Google TV is Almost Here: Do You Care?

Several of my analyst and journalist friends in San Francisco are raving about Google TV. When it was unveiled at Google I/O, I thought it was cool and had lots of potential. My friends have proclaimed it the messiah, thinking that it’s a huge step in combating the dreadful service and awful prices of cable companies. I’m not so sure.

Don’t get me wrong. I hate cable providers (especially Comcast *snicker*), but I’m not convinced that Google can completely disrupt the market. Earlier in the year, it tried to change the way mobile phones were sold with the Nexus One. Partially due to Google’s poor execution and partially due to the stranglehold telecom companies have on the biz, it didn’t work. I can see something similar happening with Google TV. The big difference is that Google TV will have some longterm success thanks to powerful hardware and network partners. I just disagree with my friends that it will change the game.

Anyway, I want to know if you give a damn about Google TV. Is it a major step in changing the television game? Are you interested in the product? Are my friends in San Francisco smoking something funny? Or are they just getting geeked up because they live in the most awesome geek bubble in the world?

“Off With Her Hair!!!” Keira Knightley Gets a Bob (Plus a Poll!)

What’s with all these hot British movie stars chopping off their hair? First Emma Watson gets a pixie cut and now Keira Knightley gets a bob. She looks like Justin Keeling…a really pretty boy. I am so not digging this trend. I’m scared of what will happen next. Hopefully it stays on that side of the pond. If Scarlett Johansson gets a Mohawk then…I don’t know what I’ll do, but it’ll be crazy!

Ah screw it. Let’s have a poll.

[poll id=”76″]

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Coffee Talk #223: Do You Buy Complete Editions?

With Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Editions and Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete revealed in the last week, I’ve been thinking about “collected” editions of videogames. With DLC being so new, it’s a relatively new practice to offer a disc that contains the full game and all the released online content. It’s a great value, but I don’t think I’ll ever buy one. If I’m interested in a game, I’ll snatch it up before it gets old enough to be collected. Bundling it with a bunch of DLC and other goodies isn’t enough to push me to buy a game I wasn’t sure about, no matter the value.

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, the crap-ass Red Sox buying crap-ass Livepool, Intelligentsia’s Kenya Karimikui, or getting excited for an event in February 2011, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

With Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition and Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete revealed in the last week, I’ve been thinking about “collected” editions of videogames. With DLC being so new, it’s a relatively new practice to offer a disc that contains the full game and all the released online content. I’m curious to see where these things go and how they’ll affect future bundles.

Complete editions are a great value, but I don’t think I’ll ever buy one. If I’m interested in a game, I’ll snatch it up before it gets old enough to be collected. Bundling games with a bunch of DLC and other goodies isn’t enough to push me to buy a game I wasn’t sure about, no matter the value. Besides, game prices almost always drop in a matter of months, so it’s not too big a deal to wait things out.

What do you think of these complete editions? Does the value appeal to you? Are there any that you plan on buying? Will this practice make you wait on buying a game?

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light Review for Machinima

Here’s my Machinima.com review for Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light. Despite its flaws, it’s easily in my personal “Top 5” for 2010. It’s a delightful old-school RPG with an awesome job system (I love job systems!). Here’s a quote:

Aside from the annoying auto-targeting, I really enjoyed The 4 Heroes of Light. It offers an enjoyable adventure that lasts about 35 hours. If you want to tackle the game’s four optional towers, get every job, and level up all your gear then you can easily hit 70 hours of gameplay. A great job system and addictive level-up features make Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light an excellent value that old-school RPG fans will enjoy.

If you have a moment, please head over to Machinima, check out my review, and leave some comments. Thanks muchly!

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Panasonic Introduces “The Jungle” Handheld Gaming System

Panasonic is getting back into gaming (remember the 3DO?) with a handheld system called “The Jungle“. Specs on the system have yet to be revealed, but the idea behind The Jungle is novel — software will focus on massively multiplayer experiences. Whether that’s enough to differentiate it from Nintendo’s and Sony’s offerings is another question.

When you have a moment, check out the official videos of The Jungle and let me know what you think. Will the market support a third handheld system (consider the mobile phone gaming is getting huge too)? Or will The Jungle end up next to the N-Gage and Gizmondo in the graveyard of failed portable gaming systems?

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Zack Snyder to Direct Superman Reboot, General Zod Rumored

The Superman reboot already got my attention with Natalie Portman being rumored to play Lois Lane, but the news of Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) directing the film and (especially) the movie including General Zod really has me psyched. Here’s the latest from Heat Vision Blog:

Zack Snyder has been chosen to direct the new Superman movie, which Christopher Nolan is producing for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Negotiations began earlier today.

Nolan, who revived Batman, teamed up with David Goyer for a new a way to revive the last son of Krypton. Despite grossing $200 million domestically, the last movie, 2006’s Superman Returns, was considered a disappointment and a hoped-for franchise launch never flew off.

Goyer is writing the script, which is rumoured to have, like Superman Returns, a Richard Donner Superman connection. In the movie’s case, it’s a villain connection: General Zod.

“Come Son of Jor-El! Kneel before Zod!!!” Whether it’s Terence Stamp’s excellent portrayal in Superman II or the Zod in the comic books, I love this character. I hope the rumor pans out. As for Snyder, I have mixed feelings on him. I thought that 300 was a fun and dumb movie. I’m a huge Watchmen fan and while I imagine making a movie based on one of the most complex graphics novels in history is a supreme challenge, I thought that his Watchmen movie was only half good.

What are you thoughts on Snyder directing the film and the possible inclusion of Zod?

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Today’s Poll: Emma Stone’s MJ vs. Natalie Portman’s Lois

It’s the battle of the superhero-love-interest hotties! In the red corner is Natalie Portman. A Harvard graduate that’s best known (by geeks) from the Star Wars movies, Portman is rumored to be playing Lois Lane in the Superman reboot. In the blue corner is Emma Stone, who made millions of moviegoers crack up in Superbad and The House Bunny. The word on the street is that Stone has been offered the Mary Jane Watson role in the Spider-Man reboot.

Who will be the better love interest?!? Vote and discuss (please)!!!

[poll id=”75″]

Nintendo’s Mario Used in Negative Political Campaign

New York republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino has been using imagery of Nintendo’s iconic Mario character in a negative ad campaign against democratic candidate Andrew Cuomo. Is nothing sacred?!?

I am seriously embarrassed for my home state. I’m disgusted that Paladino is using a beloved videogame character in such a classless way. I hope that Nintendo sues him. (To be honest, I think Paladino is a total dick and I disagree with many of his policies.)

What do you think of the negative Mario ads? Do they make you feel dirty? Or is that just me?

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Emma Stone Offered Mary Jane Watson Role in Spider-Man Movie

According to Deadline, Emma Stone is Sony’s choice to play Spider-Man’s love interest, Mary Jane Watson. I love this girl. She’s spunky, cute, and funny. One of my friends thinks I’m nuts on this, but I think her voice is totally sexy.

Superhero movies are getting some total hotties! First Natalie Portman as Lois Lane opposite Superman and now this! Hmmm, methinks I should have a poll. In the meantime, let me know what you think of Stone as MJ.

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