Here is one of the coolest Star Wars tie-in toys I've ever seen, and one of the coolest backyard playsets, for that matter. As you can see in the advertisement above, the set comes with a Scout Walker Command Tower and a Speeder Bike Ride. While I doubt it makes you feel exactly like you are flying through the California Redwoods, I am sure it would be perfect for a playground. The set apparently also makes sounds as shown in the small images from the command center. I wish a toy company would start reproducing these retro lines for the masses. 

What are your thoughts?

Follow @Jim_Napier

Venkman and Ben P have been rocking the coverage of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival this year. Thanks to our friends at FirstShowing, we have a funny video that gives you a taste of what Sundance life is like! The video below contains some funny parodies of the various phrases that you might encounter while at the fest. 

Watch the video below and share your thoughts.

Follow @Jim_Napier

Julie Delpy made quite the impression on me in her seminal Sundance film Before Sunrise and its sequel, Before Sunset. She's back at this year's festival, this time as a writer/director of a different sequel, 2 Days in New York. Following the events of 2 Days in Paris, Delpy plays Marion, a single mom who has moved in with her boyfriend Mingus (Chris Rock), who has a child of his own from a previous relationship. Marion is a photographer, and her exhibition is set to happen in the same week her father Jeannot (played by Delpy's real father, Albert Delpy) and sister Rose (Alexia Landeau, who co-wrote this film) fly in to visit from France. Also in tow is Manu (Alexandre Nahon), Rose's impetuous dolt of a boyfriend who used to date Marion.

While the movie features some of the hallmarks of the Before... series, I didn't like this one nearly as much. Those films are extremely dialogue heavy, but they deal with huge themes and interestingly explore the connection between what people think and what we actually say. In 2 Days in New York, the dialogue flows just as freely, but it doesn't carry nearly the same weight. Most of the movie is made up of comic misunderstandings between the French relatives and Chris Rock's character, and when comedy isn't at the forefront, the movie devolves into a cacophony of shrieking and arguing between family members. Imagine your worst family gathering, multiply the volume by five, and this is what you get. The most impressive thing about the movie is how Delpy and her editor are able to weave something coherent from all the dissonance. Some will surely find this back-and-forth funny and endearing, but for me it was mostly just grating.

The most enjoyable thing about 2 Days in New York was Chris Rock's performance; he plays the straight man who is just as confused about all of these crazy French people as the audience, and he has some pretty hysterical moments talking by himself with a cardboard cutout of Barack Obama. I won't give away all of the gags, since many of these isolated sequences are actually very funny and almost make the movie worth recommending. Overall though, this one didn't have much to offer aside from ordinary observations about cultural differences and the pressures family can put on otherwise happy relationships.

Here is a new still from Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey thanks to Yahoo (via CBM). The image was included in an interview with Evangeline Lilly, and features Bilbo Baggins with four dwarves. 

Synopsis:

The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

We shared an interview where Lilly spoke about her character Tauriel. She will only have a small part in the first film and a larger part in the second. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey arrives in theaters on December 14.

Follow @Jim_Napier

Joey and I wrap up our Sundance 2012 video coverage with a review of Beasts of the Southern Wild.

(Forgive me for saying the title wrong in the video - I saw this movie over a week ago and have seen about 20 other films since. Apologies to anyone who cares.)

Indie Game: The Movie is an amazing documentary that gives the audience an intimate look at the people driving the independent video game movement forward. It follows four individuals and their journey to achieving video game greatness by developing the games they want to make with no one telling them what they can and can't do. Let me introduce you to the individuals and games that the doc revolves around:

- Game designer Edmund McMillen and programmer Tommy Refenes and their work on the Xbox Live game Super Meat Boy, which follows the adventures of a skinless boy in search of his girlfriend, who is made of bandages.

- Developer Phil Fish and his game Fez, which is highly anticipated and has been four years in the making.

- And then there's Jonathan Blow, the creator of the indie game Braid, which is considered one of the highest-rated games of all time. 

These people have taken all of the passion they have for video games and pour it into developing a game that is deeply personal to them. This is their art; it's their way of expressing themselves. They put all of their time, energy, blood, sweat, talents, and tears into these games in hopes that people will connect to their game on a personal level, as well as enjoy playing them.

