage

Since it began as the lone delivery service of the Virtual Console- later WiiWare - platform, Nintendo has maintained the most consistant and updated weekly library of downloadable games of all current-generation consoles.  But this week, in honor of Presidents Day, is throwing a big surprise to fans.  Aside from the two already available titles (Evasive Space for WiiWare, Life Force for VC), a surprise game has yet to be announced and will make the roster later today.  Here's the official word:

We can't tell you the secret just yet but maybe we'll offer you some hidden clues. From AZ to NC, if you're a fan, your applause could rattle your walls, windows, door. You might enjoy this news whether you live in a brick house or Vanderbilt dorm. Even people living along Route 286 in rural Pennsylvania ought to be excited. It'll feel like a bunch of birthday greetings and, really, who could ask for more?

So much for exclusivity.  If you're one of the many PlayStation 3 owners anxiously pining for Sony's much-anticipated Killzone 2 (demo), then you're wait is over.  Sure, you could have reserved a copy at Gamestop, but why take the easy route when there are multiple needlessly complicated methods instead?

The first of course is the Madonna Method - simply trick your PS3 into thinking its British by creating a new PSN account, filling in the requisite address information as Merry Old England and what have you.  After logging in you'll be able to access the European PlayStation Store and download all you like (also look for the PSP demo for Resistence: Retribution while you're at it).

Even more fun is Sony's adherence to their Home service.  PlayStation.blog is reporting that Home users who log into their accounts might spot a few Helghast soldiers roaming around, and they're handing out a very limited number of Killzone 2 demo codes.  I'll take the European route, thanks enough, although how Sony could botch the staggered demo-release to what could potentially be their biggest game is mind-boggling.  The full game hits retail next week...its your choice.

Despite what the internet may lead you to believe, hardcore (and often disgruntled) Star Wars fans are rarely that important.  Much of their nonsensical, childish whining is directly negated by the simple fact they are often the most rabid consumers of all-things Star Wars.  Factor in the record-breaking sales and merchandising figures the saga keeps posting year after year, despite the increasingly loud peanut gallery of disenchanted fans, and you've got a genuine case for epic failure.  Which is what makes watching the debut trailer for the documentary 'The People vs. George Lucas' so cringe-worthy...

The official website describes this one as "paying tribute to the YouTube culture" and promises to be "one of the most original, entertaining, cinematic, and widely anticipated portraits in the history of the medium".  Well, they're ambitious, I'll give you that.  Check out the trailer for yourselves, and for more info stop by the official website over at www.peoplevsgeorge.com.

Its certainly taken awhile, but the amazing World of Goo has finally hit the Linux platform!  What makes this conversion so extra-special, aside that Linux is hardly a platform known for mainstream gaming, is that more people can now experience one of this generation's very best games.  Totally original, completely satisfying and more brilliant than you might think, 2D Boy's incredible blobular masterpiece is one glob of love butter that needs spread around.

Check out our official impression of World of Goo right here, and all you Linux users can download the game for yourselves by clicking over to the official site right HERE!

After years of anxious waiting and countless shilling (guilty as charged), Capcom's return to Street Fighter has been met with much success in Japan.  First day sales of Street Fighter IV have been pegged at 86,000 copies, with the PlayStation 3 leading the pack with 58K, and the Xbox 360 playing follow-up with 28K.  Reports have these figures coming just short of Soul Calibur's stellar 92,000 first-day sales across both platforms (although the PS3 version of SFIV beats the PS3 version of SC4 by 1,000 units), but well ahead of the last edition of Virtua Fighter V at 42K.

Sign 'o the times, or just a first-day fluke?  Stay tuned to see how Capcom's return to the World Warrior set after a ten year absence plays out in its homeland.  But the real battle will be North America, which has always accepted Ryu & Company as adopted sons, and hits our shores next week.

Tiger Uppercuts to PS3center.net!

Not going to write much here, as this bootlegged trailer is likely to be pulled fairly soon.  Let's just say its the second trailer for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, playing in front of the all-new Friday the 13th (movie) and has lots and lots of explosions.  Things blow up really good, and nobody looks like they're having a good time.  Sounds like fun!  Get it before its gone...

Watchmen: The Graphic Novel is a big, chunky book, filled with more pages than most people would ever read these days and the better for it.  Watchmen: The Movie, as you might imagine, is considerably clipped from the source material and (again) all the better for it.  So what to do with all those miscellaneous bits and pieces left on the cutting room floor?  Simple - animate 'em!

