The Lilphish Lounge

The following DVDs are being released on June 30th (major releases):

12 Rounds

Two Lovers

Dark Streets

My pick this week goes to 12 Rounds as a rental only. 

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action

Starring John Cena, Steve Harris, Ashley Scott, Aidan Gillen, Brian White, and Gonzalo Menendez

When New Orleans Police Detective, Danny Fisher, stops a brilliant thief, Miles, from getting away with a multi-million-dollar heist, the thief’s girlfriend is accidentally killed. After escaping from prison, the criminal mastermind enacts his revenge, taunting Danny with a series of near-impossible puzzles and tasks …12 rounds…that Danny must somehow complete to save the life of his fiancee. (20th Century Fox)

GENRE(S):
Action

WRITTEN BY:
Daniel Kunka

DIRECTED BY:
Renny Harlin

RELEASE DATE:
DVD: June 30, 2009
Theatrical: March 27, 2009

RUNNING TIME:
108 minutes, Color

ORIGIN:
USA

The following DVDs are being released on June 23rd (major releases):

Confessions Of A Shopaholic

Pink Panther 2

Phoebe In Wonderland

My pick this week goes to Pink Panther 2 as a rental. 

MPAA RATING: PG for some suggestive humor, brief mild language and action

Starring Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Andy Garcia, Lily Tomlin, and John Cleese

The Pink Panther 2, the sequel to the 2006 worldwide hit, stars Steve Martin as he reprises the role of intrepid-if-bumbling French police detective, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther Diamond, Chief Inspector Dreyfus is forced to assign Clouseau to a team of international detectives and experts charged with catching the thief and retrieving the stolen artifacts. Martin is joined by his co-stars Jean Reno and Emily Mortimer. The story is set in Paris and Rome. (Sony)

GENRE(S):
Adventure  |  Comedy  |  Family/Kids  |  Mystery

WRITTEN BY:
Scott Neustadter
Michael H. Weber
Steve Martin

DIRECTED BY:
Harald Zwart

RELEASE DATE:
DVD: June 23, 2009
Theatrical: February 6, 2009

RUNNING TIME:
92 minutes, Color

ORIGIN:
USA

The following games are being released this week (Current Gen Consoles):

• Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince
• Call of Juarez Bound In Blood
• Blazblue:  Calamity Trigger
• PDC World Championship Darts
• Ice Age 3:  Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

• Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince
• Call of Juarez Bound In Blood
• Blazblue:  Calamity Trigger
• Ice Age 3:  Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

• Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince
• Ice Age 3:  Dawn Of The Dinosaurs

My pick this week goes to Call of Juarez Bound In blood as a purchase. 

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood transports players from a ravaged Civil War-era Georgia to the Aztec ruins of Mexico. In the wildest West ever depicted, players can embody both McCall brothers in an intense storyline full of greed, lust and lawlessness that takes place during a legendary period of American history. Become a Gunslinger - Harness a variety of weapons from various revolvers to heavy-caliber cannons and machine guns. Every accurate shot increases concentration, which allows players to unleash deadly shooting modes when outnumbered and even deadlier ones when the brothers work together. Dual Collaborative Gameplay - Players choose to embody Ray or Thomas, each with a distinctive gameplay style (close or long range), specific abilities (lasso, dynamite, etc.) and arsenal of deadly weapons (dual guns, long-range carbine, etc.). Take advantage of each of their strengths and join in the fiercest fights imaginable. Never Before Seen Western Experience - Experience the iconic settings full of outlaws - the West before it was tamed. The McCall brothers face a renegade Apache Chief, a greedy Mexican bandit, a vindictive Colonel, and others, all driven by greed with moral disregard. Enjoy a wide variety of situations, using horses, canoes and wagons to explore the vast natural landscapes of the fabled Wild West and its legendary period. Innovative Online Multiplayer - Developed in unison with the single player mode, multiplayer offers numerous modes and maps, resulting in endless hours of Wild West mayhem. Gunslingers, bandits and marshals struggle online for the bounty. Multiple characters are unlocked for team-based objective modes or the straightforward team death match. With a new Bounty system, players increase the bounty on their head with more kills. Get rid of the deadliest among you to increase your bank roll. [Ubisoft]

