The history of gaming is often charted by citing milestone releases. We love them, you love them, and we’ve all talked about them. However, the cultural prevalence of those games means that they sometimes dominate the conversation in a way that leads to other games being lost in the shuffle. Not just lesser releases, mind you, but games that changed the industry in many ways.
Today, we’re going to look at a few of those games. While we sadly won’t be able to discuss all the games that deserve to be talked about in relation to this particular subject, we hope that shining a light on a few of these titles will reveal entirely new ways to look at the evolution of gaming.
Colossal Cave Adventure (1976/1977)
At the very least, Colossal Cave Adventure has to be considered the first adventure game. However, even that statement sells its accomplishments short.
Today, we’re going to look at a few of those games. While we sadly won’t be able to discuss all the games that deserve to be talked about in relation to this particular subject, we hope that shining a light on a few of these titles will reveal entirely new ways to look at the evolution of gaming.
Colossal Cave Adventure (1976/1977)
At the very least, Colossal Cave Adventure has to be considered the first adventure game. However, even that statement sells its accomplishments short.
- 4/13/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Following Barbie's huge box office success and cultural footprint, Margot Robbie – who, let's not forget, shepherded the film to screens for years as well as starring — has, thanks to that and a variety of other movies, become a powerhouse producer of tricky projects Along with her LuckyChap partners, she's now attached to help bring a film based on The Sims video games to life, with Loki's first season whizz Kate Herron aboard to co-write and direct.
The Sims was created by Will Wright (originally conceived as a satire of American consumer culture) and the first game hit shelves in 2000. A life simulator where you create characters and set them to achieving ambitions (or just going through the mundane motions), it has become hugely popular and evolved via expansion packs and sequels.
The game itself has no real narrative beyond that which players impose; remind you of anything? Herron, working...
The Sims was created by Will Wright (originally conceived as a satire of American consumer culture) and the first game hit shelves in 2000. A life simulator where you create characters and set them to achieving ambitions (or just going through the mundane motions), it has become hugely popular and evolved via expansion packs and sequels.
The game itself has no real narrative beyond that which players impose; remind you of anything? Herron, working...
- 3/21/2024
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
WooHoo, a film adaptation of “The Sims” is in the works!
LuckyChap principals Margot Robbie, Josey McNamara and Tom Ackerley will produce alongside Roy Lee for Vertigo Entertainment.
Kate Herron, who helmed “Loki,” is set to direct the movie and co-write with Briony Redman. The writing duo most recently collaborated on the script for a “Doctor Who” episode. Herron is next set to direct an episode on the second season of “The Last of Us.”
“The Sims” is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, moving more than 200 million copies since its first entry in 2000. The sandbox games from Electronic Arts allow users to control virtual “Sims,” fulfilling their needs and simulating their lives: going to work, finding love and raising families.
“The Sims” is part of the larger “Sim” series, which began in 1989 with Will Wright’s “SimCity.” There is no cast attached to the film project yet.
LuckyChap principals Margot Robbie, Josey McNamara and Tom Ackerley will produce alongside Roy Lee for Vertigo Entertainment.
Kate Herron, who helmed “Loki,” is set to direct the movie and co-write with Briony Redman. The writing duo most recently collaborated on the script for a “Doctor Who” episode. Herron is next set to direct an episode on the second season of “The Last of Us.”
“The Sims” is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time, moving more than 200 million copies since its first entry in 2000. The sandbox games from Electronic Arts allow users to control virtual “Sims,” fulfilling their needs and simulating their lives: going to work, finding love and raising families.
“The Sims” is part of the larger “Sim” series, which began in 1989 with Will Wright’s “SimCity.” There is no cast attached to the film project yet.
- 3/21/2024
- by Katcy Stephan and Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Who wouldn’t want to spend the holidays with some of their favorite TV characters? MeTV is making it easy this year with its “A Very Merry MeTV” programming lineup, which includes a selection of very special Thanksgiving and Christmas-themed episodes of classic shows such as The Waltons, The Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith, and more.
The celebration begins on Sunday, Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 25. Check out some of the highlights below, as well as the full schedule.
‘The Waltons’ Thanksgiving episode airs Nov. 22 and 23 A Verry Merry MeTV | MeTV
Celebrate Thanksgiving with one of TV’s most famous fictional families. In 1973, The Waltons aired its only Thanksgiving special, a two-part episode titled “The Thanksgiving Story.” The season 2 episode focuses on John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas), who suffers a life-threatening head injury that puts his plans for college at risk. Meanwhile, his sister Mary Ellen (Judy Norton) auditions for the Thanksgiving play,...
The celebration begins on Sunday, Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 25. Check out some of the highlights below, as well as the full schedule.
‘The Waltons’ Thanksgiving episode airs Nov. 22 and 23 A Verry Merry MeTV | MeTV
Celebrate Thanksgiving with one of TV’s most famous fictional families. In 1973, The Waltons aired its only Thanksgiving special, a two-part episode titled “The Thanksgiving Story.” The season 2 episode focuses on John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas), who suffers a life-threatening head injury that puts his plans for college at risk. Meanwhile, his sister Mary Ellen (Judy Norton) auditions for the Thanksgiving play,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
This Civil War thriller has so much truth to say about War, Patriotism and combatant-vs.-civilian terror that we can hardly believe it was released in 1954. It’s based on a true event from 1864, a daring undercover mission that hit the Union far away from the conventional fighting. Van Heflin is the vengeance-seeking advance agent, Anne Bancroft a war widow, Richard Boone a maimed Union veteran and Lee Marvin a loose cannon with a hair trigger. The anti-war message is stronger than anything from the Vietnam years! The 20th-Fox release is not on quality home video, and is in great need of restoration.
The Raid
Not on Home Video
CineSavant Revival Screening Review
1954 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 83 min.
Starring: Van Heflin, Anne Bancroft, Richard Boone, Lee Marvin, Tommy Rettig, Peter Graves, Douglas Spencer, Paul Cavanagh, Will Wright, James Best, John Dierkes, Helen Ford, Lee Aaker, Claude Akins, John Beradino, Robert Easton,...
The Raid
Not on Home Video
CineSavant Revival Screening Review
1954 / Color / 1:66 widescreen / 83 min.
Starring: Van Heflin, Anne Bancroft, Richard Boone, Lee Marvin, Tommy Rettig, Peter Graves, Douglas Spencer, Paul Cavanagh, Will Wright, James Best, John Dierkes, Helen Ford, Lee Aaker, Claude Akins, John Beradino, Robert Easton,...
- 10/8/2022
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
By John M. Whalen
The stars must have formed a fortuitous alignment. Somehow, a great wrong has been righted and order has been restored to the universe. Kino Lorber, under its Kl Classics brand, has just released “Sunset in the West,” the first-ever high definition Blu-Ray edition of a Roy Rogers Trucolor western. This may not sound like a big deal to some people, but for the initiated—those who grew up watching Roy on the big screen at countless Saturday matinees in the 1950s— it is monumental. Because, until now the only Roy Rogers movies available for home viewing were dark, faded, and badly edited transfers released first on VHS and later DVD by Republic Studios. Republic treated Roy’s movies with criminal disrespect. The studio let the movies fade away with in their vaults, and then sold them to TV where they were butchered to fit time slots.
