We get our first look at the full length trailer today and I’m still a bit torn on how I feel about this film. It seems very derivative of The Japanese film Battle Royale from just a cursory glance. I don’t know much about the back story but I’ll do my best to go into in with an open mind.
Synopsis
Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place for the latest match.
The internet is running wild with rumors regarding the IPad 3 and whether or not it will have glasses free 3d capability or not. Apparently developers have been working like mad to come up with content for the future release of the IPad and Hollywood producers are clamoring for more 3d content. This could very well be the death knell for the already much maligned Nintendo 3ds. Apple Releasing technology that not only plays games in glass free 3d as well as movies would certainly be a game changer for Nintendo and probably push them out of a market they probably weren’t well prepared to get into in the first place. From it’s release the Nintendo 3ds has been plagued with complaints of not only eye strain and technical problems with the games but a general lack of good content beyond the basic 3d gimmick. I would hope that Apple would be a little more prepared and do a little more testing on it’s 3d technology before releasing it to the general public to avoid such embarrassing issues.
After being taken down weeks ago to prevent furthur cyber attacks on it’s systems, Playstation Network is planning to return this week with an all new system full of new goodies as well as a few gifts to make it worth your while when you return. Personally I can’t wait to see what they have in store. Info below…
SOME PLAYSTATION®NETWORK AND QRIOCITY™ SERVICES TO BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK
Phased Global Rollout of Services to Begin Regionally;
System Security Enhanced to Provide Greater Protection of Personal Information
Tokyo, May 1, 2011 – Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI, the company) announced they will shortly begin a phased restoration by region of PlayStation®Network and Qriocity™ services, beginning with gaming, music and video services to be turned on. The company also announced both a series of immediate steps to enhance security across the network and a new customer appreciation program to thank its customers for their patience and loyalty.
Following a criminal cyber-attack on the company’s data-center located in San Diego, California, U.S.A., SNEI quickly turned off the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services, engaged multiple expert information security firms over the course of several days and conducted an extensive audit of the system. Since then, the company has implemented a variety of new security measures to provide greater protection of personal information. SNEI and its third-party experts have conducted extensive tests to verify the security strength of the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services. With these measures in place, SCE and SNEI plan to start a phased rollout by region of the services shortly. The initial phase of the rollout will include, but is not limited to, the following:
Restoration of Online game-play across the PlayStation®3 (PS3) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems
-This includes titles requiring online verification and downloaded games
Access to Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity for PS3/PSP for existing subscribers
Access to account management and password reset
Access to download un-expired Movie Rentals on PS3, PSP and MediaGo
PlayStation®Home
Friends List
Chat Functionality
Working closely with several outside security firms, the company has implemented significant security measures to further detect unauthorized activity and provide consumers with greater protection of their personal information. The company is also creating the position of Chief Information Security Officer, directly reporting to Shinji Hasejima, Chief Information Officer of Sony Corporation, to add a new position of expertise in and accountability for customer data protection and supplement existing information security personnel. The new security measures implemented include, but are not limited to, the following:
Added automated software monitoring and configuration management to help defend against new attacks
Enhanced levels of data protection and encryption
Enhanced ability to detect software intrusions within the network, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns
Implementation of additional firewalls
The company also expedited an already planned move of the system to a new data center in a different location that has been under construction and development for several months. In addition, PS3 will have a forced system software update that will require all registered PlayStation Network users to change their account passwords before being able to sign into the service. As an added layer of security, that password can only be changed on the same PS3 in which that account was activated, or through validated email confirmation, a critical step to help further protect customer data.
The company is conducting a thorough and on-going investigation and working with law enforcement to track down and prosecute those responsible for the illegal intrusion.
“This criminal act against our network had a significant impact not only on our consumers, but our entire industry. These illegal attacks obviously highlight the widespread problem with cyber-security. We take the security of our consumers’ information very seriously and are committed to helping our consumers protect their personal data. In addition, the organization has worked around the clock to bring these services back online, and are doing so only after we had verified increased levels of security across our networks,” said Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President, Sony Corporation. “Our global audience of PlayStation Network and Qriocity consumers was disrupted. We have learned lessons along the way about the valued relationship with our consumers, and to that end, we will be launching a customer appreciation program for registered consumers as a way of expressing our gratitude for their loyalty during this network downtime, as we work even harder to restore and regain their trust in us and our services.”