I love playing video games; I do it whenever I find the time. It's mostly the big ass epic games that I play though, like Halo and Modern Warfare. This movie opened my eyes to the power and intimacy of indie gaming, and from here on out, I'm going to be paying a lot more attention to it. This is a movement I should be following more closely, and gamers should be following it as well. There's something about these games that makes them matter more and makes them more fun to play. I grew up playing the classic Nintendo Entertainment System, and so did the people developing these games. They take everything they loved about playing those games as kids and created their own awesome classic style games that take gamers back to the things they loved growing up.

The way indie gaming is right now, is the same way indie filmmaking was in the early 90's when people realized they could actually go out and start make their own films without any corporate executives breathing down their necks and telling the talent what they need to do. Indie gaming is still in its infancy, and there's no doubt that things are going to start blowing up in the world of indie gaming in the near future.

Being the co-owner and writer of GeekTyrant, I was able to find a connection with these people. Like them, I've put a great deal of time, talents, and energy into my website. I'm doing everything I possibly can to work on making it better and growing it in hopes that one day I will be able make a solid living doing it. This is what these guys do with the games they make, and they do it because they love it. At the same time, they hope that all of the sacrifices they make to create their game pay off in the end. It's crazy watching the kind of insanity that these developers have to endure throughout the development process. There's so much weight on their shoulders, and it drives them to stress, anxiety, and depression. It was actually kind of hard to watch at times, because there were moments where I saw myself in many of the situations that they found themselves in. In a way, it was a reality check for me and my life, bringing to light on screen the changes, challenges, and sacrifices I've had to make to push my passion and way of expression forward. I actually found myself getting choked up several times throughout the course of the movie--that's how much it affected me. It was hard to watch, because I've changed so much over the last three years due to GeekTyrant, and this doc actually pointed that out to me. It made me aware of how I have changed, and it scared me a bit.

Indie Game: The Movie is a must watch film for anyone who loves the art of video games or is passionate about anything. This is a wonderfully fascinating documentary that any geek would enjoy watching, so I highly recommend watching it when it is released.

The film was written and directed by Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky. 

Here's the Synopsis:

With the twenty-first century comes a new breed of struggling independent artist: the indie game designer. Refusing to toil for major developers, these innovators independently conceive, design, and program their distinctly personal games in the hope that they, too, may find success. 

After three years of painstaking work, designer Edmund McMillen and programmer Tommy Refenes await the release of their first major game for Xbox, Super Meat Boy—the adventures of a skinless boy in search of his girlfriend, who is made of bandages. At PAX, a major video-game expo, developer Phil Fish unveils his highly anticipated, four-years-in-the-making Fez. Jonathan Blow considers beginning a new game after creating Braid, one of the highest-rated games of all time. 

First-time filmmaking duo Lisanne Pajot and James Swirsky capture the emotional journey of these meticulously obsessive artists who devote their lives to their interactive art. Four developers, three games, and one ultimate goal—to express oneself through a video game.

The Amazing Spider-Man may not be headed to theaters until July, but the marketing campaign continues to chug along. A new promo photo has been released by Columbia Pictures, and we have it here thanks to our friends at Latino-Review.com. The image shows Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man without his mask on. We get a great look at the new suit too, so check it out below:

Marc Webb directs the film that co-stars Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, Martin Sheen, and Sally Field.

Here is the description:

One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man™. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

The Amazing Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

The Amazing Spider-Man is one of my most anticipated film os the summer. It arrives on 3D, 2D, and IMAX 3D theaters on July 3, 2012. What do you think of the new image? Are you looking forward to seeing Spidey swing through the city?

Follow @Jim_Napier

After seeing Man on a Ledge I actually felt like jumping off of a building. The film stars Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell, Genesis Rodriguez, Anthony Mackie, Edward Burns, Ed Harris, and Kyra Sedgwick. Part heist movie, part mystery, with way too much going on, this movie will leave you unimpressed with everyone involved. 

First-time director Asger Leth helmed the thriller based on a dreadful script by Pablo F. Fenjves. The story follows ex-cop Nick Cassidy (Worthington), who is framed for stealing David Englander's (Harris) diamond - a crime he supposedly did not commit.  Cassidy is sentenced to jail and forced to escape. To prove his innocence, he steps out onto a Manhattan hotel ledge and threatens to jump to his death in order to gain attention for his case. While all eyes are on the man on a ledge, his brother and his girlfriend are hard at work trying to prove the diamond was never stolen. Can Cassidy prove his innocence? You will have to watch the movie to see.

