5 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2012

5 Most Anticipated Video Games of 2012

Get your GameStop coupons ready. 2012 looks to be another big year for video game sequels. The top five most anticipated video games of 2012 are all sequels or new stories built around popular games of years past.

Here’s a look at the 5 most anticipated video games of 2012.

5. Diablo 3

The release of this game has been delayed over and over again, driving anticipation for the newest version of Diablo to a fever pitch. A new graphics and 3d engine and new player classes are the features most Diablo fans are looking forward to, although you can expect Blizzard to have thrown in some other features that will make people as crazy for Diablo 3 as they were for Diablo 2.

4. Battlefield 3

Call of Duty eat your heart out. Some people claim disappointment after the latest trailer release, but the Battlefield series hasn’t disappointed in the past. EA always puts out great games, and the experience they gained from Bad Company 2, BFBC2: Vietnam and the most recent Medal of Honor have probably been put to good use. BF3 will use the popular Frostbite 2.0 engine, the same one found in BFBC 2: Vietnam.

3. BioShock: Infinite

The last BioShock game was a massive best-seller, moving more than 4 million units worldwide. BioShock: Infinite, with an announced release date sometime in 2012, offers some brand new game play versions. The producers promise dozens of new weapons and abilities. No doubt BioShock Infinite will be one of the best selling and best reviewed video games of 2012.

2. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Deus Ex is endlessly replayable, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution will be an even better gaming experience according to early reports. In Human Revolution, the year is 2027, about 25 years before the other Deus Ex game. Human Revolution offers a new set of mechanical augmentations (in categories like Combat and Social) instead of the original Deus Ex’ nanotech augmentations. Think of this game like a low-tech Deus Ex.

1. Half-Life 2: Episode 3

First announced way back in 2006 and still in development, Episode 3 of Half-Life 2 is easily the most anticipated game of next year. 6 years in development means expectations are high, even though this isn’t a totally new game. Episode 3 is a  continuation of the previous Half-Life story.

Video games are the new Hollywood–many games sell more units than tickets for the latest blockbuster. Companies are dumping millions of dollars into development, making video game entertainment the most popular and most expensive form of distraction. These five games are the ones making the biggest buzz in the video gaming community.

Top 10 Movie Psychopaths

This list doesn’t include any famous spaghetti westerns or dimwitted romantic comedies. Instead, it’s wall-to-wall horror films, the perfect setting for a movie psychopath to ply their trade. If you like to be scared, and one of the films starring these characters are guaranteed to make you jump out of your skin. Just don’t stay out of it too long, or one of the others may have themself a snack.

10 Great Movie Madmen

• Freddy Krueger – With his glove made out of knife blades, his fondness of stalking children, and his ability to manipulate dreams, Freddy Krueger has earned his status as one of the top movie madmen in countless movies. And I don’t care what anyone says, there’s only one Freddy Krueger: Robert Englund.
• Jason Voorhees – He started out as a frightened, deformed boy who accidentally drowned, but he would later return as an unstoppable killing machine with a fondness for hockey masks. His name is Jason Voorhees, and he’s racked up a higher body count than everyone else on this list put together.
• Michael Meyers – One of the “Big Three” when it comes to slasher movie killers, Michael Myers started killing at a young age and never stopped. He’s so deranged that his own psychiatrist tried to keep him locked up forever.
• Ghostface – A number of different characters have worn the costume of Ghostface in the Scream series, but their menacing phone etiquette and obsession with movie trivia still makes the killer a fan favorite.
• Hannibal Lecter – Brilliant and cultured, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) also happens to be a serial killer with a taste for human flesh. But thanks to the smooth delivery by Hopkins, we wind up rooting for him every step of the way.
• Norman Bates – He loves his mother and taxidermy, but the lonely Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) also has another passion: Killing any traveler unlucky enough to stumble across his motel. A classic movie psycho courtesy of Alfred Hitchcock.
• The Hitcher – Rutger Hauer starred as this hitchhiking psycho who might very well be the Grim Reaper in disguise. I had great fun watching him stalk a terrified teen (C. Thomas Howell) across the barren parts of the United States. One of the many cult classic movies that you may have passed by in your local video store.
• Leatherface – A member of a clan of Texas cannibals, Leatherface is depicted as somewhat mentally stunted. He sure knows how to operate a chainsaw, though, and his mask made of human skin provides proof of his willingness to kill.
• Jigsaw – While dying of cancer, a vengeful genius (Tobin Bell) decides to make others appreciate their lives by forcing them to face gruesome deaths. The franchise got old after a while, but the original still holds up and keeps your guessing.
• John Doe – An intelligent psychopath who crafts a series of brutal murders based on the teachings of the Seven Deadly Sins. His real strength comes from the fact that he’s portrayed with calculated creepiness by Kevin Spacey.