Complimentary Offering and “Welcome Back” Appreciation Program
While there is no evidence at this time that credit card data was taken, the company is committed to helping its customers protect their personal data and will provide a complimentary offering to assist users in enrolling in identity theft protection services and/or similar programs. The implementation will be at a local level and further details will be made available shortly in each region.
The company will also rollout the PlayStation Network and Qriocity “Welcome Back” program, to be offered worldwide, which will be tailored to specific markets to provide our consumers with a selection of service options and premium content as an expression of the company’s appreciation for their patience, support and continued loyalty.
Central components of the “Welcome Back” program will include:
Each territory will be offering selected PlayStation entertainment content for free download. Specific details of this content will be announced in each region soon.
All existing PlayStation Network customers will be provided with 30 days free membership in the PlayStation Plus premium service. Current members of PlayStation Plus will receive 30 days free service.
Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity subscribers (in countries where the service is available) will receive 30 days free service.
Additional “Welcome Back” entertainment and service offerings will be rolled out over the coming weeks as the company returns the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services to the quality standard users have grown to enjoy and strive to exceed those exceptions.
SNEI will continue to reinforce and verify security for transactions before resuming the PlayStation®Store and other Qriocity operations, scheduled for this month.
For more information about the PlayStation Network and Qriocity services intrusion and restoration, please visit http://blog.us.playstation.com. or http://blog.eu.playstation.com/
About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $78 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/
About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes and markets the PlayStation® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) system. PlayStation has revolutionized home entertainment by introducing advanced 3D graphic processing, and PlayStation 2 further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games, with high-quality full-motion video, and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3 is an advanced computer system, incorporating the state-of-the-art Cell processor with super computer like power. SCEI, along with its subsidiary divisions Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and Sony Computer Entertainment Korea Inc. develops, publishes, markets and distributes software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI is an independent business unit of the Sony Group.
This week on Noob Radio Richard and Christian discuss all the weeks tv, video game, comic and movie news including Quentin Tarantino’s next movie venture, a look at 3 great comics from ComicBreak.com as well as an in depth interview with Chris Roberson, writer of IZombie, Superman-Grounded, Cinderella-Fables are Forever as well as many more comics and books. All this and much, much more on this weeks episode of Noob Radio…
Intro:
Talk about Geek Weekend, Lots of screenings coming up (meaning lots more work)
Quick Hits
Sponsored by: Provenance Media
Movie News:
Kobe Bryant is, “The Black Mamba”. Directed by Robert Rodriguez.
Have you seen it? Apparently Rodriguez shot this short during all star weekend.
Quentin Tarantino May Be Prepping a Spaghetti Western:
f it wasn’t already clear by the way he’s employed Ennio Morricone music in several of his films, Quentin Tarantino loves himself some spaghetti westerns. Now, though, it appears he’ll be mounting one himself: Actor Franco Nero revealed that he’ll be costarring in Quentin Tarantino’s next film, said to be a tribute to Sergio Leone, and AICN confirmed the rumor and added Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds breakout Christoph Waltz to the cast. The site says it’ll shoot later this year in Italy and Spain, and as the In Memoriam tribute at last night’s Oscars reminded us, this will be Tarantino’s first project without longtime editor and collaborator Sally Menke, who died last year.
TV News:
This Is Your Dancing With the Stars Lineup:
WWF wrestler Chris Jericho, Disney star Chelsea Kane, along with original Karate Kid Ralph Macchio and boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard, are all slated to compete. Also on the bill: model Petra Nemcova; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward; Playboy model and reality star Kendra Wilkinson; rapper Romeo (formerly Lil’ Romeo); talk-show host and smoked–Slim Jim innovator Wendy Williams; and somebody named Mike Catherwood. But we’re most anticipating Kirstie Alley’s turn on the dance floor.
Video Game News:
Devil May Cry Movie Adaptation In The Works! Did you ever play it?
New Battlefield 3 Trailer released… Did you see it? Whould you play it?
