Early Game Review: 'WWE 2K25'

Each year, 2K Games sets the tone for the pro wrestling year with a new entry in its annual series. The dev team at Visual Concepts has to balance itself atop the turnbuckle by paying tribute to up-and-coming superstars and their developing fanbases while honoring the towering past of the organization.

Due out Friday, "WWE 2K25" manages the trick nicely, looking to create as much of an impact as cover performer Roman Reigns did when he first entered the ring in 2012.

Out of the gate, the narrative establishes itself as a reverent observer of the franchise's past and the way it continues to influence the present. By wrapping itself along the famed Bloodline, which stretches back to the tag team dubbed The Samoans in the late 1980s, carried on through the ensuing decade with the debut of Dwayne Johnson as the Rock, and thrives today in the form of Reigns. 

The game sets you on a path that echoes that of the Big Dog himself, attempting to dominate both in the ring and at the watercooler with its Rule Beyond the Ring tagline. MyRISE lets you roll into the game's story mode, playing a part in a wild, twist-filled narrative worthy of a pay-per-view special.

Taking a cue from the NBA 2K franchise, there's a hub world dubbed The Island that lets you guide your created wrestler through various challenges and attractions, grinding for XP while trying to avoid the temptation of pay-to-win mechanics. 

Other prime additions include new brawl environments and match types, intergender competition, a Bloodline Rules Match, Underground Match and barricade driving. Add to that some subtle visual upgrades and gameplay enhancements, and you get a package that's hard to resist, even for players still enthralled with "WWE 2K24."

In my first match out of the gate, I chose the 1997 version of the Rock to square off against Andre the Giant. Severely outmatched and easily tossed out of the ring, I formulated a desperate strategy to dance around outside the squared circle until the referee had almost reached his disqualification 10-count. Then I slipped back under the ropes, planted a kick on Andre's face when he tried to follow suit, and claimed the cheap victory, reveling in the booing crowd and announcers' complaints that the result didn't feel justified. This sort of iterative WWE action is electrifying and has me coming back for more.

While I yearned for a more robust cast of past stars, this game's roster, which includes the likes of ody Rhodes, Liv Morgan, Rey Mysterio, Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Jacob Fatu, Rob Van Dam, Lita, LA Knight, Chyna, Batista, Nia Jax and Becky Lynch, provides plenty of potential for intriguing matchups and cross-generational drama. DLC promises brawlers such as the Motor City Machine Guns, Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, and Jordynne Grace, plus WWE Legends including Mark Henry, the New Age Outlaws, Jesse Ventura, New Jack, Junk Yard Dog, and Tito Santana. 

As it nearly all of its predecessors have done, "WWE 2K25" has reignited my fascination with the pastime, making me feel excited to play out permutations of prototypical WWE wildness on my own screen. This is a game worthy of its cover star.

Publisher provided review code.

Book Report: 'Everything is Fucked: A Book About Hope'

 

A Journal: EVERYTHING IS FUCKED: A BOOK ABOUT HOPE by Mark Manson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mark Manson is a sneaky philosopher, wedging in classical, Freudian and Buddhist themes with his rough-hewn, locker room-style comedy diatribes. Delivered in the audiobook via a deadpan style that sometimes undercuts the urgency of his message, the often rambling, occasionally poignant set of observations on the misery wrought by materialism manages to carve a sharp impression.

The subtitle is misleading. The book is only about hope in that it is out to destroy it. In Manson's thinking, hope is an ever-dangling carrot that is the root of depression, violence, rage and misery. Only through the rejection of fleeting highs, he reasons, can you strive to a higher purpose. The pleasure, as he sees it, is in the pain.

There is much to relish and appreciate in Manson's book, and there is also plenty of unkempt, half-baked solipsism that might have been cultivated into a more consistent theme with better editing. But Manson pulls off a parlor trick by dreaming up a fantastic title, beginning and ending, leaving the reader feeling fulfilled. These may be empty calories, but they sure are tasty.

View all my reviews

Box Break: 2025 Topps Series 1 Baseball Jumbo Hobby Box #2

 See what autographs and relics I pull.

Box Break: 2025 Topps Series 1 Baseball Fanatics Exclusive Value Box

The first value box of the new season yields guarded optimism.

Early Game Review: 'Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars'

Two of the most influential role-playing games in the past 30 years are taking a victory lap in the form of a buffed-up anthology, thanks to Konami's "Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars." Due out March 6, the game is set to take JRPG fans on a nostalgic trek. Those who own the PS4 versions of the game will get the PS5 upgrade automatically.

Originally released in 1998 and 2006, the games are back in a form that resembles the look and feel of the primary releases. 

In the first game, you lead a Liberation Army against a brutal tyrant, shifting the 108 stars of Destiny in order to reshape history. In the sequel, you guide a pair of friends, members of the Unicorn Youth Bregade, who face down the Highland Kingdom in a long-running border dispute that continues to smolder.

Clever dialogue, intriguing combat, addictive leveling and an engaging story pules both games. Both work as master classes in character development and storytelling that works on several levels.

Upgrades abound, with all background illustrations uipgraded to HD, new effects that enhance the pixel art animation and revamped environmental sound effects. Quality-of-life improvements abound, including autosave, battle fast forward and a conversation log.

Both of these "Suikoden" games deserve to be revisited, and are far more palatable to modern sensitivities in this form than were the original releases. If you've waited to dip your toe into classic Suikoden, now is the time to take the plunge.

Publisher provided review code.

Box Break: 2022 Panini Absolute Baseball Hobby Box

 There is an "average" of one autograph or relic card per box... See how the numbers broke for me.

Game Review: 'Lost Records: Bloom Tape 1'

 

Developer Dont Nod, the maestros behind the likes of "Life is Strange," "Jusant" ad "Tell Me Why," heads back to its adventure game roots with "Lost Records," a two-part episodic release that drips with 1990s nostalgia. 

The first part, "Bloom" was released Feb. 18, and the follow-up, "Rage," is due out April 15.

You play as a woman who agrees to reunite with friends from the 1990s to make good on a pact. The events of that area are interspersed with modern-day goings-on in a time-skipping narrative that manages to build up suspense for thunderous payoffs. 

The game has a thrillingly jarring way of shifting between the feeling of a slow burn and a tense thriller.

The Don't Nod proves to be well-schooled in 1990s minutiae, with touches that, as a teen of the era, brought a smile to my face.

