Recently Brad Murphy, a self-proclaimed Star Wars fanboy, penned and directed this awesome Star Wars fan-film, featuring C-3PO and R2D2. The duo find themselves trapped when a group of Jawas decide to hijack an experimental Mon Calimari starship. It’s not quite on par with Star Wars: The Clone Wars, but that’s because it was pieced together in just three months by the recent graduating class of DAVES (Digital Arts and Visual Effect School). An impressive effort, all things considered — especially for a student film! I hope they all move on to successful careers in the industry.
Sadly, The Amazing Spider-Man doesn’t seem to be amazing enough for many critics and fans alike. True, not every reboot can be as successful as the last, but you can’t really blame Sony for trying. It’s been years since the last Tobey Maguire film and even I have to admit I was a little sick of the kid. Nevertheless, we’ve got ourselves a new Spidey, so we may as well learn to cope. The first step might be to picking Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man Augmented Reality App for your favorite iOS device — mind you, an iPhone 4, 4s, or iPad 2 on up, is required.
Next week, Lucasfilm LTD., Octagon and Nerdist Industries will be teaming up to host Course of the Force, a relay run benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Star Wars-themed race will take place over four days down the course of Southern California, starting on July 7th and finishing in San Diego on Wednesday July 11th, aka San Diego Comic-Con’s preview night. Each leg of the race will be capped off with special Star Wars events, parties, and live Nerdist broadcasts which can also be viewed remotely via YouTube or StarWars.com. To register for the event, visit the official website.
One of the artsier puzzle-based platformers to be released in recent years, Playdead’s Limbo, has finally received a physical release. Originally published as a digital-only release for Xbox Live! arcade, and later ported to steam, Limbo was met with critical acclaim and has since garnered quite a few awards while maintaining an impressive aggregate score of 90/100 on metacritic. While it’s not exactly a lengthy game, the praise its received might justify the hefty $25 price tag this physical edition carries. If that’s not enough, they’ve included a few extras to sweeten the deal. The set features a DRM-free copy of the game for both PC and Mac, a stand alone soundtrack, seven art cards, sticker, a free steam gift key and a pair of 3D glasses!
It’s been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over. Set for release this September, Indiana Jones: The Complete Adventuresdelivers all four Indy films in stunning high-definition for the very first time. Each film will feature full 1080p restorations, and new 5.1 DTS-HD audio tracks. They even restored Raiders of the Lost Ark using a 4k scan of the original negatives, so I’m sure it’ll look absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, the collection also includes Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, but as if to make up for that fact, Amazon has discounted the box set from its list price of $100 to just $75. Read more…
With San Diego Comic-Con just a week away, WETA Workshop, one of our favorite stops for Hollywood props & collectibles, is getting ready set up shop. If you’re a collector, you know how important it can be to plan ahead. This year, you can find their booth located at #3513B, next to Gentle Giant. In addition to having a much larger booth space this time around, Weta is once again planning to drain your wallet by offering a few exclusive deals. For a list of exclusive specials they’ve announced so far, hit the jump.
Like you’re even surprised — If you’re planning on going to San Diego Comic-Con International next month, you’ll want to save the date. Marvel will be holding its “Hall H Comic Con Panel” on Saturday, July 14th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The description for the event? “Marvel Studios presents Iron Man 3. Join Producer Kevin Feige and special guests as they provide an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.” So there you have it, mark your calenders and show up early. Read more…
It’s been awhile since we’ve touched on Apple’s on-going legal dispute with rival Samsung over alleged patent infringement. We last left off with Apple having lost its request for a preliminary injunction against Samsung’s sale of the Galaxy 10.1 Tablets here in the US, however it now seems as though Samsung simply delayed the inevitable. Just today, Judge Lucy Koh — the same Judge who initially denied the preliminary injunction — ruled in favor of Apple to halt the sales of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab 10.1 for violating the design patent after all.
There’s an unfortunate lack of decent Doctor Who t-shirts on the market, or at least, ones properly licensed from the BBC, but that’s been changing as of late. Starting July 11th, Her Universe will launch three new officially-licensed Doctor Who tees! As the name of the store implies, these shirts were designed exclusively for the ladies, so unless you’re looking to pick up a gift for that special someone, or happen to be fortunate (or, unfortunate) enough to fit the sizes, you guys may be out of luck. Read more…
Recently, Square Enix CEO Yoichi Wada caused a bit of controversy by openly admitting that the Final Fantasy franchise had failed to perform in recent years, having yet to top the seventh entry in the series — Final Fantasy VII. As Wada explained, it’s for this very reason that they’ve yet to remake it, despite countless requests from gamers. In truth, topping the game might be a bit much to ask. It came during a pivotal time in the industry. The game marked a change in physical mediums, and was the first Final Fantasy to feature 3D graphics. By virtue of those facts, the game will forever be credited as having broken new ground.
