“Life happens. And it sweeps you up, and then you die. That’s it. Stupid really…” Need a good laugh? Watch this short. Curmudgeons is a comedic short film directed by Danny DeVito, starring Danny DeVito and his longtime friend David Margulies as two old “curmudgeons” who meet up again at an assisted living home. The cast includes Danny DeVito’s daughter Lucy DeVito, as well as Sarah Nina Hayon and Kett Turton. It’s a wonderful mix of hilariously crude humor and life lessons being imparted to youngsters, with a sweet side to it that comes out in just the right way. I’m really impressed by this – it’s the kind of film you should watch if you’re feeling sad and need a reminder of what happiness is. Take a few minutes and watch. ›››
“Don’t be scared, we’re all hunters.” Oiffy has debuted a trailer for a very interesting dystopian drama titled The White King, based on the novel of the same name, a reference to chess as well as the actual story. The film is about a care-free 12-year-old boy growing up in a ruthless dictatorship in a dystopian future. His father is suddenly imprisoned as a traitor, and he sets off to try and find him again. Starring Jonathan Pryce, Agyness Deyn, Ross Partridge, Fiona Shaw, and newcomer Lorenzo Allchurch as the boy – named Djata. There’s certainly a bit of The Hunger Games vibe to this, but it also seems like an intriguing story of struggle in a world that purports to be perfect. There are a few really great shots in this, I am sold. ›››
“I’m just going ’round in circles.” Sundance Selects + IFC Films have debuted another official US trailer for Ken Loach’s new film titled I, Daniel Blake, which ended up winning the coveted Palme d’Or (the top prize) at the Cannes Film Festival back in May. We posted the UK trailer a few months ago. Dave Johns stars as Daniel Blake, an aging man living in the UK who must file for pension and benefits from the country after losing his job. He befriends a new neighbor, Katie played by Hayley Squires, a single mother having trouble making ends meet. The film has been earning buzz all year as it’s one of the most emotional and provocative looks at how broken bureaucracy is in the UK right now. IFC will be putting this out in theaters in December, just before the end of the year, in hopes that it will find a good audience here in the US, too. ›››
“I enjoy listening to you.” The Orchard has unveiled a trailer for a quirky romance titled Operator, about a relationship that goes awry when the programmer creates a digital version of his wife’s voice. The indie film stars Martin Starr (from “Silicon Valley” and “Party Down”) and Mae Whitman (seen in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and The Perks of Being a Wallflower), along with Nat Faxon, Cameron Esposito, Retta, Christine Lahti and Kate Cobb. I hate to say it, but this almost seems like a low-rent TV-movie version of Spike Jonze’s brilliant Her, playing on the technology angle and the romance. Maybe there’s something to it, but it didn’t really grab my attention aside from Whitman’s performance (she’s a voice actor in real life, too). ›››
“What? I wouldn’t let myself be eaten!” Eureka has released an official UK trailer for Japanese director Kôji Fukada’s latest film Harmonium, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year and won the Jury Prize in the Un Certain Regard category. Harmonium is a slow burn drama about a Japanese family. One review stated “the film’s insights into the isolation evident in the relationships most take for granted – marriages, parent-child connections and long-term friendships – don’t merely hit their targets; they smash them with a sledgehammer.” The cast includes Mariko Tsutsui, Tadanobu Asano, Kanji Furutachi, Kana Mahiro, Takahiro Miura, Taiga, and Momone Shinokawa. This also reminds me of Hirokazu Koreeda’s Like Father, Like Son a bit, but I’m sure it has plenty of insight to offer on its own. Have a look. ›››
According to a new report, Sony will launch “five or more” smartphone games in 2018 as part of its newly formed mobile gaming division, ForwardWorks. Nikkei reports that these games, which could launch in March 2018, will be “targeted” at Japan and other parts of Asia.
Sony could announce them by the end of the year, the report said (via MCV).
As announced previously, these games may pull from Sony’s library of characters and franchises. Interestingly, Nikkei reports that “some older games that cannot be played on the latest hardware will be revived” for smartphone games. Additionally, “games may be linked to consoles as well,” the report said.
