Popzara Podcast

Article: Resident Evil 4 (2023)

The more things change, the more they stay the same - or, well, sometimes they just change. That's the case with Capcom's Resident Evil games, which took a wild swerve in a more action-oriented direction with the release of Resident Evil 4 on the GameCube back in 2005.

Article: Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

We're looking at yet another remaster today - wait, what? We're not? Yes, original titles do still come out every so often. Even long-running, fan-favorite franchises need to spread their wings from time to time.

Article: Twistwood Tales (2023)

Created by Scottish cartoonist AC Macdonald, Twistwood Tales feels like a webcomic from a bygone era, one that relished breaking free from the typical 4-panel restraints (and content limitations) of newspaper funnies to create something entirely new with the medium, to challenge the perceptions of what a “comic strip” could truly be. After debuting back in 2019 it quickly became an immediate sensation, especially on Twitter and Instagram.

Article: Diablo IV Beta Impressions

While I didn’t really get into the Diablo franchise until Diablo III, I’ve been a huge fan of it since then and can’t get enough of it. So it goes without saying that I had to play the early beta and open beta of the latest entry, Diablo IV, which has its good and not so good elements I’ll go into.

Article: Kill Me Baby: Complete Collection

I love coming across off-the-wall, crazy anime shows where insane stuff is happening all around the main character but they’re too naive, innocent, and just plain goofy to notice it. Enter Sentai’s Kill Me Baby: Complete Collection that’s all about this and then some for loads of laughs and action that will keep you and your eyes rolling.

Article: Watamote: No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Not Popular!: Complete Collection

There’s plenty of fun, slice-of-life anime shows out there, which you can find plenty of in my anime reviews. But what about some that have some twisted laughs with this genre? There’s a few of those too, with the latest one headed my way titled Watamote: No Matter How I Look At It, It's You Guys' Fault I'm Not Popular!: Complete Collection (try saying that three times fast).

Article: Revisions: Complete Collection

I remember hearing about Revisions on Netflix some time ago and always wanted to check it out as I tend to view most of their anime. Now Sentai has released it on Blu-ray for those without the service or so-so internet with the Revisions: Complete Collection set.

Article: Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)

The sequel to 2019’s Shazam!, Shazam! Fury of the Gods continues to set itself as a lighter, more upbeat superhero adventure than the darker tone set by Zach Snyder’s now discontinued DC universe. The story continues two years after the defeat of Thaddeus Sivana, following Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and his superhero foster siblings as they take on a trio of new villains set on destroying our world.

Filmmakers Austin Bragg and Meredith Bragg Talk Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game

Our guests on this table-tilting episode of the Popzara Podcast are filmmakers Austin Bragg and Meredith Bragg, i.e. The Bragg Brothers, the writing/directing duo of Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game, their new film that tells the (mostly) true story of how Roger Sharpe would key part in helping overturn archaic gambling laws that made the game illegal.

The guys chat everything from what it was like working with an apprehensive legend, how 2023 could be the year videogame/amusement movies become respectable, how meta narrative is an amazing storytelling mechanic, comparisons to classics like Pirates of Silicon Valley and American Splendor, epic '70s mustaches, inspirational similarities between Roger Sharpe and Rocky, and so much more.

Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game is available now on streaming services everywhere. Even if you don't know a flipper from a bumper, drop a quarter on your favorite podcast, pull that plunger and listen today!

Article: Metroid Prime Remastered

Why make new games when you can re-release old ones? That's the question, isn't it? The results can - and often do - vary somewhat, and I'm happy to report that, by and large, we usually see better than worse for most of the efforts these days. Even the maligned Chrono Cross: Radical Dreamers Collection has seen a significant upgrade lately, solving its myriad framerate issues.

Article: Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game (2023)

It’s often said the best sports movies are less about the games themselves and more about the players playing, their lives and inspirations that helped them endure the training and rigors necessary to achieve superhuman feats against the odds. The best ones are inspirational even to those who couldn’t be less interested in whatever the headline sport is, a testament to the universal appeal that “games” can hold As the world of cinema continues to embrace the stories of videogames more and more, Hollywood is quickly learning they’re more than just speeding hedgehogs and magic mushrooms; we’ve got a Tetris movie on the way, though its about how the game was sold and not Alexey Pajitnov’s game itself.

Article: Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gaming Laptop

Outside of the typical office Thinkpad, Lenovo has also been hard at work keeping their gaming-oriented Legion sub-brand competitive among formidable peers. Building off its immediate predecessor, the seventh-gen Lenovo Legion Slim 7 Gaming Laptop delivers respectable gaming chops without sacrificing portability.

Article: VAIO FE 14.1” Series Notebook

Remember VAIO? What was once a premium computer label from Sony, designed to be the Windows alternative to Apple's Macbook has certainly been through the ringer for about a decade. Largely independent from their original creator now, the brand has returned to the United States primarily in Walmart (and Sam's Club) stores, no doubt eager to reclaim that coveted glory in a very different world of mobile computers.

Article: PlayStation VR2 Launch Game Sampler

The PlayStation VR2 is out! You can actually buy one! In fact, given the increasing supply of PlayStation 5 consoles available, you might even be able to get one of those so you can actually use it too! Yes, we live in a glorious new era, one where it's possible to purchase expensive consumer electronics if that's what you'd like to do. Enjoy the future, folks, because the future of virtual reality has become a reality.

Article: Lovecasa 16-Piece Porcelain Dinnerware Set

It’s 2023 and we’re stepping into some new territory at Popzara, starting with this awesome Lovecasa 16-Piece Porcelain Dinnerware Set they were so kind to send. It’s the best dinnerware set I’ve used both literally and figuratively (no more paper plates and cheap dishes for me) , and is sure to be a conversation starter for everyday dining or inviting some friends and family over.