Danny Elfman, in my opinion, is the best composer around and has scored movies like Beetlejuice, Batman, Batman Returns, Big Fish, Alice in Wonderland, Milk, The Wolfman, Charlotte’s Web and TV shows like Desperate Housewives, The Simpsons, and more!  Take a look at the interview that ABC did with him and see his genius at work (the guy hears music in cars passing by)!

Here are the winners from 2010’s Academy Awards!

WINNERS

Best Picture

* The Hurt Locker

Best Director

* Kathryn Bigelow The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Leading Role

* Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart

Actress in a Leading Role

* Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side

Actor in a Supporting Role

* Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Supporting Role

* Mo’Nique in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

Best Original Screenplay

* The Hurt Locker Written by Mark Boal

Best Adapted Screenplay

* Precious Screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher

Animated Feature Film

* Up Pete Docter

Art Direction

* Avatar Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg, Kim Sinclair

Cinematography

* Avatar Mauro Fiore

Costume Design

* The Young Victoria Sandy Powell

Documentary (Feature)

* The Cove Nominees to be determined

Documentary (Short Subject)

* Music by Prudence Roger Ross Williams and Elinor Burkett

Film Editing

* The Hurt Locker Bob Murawski and Chris Innis

Foreign Language Film

* El Secreto de Sus Ojos Argentina

Makeup

* Star Trek Barney Burman, Mindy Hall and Joel Harlow

Music (Original Score)

* Up Michael Giacchino

Music (Original Song)

* “The Weary Kind” from Crazy Heart Music and Lyric by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett

Short Film (Animated)

* Logorama Nicolas Schmerkin

Short Film (Live Action)

* The New Tenants Joachim Back and Tivi Magnusson

Sound Editing

* The Hurt Locker Paul N.J. Ottosson

Sound Mixing

* The Hurt Locker Paul N.J. Ottosson and Ray Beckett

Visual Effects

* Avatar Joe Letteri, Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham and Andrew R. Jones

Tron: Legacy will be in theaters December 17, 2010!

Tron Legacy is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world thats unlike anything ever captured on the big screen. Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), looks into his fathers disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevins loyal confidant (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.

If you see it in IMAX you’re going to get five extended scenes that makes Tron something that was created to be seen in IMAX 3D.

Iron Man 2 is in theaters May 7th, 2010!

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Eight 33 -

UPDATE #2: The Heavy Rain DLC voucher issue has been resolved. You can start downloading now!

Price Updates

Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo Sale (now $4.99, original price $9.99)

Downloadable Games

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-slick Precipice of Darkness: Episode 1 and 2 (Bundle) ($14.99)
Episode 1 and 2 Bundle is the first two installments in the RPG-adventure game series based on the web comic Penny Arcade.
ESRB Rated M
File size: 545 MB

The Tester

The Tester Episode 3 “No Cry in Team”
Eight contenders remain and in Episode 3, “No Cry in Team,” and they face one of the most demanding challenges in the series. This week, it’s all about teamwork. Wielding a giant slingshot and the “TesterNet”, these contenders must prove they can work together when the pressure is on.
File size: 313 MB (SD) 859 MB (HD)

Game Demos (free)

Just Cause 2 Demo
Prepare yourself for extreme chaos creation in this non-stop adrenalin-fuelled demo of Just Cause 2.Whether freefalling from thousands of feet, hijacking enemy fighters in mid-air or blasting through military compounds, as agent Rico Rodriguez you’re guaranteed to leave your destructive mark on the tropical island of Panau. With 400 square miles of rugged terrain and hundreds of weapons and vehicles, Just Cause 2 completely defies gravity and belief!
ESRB Rated M
File size: 1.41 GB

Major League Baseball 2K10 Demo
Major League Baseball 2K10 brings baseball’s most exciting match-up to life: Pitchers vs. Hitters. Get ready to battle!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 874 MB

MotoGP 09/10 Demo
The new MotoGP 09/10 demo lets you test ride all three bike classes AND experience the challenge of three different game modes, including; ‘Championship’, ‘Time trial’ and ‘Arcade’. MotoGP 09/10 is simply the best racing action on two wheels.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.74 GB

Add-on Game Content

MLB 10: The Show – 6 Classic Stadiums ($9.99)
Unlock all Classic Stadiums for use in MLB 10: The Show!
File size: N/A

MLB 10: The Show – Franchise Funds Increase ($0.99)
Increase your Franchise funds by 20 million.
File size: N/A

MLB 10: The Show – Road to the Show Training Points ($0.99)
Increase your Road to the Show training points by 1000.
File size: N/A

Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce Quest Pack #1 (free)
Quest Pack #1 – Enhance your Strikeforce experience with these new missions and challenges. The following quests will be added to the city’s “Noticeboard”. To learn more about this pack and about Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce go to www.tecmokoeiamerica.com/strikeforce.