PUBLISHER:
Ubisoft

DEVELOPER:
Techland

GENRE(S):
First-Person Shooter

PLAYERS:
16

ESRB RATING:
M (Mature)

RELEASE DATE:
June 30, 2009

The following games are being released this week (Current Gen Consoles):

• Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires
• Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen
• Overlord II
• Fight Night Round 4 (25th)

• Dynasty Warriors 6 Empires
• Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen
• Overlord II
• Fight Night Round 4 (25th)

• The Conduit
• Dawn Of Discovery
• Resident Evil Archives
• Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen
• Overlord:  Dark Legend (26th)

My pick this week goes to Fight Night Round 4 as a purchase.  This is one boxing game you will want to own. 

Featuring a re-written gameplay engine, EA Sports Fight Night Round 4 adds a variety of fighting styles and boxer differentiation to authentically emulate the greatest fighters of all time. Pressure your opponent with the brawling inside style of young Mike Tyson, bobbing and weaving to set up powerful hooks and uppercuts. Capitalize on Muhammad Ali’s reach, hand speed and fleetness of foot to bewilder your opponent with lightning fast jabs and straights from the outside. For the first time, EA Sports Fight Night Round 4 gives you the opportunity to pit these legendary heavyweights against one another and name a true champ. No fight will be the same with an all-new physics-based animation system that recreates the full spectrum of true-to-life punch impacts, giving boxers a devastating arsenal of punches, blocks and ring movement. The new physics system allows for missed punches, glancing punches, knockout blows and for the first time ever, rough and tumble inside fighting. Fatigue, adrenaline, footwork and timing all come into play as you hammer away at your opponents. [Electronic Arts]

PUBLISHER:
Electronic Arts

DEVELOPER:
EA Canada

GENRE(S):
Boxing, Sports

PLAYERS:
2

ESRB RATING:
T (Teen)

RELEASE DATE:
June 23, 2009

For the second time in three years, the man who led the E3 briefing for the Xbox 360 has left Microsoft to take a job at Electronic Arts.

Microsoft’s John Schappert will once again become EA’s John Schappert when the founder of EA’s football giant Tiburon returns to the company as its Chief Operation Officer next month.

Microsoft indicated that Schappert will not be replaced.

Schappert has spent the last two years in the upper ranks of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 team where he has been serving as corporate vice president of Xbox Live software and services. He received his most prominent role yet from Microsoft earlier this month as he took the stage as the host of the company’s Xbox 360 media briefing.

As COO, Schappert will effectively be the number two at EA under CEO John Riccitiello. An EA press release announcing the move, defined Schappert’s role. He will be “responsible for worldwide publishing, the Online Platform Group, EA Interactive, Central Development Services and other divisions of the company.”

“After nearly two decades working in or around this company, I’ve got EA in my blood,” Schappert said in EA’s press release. “This is a team that is intensely focused on quality and innovation. I’m looking forward to rejoining EA as chief operating officer and helping grow the business on new platforms and in new markets.”

Schappert’s new boss, John Riccitiello, celebrated his hire. “We are thrilled to welcome John Schappert back to EA,” he said in EA’s release. “He has a great track record as a leader and innovator in our industry. His years of experience with EA and in Microsoft’s Xbox business, provide him great insight into recognizing what consumers want.”

Schappert replaces John Pleasants, who held the COO job for a little over a year. “When we informed Mr. Pleasants of the agreement with Jon Schappert he elected to pursue another opportunity,” EA’s head spokesperson Jeff Brown said. There are reports that Pleasants has taken the job of CEO at MySpace development studio Playdom.

