Where Call of Duty Infinite Warfare Ranks with the Rest of the Franchise

Written By Adam Hayes 

If you know know anything about first person shooter video games, you have heard of the Call of Duty franchise put out by Activision. From its very first game released in 2003, it has sold massive quantities of a new installment every single year. However, this year was somewhat different. After Activision released their trailer for Infinite Warfare on Youtube, it quickly became the second most disliked video on the site. When it was released in November, its sales were abysmal when compared to previous iterations of the franchise. In spite of all the hate, it still managed to get good scores from various game reviews.

Though some various game reviewing companies gave it decent scores, the gaming community did not seem to get behind it. So what went wrong? The campaign seemed to be something straight out of movie. With celebrities such as Game of Thrones actor Kit Harington and UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor, there is no way it could have been bad. In spite of the big names attached to it, the campaign fell short of previous endeavors-even short of Call of Duty Black Ops III's wacky/sci-fi entwined campaign, which is the highest selling Xbox One game of all-time. Many people disliked the predictability that we have come to know all too well from the Call of Duty campaigns.

The lackluster campaign goes to show that not even big-name actors can save something that was stale from the very beginning. Of course, not all people are fans of the campaign. Call of Duty is known for its massive online community that spend countless hours in multiplayer lobbies. Usually, something new is introduced. In Advanced Warfare, we had the rise of combat rigs-suits that soldiers wore to jump around and boost forwards around the maps. Black Ops III introduced specialists-premade soldiers that the player can outfit with various-and sometimes outlandish-outfits. Each of these specialists offered some type of unique ability or weapon that was sure to give you an advantage out on the battlefield.

With Infinite Warfare, nothing new really stood out. This gave the multiplayer a feeling of a reskinned previous game. This ultimately led to its downfall in sales. Perhaps the biggest draw to the recent Call of Duty games have been the various zombie modes. First introduced as sort of an easter egg at the end of World at War, it has quickly become the favorite game mode for many players. If there was a redeeming quality of Infinite Warfare, this mode would be it. With a zany space-themed park as the backdrop, surviving waves of the undead was somewhat fresh and inviting.

Ultimately, Infinite Warfare in itself was not a bad game. However, whenever you put it up against previous record breaking games that have been released under the Call of Duty banner, it fails miserably. If Activision wants to continue having their success, they need to listen to what the people want and deliver a fresh and exciting game for the next installment. Otherwise, they won't survive.

Lenni Reviews: "The Haunting of Timber Manor" by F. E. Feeley Jr.

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+.

Daniel Donnelly has sadly lost his parents in a terrible accident. He gets a phone call from his estranged aunt who tells him he is now heir to a fortune and a house called Timber Manor. On the way there, Daniel has to pull over in a huge storm and Sherriff Hale Davis - a native of the town near Timber Manor - helps him out. But the manor holds a dark and powerful secret that puts Daniel's life in great peril

While Daniel and Hale make a good couple and you're rooting for them, the novel makes a great ghost story. The tone is perfect for curling up in a blanket and reading this on a stormy night.It was good to have the story switch perspectives to get everyone's thoughts on what's happening but I feel the supernatural story development had more care put to it than the romantic development. Daniel and Hale have that insta-love thing going on that will bug you if that's an aspect of romances that bug you.

And can Francine get a spin-off series!? PLEASE!!

Giving this a 3.7 out of 5.

Lenni Reviews: "Jackass Flats" by Julia Talbot

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+

Tate is a 30 something cowboy who believes the best days of his life are behind him.He spends his nights getting hammered in bars and one night a young soldier named Dave helps Tate bumble back to his apartment. The two become close and form a relationship but Dave's military life poses a threat to their relationship.

Mild spoilers so skip this paragraph if you wanna avoid them but around 30% in, sudden gay married friend is sudden! I mean, geez what an asshole...

Anyway, other than the out of nowhere dickweed friend, the story felt well paced and very realistic. Dave and Tate take things slow at Tate's request and the patient way they come together is refreshing to see. Their chemistry goes beyond a 'hookup-turned- relationship,' their feelings come through the pages. Yes, of course there are some steamy scenes but just having Tate and Dave interact with each other left me with a happy feeling when the story was done and I wouldn't mind reading more in this series or by this author. 3.9 out of 5.

Lenni Reviews: "Whiskey Business" by Avon Gale

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*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review and is rated for 18+.

In order to get his hometown some much-needed money, Ryder Waites is selling his family's whiskey recipe to a company named Bluegrass Bourbon. To seal the deal, he has to convince a hard-assed representative from the company; Adam Keller. Keller is out to prove he can get by on his own merits and not rely on his rich family's money and reputation. As the stuffy Adam audits the distillery, their attraction grows. But Adam doesn't want to get attached as this is supposed to be a quick business trip and nothing more.

