Category Archives: Video

April Fools 2012: Google kicks things off with “Google Maps 8-bit for NES” [Update: Gmail Tap, The YouTube Collection, Google Racing & Chrome Multitask Mode]

Hilarity, Technology, Video, , , , , , ,

Google’s at it again, ready to trump all Internet April Fools gags with their latest creation: a new version of Google Maps made specifically for Nintendo’s original home console, the 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System. The search giant claims to have developed an advanced cartridge that is compatible with Ninty’s Japanese Famicom video game console; it features a dial up modem that allows the cartridge to be connected to the Internet. Once connected, Google “runs more than a hundred thousand servers to overcome the NES’ technical limitations.” Yeah, they put some effort into this one. The result? 8-bit maps are generated on-screen by Google’s cloud services in real time. Google reminds potential buyers of this unfortunately fictitious product that if the cartridge fails to load, try blowing into it to fix bugs. Just like in regular Google Maps, you can search for specific places and route a course by typing or using your voice. The company says that the 8-bit version of Google Maps will “soon be available” in Google Store. For now, however, you can actually try it out by going to Google Maps in your trusty browser and clicking the new Quest icon. The entire map of the world will go 8-bit, as will Street View. Google has made sure to include detailed icons for major landmarks (Eiffel Tower, Sydney Opera House, Alcatraz, Buckingham Palace, Egyptian Pyramids) as well as plant bizarre Easter eggs like an alien at Area 51 and a dragon at the center of Earth.

Watch the official announcement in the video embedded above, then test out the “trial version” at Google Maps today.

Update: Google has a few more tricks up its sleeves. Skip after the break to see ’em! Continue reading April Fools 2012: Google kicks things off with “Google Maps 8-bit for NES” [Update: Gmail Tap, The YouTube Collection, Google Racing & Chrome Multitask Mode] →

Xbxo 360’s video selection grows with HBO GO, Comcast Xfinity TV, and MLB.tv

News, Technology, Video, , , , , , , , , , ,

On Tuesday Microsoft launched three new video apps on Xbox 360: HBO GO, Comcast Xfinity TV, and MLB.tv. All three apps require that you be a subscriber to each of their respective services, obviously. With HBO GO, Xbox owners can now access every episode of every season of HBO’s most popular programming like Game of Thrones and The Sopranos. If you’re a Comcast subscriber, you can now view on-demand content via your console. And MLB.tv gives sports fans yet another way to stream live every out-of-market regular season game in HD with features like split-screen, a mini guide, and a personalized My Teams page. These apps come baked with Kinect integration, meaning you can put the controller down and use gestures and your voice to control the menus and playback. If you’ve got an Xbox 360, turn it on and download these video apps for free today. Game of Thrones returns to HBO for a second season tomorrow night, so this just might be the best way to catch up quick.

In related news, Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi told the LA Times that Xbox owners are spending more time with the “video game” console to watch video and listen to music than play games. “What we’re seeing is that people are turning on the Xbox to play games and then keeping it on afterwards to get other types of entertainment,” he said. With Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, Verizon FIOS and now HBO GO, Xfinity TV, and MLB.tv, the term “video game console” is starting to get blurry as “entertainment hub” starts to come into view, at least in regards to Microsoft’s Xbox brand.

Jump after the break to watch the new video apps in action.

[Via MajorNelson] Continue reading Xbxo 360’s video selection grows with HBO GO, Comcast Xfinity TV, and MLB.tv →

Trailer: ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’

Movies, News, Video, ,

Check out this trailer for the upcoming sci-fi comedy Safety Not Guaranteed. It stars Aubrey Plaza from Parks and Rec, Jake M. Johnson from New Girl, Karan Soni (who you might recognize from FOX’s Touch premiere), Kristin Bell, and Mark Duplass. The movie, which comes from the producers of Little Miss Sunshine, tells this story:

When an unusual classified ad inspires three cynical Seattle magazine employees to look for the story behind it, they discover a mysterious eccentric named Kenneth, a likable but paranoid supermarket clerk, who believes he¹s solved the riddle of time travel and intends to depart again soon. Together, they embark on a hilarious, smart, and unexpectedly heartfelt journey that reveals how far believing can take you.

Safety Not Guaranteed was screened at the Sundance Film Festival and SXSW this year and came out with radiant reviews. Watch the trailer for it above, then jump after the break to hear director Colin Trevorrow summarize and expand on what the movie is all about. What would you do if you discovered time travel? This film will tackle that question and simultaneously take you on an exploration of friendship and revelations. It opens June 8. Continue reading Trailer: ‘Safety Not Guaranteed’ →

It’s official: ‘Anchorman 2’ is A-GO

Movies, News, Video, , , , ,

Great Odin’s raven! Anchorman 2 is officially underway at Paramount with star Will Ferrell aboard, along with original cast members including Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. Today Ferrell crashed the set of Conan O’Brien’s TBS late night talk show in full Ron Burgundy garb, flute in hand. He came prepared to play, make fun of the red-haired comic, and most importantly to announce that Paramount is going to back a sequel to the outrageous, cult 2004 comedy. Ferrell as Burgundy proclaimed, “As of 0900 Mountain time, Paramount Pictures and myself–Ronald Joseph Aaron Burgundy–have come to terms on a sequel to Anchorman.” And the crowd went wild.

