I swear this picture is relevant

Chuck
See? I'm talking about NBC series Chuck and that's Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski who plays Chuck's it's-complicated love interest/super spy Sarah Walker on Chuck. Also, that picture is of Yvonne playing Sarah on an episode of the show Chuck. Really, I'm having a lot of trouble understanding why the show is struggling with ratings. This interview with executive producer Chris Fedak outlines that, while not totally dead, the series' future isn't totally secure either -- no matter what this Hollywood Reporter article seems to indicate.

Team Ico
If you've ever played either Ico and/or Shadow of the Colossus then you'll probably be very excited about the idea of a) a movie based on Shadow... and b) both games being bundled up and given the PS3/HD treatment. Too good to be true you say? Check this out.

He’s back…
Remember the dude who did a 70-minute Phantom Menace review (that was totally right)? Here he is with his 90-minute Attack of the Clones review. I gotta say, I'm finding it way easy to get through this one. Also -- creepy undertones aside -- how does he know all these busty, saucy-cute chicks? All my Star Wars interests ever netted me was shame and a beat up C3-P0 action figure... without the original packaging.

Inception
Here is an article that contains some spoiler-y info on director Christopher Nolan's upcoming psychological/science fiction film, Inception. I don't know what that info is because I didn't read the article as it contains spoilers. As much as I adore both of Nolan's Batman films, it's his non-Batman stuff that I really look forward to -- and this seems to be another amazing bit of work. Well, based on what little I know, of course.

And finally…
Here's the Resident Evil Afterlife teaser. Look, I'm not saying that the Resident Evil films featuring Milla Jovovich are any good. The first one was okay. After that, they suck, sure. But I just have a thing for her looking intense, blowing post-apocalyptic shit up, shooting zombies in their brain-eating pie holes and being a badass. If that is wrong, I don't even want to live next door to right.

Spider-Man, Walking Dead, Fringe and more

Fringe 101
As I've mentioned, I like Fringe. It's a solid show with a solid cast who play solid characters. Other reasons include: my nerdy love of the occult and "fringe" science, it's smart science fiction and, also, see picture above. I was really happy to hear that Fox gave the show an early confirmation of a third season pick-up. Fox is also upping its support ante (surprisingly) by setting up this Fringe 101 site in advance of the show's return from break on Thursday (April 1). The site features any and all info that viewers new to the show or those thinking of finally checking it out should know --  including what the creators consider the four episodes of the series that you need to see. Seriously, guys, it's a good show. Check it out.

Walking Dead
Zombie movies? Played. Zombie adaptations of classic literature? Ugh. AMC's adaptation of zombie comic Walking Dead? Fuck yeah.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions
Spider-Man video games haven't been the greatest. Shoot, even Activision's CEO admits it. That doesn't mean they're just going to throw in their web-shooters and give up, though. Enter, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, the latest gaming incarnation of the Wall Crawler. Looks, uh, interesting?

Lazy Teenage Superheroes
This kid made this video for, like, $300. It's sort of a parody of Heroes. Main differences: 1) it's good and 2) I actually want to watch this on a weekly basis.

Knight and Day
This action-comedy thing starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz is strange. Like, strange as in kinda off, like the smell of fried liver. It sort of feels like it should be a movie within a movie or something like that. I don't know, is it just me?

And finally…
Instant CSI. That is all.

Spider-Man go bye-bye

Spider-Man 4 epic clusterfuck action
Wow. Well, I guess that was one way to go with it, Sony. Most would have gone the "we want to make truckfuls of money AND a good movie" route, but I guess siding on the "fail-arity ensues" tip is something, too. While one might now segue to this story about Tobey Maguire's extracuricular hobbies involving the Spidey suit and mock, I think this is pretty awesome.

Yvonne S. talks Mass Effect 2
Chuck actor Yvonne Strahovski talks a bit about her (chunky) role in the upcoming BioWare extravaganza.

Conan, Leno, Letterman, the Incredible Hulk
It seems everyone has an opinion on this Leno-Conan-NBC thing. Seriously. Everyone. David Letterman? He has an opinion. The Incredible Hulk? He, too, has an opinion. Me? Do I have an opinion? Sure. I guess I think NBC are stupid poopy faces and Leno is a jerky man. Conan is ok, though. I think he should quit the network and it should go something like this.

Transformers
Even before Michael Bay and all that shizz, I was never much of a Transformers guy. I was more of a G.I. Joe guy, so, really, this isn't about being cooler than anyone, it's just a matter of taste. And, really, the use of that word to describe it all is tenuous at its most tenuous. Regardless, the new Transformers: War for Cybertron game is starting to look and sound pretty tasty. It's not up there with the Mass Effects and Dragon Ages of the gaming universe for me, but I'm looking forward to checking it out, definitely.

