ODDBALL ITEMS: Ads on uniforms; Yankees' royal flush Jun 4, 2009
Though the Yankees balked when MLB wanted for Spider-Man 2 five years ago, such placements won't remain sacrosanct much longer. As salaries continue to rise, or at least remain stratospheric, while fans struggle to afford tickets and valuable merchandise in our, ahem, challenging economy, teams will have no choice but to continually grab more revenue streams. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Ads on jerseys the latest in marketing Jun 4, 2009
No one is expecting to sell the naming rights to the end zone at the Super Bowl, and Major League Baseball was right to not allow Spider-Man 2 logos on the bases five years ago. But jerseys. (USA Today -- Sports)
Pixar goes `Up' with $68.2 million Jun 1, 2009
" "Up" took over the No. 1 spot from 20th Century Fox's "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian," which slipped to second-place with $25.5 million. The "Museum" sequel raised its 10-day total to $105.3 million. The weekend's other new wide release, Universal Pictures' horror tale "Drag Me to Hell," opened at No. 3 with $16.6 million. It was a relatively modest return for director Sam Raimi, whose three "Spider-Man" movies had blockbuster opening weekends. Paramount Pictures' "Star Trek"... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Sam Raimi discusses 'Drag Me to Hell,' 'Evil Dead,' and 'Spider-Man' May 31, 2009
Sam Raimi discusses 'Hell,' 'Dead' - and 'Spider-Man ... Though best known as the director of the successful "Spider-Man" franchise, Raimi's first love has always been horror, and he tells a revolting tale as well as anyone ... With the success of the "Spider-Man" movies, you're an established Hollywood director. (Boston Globe)
Spidey guy Raimi says 'Dark Knight' has upped ante May 30, 2009
Raimi figures it can only benefit the next chapter in his "Spider-Man" franchise, the first installment of which had been the top-grossing superhero flick until "The Dark Knight" blew it out of the record books last year ... Raimi said he expects to have the script for "Spider-Man 4" in hand within a few weeks ... "I'm interested in making the best of the 'Spider-Man' movies ever, and Tobey's really excited," Raimi said. (Jefferson City News Tribune, MO)
Drag Me to Hell Review May 29, 2009
All of which begs the question, had the , iconic director of the Evil Dead and Spider-Man series, not directed the film. Had Drag Me to Hell been made the exact same way by a lesser-known filmmaker, would the diehard Raimi fans embrace it just as passionately as they no doubt will. (IGN FilmForce)
Sam Raimi's vision of 'Hell' is a real scream May 29, 2009
Raimi made two sequels (among other, straighter Hollywood movies) but would go on to become the more polished, better-funded director behind the Spider-Man franchise ... But let's face it, the soaring professionalism of "Spider-Man 2" is a long way from the winking trash of "Evil Dead II." ... "Drag Me to Hell" is a loose showcase of everything Raimi couldn't have tried in a Spider-Man movie - scatological gags, talking goats, a debate over Freud and Jung. (Boston Globe)
'Night at the Museum,' 'Terminator' top box office May 29, 2009
The top Memorial Day weekend at the box office remains 2007, which featured the third "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Shrek" and "Spider-Man" films. The top 20 movies at U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday through Monday, followed by distribution studio, gross, number of theater locations, average receipts per location, total gross and number of weeks in release, as compiled Tuesday by Hollywood. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Game Review: With great power May 28, 2009
"Infamous" is a coming-of-age superhero story that takes comic book mastermind Stan Lee's famous "Spider-Man" line "with great power there must also come great responsibility" to heart. Like many of Lee's heroes, developer Sucker Punch has created a naturalistic character in Cole McGrath. (Fresno Bee -- Lifestyle)
Activision to Showcase Several of the Most Anticipated Games of the Year at the 2009 E3 Expo May 28, 2009
Incorporating elements of the acclaimed Marvel Civil War storyline, the game allows players to choose their side and team up with revered heroes and villains, including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Hulk, Iron Man, Deadpool, Venom, Green Goblin and Captain America. Players can combine characters' powers and unleash astonishing new attacks. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
The Citizen's Cinema May 28, 2009