The stars must have formed a fortuitous alignment. Somehow, a great wrong has been righted and order has been restored to the universe. Kino Lorber, under its Kl Classics brand, has just released “Sunset in the West,” the first-ever high definition Blu-Ray edition of a Roy Rogers Trucolor western. This may not sound like a big deal to some people, but for the initiated—those who grew up watching Roy on the big screen at countless Saturday matinees in the 1950s— it is monumental. Because, until now the only Roy Rogers movies available for home viewing were dark, faded, and badly edited transfers released first on VHS and later DVD by Republic Studios. Republic treated Roy’s movies with criminal disrespect. The studio let the movies fade away with in their vaults, and then sold them to TV where they were butchered to fit time slots.
- 9/15/2017
- by [email protected] (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
Don’t look to this noir for hardboiled cynicism – for his first feature Nicholas Ray instead gives us a dose of fatalist romance. Transposed from the previous decade, a pair of fugitives takes what happiness they can find, always aware that a grim fate waits ahead. The show is a career-making triumph and a real classic from Rko — which shelved it for more than a year.
They Live by Night
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 880
1948 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 95 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date June 13, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Cathy O’Donnell, Farley Granger, Howard Da Silva, Jay C. Flippen, Helen Craig, Will Wright, William Phipps, Ian Wolfe, Harry Harvey, Marie Bryant, Byron Foulger, Erskine Sanford .
Cinematography: George E. Diskant
Film Editor: Sherman Todd
Original Music: Leigh Harline
Written by Charles Schnee, Nicholas Ray from the novel Thieves Like Us by Edward Anderson
Produced by John Houseman
Directed by Nicholas Ray...
They Live by Night
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 880
1948 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 95 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date June 13, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Cathy O’Donnell, Farley Granger, Howard Da Silva, Jay C. Flippen, Helen Craig, Will Wright, William Phipps, Ian Wolfe, Harry Harvey, Marie Bryant, Byron Foulger, Erskine Sanford .
Cinematography: George E. Diskant
Film Editor: Sherman Todd
Original Music: Leigh Harline
Written by Charles Schnee, Nicholas Ray from the novel Thieves Like Us by Edward Anderson
Produced by John Houseman
Directed by Nicholas Ray...
- 6/23/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Bambi (1942) Blu-ray Review, a Walt Disney Animation Studios movie directed by Bill Roberts, David Hand, Graham Held, James Algar, Paul Satterfield, Norman Wright, Samuel Armstrong and starring Donnie Dunagan as Young Bambi, Peter Behn as Young Thumper, Stan Alexander as Young Flower, Paula Winslow as Bambi’s Mother and Will Wright as Friend Owl. Release Date: June 6, 2017 Plot In Disney’s spectacularly animated [...]
Continue reading: Blu-ray Review: Bambi (1942): The Signature Collection Has Officially Got It Right...
Continue reading: Blu-ray Review: Bambi (1942): The Signature Collection Has Officially Got It Right...
- 5/31/2017
- by Mathieu Brunet
- Film-Book
This charming Roy Rogers oater could reboot interest in vintage ‘series’ westerns. Basically a film for little kids, it’s earnestly played by all concerned and director William Witney’s direction sparkles. The added filip that makes the difference is the beautifully restored Trucolor image — Roy’s wonder horse Trigger is indeed magnificent. I listened carefully, but I don’t think Roy actually says, “Yippie-ki-yay, M_____f____r.”
Sunset in the West
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1950 / Color / 1:37 flat Academy / 67 min. / Street Date April 18, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 19.95
Starring: Roy Rogers, Trigger, Estelita Rodriguez, Penny Edwards, Gordon Jones, Will Wright, Pierre Watkin, Charles La Torre, William Tannen, Gaylord Pendleton, Paul E. Burns, Dorothy Ann White, Riders of the Purple Sage.
Cinematography: Jack Marta
Color by Trucolor
Film Editor: Tony Martinelli
Original Music: R. Dale Butts
Special Effects: Howard & Theodore Lydecker
Written by Gerald Geraghty
Produced by Edward J. White
Directed...
Sunset in the West
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1950 / Color / 1:37 flat Academy / 67 min. / Street Date April 18, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 19.95
Starring: Roy Rogers, Trigger, Estelita Rodriguez, Penny Edwards, Gordon Jones, Will Wright, Pierre Watkin, Charles La Torre, William Tannen, Gaylord Pendleton, Paul E. Burns, Dorothy Ann White, Riders of the Purple Sage.
Cinematography: Jack Marta
Color by Trucolor
Film Editor: Tony Martinelli
Original Music: R. Dale Butts
Special Effects: Howard & Theodore Lydecker
Written by Gerald Geraghty
Produced by Edward J. White
Directed...
- 4/15/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Germany's Explosive Media company has a serious itch for American westerns, and they have a trio of new releases. One is a minor Hollywood classic with major graces, from the late 1950s. A second sees an American producer based in England filming in Italy with a rising international star, and for the third an established American star goes European to stay in the game. The best thing for Yankee buyers? The discs are Region-free.
Gunman's Walk, Land Raiders, A Man Called Sledge Three Westerns from Explosive Media Blu-ray Separate Releases 1958-1970 / Color Starring Van Heflin, Tab Hunter; George Maharis, Telly Savalas; James Garner
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
The majority of American studios now choose not to market their libraries for digital disc, and license them out instead. Collectors unwilling to settle for whatever's on Netflix or concerned about the permanence of Cloud Cinema, find themselves increasingly tempted by discs from Europe,...
Gunman's Walk, Land Raiders, A Man Called Sledge Three Westerns from Explosive Media Blu-ray Separate Releases 1958-1970 / Color Starring Van Heflin, Tab Hunter; George Maharis, Telly Savalas; James Garner
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
The majority of American studios now choose not to market their libraries for digital disc, and license them out instead. Collectors unwilling to settle for whatever's on Netflix or concerned about the permanence of Cloud Cinema, find themselves increasingly tempted by discs from Europe,...
- 12/30/2015
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Television shows didn't invent the idea of a Christmas miracle, but they sure help remind us that come Dec. 25, there's a chance that whatever woe and strife we're facing could vanish in a single, magical instant. And while not every show has a Christmas moment – and not every Christmas episode delivers a miracle – we thought we'd celebrate the season with 15 of our favorites.
1. The Brady Bunch
We're kicking off the list with "The Voice of Christmas," a first-season episode of The Brady Bunch that frankly it has it all: Santa Claus, a church, a child's steadfast belief in the power...
1. The Brady Bunch
We're kicking off the list with "The Voice of Christmas," a first-season episode of The Brady Bunch that frankly it has it all: Santa Claus, a church, a child's steadfast belief in the power...
- 12/9/2015
- by Drew Mackie, @drewgmackie
- People.com - TV Watch
Electronic Arts has announced that they are closing down long-time SimCity developer Maxis, but the name will still be used for future titles by EA.