Fringe
I like Fringe. I've become a fan of the show and its paranormal shenanigans. Dunham is intense. Peter is Pacey with a gun. And Walter is one of the coolest characters on TV right now. I watch it on a regular basis and watch when it is airing so I get my Anna Torv the way she was meant to be seen: in HD. Fox moved the show -- somewhat controversially -- from Tuesday to Thursday this season, where it goes up against, like, every popular show on TV at the moment. Still, it's apparently doing well, according to Fox, and it looks good that it will get a third season. I like how Fox is all obtuse about it. But still, good news, I guess? And producer J.J. Abrams seems enthusiastic enough to talk about looking into the show's future, too.

And finally…
If you watch Lost, or ever have, you'll probably get a kick out of this.

Breaking Bad, Mass Effect 2, Star Trek 2 and more

Fight for the Lost
Okay, guys, it's 15 more sleeps until Mass Effect 2. Yes, it will be the longest, most uncomfortable 15 sleeps of our lives but it's getting close now. Can you feel it? Less than half a month away. Awesome. To drive us even more insane, BioWare has released some cool little vids about a bunch of the characters in the game -- all under the "Fight for the Lost" campaign, referring to the various human colonies that have gone missing that the intrepid Commander Shepard must get to the bottom of. In the video we have the "savage," Grunt, the "assassin," Thane, the "loyalist," Miranda, and the latest featuring the "psychopath" known as "Subject Zero." Good times. Although, the "loyalist and the psychopath" sounds like a morning radio show team. Also, before the holidays, Destructoid ran a cool piece on how the experience of playing through the first game as a female Commander Shepard is not only a better experience, it's the definitive one. I have to agree. I only had one playthrough as a dude Shep, which was refreshing, but not as solid as playing as lady-Shep.

Star Trek
More from Good News Town: Star Trek 2 gets a release date.

LEGO
LEGO video games are the tits. Fun to play (despite some glitches) and they always put a smile on your face. We can all agree on that. But do you like LEGO games enough to be part of a LEGO MMO? That's pretty hardcore, yeah? Maybe this trailer will change your mind.

Breaking Bad
More great news: Breaking Bad season 3 gets a premiere date.

Green Lantern
I realized today that I haven't been covering the Green Lantern movie much. That's because I don't care about the Green Lantern movie much. I have nothing against Ryan Reynolds. He seems like a good bloke. But I don't have anything for him, either. He's kinda just there -- a vanilla-beige collection of meh. Also, I guess I don't put much hope into these superhero films until they're done and I hear good things. And even then, not so much. Anyway, I figured that I need to get my head out of my ass a little more, so here's some GL news: Blake Lively of "Gossip Girl" and boobs fame is set to star as the "love interest." Or Carol Ferris to you geeks out there.

The A-Team
The trailer is here! What do you think? Maybe?

Inception
This has been around for a while, but here's the trailer for Christopher Nolan's Inception and it looks all kinds of weird -- but also all kinds of awesome. Great cast, too: DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphy, and Sir Michael (Fucking) Caine.

And finally…
This CBS David Caruso lookalike contest is kinda brilliant.

#Friday

(I think I'm just going to use pics of Yvonne Strahovski whenever there's a Mass Effect 2 piece from here on in, if you don't mind. Hey, she's in the game -- it's topical!)

A video game I’m really anticipating
A new Mass Effect 2 video for y'all. This time it's for the Sentinel class. Cool looking, eh? I usually just play a grunt in ME, but I might try one of these suckers in one of my (many) playthroughs of the new game.

Transformers
Could this be the Transformers video game that everyone has been waiting for? Yeah, trailers are usually bullshit, but this looks pretty promising.

Beatles
I just got Beatles Rock Band a few days ago and already it's one of my favorite things. Putting Rubber Soul out as DLC is only going to make that feeling stronger.

And finally…
In gaming circles, the upcoming release of Final Fantasy XIII is what you would call "a big deal." For me, meh, not so much. Japanese role playing games are too awkward and annoying to turn me on, usually, what with all the emo-looking boy-men and their brooding and the mewling girl-women with their squealing and upskirts (well, maybe not the upskirts) but I'll definitely give it a try. Especially given the mouth-watering visuals it's promising. Look:

Next door to zero interest

Mass Effect 2
Yup. Another one. Another Mass Effect 2 post. Suck it. This time we've got some voice cast news and, well, there are a buttload of people. From Martin Sheen to Tricia Helfer and everything in between including Worf, Jayne and Trinity. Watch this video.

