by Erik Jensen, Apr 1 2010 // 4:00 PM

It’s got to be tough being the odd man out. The PlayStation 3, the Wii, even the portables like the PSP and DS have fairly robust browsers built-in that allow you to surf the web as you wish, but Xbox 360 owners who dream of watching video via Hulu or YouTube on their 360 just had those dreams dashed.
Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox, put the kibosh on such extracurricular activities. Chalking the 360’s browser omission up to, “…the web browsing experience on TV is a poor one,” Greenberg clarified Microsoft’s Xbox online strategy just a little further. Despite recently adding support for specific properties like Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm and perhaps most importantly, the Netflix streaming service, Xbox seemed to be moving towards opening up the web experience for their console gamers.
And yet, what these latest comments signal instead, is a move towards built-in support for specific web properties wherein the experience can be optimized and managed by Microsoft, versus opening the console’s masses up to the web at-large. This seems contrary to the consensus of PS3 users, who seem to feel that while browsing the web on a console is by no means perfect, they value the utility in having the capability to do so.
In his interview with CVG’s sister magazine ‘Edge’, Greenberg commented on the PS3’s browser specifically. “No disrespect, there’s things I love about the PS3, but that’s not one of them. We want the online experience to be fun and optimized for the living room, and we’ll continue to add more applications to get more richness.”
Posted in: Games · Microsoft · Playstation 3 · Video Games · Wii · Xbox 360
Tagged: Consoles, Internets, Microsoft, Nintendo, PS3, Sony, Video Games, Web, Wii, Xbox 360
by Chris Ullrich, Apr 1 2010 // 3:00 PM
As potential comic book character team-ups go the combination of Spider-Man and Wolverine has to be at, or near, the top of any fan’s wish list. I mean come on, these characters are undoubtedly two of the the most popular in the entire Marvel Universe, so it only stands to reason what an epic book it would be if they ever joined forces.
Well folks, prepare to have your minds blow as that time has come with the pending release of Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #1. According to Marvel, here’s the scoop on the new series:
Marvel is proud to unveil your first look at the hotly-anticipated Astonishing Spider-Man & Wolverine #1, from two of today’s most acclaimed talents—Jason Aaron and Adam Kubert. Spider-Man and Wolverine come together in their first major series ever, as they journey to the edges of a Marvel Universe in a new series that will dramatically affect both characters.
The new series hits store shelves in May. In the meantime, check out several preview pages for the comic right after the jump.
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Posted in: Comic Previews · Comics · Marvel · News
Tagged: Adam Kubert, Astonishing Spider-Man/Wolverine, Comics, jason aaron, Marvel, Spider-Man, Wolverine
by Cortney Zamm, Apr 1 2010 // 2:00 PM
While gaming conventions are all about the big titles, PAX has always shown some serious love for the independent gaming industry. So while many PAX East attendees stood in long lines to try out Skate 3 or Red Dead Redemption, I decided to check out the smaller titles on display last weekend that make PAX such a unique experience.
Here’s what I found:
Shank
While the game’s title might be small, Shank packs a huge punch. This side scrolling 2-D action game wowed crowds with its gorgeous artwork and addicting gameplay. Players take on the role of Shank as he slashes and chainsaws his way through a world of assassins and giants on a quest for bloody revenge.
The game will be out sometime this summer for XBLA, PSN, and PC.
Frobots
I tried out this game based soley on the name, and it was definitely worth it. Frobot is about a robot with an afro who, after his five “super-fine” girlfriends are kidnapped, rescues them with an arsenal of energy blasts, missiles, and deathly disco balls.
Frobots is a combination of action, puzzle, and party and with dozens of maps to choose from and a ridiculously fun multiplayer mode this game will keep you and your friends busy for hours, but also might make you really mad at each other.
Frobots will be released for WiiWare, PC, and Mac sometime this year.
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Posted in: Macintosh · News · Nintendo · Playstation 3 · PlayStationNetwork · Video Games · Wii · XBLA · Xbox 360
Tagged: Aaaaa!, Frobots, PAX East 2010, Shank, Turba, WiiWare
by Erik Jensen, Apr 1 2010 // 1:00 PM
Steve Job’s now legendary feud with Adobe over its flash product notwithstanding, streaming video is indeed coming to the new Apple iPad. In the run-up to the iPad’s release date, the tech media has been abuzz over the device’s lack of flash support.