" More Christian Bale: "Terminator: Salvation," "Public Enemies" (though the latter could prove a rare bright spot given the involvement of Johnny Depp, as bank robber John Dillinger, and director Michael Mann). And more Pixar, but the CG animation studio has yet to disappoint.The schedule reeks of safety. Mainstream audiences will bring some degree of familiarity to almost all of these movies, and that feeling casts them as safer bets than novel stories told by new faces.Please bear in mind,... (Auburn Citizen, NY)
Ben Stiller wins Battle over Terminator May 26, 2009
The top Memorial Day weekend at the box office remains 2007, which featured the third installments of "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Shrek" and "Spider-Man.". Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. (MSNBC -- News)
A man afraid to run away: Ars reviews inFamous May 21, 2009
In many ways, Cole MacGrath, the protagonist of Sony and Sucker Punch's latest title, follows the Spider-Man model of being a superhero. You have to have amazing powers, and the people have to hate you for it. (Ars Technica)
Stars Icons: Sam Raimi May 21, 2009
and a fourth Spider-Man movie on the way, we felt now was the time to honor Raimi as a Stars Icon ... Raimi truly entered the mainstream consciousness when he was hired to direct Spider-Man ... In recent years, Raimi has divided his time between the Spider-Man films and more independent fare. (IGN FilmForce)
Spider-Man 4: Villains Wanted May 20, 2009
As the Spidey crew gears up for another cinematic adventure, we turn our eyes to Spider-Man's classic rogues gallery ... Read our picks for potential Spider-Man 4 villains, and then sound off with your own choices by posting in the comments section below ... We daresay he's one of the few remaining rogues who could feasibly support a Spider-Man movie on his own. (IGN FilmForce)
Raimi's Best Movies May 19, 2009
Action-packed and intensely visual, Raimi's homage to superhero serials might very well have laid the foundation for his work on a much larger canvas with the Spider-Man films, translating his fast-moving, highly kinetic style of horror into grander, more action-oriented set-pieces. Either way, Raimi emerged with a well-designed, aesthetically sleeking superhero movie that the home video market would continuing milking for the next several years. (IGN FilmForce)
"Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series" Explodes Online as the First Long Form Dramatic Machinima Production May 19, 2009
The film stars Christian Bale (The Dark Knight), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Anton Yelchin (Star Trek), Moon Bloodgood (What Just Happened), Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3), Common (Wanted), Jane Alexander (The Unborn) and Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince). The behind-the-scenes creative team includes cinematographer Shane Hurlbut (We Are Marshall), production designer Martin Laing (Pearl Harbor),... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
For and Against: The PS3... May 16, 2009
The logo is reminiscent of the PSOne redesigned logo: The PS3's logo is currently the all-capitals 'PLAYSTATION 3' text, in classic Spider-Man font. However, this potential new unit sports a streamlined PS3 logo that blends the minimalist lines of the PS2 logo with the PSOne's redesigned rounded font. (IGN Gear)
Rainmaker Announces Catherine Winder as President May 12, 2009
Originally established in 1993 as Mainframe Entertainment, Rainmaker has produced many feature length DVDs, game cinematics and television shows based on top international brands such as Barbie, Max Steele, Casper, Popeye, Tony Hawk, Stuart Little, Hot Wheels, Spider-Man, and Inspector Gadget and more. Rainmaker's clients include Mattel, The Weinstein Company, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Sony, Electronic Arts and MTV. In addition to garnering many prestigious awards for their work, Rainmaker... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Venom in Spider-Man 4? May 7, 2009
IGN: Venom in Spider-Man 4 ... Venom in Spider-Man 4 ... He said: "I would've done a few things different. When I first created him, I made him huge. That would've been the first thing for me; I would've wanted somebody who looked like he was three times the size of Spider-Man, so it was almost like Spider-Man going against the Hulk. McFarlane wasn't impressed with the Venom character in Spider-Man 3. "[I want] someone who is really formidable; whenever you have a skinny character against a big... (IGN FilmForce)
David Denby: “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” and more. May 6, 2009