Rumors of an Anchorman sequel have been rumbling since July of 2009 when Ferrell said that he was excited to talk about what a potential sequel would be about with castmates Carell and Rudd. Unfortunately due to salary concerns and scheduling conflicts, the movie failed to get off the ground. Since then, however, Ferrell must have pushed hard to make this happen and now Anchorman 2 is most definitely in the works! Adam McKay is back to direct and he will pen the script with Ferrell. Judd Apatow is producing under his production banner. Though the plot still remains under wraps, Ferrell teased in ’09 that a followup “would bring classy 1970s newsman Ron Burgandy into the 1980s.”

Grab a scotchy scotch scotch and click after the break to watch Burgundy flaunt his jazz flute and announce the highly anticipated sequel. Continue reading It’s official: ‘Anchorman 2’ is A-GO →

Trailer 2: ‘The Dictator’

Movies, Video, ,

Here’s a new trailer for Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest Larry Charles-directed (Borat, Brüno) flick, The Dictator. Unlike the premiere trailer, this one peels the wraps off the movie’s actual plot. We know that Cohen is General Admiral Alladeen, the tyrannical dictator of the fictitious Republic Of Wadiya. But what you might not have been aware of, the movie will follow the dictator in America stripped of his beard and identity. In New York City he meets Anna Faris and she gives him an opportunity for a fresh start. Try not to laugh.

The Dictator releases May 11.

Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection covers all eight films and new bonus material in 31 discs

Movies, News, Video, , , , , , , , ,

Warner Bros. is readying the most comprehensive Harry Potter movie collection ever released. The “Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection” 31-disc box set contains the following: all eight Harry Potter movies on Blu-ray, DVD and UltraViolet Digital Copy; more than 37 hours of special features including all previously released materials and more than 10 hours of new to disc bonus content; and 5 hours of never-before-seen material. Deathly Hallows part 1 & 2 can be watched in 2D or 3D if you have a TV that can handle it. Unfortunately, there is one major gripe that fans will find in this amazing collection: only the first two films in the franchise–namely Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets–include both the theatrical versions and extended cuts. The other six films only come with their theatrical versions. Will Warner release an even more epic box set including the extended cuts of the rest of the films and more bonus footage? That is still unknown.

But if you truly are a loyal Potter fan then there’s no denying how great this collection really is. Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection in all its elaborate design, comes out September 7 for $500. Head over to Amazon to preorder today; the e-tailer is selling it for a more digestible $349. Jump after the break to watch the collection come to life (you’ll see what I mean) and there’s also a first look at new bonus footage featuring a young and old Rupert Grint. A lengthy press release further details what you’ll get. Continue reading Harry Potter Wizard’s Collection covers all eight films and new bonus material in 31 discs →

Mickey and Oswald team up in ‘Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’

News, Technology, Video, , , , , , , , , , ,

Disney’s masthead Mickey is back in a sequel to the 2010 Wii exclusive Epic Mickey. Video game developer Warren Spector and his Junction Point Studios are hard at work on Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, refining the gameplay and aesthetics of the original. Fans of Epic Mickey will notice two key differences here: one, Mickey will have a trusty sidekick in the the sequel and it’s Oswald!; two, the game will release for Wii as well as the Xbox 360 and PS3, so gamers can now fully explore the grim but vibrant Wasteland in hi-def on the next-gen consoles. It has been confirmed that Epic Mickey 2 will be compatible with PlayStation Move accessories, however there are no plans to make use of Xbox’s Kinect. Check out the epic trailer above!

EM2 is expected to release this fall, and a 3DS companion game called Epic Mickey 2: Power of Illusion is on its way, too. Eye the box art after the break, as well as a video featuring Spector talking about the upcoming game. Continue reading Mickey and Oswald team up in ‘Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two’ →

Comedian Aziz Ansari releases new standup special for $5; sound familiar?

Hilarity, News, Video, , ,

Following Louis C.K.’s enormous success, Parks and Recreation star Aziz Ansari is self-distributing a brand new stand-up special. The comedian promises that the one-hour special is uncensored, uncut, contains zero ads, and no bleeps. Dangerously Delicious, which was filmed last year at The Warner Theatre in Washington DC, is now available for download at Aziz’s website. It’s steal, just like Louis’ special, at only $5. Now will it gross over $1 million in two weeks? Perhaps not, but I like how Louis is influencing his peers. Get a taste of what you can expect in Aziz’s special after the break. Continue reading Comedian Aziz Ansari releases new standup special for $5; sound familiar? →

HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’ returns in one week; here’s a 22-minute refresher course

Television, Video, , , ,

HBO has put together an extensive featurette that serves as a refresher course for potential and returning fans of the cable network’s highly rated fantasy series Game of Thrones. The video titled “You Win or You Die”, which clocks in at just over 22 minutes, tells the grand tale that was Thrones season 1 and it even journeys into season 2 territory to whet the appetite for those who just can’t wait any longer. Thankfully, this meaty overview and teaser should subside eager fans’ eager collective longing for Westeros. In the featurette you’ll hear from series showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss, as well as many of the actors including a naturally brunette (and still stunning) Emilia Clarke who plays Daenerys.

