New Video: Vandam, 1 Hot & Breezy - Ain’t Trippin

New Trailer: Kick Ass 2

After Kick Ass' (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) insane bravery inspires a new wave of self-made masked crusaders, led by the badass Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey), our hero joins them on patrol. When these amateur superheroes are hunted down by Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), reborn as The Mother Fucker, only the blade-wielding Hit Girl (Chloe Moretz) can prevent their annihilation. Donalid Faison, John Leguizamo, Morris Chestnut and more also star in Kick-Ass 2, the comic book sequel based on the series by Mark Millar. The sequel is slated to hit theaters a bit later this summer on August 16th.

New Kicks: Duke Showcases Their Locker Room Full Of Exclusive Kicks

Since March Madness time is upon us, do you ever wonder which kicks your favorite college basketball players keep around? Well, if your favorite team is Duke then you’re about to find out. The Blue Devils have been bringing out the heat this season, but check out the other rare gems in the team’s rotation in this special video from Duke guard Tyler Thornton. (SOURCE)

New Gear: Depeche Mode x Hublot Big Bang Watch

Legendary English alternative rock band Depeche Mode teamed up with renowned watchmaker Hublot for a special-edition timepiece. Limited to 250 pieces, the collaboration is an effort to benefit charity: water, an organization committed to providing clean drinking water to the approximately 800 million people living without it. The piece itself is a black chronograph with stud detailing around the bezel, finished with a matching leather band. The members of Depeche Mode habe notably committed themselves to fundraising over the years, teaming up with Hublot previously in 2010 to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust. More information is still in the works, but the exceptional piece looks to be for a
great cause. (SOURCE)

New Tech: “MLB 13: The Show” Video Game Review

When it comes to baseball video games you know what you are going to get, it’s just a matter of how it’s presented and what comes along with it. And when it comes to baseball simulators, there really is no question that the MLB: The Show series has the main aspect of the game locked down. Year after year the mechanics of the franchise keep bringing people back, and the new features keep them engrossed until the next offering. The franchise is the Mark McGwire of the 90s, back when he could excite thousands of people just by showing up (and possibly crush naysayers with his giant, meaty fingers.) It was a simpler time.

But the curse of any annual franchise like this is how to keep the game feeling fresh without straying too far from the core game being represented. It would be a odd to suddenly feature aliens and grenade launchers. Granted, that might make for an awesome variation and a way to break from the mold, but it might be a tad alienating to the core audience to see Derek Jeter turn a rocket launcher on the Red Sox – to most, at least.

But with MLB 13, the newest offering in the franchise sticks close to what has been proven to work. Very, very close. The changes are minor – at least at first glance – but they do show a subtle shift in the direction of the series. There are no new features to speak of though, and while the Vita cross-play again offers some remarkable functionality, the real changes are tweaks to make the game more accessible. It succeeds in that, but don’t expect a huge step up from MLB 12.

MLB 13 is made for people that aren’t familiar with the series or who have dropped off in the last few iterations. Those that have played the games for years and look forward to the annual offerings are going to find the game much the same with a few key exceptions, especially regarding the batting. The graphics have improved a bit as well, especially in the lighting and shade, but the jump isn’t especially significant. Character models remain the same as ever though, for better and worse.

When it comes to the character animations The Show is one of the best sports games out there, and in the sports genre that is really what matters. The player movements are smooth and fluid and they respond naturally, making it possible to play the game as it’s meant to be played. If you take control of the fielders, you can watch how they move to make a play, not just put the right bodies in the right general areas. It’s something we are fast approaching taking for granted in sports games, but that doesn’t make it any less remarkable. The occasional glitches where a player suddenly develops superpowers and can teleport to catch a ball or run right through a wall like Kitty Pryde of the X-Men do crop up, but they aren’t common enough to be a huge issue. Perhaps the game is just bracing us for the next wave of player “enhancements,” when they begin to chew plutonium to gain a bit of an advantage.

