Generation Star Wars (Full Feed)

Commodore 64 returns for iPhone

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:17:53 PST

An edge of your seat software soap opera may, finally, be at an end on the App Store! Manomio's Commodore 64 (iTunes) is back following the removal of BASIC at Apple's request.

Along with up to a 30% performance improvement, Commodore 64 now includes onboard instructions for each of the included games and three new games: International Basketball, International Baseball, and International Tennis. That's an awesome retro bundle for £2.99.

The next update, scheduled for December, will enable in-game downloads. Bring on Impossible Mission, The Eidolon and The Way of the Exploding Fist!

In view of the application's history. I'd suggest downloading Commodore 64 (iTunes) sooner rather than later!

The Settlers 'settle' for iPhone

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:23:52 PST

Following last week's disappointing Command & Conquer Red Alert for iPhone/iPod touch. Gameloft, one of the App Store's most prolific third-party developers, has looked to an established real-time strategy (RTS) license for its latest release.

The Settlers (iTunes) assuredly marches onto the App Store long after it first appeared on the Amiga in 1993.

You’ve arrived in a wondrous place populated by Romans, Vikings and Mayans competing or cooperating to reach a variety of goals. These goals include occupying land, ensuring the supply of raw materials, or simply trying to create the most beautiful settlement. There is more than one path which leads to success – you can engage in trade, forge alliances, or lead your army into battle.

The Settlers stumbled onto mobile platforms with varying degrees of success. But, Apple's iPhone and iPod touch are the perfect medium, and Gameloft has invested considerable time in R&D!

Given the introductory price point of £2.99, I unreservedly recommend The Settlers (iTunes).

Hasbro and JJ Abrams risk Micronauts reboot!

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:17:01 PST

In the week that Sony Pictures Entertainment acquired the rights to the Risk board game from Hasbro. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Hasbro is rebooting the Micronauts and JJ Abrams is at the helm of a new film franchise.

During Hasbro’s 2009 Fall Investor Day Event held today at their headquarters in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the company announced the re-introduction of the classic toy line Micronauts originally created by Japanese company Takara, in 1974, under the name Microman. Microman evolved out of Hasbro's G.I. Joe and would later morph into one of the most successful toy lines ever. The Transformers.

Microman was rebranded as the Micronauts and launched in 1977 by, the now defunct, Mego in the United States and Airfix in the UK. Ironically, Mego passed on Star Wars and would compete for shelf space that Christmas.

Backed by a Marvel comic series, in 1979, the Micronauts were a short-lived phenomenon, that attained a cult following and resurrected, briefly, by Palisades Toys, in 2002.

Abrams told the Wall Street Journal that those who doubt whether a board game or science fiction toy should be accorded star status will be proved wrong.

"Sometimes, when someone is not a celebrity and you are casting them in a role, everyone who is in a seat of authority voices questions about that actor's talent, sex appeal, looks, ability -- their everything," he says. "But then they get the role, and suddenly they are on the cover of every magazine, and nobody questions those things again. In retrospect, everyone says, 'Of course that person is a star.'"

Cherished childhood memories mean I can't wait to see the adventures of Acroyear and Baron Karza on the big screen! However, is it a toy tie-in too far? Is Hollywood so starved of story ideas, and risk-averse, that it's now looking to the aisles of Toys "R" Us? What do you think?

Command & Conquer Red Alert for iPhone

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:21:26 PST

EA Mobile is at the forefront of releasing established game franchises, both from its own in-house studios and third-party properties, with varying degrees of success, on the App Store.

From The Sims 3 to Rock Band and Madden NFL 10 to FIFA 10, the App Store is rapidly becoming the online shopping destination of choice for mobile gamers everywhere! Competitors can't compete with Apple's vertical integration.

Command & Conquer Red Alert (iTunes) is the latest edition to that enviable collection. Suffice to say that I've been looking forward to the arrival of Command & Conquer, for iPhone and iPod touch, since it was announced months ago! The real-time strategy (RTS) genre has been woefully underrepresented on the App Store! However, I'm reluctant to download the game in its current form!

Why? Because a stellar 3D presentation and control method do not, in and of themselves, yield longevity! There's no wireless multiplayer (a future update will add this) and, perhaps most cynically, the skeletal selection of included maps can be increased at additional cost! Given that the Command & Conquer franchise is known for its copious free maps and multiplay, EA Mobile's decision is surprising and appears fiscally motivated.

Ultimately Command & Conquer Red Alert could be construed as a half-baked attempt to nickel and dime early adopters! I'll wait for the price to drop, from £5.99, before revisiting this anticipated release and forthcoming Empire of the Rising Sun expansion pack.

Are in-game purchases adding value or simply a revenue stream for publishers?

Misfits is no misfire

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:58:47 PST

On Thursday night I was invited, along with luminaries from the social media space, to a preview screening of E4's new six-part super hero comedy drama, Misfits, in the hallowed halls of Channel Four.

