Grand Theft Auto V delayed, will release Sept. 17

In what is hopefully the worst news you will hear today, Rockstar Games have delayed Grand Theft Auto V from its initial March release until Sept. 17.

The official release states:

We know this is about four months later than originally planned and we know that this short delay will come as a disappointment to many of you, but, trust us, it will be worth the extra time. GTAV is a massively ambitious and complex game and it simply needs a little more polish to be of the standard we and, more importantly, you require.

To all Grand Theft Auto fans, please accept our apologies for the delay, and our promise that the entire team here is working very hard to make the game all it can be. We are doing all we can to help ensure it will meet if not exceed your expectations come September – we thank you for your support and patience.

Polish is always good, right?

Disney to promote "Lone Ranger" during Super Bowl

Disney is planning a 90-second spot for their upcoming film "The Lone Ranger" during the Super Bowl on February 3.  At a cool $4 million per 30-second spot, that means Disney is dropping an astounding $12 million to present this one to what will hopefully be their future audience.

With what is reported to be a $250 million budget, the studio must hope that Depp's star power will keep this afloat.  The film also stars Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner, Barry Pepper, James Badge Dale, Ruth Wilson, and Helena Bonham Carter.  Suspiciously absent is Tim Burton.

If you're a huge fan of the ranger, or can't get enough Johnny Depp playing weird, quirky characters, the film debuts on July 3.  

Nicholas Cage shown in "Superman Lives" costume

In what is surely the funniest photo you will see today, Nic Cage is shown in what could have been his "Superman Lives costume, had the project actually been made.

Thankfully, what would have been the Spider-Man 3 of Superman films (yes, even considering Superman III and IV), wasn't made.

Artist illustrates Golden Book version of The Hobbit

Let's face it.  We all grew up with the fantastic Golden Books.  Unfortunately, we didn't have this one.

Artist Rosemary Travale has brought the fabulous words of J.R.R. Tolkien to life in her very on "Little Tolkien Book."

They were illustrated while putting together a school portfolio.  She wants to have more done, but is quite busy at the moment.  However, if you follow her blog she has said they will be posted as needed.  

Star Trek names and roles offered by chartgeek

Chartgeek.com has offered this chart for all of us to browse and use, which shows the various positions held throughout the main Star Trek universe.

As someone fairly new to the series, it is a huge help due to the fact that outside of The Original Series and The Next Generation, I had no idea who these people were.

Hope you enjoy it.

Rob Liefeld's "ICON" screenplay tells story of early Image Comics days

In what is the funniest (to me, anyway) news one can possibly read today, it appears that Rob Liefeld took three entire days out of his busy foot-drawing schedule to pen a screenplay about the early days of Image Comics.

It sounds too good to be true, but dreammoviecast.com even has some samples from the Oscar worthy work of genius for your approval.

Guess we now know what he is doing since quitting DC suddenly.

Also lofty are Liefeld's casting picks, of which I've provided a few:

John Cho as Jim Lee

Chris Pine as Rob Liefeld

Christian Bale as Todd McFarlane

Also impressive is Rob's previous battle with Batman writer Scott Snyder.  Apparently a lot has changed in the comic book industry since I stopped reading over 15 years ago.  Rob Liefield's art, however, hasn't.

BestofNetflix: Chinatown

I like rating and talking about movies.  It's unexplainable why, but it's something that I've done for a long time.  However, there are few that get a full five stars from me, as I consider it nearly impossible to make a perfect film.  I was delighted to see that one of those films, Chinatown, has been made available on Netflix.

For those who have never heard of this masterpiece, let me fill you in.  Jack Nicholson stars as Jake Gittes, a private investigator who is set up by someone impersonating the wife of an important engineer for the Department of Water and Power for the city of Los Angeles.  I'm vague because, if you haven't seen this movie before, one shouldn't know too much of the plot.

I consider Chinatown to be one of the greatest examples of acting, directing, and screenwriting ever committed to film.  There are plenty of plot twists, interesting characters, and true intrigue.  All of which are elements missing from any number of movies following the 1970s.

Honestly, give this one a try.  Of the many people I've recommended Chinatown to, few have ever said they didn't like it.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull gets honest trailer

Today, I was reading at Comic Book Movies when I came across this posting for an honest Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull trailer.

I'm sure many walked out of the theater disappointed.  If only advertising could be this truthful.

Batman comic answers how villains attain costumes

DeviantArt user TerminAitor recently put pen to paper, providing us with his unique spin on how Batman's villains get their varied and unique costumes.

The well-drawn and fun to read fan-comic takes on a good question considering life has to be much harder for a Two-Face or Joker.

BestofHulu: Community

Do you like great writing, hilarious hijinks, and a plethora of pop culture references?  Then Community is definitely for you.

The sitcom centers around what begins as a Spanish study group at the fictional Greendale Community College.  Joel McHale, well known as host of The Soup, plays a disbarred lawyer who becomes leader of the group.   The cast also features Gillian Jacobs as a liberal activist, Yvette Nicole Brown as a dedicated mother/divorcee/Christian, Allison Brie as the young overachiever, and comedic veteran Chevy Chase as a bored millionaire.  However, my favorite duo in the show is easily Troy and Abed, played by Donald Glover and Danny Pudi, who bring more true laughs with their geeky demeanor than anything envisioned in The Big Bang Theory.  The cast is rounded out by Jim Rash, who plays the overly enthusiastic campus Dean, and Ken Jeong, an insane Spanish teacher who eventually hopes to become part of the group.

