Category Archives: Daily Updates

Why The Next Xbox’s Always On Feature Is No Big Deal

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By Joseph K. Saulnier

(Site is being restored and updated after a security hack, please excuse the mess)

Rumors are swirling about Microsoft’s next generation console, but none bigger and more controversial than the “always on” issue.  Though, it is not a rumor at this point, as we all saw with Microsoft Studios Creative Director Adam Orth’s twitter post from last Thursday.  In case you missed it, Orth sent out some tweets basically announcing that the next generation Xbox was going to have an “always on’ requirement, as in always online.  This sent the internet in an uproar, citing people to tweet him and bash him, and (in Orth’s words) cause so much drama.  But is he wrong in what he said?

Now, don’t get me wrong.  The guy didn’t handle it in the best of ways.  He could have done it with more grace, or not even started the whole thing at all.  I have a feeling he knows this now as his tweets are now private.  But really, why is “always on” so bad.  I have to agree with Orth when he said (paraphrasing) that in this day and age pretty much every device is connected to the internet.  It’s the world we live in now.  We are heading towards the reality of Total Recall, Gamer and even Blade Runner.  The Xbox is just taking one of the first steps in that direction.

People can argue and say that I am in an area that is connected location living in Seattle, that the smaller towns in the country have more issues.  But in reality, this could be blown way out of proportion.  In truth, internet access is more available than ever before with more and more expansion of the major distributors.  And yes. It sometimes goes down.  It does everywhere, even in big cities like Seattle.  But hey, there are power outages every now and then too.  But nobody’s is up in arms about a battery pack being available (connected or preinstalled) for the situations when the power is out.

I am not saying “deal with it” like Orth did.  I am just saying that people may be overreacting without being a little reasonable.  People cite issues like those seen with Diablo III and SimCity, but then they forget about all of the shining examples of where it works.  World of Warcraft, Everquest, Star Wars: The Old Republic and any other MMO you can think of.  Yes, they have server issues every now and then, and they only focus on one game, but they are massive games and can’t be overlooked.

Not to mention that this is Microsoft we’re talking about.  While they have had hiccups over the years, there was also a lot of controversy when Xbox Live was introduced.  But look at the success they have had in pioneering and perfecting the online social aspect of gaming in consoles.  Everyone forgets this and has little faith in the company and their decision despite their success, and their willingness to atone when mistakes are made.

And here begin the attacks that it’s not Microsoft that people are upset with, that the worry is about troublesome internet connections.  But let’s remember.  All we have is the tweet of one man who didn’t even directly say that the next gen Xbox will have the “always on” feature.  Microsoft has not confirmed anything.  And to another point, how many times have we seem something “officially” announced that changed before launch date, which is still a long way off.  I think we will just have to wait and see what is announced at E3 this year.  I know the current rumor is something will be announced on May 21, but again… rumors

Updates Are In The Works

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Hello,

 

Just wanted to update you that we had a site hack and are in the process of doing some restorations and site updates. The main thing we have left is restoring the images and that will be coming. We have tons of articles, interviews, and other content in the que ready to go as well as our Cinemacon 2013 coverage and much more.

 

 

Gareth

Editor

Skewed and Reviewed

Wondercon 2013

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Story by Albert Valenzuela & Ricardo Valencia, all photos by Albert Valenzuela

This weekend’s Wondercon was a great success at the Anaheim Convention Center. Sold-Out all three days, geeks, cosplayers, movie buffs, and anime characters of all kinds reveled in the perfect 70 degree weather.

Other than the long lines on Saturday, everything seemed to run perfectly including the food trucks that lined the convention center entrance.

Many of the attendees dressed in their best zombie, anime & Star Wars costumes, which worked out in the beautiful weather and nicely air conditioned convention halls. All were looking except for one dirty looking Wookie that could have used a good washing next door at Splash Mountain.

Not many ”giveaways” as expected, at all, but there was a fleet of Pacific Rim ”army girls” handing out 3 pack trading cards. Sadly no fava beans or glasses of Chianti during the Hannibal screening that was way ”sold out”.

Those that were lucky enough to see the super extended Evil Dead trailer were not disappointed, gore gore galore, who knew Suburgatory’s Jane Levy could me such a screamer! Quick suggestion, dont eat dinner before seeing this movie.

There was not a big presence of ”movie booths” handing out premium posters and such, but the Pacific Rim army girls were there Saturday handing out 3 packs of trading cards.

The big award goes to Universal Pictures for bringing the full scale, life-size Bubbleship from Oblivion, the pod-like ship Tom Cruise flies around in the upcoming IMAX science fiction adventure.

Director Joe Kosinski even made a brief appearance early Saturday morning, before going back to work to do some final editing!

Overall, all seemed to have a great time the entire weekend, including the hundreds of vendors that were busy the entire time, including an hour past the 5pm closing on
Sunday afternoon., but sadly, no appearance by a zombie or Jedi Easter Bunny.

One suggestion if you’re going to the much larger San Diego Comic Con later this year, plenty of Red Bull for all the miles you’ll be running around trying to make all the panels and trying to see all the different costumed attendees.

What The New Call of Duty Gaming Engine May Allow And What We Want To See

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During the 2013 game developers conference in San Francisco, Activision raise some eyebrows with their impressive looking graphics that are part of a new rendering engine for the Call of Duty series. Naturally details of when gamers might see the new engine in action were not forthcoming but speculation has it that the next Call of Duty game might be exclusively for the PC and next-generation gaming consoles. If this is correct not only would this be a fantastic achievement, but could breathe fresh life into the franchise. I recently wrote about the difficulty of having multiple developers working to ensure a new game every fall. While some jaded gamers have insisted that taking some time off might be the best thing for the franchise, financial responsibility would dictate otherwise especially when the most recent game generated $1 billion in revenue in just 15 days for the company.

Developing and implementing a new engine is not only a costly undertaking but it can be potentially filled with issues and delays. I have first-hand experience with a gaming engine that was the basis for three games that never provided the functionality and stability that the designers had envisioned which in turn resulted in the end of two popular franchises as well as the developer and publisher. Now admittedly this is the worst-case scenario but there is security in going with the tried-and-true rather than taking chances with and incurring the costs of a new engine development.

If the new graphics are any indication that a new engine is coming, then Activision is to be credited for being able to keep the series moving along while at the same time listening to the demands of gamers for bigger and better things for the franchise. Despite record sales, some people have bashed recent entries into the series claiming that they did not offer anything that new and were essentially reissuing the same game annually just for some new maps and weapons. Why do not agree with this sentiment I do understand that for some gamers change in the series is needed is I myself found the multiplayer element far more compelling than any part of the story campaign in the most recent release, Black Ops 2.

So aside from better looking graphics and facial animations what would I like to see from a new gaming engine? For starters, I would love to see the ability to include more players in an online game. Imagine if team sizes can be increased to 16 or more to truly build an epic team or even squad for some challenge-based missions or co-op play.

I would also like to see the return of vehicles in the series is outside of World at War, the ability to use vehicles and online play has been sadly absent from the series in my opinion. I’m not saying that they should go the full Battlefield route, but being able to bring in jets, helicopters, tanks, and other vehicles would definitely bring a new wrinkle into both the solo and multiplayer modes.

Another thing that I would love to see is an enhancement to the physics of the game. Imagine a more open world map where I can dispatch enemies by collateral damage or knocking them off buildings. This is been done to a limited extent in past games but being able to have a more sandbox approach could be just the thing. I’d also love to see a flamethrower added to the weapons options again and having fire travel over various surfaces to take out an enemy could be highly satisfying.

Of course the settings can also now become deeper and more involved. Jungles can now be teeming with dangerous animals and other dangers. The players pin down might be able to even things out by taking down various trees and using the falling logs to inflict damage upon the enemy. There is also the twisted idea of strapping explosives to a fallen comrade, animal, or landmark to set a trap that will make the enemy think twice about encountering you again.

The final thing for me would be a greater degree of character customization online. I would like to easily be able to upload and customize artwork and logos as well as unique uniforms and skins for my character. The game is always been highly customizable so wouldn’t it be great to be able to upload a photo of yourself to be digitally re-created as your online player?

Well nothing has been finalized bead on showing new facial animations and rendering the possibilities are endless and I for one am really looking forward to seeing what the future of the series holds especially with the new abilities that the next generation consoles, graphic cards, and processors, will allow.

Are Armchair Directors The Modern Movie Watcher/Critics

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By Joseph Saulnier

Everybody’s a critic these days. It seems like no one can just enjoy a movie these days. Everyone has these ridiculously high standards and thoughts in their mind of what a movie should be. Whatever happened to just enjoying a film because it is entertaining. Instead, you take movies that are meant to be just that (entertaining) and essentially shun them because there was too many references to “this”, and not enough mention of “that”.