Party-girl Alisha (Antonia Thomas) can send people into a sexual frenzy with just one touch, hard as nails Kelly (Lauren Socha) can suddenly hear people’s thoughts, while one-time sporting hero Curtis (Nathan Stewart Jarrett) discovers he has the ability to turn back time. Even painfully shy nerd Simon (Iwan Rheon) can make himself invisible – which is what he has always felt.

Howard Overman's (Merlin, Hustle, New Tricks) treatment of super hero mythology is worthy of comparison to Bryan Singer's The X-Men. Sans sentiment, one scene brutally lampoons The X-Men's Professor Xavier. However, Overman denies such subtext, preferring the audience to embellish!

There will be no trite explanation of the meaning behind the mysterious storm that enthuses the ASBO miscreants with super powers, thereby preserving some semblance of enigma and precluding a narrative 'black hole' should Misfits, deservedly in my opinion, garner a second season! And, the creative team should be lauded for holding back on the special effects, which were secondary and tertiary to the charismatic characters. Again, the adage of less is more, applies here, in abundance (budgetary limitations aside)!

I should point out that Misfits will embrace, in the words of Channel Four's Steve Berry, 'transmedia storytelling'. This is storytelling across multiple forms of media with each element making distinctive contributions to a viewer's understanding of the story world. By using different media formats, it attempts to create "entrypoints" through which consumers can become immersed in a story world. And, perhaps most coolly of all, audiences will be able to officially follow the protagonists on Twitter; Mad Men fans started tweeting as characters, and the studio, bogged down by old media politics, initially tried to stop it, which was counter-intuitive.

Misfits isn't a reaction to Heroes, the programme's genesis pre-dates the hit US television drama series, or a self-serving misfire caching in on sociological trends. But, could be the best in-house genre show from the Channel Four stable since Dead Set! That's a super power worthy of any hero or anti-hero...

So, set your PVR to record Misfits, which begins 10PM Thursday November 12th on E4.

Special thanks to Channel Four's Steve and Alex for being so welcoming.

UK gets limited edition black Wii

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:05:17 PDT

With the gift giving season only weeks away. Nintendo has officially announced a limited edition black Wii, which includes Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort pack-in, for the UK market.

Nintendo takes UK seriously

Nintendo's UK product manager for Wii, Rob Lowe told MCV: "Nintendo has always taken the European market seriously and this isn't the first time a product has launched in the UK or Europe before the US.

"We are keen to launch the black Wii in time for the Christmas sales season and this starts slightly earlier in the UK and Republic of Ireland [than elsewhere]."

Pre-order the limited edition Wii at Amazon.co.uk for £164.99 now.

Fan-ning The Flames?

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:17:07 PST

Guest post written by Neil Gardner

I work in media in the UK, I produce a lot of radio programming, and also work on various other productions, including some TV and film stuff. Over the years I have spent a lot of time in studios, recording and editing and mixing and mastering. But I have also spent much time outside of the studio, in the real-world, trying to make stuff on a tight budget, to a tight timetable, while all around the day to day world continues. Getting out of the studio is a great experience, and over the past few years in my own production company we have established a rule that wherever possible our programmes will be entirely recorded on location and as we call it, ‘exterior’.

But working outside the studio brings with it many uncontrollable unknowns. Studios make life easy, you control the environment, the sound, the access, the whole shebang. Once you step outside you suddenly have to deal with all sorts of annoyances and difficulties. In the UK, one of the biggest things to deal with is the noise of cars, people, planes and so on. It is notoriously tough to find a quiet exterior environment. The sound of air passing across the microphone can destroy an otherwise perfect take! Add in weather, light levels, permission to record, legal and health & safety requirements, you can understand why the studio is so appealing to so many producers and directors.

Strangely, in radio production, recording outside the studio is generally cheaper than recording in a studio...studios cost per hour, whereas heading on to the streets is generally free. In a media with ridiculously low budgets, any cost saving you can find is a good one. But for TV and film, leaving the studio invariably ends up costing much more. Now, TV and film require many more people to make a production happen (radio needs 2 or 3!) and all these people need to be housed, fed, transported, kept warm and sheltered...plus all the equipment needed of course! If you’ve ever seen a location crew you will have seen endless lorries, buses, catering coaches, makeup vans, etc...

But more and more there is an additional expense that producers have to front up. That of security. Depending on what you are producing, but it is invariably the rule that any location recording will attract attention. Nothing new there. In the past it was mostly photographers and the occasional group of vaguely interested locals who thought they might get in the background of a shot and see themselves on TV. But over the last decade or so, since the ridiculous cult of personality took over as our state religion and lobotomised at least 50% of the population, productions have been plagued by fans. Now, let me get this straight, fans are wonderful people (mostly) who care deeply about their favourite actors, characters and productions. Without passionate fans many TV shows (especially in the fickle world of US network TV) would have disappeared into cancellation hell. Fans keep you on your toes, ask the important questions, remind the rest of the media world that your production is important and relevant and worthy of attention. Without fans we would be nowhere, after all, we are in entertainment! But...and this is where I suddenly lose several good friends...there are degrees of fandom and of late there has been a big growth in the number of ‘lurker’ fans. These aren’t dangerous people, aren’t disturbed or mentally ill, they aren’t offensive or anything like that, but they are still a nuisance for production teams.

