Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Entourage - Official Teaser Trailer



Vince and the guys are back for the first teaser trailer for the Entourage movie!



Very entertaining teaser, and Ronda Rousey came off really funny. Fans of the show should love the movie.

Directed by Doug Ellin, the film stars Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara, Kevin Dillon, and Jeremy Piven.

Entourage opens in US theaters on June 5, 2015.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Knight of Cups - First Official Trailer



Christian Bale stars in the crazy, sexy first trailer for Knight of Cups.



I don't know what the film is about either. The trailer is visually impressive, with Bale's character, Rick, seemingly partaking of an excess in sex and the party life. However, it also appears that he may be going through an existential journey of sorts. Rick seems to have reached a crossroads and is deciding what direction to go in. At least that is what I gleaned from the words and visuals in the trailer.

Written and directed by Terrence Malick (To the Wonder, Tree of Life), the film also stars Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman. The film will make its debut at the 65th Berlin Film Festival in February.

Here is the official synopsis courtesy of ScreenDaily:

"Once there was a young prince whose father, the king of the East, sent him down into Egypt to find a pearl. But when the prince arrived, the people poured him a cup. Drinking it, he forgot he was the son of a king, forgot about the pearl and fell into a deep sleep.

Rick's father used to read this story to him as a boy.

The road to the East stretches out before him. Will he set forth?"

Well, that was definitely a unique and thought-provoking synopsis. It does seem to go along well with what was presented in the trailer. It will be interesting to see what the final product looks like.

Knight of Cups will debut in US theaters sometime in 2015.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Street Fighter V - Announcement and Gameplay Trailers



Capcom has released two new trailers for Street Fighter V, exclusive to PS4 and PC. First, check out the official announcement trailer.



That was inspiring. Nice nod to the history of the franchise, while teasing the future. Now watch the gameplay trailer.



The graphics definitely look much better than before. The character models have improved, and the draw distance makes the stage feel much larger. Nice little touch with the lights breaking when Chun-Li kicked Ryu in front of it. Hopefully all stages have little effects like this. It really makes the stages feel more alive, and the fighters more powerful.

Also noticeable was the return of the water color look from Street Fighter IV, although Chun-Li's water color effects were a light blue. Perhaps each fighter will have their own color effects, which would add to their individuality.

The big question is what gameplay elements has Capcom added to make this game worthy of the number 5? Cross platform play was announced, so both PS4 and PC gamers can play with each other. Furthermore, Ryu went through a wall to reveal more of the stage, which showcases how large the stages have become. It looks great but hopefully there will be more than that. Capcom will be releasing a video of the first Street Fighter V match next week, so we should find out then.

No release date has been revealed, but Street Fighter V will arrive exclusively on the PS4 and PC.

The Legend of Zelda - Wii U Gameplay Demo



Nintendo has revealed new gameplay footage from the The Legend of Zelda for the Wii U!



The demo premiered last night during The Game Awards. The graphic design and draw distance look amazing, and the game world looks enormous! This will be a game worthy of exploring via horseback.

Furthermore, Star Fox was announced to be releasing next year before The Legend of Zelda hits. It could be a great year for Nintendo fans.

The Legend of Zelda for the Wii U is currently set to release sometime in 2015.

Batman: Arkham Knight - ACE Chemicals Infiltration Trailer: Part 3



Batman kicks butt in the final part of the ACE Chemicals Infiltration trailer for Batman: Arkham Knight.



Shown today at Sony's PlayStation Experience event, the gameplay looks amazing. Great way to end off the big trailer. The PS4 exclusive Scarecrow mission looks impressive as well.

Here is a short synopsis for the game:

"In the explosive finale to the 'Arkham' series, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city he is sworn to protect. The Scarecrow returns to unite an impressive roster of super villains, including Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, to destroy the Dark Knight forever. Batman: Arkham Knight introduces Rocksteady's uniquely designed version of the Batmobile, which is drivable for the first time in the franchise. The addition of this legendary vehicle, combined with the acclaimed gameplay of the 'Batman Arkham' series, offers gamers the ultimate and complete Batman experience as they tear through the streets and soar across the skyline of the entirety of Gotham City."

