The Flickcast – Page 688 of 1030 – Stuff Nerds Love

The Flickcast’s ‘On the Radar’

Posted on June 18, 2010

Welcome to this week’s On the Radar where we delve into all corners of the entertainment, tech and geek Internets for news, views and whatnot that may have escaped our regular coverage this week. Let is know if we missed something.

• Yeah, we kinda feel the same way about Jonah Hex. Where did it all go so wrong? We know it isn’t Megan Fox’s fault, so what is is?

• Do you want a cool action figure featuring one of your favorite characters from Firefly Captain Malcolm Reynolds? If so, this isn’t it.

• You say you like Predators and can’t wait for Robert Rodriguez’s version to come out? Until then, check out these pics of the new/old Predators.

• A company has produced bars of soap in the shape of Han Solo in Carbonite. Sadly, more male users will buy this product than female.

• There’s something to be said about the originality of the newest wave of XXX parodies. At least, our inner teenager is excited for The Breakfast Club: A XXX Parody.

• Everybody loves True Blood. Even Snoop Dogg…for some reason. Oh, wait . . .

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Indie Review: ‘Please Give’

Posted on June 18, 2010

Perhaps only New Yorkers can fully appreciate the unique but not uncommon real estate transaction that underlies Nicole Holofcener’s fourth feature film Please Give. Successful dealers in trendy midcentury modern furniture, Kate and Alex have leapt at the chance to purchase the apartment next door, allowing them to expand their own… just as soon as that adjoining apartment’s elderly tenant vacates the premises, a process which in places other than Manhattan is known as dying.

This civilized death watch may be at the heart of Kate’s compulsive guilt, or not. Played by Holofcener muse Catherine Keener (who has starred in all four films) with her usual intelligence and razor wit, Kate is both open and judgmental, destructive and compassionate, blind and perceptive, conflicted and utterly believable. Holofcener’s work has always explored a particular strain of modern woman—one who occupies a place in a privileged and finely parsed world, albeit uneasily.

Kate is affluent but ashamed of her affluence. And although her affable husband Alex (Oliver Platt) assures her it is fine, she feels guilty about buying the furniture of dead people and selling it at a steep mark-up in her chic store. She walks around with rolls of cash to hand out to the homeless (or those she perceives to be homeless), while arguing with her teen daughter Abby over the ethical problem of $200 jeans for high schoolers.

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Catch A Sneak Peek At Tonight’s ‘Merlin’ and the New Season of ‘Warehouse 13’

Posted on June 18, 2010

As we’ve been doing for the past weeks with Stargate Universe and Merlin, we’ve got new show promos to share with you again today. However, with Stargate Universe having its season finale last week, the focus now shifts to the upcoming premiere of Syfy’s Warehouse 13.

So, to start us off right we’ve got two clips from Warehouse 13 to share with you as well as a clip from tonight’s episode of Merlin. Fist up on Warehouse 13 check out the team coming back with a vengeance after last season’s cliffhanger ending. How have things changed and what will the team do to make sure those pesky artifacts don’t fall into the wrong hands? Check out those promos to find out.

On Merlin, the boy wizard sees a new side to Morgana when Mordred returns seeking her help. Will this turn out to be a good thing or yet another sign that Merlin may have some trouble on his hands? Check out the video and tonight’s episode for all the answers.

Check out all the clips after the jump. Merlin airs tonight at 10/9C on Syfy. Warehouse 13 premieres on Tuesday, July 6th at 9/8C.

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Game Review: ‘Alpha Protocol’ for XBox 360

Posted on June 18, 2010

XBox 360 (Also available on PlayStation 3 and PC)
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
$59.99
Score: 7.0

Alpha Protocol is a great example of a game that tries hard to do a lot of things and ends up pulling some of them off. When you look at what Alpha Protocol is attempting to do on paper, it is a pretty lofty list. Being the first espionage RPG, the game gets to define itself. Is it a spy game? Is it a shooter? How much roleplaying is actually involved? The truth is that Alpha Protocol almost gives too many options in how it approaches this concept.

Gameplay:

Alpha Protocol is all about options. Much like other RPGs, character customization is a big deal. Not in the way of appearance but in terms of skill sets, selection of characteristics plays a huge part in how each person’s Alpha Protocol experience will play out. There are two very distinct ways that players can progress through missions.