These ‘teams’ of stalwart fans follow production teams up and down the country, appearing as if by magic at every location. They report on the minutiae of production recording, hoping to learn or reveal some invaluable secret to their non-travelling cohorts. They stand alongside the ‘paps’ and hope to get yet another photo of THAT actor or actress. As someone who works on these productions I have to say that it is a real nuisance sometimes. We are trying to do a job, trying to make a production as fast as possible. At the same time, we have to worry not just about ourselves, our talent and our co-workers, but also the press and paps. And now we have to consider the safety and security of these fans. A lot of time and money is spent on ensuring the health and safety of crews and cast while on location, but when fans turn up on set, we suddenly have to consider their well-being as well. We have to hire security to keep an eye on them and make sure no-one gets too close to the set. It all becomes additional stress and cost at a time when we need to focus on our work.

What confuses me is WHY these people spend so much of their time and money following production crews around. Once you’ve seen one wet and windy external shoot you’ve seen them all. I understand the allure of media and the entertainment world...from the outside it all looks very sexy and special, and at times it can be. But I can promise you, few if any of those working in a quarry in Wales, or a beach in mid-winter, or a council estate in the height of summer want to be there. For them it is a job, one they want to get on with as few hassles as possible. And when, as a production team, you have gone to extreme lengths to keep your recording under wraps, to maintain the element of surprise in advance of transmission of the programme, it is incredibly aggravating to have some OTT fans turn up, snap pics and try to scuttle your plans.

Where does this incessant need for spoilers, advance information and revelations come from? Producers have to take much of the blame, for releasing WAY TOO MUCH information about their productions in advance of transmission or release. Movie and TV trailers focus too much on showing the ‘best bits’ almost making watching the final production pointless. And in the never-ending fight for publicity, we all try to get something sexy and exciting out to magazines, newspapers and online outlets so we get written and read about. But by indulging in such practices we have built up the expectations of many fans, who now demand to know everything in advance of transmission, and who will go to extreme lengths to learn anything, no matter how minute, before anyone else.

Another side to this ‘lurking’ fan syndrome we come across is when the same fans turn up at every event a certain actor or personality attached to a production is at. They will travel from all over the country to see this ‘celebrity’ walk in to a building to be interviewed, and then wait hours for them to come out again. They will hang around outside studios for days just to glimpse the actor as they are arriving and leaving from work. If the actor is starring in a play or other live show, these fans don’t just go once, but countless times. On the one hand it is sweet, endearing and shows loyalty. But on the other it is a little worrying. These fans are placing far too much importance on their object of affection. Is it a harmless way of escaping their own lives to vicariously live a little bit of the celebrity’s life? Or is it something more worrying...an inability to differentiate between a fictional character and a jobbing actor? What it means for us in the production teams is yet more work trying to get actors in and out of studios, events and publicity. We have to keep venues a secret, hire yet more security and try to allow the fans access to their favourite people without compromising security, schedules or the actor’s natural desire to share some time and laughs with their fans.

So what’s the point of this guest blog, then? It’s not to dismiss the honest affection and love these fans have for our productions and talent, we all appreciate that. And it’s not to embarrass them or suggest they are less than anyone else. I suppose it is to shed a little light on what it looks like from our side of the fence, and to ask that these fans back off just a little, maybe only come to one or two shoots per year instead of all of them, to understand that their attendance causes us more work and costs us money and maybe there is a better way for them to show their appreciation of what we are doing.

But it is also to say ‘calm down’ to the general world of fandom and of media production. We reveal too much too soon and thereby have lost much of the joy of surprise. Producers like JJ Abrahms and Joss Whedon understand the art of the reveal, and correctly hold back many of their big secrets, requiring us to go see the film, tune in to the TV show or radio series. We have to remember that the audience needs to attend the movie and make an appointment to see the TV show or hear the radio programme...if the audience doesn’t turn up, we stop being hired to make the productions! Broadcasters and movie companies have but one God...ratings (and return on investment of course!). I genuinely believe that more people went to see Cloverfield because they had no clue what it was really going to be than would have gone if JJ had revealed the monster and main plot points in advance. James Cameron seems to have dealt himself a bad hand by suddenly changing tack and revealing way too much about Avatar...the fans and commentators are now turning from excited anticipation to apathetic disinterest and scorn.