Battle of Tong Gate
Defense of Nan Zhong
Martial Contest 1
File size: 101 KB

Dragon Ball: Raging Blast Ultimate Warriors Pack 1 (free)
“Dragon Ball: Raging Blast” Character Pack #8 is now available! The eighth release is the “Ultimate Warriors Pack 1!” This pack contains the fighters with ultimate abilities: Goku, Teen Gohan, Piccolo, Bardock and Super Gogeta! These fighters are already strong, but they now go beyond your imagination! See their true powers for yourself!
File size: 116 KB

Dante’s Inferno Dark Forest Pack ($4.99)
The Dark Forest pack includes the Disco Inferno costume, Stone of Wrath relic, and a prequel level featuring new enemies, puzzles, and storyline!
File size: 307 MB

Dante’s Inferno Relics Triple Pack ($2.99)
This pack contains three relics: ‘Paolo’s Heart’ for turning souls into mana, ‘Wing of Furie’ to increase the hit counter on your scythe, and ‘Brain of Ruggieri’ to allow you to dodge-roll from any special combo.
File size: 222 MB

Resident Evil 5 Costume Pack 2 ($1.99)
This costume pack is compatible with the original game. Play with Chris’ completely new take on tactical field armor with Heavy Metal, and give Sheva the sleek elegance of a power suit with Business. These costumes can also be used in The Mercenaries Reunion in addition to the main story.
File size: 116 MB

Resident Evil 5 Desparate Escape ($4.99)
This is the second installment of new content for RESIDENT EVIL 5. Learn the untold story of Jill’s escape during RESIDENT EVIL 5, and play as Rebecca Chambers and Josh Stone in The Mercenaries Reunion.
File size: 539 MB

topatoi: Pillar Of The Skies ($7.99)
topatoi for PlayStation 3 brings your screen to life with classic platforming gameplay over a variety of dynamic levels. Continue your journey through the brand new world of Sky Pillar with this exciting new add-on. New environments, a new gameplay experience, new bonus levels playable alone or in co-op mode, are all waiting for you in this, the second episode of topatoi saga!
File size: 116 MB

Guitar Hero 5
“Adam’s Song” by Blink-182 ($1.99)
“All The Small Things” by Blink-182 ($1.99)
“First Date” by Blink-182 ($1.99)
Blink-182 Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “First Date”, “All The Small Things”, and “Adam’s Song” by blink-182, Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.
File sizes: 30 MB – 41 MB (singles), 100 MB (track pack)

The Beatles: Rock Band
“All You Need Is Love” by The Beatles ($1.99)
File size: 20 MB

Rock Band
“Downfall”— Trust Company ($1.99)
“Panic Switch”— Silversun Pickups ($1.99)
“Sort Of”— Silversun Pickup ($1.99)
“White Falcon Fuzz”— The Mother Hips ($0.99)
“Third Floor Story”— The Mother Hips ($0.99)
“The Game”— Disturbed ($1.99)
“Meaning of Life”— Disturbed ($1.99)
“Voices”— Disturbed ($1.99)
Disturbed Pack 2 ($5.49)- Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: Disturbed Pack 02. This pack includes “Meaning of Life,” “The Game,” and “Voices” by Disturbed
File sizes: 24 MB – 56 MB (singles), 90 MB (track pack)

Game Videos (free)

Pulse 3/4 Edition
Join host Christina Lee for PULSE presented by the PlayStation Network. This edition features the next installment in the smash hit role playing series, FINAL FANTASY XIII, the bar-raising MLB 10: The Show, and an add-on that expands the world of UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves. New video features include 2012, Pirate Radio and Where the Wild Things Are.
File size: 255 MB (HD) 431 MB (1080)

make.believe Global Lifestyle Brand
File size: 133 MB (1080)

God of War 3 Vengeance Trailer
File size: 65 MB (HD) 109 MB (1080)

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves PlayStation Heroes Trailer
File size: 53 MB (HD)

UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves – UNCHARTED: Drake’s Fortune Multiplayer Pack Trailer
File size: 45 MB (HD)

Dante’s Inferno Developer Diary – Treachery
File size: 150 MB (HD)

