Paul Giamatti as Rhino in Amazing Spider-Man 2?

My friend Jennie posted a link to this story about Paul Giamatti being in negotiations for the role of Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. While he might seem like an unusual choice for a comic-book movie villain, Giamatti is a huge fan of the Rhino character and has been anxious to play the role for years. With some luck, he’ll be joining Jamie Foxx (Electro) in the next Spidey film.

I’m a huge, huge fan of Giamatti. Sideways is one of my favorite movies of all time and I’m a huge fan of his work in American Splendor. I’ve also enjoyed Giamatti’s comedic roles, such as Pig Vomit in Private Parts and Bob Zmuda in Man on the Moon. Many people believe that he’s one of the best character actors alive today and I agree with those people. If he’s a mark for Rhino then he should get the part. He’s talented enough to rock the hell out of it. Besides, it would make Sideways even funnier, since it would be a road-trip movie starring Rhino and Sandman.

What do you think of Paul Giamatti taking on Spider-Man as Rhino? Are you as jazzed as I am? Or do you think a dramatic actor measuing 5′ 9″ is no match for Spidey?

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GI Joe: Retaliation is Ninja-tastic

The latest trailer for GI Joe: Retaliation is awesome on several levels. Initially, it focuses on the conflict between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow. Generally speaking, cool things happen when Arashikage ninja go at it. In addition to a slick showdown between these two, a thrilling chase seen is shown, with Snake Eyes and Jinx escaping from a bunch of nameless, faceless ninja clad in red (the official color of cannon fodder?). The pair hurtle down zip lines, but really, the cool thing here is Jinx. Menacing ninja are cool, but sexy female ninja are even cooler. London explodes for a few seconds. Lastly, the trailer wraps up with some action featuring Bruce Willis and current WWE Champion, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

I’m hoping that Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow get lots of time to shine. That’s probably wishful thinking with Johnson and Willis being featured so prominently. *sigh* Some of my favorite GI Joe comics were ones that focused on the Arashikage Clan. The family has a rich and colorful history that ends in tragedy. The fall of the Arashikage Clan also ties together great characters like Snake Eyes, Storm Shadow, and Zartan. That wish aside, the trailer is pretty sweet. This movie looks like big, dumb fun.

Check out the trailer when you have a chance and let me know what you think of it (please!).

Rogue, Iceman, and Kitty in Days of Future Past

Director Bryan Singer revealed that Ellen Page, Anna Paquin, and Shawn Ashmore will be in the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past. Presumably, they’ll be reprising their respective roles of Kitty Pryde, Rogue, and Iceman. The cast is becoming awesomely impressive, with Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, and Jennifer Lawrence already confirmed. At the very least, the movie won’t be hurting for star power.

Page has the most challenging role, depending on how close to the comics Singer keeps the movie. She was charming in her small role in X-Men: Last Stand, but Days of Future Past will require her to play a broken and tragic character. Thankfully, she has the acting chops to kill it as alternate-future Kitty Pryde. I suppose Jackman will be working the most since he can play present-day and future versions of Wolverine, thanks to the character’s healing factor slowing down the aging process. That’s a convenient way to maximize an actor’s time.

Anyway, how do you feel about Singer getting talent from every X-Men film every made for Days of Future Past?

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NAMM 2013: Blue Microphones Nessie

Tech nerds love Blue Microphones’ mix of quality construction, sleek looks, and great sound. The company’s USB mics are used by thousands of musicians and podcasters. The latest USB mic from Blue is the Nessie. Like the Loch Ness Monster it’s named after, the Nessie has a curved, elongated neck. It uses the same capsule as the renowned Yeti, but features adaptive processing for users that don’t want to mess around with EQ and levels. The Nessie features a built-in pop filter and shock mount, adding to the user friendliness. This mic is a great choice for podcasters that don’t know how to optimize sound and musicians laying down quick scratch tracks.

I’m a huge fan of Blue Mics. I use a Yeti for VO and used an Encore for interviews/karaoke. While the Yeti is still going strong, a friend of mine broke my Encore by accidentally smashing it on concrete (I’m still not over it). Some of you will recall that comedian Jay Mohr was so impressed by my Encore that he grabbed it and busted out some Van Halen. Anyway, back to the Nessie! On paper, it looks like a great USB mic for single users. I expect it to offer the same great sound quality as the Yeti, but in an idiot-proof package.

Check out the video above and let me know what you think of the Blue Microphones Nessie when you have a chance. Also, since Blue already has the Yeti and Nessie, which mythical creature do you think the company will go with next?

NAMM 2013: Journey Instruments OO-verhead Guitar

I’ve seen a lot of travel guitars over the years, but all of them compromised sound quality for portability. The OO-verhead from Journey Instruments is significantly better than its competitors. It offers surprisingly full sound for a travel guitar, yet is small enough to fit in an overhead bin. In terms of sound, the OO-verhead is as big as a dreadnought acoustic at its thickest point, allowing for a full and rich tone. In terms of portability, it comes with a carry-on sized case that has enough room for the guitar, a 14-inch laptop, a tablet, and other travel items.

