Month: February 2013

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Trailer: Into the White

Into the White tells the story of a group of British and German bomber squads forced to live and work together by circumstance and weather during World War 2. Let’s take a look.

First thought: I really hope that Rupert Grint is amazing in this. Daniel Radcliffe is branching out and Emma Watson is achieving some acclaim so it would be nice to see them all doing well.

Second thought, this looks like it might be entertaining but a bit predictable. That’s not necessarily a bad thing –look at Avatar, if you couldn’t see every plot point coming there then you probably weren’t paying attention but it was still a hell of movie– but it doesn’t exactly bode well either.

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Awesome: Bungie’s Destiny Will Be Revealed Sunday

Destiny

We’ve been hearing tidbits about Destiny for a long time. It’s the first thing that Bungie has done since spinning off and leaving Halo is others hands and needless to say I –and every other gamer on the planet– am pretty excited to see what they’ve come up with.

They’ve kept a pretty tight lid on things, but they’ve [announced via facebook](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=398946153534028&set=a.398946146867362.88374.356414807787163&type=1) that we’ll start getting info this coming Sunday, 17th of February.

You can pretty much pick your poison for finding out, Bungie has set up Destiny [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/Bungie), [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Bungie), [Google+](https://plus.google.com/+bungie), [YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/user/Bungie) as well as a [new section on their forums](http://www.bungie.net/en-US/View/community/Forum/Topics?tg=%23destiny0).

Anyone else crazy excited???

[source: [polygon](http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/12/3981140/bungies-destiny-reveal-coming-feb-17)]

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Trailer: Monsters University

Monsters University

I was about to write that it’s not that often that Pixar revisits material, but then I remembered Toy Story 2 and 3, and now Monsters University.

A lot of people I know still count _Monsters Inc_ as their favourite Pixar film but I am not one of them (it comes in th middle of the pack for myself, with _Up!_ and _The Incredibles_ alternately at the top of the list). One of the things I really did like about it though was how self contained of a film it is. There’s really no room to make a sequel to it.

So they went ahead a prequel. I’d love to say I’m excited but to be honest I’m kind of worried. Prequels so rarely work out in my mind because I never feel like I need to know the back story, and often the back stories that are produced are nowhere near as cool as I’d imagined them to be.

Still, this is Pixar so it’s definitely worth giving them the benefit of the doubt. Are you excited for Monsters University?

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Trailer: Jack the Giant Slayer

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER

Apologies for the lack of posting folks, real life happened a bit this week. Should be back up to speed by Saturday or so.

In the meantime, Jack the Giant Slayer got a new trailer.

Originally this was scheduled for last year. It certainly looks prettier than the original trailer but this one does a far worse job of selling me on the idea that it might actually be a good movie.

What do you guys think?

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Trailer: L’Ecume Des Jours/Mood Indigo is something you need to see

Mood Indigo

Remember how blown away you were by the look and feel of _Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind_ the first time you saw it? Michel Gondry certainly has a style to his own and it looks like he’s about to blow us away again. Here’s the trailer for L’Ecume Des Jours, his latest film (otherwise known as Mood Indigo):

So, another romance set in another crazy dreamscape of a world. I’m totally down for this. I love Gondry’s style and it doesn’t hurt that Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris and Omar Sy, each of them are amazing, are starring.

And just read the synopsis of the novel it’s based on. It’s like it was written for Gondry:

> Colin is a wealthy young man with a resourceful and stylish man-servant, Nicolas, as well as a fantastic olfactory-musical invention: the pianocktail. With dizzying speed, Colin meets and weds Chloé in a grand ceremony. Generously, Colin bequeaths a quarter of his fortune to his friends Chick and Alise so they too may marry.

> Happiness should await both couples but Chloé falls ill upon her honeymoon with a water lily in the lung, a painful and rare condition that can only be treated by surrounding her with flowers.

Long story short, this looks like it might be the best Gondry film in a while and I can’t freaking wait.

[source: [slashfilm](http://www.slashfilm.com/mood-indigo-trailer-michel-gondry-unveils-another-dreamy-romance/)]

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Trailer: Big Ass Spider!

Big Ass Spider

Check this out.

Am I the only one that thinks this movie looks like it might be kind of amazing? Not high art, but a great throwback to the “giant insect” type B-Movies of the past. _Snakes on a Plane_ amazing, if you will.

Here’s the official synopsis:

> An exterminator (Greg Grunberg) and his sidekick (Lombardo Boyar) are caught in an epic battle when a military assault fails to contain a giant alien spider rampaging through the city of Los Angeles.

Looks ridiculous. Where do I sign?

[source: [slashfilm](http://www.slashfilm.com/big-ass-spider-trailer-sxsw-midnight-entry-delivers-exactly-what-it-promises/)]

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Awesome: Please Let Today’s Star Wars Rumour Be True

Oh, man. There seems to be a new Star Wars rumour every day – this week alone has suggested origin movies for Han Solo and Yoda – but today’s is so good that I’m just praying that this one turns out to be true.

