Chris Hardwick's Blog, page 2293

Finally: America’s Creepy Clown Epidemic, Explained

As if 2016 wasn’t already the most surreal year ever, on top of everything else going on, we’ve found ourselves in the middle of a so-called “creepy clown epidemic.” All over the country, people dressed up as scary clowns have been reported lurking about, allegedly trying to lure kids into the woods. What started in South Carolina back in August has now fostered dozens of copycat clowns to spring up across the country, freaking everyone right the hell out. Residents in certain towns have even been asking local police if they are allowed to shoot clowns on sight, because America.

But when, exactly, did clown go from symbols of fun and happiness and laughter, to representing our worst nightmares come to life?

For people of my parents’ generation, clowns like Bozo and Emmett Kelly and even Ronald McDonald were what sprung to mind when someone said the words “clown.” For Gen-Xers the perception of clowns began to change thanks to movies like Poltergeist and Stephen King’s It. Nowadays, you say “clown” and most people think of the Joker, or worse, real life serial killers like John Wayne Gacy.

The folks at Vox have created a video detailing not only this current “creepy clown epidemic,” but also why we’ve come to fear clowns so much in the first place, and why the victims of these clown pranks may be more dangerous than the clowns themselves. Certainly the mob of angry frat boys from Penn State shouting “F$%# Clowns!” in the video were more scary to me than any clowns they showed.

Why do you think of this “creepy clown epidemic?” And are you terrified of clowns, or are you one of those people who just doesn’t understand the whole “scared of clowns” thing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Image: Warner Brothers

GIF: PBS

MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. Recap: Who’s Behind the “Uprising”?

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.! Proceed with caution, agents. If you haven’t yet watched this week’s episode, “Uprising”, we highly suggest you do so before proceeding. Okay? We good? Then let’s go.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. offers up yet another topical episode this week, with the return of the Latina Inhuman Yo-Yo and the Watchdogs. Team Whedon, of course, has never shied away from taking a political stance, especially during an election year (as can be seen in Joss Whedon’s recent Save the Day video, featuring a number of the MCU’s key players). So it’s no surprise to see the white supremacy group rearing its ugly head again, this time financed by a mysterious backer who’s hellbent on terminating as many Inhumans as possible. In the wake of the signing of the Sokovia Accords, it turns out that such demagogues and terrorists are feeling more empowered than ever.

I’ve long held mixed feelings about the use of Inhumans as the minority surrogate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, just because it’s a role that’s not only been filled by mutants since Marvel’s inception, it’s the main reason for the X-Men’s very existence. But with Xavier’s merry band of muties still the screen property of Fox, we’ve no choice but to accept the castoff children of the Kree in their stead. There’s nothing I hate more than not having choices, especially as a result of corporate ownership, so a big part of me has long resented this substitution. But the use of Inhumans in season 3 works a little better than it has in previous years. Largely because it appears it won’t be the sole driving force of this season, but a mere part of a puzzle that includes Ghost Rider, AI Aida, and a more dynamic Phil Coulson than we’ve ever seen before.

Clark Gregg has rarely been as likable — or clearly having as much fun — as he is when Phil is sent out in the field to kick ass alongside the mighty Mack and the brainy Fitz. In fact, the three of them make such a damn good team that they’ve almost made me forget about my beloved Bobbi and Hunter. And this episode’s fist-pump moment is a tracking shot of them in battle against the Watchdogs in Miami. I’ll be damned if the camerawork doesn’t suit them as well as it did Daisy last season. Now all we need is the show’s best director Kevin Tancharoen to step behind the camera once more and take our new Warriors Three to the next level.

Elsewhere, Jason O’Mara continues to impress as the agency’s new Director. The show pulls the rug out from under us this week by belaying our fears that Jeffrey Pace has been secreting working against S.H.I.E.L.D.; as he immediately reveals to Coulson and co. that he had his people bring May to Radcliffe in order to save her life. That the ethically ambiguous scientist and Simmons would free her of the “ghosts” haunting her these past few weeks was never in doubt. But the means by which they do so — jump-starting her heart with Aida’s own — might allow for some further development on the part of the robot. Since there’s just no way in hell that even an artificial woman in a Mutant Enemy show is going to take kindly to being shut down after she’s used to do a man’s bidding.

