A Look Ttowards 2012

As I alluded to in my previous post, 2012 looks to be a FAR better year in terms of media(and hopefully everything else) than 2011 was. So let us have a brief look at some of the things we can look forward to now that we have entered this new year. Here's a quick run down of the top 5 albums, video games, and films I am most drooling over in this new year

Top 5 Video Games to glance at in 2012:

5. Silent Hill: Downpour
The Silent Hill franchise started off as THE best survivalist horror series ever made. Sadly, after a few disappointing sequels, including the wretched "Homecoming", the series has hit a major snag. Downpour promises to fix all ills. Or so we're told. New developers have their hands on this game, so we can be optimistic that they'll deliver. The mood seems to be back on atmosphere and not action, which is where the previous few games went wrong. We won't know if this is the game that brings this series back to life, but we do know this is the last chance Silent Hill has to prove it's still relevant.

4. Twisted Metal
FAR too long it has been since the last Twisted Metal game. That last one was a classic too. So it left off on a good note. But now Twisted Metal returns and onto the PS3. This game promises to be a mixture of storyline and online combat mode, so it will have the best of all words. Should end up being a hell of a lot of fun if anything.

3. The Last Guardian
Team Ico return with their third masterpeice of a game, following "Ico" and the absolutely stunning "Shadow of the Colossus". Not much is known about this game, other than you play a little boy who has to safe guard and lead a giant, uh creature, out of danger and into freedom. Expect to have your heart strings pulled. This game has been delayed for about 2 years now, but it looks like 2012 MIGHT be the year where it finally comes out. At least it better be!

2. Bioshock: Infinite
The first Bioshock game was a true masterpiece. A game in which story, design, and game play were all of equal value. The result was something you had NEVER seen before. A game which took place in a ruined underwater metropolis named Rapture, lorded over by a mad man and crawling with psychopaths, demented little girls, and huge bodyguards named "Big Daddies". You truly felt like you were in a different world. One that was completely demented that showed you something new at every turn. Then came Bioshock 2, and it was a disappointment. It wasn't a terrible game, but it felt like a huge step down. It felt like a quick cash in. The game was only half the length of the first one, Rapture which felt new and stunning in the first game was now nowhere near as appealing as it was before, the storyline was weak, and the promise made by being able to play the whole game as a big daddy was nothing more than a marketing gimmick. There was only one part int he entire game that lived up to potential(when you briefly play as a Little Sister), and only one enemy worth remembering(the high flying Big Sisters). But now comes Bioshock: Infinite. And this one looks like the sequel that should have been. Taking place LONG before Rapture was built, Infinite takes place nowhere near the ocean. Opting instead for the open skies. You play in a floating city named Columbia which is dedicated to the idea of American exceptionalism, and is on the verge of total collapse. The storyline looks great, the visuals are simply awe inspiring, and the enemies look memorable once again(that fucking Song Bird scares me already). This is what Bioshock looks like at full potential.

1. Mass Effect 3
The Mass Effect storyline comes to what is hoped to be an epic conclusion. The story lines from the first 2 games, and the decisions you make as your character progresses, all come to a head as the Earth itself is under attack this time. This is one of THE most anticipated games of 2012, and the level of hype for it will be deafening. It also has the most to deliver. I fear it may me almost too much hype to be matched, but I'll try to remain optimistic. Either way, this is the game to beat in 2012.

Music:
5. Dead Can Dance - TBA
Dead Can Dance hasn't put an album of new material out since the last 90's when they broke up. But now they are doing a full scale reunion. Putting out a new album and a world tour to go with it. I'm am extremely anxious to hear what sounds they come up with. And hopefully they tour through here cause I'll pay someone tot ake me to that shit! Obviously there's no new songs to post here just yet, so I'll leave you with this old classic of theirs:

4. Gary Numan - Splinter
I bounce every time I hear of news that a new Numan album is on the horizon. And now is he time He released a compilation of unreleased tracks in 2011, and now in 2012 its time for a full length album of new material. It promises to be more dense, and aggressive than previous material. A top contender for album of 2012 right here. Again. no new stuff to post, so here's something from the 2011 CD:

3. Ministry - Relapse
In 2007, Ministry main man Al Jourgensen decided to call it a day and retire Ministry. Having released three consecutive albums dedicating to hammering the shit out of the Bush administration, Uncle Al decided his work was done and he wanted to ride off into the sunset. Then something happened. Due to unchecked ulcers, Jourgensen found himself in a hospital and nearly died. After he got out, he got healthy, cleaned himself up, and started writing again. Convinced by his long time guitarist that the material he was writing was some of the best he had ever done, Jourgensen was convinced to dust of his boots and bring Ministry back to life. So we now have a new, revamped Ministry album on the way with some of the most aggressive songs ever put forth by the band. This one is going to kick all kinds of ass.