News of the closure was originally revealed by former Maxis designer Guillaume Pierre, who took to Twitter to announce the news. Following the breaking of the story, EA issued an official statement:
Today we are consolidating Maxis IP development to our studios in Redwood Shores, Salt Lake City, Helsinki and Melbourne locations as we close our Emeryville location. Maxis continues to support and develop new experiences for current Sims and SimCity players, while expanding our franchises to new platforms and developing new cross-platform IP.
These changes do not impact our plans for The Sims. Players will continue to see rich new experiences in The Sims 4, with our first expansion pack coming soon along with a full slate of additional updates and content in the pipeline.
News of the closure was originally revealed by former Maxis designer Guillaume Pierre, who took to Twitter to announce the news. Following the breaking of the story, EA issued an official statement:
Today we are consolidating Maxis IP development to our studios in Redwood Shores, Salt Lake City, Helsinki and Melbourne locations as we close our Emeryville location. Maxis continues to support and develop new experiences for current Sims and SimCity players, while expanding our franchises to new platforms and developing new cross-platform IP.
These changes do not impact our plans for The Sims. Players will continue to see rich new experiences in The Sims 4, with our first expansion pack coming soon along with a full slate of additional updates and content in the pipeline.
- 3/5/2015
- by Eric Hall
- We Got This Covered
Cary Grant movies: 'An Affair to Remember' does justice to its title (photo: Cary Grant ca. late 1940s) Cary Grant excelled at playing Cary Grant. This evening, fans of the charming, sophisticated, debonair actor -- not to be confused with the Bristol-born Archibald Leach -- can rejoice, as no less than eight Cary Grant movies are being shown on Turner Classic Movies, including a handful of his most successful and best-remembered star vehicles from the late '30s to the late '50s. (See also: "Cary Grant Classic Movies" and "Cary Grant and Randolph Scott: Gay Lovers?") The evening begins with what may well be Cary Grant's best-known film, An Affair to Remember. This 1957 romantic comedy-melodrama is unusual in that it's an even more successful remake of a previous critical and box-office hit -- the Academy Award-nominated 1939 release Love Affair -- and that it was directed...
- 12/9/2014
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
They say that all good things must come to an end, and this eBook only release of Isolation brings David Moody’s zombie writing to an end, collecting his remaining fiction together and drawing a line underneath his undead work. Never say never, of course, because horror has a way of coming back from, ahem, the dead, but for now those of us who have been on Moody’s journey through the zombie apocalypse can step into his cadaver filled world one final time.
There are five stories in this collection, the main one being the titular Isolation, a novella based on a screenplay that Moody had been working on developing into a movie with Colchester based director Will Wright but which had, as these projects often do unfortunately, stalled. Telling the tale of Keith, a socially awkward young man who initially finds himself alone among the suddenly deceased rest of the world,...
There are five stories in this collection, the main one being the titular Isolation, a novella based on a screenplay that Moody had been working on developing into a movie with Colchester based director Will Wright but which had, as these projects often do unfortunately, stalled. Telling the tale of Keith, a socially awkward young man who initially finds himself alone among the suddenly deceased rest of the world,...
- 8/20/2014
- Shadowlocked
The 13 things you need to know about 'No Man's Sky,' the most ambitious (and crazy?) game at E3 2014
Every year, the major videogame companies convene in Los Angeles for E3. They show off big games with familiar names, games that represent untold thousands of man-hours and untold petabytes of graphical power. And every year, there is one videogame that represents the complete opposite of that: A game made by a small team, with a distinctive vision, that isn’t a sequel or a spinoff or a spinoff-sequel to a reboot-prequel.
This year’s High Nerd fixation is No Man’s Sky, a space adventure game produced by English studio Hello Games that will debut on the Playstation 4. But...
This year’s High Nerd fixation is No Man’s Sky, a space adventure game produced by English studio Hello Games that will debut on the Playstation 4. But...
- 6/12/2014
- by Darren Franich
- EW.com - PopWatch
The Blue Dahlia
Written by Raymond Chandler
Directed by George Marshall
USA, 1946
Three wartime veterans who served in the Navy return home to Los Angeles. They are Johnny Morrison (Alan Ladd) and his two faithful companions, Buzz (William Bendix) and George (Hugh Beaumont). After an early tussle at a diner in which Buzz shows some unfortunate signs of postwar anxiety, Johnny heads home to re-acquaint with his wife Helen (Doris Dowling), who is hosting a party. Much to Johnny’s chagrin, it is clear that one of the guests, Eddie Harwood (Howard Da Silva), owner of a luxurious club downtown called The Blue Dahlia, is having a fling with Helen. The wedded couple do not get along swimmingly, yet the revelation stings Johnny nonetheless. Shortly after Johnny walks out on her and meets a beautiful blonde named Joyce (Veronica Lake), Helen is found shot dead on her couch. Evidence points to Johnny as the culprit,...
Written by Raymond Chandler
Directed by George Marshall
USA, 1946
Three wartime veterans who served in the Navy return home to Los Angeles. They are Johnny Morrison (Alan Ladd) and his two faithful companions, Buzz (William Bendix) and George (Hugh Beaumont). After an early tussle at a diner in which Buzz shows some unfortunate signs of postwar anxiety, Johnny heads home to re-acquaint with his wife Helen (Doris Dowling), who is hosting a party. Much to Johnny’s chagrin, it is clear that one of the guests, Eddie Harwood (Howard Da Silva), owner of a luxurious club downtown called The Blue Dahlia, is having a fling with Helen. The wedded couple do not get along swimmingly, yet the revelation stings Johnny nonetheless. Shortly after Johnny walks out on her and meets a beautiful blonde named Joyce (Veronica Lake), Helen is found shot dead on her couch. Evidence points to Johnny as the culprit,...
- 12/20/2013
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Atlantis: BBC One, 8.15pm
Medusa is kidnapped and held hostage by Kyros, who will only release her on the condition that Hercules retrieve something from the Underworld. He heads on a dangerous quest with Pythagoras and Jason to retrieve the box from Hades, which culminates in a race against the clock to escape entrapment in the underworld.
Charlie Brooker's How Videogames Saved The World: Channel 4, 9pm
Charlie Brooker takes us on a trip through history starting with the early days of Pong, right through to the modern day of Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty, as only Charlie Brooker really could. He also discusses the influence videogames have on us as a society, along with special celebrity guests including Jonathan Ross and games designers Will Wright and John Romero.
The Bible: Channel 5, 9pm
Channel 5 presents a new drama series based on the major events from, you guessed it,...
Medusa is kidnapped and held hostage by Kyros, who will only release her on the condition that Hercules retrieve something from the Underworld. He heads on a dangerous quest with Pythagoras and Jason to retrieve the box from Hades, which culminates in a race against the clock to escape entrapment in the underworld.
Charlie Brooker's How Videogames Saved The World: Channel 4, 9pm
Charlie Brooker takes us on a trip through history starting with the early days of Pong, right through to the modern day of Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty, as only Charlie Brooker really could. He also discusses the influence videogames have on us as a society, along with special celebrity guests including Jonathan Ross and games designers Will Wright and John Romero.
