BYTE: Awesome August

It's Awesome August... Hello!

In a month full of sunshine, comic-cons and festivals, here we are nearly at the end of August. Really, I should have written something by now but I do have a demanding full time job I'm doing in between watching all these movies (I have to pay for it somehow! ;-) )so I'm sorry for the late updated.

However lots has been happening in August - including recent movie releases. Although blockbuster season is upon us, a number of movies that have been advertised and released this month have failed miserably to set the stage alight.  Pixels was released to some soggy fireworks and an amazing yet scathing review (parental advisory if you click the link - lots of cursing!) of it too. Not only that the worst superhero movie in recent memory Fantastic Four was also released. Riddled with problems from the outset the final product was terrible too - and I'm saying that! You know how much I love my superhero movies.

There's still some movies to look forward to going forward including Star Wars: The Force Awakens in December and SPECTRE, the new James Bond in the Autumn too. Other movies that recently have come out that you may or may not fancy to see include - The Man From U.N.C.L.E, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and computer game based action/thriller Hitman: Agent 47. Sinister 2 hits movie screens too if you like your horror sequels.

Let's get to the computers - a new release from Rare had me reaching for my wallet - 30 of their classic games for the Xbox One - starting way back in the 80's to present day. Starting off in the early 80's with the games I grew up with on my ZX Spectrum, Rare Replay starts with Atic Attack and JetPac. Going through the decades via Battletoads and Killer Instinct in the 1990's to more recent 2000 hits like Viva Pinata and Perfect Dark Zero - I found this game pack to be very good value indeed. I purchased the limited edition version with the T-Shirt and, when I get time to play, I'll do a full review for you.

Star Wars will be the theme for  the next exciting installment of Disney Infinity 3.0 and will be available in the autumn too. It's definitely on my to buy list - and there will be more as I get it.

Sheffield Film and Comic Con was this month - and I'll give you a review soon enough as I attended it!   I introduced two of my friends to their first comic-con and they both enjoyed it too. Guests included Michael Biehn (from Terminator and Aliens), horror legend Robert Englund and Darth Vader himself David Prowse. Also there were legendary wrestlers "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase.  It wasn't as busy as other conventions I've been to but it was still excellent.

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the full games of Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light and How To Survive Storm Warning Edition on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes to download free if you are a subscriber.

>  PSN: PS Plus this month is as follows:

PS4 has:

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris

Limbo

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

PS3 gets:

CastleStorm

God of War: Ascension

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

Vita receives:

CastleStorm

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

Of course usual rules apply in that if you stop your subscription those games'll stop workin'.

As always we have Loot Crate and Nerd Block (this months has actually been excellent as I've received it now) unboxings to look forward to...

...AND Marvel Collector Corps in August is based on Secret Wars! Apparently it's been dispatched! 

It's time to go now but - have an Awesome August and I'll see you soon.

Keep being awesome!

Until next time

Paul

BYTE: Jolly July

It's Just July... or is it? Summer is here!

It's sweltering this week in England, UK - which makes a change really as we're used to dark clouds and rain. So out comes the barbecues and chilled drinks and also some serious fun over the next month or so.

Movie wise we are looking at Marvel's latest offering - Ant-Man, featuring Paul Rudd as the titular character. My fellow Popsters have generally been a bit lukewarm about this movie - but I will assemble the Avengers and we will go to see it and let you know what I think. My TwitterMate (tm) +James Gunn (the director of Guardians of the Galaxy among other things) tweeted "I think @AntMan is my favourite @Marvel film since Iron Man (well, excluding one to which I'm partial). Holy cow is it a blast." I guess we'll have to wait until 17th July to find out!

Meanwhile - Terminator Genysis is out today (as I write this) - so that's 3rd July for you guys in the UK. Magic Mike XXL (I'll skip that one) and Minions also have been released recently. We have Ted 2 to look forward to - and Fantastic Four next month - which is going to be interesting to see. it's all going on in the movie world, it really is.

Let's get to the computers - last months Steam Summer Sale was immense - and sadly I didn't keep any money aside but there were some awesome deals. The challenge this time around was a click mouse to shoot aliens type of game - and my goodness did it play havoc on my fingers and mouse. Still it was a unique way to get involved - even if I was at work for most of it and didn't get the best out of it.

London Film and Comic Con is this month - and it looks unbelievable. The line up is beyond astounding - and I thought they couldn't top when they had Stan Lee (when I went!).  But, if you are interested you have the opportunity to meet Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver, Stargate SG:1 and all), Marty McFly himself - Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd (GREAT SCOTT!), Ellen Ripley (aka Sigourney Weaver) and... [deep breath] Neve Campbell from Scream! and more besides. You lucky, lucky people! I'm visiting Sheffield Film and Comic Con, so it's not quite as big but still exciting.
 

Let's get to the computers - last months Steam Summer Sale was immense - and sadly I didn't keep any money aside but there were some awesome deals. The challenge this time around was a click mouse to shoot aliens type of game - and my goodness did it play havoc on my fingers and mouse. Still it was a unique way to get involved - even if I was at work for most of it and didn't get the best out of it.

 

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the full game of Plants Vs Zombies on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag (yes, really) and Massive Chalice (still) to download free if you are a subscriber.
 

>  PSN: PS Plus this month hasn't really updated just yet so nothing new to report on this front. But rumour has it the following games will be available from 7th July:

 

PS4 has:

Entwined, MouseCraft, Rocket League, Styx: Master of Shadows

 

PS3 gets:

Entwined, MouseCraft, Rain

 

Vita receives:

Entwined, Geometry Wars 3, MouseCraft

Personally I'm excited for Geometry Wars 3, but that's just me. Of course usual rules apply in that if you stop your subscription those games'll stop workin'.

 

As always we have Loot Crate and Nerd Block unboxings to look forward to...

 

...AND Marvel Collector Corps in August after July's fantastic Ant-man offering!

It's time to go now but - have a Jolly July and I'll see you soon.

 

Keep being awesome!

 

Until next time

Paul