Friday, March 15, 2024

Game Review: 'Valiant Hearts: Coming Home'

A decade after its release, the original "Valiant Hearts" has managed to stick with me. The point-and-click, QTE-heavy travelogue through World War I tells interlinked stories of loss, triumph, woe and endurance with respect, dignity and pathos. 

The sequel, "Valiant Hearts: Coming Home" digs up even more thoughtful stories from the oft-neglected trenches, building on the strengths of the original while minimizing its weaknesses.

While the first game sometimes struggles with obtuse bottlenecks, the sequel's puzzles have more of a natural flow and rarely impede your progress. 

There is also a heck of a lot more action from the jump. Early on, you find yourself chasing down a runaway plane, dodging flocks of birds and enemy fire while airborne and floating through U-boat debris to sift through wreckage and rescue sailors from both sides of the conflict who are grasping at what shreds of life still remain.

At turns heartbreaking, invigorating and chilling, "Valiant Hearts: Coming Home" quickly etched a spot in my heart, as well as allowed for some nostalgic bonding with my 17-year-old son, with whom I played the original game at age 7. This will no doubt go down as one of my favorite titles of 2024.


Publisher provided review code.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Phil on Film: 'French Girl'

As ageless as Paul Rudd, Zach Braff is still plugging away at the rom-com scene as he reaches his late 40s. "French Girl" find him as a goofy high school teacher names Gordon who's struggling to rustle up the nerve to pop the question to his girlfriend, Sophie (Evelyne Brochu).

The rom-com is due out in theaters Friday and will be available digitally March 19.

The complication is that Sophie has a shot at following her culinary dreams by auditioning for a job under TV chef, Ruby (Vanessa Hudgens), who also happens to be her secret ex who seemingly has designs on rekindling their romance. Sophie's family is as cool to Gordon's presence as they are starstruck and enamored of Ruby, who promises to save the family farm. Gordon tags along to Quebec, struggling to make inroads with the French-speaking family and hold off his insecurities while supporting Sophie's career trajectory.

Braff's flighty, whimsical performance is the main event, with Brochu and Hudgens reduced to comparatively dull showings. The writer/director team of James A. Woods and Nicolas Wright lean into Braff's strengths, crafting a winning, "Garden State"-style dynamic that shows you can still come of age even as the age you approach is 50.

There are chuckles and squirms aplenty, and even though just about every beat of the script-by-numbers is predictable, the film is never at a loss for charm. Braff proves there is still more to his game than musical Super Bowl commercials with Donald Faison.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Early Game Review: 'Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story'

The quirky British gaming visionary who inspired legions of developers and placed his unique spin on loads of influential titles, Jeff Minter is an icon who is well deserving of a tribute anthology. He gets his just treatment in "Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story," which not only collects his often obscure games into a singular package, but chronicles is impact and accolades in interactive timelines.

Minter's successes include the likes of "Abductor," "Gridrunner," "Centipede," "Tempest" and "Mutant Camels" games. His work spanned genres, created their own subsets and managed to squeeze untold hours of intriguing gameplay with often limited resources.

Much of Minter's work came on such ancient platforms as the Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64 and Sinclair ZX81. He was also a major player during the Atari heyday, sticking with the publisher all the way through its bungled Janguar release.

Each of Minter's titles is remastered and granted quality-of-life improvements, such as screen sizing and rewind. While not all of his exploits hold up, the throughline of his creativity, humor and daring shine throughout. To sink yourself into the collection is to relive gaming history, and discover gems that may have eluded you. I pride myself in my deep knowledge of gaming's origins, and some of the titles here managed to catch me by surprise because I'd never heard of them. 

A joyous, encyclopedic treasure trove, "Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story" is an essential pickup for gamers who take pride in the art form's origins. 


Publisher provided review code.


Hot on Home Video: 'Anyone but You'

Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell pair up for a winning romcom effort that managed to thrust both actors into the upper reaches of young stardom. Stuck together at a destination wedding in Australia, the mismatched couple is forced to pair up and fake a relationship. Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd and Dermot Mulroney round out the cast.