Rich dialogue, fascinating storytelling twists and an immersive narrative are the game's strengths, helping it make up for a methodical pace and uninspired visual look.

Overall, "Bloom" is a promising and fascinating start to the "Lost Records" duology, setting the stage for what looks to be a rewarding payoff when "Rage" releases in April. An under-the-radar the release that hasn't yet earned the adulation of Don't Nod's flashier efforts, these "Lost Records" are well worth the search.

Publisher provided review code.

Hot on Home Video: 'A Complete Unknown'

A COMPLETE UNKNOWN

Director James Mangold's Bob Dylan biopic, which hauled in eight Oscar nominations, catalogs the early-career highs and lows of the legendary folk singer. Timothy Chalamet thrives in the lead role, vaulting to the top of the Best Actor Oscar odds with a tremendous performance, echoing the legendary singer's mannerisms, instrumentals and vocals. Edward Norton earns a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nod as mentor Pete Seeger, and Elle Fanning is strong as Dylan's girlfriend at the time, a composite character named Sylvie Russo. Monica Barbaro slays as Joan Baez and Boyd Holbrook leaves a stark impression as Johnny Cash.

The film focuses on Dylan's emergence as a popular artist, as well as the personal foibles that made him a difficult romantic and professional partner. At the root of his persona is an iconoclastic determination that makes him leery of exploiting his popularity as an artist for financial gain at the expense of his integrity. A fascinating look into Dylan's life, the film succeeds on its chosen level and earns its Best Picture nomination.

Studio sent review screener.

Game Review: 'Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered'

 

"Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered" marks the end of one Lara Croft era and the transition to the next one. Like some old social media posts, the anthology delivers equal shares of laughs and winces, showing flashes of what made the games popular at the turn of the 21st century, as well as why the franchise has moved on.

The effort from Aspyr and Crystal Dynamics delivers three solid Lara Croft games for below $30. The titles include "Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation," "Tomb Raider: Chronicles" and "Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness." Each of the remastered titles gets a fresh coat of paint, with better graphics, control options that make Lara fare easier to maneuver, trophies and achievements and a photo mode. In a wink and nod to gamedom's past, the old cheat codes still work.

This set of remastered "Tomb Raider" games follows last year's remaster of the original trilogy, which I found tough to play. The second trilogy is far more user-friendly, and while still stiff and awkward in the manner of many 3D games from the era, has much more going for it than the original releases.

Loads of improvements over the originals are present, including the ability to skip cutscenes, an onscreen ammo counter, Flyby Camera Maker and the ability to toggle back and forth between modern controls and the original interface. Bosses now have health bars, new animations abound and you Lara can now shift her view 180 degrees with the tap of a button.

Some of the gameplay is still stiff, and the awkward, era-specific characterization of Lara can be a little unnerving. 

Still, there is plenty to appreciate, especially in the pacing and sense of adventure that would inspire the "Uncharted" games and set the foundation for the fuller-featured "Tomb Raider" entries of recent years. The dual-wielding, shorts-wearing feminist icon had to start somewhere, and replaying this trilogy is the best way to re-experience her awkward adolesence.

Publisher provided review code.

Box Break: 2025 Topps Series 1 Hobby Box 3

Was hoping to go three for three in autograph pulls.

Box Break: 2025 Topps Series 1 Jumbo Hobby Box

See what I pulled from the massively expensive box.

Box Break: 2025 Topps Series 1 Hobby Box

 Breaking my first hobby box!

Early Game Review: 'PGA Tour 2K25'

Big swings are the theme in "PGA Tour 2K25," a thoroughly impressive golf sim that manages to capitalize on much of the momentum the series has gained in the last entry, from two years back. The game is due out Feb. 28.

Following suit of the wildly successful NBA 2K franchise, the dev team emphasizes customizability. MyCAREER and MyPLAYER modes have you simulate the odds and ends of golf life both on the course and off. You can, say, get texts from your agent, who helps you shape your public persona. Talk a big game and match it on the green and your popularity will soar. On the other hand, you could see opportunities pass you by if you fail to make your mark on either pop culture or the leaderboard.

The game sets you up to succeed from the outset. A helpful tutorial, narrated by a supportive Bubba Watson, gets you cooking from the tee box. You can choose from a variety of swing methods, and as a three-click guy, I was pleased to see my favored mode given high prioritization and seasoning. The hypnotic concentric circles involved with the mode make it far more fascinating and relatable than recent updates to kicking game in this year's football sims.

The roster of pro golfers is impressive, with the likes of Tiger Woods, Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris headlining the squad. While it's nowhere near as stacked a group as the "Tiger Woods" EA games boasted in their heyday, it's a strong enough roundup to make you feel like you're watching the Golf Channel on a between-majors tourney on a Sunday morning.

The 26 official courses included boast some bucket list gems, such as Oakmont Country Club and Royal Portrush Golf Club, with many more planned as DLC.

The commentary and presentation echo trends in golf broadcasts, and pull relevant material into the chatter. I usually switch the volume off in golf games, but I appreciated the sights and sounds that the dev team painstakingly captured, adding to the sense of realism.

While it will take months to see how online modes and community backing support "PGA Tour 2K25," the opening swing nails the green on the par-3. It would be hard to imagine a better start for the latest entry in the franchise that has quickly risen to the forefront of the golf sim realm. I'm looking forward to making the game part of my weekly driving, chipping and putting routine.

Publisher provided review code.

Hot on Home Video: 'Mufasa: The Lion King,' 'Nosferatu'

MUFASA: THE LION KING

Barry Jenkins directs this CGI-fest, which both precedes and follows the story of "The Lion King" to mixed but largely successful effect. The voice cast includes the likes of Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, and John Kani reprise their roles from the remake; new cast members include Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone and Mads Mikkelsen. Lin-Manuel Miranda also chips in some music, helping the visual dynamo take on a majestic tone. 

While the film won't come close to replacing the original film, or even its remake, in hearts of film lovers, it thrives as a strong companion piece.

NOSFERATU (2024)

Writer/director Robert Eggers reimagines the seminal 1922 horror film with a chilling and captivating take on the material, which was based on the Bram Stoker novel. Exquisite cinematography blends with minimalist performances and psychosexual dynamics to craft an exquisite exploration of themes of mortality, obsession and love. 

Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgard and Willem Dafoe make up the dynamite cast. While not overtly scary, the film drives home its themes via insinuation, leaving a haunting aftertaste that begs for the film to be rewatched.

Bonus features include an extended cut of the film, the featurette “Nosferatu: A Modern Masterpiece” and in-depth segments on the film’s look, character design and acting.

Studios provided screeners for review.

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'Some Like it Hot'

 

A timeless classic updated with surgical precision to suit modern themes, the touring musical production of "Some Like it Hot" seems built to draw laughs and poke at countercultural taboos for several more decades.

Based on the 1959 Billy Wilder film and the 2022 Broadway musical it inspired, the show is a tap dance fan's delight, bursting at the seams with expertly choreographed numbers, hummable songs and over-the-top comedic performances. 

Subtly dazzling stagecraft, including twinkling stars in the night sky and revolving doors employed for a show-stopping climax tops off a delightful production that oozes sweetness and a sense of shared social progress.

Powered by lead performances from Matt Loehr, as Joe/Josephine, and Tavis Kordell, as Jerry/Daphne, the show tells the story of con artist musicians who witness a gangland murder, then escape retribution by masquerading as women and joining an all-female jazz band.

Chemistry between the leading men is a necessity, and Loehr and Kordell capture an easy sense of friendship with aplomb. Other standouts include Tarra Conner Jones, who impresses as band leader Sweet Sue, and Leandra Ellis-Gaston, who belts out stunning tunes as the lead singer, Sugar.

While many hokey themes and gags from the original film manage to survive, the book benefits from decidedly 21st century touches, including a bold penchant for recasting the homophobic and anti-trans themes from the earlier work in supportive and understanding ways.

"Some Like it Hot" bubbles with fun from curtain to curtain, managing to overcome some filler songs and a severely dated premise in order to revitalize it as something that finds truth to the human condition and social consciousness as its evolved since the mid 1950s. 

This modern take on "Some Like it Hot" manages to exhibit a winning sense of cool.

"Some Like it Hot" plays through Feb. 23 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

Box Break: 2024 Topps Heritage Baseball Value Box

False alarm of an Aaron Judge autograph.

 

Box Break: 2024 Bowman Baseball Value Box

See what I pull from a 2024 Bowman box. 

Box Break: 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball Value Box

Check out my finds when I dig into some 2023 Topps Chrome Baseball.

 

Book Report: 'Greenlights'

 

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I prefer audiobooks to eye reading, and I usually acknowledge it as a matter of personal preference. In the instance of "Greenlights," though, it's absolutely crucial that you listen to the audiobook to get the most out of it.

Narrated by Matthew McConaughey, in his distinctive cowboy philosopher rhythms and intonations, you feel as though he's sitting at a bar with you, spinning yarns off the cuff as he recounts his wild past and doles out hard-earned advice.

It's refreshing to hear from an author who is so sure of his station in life, his approach and his priorities. He advocates taking risks, acting on gut instincts, taking the harder road for the sake of its difficulty and tossing aside comfort in favor of invigorating challenge.

It's hard to believe everything he says he has done is true, but also impossible not to be captivated by the truth that lurks behind his possible exaggerations. It's more fun to take McConaughey at his word and just hang on for the ride.

"Greenlights" is a glorious effort, and feels like undiluted truth from a bright and driven man's heart. I would listen to this again five or six times and cherish every moment.

View all my reviews

Box Break: 2024 Topps Allen and Ginter Value Box

Digging through the nostalgia for a few gems.

Box Break: 2024 Topps Garbage Pail Kids: Kids at Play Value Box

 Watch me dig through the trash.

Game Review: 'Kingdom Come: Deliverance II'

In an ideal world, a sequel to an uneven original will maximize what worked with the first game while doing away with or minimizing what held the first entry back. "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II" is a textbook example of how to do just that.

Superior to its predecessor in nearly every way, the effort from Deep Silver manages to fulfill the promise of the first game, which intended to replicate the harsh realities of medieval life. While the game did manage to capture the minutiae, it fumbled away the narrative momentum.

The new RPG, by comparison, seizes the reigns from the outset and hurls you headlong into a fascinating tale at breakneck speed, introducing fascinating characters, intriguing scenarios and enticing story and side quests.

Brutal melee combat, exquisite writing and set pieces that pull nascent threads together for exhilarating crescendos make the game seem truly epic. The stunning visuals are a considerable upgrade over the sometimes-muddy original, and the ambient sound and score grant the proceedings a cinematic flair.

The best RPGs make it easy to lose yourself in their worlds, and that's something "Kingdom Come: Deliverance II" captures from the outset. Fifteenth-century Europe truly comes alive in this grandiose tale made up of minute moments. The game works as something of a time machine to transport you into a different realm and era, giving you shivers all the while.

Publisher provided review code.

Hot on Home Video: 'Juror #2,' 'Wicked'

JUROR #2

At age 94, Clint Eastwood keeps grinding away behind the camera, proving that he is still up to the task of cranking out taut courtroom dramas. Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons and Kiefer Sutherland make up the strong cast in the film, which focuses on Hoult's titular character, who finds himself in a moral quandary that could sway justice in a murder case. 

While slow at times, the film manages to pack the typical Eastwood punch with some heavy-hitting suspense and drama.

WICKED

Nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, the film adaptation of the famed novel and Broadway musical is, for my money, the best adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" revisionist  prequel material yet. Clockwork-like choreography, dazzling visuals and inspired singing, dancing and acting performances make the film a thoroughly entertaining crowd-pleaser worth watching again and again. Director Jon M. Chu ("Crazy Rich Asians"_ gets the most out of his powerhouse cast, which includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage and Michelle Yeoh.

Loaded with extras, the film includes 10 deleted scenes, a making-of featurette, a sing along version and two commentary tracks, one involving filmmakers and the other featuring Erivo and Grande.

Phil on Film: 'I'm Still Here'

A passion project with political implications that span far past its borders and setting, the Best Picture Oscar-nominated "I'm Not Here" spins a quiet tale of oppression that spawns desperation.

Based on the Marcelo Rubens Pavia memoir, Director Walter Salles tells the true story of Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello), a political dissident who was allegedly captured and murdered by the authoritarian Brazilian government in 1970. 

In powerhouse turns, Fernanda Torres and Fernanda Montenegro play Eunice Pavia, Rubens' wife, who is left scrambling to hold her family together while searching for answers.

