Over the last 2 years, “Rhythm” Games have evolved from niche game to mainstream phenomenon. “Rhythm” Games are focused on game play mechanics that have you doing a measurable action to the beat of the music in the game. Although widely embraced in Japan for nearly 10 years, they have remained a very cult driven videogame genre throughout the rest of the world.Recently, we have seen a shift in popular acceptance. Much of that can be attributed to two game series: Konami’s “Dance Dance Revolution” and Red Octane/Harmonix’s “Guitar Heroes”.I’ve been fascinated with “Rhythm” games for some time now. Videogame popularity has generally been interlinked with the attempt to make Videogames more cinematic. Rhythm based games are anything but cinematic. Most include high levels of difficulty that encourage repeated play. They are more of a visceral experience that feels closer to an intense game of Galaga; where much of your game experience is based on score related self improvement. These games are made further unique because they depend so heavily on a very physical experience that makes you an unknowing performance art piece for spectators watching you play. :-)I got Guitar Hero 2 for Christmas and I’ve been enjoying the hell out of it. The game gets hard fast, but it’s a whole lot of fun and the song list is varied enough that even the most jaded will find a song that they can enjoy playing to.Check out the attached videos for humorous examples of both games.

I just got these two pictures from Nicolas Forsans, our editor at LES HUMANOIDES ASSOCIÉS. Just out of the printer, still hot, here's LUCHA LIBRE #3! I think the release date is January, 17th.

1971, it was the time when Ken Russell was one of the most interesting directors ever. He directed THE DEVILS based on Aldous Huxley's book: THE DEVILS OF LOUDON. Cardinal Richelieu and his power-hungry entourage seek to take control of pre-rennaisance France, but need to destroy Father Grandier - the priest who runs the fortified town that prevents them from exerting total control. So they seek to destroy him by setting him up as a warlock in control of a devil-possessed nunnery, the mother superior of which is sexually obsessed by him. A mad witch-hunter is brought in to gather evidence against the priest, ready for the big trial. (Source IMDB). That movie was so disturbing that it had a lot of troubles all over the world. When on TV, Ken Russell hit a journalist when THE DEVILS was called "monstrously indecent". This movie is visually stunning. You can find some of its torture scenes on youtube. I heard it's gonna be released in DVD soon. Let's hope it'll be the original version and not the censored version. THE DEVILS features Vanessa Redgrave and one of my favorite actor ever: Oliver reed.

A nice excerpt form Mario Bava's DANGER DIABOLIK.

While in the desert last week, I bough some spices in a grocery store. If you were wondering what kind of seasoning Lee Marvin or James Coburn would put on their meat, I have the answer: the SPADE L RANCH spices! It looks like sand but it's really good. If one day, you're doing a barbecue in the middle of the desert with other real men (like the MUTTPOP people) don't forget to bring your SPADE L RANCH seasoning. Yeeee Haawwww!

Nothing better to begin a new year than a new redneck by Gobi. Best wishes to everybody.