Review: PlayStation 3 3D Display

Yes, I'll admit it.  I'm a gadget geek.  I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to playing with all the cool new hi-tech toys on the market.  I love when I get the chance to take "new features" or "upgraded technology" for a spin.  So when Sony first announced plans to release a PlayStation branded 3D display in November, I was itching to get my hands on one and put it through its paces.  Unfortunately, the usual pre-Christmas end of year rush kept me from thinking about it too much, except for those occasions I'd see the display at retail and say to myself, "Hey David. There's that PlayStation display again.  Y'know, sooner or later you should really check that out and maybe even write up a piece on it."  To which I'd follow-up with, "Umm, I really need to stop talking to myself out loud like that. People are beginning to stare."

Well thanks to those blackmail pictures I have of Santa's risque summer vacation (as well as a convenient sale at Best Buy dropping the price to $299 this week), I've got the PlayStation 3D Display hooked up in the office and ready to go.  So now comes the big question ... "Is this thing actually any good?"

Free Fruit Ninja Kinect Christmas DLC

If you happen to be one of those people who are overly enthusiastic about the holidays and are running out of things to decorate you will be thrilled to hear that you can now spruce up your Xbox 360 as well, for free! Maybe the folks at Halfbrick had too much eggnog, but regardless of what put them in the Christmas spirit I'm super excited about their new Christmas DLC pack for Fruit Ninja Kinect available starting today on Xbox Live Arcade. The pack includes a festive "Santa's Workshop" themed background, "Candy Cane Blade" (whiff of peppermint when you swing your arm NOT included), and a "Snow Globe" silhouette that is sure to help you burn off all those Christmas cookies after you bounce up and down a million times trying to shake the globe (which is you). Trust me...you'll try it at least a few times.

If all those things aren't exciting enough , they've also swapped out the pomegranate power fruit for something a little more fruity and festive...a fruit cake! If you haven't tried Fruit Ninja Kinect yet it would definitely make a great stocking stuffer. Fruit Ninja Kinect can be purchased through the Xbox Live Arcade for 800 Microsoft Points ($10). It's rated "E for Everyone", even elves (too much?) and is definitely a great family game.

Gotham City Impostors Animated Shorts

It's no secret that I've been digging the idea behind the upcoming Batman-themed shooter, Gotham City Impostors, since it was first announced earlier this year.  After all, I AM a big comic-book geek, and there's just something fun about the idea of running around as a half-crazed Batman or Joker wannabe.  It's almost like Team Fortress 2 made sweet, sweet love to a batch of Detective Comics.  Well, to build up interest for the game, Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics have been putting together some quick, fun animated shorts for the game.

So, in case you've missed them before, here they are again for your viewing pleasure:

Game Review: Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure (PS3)

Once upon a time, there was an iconic purple dragon that used to bring a smile to both kids and adults all over the world.  What?  No, I'm NOT talking about "Barney".  Seriously? THAT'S your first thought when I mention "purple dragon"? *Sigh* No, the iconic purple dragon I'm talking about is none other than Spyro, the star of more than a dozen video games spanning more than a decade.  It's been a few years since Spyro last appeared on consoles (2008's The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon, to be exact), but don't think for a second that means the reptilian rogue's flame has be squelched.  Spyro is back ... and he's brought a few friends.  Welcome to the world Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, a unique new interactive gaming experience from Activision and Toys for Bob.

Game Review: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception (PS3)

Back when I was younger, I absolutely LOVED action/adventure flicks ... still do, in fact.  Even today, I count the Indiana Jones trilogy among my favorite flicks.  (Yes, I said "trilogy". Whatever the hell Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was, I refuse to count it as an Indiana Jones movie).

Nothing ever struck me with the same fun and excitement as the globe trotting exploits of Professor Jones.  That is until late 2007, when Naughty Dog, a studio best known for games like Crash Bandicoot and Jak and Daxter, decided to dive into the treasure hunting genre with Uncharted: Drake's Fortune.  It wasn't long before I started asking "Indiana Who?" and wondering how Naughty Dog could ever top itself.  Then along came Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, which not only improved on the single player experience from the first game, but also tossed in a couple of cool new multiplayer features for good measure.  Now Naughty Dog is bringing Nathan Drake back for the trifecta in Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, but can lightning really strike three times in a row?

DVD Review: Thor (Blu-ray)

When it comes to bringing comic books to the big screen, nobody does it better these days than Marvel.  With the blockbuster performance of Iron Man, Marvel Studios proved that "if you want something done right, you do it yourself."  With strong performances, heavy nods to the comic book faithful, and a strong continuity tying the movies together, all building up to next year's release of big budget, ensemble adaptation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, The Avengers.

A couple of weeks ago, yet another member of the "Avengers Assembled" club made his way to home theaters with the release of Thor on DVD and Blu-ray.  It's officially "Hammer Time" (sorry about that, but I think everyone in the media is contractually obligated to make the M.C. Hammer reference) as Marvel's God of Thunder enters the battlefield.  But is the flick that perfect storm of action and adventure waiting to electrify comic book fans and filmgoers alike?  Or is simply more Hollywood bluster, amounting to little more than a special effects laden tempest in the proverbial teapot?

