A CLASSY, FUN SHMUP FOR ALL HARDCORE SHMUP FANS (LIKE ME LOL)

Firstly, an apology. I know its been A.G.E.S. since I last updated this blog space. But I have very good reasons why....
(1) I have a life outside of the Internet.
(2) Ive been really sick...really sick. But I'm better now.
(3) Study and work commitments.

So, to all those people who have been nagging me about "When are you going to update that blog of yours already huh??' Then, let me say I'm back in the game, and ready to explore, analyse and divulge the mysteries and wonders of Popular culture.  Right,with that done, lets get busy with this weeks Pop cult corner blog.


The other day, I was having lunch with some mates at the local food court (we had just finished watching Captain America: The First Avenger..I'll do a review for this later...) and somebody raised the topic about classic (i.e. 1980-1990 era) video games that they liked...One mate said for him it was Capcom's arcade classic beat em up "Final Fight" (Three heroes band together to save the daughter of one of the heroes from corrupt gangsters) that has a special place in his gaming heart.



Cody, one of the selectable heroes and the boyfriend of the kidnapped girl, Jessica, does his special ''Spining Kick"attack on a group of thugs and the stage one end boss...Meet my leg to your face fighting style...Heyayyyaaa!!!



 

Another mate said it was Namco's 'Splatterhouse' beat that was responsible for eating up most of his lunch money at the local arcade, everyday after school.




The main protagonist laying into the forces of evil on the first stage with a cleaver....Have Cleaver, will chop!!


 When my turn came, I calmly told them that the video game that I was really addicted too was called "Rayforce''.  This immediately gave rise to a few raised eyebrows as well as a few "never heard of that before...whose in that??" (Ha, and you call yourselves video gaming connoisseur , rookies..I thought to myself). So, then the history lesson began....

RAYFORCE is a vertical shmup (abbreviation for shoot em up) game first released by game developers TAITO back in the mid 1990's.  Taito game developers are better known for other video gaming titles like BUBBLE BOBBLE, ARKANOID, and the epitome of classic shoot em up gaming, SPACE INVADERS.



The Granddaddy of all shmups...You cant really call yourself a serious shmup gamer without at least knowing what this is...

Basically, you are the pilot of an awesome revolutionary spacecraft that blasts off into the unknown depths of space to save the Earth from an artificial super-computer that has gone insane, wiped out all humanity and is now using Earth as a mobile space station to seek out and destroy surviving humans now leaving on other colonies.  (Yeah, storyline is very convoluted and ultimately takes a backseat to the action to come).



The Rayforce spacecraft engages with the enemy on the first stage. What you don't see is just how fast and sudden these bad guys come at you.  You really have to stay focused on this one.

The space craft is called the RVA-818 X-LAY that has been costumed fitted with two types of weapon systems.  One is a primary weapon in the form of a straight laser used against air based enemies that gradually increases in power and size when you get power ups that the enemy drops.  The other is a nifty lock-on homing type missile based useful in taking out annoying ground based enemies.With each power up, the lock on increases in speed and number of missiles fired.



The Rayforce spacecraft about to engage with the first stage end of level boss in the background..Nice!

Apart from the frantic game play and action, another standout feature about this game for me was the in game music.  It is often said that the OST (original soundtrack) of a game can help to make or break it.  In my view, it is the thumping, up-tempo electronic synthesizer inspired music coupled with the fast pace nature, makes this a truly memorable and exciting shmup experience. The OST track that stands out for me is  on level 3 entitled "Vision", composed by gaming music maestro Tamayo Kawamoto-The ethereal, melodic eletronica track will have you cranking up the sound volume to maximum, and (if your like me) will be stuck in your head lol, that eventually you will try your utmost to find the mp3 file for it...trust me. Anyway, here is a sample of  that aforementioned music tack I was talking about.

Well, I couldn't find the track for the arcade version of Rayforce...dang.  Rather, here is version that was released for the Sega Saturn home console version.  It was given a different name, but gameplay is exactly the same as the arcade version...If you want an mp3 version of this, then google search is your friend :)

To sum up. Rayforce is a fun, sassy shmup that will satisfy any hardcore shmup fans appetite. A rockin head nodding sound track, gorgeous graphics and frantic gameplay. make this a quintessential addition for any shooter em up fan's collection.  

And because I'm sure your all curious about what it looks like, here is some video footage of Rayforce's stage one. (Props to Youtube for the footage). There is a PC version of this and If you want to find the game, again google search is your friend....

 

You'll come back now..ya hear!!!





"HEY SON, WHAT CHA WANNA DO WHEN YA GROW UP??" DAD....IM GONNA BE A SQUARE-ENIX GAMING CHARACTER!!!..

Now, not only do I  have a passion for movies, but I also have an avid interest in video gaming, especially RPG's (role playing games for all you newbies out there). The first ever game I owned was for the Nintendo Entertainment System was a rather obscure and unknown title called "Final Fantasy", which has now gone on to become one of the most prolific and popular gaming franchises of all time, spanning  an impressive 14 follow up titles thereafter.

