Critics Consensus: Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is the PC port of Dark Souls.

Dark Souls was one of the most acclaimed titles last year. It was also one of the most hard games last year too. The new PC port is bare bones compared to the console version but nevertheless is still a great game. INCGamers and Eurogamer Germany gave it a 10\10. The only complaints were off the low FPS (framespersecond) and no PC Optimization as Vandal Online and Atomic Gamer complained about. Dark Souls is still a great game just needed a bit more to be excellent on the PC.

Overall if you have Dark Souls and want this version get it. If you have Dark Souls and do not want this version do not get it and lastly if you do not have Dark Souls do not get this.

Dark Souls: Prepare To Die Edition is rated M.

Critics Consensus: Lawless

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Lawless a new crime drama movie.

Gary Oldman,Shia LaBeouf,Tom Hardy,and Guy Pearce sound like a pretty strong cast. Arizona Rebublic and Box Office magazine stated it was a pretty strong cast and New York Daily News praised the performances. Too bad it suffers from cliches like The New York Times said and it makes Lawless not flawless. St. Louis Dispatch also complained about the script. So Lawless would be flawless if not for those two things.
Overall do not see this movie unless you want to.

Lawless is rated R.

Critics Consensus: Madden NFL 13

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is a new Madden game.

Like Christmas a new Madden comes every year. Sometimes good sometimes bad. The good news is if you do not have Madden NFL 12 you saved money and if you have Madden NFL 11 stick with that unless you want an upgrade. Giant Bomb and ReviewsOnTheRun complained about the bugs in the new engine that never allow you to have the same tackle.  GamerLimit on the other hand gave it a 9.5 For a great physics engine. So the engine is overall good but will have a few bugs along the way. Planet Xbox 360 praised the content and IGN praised the new gameplay mechanics
Overall get this game if you want to and it is worth a rent if you are on the maybe side.

Madden NFL 13 is rated E.

My Personal Opinion: Para-Norman

NOTE: This is different than the posts we have on this blog because instead of the critics opinion this is my opinion. This time it is Para-Norman.

Well the new movie from LAIKA has come and it is worse than Coraline but not in a bad way. Para-Norman has some adult-themes which surprised me though the movie is very funny and the animation is beautiful. The writing and plot are okay and the movie goes in a great direction that is until the last 30 minutes. I feel like the movie gets stuck in one direction where they can not continue the script so they make something up to cover for that. What they make up I hate.
Overall I would give this movie a 7.5. 

Para-Norman is rated PG.

Critics Consensus: Counter Strike: Global Offensive

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is a new  Counter Strike game.

Valve is known for amazing games and have almost never releases a disappointment. My quote is correct because the new Counter Strike game has a 85 on Metacritic and was given a 9.5 by Destructoid. It had 8 9 out of 10's from 15 reviews and G4 called the game addictive. Gamer.nl called it one of the best first person shooters right now,and Vandal Online praised the affordable price.
Overall get this game. If you are new to the Counter Strike series still get it.

Counter Strike: Global Offensive is rated M.

Critics Consensus: The Apparition

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is The Apparition a new horror movie that "hfaesipnwep" Sorry about that. That was my exclamation when I looked at the Rotten Tomatoes score for this movie.

Sometimes to call a movie crap is a compliment. This movie well you know where I am going here. It was called scary bad by Boston Herald. Big Picture Big Sound said it was scary that it got even made. 0% on Rotten Tomatoes,and Jam! Movies called it one of the worst horror movies at all time. Now excuse me while I laugh at this movie. " Ha! The average score for this was a 2 out of 10." " Ha Ha Ha."
Overall DO NOT GO SEE THIS MOVIE EVER EVER EVER EVER IN YOUR LIFETIME!

The Apparition is rated PG-13 for being so scary it is bad.

Critics Consensus: Premium Rush

NOTE: These 3 posts were done on a Saturday not a Friday because reviews for The Apparition came in at about 7:00 PM and by that time I was too busy.
Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Premium Rush a new action movie starring Joseph Gordon Levitt.