Dante’s Inferno Developer Diary – The Big Game
File size: 22 MB (HD)

Fallout: New Vegas Teaser Trailer
File size: 92 MB (HD)

BioShock 2 Launch Network Trailer
File size: 144 MB (HD)

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Launch Trailer
File size: 49 MB (HD)

PS3 Themes

MLB 10: The Show Themes (x11) (White Sox, Indians, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Cubs, Reds, Astros, Brewers, Pirates and Cardinals) (free)
File sizes: 2.46 MB – 2.66 MB

2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Dynamic Theme ($3.99)
File size: 11 MB

make.believe Theme (free)
File size: 932 KB

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Theme (free)
File size: 6.12 MB

Clover Fractals Theme ($1.49)
File size: 5.4 MB

Nightmare Before Christmas Theme ($1.49)
File size: 3.36 MB

Vintage Comic Mickey Theme ($1.49)
File size: 4.84 MB

Abstract Premium Theme ($1.99)
File size: 6.93 MB

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PlayStation Store for PSP

Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)

MLB 10: The Show ($39.99)
Get the full major league experience, anytime and anywhere.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 846 MB

Major League Baseball 2K10 ($29.99)
Major League Baseball 2K10 brings baseball’s most exciting match-up to life: Pitchers vs. Hitters. Get ready to battle.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.31 GB

Dante’s Inferno (English and French versions) ($39.99)
You are Dante, a veteran of the Crusades who must chase his beloved Beatrice and try to free her soul from Lucifer’s grasp. As your pursuit takes you deeper into the pits of Hell, you must battle ever more fierce and hideous monsters—while also facing your own sins, a dark family past, and your unforgivable war crimes. Go to Hell.
ESRB Rated M
File sizes: 1.41 GB

Lunar: Silver Star Harmony ($29.99)
A classic is reborn! The beloved RPG classic, Lunar: The Silver Star, with its timeless tale of love, betrayal and redemption, is reborn exclusively on the PSP system as Lunar: Silver Star Harmony with all new graphics, added gameplay features, and a re-mastered soundtrack so that a whole new generation of fans can experience this legendary first entry of the Lunar universe, while added story elements will be sure to please returning fans.
ESRB Rated T
File size: 827 MB

PSP minis (also available from PS3 Storefront)

Digi-Tiles ($2.99)
File size: 4.88 MB

Vector TD ($3.99)
File size: 13 MB

Earthshield ($2.99)
File size: 6.01 MB

Legend of Kunoichi ($2.99)
File size: 7.41 MB

Smashbreak ($2.99)
File size: 5.06 MB

Game Demos (also available from PS3 Storefront) (free)

Patchwork Heroes Demo
The fate of a city is in your hands! Act quickly in 30 levels to save cities from giant looming warships in this fun action game. Become a hero by controlling a powerful destructive vehicle that can cut enemy ships apart into patches of different sizes that crash to the ground. Dodge enemies, rescue trapped comrades, and use special attacks to beat each ship before time runs out!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 27 MB

Add-On Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)

LittleBigPlanet PSP Canyons Costumes (free)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. LittleBigPlanet’s critically acclaimed “PLAY, CREATE, SHARE” experience, makes its way to the PSP system with a completely new Sackboy adventure. Get two free costumes from the Canyons level of the PS3 version of the game. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.5 MB

LittleBigPlanet PSP Canyons Theme Pack ($2.99)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. Download a new set of costumes and CREATE materials to create your own Canyons levels! The Canyons Theme Pack includes 2 costumes, 19 materials, 15 stickers, 1 music kit, and 1 background. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.65 MB

BUZZ! Quiz World Sci-Fi Movies Pack ($2.99)
Sci-Fi movie questions to stump your competition into outer space — but will you need to phone home to find out the answers? This BUZZ! Quiz World PSP quiz pack features hundreds of questions about science fiction movies to play in any of your favorite BUZZ! Quiz World PSP game modes. Download this quiz pack today and turn your party into the ultimate trivia showdown. Challenge friends and family and “Show ‘em Your Trivia!”
File size: 64 MB

Game Videos (free)

The Tester Episode 3
File size: 138 MB

Pulse 3/4 Edition
File size: 47 MB

God of War 3 Vengeance PSP Trailer
File size: 65 MB

echoshift Trailer
File size: 12 MB

Dante’s Inferno Developer Diary – Treachery
File size: 36 MB

Dante’s Inferno The Big Game
File size: 5.43 MB

PSP Themes (also available from PS3 Storefront)

MLB 10: The Show Themes (x11) (White Sox, Indians, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Cubs, Reds, Astros, Brewers, Pirates and Cardinals) (free)
File sizes: 2.46 KB – 2.66 KB

2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit PSP Theme ($1.49)
File sizes: 509 KB

Bad Business 2 – Delinquent Lincoln PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 688 KB

Bad Business 2 – Roast Master Cleveland PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 630 KB

Clover Fractals PSP Theme ($1.49)
File size: 460 KB

Universal has released an image of the Hogwarts Express train that will greet people to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction at the Universal Studios theme park.

