Geek of Oz

Any geek worth their salt will have fond memories of their local game arcade. Whether it was a Time Zone, Intensity or in my case Time Gone, just about all of us would spend many an hour hadoukening, tiger upper cutting and get over here-ing... they're real words, trust me. But not many of us could hold a candle to the competitive gamers that Ozhadou attracts. When talking competitive gaming it is easy to think of Jimmy, Corey and Nick from The Wizard, a whole room full of kids sporting Nintendo "Power Gloves". But I assure you, these guys are something else entirely. Check out all the details after the jump and if you're interested in helping out, I'm sure the OHN gang would love to have you on board as a volunteer !

A new trailer for Injustice has dropped and it brings with it some very welcome news. Injustice: Gods Among Us looks as though it will be far more story driven that your average beat-em-up. But rest assured, it looks every bit as brutal as Netherrealm's previous games. One thing's for certain, Batman is going to be spending the Wayne fortune on chiropractors. Check out the clip after the jump!

If you're a longtime reader of Geek Of Oz, you'll know that we love The Deep . The all ages wonderment created by Tom Taylor and James Brouwer has taken to comic world by storm and now they're moving into the third dimension!  After just watching the newest incarnation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, it's instantly apparent that The Deep will be in good hands with animators Technicolor. Be assured that we will keep you informed of any news that comes to hand on this very exciting property. Follow on after the jump for more details!

Director Robert Zemeckis ( Back to the Future, Contact, Polar Express,   Cast Away ) returns to live action films after ten years’ experimentation with motion capture technology. He touches down with Flight , starring Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Don Cheadle and Bruce Greenwood. It’s the story of a pilot who heroically saves a plane from crashing, but then has to face the subsequent investigation into the incident, as well as confront some personal demons. Simply put, this is a film about alcoholism. Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker, a veteran pilot and functioning alcoholic, who has spent the best part of his life skilfully masking his addictions. The very first scene of the film really sets the tone for what’s to come. Whip wakes up in the company of a birthday-suited beautiful woman, takes a call from his angry ex-wife, swigs from a corona, smokes a cigarette and does a considerable line of cocaine. They may as well have used a big neon flashing sign that reads: “Whip

Comedians Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn are no strangers to the world of comic books. Not only did they grow up reading Marvel comics, but they both worked on Last Christmas from Image Comics and are currently the writers of Marvel's Deadpool relaunch. Lucky for us they spared time from their very busy schedules to have a chat about Deadpool and the upcoming "I, Scream" arc. Follow on after the jump to have a listen! Oh, in advance, sorry about my voice. I know I sound like a suicidal Dalek but there really is nothing I can do about it. Sorry again!

In an announcement that should come as a surprise to no one, Hanabee have released news that they have acquired the rights to Hakuoki: Record of the Jade Blood. Record of the Jade Blood is the second season of the yet to be released Hakuoki .  In a positive sign, Hanabee have announced the release of a follow up season before the first has even been released. Whether this is a reflection on the number of pre-orders or merely an early strike by the Hanabee folks is anyone guess. One thing is for certain, however, they've very quickly become a force to be reckoned with in the Australian anime market. Check out the full details after the jump!

Thanks to our friends at Hanabee , Australia's newest anime company, we've got some treasure to give away! That's right, we've got Bodacious Space Pirates part 1 to give away on Blu Ray and DVD. Based off the popular on-going light novel by Yuichi Sasamoto, which has already spawned a manga as well as an anime, Bodacious Space Pirates is 26 episodes of high-octane swashbuckling fun! The series is a meld of the space opera genre with mecha as we see pirates of the future take off in space. “[Bodacious Space Pirates is] filled with fantastical deep-space sights: luridly colored magnetic storms, squads of knife-shaped battleships, battles fought with cinematic sprays of luminescent energy.” - AnimeNewsNetwork By the director of the Ninja Scroll TV series and animated by the same studio that does Fairy Tail, Satelight. - Hanabee

Since first hearing about Ni No Kuni, we've been excited. When I say "we", I mean the all encompassing realm of anime fandom. When speaking of anime studios, there is none more widely recognisable than Studio Ghibli. When speaking of Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPG), before Final Fantasy there was Dragon Quest by LEVEL-5 Inc, a series famous for being co-created by Dragonball's Akira Toriyama. If you're thinking that there is no possible way that this game could be anything short of spectacular, you'd be right.