Follow @Jim_Napier

We have some freakishly cool superhero art to share today. Artist Alex Pardee took some of our favorite superheroes and turned them into freaks of nature! My personal favorite is Pardee's Iron Man piece. Check them all out below thanks to io9 and share your thoughts on your favorites.

Follow @Jim_Napier

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival has come to an end, and the winners of the Jury, Audience and NEXT <=> awards have been announced. There was a great selection of films this year at the festival, and I've seen more good than bad. It ultimately happy with the outcome. Beasts of the Southern Wild was this years most buzzed about film, and took home the top Grand Jury Prize. I didn't like it as much as everyone else, but it was still good, and it won. I think it was just way too over hyped for what I ended up seeing. Maybe I would have liked it more had I went in with no expectations. 

Here's the full breakdown of winners:

Sundance Institute this evening announced the Jury, Audience, NEXT <=> and other special awards of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival at the Festival’s Awards Ceremony in Park City, Utah. An archived video of the ceremony in its entirety is available at Sundance.org/Live.

"Every year the Sundance Film Festival brings to light exciting new directions and fresh voices in independent film, and this year is no different,” said John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival. “While these awards further distinguish those that have had the most impact on audiences and our jury, the level of talent showcased across the board at the Festival was really impressive, and all are to be congratulated and thanked for sharing their work with us.”

Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, “As we close what was a remarkable 10 days of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, we look to the year ahead with incredible optimism for the independent film community. As filmmakers continue to push each other to achieve new heights in storytelling we are excited to see what’s next.”

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival Awards presented this evening were:

The Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Charles Ferguson to:

The House I Live In / U.S.A. (Director: Eugene Jarecki) — For over 40 years, the War on Drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests, made America the world's largest jailer and damaged poor communities at home and abroad. Yet, drugs are cheaper, purer and more available today than ever. Where did we go wrong and what is the path toward healing?

The Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Justin Lin to:

Beasts of the Southern Wild / U.S.A. (Director: Benh Zeitlin, Screenwriters: Benh Zeitlin, Lucy Alibar) — Waters gonna rise up, wild animals gonna rerun from the grave, and everything south of the levee is goin’ under, in this tale of a six year old named Hushpuppy, who lives with her daddy at the edge of the world. Cast: Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry.

The World Cinema Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Nick Fraser to:

The Law in These Parts / Israel (Director: Ra'anan Alexandrowicz) — Israel's 43-year military legal system in the Occupied Palestinian Territories unfolds through provocative interviews with the system’s architects and historical footage showing the enactment of these laws upon the Palestinian population.

The World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Julia Ormond to:

Violeta Went to Heaven (Violeta se Fue a Los Cielos) / Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Spain (Director: Andrés Wood, Screenwriters: Eliseo Altunaga, Rodrigo Bazaes, Guillermo Calderón, Andrés Wood) — A portrait of famed Chilean singer and folklorist Violeta Parra filled with her musical work, her memories, her loves and her hopes. Cast: Francisca Gavilán, Thomas Durand, Luis Machín, Gabriela Aguilera, Roberto Farías.

The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary, Presented by Acura, was presented by Mike Birbiglia to:

The Invisible War / U.S.A. (Director: Kirby Dick) — An investigative and powerfully emotional examination of the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the U.S. military, the institutions that cover up its existence and the profound personal and social consequences that arise from it.

The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic, Presented by Acura, was presented by Mike Birbiglia to:

The Surrogate / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ben Lewin) — Mark O'Brien, a 36-year-old poet and journalist in an iron lung, decides he no longer wishes to be a virgin. With the help of his therapist and the guidance of his priest, he contacts a professional sex surrogate to take him on a journey to manhood. Cast: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy.

The World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary was presented by Edward James Olmos to:

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN / Sweden, United Kingdom (Director: Malik Bendjelloul) — Rodriguez was the greatest ‘70s US rock icon who never was. Hailed as the greatest recording artist of his generation he disappeared into oblivion – rising again from the ashes in a completely different context many miles away.

