Unless you’ve been under a rock, or you just don’t care, you’ve probably heard about the new deal struck between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures that will see Spider-Man enter the Marvel cinematic universe while Sony maintains distribution, ownership rights and creative control. Word from Wall Street Journal is that the new Spider-Man (who won’t be played by Andrew Garfield) will show up for the first time in Captain America: Civil War (which we all assumed). But the paper also has word on the plans for the previously announced continuance of The Amazing Spider-Man franchise, or at least Sinister Six. ›››
Briefly: It looks like IMAX really is going all out with putting non-blockbuster films on their giant screens. Following yesterday’s news that Fifty Shades of Grey was getting a small IMAX run at the last minute this weekend, as well as announcements of Will Smith’s con-artist romance Focus and the sci-fi action drama Chappie getting the same treatment, today it’s Disney’s new live-action Cinderella revealed to hit IMAX next month. The film starring Lily James, Richard Madden and Cate Blanchett will hit the large format the same day as traditional theaters on March 13th. Come back for a brand new trailer tomorrow! ›››
This is definitely going to be the unpopular, you’re-totally-crazy opinion but I should be totally honest – this Spider-Man in the Marvel Universe news doesn’t excite me at all. In fact, at this point I think I’m over Spider-Man. I didn’t grow up reading the character in comic books, so I don’t really have that kind of deep connection to Spidey the character. But I did “grow up” watching the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies, then later followed the newest iteration lead by Marc Webb after helping him breakout with 500 Days of Summer (originally a Sundance film). Maybe I’m also just a bit tired of Marvel these days, too. This is where Spidey belongs, in the Marvel Universe, I’ll certainly agree to that, but I’m having trouble feigning any excitement. ›››
On the awards circuit, Birdman has been cleaning up, grabbing the awards from the Directors Guild, Producers Guild and the Screen Actors Guild. That makes it a frontrunner for the 87th Academy Awards, even though Boyhood and Richard Linklater took the top prizes at the BAFTAs last weekend. But besides the awards buzz, there’s been a lot of discussion about the ending of Birdman and just what it all means. However, rather than examine the end of the final film, we want to call your attention to the original ending of the movie, which would have had a cameo from Johnny Depp, and would have been pretty interesting. ›››
“These girls have broken down every single barrier in their path.” After giving the Green Bay Packers the spotlight for their cameo in Pitch Perfect 2, the full theatrical trailer for the a capella sequel has arrived. This time Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and the rest of the Bellas are heading to the World Championships, basically the Olympics of music made with mouths because it only happens every four years. As you’ll see in the trailer, the Bellas need this win to make up for an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction that happened during a performance in front of the President of the United States. Watch it! ›››
Director Joe Swanberg is known in the indie world for films like Drinking Buddies, Happy Christmas and his latest Sundance selected Digging for Fire, but now he’s going to make the jump to studio comedies. The Wrap has word that Swanberg has signed on to direct a comedy called Work Wife for New Line. The script comes from “Trophy Wife” TV series writers Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins and follows a pair lawyers in their 30s who try to find out if they can actually date a co-worker. There has to be some kind of comedic catch other than that, because that description sounds pretty vague and not very amusing. Read on! ›››
Anton Corbijn is a remarkable photographer. But I’m not so sure he’s that great of a filmmaker, especially after his most recent film. I’m not usually one to bash films, but Corbijn’s latest work – titled Life – is such an exceptional let down I can’t help but express my disdain. The film feels so lifeless, and is devoid of any impressive features at all, which is odd considering it’s a story about James Dean starring two very talented actors. But why does it suck so much? It’s bland and boring, a misfire on all counts, from the story to the casting to the photography itself. I had hoped I’d feel some–any–emotion, but never did. Instead, during my Berlinale screening, the only nagging feeling I had was that I wanted it to end right away so I could bolt. ›››
Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late for the PlayStation3 computer entertainment system is the newest 2D fighting game from the companies that brought you BlazBlue and Guilty Gear
Sony will discontinue online support for 2009 PSP game Resistance Retribution in May, the company announced on Twitter. All online services for the game, including its eight-player multiplayer mode, will no longer work as of May 15, 2015. “Thanks for playing!” Sony wrote.
A group of decorated Rare developers, who were instrumental in creating some of the studio’s most iconic games during the ’90s, have formed a new indie studio with grand plans to create a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie.
The new studio, called Playtonic, was formed by Gavin Price and Chris Sutherland, two highly experienced Rare developers who were laid off in the summer last year.
Chris Sutherland, meanwhile, is a coder whose influence at the studio dates back to the late ’80s when he was hired as an engineer. Sutherland, who also provided the voices of Banjo and Kazooie, was instrumental in coding Rare’s most iconic games, such as Donkey Kong Country.
The two are joined by Steve Mayles, a renowned artist who created the Banjo Kazooie characters. Three other developers currently work at the studio, while Grant Kirkhope–a famed composer for many Rare games–has been hired for Playtonic’s first game.
According a new article in Edge magazine, the current plan is to expand the team to around 15 people. It is expected that many of them will be former Rare developers.
The studio’s debut game is called “Project Ukulele,” and while details are thin for now, the game is expected to be a spiritual successor to Banjo-Kazooie. A teaser image of the game has been posted online, and fans have already begun to speculate what characters it will depict.