   The game that started it all for me....Final Fantasy One...(sigh*)



Now, what is there left to be said, that hasn't been already said about this legendary gaming experience?. Well, I'm gonna add my two cents worth to the already COPIOUS amounts of praise, love and recognition that this gaming franchise has already been receiving and I'm also gonna tell you my reasons for why I love this game just so darn much. 

First, I like the series because of its ever evolving game play mechanics (like the Active Turn Based Battle System or ATB where battles happen in real-time) the intricate, engaging and almost 'human' story plots (Final Fantasy VIII's love subplot is a point in case) and not to mention the constant refinement and development of animated graphics that makes, in my view, the franchise fresh exciting, varied and hence, entertaining.

In some respects, no Final Fantasy story plot is ever the same than its predecessor. Though, there are some recurring elements that carry on  through to other titles (like ride on yellow feathered birds called Chocobos or a reoccurring character who has now become the staple for many a Final Fantasy games called "CID". In my view, its because of this variation, while also being similar at the same time, that for many (especially me) keeps them coming back for more and wanting more.  

    

Final Fantasy VII protagonist Cloud Strife mounts a Chocobo.....Ride em cowboy!!! YEE-HAW!!

The many and varied forms of Final Fantasy CID.

Secondly, and lets face it, A fundamental reason why Final Fantasy is so popular among many people (and by in large, all video gaming experience in general) is the relational aspect.  People find aspects of themselves (be it personality, fashion sense, personal preferences, character story lines, etc) in these gaming characters that they see and interact with.  People wanna be like Sephiroth (Final Fantasy VII main villain, bottom right image) or like Squall (Final Fantasy VIII hero, bottom left image) for various reasons.  Some even take this desire/urge one step further by trying to emulate them in there own personal lives.  It is here that we see the prominence of a pop culture phenomena referred to as COS PLAY- an intriguing world of make-believe where pretend dress up and reality cross-over and blend.  It is in this domain where everyday people play out there virtual based fantasies in an offline world context.   



For whatever reasons behind its success and longevity, one thing certain about Final Fantasy: It is because of its indefatigable ability to adapt and adjust to the popular cultural climate and mindset of a particular given point in time, that in my view, will continue to add to its increasing popularity and hence generate further gaming titles for generations to come.  I've added some more images from other Final Fantasy gaming titles. 

Final Fantasy X for the PlayStation 2: A personal favorite of mine.

The Latest installment of the Final Fantasy Franchise-Final Fantasy XIII Versus....These dude look absolute BAD ASSES..Also, why am I thinking of that programme 'ENTOURAGE' for some reason...hmmmm.

The Cast of Final Fantasy VIII: Role Call (from left to right: Squall-Rinoa-Selphie-Zell and Laguna)

By now, you should know how things flow at the house of pop cult corner..So, here is a video clip courtesy of  YOUTUBE (U-tube-u complete me) of the trailer for the up and coming FINAL FANTASY XIII VERSUS to be released later this year (well, at least that's what I've been told from my sources) for the PlayStation 3.  This game forms part of a trilogy based  series centering around a common mythos of legendary crystals called FABULA NOVA CYRSTAILIS. (or Tales of the New Crystals saga) 

WARNING: This clip may induce states of euphoria, seizures of excitement or screams of ecstasy and pleasure due to a sensory overload because of its MIND BLOWINGLY AMAZING content.
Viewer Discretion is advised (lol). 

Kōsha no hi wa zerībīnzu! (Latter Dayz Peepz!).  

POP CULT CORNER RETRO MOVIE OF THE WEEK: MY SCIENCE PROJECT (1985)

In the early 1980's, the pride and joy of our family at that time was our first ever video player. THE BETA MAX.  It was huge monstrosity of a machine, metallic grey and kinda bulky.  The videotapes themselves were also kinda huge, like the size of Oxford dictionaries (not an exaggeration!!).  Overall, it was a decent machine that livened our otherwise boring television viewing. (where I'm from, back in those days, we only had two t.v. channels to choose from.......right). 

The megabeast that was THE BETAMAX!

Anyways, one time, my older brother used a video gift voucher he had won at a local school fair to rent out some vids later that day. Some of the titles he got out were POLICE STORY 1, 2&3, THE ICE PIRATES, GHOSTBUSTERS, THE AMYTIVILLE HORROR ( for my sis who was a horror film nut) EMMENUALE's EXOTIC AFRICAN JOURNEY (for mum and dad during those.."intimate mummy and daddy alone time moments'', but I wont go there, hehe), as well as some other forgettable titles that I honestly, can't recall.

In my view, one of Jackie's greatest action flicks of all time among his countless others.