Told with urgency and pragmatism, Salles' film revels in small slice-of-life moments that establish the flavor of what it was like to live in Brazil amid such turmoil. Salles' ear and eye for establishing tone flourish, helping lift many scenes to more than the sum of their parts.

The film is gorgeously shot and emotionally moving, but also somewhat draining and labored. Some sharper edits might have solidified the message and tightened the meandering narrative.

"I'm Not Here" is well worth seeing not only for Oscars completionists, but those who appreciate full-figured historical tone pieces. The film hits closer than ever to home, given the current political climate. "I'm Not Here" hits with brute force, just as intended.

Book Report: 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck'

 

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mark Manson's self-help book has one of the greatest beginnings and endings I have ever encountered. He starts off with a brilliant essay on a counterintuitive method to attain success in life. While the bulk of his book can't fully support the initial thesis, falling back on the type of disingenuous, run-of-the-mill recommendations that he rails against, the initial message holds largely true.

Manson is an excellent teller of jokes and stories, and he crams plenty of gems into his prose. The most resounding point he comes to is that neither he, nor anyone else, truly knows what they are talking about, and those who bear those facts in mind will waste less time than others. Those are words to live by, and I will forever benefit from the advice. I'll also read every word of advice this man has to deliver.

The profound, somewhat frightening, ending describes a near encounter with death at the Cape of Good Hope. This is a truly terrifying passage, and told with vivacity and luster. I had chills.

View all my reviews

Hot on Home Video: 'Here,' 'Moana 2'

HERE

The writer, director and stars of "Forrest Gump" reunite for an inevitably less-satisfying yet oddly alluring drama. In something akin to a movie version of Walt Disney World's Carousel of Progress, director Robert Zemeckis tells a story that bounces along various generations. Tom Hanks and Robin Wright lead the cast as a married couple who struggle to weather the tragedy and heartbreak that life deals out.

Based on the Richard McGuire novel, the film leans hard into heavy-handed melodrama, often teetering over the edge into what feels like emotional manipulation. The generative AI that de-ages Hanks and Wright is at the same time amazing and off-putting, venturing deep into Uncanny Valley. "Here" is generally harmless, if uninspiring. For die-hard fans of "Forrest Gump," though, it's a must-see.

MOANA 2

Jumping back into the seas sailed in the 2016 film, the sequel manages to hit some of the same high points, but falls victim to the law of diminishing returns. 

The most glaring liability is the lack of Lin-Manuel Miranda, whose musical contributions to the first film yielded a nonstop succession of bangers. In the hands of less inspired and experienced composers, the musical numbers feel forced, mawkish and awkward. Auliʻi Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson manage to conjure similar chemistry to what they generated in the original movie, and the film is enough of a crowd-pleaser to merit entry into the rotation of lullaby or calm-down movies for families with small children. Those looking for the magic of the original, though, should stick with the 2016 film and hope for the best with the upcoming live-action remake.

Studios provided screeners for review.

Game Review: 'Star Wars: Episode I: Jedi Power Battles' Remaster

The current "Star Wars" galaxy is far, far away from what existed back in 2000 when "Star Wars Episode I: Jedi Power Battles"  light saber-sawed its way into homes a year after the divisive "The Phantom Menace" blew up the box office.

The remastered version, released by the dev and publishing team at Aspyr, acts as something of a time machine to the era before the sequels and scattershot Disney TV series sullied the franchise's good name. 

A raucous, action-heavy shoot-and-'splode-em up, the game's story carries only a tenuous tie with with film in order to maximize creative and dramatic licenses with as much death and destruction as possible.

Improvements are myriad. The game plays faster and looser than it originally did, and offers more than 10 new playable characters, couch-co-up, improved graphics and uncountable quality-of-life adjustments to ease clunky interfaces that were all the rage at the dawn of the George W. Bush regime.

The untainted innocence on display is disarming. If love for the prequel-era franchise still flickers in your heart, you'll find plenty to adore here. Outrageous action, simplistic, yet oddly effective, writing and an emphasis of a bizarre, incongruous story are the headliners here/

This remastered version of "Jedi Power Battles" put a smile on my face, and it allowed me to show my kids a taste of what "Star Wars" games were like before they were born without having to dig up and dust off an old PlayStation or Dreamcast. The game is as warm and comfortable as the sands of Tatoine.

Publisher provided review code.

Game Review: 'Final Fantasy VII Rebirth' (PC)

Undoubtedly one of the best games of 2024, as well as one of the most impactful games in the sprawling "Final Fantasy" series, "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth" is a towering achievement that has had PC-exclusive gamers salivating for months. 

Rather than rush out a quick and dirty port to please the masses, with the cover that they could patch up any issues after launch, Square Enix took its time to make "Rebirth" feel, look and play like a work of art conceived and developed from the ground up for the PC platform.

Returning to the game after a lengthy break, this PC edition feels like just that. I refuse to call this a port. There are so many fine-tuned improvements, in nearly every conceivable area, that it feels something akin to a remastered Ultra HD Blur-ray director's cut to a classic film previously only available on standard Blu-ray.

Abounding with minigames and sidequests, "Rebirth" is a sensational continuation of the storyline of "Final Fantasy VII Remake" and "Final Fantasy VII Intergrade." Even though it's part of a multi-game tribute/remake of a classic, "Rebirth" still feels likes its own animal. From the opening titles, you feel thrust into a cinematic realm. 

"Rebirth" is also shamelessly goofy and a ton of fun. An absurd, off-kilter sense of humor abounds, helping ground the escapades whenever the tone gets too lofty. But the game also delivers decisive impact, both emotionally and viscerally. There are multiple battles that make you shake your head and utter "Did I just do that?" and then crave to re-experience. Even in it slower moments, "Rebirth" revels in its effortless grandiosity, gently moving along larger story moments with incremental revelations.

I adore "Rebirth," probably even more on PC than I originally did on the PS5, just because the distance in between my time with each version of the game drove home the reality that experiences like this in gamedom, or any media, are all too rare. "Rebirth" is reborn on PC, with a new lease on life and a new chance to capture, break and heal gamers' hearts worldwide.

Publisher provided review code.

Book Report: 'The Many Lives of Mama Love'

 

The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't expect much from this memoir, but was bowled over by how wonderful and inspiring the storytelling was. Lara Love Hardin's tale of riches-to-jail-to-more-massive-riches is a modern-day fable.

