GEEK FACT
In 1914, Winsor McCay produced an animated cartoon called Gertie, The Trained Dinosaur, which consisted of an astounding 10,000 drawings. The first presentation of the film was at the Palace Theater in Chicago, during which McCay interacted with Gertie the dinosaur. McCay stood in front of the projection screen and would pretend to do circus tricks with Gertie.
MOVIES & GAMES PREVIEW
Upcoming U.S. Movie & Game Releases
Your inside guide to U.S. movie & game releases and the visual effect companies who make movie magic.
MOVIES
The Last Airbender
U.S. Release Date: July 1, 2010 (3D/2D theaters)
Studio:Paramount Pictures
Plot Summary: Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world.
Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film The Last Airbender is the opening chapter in Aang's struggle to survive.
From www.comingsoon.net
Despicable Me
U.S. Release Date: July 9, 2010
Studio:Universal Pictures
Plot Summary: In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) in Universal's new 3D CGI feature, Despicable Me.
Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad.
The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.
From www.comingsoon.net
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
U.S. Release Date: July 14, 2010
Studio:Walt Disney Pictures
Plot Summary: Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the National Treasure franchise, present The Sorcerer's Apprentice -- an innovative and epic romantic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil.
Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes the sorcerer’s apprentice.
From www.comingsoon.net
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore
U.S. Release Date: July 30, 2010 (3D/2D theaters)
Studio:Warner Bros. Pictures
Plot Summary: In the age-old battle between cats and dogs, one crazed feline has taken things a paw too far. Kitty Galore, formerly an agent for cat spy organization MEOWS, has gone rogue and hatched a diabolical plan to not only bring her canine enemies to heel, but take down her former kitty comrades and make the world her scratching post. Faced with this unprecedented threat, cats and dogs will be forced to join forces for the first time in history in an unlikely alliance to save themselves - and their humans - in Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, a comedy that blends live action with state-of-the-art puppetry and computer animation. It's time for the fur to fly.
From www.comingsoon.net
GAMES
Crackdown 2
U.S. Release Date: July 6, 2010
Platforms: Xbox 360
Studio:Ruffian Games
Synopsis: In the vertical, free-form world of Pacific City, tensions are high and escalating exponentially between the Agency and its opposing factions, the Cell and the Freaks. Returning to Pacific City as an advanced Agent, you'll be judge, jury and executioner as you reclaim the city and eliminate all threats, either solo or with friends on Xbox LIVE.
Building upon the groundbreaking success of its predecessor, Crackdown 2 will elevate the open-world genre to unprecedented levels with the ultimate cooperative and competitive multiplayer experiences. Friends around the world will be able to sweep the streets of crime and lawlessness with the complete freedom to explore, destroy and restore justice to Pacific City — by any means necessary.
From www.gamespy.com
Naughty Bear
U.S. Release Date: June 29, 2010
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Studio:A2M (Artificial Mind and Movement)
Synopsis: In Naughty Bear, players take on the role of Naughty Bear, a bear driven to seek vengeance after the other bears don't invite him to the big birthday party. Scorned for the last time, Naughty Bear becomes hell bent on manipulating and terrorizing the blissful bears inhabiting the Island of Perfection.
As Naughty Bear, players will wreak havoc on every stuffing-filled foe that crosses their path. Featuring an array of weapons, objects and scare tactics, gamers strive to earn Naughty Points as they inflict physical and psychological harm on Naughty Bear's enemies. This all-new scare-based points system means players will win the most rewards for being deviant and maniacal. The variety allows for a completely new experience every time players pick up a controller and the ill-fated bears become more difficult to harass and terrorize as the game progresses.
Naughty Bear features more than 30 levels to unlock, with unique characteristics and weaponry encountered at every stage. Gamers can search the game world and collect all the hidden party items locked away by the other bears.
From www.gamespy.com