by Stone Marshall | Dec 24, 2014 | Awesome Book News |
If you’d like to see the differences between Disney and Universal’s treatment of the most popular film franchises in their theme parks, illustrated in one photo, here you go:
Can you imagine a Universal Studios T-shirt depicting Voldemort on the Caro-Seuss-el? Or Minions in wizard robes? It’s impossible to imagine J.K. Rowling allowing such trivialization of the Wizarding World and its inhabitants.
But George Lucas long has shown a great acceptance of irreverence toward his Star Wars characters. After all, you can’t greenlight the Star Wars Holiday Special if you’re taking your characters too seriously. Let’s not forget other examples of Lucas and his team poking fun, or at least allowing others to poke fun, at the Star Wars universe: the Stand Up to Cancer spoof, Death Star PR, Spaceballs, and possibly the most irreverent officially-blessed Star Wars take-off ever, Disney’s Hyperspace Hoopla. There’s some great stuff about Lucas’ tolerance, and even enthusiasm, for spoofs in the new book How Star Wars Conquered the Universe, and author Chris Taylor talked in an interview with The New Yorker about how a desire to be more serious in the prequels weighed down the “effervescent giddiness” of the original films.
In contrast, perhaps the closest that J.K. Rowling, with her drier British wit, has come to satirizing her creation was a guest appearance on “The Simpsons” that made fun of her fans more than her works. Sure, there’s abundant humor in the Harry Potter world, but even when a gag takes you out of that world (hello, “spell-o-tape,” a joke that about 1 in 100 Americans gets), it’s never reduces the Wizarding World to tropes like putting Darth Vader in a Space Mountain rocket.
The irony, of course, is that traditionally it’s been Universal that’s been known for abundant irreverence and sarcasm in its theme park attractions while Disney has properties with much more earnest respect. If there were any doubt that we’re living in a moment when franchises dominate the theme park industry, let’s consider these examples of Star Wars and Harry Potter — franchises so powerful that they made Disney irreverent and Universal take something seriously.
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by Stone Marshall | Dec 23, 2014 | parent-news |
Editor’s note: Second-grade students at Lincoln-Douglas Elementary School in Freeport have been busy writing letters to Santa Claus this month. The Journal-Standard is publishing a sampling of the letters today.
Dear Santa,
I want a real tablet, one Barbie book, one shirt and one kid’s car for my cousin Jaliyah. How are the reindeer doing? What do they eat? What games are they playing?
Love, Raniyah
Dear Santa,
How are you doing? I would like a doll. I would love an Easy Bake Oven. I would like a car for my brother, Gavin. I would like for my brother Elijah to get an Xbox One. Have a great day.
Love, Miranda
Dear Santa,
Hi Santa. I want to see you. I want a Barbie Dream House. I want a Barbie book. I’d like a pair of socks and my cousin wants a Barbie doll.
Love, Zaniya
Dear Santa,
How are the reindeer doing? I want a snowmobile, please. I want a LeBron James book. I want you to give my mom a necklace with a heart on it.
Sincerely, Payton
Dear Santa,
How are the reindeer and the elves? What is Mrs. Claus doing? I hope I’ve been a good boy so I can get a present. I want a cotton candy maker and a sweater and a Star Wars book. I wish my cousin, Mousie, can get a present, too.
Love, Demari
Dear Santa,
How are the elves? I want one sword and I want a Junie B. Jones book and pajamas and art supplies for my grandma.
From, Jayce
Dear Santa,
How are your elves? Well, I want a cupcake maker. Well, this is a bye-bye! Can you get a tablet?
Love, Cherita
Dear Santa,
Are your reindeer doing good? I would like a yo-yo. Can I have an animal book, please? Can I have a sweatshirt that says LOVE? And could you get Evan a Hot Wheels car?
Love, Lani
Dear Santa,
How are the reindeer? I would like a yo-yo, please. I would like a Minecraft book, please. I would like a shirt, please. I wish Kaden a surprise gift.
From, Keegan
Dear Santa,
Can I have a Barbie doll because I have a lot of toys. I would like a Princess book. Could I have a Husky dog named Rusty? My sister would like a Barbie doll.
Love, Adrianna
Dear Santa,
I want a Barbie doll. How is Mrs. Claus? I want a yellow skirt and a red and yellow dress. I want a gift for my sister, Faith.
