James Alexander

"Freaky Tales" serves up fun visuals, interesting linked stories, and solid action during the opening and closing chapters. The middle chapters dial the action back substantially, but the finale is worth the wait. I do wish they tried to explain what the "green stuff" was, but I'll take what they delivered.

Cyberpunk 2077 had a ROCKY start, but the progress made since release has been impressive and my review considers the most-recent patch. Plus, I'm currently enjoying this on Xbox Series X...on launch I purchased it for Xbox One and still enjoyed it. First, the graphics and aesthetic of NC will immediately draw you in. The gritty city, the neon lights, the cyberpunk look and feel, it's top notch. Watching people walk around with various cyber implants, seeing the downtrodden slums juxtaposed against the towering Corporate buildings and abundance of ads gives you the sense of a city where everyone is exploited for gain....gritty. The dialog is top notch and various shards flesh out the story and give the city a lived in feeling....even if the crowds aren't at GTA levels. Controls? Nice and smooth with branching skill trees to fit anyone's play style. Gunplay is tight while going for a net runner build is satisfying as well. On that note, I do wish there were more guns and cybermods available. Side gigs can feel repetitive, but if you take time to soak in the story surrounding them they can feel unique in their own way even if the gameplay can be samey at times. Vehicles control better but the physics could still use some work. Overall tho, it's an immersive experience you won't soon forget. If you are someone who enjoyed Deus Ex or similar games, you'll love this one.

Black Box pleasantly surprised me. I expected a totally by-the-numbers experience, and while the plot twist was predictable it was carried by solid performances from the entire cast. How far will we go to save the ones we love and what anguish is caused in the process? I hosted a Amazon Prime Watch Party with this film and all attendees enjoyed it. Check it out...you might be surprised by what you find. 🎬