Armchair Directors is what I call them. These people who have no jobs, no ambitions, no lives… but they think they can critique a movie and call it bad when they have no idea what it took to make what they put out there. Now… don’t get me wrong. I do not believe that every movies is good. I know there are some bad (sometimes very bad) movies out there, and nothing can justify why it was made and released. But it’s these self-proclaimed Buddhist, naturalist, commie bastards who think just because they have a large blu-ray collection it makes them the end all, be all, final say in what the official opinion of a film should be. Hey buddy, why don’t you take that some of that focus and effort and put it towards your own life so that you can better yourself, instead of trying to pull every one down with you. Now, I know this is a broad generalization, but I am only dishing out the same sort of criticism that they give about everything and everyone on a daily basis.

Also, I know this sounds kind of pointless and hypocritical coming from me. I am a professional critic. I get paid (in a sense) to watch movies and give my opinion about it on a world-wide level. I am supposed to be objective, and I am. It’s just frustrating to see movies held to such a high standard these days. Because let’s be honest, there are many hits from yesteryear that would not stand the test of the film Nazis (it’s about time someone called a spade a garden tool) of today. Do you honestly think films like Clerks, Month Python and the Holy Grail, Spaceballs, Masters of the Universe, Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, or Army of Darkness would survive the armchair directors of today?

So why is then that films like G.I. Joe: Retaliation or It’s A Good Day to Die Hard are getting such flack in this day and age? In the case of G.I. Joe I have heard that it doesn’t follow the source material close enough. So what? Why should it? It’s a different medium. Why regurgitate the same story line from a comic book or cartoon, when you can introduce something new and different. Something that will surprise every viewer. “It killed my childhood.” “It ruined the fond memories I had of growing up watching the cartoon.” These are just two statements I have heard about G.I. Joe retaliation. First, I am sorry to hear that your life can be affected so much by a movie. It seems like you might have some more serious, deeper rooted issues you need to work out if a 90 minute film can “kill your childhood.”

Second, why are you expecting anything more from an action movie than just that… action? I didn’t go into either G.I. Joe or Die Hard expecting anything but implausible action scenes where I have to put my grasp of “can this really happen” aside, and just appreciate that the damn movie was entertaining. It’s a Good Day to Die Hard followed the same formula that the original did. It put an ordinary man in an impossible situation and he reacted as 99% of the rest of us wouldn’t. People revere the first Die Hard as this great film and the new one should be ashamed to be part of the franchise. Again, I ask why? While some of the action may have gotten away from that every man aspect of the first one, it still is doing just what an action movie is supposed to do. Put a bunch of explosions, some fight scenes and some gun fire in a jar… mix it all up and voila, entertaining movie.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has arguably made some of the greatest action films of the last 30 years or so. Conan, Terminator, Commando, True Lies… All movies that are considered to be great (by most). But have you actually watched them recently. Many people quote lines from them, but have they actually sat and watched them all the way through. Try it. Try watching the movie as if it were something coming out today. Put aside the whole technology and special effects things, because obviously that’s not on par. But really ask yourself if this great movie that you love so much is something that you would enjoy if it was modern release.

Now again, don’t get me wrong. I am not dissing these movies. I truly enjoyed all of the movies that I have listed… old and new. But why do so much of the population hold different standards to the movies of old and the movies of now. Next time you watch a movie, try going in with no expectations. If it’s based on a comic book, or a cartoon, or a (real) book… leave it at the door. Watch the movie and see if you are entertained. Don’t worry about whether it gets every little last detail about Duke, Roadblock, John McClane, Riddick, He-Man, Batman, Xerxes, Ron Burgandy, Luke Skywalker, Grand Admiral Thrawn, Han Solo, Captain Kirk, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Oz, Iron Man, Spiderman, Thor or Deadpool absolutely correct when compared to the (supposed) source material. Instead, go in with an open mind. Don’t set a movie up with a bar that it can never expect to reach. Ask yourself, did I laugh, was it suspenseful, was the action great (whether it was plausible or not).

Not every movie needs to be an award winner. Not all movies are great, but I kind of feel that a lot of movies of today are getting unfair reviews because of people’s wild expectations of what it should be. Or am I wrong. Will all of these movies become cult classics because that’s simply what happens to bad movies over time? In 10 or 20 years, will people finally come to appreciate movies like Warm Bodies? Why wait that long, though? I will continue to write my reviews, and I will talk about what worked and didn’t work for the movie. But can you do something for me? Can you, when watching a movie, think about what genre it is? Once you’ve done that, don’t expect anything more than it being what it is. If it’s a comedy, do not expect it to be Inception. If it’s an action movie, do not expect Citizen Kane. I think you get the point.

Now it’s not to say that a movie can’t be ruined by horrible acting. But I think that’s what started me to think about this in the first place. If you expect award winning acting, screens or scripting from a film like G.I. Joe, then you need to get your head checked because that’s not what the movie is meant to be. Blow stuff up. Fight in an impossible scenario. Have surreal technology. That what’s the film is about. Don’t gripe about it ruining your childhood. They can’t make the movie that will match the cartoon/comic that you remember from your childhood. You know why? Because they sucked too, you are misremembering. But also because we live in a different time now. The limited scope from back then of what was out there in the world in terms of technology and threats is no longer relevant. If we didn’t update the movie to the times, then you’d be griping about that.

So next time you want to bash a movie, ask yourself this: Do you think you could do a better job? For those that answer “yes”, congratulations on not even being able to be honest with yourself. Because 99.99% of the time the answer to this question is undoubtedly “No.” You know how I know that? Because if the answer was “Yes”, you wouldn’t be reading this article. You’d be out there doing it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this long winded rant, though. I encourage you to respond to it, wherever it may be posted. I am not like some that I know where I claim to be an intelligent man who is open to all views and opinions, but then go and delete comments made by those who don’t agree with mine, or even challenge mine. Just don’t be a troll. Remember everything I have said here is a personal opinion, and as such I am entitled to it. I like to hear what others have to say, and will without a doubt be the first to admit when I am wrong about something. But remember, an opinion about something can never be wrong because that’s the way I feel. And even though it seems like I have attacked the personal opinion of others with this article, all I was really trying to do was to open people’s eyes to the fact that we have set a high standard that may not need to be there, and that we can all be hypocrites considering what some of the movies we considered to be the greatest of all time.

Anyway, thank you again for taking the time to read this (if you’ve hung in for this long anyway). I look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, you stay classy internet.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting A Star Wars Film

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By Daniel Ballard

I’ll be the first to admit that back in October when I heard Disney was buying the rights to the Star Wars franchise and making the final three episodes of the epic nine-part saga, I was really skeptical. Sure, Disney has done some excellent films whether animated or not, but my beloved galaxy far, far away? I openly stated that I thought Disney would kill the franchise. Then to my surprise a friend of mine came to the mouse’s defense. Amazingly it was a friend who’s a bit of a movie buff and someone who has never been a huge Disney fan, until recently. He pointed out that the entertainment giant was responsible for “The Avengers”, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the phase-by-phase plan to successfully bring it to the masses in a way that both the average moviegoer and geeks alike could enjoy.

At that point my faith in Disney to bring me the last three installments started to turn. As the next four months came and went, rumors flew. The biggest one was of course, what director would have what it takes to tackle such a huge project? Nolan, Whedon, Spielberg, I even heard someone suggest M. Night Shyamalan. Apparently Disney had the same idea I did though and opted for the man who was already in charge of the other massive sci-fi franchise, J.J. Abrams. Honestly I’m not sure who at Disney decided J.J. was the man for the job, but as soon as I heard Episode VII was going to production and they would hit the ground running in putting it together as quickly as possible. Why? Simple. J.J. is an avid Star Wars fan and he made Star Trek tolerable to the typical Wars fan. If you’re like me and you don’t pirate your movies, break out the Star Trek DVD or BluRay and pop in the special features disk. Watch Abrams’ interview on how he approached the reboot. He states he wanted to give Trek a Star Wars feel. Nailed it sir. I have complete faith in J.J. Once they had their director, Disney set out to get star power. Thankfully in this case Channing Tatum and Vin Diesel were passed up in favor of the big three from the original trilogy. Thus far Hamill, Fisher and Ford have confirmed they will return to reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa(-Solo) and Han Solo. Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker play the only two characters that appear in all of the nine stories and will most likely be present as C-3PO and R2-D2 respectively. Whether anyone else will return remains to be seen, but I hope to see Billy D. Williams return as suave Rebel Alliance general, Lando Calrissian. So where else do we go from here? What new characters can we expect? What new worlds will we visit? I have a few theories.