V iolence (not sex) is the bedrock of international mass culture violent aggression as joyfully dispensed by the male body, whether sheathed (Spider-Man), tuxedoed (Bond), cool in black (Bourne), shirtless (Sylvester Stallone), hairless (Vin Diesel), or naked (Arnold Schwarzenegger and now Hugh Jackman). Two new summer-season fictions and a brilliant new documentary fuel our endless desire to see prowess so devastating that it transforms mere force into iconography and fighting into epic... (New Yorker)
"X-Men Origins" Claws To Top Spot May 5, 2009
Aronson said there should be room for all, recalling box-office analysts' reservations when "Spider-Man 3," "Shrek the Third" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" opened within a few weeks of one another in May 2007. "Everyone freaked out. How are these movies going to coexist? They all ended up grossing over $300 million, and I think everybody went home pretty happy," Aronson said. (CBS News -- Early Show)
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Review May 5, 2009
Most of the Spider-Man, Batman and Superman games fall into this pit of despair. However, every now and again there is a ray of hope. (IGN PS2)
Marvel Ult. Alliance 2 News May 4, 2009
Deadpool is pictured alongside Wolverine, Spider-Man, Hulk and other characters already confirmed to be playable when MUA2 is released this fall. The image of Deadpool shows the classic look of the character, as opposed to what he was turned into for the Wolverine feature film. (IGN PC Games)
Adapted, Not Healed May 4, 2009
"They re very much well, when Madeleine comes back, we ll share our toys . Experts at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Va., have produced a computer image of what Madeleine would look like now. In an article in Sunday s News Review, Emma Loach, the producer of a Channel 4 documentary to be screened this week, describes the dilemma facing the McCanns whom she first got to know while making a program to mark the first anniversary of Madeleine s disappearance.... (Fox News)
Wolverine claws its way to box office top May 4, 2009
Aronson said there should be room for all, recalling box-office analysts' reservations when Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End opened within a few weeks of one another in May 2007. Everyone freaked out. (Globe and Mail)
Hero Showdown May 2, 2009
He isn't even as strong as Captain America, much less Spider-Man or Iron Man. All Batman has is his utility belt and his ability to inspire fear in the hearts of others. (IGN FilmForce)
X-Men Trilogy May 2, 2009
Although 2002's Spider-Man, with its record-breaking box-office numbers, often gets credited for kicking off the current trend, that film might not have been made if X-Men hadn't come along and found success first ... Just as Superman: The Movie had Otto and the horrible "Can you read my mind?" scene, the last two Batman movies had nothing redeeming about them, and Spider-Man butchered one of the defining moments of the main character, X-Men isn't without its problems. (IGN FilmForce)
Booyah Raises Series A from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers' iFund, Gears up to Provide an Entertainment Product for iPhone and iPod Touch May 1, 2009
Over his games career, Brian helped ship more than 15 million units worldwide including blockbuster titles such as Legacy of Kain, Soul Reaver 2, Spider-Man The Movie, World of Warcraft, and the follow-up expansion World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. Sam Christiansen serves as Booyahs chief technology officer and is the third founder. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
DVD Review: Spectacular Spider-Man ... Apr 17, 2009
DVD Review: Spectacular Spider-Man Volume 4: Sony, Marvel series created by Victor Cook, Greg Weisman ... DVD Review: Spectacular Spider-Man Volume 4 ... DVD Review: Spectacular Spider-Man Volume 4. (Suite101.com)
'Bionic Commando': The right to bear arm Apr 17, 2009
Traversing the city feels a lot like the Spider-Man series. Players must judge their momentum as they fling themselves around the metropolis, and can scale tall buildings. (USA Today -- Tech)
Sneak peek: The shocking details on 'inFamous' Apr 16, 2009
Traversing the city feels reminiscent of both Mirror's Edge and the more recent Spider-Man games. Cole must find small ledges to grasp and scurry up skyscrapers, yet he can ride electric wires and train rails to quickly explore the city as well as attempt jaw-dropping leaps from skyscrapers onto the ground. (USA Today -- Tech)
Forget themes that go out of style Apr 15, 2009
Loor decorated her boys' shared bedroom with painted walls, striped bedspreads and themed pillows to match their tastes ("Batman" and "Spider-Man"). They are embroidered with their first names. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Swinging Away with Bionic Commando Apr 14, 2009
