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Lucas: Indy 4 will be as good as Indy 1 (“Phantom Menace” fears heightened)

VH1 managed to get close to George Lucas, who decided to spill some beans about his upcoming movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Now, expectations for this movie are big, not only because Indiana Jones is returning after a long hiatus, but because fans saw what happens to a successful franchise when it is “continued” some 20 years later. Yeah, Jar Jar Binks happens.

Like before, Indy will be chasing an important historical/legendary artifact – which, if you haven’t guessed already, will be the Crystal Skull this time around. Lucas promises that crystal skulls are mighty powerful, more so than the puny Sankara Stones or the Holy Grail (pfft, who wants immortality?). “I think this is actually better, it’s up there with the Ark of the Covenant.” says Lucas. We sure hope so.

The crystal skulls are an actually existing phenomena, however. Unlike the Ark of the Covenant, though – the Crystal skulls have been ascribed all sorts of powers (including the overthrow of Microsoft), but which one will make it to the film?

“There’s several different kinds of skulls, several different kinds of theories, several myths that are surrounding them,” Lucas said, clearly delighted by his secret knowledge. “So, you just have to put all the pieces together, look it up and figure out which one it is. Or just wait until the movie comes out, which is so much easier.”

Now, getting from the movie’s content, will go to the movie itself. It’s shaping up for a release on May 22nd next year and damn, is that a classic Lucasfilms date! The movie is tonally most similar to Raiders of the Lost Ark, and will be just as good, if Lucas is to be trusted. Let’s hope he is. And for God’s sake, let’s hope Jar Jar Binks isn’t in it.

[Via Firstshowing.net]

BBFC Rejects Revised Version of Manhunt 2, Rockstar arms itself with clubs

Months ago, we brought you news of Manhunt 2’s infamous banning in England and other British territories, as well as the remarks made by the BBFC which included ‘killing’ and ‘glorifying’ in the same sentence. Well, that led to Take Two apologizing and whipping Rockstar to revise the game and make it less gorier so that our British brethren will be happy. Rockstar grudgingly agreed, and presented before BBFC their revised edition.

Apparently, the BBFC isn’t all too happy. They have rejected the revised version of the controversial Manhunt 2, which makes us wonder as to what is going to happen to the game. David Cooke, Director of the BBFC said:

“We recognise that the distributor has made changes to the game, but we do not consider that these go far enough to address our concerns about the original version. The impact of the revisions on the bleakness and callousness of tone, or the essential nature of the gameplay, is clearly insufficient. There has been a reduction in the visual detail in some of the ‘execution kills’, but in others they retain their original visceral and casually sadistic nature.

Looks like Rockstar didn’t do their homework right. They have also made it clear that they aren’t kissing any more asses.

“We [BBFC] did make suggestions for further changes to the game, but the distributor has chosen not to make them, and as a result we have rejected the game on both platforms. The decision on whether or not an appeal goes ahead lies with the distributor [Take Two].”

This furthers one of this year’s gaming sagas. Will Take Two further appeal against the harsh British decision? Will Rockstar attack Britain? Is the BBFC messing with Take Two? We can only guess until the next chapter is played. We stand by for Take Two and Rockstar’s responses.

Microsoft’s Zune – iPod Beater?

Microsoft has announced, this week, that they’re planning a new version of their ‘Zune’ series of mp3 players. Not particularly big news, you’d think – the Zune sold 1.2 million units last year, the iPod over 30 million – but the fact that this announcement is gathering headlines on both mainstream news websites and niche technology blogs is good news: it’s competition.

Apple has, let’s face it, reveled in the fact that their product is now the byword for digital music players. People don’t talk, these days, about buying a new mp3 player. They’ll go to the store and buy a new iPod. When the first models were introduced back in 2001 they were an antidote to what Steve Jobs saw as ‘clunky’ and ‘useless’ players – most of the market then and, ironically, how the first generation iPod appears now.

It’s a well documented story that, since the first of Apple’s new machines caught the public imagination and sold in their millions back in the second half of 2004, they’ve dominated the market. Microsoft has now announced their new model and, with it, a raft of new features that include Zune Social, a networking site based around the player’s owners and their musical tastes.