Told in a self-deprecating incisively self-critical style, Hardin has you aghast at what at her spiral of self-destruction, in which she was as she flushed away her life of upper middle-class privilege in the name of drug addiction and imprisonment.

Her struggles with the contradictions of parole and rehabilitation are just as devastating, and her rise to fame and fortune as she scrapped together a literary agent career, which she parlayed into even greater success as a writer, is the fascinating payoff.

This is a wonderful book, exquisitely written and delivered with an understated dramatic flair that had me captivated. I hope there are more lives of Mama Love for Hardin to live and write about in the coming decades.

View all my reviews

Hot on Home Video: 'Venom: The Last Dance'

Tom Hardy shores up his dual-role trilogy in this splashy, if thin, finale, which brings the invigorating saga to a largely satisfying conclusion. Director Kelly Marcel deploys ample CGI for action scenes, and the film manages to thrive when it slows things down and revels in quite moments of incisive humor. Although not for all tastes, fans of the first two films will find plenty to savor here.

Extras include deleted and extended scenes, outtakes and bloopers, a featurette on Hardy's performances, character splotlights and a Tom Morello x Grandson music video. There's also a fitting tribute doc to the venom legacy and an interview with Mr. Chen.

Studio provided screener for review.

Saguaro City Music Theatre Review: 'The Wizard of Oz'

"The Wizard of Oz" is a perfect example of the magic and can-do attitude of the Saguaro City Music Theatre. Combining a cast of talented veteran adult performers with a well-trained and capable children, the stage alchemy comes to life with a zest and zeal that's rarely matched by productions staffed solely by full-time professionals. This is community theater at its most vivid, energetic best.

Performing John Kane's adaptation fort eh Royal Shakespeare Company, Saguaro City is blessed with countless hours of behind-the-scenes handicraft to make it look as gorgeous as it is. Exquisite sets, intricate makeup and immaculate costumes meld with penetrating performances, masterful choreography and inspired vocals to cast a spell that transports you to Kansas, Oz and back again.

Powered by a commanding and joyous lead performance as Dorothy Gale by high school student Olive Garcia Telles, the production comes to life at the opening and never loses steam as it lifts your spirits like the Great and Powerful Oz's hot air balloon.

Dominick Basso and Venus-Tyane Kuya make the most of limited stage time with comical and relatable turns as Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Co-leads John Henderson, Rafael J. Acuna and Wesley Geary explode to life in dual roles as farmhands and the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Woodsman. A resplendent Kate Scally sparkles with Ariana Grande-inspired daintiness as Glinda Good Witch of the North, and Missy Paschke-Wood tears up the stage with crowd-taunting devilishness as Miss Almira Gulch and the Wicked Witch of the West. The ensemble complements the main cast with vivacious vigor, with notable ballet solos by dance captain Sophia McCutcheon.

I sat captivated throughout the run time with my wife and 3-year-old daughter, who was dressed and Dorothy and was enthralled in the way it usually takes YouTube videos or Minnie Mouse to do.

You may have seen "The Wizard of Oz" many times, but you've never seen it like this. Community theater fans should take advantage of this winter spectacular while they can.

"The Wizard of Oz" plays through Jan. 5 at Berger Performing Arts Theater. Buy tickets here.

Book Report: 'The Antisocial Network'

 

The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees by Ben Mezrich
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rather than taking the simplistic, reductionist route and tell the tale of the GameStop short squeeze as an underdog tale, Ben Mezrich does an admirable job of taking the perspective of each side. What emerges is a complex, open-ended case study of what happens when social media, memes, nostalgia and hedge funds intersect in a tangled web.

Mezrich is a little too in love with fifth grade assignment-style descriptive paragraph writing, in which he lingers on insignificant details in an overeffort to paint an overly detailed portrait of each scene. Once he gets rolling with the narrative, though, he's a pro. His ability to recreate key moments in the saga shines through. His book amounts to a chain of interconnected short stories, tugged along by the ongoing thread of GameStop's bizarre, sudden, meteoric stock price rise.

I learned a lot about the inner workings of the market, as well as the powers that be and their efforts to manipulate stock prices for short-term gain. Although somewhat choppy, "The Antisocial Network" is a potboiling yarn that may go down as one of the wildest rags-to-riches tales of our time.

View all my reviews

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold rides T-Mobile 5G network with AI-fueled gusto

No phone manufacturer has embraced the possibilities of AI like Google. And no device thus far pushes the boundaries of what's possible on that front like the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

The device doesn't so much as blur the line between a smartphone and a tablet as it does obliterate it. Boasting a svelte feel when folded and a mammoth, while still manageable, size when opened, the Pixel 9 Fold Pro allows you to unlock your creativity to up your efficiency. For instance, you can run as many as four apps at the same time in a split screen mode, granting each enough real estate to use full functionality on any of them. On the dazzling, 9-inch OLED, 120Hz screen, you can watch a football game while scrolling social media, tapping out an email and then go Google some stats, all without having to close a thing. 

To pull off such wizardry, you'll need to be on a hefty 5G network. T-Mobile's system was more than up to the task, keeping my video streams smooth, my downloads fast and multitasking flowing with ease, working in concert with the Tensor G4 chipset.

The AI suite is just as impressive. The phone comes with a Gemini Advanced subscription, as well as the photography and photo editing tools that drop jaws on commercials. Circle to Search lets you intuitively find more information on documents and sites you're browsing, and Add Me will pop your mug into any group shot.

All this functionality doesn't come cheap. The device weighs in at a $1,799 MSRP, but holiday deals allow you to deeply slash that price, especially if you're planning to add a line to your plan.

The investment is well worth it, even at that budget-stinging sticker price. I was pleased by the ingenuity that went into the design and form factor. The power button fingerprint reader lets you clear the lock screen with minimal effort and the framing is smooth to the touch, with staunch yet flexible hinges that let you to open and close the screen without strain on your wrist or fingers.

When you're tackling quick and dirty tasks, you'll want to keep the phone closed. That's when you'll call on the 6.3-inch OLED display, with its impressive 60-120Hz refresh rate. Save for the split screen effect, you can handle just about every significant task when the phone is closed. Shockingly, the battery is hefty enough to allow you to go 16 hours between charges amid heavy use.