The World Cinema Audience Award: Dramatic was presented by Edward James Olmos to:

Valley of Saints / India, U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Musa Syeed) — Gulzar plans to run away from the war and poverty surrounding his village in Kashmir with his best friend, but a beautiful young woman researching the dying lake leads him to contemplate a different future Cast: Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Mohammed Afzal Sofi, Neelofar Hamid.

The Best of NEXT <=> Audience Award, Presented by Adobe Systems Incorporated, was presented by Tim Heidecker to:

Sleepwalk With Me / U.S.A. (Director: Mike Birbiglia, Screenwriters: Mike Birbiglia, Ira Glass, Joe Birbiglia, Seth Barrish) — Reluctant to confront his fears of love, honesty, and growing up, a budding standup comedian has both a hilarious and intense struggle with sleepwalking. Cast: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, Carol Kane, James Rebhorn, Cristin Milioti.

The U.S. Directing Award: Documentary was presented by Fenton Bailey to:

The Queen of Versailles / U.S.A. (Director: Lauren Greenfield) — Jackie and David were triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America – a sprawling, 90,000-square-foot palace inspired by Versailles – when their timeshare empire falters due to the economic crisis. Their story reveals the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream.

The U.S. Directing Award: Dramatic was presented by Lynn Shelton to:

Middle Of Nowhere / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ava DuVernay) — When her husband is incarcerated, an African-American woman struggles to maintain her marriage and her identity. Cast: Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, Lorraine Touissaint, Edwina Findley.

The World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary was presented by Jean-Marie Teno to:

5 Broken Cameras / Palestine, Israel, France (Directors: Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi) — A Palestinian journalist chronicles his village’s resistance to a separation barrier being erected on their land and in the process captures his young son’s lens on the world.

The World Cinema Directing Award: Dramatic was presented by Alexei Popogrebsky to:

Teddy Bear / Denmark (Director: Mads Matthiesen, Screenwriters: Mads Matthiesen, Martin Pieter Zandvliet) — Dennis, a painfully shy 38-year-old bodybuilder who lives with his mother, sets off to Thailand in search of love. Cast: Kim Kold, Elsebeth Steentoft, Lamaiporn Sangmanee Hougaard, David Winters, Allan Mogensen.

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award was presented by Anthony Mackie to:

Safety Not Guaranteed / U.S.A. (Director: Colin Trevorrow, Screenwriter: Derek Connolly) — A trio of magazine employees investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. One employee develops feelings for the paranoid but compelling loner and seeks to discover what he’s really up to. Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karan Soni.

The World Cinema Screenwriting Award was presented by Richard Pena to:

Young & Wild / Chile (Director: Marialy Rivas, Screenwriters: Marialy Rivas, Camila Gutiérrez, Pedro Peirano, Sebastián Sepúlveda) — 17-year-old Daniela, raised in the bosom of a strict Evangelical family and recently unmasked as a fornicator by her shocked parents, struggles to find her own path to spiritual harmony. Cast: Alicia Rodríguez, Aline Kuppenheim, María Gracia Omegna, Felipe Pinto.

The U.S. Documentary Editing Award was presented by Kim Roberts to:

DETROPIA / U.S.A. (Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady) — The woes of Detroit are emblematic of the collapse of the U.S. manufacturing base. This is the dramatic story of a city and its people who refuse to leave the building, even as the flames are rising.

The World Cinema Documentary Editing Award was presented by Clara Kim to:

Indie Game: The Movie / Canada (Directors: Lisanne Pajot, James Swirsky) — Follow the dramatic journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world.

The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Tia Lessin to:

Chasing Ice / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Orlowski) — Science, spectacle and human passion mix in this stunningly cinematic portrait as National Geographic photographer James Balog captures time-lapse photography of glaciers over several years providing tangible visual evidence of climate change.

The Excellence in Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Amy Vincent to:

Beasts of the Southern Wild / U.S.A. (Director: Benh Zeitlin, Screenwriters: Benh Zeitlin, Lucy Alibar) — Waters gonna rise up, wild animals gonna rerun from the grave, and everything south of the levee is goin’ under, in this tale of a six year old named Hushpuppy, who lives with her daddy at the edge of the world. Cast: Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry.

The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Documentary was presented by Jean-Marie Teno to:

Putin's Kiss / Denmark (Director: Lise Birk Pedersen) — 19-year-old Marsha is a model spokesperson in a strongly nationalistic Russian youth movement that aims to protect the country from its enemies. When she starts recognizing the organization’s flaws, she must take a stand for or against it.