As a producer I want you to hear my programmes and I want you to choose to do so because you are interested by the pre-release information I have shared with you. But I don’t want to share so much that you feel you can make a decision about whether to tune in or not because you feel like you can already ‘hear’ the programme in advance. The ‘dedicated’ fans who dog every step of a production end up risking destroying the very shows they love so much. So please, consider backing off a little bit, give us room to make our productions in peace and secrecy...and in return I promise you’ll get kick ass TV shows, movies and radio series, and lots of chances to meet the stars and talk with the crews.

Neil Gardner has worked in professional radio for 22 years, starting in local BBC and commercial radio as a technician and working his way up to programme controller. He has worked in local, regional, national and international radio stations, has engineered, presented, produced and programmed at all levels. He is an internationally recognised award-winning radio writer & director, with a love of sci-fi and comedy. He joined Ladbroke Productions in 1999 and bought the company in 2008. Between 2005 and 2009 he was also the Secretary, Treasurer and then Chair of the Radio Independents Group. He has also acted as a Trustee of the Radio Academy and the Gateway School of Recording. Most recently he has been helping to produce Doctor Who Hornets' Nest, featuring the long-awaited return of Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor. He is the co-writer, producer, editor and director of Robert Rankin's "The Brightonomicon Audio Series" and has also produced Sarah Jane Adventures for BBC Audiobooks, and directed scifi radio plays starring Sir Derek Jacobi, Jason Isaacs, Andy Serkis and Catherine McCormack.

Follow Neil Gardner on Twitter, Facebook and read his blog.

If you would like to submit a guest post, please use the contact form.

Download Monty Python on iTunes UK

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:49:25 PDT

At long last Monty Python fans can download the seminal surrealist television and film series on iTunes UK store from today!

Life of Brian, Holy Grail, Meaning of Life, all Flying Circus episodes and Live at the Hollywood Bowl are all available for download now.

This is an excellent coup for the upcoming gift giving season and a great addition to anyone's iPod touch or iPod nano.

Is That It? Michael Jackson's so-so swansong!

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:27:06 PDT

Michael Jackson's posthumous single "This Is It" premièred Monday, online and on the airwaves, to mixed reaction!

"It's a safe, midtempo pop ballad that features what his fans love: his trademark breathy vocals and confident delivery," says AOL music editor Jessica Robertson. "I don't think it will set the world on fire, because it's missing what fans and critics love most about his songs, which is a strong and powerful groove to carry it."

"It's not bad," says Cori Murray, entertainment director at Essence magazine. "Folks who love him are going to love this. Sometimes with songs like this, you know why it was unreleased, but this sounds like something he could have put on an album."

Personally, I wasn't anticipating a song that would rival Michael Jackson's best work with one-time producer and mentor Quincy Jones! Jackson's creative light began to fade when they parted company, two decades ago, during the recording of the unreleased greatest hits album "Decade" (1989).

"This Is It" harks back to the 1980s when the King of Pop ruled the charts seemingly at will! The vocal performance, which includes backing vocals by the singer's brothers, the Jacksons, is certainly evocative of that era, and it's believed the recording was made during the "Dangerous" (1991) album sessions; Jackson's vocals have changed over the ensuing years, arguably for the worse.

The result is a so-so song and not a final, innovative, flourish...

The single will be released, both online and in bricks and mortar stores, later this month. And will be followed by the "This Is It" soundtrack, which will contain previously released material from Michael Jackson's blockbusting solo career, sequenced to match the movie, and unreleased material. Whether or not it contains any hidden gems remains to be seen! Sony stands to make a mint regardless...

Grand Monster Slam

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:17:36 PST

Guest post written by John Rivers

Why start a blog about monsters? It's a question I found myself coming back to as I was setting up Godzilla Eats Diss! over and over again. There are hundreds of genre blogs on the net, but it occurred to me that in recent times much of what we associate with 'monsters' in both horror and sci-fi had actually been referring to Zombies and Vampires.

Now Twilight, Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead, True Blood et al are all fine in their own right, but both zombies and vampires rely on the notion of human modification and very often flirt with that middle-ground between human and inhuman. What about the creatures that weren't human, that were so utterly inhuman they helped define mankind by what it wasn't? This got me thinking. Two recent movies had brought monsters back to the cinema in a big way - Cloverfield and The Host, not to mention the relaunch of Doctor Who, which returned aliens and creatures back into the world of genre, outside the bipeds creatures frequently seen on Stargate or even the new look Cylons from Battlestar.

With this in mind I decided to set up a blog for those of us who loved monsters. Whether it's the giant ants in the New Mexico desert in Them! Godzilla (and many others) attacking Tokyo, the thing chasing Kirk down the frozen wastes of Delta Vega in the new Star Trek, the Alien Queen engaging Ripley in hand-to-hand combat or the Slitheen planning another intergalactic war for profit in Doctor Who then this is the site for you!

We aim to cover as much as we can, from the genius of legends like Ray Harryhausen to the straight-to-DVD crap that plagues the late-night schedules of the Sci-Fi Channel, we hope that you'll find something to enjoy or at least jump-start a memory or idea on Godzilla Eats Diss!

