On the latest edition of the Binge Game Cast, Kupka and Batch discuss their Game Homework (henceforth known as Game Assignments), if Season Passes are worth your cash, Sports Games and more. We are also thinking about starting a Twitch Account. Would you guys watch? How about a game night in the near future, plenty of games to choose from. Let us know!
Kupka & Batch are back with another episode of the Binge Game Cast. This week we catch up with what we’re playing, discuss the rerelease of Resident Evil, and revisit some of our favorite Horror Games. And here is the list we discussed at the very end of the show.
Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Binge Game Cast where we talk everything game related. Join Kupka and Batch (Mike Batchelor aka Hunter Zolomin from Multiverse 5 and We Got NXT) as they discuss PC Gaming, Console Gaming, Board Gaming, Card Gaming and whatever else they decide to classify as a game. In this episode we talk about our “Gamer Cred”, the value of our entertainment hour/dollar and a whole bunch of other game related items. Enjoy.
For anyone interested feel free to add us to your friends list, here are our GamerTags:
The Insider, CS:GO, Divinity Original Sin and Wasteland 2
I think most of us here can agree, there is absolutely nothing better than revisiting a great film you’d completely forgotten about. Such was the case with The Insider, a flick that a buddy of mine has sworn by for years. Simply put, The Insider is a film that I think gets glossed-over/overlooked by many because of the shadow cast by Heat. Michael Mann is one of the most technically proficient film directors of all time, and The Insider might be (stress the word MIGHT) his overall best film. While the story of Dr. Wigand, played by Russell Crowe, is a fascinating one, especially when looked at through the lens of Pacino’s 60 Minutes producer Lowell Bergman, in the hands of another filmmaker a story like this could have been endlessly dull. Without question, The Insider is a tight, tense thriller about free speech and tort reform. Anyone who saw the Hot Coffee documentary would be interested to see The Insider if only to get a better idea of the damage tort cases can have on regular citizen’s freedom. Pacino is at a career-best level here, with Crowe doing a serviceable job as the doctor at the center of the story. If you haven’t seen this yet, get on it soon because it is easily as good as Mann’s best films, including the sacred Heat.
Steam…God damn you Steam. While singlehandedly being the absolute best and overall cheapest resource for video gamers, you have now successfully occupied a decent percentage of my week, hunting down deals and sinking hours into games that I am falling in love with. God damn you… This week, I was introduced to three great games that are now in my weekly rotation. Believe it or not, outside of Half-Life and Portal, I’ve never played any of the flagship Valve titles. Steam had the entire Valve Pack on sale for $24.99, and I had to do it. Now, I’ve got more versions of Counter-Strike than I know what to do with, but CS:GO is a TON of fun. While I’ve played my share of Call of Duty, CS:GO is just an overall better experience. By starting everyone on a level playing field and not adding match bonuses like supply drops or kill-streak bonuses, the game is based more on raw player skill, making a more enjoyable game and, easily, a more attainable level of proficiency in the game. Then, between Divinity: Original Sin and Wasteland 2, I’m guaranteeing, at a minimum, an easy hundred hours of game time between the two. I’m actually enjoying the gameplay from both simultaneously, with similar conventions across both titles. In each game, you control a group of four companions and rely on a lot of reading and decision making in between the shooty-shooty/fighty-fighty parts. I can’t recommend either one more than the other, so I suggest both are solid RPG games that deserve your time, if you love the genre. While Divinity is, arguably, a lot more difficult than Wasteland 2 is, the latter is a funnier, somewhat more meaningful story. Buy em both, don’t give me no sass.
Next week I WILL have my Gone Girl review up in time for the Jack Attack, and hopefully I’ll have my thoughts on a certain upcoming release slightly early. Visit back for our Boardwalk/Strain/Sons commentaries, as well as our daily blogs, enjoy the glorious jibberish below, and, as always, Binge On!
Borderlands 2, Parks and Rec, The Wire, Patriots Football and
Jim Lawlapalooza Reflections (From the Outside)
Have I mentioned that Steam is, literally, the greatest thing ever done for video games? Well it is, and one of the amazing byproducts of my revitalized love of PC gaming is revisiting games that I initially may have rushed through. Case-in-point: Borderlands 2. I don’t know how, but my first play-through of this game left me wanting a lot more. I think that was probably due to the fact that, because my brothers aren’t into the games I am I was playing solely by myself. What a mistake, as multiplayer Borderlands 2 is like a completely different game. It’s incredible how high the replay value becomes once you have three other people participating in the mayhem. Again, if you’re on steam, hit me up and let’s play.
I’m happy to report I’ve officially jumped on the Parks and Rec bandwagon. I added the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness to this article because it is literally the moment in this show where I finally got it. The comedy here is solid, layered and full of good characters. I’m now on season 3 and the inclusion of Rob Lowe and Adam Scott is really enjoyable, particularly Rob Lowe, whose comedic chops are on full display here. Once again, glad I stuck it out for this one as it’s becoming a staple in the house.
