The Flickcast

New Disc-Less Instant Netflix For The PS3 May Just Lead The Charge For Console Streaming

Posted on October 19, 2010

Yesterday we brought you news that may have changed the console race between PS3, XBox 360, and PS3 as it was announced that the Wii owners will no longer need a disc to stream Instant Netflix on their console. However, mere hours later, the same was announced for the PS3, with a all-new browsing and search functionality, that may just blow XBox 360 out of the water.

Coming with this new system is the ability to browse through the thousands of movies and TV shows available to stream instantly via Netflix by way of genre, category, and even suggestions. Also added is a fully functional search feature, which is new to all forms of the streaming service.

Dolby 5.1 Stereo and 1080p video are also available to help the PS3 keep the edge on video playback.

Finally, and probably the coolest feature in the system, is the new Browser feature that allows you to cycle through each movie, while a select scene plays in the background. Just in case you need extra incentive to watch that classic episode of Dexter. Check out a full video of the new features after the jump.

War Movie Mondays: ‘Saving Private Ryan’

Posted on October 18, 2010

This week’s pick salutes Steven Spielberg’s epic Saving Private Ryan (1998) which tells the story of an eight man rifle squad which is chosen to find and safely bring back Pvt. Ryan after it is discovered that his three older brothers have all died in combat just days apart from one another. The film stars Tom Hanks (Capt. John H. Miller, Charlie Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion), Tom Sizemore (Sgt. Mike Horvath), Ed Burns (Pfc. Richard Reiben), Jeremy Davies (Cpl. Timothy E. Upham), Barry Pepper (Pvt. Daniel Jackson), Adam Goldberg (Pvt. Stanley Mellish), Vin Diesel (Pfc. Adrian Caparzo), Giovanni Ribisi (Pvt. Irwin Wade), and Matt Damon (Pvt. James Ryan).

Saving Private Ryan is best known for its first thirty minute opening which is one of the most brutal depictions of combat ever put on film. Elements of Capt. Miller’s (Hanks) battalion prepare for the assault on Omaha Beach on the fateful morning of June 6, 1944. While the assault force approaches the Normandy coast aboard the landing craft, each man is preparing themselves for the inevitable. Many men are seasick, while many pray silently to themselves.

The operator of the boat alerts them that they will hit the beach in just thirty seconds. Miller instructs his men to move fast and to clear the “murder hole” (the opening of the craft). When the ramp hits, you are immediately plunged into the intense combat. Rows of men are cut down from German machine gun fire before they can even leave the craft. Other men are instructed to jump over the sides, only to drown due to the amount of heavy equipment many troops carried into combat.

Miller helps a fellow soldier ashore while they make their way through the maze of anti-tank traps and dead bodies at the water’s edge. The camera is submerged under the water, and then surfaces. The use of sound in this scene is fantastic. When submerged, the scene is tranquil and peaceful but when on the surface, you are subjected to the sound of machine gun fire, explosions, and bullet ricochets off of men and the tank traps that were placed to keep American armored vehicles from reaching the beach.

Interview: Emil Johnsen of ‘Corridor’

Posted on October 18, 2010

Last week, we ran a review of Corridor, a movie that played at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX. It was a nifty, minimalist throw-back to Hitchcock, and the entire movie hinges on the performance of Emil Johnsen, who plays paranoid medical student Frank.

Without his convincing performance, the movie would not be as compelling. We had a chance to sit down with Emil for a one on one interview at Fantastic Fest to talk about the film, his role and what he’s up to next.

The Flickcast: When I came in from the airport for Fantastic Fest, I shared a shuttle with Jonah Storm (the director of Corridor). He said he had a project here, and I told him I would check it out. You never know how things are going to turn out, and I just saw the movie, and it was really good. Congratulations, very cool.

So, how did you come onto this project? Did you know the directors?

Emil Johnsen: Well, the thing is, yeah. I went to theater school at the theater academy in Sweden the same time that they were going to the film academy, so me and Jonah Lundberg actually started working together. I was in a short film that he made, then we started developing some other stuff together. When they got financing to make a feature I was already interested.

FC: Did you have any input on the story development, or was the story completely ready when they came to you?

EJ: I didn’t have so much input, no. I did have a lot of opinions about the script, and as far as I remember there were some things I wanted to change, and I think actually they did change some stuff.

We collaborated a lot. I got the script way ahead, and read it, and I read several drafts of it. I did, however, want there to be more of a romantic development between Lotte and Frank.

FC: It kind of starts going there…

EJ: It starts, but there’s one thing that is cut out, where Frank comes with a glass of milk, and I persuaded them to have something more romantic or sexual happen, but they cut that out.

FC: Well, it’s insinuated.

Free Version of Angry Birds Arrives on Android Phones

Posted on October 18, 2010

A full-featured version of the immensely popular mobile game Angry Birds, has finally arrived for Android-powered Smartphones. And get this: it’s free. Yes, you read that correctly, free! After dropping $4.99 for the iPad version, which with it’s gorgeous big screen is really the ideal platform for the game in my opinion, I’m also excited by the ability to finally destroy those insolent pigs while on-the-go.

In case you’ve been off-the-grid in a remote area with no electricity and no 3G service for the past year and have no idea what I’m talking about, Angry Birds is an addictive mobile app featuring 195 unique levels that has gamers sling-shotting little birds through the air to destroy a vast array of towers and defensive structures that house little green pigs.

