StuffWeLike

Justice League movie stalled!

Justice League, from the Animated Series

Superhero movie fans mourn, because the highly-awaited Justice League movie from Warner Bros. has hit a rock, stumbled and fallen down an inescapable ravine with no Lassie to help. The movie, which was slated for a 2009 release, with production to start Spring has been put on hold. Production will now most likely start in late summer or fall (if at all)!

Why, you ask? The studio wants tax breaks for shooting in Australia, and got no response to their proposal. They also weren’t fully satisfied with the script, and wanted some more help with it, but the current writers’ strike leaves their options to drooling Justice League fanfic writers, which is not a good idea. Plus, the film is in a sorry state with the writer’s strike already, but their SAG deal expires in June, and the movie needs to be completed by then!

As far as the cast goes, most of the cast should still be available for the planned late summer-fall production. The cast itself, for those not in the know, will feature Arnie Hammer as Batman, Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, Adam Brody as The Flash, and (rumors follow) Scott Porter as Superman, Common as Green Lantern and Teresa Palmer as Talia al Ghul.

The repercussions here are that we are in a shortage of superhero flicks. The Dark Knight, the show-stealer is coming out this very year, while a Superman sequel’s fate is currently unknown. The inevitable Spider-Man 4 will take a while. That leaves us with the new upcoming Hulk movie and the planned Captain America movie. Okay, maybe not even that less, but hell.

Myst to hit the DS!

In gaming’s Hall of Fame stands out one title – Myst, an adventure game that left a huge impact on the games industry and also became the highest-selling game of its time, later beaten by the gay The Sims. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of the game, because it was released in 1993 and you started getting serious in games in like what, 2003?

This classic adventure title that a whole lot of people have fond memories of, is now making its way to North American Nintendo DSs, where it will do the same magic it did 15 years ago. And if you haven’t played the original, and own a DS, we see no reason why you shouldn’t get this game other than the fact that you have a gay pink DS. Okay.

The DS version features brand new graphics, with a lot more information to aid your quest. The lower screen functions as the game itself (which you now gloriously control with your phallic stylus), while the upper screen gives you all sorts of information. Myst, while being an adventure game that puts you into stunningly immersive environments, still focuses on puzzles and logic games. And hell, I don’t see “immersive” coming anywhere when you’re staring into a tiny DS screen in the middle of a crowded subway station.

Myst DS is scheduled to release in North America in March 2008. Buy it and let’s see if we can make it the best-selling DS game on the planet.

Apple TV $229 AND with MORE Features

At Macworld Apple announced several new features to the Apple TV and a new price ($229 for 40gb, $329 for 160gb), all making for a package that’s actually appealing.

Users can now rent over movies straight from iTunes. Over 1,000 titles will be offered by the end of February. Of that 100 titles will be offered in high definition with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. Costs will be $3.99 for new releases, $2.99 for library titles, and $4.99 for high definition titles. Costumers will have 30 days to activate the title and 24 hours after that to watch it.

Purchases downloaded to Apple TV are automatically synced back to iTunes on the user’s computer for enjoyment on their computer, all
current generation iPods or iPhone.

“With the new Apple TV and iTunes Movie Rentals, movie lovers can rent DVD-quality or stunning HD movies from their couch with just a click of a button,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “No more driving to the video store or waiting for DVDs to arrive in the mail.”

Other new features include viewing photos from their computers, Flickr and .Mac Web Galleries on their widescreen TV as slideshows or screen savers, and anytime photos are updated on Flickr or .Mac, they are automatically updated on Apple TV.

Apple TV NOT Needed with HomeDock HD

Dock your iPod and view its content in high-definition on your TV, sweet. HomeDock HD Upconverts iPod Video to 720p or 1080i via HDMI. Control the content via an RF remote and you’re good to go. The HomeDock HD will be released in Q2 2008 for the price of $249.99.

HomeDock HD

As of right now you’ll save $50, but the question at this point in time is will the price of Apple TV reduce or add more features that makes the HomeDock HD not that great of a bargain? We’ll disclose this information later today.

[Update] It’s official the Apple TV is now $229. Looks like the HomeDock HD is going to have a tougher time in the market.

Smurfs: The Movie; We’re Serious

Smurfs. Invented in 1958, these creatures have been one of pop culture’s more popular franchises. With their blue skin and classic song, they have conquered the world. And now, in Anno 2008, they will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their existence! One of the biggest highlights of this events is a movie deal that will cause Hollywood to topple over. We’re talking a computer-animated 3D movie here. The horror!Also expect an invasion of female characters (not literally, of course – this isn’t Xena). Hendrik Coysman justifies this in that The Smurfs have always adapted to the current era and theme, and since the 80s, you’ve had women in more positions of power and freedom. The Smurfs will now reflect that!

Other stuff you should expect during these demonic 50th anniversary celebrations: new comic adventures, statuettes, an exhibition at Brussels’ cartoon museum and a set of commemorative stamps.

Oh Gawd.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

“I’ll be back.”

It’s such an overused quote, but a damn good one at that. SkyNet is back online in this new FOX TV show airing January 13 at 9pm! I had the privilege of watching the pilot episode at the San Diego Comic Con and it rocked.

This series follows Sarah Connor and her son John Connor. There’s no Arnold, but from seeing the first episode he wasn’t missed – although as the series progresses I’m sure he will be. Set in between Terminator 2 and 3 with tons of time traveling goodness, the biggest question is how will this series affect the Terminator timeline?

While the pilot itself is enjoyable to watch, I do have doubts about the overall story to the series. First off when compared to the films, the CGI isn’t all that great. I hate it when things look cheap. To counter balance that, I want a great story with interesting characters. From the films we already know the backgrounds of both Sarah and John so what else is there to explore? As a fan of the film series, I just want to see the war that has been talked about since the dawn of Terminator 1. Hopefully we’ll get a good dosage of that in Terminator 4 set to be released in 2009.