Comic Break
Sponsored by ComicBreak.com
Incredible Hulks #623
Written by GREG PAK [Soft Break]Pencis & Cover by DALE EAGLEHAM
The Hulk has never been welcome in the civilized world. What better place for the savage Hulks than the Savage Land? Get ready for PLANET SAVAGE as Hulk and Skaar invade the prehistoric paradise of Ka-Zar, Lord of the Hidden Jungle. Featuring the showstopping pencils of superstar Dale Eaglesham and the return of a deadly frenemy the Hulk should never have forgotten.
Special POINT ONE issue! START READING with this Point One issue to learn the new meaning for great power and great responsibility! Witness the birth of a new Spider-Man in the start of a brand-new story arc!
Bonded to the dangerous and powerful Venom symbiote, this new webslinger is showing Peter Parker up in the hero department! Plus, who will Spider-Man turn to in his darkest hour? Believe us, it’s not who you think!
Written by JASON AARON [Soft Break]Penciled by DANIEL ACUNA [Soft Break]Cover by JAE LEE
Once again, a mindless Wolverine is raging out control, a danger to everyone around him. But this time Cyclops is ready. He’s always feared this day would come again, and he’s ready and willing to do whatever it takes to end Wolverine’s rampage once and for all.?He’s even brought along a few friends to help him: Magneto and Namor. Don’t miss Part One of the action-packed new arc,?’Wolverine vs. The X-Men.’
Chris Roberson grew up near Dallas, Texas, and attended the University of Texas, Austin. Graduating with a degree in English literature and a minor in history, he held a variety of jobs – including seven years as a product support engineer for Dell computers – before quitting his job in 2003 to launch small press MonkeyBrain Books.
He cites his upbringing in the seventies and eighties, as his major inspiration, since science fiction was particular commonplace in America at that time, saying:
“Everything from Saturday-morning cartoons to comic books to late-night B-movies to pulp novel reprints to blockbuster summer movies–it was all science fiction, in one form or another.”[1]
After college, he has suggested that he leaned towards becoming a more literary, post-modernist writer, even writing a couple of novels to that end, which he adamant will never see the light of day, after realising that he simply “wasn’t depressed enough for that line of work”.[1] In his twenties, he wrote a couple of mystery novels, seeing them as a commercial venture, but found himself skirting around turning them into ‘genre’ titles, falling between the two camps of mystery and science fiction, and interesting publishers of neither. Ultimately he settled on writing science fiction, saying:
“My brain tends to work along the lines of science fiction tropes. Whenever I run into an odd little bit of trivia, some obscure historical fact or odd scientific principle, I can’t help but start thinking of ways I could use it in a story.”[1]
His writings have received positive reviews from Locus Magazine, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Asimov’s Science Fiction, The New York Review of Science Fiction, Infinity Plus and RevolutionSF.[1] He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife (Allison Baker) and their young daughter, Georgia.[2]
Clockwork Storybook
Main article: Clockwork Storybook
From 1998 to 2002, Roberson was part of writer’s collective Clockwork Storybook, alongside noted comics author Bill Willingham (Fables), Matthew Sturges (co-writing with Willingham of Jack of Fables) and Mark Finn (Robert E. Howard scholar and playwright).
Starting as a writing group, CWSB became an online monthly anthology, and then a publishing imprint of the same name. Roberson produced four novels under CWSB, as the collective attempted to capitalise on the Print On Demand revolution. This ultimately fell through, and the four went their separate ways.
Two (to date) of Roberson’s CWSB books have been subsequently expanded and reprinted. Any Time At All (Sep, 2002) became Here, There & Everywhere (Pyr, 2005)(Right.), and Set The Seas On Fire (Dec, 2001) was expanded for its April, 2007 release by Solaris. Voices of Thunder (Feb, 2001) has been revised to become Book Of Secrets for upcoming publication by Angry Robot in August, 2009.
Post-Clockwork works
Focusing, after the demise of Clockwork Storybook, on his writing, Roberson sold a short story (his first professional sale) to Roc anthology Live Without a Net, under the editorship of Lou Anders. It was published in 2003, and paved the way for future sales to Asimov’s Science Fiction and other anthologies. In 2004, Anders, (by now considered by Roberson “something of a personal patron”) by now an editorial director at Prometheus Books’ new SF imprint Pyr, bought an expanded version of one of Roberson’s CWSB books Any Time At All, which was published in 2005 as Here, There & Everywhere.(Right.)