Batman: Arkham Knight will arrive on June 2, 2015 for the PC, Xbox One, and PS4.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Terminator: Genisys - First Official Trailer



He said he'd be back. Watch the first Terminator: Genisys trailer if you want to live.



Old T-800 meets new T-800? Plus, we get the return of the T-1000! This one could be fun.

Directed by Alan Taylor, the film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke, Matt Smith, and Byung-Hun Lee.

Here is a short synopsis:

"The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John's fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever."

Terminator: Genisys will arrive in US theaters on July 1, 2015.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Batman: Arkham Knight - Ace Chemicals Infiltration Trailer: Part 2



Check out Part 2 of the ACE Chemicals Infiltration trailer for Batman: Arkham Knight.



Another great video showing off the awesome Batmobile and the power of the graphics engine. The first part of the video debuted last week. Part 3 of the video will debut this Saturday, December 6 during Sony's keynote at PlayStation Experience. The trailer will also be available online at the official PlayStation website.

Batman: Arkham Knight will arrive on June 2, 2015 for the PC, Xbox One, and PS4.

Friday, November 28, 2014

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Official Teaser Trailer



The real thing is here! Watch the official teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens!



Dat crossguard lightsaber doe! Seriously though, the special effects look amazing, and seeing the Millennium Falcon in action again is exciting.

Directed by J. J. Abrams and set after the original trilogy, the film sees the return of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, and Kenny Baker as R2-D2. Newcomers to the series include John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will open in US theaters on December 18, 2015.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Jurassic World - First Official Trailer



Chris Pratt and a pack of raptors star in the first official trailer for Jurassic World!



A hybrid dinosaur? What could possibly go wrong?

Directed by Colin Trevorrow, the film is set twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park. The film also stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Johnson, Judy Greer, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Katie McGrath.

Jurassic World opens in US theaters on June 12, 2015.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Batman: Arkham Knight - Ace Chemicals Infiltration Trailer: Part 1



Batman infiltrates ACE Chemicals in the new gameplay trailer for Batman: Arkham Knight.



Awesome! The trailer shows off Batman's aggressive new Fear Takedown, and the integration of Batmobile gameplay. The graphics also impress with a highly detailed cinematic look to the in-game engine.

This is just the first part of 3 trailers, with the remaining 2 set to debut next week. The second will arrive on December 1, and the last will be shown on December 6 during Sony's keynote at PlayStation Experience.

Here is a short synopsis for the game:

"In the explosive finale to the 'Arkham' series, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city he is sworn to protect. The Scarecrow returns to unite an impressive roster of super villains, including Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, to destroy the Dark Knight forever. Batman: Arkham Knight introduces Rocksteady's uniquely designed version of the Batmobile, which is drivable for the first time in the franchise. The addition of this legendary vehicle, combined with the acclaimed gameplay of the 'Batman Arkham' series, offers gamers the ultimate and complete Batman experience as they tear through the streets and soar across the skyline of the entirety of Gotham City."

Batman: Arkham Knight will arrive on June 2, 2015 for the PC, Xbox One, and PS4.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Peanuts Movie - First Official Trailer



Charlie Brown and Snoopy go 3D in the charming first official trailer for The Peanuts Movie. Good grief!



Definitely retains the classic feel of the humor and characters, which can only be a good thing. Not everything needs to be modernized. Hopefully this will turn out to be a fun family film.

Directed by Steve Martino (Ice Age: Continental Drift, Horton Hears a Who!), the film was partly written by Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz's sons, Bryan and Craig Schulz. This will be the first feature film based on the comic strip in 35 years.

The Peanuts Movie will arrive in US theaters on November 6, 2015.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Tales from the Borderlands - First Official Trailer



Welcome back to Pandora (again) in the first official trailer for Tales from the Borderlands, a new episodic series from Telltale Games.



The new adventure game certainly has the look and humor from the popular series. Borderlands fans should enjoy it even if it isn't a first person shooter. Here is some more info courtesy of Telltale Games....

"Tales from the Borderlands is a five part episodic game from the creator of The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series. Set on the unforgiving world of Pandora after the events seen in Borderlands 2, this is a story full of Borderlands' trademark humor, following two adventurers on their quest for greatness.

