Opalescence

Okay, so we all know I’m a big geek, particularly when it comes to escapist pursuits such as comic books, video games, Star Wars, and many other related pursuits.  Well, lately I’ve been keeping track of the number of upcoming releases that look exciting, interesting, or at the very least, mildly capable of arousing my curiosity.  So, with all this in mind, here’s a list of upcoming video game or movie titles I’m either GOING to purchase, will strongly consider purchasing, or am at least willing to consider for purchase.

• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.  LucasArts doesn’t generally make a bad Star Wars game, and while I haven’t played one in a LONG time (since KOTOR), I’m really excited about this game, which looks like the Jedi Knight series of games, only with newer technology and a storyline that occurs between the 3rd and 4th installments of the movies, during the Jedi Purge.  I’m looking forward to completing my training as Vader’s apprentice in THIS game.  September 16, 2008.
• Legendary.  I just saw this recently, and am generally not a fan of first-person shooter games, but the concept behind it is pretty cool.  You open up Pandora’s Box, releasing a horde of legendary creatures upon the planet.  Now you’ve gotta stop them.  I think I’ll make an exception to my FPS rule to check this one out.  September 30, 2008.
• Iron Man on DVD.  I saw this movie about 5 or 6 times in the theater.  It was seriously that entertaining for me.  While The Dark Knight was definitely the best comic movie this year, this was more fun, light-hearted, and what you’d expect from the genre.  Sept. 30, 2008.
• Spider-Man: Web of Shadows.  I picked my jaw up off the floor after seeing the first trailer for this game, and now that it’s almost here, I’m even more excited about it!  There’s a whole lot to like about this game: an orginal Spider-Man story, the re-vamped combat/swinging system, guest characters… and on, and on, and on.  Needless to say, this is one of my must-have purchases when it’s released. (There are several movies on the above link.  Check them out, they’re cool!) October 21, 2008.
• Ghostbusters: The Video Game.  I’ve been excited about this one for almost a year now, and it’s apparently due out soon, either next year sometime or (less likely), Halloween of this year.  It’s written by HAROLD RAMIS and DAN AYKROYD and features the voice talents of just about all of the actors who portrayed the characters in the movies!  I can’t wait to play this on the Wii!  Halloween 2008 or sometime in 2009.
• Castlevania Judgment.  Okay, this is the weakest link on the list.  Anyone who knows the Castlevania series is going to be shocked and probably disappointed that the first release on the Wii is going to be a fighting game.  With that said, being a fan of both the series and Nintendo, I’m willing to wait a little longer before passing judgment.  Still… an action game would have been nice… November 18, 2008.
• The Dark Knight on DVD.  If you haven’t seen this movie yet, then please go and do so.  It is seriously one of the best films of the year.  Yes, it’s based on a comic book, and yes, it’s actually VERY dark and disturbing in places.  With that said, it’s one of those movies you’ll either really love or really hate, and so far the haters number few and far between.  This gem of a movie is definitely going into my collection, but so far there are only whispers about when the release date is, the most popular being in early December, 2008.
• Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2: Fusion.  This one’s a ways off, but I’m still really excited about it.  I’ve played the X-Men Legends games and MUA on my Playstation 2, but I can’t wait to get this game on the Wii, where I’m hopeful that they’ll take the motion sensitive play to a new level so you can control Marvel’s greatest heroes in new and awesome ways.  Seriously, though.  Any game where you can play Spider-Man, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Wolverine AND Venom and the Green Goblin is worth taking a look at.  2009.