The Warrior’s Way, aging gracefully and more new release picks for June 28, 2011

If you’re an outdoorsy type, then summer’s the time for playing in the mountains, hiking the grasslands, surfing the Great Sand Dunes, etc. If you’re the nerdy type, then summer’s the time to climb into your hammock (couch, basement, whatever), curl up with a good book (movie, comic, video game, whatever), and yell to your mom (for the one-millionth time) that yes you do want some lemonade and yes you still like those popsicles shaped like rockets. This week offers tons of new releases and interesting options — unless you were looking for a movie, then you’re pretty much stuck with this piece of shit — so here’s what’s coming out today (tomorrow for comics) in the world of media.

Movies

The Warrior’s Way (DVD, Blue Ray) More loved by viewers than by critics, this 2010 visual stunner satisfies those who appreciate the sometimes campy nature of martial art films, but won’t appeal to those who want authentic storylines or traditional casting. Starring Jang Dong-gun, Geoffrey Rush, Kate Bosworth and Danny Huston, and directed by Sgnmoo Lee, The Warrior’s Way tells the story of a hero ninja warrior who must flee to America after refusing to kill a baby (the last member of an enemy clan). Worth viewing at least for the uniqueness of special effects and cinematography, this new release promises something more than subpar visual effects and regurgitated plot lines. Beastly (DVD/ Blue Ray) Know any high-school students out for the summer with nothing to do and a superiority complex? Throw them a copy of this movie. Beastly retells the story of Beauty and the Beast in a high-school setting. Mary-Kate Olsen stars in the beginning as the witch who casts a hideous love spell on the main character after he gives her the cold shoulder. Also starring Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens and directed by Daniel Barnz, Beastly flew under the radar when released in theaters, grossing poor amounts of income, and therefore promises to be one of the most affordable new releases of the summer.

Books

The Aging Myth Fact: We’re getting older and uglier by the minute. However, Dr. Joseph Chang, in his new book, The Aging Myth, provides possible explanations concerning what causes aging, why some age faster or slower than others, and how each person can start stressing out about how flaccid skin and a leathery face — previously chalked up to genes and stuff a person can’t control — can be prevented. So probably buy this book unless you want to be the last person on earth who looks like a hag. Now You See Her If this is the fourth summer in a row you’ve promised yourself you would read War and Peace and so far the behemoth has just been staring at you from your nightstand as you read the sports section and the back of various boxes — pretty much everything to avoid reading Tolstoy — then it’s time to give up and read something thrilling, like James Patterson’s new release, Now You See Her. Patterson’s new book tells the story of Nina Bloom, who lives the “perfect life” in New York. Bloom’s perfect life turns out to be a lie, and she must act quickly before the wrong man is convicted of a crime he did not commit.

Page down for Games and Comics! Games

Storm: Frontline Nation (PC) Storm: Frontline Nation produces an epic sphere of over 45 nations, 500 regions and 100 cities to explore in either campaign or skirmish mode. Waging battles on land, water and air, the game changes according to situation, and spy or sabatoge units can be sent out to infiltrate enemy lines. Optimized for multi-player capacity in hexifield layout, Frontline Nation promises to help epically procrastinate and waste time while teaching you tactics to fight in a world low on natural resources and struggling economically — and let’s face it, that sounds pretty helpful considering the current real-world climate. Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (3DS) If the Resident Evil series has taught anyone anything, it’s that no one gets sick of slaughtering zombies. Ever. And now, zombies can be slaughtered in 3D, on a hand-held gaming system. Aside from featuring thirty missions, Mercenaries also features the first time since Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition that Rebecca Chambers is a playable character. She joins a list of six other characters to help players complete the game’s objective: to kill as many zombies in as little time as possible.

Comics

Secret History, Book 15 The latest in a series of historical-fiction comics chronicling the travels of four immortal siblings who attempt to fix the maladies of Western Civilization, Book 15 tells the story of the siblings’ journey in post-World War II Germany. Written by Jean-Pierre Pecau and featuring the art of Igor Kordey, Book15 follows the separation of the two brothers, Erlin and Dyo, as one sides with the Allies and other with the Soviets during the start of the Cold War. At the same time, scientists begin to open doors to parallel dimensions, and a group of Jewish partisans begin their journey from the border of two Germanys to the West, in search of the promised land. Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker 4 It the title doesn’t say it all, the cover does. But if the cover, a semi truck emblazoned with an American flag flying into the air, doesn’t clearly define what type of comic Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker is, then here’s a synopsis: Butcher is a truck-driving superhero who in Book 4 must leave the arms of his woman to fight an entire team of supervillians. Written by Joe Casey with art by Mike Huddleston, Butcher Baker is truly the redneck’s comic book: action-packed, testosterone-crammed and brimming with cock jokes. For real. Even the press preview has a cock joke.

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