Extras include outtakes and bloopers, deleted scenes, ASMR pickup lines and featurettes dubbed "He Said She Said," "Aussie Snacks" and "Everyone Down Under."

Studio sent screener for review.

Tuesday, March 05, 2024

Game Review: 'WWE 2K24'

Compared to most other annual-release sports titles, there's little turnover from year to year in the top-level rosters. That means it takes a superlative effort from developers to make a new entry a must-buy every year. 

That's exactly what Visual Concepts sets out to do -- and largely nails -- with the kinetic "WWE 2K24."

Bringing the thunder with an engaging array of WWE superstars, storylines, move sets and game modes, "WWE 2K24" maintains the franchise's impressive reputation and considerable momentum.

As is often the case with the franchise, this year's edition strives to pay respect to the WWE/WWF's storied past.

Iconic moments from yesteryear pace the content, recreating memorable showdowns including Hulk Hogan-Andre the Giant, the Undertaker's grim dominance and the human highlight reel who was Shawn Michaels in his prime.

There are nods to various generations that built up the stature of the entertainment phenomenon. Luminaries including Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Roman Reigns and Rhea Ripley also join the stacked cast.

New match modes include Ambulance Match and Special Guest Referee Match, as well as a duo of MyRise selections. The all-around visuals and gameplay get significant spit-shines, with the vast majority of facial animations getting updates, a movable camera during live matches between AI opponents and a rousing new slate of combat mechanics.

Other enhancements include the addition of new weapons, Super Finishers, a clash-style Trading Blows minigame that gives the action a hint of "Injustice: Gods Among Us" flavor, and the presence of real-life WWE refs.

MyGM and MyFACTION continue to be modes that draw micromanagement-focused players back for daily sessions, even though some players may bemoan the continued focus on microtransactions.

The Creation Suite offers a remarkable array of design options, letting you compose arenas, signs, wrestlers and intros and outros to perfection.

The soundtrack, executive produced by Post Malone, sets a thumping tone to the proceedings, blasting your speakers with rhythms that echo the ribald action within the squared circle.

Even though I'm no longer a regular wrestling viewer, I continue to be drawn into the franchise through the video game backdoor. The opportunity to catch up with the WWE's latest developments and offer a creative hand in crafting my own experiences is empowering and invigorating. The game makes the WWE's future look every bit as bright as its past.

Publisher provided review code.

Friday, March 01, 2024

Review: 'Cirque du Soleil: Crystal'

A mystical vision of ice dancing blended with aerial gymnastics, juggling and trick skating, "Cirque du Soleil: Crystal" is a breathtaking spectacle that makes you gasp, gawk and cheer.

The show, which has been touring since 2017, follows the story of a social outcast bearing the show's name. A dreamer whose creativity is suppressed by rigid society, she ventures off on a short-lived journey of self-discovery that leads to a life-threatening accident. The bulk of the show takes place within her mind as she reconciles her drive and sense of purpose with the demands and expectations that surround her.

The ever-changing sets act as a primary character, evolving from a series of ramps to a house of mirrors or stackable furniture. The settings act as props for physics-defying displays of strength, balance and body control, with high-flying set pieces that get the crowd roaring just as loudly as any hockey match would. In a nod to the regular inhabitant of the building, the lead character spends a significant chunk of the stage time wearing a Tucson Roadrunners jersey.

A succession of musical interludes highlight the most glorious and edgy choreography, with covers of Sia's "Chandelier," U2's "Beautiful Day" and Beyonce's "Halo" standing out as the most gorgeous.

"Crystal" may include a few interludes that seem to pad out the show, but they likely exist to give the performers a moment to breathe in between the more electrifying outbursts. I enjoyed the experience, as well as the shared sense of wonder with the audience. Crystal refracts your expectations into a stunning rainbow of exuberance.

"Crystal" plays through March 3 at the Tucson Convention Center. Purchase tickets here.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Game Review: 'Geometry Survivor'

Single-screen bullet hell survivor games have been making a comeback since "Vampire Survivors" set the scene ablaze in 2021. Along comes "Geometry Survivor," which rides the full head of steam established by the likes of "Brorato" and its ilk.