Most of the films on this list aren’t considered cult classics, as they made a profit at the box office and kept coming back for sequel after sequel. Yes, most were savaged by the critics, but sometimes getting a good scare is more important than quality dialogue or intricate direction.

2011-2012 Fantasy Football Picks

I love fantasy sports. My friends got me into NFL fantasy football, and now I play fantasy futbol, too. I’m hooked.

In this article, I’m going to give my top 2011-2012 fantasy football picks for the first three rounds in your local draft. I could post a whole list of rankings, but who’s going to read all that? I want to give you useful information, so I’ll focus a lot on three players. If you can snag two of the three, you’ll rule.

Each draft has its own flavor, but I’ve noticed certain players are falling a little further than they should in 2011 and you should be ready to pounce.

LeSean McCoy – Best 1st Round Bargain

LeSean McCoy was a top 3 or 4 performer last year. He’s still too young for injury concerns to become a factor, and he should in fact be getting better. As long as Michael Vick stays on the field, LeSean McCoy should be in a juggernaut of an NFL offense. Lesean McCoy has the personal talent and the players around him. LeSean McCoy is a touchdown threat and a reception machine. He’s got everything that makes for a good 1st round pick.

Rashard Mendenhall – Best 2nd Round Value

A lot of drafts will have Rashard Mendenhall drafted in the 1st round. But I’ve been in two where he slipped into the 2nd round. I personally have not always been completely happy with Rashard Mendenhall on my team. His numbers are solid by the end of the year, but they seem to come in bunches. What’s more, it’s hard to know when they happen. He was shut down by the Ravens once last year, then exploded in another game versus Baltimore. Two years ago, he posted 3 points against the Browns late in the season with fantasy playoff implications on the line.

But this should be Rashard Mendenhall’s biggest year. Mendenhall is only 24, so he’s still quite young. Roethlisberger is in his prime. Meanwhile, the Browns are still mediocre, the Bengals should be one of the worst teams in the league, and the AFC North is playing the NFC West. That means Rashard Mendenhall has games against the Cardinals Defense, the Niners Defense, the Rams Defense, and the Seahawks Defense. Add those to the Browns and Bengals games and that’s half the schedule. Rashard Mendenhall should be huge in 2011.

LeGarrette Blount – Best 3rd Round Value

I was tempted to make Jahvid Best the best 2011 fantasy football pick of the 3rd round, but the concussion he sustained in the 2nd game of the preseason reminded me that Best just isn’t likely to make it through a full NFL season without injury. LeGarrette Blount should only make improvements in his second year in the NFL. It was only a year ago, that Blount had been cut by the Titans after a training camp fight that reminded everyone of the incident which cost Blount his final season of college for the Oregon Ducks. When the Bucs picked him up, LeGarrette Blount was thought to be just another guy–maybe a practice squad player.

