blast-o-rama.

Telling you what’s worth buying each and every week, it’s Awesome-O-Rama!

We continue in a wash week from the world of gaming and comics, as all of the big gaming and comic collections have already snuck out, but in the world of movies, the blockbuster releases continue through December, with big releases this week, on the 22nd and the 29th (for those with niggling gift cards.)  As always, click the title to buy it at our official awesome partner, Amazon.com.

The Hangover
If you had told me at the beginning of the summer that this film would not only be wildly successful, but the MOST successful comedy of ALL time, I’d say you were a liar.  But here we go with Zach Galfinakis, the surreal comedian being in one of the biggest movies of the year. The success wasn’t just on his shoulders, however, with great performances from Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms, plus Heather Graham as a hooker with a heart of gold. Click the title above for the blu release, here for the 2-disc DVD, and here for the standard 1-disc release.

Inglourious Basterds
Quentin Tarantino’s return to the silver screen brought a tense Nazi tale that was all his own.  Sure, it wasn’t the film that the ads promised (if anything, the Basterds make up, oh, 50% of the film), but it was a tense ride that I cannot wait to take again. And given it’s multiple Golden Globe noms this morning, I wasn’t the only one who loved every minute. Again, click the title for the blu, here for the 2-disc, and here for the single disc.

The Mel Brooks Collection
I don’t know why, but it seems less and less people give the proper credit to Mel Brooks.  Sure, he’s spent the better part of the last 10 years turning his legacy into a series of never ending musicals, but let us not forget what made his name – a series of amazing, rarely topped comedic gems. And this blu-ray set throws them all together, most of which have yet to be released in high def. I hope to check it out, but given the holiday season, it’s a bit pricey for me right now. But hey, if you know someone who’d dig it, or you yourself want it, click the name for it.  Or here, for the DVD set released a few years back.

With just a week and change until Christmas, the shopping season is on. May these titles be apart of your cart this week. Until next Tuesday, this has been…Awesome-O-Rama.

Back once again with a weekly batch of goodies you should pick up, it’s Awesome-O-Rama.

Awesome-O-Rama is a weekly showcase of what’s worth buying in the realm of film, music, games and more each week.  If you dig what you see, click the link, as it’ll take you to the related Amazon.com listing!

Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince
What is there to say about this franchise which hasn’t been said before? Seven amazing novels, which so far have been turned into six stunning movies, and with Half Blood Prince, you may have the best yet.  It’s hard to believe these are the same actors we’ve seen grow up since the age of 11, but the leads have grown into quite the formidable troupe of actors.  You’d think after six films, we’d be ready to see them move on, but the characters and the world have remained fresh.  I highly recommend picking this up, as it was one of my favorite films of the summer.  The link above goes to the blu-ray+DVD combo, but you can also get the 2-disc DVD or single disc DVD flavors, depending on your preference.

Public Enemies
Johnny Depp versus Christian Bale in 1920′s mob warfare. Sounds like an easy sell, doesn’t it?  Well, in the case of Public Enemies, it proved not to be, as audiences had different issues with the film’s pacing, plotting and filming style (director Michael Mann used HD cameras, so it has a very “digital” feel). Personally, I dug the heck out of it, and I cannot wait to see how the digital to digital transfer comes across on home video. If you’re gonna nab the DVD, do so here (or here, for the one disc version)!

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
It’s not a great Christmas without an iconic Nintendo game, is it? Well, this year, the big N went all out, delivering a new Mario game for the Wii, and for those who prefer the portable power of the DS/DSi, we now have a new Zelda to play with.  Based loosely on the Four Swords game from earlier in the decade, this handheld cel-shaded Link adventure replaces the much maligned boat/horse travel with a new way to get around – train. I’ve yet to read a full review of the title yet, but let’s be honest….it’s Nintendo. It’s Zelda. How the hell can you go wrong?

That does it for me this week. What are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments.

Back once gain to send you into financial ruin, it’s this weeks edition of Awesome-O-Rama dedicated to the nerdy things hitting the shelves this week.