More ambiguity is introduced in the character of Parminder Nagra’s Senator Rota Nadeer. She initially expresses outrage at the actions of what’s at first thought to be a group of Inhuman extremists, than she’s shown to be in league with the Watchdogs, and then it’s revealed that she’s harboring a cocooned Inhuman in her own home. My Magic 8 Ball says that the side of the equation on which she’ll finally fall remains to be seen.

Back in East LA, there’s a decided lack of ambiguity — when Daisy gets to know Robbie’s brother Gabe a little bit better, to her regret and ours. Lorenzo James Henrie is no more charismatic here than he was in Fear the Walking Dead, and his character is every bit as unsympathetic as his misguided rebel was on that show, wheelchair or no. In “Uprising”,  he uses his knowledge of Daisy’s Inhuman identity and history to banish her from Robbie’s life, even as she respectfully withholds telling him about his brother’s true nature. Honestly, I hope this brat gets killed off as quickly as Henrie’s character on his last series.

Declassified Deliberations

— I haven’t mentioned it before, but I love the new hellfire-engulfed S.H.I.E.L.D. logo this season. The show wears darkness well.

— “Calm down before you go all Carrot Top again.”

— We learn here that Robbie wants to lose his powers just as much as Daisy embraces hers. One of several reasons I’m shipping these two.

— “You know what’s a good light source? A guy with a flaming head.”

— Elena’s friend is just way too quick to ditch her upon learning she’s an Inhuman. I know bigotry is a huge thing in this episode, but c’mon — her best friend just saved her life!

— “Ready when you are, slide rule.”

— Simmons is so adorably formal after completely losing her shit when she snatches her friend from the jaws of death: “Welcome back, Agent May.”

What did you think of this week’s episode? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter (@JMaCabre).

Featured Image: Marvel/Disney/ABC

Images: Marvel, Disney, ABC

THE THING Remains John Carpenter’s Masterpiece (Blu-ray Review)

Timing is everything, and in the film world, this is no exception. Time is either harsh on former beloved works that fade away, or very kind to movies that didn’t make a splash at the time but have become classics. John Carpenter‘s The Thing is a major example of the latter. Following three massive indie hits (Halloween, The Fog, Escape from New York), Carpenter was poised to hit the big time with a huge cast and Universal’s budget and backing, and yet it was a thud upon release. Now, nearly 35 years later, Scream Factory pays ultimate tribute with their Blu-ray release.

It’s amazing how it’s just culturally accepted that The Thing is Carpenter’s best, and how much it was derided and shunned at the time. In the summer of 1982—one of the best summers for movies ever, P.S.—The Thing had the ultimate misfortune to come out shortly after, and still in the wake of, Steven Spielberg’s E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial. So the public was in a very “we love aliens” mood, and they didn’t want to see one of the bleakest and grottiest alien horror flicks ever made.

But in the years hence—likely through home video releases—the movie has become a favorite, a pillar of the strength of practical creature effects and a testament to Carpenter’s ability to create tension and mood. Once you see The Thing, you don’t soon forget it. The cast, led by Kurt Russell, is made up of distinct and rounded characters, even if they don’t get all that much screen time, and for much of the run time (especially in subsequent viewings) the audience can’t help but try to guess who’s become the Thing at what time. It’s a mystery that’s almost unsolvable because that’s not the point: It’s the distrust that gets to the men of the camp far more than the monster itself.

