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In 2005, the BBC relaunched it’s time-honored series ‘Doctor Who’ in grand style. Christopher Eccleston took the role of the ninth Doctor, and Billie Piper gave all the fans a cheer as Rose Tyler, becoming one of the most iconic companions ever!

The new series first year also brought us a new look to the TARDIS, and some amazing stories!

Then, much to the audience’s surprise, Eccleston was replaced in the next season by David Tennant.

Tennant Very quickly, however, Tennant became one of the most enduring actors to fill the Timelord’s shoes. The second season now had the perfect mix of Doctor and companion.

Alas, Billie Piper departed at the end, and for the next two seasons, the Doctor traveled with 2 other companions, Martha Jones and Donna Noble, both good in their own way, but none with the spark of Rose.

Finally, the Doctor traveled alone, and began to lose his way….

In 2009 two things happened. David Tennant decided to give up the role of the Doctor, and the production crew of Doctor Who decided to turn over the reigns to a new staff.

This became the springboard to series 5, with Matt Smith taking over as the youngest actor to portray the Doctor, Karen Gillan creating the role of Amy Pond, and a new TARDIS!

Lunched on Easter weekend, the first episode ‘The Eleventh Hour’ also debuted a new title theme. The Doctor, newly regenerated, is thrust into chaos, as the TARDIS is falling apart, and hurdling toward London. Still in his infancy, he tries to help a little girl with a monstrous problem in her bedroom. As he figures out who he is, and the TARDIS heals itself, the Doctor saves humanity again for the millionth time, thank you very much!

From the first episode it is apparent that the series has, indeed regenerated. The TARDIS, and the Doctor, have a younger yet more wizened feel to them. Amy could very well be the next great companion.

Either way, it’s going to be one wild ride with a madman in a box!

Well, I just have NO energy to beat down Farmville today– because I’ve been too busy playing Superhero City!

Facebook’s place for superhero hi jinx, and no farming. A super hero sim with ’3D animated battles’, which is a BIT of a stretch. The fighting is pretty comic book-ish, and you have no control over the fight itself. You build and arm your hero, with missions, practice fighting, and a good ol-fashioned job.

The facebook game Superhero City has a few things that make it stand out from other games. The battles actually unfold in front of you. Seeing both of your stats, and, if out gunned, hoping for that lucky strike that gives you the advantage, is pretty exiting. Of course, if you have a short attention span, there is the ‘Skip to End of Battle’ button.

There is a real finesse to becoming a good hero as well. I see so many people who have steroided themselves up, by bulking up their attack and defense stats. They are the ones you fight in the arena. Easy to spot, as they have a LOT more losses than wins.

Like any of these online games, there are pitfalls to avoid. Paying actual money for increases may be the fast way, but it sure isn’t a good idea. If you cannot get merit points for free, and you have your fingers on the credit card, it’s time to walk away.

But the thing I really like about this game is the LACK of social interaction. Unlike YoVille, no one is going to come visiting my apartment. It would do them no good to do so, since I’m never there. Between my job and my saving the city, there is no time for a relaxing evening on the sofa.

Aside from having a few friends who have joined me, I don’t share my adventures. I just keep fighting and winning and taking home a paychecl.

So, all-in-all, it isn’t about what this game is… it’s about what it can be!

Electronic Arts has hinted that at least one of the gaming behemoth’s titles is headed to Facebook.

An anonymous source says this does mean that there will be a Facebook version of “Madden NFL”, and that it will be a “simpler experience” of the original game.

It is easy to see that, if this takes off, more of EA’s titles could get a Facebook presence. And why not? FARMVILLE is really just a version of THE SIMS. As anyone into Facebook is aware, some of their most level headed friends have fallen victim to this cyber-growing game!

Late last year EA acquired PLAYFISH, one of the BIG manufacturers of social games for the Facebook platform, for about $300 million. It became the first of the gaming industry’s titans to really acknowledge the muscle of social games, and now it has a stellar Facebook game development team in its ranks.

One can only guess as to the games to come! SIMCITY MAFIA? SPOREVILLE? YOVILLE CLUE? Game on!

Midway through the second quarter of Superbowl XLIV, an ad for Dockers announced that if you logged on, you could get a free pair of pants.

As I was sitting at my laptop anyway, I typed in the URL. I expected a wait, and there was. It took me about 10 minutes to get to the site.

First blow- it’s a contest. You enter to win a pair. Well, not that I was too surprised, so OK, I’ll enter.