The premise is simple: Guide your tiny ship through ceaseless waves of rapid-spawning enemies for 20 minutes. You're by no means meant to do this on your first, or even fiftieth try, but as you pick up the ebb and flow of the devilishly difficult proceedings, you pick up little tricks that edge you ever closer to that milestone.

Every death amounts to progress, because you accumulate gems you can spend to make the game a little easier on your next playthrough. You also accumulate power-ups at intervals throughout each run, deciding whether to add a second ship, initiate black holes that suck enemies -- and possibly you -- out of existence, or equip yourself with chonky lasers that can annihilate opponents at your whim.

I am a sucker for single-screen survivors, and "Geometry Survivor" scratched my itch well. My 17-year-old son was able to reach the 20-minute plateau after a few playthroughs, but was still interested in returning to unlock more power-ups. I find myself stuck at the 15-minute mark, ever taking part in the Sysiphean task of putting myself in a better position to fail less badly next time. 

"Geometry Survivor," you've hooked me, and there's no going back.


Publisher provided review code.

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Game Review: 'Inkulinati'

A single-lane, turn-based strategy game, "Inkulinati" makes the move to PlayStation after starting last year ago on Xbox. 

The effort from the dev team at Yaza Games captures a whimsical feel. Playing like an interactive storybook, the hand-drawn creatures pivot along parchment scrolls to combat, heal and, when they're tuckered out, nap.

The battles put a smile on my face as I maneuvered adorable characters into position to maximize their effectiveness. There's an admirable amount of strategy at play, making the game easy to pick up but difficult to master.

While its quirkiness and gimmickery can only take it so far, its lighthearetd storytelling and workmanlike combat system manages to keep it engaging from one mission to the next. There is also a stiff challenge confronting you. "Inkulinati" is often so difficult that it's humbling. Some battles can be so traumatizing and exhilarating that you may well need a nap afterward.

Publisher provided review code.

Hot on Home Video: 'Contagion,' 'Migration,' 'Poor Things,' 'Wonka'

CONTAGION

Steven Soderbergh's prescient 2011 thriller tells a grim tale of a rapidly-spreading disease, becoming all the more poignant nine years later, when the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world. The stunning ensemble cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon, Marion Cottilard, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston, Kate Winslet and Jennifer Ehle.

The 4K ultra HD steelbook includes three featurettes: "The Reality of Contagion," "The Contagion Detectives" and "Contagion: How a Virus Changes the World."

MIGRATION

The crowd-pleasing animated tale rounds up an impressive voice cast, including Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina and Danny DeVito to follow the story of the Mallard family, who head toward Jamaica from New York City. The flightpath is full of comical misadventures and family-friendly chuckles.

The set is loaded with extras, including the short films "Fly Hard," Mooned" and "Midnight Mission." There are also cast interviews, drawing lessons, a making-of documentary and a bird call tutorial. 

POOR THINGS

Visionary director Yorgos Lanthimos's stunning effort, which landed 11 Oscar nominations, including best picture, director and actress, features Emma Stone as a woman who is brought back to life by a Frankenstein-style scientist (Willem Dafoe), who undergoes an awakening of consciousness and sexuality, leading her on a winding, allegorical journey that satirizes class, culture, gender dynamics and the human condition. 

Mark Ruffalo turns in a powerful supporting performance as an attorney who becomes entangled in her journey. Stone's powerful lead performance has thrust her to the front of the best actress Oscar conversation.

Extras include a making-of documentary and three deleted scenes.

WONKA

Timothee Chalamet channels a young Gene Wilder in this musical sequel to the legendary "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." The story finds a young Wonka who endeavors to unleash his wild imagination on the candy industry, only to fall victim to a scam that renders him an indentured servant. Hugh Grant steals scenes as an Oompa Loompa, and Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas and Matthew Baynton round out a strong cast in character roles. 

Extras include a slew of making-of featurettes, including "Unwrapping Wonka: Paul King's Vision," "The Whimsical Music of Wonka," "Welcome to Wonka Land," "Hats Off to Wonka" and "Wonka's Chocolatier."

Studios sent screeners for review.