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 26, 2012 in Comic Books
Stan Lee plans on launching his upcoming YouTube channel World of Heroes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 12th. Well, technically it’s already launched — you can access the channel here — but the real content won’t show up until the channel has its official premiere event during the convention. There’s plenty of talent lined up for event, including names like author Peter David, actress Adrienne Curry, and more. If you’re one of the lucky fans who managed to snag passes this year, the event is taking place in Room 6BCF from 11:45 to 12:45 and includes a “lively discussion” about the channel with Stan Lee and the aforementioned guests. There will also be exclusive clips from some of the content they plan to post on the channel.
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 26, 2012 in Videogames
Here’s a look at the Dragon Quest X Wii bundle due out in Japan later this year. While it’ll likely remain a Japanese exclusive — especially with Nintendo’s Wii U on the horizon — I can’t help but feel we’re missing out. The box itself is quite gorgeous, featuring a slightly larger image of Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Quest X box art. The bundle itself comes complete with a copy of the game, a black Wii with a matching black Wiimote, Classic Controller Pro, a USB stick and to top it all off, a 10,000 yen prepaid Nintendo Points card. I suppose how badly we’re missing out still depends on how good the game turns out, but I have high hopes — even if it’s an MMO of sorts.
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 25, 2012 in Tech, Videogames
As a rule, I usually avoid game-oriented Kickstarter projects, but seeing as this is for an tangible product with some rather impressive applications, I figured it’d be worth mentioning. Introducing the Ringbow Controller — an attachable d-pad designed to interface with tablets and other touch-based devices. The Ringbow was designed specifically to give players accurate control without compromising the ability to touch the interface with your fingers. It just so happens that the controller would also enable developers to map the controls to whatever they way, be it an action, cursor, or event within their game or application. The only draw back being that developers would have to design their games specifically to interface with the device, or at least support it on some level for it to work. The project has a stated goal of $100,000, and is nearly half way there with a full 27 days to go. If you’re still interested in supporting it, a donation of $45 will snag you one of your own when they begin mass production.
Here’s our first good look at Lionsgate’s upcoming Judge Dredd reboot — though, I hesitate to use the term. Dredd 3D looks as though it’ll take on a more serious tone than the previous film, and I don’t think anyone could argue that the lack of Rob Schneider could possibly hurt it. However, as some fans have pointed out, the film’s plot seems awfully close to that of The Raid — the martial arts blockbuster Ben mentioned on our podcast the other week. Of course, The Raid is just over-the-top action with little substance in terms of plot, so that might be where Dredd has an edge. Just how much of one? We’ll have to wait until this fall to find out. Dredd 3D hits theaters September 21st.
It’s been awhile since I’ve seen any news surrounding a proposed fourth installment of Jurassic Park, so I thought it might be worth mentioning that the project might still be in the works. Word has itRise of the Planet of the Apes writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver have signed on to pen the sequel for Universal, and while I’m not sure how I felt about Rise of the Planet of the Apes, anything they write will probably be better than the mess that was Jurassic Park 3. However, seeing as they successfully revived the Planet of the Apes franchise — at least, enough to sell tickets — we should probably have a little faith that they can deliver a script worth filming. Of course, the project could still fall flat down the line. Sadly, it might be the closest thing anyone will get to a second season of Terranova, so keep your fingers crossed.
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 20, 2012 in Cinema, Fandom
I’m surprised it was still standing after all these years, but recently some fans took it upon themselves to raise the money necessary to restore the Lars Homestead — Luke’s home which he shared with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru in Episode IV A New Hope. It’s amazing to think what fans can accomplish when they set their mind to it. As you can see from the clip above, it wasn’t an easy task, but after battling with the blistering heat of the North African desert, they finally managed to finish the job on the igloo and as you can see from the end of the video and the photo below, they might have made it look too good. Given the harsh nature of the environment, that might not last for long, however. I’m just glad fans still exist who will be willing to preserve such a historic location. For more info, check out the project homepage here.
