Since their inception, the LEGO licensed games have followed a pretty standard formula. Players start off in a central hub where they can select missions to enter, check their progress and buy more characters to play as. After years of this between Star Wars, Batman, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter, the franchise was due for a change.

Not only is LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes the first LEGO game to feature voice acting for the characters, but it will be an open world format. How this will impact gameplay will be interesting as this has never been attempted by any of the LEGO franchise games before. It may be a structure similar to a GTA game where players meet up with NPCs and receive missions or maybe even an Arkham City style where Batman receives updates from Alfred or Oracle, which would make sense using both the Batman franchise as well as the new voiceover being added to the game.

Take a peek below at the trailer and screen shots for LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes to see Batman, Superman, the Flash, the rest of the Justice League and all the villains in action. You even get a brief glimpse of the friendly antagonism between Batman and Superman as well. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is coming to all major consoles and handhelds on June 19th.

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There are few filmmakers who evoke the kind of passion from cinephiles the way PTA does. His films might not be everyone’s cup of tea (personally I rather Paul WS Anderson), but there is no doubt he has talent and an ability to relay a story in a unique way.

His newest film, The Master, has gotten a lot of people interested. It tells the tale of a man not to dissimilar to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, here is the official synopsis:

Universal Pictures period drama to star Philip Seymour Hoffman as a founder of a new religious organization in the 1950s. Hoffman would play “the Master,” as in “master of ceremonies,” a charismatic intellectual who hatches a faith-based organization that begins to catch on in America in 1952. The core is the relationship between the Master and Freddie, a twentysomething drifter who becomes the leader’s lieutenant. As the faith begins to gain a fervent following, Freddie finds himself questioning the belief system he has embraced, and his mentor.

The film also stars Joaquin Phoenix whom the teaser centers around. This looks like a very interesting follow-up to There Will Be Blood and Phoenix’s own ‘interesting’ last few years. Even a non convert like myself is interested.

The film will be released this fall, check out the teaser after the jump.

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There is a new James Bond movie coming and, despite the mixed reception of Quantum of Solace, it will be heavily anticipated. So we have waited for the first teaser patiently, waiting for that first real morsel of the film to get excited about.

That time has come as the first teaser for the film has hit the interwebs. For those of you unfamiliar with the plot and circumstances of Skyfall, here is it’s synopsis:

Daniel Craig is back as James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time.  In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Not only does the film look stunning, but Skyfall also boasts one of the best casts ever for a Bond film. Aside from series regulars Craig and Dame Judi Dench, the film also features Ralph Finnes, Albert Finny and Javier Bardem. One thing is certain, this film wont lack for talent.

Check out the teaser after the jump.

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Every now and then a film comes along that reminds you exactly what this medium can do. Based on word from Sundance, Beasts of the Southern Wild looks to be the next movie that to fill that all important role.

For those of you who have never heard of this little gem, here is the synopsis:

In a forgotten but defiant bayou community cut off from the rest of the world by a sprawling levee, a six-year-old girl exists on the brink of orphanhood. Buoyed by her childish optimism and extraordinary imagination, she believes that the natural world is in balance with the universe until a fierce storm changes her reality. Desperate to repair the structure of her world in order to save her ailing father and sinking home, this tiny hero must learn to survive unstoppable catastrophes of epic proportions.

The trailer showcases a great sense of magic and wonder as seen through the eyes of a child. There are a ton of blockbusters coming down the pipes in 2012, but this little film could just upstage them all.

Take a look at the trailer after the jump.

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Star Wars Kinect revealed to many that motion gaming just isn’t what we were expecting from the Kinect. Whether it is the fault of the developers or the hardware, Star Wars Kinect is a flop. What can be done to save the Kinect at this point? As much as we love Dance Central, there are only so many times Microsoft can turn to Harmonix to save the Kinect’s butt with a quality experience. Many people say the loss of tactile feedback whether it is the press of a button or holding the actual object in their hand they are swinging on screen that leaves the Kinect experience unfulfilled. While we don’t know if NBA Baller Beats is the ultimate answer, it has certainly got our attention.

From the trailer below, though we don’t see actual gameplay footage, the impression is given of a Dance Central style rhythm game mainly with hip hop music that players must not only mimic the motions of the character on screen with their own body but of a real basketball as well. You wanted tactile feedback from Kinect? Here you go (especially since people would look incredibly silly pretending to make dribbling motions around their living rooms).

NBA Baller Beats gets players on their feet mastering mad ball handling skills while playing to the beat of an eclectic soundtrack. The Kinect motion sensor captures every movement of both player and ball to create an entirely new basketball gaming experience. NBA Baller Beats will be unveiled at E3 2012 and will launch exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360 this Fall.

Motion games have warned people to make sure to clear the area around them so they don’t crash into furniture or other people but now there is even more to worry about. What’s interesting will be the test of player’s coordination as they watch the screen to watch the moves they need to perform and keep control of the ball at the same time. Judging from my own basketball skills topping out with an epic 16 points during my entire 7th grade season, I don’t think I will be putting my living room at risk but for the more athletically inclined, it might be the right game to get them to dust off their Kinect.

Check out the teaser trailer for NBA Baller Beats after the jump.

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Stephen Sommers first GI Joe film was a spectacular miss. It had a lot of the right elements in place, but they just failed to come together in any meaningful way. Thankfully some one still sees the potential in what direction Sommers was taking the franchise.

The sequel GI Joe: Retaliation is on the way and it looks like it excised many of the original movie’s problems, as well as many of the original movie’s characters. Here is the official synopsis:

In this sequel, the G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardize their very existence.

