From a couple smaller fan forums comes fresh looks at resin prototypes for 2 of the biggest and most talked about Transformers figures for the new movie.

Gen1TF and Nuklear Power have diverging looks at what may be the Optimus Prime that will populate toy shelves this summer. Also, get a load of Megatron, who definitely takes after his Energon counterpart.

It’s nearly impossible to tell how big these resin prototypes are without comparison shots, but the level of detail leads me to believe we’re looking at something in the $40 range, like Transformer leaders of the last few years.

There’s been a lot of pictures floating around the net of various toys lately from this line, but I didn’t think many of them were that special until I saw these.

In a move designed to avoid a situation like The X-Files(went on too long) or Alias (too short), TV Week reports that the producers of Lost are in negotiations with ABC to determine an end date for the series.

Lost has been very successful in its first 2 and a half years on air, but fans and critics worry the show may be wearing too thin or may pile on more mysteries than it can solve. A definitive end date would push writers toward a finish line they know when they’re supposed to cross. Its been suggested they go to 100 episodes or 2 more seasons, which may be a comprimise between those who want to end it before it wears out its welcome and those that might want to keep it on air until its dry.

Whatever the case, the good news for fans is February 7, 2007 is the date the show returns from hiatus; now over 70 days from the crash. ABC.com is running short clips until then.

Day Break may be returning to Canadian TV February 1st 2007.

Fans of ABC’s Day Break, starring Taye Diggs, were disappointed to learn of the show’s early cancelation last month. This show was slated to run its 13 episode course during Lost’s hiatus but was canceled after a mere 6 episodes due to poor ratings. As all episodes of this show have already been made there are plans still in the works for ABC to release the show online. Apparent problems with rights to music have hindered this process and it now seems they may be released online in late February.

The Canadian channel that played the show, Global TV, was even less forgiving than ABC and stopped airing the show 2 weeks earlier than ABC did. [Read the rest of this entry…]

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of seeing Apocalypto, the Mel Gibson directed epic about a Mayan tribesman who is captured and seperated from his family. This was perhaps the most graphic and violent movie I’d seen in some time, and the fact that it was presented as historically accurate it shook me more than the same level of graphic violence does nightly in various video games.

I felt that same shaken feeling after Children Of Men. [Read the rest of this entry…]

Marvel just released covers for April issues today, and as you can see on the cover on the left, Black Panther #27 features Ben Grimm, Johnny Storm, Storm, and the Black Panther riding in a FantastiCar. The previously touted image (featuring Ben and Johnny with Stardust and the Silver Surfer) is going to be the cover to the same month’s FF issue #545. And, a little more research says that the original leaked cover was just the cover to issue #544, which conveniently remains unviewable on Marvel’s website. So, it seems the team WILL consist of Storm and T’Challa, for at least a month, though the Ben and Johnny rockin’ duo may start playing russian roulette with the two open spots left by Reed and Sue. And, if the original leaked cover really is just FF #544, and the new space one really is the cover to #545, then this also tells us that Marvel’s putting Turner on FF covers. Which I guess is newsworthy to some. All in all, Marvel’s clearly playing the hype game they play whenever they leak something on accident, but history tells us that initial reports do tend to have it right. So, hopefully, that’s the end of that.

Before creating the Playstation, Sony was a 3rd party developer known as Sony Imagesoft. The company’s primary purpose was to develop games for the 16 and cd-based systems of the time. Besides a bunch of crappy licenced games, they put out a few gems, one of them is thie little-known SNES title Skyblazer. It took bits and pieces of other games such as Castlevania, Zelda, and Mega Man and combined them with a Southern Asian-inspired atmosphere to create an identity all on it’s own. While you play as the typical hero in the typical “save the princess” story, the gameplay differences make up for what the plot lacks in originality tenfold. You move on an overworld map, which soon gives you choices in which way to go next. As you progress through the game, you’ll gain new abilities, almost like an RPG. Mode 7 flight stages and some cool boss battles also help break up the action. With Sony Imagesoft being absorbed into 989 studios, there is zero chance of it coming to virtual console, so be prepared to spend some bucks on Ebay hunting this down.

Waaaaay back while this site was still on Blogger, I featured this game’s predecessor. Midway Arcade Treasures 2 adds in more retro goodness from Midway and Atari. This collection seems geared towards fighting games, as Mortal Kombat 2 and 3 are on here, being joined by Pit Fighter and Primal Rage. Also on this collection are APB, Wizard of War, General Carnage, and more. These games vary in terms of quality, but they all come with cool developer interviews and promotional material. Overall, this is a fun game to pick up if you long for the old days of gaming.

Don’t forget to check after the jump for more information on minimates and lots of additional pictures of other properties with the minimate license!
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