With approximately 75% of the web’s streaming video running on the flash platform, how in the world would iPad owners be able to consume this content with their new devices? And furthermore, wouldn’t this so-called Achilles’ heel of the iPad allow competing tablet devices running flavors of Windows and Chrome to position them as superior, at least in this one regard?
As it turns out, it’s not even going to be an issue, as a new batch of streaming apps have won Apple approval for the App Store and will be coming out to coincide with the iPad launch — as evidenced by their listings at AppShopper.
The official Netflix app for the iPad is perhaps the most notable of this bunch. While the app is free for iPad owners, it will work in conjunction with a user’s unlimited Netflix membership and allow users to stream TV shows and movies from the service’s extensive catalog of instantly-available titles.
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Posted in: Apple · Movies · Tech · TV
Tagged: ABC, Apple, Gadgets, Geek, iPad, iTunes, iTunes iPad Store, Netflix, Streaming, TV
by Shannon Hood, Apr 1 2010 // 12:00 PM
The original Clash of the Titans (1981) was cheesy and offered substandard special effects, but it had a certain inherent charm, making it almost irresistible on cable television. I can’t recall a time when I stumbled across the movie and changed the channel. It’s an iconic fantasy film, and embraced for its intentions, despite the fact it failed at many of those intensions. At least it meant well.
Clash of the Titans (2010) is going to become the whipping boy for the anti-3D conversion crowd, with good reason. This is the second major release (after Alice in Wonderland) that has been converted to 3D post production, and the 3D is truly awful. There was absolutely no reason for this movie to be 3D, aside from trying to squeeze some extra money out of gullible ticket purchasers.
I can’t believe people are actually going to shell out an extra 5 bucks for an “enhancement” that is distracting, annoying and intolerable. Characters are out of focus,with tracers dancing about them. The 3D would detract from even the best of films, but this movie doesn’t even merit a “mediocre.” It’s crap, with a cherry on top, only that cherry is rotten and renders the whole mess unpalatable. What a disappointment.
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Posted in: 3-D · Fantasy · Movies · Reviews
Tagged: 3D, Action, Clash of the Titans, Fantasy, Gemma Arterton, Kraken, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Reviews, Sam Worthington
by John Carle, Apr 1 2010 // 11:00 AM
Back in 2004, Spider-Man 2 debuted for the XBox and PlayStation to rave reviews. For the first time, players were given free run of Manhattan as their favorite wall crawler. Since, pretty much every Spider-Man game since has followed that same formula (save Spider-Man: Friend or Foe but the less said about that game, the better) and things have gotten a little stale.
Last year, super hero games were all forced to take a step back and reevaluate themselves with the release of Batman: Arkham Asylum which is now considered by many to be the best comic-based video game release ever. That’s a lot of pressure for any new game to follow up.
But if anyone can go toe to toe with the Dark Knight, whether it’s in the box office, in comics or in video games, it’s Spidey right? Activision has just released the debut trailer and screen shots of Spider-Man: Shattered Dreams.
In it, players will take not only the role of everyone’s favorite Peter Parker right out of the pages of Amazing Spider-Man, but they will be given the opportunity to play three more of his alter egos from the many alternate dimensions we have seen Spider-Man a part of. The game looks to also do away with the once favored open world style gameplay in favor of a more controlled and faster paced linear story.
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Posted in: Activision · Games · Marvel · Playstation 3 · Trailers · Video · Video Games · Xbox 360
Tagged: Activision, Marvel, Playstation 3, Screenshots, Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, Trailer, Video Games, Xbox 360
by Matt Raub, Apr 1 2010 // 10:00 AM
Last August, a small film called Paranormal Activity swept the nation, making nearly $200 Million to date, worldwide, and creeping out just about every teen who walked into the theater. On the other side, 2009 was the 6th consecutive year that Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures put out a film in the Saw franchise. To date, Saw VI has only made $60 Million worldwide.
Since 2005, a Saw film has always dominated the theaters on the weekend of or just before Halloween. Granted, October is infamous for being the worst financial time of year for films and it still holds strong. Now, it seems the sequel to Paranormal Activity will be coming out to directly compete with the next Saw film, and they plan to be victorious. From Variety:
Paramount is committed to meeting the Oct. 22 release date for “Paranormal Activity 2,” which pits the sequel directly against “Saw VII 3D.”
