And Bioshock Infinite DLC has Officially Been Announced!

I am so excited by this news! Irrational Games has announced the three new downloadable content packs that will be offered for their latest bestseller, Bioshock Infinite. Bioshock Infinite focuses on the seemingly utopian world of Columbia, a hyper-religious and hyper-American society that floats high in the sky above the United States, from which it separated in order to maintain it’s conservatism and moral ideals.

The game, originally released in March, is being expanded upon in these three segments that will be released between now and March 2014, the first of which – Clash in the Clouds – is now available. Clash in the Clouds is an action-based pack that adds new combat stages and abilities to the game and is included in the game’s Season Pass. If you do not have the season pass, the content can be downloaded for the price of $5.00.

Also announced today was the upcoming story DLC for the game, called Burial at Sea. These two packs will return the player to Rapture, the haunting city at the bottom of the sea featured in the original Bioshock game (as well as it’s sequel).

I have not actually played the original Bioshock game, but I have played most of Bioshock Infinite. I would love to finish playing it in the future, but I rented it and played it on my boyfriend’s XBox 360 and have not gotten a chance to finish it yet! I have watched entire playthroughs of both games on YouTube (I recommend ChristopherOdd’s in particular!) and am currently working my way through watching Mr. Odd’s Bioshock 2 playthrough as well. The games have held my interest ever since I saw Bioshock Infinite advertised during the VGA (Video Game Awards) earlier on this year. Something about them is so captivating to me – I love the emphasis on story, it’s like playing a movie! Each game features extensive commentary on agency, however, and for that reason I would have to argue that these stories are most effectively told through the gaming medium.

With the DLC confirmed to be featuring Booker and Elizabeth, I’m excited to see how their characters have changed from the last universe to the one depicted in Burial at Sea! As a cinema fanatic, I’m loving the film noir inspired look, as well. Definitely exciting to see where these new installations will take the lore of the fascinating lands of Columbia and Rapture next.

Are you excited for the new and upcoming Bioshock Infinite DLC? Leave a comment and let me know!

watchthis: Monster’s University

Monster’s University tells the funny and charming story of Monster’s Inc.’s beloved characters Mike and Sully during their wild years as college students. The two get off to a bumpy start as both tackle their new lives as students in completely different ways, but watching them interact as they turn from strangers to the best of friends is simply delightful. Throw in a bunch of new characters and a handful of cameos from Monster’s Inc. characters, and you get a fun flick that’s perfectly suited for all ages. Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

The movie works perfectly as a prequel to Monster’s Inc., staying true to the monster world while at the same time filling out more of the details as to what life for monsters is like!

Another thing I love about the movie is the look of the different buildings at MU as well as the memorable characters that fill the campus. These details give the world a truly realistic feel – it looks a lot like where I go to school at the St. George campus at the University of Toronto! The animated architecture is beautiful.

Monster’s University is definitely worth seeing for Disney and Pixar fans – especially for those of us who grew up watching Pixar movies and are now in university ourselves!

An additional bonus for those who go to see the film in theatres is Pixar’s latest short film, The Blue Umbrella. The short is endearing and adorable, featuring a simple love story between two umbrellas on a rainy day in the city. Notable for it’s animated photorealism, The Blue Umbrella demonstrates just why Pixar is such a groundbreaking company in the animation industry.

Have you seen Monster’s University? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

watchthis: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Do you love camping, the 1960’s, and all things hipster-y? If your answer is yes, then Moonrise Kingdom is the film for you.

The film tells the simple story of a young boy and a girl who fall in love and run away. Both are social outcasts for different reasons – he, an orphan, she, a problem child – and two head off to spend the rest of their days in a boy scout tent. The film is highly stylized with filters that will remind you of Instagram’s finest, as well as fashion, music, and sets inspired by vintage of the 60’s.

Moonrise Kingdom is a delightful romp that is definitely worth a watch. It’s a beautiful, simple film, full of quirky humour and filmmaking that is sure to please both the cultured moviegoer and the hippest of the hip. I love the carefully staged framing and the retro props and vibes. While perhaps a tad pretentious (you know, the kind of film that is clearly shouting, “look! I’m ARTSY”), the film is enjoyable and, for lack of a better word, quite pretty.

The film features an ensemble cast including Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, and Frances McDormand. It was directed by Wes Anderson and was released in 2012.