You'll play as Rhys, a Hyperion 'suit' with dreams of being the next Handsome Jack, and Fiona, a Pandoran con artist looking to score her biggest ever swindle. Thrown together as unwilling partners in an adventure to recover cash they both think is theirs, their journey will take you on a wild ride where gangsters, bandit lords, and Vault Hunters are just some of the obstacles you'll encounter, in this new take on the award-winning universe created by Gearbox Software."

The first episode of Tales from the Borderlands, called "Zer0 Sum," will be released "soon," and will be available for the PC, Mac, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, and Xbox One. The first episode can be purchased for $5 on consoles, but a discounted season pass will be available at or shortly after launch. PC and Mac users can only buy a season pass, which will be $25. Android and iOS versions are also expected before the end of the year.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - Final Trailer



Check out the final trailer for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the defining chapter!



Now is the time to catch up if you have not seen the first two films. It will be great to see this final installment, though also bittersweet. This calls for a Lord of the Rings marathon.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies will open in theaters on December 17.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

The Doctor's Halloween Movie Special

Welcome to my Halloween Movie Special!

Every October, I like spending some of my free time watching horror movies and sharing my thoughts on them. So if you are staying at home for Halloween, or just want a good list of horror films to watch, you might want to check out some of these movies, most of which are available on Netflix.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT. Some of the following images are gory so do not proceed if that is not your thing.

With that out of the way, let's begin!


OCULUS

Starring popular Doctor Who alumnus, Karen Gillan, Oculus stands out because it's not gory, but instead more psychological. The story centers around an odd mirror that affects the senses of those who dare get near it.

"This fruit's juice tastes a little funny."

The film has a bit of a vibe similar to The Shining, but it also has a lot of flashbacks, which serve to confuse the audience as well as the protagonists. Unfortunately, the acting is a bit uneven, with many of the main characters lacking chemistry with each other. However, Karen Gillan does a great job, although her American accent could use some work. Oculus is unique enough to warrant a look.


HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II

If you know me, I love Hellraiser. It is a great horror film that is both gory and character driven. The sequel is not quite as good as the first, but it is still a very good film featuring even more gore than before.

Nah, he'll be alright..... It's just a flesh wound.

If you want to find out more about the Cenobites, and the realm in which they reside, this film will answer those questions. However, I feel that it takes a bit of the mystique away by actually showing us what Hell is like. Nonetheless, Hellbound is a worthy successor to the first film.


CANDYMAN

This has got to be one of the best horror movies I have ever seen. The premise is simple: a grad student investigates an urban legend called "Candyman." Saying his name five times will summon him to kill you. Sounds so basic, but it is so much more.

"I think I overdid it with the weight loss."

Yes, there is some gore in this film, but it is also very cerebral. The protagonist's life spirals out of control, and you begin to question what is real. Furthermore, the film doesn't lose steam in the final act, staying strong throughout. If you like horror films, this is one you need to watch.


GRAVE ENCOUNTERS

This was one of the weaker films I saw this year, though the premise is interesting. A crew of ghost hunters from a reality series encounter some real ghosts, which turn out to be deadly.

"Oh look, a friendly ghost. It just wants to say hi!"

The film doesn't try to fool the audience into thinking it might be real. The first act is entertaining with some comedy sprinkled in, but once the scares begin, the film is not as effective. Nonetheless, there are some great ideas here. I just wish the director stuck to the comedy a bit more because the film just isn't all that scary. If you don't like found footage type films, stay away. If you do, this is just ok to watch with some friends. Certainly watch the other films on this list first.


NIGHTBREED

This is a cult classic from Clive Barker, though it's not a typical horror film. The monsters are the "good guys," and the antagonist is a human serial killer.

I don't think that's the kind of mask that comes off.

The main problem with Nightbreed is that it is too ambitious. There is some world-building since the monsters live in an underground society called Midian, and the film has many interesting characters (the monsters in particular), but fitting them all into one film makes the pacing feel rushed. Furthermore, the final act feels like it could have gone further with the action and gore, though that could have been due to a budget issue.