It’s been thirty years since Return of the Jedi. The timeline as it’s known in the extended universe is slightly off given that the main three characters are older than they should be. However, sources are saying the extended universe as it is known will be thrown out the window. Just about any fan with above average knowledge on the universe is aware of Han and Leia’s twins Jacen and Jaina, but given that Abrams has said this film will be all original material, the likelihood of seeing the twins is pretty slim. I do believe we will see a settled down Han and Leia though, and they will have children, most likely in the neighborhood of their late teens to early twenties. It would be smart to give hardcore fans some level of comfort and keep the J&J duo of names. Aside from the twins and those seen in episodes IV-VI, there will be an all-new lineup of characters. Luckily with Lucas only working as a consultant, we can breathe a collective sigh of relief at the fact that there won’t be any Jar-Jar-esque nuisances this time around. I’m personally looking forward to a new Jedi High Council and Academy. Look for Luke to be a combination of Yoda and Mace Windu and be the final word in all of the new order dealings. His niece and nephew (assuming the twins survive the final cut to get in the movie) will most likely be council members themselves or senior knights in the new temple. Han will probably a military officer of sorts but in a time of post-Empire peace he and Lando will probably be in business in some form. Between Lando’s experience on Cloud City running a mining operation and Han’s expertise in piloting and smuggling I see the rebirth of the trade federation, but this time in a less corrupt fashion. Han and Lando’s success will go a long way when one of the heads of the corporation is married to the new supreme chancellor of the senate. Rebuilding the senate will actually be easier than one would think since it wasn’t disband until early in “A New Hope” and Leia is sure to have enough pull within the rebellion to get the majority of star systems to recommit. But what system does Leia represent in the senate with her home world of Alderaan gone? Does she still represent the remaining citizens of the lost planet? Does she represent her mother’s home world of Naboo? Her new found position may be the answer to the next question in what to expect.

What new worlds will we see? There hasn’t been a new Star Wars film in which the audience was not treated to a new exotic planet. Based on Leia and Han settling down and having children of their own and helping to rebuild the Republic, the two will most likely call Corellia home. The capital planet of the Corellian system is the birth place of Han, Wedge Antilles and many other characters. The Antilles family is already very prominent in the system and on the planet. Based on prior exposure to the planet in video games and in the comic series, it has a very earth-like appearance in the same way Naboo and Kashyyyk did. The Corellian system is one of the largest in the Star Wars universe and will be key to rebuilding both the senate and the republic. One of the coolest things about this to me as a fan of the supporting roles is the fact that this gives us a higher probability of seeing what Rogue Squadron pilot and Rebellion officer Wedge Antilles is doing post-Battle of Endor. Corellian is one of the few key systems that fans have not seen depicted outside the realm of video games and it would draw great interest in the new film and because of its limited exposure can be brought to life how Abrams sees fit. The interesting thing throughout the films is we only see a handful of planetary systems and even within them only one or two planets. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of planets to use as settings through episodes VII-IX, so predicting where the new trilogy will go is as difficult as finding a fan who likes Jar-Jar Binks, but at this point is pretty much a given and personally I’m most excited about the idea of seeing Coruscant-post Empire and finally seeing Han’s home world for the first time on film.

One thing is certain, speculation is one of the keys to success in building media hype, and when one of the biggest film companies in the world tells you the next installment of such a storied franchise is on the way, the rumors are bound to fly. Right now the internet and movie fans are providing more fuel to the fire of possibility than Disney could have ever hoped for. Recently J.J. Abrams told media outlets everywhere there are more questions than answers and even he is unsure of the direction in which they will take the franchise, but he is excited and he, Kathleen Kennedy (the film’s producer and head of Lucasfilm) and Steven Spielberg are all very engaged in making sure the film is a success and more importantly that it is a beloved, instant classic for the fans.

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Hemlock Grove Footage From Wondercon 2013

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From executive producer Eli Roth and based on Brian McGreevy’s novel of the same name, Hemlock Grove is a riveting one-hour murder mystery that revolves around the residents of a former Pennsylvania steel town. When 17-year-old Brooke Bluebell is brutally murdered, any of Hemlock’s peculiar inhabitants – or killer creatures – could be suspects. Through the investigation, the town’s seamier side is exposed, revealing nothing is what it seems. Beautiful, terrifying and graphic, Hemlock Grove is unlike anything else in its genre.


New Trailer Update


All 13 episodes of Season 1 will be available exclusively on Netflix

beginning April 19, 2013

Video Games That Could Make Great Film Franchises

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I decided to look ahead at what I would like to see from Hollywood, as the current trends of sacrificing story, character development, and originality for bigger and more abundant special effects seems to have no end. Much maligned director Uwe Boll explained to me that the problem of getting a video game to the screen isa real exercise in patience. Boll stated that many times game studios will license the name, but will restrict the way a film can look as well as the storyline. For “Far Cry” he told me that while they were free to use the names, they could not be in a tropical setting and the mutants had to have a look and name different from the game as the developers did not want to infringe on any possible game sequels.

Boll was not alone in this regard as game based movies such as “DOOM”, Wing Commander”, and “Super Mario Bros.” varied greatly from their source materials.

If films are to reach expectations both financially and critically then balance must be made to ensure continuity with the games that inspired the film as well as the changes that are necessary to compress several hours of gameplay into a 2hr or less film.

With this in mind, The following suggestions are for films that I think would do well, (providing they have a solid script, cast, and director), and could become franchises that will ensure lucrative sequels for years to come.

X-Com: Before the successfull relaunch of the title by 2K Games, X-Com was one of the 90’s most popular computer games. It spawned several sequels and was awarded many awards in the gaming industry. The game is a turned based strategy game that cast players in the role of the supreme commander of X-Com, a unit designed to fight an invading alien menace on Earth. Players had to design their bases, research equipment, and invade and defend various locations while they dealt with financial and political pressures.

The game would make an interesting film as the alien invasion is a good backdrop, but what would make the film different from say “Starship Troopers” is an open ended storyline that can show many facets to the conflict from the political, financial, and of course combat point of views. The film would also be a great franchise launching point as the games have established many scenarios for sequels to be based upon.

Crusader: No Remorse

While there had been a few rumors on this title, nothing solid has ever come of it. The popular computer game series from Origin tells of an enhanced killing machine called a “Silencer” who turns against his evil company and joins up with the resistance.

The game was non-stop action, and the cut scenes were gripping and original as the drove the story. The futuristic game was so gripping, that as soon as I finished both games, I wanted even more. The game featured a wide range of bad guys including some morphing robots and a dazzling range of weapons. The movie version of the game if done right, could become as big as the Terminator series, as it contains all the elements needed for success.

Hunters of the Red Moon: A classic tale from Marion Zimmer Bradley that tells of a man who is sailing around the world, who is abducted by a UFO. Before he knows what is happening, he is caged with aliens from a number of worlds, and learns that they are to be sold into slavery.

Not content to become a slave, members of the group stage a revolt and soon find themselves captives again, yet separated from the prisoners who would not fight in the revolt. The group soon learns that they are to be the honored hunted, and if they survive the hunt on the Red Moon, they will be set free and granted riches beyond their wildest dreams. There is only one problem, few if any can recall anyone surviving the hunt, and the hunters have never been seen before, so how does one distinguish hunter from hunted?

A good story that spawned a good sequel called ¬The Survivors. The story is tailor made for the screen and would be a good action feature in the right hands. This was a hit book long before “Predator” came around and has the potential to be a massive hit.

Half Life

The most popular computer game of all time sets players as Gordon Freeman as he attempts to escape the Black Mesa Research Facilty after a disaster. The game plays out as an interactive movie with plenty of tension, danger, and action to please even the most jaded gamer. This could be a huge film as the following for the game is enormous.

Yes we have waited forever for Episode 3 and many believe the next outing for Dr. Freeman will bypass Epsiode 3 in favor of a new game. Regardless of where the game series go, I belie a movie can be a huge hit.

Duke Nukem

With the long in development Duke Nukem Forever finally releaing to mixed reviews, rumors of a new game in the series have started to circulate slowly. Would it not be great to see Duke make it to the big screen and bring his mission of eliminating the alien menace while maintaining his cool style to a local multiplex? What a jump it could be for the series and would possibly launch a new action series fans could embrace for the next decade.

Dead Space

Animated movies aside, this one is rife for the undertaking. Imagine the dark horror of “Alien” blended with a mix of “The Walking Dead” as Isaac must face off hordes of CGI rendered Necromorphs in 3D. The character is dark, complex, and a man of action who is at his best when things are darkest.

Bioshock

There were rumors before of a film that never came to pass. However with the success of Bioshock: Infite, the momentum on the series has never been greater. The new game also shows that the setting does not need to be Rapture, but can be a bizzare, Steampunk locale that has never been seen before.


What games would you like to see turned into movies? Comment below or drop me a line at gareth@sknr.net

Did Microsoft Vastly Underestimate The Release Date of the Playstation 4 And Enter Damage Control Mode As A Result

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There has been much speculation about the PlayStation 4 ever since Sony announced it back in February. Aside from the usual things such as pricing, specs, titles, and features, one of the biggest questions from gamers has been what Microsoft’s response would be and when they would announce their new system. Conventional wisdom has Microsoft announcing the successor to the Xbox 360 during the E3 convention this June. In light of the attention Sony is getting with their announced system there has been speculation as to why Microsoft has not decided to make some kind of announcement sooner rather than later.

We checked with various technology and gaming insiders regarding this topic and will naturally nobody was willing to go on record regarding this topic they did provide some very interesting information. The development of a news console involves millions of dollars in research and development as well as a significant amount of outlay in strategic partnerships and other licensing related to the games and hardware for the system. Combine that with the billions of dollars in revenue that can be generated over the lifespan of the console, it is evident why it is important to do everything your power to ensure a stable and successful launch.