The World Cinema Cinematography Award: Dramatic was presented by Alexei Popogrebsky to:

My Brother the Devil / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Sally El Hosaini) — A pair of British Arab brothers trying to get by in gangland London learn the extraordinary courage it takes to be yourself. Cast: James Floyd, Saïd Taghmaoui, Fady Elsayed.

A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Prize for an Agent of Change was presented by Heather Croall to:

Love Free or Die / U.S.A. (Director: Macky Alston) — One man whose two defining passions are in conflict: An openly gay bishop refuses to leave the Church or the man he loves.

A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Prize for Spirit of Defiance was presented by Heather Croall to:

Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry / U.S.A., China (Director: Alison Klayman) — Renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has garnered international attention as much for his ambitious artwork as his political provocations and increasingly public clashes with the Chinese government.

A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Independent Film Producing was presented by Cliff Martinez to:

Andrea Sperling and Jonathan Schwartz for Smashed and Nobody Walks

Smashed / U.S.A. (Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Susan Burke, James Ponsoldt) — Kate and Charlie are a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of music, laughter and... drinking. When Kate decides to get sober, her new lifestyle brings troubling issues to the surface and calls into question her relationship with Charlie. Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally.

Nobody Walks / U.S.A. (Director: Ry Russo-Young, Screenwriters: Lena Dunham, Ry Russo-Young) — Martine, a young artist from New York, is invited into the home of a hip, liberal LA family for a week. Her presence unravels the family’s carefully maintained status quo, and a mess of sexual and emotional entanglements ensues. Cast: John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie DeWitt, India Ennenga, Justin Kirk.

A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Ensemble Acting was presented by Cliff Martinez to:

The Surrogate / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ben Lewin) — Mark O'Brien, a 36-year-old poet and journalist in an iron lung, decides he no longer wishes to be a virgin. With the help of his therapist and the guidance of his priest, he contacts a professional sex surrogate to take him on a journey to manhood. Cast: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy.

A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Prize for Artistic Vision was presented by Clara Kim to:

Can / Turkey (Director and screenwriter: Rasit Celikezer) — A young married couple live happily in Istanbul, but their decision to illegally procure a child threatens their future together. Cast: Selen Uçer, Serdar Orçin, Berkan Demirbag, Erkan Avci.

A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Prize for its Celebration of the Artistic Spirit was presented by Richard Pena to:

SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN / Sweden, United Kingdom (Director: Malik Bendjelloul) — Rodriguez was the greatest ‘70s US rock icon who never was. Hailed as the greatest recording artist of his generation he disappeared into oblivion – rising again from the ashes in a completely different context many miles away.

The inaugural Short Film Audience Award, Presented by Yahoo!, based on online voting for nine short films that premiered at the Festival and are currently featured on Yahoo! Screen, was presented to:

The Debutante Hunters (Director: Maria White) — In the Lowcountry of South Carolina a group of true Southern belles reveal their more rugged side, providing a glimpse into what drives them to hunt in the wild.

The following awards were presented at separate ceremonies at the Festival:

The Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking was awarded to: FISHING WITHOUT NETS / U.S.A. (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey). The Jury Prize in Short Film, U.S. Fiction was presented to: The Black Balloon / U.S.A. (Directors: Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie). The Jury Prize in Short Film, International Fiction was presented to: The Return (Kthimi) / Kosovo (Director: Blerta Zeqiri, Screenwriter: Shefqet Gjocaj). The Jury Prize in Short Film, Non-Fiction was presented to: The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom / U.S.A. (Director: Lucy Walker). The Jury Prize in Animated Short Film was presented to: A Morning Stroll / United Kingdom (Director: Grant Orchard). A Special Jury Award for Comedic Storytelling was presented to: The Arm / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Brie Larson, Sarah Ramos, Jessie Ennis). A Special Jury Award for Animation Direction was presented to: Robots of Brixton / United Kingdom (Director: Kibwe Tavares).

The winning directors and projects of the Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award, in recognition and support of emerging independent filmmakers from around the world, are: Etienne Kallos / Vrystaat (Free State) (South Africa); Ariel Kleiman / Partisan (Australia); Dominga Sotomayor / Tarde Para Morir Joven (Late To Die Young) (Chile); and Shonali Bose / Margarita. With a Straw (India).