Scream Factory have been steadily putting out special edition Blu-rays of Carpenters films for awhile now (as of this writing, eight feature films and two TV movies by Carpenter have been released by the company) and as always, they put in a great deal of care and effort into making the movie look and sound its best, and offer a great mix of features both old and new. Disc two gives us a brand new 2K scan of the interpositive supervised by director of photography Dean Cundey and a new 4.1 audio mix created from the original 70mm six track Dolby soundtrack. It truly looks and sounds gorgeous. The disc also has three commentary tracks: a brand new one with Cundey, a brand new one with co-producer Stuart Cohen, and the classic laserdisc commentary with Carpenter and Russell, which is the gold standard for commentaries where they tell you what’s happening on screen and then talk about other things. Love it.

Disc two has some fascinating and insightful new documentaries and featurettes, first and foremost being “Requiem for a Shape-Shifter,” a 30-minute interview between Carpenter and his friend, filmmaker Mick Garris. Garris has made a small career out of being the go-to interviewer and moderator of master horror directors. The discussion goes through Carpenter’s career leading up to The Thing and includes reflections on the making of the film and theories about why it both didn’t succeed at the time and has become such a fan favorite subsequently. And they also talk about Carpenter’s newfound music career, which is fun.

The next big feature is a 51-minute doc called “The Men of Outpost 31” which has interviews about the making of the film with actors Keith David, Wilford Brimley, David Clennon, Thomas Waites, Peter Maloney, Richard Masur, and Joel Polis. Things like this are Scream Factory’s bread and butter and it flows really well and remains informative and entertaining throughout, not least seeing the very old-looking Brimley talking casually while his tiny dogs fight on his lap. It’s hilarious.

Also included are shorter featurettes about the editing, visual effects, make-up effects, sound effects, shooting locations, and the film’s novelization. As far as older features, the excellent feature-length doc “John Carpenter’s The Thing: Terror Takes Shape” from the movie’s initial DVD release is included and that’s really one of the better studio-produced making-ofs you’re likely to see. Glad it’s still here.

The Thing is a movie that infects your mind and imagination, the way the alien bits infect the men of the camp. It’s got the requisite big scares and awe-inspiring creature effects for an ’80s horror flick without an ounce of cheesiness. Everything is treated completely seriously, and the result is a movie that was too bleak for the time, but can’t be ignored evermore. It’s a classic. Buy this shit.

5 out of 5 Norwegian Dog-bitten burritos:

Images: Scream Factory

Kyle Anderson is the Associate Editor for Nerdist. You can find his film and TV reviews here. Follow him on Twitter!

JOHN WICK 3 is Already in the Works

There’s just no retirement for ex-hitman John Wick. The much-anticipated John Wick: Chapter 2 is already set to hit theaters in a few months, but that probably won’t be the last time we see Keanu Reeves‘ title character back in action.

At New York Comic Con, director Chad Stahelski told Collider that he’s already been approached about coming up with a story for John Wick 3. “The studio has asked us to put our heads together and see if we can come up with something. Winston’s (Ian McShane) a big part of the next one, so is Lance Reddick. We’ve got some ideas.”

Considering that Winston is the owner of the Continental Hotel, and Reddick’s Charon is his concierge, we’re thinking that the Continental could be the major setting of John Wick 3. Or perhaps circumstances will force Winston and Charon out of the Continental, and even deeper into the world of Wick himself.

Stahelski also teased a bit of information about John Wick: Chapter 2, and indicated that it’ll pick up shortly after the events of the first film. “When it came to coming up with a story idea, we had like ten bad ideas, and they we were like…What would have happened the next day,” recalled Stahelski. “Once we stopped worrying about ourselves, it was fun…It’s better…but it’s completely different.”

John Wick: Chapter 2 will reunite Reeves with his Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne, as they appear opposite, Common, Bridget Moynahan, John Leguizamo, and Ruby Rose. The mayhem begins again on Friday, February 10, 2017.

Where do you think that John Wick: Chapter 3 should take the franchise? Unleash your thoughts in the comment section below!

Image: Summit Entertainment

New AHSOKA Novel is a Must-Read for CLONE WARS Fans (Review)

Editor’s Note: This is a spoiler-free review. Enjoy!