Destroy the structures, destroy the pigs and you move onto the next level. It sounds simple, but its execution is so charming and so addictive, that it’s been one of the top paid iPhone apps in the world.

Check Out The First Trailer For ‘The Red Eagle’, Thailand’s Dark Super Hero Flick

Posted on October 18, 2010

With the rising popularity in gritty super hero films such as Kick-Ass, Watchmen and Hancock, there are bound to be other countries that want to throw their hat into the ring. Since most of the good existing properties are already tied up here in the states, that means that it’s time for those countries to get creative with a few original heroes of their own. Enter The Red Eagle, the most recent and probably most popular gritty super hero action film coming from Thailand.

To break it down in a way most Hollywood-watching fans can understand, the film looks like Ninja Assassin meets Green Hornet, with some great dark elements thrown in. Here’s the full synopsis for those who want more:

A nuclear power plant is about to be commissioned upon the signing of corrupt and power hungry politicians. The citizens are in frenzy, as they oppose this plan but they cannot do a thing about it. And so, a hero was born, chasing down the criminals and the corrupt, killing of whatever threatens the city’s well being. He leaves a card with his name simply as “THE RED EAGLE”. However, the hero becomes the hunted, when the politicians send out their best defense, known as “THE BLACK DEMON”.

Black Demon? Red Eagle? This looks like it could be that classic Good Vs. Evil In Masks story that Hollywood keeps tiptoeing around. Check out the full trailer for the film after the jump and keep an eye out for when The Red Eagle makes it to the states.

Disc Free Netflix Streaming Now on the Wii

Posted on October 18, 2010

For all you Wii lovers out there who’s only console of choice is the one from Nintendo, your Netflix streaming dreams have come true. Today, the company announced that if you have a network connected Wii, a Netflix account and live in the U.S. or Canada, you can download software to your Wii that will allow for Netflix streaming.

This feature was previously only available if you had a Netflix CD inserted in the Wii. But now, no disc required. Just download the software from the Wii Shop Channel and you’re good to go.

With the disc eliminated for the Wii and with it never having been required for the Xbox 360, let’s hope this means a disc-less Netflix experience is coming soon for the PS3. It’s only fair. Plus, with the rather limited video capabilities of the Wii it’s a much better viewing experience to watch movies and TV programs via Netflix streaming on your PS3 or XBox 360. Still, nice to see Netflix getting away from the lame disc requirement.

Check out the full press release from Nintendo after the jump.

Exclusive: Stars Ryan Pinkston and Drew Van Acker Talk ‘Tower Prep’

Posted on October 18, 2010

Cartoon Network has been working their way outside of the animated box for the past few years or so, with brand new original live action programming. This was a start for the network with original films surrounding established franchises like Scooby Doo and Ben 10, and has now moved on to full series like Unnatural History and this week’s upcoming Tower Prep.

From Lost and Batman Beyond producer Paul Dini, this new show follows the lives of a group of teens who finds themselves in a mysterious school, with mysterious and unique abilities. Think X-Men meets Lost. We got the opportunity to speak with the four main stars of the film and today we’re bringing you half of those interviews, as we discuss just exactly what Tower Prep is with stars Ryan Pinkston and Drew Van Acker.

Check out the interview after the jump. Be sure to check back here tomorrow for more with the cast.

Also, be sure to catch the very first episode of Tower Prep on Cartoon Network, tomorrow October 19th, at 8pm ET/PT.

Box Office: A Couple Of Jackasses Win The Weekend

Posted on October 18, 2010

Well, the Jackass gang was at it again, this time offering their usual gags, gross-outs and stunts in 3D. The 3D format payed off as Jackass 3D broke the opening weekend record for Fall (considered the months of September and October) that was previously held by Scary Movie 3.

Jackass 3D managed to make a very impressive $50 M over the weekend. It is estimated that 90 percent of its business were on 3D screens, so in this case, the 3D surcharge definitely helped pad the total for the movie. Friday’s total of $21 M may be an opening day record as well, if the totals hold true.

The talented ensemble cast of Red helped propel the movie to second place over the weekend, earning a respectable $22.5 M over the weekend. It also received a coveted A+ score from audiences, according to pollster cinemascore. Those don’t come along very often, and they often indicate that the film will benefit from good word of mouth.

David Fincher’s The Social Network continues to perform strongly. It only dropped 28% from last week’s totals, and placed a strong third at the box office with $11 M. After three weeks, the movie has made $63 M, besting its budget of $50 M.

Secretariat appears to be running a slow and steady box office race. The film only dropped off 25% from last weekend for third place, making another $9.5 M. It is very rare for a film to drop less than 30% after opening weekend, so Secretariat may surprise us by making its money over time, not just the opening weekend. After two weekends, the film has made around $27 M, but its budget was only $35 M, so it looks like it will be in good shape financially.

Holdover Life As We Know It was able to retain much of its momentum as well, earning an additional $9M for fifth place. Outside of the top ten, upcoming documentary Inside Job boasted a high $9,000/per screen, playing on just 1o screens. The documentary about the Wall Street collapse is garnering some serious buzz.

Also enjoying great per/screen averages was Hilary Swank’s inspiring legal drama, Conviction. Though it only played on 11 screens, it had a $10,000 per/screen average.

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