The first is guns blazing. For Gears of War or Halo fans, this may be their method of choice. Shoot their way through and ask questions once everything is dead. Using any pairing of either a pistol, SMG, shotgun or assault rifle, players get the opportunity to use special weapons abilities that help them progress through waves of enemies.

Along the way, players can also use stationary sniper rifles or turret guns to aid in their mayhem. This is one of the more rewarding and visceral experiences of the game as enemies fly off their feet after shot gun blasts or crumble to the ground with a series of well placed headshots.

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The Flickcast Five: Best Toy Movie Franchises

Posted on June 18, 2010

Who doesn’t love toys? Whether they’re for kids or adults, most fans of film, TV, comics, or video games also become fans of toys. The cool part about being fans of film is that we have gotten some pretty cool toys inspired by films.

With this week’s major release of Toy Story 3 in both 3D, IMAX, and regular theaters, we felt it would be necessary to reminisce about some of our favorite toys from films, or even films inspired by toys.

Take a look at the staff’s picks after the jump, and be sure to look back at our other Flickcast Fives from the past few weeks.

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Michael Fassbender May Be Magneto In ‘X-Men: First Class’

Posted on June 18, 2010

With James McAvoy already signed on to play Professor Charles Xavier in Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class, word now comes that the film may have secured the talents of Michael Fassbender to play Xavier’s friend turned nemesis Eric Lensherr (aka Magneto). The actor has reportedly entered into negotiations (well, his agents have at least) to take on the role in the film.

Fassbender, whose previous work includes Inglorious Basterds, Jonah Hex and Neil Marshall’s upcoming Centurion, joins other actors such as Aaron Johnson and Andrew Garfield who are also being considered for roles in the film. While no deal is set, Fassbender is currently the front runner for the job and the top pick of both Vaughn and the studio.

The exact plot of X-Men: First Class is still not known, but we do know it will concern the younger versions of the X-Men and most likely focus on recruitment of younger mutants and the first team to be assembled. It will also have to show the development of the team and eventual rift between Xavier and Magneto which leads to them becoming arch enemies and sets up the events of later X-Men films.

I don’t know about you guys but I think Fassbender seems like and excellent choice to play Magneto. His work in previous films like Basterds and the upcoming Centurion shows his range and skill. Playing opposite McAvoy’s Xavier should make for an interesting dynamic indeed. I hope this deal gets finalized. Then, we can move onto the really important stuff like who’s gonna play Emma Frost.

Okay, we’ve got Xavier and most likely Magneto. Who should play the rest of the young X-Men?

Fantastic Fest Announces Fantastic Arcade Indie Games Event

Posted on June 18, 2010

Of all the film festivals I’ve been to over the years I rank Austin’s Fantastic Fest as one of my favorites. The selection of films, events, parties and the people running the fest, and in Austin in general, make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Now it seems the fine folks in charge of the fest are trying to make it even better with the announcement of the new Fantastic Fest Fantastic Arcade.

This new part of the fest will feature fresh, cutting-edge games designed by independent game developers and publishers. During the fest the infamous Highball ballroom will be transformed into an old style arcade to showcase all of these games. This event promises to further enhance Fantastic Fest’s already terrific lineup of things to see and do. I, for one can’t wait to check it out.

Fantastic Fest runs from September 23-30 in Austin, TX. If you love genre movies and want to have a great time, it is well worth the trip. Check out the full press release announcing the Fantastic Arcade after the jump.

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Web Comic Shows What It’s Like To Own An Apple Product

Posted on June 18, 2010

Two things that we’re pretty big fans of around The Flickcast offices: web comics and Apple. A good portion of us are proud iPhone owners, and some of us (mostly those who can’t deal with AT&T) show our Apple pride with other products like the Mac or iPad.

We all know how crazy the ever-changing world of consumer electronics can be, but Apple certainly takes the cake. I couldn’t tell you how many old iPhones or iPods are now sitting on my desk as paperweights due to my need to buy the “next big thing.”

We’re also fans of the humorous web comic The Oatmeal. Their zany, original humor has made us smile at least once, and now they’ve brought it to a whole new level by outlining what it’s like to be an owner of an Apple product.

Check out the web comic after the jump, and we’ll be sure to bring you the latest news about the next cool new Apple product to hit the market.

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