Geek Of Oz is a hub for news, reviews and interviews for all things pop culture. Do you like anime? We got it! Movies? That too! Comics, games and books? Yep, sure and uh-huh! Focused on Australian fans, we know what we're writing about because we write about what we love. You can follow our antics on Twitter ,  Facebook  and YouTube . Plus, Ryan is one half of Beardy and the Geek! The ORIGINAL podcast dedicated solely to Australian comics and comic creators. Giving these hardworking men and women the focus and attention that they deserve. Ryan started Geek of Oz in 2010 after his work colleagues asked him to stop verbally reviewing films to them. In their words "shut up and start a website... and put some pants on". Unable to decide what to focus his time and efforts on, he indulges in all of the good things in life - movies, anime, comics and games. His love for Japanese cinema has seen him involved in the Japan Foundation's Japanese Film Festival

Last week we told all of you Pokémaniacs that the latest film, Pokémon: Kyurem vs the Sword of Justice.  To celebrate the release of the DVD, fans have a chance to see the movie before it lands on shelves. Throughout Australia special screenings will be held at selected Hoyts Cinemas on the last two weekends in February and we have 3 double passes to give away. Follow on after the jump to find out how to win and d on't forget, to score yourself an extra entry just by  following us on Twitter  or  liking us on Facebook! !

Eden of the East is one of those series that has something for everyone. Whether you're after a touch of action, mystery, comedy or even romance - Eden of the East has got it in spades! Thanks to our friends at Madman, we have the complete series of Eden of the East to give away on Blu Ray. That includes the TV series and both of the follow up movies all on super sharp BLU RAY! Follow on after the jump to find out how to win and d on't forget, to score yourself an extra entry just by  following us on Twitter  or  liking us on Facebook! ! THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED. Entries close 11:59pm on Sunday 27th January 2013. Your details will not be used in any way other than for the delivery of your prize. Geek of Oz and Madman do not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or delay of/to prizes sent to winners (blame Australia Post for that one). The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon. Prizes are not redeemable for cash or any other ki

Every man has one. Some think about theirs more than others, some have strange relationships with them and they’re unique to all of us. Obviously I am talking about mothers. The mother and son relationship is placed under the microscope in Anne Fletcher’s ( The Proposal, Step Up ) latest comedy The Guilt Trip . Whilst it’s not the most original setting, The Guilt Trip proves that there will always be a place for excellent screenwriting, rapid fire dialogue and a feel good story. We first meet Andrew Brewster (Seth Rogen) attempting to sell his own environmentally friendly cleaning products to the major retail stores. After a lack lustre sales pitch Andrew embarks on a cross country drive to peddle his wares. In a moment born of filial obligation Andrew invites his mother Joyce (Barbra Streisand) along for the ride.

Did you love Toradora! part 1 as much as we did?  Well, if you've already bought the first part and run out of moolah, you're in luck! Finishing off the series that many have grown to love, part 2 reunites us with our beloved thunder pocket rocket and her unfortunate faced beau for more shenanigans, more hijinx and a whole new world of hurt for poor Ryuji! Thanks to our friends at Hanabee, we've got a copy of Toradora! Part 2 in its very own collectors case AND the OVA to complete your collection. Follow on after the jump to find out how to win and d on't forget, to score yourself an extra entry just by  following us on Twitter  or  liking us on Facebook! !

Over the course of an all but faultless career, Quentin Tarantino has dealt with a range of topics that are controversial to say the least. From his take on 1970's blaxplotation films in Jackie Brown, an horrific rape scene in Kill Bill, Nazi's in Inglorious Basterds and now pre-civil war slavery in Django Unchained, Tarantino has always pulled it off with an incredible lack if community reaction. Sure, parents associations complain about violence and Spike Lee complains about the overt use of the "N" word, but generally his films are labelled "controversial" before being widely accepted by audiences. It seems to be Tarantino's honesty that allows this to happen. Honesty and the completely in-your-face, over the top way that he approaches these topics. He makes them larger than life, puts a spotlight on the elephant in the room, demystifies it and takes away its power.

Exciting news, Poké-fans! Pokémon The Movie: Kyurem Vs. The Sword of Justice will be screening at select cinemas in Australia and New Zealand.  Follow on for all the details on the film, trading card demonstrations and COMPETITIONS! Also, stay tuned for your chance to win a double pass thanks to our friends at Beyond Home Entertainment!

On the same day that Tom Taylor's first issue of the comic book tie-in is release, we can confirm the release date of Netherealm's latest foray into the world of spine punching madness, Injustice: Gods Among Us. Also confirmed were the collectors edition bundles that will grace the shelves of JB Hi-Fi and EB Games stores here in Australia.

First let me stress that every single film that I see which stars Paul Rudd I am accompanied by a wife who considers Rudd to be husband #2. I get that. He's utterly charming, hilarious and quite handsome to boot. That said, I am in no way swayed in my opinions due to apparently sharing a wife with Paul Rudd. My opinions are my own. This is 40 is very much a sequel to Judd Apatow's earlier box office success, Knocked Up. However, instead of following the exploits of Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl (undoubtedly due to Heigl's now infamous claims of sexism from Apatow), the film follows Pete (Rudd) and Debbie (Mann) and their two daughters who are both played by Apatow and Mann's real-life kids. Pete and Debbie's lives are in a rut. He has a struggling business and mounting debt while she struggles with deep seeded insecurities from childhood trauma but in classic Apatow fashion, hilarity ensues.