Also, John doesn't know it yet, but he's going to write for us about the giant monsters in the Star Wars movies, aren't you, John? Unleash the Rancor!

John Rivers is an award-winning digital marketing bod who lives in North London with his cat. A long time movie and TV fan, he writes a rather 'Angry' blog about Doctor Who, while also moderating on Gallifrey Base, the net's biggest Doctor Who forum. In a monster smackdown, he'd be on Gamera's side.

If you would like to submit a guest post, please use the contact form.

New Doctor, new logo

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:11:29 PDT

The Doctor Who logo has undergone almost as many changes as the Time Lord himself!

This would be counterproductive for most brands! Logos are intended to engender immediate brand recognition and none more successfully than Apple or McDonald's. However, in the, perhaps unique, case of Doctor Who, it's appropriate when viewed in the broader context of consumer expectations - new Doctor, new TARDIS interior and so on...

But what do you think? Is it an improvement on recent efforts, an indulgence at the license payers expense, or do you remain unconvinced? And, if you were to pick a logo, from 1963 onwards, which would be your favourite? I'll go with the 'diamond logo' myself!

The Sith shop at Toys "R" Us

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:34:01 PDT

Shoppers attending today's Grand Opening of Toys "R" Us, Exeter, were greeted by some of George Lucas' most memorable creations from his Star Wars and Indiana Jones sagas.

Indiana Jones, Lord Darth Vader and Stormtroopers outside the newest Toys "R" Us store in the UK. The UK Garrison of the 501st Legion was on hand to supply some official Star Wars razzle-dazzle in the aid of charity.

Inside the store there were bargains to be had. For example up to 50% off video games and consoles. However, I left the store without any bounty!

With the start of the gift giving season only weeks away. Toys "R" Us couldn't have opened at a better time! Despite the economic recession, I wouldn't bet against this destination store's success.

Suffice to say that the 'Force' was strong with the opening event and a geek like me was in his element!

Ten App Store video games you should own!

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:44:07 PST

To mark Apple's "Rock and Roll" event in San Francisco, which should usher in new iPods. These are my suggested top ten iPhone/iPod touch video games that you should own (in no particular order):

DOOM Resurrection (iTunes link)
On-rail shooters don't come much better than this atmospheric and visceral experience. Surely the Dead Space franchise won't be too far behind?

Mr. Driller (iTunes link)
Namco's diminutive Dig Dug franchise is very much alive and well in the Noughties!

Space Invaders Infinity Gene (iTunes link)
Contender for game of the year! Read my review to find out why here.

Wolfenstein RPG (iTunes link)
Hot on the heels of Wolfenstein 3D. RPG is a must for any fan of compelling game play!

Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor (iTunes link)
The narrative of the Bryce family weaves a wonderful web.

Castle of Magic (iTunes link)
Every successful video games console has a mascot. Mario for Nintendo and Sonic for Sega. Now there's a contender for iPhone. Meet Wizzy, you won't regret it!

ROLANDO 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid (iTunes link)

WORMS (iTunes link)

Flight Control (iTunes link)
The game that garnered plaudits from the Twittering generation and with just cause!

The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition (iTunes link)
This game needs no introduction. Point and click has translated well to Apple's portable gaming platform. Can't wait for the likes of Full Throttle, Sam & Max, Day of the Tentacle and Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis.

By no means definitive, but there you have it! Please suggest your own favourites in comments.

Mary 'Romana' Tamm signing at Forbidden Planet

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 04:43:43 PDT

Forbidden Planet is pleased to announce a signing with Mary Tamm. She will be signing her autobiography First Generation at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JR on Saturday 12 September 1 - 2pm.

In the 1970s, actress Mary Tamm travelled the universe aboard the TARDIS… 30 years on, she now recounts the story of her own, earthbound, adventures.

Born to Estonian parents in 1950s Bradford, her rise to fame took her from a Northern childhood to life in the fast lane: via TV appearances in Coronation Street and Girls of Slender Means to leading roles in feature films – including the cult Tales that Witness Madness, and The Odessa File which pitched her career into the international arena.

In 1978, Mary became part of essential Saturday night television as she joined the cast of Doctor Who alongside Tom Baker, as the superlative Time Lady, Romana! Packed with recollections and exclusive photographs, her autobiography FIRST GENERATION features a foreword by Colin Baker and follows Mary on a journey of self-discovery to her parents’ homeland of Estonia, where she finally comes to terms with her true identity.

Forbidden Planet is the largest store of its kind in the world. Some of the biggest names in Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comics and Cult Entertainment have come to our London Megastore for signing events, including: Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Terry Gilliam, Simon Pegg, William Gibson, Mark Millar, Guillermo Del Toro, Brian Froud and Stephen King.

For more news about our signings please go to: http://www.forbiddenplanet.com/Signings.html

Panasonic ties up with 'Avatar' movie to go 3-D

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:31:30 PDT

By YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer

TOKYO – Panasonic Corp. has signed on "Titanic" director James Cameron and his upcoming film in an advertising blitz for its TVs equipped with 3-D technology, both sides said Friday.