Second blow- You can enter for free pants, but unless you go and sign up (separately) for other offers, you have to pay for shipping.

For the actual contest, I had to give my name, e-mail address, gender and zip code. And here comes the CAPTIA….

Third blow and FAIL! I entered all info, clicked submit, and….. nothing! I try again, and… It tells me the page is not available, come back later!

So, did Dockers know that the Superbowl is watched by MILLIONS of people? Apparently not. Nor did they realize a lot of us are gonna be near a laptop or internet equipped device!

I hope they are happy with the millions of hits to their domain. I, for one, am not a fan of a triple dupe!

Is it REALLY that damn bad in Hollywood right now?

Universal Pictures announced it is making a movie based on Hasbro toys ‘Stretch Armstrong’! For some reason, Universal is under the impression Stretch is a Superhero, like Superman.

They are further deluded into thinking that Twighlight actor Taylor Lautner is the right choice to play the part. In the past two years, Taylor has emerged as a real star at the global box office. This future Cineturd is bound to shoot that career into oblivion.

The 3-D film will be released in 2012… oh! I see! It’s in 3-D!

Yeah, now that it is the way to go, expect all manner of 3-D crappola to be thrust out the anus of Hollywood. At least the Razzie awards will have many awards to hand out in the next few years.

I sure cannot wait for Smell-O-Vision to make it’s glorious comeback…

Oh, and by the way, Hollywood is also working to destroy another Hasbro game. Hancock Director Peter Berg’s “Battleship,” is due for a hellish birth on May 25, 2012 – Memorial Day weekend.

The Nintendo Wii has done what no other game system has done before. It has helped tens of millions of gamers get into shape.

Now, the New England Journal of Medicine has published an article stating it may be ushering in a new wave of gaming-related injuries.

“Wiitis” as it’s called, is the new wave in game injury, taking it’s place along side of “Nintendo thumb” or Nintendinitis, a form of repetitive strain injury first noticed in heavy gamers over ten years ago. The Wii’s innovative control systems are causing injuries all over their bodies.

Falling off the Wii Balance Board seems to be the main cause of injury. Though the board is only a few inches from the ground, a mishap can still lead to anything from soft-tissue damage to broken bones. Injuries can also result from playing Wii games in confined spaces, and getting hit with a non-restrained controller.

However, the Wii’s emphasis on active gaming clearly encourages the otherwise sedentary to get up off the couch and get moving. The Wii is aiding in the fight against obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Considering the injuries that one could sustain from bicycling, Kayaking or a walk in the park, I think the risks using a Wii are acceptable.

Who does not remember that fun movie, with Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliot and Captain K’nuckles hisself, Brian Doyle-Murray?

Remember how Weatherman Phil, who kept trying to die and end the vicious cycle, at one point attempted to kill the Groundhog Phil along with himself? (Hmmm… they are both named Phil…)

Anyhoo, it did not work. Why? Was it because the Groundhog was a robot?

Well, if good ol’ PETA as their way, that might be the case!

The animal rights group wants the Groundhog Replaced With a Robot. Yes, it’s true… are you really surprised?

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued a statement, coincidinng with Groundhog’s Day, asking that Punxsutawney Phil be replaced by an animatronic groundhog for future celebrations.

Now, at first I dismissed this, as it is PETA. They have overdone it so much over the years, I think most people just laugh them off now. But perhaps this is what they wanted!

Maybe they have been building for this moment. Think about it. Replace one of the world’s most famous animals with a robot. And not just famous, a harbinger of climatic change! Controlling such an icon could be just what PETA needs to bring us to our collective knees!

Once the robot Phil (the rodent, not the weatherman… hmmm… rodents and weathermen…) Sorry! I was digressing! PETA could then hack into the system controlling the Groundhog, and make it impossible for winter to end!

After that, they would hold us all for ransom! It would be either do what PETA says, or have no summer at all! This plot was ingenious, but thankfully we here at DORKAZINE were clever enough to see through it!

Now, we just need to beat them to the punch, take control of Punxsutawney Phil, and end world winter forever!

EPIC WIN! PETA P’WNED!

Last week Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, who brought us the Universally popular LEGO STAR WARS, LEGO BATMAN and… AND LEGO INIANA JONES are gonna do it again! That’s right gamers! LEGO HARRY POTTER: YEARS 1-4 is on it’s way!

