Alternate Episode Title: “Stay Hard by the Light of Day and the Dark of the Night!”

With the gaining popularity of XBLA and PSN there has been something of a revival in the 2D sidescroller genre. Quite a few interesting titles have been released in the last 2 years that standout in the down-loadable gaming arena.

All these titles offer something different from their counter-parts and have received much praise from the gaming community and critics alike. However none have truly embodied the old-school essence of this classic genre the way that Shadow Complex has.

Chair/Epic managed to quantify and distill the quintessential components of both the Metroid and Castlevania series. Using these core elements as the foundation of their game they then crafted a very compelling experience full of incredibly satisfying platforming, exploration, and combat. Simply downloading and playing the trial will not do this game the justice it deserves. At a mere $15 (1200 points) Shadow Complex gives you more bang for your buck than most full retail titles and is quite possibly the best gaming deal of the year thus far.

If you’re about to go head-to-head with a clandestine group looking to overthrow the government then let The Hard Cast supply you with a fully-integrated powered exoskeleton as I’m sure we’ve got a couple spares laying around. Remember, the flashlight is your best friend.

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:

Amazon: Shadow Complex [Online Game Code]
Light of the Day/dark of the Night (Theme for Shadow Complex)

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Don’t Cross the Streams!”

All you nostalgia freaks out there get ready because it’s freakin’ Ghostbusters the game! A classic movie license turned into a next-gen gaming experience. Unlike most movie licensed games Terminal Reality got it right with this title.

Almost all the important cast members are back for this outing with the exception of Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver. It was great hearing the voices of Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Annie Pots. The witty banter, quirky character moments, and paranormal quips are all off the PKE meter. Special mention for the story which feels right at home in the Ghostbuster’s universe.

Fun game-play, tight controls, colorful graphics, destructible environments and epic boss-battles are all part of the package. All of this makes this title a must own for any self-respecting Ghostbuster’s fan!

If bustin’ ghosts makes you feel good then give The Hard Cast a call because we’re too hot to handle and too cold to hold!

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:

Amazon: Ghostbusters: The Video Game X360
Amazon: Ghostbusters: The Video Game PS3

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Prime 2: Echoes (of Sanity)”

Yes! Yet another massively crazy random discussion of epic proportions! Is Obama the anti-christ? Are the north and south poles about to pull the old switcheroo? Are the Jews out to get us? Who is the true guzzler of sprouts? Exactly how contagious is the dick slap? Is New York ready for Victor? Can anyone actually understand Batman?

All these questions and much more are discussed on this weeks Hard Cast Prime. Now ask yourself this, can you in good conscience walk away from this podcast without satisfying your curiousity?

That’s right! I didn’t think so!

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR
• -PATRICK
  

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “His Head Popped like a Melon!”

A sub-species of aberrant humans with the capacity for incredible mental powers are living among us. These people are only now realizing their full potential sometimes with literally mind-blowing results. The most deadly scanner is on the rampage and armed with ambitions for world domination. The authorities soon decide that it’s time to fight fire with fire.

An interesting film with a few neat ideas and some memorable moments especially that devastating finale. Scanners is probably one of Cronenberg’s more well known titles if only for its premise alone which is quite unique and hasn’t really been explored since. Not to mention Michael Ironside acquits himself very well as the heavy.  It really is too bad that there weren’t more scenes with him especially with such an uncharasmatic protagonist hogging all the screen time. Unfortunately the film is also marred by bad acting and poorly staged action sequences. These alone are not enough to bring the film down but do much to keep Scanners from achieving anything other than cult status in my book.

If you’re ready to sharpen your mental prowess and harness those untapped abilities then let The Hard Cast show you the way.

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -PATRICK

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:
Amazon: Scanners DVD

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Guns, Guns, Guns!”

Mindless action at its best! If you don’t mind your movies light on story and character development but heavy on over-the-top violence then this is the title for you. There’s enough blood, guts, and exploding heads to satisfy even the most jaded action junkies palette. The penchant for mayhem is off the charts and did I mention that there’s enough guns in this movie to take over a third world country!