The camera setup is locked and loaded to shoot first, ask questions never and take names when it comes to editing and posting. The 48MP main sensor yields to a 10.5MP ultra-wide field of view, with a 10.9MP telephoto setting to boot. You can capture all manner of action shots, portraits, panoramas and videos in professional quality, with the AI-boosted inner working smoothing out the rough edges before you even get a glimpse at your work.

At 9.1 ounces, the 9 Pro Fold can add some strain to your hands during long-term use. But because of its size and flexibility, you can find uses for it that don't require you to cradle it at all times. Allowing it to sit while folded upright, the phone works as its own stand. You can also stand it upright while ajar, allowing for hands-free vertical viewing.

Taken as a whole, the mammoth and invigorating package that is the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an awe-inducing marvel. You feel the need to take it out and about, just to revel in the looks of awe it induces. The foldable smartphone life may not fit every lifestyle or budget, but for those willing to take the plunge, it's hard to do better than then Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

T-Mobile provided device for review.

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'Beetlejuice'

Capitalizing on the Beetlejuicemania brought on by the September movie sequel, the stage musical version of "Beetlejuice" hits at just the right time, dripping in 1980s nostalgia with a fresh coat of black and white-striped paint to give the boisterous Tim Burton vision a fresh touch.

The show brims with spectacular effects, from a monolithic Sandworm puppet to clever use of projections in transitions, paired with masterful stagecraft that recreates the look and feel of the 1988 film, which inspired the musical ran on Broadway from 2019 to 2023 and spawned a national tour that began in 2022.

Eddie Perfect's music and lyrics sparkle with wit and subversive humor, bolstering the book by Scott Brown and Anthony King. But no matter how intricate the visuals, stagecraft and script, the musical wouldn't have a ghost of a chance if not for a commanding lead.

"Beetlejuice" has that and a half in the indomitable Justin Collette. The Broadway veteran and YouTube voice of  the viral sensation "Bite on Mondo," Collette thrives in a whirlwind performance that would make Michael Keaton gasp in awe. Part Deadpool, part Bugs Bunny with a side of Robin Williams, Collette's crackling delivery, fourth wall-shattering stage presence and monstrous magnetism commands the stage so much that it feels like a letdown whenever there's a number that doesn't involve him. Sure, the guy needs to rest, but he's sorely missed with the meandering plot puffs up filler material to pad out the runtime.

Other standouts include Madison Mosley as drenched-in-ennui Lydia, the goth teen protagonist, Megan McGinnis as the stifled domestic goddess ghost, Barbara, and the electric Sarah Litzsinger as Lydia's would-be stepmom, Delia. A voracious actor who underlines her jokes with full-body expression, Litzsinger swipes most of the scenes not claimed by the green-haired trickster demon.

I found myself chuckling throughout, and sometimes laughing embarrassingly hard at the onstage antics. The non-Beetlejuice high point is undoubtedly the business dinner interrupted by a spiritual possession that results in an impromptu rendition of the iconic "Banana Boat" (Day-O) conga line.

With its light touch and silly tone, "Beetlejuice" proudly wears its B-production pedigree on its tattered sleeve. All energies are channeled forcefully toward helping the audience have a giddily good time, and that task is accomplished masterfully. That's something that's worth saying twice, or maybe even three times.

"Beetlejuice" plays through Dec. 8 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

Book Report: 'Hillbilly Elegy'

 

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What started off as sort of a fearful hate-read of the premature autobiography of the man most likely to be our next president resulted in a disarming appreciation of a smart man who overcame a rough start in life with class, hustle and humility.

I had already watched the Netflix movie years before, and forgot it as soon as the credits rolled. The book is much more. An even-handed, insightful personal essay on the dissolution of the middle class and fall of Appalachia, Vance's book is also a solid how-to guide on how to thrive when coming from an impoverished, abuse-riddled background.

Now, with perspective, it is clear that this was not a premature autobiography. Instead, it is absolutely necessary that Vance wrote it when he did, before he was swept away and warped by Trumpism. This may be the only time in his life that he had enough experience, as well as intellectual purity, to tell such an honest story without turning it into an angry, self-serving political screed.

I respect the book, as well as the man Vance was before he joined the Trump administration. Here's hoping he maintains his soul as he chases his political ambitions further down the rabbit hole.

View all my reviews

Game Review: 'River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next'

When anime and 8-bit gaming conventions collide, "River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next" is what arises from the rubble. The incongruous pairing makes for an invigorating mix of light RPG and brawlers conventions.

Working under the banner of Arc System Works, developer R-Force Entertainment channels its passion for the River City franchise into the awkward, yet oddly satisfying historical fit. The new game is a direct sequel to the 2022 outing "River City Saga: Three Kingdoms."

Set in the famed Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history, in which the Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu reigned over China from 220 to 280 AD after the conclusion of the Han dynasty, you play through the dialogue-rich story and engage in quick-hitting, beat-em-up battles reminiscent of the older "River City" games.

More than 100 River City characters take on the guises of historical figures over the six-chapter story. For instance, Kunio plays Guan Yu, Misako is Zhuge Liang, Goda is Liu Bei, Yamada is Cao Cao, Toraichi is Huang Zhong and Tobioka is Sima Yi.

Playing as hero Guan Yu, you mix it up with the warring factions in a series of high-stakes showdowns. Upgrades, power-ups and weaponized background items abound. While the writing may not always be up to par, the combat is still as satisfying as ever.

I've been drawn to the "River City" franchise since it debuted with "River City Rampage" back in the early 1990s. While similar franchises of its ilk have come and gone, "River City" continues to keep its head above water by pivoting to wild news spinoffs and adaptations. "River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next" shows that the series is still able to adapt and adjust.

Publisher provided review code.

 

T-Mobile Reveals Black Friday, Cyber Monday Deals

Those looking to shower their friends and loved ones with communications tech should check out T-Mobile's slate of Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers.

Families looking to jump into the latest generation of Apple or Samsung offerings can consider signing up for four new lines for $100 a month with a device trade-in, landing them four free iPhone 16  or Samsung Galaxy S24.

Here is the cornucopia of offers available to current T-Mobile customers. Here are some of the standouts:

• Get a free iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Galaxy S24+ when adding a line or trading in an eligible device.

• Get a free iPhone 16, Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google Pixel 9 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 and more when adding a line or trading in an eligible device on Go5G Plus / Go5G Next.

• A free iPhone 14 when switching to T-Mobile and adding a line on most plans.