For those of you keeping track at home, I’m rounding out season 2 of The Wire in prep for our upcoming commentaries. I said it on the BingeCast earlier and I’ll say it here again; give season 2 a break. David Simon went in a totally new direction and gave viewers something radically different than anything done on TV before or since, but that’s far from a bad thing. Frank Sobotka is a great character and provides a strong connection to the normal working class in Baltimore, something very important to the overall journey of the series. I’m actually looking forward to the season 2 commentaries more than season 1, call me crazy.
I can’t believe football is finally here. I’m so ready for this season I can’t stand it, and at 1:00pm this Sunday my ass will be planted firmly in front of a gigantic TV, hopefully with a nice brew and some great company. I’m over the moon for my boys’ roster this year, and the (surprise) announcement that Gronk is good to go for game 1. While Gronk seems to be the lynchpin for the offense in the eyes of many analysts, I try to remember that last year, with a core of rookie receivers and a decimated defense, the Pats still made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game. The consistency of this team is, at this moment, unrivaled across the league, and I’m ecstatic because of that. I’m also glad that Jimmy Garoppolo is getting the backup job this year behind Brady, as I’ve never been too impressed with Ryan Mallett’s production whatsoever. Garoppolo already looks like he understands the mechanics and timing of a football game better than Mallett ever did. I’m not saying the kid is the next Aaron Rodgers, but he looks solid and willing to learn, two traits that made Tommy Touchdown the champ he is today. I’m calling it now, AT LEAST 14-2 this season.
I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge this past weekend’s Jim Lawlapalooza. First of all, thank you gents for the call during the show, it was great to be there in spirit. Second of all, and to all my fellow BingeFans/Staff, how fucking FUN did that look/sound? I’m there next year, by hook or by crook, no doubt. Here’s hoping the boys come out to New York so we can go get drunk outside the New York Public Library and quote Ghostbusters lines. Check back later this week for our daily blogs and a new Strain commentary (which kicked major ass this week!). Binge on!
30 For 30, 24, The Station Agent & The Goddamn Batman
Another week, another blogpost from your favorite (admit it) Binge blogger. This week was a particularly productive one, since I jumped back on the workout wagon in full force, automatically raising my weekly movie consumption by at least 70%. You see, I convince myself to stay on the elliptical by bribing my brain with a movie that I can only watch while on said machine, so it’s a win-win. While most of you were out watching the fireworks this past weekend I used my time off to bask in the glorious glow of my TV set. As a result, I was able to catch a pretty solid rash of flicks this week, both documentaries and theatrical flicks, as well as get some new I’ve been waiting on for a long time.
My first flicks were a pair of documentaries from the 30 for 30 series. The first was the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding (seen above, in all her glory) flick “The Price of Gold,” which was very solid. Sports controversy doesn’t get much juicier than this and the documentary does a good job of giving you the background on what went down as well as the bullet points of the crime and subsequent criminal trial. I’m no figure skating fife but there’s no denying those fuckers have some serious athleticism which comes across pretty well here. 8 on 10 all day.
The second 30 for 30, titled “The Announcement,” was all about Magic Johnson and his journey with HIV. I know this sounds really naive but I had no idea there was a large contingency of people that live with HIV, staying alive through medication and strict care. If anything, this documentary taught me a little bit about the disease, which is great. Documentaries should highlight something you don’t know about the world around you and I’m glad this flick did that for me. I also appreciate the hell out of true sportsmanship, seen here with some of the interviews with MJ and Larry Bird. I’m a moderate Celtics fan, but an even bigger fan of Larry Bird highlights, so I know of the Johnson/Bird rivalry, but the fact that Bird shows up here and gives the man his due is awesome and something I love to see in sports. Except in reference to Eli or Peyton Manning, fuck those douchebags.
24 is about to round out it’s final episode this coming Monday and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve seen season 1 and this Live Another Day miniseries and that’s it, but I’ll be goddamned if I’m not loving some Jack Bauer ass-kicking. I’m just having a great time with it, despite the logic gaps and plot holes, because they stick to their fucking guns on that show. The showrunners have been doing it so long that the confidence of the writers and Sutherland is all over every moment of this season. Also, is there anything more tense than the ticking clock noise? Fucking genius, still works like a charm.
I think, because of Game of Thrones primarily, from here on out I’m a Peter Dinklage mark. A buddy of mine told me years ago to give The Station Agent a watch and I finally got around to it this week. Was it worth the watch? Absolutely. This is a difficult flick to recommend because the movie lives and dies on the backs of the cast and, literally, nothing else. Simply put, you need to either like or, at least, be intrigued by Dinklage, Patricia Clarkson and the always charismatic Bobby Cannavale. Ever since he played Gyp Rosetti on Boardwalk Empire I’ve liked this dude. He’s shown up on the Rich Eisen podcast a couple times and despite his New York fandom I feel like I could drink with this guy. Anywho, it’s tough to criticize this movie for being anything other than a hidden gem, one that got a lot of fanfare back when it was released but not enough love nowadays. 9 on 10, easily, for this great little flick.