From what we have heard there is much speculation that Microsoft may have underestimated Sony as they did not believe that the next PlayStation would be announced as early as it was and did not expect the unit to be shipping to retail in November. Some insiders reported to us that they anticipated and E3 announcement on the system with a release date sometime in 2014 similar to the way that Nintendo announced the follow-up to the Wii at the 2011 E3 with the launch date of November 2012.

As a result, there reportedly has been debate amongst the Xbox team as to the best course of action. It was reported to us that some believe that the system should be delayed six months or so beyond its planned but as yet unannounced launch window so that further refinements could be done to the system. There are also those that are concerned that launching two systems so close to each other might be detrimental to sales as many gamers will only be able to buy one system during the coveted holiday season with the first system to the market having a significant advantage amongst the more casual gaming consumers.

Naturally there are those who also state that the production and release of the new system will continue as originally planned and that the timing of Sony’s announcement although unexpected, does not alter in any way the release schedule for the new system.

I had to admit that when I first got the announcement from Sony that they would be making a significant announcement in Feb. by the World Wide Web and to assembled media, it did strike me as a rather unique way of making the announcement. The timing was indeed earlier than I had expected as was the release date. While Sony has indeed fired the first shot in what is to be a hotly debated topic, for now the world can only wait, wonder, and speculate as to what Microsoft’s response will be and which are the systems will spark gamers imaginations to become the must own console upon their release. I for one plan to get both systems and look forward to seeing what both companies come up with in the ensuing years as I believe that when the two companies really push one another, then gamers win in the long run from better products.

SKNR Cover - March 2013
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How Much Screen Time Should The Original Star Wars Characters Be Given

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With the very exciting news that “Star Wars: Episode VII” has entered pre-production a lifetime fan such as myself is delighted at the prospect of new films in my favorite series as well as the opportunity for adventures to rival that of the beloved classic trilogy.

Anyone who knows me well is very aware of how much the films impacted my life starting in 1977 and unlocked my imagination to the point where creative expression was a constant presence in my life.

Of all the characters, Han Solo was always the one that best captured my imagination. I liked the rough, take charge nature of the character as well as his way of living by his own rules, without apology as he seeks his fame and fortune.

Of course his brash exterior covered his softer side but it was the complexity of the character and his rogue nature that endured him to me decades ago.

I was very happy to hear that the plan is to return Harrison Ford and the classic cast to the new film series, but it has made me question if this is a good or a bad thing. I think seeing the original characters is a very good and necessary step in the films if nothing more than to provide continuity in the series, but I have to wonder if time and age will have diminished the characters.

Do we want to see an older Han, Leia, Luke, and Lando awkwardly moving through fight sequences looking to be shells of their former greatness or do we want the former stars relegated mainly to cameos?

I am sure that Harrison Ford is not signing on to essentially wave to the crowd and move off into the sunset. It has been well established over the years about his issues with the character and his stated reluctance to ever play the character again.

I know money talks but to me, this indicates either a more substantial arch for the beloved scoundrel or perhaps Han is set to shuffle off his mortal coil. I do not think Disney is eager to remove iconic characters but what better way to shake up fans and let them know that nobody is safe in the new films?

So there is the quandary that faces Disney. Are the characters so beloved and iconic that we as fans will not mind wrinkles, gray hairs, and stiffer and slower action or do we want legions of young stars assisted by CGI to carry the bulk of the action?

I think that the stars are more than capable of holding their own and with the digital tricks open to them the folks at ILM can work miracles. We should not forget 800+ year old Yoda unleashing a fury of motion and action when pushed into battle.

No matter what direction the film take, I think we as fans can all agree that seeing our favorite heroes in action again is a good thing and that perhaps an old school throw down can give fans what was sadly missing from the prequels.

Our March 2013 Magazine Cover Is Here

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The new issue will be out next weekend and you can get it at the usual outlets. We have some never before seen images from Star Citizen included as well as an interviw with Chris Roberts and so much more. There is a little bit of tweaking to come on the cover but we wanted to share. Evin DeGuzman did an amazing job with it.

SKNR Cover - March 2013


We were looking at a different cover from the images we were provided but the color scheme and dimensions were not working for us as we created thge cover. So we opted for the cover that we did and will present the images in the article.

IMG_3211



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NVIDIA Announces Global “World of Tanks” Open Tournament

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Regional Champions From Four Corners of the Globe To Be Flown
In For Grand Finals Event With $100,000 Prize Pool

SANTA CLARA, Calif.—March 21, 2013—NVIDIA today announced the first ever GeForce eSports World of Tanks Open Tournament(1), where combatants will compete to win NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 600-series graphics cards and a shot at a $100,000 total prize pool awarded at a spectacular grand finals event. Preregistration is open today with team and player registration open starting March 28th for two weeks.

“World of Tanks really strikes a chord with players looking for that ultimate competitive gaming experience, thanks to its team-based gameplay and strategic action,” said Kevin Van Ness, Head of Community at Wargaming in North America. “We’re looking forward to combining our world-class community with the world-class expertise of NVIDIA for this exciting event.”

World of Tanks is a team-based, massively multiplayer online game dedicated to armored warfare in the mid-20th century. With more than 55 million registered users worldwide,(2) World of Tanks is a fast-paced PC shooter game with in-depth weaponry, economics and robust eSports tools such as spectator mode and replay file support. In January, the game set a new Guinness World Record for the most players online simultaneously when the Russian MMO server reached 190,541 players.

“GeForce users love eSports and World of Tanks is an easy and fun game to learn, yet incredibly deep and graphically exciting,” said James Grunke, manager of the GeForce eSports program at NVIDIA. “This free tournament and all the great video-on-demand and streaming coverage we’ve got planned are our way of providing a really fun and rewarding experience for our best customers.”

There are five regions of eligible participation: China, APAC(3), the Americas, Europe and Russia. The five regional finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Grand Finals, at a location and time to be named later.

All tournament matches are seven-person teams playing best of three game matches. There will be at least four weeks of guaranteed group play, with the top players from each group moving on to the double-elimination championship brackets.

In addition, World of Tanks community favorites, David “Nagatron” Williams and James “Relics” Starr, will be shoutcasting the battles in English for VoD and in real time with live broadcasts streamed on Geforce.com and Twitch TV.

“I can’t wait for this tournament to begin,” said Williams. “With this $100K prize pool on the line and the GeForce GTX Cup and GeForce Green Jacket for bragging rights, the top players will be battling it out to win it all. It’s going to be big!”

Localized shoutcasting content will be available on GeForce.com sites around the world. World-class tournament features such as match setting, leader boards and blogging are being provided by tournament management veterans, Cevo.

“I am delighted to cast this tournament for NVIDIA,” said Starr. “World of Tanks is a fantastic experience for competitive gaming, and this GeForce eSports tournament will help establish World of Tanks as a prominent professional platform.”

Official GeForce eSports World of Tanks Open Tournament rules and regulations will be available starting March 28th at http://esports.geforce.com. The tournament is free to enter and international players can register and compete where allowed by law.

Can The Star Wars Sequel Writers Ever Hope to Create a Better Bad Guy Than Darth Vader

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We have a new segment we are going to try as I recouperate and get back to full health and schedule. It is a piece where a staff member or myself picks a topic and then writes a piece on it. I will then offer my two cents and we will update it later with the original authors reply to my feedback.

I picked the topic, and Joseph Saulnier is off and running with one that will ensure huge debate.

Can Star Wars Sequel writers ever hope to create a better bad guy than Darth Vader?

Joseph:
Absolutely! In fact, my opinion is that the character has already been created, just waiting to be adapted. I was more than disappointed when it was announced that the new movies would not be adapted from The Thrawn Trilogy: Heir to the Empire, The Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command. This book series is also named after the series’ antihero: Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Thrawn may not have the force on his side, but he is one of the most calculating, brilliant villains I have ever read. He is dangerous because of his brilliance, his ability to see the consequences of actions, and his natural command that emanates from him. There is much more to him than that, but these are the things that stood out to me as I read the books.

Now some may argue that he was ultimately defeated, but think on it. So was Darth Vader. Okay, so he turned back to his good side and ultimately saved a lot of lives in taking out Emperor Palpatine and bringing about his own demise. But that’s just it. He had a good side to him. He had an empathy that, while buried deep down, was still there none the less.

Thrawn is cold, calculating, evil, and so on. He did not have a bit of empathy, sympathy or good. Not a single ounce of humanity coursed through his veins. Every move he made was for the good of the Empire. It was to bring the empire back to power. He also had more vision and power than the Emperor and Vader. He was a strategist who was not the, how do I say this, “specie-ist” that the Emperor was. For those that didn’t catch on in the movies, or haven’t read any of the extended universe, Palpatine was very much the Hitler of the Star Wars universe in that he did not really have any high ranking officers that were not human… with the exception of Thrawn. But nobody knew of the existence of Thrawn until after Palpatine was gone.

The other half of this equation though, is casting. The only way Thrawn can pull off being the better villain than Vader would be the correct choice in casting. If the actor casted cannot pull the role off, it ultimately just negates the argument altogether.

The good news is that even though this next trilogy will be an original story line, with the rights to the Star Wars universe being in Disney’s hands there will still be a chance that it could be made in the future. Maybe we will see that villain who can trump Vader… someday.

