Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Review

By Stefano Terry

Studio: Warner Bros

Written By: Chris Terrio and David S. Goyer

Starring: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Batman. Superman. Inarguably two of the most recognized, beloved, and iconic superheroes in the world. For decades, fans of both characters have wanted to see the two titans grace the big screen, duking it out in epic fashion. Now, here we are, in 2016, and Warner Bros. and director Zack Snyder have done just that, in an attempt to not only finally bring the two heroes together on film, but to springboard their new cinematic universe and lead-in to 2017’s Justice League Part 1. How did their gamble pay off? Read on to find out.

NOTE: This review will go in depth with the plot points of Batman v Superman, so I am marking this as a SPOILER REVIEW.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review

By Stefano Terry

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Directed by J.J. Abrams

Written by J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan

Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, and Oscar Isaac

I was born in 1979, two years after George Lucas released Star Wars, his little indie film that would change cinema for generations to come. The Empire Strikes Back released just a year later, with Return of the Jedi releasing three years after, in 1983. I was a bit too young to be introduced to that long ago far away galaxy at the time. It wasn’t until I was 6 years old that I was able to sit down in front of the television, with three VHS tapes ready to be popped into the VCR, and have a marathon session of the Star Wars Trilogy. I found A New Hope kind of boring, Empire too scary, and Jedi just right. Even so, a Star Wars fan for life was born that day. I loved the world. I loved the characters. I loved the aliens and the adventure, and as I got older and revisited the films time and time again throughout my youth and adulthood, I grew to love the simplicity of it all (not to mention my constant flip flopping between which one I love more, Empire or Jedi).

Star Wars isn’t about convoluted plots that require endless scenes of exposition. It’s not about the nuanced gray area where humanity resides. Star Wars isn’t David Lynch. Or Christopher Nolan. It’s not pondering existential crises, or waxing poetic on what the essence of a true hero is. Oh, there are definitely some elements of that in all seven released Star Wars movies, but at the end of the day, Star Wars is about as black and white as an Oreo cookie. The good guys are good. The bad guys are bad, and in the end, good will triumph over evil. Some may think that that somehow diminishes the accomplishments of Star Wars narratively, or from a character development perspective. That by stripping the narrative down to those black and white elements, we are losing nuance and depth. I disagree. We all know how delicious Oreo Cookies are.

Stefano’s E3 2014 Report Part 7: PlayStation Vita

The PlayStation Vita is, without a doubt, my favorite handheld device. I also love my 3DS, but my library of games on the Vita is over 160 and still growing. So, it goes without saying that I was anticipating seeing what the handheld had on offer at this years E3, but I was also apprehensive, as there was nary a peep from Sony concerning the Vita at their E3 press conference the Monday before the show floor opened. So, did the Vita deliver this year?

Stefano’s E3 2014 Report Part 6: Super Smash Bros. Wii U & 3DS

Ok, let me first preface this by saying that I did not win a shirt playing Super Smash Bros. Wii U. I really, really wanted that shirt…

 

Ahem. So, The line surrounding the dozen or so kiosks running Super Smash Bros. Wii U and 3DS at the Nintendo booth this year was insane. I didn’t actually think I’d get a chance to play, as crowds of people were waiting their turn at the latest entry to Nintendos very successful, and adored mascot brawler. How did it fare to its predecessors? Read on to find out.

Stefano’s E3 2014 Report Part 5: Destiny

Bungie is a developer that really needs no introduction. Thanks to their fantastic work on the Halo series, they have earned a spot on any list of premiere first person shooter developers. After leaving Microsoft, Bungie struck out on their own, and have finally taken the wraps off of their latest work, Destiny, an Action/FPS/RPG. I was given the chance to play 2 matches of one of Destiny’s 12 player modes, Zones on the PlayStation 4.

Stefano’s E3 2014 Report Part 4: PlayStation TV – Driveclub, and Driveclub Racing Wheel

I’m actually not a big fan of racing games, but I love looking at the shiny cars. I was given the opportunity to check out Evolution Studios upcoming social racer, Driveclub, in two different ways; through Sony’s nifty microconsole, the PlayStation TV, and then again using a steering wheel peripheral at the booth. Below are my thoughts on both PS TV, and Driveclub.

Stefano’s E3 2014 Report Part 3: Bloodborne

Bloodborne was the last game I saw at E3 today, and boy, what a game to go out on! It’s not big on flash, set-pieces, or fancy combo systems, but what I saw demoed for me catapulted the game to my game of the show, ahead of The Witcher 3, and The Order 1886. Bloodborne is a third person action/horror/rpg developed by From Software, produced by Sony Japan Studios, and is being published by SCE exclusively for the PlayStation 4. Read on for my thoughts.

Stefano’s E3 2014 Report Part 2: The Order 1886

The Order 1886 wasn’t the first game I got my hands on at E3 this year, but it was definitely one of the titles I was anticipating checking out for myself the most. For those unfamiliar with the title, The Order 1886 is a third person shooter set in an alternate history London in which an ancient order of knights must protect the world from supernatural threats. The game is being developed by Ready at Dawn, exclusively for the PlayStation 4. So, how did it hold up? Read on below to find out.

Stefano’s E3 2014 Report Part 1: The Witcher 3

Hey, everybody!

I just got back from my first day at E3, and I had a great time! I saw a lot, played a lot, and wore down the soles on my shoes! I can’t say that this is a comprehensive E3 2014 report, as I focused on the stuff that interests me. Below is Part 1 of my summary of the stuff I saw. I’ll be uploading my photo gallery as well a little later. So, read on to find out what I thought of E3 2014!

I’m Back!

Oh, Select Start Games, how I’ve missed you! I’ve been absent from active duty here for far too long, for reasons both selfish, as well as personal. In either case, I’ve returned to try and breathe some life back into SSG after such a lengthy hiatus. I admit to not having much to discuss today, but we’re in the midst of new console season, so I’ll be looking to cover the PS4 and Wii U in the near future (I currently only possess a PS4, and will have to purchase a Wii U at some point soon). Sorry to say that the Xbox ONE isn’t on my personal list of devices that interest me, so I won’t be covering that console any time soon. I certainly wouldn’t scoff a unit turning up on my doorstep, but I’m unfortunately not made of money, and can’t just buy every console that releases!

I plan on updating with more reviews, editorials, and maybe a few more surprises if my schedule permits it!

I apologize for the long wait, and I may not publish as much as I’d like, but I’m back!