One of the many story-within-a-story filler sections of the book is the fictional book of Tales of the Black Freighter, an obvious choice for clipping, but odd one for animating.  But its coming, and will star Gerald Butler.  Enjoy the first trailer, courtesy of MTV Films and look for the DVD/Blu-ray release soon!

Feeling left out by the current economic recession?  Looking for a better way to invest your money?  Never fear, as the always reliable director Uwe Boll is offering a chance to invest in his latest film, Blackout, which is described as a terrorist disaster epic.  Of course, the same could be said of any of Boll's films, having rightfully earned the distinction of this generation's worst director.

Yes, the famed director behind such modern-day classics as House of the Dead, Dungeon Siege, and Bloodrayne is offering you a chance to be part of the movie-making magic.  Read on to see how for s small sum you too can be responsible for the downfall of modern cinema...sounds like fun!

Having given up trying to create new and interesting material, it looks like the plundering of nostalgia continues in Hollywood as there are plans to bring the famous 70s-era stretchable toy Stretch Armstrong to the big-screen.  Variety is reporting that comedy writer/director/occassional star Steve Oedekerk (Ace Ventura, Nutty Professor) is set to write the adaptation, which has seen earlier attempts with Danny DeVito (!) and Jackie Chan sputter.  Oedekerk, in between releasing his line of "Thumb Movie Spoofs" is also readying a sequel to his 2002 comedy Kung Pow...which if you'll remember featured an epic fight with a cow.

Keep reading for more info, and even a special video just for the fans...seriously, don't miss it!

With over 2 million copies (including all hardware and platforms) of Rock Band 2 sold since its September 2008 debut, you might think parent company Viacom would be tickled pink.  Not so much, as the combined sales of ALL Rock Band games since its November 2007 release have shipped 10 million units - below expectations and underperforming in the revenue department.  A staggered release schedule which saw the most populous platforms, PS2 and Wii, not receiving the sequel until the last weeks before Christmas didn't help, nor did savage competition from Activision's popular Guitar Hero franchise.

For Viacom and (and no doubt publisher EA), thankfully most of these revenue losses are offset by a burgeoning DLC market, as the Rock Band online market remains the most robust and active of all its music-related games.  How this bodes for Harmonix's next offering, the still-unnamed Beatles game, is uncertain but hopes remain high.  For what its worth, I always felt that EA made a mistake in trying to sequelize the franchise, rather than going the evergreen method and creating a singular Rock Band platform.  But hey, what do I know?

They're no U2, but they've still got The Edge.

Taking a cue from chief competitor Apple, Microsoft is gearing up and readying their own expansion into the wonderful world of retail by readying their own chain of Microsoft Stores nationwide.  Helping to handle this expansion into retail will be ex-Dreamworks Animation executive David Porter, who just happens to have over 15 years of qualified experience in the field with over 17 years as Walmart's Entertainment Divison's VP.

At press time the company didn't say how many stores would kick off the grand opening, or when and where that would take place.  The move follows Microsoft opening their Retail Experience project last month, which among other concerns would "address rising consumer expectations and competitive pressures during today's challenging economic conditions."  The company has been hit hard by the recent global recession, including internal layoffs and the closure of several key development studios.  Stay tuned for more details as they are released!

No, no...thank YOU, Reuters!

And the records keep falling and falling.  After declaring the download record smashed earlier with Resident Evil 5, it looks like Ensemble Studios' swan song Halo Wars can now claim the crown.  In their post-NPD gloating gala Microsoft revealed that the upcoming RTS take on Bungie's shooter is now among the elite.  Here's the quote:

"The Halo Wars demo, released on February 5, set a day-one record for the most demo downloads on Xbox LIVE; with more than 2 million downloads in the first week, it was one of the top demo downloads of all time on the service."

...considering just how well this game is going to sell (its certainly not going to fail), it just makes the sad and senseless tale of Ensemble Studios closing that more trafic.  The full Halo Wars hits the Xbox 360 March 3rd.

Oh how we love Flash-based gaming!  As if you needed any help getting (more) excited about the upcoming Watchment movie, they went ahead and released a free web-based brawler for your keyboard-thumpin' pleasure.  Based on the earlier adventures of the Minuteman (which you will totally understand after seeing the movie), get ready for pixels and limited movements as you control either Nite Owl or Silk Spectre in this side-scrolling beat 'em up.