“Saw VII” has already tried to bloody “Paranormal 2″ once. Kevin Greutert was circling to direct “Paranormal 2″ when Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures exercised an option requiring Greutert to direct the seventh installment in the “Saw” franchise.
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Posted in: 3-D · Box Office · Horror · Lionsgate · Movies · News · Paramount · Prequels and Sequels · Sci-Fi
Tagged: 3D, Halloween, Kevin Greutert, Lionsgate, Paramount, Paranormal Activity, Paranormal Activity 2, Saw, Saw VII, Tod Williams
by Joe Gillis, Apr 1 2010 // 9:00 AM
Yes Doctor Who fans I can feel your excitement as the premiere of the new series is just around the corner. To commemorate this joyous event our friends at the BBC have graciously sent us a couple of videos we’re going to share with you today.
The first one is especially cool in that it gives us a first look at the actual premiere episode by featuring the first few minutes of the episode itself. We’ve also got a video featuring interviews with the cast and creators talking about the premiere.
All of your soon-to-be-favorite cast and crew members are included such as Karen Gillan, Steven Moffat and, of course, the Doctor himself Matt Smith. From what I’ve seen of the videos and the other tidbits we’ve had in the past, the new Doctor Who looks to be pretty exciting indeed.
Check out both videos after the jump. The new season of Doctor Who premieres Saturday, April 17th at 9/8C on BBC America.
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Posted in: BBC · Drama · News · Sci-Fi · SyFy · TV · Video
Tagged: BBC, Doctor Who, Karen Gillan, Matt Smith, Sci-Fi, Steven Moffat, Tardis, Time Lord, TV
by Matt Raub, Apr 1 2010 // 8:00 AM
Back when we heard that Stallone called upon his old Planet Hollywood buddies Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis to make a cameo in his upcoming tough guy extravaganza The Expendables, we were all taken back a bit. This would be the first time that all three actors, who basically set the bar for action films in the 80s and 90s, would be on screen at the same time.
While we were a tad skeptical how they would pull it off, we figured they would find a way around the scene by potentially having one or both actors shoot their scenes in a different location, and later splicing them together. Well, with the newest trailer hitting the web yesterday, we got our answer, and it looks awesome.
The film is about a group of renegade military operatives (not to be confused with The Losers or The A-Team) who face the biggest threat they’ve ever encountered. Written and Directed by Sylvester Stallone, the film also stars Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren, Terry Crews, Jet Li, Steve Austin, and Eric Roberts.
Check out the newest trailer after the jump, and catch The Expendables in theaters on August 20th.
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Posted in: Action · Casting · Movies · News · Trailers · Video
Tagged: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Dolph Lundgren, Eric Roberts, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Mickey Rourke, Planet Hollywood, Steve Austin, Sylvester Stallone, Terry Crews, The Expendables
by Chris Ullrich, Apr 1 2010 // 7:00 AM
It looks like Fox’s long in development reboot of the classic Sci-Fi film Fantastic Voyage may be closer to getting a director attached. According to THR, Paul Greengrass, late of the Matt Damon starrer Green Zone and United 93, is in talks to take on the project.
The pic, which is being produced by James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment, tells the story of a team of scientists who are shrunk to atomic size and sent on a minature submarine to save the life of a defecting Soviet scientist who holds the key to stabilizing the shrinking process. Once inside the scientist, the team struggles to perform surgery to save the man’s life and also must battle to save themselves from his body’s defensises and a traitor in their midst.
The reboot will reportedly stick close to the original story and will, of course, up the ante with state of the art visual effects as well as eventual delivery in 3D. Color me surprised about that last development. Gotta say I’m a fan of Greengrass’s work so him taking on a reboot of Fantastic Voyage is not the worst thing that could happen.
No word yet on a start date or potential casting for the film (especially who’s taking on the roles made famous by Raquel Welch and Donald Pleasence) but when their is, we’ll bring it to you.
Posted in: 20th Century Fox · Action · Movies · News · Reboots and Remakes · Sci-Fi
Tagged: Fantastic Voyage, Fox, Green Zone, Movies, Paul Greengrass, Reboots, Sci-Fi, The Bourne Identity, United 93