By Armando
Category Archives: Entertainment
Microsoft To Shut Down Xbox Entertainment Studios
By NELLIE ANDREEVA
This morning’s announcement by Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella of one of the largest layoffs in tech history, a plan to cut 18,000 jobs, triggered a whirlwind of speculation about the future of the fledgling Xbox Entertainment Studios. In a memo, Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft’s Xbox division and Microsoft Studios, just confirmed that the company will close the Entertainment Studios in the coming months.
Nancy Tellem, Jordan Levin and some of the XES team will stay on for some time to shepherd original programming already in production, including the documentary series about technology Signal to Noise and the Halo game franchise extensions, digital feature Halo: Nightfall and the Halo TV series, which will continue as planned with Microsoft’s 343 Industries and Amblin. Xbox also will continue to support and deliver interactive sports content like ‘NFL on Xbox.’ XBox’s app partnerships are not impacted.
Henry Cavill as Superman in ‘Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’
By Armando
It seems that Warner Bros and Snyder has slowly been starting to give fans a look at this 2016 movie.
A few days ago, we got our first look at Henry Cavill dressed as Clark Kent for his first official Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice promotional photo.
Today the filmmakers released the very first look at what Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel will look like in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Check this out!
Hugh Jackman Breezes Through CBS’s Ruthlessly Upbeat All-Star Tony Show
About midway through CBS’s live telecast of the 68th Tony Awards on Sunday night, host Hugh Jackman told the audience at Radio City Music Hall that the first show he’d ever been cast in was Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. To prepare, in fact, he’d learned all eight parts to Rock Island,’ the opening number of that signature piece of syncopated Americana, and to prove it, he performed a minute or so, sprecht-singing all eight parts.
The first words are: Cash for the merchandise/Cash for the buttonhooks, which sounds like the beginning of an ode to Broadway, 2014. Then he ushered out LL Cool J and TI, and all three of them rapped “Rock Island,” which sounded a lot like Sesame Street, 1995. It was funny and toothless. Much the same can be said for the most breathlessly upbeat Tony broadcast in memory. Almost nothing memorable happened over the course of just over three hours of good cheer.
Jackman looked somewhat raffish and ragged of beard, as though he was coming from an audition for a revival of Sunday In The Park With George.
Zack Snyder tweets first pic of Affleck as Batman
First GOTHAM trailer is out!
By Armando
Fox has released the first trailer for the upcoming Batman prequel tv series “Gotham.” The original trailer just aired tonight during 24: Live Another Day, and this extended version released online.
The trailer shows us a glimpse of McKenzie as Gordon, as well David Mazouz as a young Bruce Wayne. “I promise you, I will find the man who did this,” says McKenzie’s Gordon as he consoles Bruce amid what seem to be an aftermath of the death of Wayne’s parents.
Although the show takes place before Wayne becomes The Dark Knight, the trailer shows a collage of younger versions of iconic Batman villains such as Penguin, Catwoman, Riddler, and Poison Ivy early in their escapades.
Gotham stars Ben McKenzie in the lead role as Detective James Gordon, with Jada Pinkett Smith playing a gangster named Fish Mooney.
Gotham is scheduled to debut on Fox later this year.
PLAYSTATION4 sales surpass 7.0 million units worldwide
PS4 Furthers Global Momentum as Gamers Embrace Its Breakthrough Gameplay and Innovative Sharing Capabilities
Tokyo, April 17, 2014 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system has cumulatively sold through more than 7.0 million units*1 globally as of April 6, 2014 (JST), demonstrating the rapid growth of the PS4 platform.
“The response from the global gaming community for PS4 has been overwhelming and we are truly humbled that gamers are selecting PS4 as their next generation console of choice,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
“The PS4 journey has just begun, and although we are still facing difficulties keeping up with the strong demand worldwide, we remain steadfast in our commitment to meet the needs of our customers, and surpassing the wildest expectations of gamers by delivering new user experiences that inspire and engage. We look forward to unveiling many of these experiences to our fans in the coming months.”
The PS4 system is currently available in 72 countries and regions*7 worldwide.
Sony Press >>
Facebook to Acquire Oculus VR for $2 Billion
Transaction expected to close in Q2 of this year.
by Scott Lowe
Facebook has announced that it will acquire Oculus VR, makers of the Oculus Rift for $2 billion. Announced today, the social networking giant will acquire the Oculus VR for $400 million in cash and 23.1 million in Facebook shares.
“While the applications for virtual reality technology beyond gaming are in their nascent stages, several industries are already experimenting with the technology, and Facebook plans to extend Oculus’ existing advantage in gaming to new verticals, including communications, media and entertainment, education and other areas.” a Facebook press release read. “Given these broad potential applications, virtual reality technology is a strong candidate to emerge as the next social and communications platform.”
CinemaCon: Theatre Ad Sales Rise 6.5% To $678M In 2013 Following 2-Year Slump
This is the highest sales total that the Cinema Advertising Council has reported since it began keeping tabs in 2002 — and no doubt comes as a relief for the industry following a 1.2% downturn in 2012 and a 2.1% drop the year before. “This growth is a result of more new brands moving into cinema, the unique power of the movie theatre as a venue for creative, engaging advertising, and a movement by agencies to a more video-neutral approach that places cinema alongside TV and online platforms,” CAC President Katy Loria says.
“We are optimistic about this revenue momentum, and the direction the marketplace is headed with a strong start to 2014 as we enter upfront season.”
Source >>
Oscar 2014: “12 Years wins”, “Gravity” dominates
By Armando
As expected, 12 Years A Slave won the Academy Award for best picture on Sunday. But it was Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity that took most of the trophies with seven including the best director honor for Cuaron, a first for a Latin American director.
It was also a good night for the low-budget film “Dallas Buyers Club,”. Both of the movie’s stars Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto won in their respective categories. In a remarkable career comeback, McConaughey won Best Actor for his role of an early AIDS activist Ron Woodroof, while co-star Leto, won best supporting actor for his role as Woodroof’s sidekick.
In a night with few surprises, other top acting prizes include Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasimine”, and Lupita Nyong’o for “12 Years a Slave”.
Here is the full list of winners > Continue reading