Then injuries and ineffectiveness happened to Cadillac Williams and Earnest Graham. With a young team, a young quarterback, and a young stud receiver, the Buccaneers decided to go with Blount as the primary ball carrier. He finished with just over 1,000 yards, but in less than 16 starts. In 2011-2012, LeGarrette Blount is ready to make a step forward on a young team which should only improve. Playing on grass should be good for his health, while playing down south for 8 games (and in Carolina once) and in domes for the 2 other division games, weather shouldn’t be as much of a factor late in the season in your fantasy playoffs. That adds up to a good third rounder.

Fantasy Football Picks in 2011

That’s just one person’s opinion. If you don’t want to take my word for it I suggest you check out these 10 fantasy football blogs and see if you prefer one of theirs. That’s the great thing about fantasy football: it’s a game about playing the odds. But even if the odds are stacked against you, occasionally that 10-2 offsuit of a fantasy football team….

DVD Rental by Mail

DVD Rental by Mail

Netflix is by far the most popular DVD rental by mail service, but it is not your only option. With a recent increase in most subscription packages, Netflix has angered many of their customers. If you’re looking for an alternative to Netflix, but still want DVD rental by mail, you have a few choices.

The two biggest names in mail-based DVD rental are Netflix and Blockbuster. Netflix is the larger of the two, with more than 75,000 movie titles available by mail or streaming instantly online. Blockbuster boasts more than 40,000 titles, and also offers a limited video streaming service they call On Demand. A Netflix subscription will cost you between $5 and $50, depending on your subscription, while Blockbuster subscriptions range from $18 to $40.

Alternatives to Netflix and Blockbuster

GreenCine is one of the leading Netflix alternatives, with more than 25,000 titles spread across the same genres covered by Netflix and Blockbuster Online. With subscriptions ranging from $10 to $50, the price is comparable to other DVD rental services. The biggest drawback to GreenCine and other Netflix alternatives is that they lack a streaming service, though GreenCine and a few other DVD rental by mail services offer NC-17 and even X-rated adult films, while Netflix and Blockbuster do not.

CafeDVD.com is a popular DVD rental by mail site that offers ‘a la carte’ rental as well as a monthly subscription service. What members love about CafeDVD is the low price–you can have ten DVDs a month sent to your home for a $24.95 subscription fee.  The catch is that CafeDVD’s selection is limited. For example, there are only 640 documentaries available from CafeDVD, a drop in the bucket compared to Netflix’ tens of thousands of documentary titles.

There are more DVD rental by mail services than you may think, each with a unique set of subscription fees and a la carte rental options. As more and more Netflix customers become fed up with their price hikes and look for alternatives, expect the title selection at their competitor sites to increase to attract more Netflix customers.

To read more, check out my two most recent blog posts on two letter words and JetPens Coupons 2011.

Alexandra Holden Movies

Alexandra Holden is a talented actress who’s appeared in movies, television shows, and even music videos. With her unique looks and boundless energy, she continues to climb her way to the top of the Hollywood heap. If you’re tired of actresses like Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz, try these Alexandra Holden movies for a decided change of pace.

All the Days Before Tomorrow (2007) – Holden stars as Alison, an energetic woman preparing to leave for Tokyo and be reunited with her Asian boyfriend. But before she goes, she’ll spend one last day with her best pal, a young man named Wes (Joey Kern). Wes also has a guardian angel (Richard Roundtree), and this unconventional helper allows them to see what might have been (and still could be). A unique romance without all the Hollywood clichés. For more details, check out an online All the Days Before Tomorrow review.

In & Out (1997) – Kevin Kline plays a high school English teacher who’s outed on national TV by a former student (Matt Dillon). The problem is, he’s engaged to be married and maintains that he’s straight. Kline and Tom Selleck share a 10-second smooch.

Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999) – Amy Adams makes her debut in this mockumentary about a teen beauty pageant plagued by mysterious deaths. Also starring Kirstie Alley, Ellen Barkin, Brittany Murphy, and Kirsten Dunst.

The Hot Chick (2002) – Rachel McAdams and Rob Schneider star as a bitchy cheerleader and small-time crook who switch bodies thanks to a pair of mystical earrings.