While the mechanic may look (and even at times feel) like Spider-Man, the arm is now easier to use than ever before. Getting accustomed to the swing takes a few minutes but quickly becomes an extremely easy tool. (IGN PC Games)
Venom Script Apr 10, 2009
The writers aren't allowed to talk plot details about the script yet, so they really can't say if the film will tie into Spider-Man 3 or just start with a fresh slate ... McFarlane says he should be creepier than in Spider-Man 3. (IGN FilmForce)
Spider-Man 5? Apr 10, 2009
IGN: Raimi: No Spider-Man 5 Plans ... Raimi: No Spider-Man 5 Plans ... As for when Spider-Man 4 might begin, Raimi called it "a never-ending process. Basically we are talking about the story right now, shortly artists will come on and I'll start giving them shots to draw. We are supposed to start talking to a production designer soon, so it will just keep getting larger and larger.". (IGN FilmForce)
CNET: YouTube, Sony Pictures in movie talks Apr 8, 2009
() -- YouTube is in talks to acquire licensing rights to full-length content from Sony Pictures, home of such films as "The International" and "Spider-Man," sources familiar with the negotiations told CNET News. YouTube is in talks to acquire licensing rights to full-length content from Sony Pictures, sources told CNET.. (CNN -- Tech)
DSi Gets Mixed Messages Apr 7, 2009
When the Nintendo DS launched, VV was there on Day One with Spider-Man 2, and the day Nintendo flipped the switch on the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for the DS, the team had the first online third-party game available: Tony Hawk's American Sk8land. So, it's not surprising to find out that, with the finally available in the US, Vicarious Visions has been working in the background to have one of the first third-party DSiWare titles available in the system's launch window. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Inside the actors studios Apr 7, 2009
The walking tour celebrates a number of important films, from "The Wizard of Oz" to "Spider-Man 3," but you won't be able to follow the Yellow Brick Road or hang upside down from a fire escape for a smooch from Kirsten Dunst. That's because all the filming is done on soundstages - no open-air back lots like at Warner Bros. (Herald Online, SC -- Lifestyles)
Spidey Broken? Apr 5, 2009
IGN: Edge Wise: Is Spider-Man Broken ... Edge Wise: Is Spider-Man Broken ... Even Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, last fall's big-budget Spider-Man game, failed to pique the interest of gamers and Spidey-lovers alike. (IGN FilmForce)
Spidey 4 Script Update Apr 5, 2009
Director wants no creative interference after Spider-Man 3 experience ... Connections for Spider-Man 4 ... Details for Spider-Man 4. (IGN FilmForce)
G20 Tightens Rules, Loosens Purse Strings Apr 3, 2009
Robert, dubbed the French spider-man, has scaled dozens of tall structures around the world without ropes or harnesses to draw attention to global warming. He was later led away by police. (CBS News)
Piper Sitting 'Pretty' Apr 3, 2009
Bono is in New York as U2 works on the "Spider Man" Musical set for 2010 with director Julie Taymor. U2 s big tour doesn t start until the end of the summer, but maybe they should rethink that. (Fox News)
Join Spidey on Stage Apr 3, 2009
Want to be in the Spider-Man musical ... April 2, 2009 - Spidey's strange and (potentially) wonderful journey to Broadway continues as the production of Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark has announced a series of open casting calls for the roles of Peter Parker, Mary Jane, and the part of the lead female villain -- the latter is an all new character created for the show ... Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark, which will apparently have a "Cirque du Spidey" vibe, was recently previewed by the. (IGN FilmForce)
Men in Black 3 Apr 3, 2009
The sequel is pencilled in for a summer 2011 release, putting it up against the likes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Avengers, and Spider-Man 4. Do you want to see another MiB movie, and would you want to return as Will Smith's alien-busting partner. (IGN FilmForce)
Spidey's Limit Reached Apr 1, 2009
Spider-Man star to play Formula One driver ... Could this be the end for Spider-Man ... Spider-Man 3 may be actor's last. (IGN FilmForce)
EA and Starz Media Go to Hell Together With Animated Movie Based on Dante's Inferno Mar 30, 2009
Film Romans Joe Goyette ( Dead Space : Downfall ) is the producer on the project, Victor Cook ( The Spectacular Spider-Man, Hellboy Animated: Blood ) is directing and Brandon Auman ( Iron Man: Armored Adventures ) is writing. This is like nothing else out in the marketplace right now a visually stunning project based on one of the most powerful stories ever told, notes Jay Fukuto, Head of Studio for Film Roman. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Witness: 'Sex Games' Slay Suspect Waved Knife Mar 29, 2009