The Sundance/NHK International Filmmaker Award, honoring and supporting emerging filmmakers, was presented to Jens Assur, director of the upcoming film Close Far Away.

The inaugural Hilton Worldwide LightStay Sustainability Award for a completed feature film was presented to The Island President, directed by Jon Shenk. The in-process feature film award was presented to Solar Mamas, directed by Jehane Noujaim and Mona Eldaief. Each project received $25,000.

The inaugural Sundance Institute Indian Paintbrush Producer’s Award and $10,000 grant was presented to Dan Janvey and Josh Penn for Beasts of the Southern Wild.

The Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prizes, presented to outstanding feature films focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer, or mathematician as a major character, were presented to Robot & Frank, directed by Jake Schreier and written by Christopher Ford, and Valley of Saints, directed and written by Musa Syeed. The two films will split the $20,000 cash award by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival Jurors were: U.S. Documentary Competition: Fenton Bailey, Heather Croall, Charles Ferguson, Tia Lessin, Kim Roberts; U.S. Dramatic Competition: Justin Lin, Anthony Mackie, Cliff Martinez, Lynn Shelton, Amy Vincent; World Cinema Documentary Competition: Nick Fraser, Clara Kim, Jean-Marie Teno; World Cinema Dramatic Competition: Julia Ormond, Richard Pena, Alexei Popogrebsky; Alfred P. Sloan Award: Tracy Day, Helen Fisher, Dr. Robert J. Full, Gwyn Lurie, Alex Rivera; Short Film Competition: Mike Judge, Dee Rees, Shane Smith.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival presented 117 feature-length films, representing 30 countries by 45 first-time filmmakers, including 24 in competition. These films were selected from 4,042 feature-length film submissions composed of 2,059 U.S. and 1,983 international feature-length films. 91 films at the Festival were world premieres. The Short Film Program was comprised of 64 short films selected from a record 7,675 submissions.

Bradley Cooper has some cool films coming out this year, with A Place Beyond the Pines opposite Ryan Gosling and The Silverlinings Playbook from David O. Russell. I was happy when he decided to drop out of the doomed (my opinion) reboot of The Crow so that he could play Lucifer in Alex Proyas' Paradise Lost. The film is an adaptation of John Milton's epic poem about war in heaven. That war almost did not get off the ground because of it's big budget.

During an interview with The Playlist at Sundance, he gave an update. Cooper said that things are back on track, and stated, "We're going to hopefully start in June. Everything's going great. I mean, nothing's done until we're up and shooting."

The Hangover III will not get in the way of Paradise Lost. This will be great for Cooper, who is looking at a $15 million payday for the third comedic installment. Before Paradise Lost hit that bump in the road, it had Benjamin Walker, Casey Affleck, Djimon Housou, Diego Boneta, Camilla Belle, Sam Reid, Rufus Sewell, and Callan McAuliffe attached to star. Let's hope they are all still on board for it, and it makes it to theaters in 2014. 

I am really looking forward to seeing the epic battle sequences in this film. What are your thoughts?

Follow @Jim_Napier

Texas Killing Fields arrives on Blu-ray Hi-Def & DVD on Tuesday, January 31. Ami Canaan Mann directs an all-star cast that includes Sam Worthington, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chloe Moretz, Jessica Chastain, Stephen Graham, and Jason Clarke.

Donald F. Ferrarone wrote the script based on the real-life unsolved murders in Texas. The haunting story follows two detectives (Worthington and Morgan) as they hunt for a killer that is ravaging their small town with gruesome murders in in an area known as the "killing fields." The fields are located out of the detectives' jurisdiction, but the killer continues to tease them with clues and always seems to be one step ahead of them.

Killing Fields takes audiences into what seems like a different universe, much like Winter's Bone did when it was released. The moist and sticky humidity of Louisiana does a wonderful job of doubling for Texas. Having lived in the South, I can attest that things move at a slower pace, which is evident in the film. The cast did a great job of capturing the essence of the South, and its many unique and colorful characters.

