A ton of great stuff out this week. Click on in to see what’s new, how to save money on new videogames, and SUPPORT LASER TIME for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!
Back again with your weekly dose of fresh culture, and a chance to support your pals at Laser Time simply by engaging in acts of commerce! Clicking through any link below, or any time on the right hand sidebar earns us a tiny commission that helps keep the Laser lights on. Dont care to Donate to us? FINE! Simply shop through us – that’s all we ask. We’ll help get you started too! Drop a comment in the article below and one random person will win a $20 Amazon gift certificate! We’ve even got the scoop of upcoming VG sales and Cape Crisis comic recommendations below.
Max Payne 3 360 | PS3
I loved the shit out of what I played of Max Payne 3, and so did many of the reviewers out there I know. What does it do so well? It takes the ridiculously enjoyable, classically rudimentary Bullet Time ballistics of old Max Payne and soaks it in a highly-respectable coat of next-gen paint. It perfectly marries everything special about the series with modern mechanics and an engrossing narrative. the game never lets up, it’s super fun, and I can’t recommend it enough. OH! And if you buy it through Amazon, you can get $10 off a ton of great Rockstar games, such as GTA IV Complete and LA Noire!
The Grey
You gotta love it that even when cynically surmised, this movie sounds fucking rad! Seriously, you had me at “Liam Nesson fighting wolves for 90 minutes.” I haven’t seen this but I sure as shit can’t wait to.
Diablo III
You guys playing this yet?! I know the midnight launch was marred with server issues, the special kind that come from DRM that forces one to be online constantly, but surely a couple of you are in and playing this thing by now, right? The Diablo series is a sizable gap in my otherwise thorough catalog of VG knowledge, but I’m more than willing to give this a pump if you guys prod me enough. If you’re getting the Collector’s Edition, please do that shit through us!
Chronicle
I heard some pretty great things about this movie, and given that it was written by the same guy who made this, I’m certainly excited to take in a viewing. Honestly, I should be tired of “found footage” films, but growing up, I for real always wanted to see films shot from a characters perspective laden with special effects. I just assumed it was impossible, and I suppose it sorta was until now because we’re certainly getting a bunch of ’em.
Game of Thrones
Wish I knew more about this game. I’m just now digging in to the first season of HBO’s Game of Thrones on Blu-ray, on which this game is based. However, I’m a giant fan of George “Double R” Martin’s books series, the first four of which I tore through at breakneck speed several years ago. And I don’t even like fantasy all that much! But the fact that this is dropping the same week as a previously mentioned mythical/medieval game suggest to me either a lack of faith, or pathetically inept timing.
Sonic 4: Episode II
Ho boy…. what to say about this. What to say about this that I didn’t already cruelly blather on our live PAX East show… I pretty much hated the first episode of Sonic 4, and this one didn’t look a whole lot better IMO. Especially when you can play something like Sonic Generations, and see Sega fucking nail “classic Sonic” in a way its struggled to for damn near a decade. How ’bout that box art though, huh?!
Being John Malkovich
Okay, pardon the hyperbole, but… one of the greatest movies ever made. Sorry, but for me, 1999 was one of the greatest years for mainstream film. Three Kings, Fight Club, Dogma, and this. Criterion’s remastered Spike Jonze first film, and it’s frankly one of the best examples of Hollywood weirdness. Or, something that happens when you let a strange dude like Charlie Kaufman write something wholly bizarre, yet wildly unique, and support it all the way. I even loved the special features on the original DVD. Dunno if Criterion retained the Art of Background Driving (for those freeway Malovich brain dump scenes) or that interview where Jonze vomits in the car, but I certainly hope so. Buy this or die a total Malkobitch!
Kevin Smith Triple Feature
Man, I’m really glad I got to stick up for Kevin Smith on this week’s movie-centric Laser Time. I’m sick of hearing Kevin Smith take a bunch of shit, because his contribution to film should never, ever be denied. Clerks “spoke to a generation,” which is a phrase I’ve always found altogether meaningless until applied here. Dante and Randall better represent me, my friends, and the youthful hopelessness I experienced more than almost any other characters put on screen, and Smith pioneered certain aspects of independent film making without the benefit of the internet, Kickstarter or a rich uncle. He’s a self-made media mogul, and he earned that through clever writing, remaining driven, and speaking to a nerdy sect of pop culture fans like me and you. Okay, I’ll shut up… but seriously, these three HD films for $19?!
Kill Bill Volume 1 & 2
Another great bundle this week. Don’t know when America will ever recieve the “Whole Bloody Affair” Kill Bill megacut, but this inexpensive package is as close as we can get for now. Apparently, there’s a sequel in the works, so brush the fuck up with this low-priced set.
Father of the Bride 1 & 2
God help me, I grew up watching these harmlessly idiotic films… Fuck you, Steve Martin is a national treasure. Come to think of it, Steve Martin should probably be in the next National Treasure!
UPCOMING VIDEO GAME AMAZON BONUSES – Pre-order and support Laser Time
Listed in order of release date
Game of Thrones Art Book Bundle 360 | PS3
-FREE Game of Thrones: Visuals from the RPG art book that offers sixty-four full color pages of sketches, renders, photos, game developer commentary, and other rare materials
Max Payne 3 360 | PS3 | PC
Max Payne 3: Special Edition 360 | PS3 | PC
-FREE Deadly Force Burst mulitplayer damage upgrade
-Pre-order before Apr. 15th for FREE Pill Bottle painkiller upgrade
Resistance: Burning Skies
-FREE with pre-order Multiplayer Booster to start your character at level 5
-FREE 3 Avatars, including Riley, Ellie, and a fearsome Chimera.