In 2003, having “discovered.. in the few years of helping run the CWSB imprint, that [he] really enjoyed being a publisher,” Roberson started up his own imprint. Partly this move was inspired by the dissolution of CWSB, and Roberson having discovered a few projects by writers that he had wanted to bring out under that banner. He decided, however, that MonkeyBrain Books would deal exclusively in “traditional offset trade-paperbacks and hardcovers,” distributed internationally, rather than printed on demand.[3]
He has also contributed several stories to the annual Tales of the Shadowmen anthologies.
MonkeyBrain
Main article: MonkeyBrain Books
Since 2003, he is the publisher (along with his business partner and spouse Allison Baker) of MonkeyBrain Books, an independent publishing house naturally based in Austin, Texas, which specialises in genre fiction and nonfiction genre studies.
In November, 2005, Roberson edited the first volume in a projected annual series of Adventure anthologies, comprising “original fiction in the spirit of early twentieth-century pulp fiction magazines” across the genres, featuring contributions from (among others) Lou Anders, Paul Di Filippo, Mark Finn, Michael Moorcock and Kim Newman. (Many of which featured authors would become MonkeyBrain stalwarts.)[4]
Comics
In July 2008, at the Comic-Con International in San Diego, it was announced that Roberson will be working on a comic book miniseries set in the universe of the DC/Vertigo series Fables, created by fellow-former-Clockwork Storybook author Bill Willingham.[5]
Roberson’s miniseries is titled Cinderella: From Fabletown With Love, and described by the author as featuring “spies, sex, and shoes.”[5] Illustrated by Shawn McManus and released in late 2009 / early 2010, it “answer(s) the question of what happened to Cinderella’s fairy godmother.”[5] Roberson has been selected by DC Comics to finish the Grounded story arc in the Superman monthly title. [6] [7]
Awards and nominations
He has been a finalist for the World Fantasy Award three times – once each for writing (2004), publishing (2006), and editing (2006). (For Adventure Vol. 1, left.) On two occasions he has been a finalist for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. He won the Sidewise Award for Alternate History Long Form in 2009 for The Dragon’s Nine Sons. He has also been nominated twice for the Sidewise Award for Alternate History Short Form, which he won in 2004 with his story “O One”.
His novel Paragaea was included in Waterstone’s Top Ten SF list for 2006.[8]
Bibliography
Roberson has written several novels and short stories, and self-published (with the Clockwork Storybook team) some of them himself.
Clockwork Storybook Offline, Volume I: Mythology by Roberson, with Finn, Sturges & Willingham
Clockwork Storybook Offline, Volume II: The Goblin Market by Roberson, with Finn, Sturges & Willingham
Voices of Thunder (Clockwork Storybook, February 2001)
Book of Secrets – expanded reprint of Voices of Thunder (Angry Robot, August 2009)
The Clockwork Reader Volume 1 by Clockwork Storybook (Clockwork Storybook November 2001)
Set the Seas on Fire (Clockwork Storybook, December 2001)
Set the Seas on Fire – greatly exanded and reprinted (Solaris, 2007)
Cybermancy Incorporated (Clockwork Storybook, December 2001) (with a cover by Michael Lark)
Any Time at All: The Lives and Time of Roxanne Bonaventure (Clockwork Storybook, September 2002) (with a cover by John Picacio)
Here, There & Everywhere – greatly expanded reprint of Any Time At All (Pyr, April 2005) (with a similar cover by John Picacio)
“O One” in Live Without a Net(Right.) by Lou Anders (ed.) (Roc, 2003)
“So Far From Us in All Ways” in The Many Faces of Van Helsing by Jeanne Cavelos (ed.) (Ace, April 2004)
Shark Boy and Lava Girl Adventures: Book 1 (in collaboration with Robert Rodriguez) (Troublemaker Publishing, May 2005)
Shark Boy and Lava Girl Adventures: Book 2 (in collaboration with Robert Rodriguez) (Troublemaker Publishing, May 2005)
Adventure Vol. 1 (ed.) (MonkeyBrain Books, November 2005)
“Contagion” in FutureShocks by Lou Anders (ed.) (Roc, 2006)
“Eventide” in Forbidden Planets by Peter Crowther (ed.) (DAW Books, 2006)
Paragaea: A Planetary Romance (Pyr, May 2006)
The Voyage of Night Shining White (PS Publishing, 2006)
X-Men: The Return (Pocket Books, May 2007) (with a cover by John Picacio)
The Dragon’s Nine Sons (Solaris, 2008)
End of the Century (Pyr, 2008)
Iron Jaw and Hummingbird (Viking, 2008)
“Death on the Crosstime Express” in Sideways in Crime by Lou Anders (ed.) (Solaris, 2008)
Star Trek: Myriad Universes: Brave New World (Pocket Books, 2008)
Roberson has also written short stories for such magazines as Asimov’s Science Fiction, Postscripts, Black October, Fantastic Metropolis, RevolutionSF, Twilight Tales, Opi8, Alien Skin, Electric Velocipede, Subterranean and Lone Star Stories.