David Lynch
Director David Lynch talks about meeting George Lucas to discuss making Return of the Jedi and the subsequent wookie-related headache that ensued.

Tron Legacy
The first image and poster for the long-time-coming sequel are here. Enjoy, Programs!

Clash of the Titans
As we've talked about, no good can come of the Clash of the Titans remake. Hyperbolic-yet-derivative posters however...

And finally…
Speaking of posters and titans clashing, what happens when you get your Clash of the Titans poster all up in my Sex and the City 2 poster? Genius that can only improve both films.

And we're back

Mass Effect 2
Some more sweetness where Mass Effect 2 is concerned. This video has officially stopped me from being a Mass Effect apologist and launched me into "I told you so" mode. On top of introducing the Collectors and their scary badassery, you meet Legion -- a Geth (a synthetic life-form that were a major enemy from the first game) that is not only an individual but one that's obsessed with your character. That is just awesome. I don't care who you are. Now you guys apologize to me for not playing Mass Effect in the first place. And here are some screenshots, too, with minor spoilers if you're worried about that sort of thing.

HTTM
Sometimes the world isn't big enough for beautiful ideas. They spark brilliantly in the mind of some absurd, hermit dream engineer and tragically fade into obscurity never to be heard. It's a sad truth, my friends, but one we can all agree on. But sometimes, just sometimes, an idea filled with heart-crushing beauty explodes into the world with the force of a million shattered rainbows shattering. Well, that idea has found its time. That idea is a film. That idea stars John Cusack (among others). That idea, my dear little monsters, is Hot Tub Time Machine. Let the always wonderful Mr. Cusack fill you in on the whole breathtaking conjuration.

Wow. Why?
Life in 21st Century North America is harrowing to say the least, right? So many things commanding your attention, so little of it actually important to you. Who can remember it all? A phone number here. A waxing appointment there. You're bound to forget some stuff, ya? Keeping that in mind, let me remind you (you know, in case you forgot) that between 2003-2009, the Sci-Fi Network took corny 1970s Star Wars also-ran, Battlestar Galactica, and rebooted it into one of the most critically acclaimed television programs of the last decade. I'm totally fucking serious. It featured intense character drama and chewed around ideas of faith, rebirth, cyclical history, politics, idealism vs. pragmatism, among others -- all while presenting a subtextual debate on the U.S. led invasion of Iraq and the War on Terror. It was some damn fine television for the most part and, thanks to it, Battlestar Galactica means something good rather than this. So, yeah, that's my joke, BSG is memorable and a triumph. Anyway, Bryan Singer wants to reboot the original show for film, too, now. Yeah...

Clash of the Titans
I liked the original Clash of the Titans, but I'm sure a lot of that is just nostalgia. It's probably got some bad acting in places. And dated hair or whatever. Still, it had swords, sorcery, some Ray Harryhausen effects all up in it, greek mythology and a half-naked Ursula Andress, so there's that. Anyway, I'm totally cool with the possibility that this remake may be good. Here are some posters for it. Decide for yourself.

Jim Carrey
Yup, this is pretty much what you're going to expect from Jim Carrey's official site.

And finally…
What's better than slave Leia? Two slave Leias sunbathing, that's what. (We would also except: naked slave Leia and slave Leia bringing me a sub and a drink.) And yeah, that's Carrie Fisher back in the day.

Some good, some bad, some Tuesday

Prince of Persia
In case you haven't been, you know, awake in the last 24 hours, here is the trailer for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. I liked Sands of Time the video game a lot. It was a damn fine title. One of the best. Just ask Metacritic. And I like Jake Gyllenhaal. If it weren't for Secretary Maggie, he would be my favorite Gyllenhaal. And I definitely like Gemma Arterton. I don't even have a problem with them adapting the game into a movie/franchise in theory. But this trailer isn't showing me anything. It just seems really bad. Bad accents. Bad jokes. Just bad.

30 Rock? More like Zero Rock, amiright?
Ze Germans don't like ze 30 Rock. Shocking, ja? Nein. Wow, you mean a show rife with (North) American pop culture references, meta riffs and inside jokes can't be funny when it's translated into another language? Crazy.

Trek 2
So MTV tried to get J.J. Abrams to talk a bit about the next Star Trek film and he said some stuff but didn't say anything, know what I mean? That's not the issue for me, though. It makes sense he wouldn't have anything to say because, as far as I can tell, there's nothing to tell. The writers haven't even finalized an idea, let alone a script. No, what bugs me is this continuing (and growing) subtext that the press is perpetuating where Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman HAVE to remake/reboot/reimagine Khan. Why is this happening? I have no doubt that the team behind the films will ignore this but it still bugs me. Can't we just enjoy some new adventures based in the universe? Why do we need to remake something that has no business being remade? I know that everyone involved realizes that what made Star Trek the most successful film in the franchise was that it DIDN'T pander to geeks. I really hope this stops.

