Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg directing Sega vs. Nintendo film
Growing up as a gamer during the '90s meant the Sega Genesis and Nintendo/Super Nintendo were my first introductions to video games. With the NES as my very first console, I wanted a Super Nintendo for Christmas one year. As fate would have it, Santa delivered not a gray-colored box, but a sleek, sexy black one: the Sega Genesis. Since then, my best friend Sonic the Hedgehog and I have sped through the next few generations of gaming, where I ultimately took my talents to Sony's PlayStation offerings. The rest, as they say, is history.
The '90s gaming scene was cutthroat, with Sega and Nintendo at the forefront of the so-called "console wars." As the infamous Sega ad read, "Genesis does what Nintendon't," which encapsulates what the entire first round of console wars was like, with Sega threatening to overtake Nintendo from their spot atop the gaming industry. Author Blake Harris will be publishing a book this summer focusing on Sega and Nintendo's rivalry entitled Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation.
Interestingly enough, the project has been greenlit for a film adaptation directed and written by none other than Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (This is the End, Superbad). The direction of the film will be entirely in the duo's hands, so expect some type of comedic tone to it. It'd be interesting to see who they get for the film, and exactly how the rivalry will be depicted. As long as Sonic is represented in the best light, that's all that I care about.
[via /Film]
[Video] Meet the Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy is at the top of my most-anticipated films of 2014 list, and with good reason. Not only does it represent a new frontier for Marvel and Disney, both in terms of scope and tone, but it also represents the comic book company's biggest cinematic risk since they properly entered the film industry with Iron Man. Simply put, while Marvel is setting its eyes on Guardians of the Galaxy being its next major Marvel Studios property, the characters and story aren't very well-known to both casual fans and comic book diehards alike.
Instead of keeping potential fans in the dark, Marvel has released a series of short videos that feature the film's primary actors introducing their characters, with some of the videos featuring even more footage not seen in the film's first trailer that released earlier this week. While the Guardians of the Galaxy may not be a household name on the same level as The Avengers, I believe that they'll definitely attain their own popularity come the film's release this August. You can also see the film's first official poster below, as well.
Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper)
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Groot (Vin Diesel)
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Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista)
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Gamora (Zoe Saldana)
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Star Lord (Chris Pratt)
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Rumors: Jamie Bell And Kate Mara To Join Fantastic Four
Fox's Fantastic Four reboot has been rumored and pressed for info more than most other superhero movies, but it seems that the casting speculations are the closest they have ever been to being official.
According to Variety, Kate Mara just closed a deal to play Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman. Miles Teller seems to be the star withholding the rumors for awhile, and he finally has an offer from Fox to play Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic. Jamie Bell will be Ben Grimm/The Thing, but no offer has been made yet. Michael B. Jordan has been attached to the project for awhile now to play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan actually have a film out right now called That Awkward Moment.
While that work of theirs hasn't been doing so well critically, both have had brilliant performances recently with Teller in The Spectacular Now and Jordan in Fruitvale Station. The film is based on the Ultimate Fantastic Four comic books. It will focus around the lives of the heroes when they are younger. Josh Trank will be the director of the film. Fox's next goal in the next few weeks is to find someone to play the villain. The reboot is to be released June 19, 2015.
[via Variety]
[Documentary] Instafame
Internet fame is such a mixed bag of "success." Is it even fair to encapsulate internet fame as being "successful"? Many so-called internet celebrities are known for arbitrary reasons, whether they're super attractive or know the right people or any stupid reason. Some legitimately have earned that fame, such as the many musicians and artists that have found their following through their interactions online.
One such platform used to attain internet fame is Instagram. Since the social network platform/application launched back in October 10th, it has become a formidable platform for users to share their amateur photos, selfies, food, you name it. After Facebook acquired the business in 2012, the platform has seen an enormous growth, both in users and visibility. As a pro-Instagram lot, we give so called "Instagrammers" their due with our "IG Weekly" posts, sharing the spotlight on those who have taken to the service in creative, inspiring ways.
In a documentary entitled Instafame, a "strategic planning consultancy" called Sylvain Labs centered on the 15-year-old Shawn Megira, an Instagram user with more than 81,000 followers. By focusing on and following him, they attempt to analyze what it is about this so-called "Instafame" that drives teenagers, and whether it can be seen as a true measure of success. However, by doing so, they lose sight of their main goal: analyzing what exactly it is that brings this so-called fame. What did Megira do to attain so many followers, to be followed when out in public, to amass a purported "fan page" in his honor?
They pose an interesting thesis, but don't ultimately delve into whether Megira's "instafame" was gained by merit or circumstance. Without it, all of the speculation about how online fame affects teenagers and their personal dreams and goals is a bit moot. Nevertheless, the documentary serves a purpose by exploring this rising level of "success" that seemingly anybody can attain. If you have 12 minutes to spare, it won't be wasted watching Instafame.
[vimeo id="86023743"]
2014 BAFTA Film Awards Winners
Last night, the 2014 British Academy of Film and Television Arts' Film Awards ceremony took place, serving as the final major awards ceremony until next month's Academy Awards. Gravity took the majority of the awards, including Sound, Original Film Music, Cinematography, and Director, but it was the slave drama 12 Years a Slave that took the top honor as Best Film of the Year.
