Gaming News

Written by Hicks Wednesday, 15 October 2008 21:17

1Up.com pinned down Gearbox executive Randy Pitchford in an attempt to squeeze out some information on the pending Aliens: Colonial Marines title... unfortunately they couldn't muster much:

If you're anything like us, you've been chomping at the bit for an extended look at Gearbox's Aliens: Colonial Marines ever since it first reared its ugly, multi-jawed head. Fortunately, we recently sat down with Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford, who assured us that the wait for fresh details may not be as far off as you'd think.

"I think you'll see something this year. But I don't know when," divulged Pitchford, continuing, "We're crafting plans right now." The Brothers in Arms developer also cited Sega's cautious marketing strategy as the main reason for the information drought on Aliens, stating, "[Sega is] right, and it takes a lot of discipline to do what they're doing and not get out there and show off and brag about it."

Despite being promised that we'll be seeing something this year, which is just a little vague, next summer's Comic-Con is jumping into my head as the major marketing platform for A:CM? Could this be a Christmas 2009 release? Let's hope we hear something more concrete before then!

Thanks again to deezelboy in the forums for the news.

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Predator News

Written by Hicks Wednesday, 15 October 2008 20:53

IESB.net wrapped up a three part series of interviews with Fox big-wig Tom Rothman today and took the opportunity to follow up on the comments John Davis recently made regarding another installment of the Predator franchise that would include the Governator:

IESB: Just a couple days ago, John Davis, brought up a couple of things, you've probably read about, that he's talked to Arnold [Schwarzenegger] and that he would like to do a stand alone Predator movie.

TR: Who? Arnold would or John?

IESB: Both John and Arnold.

TR: Just give us a call just as soon as his political days are over. Hey, it's all news to me but we would certainly be open to it.

IESB: How about a reboot? No?

TR: You mean with or without Arnold?

IESB: Without Arnold.

TR: That's an idea, I'm gonna make a note of that.

IESB: Davis said that Arnold mentioned to him that as soon as he's done with his Governorship and if he doesn't go onto any other government position, that he'd like to do 1 or 2 movies.

TR: You'll forgive me if I'm a little skeptical about John and that but...just give the Governor my number. Tell him as soon as he gets the state budget signed to call me.

All-in-all Rothman's comments seem quite sarcastic and ellusive, especially on the Predator re-boot question, and none of the answers really add any credibility to the claims of Predator 3 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. In fact, from the tone of Rothman's answers, it would seem quite the opposite.

Personally I'm still of the opinion we will see AVP 3 before Predator 3 (or another Alien film for that matter), but hey, this is Fox, so you never know. Or "never-say-never" which seems to be Rothman's new catch-phrase-of-the-day. You can read the rest of the (non-Predator related) interview at IESB.net.

Thanks to staffer deezelboy for the link. Discuss in the forums.

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General News

Written by Hicks Tuesday, 23 September 2008 23:06

A four segment interview with Ridley Scott from his 2002 "Searchlab Lecture" series has recently been posted on YouTube. Despite little to no reference to Alien it's a very interesting conversation with one of the masters. It seems whatever it is he's talking about I always find Ridley brilliant! Here's the summary as posted on YouTube:

Join Fox Searchlight for the first part of director Ridley Scott's Searchlab Lecture. Presented in four parts, Mr. Scott talks about his career, technique, and inspirations among many other insightful anecdotes from the past thirty years. (This lecture contains some adult language.)

Academy Award® Nominee Ridley Scott has directed some of the most influential and popular films in the past three decades. From Alien, Blade Runner, and Thelma & Louise to Gladiator, Black Hawk Down and Matchstick Men, Mr. Scott has consistently raised the visual storytelling bar.

Whether you're a fan of Ridley or just a fan of film I highly suggest watching this. You can check it all out on YouTube in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4.

Thanks to staffer Jay West for passing the links along and my apologies to him for the delay in posting this. Enjoy!