2. Mind.In.A.Box - Revelations
This will be one of the first albums to come out this year and that makes me EXTREMELY happy. Mind.In.A.Box is one of the most unique and original electronic bands around today. They sound like something from the future that has no business being around today. Thier albums all evne have an ongoing storyline, in which the lyrics revolve around. All except the previous album, RETRO, which was a tangent album. They went out of their way to make that album using sound originally found on old school game systems, in particular the Commodore 64. It was a brilliant album, but was different from their usual sound. Now they come back with a proper album that continues the storyline and is back to their standard sound. This one is going to be EPIC.

1. Celldweller - Wish Upon A Blackstar
LONG in the making, this album became a running joke for me. Ever year brought the potential promise of a new Celldweller album, and every year went by with out one. Since 2005 this has been going on. During all this time, Celldweller mastermind Klayton Scott has done a whole slew of various things with himself. From save himself from financial ruin, to building his very own high powered studio. He's started his own record label, produced new artists, soundtracks for video games, movies, and television shows, and he's even started his own clothing line. All during this time he's mixed his time in creating this follow up album to his brilliant 2003 self titled debut. But now it's finished. It has a release date. It's ready to go. 2012 WILL be the year the new Celldweller album finally drops. He's even managed to stuff in an additional 5 songs onto the album. The anticipation for this one is deadly. I'm sure it will deliver the goods though.

And now to end this fun, here's a look at the top 5 movies I'm salivating for in 2012. Just with these 5 alone, 2012 beats the piss out of 2011 in terms of films

5. The Hunger Games
The first of a trilogy, The Hunger Games is about a fascist government which forces each of it's 12 districts to choose children between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in a televised death match where only one person can win. The books follow Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers for the games to protect her young sister from having to go in. Also chosen is Peeta Mellark, son of a baker who harbors feelings for Katniss. The books are NOT what you think, and the subject matter is NEVER made light of. This is a dark, well written story about death, sacrifice, and the will to survive. I'm sure you'll see this movie marketed towards the Twilight crowd, mainly cause that's there the guaranteed money is, but don't be fooled. These books have NOTHING to do with that shit, and about a thousand times better. They are excellent books, and you'll find yourself addicted to them if you read them. The movie looks to have captured the spirit of the thing to perfection. It looks stunning. And it better be, cause books 2 and 3 are even better, and darker, than the first one.

4. The Hobbit
After YEARS of delays, all sorts of development hell, the loss of one director and the return of another, the film adaptation of The Hobbit is finally coming. Peter Jackson is back int he directors chair for this, the first of two films, which takes place before The Lord of the Rings and features the story of Bilbo Baggins, and he travels with Gandalf the Grey in a dozen dwarves to fight off a dragon. It looks like an instant masterpiece. Exactly what you'd expect. Sure to be one of the top films of the year, precious!!!

3. The Avengers
When Marvel first announced, just after the release of the first Iron Man, that they would be connecting their films so that they could one day make a full on Avengers movie, I scoffed at the idea. It just seemed too risky. Each character would have to have their own film, and it would have to be good enough to work on it's own yet still manage to tie itself to an over arching storyline in which all characters come together in one big piece. Not to mention you would need actors in those roles who could compete with Robert Downy Jr. who is walking charisma and easily tops whoever he's in a scene with. Now after all these years, and after all the film versions of their hero's have been said and done, I must say, the experiment worked. I haven't seen Marvel put out a bad movie, and in 2011 we saw both Thor and Captain America solidify this idea with both of those films being excellent. Now I'm ready for The Avengers and have full confidence that it can be as excellent as it has the potential to be. This should be the top popcorn film of the year.

2. Prometheus
Years ago, director Ridley Scott announced he had signed on to develop and direct a prequel to the original Alien movie he directed back int he 70's that launched his career. He teamed with Lost c-creator and head writer Damon Lindelof and got to work. After a few years, Scott announced that this was no longer going to be a standard fair prequel. Instead the story took a life of it's own, and the film would be it's own thing, but with obvious ties to the Alien film. The result is Prometheus. A film that brings Scott back to the sci-fi genre and looks to be one of the most epic films to be released in 2012. Looks absolutely stunning.

1. The Dark Knight Rises
As if there was any question as to what the top movie of 2012 is going to be. Please. Christopher Nolan returns to direct his finale in his Batman trilogy. This one taking place 8 years after the brilliant Dark Knight, in which Gotham is once again under the threat of collapse from a mad man. That mad man being the masked terrorist Bane. This time Batman will not only face someone of extreme intelligence, but also someone who can beat his ass in a fight. This is going to be insane!

And so there we have it! Some of the top things to look forward to in 2012. I'm very excited about this year. Not just media wise, but personally as well. Hopefully, everything works out well for everyone. Let's get moving shall we?