He is preparing a series aimed at the Young Adult audience, entitled Celestial Empire, with the first collection subtitled Fire Star.
He is editor of the Adventure anthology series, first published by MonkeyBrain in November, 2005.
Roberson is also writing books for Black Library publishing; Dawn of War II, published March 2009, and Sons of Dorn, coming out in 2010.
In a bit of a surprise choice, Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced yesterday that Henry Cavill has been picked for the much sought after role of Superman.
The film will be directed by Zack Snyder, who stated, “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”
Targeted for release in December 2012, the new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.
I’ve never personally seen any of his previous work but I have been told by a few people that his work on the Showtime Networks “Tudors” was excellent and that in the past he had come close to landing several other huge roles including James Bond, as well as Batman but ultimately fell short. I personally liked Brandon Routh and would have enjoyed seeing him come back but when has Hollywood ever done the smart thing? Good luck Mr. Cavill, you have a big cape to fill…
Exciting news for ps3 owners who own a 3d tv, with the VUDU video subscription service you can now stream 3d stereoscopic movies on your playstation 3. They’ve started with a slow roll out including Chicken Little and Bolt, but also include several 3d trailers to try out the techonlogy. This is the first video streaming service I’ve heard of to stream 3d over the internet so it sounds exciting for any one interested in picking up a 3d tv in the near future. glasses and tv not included with VUDU service…
This week on thenoobnews.com podcast Richard and Christian are joined in the studio by Mario Pena to discuss Hollywood bringing Godzilla to the big screen, the top selling comics of 2010, as well as all the big movies they’re looking forward to in 2011. All this and much much more on this episode of thenoobnews!
intro
The guys discuss christmas gifts recieved as well as new years resolutions.
Quick hits…
movie news..
gareth edwards, director of Monsters to bring godzilla to the big screen,
TV News…
Lifetime’s original movie “The Craigslist Killer” slaughtered in the ratings Monday, marking the fifth most-watched movie premiere ever on the womens cable channel.
some great life time movie titles
‘I Me Wed”
Crimes of Passion
She Woke Pregnant
Touching Wild Horses
Mother Trucker: The Diana Kilmury Story
Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy
To Be Fat Like Me
A Fare to Remember
Co-ed Call Girl
My Stepson, My Lover
‘Mother, May I Sleep With Danger
Baby Monitor: Sound of Fear
Video Game News…
Nintendo Warns Against Possible 3DS Eye Damage, children under 6 shouldn’t play and adults shouldn’t play longer than 30 minutes,
comic news…
top ten comics of 2010
1. Wanted #2
2. Kick-Ass #1
3. Wanted #3
4. The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye
5. Wanted #4
6. Wanted #5
7. Wanted #6
8. Kick-Ass #2
9. The Walking Dead Vol. 2: Miles Behind Us
10. Kick-Ass #3
The Main Event…
Top 10 Grossing Movies of 2010
1Toy Story 3 – $415,004,880 ($110,307,189)
2Alice in Wonderland (2010) – $334,191,110 ($116,101,023)
3Iron Man 2 – $312,128,345 ($128,122,480)
4The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – $300,531,751 ($64,832,191)
5Inception – $292,525,041 ($62,785,337)
6Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – $272,972,000 ($125,017,372)
7Despicable Me – $250,791,650 ($56,397,125)
8Shrek Forever After – $238,395,990 ($70,838,207)
9How to Train Your Dragon – $217,581,231 ($43,732,319)
10The Karate Kid – $176,591,618 ($55,665,805)
what movies are you looking forward to in 2011?