Once again, publishers, developers and movie companies seem to have sat on their laurels this week, presuming that the Thanksgiving sales period pushed existing goods into the hands of consumers, necessitating a “week off”.  Looking at the schedule through the end of the year, it doesn’t seem to let up, so let us wave goodbye to this slow week, and enjoy what little new there is.

Mystery Science Theater 3000: XVI [Limited Edition]
Continuing their amazing compilation DVDs of the Comedy Central/SciFi classic series, Shout! Factory continues to out do the old Rhino sets, with individual artwork for each movie, better packaging, and in the case of this set, a Tom Servo figure to go with your CROOOOOOOOOW from the 20th Anniversary Set.  The flicks contained in this set are The Corpse Vanishes, Warrior of the Lost World, Night of the Blood Beast, and the seasonal appropriate Santa Claus. I haven’t ordered this set yet myself (as I’ve yet to pickup XIV or XV yet, whoops!), but it would be appreciated under my tree, or under the tree of your local MST3K fan.

Paper Heart
Is it a documentary? Is it scripted? Most folks weren’t able to figure out what exactly this Charlyne Yi/Michael Cera project was when it made it’s arthouse run over the summer, but now, with it released on video, you might be able to understand it better. Me, I’ll be renting it, but I know some of you might be interested in owning it, so by all means, click above for blu, or here for DVD.

Avatar: The Game
The most amazing sci-fi movie of all time? Or a $300 Million boondoggle? That’s the question that will be answered on December 18th when Avatar finally hits theaters. Personally, I believe the answer lands somewhere in-between, but this week the video game hits shelves, and if early impressions are to be believed, it’s actually pretty kick ass. You can play as a solider OR the Na’vi, and the game’s story goes around the film, not through it, making it so you can see the movie relatively spoiler free.  What’s super cool? This is the first game that has an option to be played in 3D. Granted, nothing supports it, yet, but THE OPTION IS THERE. The game is available this week for the 360 (linked above), PC, PS3, PSP, Wii and DS.

That’s this week of Awesome. Hope ya dig, and if there’s anything you’re excited about this week, feel free to leave it in the comments!

Back to make Tuesday’s difficult for your wallet, comes this week’s edition of Awesome-O-Rama.

Oddly enough, there are few major releases this week, or at least those I’ve deemed noteworthy, but with the Thanksgiving Holiday, and Black Friday spending coming up, it shouldn’t come as too much a surprise.

As always, though, I cannot recommend enough on doing your Black Friday shopping at your favorite and mine, Amazon.com. Their deals go live at 3am EST, and honestly, they’re matching or beating any deal you’d see at the stores…and you can shop from your comfy computer chair.

Never the less, let’s see what’s worthwhile in the world of nerd this week, shall we?

Funny People
You know, a lot of people slagged Funny People when it hit theaters this past summer for not being the typical Judd Apatow flick. And honestly, it was never to be.  Based in the world of standup comedy (a world I love to learn more about), there was always going to be a darker, sadder side to it, as that’s what standup comedy is built off of: pain and frustration.  Sure, moments of this movie are hysterical, but like Adam Sandler’s Click, there’s a 3rd act turn which shows you that while the the clown is getting older, there are some tears underneath the makeup.  The blu-ray is stacked full of extras too, including 45(!) minutes of deleted scenes, all sorts of behind the scenes material, and yes, those awesome Raaaaaaaaaaaaaanndy videos from earlier in the summer. I can’t wait to get my copy in.  If you’re looking to nab the DVD, look here.

Powers: The Definitive Collection, Vol. 3
Easily one of the better comics of this decade, Powers burst onto the scene (and put it’s writer Brian Michael Bendis) on the map with a mix of stylized artwork from the talented pencil of Michael Avon Oeming and solid noir storytelling, showcasing two detectives following superhero homicides.  For folks like me who really enjoy books in a high quality, collected hardcover format, it’s been a long time coming.  The first collection hit shelves way back in February 2006, with the second hitting this past February. Now, personally, I plum forgot that the second book hit, but if the Diamond shipping list is to be believed, the third collection will hit this week! Guess I might need to grab ‘em both! Highly recommend you read this series if you haven’t. It’s really great.