Ray Stevenson gives a solemn, respectful, and professional performance as the damned Frank Castle and manages to physically dominate the role quite well. Dominic West and Doug Hutchison are inspired casting choices as the villains. Those two rip into their characters with demented glee and it’s hard to imagine the audience having as much fun watching this duo as they had playing their parts. It was certainly nice to see some good old-fashioned baddies tearing up the screen for a change.

It’s unfortunate Punisher: Warzone didn’t get the attention it deserved. In my eyes it is definitely the most entertaining film in the series thus far and will be hard to top if there are any future installments.

If you think it’s time to execute your own brand of vigilante justice upon the scum of society then The Hard Cast is here to supply the arsenal.

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:
Amazon: Punisher: War Zone [Blu-ray]
Amazon: Punisher: War Zone (Two-Disc SE) DVD
Amazon: Punisher: War Zone DVD

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Explosive Tentacle Rape!”

Insane amount of powers/abilities at your disposal, a large open-world to traverse, viciously-frantic combat, tight controls, epic boss battles, and consistently smooth framerates (slowdown tends to be an issue with open-world games). There’s almost always a carnage-filled battle waiting for you around the next corner. The fun-factor for this title truly is devastating!

A semi-serviceable story and only just adequate graphics are really the only elements that keep it from being a truly great gaming experience.

With the lack of releases lately Prototype is a good title to stave off that summer boredom at least until some of the bigger titles start dropping this fall.

The viral epidemic is coming and only those with the cure will survive. Don’t worry though because The Hard Cast has just what the doctor ordered!

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:

Amazon: PROTOTYPE X360
Amazon: PROTOTYPE PS3

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “A Duffel Bag full of Grenades!”

Pick your poison ’cause this one’s got em all! Crazy martial arts, over-the-top stunts, generous amounts of gun play, and I think I might have noticed a couple explosions as well. This movie’s action sequences are balls to the wall. No screw that, the balls went through the wall, smashed through a plate glass window that was on fire, then got dropkicked mid-air and exploded! Suffice to say Invisible Target is an action junkie’s wet dream come true.

Wu Jing is in top form as the criminal gang leader and snatches the spotlight by force in practically every scene he’s in. The last fight scene between him, Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue, and Jaycee Chan has to be seen to be believed. The rest of the cast acquit themselves admirably with the possible exception of Jaycee Chan whose altruistic goody-two-shoes attitude gets a bit grating at times. In conclusion: if you dig HK style action this title needs to be in your collection.

If you think there’s a traitor in your midst and you don’t know who to trust then The Hard Cast is here to back you up.

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:

Amazon: Invisible Target DVD

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “What are you doing?!”

A little 80′s cult flick starring Pierce Brosnan in one of his earlier roles. A haunting tale of mischievous demons who just want to be left alone so they can wreak havoc in peace but Brosnan, being the overly curious soul that he is, decides to study them. What follows is a waking nightmare with nary an end in sight.

An awesomely creepy premise is brought down a few notches by inconsistent character behavior and weak acting. Worth checking out if you’re a fan of the genre and don’t mind the strong 80′s vibe (Adam Ant’s in the movie and Ted Nugent was involved with the soundtrack).

If you think you’re being stalked by a gang of demons then The Hard Cast has some friendly advice: never stop running and whatever you do don’t look back!

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -PATRICK

If you want to know more about Inuit legends/myths then check out the following websites:

Legend of Nomads
Inuit Myths

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:
Amazon: Nomads DVD
 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Glove vs. Miller=F*CK ME!”

Paul W.S. Anderson gets a lot of flack for being very much a style over substance director. As far the creative design and the visuals are concerned this movie is definitely his most mature. The cinematography, lighting, and set design throughout the film are all top notch and do much to enhance the creepy atmosphere/vibe. The model work for the ships is amazing and it makes me shed a tear that modern day movies very rarely make use of this craft anymore.

The premise of Event Horizon certainly had a great deal of potential. A ship that can generate a miniature black hole in order to travel instantaneously from one point in the universe to another but in doing so opens a gateway into another dimension. A dimension of pure chaos and pure evil. The movie gives you just enough to whet your appetite but you can’t help but want to know more. Unfortunately there just isn’t anymore to know.

