Games
NBA 2K8
PS3, Xbox 360
The newest version of NBA 2K8 plays more realistically than any other hoops game you'll find. You can't just crossover a couple of times and dunk from the free throw line. It helps to actually run plays. Individual players have noticeable characteristics, like Chris Paul's ridiculous handle and Kwame Brown's ridiculously bad hands. Defense is a bit too easy with the new "lock on d" button, but this is less of an issue at higher difficulty levels. Graphics are improved from the first run of next-gen b-ballers, but faces and body types are still hit-and-miss. Play-by-play and court effects aren't bad. An expansive career mode, online play and a dunk contest feature make this game a full package.
Virtua Fighter 5 Online
Xbox 360
Among fighting games, the Virtua Fighter series has always offered the most game play depth and the mildly updated VF5 for Xbox 360 is no exception. There are more moves and combos than a monkey could do on accident in a century. Nonetheless, it's still fun for the novice and/or monkey to crunch buttons and maul. The graphics are slightly improved over the earlier PS3 version, but the main addition is, of course, an online mode. Online game play works well, with little or no frame rate issues. Unfortunately, quick battles are about all you can do online.
DVD
Dilated Peoples
The Release Party Feature Film with Bonus CD / ABB RecordsThe Release Party is a documentary following the careers of hip-hop heavies Dilated Peoples. Director Jason Goldwatch focuses on the group's recent return to their independent roots with tons of concert, video and interview footage. The 90-minute doc drags in parts, but diehards will love every minute. Sound quality won't impress or depress. Video is decent for a documentary. The strength of the DVD is all the extra stuff. Bonus features include an entire concert and every Dilated music video. The bonus CD features a few new tracks and some remixes. None are classics, but mostly they still bang.