Previously, the Zune – a competent player itself – had been shadowed, and other companies, like Creative, have produced products to rival the iPod but garnered only modest sales. The hugely innovative, stylish and attractive product introduced by Apple back in 2001 has made the rest of the market wake up and smell the mp3’s being burned to iPod’s all over the country: they had to wake up and catch up.

Thank god they did. The market’s full, now, of products that have had to raise their game to compete with Apple’s behemoth marketing budget. Creative’s entire range includes smaller models, inspired by the Nano, to full-size music masters. They’re aesthetically pleasing, durable and have excellent sound quality, just like the iPod. Archos players also consistently receive rave reviews, as do Samsung’s players. It’s a shame, then, that snappy adverts backed up by a multi-million pound marketing budget and the benefits of having an enviable reputation for success and credibility are the only things missing from making these perfectly worthy pieces of equipment a success.

I’m not saying that the iPod is a bad player – because it’s not. It’s got a great interface and is very good at what it does, even though file playback, and even iTunes itself, can be a little restrictive. It’s just worth exploring your options – now more than ever. There’s far more choice open to consumers than there ever has been, so make the most of it: vive la difference!

WHOA! More Cloverfield info!

[Update] – Check out more of our Cloverfield Coverage!

It’s been months since the original teaser came out, indeed we’re just a week away from the Transformers movie DVD release. Since the original trailer the stream of hype has begun to slow to a slight trickle. The biggest development about the secret monster movie isn’t that important, and barely worth mentioning.

The official website, 1-18-08.com, has recently added a new picture. The picture? A curiously angry (happy? excited? constipated even?) Japanese chef holding a platter with what looks like an omelet on it. Itself, not at all helpful, but upon flipping the picture over we are given a Japanese recipe for a fictional meal. Translated the recipe features many items not too out of the ordinary, except for one very important item, a pinch of Deep sea nectar. Why is this important? Well anyone whose looked through slusho.jp knows that one of the big ingredients in their slurpee like product is an ingredient that comes from the bottom of the ocean floor.

So what does this mean? Well obviously that the monster is a giant culinary monstrosity out to destroy all of the fast food chains in the world…. or perhaps not much. What else has been found is a company that goes by the name of Tagruato Corp. This website does seem to be tied with Slusho, making it a part of the viral marketing campaign. The subsidiary page talks about Slusho amongst 3 other companies, most of which seem to be tied with, in someway, deep sea venturing. All of this points more to the point that the monster has some significant connection with this deep sea nectar.

Other than that, there’s nothing really going on in J.J. Abrams land. Keep your eyes and ears open for another trailer though, there are only 3 more months until the movie’s release.

[Via: First Showing and 1-18-08 live journal]

Serenity 2? Is it actually possible? Tudyk says yes!

Several years ago Joss Whedon, the creator, executive producer, and a lead writer for both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and it’s subsequent spin off Angel created a futuristic western for Fox called Firefly. The series didn’t do immensely well ratings wise and was canceled after the first eleven episodes. However, like many of Whedon’s TV series, the series developed a dedicated cult following. A movie spin off was made by Paramount called Serenity. Despite positive critic reception the movie didn’t perform as well as hoped in theaters.

After 3 separate DVD incarnations over the years, a copy of the movie resting up in the International Space Station, and many many efforts to increase DVD, we’re finally seeing some positive news. The sales from the recent release of the collector’s edition has reignited the chances of a Serenity sequel. Alan Tudyk, the actor who played Hoban “Wash” Washburne in the Firefly series and Sonny in the I, Robot remake, says that there are talks within Paramount to make a Serenity 2, either as a theatrical release or a straight-to-DVD release.

While it’s not been greenlit yet, Whedon and the rest of the Serenity cast (well perhaps no Tudyk considering his character’s demise in the movie) will likely jump at the chance to make another movie if given the chance. While this might not jump start a chance at a second season for Firefly, considering Whedon’s disposition on working with Fox again, I’m sure all of us Browncoats would love to see another movie, regardless of how big or small the release. Keep flying my friends, keep flying.

[Via sources: Moviehole and AICN]

World of Warcraft ad for Toyota’s FOUR WHEELS OF FURY!!

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You know you have created an ad full of win when its set in World of Warcraft and has some of the most memorable lines you’ll hear in any advertisement.

“I’m gonna equip myself with a little FOUR WHEELS OF FURY!!”

“Did you see me lay down the law? I’m teh lawgiva!”

I can’t get those two lines out of my head!