Game of Thrones returns in one week: April 1 at 9PM on HBO.

TV reminder: ‘Mad Men’ returns tonight at 9PM on AMC [Update: record ratings]

Images, News, Television, Video, , , , , , , ,

Tonight marks the season 5 premiere of AMC’s breakout drama Mad Men. Can you even recall the last time you watched an original episode on TV? To refresh your memory, the date was October 17, 2010. Those were the days…

I hope you’re excited to be reacquainted with the likes of Sterling Cooper Draper Price because tonight’s (3/25) premiere is extra long maxing out at two hours. It all starts at 9PM on AMC. Check out some cool stills in the gallery below, and watch a promo after the break.

Update: Last night’s Mad Men season 5 opener brought about record ratings for the period drama. 3.5 million total viewers tuned in to the two-hour premiere (that’s up a significant 21% from season four debut), crowning this episode the series’ most watched episode to date. And so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the important demo numbers are way up, too: in adults 18-49 the show drew 1.6 million viewers (an increase of 30% from the season four debut) and in adults 25-54 it attracted 1.7 million viewers (up 17%). Here’s one more tally for you to nod your head in amazement at: if you include the encore airing of the premiere, a total of 4.4 million people watched last night’s episode. These ratings can’t touch AMC’s other staple The Walking Dead but still I say, hot damn. AMC president Charlie Collier says, “Almost five years ago, with a focus on distinction and quality, AMC launched Mad Men as the first series in its commitment to original scripted dramatic television. Mad Men set the bar high and we are incredibly proud that it continues to engage audiences looking for unexpected, unconventional and uncompromising television.”

1 2

Continue reading TV reminder: ‘Mad Men’ returns tonight at 9PM on AMC [Update: record ratings] →

‘FRINGE’ video: The best Walter Bishop one-liners are “Walterisms”

Hilarity, News, Television, Video, , , ,

Fringe returns from its winter hiatus tonight, and to celebrate I highly recommend you watch this brilliant compilation of Walter Bishop’s best one-liners now known as “Walterisms.” John Noble is arguably the best part of the sci-fi cult series due to his impressive range of skills; he can play the neurotic, lovable Walter as well as the conniving Walternate. With so many alternate universes and timelines involved, Noble manages to swiftly play very different versions of Walter without faltering a single beat. What has stayed true to the show all this time, though, has been the quirky Walterisms that help sprinkle some lighthearted laughs in a show that is intrinsically foreboding and morbid. Watch  as Walter runs his mouth covering a wide gamut of topics including urine, drugs, and of course, food.

While you’re here, I’ll remind you tonight’s episode of Fringe is the first of eight episodes that will run uninterrupted leading to the season four finale that’s scheduled to air May 11. It is called “A Short Story About Love” and it’s a special one because it marks the directorial debut of Fringe‘s co-showrunner J.H. Wyman. In February Wyman set it up like this: “It’s an episode that’s really close to me. It’s about love and all the great things that we talk about on Fringe. To us, it’s the perfect version of what a Fringe [episode] is because it has a great, terrifying element to it that is very Fringe-y. At the same time it has this incredible love story aspect with things that people are going to be very excited for, we believe, as far as the relationships on the show.” Jump after the break to watch a one minute teaser video titled “Love Hurts.”

Fringe airs Friday nights at 9PM on FOX. Tune in and tell your friends; renewal time is coming up and this is one show that wholeheartedly deserves to see at least another season so as to satisfy fans who’ve stuck with it from the start. #WhereYouBelong Continue reading ‘FRINGE’ video: The best Walter Bishop one-liners are “Walterisms” →

Trailer round-up: ‘Chernobyl Diaries’, ‘Piranha 3DD’, ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ & ‘The Three Stooges’

Movies, News, Video, , , , , ,

From Paranormal Activity creator Oren Peli comes Chernobyl Diaries, an upcoming horror flick that follows a group of young and attractive tourists exploring the eerie abandoned nuclear reactor that experienced an unfortunate meltdown in 1986. Here’s the official synopsis:

The film follows a group of six young tourists who, looking to go off the beaten path, hire an “extreme tour” guide. Ignoring warnings, he takes them into the city of Pripyat, the former home to the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, but a deserted town since the disaster more than 25 years ago. After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, however, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone.

Chernobyl Diaries is directed by visual effects specialist Bradley Parker and Peli serves as co-writer and producer. After Paranormal Activity and ABC’s The River, this looks to be the first Peli project that won’t rely entirely on the “found footage” style. From the visually striking shots to the scares around every corner, this intense trailer sets up an intriguing and shocking tale that horror genre enthusiasts will probably take a liking to. The movie releases May 25.

Jump after the break to watch more trailers. Continue reading Trailer round-up: ‘Chernobyl Diaries’, ‘Piranha 3DD’, ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ & ‘The Three Stooges’ →