Ahsoka Tano. Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the Togrutan has made waves in the galaxy and in fandom. She left the Jedi Order during The Clone Wars animated series and reappeared years later (a few years in real life and over 10 years in Star Wars canon) in Star Wars Rebels. We got to know her as an agent working for the budding Rebel Alliance. But what happened to her in the intervening time? Star Wars: Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston delves into unexplored territory for the character.

The Clone Wars ended unexpectedly. Given that, Lucasfilm has a trove of untold stories. Some of the ones regarding Ahsoka made their way into this young adult novel, and though it doesn’t answer all the questions about Ahsoka’s past it does make great strides by getting into Ahsoka’s head and seeing not only what’s happening with her, but also what’s happening to the galaxy as the Empire starts to show its true colors.

The best part about this novel is likely also its weakest link: This is a story for people who already know Ahsoka Tano. You’ll enjoy it if you know her from watching Rebels, but you’ll get the most from your time with her in the book if you spent years with her in The Clone Wars. Fans of Ahsoka are legion—I’m one of them, it’s hard for me to put into words how much this character means to me—and this book is for them. It’s not something I would recommend to people looking for their first Ahsoka experience.

But if you know the character? Pick this novel up. I just mentioned my strong feelings for Ahsoka, so I’m admittedly biased, but at the same time, I read this book with a critical eye. I’m protective of the Togrutan—though she certainly doesn’t need it—and I want to make sure the story did right by her. I’m happy to say it felt like I was in her head and hearing her thoughts and voice. She’s faced with difficult decision after difficult decision, and I experienced anxiety and despair on her behalf.

In broad strokes without spoilers: Ahsoka covers where the former Jedi was when Order 66 happened, what her recovery from the tragic event has been like, how she starts life over, how she ends up with the weapons she has in Rebels, and—yes—how she comes to be a part of the Rebellion. It’s a lot of ground to cover, but with the use of flashbacks and memories, Johnston executed the task without making the book feel overloaded. It left me wanting more.

There were a few times when Ahsoka’s dialogue didn’t ring true to me, but all of her actions did. This is a character who has suffered loss across the spectrum since she left the Jedi Order—she’s been in straight-up survival mode. The nugget at the heart of the novel is how she learns to hope again and regain a sense of self the Empire sort of took away by causing her, a Force user and therefore an enemy, to stay on the run.

Johnston didn’t have an easy task. I mean, I can’t imagine taking a beloved character and telling a story fans have been clamoring for. She pulled it off. She not only continued Ahsoka’s journey, but expanded it and brought forth new facets about her that affect how I see her in Star Wars Rebels. Ahsoka is a character exploration with sides of action, politics, and drama with an emotional center that gives me a greater appreciation for Ahsoka’s role in the galaxy.

Are you reading Ahsoka? Head to the comments and tell me what you think or come talk with me on Twitter.

Featured Image: Disney Lucasfilm Press

This review was completed using a copy of Star Wars: Ahsoka provided by Disney Lucasfilm Press.

Learn the Science Behind Making Your Very Own Glowing Wall

We were already pretty sure that the luckiest kids in the world are the ones that get to test out former NASA scientist Mark Rober‘s super fun science creations, like when he made the world’s largest working Nerf gun, or the time he filled an entire swimming pool with 25 million Orbeez water balls, but now we are absolutely positive those kids have it better than anyone else after seeing how much fun it is to play around with your very own glow-in-the-dark wall.

Rober’s latest video is a how-to on making a homemade glowing wall, just like you have probably seen at a science or kid’s museum at some point. You know the kind, one of those big walls that captures your silhouette with a flash and preserves it like a captured shadow. He said he wanted to create one because when he was a kid a glow-wall was the first time science blew his mind. To check out that they are as much fun as he–and we–remember them being though, he threw a big party to make sure it was kid tested.

Consider it kid approved…and also adult approved.

