Pre Holiday Checklist; or I'm really behind here.

Wow, it's been far too long since I've posted anything here, so forgive me. I've been far too busy playing with, watching, and listening to the things I talk about here to actually get on here and talk about them.

I've decided that since I'm so behind, I'm going to throw out some quick recommendations and a cautionary tale or two.

Movies:

Go see Zombieland if you haven't already, it's completely awesome.

Music:

I have two albums to recommend right now, which are as follows:

AFI-Crash Love:

As usual, it's a dramatic departure from what they've done previously, but the songs are tighter, they've all progressed as individual performers and as a band.Overall the album is less grand in scope and far less aggressive, but I enjoyed it quite a lot. Standout tracks: End Transmission, Veronica Sawyer Smokes, Too Shy To Scream, I'm Trying Very Hard To Be Here, Sacrilege, and Medicate.

The Lonely Island-Incredibad

I don't like rap or hip hop (at all), but this is worth it. If you don't know, it's Andy Samberg and Jorma Taconne from SNL's album and it has everything you'd expect; Dick in a Box, Jizz in My Pants, Like A Boss, Natalie's Rap, etc. What's surprising is that the album while being really funny is also a great album as well, and this is coming from someone with whom hip hop always has an uphill battle, as I am predisposed to dismiss it right away. Get it.

Games:

Being that we're going into the holiday season there's a ton of stuff coming out so this will be very quick so I can cover a lot of ground:

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2:

If you don't like Marvel Comics or didn't like the first one, there won't be much here for you to enjoy. Strictly a fan purchase only, but if you are a fan you'll really enjoy it. Gameplay is streamlined from the last one, so some of the more annoying issues are gone (you can now revive downed heroes on the spot and change party members any time being the main changes). Other than that the same Baldur's Gate/Diablo/Gauntlet gameplay remains in tact. The character roster is impressive and the trivia minigame is great for Marvel fans.

Halo 3 ODST:

Another case of fan only purchase. Not that much different from Halo 3, save that you have to play more strategically being that you're not a Spartan super solider, but a regular joe. Campaign mode is a bit short, but the firefight mode (think Gears 2's horde mode or Nazi Zombies from COD only better and with vehicles) makes it worth the purchase price alone. A second disc is included with all of Halo 3 Mulitplayer maps, but if you've never been a Halo, this will not change your mind.

Brutal Legend:

Gotta say I was slightly underwhelmed here one one hand. Campaign mode is VERY short and there's really not that much to do. Missions lack variety or any real depth. The real time strategy elements are FAR more prominent that initially thought. Having said that, everything else is completely awesome. The game is hilarious, well written and casted incredibly well. The world is very well designed and fun to explore and experience and Jack Black knocks it out of the park as Eddie Riggs. This game is a love letter to all things METAL, the soundtrack reigns supreme (except for the lack of Iron Maiden), and for whatever problems I may have with some of it, I still highly recommend this game. The metal gods command so.

Borderlands:

I'm completely loving this. Take Fallout 3, inject some personality, a combat system that works, and make it more fun. Add multiplayer. You now have Borderlands. Get 3 friends and go nuts. At it's core it's a first person shooter, but once you add the free roaming, dynamic random weapon generation, and RPG character advancement and skill trees, you get layers upon layers of depth that will continue to keep you interested. One of the best games of the season, if not the year.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves:

As much as I'd love to say it's Batman: Arkham Asylum; Uncharted is the game of the year. There is absolutely nothing this game gets wrong. Exploration, action, puzzles, a better Indiana Jones story than the last Indiana Jones movie (with way better acting as well). The voice and motion capture performances here are seriously better than the majority of what hollywood is crapping out these days. Guys, that PS3 commercial where the girlfriend sits and watches the dude play Uncharted and thinks it's a movie is completely believable in the sense that the story, performances and pacing are that good. There will be games that sell more (Modern Warfare 2), but for my pick Uncharted 2 is the Game of the Year (so far, and sorry, Batman).

Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack In Time:

The gaming equivalent of a Pixar movie. Kids will love the cartoonish style and silly characters, adults will love the solid-beyond-all-comprehension gameplay. This is the kind of game Nintendo should be making. It truly is for everyone. Platforming adventure mixed with action at it's finest.

Tekken 6:

Same thing it always is. If you liked Tekken or not before, this will not change it. I'd love to see this series evolve past it's PS1 roots in areas other than graphics. Gameplay is still button mash heavy. If you want real strategy and a fighter with some finesse, wait until March when Super Street Fighter 4 comes out. I'd pass on Tekken 6.

Madden 10, NCAA 10, FIFA 10, NBA Live 10, NBA 2k10:

Same as last year. If you liked it then, you'll like it again. Madden has apparently made marginal improvements, as has FIFA. NBA 2k10 is preferred over NBA Live yet again.

WWE Smackdown VS Raw 10:

yeah, bruh. Whatever. STILL can't get decent animation or collision detection here.

DJ Hero:

Whatever.

We still have some time left before Haunakwanzachrismakah, so check back for full reviews on some of the above mentioned titles as well as upcoming titles like:

Assassin's Creed II

Left 4 Dead 2

Dragon Age Origins

and if I feel like borrowing my sister's Wii New Super Mario Bros.

Also if anyone would be interested, I may do a fulll holiday buyer's guide. Let me know!

May ninjas slay your foes.