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AVP News

Written by Hicks Tuesday, 23 September 2008 03:13

Well, it might be a day late but John Davis - the perennial producer of the Predator and AVP films - has made some remarks in a new interview commenting that the AVP films are more or less played out. Here's the relevant portions:

Collider: You were also involved with AVP and AVPR, which are two great franchises, but they haven’t been able to work as a joint franchise. When are we going to see them go separate? Or are we going to see a third AVP?

John Davis: Well, the Governor has mentioned to me that when he ceases to be Governor, if he doesn’t run for the Senate and all of that stuff, he’d like to do a movie or two again. And I don’t know, maybe we could restart the Predator franchise.

Collider: So if Arnold wanted to do it, it’s going to get made?

John Davis: Well we’d have to come up with a really good script and a really great angle on it, but Predator was the first movie I was ever involved with, so it’s always going to have a really soft spot in my heart.

Collider: So is the AVP franchise on hold for now?

John Davis: I think we’ve logically done what we could’ve done with the two AVP movies. But I think there’s something to go back to with Predator.

Collider: How do you see the character that Arnold plays to that franchise?

John Davis: I don’t know yet. But I think Predator is a great character and a great monster.

Honestly, I don't buy it. Fox turned a nice profit with both AVP films, and if there's money left in something, Fox has proven they'll run the full course (The Simpsons anyone?). So until the franchise proves unprofitable, I can't see it coming to such an abrupt halt. Especially considering the timeline is still relatively close to both the theatrical and home video releases (which Fox also cleaned up on).

As for Arnold in Predator 3... I'm sorry, all my love to the Governator, he's the all-time best action hero, and one of my favourite actors ever, but please, please, please Fox don't pit a 63 year old Schwarzenegger against the Predator. Please... After the last Indy movie I don't think my inner child could take it!

Sound off in the forums. Read more at Collider.com. Props to staffer Izzet for the tip.

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DVD News

Written by Hicks Friday, 05 September 2008 03:05

When I was in Wal-Mart the other day I was curious as to why the retail on the Alien Quadrilogy boxset has dropped to about half of what it was this time last year, and this may be a part of the reason why - next month Fox will be releasing a massive boxset DVD collection including all of the Alien, Predator and AVP films in an eight disc compilation titled the Alien - Predator Total Destruction Collection. Not so catchy, but hey... Check it out:

Amazon is listing the boxset as unrated, whether that will be the official rating or it's simply yet unknown, I'm not sure. The widescreen collection will hit shelves on October 14th and is currently selling for $62.99 on Amazon.

Thanks to staffer Jay West for the news. 

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Gaming News

Written by Hicks Saturday, 30 August 2008 00:55

Video game producer, and founder of Monolith Productions, Jason Hall paid a visit to Gearbox Software to sneak a peak at the developement of Aliens:Colonial Marines for his Internet show The Jace Hall Show. While meeting with Randy Pitchford, head honcho of Gearbox Software, Jason got to checkout some of the concept art and storyboards for the game and fire off some rounds in a real M41A Pulse Rifle!

But more interesting, on his way out, Jason and his camera crew caught an 11 second shot of game footage from Colonial Marines. In one shot a Marine is gunning down Aliens with a Pulse Rifle and in another a Marine is packing a pistol in one hand and a motion tracker in the other.

Very little can be seen from the footage but at least it creates some excitement around the game. Visit Jason's website to watch The Jace Hall Show and see the footage for yourself. Interesting side note, Monolith Productions developed Aliens vs. Predator 2 for the PC back in 2001.

Thanks to staffer Jay West for the tip.