Despite the flaws, there is a certain charm to the film. It is incredibly imaginative, and worth watching because it is so unique. It feels like there are many layers to the characters that inhabit this world, even if there isn't enough time to explore them all. I'd love to see more from Nightbreed in the future, although I can't help but feel the story would work a little better as a TV series.

Horror fans should give this film a shot. Funny little coincidence that the director's cut was just released on Blu-Ray/DVD earlier this week. Go get a copy!


YOU'RE NEXT

On the outside, this looks like just another home invasion movie, and the setup is pretty basic with a family reunion suddenly interrupted by men in masks. Panic and gore ensue. However, this is a smart movie that knows how to have fun.

Points for proper spelling.

Part of what makes this movie stand out is that one of the family guests just so happens to possess strong survival skills. What's so great is that she still acts realistic in how she approaches fighting back. She still seems vulnerable, as she is taking on several assailants. So despite the protagonist's training, there is still quite a bit of tension as she hides and strategically plans her actions. This is probably my second favorite on this list after Candyman, so go watch it on Netflix now!


WISHMASTER

This one gets creativity points. The antagonist is a djinn, a demon with incredible power, but can only use that power to grant other people's wishes. As a result, the djinn tries to get people to reveal what they want so he can twist their words and use their desires to kill them in creative ways.

"I think I need more moisturizer."

Unfortunately, the movie is not that strong as a whole. The acting is fairly weak, and the horror element is rather gimmicky. On the other hand, the film does have an all-star horror cast with Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th), Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street), and Tony Todd (Candyman). Furthermore, both the first and final acts go all out with gore and special effects, an effort I can appreciate. Overall, Wishmaster is a very flawed film, but still a fun watch.


RE-ANIMATOR

If you like gore and a little dark comedy, this is one for you. Based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft, the film revolves around a medical student (Jeffrey Combs) who concocts a serum to reanimate the dead. Of course, the serum has some nasty side effects, such as the little problem of causing the reanimated to kill indiscriminately. Well, most of the time anyway.

"Please don't eat me. I make a terrible appetizer."

Part of what makes this film stand out is how over-the-top it is. It's a fun, campy horror movie. However, there is one particular graphic scene with a severed head and a nude woman that is a bit hard to watch, but it does still fit in with the gore and nudity that is prevalent throughout. The comedy also helps make the film entertaining, such as some of Jeffrey Combs' dialogue, and visual gags that are also gory. If you don't like gore, stay away. Otherwise, this is a must-see for horror fans.


That's it for my Halloween Special. I hope you all have fun and stay safe. Happy Halloween!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Avengers: Age of Ultron - First Official Teaser Trailer



It's here! Watch the epic first official teaser trailer for Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron!



That trailer gave me chills, and that last line was just perfect.

Directed by Joss Whedon, the film sees the return of Marvel favorites Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson).

Newcomers include James Spader as the villainous Ultron, Paul Bettany as The Vision, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver, and Elizabeth Olsen as The Scarlet Witch.

Here is a short story summary courtesy of IMDb:

"When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and it is up to The Avengers to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans."

Avengers: Age of Ultron will open in US theaters on May 1, 2015.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

The Evil Within - Launch Trailer



Check out the launch trailer for Bethesda's new survival horror game The Evil Within, which is available now!


Developed by Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil, the game revolves around veteran police detective Sebastian Castellanos, whom the player controls.

Here is an official story synopsis:

"While investigating the scene of a gruesome mass murder, Detective Sebastian Castellanos and his partners encounter a mysterious and powerful force. After the seeing the slaughter of his fellow officers, Sebastian is ambushed and knocked unconscious. When he awakens, he finds himself in a deranged world where hideous creatures wander among the dead. Facing unimaginable terror, and fighting for survival, Sebastian embarks on a frightening journey to unravel what is behind this evil force."

The Evil Within is available now for the PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Xbox One, and PS4.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Tomorrowland - First Teaser Trailer



Disney has released the first teaser trailer for Tomorrowland at New York Comic Con!



The trailer has a vibe that is almost like a sci-fi Harry Potter, which is apparently what they were going for in the first place. One thing is for sure, everyone is going to want to own their own Tomorrowland movie pin.

Directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol), the film stars George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie, and Raffey Cassidy.