Here’s the photo’s caption:

The Hogwarts Express arrives at Hogsmeade Station as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter continues to develop at Universal Orlando Resort. As guests enter Hogsmeade, they will be greeted by the iconic, smoke-billowing steam engine, made famous in the Harry Potter books and films for transporting students to a world of magic and wonder. Opening in Spring 2010 only at Universal Orlando Resort, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will feature multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant.

The Wall Street Journal revealed that Sony is working on a device that’s said to rival the iPad.  They’re calling it part netbook, part e-reader, and part Playstation Portable but the device currently has no official name as of yet.

Sources inside Sony are also leaking info out that the long rumored Playstation Phone could also be on the way.

Both devices are going to launch in 2010, so more info should be coming in the later months!

The Game Developers Conference is closing in fast, and Palm plans on being there to announce their new platform to make it easy for developers to take new or existing iPhone games and port them to webOS.

If this works, the app library for webOS is about to explode with all kinds of new titles and games. 

Sweet!

Palm and Sprint are teaming up to release the first WiMAX (4G) phone and will have it ready to go sometime in 2010.

Originally Sprint was teaming up with HTC to make the phone, but now the plans have changed.

Watch my site for more info!

Turns out that Batman: Arkham Asylum is getting the Game of the Year treatment and will also be available in 3D… if you live in Asia, Europe, and Australia.

The Batman: Arkham Asylum Game of the Year Edition will come with a pair of 3D glasses, six additional map packs (that are all currently available for download), and will go on sale later this year in Asia, Europe, and Australia.

The 3D will be provided by the TriOviz 3D effect.  The TriOviz technology works with regular HD and SD sets, and doesn’t rely on red and blue lenses, so that the colors are the original.

Sony and Zipper Interactive have revealed the secret sequel they have been working on is SOCOM 4.

The game will be out this Fall 2010, and will revolve around a military coup in a South Asian country. Players take control of a five-man squad to save the day in the single-player campaign.

Here are the details so far:

• The game will be a 12-hour mission and will contain motion-captured characters just like Uncharted 2 used. 
• All weapons/supplies will be given at the start of the game or will have to be found in the missions.
• 32-player multiplayer will be available, with all new Special Forces units.

This story got lots of press this past week…

It appears that former Infinity Ward studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella have been fired by Activision for “breaches of contract and insubordination".  Turns out from what sources are saying is that they had been working with a rival publisher and trying to make a new game because Activision wasn’t paying them royalties properly.  Not only this, but Activision wanted the them to start working on Modern Warfare 3, but they didn’t want to do it.

Here’s what Activision said about the firing:

"Over eight years, Activision shareholders provided these executives with the capital they needed to start Infinity Ward, as well as the financial support, resources and creative independence that helped them flourish and achieve enormous professional success and personal wealth.  In return Activision legitimately expected them to honor their obligations [to us], just like any other executive who holds a position of trust in the company. While the company showed enormous patience, it firmly believes that its decision was justified based on their course of conduct and actions. Activision remains committed to the Call of Duty franchise, which it owns, and will continue to produce exciting and innovative games for its millions of fans."

Activision wants all to know that Infinity Ward will still continue producing map packs and other future downloadable content for Modern Warfare 2, though future plans are not yet known for other titles because if the former studio heads are successful in their lawsuit against Activision, they’ll own the Modern Warfare franchise.

Stay tuned for more info!

Disney XD is going to have a cartoon based on the movies Tron and Tron: Legacy coming in late 2010 or 2011.

Tron will follow the December 17th, 2010 arrival of Tron: Legacy in theaters, and will be aimed at kids 6-14 years of age.

Disney’s Gary Marsh said this on the series:

"Tron is another example of how we can take advantage of the intellectual property that the studio unit pays tens, if not hundreds, of millions to develop and market.”