• A free Samsung Galaxy Watch7 40mm (or Google Pixel Watch 3 41mm for just $79.99) when adding a qualifying watch line.

• $400 off iPad 10th Gen 64GB OR $250 off iPad Mini A17 Pro when adding a tablet line on a qualifying plan.
• Free iPhone 16 Pro when trading in an eligible device on Go5G Next or Go5G Business Next and T-Mobile will throw in free AirPods 4.

• A free Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen 40mm (or 44mm for just $30) when adding a qualifying watch line.

• Android lovers can score big too with a free Samsung Galaxy S24+ or Google Pixel 9 Pro when trading in an eligible device on Go5G Next or Go5G Business Next and T-Mobile will add a free Samsung Galaxy Buds FE or Google Pixel Buds A-Series.
• iPhone 12 and Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen 40mm for just $99.99 when signing up for Metro Flex Plus and adding a qualifying watch line.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch FE 40mm for just $149.99 when adding a smartwatch line.

  

The T-Mobile Cyber Monday deal, available online or via the T-Life app starting Dec. 2 for a limited time. Score savings of over $1,400 with the ultimate bundle from Apple and get iPhone 16 Pro, Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen 40mm and AirPods 4 for free.

 

Starting Dec. 12, customers can get $250 off Apple Watch Series 10 (42mm or 46mm) or Apple Watch Ultra 2 when adding a qualifying watch line.

 

New and existing T-Mobile customers can receive free next day shipping and free activation when ordering a new device online or via the T-Life app.

  

T-Mobile is offering a free Amazon Fire TV 40" 2-Series HD smart TV when switching to Home Internet, Home Internet Plus or AWAY, including the 200GB or Unlimited plans.

 

This post includes information from a T-Mobile press release.

Game Review: 'Exploding Kittens VR'

Matthew Inman's 2015 card game, "Exploding Kittens," has become a party and time-killing staple that manages to teach you unsettling truths about how far your friends and family will go to win. While bringing the game to VR seems like a strange idea, it's an oddly satisfying fit that makes more sense the longer you spend with the game.

Immersing yourself in the game's splashy realm, the VR version of the game adds amply to the game's sense of ironically cute absurdity. While the card game relies on your imagination, there's something thoroughly satisfying about experiencing the game's outrageous moments in wild displays that take up your entire field of vision. A treat for the senses, "Exploding Kittens VR" makes ample use of its VR format both visually and audibly.

Like the mobile version of the game, it allows you to set up easy pickup games with online friends and strangers. Either classic or blitz mode allow five players. Cards allow you to peek into the future, steal items, deny moves and defuse the titular kittens in clutch moments.

There's also a social hub that boasts a slew of minigames and allows you to customize your character. 

The only thing holding the game back is the Meta Quest's relatively small pool of players, compared to the game's mobile base. But the social interaction available is a welcome change of pace on the Meta Quest, which bubbles with solo experiences. "Exploding Kittens VR" works as a welcome palate cleanser between more serious, labor intensive Meta Quest pastimes.

Publisher provided review code.

T-Mobile Holiday Deals roundup

T-Mobile just announced some enticing holiday offers.

New Metro customers can grab both the Apple Watch SE and iPhone 12, together as a duo for $99.99. The prepaid carrier also has started to offer the full lineup of Apple Watches, which are all available without credit checks or contracts. You can add a smartwatch line with Metro Flex Plus.

T-Mobile also got into the Black Friday action early with a slew of sales that offer $1,000 off in devices from the likes of Apple, Google, Samsung and Motorola.

Also back is the free smartphone deal with four voice lines for $100 a month. You can snag the iPhone 16 or Samsung Galaxy S24 with that offer.

Eligible trades while adding a line on plans including the Go5GNext or Go5G Plus can net you free devices, such as the iPhone 16 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6, Samsung Galaxy S24+.

New T-Mobile home internet customers can get a free Amazon Fire TV 40-inch 2-Series HD smart TV.

For the full slate of deals, check out these posts. There's also a T-Mobile holiday gift guide with all sorts of options for the tech-hungry loved ones on your list.

This post drew information from a T-Mobile press release.

Broadway in Tucson Review: 'Clue: A New Comedy'

Based on the iconic 1985 film, adapted from the ubiquitous board game, "Clue: A New Comedy" bubbles with ample sight gags, witty dialogue and an overpowering sense of whimsy.

A powerhouse cast makes the most of its considerable talent with palpable chemistry and admirable teamwork. The performers set up and execute gags with impeccable timing. 

Saucy Elisabeth Yancey swipes scenes, along with her duster, as French maid Yvette, John Tracy Egan sneers as pompous Col. Mustard, Tari Kelly oozes haughty distance as Mrs. White, Joanna Glushak emits exuberant  fizz as Mrs. Peacock, Jonathan Spivey squawks as loudmouth Professor Plum and John Shartzer stumbles with ample physical comedy as Mr. Green.The affable Jeff Skowron, as Wadsworth the butler, presides as part ringmaster, part gameshow host. 

Based on the updated 2020 book and 2022 staging at New Jersey's Paper Mill Playhouse, the setting is the United States in the 1950s Red Scare, with the rampant McCarthyism-era paranoia making creepy echoes of xenophobic waves sweeping the country in our time.

Other than a few snide quips, though, the dialogue is largely apolitical. This is good-natured fun for fans of all stripes and backgrounds. The communal laughter feels especially therapeutic in the wake of divisive electoral rhetoric.

The plot is razor-thin and all the more enjoyable because of it. The characters are called together by a mysterious puppetmaster working behind the scenes to set the stage for a prototypical whodunnit. Each character puts on a front that shelters dark secrets that come to light in an abrupt manner, giving each protagonist a damning murder motive. The interplay of self-interested, wily vanities clashing and burning in a delicate and often hilarious bonfire.

"Clue" may not have much meat on the bone, but at a svelte 75-minute, intermission-free runtime, it makes for a giddy and enjoyable bite-size night of theatrical bliss. If you allow yourself to miss it, you haven't got a clue.

"Clue: A New Comedy" plays through Nov. 17 at Centennial Hall. Buy tickets here.

Book Report: ‘The Warburgs’ by Ron Chernow

Of Ron Chernow’s epic histories, this one doesn’t quite match the level of intrigue and narrative flow of the others. 