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by Stone Marshall | Dec 23, 2014 | Minecraft News |
The announcement this week that Telltale Games are turning to one of the most popular video games of all-time, the Mojang-developed Minecraft, for their latest series came completely out of left field.
With little details emerging other than a promise to make the game “an entirely new Minecraft experience” that still manages captures the spirit of the massive sandbox title, speculation has been rife as to what exactly gamers can expect from Minecraft: Story Mode’s 2015 premiere.
With several members of our staff here at Power Up Gaming classing ourselves as diehard fans of both Minecraft and Telltale, we’re discussing today whether or not we think the game has serious potential to become another masterpiece in interactive storytelling, or if it’s simply a shameless cash-in. Do we think The Walking Dead developer have bitten off more than they can chew, or has Minecraft’s freedom handed them a great opportunity?
Harry Bowers: Telltale’s announcement of their latest series, Minecraft: Story Mode, comes as pretty topical to me, because Minecraft PS4 is just about all I’ve been playing for the past few weeks. I’ve fallen deep into that block-sized hole all over again. For this reason, the announcement has filled me with equal parts dread and optimism. On one side I see a game completely unconducive with the Telltale treatment; but on the other, I’m looking at two studios responsible for some of gaming’s greatest adventures.
What is Minecraft without its trademark open-ended hijinks? The answer feels pretty uncertain right now. Minecraft is distinct from Telltale’s previous fancies – The Walking Dead, The Wolf Among Us, Game of Thrones – in that it deals, not in blood and back-stabbery, but learning and whimsy. Sure, there’s dark dungeons and the cold, hard necessities of survival, but everything is realised in a charming, kid-friendly dressage. Exploration is the driving force; heavyweight narrative punches need not apply. In fact, Mojang’s announcement infographic, the charming Info Quest II, hit the nail on the head:
“Telltale’s other games are awesome, but they’re usually set in universes packed with cool characters and narrative arcs. Minecraft doesn’t have those things.
“Our games has consistent physics, a bundle of mobs, and a distinctive look, but no real story to speak of. You make it yourself through playing!”
That, for me, is where the premise starts to get shaky. Will the cartoony antics of Steve and his whole block-headed entourage be able to recapture the emotional heft that Telltale have been acclaimed for? It’s pretty unlikely. What little information we currently have all seems to point towards a very different game to what we’re used to. For Telltale, this is uncharted territory. What’s going to keep die-hard Telltale addicts coming back for more? Telltale need to master a radically different form of entertainment, fast. To make things even harder, they have to do so in a way which will keep players compelled for upwards of a six-month release window.
Telltale have built themselves a huge mountain to climb; the methods unknown and results uncertain. But, in some weird way, it feels right exactly because of this. Telltale proffered acclaim back in 2012 with The Walking Dead: Season One because they did something no one else was really doing. Moreover, it was truly fantastic. The birth of Minecraft: Story mode strikes me as nothing less than a bold continuation of this rich legacy. Outside of the comics, outside of the show, The Walking Dead completely stood up by itself as an unforgettable narrative. Why can’t Minecraft: Story Mode do just that, too?
Of all the projects Telltale have undertaken in the past, Minecraft offers the most opportunity for creative license. Watching the proven minds behind Telltale get that little extra leg room to be even more brilliant is an exciting prospect. Even more importantly, Minecraft: Story Mode marks these guys taking one more timid step toward crafting their very own IP. So, no matter what the outcome, I can’t help but look eagerly at Minecraft’s latest iteration as one big golden promise of future brilliance.
I don’t for one second doubt that Minecraft: Story Mode will be a good game; but I worry that, thanks to the nature of the beast, it won’t quite reach the ‘great’ heights that we have come to expect from Telltale. I anxiously wait to be proven wrong.
Chris Mawson: Like so many others, Mojang and Telltale’s announcement of Minecraft: Story Mode took me completely aback earlier in the week. My first reaction was to check the calendar… nope, definitely not April 1. As a great lover of both Minecraft and Telltale’s narrative-rich adventure series, including The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us, you’d think I’d be overcome with excitement at the news. And though while I am looking forward to seeing where the developers go with the concept, my position is more that of a cautious optimist.
With Telltale’s recent releases in Tales From the Borderlands and Game of Thrones, I was already beginning to question whether or not the time is nigh for the developer to try their hand at their own IP, rather than cashing in on (though admittedly treating successfully, and in many cases, reinvigorating) an existing franchise. Their announcement this week further provokes my skepticism.