Comedy Central has announced that Futurama will officially return with new episodes on June 24, 2010 at 9pm CST.

Mark your calendars!

Soren, is a young owl enthralled by his father’s epic stories of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole, a mythic band of winged warriors who had fought a great battle to save all of owl kind from the evil Pure Ones. While Soren dreams of someday joining his heroes, his older brother, Kludd, scoffs at the notion, and yearns to hunt, fly and steal his father’s favor from his younger sibling. But Kludd’s jealousy has terrible consequences–causing both owlets to fall from their treetop home and right into the talons of the Pure Ones. Now it is up to Soren to make a daring escape with the help of other brave young owls. Together they soar across the sea and through the mist to find the Great Tree, home of the legendary Guardians of Ga’Hoole–Soren’s only hope of defeating the Pure Ones and saving the owl kingdoms.

Disney / Marvel is moving forward with the Ant-Man movie… at least that’s what many are speculating.

The website addresses that could be used for the movie have been bought up, Stan Lee revealed that he had lunch with the writer (Edgar Wright of Shaun of the Dead fame) of the movie and said it was happening, and the writer has revealed that he is working on the second draft of the movie.

With all of this coming into play, maybe Disney / Marvel are finally serious about making the movie?

New Line Cinema and original producer Paul Maslansky are wanting to reboot the Police Academy movie franchise, and this is what Paul had this to say on the project:

"It’s going to be very worthwhile to the people who remember it and to those who saw it on TV.  It’s going to be a new class. We hope to discover new talent and season it with great comedians. It’ll be anything but another movie with a numeral next to it. And we’ll most probably retain the wonderful musical theme."

Sony has announced more cast members of the upcoming live-action / CGI The Smurfs movie.

Neil Patrick Harris has been cast as a voice in the movie, and the role is only being described as the lead Smurf (who I am guessing is Smurfy).

George Lopez will also be a voice in the film.

Katy Perry will also be a voice in the film (possibly as Smurfette).

Alan Cumming will be a voice in the film.

The Smurfs is set to come to theaters December 17, 2010.

Aside from the previous names we’ve heard that are going for a role in The First Avenger: Captain America, now another new face has popped up as a contender possibly (or another character in the movie altogether).

Canadian actor Neal Bledsoe has also been going in to read for a part in the movie according to Screenrant.

Also, out of the other names that have been announced for the role of Captain America before, sources say that some are no longer being considered:

Michael Cassidy (The OC)  OUT OF RUNNING

Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl)

John Krasinski (The Office)

Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights)  OUT OF RUNNING

Mike Vogel (Cloverfield)

Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel is going to be shot in 3D, according to art director Roger Christian.

"Ridley’s doing the next ‘Alien’ in 3D.  Ridley told me some of his ideas. He has a very clear understanding of where this should go. They kind of stopped dead one of the greatest horror franchises there’s ever been, and it had legs to go on. So I’m hoping he’ll revive another three. The world certainly wants it, and the fans want it."

I was hoping for another sequel, but maybe he’s not ready to bring Sigourney back just yet.

Sam Raimi, after being kicked off Spider-Man 4 for Sony Pictures, decided to take another project he planned to do for Sony to another studio (after Sony let the rights expire, ha!).  That project will be the retelling of the popular 1930’s hero The Shadow.

The Shadow was a popular radio drama that eventually spawned several film serials, TV series, comic books and video games featuring a dark vigilante with psychic powers.

Raimi had teamed up with (and is still teamed with) Michael Uslan to do the movie, and recently Uslan told MTV News that Raimi’s version of The Shadow will be different from the 1994 movie starring Alec Baldwin.

"I think the one thing going in is we all see The Shadow as more of a force of nature than a specific person in a secret identity.  The Shadow may actually be many people."

Stay tuned for more info!

Harmonix finally launched the Rock Band Network that will give musicians, record labels, and everyone else the ability to transform their songs/recordings into playable Rock Band files.

Once a song is submitted, it will go to a peer reviewer service that is made up of a community of users that will playtest and revise the song.  Once it is approved by the community, it will then be released to the Rock Band Network Music Store for purchase.  What’s neat about this is that the artist will choose from multiple pricing tiers and will be paid 30% of the royalty from every song sold!

There’s already more than 100 songs available, and you can find the complete list here at the Harmonix forum.

If you want to submit your own songs, go to the site for the Rock Band song creators, or if you want to be a peer reviewer, CLICK HERE.

**Currently the service is on the Xbox 360, and the Playstation 3 version will be coming online soon!!!***