There have not been a good number of great bicycle related movies recently or at all. Well good news. Now there is 3 good bicycle related movies.  Premium Rush is about a delivery messenger that finds out he is carrying a bomb. The New York Post complained about the story line being congested. Since the storyline is pretty thin many critics were praising that with a simple storyline the film could be a bit gripping like The Wrap's Alonso Duralde said. So the plot is eh, character developments are good, and its fun. The only serious problem with Premium Rush is that it is overloaded with special effects like Rolling Stone exclaimed.
Overall see this movie if you want to and if you do not give a hoot about it, another transportation movie game out called Hit and Run.

Premium Rush is rated PG-13.

Critics Consensus: Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron a sequel to Transformers: War for Cybertron.

Great news for Transformers fans. The new Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron is fun as explained by Gaming Trend, Canadian Online Gamers stated that it delivers on so many levels, and lastly Planet Xbox 360 praised the action saying that it was "enough for two games." The only problem is that it is not the greatest improvement from it's predecessor but that probably does not matter when you are having loads of fun.
Overall get this game of you are a Transformers fan but if you do not care about Transformers this is a rent.

Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron is rated T.

Critics Consensus: Hit & Run

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Hit and Run a new action comedy.

If you saw the commercial for Hit And Run you would not think it would be good. You would not think it would be horrible either. Hit and Run is like a hijacked car. It starts off with a bang, then runs out of gas, and lastly crashes into a ravine. It has a 50 on Metacritic and a 40 something on Rotten Tomatoes but the top critics approval rating is drasstically different at a 67%. Roger Ebert thought the movie was funny and Entertianment Weekly liked it but they thought it was forgettable. Sadly like Expendables 2 and The Campaign it is just dumb fun. That is why ReelViews, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, and Village Voice pounded the movie.
Overall see this movie if you really wanna. Do not see it if you do not want to see it.
(By the way the commercial I mentioned in this post will be below.)

Hit & Run is rated R.

Critics Consensus: New Super Mario Bros 2

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is a new Mario game.

Last year the highest acclaimed title on the 3DS was you guessed it, a Mario game. Nintendo is trying to do that again this time with New Super Mario Bros 2. According to EDGE Magazine,Eurogamer Sweden and 3DJuegos it is more of the same if that is necessarily a bad thing. Modojo said that fans would love this game but IGN was disappointed that there was nothing new in the game. The lowest review was a 6 out of 10 but the highest one was a 91.
Overall it still is fun with great gameplay and controls but if you are not a Mario fan who owns a 3DS this is not a buy.

New Super Mario Bros 2 is rated E.

Critics Consensus: Sparkle

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Sparkle a new music drama.

Music drama's like Hairspray and Dreamgirls are forgotten about these days and big blockbusters are getting more attention. A little bit of attention was put into this movie because Whitney Houston died so this will be her last movie ever. (R.I.P. Whitney Houston.) Unfortunately it does not make the best of lasting impressions and is like getting a C on a math test. Though Roger Ebert did think the movie was solid,Rolling Stone felt that it was old fashioned and Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus stated that it was too dramatic. Mostly the movie shines with it's acting and soundtrack as USA Today and Mediamikes stated.
Overall you should see this movie if you really want to. It is a skip if you have no interest in it.

Sparkle is rated PG-13.

Critics Consensus: The Expendables 2

NOTE: Sparkle will be covered on Monday.
Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is The Expendables 2.

The Expendables was a big success with over just 200 million in sales. Unfortunately the movie was not the best getting a 40% on Rotten Tomatoes. The sequel is barely better then mediocre probably because there is more to it than explosions. Entertainment Weekly called the movie fun in a good way and so did the New York Post. The movie is still explosion after explosion though which explains it's 53 metascore.
Overall see this movie with your buddies if your 12, a Chuck Norris fan, or lastly you love explosions but if you are not one of the three you are not applicable.

The Expendables 2 is rated R.

Critics Consensus: Para-Norman

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Para-Norman a new animated film.