Here is a short story summary from IMDb:

"Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy-genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their collective memory."

Tomorrowland will arrive in US theaters on May 22, 2015.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Inside Out - First Teaser Trailer



Disney and Pixar have released the first teaser trailer for Inside Out! Soon to be a major emotion picture.



While the teaser is made up of scenes from multiple Pixar movies, it does a great job setting up the theme of the new film.

Here is a plot summary courtesy of IMDb:

"Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it's no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness. The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley's mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley's main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school."

The film stars Amy Poehler as Joy, Bill Hader as Fear, Lewis Black as Anger, Mindy Kaling as Disgust, and Phyllis Smith as Sadness.

Inside Out is scheduled to release in US theaters on June 19, 2015.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

American Horror Story: Freak Show - Opening Credits and New Promo



Watch the twisted opening credits for American Horror Story: Freak Show!



Whoah. Talk about an odd combination of sex and creepiness. Definitely fits the show really well. It appears that they might not be pulling back punches. That can only be good in the horror genre.

Now check out a new promo that reveals a little more about the story and characters.



Looks like the program is heading in the right direction. Only one week left to find out!

American Horror Story: Freak Show will premiere next Wednesday, October 8th at 10pm/9c on FX.

Interstellar - Official Trailer 3



Check out the latest trailer for Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated Interstellar!



Michael Caine is giving off that Alfred vibe in the trailer.

The film's story revolves around a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

Interstellar will be released in US theaters and IMAX on November 7th.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Inherent Vice - First Official Trailer



Joaquin Phoenix stars in the entertaining first trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice! I'm in line for my ticket already.



The trailer looks great and P.T. Anderson is an extremely capable director, as evidenced by his critically acclaimed films such as Boogie NightsMagnolia, and There Will Be Blood.

The film also boasts an impressive cast with Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Benicio Del Toro, Katherine Waterson, Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, Martin Short, and Joanna Newson.

Inherent Vice will open in US theaters on December 12th.

Taken 3 - First Official Trailer



Liam Neeson returns in the first official trailer for Taken 3! Or is that Tak3n?



Looks like they changed things a bit with the story this time around, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Maybe it should be called "Framed" instead?

Here is a short synopsis courtesy of IMDb:

"Ex-government operative Bryan Mills finds his life is shattered when he's falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he's pursued by a savvy police inspector, Mills employs his particular set of skills to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice."

Taken 3 will be released in US theaters on January 9th.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Silent Hills - TGS 2014 Concept Trailer



Check out the creepy new concept trailer for Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro's horror game, Silent Hills. Warning: nightmare fuel.



It seems that the "concept" of the game is to scar gamers for life. Kojima previously stated that his goal for this game is to force players to soil themselves. While the trailer is not showing actual gameplay, the ideas present demonstrate that Kojima may well be on his way to achieving his goal.

Starring Norman Reedus, Silent Hills will be released for the PS4, but other possible platforms have not been announced. An official release date is still unknown.

Final Fantasy XV - TGS 2014 Trailer



The Tokyo Game Show is underway and Square Enix has released a new gameplay trailer for the long-awaited Final Fantasy XV! "It's been a long time coming. Almost there."



Looks like gamers will be able to drive around in a car this time around. Hopefully chocobos won't be completely forgotten. Either way, it is nice to see that it is a real game now and will be available for purchase at some point.

Square Enix also confirmed the first playable demo for the game will be available to those who purchase their spinoff title, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, which will launch in North America for the Xbox One and PS4 on March 17th, 2015.

No official release date has been announced for Final Fantasy XV yet, but it will be available both on the Xbox One and PS4.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead - First US Trailer



The Nazi zombies rise again in the first US trailer for Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead. USA! USA! USA!



The horror sequel looks to be just as fun as the first flick, while also raising the stakes. The zombie vs. zombie action makes this a fairly unique film and should garner attention from fans of the genre.

Dead Snow 2: Red vs. Dead will open in US theaters on October 10th.

Monday, September 15, 2014

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 - First Full Trailer



The wait is over for the first full trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1!



Directed by Francis Lawrence, the sequel sees Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) become the reluctant symbol for a mass rebellion against the autocratic Capitol (IMDb).