The games, whatever they turn out to be, will be made for iOS and Android devices.
“The company will aim to deliver users with opportunity to casually enjoy full-fledged game titles in the new field of the smart device market,” Sony said in March when it announced the new smartphone game division. The company added that it formed ForwardWorks so as to meet the demands of the “ever-expanding smart device market.”
Sony has only announced that its new smartphone games will be released in Japan and Asia, though the company has not ruled out bringing them to the west as well.
According to a new report, Sony will launch “five or more” smartphone games in 2018 as part of its newly formed mobile gaming division, ForwardWorks. Nikkei reports that these games, which could launch in March 2018, will be “targeted” at Japan and other parts of Asia.
Sony could announce them by the end of the year, the report said (via MCV).
As announced previously, these games may pull from Sony’s library of characters and franchises. Interestingly, Nikkei reports that “some older games that cannot be played on the latest hardware will be revived” for smartphone games. Additionally, “games may be linked to consoles as well,” the report said.
The games, whatever they turn out to be, will be made for iOS and Android devices.
“The company will aim to deliver users with opportunity to casually enjoy full-fledged game titles in the new field of the smart device market,” Sony said in March when it announced the new smartphone game division. The company added that it formed ForwardWorks so as to meet the demands of the “ever-expanding smart device market.”
Sony has only announced that its new smartphone games will be released in Japan and Asia, though the company has not ruled out bringing them to the west as well.
World of Warcraft‘s game director, Tom Chilton, is no longer working on Blizzard’s long-running PC MMO. In a blog post, Chilton announced that he’s moving on to a “new adventure” inside of Blizzard.
Chilton worked on World of Warcraft from the very beginning, serving as senior game designer in 2004, before later being promoted to game director.
Taking Chilton’s place as game director will be Ion Hazzikostas, who is a Blizzard veteran himself. “I know that WoW will be in great hands with Ion at the helm,” Chilton said. “He’s been an integral part of the team for more than eight years and has contributed to so many aspects of the game’s development–from class design to encounter design and nearly everything in between.”
Chilton also stressed that the future of World of Warcraft “continues to be bright” and said he’s excited to play upcoming content as a fan.
“World of Warcraft is the product of the passion of both the team and all of its players, so I’d also like to thank each of you for the wonderful journey that working on the WoW development team has been,” he said.
Chilton didn’t specify what he’s working on now, only saying that he will be “focusing on another project within the company.”
With Battlefield 1‘s Play First Trial now available on Xbox One and PC, it’s been discovered that one of the single-player campaign chapters lets you play as a pigeon for a brief moment.
This happens in the tank-centric “Through Mud and Blood Mission.” After things go badly, you and your squadmates are pinned down inside your tank. As last ditch effort, your commanding officer instructs you–against the wishes of others–to release a carrier pigeon to call in backup.
What happens next is pretty cool. You become the pigeon and are tasked with delivering the message. You can control the bird, looking down on the bleak scene below. Here’s an image I took during my playthrough:
The Battlefield Play First Trial also includes the new “War Pigeons” mode. According to DICE, dogs and pigeons were used to deliver messages during World War I.
“In the War Pigeons game mode the opposing sides compete to use messenger pigeons to call in artillery barrages on the enemy,” reads a line from its official description. “When the game starts, a pigeon coop with a messenger pigeon is placed somewhere on the map. Locate the pigeon before the enemy and carry it to a safe location out in the open. There you prepare a message and send it off, calling for artillery support. Once a message is successfully sent an artillery barrage will strike the enemy.”
Battlefield 1 is playable right now on Xbox One and PC for people who subscribe to EA/Origin Access. The 10-hour trial contains a sampling of the shooter’s single-player and multiplayer modes.
People who buy the $80 Early Enlister edition can start playing on October 18. This package, which also includes DLC, is offered on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare launches on November 4, but you don’t have to wait that long to try out Activision’s newest entry in the juggernaut shooter series.
The PS4 beta ends on October 17 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET. The following weekend’s beta will be held on PS4 and Xbox One, running October 21 to October 24 at the same times. The Infinite Warfare beta will not be offered on PC.