Dragon’s Dogma 360 | PS3
-FREE Weapons Upgrade Pack featuring an Iron Sword, a Criteria, and a Wooden Staff
-FREE Resident Evil 6 demo
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier 360 | PS3
-$10 in-store credit
-EXCLUSIVE Drilling Ship Co-Op Map
Darksiders II 360 | PS3 | PC
-Pre-order for FREE “Arguls Tomb” playable dungeon expansion
-FREE Deadly Despair Pack, a speed booster for your mount
Dirt Showdown 360 | PS3
-$10 in-store credit
Lollipop Chainsaw 360 | PS3
-Pre-order to add Juliet to your pinup collection and pop cherries with Rockabilly
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (PlayStation Vita) *NEW*
-$10 in-store credit
The Secret World
-Early game access, plus special beta access with pre-order
-FREE Loyal Pet Hound (offers protection and XP boost)
Gravity Rush
-FREE Military Costume DLC with pre-order
-FREE 4 Extra Missions, which include 2 Side Missions and 2 Challenge Missions
Silent Hill: Downpour 360 | PS3
-$10 in-store credit
Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor
-FREE Carbon Assassin Armory, which includes Savannah Armor and Storm Armor with pre-order
Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy *NEW*
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Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance *NEW*
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Sleeping Dogs 360 | PS3
–FREE Martial Arts Pack, with Shaolin Showdown mission, Shaolin Warrior outfit (with increased striking damage), Bonus Triad XP points, and Wing Chun decoration for your safe house with pre-order
Borderlands 2 360 | PS3 | PC
-$10 in-store credit
Resident Evil 6 360 | PS3 *NEW*
-Pre-order for FREE Exclusive Mercenaries stage – The High Seas Fortress
Assassin’s Creed III 360 | PS3
-EXCLUSIVE: FREE Steelbook Case upgrade with art by Alex Ross
Hitman: Absolution 360 | PS3
-FREE Bartoli Custom Pistol, with built-in, high-spec sight and silencer to give excellent accuracy and an extremely high rate of fire with pre-order
I was surprised by Chronicle, got very dark at the end unexpectedly, but was definitely a good movie. Wife didn’t like it though, haha.
And finally Episode 2 of Sonic 4… this BETTER be an improvement….
I bought Infinity Gauntlet – not sure if the referral worked seeing as I had to change to the UK site. Regardless, I tried. Looking forward to reading it!
Malkovich?MalkovichMalkovichMalkovichMalkovichMalkovich?MalkovichMalkovichMalkovichMalkovichMalkovichMalkovichMalkovichMalkovich! I loved that bizarre movie
Picking up my first round of Avengers trades today…THROUGH LASER TIME!
oooh oooh me want me want!!!
I’ve also never played Diablo, though it certainly seems pretty awesome.
Diablo, Diablo, DI-AB-LOOOOO!
Should I be singing that in the Skyrim chant?
I don’t care about the new releases. The game I want to play is DayZ, but I can’t. Stupid Mac…
I really like this feature on the site guys.
I won $20 for the last one of these
More people really should comment on these
Really interested in Diablo III and those Avengers comics you guys recommended. I’ll probably grab a few.
I like lasertime, and free money.
having so much trouble with Diablo almost not worth it
THANK YOU! I absolutely ADORE Being John Malkovich. One of the weirdest, most surprising films I have ever seen, and I certainly rank it as one of my favorite all-time pieces of art. I actually had no idea that it was being remastered until this very moment, so thanks for the heads-up!
It may not reach the heights of Malkovich, but you heard right- Chronicle was a most excellent film as well.
I may have to look into this Kevin Smith triple feature deal, as I am ashamed to admit that I have not yet seen a single Kevin Smith movie, That all may just have to change, though…
Just preorded Lollipop Chainsaw! hope I don’t regret it but at least my money is going to a good cause. BOOBS and LASERS!!!!!!!!!
Can’t wait till Borderlands 2 comes out.
I rented Chronicle on my 360 on a whim last night and it turned out to be surprisingly good. Granted I went in with no expectations but it was still a surprisingly solid film.
Haven’t watched Clerks in a while and that Sonic 4-II box art does give me a tingle in my crotchal region.
Welp i just bought infinity gauntlet because of CAPE CRISIS.
Huh some pretty great stuff this week hope I can get to Max Payne soon as the first one is one of my fave games ever.
Wanted to get D3 but my computer needs and upgrade. NO!!!!!
Wait so if you donate money to Laser Time you have the chance to win $20? How does that make sense at all!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Shouldn’t you keep that money and use it for website insurance or whatever it is that you claim the donated money goes towards?
I really want the gift card
I still enjoy Kevin Smith. He’s made a few movies that weren’t nearly as good as his first few, but they’re still worth watching, and listening to his podcasts is entertaining.
Keep up the bonertastic work! I never want there to be a time when you fine gents are not making sweet sounds in my ear.
I’m totally buying the Kev Smith collection for my gf. Thanks for pointing me in its direction, LT