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 will open in US theaters on November 21st.

Monday, September 8, 2014

American Horror Story: Freak Show - First Full Trailer



FX has finally released their first full trailer for American Horror Story: Freak Show!



The featured song is "Carousel" by Melanie Martinez.

The new trailer showcases Kathy Bates as the bearded woman, Michael Chiklis as the strongman, Sarah Paulson as conjoined twins, Angela Bassett with three breasts, and Evan Peters with flipper-like hands. Jessica Lange looks like she runs the show, as usual, though the trailer shows her closely followed by what appears to be the world's smallest woman, Jyoti Amge.

Here is a short synopsis for the show:

"American Horror Story: Freak Show begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience."

American Horror Story: Freak Show will premiere on Wednesday, October 8th at 10pm/9c on FX.

The Walking Dead - New Season 5 Trailer



AMC has released the newest trailer for the fifth season of The Walking Dead!



The new season is looking great, and it will be here in just a little over a month. I can't wait to see the people of Terminus get their comeuppance. At least I hope they do.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, October 12th at 9pm/8c.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Horrible Bosses 2 - First Official Trailer



Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis turn up in the first full trailer for Horrible Bosses 2!



Jennifer Aniston continues to raise eyebrows with her unique character.

Directed by Sean Anders, the film also stars Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, Chris Pine, and Christoph Waltz.

Horrible Bosses 2 will open in US theaters on November 26th.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

RESIDENT EVIL Remastered - First Official Trailer



Capcom has released the first trailer for their classic survival horror game, Resident Evil, now remastered in HD.



The game was originally released back in 1996 for the Sony PlayStation console, but was later remade for the Nintendo Gamecube in 2002. This release will be an HD remaster of the Gamecube remake.

Resident Evil will be released in 2015 for the PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Foxcatcher - Teaser Trailer #3



Steve Carell shines in the new teaser trailer for Foxcatcher, also starring Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo.



This looks like it is going to be standout film.

Directed by Bennett Miller, the trailer comes courtesy of IMDb. The film is based on the true story of Mark Schultz (Tatum), an Olympic wrestler whose relationship with sponsor John du Pont (Carell) and brother Dave Schultz (Ruffalo) would lead to unlikely circumstances.

Foxcatcher will be released in US theaters on November 14th.

Rosewater - First Official Trailer



Watch the first official trailer for Rosewater, Jon Stewart's directorial debut.



The film is written by Jon Stewart, and adapted from a memoir called "Then They Came for Me: A Family's Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival," which was written by Iranian-born journalist Maziar Bahari. The story focuses on Bahari (Gael García Bernal), who was detained in Iran for more than 100 days and brutally interrogated in prison.

Rosewater will open in US theaters on November 7th.

Friday, August 22, 2014

Nightcrawler - Second Official Trailer



Jake Gyllenhaal goes nuts in the intense new trailer for Nightcrawler.



Directed by Dan Gilroy, the crime thriller looks like it is coming along great. Gyllenhaal's performance really stands out. This is one to keep an eye on. Here is a short synopsis courtesy of Google:

"A pulse-pounding thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling - where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives. In the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story."

The film also stars Rene Russo and Bill Paxton.

Nightcrawler is now scheduled to be released in US theaters on October 31st.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Annabelle - First Full Trailer



Everyone's favorite creepy doll stars in the first full trailer for Annabelle!



That last part was quite chilling. Here is a story summary courtesy of IMDb:

"John Form has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia - a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress. But Mia's delight with Annabelle doesn't last long. On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now... Annabelle."

Annabelle will arrive in US theaters on October 3rd.

Automata - First Official Trailer



Antonio Banderas stars in the fantastic first trailer for sci-fi thriller Automata!



"Just a machine? That's like saying that you're just an ape." Great thought-provoking line.

Directed by Gabe Ibáñez, the film is somewhat reminiscent of I, Robot, though it feels a lot easier to be sympathetic to the robots in this film. The film also stars Dylan McDermott, Melanie Griffith, Birgitte Sørensen, and Robert Forster. Here is an official synopsis:

"An insurance agent of ROC Robotics routinely investigates the case of manipulating a robot. What he discovers will have profound consequences for the future of humanity."