But, among that pile of Betta Max video goodness was one movie that for me, holds a special place in this guy's blood soaked, fatty deposited, cholesterol clogged arteries of a heart. A film that for me, epitomised 1980's science-fiction comedy genre films when they were all the rage at that time (remember REAL GENIUS, WEIRD SCIENCE, and that other movie, you know, the one with a certain nuclear powered, time travelling supe-uped Delorean."1.21 gigawatts??..yeah, that one). I'm talking about the POP CULT CORNER RETRO MOVIE OF THE WEEK....MY SCIENCE PROJECT...


Released in 1985 by TOUCHSTONE PICTURES, its your typical 1980's high school based sci-fy comedy.  The film centres around a threesome of teenagers (There's Mike Harlan, the handsome school rebel/teen misfit who LOVES anything to do with fast cars. Vince Lattelo, the school clown and all round jackass played perfectly by actor FISHER STEVENS and Ellie Sawyer, the quiet, nerdy shy girl who has a secret crush on Mike). One night, the group hang out at a spooky abandoned military storage facility and stumble upon this weird flashy techno gizmo contraption among the other abandoned junk.  Needless to say, Mike takes a liking to it and decides to take it back to school and clean it up a bit as he wants to add it to his car he's working on in the school auto shop (Kinda make it a hood ornament). Later though, strange and unexplainable things begin to take place all over school that somehow involve this gizmo dohickey thing, like weird and suddent power surges, mysterious objects materializing out of thin air... 

''One of these things is not like the other...one of these things just doesnt belong"..

When they take it to there science teacher, Bob Roberts, to scope it out (played perfectly by scene stealing DENNIS HOOPER R.I.P dude)well, the results are both hilarious and kind scary (at least that's what I thought at the time and I was only 5yrs old.  My older brother, though just pissed himself laughing!!).


Now, I'm not going to spoil the rest of the movie for you, but the last 15-20 mins of the movie are kinda cool and is a full on special effects bonanza.  So, if your lucky to get the chance to watch it, you'll have great fun, like I did watching this underrated family friendly sy-fy romp. What also makes the movie extra cool is the OWESUME 80s'synth pop soundtrack and the impressive surround sound to boost .  So a word of advice, Check your brain at the front door, grab your self your favorite snacks, take the phone of the hook, let that cellphone call go to voicemail and gather together the whole family for this. You'll enjoy it :)  In the mean time, to wet your curious appetite, here is the movie's promotional poster.

From left to right: Vinne, Mike and Ellie.....the fourth guy, I forgot who he was...my bad.

And a link to a scene from the movie, courtesy of YouTube..Nice one U-tube :)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Cop to Vince: "Hey kid, why do you wear sunglasses at night?"

Vince to Cop: "Because when your cool, the sun shine on you 24hrs a day!!" 

 .......LATTER DAYZ PEEPS.  

WORLD INVASION-BATTLE LOS ANGELES.....IS THE HOLLYWOOD MOVIE MACHINE IN OVERDRIVE???

Just the other day, I managed to catch a quick glimpse of the trailer for the upcoming sy-fy action flick 'WORLD INVASION-BATTLE LOS ANGELES. on t.v. and gotta say oh my freakin goodness!!! , it looks so amazing. .
Lately, I am becoming more and more impressed with the quality of sy-fy action movies that the Hollywood Dream factory has been churning out to avid movie goers like myself.

Point in case, I L.O.V.E.D. the Tron Legacy Movie when it came out late December last year. To me, it was a sensory joygasm.  A visual and audio symphony masterpiece for the human senses that when coupled with an OWESUM as movie score and soundtrack composed by legandary French electro pop duo icons DAFT PUNK was enough, to, as the Rolling Stones put it "make a grown man cry lol".  Just when I thought James Cameron's mangum opus of a movie 'Avatar' had set the standards for sy-fy movies to follow, in terms of visual special effects, Tron Legacy comes along and asserts itself as the new sy-fy action king in much the same way that the school yard bully used to beat up the geeky kids for there lunch money at lunch time....metaphorically speaking.

Now it seems, in 2011, those sy-fy action movie standards are once again going to be pushed to the limits again  and rock the very core of all avid sy-fy action cinema fans, with the release of such movies like SUCKER PUNCH, CAPTAIN AMERICA, SUPER 8, REAL STEEL, just to name a few, later in the year.  First up through, to the plate, is the release of this epic mammoth looking movie BATTLE LOS ANGELES...Just take a look at some of these movie posters and stills and judge for yourself ...



    

"SUN, SAND, SURF AND..... STRANGE ALIEN FIREBALLS???!!!..I dont remember seeing this in the travel brochure??



...Alien Invasion???, what Alien Invasion..its just another day in the Los Angeles suburbs as far as some folk are concerned.

Those Mexican Chilli Dogs are LETHAL!!!



And, just becaue I love ya, Ive also added a link to the film's trailer from youtube.com.  You can scope it out at the link below.

Watch this space for an upcomming full movie review at a later date :)......LATTER DAYZ PEEPZ!