An Australian radio show is quoting a reliable source that insists the main baddie in JJ Abrams’ new Star Wars will definitely be…John Noble, AKA Walter Bishop from Fringe.

This guy
This guy

If you’ve seen him as the evil alternate Walter or his character in *Lord Of The Rings* then you’ll know how deliciously evil he can be without turning his character into a pantomime stereotype. Exactly what Episode VII needs. So, while I’m pretty sure that 99.999% of all the current *Star Wars* rumours will prove to be completely false, I’m hoping against hope that this one happens.

*Via [io9](http://io9.com/5982377/could-fringes-john-noble-really-be-playing-the-villain-of-star-wars-episode-vii?utm_source=kotaku.com&utm_medium=recirculation&utm_campaign=recirculation0)*

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Awesome: A Look at How The Steam Box Will Redefine Consoles

Valve

[T.C. Sottek Writing for The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/6/3958162/valve-steam-box-cake):

> Valve is trying to build a game console that you haven’t seen before: something that brings the PC (the big thing sitting on your desk) and the traditional console (the little thing sitting under your TV) together into a single device. A device that will run Valve’s Steam platform: the biggest digital game distribution service on the market, with upwards of 50 million users. (By comparison, Xbox Live has somewhere around 40 million subscribers.) But what does that really mean?

> […]

> Based on what Valve has told us, its Steam box will — like a console — be something small and quiet that you can fit near your television while you kick back on the couch with a wireless controller. Like a PC, it will let you buy and download your games as many times as you want without needing any discs, and choose from a vast library of free game customizations. The Steam Box will also include a few unique twists, like controllers that can passively sense your feelings (biometrics), and wireless technology that can connect the console to several rooms and screens in your house at the same time.

> Valve is shopping for the right ingredients — the features, parts, and partners — to make the Steam Box a reality. But why would a software company like Valve, known for its game-making chops, want to bake its own consoles and controllers? Let’s look back at 2012 to find out.

It’s a long article so be sure to get comfy before you sit down to read, but do sit down to read because it’s a nice rundown of everything that seems to be going on.

I, for one, can’t wait for this thing.

[source: [the verge](http://www.theverge.com/2013/2/6/3958162/valve-steam-box-cake)]

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Trailer: Fast and Furious 6 Extended Trailer is Kind of Awesome

Fast and Furious 6

We saw the first trailer during the Super Bowl and now there’s an extended version.

I’m looking forward to this movie. Like I’ve said before the 4th and 5th entries in this series were both good, with Fast Five being the best in the series so far if you ask me. This looks like it’s going to tie up all the loose ends from the story so far and bring (almost) every character into the action. Luke Evans appears to be a bit of a stereotype “ex special forces bad guy” but as long as he has the charisma there’s nothing wrong with that in a movie like this.

And let’s face it, some of the stuff they do with the cars is pretty freaking sweet.

If I have any complaints they’d be that at 3 minutes 20 seconds this trailer doesn’t really leave me wanting a lot more. I’m worried that I’ve basically seen the whole movie now (which wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened) and also I kind of wish they’d stuck with one system for naming the movies so that this one would be called _6 Fast 6 Furious_.

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Awesome: Monty Python to (mostly) Reunite for SciFi Film with Robin Williams

Monty Python

From [Variety](http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118049265/):

> Members of Monty Python’s Flying Circus are reteaming for “Absolutely Anything,” a sci-fi farce combining CGI and live action, with Terry Jones to direct and Mike Medavoy to produce.

> Plans are for filming to begin in the U.K. this spring, with the Pythons voicing key roles as a a group of aliens who endow an earthling with the power to do “absolutely anything” to see what a mess he’ll make of things — which is precisely what happens. There’s also a talking dog named Dennis who seems to understand more about the mayhem that ensues than anyone else does. Robin Williams will voice the character.

> “It’s not a Monty Python picture, but it certainly has that sensibility,” Jones told Variety.

Not all the Pythons are on board of course. Eric Idle is yet to sign on and Graham Chapman is, you know, dead. Still even if it’s not a Python film proper it’ll be amazing to see them… wait, hear them. It’ll be amazing to hear them all back together again.

The addition of Robin Williams will be an interesting one as well, his rather manic style may fit in either perfectly or terribly. My question is will they cast Eddie Izzard in any roles?

Either way, this should hopefully be something to look forward to.