Automata will be released in theaters and video-on-demand on October 10th.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

American Horror Story: Freak Show - Admit One Teaser



FX has released a brand new teaser for the highly anticipated American Horror Story: Freak Show!



That's not much to go by, but FX has also revealed a new synopsis for the show:

"American Horror Story: Freak Show begins its tale in the quiet, sleepy hamlet of Jupiter, Florida. The year is 1952. A troupe of curiosities has just arrived to town, coinciding with the strange emergence of a dark entity that savagely threatens the lives of townsfolk and freaks alike. This is the story of the performers and their desperate journey of survival amidst the dying world of the American carny experience."

The returning cast includes Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts, Gabourney Sidibe, and Evan Peters. New to the show are Michael Chiklis, Wes Bentley, John Carroll Lynch, Finn Wittrock, Patti LaBelle, and the world's smallest living woman, Jyoti Amge.

American Horror Story: Freak Show will premiere on FX on October 8th at 10pm.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

First Look at Paul Rudd as Scott Lang in ANT-MAN



Marvel began production on Ant-Man yesterday in San Francisco, and with that news comes the first official shot of Paul Rudd as Scott Lang, the man who becomes the titular hero.



Directed by Peyton Reed (Yes Man, The Break-Up), the story sees genius scientist Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) enlist a thief (Rudd) to safeguard his size-changing technology, and to create a superhero who will defend the world (IMDb). The film also stars Corey Stoll (House of Cards) as antagonist Darren Cross/Yellowjacket, and Evangeline Lilly (The Hobbit) as Pym's daughter, Hope.

The picture isn't much, so let's take a look at some exclusive test footage courtesy of Uproxx!



That never gets old. For those not familiar with the joke, Paul Rudd has a history of showing this clip on Conan instead of showing a clip from whatever project he is working on. Take a look at this montage.



Ant-Man is scheduled to open in US theaters on July 17th, 2015.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel - Gamescom Last Hope Trailer



Claptrap shows off his skills at Gamescom in the "Last Hope" trailer for Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel!



The catchy song from the trailer is "Come with Me Now" by the Kongos.

If you looked carefully, you will have noticed Claptrap showing off several different action skills including one where he transforms into a little pirate ship, and one where he grows wings like a Siren. Perhaps his action skill is random?

If you blinked, you may have missed an appearance by Roland and Lilith. It is worth going through the trailer again and pausing a few times. So far, the game is looking like a worthy followup. It has the personality that fans have come to expect.

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel will be available in the US on October 14th for the PC, Xbox 360, and PS3.

Silent Hills - Gamescom Teaser Trailer



Norman Reedus stars in the creepy teaser trailer for the new Silent Hill video game developed by Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro!



Those are some awesome names attached to this project. The official name of the new game is Silent Hills. The teaser is a reward for completing a mysterious playable demo called P.T. Demo, which is available in the PlayStation Store now for PS4 owners.

Check out some scary gameplay footage of the P.T. Demo courtesy of IGN.



Looks intense. It will be interesting to see what the final gameplay actually looks like. Kojima says he is aiming for a game that will make you..... defecate in your pants. Well the demo sure looks like the project is well on its way to meeting those lofty expectations.

Silent Hills is coming to the PS4, but other possible platforms have not been announced. An official release date is still unknown.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - Review



The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back on the big screen after a 21 year hiatus since their last live action film! Was the wait worth coming out of their shells for?

Megan Fox stars as reporter April O'Neil. She is frustrated doing fluff pieces, so she goes out of her way to get a story on the violent Foot Clan. This leads to April eventually coming into contact with the titular heroes. The problem is that it takes quite a bit of time to get to this plot point, so Megan Fox has to carry the film on her own for a while, and this is where the film begins to fall apart. That is correct... the film begins to fall apart right at the beginning.

April O'Neil is a character that is often played as a damsel in distress type, but she is also a very smart character. This film's version of April is a moron. She makes some questionable decisions that make her rightfully look like a joke to her boss and fellow employees. This makes it very difficult to like April, who takes up a lot of screen time, especially in the beginning.