In a company statement issued today, Microsoft wished Schappert well: “John has been part of the executive team that in the last two years has strengthened our game studios and LIVE services teams integrating our content and Xbox LIVE services strategy, and successfully launched the New Xbox Experience. We wish John the best of luck.”

When asked via e-mail who would replace Schappert, a Microsoft representative indicated that the company’s gaming group would proceed with its existing team: “At this time, Marc Whitten and Phil Spencer will lead their respective businesses, Live Services and Microsoft Game Studios, reporting directly to Don Mattrick. Microsoft has complete confidence in the leadership of Marc and Phil and that their teams will remain focused and on track as we ramp up for this holiday.”

Schappert founded Tiburon in 1994 before selling the studio to EA and ascending the executive ranks at the company. He reached COO of of worldwide studios and executive v.p. of EA’s Online Platform and Central Development Services Group before departing for Microsoft in 2007, where he would oversee the expansion of Xbox Live and the introduction of the New Xbox Experience.

Schappert is the second major Xbox figure to leave Microsoft for EA in a little over two years, though the flow of top men between the companies appears to flow both ways. Shortly after E3 2007, Microsoft’s then-corporate-v.p. of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Games for Windows group, Peter Moore, departed the company to helm EA Sports. Moore had keynoted Microsoft’s E3 briefing that year. He was replaced with former EA head of worldwide studios Don Mattrick.

First off, despite what you may hear from other sites, Lens Of Truth is trustworthy.  They do not favor either console and use the same setup for both.  What you see is what you get, there is no smoke and mirrors here.  Below is the full story: 

here’s been a lot of hype on the N4G News postings/comments section with various allegations against Lens of Truth’s methods and credibility.  We take pride in our work and constantly strive to be the unbiased news site that you, as a video game consumer, come to in order to answer the one basic question we all ask ourselves whenever a new multi-platform game is released: “Which of these games is worth my $60?”.  With that being said, we’d like the opportunity to address some of the various claims against the Head2Head we performed on the new Ghostbusters game.

CLAIM: “This post on Polycount from Terminal Reality’s lead character artist explains why there was so drastic difference between the PS3 and 360 versions texture quality.  Lens of Truth made the comparison using the pre-release copy of the game which had texture quality lowered.”
http://n4g.com/News-347268.aspx

RESPONSE: We were fortunate enough to be sponsored by Play N Trade for this particular Head2Head and were able to snag their customer demo copy of the game before the release date.  This does not, however, mean that we used a “pre-release copy” or some other beta of the PS3 version of the game.  The version we used is the same retail version that is being sold in stores.

Furthermore, we’re not sure it’s fair to accept a forum post as authoritative evidence on any matter, regardless of what forum it is and whose name is in the signature.

CLAIM: “MS paid them to do that because Ghostbusters is one of the biggest games of the decade and a huge threat for the 360’s success[sic]. ”
http://n4g.com/News-347268.aspx

RESPONSE: The “Lens of Truth” website is an independent site, primarily funded by a group of game developers/enthusiasts and generous donations from our fans.  Aside from user-submitted content, our site is built during our SPARE time.  While it would be a glorious (and blasphemous) event if Microsoft paid us to skew our Head2Head, the truth is best stated by another N4G commentor:

“LoT is not that big of a website, not that well known. It is more something like the HHG site. Why would MS waste money on that?”

CLAIM: “…as a lot of the time on these comparisons, they don’t look like what they do on my TV.” Some have even claimed that it’s our AV setup that leads us to draw “faulty conclusions”.  We’ve been accused of skewing our TV settings or in-game video settings in order to make one system look superior over another.

All of our Head2Head captures are done via component cables @ 720p. The reason that our comparisons are done with component video is because of the PlayStation 3’s HDCP on the HDMI output. HDCP is a form of digital copy protection which makes it impossible to capture with our hardware. In order to neutralize the possible processing effect that various TVs could have, we place the capture device between the gaming systems and the TV.  The only settings that could affect the quality of the video are the in-game video settings, which are always left as default.