Both films will ride on the high into March's Oscars. My personal underdog selection for the Academy Awards' Best Picture has always been 12 Years a Slave, and with both BAFTA and the Golden Globes awarding it their Best (Drama) Film awards, it's very likely that the Steve McQueen-helmed film could sweep at the Oscars. However, it's very realistic that American Hustle could come in and steal Best Picture.
You can read the full list of BAFTA Film Awards Winners below.
[via Deadline]
Adapted Screenplay in 2014
Philomena
Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope
Leading Actor in 2014
Chiwetel Ejiofor
12 Years a Slave
Animated Film in 2014
Frozen
Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Leading Actress in 2014
Cate Blanchett
Blue Jasmine
British Short Animation in 2014
Sleeping With The Fishes
James Walker, Sarah Woolner, Yousif Al-Khalifa
Make-Up and Hair in 2014
American Hustle
Evelyne Noraz, Lori McCoy-Bell, Kathrine Gordon
British Short Film in 2014
Room 8
James W. Griffiths, Sophie Venner
Original Film Music in 2014
Gravity
Steven Price
Cinematography in 2014
Gravity
Emmanuel Lubezki
Original Screenplay in 2014
American Hustle
Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell
Costume Design in 2014
The Great Gatsby
Catherine Martin
Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema in 2014
Peter Greenaway
Outstanding British Film in 2014
Gravity
Alfonso Cuarón, David Heyman, Jonás Cuarón
Director in 2014
Alfonso Cuarón
Gravity
Documentary in 2014
The Act Of Killing
Joshua Oppenheimer
Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer in 2014
Kieran Evans
Kelly + Victor
EE Rising Star in 2014
Will Poulter
Production Design in 2014
The Great Gatsby
Catherine Martin, Beverley Dunn
Editing in 2014
Rush
Dan Hanley, Mike Hill
Sound in 2014
Gravity
Glenn Freemantle, Skip Lievsay, Christopher Benstead, Niv Adiri, Chris Munro
Fellowship in 2014
Helen Mirren
Film in 2014
12 Years A Slave
Anthony Katagas, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen
Special Visual Effects in 2014
Gravity
Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk, Neil Corbould, Nikki Penny
Film not in the English Language
The Great Beauty
Paolo Sorrentino, Nicola Giuliano, Francesca Cima
Supporting Actor in 2014
Barkhad Abdi
Captain Phillips
Supporting Actress in 2014
Jennifer Lawrence
American Hustle
Michael Keaton and Tim Burton Have Discussed Beetlejuice Sequel
Could Beetlejuice himself be coming back to the world of the living?
Astute readers may remember that rumors arose about director Tim Burton returning to the ghastly series after a quarter-century since the film was released. Then, like all good things, those rumors were confirmed the following day. The next piece of the puzzle quickly fell in place, as Winona Ryder expressed her interest in portraying Lydia Deetz once more... as long as Burton and the aforementioned Keaton were involved.
It appears that preliminary talks have indeed taken place to ensure Keaton returns to the black and white. In an interview with MTV, Michael Keaton addressed the rumors of a Beetlejuice sequel being planned:
"I've e-mailed Tim a couple of times, talked to the writer a couple of times, but all really, really preliminary stuff. I always said that's the one thing I'd like to do again, if I ever did anything again. But it kind of required Tim to be involved some way or another. Now it looks like he is involved. And without giving too much away we've talked to each other, and e-mailed each other, and if he's in, it's going to be hard not to be in."
Looks like we're just a solid contract and a "Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice! Beetlejuice!" away from seeing Lydia and Beetlejuice on the big screen once again. We'll keep you guys in the know as more information becomes available.
[via MTV]
John Singleton set to direct Tupac biopic
Back in 2011, John Singleton (Boyz n the Hood, 2 Fast 2 Furious) was set to direct a biopic on legendary rapper Tupac Shakur's life. However, he left the project due to non-public circumstances. Fast forward three years later, and the director has returned to the dream project. Tupac and film audiences may recall that Singleton and Shakur built a friendly rapport with one another when the director cast the rapper into the lead role in Poetic Justice and had planned to develop a fruitful working relationship with him. However, due to Shakur's untimely death, those plans were halted.
With Singleton back on the film, progress should be made on the long-gestating project. Last year, the film received financing, allowing pre-production to begin. Afeni Shakur, Tupac's mother, is also in full support of the film as an executive producer, ensuring the film will be as realistic and well-boding for the rapper's legacy and estate.
However, the question remains: Who should portray the late rapper? Let us know any of your dream casting choices!
[via /Film]
Earphones Just Got A Little Smarter With The Dash Smart Earphones
With all the smartphones and smartwatches out on the market, it was only a matter of time that we'd see a new product out. This time, though, the company Bragi has taken a different route and developed the Dash Smart Earphones. As the word "smart" suggests, these are not your standard run of the mill earphones that only offers sound; no, they offer so much more. The technology inside these small wireless earphones act not only as headphones, but an MP3 player, microphone, USB Stick, and fitness tracker all in one single bluetooth device. Through bluetooth, you are able to connect to your smartphone easily and listen to your music without the use of cords, and it also has 4GB of flash storage so you can upload songs to it directly in case you leave your phone at home. Another cool feature is the ability of being able to monitor your work outs with the Dash keeping track steps, oxygen saturation, heart rate and more. Also the built microphone can either cancel out sound when you need quite time as well as offering a way to hear whats going around like when your riding your bike on bust streets. As of right now, there are still being developed but you can head over to their website to learn more about the Dash Smart Earphones here and back their KickStarter campaign here.
[Via Bragi]