Most people have not heard of LAIKA but have heard of their movies. They were put in fame when Coraline was nominated for an Oscar and now they might get another one. Like Coraline this one is about spooky spirits and about a little child trying to save his town form unwelcome zombies. What the critics like about this movie is that it is animated beautifully,it's funny,it's mature and lastly it is fun to watch. Keep in note that big name critics like The New York Times and Variety gave it great scores. While the plot is a bit basic and is the reason it got negative response from Doddle the movie overall is lot's of fun.
Overall you should go see this movie. You will love it and your kids will love it.

Para-Norman is rated PG. 

Critics Consensus: Sleeping Dogs

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Sleeping Dogs a new open world GTA style game.

Well good news to Grand Theft Auto fans. No the release date for Grand Theft Auto 5 has not been released but there is something to satisfy your senses. P.S. It also takes place in Hong Kong. It was given 7 9 out of 10's and was called one of this years greatest surprises by Eurogamer Spain. Even IGN said that it did not stop wowing them and lastly Playstation Lifestyle praised it's amount of content. So call it Chinese GTA if you wanna but this game does really work even though there is a hidden karaoke mini game. Eww.
Overall get this game. You will have tons of fun.

Sleeping Dogs is rated M.

Critics Consensus: The Odd Life Of Timothy Green

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is The Odd Life Of Timothy Green.

Well here's something that comes every year.  A new comedy that is supposed to be heartfelt and is made by Disney. 50% chance that it is usually good. 43% is what it has on Rotten Tomatoes and same on Metacritic. Even St. Louis Dispatch the review site that gives positive reviews to crappy movies (by average critics standards.) hated this movie. The Newark Star Ledger and USA Today called it contrived. Lastly the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said that it was not that heartfelt.
Overall this is an indefinite skip but if your kids want to see this movie make sure you have something to keep busy.

The Odd Life Of Timothy Green is rated PG. 

Critics Consensus: Darksiders 2

NOTE: Since this is a giant release for the video game industry we will have a giant post.
Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Darksiders 2 the sequel to 2010's Darksiders.

Graphics:
Though the graphics in Darksiders 2 are not the most realistic because your Death in the game and you look pretty un-realistic. Official Xbox Magazine praised the art direction. Another UK Magazine (X360 Magazine UK) said the game looked beautiful. Lastly Destructoid called the art style "killer" . So the graphics are impressive as stated by critics. Though if you want realistic graphics look elsewhere.
Gameplay:
 The combat in Darksiders 2 was called near-perfect by Darkstation. Gamesradar called the exploration addictive,and lastly Gaming Nexus called it the game gamers deserve. The kill,kill,stab,kill may get a bit repetitive but the exploration makes up for it as most critics said.
Other(Sound,Plot):
The boss fights are not as memorable and the plot is kind of thin but Darksiders 2 will satisfy most of the gaming realm.
Overall:
Overall you should get this game. It is fun and you will be playing it forever.
Trailer:

Darksiders 2 is rated M.

Critics Consensus: Hope Springs

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Hope Springs a new romantic comedy.

Well good news. There is a new romantic comedy and it actually is not half bad. It is called Hope Springs and stars Steve Carell,Meryl Streep, and Tommy Lee Jones. It so far has a 74 on Rotten Tomatoes and a 66 on Metacritic. Of course Meryl Streep steals the show as stated in the review by The Tolucan Times. The only problems about Hope Springs is that it is a little depressing as explained by The Denver Post. Though the funny heartfelt comedy and great acting make up for the little missteps.
Overall you should see this movie. If you do not want to see it that is fine. 

Hope Springs is rated PG-13.

Critics Consensus: The Campaign

NOTE: Hope Springs will be covered on Monday because of delays from my vacation.
Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is The Campaign a new comedy with Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis.

You know when a movie has Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis it's gonna be over the top. However you do not expect it to be OK and not made just for laughs. Richard Roeper said that there was lot's of funny sh*t in this movie but was a bit mad for it being too over the top. Detroit News called it an average Will Ferrell movie and SSG Syndicate complained about it being too vulgar. The Campaign is just on the edge of the cliff for critics opinions. It is fairly funny though so there is that.
Overall see this movie if you wanna and do not see it if you do not want to see it.