The glitches combined with the minor player details do show the age of the series. Body types, while sometimes hilarious, are often unnatural. Players’ guts often hang over their belts in geometrically improbable ways, and it’s universal. The facial animations are also a bit horrific, as faces tend to look like the nightmare-fueled facsimiles of their real world counterparts. These are minor issues, but they do occasionally take you out of it.

The audio remains a highlight, and the crack of a bat and roar of the crowd are well handled. Commentators Eric Karros and Matt Vasgersian return, and bring with them the occasional recycled line of dialogue. Much like real life. It will only make a difference to those that played the previous game enough to grow tired of the commentary. To break it up, Dave Campbell has been replaced by Steve Lyons.

The pitching remains the same, which is a good thing. MLB: The Show has fine tuned this for years. There may be a new innovation coming in the near future that will blow our collective minds and make us wonder how we ever survived while using such primitive pitching mechanics, but for now it is fun and engrossing, and feels like the top evolution of the mechanic. For now, at least. Fielding also retains the previous feel, and a power gauge to help you throw makes this seem more like an important part of the game and not just a stop gap measure to prevent runners advancing.

The biggest change to the gameplay comes in the hitting. In previous offerings, hitting was the thing that turned off most people. It wasn’t easy, and even veterans had troubles. It was a double edged sword though. While it made it inaccessible to the impatient gamers that weren’t diehard fans to begin with, it also gave the series vets something to constantly try to improve at. Each pitch was a challenge, and every game was different – if you had the patience to practice.

The new batting system is much simpler and more streamlined. You can just swing away and hope for the best, or you can pre-select the general area you think the ball will go and swing. It will lead to a few more homeruns, but more often than not it will lead to fly outs. But at least you’ll make contact, which should help to bring fans in.

This reflects the biggest change for the series – not the new features or altered gameplay, per se, but the decision to try to be more appealing to a larger audience. To this end, the game has introduced the “Beginner Mode,” a tutorial that helps you along every step of the way. The better you do, the more the difficulty increases. Once new gamers are hooked they can then move on to the game’s real highlight, the Road to the Show. The RPG-like mode remains a wildly addictive mode.

Beyond that though, the changes are very minor. Online play returns as well, unchanged for the most part, and the Vita cross play returns with cloud storage that makes it possible to continue your stored seasons on the go. This functionality isn’t new, but it does make the game more intriguing – assuming you own a Vita and don’t mind buying the game a second time.

Conclusion 

The franchise continues to dominate the baseball genre and remain one of the top sports series available, but it’s also geared for a new group of fans: Beginners to the franchise, rather than just the stalwarts that continue to keep the franchise viable.

MLB 13: The Show does what it needs to in order to attract new fans to the series, but nothing more. With the next generation of consoles on the way, this will be the last MLB: The Show designed for this generation. The next game or two will also be released on the PS3, but the push will be to introduce the Sony exclusive as a PS4 title. Hopefully, with the new console will come new innovations and features. If SCE San Diego can do that while still trying to lure new players, The Show is likely to remain on top for a long time to come. (SOURCE)

Score: 8 out of 10

New Video: 2 Chainz - Crack

New Trailer: The Hangover 3

The Hangover Part III is directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Old School) from a script he co-wrote with Craig Mazin (The Hangover Part II, Identity Thief) This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off. Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Heather Graham and Jeffrey Tambor reprise their roles from the previous films, and will also be joined by John Goodman and Melissa McCarthy. The third and final chapter of The Hangover franchise from Warner Bros. will hit theaters on Memorial Day, May 24th.