The deal between the major Japanese electronics maker and Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp.'s "Avatar" — the first major Hollywood 3-D release that's not animation — comes as competition heats up in flat-panel TVs that show three-dimensional images, or stereoscopic vision.

To watch 3-D TVs, viewers must wear special glasses that block vision in one eye and then the other as the TVs switch rapidly between images for each eye to create an illusion of depth.

Panasonic is planning to start selling 3-D TVs next year. Rivals, including Sony Corp., which has its own movie division, and Samsung Electronics Co. of South Korea have shown prototypes and may offer similar products.

The problem is the scarcity of content to view in 3-D. Skeptics say a number of Blu-ray discs of appealing 3-D movies must come out for 3-D TVs to catch on.

Several animation films are already being shown in theaters in 3-D, but "Avatar," set for release Dec. 18, will be the first major non-animation film debuting worldwide in both 2-D and 3-D.

"I believe 3-D is how we will experience movies, gaming and computing in the near future. 3-D is not something you watch. It's a reality you feel you could step into," Cameron said on video.

Panasonic is hoping its collaboration with Cameron will give it an edge in brand image as a 3-D leader as well as in obtaining suggestions for technological improvements for home TVs, said General Manager Masayuki Kozuka.

"We want to get global interest rolling," he told The Associated Press. "For people to want to watch 3-D at home, the movie has to be a blockbuster."

Panasonic plans to have several trailer-vans driving around in the U.S. and Europe next month with large-screen 3-D TVs inside showing "Avatar." In Japan, footage from "Avatar" — a science-fiction "Pocahontas"-like romance set in a futuristic jungle inhabited by creatures evocative of Cameron's "Aliens" — will appear in ads for 3-D TVs.

Details on the 3-D Blu-ray release of "Avatar" for TVs have not been set.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Bryan Singer at the helm of Battlestar Galactica

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 07:19:34 PDT

Entertainment Weekly confirms speculation that Bryan Singer will be directing the upcoming Battlestar Galactica movie:

"Battlestar Galactica is getting the big-screen treatment. Universal Pictures has confirmed blog speculation that Bryan Singer, director of Valkyrie, will take on directing and producing duties for a BSG movie. Glen Larson, who created original series back in 1978, will produce as well. The film is not expected to be a continuation of current popular television show that’s running on the SyFy network but will be a complete re-imagining of the sci-fi lore that was invented by Larson back in the 70s."

The notion of seeing Bryan Singer's vision of Battlestar Galactica, on the big screen with composer John Ottman interpolating Stu Phillips' memorable score, is enthralling. Mattel should produce the toy line, as the company did in the late 1970s, sans infamous missiles this time!

To paraphrase Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica's special effects impresario John Dykstra - I can't wait to see a kick-ass fight in space...

Tron Legacy fan art by James White

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:35:26 PDT

This Tron Legacy poster is not official by any means. However, it's impressive and splendidly evocative of the franchise's 'neon' trademark.

The poster was designed by artist James White, who has worked for such clients as Toyota, Armada Skis, VH1 Latin America and MTV. See the original poster on James White's website here.

And for those of us who grew up in the 1980s; here's the original iconic Tron poster as seen in the hit television series Chuck.

Mattel monkeys around with Gleek

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:32:13 PDT

When Mattel announced that the Four Horsemen would be producing an exclusive DC Universe Classics Wonder Twins 2-pack, for this year's San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), collectors assumed that Gleek would be included. However, in Mattel's infinite wisdom, Gleek was only made available at SDCC and, due to overwhelming demand, the toy company couldn't supply Gleek to everyone who attended. He wasn't included in the pack-in!

I purchased He-Ro, Egon Spengler (with Slimer), Buzz Lightyear and the Wonder Twins 2-pack from MattyCollector. I've searched the web and discovered that Action Figure Pictures (AFP) is running a competition to win Gleek:

Subscribe to AFP and Get a Chance to Win Gleek

I'd better enter for a chance of winning Gleek too! Unless a helpful reader can assist me with acquiring Gleek and, in doing so, garner kudos in the social media space. :-)

Disclaimer
I am not affiliated with AFP and am providing the link as a courtesy to readers. Unless otherwise stated, I accept no responsibility for the content of any other web site, including any site which may link to or from this site.

Space Invaders evolves for iPhone

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:21:26 PST

In a week that witnessed the arrival of The Secret of Monkey Island: SE and Resident Evil 4 on the iPhone and iPod touch. Along comes the video game that started it all - for me at least - the Granddaddy of shooters. Space Invaders. Triumphantly returning in a newly-evolved incarnation; Taito splices Space Invader and OS 3.0 DNA to create a species surpassing spellbinder.

At only £2.99 Taito's Space Invaders Infinity Gene is a scrolling shooter that uses Space Invaders characters, but incorporates shooter elements from RayForce, RayStorm, RayCrisis games, and RPG elements.