Gareth Von Kallenbach’s Point of View

While I’m hesitant to say never and I hear the words of Master Yoda admonishing Luke’s tendencies to say something cannot be done, I have to admit that I do believe that topping Darth Vader may be a next to impossible task.

This is not to say that it cannot be done but when you look at the enduring cultural impact of the character since his debut in 1977 and the fact that is constantly listed as one of the top villains and every annual poll done since, this is a monumental undertaking.

Even George Lucas who created the character of Darth Vader could not come close in the prequels and while there were other reasons viewers cited for their dissatisfaction with the prequels, I believe the lack of a strong central villain was a key point. Darth Maul had the potential to be a very intriguing character. He was cold, brutal, and driven by rage, all of which would really have been interesting to see explore of the three films.

Imagine the possibilities of Anakin and Maul having to face off against one another and in what should have been his triumphant moment, Anakin’s defeat of Maul is actually what tips him over fully to the dark side underscoring Sidious’s ultimate skillet manipulation and deception.

I’m sorry but Count Dooku and General Grievous although dangerous did not come across as a larger-than-life threat. The only real threat was the Grand Master himself, Palpatine but he was content to work in the shadows and only came for when his hand was called or when it suited his needs.

For the new film the challenge is going to be to either create an iconic new villain or a team of villains that will torment heroes old and new and create an epic threat to the galaxy. Let’s not forget it was 1983 when we last saw the classic characters on the big screen. Since then there have been gigantic leaps in technology, which will create all manner of intriguing possibilities for director JJ Abrams and the creative team of the prequels.

One of the ideas that I kick around is that the classic heroes have spent the time since we last saw them trying to restore the Republic and dealing with the remaining threats of the Empire. This is been covered extensively in the extended universe but I think it’s a logical place to look for clues as to where the next film will go. They will be essentially living legends, iconic figures that are propped up to meet with heads of state, chair committees, and influence and determine policy. While this may not be what they choose to do, there sheer celebrity if you will doesn’t allow them to do much more than this.

This is where the crux of the new story is essential. A new threat has to arise, one that is much larger than anything they’ve faced in the year since the fall of the Empire, one that goes beyond petty crime, corruption, system rivalries, people with a score to settle, etc.. The threat must be so epic that it will put the galaxy at its most pivotal point since the Empire and perhaps create a threat the likes of which has never been encountered before.

You could go with the threat of the invading army from another galaxy as they did over the course of several books. I found this interesting at first but it quickly became a little too drawn out for my taste. The word is that they will be moving an entirely new direction not based on any expanded universe content, which I think is a very wise move.

The new villain must combine everything that made Vader iconic. An interesting look, cold brutality, an air of mystery, and a constant emanating of danger and menace with every step they take.

Vader was aided greatly by the mask as part of the allure was wondering what was beneath that black armor and what could drive a person to such extreme measures. In many ways his creation was a perfect embodiment of everything from Frankenstein to an evil wizard for rogue samurai mixed in for good measure.

So the important thing for me is that they go in a very fresh manner this time out. Do not try to re-create Vader, do not resurrect Vader, and do not give us forms of CGI created monsters to carry the threat and except one simple truth. Nobody has been able to come up with a villain as iconic as start Vader since his debut and to attempt to do so is only setting up for failure. Simply create a bold and compelling villain and let things progress from there as to where they compare to Vader when all is said and done.



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Olympus Has Fallen Camp Pendleton Screening Images

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Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Rick Yune, and director Antoine Fuqua visited with men and women of service at the Naval Station in San Diego and Camp Pendleton on Saturday, March 16, 2013, prior to screening OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN at both facilities.

Photos from the event are below and now available for wide press use via Wire Image.

Photo Credit: Robert Benson/Wire Image


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Dr. Who Cast Interviews and Episode Synopses

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The Doctor kicks off this new run of adventures by searching for his companion Clara – an Impossible Girl he’s already lost twice. Together they find themselves battling monsters on distant alien planets, trapped in a Russian submarine with a deadly passenger, chasing terrifying ghosts, delving into the heart of the TARDIS, facing the Crimson Horror in Victorian Yorkshire, and coming face to face with an army of upgraded Cybermen. The action grows and the Doctor’s oldest secret threatens to be revealed as the world’s longest running science fiction series builds toward its explosive 50th anniversary in November 2013. Doctor Who premieres Saturday, March 30, 8:00pm ET/PT on BBC AMERICA as part of Supernatural Saturday.

Following the premiere of Doctor Who, Matt Smith will be one of the first guests on BBC America’s The Nerdist on Saturday, March 30, 10:00pm ET/PT.

SERIES CREDITS

The Doctor Matt Smith (Going for Gold, Christopher and His Kind)

Clara Oswald Jenna-Louise Coleman (Emmerdale, Captain America: The First Avenger)

Executive Producer

and Lead Writer Steven Moffat (Sherlock)

Executive Producer Caroline Skinner (The Fades)

Series Producer Marcus Wilson (True Dare Kiss, Life on Mars)

SYNOPSES

**SPOILER WARNING**

The Bells of Saint John – Episode 6

The Doctor’s search for Clara Oswald brings him to modern day London, where Wi-Fi is everywhere. Humanity lives in a Wi-Fi soup. But something dangerous is lurking in the signals, picking off minds and imprisoning them. As Clara becomes the target of this insidious menace, the Doctor races to save her and the world from an ancient enemy.

Episode credits: Written by Steven Moffat, directed by Colm McCarthy (Ripper Street, The Tudors), and produced by Denise Paul (Taggart).

The Rings of Akhaten – Episode 7

Clara wants to see something awesome, so the Doctor whisks her off to the inhabited rings of the planet Akhaten, where the Festival of Offerings is in full swing. Clara meets the young Queen of Years as the pilgrims and natives ready for the ceremony. But something is stirring in the pyramid, and a sacrifice will be demanded.

Episode credits: Written by Neil Cross (Mama, Luther), directed by Farren Blackburn (Luther, The Fades) and produced by Denise Paul

Cold War – Episode 8

The Doctor and Clara land on a damaged Russian Submarine in 1983 as it spirals out of control into the ocean depths. An alien creature is loose on board, having escaped from a block of Arctic ice. With tempers flaring and a cargo of nuclear weapons on board, it’s not just the crew but the whole of humanity at stake!

Episode credits: Written by Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and directed by Douglas Mackinnon (Silent Witness).

Hide – Episode 9

Clara and the Doctor arrive at Caliburn House, a haunted mansion sat alone on a desolate moor. Within its walls, a ghost hunting Professor and a gifted psychic are searching for the Witch of the Well. Her apparition appears throughout the history of the building, but is she really a ghost? And what is chasing her?

Episode credits: Written by Neil Cross and directed by Jamie Payne (The Hour, Call the Midwife).

Details on episodes 10-13 will be released at a later date.

INTERVIEWS

STEVEN MOFFAT – Lead Writer and Executive Producer

Lead writer and executive producer Steven Moffat gives us an insight in to the monsters and adventures that we can expect from the new series.

So it’s back and with James Bond-esque urban thriller. Why did you decide to kick-off the new series with a very modern day threat?

It was Marcus Wilson’s idea. We were discussing how the first ep of the second run would probably be a contemporary Earth adventure, so the Doctor could meet the modern day Clara – and anyway, I wanted to do Wi-Fi monsters – and Marcus suggested we do a proper urban thriller. The Doctor can never be Bond or Bourne – but if he tried it might look a bit like this.

What else can we expect from the new series?

A haunted house, a submarine, a planet with cool rings, Victorian Yorkshire, a journey into the TARDIS, Dame Diana Rigg and her daughter Rachael Stirling together on screen for the first time, new Cybermen, and the Doctor’s greatest secret revealed.

You are bringing back a couple of classic monsters with the Cybermen and Ice warriors, are there any new ones to look out for?

Plenty of new monsters! Watch out for the Spoonheads, the Whispermen, and – my favorite – the Vigil. Oh and Neil Gaiman has done something horrible with the Cybermen!

We finally get to meet the Clara that will travel with the Doctor across the series’ eight epic adventures. Can you tell us a little bit about her character?

You’ve sort of met her, but you sort of haven’t. The same shed load of attitude you saw before, the same rapid-fire banter with the Doctor, but this time she’s living in modern London with no memory of the Time Lord!

How has the dynamic of the relationship between the Doctor and his companion changed since the introduction of Clara?

It’s all new for the Doctor – this time the greatest mystery in the universe is standing right next to him.

What was it about Jenna that made you decide she would be right fit for the role of the new companion?

Casting is a funny process – the right people sort of choose themselves. It happened with Matt a long time ago, and when we saw him bantering with Jenna it happened again. Auditions start with you telling the actor about the character – sometimes they end with the actor telling you. That’s what happened with Jenna!

A ghost story, a period drama to end all period dramas and an underwater siege, was it intentional to go as big as possible with this series in the year of the 50th?

We try to make every year the biggest possible, but when you see that big, glittering 50 hanging above you, you start trying even harder. I’ve been a fan all by my life and I know we have to deliver!