To make one yourself you’ll need to use some glow-in-the-dark spray paint, or like he found, some glow-in-the-dark vinyl. Then, to create the projections, he said a standard camera flash works best, with the higher the wattage the better. You can also then “paint” on the wall using a UV flashlight (a normal flashlight doesn’t work so well), or a blue laser (a red laser won’t work at all).

And that has to do with how all of this works. (He is a man of science, of course he made sure to explain the “how.”) We can see with out own eyes a range of electromagnetic waves (think ROYGBIV), and outside of that we have invisible ultra violet light on the short wavelength side (near blue) and invisible infrared (…uh, obviously near red) on the long wavelength side. The reason we see some objects as fluorescent is that their electrons “get excited to a higher energy state by ultraviolet light,” and though we can’t see that light, when “they return to their low energy state they emit visible light that we can see,” and that’s the reasons fluorescent light appears to glow in sunlight or under a blacklight. That process is also why they seem brighter when we look at them (like that retro D.A.R.E. shirt he wore), because “more light is actually hitting your eyes.”

Items that appear to glow in the dark entirely are a special type of fluorescence known as phosphorescence. When it’s electrons get into a high energy state they get trapped, and it takes longer for them to get back to their low energy state, which is what makes them glow. That light is being emitted, but it takes a lot longer.

Science!

But as Rober showed, understanding how something works is only half the fun here, because beyond just throwing kids across the wall and capturing their images in midair, or recreating Street Fighter fights, he invited an artist friend of his to come over and turn the wall of science into a glowing, temporary museum.

We thought we were excited for that recreation of the famous E.T. scene of Elliott and his bike taking flight, but then we got to the part where we can recreate the Luke/Vader fight in front of the Emperor and we put in our own order for some glow-in-the-dark vinyl.

A glowing wall might have been the first time science blew Rober’s mind as a kid, but it’s still just as awesome to see one as an adult, only with the even cooler bonus of understanding how it works, and how to make one ourselves.

What would you create if you had one of these in your own home? Make our comments section below glow with your best ideas.

But why don’t lightsabers burn the user’s hands?

Images: Mark Rober

SUPERGIRL Recap: Supergirl, Superman, and a Mysterious Stranger

Editor’s Note: This post contains spoilers for CW’s Supergirl. Proceed with caution if you haven’t watched yet and wish to remain spoiler-free. 

For the first time since making the leap from CBS to The CW, Supergirl flew back into our lives last night. But the network wasn’t the only thing that changed. As we already knew would happen, Kara’s cousin Clark Kent (a.k.a. Superman) joined the fray, and the results were actually pretty adorable. There was something oddly heartwarming watching the fellow Kryptonian superheroes relate to one another and take on the world together as family. Of course, there was a lot more to the episode than that, so let’s dive right in.

The episode kicked off right where the previous season finale had left off, with Kara and co at her apartment sharing a toast… until they saw something falling from the sky. When Kara and J’onn located the landing site, they found a pod much like the one she and Clark arrived in as kids. While we did get to see this new mysterious passenger’s Kryptonian face, the majority of the episode was dedicated to introducing Tyler Hoechlin’s Clark Kent. And boy what a great Kent/Superman he is. Hoechlin is the perfect blend of awkward, charming, and obviously good-looking. Even Cat couldn’t help but swoon when he showed up at the office.

Later on, after Kara’s first and only date with Jimmy was interrupted (R.I.P. Jimmy and Kara relationship goals), Kara rushed off to save the folks aboard the Venture following a massive explosion. But she wasn’t the only one who responded the the crash. Her dashing, good-looking cousin Clark also donned his suit and cape and joined his older/younger cousin in the sky. It was immediately apparent how excited they were to be working together for the first time.

That familial chemistry continued when Clark decided to stick around for a while to learn more about the mysterious Kryptonian that fell from the sky. Like a big brother, Clark grilled Kara on her superhero crime-solving techniques (like actually using her x-ray vision to scan the man). That dynamic flipped several times when Kara mentioned changing his diapers, and that she would be happy to tell Clark more about his parents and Krypton.