New Kicks: Air Jordan 13 “He Got Game” 1997 & 2013 Comparison

The Air Jordan 13 “He Got Game” returns to shelves this weekend, but how do the new retros compare to the vintage originals? We pulled out a pair of OG 13s from the vault and put them side by side with the upcoming release version. Which details have changed, and which attributes have remained the same? See for yourself in this comparison post. (SOURCE)

 *Note* OGs appear on left, retros on the right

New Gear: Chanel J12 Matte Black Superleggera

Always stylish no matter the time, Chanel‘s J12 Superleggera watch packs high-functioning performance into a stunningly chic package. The French brand has just released its pinnacle chronograph in a smooth matte black colorway for the new season. Underneath the refined exterior lies a COSC-Certified ETA 2892 swiss movement, adding unparalleled performance to the piece. The watch measures in at around 42mm, lending the piece a full, masculine feel. Look for the Chanel J12 Superleggera in this special matte black colorway at fine watch dealerships in the coming weeks.

New Tech: Leica X2 White Limited Edition Camera

It’s not like any particular Leica camera isn’t a collectable, yet a limited edition commemorative model may take slight precedence over others. In celebration of opening a new store in Osaka, Japan, Leica will present a very rare rendition of its coveted X2 model. Finished with a textured white leather body and packing 16.2 megapixels, the X2 seems the ideal camera to carry in any situation. The model also comes with a 24mm Leica Elmarit lens, which has the same focal length as a classic 35mm. Only 100 pieces of the camera will be available when it arrives at the new Osaka Leica shop this Wednesday, March 13th.

New Video: Justin Timberlake Perform “Suit And Tie” On SNL

Rest In Peace Notorious B.I.G.

"If the game shakes me or breaks me
I hope it makes me a better man
Take a better stand
Put money in my moms hand
Get my daughter this college plan, so she don't need no man
Stay far from timid
Only make moves when ya heart's in it
And live the phrase Sky's The Limit
Motherfucker... see you chumps on top".........

New Trailer: Iron Man 3

Iron Man 3 is directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) working from a script that he co-wrote with Drew Pearce. Actor Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark and Iron Man in this sequel described as a technological crisis thriller in the midst of international war, taking place after the events of The Avengers. Sir Ben Kinglsey is playing Iron Man's arch nemesis Mandarin and Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Dale Dickey, Ashley Hamilton, James Badge Dale and Jon Favreau all co-star in the Marvel Studios production. Disney is bringing Marvel's Iron Man 3 to theaters starting May 3rd this year.

New Kicks: Nike LeBron X “Man Of Steel” Custom

GourmetKickz brings DC Comics lore back to sneakers with the Nike LeBron X “Man of Steel” Custom. Earlier this year, he added Kal-El inspiration to a pair of Zoom Rookies, and now it’s time for the LeBron X to get a superhero makeover. Using a black base, the LeBron James signature sneaker features blue, red and Kryptonite tones to compliment the base. Also, the Kryptonite paneling glows in the dark to underscore Superman’s around the clock heroics. Finishing off the detailing is a hangtag that reads, “embrace weakness to gain strength,” which is something Clark Kent had to learn before becoming Superman. (SOURCE)

New Auto: Limited Edition Lamborghini Veneno

The Lamborghini Veneno was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, complete with its $3.9 million price tag and sold out limited run of three vehicles. As for the specs of the fastest, most powerful Lamborghini ever built, it features a 12-cylinder engine capable of reaching 220 miles per hour. If you love incredible performance, striking looks and exclusivity and have $3.9 million to spare, Lamborghini would have the perfect car for you — if it weren't already sold out.

The Lamborghini Veneno is so aggressively styled it runs the risk of giving small children nightmares, but luckily it is so incredibly fast that most people lucky enough to set eyes on one (production is strictly limited to three examples) will see nothing more than a streak of red, white or green light shooting past at a speed of close to 355kph (220 mph).

 

With the Veneno, Lamborghini has taken a thoroughbred race car and tamed it just enough for the road. That's why it's built almost entirely from carbon fiber and boasts a V12, 750 horespower powertrain and permanent four-wheel drive, and that's why it's called the ‘Veneno' -- Veneno was a legendary fighting bull whose reputation was built on the fact that it was one of the strongest and most aggressive in history.