On the other hand, while the developer could be accused of playing it safe by turning to yet another popular property for their latest effort, little else gives them as much freedom to put their own stamp firmly on the game as Minecraft is able to. Yes, it’s undoubtedly and transparently a cash-in that Telltale will hope will draw in Minecraft’s gargantuan audience. But with a proven track record and clear respect for the fans of Mojang’s title – collaborating closely with the developer and promising to take on board the ideas and wishes of game’s existing fan base – I’m looking forward to seeing what they’re able to do with the themes and ideations expressed in the hit sandbox game.
To create a game that adequately lives up to the Minecraft name is a massive undertaking. But if anyone can pull it off, Telltale can.
Scott Russell: Ever since playing Tales of Monkey Island, I’ve loved Telltale’s awesome brand of story-centric adventures; that one in particular had some hilarious moments of piracy. They may dabble around with clunky mechanics, but in no way does that diminish their expertise in producing games that grip, shock and amaze. The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us are just two instances that highlight Telltale’s ability to deliver wonderful experiences with varying themes and styles. This can only be a benefit for Minecraft: Story Mode, especially when you consider the blocky, and abstract, nature of the source material.
Invigorating different intellectual properties is definitely Telltale’s bag. The Walking Dead franchise is no lacklustre affair by any means, but the story of Lee and Clementine brings life to a world that is solely at its best in the static pages of a comic book; Fables (the series on which The Wolf Among Us is based) has been significantly improved upon through a deliciously smooth art style and a brilliant cast of fairytale denizens; and the already frantic suspense of Game of Thrones has increased thanks to Telltale’s pressing, and oppressively frenetic, systems of choice.
Minecraft is a game that houses a universe; it’s infinite. But Story Mode could bring something that adds to its infinity: a truly fascinating and original narrative. Now, I have no idea what that could entail; it could lead me on a trail to make some tough decisions regarding sand, but don’t take that as gospel. Though there is one thing that I am certain of: it that will contain heart, excitement and a whole load of Minecraft charm. Oh, and that clunkiness I mentioned before? Perfect for shambling over blocks.
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by Stone Marshall | Dec 22, 2014 | Awesome Book News, parent-news |
Three-week shopping season that began Thanksgiving week, the newest installment in the Wimpy Kid series has sold more than 535,000 print copies at outlets that report to Nielsen BookScan.
Other strong print sellers for the season include the original Elf of the Shelf, which has sold about 210,000 copies, and 41, which has sold about 189,000 copies since Thanksgiving week.
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by Stone Marshall | Dec 22, 2014 | parent-news |
We might find on occasion that children can turn their noses up when they find a book in their Christmas stocking but in reality, books can make the most wonderful gifts.
However, it can be very difficult to buy a book for a child at Christmas. So how should we go about choosing a good book and what are the top picks for Christmas this year?
David O’Callaghan joined Sean Moncrieff to talk about the best books for the season:
AGE 0-4
Picture books are always a great gift for Christmas and this year’s group are, as expected, a pretty awesome and hilarious group:
THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES by BJ Novak €14.99
Without doubt my favourite book for the little ones out there. It does what it says on the tin : No Pictures … just insane and zany text that is super perfect for reading out loud and making the adult reading seem bonkers. A genuine treat. Hilariously funny. Already a massive phenomenon in the States. This is a must have for Xmas and beyond.
(Have attached a Youtube clip of author / actor reading it)
TIN by Chris Judge €14.99
I love this man’s work and this year’s offering is a beautiful tale of brothers, baby sisters, robots and a babysitting chore gone horribly awry. Stunning colours, intense detail and a great read aloud experience.
MONSTERS LOVE UNDERPANTS by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort €12.99
We’ve had Aliens, Pirates & Dinosaurs …. Surely we’ve also had Monsters. Well, we do now. The next in the bestselling Loving Underpants series, this picturebook is as funny,colourful, zany and as brilliant as all the previous offerings. Maybe it’s my love of monsters, but this is possibly my favourite in the series yet.
AGE 5-8
Newly independent readers often find solace in a variety of characters which often lean towards the madcap and familiar. The big brands are always there:
Horrid Henry’s new collection of stories HORRID HENRY’S TRICK TRICKS (€15.99) and DIRTY BERTIE’s new book HORROR (€5.99) are perennial bestsellers for Boys. Rainbow Magic’s LUNA THE LOOM BAND FAIRY (€7.99) has also been hugely popular this Christmas.