The superteam’s research into the explosion led them to the desk of Lena Luthor, Lex’s sister. Despite being listed as a passenger on the Venture, Lena wasn’t accounted for during the crash, and that made Clark and Kara suspicious. When questioned about it, Lena explained that she skipped the flight to deal with the rebranding of L Corp, which was formerly known as LexCorp. While Clark was still skeptical, Kara had a feeling she was telling the truth. It turns out Kara is a great judge of character because Lena wasn’t involved in the catastrophe; rather, she was the target.

Apparently Lex, who is currently serving 38 life sentences  in prison thanks to Superman, hired a hitman named John Corben to go after his sis. Unfortunately for Lex, his minion failed and was later transformed into the classic DC villain Metallo. Aside from his new identity and origin story, we don’t know much about the new Metallo at the moment, but it was big seeing that the character make his way onto the show.

While dealing with the mysterious new Kryptonian, Lena, and the crash, Kara was also tasked with several personal questions. After the will they or won’t them shenanigans from last season, Kara broke the news to Jimmy that he’s going to be forever in the friend zone because she thinks they’d be better off that way. That gives Kara more time to think about saving the world as Supergirl, as well as the future of her career.

Cat offered Kara the job of her dreams, just so long as she decided what she wanted/needed to do with the rest of her life. When she was asked at the beginning of the episode, Kara explained that marketing would be a good choice, based on an aptitude test she took, and the agreeable salary. Wanting what’s best for her, Cat told Kara to figure out what Kara Danvers wants and craves for her own life.

After spending some quality time with her cousin, Kara decided that she wanted to be a journalist. This didn’t come as a surprise to Cat, who had written “reporter” on Kara’s résumé the day she hired her. She had a feeling that someone who was as passionate about justice as Kara was would make a great investigative journalist. During their chat, Cat delivered one of the strongest quotes of the night: “In order to live, we must keep daring.”

So far, with the entrance of Clark Kent, it seems like more emphasis is being put on Kara’s roots. Taking her own life by the reigns, and decididing that her pining for Jimmy was over, was a good step into understanding Kara as a person; where season one was about learning how to become Supergirl, season two will show Kara learning how to be herself in the normal world. With her cousin there to guide her, this season will be exciting to watch.

What did you think of the episode? Are you glad to have Supergirl back? Let us know in the comments, join the conversation on Facebook, or start one with me on Twitter: @Samantha_Sofka!

Images: The CW

RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER: 20 YEAR CELEBRATION (Review)

Editor’s Note: This post does not include a comprehensive review of Rise of the Tomb Raider‘s mechanics and campaign. For a full rundown on those features, head to our full Xbox One review here. 

When I reviewed Rise of the Tomb Raider last year, I gave it glowing review. Despite sharing a launch year with several stellar games (Bloodborne, Metal Gear Solid V, and The Witcher 3 to name a few) Crystal Dynamics’ latest title scaled its way to the top of my favorite games of 2015 and remained there. The 4.5/5 burrito score came down to a number of factors including the gorgeous graphics, engaging plot, and new adventuring techniques that made RoTTR a complete blast. Of course, the experience was exclusive to Xbox One players up until it debuted on PC back in January. Now that it’s finally made the trek to the PS4—just in time for the series’ 20th anniversary—is it worth picking up again on a new console, or for the very first time? That’s what we’re here to discuss!

Before we dig in, let’s take a look at what’s new. In addition to the stellar single-player campaign, the 20 Year Celebration edition comes with the brand new “Blood Ties” story DLC (which can be played with PlayStation VR) set in Croft Manor, the zombie-filled challenge mode “Lara’s Nightmare” (also set in Croft Manor), the new “Extreme Survivor” difficulty mode, and the co-op expansion to the endurance mode. The game will also be playable in 4K on the Playstation 4 Pro.