At 17% I had snorted laughter out loud at the sentence "That sort of dislike-to-lovers thing only happened in Harry/Draco fanfic." I have read way more of those than I care to admit before I grew out of that to... Well, books like these.

The story generally follows that formula, though. Couple meets, instant attraction, hot smexy times, misunderstanding, reunion and resolution. What sets this story apart is the setting. The town of Gallows Grove feels like the real star here with its fun residents and pun laden business names. The writing gives this place real heart and makes it come alive around our two very likable leads. A perfectly serviceable romance with a fun setting, I give this a 4 out of 5. 

Anime 'Your Name.' Gets North American Theatrical Dates

Funimation Films will open Makoto Shinkai’s animated blockbuster and global pop culture hit “Your Name.” in North American theaters on April 7, 2017. The film will be released in both English-language Dub as well as the original Japanese-language with English subtitles.

Written and directed by Makoto Shinkai (“5 Centimeters Per Second,” “The Garden of Words”), “Your Name.” has already received critical acclaim and commercial success overseas, dominating the burgeoning Asian box office to quickly become the fourth highest-grossing film of all time released in Japan – behind only “Spirited Away,” “Titanic” and “Frozen.” “Your Name.” has also since become the second highest-grossing Japanese animated film released in Japan, surpassing legendary works from Hayao Miyazaki including “Princess Mononoke,” “Howl’s Moving Castle” and “Ponyo.”

“It’s truly a joy to be part of a film like ‘Your Name.’ that has surprised everyone’s expectations and quickly captivated the hearts and attention of audiences and films critics alike,” said Gen Fukunaga, Founder and CEO of Funimation Entertainment. “I have always believed that a touching and beautifully told story can mesmerize mainstream audiences regardless of a film’s genre. ‘Your Name.’ is the perfect example of this and will be one that journalists will point to for years to come.”

“Your Name.” was selected by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association as Best Animated Feature of 2016 and is on the official consideration list for a nomination in the Best Animated Feature category at the 89th Annual Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will announce final nominations for the 89th Annual Academy Awards on January 24, 2017.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing ’Your Name.’ to theaters across North America and Canada this spring,” said Mike Duboise, COO of Funimation Entertainment. “Based on audience reaction around the world and a week’s worth of sold out screenings during the film’s Oscar qualifying run last December, we expect ‘Your Name.’ to be a hit with North American theatergoers this April.”

The film’s soundtrack and original score was produced and composed by award-winning Japanese rock band RADWIMPS. Lead singer of RADWIMPS, Yojiro Noda, spent part of his childhood in the United States and is thrilled to provide the English version of all the chart-topping songs in the North American English dub version of the film, including Dream Lantern and Zenzenzense.

“Melody and lyrics must be something inseparable for RADWIMPS. For all that, I cannot respect and thank them enough for making these wonderful English versions to entertain international audience,” said Makoto Shinkai, writer and director of “Your Name.” “In ‘Your Name.,’ songs, lines and the story are in complete harmony. Lyrics represent characters’ cry of the heart. I hope these alternative versions will lead the audience to a better understanding of the world of ‘Your Name.’”

Film Synopsis

The day the stars fell, two lives changed forever. High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other. Yet, somehow, it works. They build a connection and communicate by leaving notes, messages, and more importantly, an imprint.

When a dazzling comet lights up the night’s sky, it dawns on them. They want something more from this connection—a chance to meet, an opportunity to truly know each other. Tugging at the string of fate, they try to find a way to each other. But distance isn’t the only thing keeping them apart. Is their bond strong enough to face the cruel irony of time? Or is their meeting nothing more than a wish upon the stars?

For more information about "Your Name." visit the official movie website here.

Like Funimation on Facebook at facebook.com/funimation and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/funimation and on Instagram at instagram.com/funimation.

Interview With Becky Yamamoto

We had a chat with Becky Yamamoto about her webseries "Uninspired." Season 2 was just recently released and can be seen at http://www.uninspiredthewebseries.com/.  WRITER/ACTOR is a comedic performer and writer originally from the smoggy burbs of LA. Her past work includes solo shows performed at The UCB, Ars Nova, The PIT, Here Arts Center. She has appeared in a few web series: Jack In A Box, Escape From Brooklyn, Jared Posts a Personal and Two Jasper Johns. She co-hosts and produces a weekly standup show at the Beauty Bar. Theater credits: “Pullman, WA”: Chelsea Theater, U.K.“Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven”: NY Premiere: Here Arts Center, U.S. Tour and International touring. Vengeance Can Wait, PS 122.

Interview With Becky Yamamoto

Otakus & Geeks

Season 2 Trailer