An official Japanese street date has been announced for the home video release of the Ace Attorney live-action film. From all of the trailers I’ve seen, the film looked pretty amazing, having accurately depicted the events as they occurred throughout the game, from the over-the-top costumes and special effects, to the ridiculous dialog and plot twists. Set for release on August 22nd, both the Blu-ray and DVD release will feature the full 135 minute film, audio commentary with both directors of the game and film. They’ve also included a bonus disc with promotional and behind-the-scenes footage. Unfortunately there probably won’t be any English subtitles on the discs, but at least you expect to see a version of the film fan-subbed within a month or two of the release, as that’s usually the case with films like this. Just do yourself a favor and buy a copy anyway. Read more…
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 19, 2012 in Videogames
There have been several titles I’ve had eyes on over the past few months, one of which is Arkane Studios’ upcoming steampunk action game, Dishonored. From the looks of things, the game plays like a cross between Deus Ex and Assassins Creed, but that being the case, you can imagine my surprise to learn that the game could be completed in just 12 hours. Of course, in order to do so, you have to ignore story elements, and rush from target to target. According to Arkane, the game can easily take twice as long if you actually stop to eavesdrop on your enemies conversations in order to flesh out the plot and immerse yourself in the story. Apparently there are also 40 unique charms throughout the game that give you small supernatural perks, however you can’t collect them all during a single play-through, so perhaps there’s some re-playability to be had there.
Earlier today, my wife was enjoying her latest obsession, NimbleBit’s Pocket Planes for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Similar to their previous free-to-play management sim Tiny Tower, you use bitizens to grow your business but rather than building floor after floor of shops, instead the game focuses on transporting passengers and cargo between destinations for income, allowing you to unlock more planes, and so forth. Any way, while she was playing through the game, she noticed that a piece of cargo she had to transport, labeled “Time Machine,” resembled a certain blue police box. Just to make sure she wasn’t crazy, we snapped a photo. Look familiar? Any way, I’m told the game is fun and addicting, though, I can’t imagine how. If time management sims are your sort of thing, check out the app for free and be mindful of the in app purchases, as you can easily rack up a hefty bill if you’re not careful!
Okay, so you’ve got yourself a shiny new MacBook, complete with its nifty retina display. If you’re like me, though, you’re probably the kind of person who would cherish it way too much to take it anywhere. I know, ironic considering it’s a laptop, and made specifically for its portability, but let’s be honest — it’s an expensive piece of hardware. So, that being the case, why wouldn’t you want to take extra special care of it? I know I would. One of my chief concerns — especially during these hot summer months — is heat. True, the MacBook is built with asymmetrical, low-noise fans that will kick on to help cool things off, but there’s no reason you can’t give those fans some room to breathe. That’s where the AirSlab comes in.
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 14, 2012 in Videogames
I’ve always had a soft spot for Tekken. I know it’s not everyone’s fighting game of choice, but the series has remained successful throughout the years due in large part to its dedicated fan-base, of which I consider myself a member. While I love the gameplay, and even some of the zany story elements, I’ll be the first to admit that that the plot can be incredibly confusing. Thankfully the upcoming Tekken Tag Tournament 2 won’t be adding to that. Instead, the game is considered non-cannon, allowing gamers to simply have fun with the Tekken universe. One of the modes to be included in the upcoming console release is the “Fight Lab Mode” — what’s that, you ask? Find out after the jump.
Although Steven Moffat’s remained rather tight-lipped about the upcoming season of Doctor Who, its been known that production on the latest episodes featuring Jenna-Louise Coleman has been underway. While we’re still at loss as to what to expect beyond the departure of Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill in the 5th episode of new series, these latest promo photos from the BBC gives us a small glimpse of what to expect. The Doctor has some sharp new threads and Coleman looks to be dressed in your everyday street clothes, so perhaps her character might not be too far from the norm. The TARDIS can also be seen in the background. A few more photos are available after the jump.
We’ve all been on the edge of our seats, hoping to catch a small glimpse of Bad Robot’s next Star Trek film at San Diego Comic-Con International. Although Prometheus butcher — yeah, I said it — and Star Trek 2 producer Damon Lindelof had stated that they hoped to have something to show us by SDCC, chances of that happening are now slim to none — the safe bet being none. According to various sources, and subsequently confirmed by TrekMovie, Abrams and company have decided to wait until they’ve polished their project a bit more before showing it off to fans. It’ll be interesting to see if they opt instead for a WonderCon panel next year, but who knows. Abrams could just want to keep things under wraps for the foreseeable future. Read more…
Posted by Tim Sheehy on Jun 13, 2012 in Videogames
Nintendo would like to remind us that the latest Culdcept game is headed to the 3DS in Japan with these new commercials. Unfortunately, like other the portable entries in the series, we’ll probably never see them released here in America. Seeing as it’s basically a cross between Magic the Gathering and Monopoly, you’d think everyone would want to get their hands on it. However, the last time someone took the time to localize a version, it failed to sell enough copies. Couple that with the sheer amount of text one would have to translate — it’s a card game and a board game in one, after all — and trying to find a publisher willing to take a chance on the series becomes impossible, despite the fact that it’s one of the best party games I’ve ever played. To put it simply, it’s the Arrested Development of video games. Don’t believe me? Check out the demo for the Xbox 360 version of the game.