EDtv (1999) – Matthew McConaughey is Ed, a likable guy who finds himself the star of a 24/7 reality show devoted to every moment of his life. Directed by Ron Howard.

American Gun (2002) – The last film James Coburn would make before his death, American Gun tells the story of a WWII vet tracking down the origin of the gun that killed his daughter. Holden co-stars as his granddaughter.

Dark Reel (2007) – A horror flick about a geek who follows his ex to L.A. and winds up with a part in a low-budget movie. But then a serial killer starts picking off members of the cast. Starring Edward Furlong, Lance Henriksen, and Tony Todd.

Sugar & Spice (2001) – When their team captain gets pregnant and has trouble making ends meet, the cheerleaders of Lincoln High School decide to become bank robbers. Starring Marley Shelton, Mena Suvari, and Alexandra Holden.

While she may never headline the latest James Cameron blockbuster, Alexandra Holden will provide a pleasant surprise for anyone who takes the time to investigate her career. If you’re a fan a cinema–both mainstream and independent–you owe it to yourself to check her out.

10 Movies from Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman was known both for her beauty and acting skill, and the Swedish star appeared in a wide range of films in Hollywood and abroad. Some of the best Swedish movies ever made featured Bergman, and she would capture three Oscars, a Tony, and two Emmys before her career was through. If you’ve never experienced her magical on-screen persona, be sure to give the following films a try.

Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939) – Bergman made her Hollywood debut in this remake of the 1936 Swedish film about a violinist (Leslie Howard) who falls in love with his accompanist. An enchanting love story featuring cinematography from Gregg Toland (Citizen Kane).

Casablanca (1942) – Bergman stars as Ilsa Lund, a Norwegian beauty who reappears in the life of former flame Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), the owner of a nightclub in 1941 Casablanca. Ilsa’s husband has escaped from a German concentration camp, and the duo needs to escape to America. Will Rick help her, or will he stand by and allow Ilsa’s husband to be captured by the villainous Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt)? Considered by many to be the best Hollywood movie ever made.

Stromboli (1950) – A Lithuanian woman escapes an internment camp by marrying an Italian POW. Turns out he’s a fisherman on a volcanic island, and the locals don’t take kindly to strangers.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974) – Bergman earned a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her part in this all-star adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel. Albert Finney stars as Hercule Poirot, and his list of suspects include Bergman, Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, and John Gielgud.

Notorious (1946) – Alfred Hitchcock turns out another masterpiece with this tale of the daughter of a Nazi spy (Bergman) who’s recruited by a government agent (Cary Grant) to infiltrate a Nazi group located in Brazil. Claude Rains co-stars as the leader of the sinister cabal.

Joan of Arc (1948) – Bergman landed her dream project by playing the legendary French war leader and religious zealot. She would receive an Oscar nomination for the role.

Cactus Flower (1969) – When his young girlfriend (Goldie Hawn) attempts suicide, a dentist must turn to his nurse (Bergman) to pose as his wife. This results in a triangle of romance and comedy. Hawn won an Oscar for her performance.

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) – Bergman and Gary Cooper were selected by author Ernest Hemingway to star in the Hollywood adaptation of his novel about the Spanish Civil War. Nominated for nine Oscars (winning one).

The American Film Institute has ranked Ingrid Bergman as the fourth greatest female star in the history of cinema. This honor is well-deserved, thanks to her contributions to Swedish cinema and the Hollywood machine.

Selections from the Quentin Tarantino Film Festival

The Quentin Tarantino Film Festival is held every few years in the city of Austin, Texas. During these events, the noted director screens some of his favorite movies from among his personal collection of prints. The following list is just a brief glance at some of the movies screened at the Quentin Tarantino Film Festival, although it should more than demonstrate the host’s bizarre taste in cinema.

Five for Hell (1969) – Gianni Garko stars as an American WWII soldier assigned to take his squad of misfits and slip behind enemy lines to steal sensitive information. Klaus Kinski co-stars as an SS officer. An example of the “macaroni combat” movies made in Italy.