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Awesome: Chris Pratt Cast as Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy

20130205-164855.jpg

Holy crap Chris Pratt has been cast as Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy. From [Deadline](http://m.deadline.com/2013/02/chris-pratt-getting-guardians-of-the-galaxy-lead/):

> After a long search, Marvel Studios has found its lead for its next big superhero franchise, the James Gunn-directed Guardians Of The Galaxy. I hear the role will go to Chris Pratt, the Moneyball star who bulked up and played one of the hero Navy SEALs in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty. The role is Star-Lord, the Guardians leader who is the offspring of a human mother and an alien father. A puffier Pratt plays Andy Dwyer on the NBC series Parks And Recreation. He certainly has the charisma to hold the screen.

This is most definitely good news. Chris Pratt is one of the best parts of Parks and Rec, and he has been a great supporting player in Moneyball, Zero Dark Thirty and everything else I’ve seen him in. He’s got the bulk and badassery cred from ZDT as well as the comic timing so I think this is going to work out well. In fact he might be a perfect fit for James Gunn’s style.

Plus the big rumour is that Iron Man will head into space at some point during Iron Man 3 and potentially meet the guardians, so maybe we’ll get to see him this summer instead of waiting for next.

Sweet.

[via: [badass digest](http://badassdigest.com/2013/02/05/chris-pratt-is-the-lead-in-guardians-of-the-galaxy)]

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Watch Disney Animated Short “Paperman”

Paperman

Paperman is a Disney Animation short film that came out in theatres with Wreck It Ralph back in the fall. Now they’ve released it online for free, and here it is thanks to [Disney Animation Studios](http://www.youtube.com/disneyanimation):

What a great, sweet little film. The basic story is that a man meets a woman on his morning commute but they are separated before they can speak. He then notices her in the office across the street from his and spends the day trying to get her attention.

Trying to get the attention of the object of your affection is a situation that most of us have been in, but this is a pretty cute take. There’s no dialogue but everything is communicated gorgeously through body language and actions.

The mix of 2D and 3D animation techniques means that the whole things just flat out looks gorgeous too.

Paperman already won the Annie Award for best animated short and it’s nominated for an Oscar in the same category.

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Awesome: Ouya to be Available at Retail in June for 99$ USD

20130205-004442.jpg

Good news everyone! Ouya, the Kickstarter backed android powered hackers delight game console, is going to be sold at retail staring this June. So far the list includes Best Buy, Target, GameStop and Amazon. It’ll be 99$ and 49$ for an extra controller. The controller, in case you’re not aware, includes a touchpad in addition to analogue sticks, buttons and d-pad, which is pretty cool (although given the Android OS makes total sense).

Kickstarter backers and preorders will be fulfilled sooner (and preorders open up this week), so if you want to get one early there’s your chance.

There’s a lot to be said about the Ouya. Cheap and easy to mod and develop for, like I said above its a hackers delight. I think my favourite thing from the article is this quote though:

> **WSJ: What’s to stop other developers for using the controllers for other devices, like Apple TV?**

> UHRMAN: We are okay with that. One of the promises of being open is you can use what we build for other things. But you can create accessories and peripherals for our device as well. At the end of the day, it makes our ecosystem richer.

No matter what you think you gotta admit that’s a pretty refreshing outlook after dealing with companies like Microsoft and Sony and Apple.

[source: [the Wall Street journal](http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2013/02/05/ouya-finds-a-friend-with-amazon/) via [polygon](http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/5/3953788/ouya-to-sell-on-amazon-gamestop-target-and-best-buy-for-99-99-pre)]

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Trailer: Under the Dome Teaser

20130204-232239.jpg

So apparently CBS is making a series out of Stephen Kings “Under the Dome”. Here’s the Super Bowl teaser which shows exactly nothing. Well, it shows a link to a website but other than that if you’ve seen the book cover before then you’ve seen this trailer. Pretty much literally.

Not really sure what to say here other than “[Simpson’s Already Did It](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpsons_Already_Did_It)”.

[Read more about it on Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Dome_(TV_series)).

[source: [deadline](http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/super-bowl-tv-spot-under-the-dome/)]

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Awesome: “Star Citizen” Spaceships Are So, So Shiny

Hot *damn*. Ever since I read an article about specialist [Lego spaceships](http://kotaku.com/5901269/my-favourite-spaceships-in-the-world-arent-in-games-or-movies-but-lego/gallery/1) on Kotaku, I’ve been increasingly drawn to fantastic spacecraft art. And now, also on Kotaku, is a [collection of ship designs by Kemp Remillard]( http://kotaku.com/5981685/badass-90s-starfighter-design-lives-on) for the upcoming *Star Citizen* – and they’re all fantastic. A few of the cutaways are already calling for the print-and-frame treatment:

Spaceships

 

 

*Star Citizen* is the latest game by Chris Roberts, designer of Wing Commander, a game that Matt [rather likes](https://awesomefriday.ca/2013/01/awesome-classics-wing-commander-1990/). Hopefully the game will be as spectacular as the ships and the space trading simulation genre will get a much-needed shot in the arm.