Notice how that synopsis is not very long? This film looks to not be burdened by over complicated plots, and as the new trailer suggests it instead relies on some potentially awesome action. GI Joe works best as a franchise when the action is first and foremost.

In addition to better action the film also boasts a much improved cast, anchored by Dwayne ‘The Rock’  Johnson, who typically excels in these types of roles, and Bruce Willis who is Brice Willis.

Check out the full new trailer after the jump.

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The rebooted Star Trek was a massive success. I walked the fine line of total restart and series continuation and ended up with a totally familiar, but all together new universe for us to explore. One of the first new explorations into this new universe will be the upcoming Star Trek game.

The game, which was announced at last year’s E3, is currently slated for an early 2013 release date. For those unfamiliar with the upcoming game here is what we know:

Star Trek continues the story from the recent J.J. Abrams film. Players take control of Kirk and Spock in what is being called an “unprecedented co-op experience.” 

“Star Trek challenges the boundaries of co-op gameplay with a galactic adventure that gamers and fans have never experienced,” said Tom Lesinski, President of Paramount Digital Entertainment. 

The new teaser doesn’t give much up on the ‘unprecedented co-op’, but it does showcase a very pretty looking game that should have Trek fans everywhere eager to play. Alongside this new teaser were three new concept art pieces that give some clue to the types of environments we should be expecting in the new game.

You can check out the new teaser and the concept art after the jump.

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Oliver Stone is a very capable director. His visual style makes almost anything he crafts watchable. Unfortunately, lately his choices in films have not really allowed him to embrace his more frenetic skill sets.

That is about to change when the gloriously chaotic Savages hits theaters. For those unfamiliar with Stone’s new film here is the synopsis:

Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Aaron Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Taylor Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary, run a lucrative, homegrown industry—raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Blake Lively).  Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them.

Sounds like a ton of fun, and now thanks to MTV we get a chance to see the trailer deliver on that promise. The film looks like a cross between Domino and Traffic with all the best parts of each preserved. Of course we wont know if that for sure until the movie is actually released, but this trailer has put Savages high on our to-see list.

Check out the full trailer after the jump.

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Robert Pattinson is in an important turning point for his career. As the Twilight franchise goes away, he really needs to establish himself as a really actor, not just a sparkly pretty face. He is likely going to turn a few heads in David Cronenberg’s next film, and now he will get a chance to in a more mature affair.

The trailer for his new film Bel Ami has just been released, for those who are unfamiliar with the project here is the synopsis:

BEL AMI is the story of Georges Duroy, who travels through 1890s Paris, from cockroach ridden garrets to opulent salons, using his wits and powers of seduction to rise from poverty to wealth, from a prostitute’s embrace to passionate trysts with wealthy beauties, in a world where politics and media jostle for influence, where sex is power and celebrity an obsession.

This is exactly the kind of movie Pattinson should be doing right now, it allows him to capitalize on his ‘cinematic hearthrob’ status, but it clearly gives him a lot of character to play with. Plus any film that ends it’s top billed actors list with ‘and Colm Meaney’ immediately becomes worthwhile in my book.

Interestingly, the film is getting a VOD release May 4th, but doesn’t make it to the theaters until June 8th. Check out the trailer after the jump.

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This Sunday, April 2nd, is the long awaited premiere of season two of Game of Thrones on HBO. It’s been nearly a year since we have seen the fates of families like the Lannisters and the Starks and their epic battle for control of Westeros.

What better way to prepare for yourself for the first episode and a brand new season then to make sure you are caught up on all the details of season one. So, we present to you the entire first season of Game of Thrones distilled into three minutes and set to a very catchy song. Spoilers contained within.

As if that weren’t enough, we also have six clips from the premiere episode as well. More than enough Game of Thrones goodness to hold you over until the brand new episode on Sunday night.

Check out the season one recap and the six new clips after the jump.

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Ok, what the heck happened! Why are there suddenly official teasers for upcoming teasers. Seriously, we are getting official commercials for commercials now. It really begs the question ‘what’s the point?’.

Of course the flip side of that is we do get to see our first glimpse of the updated, re-adapted version of Total Recall a week ahead of the first actual teaser. For those of you new to the movie, here is the synopsis:

For a factory worker named Douglas Quaid, even though he’s got a beautiful wife who he loves, the mind-trip sounds like the perfect vacation from his frustrating life – real memories of life as a super-spy might be just what he needs. But when the procedure goes horribly wrong, Quaid becomes a hunted man. Finding himself on the run from the police – controlled by Chancellor Cohaagen, the leader of the free world 

This new version of Total Recall is exactly how you handle a modern remake. You taken the source material, and give your creative team’s the chance to adapted it in their own way, in their own style. We will no doubt get a film that feels in some ways similar to the ’80′s classic, but it should also feel new and alive in it’s own way.

Check  out the teaser for the trailer after the jump.

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The current big trend in H-Town is revisiting fairy tales and giving them new spins. People should know better than to complain about this trend, because retooling fairy tales is the basis for most of modern storytelling, so this always seemed like a natural place for Hollywood to go.

Early on, one such project seemed like the worst, pandering tripe imaginable. Snow White and the Huntsman seemed like a hallow, Twilight meets Lord of the Rings mash-up with a recognizable name. Taking all the worst parts if Alice in Wonderland and Red Riding Hood to forge one super stinker of a picture.

Somewhere along the line, the stars converged and this movie actually turned the corner on it’s perception. With each passing trailer the movie looks more and more like an epic adventure worthy of a mass audience.

Now a brand new trailer has hit and it continues the trend of making the movie look better and better. It has scope, it has visual flare, it has Bob Flippin’ Hoskins as one of the seven dwarves! Snow White and the Huntsman might not just be good, it might actually pretty fantastic.

Check out the new trailer after the jump.

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