The Bible: Channel 5, 9pm
Channel 5 presents a new drama series based on the major events from, you guessed it,...
- 11/30/2013
- Digital Spy
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today that acclaimed filmmaker Peter Jackson, visual effects artist Joe Letteri and Weta Digital will receive the Producers Guild’s 2014 Vanguard Award. The award will be presented to Jackson, Letteri and Weta Digital at the 25th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday, January 19th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.
Jackson and Letteri‘s Academy Award-winning visual effects powerhouse Weta Digital is a world leader in all areas of digital visual effects production, having created some of the most astounding effects ever seen onscreen. Their motion picture credits include such hits as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Avatar and King Kong, among many others.
The Producers Guild’s Vanguard Award recognizes achievements in new media and technology. Previous recipients include James Cameron, Stan Lee, George Lucas, John Lasseter, YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen,...
Jackson and Letteri‘s Academy Award-winning visual effects powerhouse Weta Digital is a world leader in all areas of digital visual effects production, having created some of the most astounding effects ever seen onscreen. Their motion picture credits include such hits as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Avatar and King Kong, among many others.
The Producers Guild’s Vanguard Award recognizes achievements in new media and technology. Previous recipients include James Cameron, Stan Lee, George Lucas, John Lasseter, YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen,...
- 11/11/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Past recipients include James Cameron, Stan Lee, George Lucas and John Lasseter.
The Producers Guild of America has has tapped Peter Jackson, visual effects artist Joe Letteri and Weta Digital for its 2014 Vanguard Award.
The award will be presented to the three honorees at the 25th annual PGA ceremony Jan. 19 at the Beverly Hilton.
Video: 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Trailer 3
Jackson and Letteri's Academy Award-winning visual effects company Weta Digital is a trailblazer in all areas of digital visual effects production, having created some of the most celebrated effects ever seen onscreen. Their film credits include such hits as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar and King Kong, among many others.
The Vanguard Award recognizes achievements in new media and technology. Previous recipients include James Cameron, Stan Lee, George Lucas, John Lasseter, YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen and...
The Producers Guild of America has has tapped Peter Jackson, visual effects artist Joe Letteri and Weta Digital for its 2014 Vanguard Award.
The award will be presented to the three honorees at the 25th annual PGA ceremony Jan. 19 at the Beverly Hilton.
Video: 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Trailer 3
Jackson and Letteri's Academy Award-winning visual effects company Weta Digital is a trailblazer in all areas of digital visual effects production, having created some of the most celebrated effects ever seen onscreen. Their film credits include such hits as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar and King Kong, among many others.
The Vanguard Award recognizes achievements in new media and technology. Previous recipients include James Cameron, Stan Lee, George Lucas, John Lasseter, YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen and...
- 11/11/2013
- by Tatiana Siegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) will honor Peter Jackson, visual effects artist Joe Letteri and Weta Digital with the Producers Guild’s 2014 Vanguard Award, which recognizes advancements in new media and technology. It will be presented at the 25th Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony on January 19. Jackson and Letteri‘s Oscar-winning visual effects powerhouse Weta Digital includes in its resume the ongoing “Hobbit” trilogy, “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “Avatar” and “King Kong,” among many others. Previous Vanguard recipients include James Cameron, Stan Lee, George Lucas, John Lasseter, YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, and game designer Will Wright.
- 11/11/2013
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Charlie Brooker will front a Channel 4 documentary about the impact of video games as part of a special night dedicated to gaming next month.
How Video Games Changed the World is a one-off two-hour doc, hosted by Brooker, which will look at the history of video games and how they have changed society,
The press release promised that the show will provide "an intelligent, funny and entertaining look at some of the most influential and iconic video games in history (even the absolutely dreadful ones)".
Starting in the '80s with the birth of Pac-Man, the show will also examine the '90s boom in gaming, the first female gaming icon Lara Croft and modern phenomenon such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
Games industry figures such as Nolan Bushnell and Allan Alcorn (the creators of Pong) and Will Wright (the man behind The Sims) will be interviewed for the show,...
How Video Games Changed the World is a one-off two-hour doc, hosted by Brooker, which will look at the history of video games and how they have changed society,
The press release promised that the show will provide "an intelligent, funny and entertaining look at some of the most influential and iconic video games in history (even the absolutely dreadful ones)".
Starting in the '80s with the birth of Pac-Man, the show will also examine the '90s boom in gaming, the first female gaming icon Lara Croft and modern phenomenon such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
Games industry figures such as Nolan Bushnell and Allan Alcorn (the creators of Pong) and Will Wright (the man behind The Sims) will be interviewed for the show,...
- 10/29/2013
- Digital Spy
Feature Paul Martinovic 19 Jun 2013 - 06:49
The PlayStation 4 looks set to make Sony top dog in the gaming world. Paul explores how Sony made that happen
As industry-defining moments go, it was initially about as understated as it gets. A title card flashed up on the screen in the Los Angeles Convention Center and Sony CEO Jack Tretton read out the words; words describing a ‘feature’ of a new gaming console, a feature that had been employed as standard by every piece of gaming hardware ever released up until that point. Words including terminology that is unfamiliar to most non-gamers, and even to a significant number of gamers. Words that were nevertheless greeted in the room like the very confirmation of the afterlife itself, and soundtracked by screams of relief and disbelief. A camera panning across the audience captured hundreds of attendees going wild and simultaneously fumbling for their smartphones,...
The PlayStation 4 looks set to make Sony top dog in the gaming world. Paul explores how Sony made that happen
As industry-defining moments go, it was initially about as understated as it gets. A title card flashed up on the screen in the Los Angeles Convention Center and Sony CEO Jack Tretton read out the words; words describing a ‘feature’ of a new gaming console, a feature that had been employed as standard by every piece of gaming hardware ever released up until that point. Words including terminology that is unfamiliar to most non-gamers, and even to a significant number of gamers. Words that were nevertheless greeted in the room like the very confirmation of the afterlife itself, and soundtracked by screams of relief and disbelief. A camera panning across the audience captured hundreds of attendees going wild and simultaneously fumbling for their smartphones,...
- 6/18/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Feature Seb Patrick 6 Mar 2013 - 06:57
Seb recalls the wonderful manual to SimCity 2000, the game with a hidden Neil Gaiman essay inside...
To search for the ideal city today is useless. For all cities are different. Each one has its own spirit, its own problems, and its own pattern of life. As long as the city lives, these aspects continue to change. Thus to look for the ideal city is not only a waste of time but may be seriously detrimental. In fact, the concept is obsolete; there is no such thing.
The above quotation, by noted Danish architect Steen Eiler Rasumussen, appears at the beginning of the manual for SimCity 2000, released in 1994. As introductions to a game go, it certainly beats 'Press Start', doesn’t it?
Younger readers may not be aware of this, but back in The Good Old Days of gaming, when PC games used to come in gigantic exciting cardboard boxes,...
Seb recalls the wonderful manual to SimCity 2000, the game with a hidden Neil Gaiman essay inside...