Playing out more like a procession of snippets rather than an overarching, Shakespearean tale on the level of Grant, Hamilton, Washington and The House of Morgan, The Warburgs is a scattered, if always fascinating, tale of a sprawling family tree largely populated by powerful and influential bankers. He focuses mainly on the men while mostly giving the women only passing mentions.

The book is at its best when tacking the Warburgs’ recurring conflicts with aspects of their German and Jewish heritage that were wrought by the devastation of both World Wars, the Holocaust and establishment of Israel. 

A more focused take on three or four Warburg prime movers might have better served Chernobyl purpose. Even though this is the author’s weakest effort, I still cherished every moment with this book.

Game Review: 'Life is Strange: Double Exposure'

Bolstered by the elegant story that built the series, "Life is Strange: Double Exposure" spins a densely intricate web in the form of a dark, emotionally-charged mystery set against a coming-of-age tale of a woman in quarterlife crisis.

The 2015 release of "Life is Strange" reset the standard for adventure games, adding considerable depth and nuance to the visuals, exploration and puzzles. After a steady flow of follow-ups, including a prequel, sequel and "The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit" spinoff, "Double Exposure" is the next course in the meal.

The lead character remains Max Caulfield, a photographer-in-residence at Caledon University, a fictional locale in Vermont. After swearing off a time-rewinding power she wielded in earlier installments, Max is determined to live a life of normalcy. 

After tragedy ensues, though, she's forced to dive back even deeper into her maddening ability in order to set things right. The result is something of a split timeline, in which Max's actions in one timeline can affect something in the other one, with problems multiplying and mutating the more she meddles with the developments and investigates the mystery behind it all.

Developer Deck Nine has an ear for quiet moments of reflection, and infuses each scene with self-paced momentum that allows you to revel in the minutiae or power through toward the end goal. This is a game in which I'd strongly advice avoiding walkthroughs, because aimless stumbling often unearths some of the game's most rewarding moments.

I appreciated the game's deliberate, smooth pace, which made the turbulent moments are the more jarring and impactful. This chapter in the "Life of Strange" saga firmly establishes the franchise as one of the powerhouses in its genre. While earlier entries in the series were treated more like indie curiosities, "Double Exposure" has gotten a well-deserved blockbuster rollout, complete with a social media blitz, movie theater and TV trailers and harsh scrutiny from many game critics. 

Count me among those exceedingly pleased by this sequel. More mature and measured than past entries, this is by far my favorite "Life is Strange" entry yet. It will be fascinating to see where the franchise goes next.

Publisher provided review code.

Game Review: 'Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare (PC)'

Back in 2010, John Martson set himself off on a quest of vengeance to track down and murder the remaining members of his gang in order to secure the safety of his family. The saga wrought in "Red Dead Redemption" captivated a generation of gamers and brought the Old West to life in a way that had never previously been attempted. The game would be surpassed by a wide margin in 2018, with "Red Dead Redemption 2," but the original still holds a place in the hearts of many.

After victory laps on ensuing console generation releases and even the Nintendo Switch, "Red Dead Redemption" and its zombie-flavored expansion. "Undead Nightmare" finally trot their way to the vast frontier of PC gaming. It's a welcome, if surprising addition.

The $50 price tag for a 14-year-old game may seem extravagant, but the reality is that there is a sizable market for this game. Anyone who has wanted to play this game in some form has played it, but it's never before been available on PC. The ability to re-experience one of Rockstar Games' towering masterpieces on the gaming rig in which you've invested so much time and cash -- in my case, it's a SteamDeck -- is too tempting to pass up.

The rerelease comes with a laundry list of enhancements, including native 4K resolution on both ultrawide and super ultrawide monitors, compatibility with NVIDIA DLSS 3.7 and AMD FSR 3.0 upscaling technologies, adjustable draw distances and shadow quality and keyboard and mouse functionality.

The gist is that this is the best-ever the game has looked and sounded, finally available on the ever-most powerful displays and drivers in gaming.

I was captivated as I lost myself in Marston's lonely struggle. I appreciated the game's writing, as well as tiny touches that add layers to the background and help set a sense of place. For a 2010 game, this was not only way ahead of its time, but in some senses, ahead of the current time.

"Red Dead Redemption" remains one of the most significant achievements in gaming this century, and stands firm as one of the greatest stories I have ever experienced in any form of media. Whether or not you've played the game before, if you own a gaming PC or SteamDeck, it's high time to don your 10-gallon hat and slip into Marston's stirrups once again.

Publisher provided review code.

Review: 'The Penguin'

 The latest from HBO Max, The Penguin, is a refreshing reminder that some genres, when executed with intelligence and grit, never go out of style. In an era of entertainment that often seems more interested in signaling its virtues than telling a story, this show is a welcome throwback. It's a classic mob saga, set against the rain-slicked, neon-drenched backdrop of a post-Batman Gotham, and it’s a pleasure to watch.

Colin Farrell, buried under a masterful prosthetic job, gives a truly transformative performance as Oswald Cobblepot. This isn't the campy, flamboyant Penguin of yesteryear. This is a ruthless, ambitious, and surprisingly pathetic man who is clawing his way up from the bottom. Farrell imbues him with a desperate hunger that makes you, against your better judgment, almost root for him. He's a cockroach with a Napoleon complex, and his struggle for dominance is the dark, beating heart of the series.

The show's writing, refreshingly, doesn't get bogged down in the kind of psychological naval-gazing that plagues so many modern dramas. It's lean, punchy, and moves with the brutal efficiency of a well-oiled criminal operation. The dialogue feels real, not like it was written by a committee of screenwriting students trying to out-think each other. It’s a show where a glance can mean more than a page of dialogue, and the characters feel lived-in and authentic, even the more eccentric ones.

The Penguin wisely chooses to focus on the human drama of its characters rather than the superhero theatrics of the larger DC universe. The city of Gotham itself is a character—a decaying, morally compromised metropolis where crime is less a sickness and more a fact of life. The series portrays this world with a bleak realism that is both captivating and unsettling. It’s not just about who controls the city; it’s about what the city does to the people who live there.

This series succeeds by not trying to reinvent the wheel, but by perfecting it. It’s a beautifully shot, expertly acted, and compellingly written crime drama that stands on its own two feet. It's a show for grown-ups who appreciate a good story well told, and it's proof that sometimes, all you need is a charismatic villain, a seedy underworld, and a sharp script to make great television.