If you were to break EH down into its core components it’s basically your classic haunted house setup. The main differences being the setting and the characters. However I don’t think that most sci-fi/horror fans will care too much about that because they’ll be too damn busy enjoying the ride to notice.

So if you think you’re ready to mount a suicidal rescue operation near the outer reaches of Neptune and you need the best then what are you waiting for? Just give the order. The Hard Cast is always up for the job!

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:

Amazon: Event Horizon (Two-Disc Special Edition) DVD
Amazon: Event Horizon [Blu-ray]

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Return of the Deviants!”

A continuation of Episode 0, basically all the stuff we had to leave out from the previous episode due to time constraints. This time some of us were running on fumes and there was no Eddie to round out the gang. Lots of youtube banter and discussions about what we’ve been working on lately as well as what’s to come. Hopefully we’ll be able to get both Eddie and Luis on board for Episode 2 so we can keep the energy up and jokes flowing. Don’t be afraid to let us know what you think. If we get enough feedback we’ll read some of them on the next Prime.

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Lost and Forgotten”

If anyone ever said that you couldn’t make a cell animated anti-war movie and have it be powerful/moving then that person never experienced Grave of the Fireflies. This is just a good movie period. A believable storyline with realistic characters and situations. It kind of creeps up on you throughout the movie but before you know it you can’t help but care deeply for the two main characters.

The last act just hits you like a ton of bricks and you desperately start to feel like you yourself want to help these children. If you’ve ever wondered what the effects of WWII were like for the civilians of Japan, how it ripped apart families and left a trail of helpless orphans in its wake. Then you have to see this movie.

If you see those bombers flying overhead and can hear the air-raid siren blaring then make your way to The Hard Cast for shelter.

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:

Amazon: Grave of the Fireflies DVD

 
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Alternate Episode Title: “A New Dawn for Ko-Anime!”

The first big budget sci-fi Korean animation makes a pollution filled splash all over the members of The Hard Cast. Not to say that we weren’t thoroughly impressed by the flashy CG filled animation because this movie is quite a sight to behold. While not completely seamless, the integration between the 3D and 2D elements for a 2003 title is quite good.

Unfortunately not as much tender loving care was put into the story or character development as the animation. The premise of a polluted post-apocalyptic world where the technologically advanced oppress  and discriminate against the lowly worker classes until they eventually rebel and break their chains of slavery had plenty of potential to be both entertaining and emotionally charged. It’s just too bad that Wonderful Days failed to fully take advantage of this potential. Still, fans of high quality animation (eye candy) and sci-fi anime should still give it a look. Just keep your expectations in check.

If you’re ready to hop into a turbo-glider and fight for the freedom of your people then let The Hard Cast supply you with the arms to end the tyranny of the unjust!

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:
Amazon: Sky Blue (2003) [Blu-ray]
Amazon: Wonderul Days (Sky Blue) Animated DVD
 
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Alternate Episode Title: “Homo Haircuts=Bad-Ass Kung-Fu!”

Another successful collaboration between Donnie “The Man” Yen and Wilson Yip that delivers an ass-kickingly good time in the form of DTG! If only these guys had been in charge of the live action Dragonball movie. You can’t beat this movie for over-the-top comic book style martial arts action. The story is somewhat basic/simplistic, the characters don’t really have much depth and don’t even get me started on those haircuts.

Where DTG shines is the intense kung-fu action and the incredibly fluid fight choreography provided by the master himself Donnie Yen. There’s some wire-fu going on but it’s done so well that it barely detracts from the experience. If you consider yourself a martial arts fan you owe it to yourself to check this one out. The picture and audio quality are superb for the Blu-Ray release and will definitely give your home theater setup a workout.

If you think you’re ready to learn the deadly arts then let the masters at The Hard Cast begin your training!

PARTICIPANTS:

• -CHRIS
• -STEVEN
• -VICTOR

Support The Hard Cast by purchasing through our referral links:

Amazon: Dragon Tiger Gate [Blu-ray]
Amazon: Dragon Tiger Gate DVD

 
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