MATT SMITH – The Doctor

Having run down corridors from every monster imaginable, Matt Smith returns as the Doctor to face old and new foe. But he’s not alone. Along for the ride in his brand new TARDIS is the Doctor’s latest companion, Clara Oswald. Here Matt talks about what he is looking forward to from the epic new series.

“I think it is very exciting to introduce Clara to the world and Steven has hit a real vein of form,” explains Matt as he chats enthusiastically about the new series.

Along with a new costume this series, the Doctor has a new TARDIS to travel through space and time. “Walking on to the new TARDIS was like the first day at school,” explains Matt. “I actually found it quite difficult as I had got so used to the rhythm of acting on the old one, where I used to slide about on the glass floor, but Michael Pickwoad has done a fabulous job,” he continues, “this one is more like a machine.”

Having lost his first companions, the Ponds, at the hands of the Weeping Angels in New York last year and after a period of mourning the Doctor is joined by a new companion this series, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, “She’s done brilliantly well,” says Matt. “She’s kind, charming, thoroughly prepared and very brave as an actress. And most importantly of all we get on, which is vital on a show like this. I’m so proud of what she has achieved in the last year,” he concludes.

So what do fans have to look forward to this series? An urban thriller, The Bells of Saint John, brings the series back with a bang as the Doctor’s search for Clara Oswald takes him to modern day London, where Wi-Fi is everywhere. But something dangerous is lurking in the signals, picking off minds and imprisoning them. Filming for this James Bond-esque thriller took Matt to Westminster Bridge, the Southbank and St Paul’s, “Amazing, I loved shooting in London,” says Matt. “There is something so brilliant about having the locations there rather than just adding them in.”

Following on from this the second episode, The Rings of Akhaten, take the Doctor and Clara away from Earth and on their first proper adventure…..in outer space. Featuring an alien market Matt remarks, “It was very ‘Whoey.’ We had between 50 to 60 prosthetic aliens, which is something that only really this show can offer,” he continues, “making it a very unique experience as an actor.”

As well as introducing some new monsters, the new series brings back a couple of old monsters in the form of the Ice Warriors and Cybermen, “I think it’s good to pay homage to the classic series,” says Matt, “especially for the fans. This series we have modernized some of the monsters for a whole new generation.”

“Soggy, like drowned rats,” Matt is explaining the shooting experience for the third episode Cold War, written by Mark Gatiss. Set on a Russian submarine spiraling out of control in 1983 an alien creature is loose on board, having escaped from a block of Arctic ice. “They built a submarine and the five-year old in me was like ‘Yeah it’s a submarine!’” says Matt. “I loved getting sprayed down at the beginning of the shoot,” Matt continues, “and it wasn’t a chore as it does so much of the acting for you, making it really authentic. Mark Gatiss has delivered one of the best episodes of the series,” he concludes.

JENNA-LOUISE COLEMAN – Clara Oswald

The new series will mark the official introduction of the Doctor’s latest companion, Clara Oswald. Having already appeared in the series opener Asylum of the Daleks in September and as Clara in the Christmas special, The Snowmen, here Jenna explains a little bit about her character and working with monsters.

“Very excited,” Jenna is talking animatedly about her first series as the Doctor’s companion. “It will be fantastic to see the final version with all of the elements put together.”

Having made a surprise appearance as one of the Doctor’s most notorious of enemies, a Dalek, in last year’s series opener, audiences have been treated to two different versions of the latest companion. “We’ve had one introduction to Clara in the Christmas special, but not necessarily the same Clara we will see in this series,” explains Jenna. “But the essence of all the different versions is the same,” Jenna continues, “she’s very brave and resourceful, a match for the Doctor and an explorer in her own right. She dreams of travelling and seeing the world and wants more than what’s on offer.”

So how has Jenna found working with Matt Smith? “Just a joy, it really is. He is the most perfect leading man and sets such a lovely tone on set, making the atmosphere so wonderful. There’s not much more you could ask for in your co-star,” she concludes.

The series opener The Bells of Saint John is a modern day urban thriller, which sees the Doctor and Clara face a monster in the Wi-Fi, as minds are uploaded by an organization run by Miss Kizlet (Celia Imrie). Set in London, Jenna was thrown in to the deep end as she was asked to get on a motorbike…driven by the notoriously clumsy Matt Smith.

“I loved shooting in London, says Jenna, it was so much fun. It was one of those moments where I thought ‘I’m filming Doctor Who, on a motorbike, riding across Westminster Bridge with the Houses of Parliament in the background.’” So would Jenna trust Matt to drive her on a motorbike in real life? “Well on screen it looks very exciting, but both of us were being very silly as we were so tightly strapped in. I just clung on!”

As the newest edition to the show, Jenna explains how this series will take the viewer on the same journey of discovery she experienced when she first joined, especially for episode two The Rings of Akhaten which is set on an alien planet. “It’s one of my favorite episodes,” says Jenna, “it’s so weird and wonderful and something that only this show can offer. It shows Clara for the first time what life with the Doctor will be like. It’s a complete fantasy,” she continues, “and it’s great for audiences as the story begins again and we get to explore all these strange new worlds together, as well as getting to know the Doctor again.”

The third episode, Cold War, set on a Russian submarine marks the return of the classic Doctor Who monster the Ice Warriors. “They were terrifying,” exclaims Jenna, “I think this is the first time Clara is really, really scared. The whole set was really realistic and built to size, which wasn’t too much of a problem for me,” she jokes. So how did they make it look so realistic? “Before every take they would come and spray us, the whole make-up process was reversed as they would damp us down in the morning and rub my mascara off! We were soaking wet for two weeks.”

So having completed filming and watched most of the episodes, does Jenna have a favorite? “I really like The Rings of Akhaten as and it’s the first proper adventure for the Doctor and Clara.”

How Game Manufacturers Need To Handle The Issue of Microtransactions in Games

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Although long a part of casual and mobile gaming, microtransactions have arrived in a big way in mainstream gaming and may soon become the standard of the future is the game companies have their way.

For those unfamiliar with the subject, a microtransaction is where a developer charges a fee in game for players to obtain more items to help enhance their gaming experience. With high development costs, game manufacturers see this trend as a new way to lower risk and increase profits as consumers can opt to spend more to enhance their gaming options.

In Farmville and other games that rose to fame thanks to social networking sites such as Facebook, players would be able to purchase things like more turns, in game currency, and items for a fee.

Although such purchases were not required to play the games, those who did spend the money often found themselves at an advantage over those that did not from a competitive standpoint.

This practice became very common for mobiles games as developers often offered games that could be downloaded for free and then charged users for bonus content or access to new levels in the game.

Electronic Arts drew some fan ire by making microtransactions a big part of Dead Space 3, as although not needed to complete the game, fans believed the tone of the series was changed from that of survival horror to third person shooter, and in game resources were to plentiful.

This issue was further compounded by reports that EA were looking to include microtransaction in many of their future releases which has not sat well with many gamers who are uneasy with this proposed trend.

Now that Activision has brought microtransactions to Call of Duty: Blacks Ops 2 fans are thinking that the inclusion on the mega franchise to the micro transaction parade is a sign of impending doom for gaming as they knew it.

Although currently limited to the Xbox 360 version of the game, fans can buy items such as weapons packs, targeting sites, weapons decorations, and special maps via the transactions. The series has long offered the ability to purchase new maps on either a case by case basis or via a season pass that offered 4 collections of maps through the year at a discount price.

The series has also offered an Elite service where players could obtain new maps and other perks on a yearly basis for one flat fee so the idea of paying for new content is nothing new to fans of the series.

From my perspective this is not that big of a deal as a player can play through the game and have a very enjoyable time online with the maps and gear that is included with the retail version of the game. New maps while very appealing, mainly help keep things fresh until the next chapter of the series arrives, and are no means a necessary item despite the added enjoyment they offer.

If the trend of pay to play is here to stay, then perhaps game developers should take a look at the way gaming used to be done and take some lessons from the past. Id were innovative in the early internet days by offering freeware for games such as Doom and Wolfenstein 3D. Gamers were allowed to obtain the early levels of a game for free and were able to purchase additional content such as the full game and expansions if they liked what they saw. Consumers also could opt to buy select chapters instead of the entire game so developers had incentive not to offer up the best content in a game early and keep them wanting to come back for more.

While this is more than a demo, the idea that gamers have the option to experience a good hour or so of gameplay before having to purchase more is an interesting concept. Valve attempted to provide episodic content for Half Life 2 and Sin via Steam but this trend faded quickly as developers were not able to get fresh material of high quality to consumers in a timely manner despite having a solid distribution system with Steam and Origin.

I believe that the best way to handle the situation is to consider lowering the cost of games. If a consumer is being asked to spend $59.99 for a release and then has to cough up more money for in game additions this is going to be a bitter pill for many to swallow. Perhaps a $39.99 base price or an all-inclusive price of $59.99 is a better way to go.