In addition, the fact that April is played like such an idiot makes it unbelievable that she would be able to track down the stealthy Turtles. Moreover, April recognizes the Turtles because their origin is directly tied to April and her father, which comes off as incredibly contrived. It serves as a shallow way of creating a close connection between April and the Turtles rather than building the relationship through actual character development. As a result, the story suffers, which is further illustrated by the fact that Splinter and the Turtles no longer have a personal connection to their usual antagonist, the Shredder (Tohoru Masamune).

"I can totes carry a movie, right?"

Another big change to the character origins is that Splinter never learned martial arts from mimicking his owner, nor from a sensei. Instead, Splinter finds a book in the sewer, which somehow allows him to not only become a master at Ninjutsu, but also somewhat resemble a Japanese person. Sure, the original comic book story of a rat mimicking his master is silly, but at least the character came from Japan. Splinter suddenly acting like a Japanese person from reading a book does not make any sense and is rather distasteful.

That said, Splinter and the Turtles are portrayed fairly well thanks to their family dynamic, and their personalities are exactly as you would expect. The problem is that they do not ever become more than caricatures, with Raphael being the only one with any semblance of a character arc. Furthermore, the fast pace of the film tries to keep things going from plot point to plot point like some kind of video game, but this hurts the story because the film never slows down long enough to give these characters any depth. Thus, there is not much of a reason to care about them.

Making matters worse, the story makes little sense in the first place. One of the main villains is Eric Sacks (William Fichtner), a scientist who worked with April's father and is secretly in league with Shredder. His diabolical plan is to release a toxin that will infect all of New York City, and only Sacks has the cure. This is supposed to result in him making lots of money. The problem is that Sacks already owns a highly lucrative tech company, and he appears to be incredibly rich. So what exactly is his motivation?

"Hi, I became really rich so I can afford to pull off a scheme that will make me.... rich."

Even worse, the mutagen that transformed Splinter and the Turtles also serves as a deus ex machina. It is like a panacea that can suddenly cure everything depending on the plot point that needs solving, such as the cure for the deadly toxin, or to save someone after a brutal beating. This just makes the writing feel like it was rushed.

The dialogue is pretty bad as well. The Turtles are a very talkative bunch, especially Michelangelo, who acts a bit dumb but can be funny at times. Unfortunately, he is also a bit creepy, such as when he makes sexual references towards April. When Michelangelo first meets her, he actually says that "his shell is getting tight."

Every time he feels his shell get tighter, I feel my brain get smaller.

At least the visuals are nice to look at. The fight scenes are fun at times but sometimes suffer from the camera getting in too close, causing the action to look blurry or indecipherable. The Turtles have a more realistic look than ever before thanks to their noses, but that just takes a little getting used to. Shredder wears a large mech suit of sorts, but still moves like a martial arts master, which could make him a frightening villain if he did not make glaring errors such as allowing the Turtles to live when he had a chance to kill them.

"I am the Shredder! I kill no one. Fear me!"

There is also a really long chase scene in heavy snow, which feels out of place since they are so close to a very non-winter New York City. The chase itself has some cool moments but goes on for a little too long.

The final fight is enjoyable because the Turtles have to figure out how to defeat the seasoned Shredder, but this scene is almost completely ruined thanks to the presence of April, a character who is increasingly grating with every appearance in the film. In fact, if the movie was all Turtles, it would have been much better.

I get the impression that this expression is the entirety of Megan Fox's "range."

Producer Michael Bay and director Jonathan Liebesman had the opportunity to create something special with a property as long-lived as TMNT, but they blew it. The dialogue is bad, April is an annoying idiot, the alleged story is nonsensical, and the characters lack depth. On the plus side, the action and visuals stand out at times. Little kids should eat this stuff up. Adults might enjoy it if they can turn off their brains for two hours. Being inebriated might help.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles earns a 4 out of 10.

"Seriously?"

Super serious, Donatello. Seeing as this film already made a lot of money over opening weekend, a sequel has already been announced. Do us all a favor and save your money if you have not seen it, and go watch Guardians of the Galaxy again instead. That is a shining example of what a fun action movie can really be. TMNT will just leave you shell-shocked...... I'm as bad as this movie. :P