 

The model making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show is grey, but the three production models will each be finished in one of the three colors of the Italian flag. They will retail for €3 million plus tax and Lamborghini claims it has already secured a buyer for every example. However the future of the display model, which carries the production number 0, is yet to be decided. Likewise, although the Italian supercar maker has guaranteed delivery of each production model before the end of the year, production won't start until further track-based testing has been completed.

New Tech: Apple’s iWatch May Debut This Year And Run iOS

Recent rumors have suggested that Apple is going to be releasing a smartwatch in the near future, but it may come sooner than you think. Today, Bloomberg reported that Apple’s watch will be released sometime this year. To boot, it appears that the device will be running on a modified version of iOS.

Originally, we thought the watch would be running on the iPod Nano software, but it appears that the Cupertino company is looking to release a device that users won’t have to charge for at least four days, a feature the current iPod Nano can’t claim. As of now, according to rumors, the mock-ups Apple has currently produced only have a two or three day lifespan.

An anonymous source told Bloomberg that Jony Ive, one of Apple’s top designers, is leading the project, and has some 100 engineers under him. Among the features it might have, we’re expecting it to be able to sync with iPhones and iPads, make and receive phone calls, and have a built-in GPS mapping app. As an added awesome bonus, the screen on the watch might be flexible, judging from language used on one of the patent applications Apple has filed.

The watch industry has been on the decline for years now as more and more people just get the time from their phone. But with increased functionality, smartphones could launch the comeback of the wristwatch.

The real trick, many believe, will be the style of the watch. Of the declining number of people that wear watches, many switch them up to fit the occasion. Fancy event? Bust out the high-end, nicer watch. A night on the town? Break out the edgier, design-y watch. The beauty with plopping an iPod Nano into a watchband has always been the versatility. So it will be interesting to see how Apple tackles this particular issue. (SOURCE)

 

New Video: Ghetto Baby Rants (Episode 2)

In this second episode meet the neighborhood sugar addict as he gets his time to shine and pulls out an interesting prop on stage that he found in his mama room. Proving why keeping your house clean is important when raising kids. New Episodes every other Friday here @looneybintv
 

New Trailer: Gimme The Loot (Independent Film)

Adam Leon's award-winning feature film "Gimme The Loot", takes place in and around New York City and Brooklyn/Queens. The indie drama stars newcomers Ty Hickson as Malcolm and Tashiana Washington as Sofia, two young "writers" from New York, in what is essentially a modern teenage love story. Gimme the Loot is written and directed by New York filmmaker Adam Leon, making his feature debut after the short “Killer" previously. It first premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in 2012 and also played the Cannes, Los Angeles and San Francisco Film Festivals. This was shot entirely in/around New York City and it’s being released in limited theaters on March 22nd.

New Kicks: Air Jordan 4 “Samurai” Custom

West Coast design meets Far East influence on the Air Jordan 4 “Samurai” Custom. El Cappy brings the Japanese warrior influence to one of the greatest sneakers to come from the Air Jordan line. This Air Jordan 4 is decorated with Japanese designs across the midsole and upper panel. One of the most notable decorations is the bushido mask on the back of the sneaker. (SOURCE)

 

New Tech: LG Optimus G Phone

Mobile World Congress may be the launchpad for the global version of the LG Optimus G Pro, but it feels like we already know it intimately. Though there were a lot of new LG devices on display, we couldn’t help but spend most of our time with the G Pro.

At the risk of stating the obvious, the Optimus G Pro is big, and every bit of its 5.5-inch screen is felt when you pick it up. It feels solid in the hand, and amazingly shaves about 20 grams off the weight of competing devices like the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and even the Nokia Lumia 920’s overall weight. The back has the same spangly finish as the Nexus 4, and looked great against the white chassis. There was no flex to worry about, although the buttons on the side are made of plastic and have an unpleasant, cheap click to them, not unlike most Samsung products.