Naturally I do not expect developers to come down from their price point easily but consumers have the ability to make or break a game, and with millions of dollars invested in the development and marketing of a game perhaps it is a good idea not to take the customers for give consumers more choices as well as safeguards against games that are not as advertised or do not function properly at launch.
It remains to be seen how this trend will be embraced long-term buy the industry and consumers and if the next generation of consoles will make microtransactions even more common.

However, the day that micro-transactions are needed to fully enjoy or easily complete a game will be a dark day for the industry in my opinion.

Does The End of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Signal A Much Darker Star Wars Ahead

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When Disney purchased Lucasfilm for $4.4 billion it was obvious they did so with the intent of creating new material in the fabled “Star Wars” franchise. Before the ink was even dry on the purchase, a new sequel trilogy was announced as well as discussions for standalone films that currently stand at five pending movies according to various reports.

The recent news that the promising Star Wars 1313 game as well as the popular Clone Wars animated series are in all likelihood done shows a real change in the way the business side of “Star Wars” is going to be handled as well as clues as to what direction the new films may take.

Right or wrong, George Lucas could steer a project from concept to creation and maintain them through sheer personality and force of will. If the Clone Wars was expensive than so be it, a way would be found to make it work. This approach served him through several projects but they were unable to tackle the issue of how to bring a live-action Star Wars series to the television screen without compromising the visual aspect and scope of this series.

The announcement that a new animated series unconnected to a previously seen timeline in the “Star Wars” universe is definitely an intriguing possibility as the ideas of showing the Sith Wars of long ago is very appealing to me especially answering the question that I’ve always wondered about as to why the Jedi were so convinced the Sith were no longer a threat.

Of course this has been handled in the expanded universe through books, comics, and video games so when Disney says a time error that we have never seen we have to take them at their word and be intrigued by the possibilities.

Disney has been very clear that their focus is on the new sequels as rightfully so, the enormous outlay of cash that Disney parted with to purchase the assets will need to be recouped. I’m sure accountants are salivating over the prospects of packed theaters, record Blu-ray sales, and all manner of merchandising which will keep paying off for well over the next decade.

What I find curious was the decision to delay not officially cancel the promising looking Star Wars Detours. The collection of animated shorts has won acclaim from fans and critics alike during its early debut, as people love the humorous look at the galaxy far, far away.

The fact that they’ve chosen to remove a humorous side of Star Wars as they prepare for the next film series could very well be an indication of an extremely dark series of films ahead. It appears they’re taking great efforts not to lighten the mood of the franchise and will perhaps create a darker vision of “Star Wars” has previously been seen.

Shakespeare often used the concept of comedy to heighten the tragedy that was to come in his classic plays. However I am intrigued by the possibilities of this move. Imagine a Han Solo that didn’t necessarily live happy only ever after with Princess Leia following the downfall of the Empire. In the generation that followed, perhaps the pressures of rebuilding the Republic and mopping up the last vestiges of the Empire have left Han jaded the point that when a new threat arises the wisecracking rogue was so beloved is been replaced by a brooding individual who only knows action and duty.

The possibilities are endless and offer writers all sorts of themes to explore such as the realization that the Republic that they fought so hard to restore is still plagued by the same issues that haunted the pre-Empire, and the characters have to wonder if their sacrifices were worth it and if this new Republic is truly worth saving.

I’m very curious to see what they have in store for Luke as the wide-eyed innocent as very likely been replaced with an older and wiser statesman who probably has had the burden of being a living icon while attempting to restore the Jedi order to prominence.

In the months and years ahead casting and plot news are going to start to leak out and eager fans will jump over every nugget of information a matter how small to dissect on various media outlets. Regardless of the direction director JJ Abrams decides to go I think we can all agree that we are likely to see a new side “Star Wars” universe previously unseen in both visuals and story.

Has the Wii U let Down Gamers and Retailers With a Lack of Titles Worth Owning and Playing

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I first saw the new Nintendo system during the unveil ceremony at the 2011 E3 Expo I was intrigued by the promise of the system. I knew Nintendo was not the system for hard-core gamers looking to push the boundaries of technology, but the intriguing possibilities of next-generation technology and power combined with the social aspects of their games was intriguing proposition to me.

As time went on I became skeptical of the new system after seeing it at 2012 E3 Expo as my concerns were that it was not going to offer anything more powerful than what we currently had on her PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles. While the game certainly looked fun, I noted that many of the Nintendo exclusives didn’t look overly complex and graphically were only slightly better than what we have seen with previous console. I did find the new control very intriguing and during our hands-on time at the San Diego comic con I realize that the system would definitely be an entertaining console and that third-party exclusives and social gaming would make it worth having.

So I said a week one adapter of the Wii U, Nintendo land, ZombiU, and Super Mario Bros became the way we spent most of our gaming time for the first 3 to 4 weeks that we on the system. However, the system now sits there and hasn’t been used in the better part of three weeks. This is not because I have any issues with the system rather there’s nothing to play that peaks my interest.

So the question I ask is has Nintendo let down its customers by not providing enough quality games to justify purchase of their system? Nintendo promised the largest collection of titles at launch ever for any system but when several of the titles have already been released previously for other systems, and there is a real lack of must own titles, it just seems very frustrating.

I look forward to the pending release is especially what will be announced at E3 as I’m hoping this holiday season will see a flood of new exclusives for the system which hopefully will allow us to have greater diversity in which just choose from.

I feel like the system really doesn’t get a chance to show off what escape love with the current releases, as I equate it to a sports car being forced to drive in second gear. There is a tremendous amount of hardware and potential in the system but honestly, standing in the middle of a room, turning in circles, firing arrows at slow-moving targets is not what I had in mind for next generation technology and gaming. Where’s the great online experience, the cutting-edge graphics, and the increased social activity that we had been promised? One of the biggest concerns I had about the system was that I saw no reason to play anything other than exclusives on it as I could likely get a better experience playing something like Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, on either of our consoles or PC.

If you believe the stats that have been bandied around online, there has been the discussion that the new system has been a disappointment to retailers and is not selling to the magnitude that they had hoped. There has reportedly been increased pressure for Nintendo to lower the cost of the unit and attempt to drive up sales. For me I don’t think the price of the unit is the question I thought it was fairly priced at launch for what it offered. For me the big issue is that I need to have games that I want to play, as well as games that justify the cost of obtaining the system. I do not want to see repackaged Wii games spruced up a little bit with slightly better graphics but essentially the same gameplay when the system has the power and abilities to do so much more.

It is in this regard that I feel Nintendo has let us down and hopefully when future titles such as the new Mario Kart, Zelda: Wind Walker and Pikmin 3 arrive it will be a sign of many new games coming for the system that gamers will actually want to play.

Why We Are Taking a Wait and See Approach To The new Xbox System

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The other day I wrote an article that explained how based on past issues with the Xbox and from what I have learned from various contacts in the industry, the PlayStation 4 would be the console that we get at launch.

Now before you go saying I am some PS 4 fanboy trying to discredit the new Xbox system and jump sales for the PS 4, let me be crystal clear on one thing. The PC is my format of choice for gaming. It has always been, and will continue to be the format that I prefer to game upon. I do understand that consoles offer a unique gaming experience as well as titles that you cannot get on the PC. So, when I write about consoles it is not out of love for one over the other, more as to why I or a staff member uses one more than another.

For reviewers, we often have to wait to find out if we will be getting a free unit, review unit, or no unit at all from the gaming companies at launch. We’ve had all three happen and most often a short supply of units is the reason given for not being able to get a system out in a timely fashion.

As a result, we have adopted the habit of pre-ordering new units to ensure that we have coverage from day one that way we can only be pleasantly surprised when a unit arrives for review purposes.

Any time you express a preference for one system over another you often become the subject of a lot of venom from supporters of the other systems. As such I am stating my concerns regarding the new Xbox system and why I have chosen to take a wait-and-see attitude with it.

For me it all comes down to trust and reliability. The first Xbox I owned would not even open the DVD tray minutes after being unpacked. This was a huge disappointment for me as I was looking forward to playing Halo 2 and I had enjoyed the review unit we had been sent to use previously. The lack of any support from Microsoft as well as the hassles we have returning it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.

When the Xbox 360 came out we stepped up and decided to look past issue of the past and were very excited about what it offered. However once you got the second control, external hard drive, Wi-Fi connector, and other peripherals, it actually cost more than a PlayStation 3 system did. Undaunted we used the unit only to have it crash out with the infamous red ring of death two weeks later.

More hassles from Microsoft followed regarding the warranty which cost us to promptly get a refund. I waited almost a year before we got another unit and did our reviews for the games on a staffer system.

My father-in-law had expressed interest in having one so we decided to buy one for him as well as another for ourselves. My thought was that after a year surely Microsoft wold have worked the bugs out of the system and we would be able to enjoy games such as Dead Rising and other Microsoft exclusives.

Six days later the red ring of death arrived, and with it more hassles with the return and warranty. It was at that point that I swore off the system and continued to have staffers do the reviews for the system and devoted most of our console reviews to the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. This is not to say I was not playing the Xbox 360, I simply was playing on units owned by staff members all of whom experienced red rings of death at one time or another.

When the Kinect came out my wife was instantly taken with Dance Central after seeing it at PAX Prime. After seeing that they had a new black unit that had result most of the issues and enjoying the features that the Kinect offered, we did pick up a system a couple of years ago and it has not had any real issues for us.