To search for the ideal city today is useless. For all cities are different. Each one has its own spirit, its own problems, and its own pattern of life. As long as the city lives, these aspects continue to change. Thus to look for the ideal city is not only a waste of time but may be seriously detrimental. In fact, the concept is obsolete; there is no such thing.
The above quotation, by noted Danish architect Steen Eiler Rasumussen, appears at the beginning of the manual for SimCity 2000, released in 1994. As introductions to a game go, it certainly beats 'Press Start', doesn’t it?
Younger readers may not be aware of this, but back in The Good Old Days of gaming, when PC games used to come in gigantic exciting cardboard boxes,...
- 3/6/2013
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Feature Seb Patrick 5 Mar 2013 - 10:29
How SimCity went via SimCity 2000 and The Sims to become SimCity again...
For something that would eventually launch one of the biggest franchises in the history of gaming, it’s interesting to note that SimCity’s creation was essentially the result of a happy accident. In the early 1980s, developer Will Wright was working on an otherwise inconsequential shoot-em-up game called Raid On Bungeling Bay for the Commodore 64. Having created a bespoke editor to assist in the creation of maps for the game, however, Wright found that he was taking far more enjoyment out of building these maps than developing, or playing, the game itself.
Reasoning that others might also enjoy building towns and terrain in this way, he decided to turn that experience into a game of its own – immersing himself in urban planning culture and eventually completing, in 1985, something that started out...
How SimCity went via SimCity 2000 and The Sims to become SimCity again...
For something that would eventually launch one of the biggest franchises in the history of gaming, it’s interesting to note that SimCity’s creation was essentially the result of a happy accident. In the early 1980s, developer Will Wright was working on an otherwise inconsequential shoot-em-up game called Raid On Bungeling Bay for the Commodore 64. Having created a bespoke editor to assist in the creation of maps for the game, however, Wright found that he was taking far more enjoyment out of building these maps than developing, or playing, the game itself.
Reasoning that others might also enjoy building towns and terrain in this way, he decided to turn that experience into a game of its own – immersing himself in urban planning culture and eventually completing, in 1985, something that started out...
- 3/4/2013
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
News Aaron Birch 1 Mar 2013 - 12:48
One of the granddaddies of the simulation genre, SimCity returns next week...
It may have been overshadowed in the popular gaming media by the likes of the Fps and third person genres, not to mention sports, RPGs and online multiplayer, but the simulation game has been around for a long, long time. It was once the marquee attraction for the gaming world, and has, perhaps, never hit a higher point than the long-running Sims series of games.
But, long before the Sims babbled their way onto people's screens, or off-the-wall efforts like Sim Hospital and Sim Ant saw the light of day, there was SimCity. One of the first and certainly most successful simulation games around.
First released by Maxis in 1989 and developed by Will Wright, SimCity gave players control of a developing city, and granted free reign over the entire budget and development of the urban sprawl.
One of the granddaddies of the simulation genre, SimCity returns next week...
It may have been overshadowed in the popular gaming media by the likes of the Fps and third person genres, not to mention sports, RPGs and online multiplayer, but the simulation game has been around for a long, long time. It was once the marquee attraction for the gaming world, and has, perhaps, never hit a higher point than the long-running Sims series of games.
But, long before the Sims babbled their way onto people's screens, or off-the-wall efforts like Sim Hospital and Sim Ant saw the light of day, there was SimCity. One of the first and certainly most successful simulation games around.
First released by Maxis in 1989 and developed by Will Wright, SimCity gave players control of a developing city, and granted free reign over the entire budget and development of the urban sprawl.
- 3/1/2013
- by aaronbirch
- Den of Geek
SimCity has been getting a lot of us excited down here in the We Got This Covered bunker, and I was starting to wonder if there was any way it would be able to live up to the hype we have built up in our own minds. If only we could have some sort of expert chime in to give us a trusted point of view on if the game really is as great as the marketing. Well, since you’re going to have to wait just a bit longer for our review, Maxis has brought in an expert of their own to give a bit of insight.
Will Wright should be a name familiar to most PC gamers as he was responsible for most of the best Sim games since the 1989. Although he’s moved on from Maxis to form Stupid Fun Club back in 2009, he agreed to go...
Will Wright should be a name familiar to most PC gamers as he was responsible for most of the best Sim games since the 1989. Although he’s moved on from Maxis to form Stupid Fun Club back in 2009, he agreed to go...
- 3/1/2013
- by Chaz Neeler
- We Got This Covered
London -- Valve CEO Gabe Newell is to be presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) with the Academy fellowship during this year's British Academy Games Awards. Awarded annually by BAFTA, the fellowship is the highest accolade dished out to an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to games. With a career spanning three decades, beginning with Microsoft in 1983 and then as head of Valve from the company's birth in 1996, Newell follows in the footsteps of other games fellows, including Peter Molyneux, Shigeru Miyamoto and Will Wright. Following the development and
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- 2/25/2013
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Normal 0 false false false En-us X-none X-none
By Harvey Chartrand
Mr. Lucky: The Complete Series is now available for the first time ever as a 4-dvd box set from Timeless Media Group… all 34 episodes, with a running time of about 840 minutes. Mr. Lucky– created by writer/director Blake Edwards (Peter Gunn) – ran for only one season (from 1959 to 1960), even though it was a hit with viewers.
This adventure/crime drama is a sort of Peter Gunn Lite, featuring a lush, organ-powered theme song by Henry Mancini (a bonus CD of Mr. Lucky’s soundtrack is included in the set), an assortment of shady characters aboard a floating casino, and competent acting by series regulars John Vivyan (as suave professional gambler Mr. Lucky), Ross Martin (as his sidekick and business partner Andamo), Pippa Scott (as Mr. Lucky’s girlfriend Maggie Shank-Rutherford) and Tom Brown (as Lieutenant Rovacs, Mr. Lucky’s...
By Harvey Chartrand
Mr. Lucky: The Complete Series is now available for the first time ever as a 4-dvd box set from Timeless Media Group… all 34 episodes, with a running time of about 840 minutes. Mr. Lucky– created by writer/director Blake Edwards (Peter Gunn) – ran for only one season (from 1959 to 1960), even though it was a hit with viewers.
This adventure/crime drama is a sort of Peter Gunn Lite, featuring a lush, organ-powered theme song by Henry Mancini (a bonus CD of Mr. Lucky’s soundtrack is included in the set), an assortment of shady characters aboard a floating casino, and competent acting by series regulars John Vivyan (as suave professional gambler Mr. Lucky), Ross Martin (as his sidekick and business partner Andamo), Pippa Scott (as Mr. Lucky’s girlfriend Maggie Shank-Rutherford) and Tom Brown (as Lieutenant Rovacs, Mr. Lucky’s...
- 2/15/2013
- by [email protected] (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
PBS mixes food, science and history on Mind of a Chef.
News
Covert Affairs hunk Eion Bailey has joined the TNT pilot Trooper. He'll play the patrol partner of Mira Sorvino's state trooper character, who we hope also has an allergy to wearing shirts.
Get ready for more Dewey in the next season of Southland, C. Thomas Howell is now a series regular. I hope that means they have some solid plans for the character who, so far, has worked best in limited quantities.