Game Review: Marvel Super Hero Squad Online (PC)

In case you're just tuning in here, there's something you guys should know about me.  I am a self-professed and unapologetic comic book fanboy.  Marvel, DC, IDW, Dark Horse ... it doesn't matter.  I love the art, the writing, the characters, and pretty much everything about the medium.  Heck, before I got into this whole writing shtick, I even managed a couple of comic book shops.

Because of this "fanboy" mentality, whenever I see a new movie, TV show, or video game coming out based on a comic book, I kinda feel obligated to at least check it out and see if it's any good.  So when Gazillion Entertainment and The Amazing Society released the kid-friendly, free-to-play MMO based on Marvel Comics' Super Hero Squad ... well, who was I to pass up a chance to "Hero up!" and save the day?

Music Review: Lady Antebellum - Own The Night

I am by no means a music critic. I select music solely based on how it makes me feel, and I know I can always count on Lady Antebellum when it comes to matters of the heart. Their latest album, Own The Night, is chock full of songs that will make your soul ache for that lost love who still haunts you.

I was pleased to hear more duets featuring Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott. They both have amazing voices and I love hearing them sing together. I wasn’t so sure about Charles Kelley when he started singing more, and it wasn’t just Hillary Scott in the limelight, but he has definitely worked his way into my heart and I was thrilled to hear more of his sexy voice.

The King Has Returned!

For those people who weren't around in 1994 and for those who didn't want to see it in IMAX format in 2002, or those who for some other reason missed it the first two times it was released, Disney has re-released its blockbuster hit, The Lion King, in theaters this week. This time those marketing marvels at Disney have added a 3D format to the film (no doubt hoping to cash in on the current 3D craze sweeping theaters all over the country).

Generally speaking, I tend to think of 3D as a sort of gimmick, like the B-grade movies that filled drive-in theaters and matinees back in the 1950's with their accompanying cheesy special effects. And for me at least, I received the news that Disney had given this animated classic the 3D treatment with more than a little skepticism, despite my innitial delight at the thought of seeing it again in theaters.  The Lion King is a modern piece of storytelling genius that doesn't need any gimmicks to entice me to see it again in all its theatrical glory. That having been said, I shelled out thirteen dollars to see it last night in order to discover whether the movie still stood the test of time, or if my fondness for Disney/Pixar was coloring my memory for this film.

I Want To Love the New Girl

It’s been a long time since I’ve followed a new television series. I think Lost was my last TV love. For the first time in a long time I decided I was going to pick a show from the fall lineup and give it a chance. Because of an On Demand clip that was showing while I was surfing for something interesting to watch, I decided to check out the pilot for New Girl, starring Zooey Deschanel. I saw her as a kind of kindred spirit. She’s a quirky adorable girl who has been hurt and needs to have some hope that life isn’t all cheating men and people that want to sleep with her.

A world where guys DON’T want to sleep with Zooey Deschanel? Yeah, that can only happen on television.

Deadliest Warrior Season Finale

For three seasons now, Spike TV has been pitting some of the greatest and most infamous characters throughout history against one another in mortal combat (no, not THAT "Mortal Kombat" ... though there are plenty of fatalities) in Deadliest Warrior. I'll admit, I've been a big fan of the series, and I'm constantly learning more about the history of combat, while being fascinated to see the weapons in action.  Still, I'm always left wondering how they could possibly outdo themselves.  Well, to wrap up Season 3, the Deadliest Warrior crew went out with a bang ... or rather a bite ... answering an age old fanboy question:

"Who would win in a fight between Vampires and Zombies?"

Game Review: Dead Island (PS3)

Ahh.  The clear, sunny skies.  The warm, sandy beaches. The crystal clear ocean.  Who wouldn't love to escape to a tropical resort for a while, far away from the hustle and bustle of the day to day grind?  It's a perfect little relaxing getaway.  I mean, it's not like you're going to wake up the next morning and find out paradise has suddenly been overrun by the shambling hordes of the undead looking to feast upon your flesh, right?

Damn it!  That's the last time I book a vacation through Priceline.

Shh ... don't spill the beans.

Odd.  This seems like just a random blog at first.  Ahh, but like the greatest of magic tricks, there's a lot more going on behind the scenes. "Like what?", you ask.  Well, if I told you right now, I'd be giving it all away ... and where's the fun in that?

All kidding aside, this may not look like much just yet, but it's a start.  If you've stumbled across this already and this is the only post you see, then it's a safe bet that we're still under construction.  But keep checking back with us.  Before long, PopCult POV will be a haven for all manner of pop culture fun, including news, reviews, editorials, videos, and so much more.  We're going to run the gamut here, from comic books and video games to movies and TV, and even some more esoteric facets of what's considered PopCult.

So sit back, buckle up, and get ready for a hell of a ride.