Aside from the new content, the benefit of grabbing the PS4 version once it hits shelves tomorrow is nabbing all of the above-mentioned content, as well as all of the previously released DLC. Everything except the VR feature will be available with the Xbox One and PC versions of the game tomorrow. All of that in mind, the 20 Year Celebration edition is definitely a great deal for those who’ve yet to play Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Blood Ties

The “Blood Ties” add-on is a nice addition to the overarching plot for several reasons. During the hour-long adventure, Lara is tasked with proving her claim to the family home. Though short, the DLC is jam-packed with content that adds another layer of depth to the game. And though the experience takes you back and fourth between rooms, the size of the manor makes it feel like you’re in a larger location than you are.

Considering Lara’s own childhood is at the center of the story, the DLC is a great way to celebrate the series’ milestone anniversary. As the youngest Croft progresses throughout the house, she encounters memories from her past, which explain how her parents met, what her life was like as a child, and even the origin of her name. The experience feels like an emotional scavenger hunt through Lara’s past, and like a gift for fans who have stuck with her story for so long.

I won’t dive any more into the specifics, just know that picking up every last audio log and journal entry will be worth it in the end. It also adds more weight to Lara’s mission, adding enough reason for those who loved the game to dive back in.

Lara’s Zombified Nightmare

Once you make it through “Blood Ties,” you’ll unlock the option to tackle the same location and search for clues in the manor while fighting off zombies. Blood Ties was already pretty eerie to me, so adding the undead took things to a whole other level.

The nice thing about this is that there are several set objectives, so it doesn’t feel like your average Call of Duty-type Zombies mode. That means you aren’t just aimlessly wandering through the house and racking up the head shots. There is also a boss in the era, and a tomb-like area to explore—both of which are impressive when you consider how they’re all taking place on one property.

Additional Features

In addition to the Nightmare mode, the game also adds the new “Extreme Survivor” difficulty level–which severely limits save points, crafting materials, resources, health and ammunition–for the campaign as an extra challenge for fans. On top of that, the new Co-Op expansion for the Endurance mode is a fun way to approach survival in the Rise of the Tomb Raider universe. You’re able to share materials with your comrade, and then use those materials–all of which must be hunted, collected, or crafted–to survive.

Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to test out the VR experience as the headset isn’t due to launch for another two days. But our own Edwin Garcia got a chance to check it out a few weeks ago, and wrote about his experience in his preview. In short, the VR allows you to get a first person view of everything Lara learned about her family in”Blood Ties”.

Also, with the PlayStation 4 Pro still on the way (it releases on November 10), I’ve yet to see what the title looks like in 4K. The game was already pretty stellar in the graphics department, so seeing the visuals get even silkier will be a true treat.

Perhaps the standout 20th anniversary-themed gift are the five classic Lara Croft skins, and the outfit that pays tribute to Lara’s Antarctica adventure in Tomb Raider III. Sure, the skins might just add to the aesthetic, but they’re a nostalgic call-back that will make fans feel right at home. It’s also incredibly fun to see vintage Lara running around with her realistic counterparts (see above).

The Verdict

Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration has a lot to offer for both fans who’ve already played, and those who will be trying it for the very first time on PS4. Despite releasing almost a year ago, the title stands strong next to its competition in 2016 (yes, including Uncharted 4). Lara Croft is finally finding her groove again, and its great that everyone is finally able to witness it now.

Rating: 4.5/5 Burritos

 

This review was completed using a PS4 copy of Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration provided by Square Enix. The game hit shelves on October 11, 2016 on PS4.

Images: Square Enix

Talented Mom Makes Fabulous Food Sculptures for Lunch

With food photos constantly clogging the arteries of social media, everyone wants their lunch to look on point, whether it’s a colorful salad or the perfectly placed donut. But imagine if your food was a hand-sculpted work of art every time you sat down. That’s a way of life for Laleh of Jacob’s Food Diaries who creates artful meals for her son every day.