The First Avenger: Captain America
Cars 2
Kung Fu Panda 2.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II
The Hobbit
The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Transformers 3
The Lone Ranger
The Man Who Killed Don Quixote
What’s in your Netflix cue…
hitman hart, wrestling with shadows
Every little bit of promo for this movie gets me more and more excited for 2011. Anyone who can’t get onboard with Sean of the Dead on a road trip movie with a stoner E.T. has no place in my universe. Here’s the awesome international poster to hold you over til March 18, 2011.
Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) reunite for the comedy adventure Paul as two sci-fi geeks whose pilgrimage takes them to America’s UFO heartland. While there, they accidentally meet an alien who brings them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever. For the past 60 years, an alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) has been hanging out at a top-secret military base. For reasons unknown, the space-traveling smart ass decides to escape the compound and hop on the first vehicle out of town-a rented RV containing Earthlings Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost). Chased by federal agents and the fanatical father of a young woman that they accidentally kidnap, Graeme and Clive hatch a fumbling escape plan to return Paul to his mother ship. And as two nerds struggle to help, one little green man might just take his fellow outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes…
This Week on thenoobnews.com podcast Richard and Christian discuss the impending death of Indiana Jones, the Playstation Networks huge Tuesday demo drop, as well as a their favorite movies, games, tv shows and comics. All this and much much more on this episode of the noob news.
Here’s the rundown for this weeks episode…
intro
xmas chat
best christmas gift ever recieved
Christians Favorite gift
Richard’s Favorite Gift
This Weeks Podcast giveaway…
Be the first person to answer this weeks question and you’ll receive an autographed poster and dvd copy of the movie “The Battle”.
Listen to the Podcast for the question and answer and be the first person to email us here info@thenoobnews.com to win!
Kevin Smith hates the press but apparently loves the interwebz cause that’s where he dropped an early teaser for his latest flick “RED STATE”. We’ve discussed on the podcast over the last few months our general feelings regarding this film and his approach to distribution and marketing of it and this trailer doesn’t really change any feelings I have for what he’s trying to do. Smith lists the Weinsteins in the credits (Harvey Boys) so I’m assuming he’s got distribution so we may not be treated to the public spectacle of a post screening auction like he promised but as long as it gets out there I guess that’s really all that matters. The trailer looks interesting, lots of action, creepy looking small town folk, and lots of random gun fire. We’ll see how it all comes together in March when it is slated for release.
This week on thenoobnews.com podcast Richard, Christian, and Mario discuss John Favreau leaving Iron Man 3, The big winners from the Spike TV Video Game Awards, and have an in depth discussion with the creators of the animated series, Scottish Ninjas. All this and much much more on this episode of thenoobnews.
Here’s the rundown for this weeks show…
intro and show news…
xmas chat, the big day’s only 10 days away, what’s on your list to santa?
It’s the end of the fall tv season, what are we looking forward to seeing come January?
film…
John Favreau not returning to Iron man 3? Sounds like trouble in paradise…
Games…
Spike TV video game awards held last weekend, Here are the big winners
GAME OF THE YEAR
Red Dead Redemption (Rockstar Games / Rockstar San Diego) BEST XBOX 360 GAME
Mass Effect 2 (Electronic Arts / BioWare) BEST PS3 GAME
God of War III (Sony Computer Entertainment / SCE Studios Santa Monica) BEST Wii GAME
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Nintendo / Nintendo) BEST PC GAME
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (Blizzard Entertainment / Blizzard Entertainment) BEST HANDHELD GAME
God of War: Ghost of Sparta (Sony Computer Entertainment / Ready At Dawn Studios) BEST INDIVIDUAL SPORTS GAME
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 (Electronic Arts / EA Tiburon) BEST TEAM SPORTS GAME
NBA 2K11 (2K Sports / Visual Concepts) BEST DRIVING GAME
Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (Electronic Arts / Criterion Games) BEST PERFORMANCE BY A HUMAN MALE
Neil Patrick Harris as Peter Parker / Amazing Spider-Man (Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions / Activision) BEST DLC
Red Dead Redemption – Undead Nightmare (Rockstar Games / Rockstar San Diego)
The trailer forTerrence Malick’s long awaited film The Tree of Life is finally here, via Apple. While the trailer has been attached to copies of Black Swan in limited release, this is the first time an official high def version of the trailer has been made available online. The beautiful trailer doesn’t give us much of an idea of the story just yet, but the imagery and poetry of youth, growth and life is enough to get me excited. Featuring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and a breakout performance from Jessica Chastain, this drama looks like it’ll be well worth the long wait.