From as far back as July last year, Comic Book Resources reported on Joe Casey and David Messina's upcoming Image Comics release, The Bounce .  Casey is reported by CBR as saying, "the costume is great" before stating that fans presumed he was using "illicit substances" while writing Godland but believes that The Bounce is even more out there, "you'll have no idea what I'm on with this!" With very little heard since, the first official image has dropped with a confirmed release in May. Check out the image after the jump!

  Since the announcement of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, we have been eagerly anticipating its release. A collaboration between esteemed Japanese gaming company LEVEL-5 and THE Studio Ghibli just set the scene for what is bound to be one of the most spellbinding games in recent times. Add to that a score from long-time Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisashi and you have an undeniable pedigree which is made of pure sunshine and happiness. Follow on after the jump for a very special video of Mr Joe Hisashi talking about his involvement in the project!

 Everybody, at least every fantasy fan, has a mental image that pops to mind when the term "HIGH FANTASY" is used. Somehow, in some divine miracle, Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic seem to have read my mind and spilled its contents all over the page. Coming the February is RAVINE, an all new creator-owned graphic novel series from long time collaborators, Marz and Sejic. From just initial cover and a more comprehensive art preview, it is obvious that these guys have an overwhelming understanding of what fantasy should look and feel like. With artwork that looks every bit as epic as the intended story, RAVINE has just burst its way onto my most wanted list for 2013. Check out the press release and a link to the full art preview after the jump!

Not many films generate as much buzz as a Tarantino film does. Since last year we here at Geek HQ have had people asking if we've heard more about Django, when are we reviewing Django and how do you pronounce Django? Well, the campaign trail is heating up and it's only weeks away now. Check out the latest clip titled, "You Scaring Me" which just reinforces my continuous claim that Tarantino is the greatest dialogue writer in cinema today. Check out the all new clip after the jump and remember, the D is silent!

Unfortunately, Aussie film releases are generally few and far between and even when they do see the light of day, widespread distribution is another hurdle to overcome. Enter Bait 3D. The story of sharks in a flooded grocery store was and Australian and Singaporean cooperative with a whole bunch of money coming from China as well. In the most honest of comparisons, Bait is the poor lovechild of Jaws and Snakes on a Plane although never quite reaches the lofty heights or pleasurable lows of either film. It's hard to determine whether a film that attempts to be bad, and succeeds, is actually good but we'll give it a try.

Beardy and the Geek is back and to break in the new year we speak with Tristan Jones, writer, artist, deceased mariner and all around nice guy. We talk to T-Rex about his career, experiences in crowd funding and one of my most anticipated projects of the year, Sebastian Hawks.

Thanks to our good friends at Hanabee, we have 1 copy of Arakawa Under the Bridge season 1 on DVD to give away! Not sure if this series is for you? Well we reviewed it and said "If you like your comedy absurd, Arakawa Under the Bridge will undoubtedly delight". Not many series manage to be a utterly absurd AND emotionally aware at the same time. This is yet another fantastic release from Hanabee and would be a welcome addition to any anime fans collection. So if you're ready to inject some crazy in you life, all you have to do is follow on after the jump and follow the details for your chance to win! Don't forget to score yourself an extra entry just by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook!

Arakawa Under the Bridge started its life as a 12 issue manga series by Hikaru Nakamura before spawning 2 season of anime and a live action film. This in itself is proof enough of its success although it's, quite frankly, surprising to see so much money sunk into such a ridiculous series especially considering that the entire cast of characters are nuttier than squirrel poo. Surprising, that is, until you watch it and realise, it just works. Don't let the pastel adorned cover fool you, Arakawa Under the Bridge isn't a cutesy series, it has it's fair share of grown up humour and edge. Follow on after the jump for the full review!

Before this review starts it's very important to note that No.6 takes place in 2013, after a great and devastating war. It's time to panic, people! In 2013, after the great war devastated the world, six city states remain, created by The Babylon Treaty. Sion is a boy assessed as having the "highest-ranked intelligence" at age 2, allowing him access to the luxurious "Cronos" living area. On his 12th birthday, he meets a troublesome boy called Nezumi, who has just escaped from a reformatory and on the run from the authorities. As punishment for harbouring a fugitive, the Public Security Bureau strips Sion of all his privileges, resulting in expulsion from "Cronos". After four years of banishment, Sion and Nezumi meet again, resulting in the revelation of the secrets and mystery behind the city No.6 - Siren Visual