Madden NFL Arcade
Yeah, I know, you’re probably super confused by this one.  Let me back up.
I’m not a big sports fan by any stretch of the imagination, let alone sports video games. But I’ve always loved NFL Blitz.  And, if the rumors are true, this XBox 360/PS3 downloadable title is the modern heir-apparent to the Blitz throne.  Hopefully, whne the game release this week, that turns out to be true.  So I give this a mild recommendation, while telling you to keep an eye out for reviews.  Can someone do one of these for Hockey? We need a modern 2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge!

That does it for Awesome-O-Rama this week. Feel free to let me know what you think, and what you’re pickin’ up this week in the comments!

It’s an honor and a pleasure to announce a new feature here at Blast-O-Rama, one that I’ve been thinking of doing for sometime, but now I’m crazy enough to start doing every tuesday (or DIE TRYING).

As I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, I consume quite a bit of media, and I’m sure you’re probably what discs I’m spinnin’, games I’m playin’ or books I’m readin’.

So, the idea for Awesome-O-Rama is to give you, each week, my picks from the world of graphic novels, movies and gaming which are worth picking up, along with a break down of why.

Without further adieu, here are the first picks for Awesome-O-Rama: Week of November 15-21, 2009.

Star Trek (2009)
As a non-Trek fan, JJ Abrams’ reboot of the classic sci-fi franchise blew me away when it hit theaters this past May, and ever since I walked out of the IMAX screening that sunny summer day, I’ve been wondering when I’d be able to spin the disc at home. The time has finally arrived, and with reviewers saying this might be the most impressive blu-ray yet, packed with stunning features. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this disc under many a Christmas tree this fall. If you’re not rockin’ the HD yet, the same extras are available in the 2-disc set.

Fight Club: 10th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray
Aside from making me feel quite old with the 10th Anniversary subtitle, this HD re-release of the David Fincher classic has me excited to revisit an old cinematic friend, albeit with better picture and sound. Early reviews have been great, even if the disc plays a fantastically mean prank on you when you pop it in…

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas
Ah, It’s Always Sunny…, truly the little show that could. Ever since it premiered on FX in the Summer of 2005, it’s been keeping audiences entertained with the adventures of a cast made up of possibly the worst human beings ever. Despite that, the show is consistently one of the funniest on television (if not the funniest), and Fox has finally realized what a powerhouse they’ve kept hidden from the world the past few years, giving the Gang a full length DVD christmas special. The special leaked to the web last week, and I can say it is as great as any of the episodes of Sunny that proceeded it, and includes an incredible moment where Charlie meets Santa Claus. While it won’t end up in the rotation of most family’s Christmas classics (unless your family is kinda screwed up), it certainly makes for a great side for an “alternative” Christmas viewing list, alongside say…Die Hard. Of note, while there is a blu-ray release for this disc, it’s simply standard definition video up-converted, so save yourself the cash and grab the DVD.

Left 4 Dead 2
Left 4 Dead, truly a cruel mistress of video gaming. So many late night online gaming hours I’ve lost to it…and based on the demo released a few weeks back, Left 4 Dead 2 will leave me with just as many sleepless nights. Taking all of the awesome of the Valve original and upping it to 11 with new zombie types, melee weapons, new characters and five brand new locations to get your undead fix in, I can’t see how this will be anything but awesome. Let’s just hope that Valve remembered to make the L4D1 cast unlockable in this one… PC users, you’re gonna wanna get it at this link.

New Super Mario Bros Wii
It’s a new Mario Bros game for the Wii, what more do you honestly need to know?
Ok, you’re right. New Super Mario Bros Wii (or NSMBW for short) takes everything great about the Nintendo DS game from a few years back and amps it up for console use. With 4 player multiplayer and a unique new mode which allows gaming assist for areas you’re stuck on, this game is sure to be a HYOOOUGE hit, and I can’t wait to get my mitts on it. Special props to the big N for the sweet red case/sleeve for this title, looks really sharp.

Now, something you may have noticed is that each item is linked to their respective Amazon listing. Kinda shameless, I know, but if one of these things tickles your fancy, just click through and purchase, and Blast-O-Rama gets a lil’ kick back.  I appreciate your support here, and let me know what you think of Awesome-O-Rama!