Additionally, several other sites have come to the same conclusions that we have:

http://www.gamezine.co.uk/news/ghostbusters-ps3-960-by-540-360-720p-$1304198.htm
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/06/ghostbusters-graphically-youll-want-to-stick-with-the-360.ars

Even IGN mentions that the PS3 “graphics seem to be a touch dumbed down…” (http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/992/992699p3.html)

UPDATE:  Game Trailers just recently uploaded their comparison video of Ghostbusters. While we feel the video is good for showing the overall feel of Ghostbusters on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, they failed at focusing on the issues between the two versions.  It should also be noted that the video that Game Trailers is displaying on their site is sub 720p (960×540) whereas our video is full 720p (1280×720).   To show that we’ve achieved the same quality of capture on the PlayStation 3, we’ve taken two shots from their video that match up with our footage.  Note that our images had to be sized down to match the resolution of the Game Trailers images.   Also note that these images are pulled directly from the high quality download versions on both sites (Game Trailers = Quicktime, Lens of Truth = H.264 AVI).

In conclusion, our goal is not to mislead gamers.  Every member of our staff is a gamer too, and we believe that every gamer has a right to know which console sponsors a better finished product.  Every aspect of our site is designed in such a way so as to compare two very different systems in a completely unbiased way.  If you feel we’ve made a mistake, please let us know.  We have no problem with admitting when a mistake has been made.  With that being said, after several re-verifications, we firmly stand behind the conclusions previously published in our Ghostbusters Head2Head.

All I can say is good job guys and thank you very much for letting us all know which version to buy.

The following DVDs are being released on June 16th (major releases):

Friday The 13th

Madea Goes To Jail

Morning Light

My pick this week goes to Madea Goes To Jail but only as a rental. 

MPAA RATING: PG-13 for mature thematic material, drug content, some violence and sexual situations

Starring Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam,David Mann, Tamala Mann, Ronreaco Lee, Ion Overman, and Vanessa Ferlito

After a high-speed freeway chase puts Madea in front of the judge, her reprieve is short-lived as anger management issues get the best of her and land her in jail. A gleeful Joe couldn’t be happier at Madea’s misfortune. But Madea’s eccentric family members the Browns rally behind her, lending their special “country” brand of support. Meanwhile, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway is on the fast track to career success. But Hardaway lands a case too personal to handle - defending young prostitute and former drug addict Candace Washington - and asks his fiancée and fellow ADA Linda Holmes to fill in on his behalf. When Candace ends up in jail, Madea befriends the young woman, protecting her in a “motherly” way as only Madea can. (Lionsgate)

GENRE(S):
Comedy  |  Crime  |  Drama

WRITTEN BY:
Tyler Perry

DIRECTED BY:
Tyler Perry

RELEASE DATE:
DVD: June 16, 2009
Theatrical: February 20, 2009

RUNNING TIME:
103 minutes, Color

ORIGIN:
USA

The following games are being released this week (Current Gen Consoles):

• Ghostbusters The Videogame
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits
• Magic The Gathering:  Duels Of The Planeswalkers

• Ghostbusters The Videogame
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits

• Vertigo
• Ghostbusters The Videogame
• Roogoo Twisted Towers
• Hysteria Hospital:  Emergency Ward
• Let’s Tap
• Guitar Hero Smash Hits

As you can see Ghostbusters is a multi-platform game but my pick is for the Wii version.  Yes the 360 and PS3 versions look realistic and way better.  The Wii version gets my pick because it is the only one to offer campaign play in co-op.  There is no excuse for this.  If they couldn’t include this feature in the 360 or PS3 version then it should have been delayed.  Its as simple as that. 

