Category: Movies

HBO Go Now Available for Xbox 360

Microsoft has rolled out a bunch of new apps for Xbox 360, including one for the outstanding HBO Go service. Available to HBO subcribers, HBO Go allows viewers to stream a ton of movies, television shows, and sports events. In the past, the network has allowed HBO Go users to catch early episodes of its original programming. In short, this service completely owns.

I use HBO Go on my iPad all the time. In fact, it’s probably my favorite app for streaming video, beating out Netflix, Crackle, and all those other pretenders. It offers a large library of excellent movies. It offers every episode of some of the best HBO original shows (Game of Thrones, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, etc.). It also offers loads of great HBO Boxing fights. As an HBO mark, I’m thrilled that the service is now available for Xbox 360.

How about you guys and dolls? Are you psyched that HBO Go can be experienced on Xbox 360?

New Avengers Movie Poster and Trailer

Double your pleasure with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (wait, that sounds naughty)! Here’s the latest movie poster and trailer for The Avengers. I’m still cautiously optimistic about the movie (team movies are difficult), but the latest trailer has nullified most of my caution. It just looks big and exciting and fun! What do you think?

What Do You Think of the Noobz Movie Trailer?

You’ve seen the interview with director Blake Freeman and star Jason Mewes. You’ve watched (and were dazzled!) by the on-set interview with the legendary Casper Van Dien. Now check out the trailer for the videogame movie Noobz!!! In addition to the four main characters going on a zany road trip to play in a videogame tournament featuring Gears of War 3, highlights include my pal Adam Sessler playing himself and the awesome Jon Gries (Lazlo from Real Genius!) being the awesome Jon Gries.

I’m totally psyched for this movie. It’s kind of like American Pie for gamers. Check out the trailer and let me know what you think (please)!

WTF?!? Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Earlier in the week I woke up to the television playing a making-of feature on Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. I honestly thought I was dreaming, because this is the stupidest f*cking movie I’ve heard of in the last decade. I knew I wasn’t dreaming when one of the actresses said something along the lines of, “He was passionate about ending slavery, but he was also passionate about killing vampires.” The sheer stupidity of that comment woke me the hell up.

Is it really that hard to come up with an original plot and an original hero? Have things gotten so bad that we’re taking revered historical figures and placing them in asinine situations? I’m waiting for the sequel — John Adams: Werewolf Killer, which will be followed by Theodore Roosevelt and the Mummy’s Curse. In the immortal words of Randal Graves, “What the hell is wrong with this world?”

Best of 2011 Wrap Up

In case you missed any of the “Best of 2011” stories, here are links to your fellow RPadholics’ picks for the best game, videogame graphics, videogame sound, movie, and gadget. While you’re here, feel free to leave any “Best of 2011” choices that weren’t covered last week. From your favorite comic book, Netflix rental, TV show, sports team, coffee, fast food, WWE Superstar, and more, use this post to get 2011 out of your system (please)!

Best Movie of 2011

For me, 2011 wasn’t a great year for movies. I enjoyed a bunch of superhero flicks like Captain America and Thor, but I’m still haunted by the craptacular failure that was Green Lantern. As a huge mark for the comics, the movie was the most traumatizing film I’ve seen in years. 15 minutes of cool outer-space sequences didn’t make up for all the garbage that took place on Earth. I’m still pained that Ryan Reynolds made Hal Jordan look like a tool. Ugh.

When I can block out the painful memories of Green Lantern, the movie I enjoyed the most this year was Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The special effects were impressive. Andy Serkis and James Franco were fantastic. Freida Pinto didn’t get to show off her talents, but I enjoyed staring at her. The writing was strong. And lastly, the scenes in San Francisco made me miss the second city I considered home. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is much smarter than your typical summer blockbuster movie. I didn’t see a ton of movies this year, but this was clearly the best one.

Now it’s time for your picks! What was your favorite movie of 2011?

Bobby Kotick: Master Thespian and Star of Moneyball

Here’s a photo gallery of Activision CEO Bobby Kotick portraying Oakland A’s co-owner Stephen Schott in Moneyball. Obviously I was dazzled by his performance. It’s not like I see EA CEO John Riccitiello or Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot starring in any movies. Only Kotick has enough charm and star-power to run a videogame mega-publisher and go toe-to-toe with Brad Pitt.

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As for the movie itself, I enjoyed it but was mildly disappointed. I loved the book Moneyball. I also went to a lot of A’s games between 2000 and 2002. While I understand that the movie is a dramatization, some of the liberties and omissions were annoying. For example, in the movie the A’s signed Jeremy Giambi prior to the 2002 season as a cheap replacement for his more talented brother Jason Giambi. In reality, Jeremy Giambi was on the team since 2000. The movie barely mentions Eric Chavez and Miguel Tejada. Both were at the height of their powers and big reason why the A’s were so successful. Hell, Tejada was the American League MVP the year the movie took place!

Anyway, that’s straying too far from the point. Moneyball shows that Bobby Kotick clearly has a future in Hollywood playing rich and powerful antagonists.

The Hobbit Trailer is…(Fill in the Blank)

While I wasn’t high on The Dark Knight Rises trailer, I completely lost it when I saw the trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. I loved Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films and I’m sure I’ll dig this movie too. The tech nerd in me (most of me) loves that Jackson is using Red Epic 3D cameras. Those super expensive cameras pack some serious tech and should make the movie look brilliant. Also, Gandalf is cool.

Anyway, kindly leave your thoughts on The Hobbit trailer when you have a chance.

The Latest Dark Knight Rises Trailer is…(Fill in the Blank)

Here’s the latest trailer for The Dark Knight Rises. Loads of my friends are raving about it, but it doesn’t do much for me. I don’t think it’s bad at all, but I’m not blown away like some of my friends are. Also, I hate Bane’s mask. I mostly dislike Bane’s entire outfit. Surprisingly, I’m mostly unmoved by the trailer.

How about you? How do you feel about the new trailer for The Dark Knight Rises?

Time Warner Cable (Finally) Signs On For HBO Go

In a move that I’m going to file under “It’s About Frickin’ Time You Hacks!”, Time Warner Cable has signed a deal with HBO for the HBO Go and Max Go streaming services. I’ve been extremely envious of my friends that have been able to enjoy the extensive library and advanced programming on HBO Go. Unfortunately, Time Warner Cable took its sweet-ass time to give its customers progressive features. I write this as I stare at my antiquated TWC cable box with its caveman UI. Before I start getting angry at TWC (again), here’s a clip from the press release:

Time Warner Cable today announced the upcoming launch of HBO’s authenticated online video destinations, HBO Go and Max Go. The companies will run a brief beta trial and then the service is expected to launch to all Time Warner Cable customers who subscribe to HBO in the next month. Time Warner Cable customers who subscribe to HBO and/or Cinemax will have free, unlimited access to the corresponding online services at any time, on any computer in the U.S. with a high-speed Internet connection, as well as a host of other devices, including the iPad.

This would have been 50 times more useful to me when Game of Thrones and Entourage were still on. Hopefully the service will continue to offer advanced episodes in 2012. I’m genuinely excited for the service and will definitely use the hell out of it when it goes live. That said, if my next apartment offers AT&T U-Verse or Verizon Fios, I’ll drop Time Warner Cable’s sorry-ass service — easily the worst I’ve ever had — in a second.

Meh. Let’s close this on a happy note. HBO Go is finally coming to Time Warner Cable subscribers!!!

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