Primitive?  Absolutely.  But totally worth your quarter, which they're throwing in for free.  Check out the Minutemen game for yourselves right HERE!

As they often are, it looks like the anti-Star Wars nerds have been proven wrong yet again as the franchise remains alive and well.  Not only has the animated show The Clone Wars been the #1 debut ever for Cartoon Network (and is heading into a second season), but the original game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is now the fastest-selling game in the history of George Lucas' space saga with over 5.7 million sold since its release last September.  Although the company didn't break down the numbers, the game was released for a variety of consoles, including the Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, DS, and even the Apple iPhone/iPod Touch.

The Force is indeed still with the series, and it doesn't look like we'll be without more Star Wars adventures for a long, long time.

Those bemoaning the relative lack of 'hardcore' games on the Wii are about to a boatload of the good stuff in the next couple of months, and one game in particular I've been looking forward to quite a bit is THQ's Deadly Creatures.  Above you'll see a fun-filled mockumentary about the motion-capture process, filled with more poppin' crickets than PETA would ever allow.  Silly?  You bet, but its a level of detail and good showmanship on the part of the developers, so count me in when the game drops into stores this week!

Man alive, Crank 2 (aka Crank: High Voltage) looks intense.  Glad to know that I'm not the only one who liked the first one, and there's not much else I can say when you've got an image like that one just above.  Props to Yahoo Movies for the poster, and I'll be there when this one hits - nay, invades - theaters April 17th!

2009 so far has been good for Clint Eastwood - very good.  Not only has Gran Torino become the actor/director/composter's highest-grossing film EVER, but MTV News just named what's perhaps his most iconic character, Dirty Harry, the #1 Cinematic Badass.  But while we already knew that, a few choice comments Eastwood made while (begrudgingly) accepting the honor sent Harry Callahan Fans into all sorts of titers.  While he's denied it in the past, when asked if there were any plans to resurrect the character for one more go, here's what Eastwood scowled:

"I'm 78 years old, and you're pretty well drummed out of the police force by that age...There could be a scenario. I suppose if some mythical writer came out of nowhere and it was the greatest thing on the planet, I'd certainly have to think about it. But it's not like I've ever courted it."

While that's pretty far from a confirmation, at least he's not ruling it out.  The last five years have been the most productive for Eastwood, as he's been able to pump out an astonishing amount of what many feel is among his best-ever work.  There's no stopping him, but what I wouldn't give to see him aim his Magnum one more time and blow a few holes for justice.

Keep reading to see The Man accept his latest award.  Priceless!

Finished with last year's return-to-WW2 themed Call of Duty yet?  One of the worst kept secrets in gaming has been spilled...oops.  Activision is taking Call of Duty back into the present with the next chapter in the spin-off series, Modern Warfare.  Looks like little birds over at developer Infinity Ward have been chirping a bit too loud, as their community manager Robert Bowling let loose in a Twitter feed abou the impending sequel's existence:

"Reviewing some radio-chatter VO we just finished recording for Modern Warfare 2 today. "Cujo Two-One this is Vulture, solid copy on all."

Sounds pretty official to us, although the existence of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 doesn't come so much as a surprise as it does feel really, really wanted.  Not to knock World at War, but I think we can all agree that its time to move on from World War 2 at this point.

February 17th is almost here, and with it comes the US release of Capcom's Street Fighter IV.  Excited yet?  If you're an avid reader of Popzara, than you probably are.  Capcom's ambitions to return the franchise to the mainstream have been met with impressive results from within the gaming community, and whether that translates into the type of cultural success the franchise once enjoyed remains to be seen.  But I'm sold, and nearly all my game-playing friends are as well.  The video just above is the full opening cinema to the Japanese version of the game, filled with inky goodness and various clips you've probably seen elsewhere, but never strung together quite like this.

Its loud, bombastic, artistically beautiful, and (yes) even includes a requisite J-Pop tune thrown in for good measure.  Chances are the song won't make the translation, but I'm more convinced than ever that Street Fighter IV is being crafted by people who truly love the franchise, and in this age of boob-fighters and other nonsense, that makes me feel pretty damn good.  Enjoy the trailer, and I'll see you online February 17th!