Hobbit
Sir Ian McKellan has read the script to the Hobbit film(s) and he approves!

Movie stills
Geek out to this great gallery of movie stills.

Iron Fist
So, Marvel has filed some copyrights for Iron Fist. Can a game be far behind? Or a movie?

And finally…
I guess pole dancing can be a sport?

Wha happened to: Diora Baird in Star Trek, the Fallout MMO and more

Fallout MMO
Last year-ish, there was news that Interplay was cooking up a Fallout-based MMO. This seemed like a no brainer, except, of course, that Bethesda owned the rights to anything Fallout-y and had just released the critically-accliamed Fallout 3. So, yeah, they were understandably mad, to say the least and lawsuits ensued. With the legal slugfest underway, we're starting to see what Interplay had in mind and, well, it looks like they get the whole post-nuclear war look the game is known for.

Diora Baird
It's pretty easy to see why dudes like Diora Baird. That needs no discussion. And, actually, it would probably be creepy to discuss it anyway, so it's best we skipped that chat, my friends. When it was announced that Diora would be joining the also easy-on-the-eyes Rachel Nichols as Orions in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek reboot, nerds jizzed in their pants the world over -- even before the various "scenarios" one might imagine occuring between the comely Misses Baird and Nichols in green make-up and little clothing. But again, it wasn't a surprise that Diora would be cast as a sexy green chick. But then a double decker surprise chop sandwich gets served up as J.J. not only cuts out her scene but he cast her as the Orion with the clothes in the first place. WTF?

Sci-Fi TV
Here's an analysis of how science fiction shows are doing on TV this fall. I was happy to see that Fringe may not be in as much trouble as has been discussed recently.

Mass Effect 2
Check out this video of the upcoming BioWare title, which emphasizes combat. While I didn't hate on the original's combat as much as others do, this looks much improved. Also, if you know anything about the original, the new and improved (read: frightening) husks are chilling. I'm not really sure how you would make those more frightening than they already were, but I guess BioWare did it because I am NOT looking forward to that level at all, man.

Batman
This is a great list of the top Batman: The Animated Series episodes. Can't say I can argue with it. And it makes me want to rewatch them all, too.

And finally…
Speaking of Batman, do you watch Community on NBC? If not, you're missing the funniest show on TV right now. Shame on you. This whole sequence based on the Caped Crusader isn't even the sixth funniest part on their recent Halloween episode.

Are you ready to Friday?

The A-Team
What do those new dudes playing the A-Team in that new A-Team movie look like, you may be asking? Why, they look like this, actually. Boom! That's them. Uh, is it wrong if I kinda dig it? Although, as people have mentioned, Liam Neeson is a little... distressing for some reason. At least these guys look like they'll shoot some drug dealing slum lord in the face while saving your family dry cleaning business, instead of creepy dirtbags who would try to pick you up at a bus station like the old dudes did.

Bone (heehee)
If you like comic books graphic novels and haven't read Jeff Smith's absolutely epic and awesome Bone series, well, then you'll be surprised to find out that, in fact, you don't actually like them. It's really that simple. So, go read them. Now, jerkweeds. We'll wait. (I'm lying, we won't.) Smith has recently mentioned that Warner Bros. is looking into creating a trilogy based on the beloved series. Sounds good maybe? Maybe.

Ghost in the Shell
More on the adaptation front: a live action, 3D extravaganza based on groundbreaking 1990s anime classic Ghost in the Shell is building up steam. I'd like for this to be good, I really, really, would, but I don't know.

Good games fail, bad games win
Sometimes bad things happen to good games and vice versa.

How do you say “WTF?” in Japanese?
As the lady says in the article: stick around until the end of the video. It's, uh, surprising to say the least.

Party Down
I don't know if you've seen Party Down but it's a pretty funny show. Any show with Jane Lynch and Martin Starr as cast members is going to be good, right? It's also highly improved and follows a group of struggling actors, screenwriters and other showbiz types working as caterers in LA. Anyway, good news for fans of the show as Lynch and cute-as-a-button guest star Kristen Bell will both be returning this season. Sweet!

And finally…
David Cross is a brave comedian. Fearless? Maybe. Courageous? Undeniably. Anyone who's heard his standup knows this. Well, now we know how far he'll go just to win a bet, too.