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General News

Written by Hicks Monday, 25 August 2008 19:32

You know a franchise is epic when one aspect of at least one of the films makes almost every science-fiction or horror top ten list ever generated, and this time is no execption - the Independent Film Channel has compiled a list of the top Ten Disturbingly Powerful Fictional Film Corporations, with the omnipresent corporate menace from the Alien films, Weyland-Yutani, ranking on the list:

Only briefly referenced in Ridley Scott's original, Weyland-Yutani rose to notorious prominence in James Cameron's first sequel, proving to be the corporate impetus for the intergalactic colonization program that brings mankind into contact with the acid-for-blood alien race. The figurative face of the devious business comes in the form of Paul Reiser's sniveling lawyer Carter J. Burke, who in "Aliens" turns out to be perfectly comfortable sacrificing his honest, upright earthling compatriots to the vicious extraterrestrials, so long as doing so will help him obtain a space creature (preferably smuggled back home in one of the crew members' bodies) that the company can then use for experimental military purposes. Burke's ruthless, amoral devotion to profit at any cost -- hidden, just barely, behind an easygoing "Hey, I'm one of you" façade -- epitomizes the firm that employs him. Its East-West name implying a global brand of avarice, Weyland-Yutani is big business as a rapacious, unscrupulous force content to accept human collateral damage in the interest of the bottom line.

That's a pretty damn good summary! Other sci-fi notables are the Soylent Corporation, Omni Consumer Products, Cyberdyne Systems and the Tyrell Corporation. All of sudden I'm in the mood for an extra-large Soylent Green... For the full list visit the Independent Film Channel.

Thanks to CompanyMan for the heads up.

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General News

Written by Hicks Friday, 22 August 2008 02:51

Discover Magazine has named their 10 best science-fiction planets of all time - and I mean all time, not just in film - and LV-426, also known as Acheron, from Alien and Aliens ranked fifth. Check it out:

LV-426 (1979): The dread planet that featured briefly in Alien, and was the location for 1986’s Aliens. In both movies, LV-426 is perfectly portrayed as part of a cosmos utterly indifferent to human concerns, such as staying alive.

Other notables on the list are Dagobah from Star Wars, Mote Prime from The Mote in God's Eye, and Arrakis from Dune, which I'm actually surprised wasn't first! For the full list visit Discover Magazine.

Thanks to staffer Jay West for the heads up.

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Site News

Written by fitzley Tuesday, 12 August 2008 04:00

One of our long time members, Hudson, is leaving us to go off to Marine boot camp. As a going away present, we are having a repeat Live Chat of Aliens: Special Edition. So join us this Saturday, August 16th, to see some colonial marines in action!

The live chat will begin at 11:00pm London time. That is 6:00pm Eastern Time, 5:00pm Central, and 3:00pm Pacific in North America. Finally, for our friends down under: 8:00am for Sydney, Australia.

Each member will play the film beginning at the same time, then discuss in the chat room with the other members. You must be a member of AXP to participate! For more information, or to get in on the pre-event discussion, visit the thread in the Recreation Lounge and add your feedback. For more details contact fitzley.

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Site News

Written by Hicks Wednesday, 16 July 2008 20:23

For the second time in the last few months a major movie site has named us Site of the Week. Yep, we're just that good. Seriously, though, I honestly shouldn't sound too surprised because I actually knew it was coming this time, since I was interviewed for the SotW piece for AMC last week for their Sci-Fi Scanner blog. Check it out:

To O'Connor's disappointment, it seems unlikely right now that an Alien 5 movie will make it to the big screen. "It seems there aren't enough original ideas left in Hollywood to create anything compelling enough," he points, out adding, "I'd honestly rather see the films come to an end if the quality of film that the originals set cannot be matched." However, he wouldn't be surprised if a third Alien vs. Predator movie gets greenlit. Despite the uncertainty surrounding any new movies, O'Connor says there's more than enough news about related video games, novels, comics, merchandise, fan fiction and fan films to keep the site fresh, plus "new and unique ways to bring news to the fans," such as feature articles, interviews with cast and crew members and contests.

A big thanks to Carolyn from AMC for the honours. To read the whole feature on our humble site visit the Sci-Fi Scanner. 

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