That being said I think you can understand why have decided to take a wait-and-see approach to their next system. I have seen the rumored specs, spoken to people in the industry that I trust, and decided that even if the thing was capable of emitting holodeck style graphics from the Star Trek series I would be taking a wait-and-see approach to see what kind of reliability the system has as well as one type of exclusives it will offer.

I also have a real problem with the pay to play aspects of the systems. If Microsoft continues to do this, and all indications are that they will. This is a huge detriment to me. It’s not a matter being cheap it’s the principle. If I am already playing for a broadband connection in our home and office, why should I have to pay for the privilege of playing a game? Especially when said game can most often be played for free on the PC or other consoles.

Another issue for me is the reported inability to play used games. We get tons of games to review; so many that we simply cannot play them all and have to distribute them amongst the staff. However there are certain games that for one reason or another we do not get, and as such I’ve always enjoyed services such as Gamefly to allow us to provide timely reviews of titles for both the website and radio show. Losing this ability would definitely be a hindrance toward future coverage and if the exclusives are mainly limited to the Halo and Gears of War franchises they simply are not a big enough draw for me to get a new system, especially when I can see and play the games at my nephews or any staff members residence. This article compares specs of the two systems from a features standpoint. Console Features

This does not mean that we have written off the new system, we are going to be getting one that is never in question. The question is the timetable for us to pick one up should we not have a review unit sent to us. I want to see reliability first and foremost out of any new system. I am not going to go through the issues that we had with the past systems and I need Microsoft to show me that they can provide an innovative system that I can be assured will work right from day one and not subject me to customer service and warranty hassles when we are on deadline trying to get a review in. I want to see innovation rather than imitation. I remember years ago that it was explained to me that one of the reasons foreign cars took over in the US market was that for years the American auto industry did not listen to the requested consumers and told them essentially that they know better and this is what you want. They did not listen to people telling them how important thing such as fuel economy, smaller sizes, and reliability and were they essentially told the new thing take it or leave it. Well consumers left it and the US auto industry needed numerous government bailouts to stay afloat.

I also want to see exclusive titles that I will want to play. I played the first two Halos on PC and all subsequent ones on the Xbox 360 as well as all of the Gears of War games to date. Although fun and at times impressive, they are not enough reason for me to personally justify the cost of the new system especially when I can play the same games for free on a PC or other systems.

I think that Sony threw down a massive gauntlet and perhaps Microsoft needs to make their announcement sooner rather than later as E3 in June might be too late to lift the lid off the new system. I’ve had a few people in recent days tell me that they believe that Microsoft did not expect Sony to make their announcement when they did, nor did they expect them to be available to market as early as this November. As such they were unprepared for a response and may be debating internally about delaying the launch of the system so that they can tweak it. Regardless of what corporate conversations are and when the new system is to be announced, it is clear that a new direction is what is needed.

Microsoft is facing its biggest challenge yet, they need to create system that will address concerns of the past as well as show that they are going to be a major player going forward. They made a huge mistake with the HD DVD technology and reportedly have had to pay big to license the Blu-ray technology for their new system. I’ll be very curious to see what they have in store for us because two strong systems competing with one another is a win-win for gamers everywhere; I’m just simply choosing to take a wait-and-see attitude first based on my previous experiences with their consoles.

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Should Gamers Be Given More Rights in the Wake of the SimCity and Aliens: Colonial Marines Launch Issues

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With the issues surrounding the recent launches of the latest SimCity and Aliens: Colonial Marines, I have wondered if it’s time to address the issue of gamer’s rights. I’m not talking about good work folks at the Entertainment Consumers Association or ECA as they fight a constant battle with politicians and some retail outlets to ensure that our freedoms to play the games that we wish to are maintained.

Rather I’m thinking of a set of protections for gamers that would require game publishers to be more accountable for their products the way the handle the public.

Far too often a gamer that purchases a title that does not meet expectations has little recourse. Sure they can go online and complain about it to anyone who’ll listen, but far too often they find themselves out the money with only the option to wait for a fixture there problems to arise or to sell the game at a loss online.

In my opinion, when a customer purchases a game they are making an investment in that company, as such they should be entitled to some protection from products that are faulty or not as advertised. As it currently stands choosing not to purchase future titles from a company is about the only recourse consumers have which in some cases is not a practical solution especially when larger companies absorb smaller ones and bring beloved franchises under their corporate logo.

I think the simple and most fair thing to do is to get adopted approach that Sierra used to use for the company was owned by Ken and Roberta Williams. Sierra allowed gamers to return any game that they were unsatisfied with for a full and prompt refund. The only condition was that the gamers had to say why they wanted the refund and what Sierra could have done to make the product better.

To me it is a concept that just makes sense. I know that games have millions of dollars invested in them but to basically ignore your market once you have taken their money is simply deplorable. I have worked at both Sierra and Monolith when I was first starting out as a journalist, and I know firsthand about the politics and internal issues that go into the creation and release of game titles.

I was the quality assurance lead on Tribes 2 and I remember very clearly when we were told it had shipped despite quality assurance refusing to sign off on it as a stable build, I also remember the ensuing chaos of angry and frustrated gamers unwilling to get their game to work, as well as the hours of overtime and weekend shifts ever required to keep up with the gigantic influx of technical support requests. Not to mention the fact that the ill will eventually led to the closure of the Dynamix and Sierra studios.

Maybe I just operate in a world where I expect honesty and integrity from companies, but if you take a customer’s money and release a product that knowingly has issues or is not what you had advertised then you should be legally bound to offer a full refund with no questions asked.

Perhaps I’m naïve but that seems to be the way it works for most businesses. If you obtain a product that is broken, defective, or otherwise not up to your specifications you’re able to get a refund, exchange, or store credit. Companies that have strict return policies often find themselves losing business to those that offer simple and no hassle returns.

For now gamers can only voice their displeasure online, and choose to not purchase a company’s products in the future. But don’t you think that when a certain level of customer dissatisfaction is evident in the title that refund should be given promptly and without requiring negative media backlash and public opinion to do so?

Gangster Squad Comes Home on April 23rd

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TO SAVE THE LAW THEY MUST BREAK IT

GANGSTER SQUAD

ARRIVES ONTO BLU-RAYÔ COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

ON APRIL 23 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Blu-ray Combo Pack includes almost two hours of never before seen bonus features

All disc versions feature UltraVioletÔ

Burbank, CA, March 6, 2013 – It’s a war for Los Angeles in “Gangster Squad,” arriving onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on April 23 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. A stylish retelling of true events, “Gangster Squad” follows a team of cops as they band together to bring down a ruthless mob boss— by any means necessary.

A Village Roadshow Pictures Production, “Gangster Squad” stars Oscar® nominees Josh Brolin (“Milk,” “True Grit”) and Ryan Gosling (“Half Nelson,” “Drive”), and Academy Award® winner Sean Penn (“Milk,” “Mystic River”) as Mickey Cohen. The film also stars Oscar® nominee Nick Nolte (“Warrior,” “Affliction”), Emma Stone, Anthony Mackie, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Peña, Robert Patrick and Mireille Enos. The screenplay was written by Will Beall and is based on the book Gangster Squad by Paul Lieberman. The film is produced by Dan Lin, Kevin McCormick and Michael Tadross. The executive producers are Ruben Fleischer, Paul Lieberman and Bruce Berman.

“Gangster Squad” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and on single disc DVD for $28.98. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features the theatrical version of the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray, and the theatrical version in standard definition on DVD. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and the single disc DVD include UltraViolet, which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.*

SYNOPSIS

Los Angeles, 1949. Ruthless, Brooklyn-born mob king Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) runs the show in this town, reaping the ill-gotten gains from the drugs, the guns, the prostitutes and—if he has his way—every wire bet placed west of Chicago. And he does it all with the protection of not only his own paid goons, but also the police and the politicians he has under his thumb. It’s enough to intimidate even the bravest, street-hardened cop…except, perhaps, for the small, secret crew of LAPD outsiders led by Sgt. John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) and Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling), who come together to try to tear Cohen’s world apart.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

“Gangster Squad” Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:

· Commentary with Director Ruben Fleischer

· The Gangland Files

· Rogues Gallery: Mickey Cohen

· Tough Guys with Style

· Deleted Scenes

“Gangster Squad” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

· Tough Guys with Style

DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION ELEMENTS

On April 23, “Gangster Squad” will be available for download from online retailers including iTunes, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon, Vudu and CinemaNow.

The film will also available digitally in High Definition (HD) VOD and Standard Definition (SD) VOD from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.

ULTRAVIOLET

*UltraViolet allows you to collect watch and share movies and TV shows in a whole new way. Available with the purchase of specially marked Blu-ray discs, DVDs and Digital Downloads, UltraViolet lets you create a digital collection of movies and TV shows. Services such as Flixster and VUDU allow you to instantly stream and download UltraViolet content across a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players. Restrictions and limitations apply. Go to ultraviolet.flixster.com/info for details. Learn about VUDU compatible devices at vudu.com.