The Big Bang Theory cast Bernadette's mother with Meagen Fay, who has a long resume including Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show and one of my obsessions, the nuclear apocalypse comedy Whoops!.
ABC has found a pal for Rebel Wilson in the comedy pilot Super Fun Night, which follows a group of nerdy friends who promise to make every Friday a "Super Fun Night.
News
Covert Affairs hunk Eion Bailey has joined the TNT pilot Trooper. He'll play the patrol partner of Mira Sorvino's state trooper character, who we hope also has an allergy to wearing shirts.
Get ready for more Dewey in the next season of Southland, C. Thomas Howell is now a series regular. I hope that means they have some solid plans for the character who, so far, has worked best in limited quantities.
The Big Bang Theory cast Bernadette's mother with Meagen Fay, who has a long resume including Malcolm in the Middle, The Bernie Mac Show and one of my obsessions, the nuclear apocalypse comedy Whoops!.
ABC has found a pal for Rebel Wilson in the comedy pilot Super Fun Night, which follows a group of nerdy friends who promise to make every Friday a "Super Fun Night.
- 11/9/2012
- by LyleMasaki
- The Backlot
BAFTA-la Britannia Awards celebrated its 20th anniversary at the Beverly Hilton Wednesday evening, where pre-selected achievement awards were handed out to Daniel Craig, Quentin Tarrantino, Daniel Day-Lewis, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, and Will Wright. The Britannias serve as a good platform for BAFTA to make an Oscar push for its Brits in Hollywood, and this year the most recent and much-acclaimed 007 installment “Skyfall,” and Day-Lewis’ uncanny performance as the 16th president in “Lincoln,” were at the forefront. The night was again hosted by actor Alan Cumming (“The Good Wife”), who donned a fire-engine red tuxedo. He noted all the Brits with fake dentition in the room (“I am being lit merely by the reflection of everyone’s teeth”), and attributed the toothy grins to people being “delighted Obama won, or just very, very relieved Romney didn’t win.” “Sims” creator Will Wright...
- 11/8/2012
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
After Daniel Day-Lewis accepted the Stanley Kubrick Award for Excellence in Film from his Lincoln director Steven Spielberg at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' Britannia Awards on Wednesday at the Beverly Hilton, he got a standing ovation and then fetched even louder applause with the best joke of the night: a ribbing of Clint Eastwood's performance at the Republican National Convention. "Please excuse me if I'm a little bit groggy," he told the crowd, including fellow Britannia Award winners Quentin Tarantino, Daniel Craig, Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Sims creator Will Wright. "I was up
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- 11/8/2012
- by Tim Appelo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alan Cumming is set to return as host for the annual Britannia Awards, this year celebrating its 25th anniversary. This marks the actor's fourth time hosting the gig. "I'm so happy to be back hosting my 4th Britannia Awards,” said Alan Cumming in a statement released by BAFTA Los Angeles. “It's 15 years since I first came to Hollywood and what better way to commemorate that than to be hosting a celebration of the best of British And Tinseltown. I'm excited to see old friends and raise a few glasses to the best in our business – and be a bit mischievous too of course." Read More: Save The Dates: Here's the 2012-13 Awards Season Calendar Honorees this year include Daniel Day-Lewis, Daniel Craig, Quentin Tarantino, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and video game designer Will Wright. BAFTA has Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and Josh Gad confirmed as presenters. You can watch...
- 10/25/2012
- by Nigel M Smith
- Indiewire
The BAFTA La 2012 Britannia Awards (November 11) will honor "Lincoln" star Daniel Day-Lewis with the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for excellence in film. The pre-selected awards, which this year also honor Daniel Craig, Quentin Tarantino, Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Will Wright, provide a BAFTA Oscar push for certain artists. Last year the BAFTAs boosted David Yates and the final installment of the "Harry Potter" franchise, which did score some below-the-line Oscar nominations, but didn't pan out in the major categories. BAFTA La also gave Christopher Nolan a big "Inception"-year tribute. The Britannias are BAFTA La's highest accolade, and are presented annually at a Beverly Hilton gala. For the first time, the Britannias will be broadcast on BBC America at 8pm Et on the same night as the ceremony, November 11.
- 10/4/2012
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Daniel Craig, Quentin Tarantino, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Will Wright will be honored at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles Britannia Awards on Wednesday, November 7. Photos: Fall Movie Preview 2012: Major New Releases From Spielberg, Jackson, Tarantino, the Wachowskis, Burton and More The annual event, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and for the first time ever, will broadcast on BBC America, airing in primetime November 11, 2012, at 8 p.m. Et as a two-hour special, preceded by the Britannia Awards
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- 9/19/2012
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One vital component of the award season is the British contingent, repped in large part by the BAFTA awards. And BAFTA La also mounts an annual award ceremony. This November 7 BAFTA La returns to the Beverly Hilton to present awards to the current James Bond, Brit Daniel Craig, American auteur Quentin Tarantino, who is finishing up "Django Unchained" for December 25 release, American "South Park" and "Book of Mormon" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, whose La roadshow version of their hit Broadway play just opened to raves and packed houses at the Pantages, and video game designer Will Wright. For the first time the two-hour award show will air on November 11 on BBC America, which also airs the BAFTA Awards. Craig will receive the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year, while BAFTA Award-winner Tarantino will receive the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing. Parker and Stone will receive the Charlie Chaplin.
- 9/19/2012
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Daniel Craig, Quentin Tarantino, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Will Wright will be honored at the 2012 BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards on Nov. 7, BAFTA Los Angeles announced on Wednesday. The awards will be handed out at the Beverly Hilton Hotel at a dinner ceremony celebrating the 25th anniversary of BAFTA Los Angeles, the Anglo-American professional organization based in Los Angeles and affiliated with the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. For the first time, the Britannia Awards will be broadcast on BBC America, as a two-hour special...
- 9/19/2012
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Los Angeles, September 19, 2012 – The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles® (BAFTA Los Angeles), which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, has announced they will honor Daniel Craig, Quentin Tarantino, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Will Wright at the 2012 BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. For the first time ever, the BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards will broadcast on BBC America, airing in primetime November 11, 2012 at 8pm Et as a two-hour special, preceded by the Britannia Awards Pre-show Special at 7:30pm Et. The Britannia Awards are BAFTA Los Angeles’ highest accolade, a celebration of achievements honoring individuals and companies that have dedicated their careers to advancing the entertainment arts. Acclaimed actor Daniel Craig will receive the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year, while Academy and BAFTA Award-winning director Quentin Tarantino will receive the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing.
- 9/19/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
By Lee Pfeiffer
It was a long road for John Steinbeck's 1947 bestseller The Wayward Bus to make it on to the silver screen. The steamy novel about sexually frustrated people who find themselves on an arduous bus ride over dangerous terrain was considered too steamy to adapt to film. At various stages George Stevens and Howard Hawks were involved in film adaptations that never saw fruition. By the time censorship had been relaxed, it was the late 1950s and Fox finally decided to push the envelope by financing the film at the urging of Darryl F. Zanuck, now an independent producer. What emerged was a pale shadow of once-prestigious product. Gone were Stevens, Hawks and Marlon Brando, who was once attached to the film. Instead, an unknown director, Victor Vicas, convinced Zanuck and Fox to allow him to helm the movie. The cast is still impressive, with two of...
