GEEK 2015 - The Van Dyck Vanishments

We got the chance to attend GEEK 2015 in Margate this February and it was one of, if not the best, video games expo for sheer fun.

Away from the games, both retro and new, there were a number of events and activities going on across the seaside town of Margate.

One of the highlights was the stunning Van Dyck Vanishments.

Below is the video explaining the background and effort that went into this concept.

The Van Dyck Vanishments Documentary explores the progress behind a live video game adventure combining fine art, theatre and gaming. 

Commissoned by Marine Studios, and developed in partnership with Turner Contemporary, National Portrait Gallery, and Canterbury Christ Church University, The Van Dyck Vanishments was also supported by the Arts Council England. The Van Dyck Vanishments was made by The Milo Wladek Co. and took place in February 2015 in Margate as part of GEEK 2015.

Video made by David Good - www.davidgoodvideography.com

Music written and performed by Odinn Orn Hilmarsson 

The Story. 

Pioneering corporation Endless Horizons Ltd. have created a machine capable of sending people INSIDE works of art.

Audiences joined Junior Vice Research Assistant Smith as she traveled through time, space and the psyche - into the world of 17th Century court painter Sir Anthony van Dyck. The Van Dyck Vanishments aimed to draw together narrative and game play.

The Milo Wladek Co. also developed board and Digital versions of the game.

The X-Files returns for a 6 part mini series!

Sci-fi fans around the World today celebrated as FOX broke news that the mega smash hit 90's phenomenon "The X-Files" is to return with a 6 part mini series.

Stars David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson & Creator Chris Carter are all confirmed to be returning to the series which ran for 9 seasons until 2002, the series also spurned 2 Movies in 1998 & 2008.

Read the full release from FOX.com

 “THE X-FILES” RETURNS TO FOX

Emmy Award-winning Pop Culture Phenomenon

From Chris Carter Is Back as Six-Episode Event Series

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson to Reprise Their Roles as

FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully

Thirteen years after the original series run, FOX has ordered the next mind-bending chapter of THE X-FILES, a thrilling, six-episode event series which will be helmed by creator/executive producer Chris Carter with stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson re-inhabiting their roles as iconic FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. This marks the momentous return of the Emmy- and Golden Globe Award-winning pop culture phenomenon, which remains one of the longest-running sci-fi series in network television history.

The announcement was made today by Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen and CEOs of Fox Television Group and Chris Carter, creator and executive producer of THE X-FILES. Production on THE X-FILES event series is set to begin in summer 2015. Further details remain under wraps and will be announced at a later date.

“I think of it as a 13-year commercial break,” said Carter. “The good news is the world has only gotten that much stranger, a perfect time to tell these six stories.”

“We had the privilege of working with Chris on all nine seasons of THE X-FILES – one of the most rewarding creative experiences of our careers – and we couldn’t be more excited to explore that incredible world with him again,” remarked Newman and Walden. “THE X-FILES was not only a seminal show for both the studio and the network, it was a worldwide phenomenon that shaped pop culture – yet remained a true gem for the legions of fans who embraced it from the beginning. Few shows on television have drawn such dedicated fans as THE X-FILES, and we’re ecstatic to give them the next thrilling chapter of Mulder and Scully they’ve been waiting for.”

THE X-FILES originally premiered in September 1993.  Over the course of its nine-season run, the influential series went from breakout sci-fi favorite to massive global hit, and became one of the most successful television dramas of all time. The show, which earned 16 Emmy Awards, five Golden Globes and a Peabody Award, follows FBI special agents Scully (Anderson) and Mulder (Duchovny) as they investigate unexplained cases – “X-Files” – for which the only answers involve paranormal phenomena.

Produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Ten Thirteen Productions, THE X-FILES is created and executive-produced by Chris Carter.

Disney's "Tomorrowland" to be released as "Tomorrowland: A World Beyond" in the UK

Every now and then when a movie is released in the UK, The studio behind that movie feels the need to change the name slightly to avoid confusion with other properties. In recent years we have had The Avengers renamed "Avengers: Assemble" to avoid confusion with the 1960's TV Series "The Avengers". Yes, that's right...We Brits may confuse a TV show 99.9% of us have never seen or heard of with one of the most Anticipated, biggest franchises of all time.