The OO-verhead is available in wood and carbon fiber. The wood model is geared towards players that want a traditional acoustic sound. Carbon fiber offers a brighter tone, which is a bit polarizing. Unlike wood, it’s not sensitive to humidity changes. The carbon fiber model is a good choice for world travelers that hop around different climate zones…or people that dig the cool, space-age look of carbon fiber.

Personally, I’m lusting for the carbon fiber model. I love its sleek looks and weather resistance. As someone that hops around between California, Hawaii, and Thailand, I appreciate what carbon fiber brings to the table.

Check out the video above and let me know what you think of the Journey Instruments OO-verhead (please!).

NAMM 2013: IK Multimedia iLoud Speaker

Like most of you, I’ve seen loads of Bluetooth speakers over the years. The IK Multimedia iLoud stands out for its blend of power, sound quality, and versatility. In addition to being able to pair with your PC, tablet, or phone via Bluetooth, the iLoud also features a 1/4-inch plug that accepts microphones and musical instruments. With 40 watts of power and high-quality sound (according to the manufacturer), this speaker can double as a studio monitor for musicians and vocalists. The iLoud also features a built-in iRig circuit that allows you to manipulate mics and instruments with mobile apps like AmpliTube and VocalLive.

I spent some time at NAMM 2013 playing with the iLoud and was impressed by its power and versatility. With all the noise blaring on the show floor, I wasn’t able to get an idea of the sound quality it offers. The iLoud will be released some time in the first half of 2013 and hopefully I’ll be reviewing it in the future. For now, please check out the video above and let me know if the iLoud is something you’re interested in.

Off to NAMM 2013

Howdy ladies and gents! I’m taking a short trip to Anaheim to attend NAMM 2013. My brother is going to be at the show doing some promo work for one of his saxophone sponsors. I’ll be checking out some music games, mobile speakers, cool guitars, and more. There are loads of artists performing at the show and at sponsored parties. If you have a chance, check out the exhibitor list and let me know if there are any booths or artists you want me to check out on your behalf. I’ll have my video gear with me, so hopefully I can get some fun videos out of the show.

Red Riding Hood Fights Japanese Demons in Akaneiro

From American McGee’s Spicy Horse Studios comes Akaneiro: Demon Hunters, an action-RPG that pits a dark version of Little Red Riding Hood against demons in a Japanese-inspired setting. While the game is free-to-play, the developers are looking for funding through Kickstarter. The target platforms for the game are Windows, Mac OS X, Android/iOS Tablet, and Linux. Check out the pitch video below for more information on the game and its campaign.

Akaneiro looks like it’s totally in my wheelhouse. I love action-RPGs like this and have a special place in my heart reserved for ones made by indie developers (the outstanding Bastion currently occupies that particular space). The art style is slick and the tone is typical American McGee — a twisted version of a popular fairytale. Hopefully the “freemium” features won’t be obnoxious; there are several free-to-play games that are great on paper, but are absolutely killed by money-grab content.

Any of you interested in playing or backing Akaneiro?

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Frank Darabont Writing Godzilla Movie

From the writer that brought you The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile comes…a Godzilla movie! That’s right, renowned scribe Frank Darabont is currently rewriting a script for Godzilla, set for release in 2014. While he’s best known for his outstanding dramas, Darabont has lots of nerd cred from his work on The Walking Dead, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3. In a roundtable interview with iO9, Darabont spoke about bringing Godzilla back to his roots as a terrifying force of nature:

What I found very interesting about Godzilla is that he started off definitely as a metaphor for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. And some of the atom bomb testing we were doing in the South Pacific in the subsequent years. The giant terrifying force of nature that comes and stomps the sh*t out of your city, that was Godzilla. Filtered through the very fanciful imaginations of the Japanese perception. And then he became Clifford the Big Red Dog in the subsequent films. He became the mascot of Japan, he became the protector of Japan. Another big ugly monster would show up and he would fight that monster to protect Japan. Which I never really quite understood, the shift.

What we’re trying to do with the new movie is not have it camp, not have it be campy. We’re kind of taking a cool new look at it. But with a lot of tradition in the first film.

While I loved the “Clifford the Big Red Dog” version of the Toho monster as a kid, as I grew up I came to appreciate Godzilla being an allegory for the repercussions of using atomic weapons. I’m intrigued by Darabont’s take on Godzilla. He’s a uniquely skilled writer that can write a compelling monster movie that people will take seriously.

What do you think of Frank Darabont penning Godzilla? Are you interested in his upcoming film? What’s your favorite Godzilla movie of all time?

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Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII Screens

Here’s a fresh batch of screens and artwork from the upcoming Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Set for a Fall 2013 release, this RPG brings the FFXIII heroine back in an all-new adventure. Director Motomu Toriyama claims that the game will be, “the most complete and polished in the Final Fantasy series.” While I can’t comment on that lofty claim (yet), what I do know is that Lightning is back in black…and several other costumes. While she’s the star of the show and the only playable character, FFXIII fans will be pleased to know that Hope Estheim and Snow Villiers will apear in supporting roles.

As a mark for the series and someone that enjoyed XIII/XIII-2 more than most, of course I’m going to play this game. How about you guys and gals? Are you interested in jumping back into the world of Final Fantasy XIII? Or are you done with the series?

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