Space Invaders Infinity Gene embraces a new OS 3.0 feature that allows applications to access your iTunes music library on the iPhone/iPod touch. Doing so, not only lets you listen to the latest Black Eyed Peas' single or relive childhood dreams of being The Last Starfighter. An algorithm creates a unique level design, which provides, potentially, infinite replay value. I played a level listening to "Boom Boom Pow" and the screen was transformed into retro razzle-dazzle with Tron neon as icing on the cake. No hint of slowdown whatsoever.

For all the abundant technological prowess, on display here, there's a fly in the ointment! For some inexplicable reason my iPod touch (2G) prompts me to repeatedly reboot due to lack of memory! Hopefully this memory management issue will be fixed in a future update that also ushers in so-called "augmented reality" with OS 3.1. Just in time for the rumoured iPod touch (3G) this upcoming gift giving season.

Quite possibly one of the best video gaming experiences on any platform: Space Invaders Infinity Gene should be on every video gamers "must-have" list.

***** out of *****

New Doctor Who costume revealed & companion named

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 03:57:56 PDT

Production started today on the new series of Doctor Who in which viewers will meet the Eleventh Doctor and his companion for the very first time.

The latest incarnation of the iconic character is played by Matt Smith (Party Animals). Upon arriving on set in Cardiff, for his first day of filming, Smith commented: “I feel very privileged and proud to be part of this iconic show. The scripts are brilliant and working alongside Karen, Steven and the rest of the crew is an inspiration because their work ethic and passion for the show is so admirable. I’m excited about the future and all the brilliant adventures I get to go on as the Doctor.”

The Doctor's new costume evokes Patrick Troughton's 'Cosmic Hobo' and Professor Henry Jones, Sr from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade! I can foresee Cybermen, Daleks and Yeti in the Eleventh Doctor's future...

Aside from an updated wardrobe. The Doctor will also have a new companion - Amy Pond (any connection with 1990s video game character James Pond is purely coincidental) - played by Karen Gillan, who meets the Time Lord in episode one of the new series.

The new series follows on from three Doctor Who specials starring David Tennant which will transmit later this year. Early next year Tennant passes the iconic baton, AKA Sonic Screwdriver, to Smith.

About the series Steven Moffat commented: “And here it is, the big moment - the new Doctor, and his new best friend. And here's me, with the job I wanted since I was seven. 40 years to here! If I could go back in time and tell that little boy that one day all this would happen, he'd scream, call for his Mum and I'd be talking to you now from a prison cell in 1969. So probably best not then. Matt and Karen are going to be incredible, and Doctor Who is going to come alive on Saturday nights in a whole new way - and best of all, somewhere out there, a seven-year-old is going to see them, fall in love, and start making a forty year plan...”

The actors' smiles are reassuring; I'm looking forward to Steven Moffat's tenure at the helm of Doctor Who! As in the past, a change in production team will, hopefully, witness an updated opening title sequence, theme (a fly in the ointment since the series triumphant return in 2005) and a new TARDIS console.

The Man in the Iron Mask

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:32:36 PDT

Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson and Mickey Rourke grace the cover of Entertainment Weekly's second annual San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) preview issue!

A few months ago I started renting films from LOVEFiLM. The ideal means to 'try before I buy' and to see films that I may have otherwise overlooked sans sky movies subscription since moving to Freesat+.

Iron Man was one such rental. And, to my delight, the film was far superior to what I'd expected, which was very little in the spirit of full disclosure! Robert Downey Jr. was most charismatic in the lead role of Tony Stark. So, it's with glee that I eagerly await Iron Man 2! Especially with the addition of Scarlett Johansson playing the Black Widow. Presumably providing romantic trammels for Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Stark.

I'd love to get my hands on a copy of Entertainment Weekly.

Download droidMAKER for free!

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:18:19 PDT

On June 29th Michael Rubin made his critically acclaimed book droidMAKER: George Lucas and the Digital Revolution available as a free download!

Twitter proved its invaluable credentials as people tweeted links to the news, which was broken by Binary Bonsai. I dutifully played my part by retweeting too. However, it was while exchanging emails with Michael, that it was decided a belated blog post would be beneficial too! Especially for readers that do not follow me on Twitter.

From an insiders perspective: droidMAKER breathtakingly chronicles the rise of Lucasfilm, paradigm shifting digital production methodologies, the genesis of PIXAR and the legacy of Star Wars! To find out more, please read Michael Rubin's original blog post here.

I am providing the following download links to the "3 Acts" as a courtesy. The files maybe removed, without notice, at the discretion of the author:

Act 1: Intro plus Chapters 1-6 (PDF - 1.8MB)
Act 2: Chapters 7-17 (PDF - 3.7MB)
Act 3: Chapters 18-26, Index (PDF - 4.3MB)

Not only for Star Wars fans, but anyone with an interest in media production, I'd recommend purchasing droidMAKER from Amazon! You won't regret it.