The recently announced 4-player Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting game, from the creators of Super Smash Bros Brawl, finally has its first trailer.  Gameplay footage?  No, but there's plenty of CG-action to go along with those rose-tinted dreams of turtle greatness.  While I'd have preferred some (any) actual gameplay footage, I suppose this is how things are done these days.  The pedigree is tops, so let's hope the final product is worthy of the talent.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Smash-Up hits the Nintendo Wii later this year!

My goodness, this game has aged well.  Like fine wine, even.  Despite being released almost 7 (yes, seven!) years ago, the original Metroid Prime for the Gamecube is set to get a whole new lease on life, courtesy of Nintendo's re-release program on the Wii console.  Anyone who's played Metroid Prime 3: Corruption knows just how silky-smooth and wonderful the controls were, so it'll be a joy to revisit Samus' first 3D adventure all over again.

Enjoy the debut Japanese trailer above, and remember the greatness that was - nay, is - Retro Studios debut game and one of very best games ever made.  Oh, and that soundtrack?  Melts my ears...Metroid Prime hits Japanese Wii consoles February 19th...how's about a North American release?

As jaded as some gamers have become over the 'typical first-person shooter' in all its forms, the genre has failed to really click with Wii owners.  Call it lack of any real effort to create a compelling FPS for the console, but few outside Nintendo themselves have managed to take true advantage of the unique motion-controls available to them.  That's what makes the journey of developer High Voltage Software's trip from concept to reality with the highly-anticipated The Conduit so interesting.

Keep reading for more of the juicy-juicy...

Chalk this one up as 'hopeful', but web blog Kotaku is reporting/passing along information that EA's big boss John Riccitiello has confirmed the company's space survival horror game Dead Space is headed to Nintendo's console.  Released smack-dab in the middle of a tsunami of holiday hopefuls, EA's ambitious stab at original programming was met with great reviews - but less than stellar sales.  While porting the game to the more family-friendly Wii console may come as a surprise to many, the announcement falls in line with the company's intentions to increase the availability of 'core' experiences for Nintendo's platform, one the company painfully neglected early in the current generation.

While its unreasonable to expect a 1:1 audio/video translation, let's hope that EA decides on a more straightforward (albeit reasonable) adaptation, and doesn't get cold feet at the last second, resulting in yet another patronizing port for Nintendo's more-than-capable platform.  Now let's see if Capcom follows suit and a certain "survival horror" game of their own gets waggle fever...

For what its worth, thanks to Kotaku for the fair and impartial coverage *cough*.  Check out our original impression of Dead Space by clicking right HERE!

Hey, you've got Street Fighter in my PlayStation Home! Capcom's strange (and strangely wonderful) relationship with Sony continues as the company has given Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu a look at the upcoming Street Fighter IV and Resident Evil 5-flavored Home skins and oddities.

Not only will anxious Street Fighter IV players be able to jump into a match post-chatting, but a number of available costumes will also be available. Did I forget to mention those strange, yet irresistible little statues? What better way to dress up your gloomy Home than with a few World Warrior collectibles?

Keep reading for even more outrageous image-action!

Well, it might have taken a week to get here, but Capcom's Resident Evil 5 demo has finally landed its infected-self smack dab in the middle of the PlayStation Network and is ready for downloading.  As with its Xbox 360's record-shattering counterpart, expect 2 playable levels and plenty of multiplayer options, only now you'll be using a DualShock 3 (or Sixaxis if you're a hold-out).

Get the demo while its hot, as Resident Evil 5 invades the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on Freaky Friday, March 13th!

Players love the zombies!  Or at least the infected... Seems the one-week exclusive availability of Capcom's upcoming Resident Evil 5 demo for the Xbox 360 broke records for a one-week download.  Besting previous record-holder Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the next chapter in survival horror (increasingly becoming simply 'action horror') snagged 1.3 million downloads in its first three days, with a total of 1.8 million for the full week.  And that's just for the Xbox 360, as the PlayStation 3 version wasn't available.

Speaking of the PlayStation 3 demo...

After hearing the subtitle The Lost and the Damned, you'd have to wonder if the first expansion pack for Rockstar's megahit Grand Theft Auto 4 began life as a feel-good buddy tale involving bingo games and lessons on penmanship.  On second thought...Replacing Niko Bellic is Johnny Klebitz, member of Liberty City's appropriately named biker gang "The Lost".  Man, these things just write themselves!

What's left to say?  Check out the first real trailer just above, and get as Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost and the Damned hits Xbox Live February 17th.  As usual, PlayStation 3 and PC users will have to wait.  Perhaps forever.