Since its 2009 debut the show has been plagued with low, but very dedicated viewership.  My initial viewing of the pilot back then left a lot to be desired.  However, I picked the show up on Hulu Plus after the urging of a friend, and in the two months since my viewership began, it will easily be hailed as one of the best shows I've ever seen.  Also, one of the few shows I've watched from start to finish.

Despite Dan Harmon leaving after the conclusion of the third season, fans are hopeful to see it return beyond the upcoming fourth season, which has a debut of February 7 at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.  Watch it, love it, and remain hopeful that there will be six seasons and a movie.

Schwarzenegger's film return flops

From what I'm reading, Arnie's return to the movie industry, "The Last Stand" has completely tanked in the United States.

Jee-woon Kim's American debut and Schwarzenegger's millionth mindless action flick took in a measly $1.9 million on Friday.  The four day weekend total is expected to be somewhere around the $6.6 million mark.  That rates it at number nine in this week's box office reports.

Maybe he can get a lead role in The Expendables 3.

I just waved down the limo to say congrats!

In order for my eventual wedding day to be a success, this must happen.

IDW does it right in regards to the Ghostbusters

Image from the "New" Ghostbusters

In my absence from reading comics, a new company was started.  I know literally nothing about them at this point other than that IDW Publishing seem to create comics from any number of licensed properties.  My introduction is through their Ghostbusters title.

Despite them doing a Doctor Who comic, anything Ghostbusters I'm going to gravitate toward first.  After reading the first three issues, I'm feeling no disappointment.

Let me throw a little bit of the story out there.  Gozer has returned.  That says enough right there.  Of course I don't want to spoil it too much, but so far the story is revolving around a third traveler, a potential lawsuit by the Stay Puft marshmallow company, the return of Walter Peck, and a kidnapped Ray Stanz.

When I was younger, most licensed comics were quite obviously done for children.  The characters are drawn in a cartoonish way, but the ghosts are truly magnificent.  It is also good to see that these books are done for what is an obvious adult demographic.  Most children don't even know who the Ghostbusters are at this point, right?

After reading through these issues, I'm going after the "New" Ghostbusters.  As I've said before, I know nothing of the story, but if I enjoy it half as much as I have seeing the further adventures of Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston there won't be much disappointment.

DC's "New 52" freshens up the comics industry

Once upon a time, back in the 1990s, comic books played a large part in my life.  It actually began in 1988, when Tim Burton's Batman hit the screen.  Being eight or nine years old and living in a small Louisiana town, one didn't have access to a newsstand or comic book store.

A few years later was when the world of comics opened up.  Although none were local, there were several options for intermittent comics in the surrounding areas that my mom frequented due to visiting family, doctor's appointments, or shopping.  Other opportunities were presented in the form of my mother and father's love of flea markets.

Within months, the names Jim Lee and Todd McFarlane became just as important in my life as George Lucas and Stephen King.  The stories of Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker became my new Indiana Jones and Luke Skywalker.

The trend continued for several more years.  Image Comics began after seemingly everyone's favorite artists wanted more control over their work.  The addiction grew.

Eventually, my interest wavered.  Going out with friends became the norm, and of course Magic: The Gathering received some interest.

Sure, I'd  read a few comics in the meantime.  The magic was just gone...until recently.

I happened upon some random article on Reddit regarding 52 new titles for DC Comics.  It was a move in the right direction.

My readings began with "Night of the Owls" in Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's new Batman series.  The art and story were both fantastic.  Francis Manapul's work on The Flash is truly captivating.    There's still a long way to go, and a lot of titles I want to try out, but I'm looking forward to it for the first time in a good long while.  I'll keep everyone updated on what I'm reading, especially since I'm looking forward to Batman's "Death of the Family."

Strangely enough, despite my early love of Marvel Comics, I have no interest in the books they're putting out.  Everybody says to try out DeadPool, but I'm just not sure.  I already have plenty to read.

BestofNetflix: Fawlty Towers

As there is entirely too much time on my hands, I'm going to start doing short reviews of my favorite items on Netflix streaming and Hulu Plus.

Although Netflix has grown its streaming catalog greatly in the past few years, one won't find a better and classic British comedy series as this.  Hopefully, they keep it around a while and it isn't one of those "here today, gone tomorrow" series.

Monty Python funnyman John Cleese stars as Basil Fawlty, the bumbling owner of a hotel named Fawlty Towers in Torquay, U.K.  Rounding out his rude character are his bossy and hard-to-please wife Sybil (Prunella Scales), maid Polly (Connie Booth), and Spanish waiter Manuel (Andrew Sachs).

The plots range from Basil trying to move up in social status and placing the hotel in a much higher regard than it should be.  He deals constantly with his wife, maid, and waiter in the most hilarious of situations.  However, his misanthropic behavior toward the guests is the star of the show.  In my personal favorite episode, the manner in which he treats a group of German guests is one of the single most comedic moments in any sitcom.  Ever.  I'm not going to ruin it by putting a video up here, but everyone has Netflix at this point, right?  Give it a try.