The game will focus on the early years, following Harry, Ron and Hermione, as well as other characters from the series. Gamers will be afforded a chance to attend classes at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as well as engage in other wizardly activities such as casting spells, mixing potions, and flying on broomsticks! Maybe even have a go at Quidditch!

Of course, it’s a LEGO video game, so searching for gold and treasures will, of course, be part of the journey! Earning parts to some bonus is always a fun sideline in this fun series.

The game will be available fr PS3, XBox 360, Wii, DS and the PC. You will have the pick of over 100 characters, including Hagrid’s dog Fang!

Hogwarts is the biggest environment the game franchise has ever tackled. Scheduled for a May release, I cannot wait! especially since this will be my first LEGO game to play on my Wii! Oh, to be a Beta tester…

Apple has generated a lot of chatter with its newest innovation. But it may not be quite the conversation it wanted.

As people waited in anticipation on Wednesday, Apple unveiled the iDork, a cyber hero for the 21st century. He’s a combination of genetic mutation, cloning, and good ol’ android tech.

Many women are saying the name evokes awkward associations with specific adult acts. People from Boston to Ireland are complaining that “iDork,” in their regional brogue, sounds almost indistinguishable from “iDirk,” their beloved show about a lifeguard at Loch Ness, starring Dirk Benedict.

Apple made the announcement in a stunning show with an amazing flash developing animation video of the hero’s new theme song. Rap group Green Brothers says the theme sounds a lot like ‘If You Believe’ a song on their 2009 Soulsville record.

So, now the most hyped and anticipated product of the new year has been presented by Steve Jobs, showing off the new Apple iDork’s 6 Million Dollar bionic skeletal structure. One thing is for sure- the future of spandex will never be the same… at least until the unveiling of Google Eyes ocular implants for men, with x-ray vision.

It was the perfect prank– until it FAILED!

Olathe High school girls’ basketball coach Joel Branstrom was told he’d win tickets to the Final Four if he hit a half-court shot while blindfolded. All in the gymnasium were in on the punk, prepared to scream wildly when his attempt inevitably failed. This way, you see, the coach would think the shot went in. For an instant
he would think he was Final-Four-bound, and then the joke would be revealed.

Well, muhahahaha to those pranksters- He made it.

Not only is this Kansas High School coach a much-loved guy, he was also a walk-on for the University of Kansas basketball team in 1997. That Kansas team was ranked No. 1 headed into the NCAA tournament but lost one game short of the Final Four.

Coach Branstrom took the joke in stride. He said he thought something was up, waiting for a pie in the face moment. He figured the crowd would cheer after any shot he attempted. He didn’t believe that it actually went in until a good bit afterwards.

Yahoo news reported that he received a gift certificate from a Mexican restaurant from students who felt guilty about setting up the prank. However, local residents have since chipped in, and now he and his family are going to the Final Four Tourney.

That’s AWESOME baby!

Last weekend I finally signed up for Netflix. Soon after, a friend suggested I watch a movie on their instant queue called ‘The Gamers: Dorkness Rising’. The premise sounded good, so I gave it 105 minutes of my time.

Now, this was a 2008 straight to video movie, but I feel compelled to give you my review of it.

First, the premise- Kevin Lodge wants his gaming group to finish their D&D adventure, but they’re more interested in seducing barmaids, mooning their enemies, and setting random villagers on fire. Desperate to rein in his players, Lodge adds two characters into the mix: a non-player character controlled by Lodge, and a newbie, and, as the press reads, ‘the rarest gamer of all — a girl!’

The movie itself was pretty clunky. It missed on the opportunity to have the newbie girl bring order to the chaos. The DM tries to micromanage his world, and despite advice to let it unfold naturally, he adds a character of his own, to try and guide his players. The girl, Joanna, is the ex-girlfriend of Cass, a rulebook know-it-all who is determined to beat this quest, despite being horribly inept. The seeds are sewn for her to usurp Cass, as she comes to the table with a character she created. Much to the surprise of the other gamers, her fighter is successful. However, her character never seems to deliver. Eventually the crew does finish the quest, but the ending is quite unsatisfying.

There are some good bits to this movie though, especially for gamers. One is where the character of the bard keeps getting killed, and replaced by a stack of replacement bards his gamer created. For this, it gives one a good aspect of how surreal the playing of D&D is.

A good editor could easily have made this a more flowing adventure, albeit a much shorter movie. If you have a Netflix account, or can find this for rent somewhere, it has it’s moments.