The cast does a great job with the accents, even Worthington. A great cast with chilling performances makes the Texas Killing Fields a pleasure to watch, despite the gruesome subject matter. Moretz continues to impress me with her versatility and is powerful in her most mature role to date. Chastain seems to have starred in just about every great female role last year and for good reason. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is a solid actor who exudes intensity, and it's a shame he is not in more leading roles. Worthington turns in one of his better performances. Clarke did a good job of transforming himself with the blond hair and the many tattoos. I think Graham's performance was great, as solid as he puts in on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. Don't let his short stature fool you, he is a whirlwind of violence.

I don't believe this is a must-watch on Blu-ray; you would be fine with a DVD copy of this. The sound quality and lighting Mann uses in the film add to the realism but detract from the viewing pleasure. The only special features that this disc has is the director and writer commentary, which is paltry in comparison to many discs these days.

In conclusion, fans of procedural dramas on TV will enjoy Texas Killing Fields. It pushes the envelope further than network TV can, with its gruesome and gritty portrayal of the a shocking underbelly of society. For a first feature, Mann did a great job and I hope to see more from her. Texas Killing Fields arrives on Blu-ray and DVD Tuesday, January 31.

Follow @Jim_Napier

Joe Carnahan's The Grey is a bleak tale of the human will at its finest. Liam Neeson, Dermot Mulroney, Frank Grillo, Dallas Roberts, Joe Anderson, Nonzo Anozie, and James Badge Dale star in this tale of survival against insurmountable odds. Carnahan and Ian Mckenzie Jeffers co-wrote the script that tells the story of an oil drilling team struggling to survive after a plane crash strands them in the Alaskan wilderness. If battling the elements was not enough, the survivors are hunted by a bloodthirsty pack of wolves who see them as intruders.

This movie would have been great to have been released during the summer, because the amount of snow chilled me to my bones. Neeson is great in just about every movie I have seen him in (aside from Clash of the Titans). He has such commanding presence onscreen as a wise, troubled man forced into a situation where he has to lead. His character reminds me of John Locke in Lost. Just like the plain crash caused Locke to come out the shell his wheelchair had kept him in, Neeson was trapped in a shell of depression before the films crash.

The rest of the cast is great, but Grillo is a true standout. His performance is powerful and emotional and easy to relate to. The scenes where he faces off against Neeson are great, even though you know they are not going to end well. Overall the performances are what drive the film forward.

I am looking forward to watching some of the behind-the-scenes clips on the Blu-ray so I can see what went into creating the wolves. From the credits, it seems to have been a mix of live wolves and animatronics. Greg Nicotero's makeup and creature creation is above and beyond anything else out there. The special effects are a fine example that practical effects are alive and well.

The scariest part of the wolves is not always seeing their menacing form but seeing their breath on the hills above the survivors as they howl or seeing their eyes glowing. Their growls in surround sound are well worth the price of seeing The Grey in theaters. Marc Streitfeld's score adds to the tone and the energy throughout the film.

In conclusion, The Grey is Carnahan's best film to date and a true achievement in characters and their development. The cinematography of the mountains and wilderness is immersive and beautiful. Be sure to stay after the credits for a cool scene.

Follow @Jim_Napier

To answer your first question, no this is not photoshopped. What you are looking at is a photo of a Brahmin Moth Caterpillar sent to us via content submission by reader Matt Lloyd.

As he astutely pointed out, it looks like this caterpillar got overtaken by some Venom symbiote! The face, the barbs shooting out like tentacles...it's just all too perfect! Do you agree?

Email Me: MickJoest@Geektyrant.com Twitter: @MickJoest

Source: Matt Lloyd (http://www.mattlloyd.net/)

Vin Diesel has given his fans a new image of himself in costume on the set of his next Riddick film. The image was posted on his Facebook page with the following message,

Being king has it's perks... yet an alpha Furyan, must return to his primitive state... that animal side.

(low rumble)
GRRRRR...

P.s. An early pic from the set of the new Riddick film.

The sci-fi movie is being written and directed by David Twohy, and I think fans of the franchise and character are going to be very happy with how this film turns out. I've really liked what I've seen and heard so for.

Here's some previously released information on the film:

Betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, Riddick (Diesel) fights for survival against alien predators and becomes more powerful and dangerous than ever before. Soon bounty hunters from throughout the galaxy descend on Riddick only to find themselves pawns in his greater scheme for revenge. With his enemies right where he wants them, Riddick unleashes a vicious attack of vengeance before returning to his home planet of Furya to save it from destruction.