It was a long road for John Steinbeck's 1947 bestseller The Wayward Bus to make it on to the silver screen. The steamy novel about sexually frustrated people who find themselves on an arduous bus ride over dangerous terrain was considered too steamy to adapt to film. At various stages George Stevens and Howard Hawks were involved in film adaptations that never saw fruition. By the time censorship had been relaxed, it was the late 1950s and Fox finally decided to push the envelope by financing the film at the urging of Darryl F. Zanuck, now an independent producer. What emerged was a pale shadow of once-prestigious product. Gone were Stevens, Hawks and Marlon Brando, who was once attached to the film. Instead, an unknown director, Victor Vicas, convinced Zanuck and Fox to allow him to helm the movie. The cast is still impressive, with two of...
- 8/12/2012
- by [email protected] (Cinema Retro)
- Cinemaretro.com
After the dismal box office reaction to 2010's beloved geek film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Edgar Wright has been somewhat in the shadows, only producing another beloved geek film, Attack the Block and co-writing the Steven Spielberg 3D animated adventure The Adventures of Tintin. He turned down an opportunity to direct Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, has been repeatedly tied to a film adaptation of Marvel character "Ant-Man" (co-writing with Attack the Block director Joe Cornish), and recently, he has begun work on the last entry on his Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy (following Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz). Now he has just signed on to his biggest project yet with a major studio and a major star - Walt Disney Pictures' The Night Stalker, starring Johnny Depp.
The Night Stalker began as a TV movie that aired on ABC, based on a novel which was adapted by famed screenwriter Richard Matheson.
- 2/22/2012
- by Zack Parks
- GeekTyrant
They Live by Night
Directed by Nicholas Ray
Screenplay by Charles Schnee
U.S.A., 1949
Young love is a powerful thing, even dangerously so when it blinds people from reality. When the hearts of two youths are intertwined as they are between the protagonists in They Live by Night, a sense of invincibility can slowly and surely take over all the senses. Just as the emotions blindly dictate the lovers’ conduct, the stark realities of their real world circumstances inexorably drag them closer to impending doom. What better material for a brilliant young director to explore for in a debut. If at the time the name Nicholas Ray did not stir the passions of movie connoisseurs, They Live by Night and its tragic love story certainly planted the seeds of many great things that would follow.
Somewhere in the state of Mississippi, a trio of dangerous criminals have escaped the penitentiary.
Directed by Nicholas Ray
Screenplay by Charles Schnee
U.S.A., 1949
Young love is a powerful thing, even dangerously so when it blinds people from reality. When the hearts of two youths are intertwined as they are between the protagonists in They Live by Night, a sense of invincibility can slowly and surely take over all the senses. Just as the emotions blindly dictate the lovers’ conduct, the stark realities of their real world circumstances inexorably drag them closer to impending doom. What better material for a brilliant young director to explore for in a debut. If at the time the name Nicholas Ray did not stir the passions of movie connoisseurs, They Live by Night and its tragic love story certainly planted the seeds of many great things that would follow.
Somewhere in the state of Mississippi, a trio of dangerous criminals have escaped the penitentiary.
- 1/27/2012
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
BAFTA Fellowship: Few Women, Few Outside UK/Hollywood, Steven Spielberg Before Ingmar Bergman, Federico Fellini, Billy Wilder [Photo: Laurence Olivier] 1971 Alfred Hitchcock 1972 Freddie Young 1973 Grace Wyndham Goldie 1974 David Lean 1975 Jacques Cousteau 1976 Charles Chaplin, Laurence Olivier 1977 Denis Forman 1978 Fred Zinnemann 1979 Lew Grade, Huw Wheldon 1980 David Attenborough, John Huston 1981 Abel Gance, Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger 1982 Andrzej Wajda 1983 Richard Attenborough 1984 Hugh Greene, Sam Spiegel 1985 Jeremy Isaacs 1986 Steven Spielberg 1987 Federico Fellini 1988 Ingmar Bergman 1989 Alec Guinness 1990 Paul Fox 1991 Louis Malle 1992 John Gielgud, David Plowright 1993 Sydney Samuelson, Colin Young 1994 Michael Grade 1995 Billy Wilder 1996 Jeanne Moreau, Ronald Neame, John Schlesinger, Maggie Smith 1997 Woody Allen, Steven Bochco, Julie Christie, Oswald Morris, Harold Pinter, David Rose 1998 Sean Connery, Bill Cotton 1999 Eric Morecambe & Ernie Wise, Elizabeth Taylor 2000 Michael Caine, Stanley Kubrick, Peter Bazalgette 2001 Albert Finney, John Thaw, Judi Dench 2002 Warren Beatty, Merchant Ivory Productions (James Ivory, Ismail Merchant) 2002 Andrew Davies, John Mills 2003 Saul Zaentz, David Jason 2004 John Boorman, Roger Graef 2005 John Barry, David Frost 2006 David Puttnam,...
- 1/4/2012
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
The Sims creator Will Wright has revealed his next game project HiveMind. In an interview with VentureBeat, the game is described as a new step in what Wright calls "personal gaming". "Rather than craft a game like FarmVille for players to learn and play, we learn about you and your routines and incorporate that into a form of game play," Wright said. The idea behind HiveMind is to help users discover new avenues for fun in their everyday life based on their interests. "It blurs entertainment, lifestyle and personal tools," Wright said. "With that data, the world and the opportunities for entertainment within it become (more)...
- 11/16/2011
- by By Scott Nichols
- Digital Spy
It's a good year for Stan Lee. "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" have laid the groundwork for "The Avengers" next year. He got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January. The Visual Effects Society has tapped him for a lifetime achievement honor, and the awards just keep coming. Today the Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced that the comic book legend will receive its Vanguard Award this year. The prize recognizes achievements in new media and technology. Previous recipients include George Lucas, John Lasster and YouTube founders Chad Hurley, Steve Chen and Will Wright. “I am...
- 11/9/2011
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Creator of one of the best-selling video game franchises in history, Will Wright, rebuts criticisms of violent video games and gives optimism for educational entertainment.
One of the best-selling video game franchises in history isn't about killing hookers, decapitating ninjas, or nuking aliens--it's about raising families and leading prosperous cities.
Will Wright, creator of SimCity, the seminal city planning simulator, and the life-journey spinoff, The Sims, tells Fast Company that video game critics, especially critics of violent video games, have overlooked that there's little difference between the success of Grand Theft Auto and The Sims--and, why this fact should make educators optimistic for the future of deeply educational video games.
"I think that's one of the problems a lot of parents have when they see games," explains Wright. "There's someone running around with a gun and shooting things and explosions happening. What the kid is seeing is power-ups, teammates, and dead-end paths.
One of the best-selling video game franchises in history isn't about killing hookers, decapitating ninjas, or nuking aliens--it's about raising families and leading prosperous cities.
