GEEK FACT
Behind the scenes of Toy Story 3:
On January 15th, 2010, the final day for many of the 58-person animation crew, director Lee Unkrich led a mini-marching band through the studio composed of two snare drummers, two bass drummers, two giant monkeys and a Yeti.
During the creation of Toy Story 3, an extraordinary 92,854 storyboards were drawn over the course of the film, and of those, about half (45,516) were delivered to the editorial department. Editorial turned those storyboards into eight different "Milestone Screenings" that were shown to the Pixar Brain Trust while the film was in development.
Read more: http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/06/14/check-this-out-big-list-of-fun-facts-from-pixars-toy-story-3/#ixzz0uFVntbDE
From www.firstshowing.net
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
Tales from Earthsea
U.S. Release Date: August 13, 2010
Studio:Walt Disney Pictures
Plot Summary: From famed Japanese animators Studio Ghibli comes Tales from Earthsea, a sweeping adventure set in a mythical world filled with magic and bewitchment. An epic tale of redemption and self-discovery, the story follows the journey of Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk (voice of Timothy Dalton), the master wizard, as he searches for the force behind a mysterious disturbance that has caused an imbalance in the land of Earthsea—suddenly crops and livestock are dwindling, dragons have reappeared and humanity is giving way to chaos. Along the way he rescues Arren (voice of Matt Levin), a troubled young prince who has fled his home and is being pursued by an enigmatic shadow. Arren joins Sparrowhawk on the quest and, moving closer to their intertwined destinies, they cross paths with Tenar (voice of Mariska Hargitay), a former priestess, and her disfigured adopted daughter, Therru. With Sparrowhawk's magical powers dissipating, all of them must band together to defeat the evil Cob (voice of Willem Dafoe) and his henchman Hare (voice of Cheech Marin) before Cob's mania to find immortality destroys Earthsea.
From www.comingsoon.net
GAMES
Madden NFL 11
U.S. Release Date: August 10, 2010
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, Wii
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Studio: Tiburon
Synopsis: Madden NFL 11 redefines the way you experience the game of football. It's simpler: From 350 plays down to 1, the all-new GameFlow system puts you in the helmet of an NFL quarterback to execute an authentic, situational game plan, one play at a time. It's quicker: 60 minute game times reduced to as little as 30 minutes; spend more time on the field and less in the playbook. Full games, in half the time. It's deeper: Madden NFL 11 is feature-rich including all-new 3-on-3 Online Team Play, improved animations, more intuitive controls, and Madden NFL Ultimate Team ... all to the play-by-play of the most exciting voice in sports, Gus Johnson.
From www.gamespy.com
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days
U.S. Release Date: August 24, 2010
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Publisher: Square Enix
Studio:IO Interactive
Synopsis: After a simple job goes wrong, Kane and Lynch find themselves wanted by the entire Shanghai underworld. Lynch is living the good life as a henchman in Shanghai, where he has settled down with his girlfriend. He's involved in a big arms deal but needs help to make it happen. Kane is a wanderer, an ex-mercenary with family problems who needs to get away. Despite their differences, Lynch calls him for help. Once together, they set-off a chain of events over two days, as the deal falls apart and Kane and Lynch face the consequences the hard way.
Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is a raw and brutal crime shooter designed to take players on an even more intense story experience, following two of gaming's most disturbed criminals, through the gritty Shanghai underworld. Introducing a new visual experience, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days is inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era. Every aspect of the game has been designed to deliver a fresh perspective to the words 'intensity' and 'realism' in videogames.
From www.gamespy.com
Metroid: Other M
U.S. Release Date: August 31, 2010
Platforms: Wii
Publisher: Nintendo
Studio: Team Ninja Nintendo
Synopsis: Metroid: Other M is reminiscent of 2D side-scrollers, but players can switch the perspective into 3D at any time as they explore the twisting passages of a derelict space station and delve deep into a cinematic, never-before-told story of bounty hunter Samus Aran's past.
This new approach uses a new control scheme in which players use the Wii Remote controller held sideways to battle enemies and navigate the expansive, gorgeous environments in classic Metroid fashion, then aim at the screen with the Wii Remote pointer to blast foes in first-person and hunt the world for clues and hidden passages.
From www.gamespy.com
Mafia II
U.S. Release Date: August 24, 2010
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Publisher: 2K Games
Studio: 2K Czech
Synopsis: Born the son of a poor immigrant, Vito is a beaten down Italian American who is trying to secure his piece of the American Dream. Looking to escape the life of poverty that consumed his childhood, Vito is soon swayed by the lure of power and wealth that a life of organized crime can bring.
A petty criminal his whole life, Vito, along with his childhood friend, Joe, will descend into the world of organized crime. Together, they will work to prove themselves to the Mob as they try to make their names on the streets of a cold and unforgiving city.
Mafia 2 immerses players in the mob underworld of a fictitious late 1940s / early 1950s scenario. The game engages you in a cinematic Hollywood movie experience in a living, breathing city, fusing high octane gunplay with white knuckle driving and an engaging narrative.
From www.gamespy.com
Castlevania: Harmony of Despair
U.S. Release Date: August 4, 2010
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher: Konami
Studio: Konami
Synopsis:Featuring the classic fast paced 2D, side scrolling action the series is known for, fan favorite vampire hunters from across the series will join forces to return Dracula, the Lord of Darkness, to his eternal slumber.
Designed by the legendary producer of the Castlevania series, Koji Igarashi, Castlevania: Harmony of Despair allows up to six friends to play together via online co-op story mode or see who the best vampire hunter is in Survival Mode, which challenges players to fend off their friends while fighting for their very survival. Utilize your co-op skills to explore the levels with your friends in order to find hidden locations with special items and equipment or team up in battle to let loose destructive attacks on the hordes of attacking creatures.
With a plan for continued game content delivered through downloadable add-ons, players are able to experience new levels with new characters as they extend the experience of the latest Castlevania downloadable game.
From www.gamespy.com
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
U.S. Release Date:August 18, 2010
Platforms: Xbox 360
Publisher: Square Enix
Studio: Crystal Dynamics
Synopsis: Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light follows Lara as she goes in search of the Mirror of Smoke, an ancient artifact located in a ruin known as the Temple of Light. When she finally reaches the mirror, she is ambushed by a mercenary army who takes the mirror and releases an evil entity. Also awakened by the incident, Totec, The Guardian of Light joins Lara as her unlikely ally to save the world from never-ending darkness.
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light showcases an isometric cooperative adventure that aims to deliver instant, intense action and bite-sized puzzles.
From www.gamespy.com