But my top choice which is proving extremely popular is :
CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS 11 : THE TYRANNICAL RETALIATION OF THE TURBO TOILET 2000 by Dav Pilkey €11.99
What can I say – I adore Captain Underpants and his extra loony tales. Growing in popularity every year, he is now easily one of the top selling series in this age group and long may it continue. Boys, especially, seem to love him. I wonder why?
AGE 9-12
Confident readers of all ages are swarming to this category and it has grown into one of the most successful and booming children’s section. The Gargantuans / Monsters / Box Office books in this age group are Jeff Kinneys’ WIMPY KID 9 : THE LONG HAUL and David Walliams “AWFUL AUNTIE”. These are without doubt the leaders in this market, if not the whole of all books. However, instead of looking at these I’d like to highlight a few titles of a similar nature that I feel simply : ROCK ! If DORK DIARIES is Wimpy for Girls then this first title can now safely be dubbed the “IRISH WIMPY KID” :
MOONE BOY by Chris O’ Dowd & Nick V. Murphy €10.99
Based on the hit TV show and aged down to fit into an “Irish Wimpy Kid” mould …. This is a fantastic addition to this genre. Not simply a TV tie in though, this tale of imaginary friends and growing pains and superbly realised and illustrated throughout. Love it..
TIMMY FAILURE : WE MEET AGAIN by Stephan Pastis €8.99
One of my favourite new series of the last couple of years – Timmy and my new favourite mantra “Failure is an Option” is a simply brilliant story. In his latest tale “We Meet Again” Timmy, as ever, meets life’s curve balls head on with his, let’s say, confident demeanour. And with his trusty Polar Bear, Total, by his side : what could possibly go wrong ? Lots actually !
OPAL PLUMSTEAD by Jacquel Wilson
This was Jacqueline Wilson’s 100th book. It was also undoubtably one of her best, it’s cleverly written with lots of description and links to real issues that happened in 1913-1914 (when the book is set), mostly the suffragettes and the First World War. Opal is the key character , she is 14 years old and one of Jacqueline’s strongest female characters yet.
MINECRAFT – BLOCK-O-PEDIA €32.99
The ONLY new Minecraft published this Autumn … and it’s a thing of beauty that any Minecraft Obsessive MUST own. Every block is described within this stunningly presented book and slipcase. A Must Have for Crafters everywhere.
TEENAGE / YOUNG ADULT
One of the biggest growth areas in Children’s books in the past 5 years (along with 9+), the Teenage / Young Adult market has had a stellar year with the likes of JOHN GREEN (The Fault In Our Stars), VERONICA ROTH (Divergent) exploding out of the blocks (the fact that both had movies of their books released definitely didn’t hurt either).
THE MAZE RUNNER Series by James Dashner €9.99
Proving that Dystopia is still hot as a sub genre and again due to a really strong, well made movie – The Maze Runner series has been a massive hit among teenagers and beyond. People have immediately come out of the first movie (which ends on a cliffhanger) and run to get some books.
Love this series. Page Turner extraordinaire
WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart €9.99
One of my fave books of the year, this novel set in a world of entitlement in the Hamptons is a brilliantly clever, dark and murky novel dealing with the aftermath of something that has occurred among a group of rich elite teens and which the reader must try figure out and put the pieces of the puzzle together. Absolutely gobsmackingly stunning and a must read.
ONLY EVER YOURS by Louise O’Neill
Set in a future society where obsession with women’s beauty & their place has reached new levels of absurdity – this brilliant debut novel (Winner of Newcomer of the Year at Irish Book Awards) is a fascinating, engrossing and harrowing novel from a young writer at the top of her game. A world where young women are taught to be either a Companion (submissive wife),a Concubine (slave) or a Chastity (train future girls). Absolutely loved this book also.
GIRL ONLINE by Zoe Sugg €15.99 / THE POINTLESS BOOK by Alfie Deyes €10.99
The “Youth-Tubers” as they are known have officially become a publishing Phenomenon in the past 3 months. Zoella for her book (fiction) had the biggest ever debut author opening week sales (outselling Harry Potter & Dan Brown). These are youtube celebrities who have 2/3 millions followers as they talk about every day life, fashion and have a laugh. 2015 will see a massive influx of more ready made author celebrities as all publishers attempt to get into this winning formula.
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