This week Disney announced that their big summer adventure flick will be released as "Tomorrowland: A World Beyond" in the UK.

Now I do usually find these re-naming of Movies annoying, if not insulting at times (Fast Five being renamed Fast & Furious 5, really? Like we had never heard of the series and couldn't make the link?) but with Tomorrowland I can Understand where Disney are coming from.

Tomorrowland is inspired by the popular Disneyland area "Tomorrowland", Just visiting the area in the parks you can see the concepts and feel of the future. But in Disneyland Paris the Tomorrowland area of the park is actually named "Discoveryland". The reason for this could be that it possibly translates better than Tomorrowland in to the different European languages, and the vast majority of UK viewers have more than likely been to Disneyland Paris than one of the US parks.

Tomorrowland: A World Beyond lands in UK Cinemas on May 22nd, as as one of my Top 3 films for 2015 I can not wait! 

Check out the trailer below and details of the Film.

From Disney comes two-time Oscar® winner Brad Bird’s riveting, mystery adventure “Tomorrowland - A World Beyond,” starring Academy Award® winner George Clooney. Bound by a shared destiny, former boy-genius Frank (Clooney), jaded by disillusionment, and Casey (Britt Robertson), a bright, optimistic teen bursting with scientific curiosity, embark on a danger-filled mission to unearth the secrets of an enigmatic place somewhere in time and space known only as “Tomorrowland.” What they must do there changes the world—and them—forever.

Featuring a screenplay by “Lost” writer and co-creator Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird, from a story by Lindelof & Bird & Jeff Jensen, “Tomorrowland - A World Beyond” promises to take audiences on a thrill ride of nonstop adventures through new dimensions that have only been dreamed of.

The film also stars Hugh Laurie as brilliant scientist David Nix, Raffey Cassidy, Tim McGraw, Judy Greer, Kathryn Hahn, Keegan-Michael Key and Thomas Robinson.

“Tomorrowland - A World Beyond” is produced by Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird and Jeffrey Chernov and directed by Brad Bird, with John Walker, Brigham Taylor, Jeff Jensen and Bernard Bellew serving as executive producers. “Tomorrowland - A World Beyond” comes to UK cinemas May 22nd 2015.

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Jurassic World - Jurassic Park Forever - Ariana Richards Interview 2015

With Jurassic World closer than it might appear, our friends at Jurassic Park Forever caught up with one of the stars of the original 1993 masterpiece.

The lads got an exclusive interview with Ariana Richards, who played Lex in Spielberg's Dinosaur epic!

Jurassic Park Forever

PIXELS (2015) - Retro Gaming Fights Back

Pixels (2015)

Coming to UK theatres August 12th 2015 

I love and collect retro video games, or as I call them video games, as to me they are not retro, they are just my games!

Pixels has a similar premise to that episode of Futurama, where by classic video game characters invade Earth. 

This is from SONY, and it is looking like a "What if the Ghostbusters had to fight 8-bit sprites instead of spirits!" kind of deal.

"In Pixels, when intergalactic aliens misinterpret video-feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war against them, they attack the Earth, using the games as models for their various assaults. President Will Cooper (Kevin James) has to call on his childhood best friend, '80s video game champion Sam Brenner (Adam Sandler), now a home theater installer, to lead a team of old-school arcaders (Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad) to defeat the aliens and save the planet. Joining them is Lt. Col. Violet Van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), a specialist supplying the arcaders with unique weapons to fight the aliens." - Sony Pictures Entertainment

Joss Whedon Talks Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth's Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for a global adventure. Written by Marvel Studios

Joss chats about his vision for the hugely anticipated Marvel sequel.

Will Age of Ultron live up to the hype?
Will Quicksilver match what we saw in X-Men: DoFP?

Max (2015) - Trailer First Look

Max (2015)

Max is an upcoming American family adventure film directed by Boaz Yakin, and written by Sheldon Lettich and Boaz Yakin. The film stars Josh Wiggins and Thomas Haden Church, Miles Mussenden, Robbie Amell, Lauren Graham, Luke Kleintank, Jay Hernandez, Joseph Julian Soria with Dejon LaQuake. The film is scheduled to be released by Warner Bros.

A dog that helped US Marines in Afghanistan returns to the U.S. and is adopted by his handler's family after suffering a traumatic experience.

This heart warming tale comes to UK theatres October 9th 2015.