You should follow me on twitter here.

mimobot® Maul 'give-away' contest

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:38:54 PDT

In celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Star Wars Episode 1 releasing to massive and adoring crowds, we're proud to present the dual-bladed Iridonian Sith Lord, Darth Maul! The protege of Darth Sidious preceding Darth Tyrannus and Darth Vader, Maul and his iconic soundtrack immediately became a favorite of fans throughout the Star Wars world - at least until Obi-Wan Kenobi cut him in half and dropped him down a pit.

Mimoco – the Boston-based designer toy studio/consumer electronics brand responsible for the world’s only character-based designer USB flash drives – and myself are offering one lucky reader a chance to win Darth Maul in his fantastic mimobot incarnation!

"Tatooine is sparsely populated. If the trace is correct, I will find them quickly, Master."

Required entry details
To enter for a chance of winning this really cool prize. Browse mimoco's range of Star Wars characters and tell me which character(s) you would like to see released next via comment on this post and subscribe by RSS to this blog.

Optional extra entry on Twitter
Follow me on Twitter. Copy and paste the following into Twitter: "RT @johnhood: @mimobot® Maul 'give-away' contest: http://tinyurl.com/nlr8g2 #starwars". Please tweet me and/or post a second comment.

Optional extra entry via blog post
Blog about this 'give-away' contest with a link back here.

The competition is open to everyone and closes August 31st 2009. The winner will be randomly selected by me. My decision will be final! Good luck.

Special thanks to mimoco for supplying the competition prize. See the entire mimobot® range here. Follow Mimobot and mimobotMichelle on Twitter.

You should follow me on twitter here.

HBO's True Blood on FX

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 06:49:12 PDT

On July 17th HBO's Golden Globe-winning series True Blood exclusively premieres on UK television network FX.

True Blood is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball (American Beauty and Six Feet Under). It is based on the The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris.

After watching episodes 1 & 2 on the preview DVD included in FX's press pack: True Blood is best described as a darkly comic soap noir in the vain of Twin Peaks and Six Feet Under.

True Blood's not for the faint-hearted or easily offended! Anyone expecting Twilight the television series should look elsewhere! However, I'll most certainly be watching the rest of the season, with avid interest, once it's available on Blu-ray disc. Buffy maybe long off our television screens. But, vampires outlive even her epic feats!

Sans FX? Download True Blood S1 on iTunes here.

On Twitter? Follow TrueBloodFXUK for all the latest news.

You should follow me on twitter here.

Generation Thriller

jrhood@gmail.com (John Hood) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:16:23 PDT

Thursday night witnessed an unprecedented sociological experience. A collective grief shared on social networking site Twitter!

During an advert break I checked Twitter, on my iPod touch, and noticed tweets alluding to Michael Jackson's admission into hospital. Startled, I switched over to various mainstream news networks to confirm the rumour... As the news, and tweets, escalated, I resigned myself to the fact that he was dead and even tweeted to the affect prior to any official confirmation! Followers replied contrary in the hope that it couldn't be true and, obviously, I wanted them to be right.

Alas. Michael Jackson died after suffering a cardiac arrest and slipping into a coma. His death eerily echoing my mum's, only two years ago, this month. I didn't sleep...

Michael Jackson was a childhood hero. Part of an illustrious pantheon that included fictional characters Doctor Who, Luke Skywalker, Kermit and Batman! Jackson, himself, embraced science fiction and fantasy in ground breaking videos such as "Can You Feel It", Disney's "Captain EO" and the prophetically titled "Thriller".

I've no intention of addressing any of the speculation surrounding his personal life. This is a tribute to a cultural phenomenon who, alongside American film composer John Williams, engendered a life long love of music and how it transforms the emotion of the moving image.

Before I heard "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough", at the age of 7, I would only listen, willingly, to classical music and orchestral film soundtracks. I'm sure MJ's enthusiastic reference to the Force in Star Wars, helped too.

Equal parts bizarre and poignant that the last time I should see Michael Jackson would be not at Wembley Stadium or the upcoming O2 Arena residency, instead it was Exeter! He was, briefly, an honourary director of the Grecians and I can still recall his clarion call to hold hands with the person next to you! This was in keeping with concert performances.

More myth than man. Michael Jackson was an enigma force. Combining consummately crafted songs and stellar, gravity-defying, dance moves, his concerts remain vivid and surreal experiences by which I judge all live performances. Indelible memories as my best friend tweeted, that I'll cherish forever. Thank you Moonwalker. That's all I'm going to say...

In death Michael Jackson proved, as always, unstoppable and an achiever of the impossible. RIP 'MJ' and say hello to my mum. She'll finally get to see you dance.

I'll sign off this post, in the manner that I did on my Twitter stream, with Michael Jackson's maxim: "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough".

You should follow me on twitter here.

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Panasonic Shop UK

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