The Campaign is rated R.

Critics Consensus: Sound Shapes

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Sound Shapes a new music game on the Playstation Vita.

The Playstation Vita has been tripping on all the bad games lately. Well it tripped on a piece of gold. That piece of gold was Sound Shapes. Giant Bomb gave Sound Shapes a 10\10. So did Game Revolution. It was given 11 9's out of 10's. Why? Well Sound Shapes has great execution as described by 3D Jeugos. Eurogamer Portugal praised the gameplay and visual design. Better yet it has 3 new songs by the alternative rock artist Beck which was praised in Level7.nu's review.
Overall is that enough to make you buy this game? I will keep pestering you if you do not buy it. I am being serious.

Sound Shapes is rated E.

Critics Consensus: The Bourne Legacy

NOTE: There was no posts for a week because I was on vacation in Hawaii. Sorry for the confusion.
2nd NOTE: This post will be more complicated then previous one's because this is a giant release for the movie industry. So why not have a giant post?
Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is The Bourne Legacy a reboot of the Bourne movies.

Plot\Writing:
The Bourne Legacy's plot is a bit of a stir-up. It differs from the first 3 movies and is a reboot. The Toronto Star said the writing was fine even though they did not really like the movie. Slate stated that the last hour of the movie was incoherently plotted and lastly Geeknation complained about the ending. So the plot flops around like a flounder that was just catched and that's bad news.
Acting:
Entertainment Weekly praised the acting from Jeremy Renner and so did Rotten Tomatoes. The lead actress Rachel Weisz was praised by Leonard Martin. The acting is not as solid as the Matt Damon's acting in the last 3 Bourne movies but is still pretty strong.
Special Effects:
Like The Dark Knight Rises not that many critics praised the special effects or even talked about it and the only thing I could get was The Philadelphia Inquirer praising the futuristic gadgets in the movie.
Overall:
Overall The Bourne Legacy is generic and a solid action movie. It is the weakest in the franchise but still might be fun to watch. See this is you wanna and do not if you do not want to see it.
Trailer:

Critics Consensus:Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is a new Diary Of A Wimpy Kid movie.

Good news and bad news for Wimpy Kid fans. The new Dog Days is not as bad as it could have been (actually getting a higher Metacritic score AND Rotten Tomatoes score than Total Recall.) but is strictly mediocre. Village Voice was surprised that it was not that bad and Washington Post said it captured what it was like to be a kid,but it is strictly for that audience. AND THAT'S IT!
Overall see this is you are 10 and under you will squeal with laughter.

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is rated PG.

Critics Consensus: Total Recall

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Total Recall a reboot to the Schwarzenegger classic.

Many fans of the original Total Recall have some bad news arrived to them in a new movie. Total Recall is being pounded by critics like New York Daily News,Miami Herald and Boxoffice Magazine for being bland,dull, forgettable and way too many action sequences. ReviewsOnTheRun and St. Louis Dispatch praised the first few scenes of the movie but many many other critics complained about the CGI while good being shot into every scene.
Overall another crappy disappointment. Better luck next time.
Total Recall is rated PG-13.

Critics Consensus: Deadlight

Hi! We are Critics Consensus. We post the regular critics opinion for video games and movies! Today it is Deadlight the newest Summer of Arcade game.

Deadlight had lot's of potential and sad to say it's Metacritic score is 69 and a 67% approval rating among critics. Xbox Addict praised Deadlight for it's sheer amount of content because it has collectibles but most critics found Deadlight poor for a couple of basic reasons. Destructoid complained about the level design, GamerLimit complained about the pacing and lastly G4 TV complained about how short the game was. The only reason Deadlight is average is it's amazing animation and suspenseful plot which IGN praised. If only the rest of the game worked the same.
Overall Deadlight is mediocre at best but if ya really wanna get it get the demo first.


Deadlight is rated M.