Watch the first official trailer for Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life:
You can also watch The Tree of Life trailer in High Definition over on Apple
From Terrence Malick, the acclaimed director of such classic films as Badlands, Days of Heaven andThe Thin Red Line, The Tree of Life is the impressionistic story of a Midwestern family in the 50′s. It follows the life journey of eldest son Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years (Penn) as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father. Jack, as an adult, finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking out answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. Through Malick’s images we see how both brute nature and spiritual grace shape not only our lives as individuals and families, but all life. Fox Searchlight is bringing The Tree of Life to theaters on May 27th.
There’s big movement on Snow White and the Huntsman,Universal’s take on the suddenly hot fairy tale, which is the subject of several competing movie projects.
The studio, clearly angling to beat Relativity’s version, is in talks with Charlize Theron to play the evil queen and is having conversations with Michael Fassbender’s reps to take on the titular huntsman.
But who will nab the starring role of Snow White?
The studio initially thought of going with name actresses in that age bracket, making entreaties toward Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Saoirse Ronan, but is nowleaning toward going with a relative unknown and is holding screen tests in the next few days to find its leading lady. The stakes are high because, similar to Disney’s recent Alice in Wonderland adaptation, there will be stars in key roles, but the main pillar is going to be whoever ends up as the orphaned girl on the run.
Sources caution that depending on how the tests go, the studio can still reverse course and continue reaching out a bigger name. But for now, the actresses who have made Universal’s shortlist are:
– Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley and daughter of Lisa-Marie Presley. She made her film debut playing Marie Currie in The Runaways and recently wrapped a vampire flick with Kylie Minogue titled Jack & Diane.
– Felicity Jones, an English actress currently seen as Miranda in Julie Taymor’sThe Tempest. She also played Margot Frank in BBC’s 2009 miniseries The Diary of Anne Frank.
– Bella Heathcoat, whose major credit is the Australian soap opera Neighbours.
– Alicia Vikander, a Swedish actress with mostly TV work under her hood.
[Pictured clockwise from top left: Keough, Jones, Heathcoat and Vikander.]
Apart from Keough, who is tethered to WME, none of the girls is known to have American representation. So get to it, agents and managers!
Summit’s “Twilight Saga: Eclipse” was the No. 2 best-selling disc.
Warner Home Video’s Inception flew off retail shelves its first week in stores, displacing Summit Entertainment’s Eclipse as the top-selling disc for the week ending Dec. 12.
DreamWorks/Paramount’s Shrek Forever After, meanwhile, topped Home Media Magazine’s rental chart for the week, largely due to high demand at Redbox and Netflix. Paramount is one of the only studios that doesn’t impose a rental window on its new releases for the two rental services, which together generate nearly 60% of all rental transactions.
Shrek Forever After debuted at No. 3 on the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart, right behind the third Twilight movie.
Walt Disney Studios’ Toy Story 3 remains a steady holiday season seller, holding on to its No. 4 position on the sales chart in its sixth week of release.
On Nielsen VideoScan’s dedicated Blu-ray Disc sales chart, Inception scored an easy victory, with 65% of its unit sales coming from the high-def disc. In its second week of release, Eclipsedropped down a notch to No. 2, but it only sold 30% as many Blu-ray Discs as Inception.
Inception debuted at a lowly No. 14 on the rental chart, which isn’t surprising, given that the title is only available at brick-and-mortar retailers its first month of release. At both Blockbuster and independent video rental stores belonging to the IDEA group, Inception was No. 1.