"No! It's my snake, I trained it, I'm going to eat it!"

Maybe cool?
There can never be enough post-apocalyptic games, right? Even with Fallout 3 sort of setting a (arguably) really high bar? Well, I say no, you can never have enough post-apocalyptic games. Especially when your game is set in post-apocalyptic Moscow. That's where Metro 2033 is set and that's pretty awesome. Looks like it'll basically be Fallout in Russia, but what's wrong with that, huh? And given Fallout 3's ridiculously low-rent shooting mechanics/controls, there's plenty of room for improvements here.

Mad Max
So, a Mad Max 4 helmed by original director/creator George Miller has been in the cards for the last couple of years. They keep talking about it. You keep hearing murmurs about it. It's probably going to get made, okay? First thing: There's going to be no sign of Mel Gibson in it, so I guess you can rest easy? But, if you believe some recent rumors, there may be some Charlize Theron in there. Yeah, that won't be too bad, right?

More like “Dead-house,” amiright?
Uh oh, now Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is saying that Dollhouse is being yanked during November sweeps. Guess it really is in trouble if sources have confirmed it. To him. Exclusively. Also, it's not good news when the Aus' "loves" your show since he can't shut up about how it's "doomed" and "doesn't stand a chance" and "is all but fucking gone-ass dead" (that may be a leetle bit of a paraphrase...) That sort of talk doesn't help get new viewers enthusiastic about checking out why you're raving about the show in the first place (see: Pushing Daisies and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and, almost, Friday Night Lights) but I'm sure it doesn't hurt the Aus's numbers, right? You know, because it's stuff that's source confirmed. To him. Exclusively. So people will go clickers for it.

January once more
GQ is providing even more pics of January Jones from her recent profile/photoshoot in the mag. God bless those guys. I figured I'd link to them, since you really can't get enough half-naked January Jones shots. And if you can, go fuck yourself.

BSG
Hey, remember that show that was on there for a while: Battlestar Galactica? And how it kinda mattered for a bit? You know, until the last episode was pretty much the worst last episode in the history of last episodes forever? Yeah, that one. Well, they've got some new movie-thingy coming out if you care. Here's a clip. In related news, the very tasty Katee Sackhoff will be making a cameo on The Big Bang Theory soon, very soon.

And finally…
In most places this would be completely inappropriate but in Brooklyn, I guess, it's just edgy humor.

"Bring it, 'Happy Feet!'"

The Expendables
On paper, this whacky Sly Stallone vehicle sounded pretty amazing. Sly, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Eric Roberts and a bunch of other awesome dudes star in a Dirty Dozen-style action tale of mercs and mayhem. Like I said, on paper it sounded amazing -- but I never imagined it would work. How could I? Then they released this as the first official pic and I was like, "Hello, what do we have here?" That's Eric Roberts, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and an explosion. Yes! Also of note: Roberts plays a dude who's named "Monroe" -- also: Yes! Well, as of today, I'm officially onboard The Expendables. I'm shotgunning a six-pack, getting a lap dance from a Hungarian stripper with a c-section scar and lining up on opening night for this -- and it's all thanks to this trailer.

LOL!
I'm assuming you're already familiar with dontevenreply.com. If not, the basic premise is a guy responds to various classified ads in a jackassderdly manner and hilarity ensues. And it really, really does.

BSG
Just in case you (or your shame boner) forgot how easy on the eyes Tricia Helfer and Grace Park of Battlestar Galactica were, Maxim has decided to remind you with a new cover, video and, uh, spread.

January…again
Also, just in case you were wondering what that full January Jones/GQ photoshoot looked like, here 'tis.

Assassin’s Creed
Montreal developers Ubisoft still haven't released Assassin's Creed II yet -- that's in November -- and they're already talking about Assassin's Creed III. I guess it's more like they're throwing around ideas for it, some of them being: possibly setting the game in World War II and making the title's protagonist a lady. That's cool. Although, I was hoping they might do some other stuff set before then first, you know? Like, the first was in the Middle East during The Crusades, the second is slated for Italy during the Renaissance, why not hit Britain during the Elizabethan era or even the Victorian age? Even the American or French revolutions might be an interesting place for assassins to turn up. We'll get to you soon enough, WWII.

Brutal Legend
The reviews are starting to come in an it looks like Tim Schaffer's Heavy Metal epic staring Jack Black is as awesome as promised. Although, I gotta say I didn't see the real-time strategy game component coming. Must buy now!

And finally…
This bit on various Netflix cues of the stars is pretty funny. Okay, not LOL! funny but definitely amused exhale/snort funny.