Will Wright, creator of SimCity, the seminal city planning simulator, and the life-journey spinoff, The Sims, tells Fast Company that video game critics, especially critics of violent video games, have overlooked that there's little difference between the success of Grand Theft Auto and The Sims--and, why this fact should make educators optimistic for the future of deeply educational video games.
"I think that's one of the problems a lot of parents have when they see games," explains Wright. "There's someone running around with a gun and shooting things and explosions happening. What the kid is seeing is power-ups, teammates, and dead-end paths.
- 6/9/2011
- by Gregory Ferenstein
- Fast Company
If you know the Doom or Quake series, you know American McGee. Eleven years after American McGee's Alice was unleashed on PCs and Macs across the world, McGee's company, Spicy Horse, and EA have teamed up once again (with Unreal Engine 3 this time) for the long awaited sequel, Alice: Madness Returns.
Also set eleven years later, Alice finds herself questioning her repressed memories of her parents' death and wondering if it really Was an accident. As time goes on, frequent and severe hallucinations force her to return to Wonderland; but it's not the same place she remembered.
Meet American McGee - Tester, Level Designer, Sound Designer, Tools Programmer, Co-Producer, Co-Writer, Producer, Creative Director, Developer, Founder/Owner ... coolest motherfucker on the planet.
CrixLee: Is it harder to build a game around well-known source material as opposed to starting a game's storyline from scratch, so to speak?
American McGee: The...
Also set eleven years later, Alice finds herself questioning her repressed memories of her parents' death and wondering if it really Was an accident. As time goes on, frequent and severe hallucinations force her to return to Wonderland; but it's not the same place she remembered.
Meet American McGee - Tester, Level Designer, Sound Designer, Tools Programmer, Co-Producer, Co-Writer, Producer, Creative Director, Developer, Founder/Owner ... coolest motherfucker on the planet.
CrixLee: Is it harder to build a game around well-known source material as opposed to starting a game's storyline from scratch, so to speak?
American McGee: The...
- 5/26/2011
- by CrixLee
- DreadCentral.com
During the multi-year development of Spore, Will Wright promised the universe. And while the evolution sim’s insanely rich creature creator wound up being a diversion unto itself, the ambitious 2008 game wound up disappointing most. Darkspore, a new PC-only RPG-mutation of the original, feels like a marketing person’s response to all the gripes against the shallow sandbox of Spore. The first step in Darkspore’s attempt to capture the hearts and minds of the gaming demographic is to go pre-fab. You don’t design your own characters from the ground up, but rather recruit from a pool of ...
- 5/2/2011
- avclub.com
These days, Jonathan Frakes is a captain in his own right.
The former Star Trek: The Next Generation actor and director makes his living mostly behind the scenes with a plethora of directing gigs, notably on The Glades, Leverage, Burn Notice and even V, to keep on fresh sci-fi.
Jonathan's latest gig is to direct tomorrow night's episode of the Community TV series Bar Karma, an interactive experience engineered by The Sims creator Will Wright and Spike TV founder Albie Hecht, where the internet community literally creates the story for each individual episode.
For those unfamiliar with the show, the official description reads:
“Set at a mystical watering hole at the edge of the universe, Bar Karma stars William Sanderson (True Blood, Lost, Deadwood) as James, the 20,000 year-old bartender, Matthew Humphreys (Obsessed, Big Love, The Forgotten) as bar owner Doug Jones, and Cassie Howarth (Deranged High, Deathclock) as the lone waitress,...
The former Star Trek: The Next Generation actor and director makes his living mostly behind the scenes with a plethora of directing gigs, notably on The Glades, Leverage, Burn Notice and even V, to keep on fresh sci-fi.
Jonathan's latest gig is to direct tomorrow night's episode of the Community TV series Bar Karma, an interactive experience engineered by The Sims creator Will Wright and Spike TV founder Albie Hecht, where the internet community literally creates the story for each individual episode.
For those unfamiliar with the show, the official description reads:
“Set at a mystical watering hole at the edge of the universe, Bar Karma stars William Sanderson (True Blood, Lost, Deadwood) as James, the 20,000 year-old bartender, Matthew Humphreys (Obsessed, Big Love, The Forgotten) as bar owner Doug Jones, and Cassie Howarth (Deranged High, Deathclock) as the lone waitress,...
- 4/7/2011
- UGO TV
Joe Wright first gained recognition in Hollywood by doing period dramas starring Keira Knightley. After stepping out of that genre for 2009’s The Soloist and this year’s Hanna, he is set to return to what brought him to the party. This time he has Knightlyy cast as the lead in an adaptation of the Russian classic “Anna Karenina”. Written by Leo Tolstoy, “Anna Karenina” tells the story of a woman in a loveless marriage who bucks societal expectations by starting an affair with a military man. Despite Anna’s transgressions, her husband refuses a divorce, things get even more dramatic from there, and the town folk are scandalized. Forbidden love, societal pressure, and scandal rocking a small social circle… Yeah, it sounds like Anna Karenina is going to fit right in alongside Pride and Prejudice and Atonement. It’s one of the Russian novels I haven’t read, but Fyodor Dostoevsky once called it “flawless as...
- 3/18/2011
- by Nathan Adams
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
For years, the videogame community has been pushed aside, making way for the far "greater" social interests such as film and/or television. While we were forced to endure acceptance speech after acceptance speech - from individuals so consumed in their own worlds they had forgotten all about reality - we dreamt of bigger and better things...how things have changed.
The Videogame industry is now one of the most powerful - and profitable - in the world, with more and more companies eager to get in on the action. Conversely, this raise in popularity has seen many of these 'elitist' individuals come crawling back, like an infected arm to its unaffected owner. While the film companies and cinematic production team continue to reel off remake after remake, the videogame industry remains awash with originality, with new ideas as fruitful as they ever were.
Last year, we welcomed some of...
The Videogame industry is now one of the most powerful - and profitable - in the world, with more and more companies eager to get in on the action. Conversely, this raise in popularity has seen many of these 'elitist' individuals come crawling back, like an infected arm to its unaffected owner. While the film companies and cinematic production team continue to reel off remake after remake, the videogame industry remains awash with originality, with new ideas as fruitful as they ever were.
Last year, we welcomed some of...
- 3/16/2011
- Shadowlocked
A film that has made many a vegetarian, but stands as one of Walt Disney.s masterpieces. It turns out that the villain is us, but I.ve not exactly seen deer, rabbits, and skunks chatting away in the forest either. What is 100% true is that Disney has produced another stunning Blu-ray. The forest is abuzz with excitement as Friend Owl (Will Wright) is awakened from his nap to go and witness the birth of a new fawn. The mother deer (Paula Winslowe) names the newborn Bambi (voiced by Bobby Stewart, Donnie Dunagan, Hardie Albright, and John Sutherland during his lifetime). Bambi quickly befriends the rabbit Thumper (Peter Behn, Tim Davis, Sam Edwards), the skunk Flower (Stan Alexander, Tim...
- 3/3/2011
- by Jeff Swindoll
- Monsters and Critics
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