Sarah Palin, Nicki Minaj also made the list, as did Mel Gibson, who ended up in the “Hall of Shame.”
Oscar winner Sandra Bullock was singled out from a headline-making crowd of notables that included everyone from James Franco andNatalie Portman to the Chilean minors and tops People‘s list of the 25 most intriguing people of 2010, reports Reuters. The magazine’s special issue hits stands Friday with the star of The Blind Side on its cover.
People‘s honor as Woman of the Year tops a rocky few months for Bullock, who won an Oscar in March, which was overshadowed a week later by the tabloid-baiting travails of her ex-husband Jesse James‘ reported infidelities. In August, Forbes listed the 46-year-old star of The Proposal as the highest paid actress in Hollywood.
Among the other talent that made the list are rapper Nicki Minaj and Sarah Palin, who was named the “Big Gun” of 2010.
Actor Mel Gibson made the list, too, under People‘s celebrity marriage coverage’s “Hall of Shame.”
“X-Men Arcade”, the classic KONAMI sidescroller, is back, available for download today on a number of consoles including PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. From the official press release:
X-Men Arcade brings the fun and excitement of the hit arcade game to Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, as players can engage in multiplayer action both locally and online. Up to six players are supported locally on the PlayStation Network version and up to four on Xbox LIVE Arcade, while online drop-in multiplayer allows anyone to join the battle with a total of as many as six players on either system at any time. The game also integrates high-definition heads-up displays, menus and local/online leaderboards to track statistics and scores.Meanwhile, the additionally included Japanese version of the game features power-ups and energy drops not seen in the harder American version, as well as Japanese subtitles at the lower half of the game screen.
Custom Match Mode allows players to set the number of players, as well as difficulty and the beginning level. Meanwhile, Create Match Mode establishes the player as host and adds the ability for complete veto power over the match.
X-Men Arcade is now available on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 MSPTS and on the PlayStation Network for $9.99. To download new screen shots and for more information on the game, please visit:http://www.konami.com/games/xmen
Comparing Iron Man 2 to the original, many people were left wondering, “What happened?” The answer, according to an exclusive scoop sent to ComicBookMovies,com’s SciFi Media Zone, may offer up an explanation for Jon Favreau not directing Iron Man 3 that has less to do with salary and more to do with an alleged rift with star Robert Downey, Jr.
“What happened is that on the first one they sort threw the script out and kind of improvised the whole thing and they stuck a landing,” says the source, a prolific member of the Hollywood community whose identity can’t be revealed, but who’s about as credible as they come. “They stuck the landing and it turned out to be a good movie. Then the attitude was, ‘Let’s do it again.’ The problem is that if you do it once, you’re lucky. Trying to do it twice, your odds of success aren’t that great. Robert Downey Jr. and the director, Jon Favreau, their friendship broke up over that whole mess of the second movie. Did you notice they didn’t do press together?”
The question, of course, is why they had this falling out. “Because the movie sucked, and I think Robert Downey, Jr. blamed Jon Favreau. That’s why Downey dropped out of Cowboys and Aliens, because he didn’t want to work with Jon Favreau again. Also, by the way, it’s why Jon Favreau dropped out of The Avengers. I thought the odds of him directing Iron Man 3 were slim, and that proved right.“
Warner Bros have finally set a release date for the sequel to Clash of the Titans which will see the return of Sam Worthington as Perseus and Liam Neeson as Zeus…
Little is known about the sequel right now, although Jonathan Liebesman (Battle: Los Angeles) has signed on to direct with cast members Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes all returning to reprise their respective roles.
Despite this lack of info (not surprising as the movie is currently undergoing its tenth rewrite according to star Liam Neeson in a recent interview) we now have a release date set. And that is:
March 30th, 2012
Dan Mazeau and David Johnson are working alongside Green Lantern writer Greg Berlanti on the script, so it’ll hopefully be an improvement on the first film, while various reports suggest that Warner Bros intend to shoot the film in 3D this time, after drawing criticism for the poor quality conversion of the first movie. Will you be giving them a second chance by checking out this sequel? Be sure to share your thoughts in the usual place!