Riddick is a direct sequel to Pitch Black – the events tie into that film. In much the same way the upcoming Dark Knight Rises will tie up any loose threads and plot points from Batman Begins, Riddick will return to the mystery and monsters at the centre of Pitch Black.

Source: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150650459913313&set=a.101465923312.101581.89562268312&type=1&theater)

HBO has released a great new trailer for season 2 of the highly anticipated return of Game of Thrones! As most of you already know, the series is based on the popular book series A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin, which is an incredible fantasy series that tells the tail an epic struggle for power set in a vast and violent fantasy kingdom. The series is set to premiere on April 1st at 9pm. Check out the new trailer below and tell us what you think! Like most of you I'm extremely excited for the return of this show, enjoy the trailer!

Source: HBO (http://www.hbo.com/video/video.html/?autoplay=true&vid=1234943&filter=game-of-thrones&view=null)

Here's the full extended trailer to the hilarious Super Bowl commercial featuring Matthew Broderick awesomely reprising his role as Ferris Bueller. In the commercial, Broderick fakes being sick to take the day off of work to screw around in his 2012 Honda CR-V. 

The commerical was directed by Todd Phillips (The Hangover) as part of Honda CR-V's "Leap List" campaign, which encourages people to do things they've always wanted to do. Enjoy the the video! 

It looks like Marvel will be developing some badass looking custom made 3D glasses to go along with Joss Whedon's The Avengers! I think these are actually some very cool designs. The question is would you pay an extra $5 dollars for them at the theater, because according to Badtaste.it, that's what these will cost you. As much as I don't care for 3D movies, I might buy a pair of these just for the hell of it. They are all pretty cool, but I might have to go with Iron Man. What's your favorite design?

Screen Gems has released a epic looking teaser poster for Resident Evil: Retribution starring the beautiful Milla Jovovich. There's a lot of world wide destruction going on here. I liked what I saw in the first trailer for the film. It's got a bigger, more epic feel to it compared to the first four movies. I just hope it ends up being better than the last one, which I didn't really care for at all. It was the most uesless use of 3D technology. 

Here's the films description: 

The Umbrella Corporation’s deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human race’s last and only hope, Alice (Milla Jovovich), awakens in the heart of Umbrella's most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex. Without a safe haven, Alice continues to hunt those responsible for the outbreak; a chase that takes her from Tokyo to New York, Washington, D.C. and Moscow, culminating in a mind-blowing revelation that will force her to rethink everything that she once thought to be true. Aided by newfound allies and familiar friends, Alice must fight to survive long enough to escape a hostile world on the brink of oblivion. The countdown has begun.

The Paul W.S. Anderson-directed movie hits theaters on September 14th, 2012, and stars Sienna Guillory, Kevin Durand, Shawn Roberts, Colin Salmon, Johann Urb, Boris Kodjoe, and Li Bingbing. In case you missed the trailer, you can watch it below.

According to a recent report from Deadline, X-Men: First Class director Matthew Vaughn is officially on board to direct the sequel to the film! 

Fox has just closed a deal with Matthew Vaughn to come back and direct the sequel to X-Men: First Class, with Simon Kinberg writing the script and Bryan Singer back as producer.

This is freakin' great news! He nailed the first movie down, and I was hoping he would come back to develop the next installment of this excitingly cool franchise. He proved in the last film that he has what it takes to make a kick-ass X-Men movie. No other information was revealed, but I imagine that most of the members of the first cast will come back to reprise their roles in the sequel. 

In a previous interview James McAvoy (Professor X) said,

I'm very interested to see where we pick up with Charles Xavier, to be honest. In the film we just did, 'First Class,' we got to see how Magneto becomes Magneto, how he leaves Erik behind and takes on the persona of Magneto. We've yet to see how Charles develops into Professor X. I think that's going to be interesting to take a look at.

Michael Fassbender (Magneto) adds,

[Xavier's] got some major shit to deal with. He’s just been paralyzed and he’s been betrayed by the person who he’s probably come to care about more than anybody else in the world, and he’s the guy who did it to him.

There's no doubt that Vaughn will develop another great story surrounding these characters, and I'm extremely excited to see what he ends up creating! What are your thoughts on Vaughn coming back to direct the sequel to this franchise?