As for video games, I’ve decided to jump back into a replay of Batman Arkham City, this time on my Mac. The game is just as amazing as I remember it the first time round, being somehow more operatic and grandiose than the first play-through. This was, of course, a direct result of the glorious Steam Summer Sale, which I am still reaping the benefits of now. Speaking of which, does anyone out there play Tropico? I grabbed Tropico 4 and can’t figure out how to get past the first level. I’m down with RTS but this game seems like a magnificent clusterfuck, created solely for the purpose of making me lose sleep at night. Not about to give up on it, but anyone with some pointers, give me a shout.
It’s finally happening, Batfans! The original 1966 Bill Dozier Batman series has finally been given a street date for later this year, some time in November, and I couldn’t be more stoked. This is the missing piece of Bat-film that most collectors, myself included, have been dying to get their hands on. For those of you not in the know, the show has been in syndication quite a bit over the past 50 years but never released, officially, on home video due to some issues with the rights to the show. Last year, when all that cleared up, the action figures started getting released, and now we’re finally getting into the real meat and potatoes. I’ve never seen the entire series in all its cheesiness but you bet your ass I’ll have this thing when it hits the street.
Another week down. What does the future hold? Who the fuck knows. Keep reading and I’ll keep writing, until next time!
A blatant ripoff of Monday Morning Moreno and Friday Night Law, I bring you: (Working on a Title) Wednesday. Clever huh? Much like the aforementioned columns I’ll try and bring some information and some entertainment to get you through your day. If I succeed great, if not, I’m probably not gonna give a shit. Then again I feel that way about pretty much everything on Wednesday, don’t you? Anyways, enough rambling, let’s get to it.
Ah, The Wednesday Before Vacation.
For me there is something special about the Wednesday before going on vacation. Sure, it starts at 5 on Friday but today, today I will have passed the halfway point and after this work day I am 48 hrs away from vacation and only a few more from high tailing it out town. Today is the day I start packing, or at least think about it, I think about what movies/albums/games/reading material I want to bring along for the flights, and I think about how much I’m not gonna miss a single goddamn minute of the office. Sure, I like the people I work with. I really do, but like most relationships you need a goddamn break or you just may kill someone. This time around I will be galavanting in D.C. before heading to N.C. where I will be for the 4th of July. If memory serves this will actually be the first time I am not in the Tri-State area for the 4th. Kinda weird I guess. It might be more interesting if I were in D.C. for it, but a possible shark attack at the beach is always the best way to spend a holiday weekend I always say.
Steam’s Annual Summer Sale
If you’re a PC Gamer welcome to Christmas in July June. If you aren’t a PC Gamer let me tell you about how to become one. First get a PC, you’re probably sitting at one so we’re off to a good start. I know I said PC but I’m using that in the generic sense because if you happen to be one of those Mac People you too can join in the fun. Next step go to http://store.steampowered.comESPECIALLY during one of their amazing sales either their Summer Sale (currently running through the end of the month) or their Winter Sale (typically around Christmas) and stock up on some games you missed, some you would love to replay or even take a gamble on something you typically wouldn’t play. Every day at Noon CST a lot of games are put up at a pretty significant discount for 48 hrs. And other lots, usually ones you vote on, are put up every 8 hrs as Flash Sales. How crazy are these deals? How about Borderlands 2 for $4.99 or Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Black List Digital Deluxe Edition for only $9.99. You can even choose from some highly rated indie games for as low as $0.99. It really doesn’t get any better than this.
Transformers 4
Why? Can someone please tell me why Michael Bay is still getting money to make these overly long dub step videos that also happen to contain robots, shitty acting, and even shittier dialogue. I for one will not be taken advantage of, again. I gave him my money for Transformers 3 in hopes that it would wash out the disgusting taste that Transformers 2 left. It didn’t. In fact I found it to be an overly patriotic piece of propaganda that happened to have robots in it. Oh, but this has Marky Mark in it. I like him. We also get the Dinobots. SERIOUSLY?! Ugh, now I actually have to take the time and think about this briefly… Yeah, still not going. I want it to be good, I really do, but I’d honestly rather take in a 3 hr marathon of some quality small screen goodness than take a chance on another piece of shit summer “blockbuster” that cares more about raking in the money than putting out a good film. I’ll wait for video for this one, and who knows maybe with good buzz I’ll even rent it legitimately.
Well that’s gonna do it for this week, if I’m feeling ambitious I’ll check in while on vacation. If not, just consider me that douche who takes a new job only to be off in a week. Until then, I leave you with this classic.