Whether you like rock hard chassis on dancers or transforming robots, this week has it all…
So long September, as we enter the full-on barrage of fall releases in October. Not only is there scary crap everywhere you look (and we aren’t just talking about the news), but big name releases are popping up every week, making it real tough to keep track of them all. Why, this week alone we’ve got the start of music games’ possible comeback, plus the possibly final Ghibli film, and two different films featuring sexy dudes exploring their feelings. If any of that gets you headed to Amazon, be sure to do it through our links because – just like the Laser Time Patreon – it helps support the people running the site. Ok shoppers, let’s transform and roll out…
When I started in the games press back in 2008, plastic instruments were a billion dollar chunk of gaming. Just a few years later into my career, games like Rock Band seemed as dead as Night Ranger in the ’90s. But this weeks is the start of a comeback tour with Rock Band 4, bringing the gameplay you love alongside much of the music you played in the earlier entries. Early reviews have been great, and it’s compatible with all your old instruments, though if you don’t have those still have those dust-collectors, you can get the Band In A Box Bundle. You can also start your solo career and just grab the Guitar Bundle of this new-gen music festival.
Here’s another of those games that seems too good to be true. It’s a cel-shaded action game starring all the Transformers of the first ’80s cartoon (and most of the original voices), and it’s made by Platinum Games, the incredible developer of Bayonetta and many more. Still, after last week’s Tony Hawk debacle, I wouldn’t blame you for being a little wary of the next Activision release, so maybe wait for the first reviews to come out. But if it can fulfill even a fraction of that potential, it could be the best Transformers game since the War For Cybertron series. Much like the Matrix of Leadership, this game gives me hope – please don’t let it be for naught.
Yes, yes, it sure does suck to not have a brand new Uncharted game in time for the holidays, BUT there’s still something to be played if you are a lover of Drake. This PS4 remaster of the first three games was overseen by Naughty Dog and has all the running towards the camera, blockbuster action moments you remember, all with supposedly sharper graphics and other extras. Plus, it gets you access to the Uncharted 4 multiplayer beta, if Nathan’s brand of online deathmatches are your thing.
As Nintendo more or less warned in the news last week, this could be Chibi-Robo’s last chance to star in his own game, so this better be good. This 3DS entry takes the tiny, helpful automaton and drops it into a 2D platformer that’s still focused on the title character cleaning up the planet. Of course, the real draw of this game for a number of Nintendo fans will be the amiibo that comes packed in with the game – the packaging of said amiibo, ironically, will end up creating more landfill for Chibi to deal with. He just can’t win!
I’m certain many of you have skipped right past this one, but give me a chance here. Yes, this film is full of eye candy, with tons of nearly nude men bumping and grinding, yet there’s much more beneath that. Magic Mike XXL is one of the most positive films I’ve seen in a long time, telling a story about men getting in touch with their feelings, listening to and respecting women, having dumb fun without being homophobic, and getting in touch with their artistic souls. Seriously, I’m not kidding even a little bit. Watch this and you’ll find a whole new respect for Channing Tatum. Oh, and wrestling fans will find a whole new reason to like Kevin Nash, because he’s great comic relief here.
Speaking as someone who has visited the Ghibli Museum more than once, I’m awfully concerned about the company’s future, especially when it looks like they may be done with producing feature films. If something isn’t announced soon, then When Marnie Was There could be the company’s final picture, though this tale of learning about your past would be a fairly fitting farewell. I didn’t love this as much as, say, Totoro or even Miyazaki’s final film, but Marnie still possesses the same gorgeous animation and emotional heft that makes Ghibli such a force in animation. Enjoy this while it lasts.
Everybody streams everything these days, South Park included. I switch on Hulu every Thursday morning to keep up with the newest season of adventures, but if you were waiting for a physical copy, here are the HD discs you’ve been waiting for, telling the season-long tale of Randy’s life as Lorde, among many other things.
Way, way back in the early ’90s, it was very rare to see gay love or sex on the big screen, let alone featuring two big name Hollywood actors, but Gus Van Sant made that happen in this landmark independent film. This is some of the best work Keanu ever put on film, but the tragic figure of River Phoenix is the real draw here, as his character’s sad tale is even more resonant when you know the actor’s real life end. Though the best scene in My Own Private Idaho belongs to character actor Udo Keir. Just watch for yourself…
SPECIAL SALES NEWS! PRE-ORDER AMAZING MIYAZAKI BOX SET
Hayao Miyazaki is the most celebrated animator of the last 50 years, and for good reason. Films like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Princess Mononoke are some of the most fully realized worlds ever shown in theaters, capturing the hearts of people from just about every age and part of the planet. Now that he’s retired, Amazon has an exquisite looking special collection of every feature length film Miyazaki directed all in one box set. Plus, there are some fantastic bonuses as well that will likely justify the price. Out this November, this looks like a great gift for those you love most.
Meanwhile, the US Disney releases never go on sale, yet these are all set at just over $17!
CAPE CRISIS RECOMMENDS:
CAPE CRISIS RECOMMENDS:
UPCOMING VIDEO GAME PRE-ORDER BONUSES
Halo 5: Guardians
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