Rolling Thunder (1977) – A Vietnam vet and POW (William Devane) returns home to a hero’s welcome, but the homecoming is ruined when a gang of crooks gun down his family and leave him in need of a prosthetic hook. He goes looking for revenge with a little help from a local woman and a (Linda Haynes) and an Army buddy (Tommy Lee Jones). Also starring James Best and Dabney Coleman.

Fighting Fist of Shanghai Joe (1972) – An inventive spaghetti western about a Chinese immigrant who arrives in America and helps Mexican slaves win their freedom. Klaus Kinski plays one of the villains.

Saint Jack (1979) – Ben Gazzara is Jack Flowers, a Singapore pimp who dreams of opening his own brothel. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich.

Switchblade Sisters (1975) – The exploitative tale of the Dagger Debs, a female high school gang. One of Quentin Tarantino’s favorite films, he re-released it in 1996 as part of his Rolling Thunder label.

Don’t Go in the House (1980) – A slasher flick about a deranged pyromaniac who sets out to kill any woman who resembles his mother. To this end, he employs a flamethrower and a homemade crematorium.

Freebie and the Bean (1974) – James Caan and Alan Arkin star as a pair of San Francisco cops on the trail of a local racketeer. An early example of the buddy cop formula, the film co-stars Valerie Harper and Loretta Swit.

Sorcerer (1977) – William Friedkin’s remake of The Wages of Fear, this tension-filled film stars Roy Scheider as an American criminal hiding out in South America who accepts a dangerous mission involving transporting unstable dynamite across rugged jungle terrain.

The Thing (1982) – John Carpenter’s sci-fi masterpiece about a group of American researchers trapped in Antarctica with a shape-shifting alien. Starring Kurt Russell, Keith David, and Wilford Brimley.

Four Uncommon Classic Costumes

Four Uncommon Classic Costumes

The best uncommon costumes toe the line between classic Halloween costumes and totally unique ideas. Halloween has gotten out of hand–we’ve lost the spirit of the holiday, a time meant for celebrating the end of the light season and the beginning of a season of darkness. Halloween is supposed to be about ghosts and ghouls, zombies and evil spirits. Instead, every year there are more and more sexy biker chick costumes and celebrity masks.

Here are four uncommon costumes that hold true to the traditions of Halloween and the Celtic ritual Samhain. Each of these is a little bit spooky, a little bit tongue-in-cheek, and totally uncommon.

1. Skeleton

The classic skeleton Halloween costume is hard to find these days. Skeletons represent death and change, perfect for Halloween, a festival of the changing seasons. The best skeleton costumes “black out” the skin, leaving a bare set of bleached and cracked bones.

2. Undead

Zombies are all the rage these days, but dressing up as a member of the Undead doesn’t mean dressing up like a zombie. The image of a dead body rising and walking among humans is as old as Samhain itself. The more subtle your Undead costume the better–pale skin, autopsy scars, and exposed mortal wounds are all great places to start.

3. Wraith

A wraith is a specific kind of ghost. The Scottish word wraith refers to a ghost seen immediately after a person’s death. As such, a wraith is a sign of recent death, making it perfect for the Samhain season. Wraiths resemble human beings more than traditional Halloween ghosts.

4. Warlock

The word “warlock” has many meanings, but is generally accepted to be the masculine version of a witch. A warlock is seen as a deceptive magician, a person who uses magic for dark purposes. A large dark cloak and shifty eyes may be all you need to become a warlock for your next costume party.

Eva Mendes About Movies

From the starting period till today, Eva Mendes performed different roles in 20 blockbuster movies. In 2011, her block buster movies are fast five and see if I care which are getting very popular among her fans. On the whole, she is a woman of multi skills and talents. She won many awards and performed in many movies in a very short span of time just because of her talent and acting skills.

Read here for more information on: Eva Mendes Filmography