French climber who calls himself 'Spider-man' climbs the building of Hong Kong's richest man. A rare look at the inside of Paris' landmark tower. (Fox News)
Spidey Control Sought Mar 28, 2009
Director wants no creative interference after Spider-Man 3 experience ... Many felt the Venom storyline hurt Spider-Man 3 ... "I love Spider-Man so much that I'd like to continue telling Spider-Man stories but only under those circumstances where I think I can honour him. I don't think I can honour him any other way.". (IGN FilmForce)
Keepin' It Reel #43 Mar 27, 2009
Sam Raimi's comments about the super-villain Carnage -- and what the rumor mill suggests this means for Spider-Man 4 or the Venom spin-off -- are discussed, before we turn our sights on The Green Hornet and what we think the fate of that film will be. Foremost among the other movie news items we discuss is the casting of , and as. (IGN FilmForce)
Raimi Talks Carnage Mar 26, 2009
Spider-Man helmer talks Venom spin-off ... This was the first time IGN has heard Carnage mentioned in relation to either a spin-off movie or a Spider-Man sequel from anyone involved in the productions ... Carnage -- a fusion of serial killer Cletus Kasady and the offspring of the Venom symbiote -- was a psychopath who terrorised the Marvel Universe, and was one of for a new Spider-Man villain back in September. (IGN FilmForce)
Sony's Infamous destined for fame Mar 26, 2009
Cole's urban-climbing/freerunning abilities were reminiscent of Assassin's Creed (albeit far less repetitive), the urban setting and gangs seemed similar (in a good way) to Crackdown, the boss battle incorporated a mix of standard combat and minigames a l God of War, and the combination of standard combat with superpowers reminded me of Spider-Man: Web of Shadows. Also, I liked the fact that the game doesn't have a health bar; instead, Cole's deteriorating hit points are represented by the... (Ars Technica)
UK lagging on cancer care success Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 07:43 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Drug therapy has become more targeted and effective. (BBC News -- Europe)
Congress sets out poll manifesto Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 08:22 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Mrs Gandhi: "We believe in unity in diversity". (BBC News -- South Asia)
Sri Lanka fury at 'aid coalition' Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 11:38 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Sri Lanka fury at 'aid coalition. (BBC News -- South Asia)
UK 'in Afghanistan for long term' Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 18:42 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. UK 'in Afghanistan for long term. (BBC News -- South Asia)
Seth Rogen's monster move Mar 25, 2009
The Spider-Man 2 game is an incredibly good video game ... The first Spider-Man was OK. But that second game, thats one of the best video games ever. (MSNBC -- Technology)
Touch and play Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 14:50 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Iphone games platform. (BBC News -- Technology)
Virgin eyes 150Mb broadband speed Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 11:23 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. By Darren Waters Technology editor, BBC News website. (BBC News -- Technology)
Briny pools 'may exist on Mars' Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 23:45 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Briny pools 'may exist on Mars. (BBC News -- Science)
UK ships super-telescope's 'ears' Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 18:36 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. UK ships super-telescope's 'ears. (BBC News -- Science)
South Africa police in taxi clash Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 14:18 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Taxi drivers fear the new bus system will push them off the roads. (BBC News -- Africa)
'Torturer's homes' Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 17:54 GMT, Tuesday, 24 March 2009. Torture' chief's two UK homes. (BBC News -- UK)
NHS 'failings' over elderly falls Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 00:02 GMT, Wednesday, 25 March 2009. Falls are the leading cause of death for the over-75s. (BBC News -- UK)
School lunch rules 'too strict' Mar 25, 2009
Page last updated at 00:02 GMT, Wednesday, 25 March 2009. School lunch rules 'too strict. (BBC News -- UK)