The Ghostbusters are back in an all new story penned by the original creators. With Manhattan newly overrun by ghosts and other supernatural creatures, it’s up to you to take on the role of a new recruit joining the original film cast of the famous Ghostbusters team. Equipped with a variety of unique weapons and gadgets, you will hunt, fight and capture a wide range of uncanny phantasms and demons in an all new funny and frightening battle to save New York City from its latest paranormal plague. To deliver a special gaming experience to the tremendous Ghostbusters’ fan base around the world, the game features the original film cast from the classic Ghostbusters films, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson, back again for the first time in more than 20 years. Supporting the ghost busting crew are the talents of Annie Potts, Brian Doyle Murray and William Atherton. [Sierra Entertainment]

PUBLISHER:
Atari

DEVELOPER:
Red Fly Studios

GENRE(S):
Action

PLAYERS:
4

ESRB RATING:
E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

RELEASE DATE:
June 16, 2009

The following DVDs are being released on June 9th (major releases):

Gran Torino

The International

Fired Up

Crossing Over

Nobel Son

Spinning Into Butter

My pick this week is worth adding to your movie collection which is Gran Torino. 

MPAA RATING: R for language throughout, and some violence

Starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her, andChristopher Carley

Retired auto worker Walt Kowalski fills his days with home repair, beer and monthly trips to the barber. The people he once called his neighbors have all moved or passed away, replaced by Hmong immigrants, from Southeast Asia, he despises. Resentful of virtually everything he sees–Walt is just waiting out the rest of his life. Until the night someone tries to steal his `72 Gran Torino. The Gran Torino brings his shy teenaged neighbor Thao into his life when Hmong gangbangers pressure the boy into trying to steal it. But Walt stands in the way of both the heist and the gang, making him the reluctant hero of the neighborhood–especially to Thao’s mother and older sister, Sue, who insist that Thao work for Walt as a way to make amends. Though he initially wants nothing to do with these people, Walt eventually gives in and puts the boy to work fixing up the neighborhood, setting into motion an unlikely friendship that will change both their lives. (Warner Bros. Pictures)

GENRE(S):
Action  |  Drama  |  Suspense/Thriller

WRITTEN BY:
Dave Johannson (story)
Nick Schenk (& story)

DIRECTED BY:
Clint Eastwood

RELEASE DATE:
DVD: June 9, 2009
Theatrical: December 12, 2008

RUNNING TIME:
minutes, Color

The following games are being released this week (Current Gen Consoles):

• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
• Prototype
• Virtua Tennis 2009

• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
• Prototype
• Virtua Tennis 2009

• Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10
• Grand Slam Tennis
• Indiana Jones & The Staff Of Kings
• Reel Fishing:  Angler’s Dream
• Virtua Tennis 2009

My pick this week goes to Prototype and it is one to own. 

You are Alex Mercer, the Prototype: a shapeshifter with amazing powers of combat, destruction, and deception. Consume targets for their form and memories to assume a perfect disguise, or instantly transform your body into an array of deadly biological weapons, cutting your way to the heart of the conspiracy forty years in the making. Stalk the streets of New York City, searching for the life you lead before. Take the form of anyone in your path, using an arsenal of identities to confound, exploit or annihilate your enemies. Mankind is your mask. Wage a secret war against factions with complex agendas of their own, out to capture or kill you. They are your greatest threat and the key to the secrets of your past. Confront them, find those responsible and make them pay. Shapeshifting: Attack with brutal and devastating powers; instantly triggering hundreds of power combinations (Attack, Defensive and Sensory). Disguise: Assume the perfect disguise by transforming into any character and assuming the victim’s powers, skills and abilities. New York City is your hunting ground! Jam-packed, vibrant, fully interactive city filled with thousands of people and enemies out to destroy you. Delve to the bottom of a conspiracy that has haunted the American government for decades. Who is responsible for your condition? Only you can find out! Multiplayer: 2-Person Co-Op Online Multiplayer. [Sierra Entertainment]

PUBLISHER:
Activision

DEVELOPER:
Radical Entertainment

GENRE(S):
Action, Adventure

PLAYERS:
2

ESRB RATING:
M (Mature)

RELEASE DATE:
June 9, 2009