 LG may have skimped a little with the buttons and building materials, but it certainly hasn’t done so with the screen, as its 1080p resolution looks fabulous. The demo videos were beautifully crisp and the 400ppi pixel density produces such detail and sharpness, it makes us want a similarly high-res display on every other mobile device we own.

LG’s new features are a mixed bag 

Android 4.1.2 is installed along with LG’s own user interface, although there isn’t much to separate it and Samsung’s TouchWiz, with the pair sharing similar icons, transitions, and animations. They’re not twins, but would certainly be considered close relatives. Like Samsung, LG uses custom apps baked into the OS to differentiate itself from others, some of which look useful and others bizarre.

On the helpful side we’ve got QMemo, which turns the screen into a notepad and you use your finger to trace out notes. The handwriting recognition is good, but it needs some concentration to “write” neatly, as jotting anything at speed results in massive, scrawled letters on the screen. QMemo can be accessed through the notification center, but it’s at its best when assigned to the QButton on the side of the device. This shortcut key means QMemo is a single, simple click away when on a call, a time when you’d you’re likely to need it most.

So, QMemo (and the QButton) are additions we could see ourselves using. (The Q button can be used as a shutter button, as well.) Dual Recording on the other hand, isn’t. It records a video using both front and rear cameras at the same time, with the forward-facing cam’s picture (containing your face) appearing in a little picture-in-picture box. Even LG struggled to give a good reason for its existence, saying it would be helpful in business meetings, but not elaborating any further. During playback, the extra window is distracting and detracts from what’s presumably the focus of the video – recorded using the rear camera – making Dual Recording feel like a feature produced purely because it could be done, rather than fulfilling a need.

The list of LG’s custom apps continues in a similar vein. A collaboration tool for sharing screens and content, the option to display three apps at the same time, and the now obligatory universal remote (named, you’ve guessed it, QRemote) are among the best ideas shown.

Huge phone, gorgeous screen

Like all tablet/smartphone hybrid hardware, the overriding impression of the Optimus G Pro is it’s size. LG has made a few concessions in the OS to compensate, such as the ability to shift the keyboard and dialer over by a centimeter or so to make one-handed use a more viable prospect; but the fact remains any mobile device with a screen this big won’t be for everyone. The daintily-handed could find it awkward (although this is hardly unique to the Optimus G Pro), and should try before buying. For all those already convinced this is the form-factor for them, the few missteps here aren’t enough to eclipse the gorgeous screen and LG’s mostly value-adding apps. (SOURCE)

New Auto: The McLaren P1

In a year that will surely see its fair share of celebration from McLaren thanks in part to 2013 marking its 50th Anniversary as highlighted here, the English carmaker rejoices in the release of official production photos for its highly anticipated P1 sportscar. Having first covered the coupe which was followed by an in action video that released just last month, McLaren provides imagery to what will be expected to hit showrooms later this year. Besides the new color, this P1 offers added carbon fiber air-vents on both corners of the front bumper, road tires and a tighter mesh for the rear end vent. McLaren has further announced that this model’s hybrid powertrain combines a mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor producing a system output of 903HP (916PS) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending power to the rear wheels.

New Video: Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake - Poetic Justice

New Trailer: Spring Breakers

In Spring Breakers, Brit (Ashley Benson), Candy (Vanessa Hudgens), Cotty (Rachel Korine) and Faith (Selena Gomez) have been best friends since grade school. They live together in a boring college dorm and are hungry for adventure. All they have to do is save enough money for spring break to get their shot at having some real fun. A serendipitous encounter with rapper "Alien" promises to provide the girls with all the thrill and excitement they could hope for. Harmony Korine (of low key indie films like Trash Humpers and Mister Lonely) wrote and directed Spring Breakers, which premiered at TIFF 2012 and the Venice Film Festival. A24 Pictures will be releasing Korine's Spring Breakers limited in NY and LA starting March 22nd this year.