The Jacob’s Food Diaries Instagram is a food wonderland come to life. At first glance it hardly looks edible but a closer look shows that colorful ingredients and a skillful hand give can change everyday food into masterpieces.

What sets Laleh apart from other food artists is her ability to stack and arrange food to make it look 3D, like a real character come to life. She also uses a lot of whole grains and vegetables, making meals as healthy as they are adorable.

Her food characters lean heavily toward Disney and are so precise it looks like animation right off the page. Quinoa and chai seed Tsum Tsum, buckwheat and kale Judy Hopps, even the impressive 3D Carl from Up comes to life with just chicken, potatoes, and tomatoes.

I spoke to Laleh and she told me it started as simply as wanting to give her child a fun option for lunch. It all started when she turned pancakes into a lion and as any mother can tell you, the excitement of a child eating something you created is sometimes all you need for inspiration.

Now Jacob gives a suggestion of a fun character and then she brings it to life, knowing just the right ingredients to get the artistry perfect. Food isn’t wasted here: with all the carving and cutting there are often leftover scraps which are handed over to their two pet guinea pigs.

From that first meal for Jacob, her enthusiasm grew as she began to push the boundaries of food, now even creating food art for big brands and promoting healthy eating.

Check out more of these amazing eats in the gallery below and on the Jacob’s Food Diaries Instagram.

Which character would you like to be served for lunch? Let us know in the comments!

Images: Jacob’s Food Diaries

ORDINARY WORLD Imagines Billie Joe Armstrong as a Regular Joe (Review)

Billie Joe Armstrong is an entertainer. Yes, he’s the frontman of Green Day, perhaps the most important rock band of the past 20 years, but he also dabbles in acting. He sometimes played the role of St. Jimmy in American Idiot, the musical based on the band’s eponymous album, and he’s acted in films like This Is 40 and Like Sunday, Like Rain.

His desire to perform and entertain across multifarious media is clear, and now Armstrong has been given the chance to carry his own movie as the lead actor. In Ordinary World, which will see a video on demand and limited theatrical release on October 14, the punk rocker is tasked with playing the main protagonist, but how well does he pull it off?

It’s helpful that the role isn’t too far removed from Armstrong’s actual life, albeit a far less fruitful version of the superstar’s IRL timeline: Instead of being credited with bringing punk music to a wider mainstream audience and eventually being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Perry Miller’s band is in the midst of a ten-year indefinite hiatus, a break that seems more definite by the day as he settles into family life and working at his family’s hardware store.

It feels especially difficult to gauge Armstrong’s acting muscles based on this role, because playing a relatively ordinary character that feels close to his reality, he doesn’t have much opportunity to flex them. However, at no time is his performance awkward or uncomfortable; he plays the role well and is completely believable as an aging rocker running in place while looking back wistfully on a more exciting past.

With this in mind, it’s not his fault that the plot is not especially memorable, like a weaker Judd Apatow entry. Those can sometimes run long and the story can kind of stagnate at times, sure, but they are still worthwhile for their charismatic, complex characters. Though Ordinary World boasts a strong supporting cast—including Fred Armisen, Judy Greer, Selma Blair, Dallas Roberts, Chris Messina, Brian Baumgartner, and Kevin Corrigan—there isn’t really a strong character to be found. Outside of compulsory feel-good family moments, nothing particularly emotionally compelling happens, and perhaps it’s because Ordinary World features a world that’s a touch too ordinary, filled with people who don’t really provide a reason to root for them one way or the other.

As one might expect, this movie’s biggest audience is likely to be Green Day fans who are curious to see what it’s like to have their favorite singer star in a movie. He’s definitely serviceable as an actor, and we would definitely like to see him perform in roles that deviate from his own reality in the future. So, Ordinary World is worth a play for curious parties, but it deviates from Green Day’s finest work in that you’ll probably only want to experience it once.

Rating: 3 out of 5 burritos:

Featured image: Universal Pictures