Video Of The Week

>

Hannibal is cancelled but there's hope he'll dine again on a streaming network


NBC has canned the cannibal show, but with its lavish production, fine acting and intelligent script, surely it’s is perfect for cable, Hulu, Netflix or Amazon
Unleash the gags about last suppers - NBC has cancelled Hannibal. (Although how anybody can joke at a time like this is more upsetting than the series’ most graphic scenes.)
With the final episode scheduled to air on 3 September, the Bryan Fuller-directed series about the exploits of the cannibal psychiatrist invented by Thomas Harris will end its three-season run and break the hearts of fannibals everywhere.
“We have been tremendously proud of Hannibal over its three seasons,” the network said in a statement. “Bryan and his team of writers and producers, as well as our incredible actors, have brought a visual palette of storytelling that has been second to none in all of television – broadcast or cable.”
Well, anybody who watches Hannibal knows the cancellation isn’t the result of a decline in quality, especially with the addition of (queen) Gillian Anderson this season. However, the Hollywood Reporter claims the show may have come up against a rights issue (in that Fuller and friends don’t have rights to the character of Clarice Starling, who they were reportedly hoping to introduce next season), on top of the series’s slipping ratings. Heartbreakingly, Hannibal hit a low of 1.66 million viewers the week of 11 June when it went up against the NBA finals, and its fate on cable was effectively sealed.
read more

James Horner was a virtuoso: subtle, stirring – and astonishingly prolific


In 1997, James Cameron’s Titanic made its sensational appearance at the cinema, and with it a colossally popular soundtrack album of that movie’s powerhouse orchestral score by James Horner, which won him Oscars for original score and song. The album sold 30m copies – and continues to sell – featuring the song which he co-wrote, My Heart Will Go On, sung by Celine Dion. Horner’s aria of emotional defiance and survival, hurled like flotsam from the oceanic swell of his overall composition, was a key moment of the film, a moment which existed both inside and outside its narrative. When we saw Leo and Kate at the prow of the ship, when we remembered the awful final moments in the lifeboats, it was Horner’s music that thrummed through our hearts and minds.
read more

Tom Holland is the New Spider-Man and Will be Directed by Jon Watts


Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have announced that, following a lengthy casting process, actor Tom Holland (The ImpossibleIn the Heart of the Sea) will play Peter Parker/Spider-Man in their next Spider-Man film, which is set to hit theaters on July 28. 2017. In addition, director Jon Watts, director of the upcoming thriller Cop Car, will helm the feature.
Marvel and Sony Pictures, and producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal conducted an extensive search for both the actor and the director. The studios and producers were impressed by Holland’s performances in The Impossible, “Wolf Hall,” and the upcoming In the Heart of the Sea, and by a series of complex screen tests. Following Marvel’s tradition of working with the brightest next wave of directors, Watts also went through multiple meetings with Feige, Pascal, and the studio, before winning the job.
“It’s a big day here at Sony. Kevin, Amy and their teams have done an incredible job,” Tom Rothman, Sony Pictures Motion Pictures Group Chairman, said. “The Marvel process is very thorough, and that’s why their results are so outstanding. I’m confident Spider-Man will be no exception. I’ve worked with a number of up-and-coming directors who have gone on to be superstars and believe that Jon is just such an outstanding talent. For Spidey himself, we saw many terrific young actors, but Tom’s screen tests were special. All in all, we are off to a roaring start.”
“As with James Gunn, Joss Whedon, and the Russo brothers, we love finding new and exciting voices to bring these characters to life,” Kevin Feige added “We spent a lot of time with Jon and find his take and work inspiring.”
Amy Pascal added, “Sony, Marvel, Kevin and I all knew that for Peter Parker, we had to find a vibrant, talented young actor capable of embodying one of the most well-known characters in the world. With Tom, we’ve found the perfect actor to bring Spider-Man’s story into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
Sony Pictures will finance and release worldwide the next installment of the $4 billion Spider-Manfranchise, in a film co-produced by Kevin Feige and his expert team at Marvel and Amy Pascal, who oversaw the franchise launch for the studio 13 years ago. Together, they will collaborate on a new creative direction for the Web-Slinger.
read more

Tips for Playing Batman: Arkham Knight




Even if you’re a ninja billionaire with a massive underground cave, diving into a beefy title likeBatman: Arkham Knight can be daunting. Think of Kotaku as your Alfred, delivering helpful info to your pointy ears. Read our tips, Master Bruce, and woe betide anyone who stands in your way.
As the third game in developer Rocksteady Studios’ long-running superhero series, Batman: Arkham Knight comes laden with a ton of new and old gameplay mechanics. Players will have lots of new gadgets, martial arts moves and plot points to keep up with. Consult the list of ideas to make the most of the Dark Knight’s latest video game outing.
The newest Batman game caps off a trilogy that started way back in 2009 with Arkham Asylum. (Arkham Origins doesn’t count as it was a prequel made by a different studio.) Even if you’ve played Asylum and its sequel Arkham City, you may not remember every detail or secondary character that moves through the plot. Hit up a wiki and re-familiarize yourself with the plots of the preceding games. No shame in that. Not everyone has time to replay that stuff!

Gotham City Is Dark. Make Sure You Can See.

Arkham Knight is a super-detailed game but it’s also a very dark one. In your rush to play, don’t forget to adjust your brightness settings. Doing so will make a big difference in what you’re able to pick out in the environment, which can be crucial when navigating in stealth or combat.You’ll also want to toggle subtitles on, so you don’t miss the best bits of dialogue.

The Batmobile Takes Some Getting Used To

It doesn’t handle like a normal video game car. Buttons that you expect to do things like braking actually launch weapons. It’s a good idea to run through the Batmobile tutorials that teach you how to use the Dark Knight’s ride a few times to get a feel for the car/tank hybrid.

Environmental Puzzles Involving the Batmobile Will Be a Pain in the Butt

Sometimes, you’ll need to remotely control Batman’s car so he can use its weapons or tools to get out of a tight spot. But figuring out exactly where you need to go can be a nuisance. One clue: if you see ramps or big movable platforms, you’re probably looking at an area that the Batmobile needs to get to.
read more

Matt Bomer & Dan Stevens Star in Giorgio Armani's Made to Measure Campaign

sexy in Giorgio Armani‘s brand new campaign images for their Made to Measure venture.
The 37-year-old Magic Mike XXL actor was not the only actor in the campaign – Dan Stevens and Chinese born actor Chen Kun were also photographed for the shoot!
“The first tuxedo I ever purchased was Armani. To me, the name has always been synonymous with class, sophistication, and style. I’m incredibly honored to represent the made to measure line at this landmark moment in the label’s history,” Matt said in a statement.
“I’m truly delighted to be collaborating with Giorgio Armani, both personally and professionally. It’s a uniquely excellent feeling wearing something that is made just for you,” Dan said
read more

CHICAGO WEATHER: NWS CONFIRMS 3RD TORNADO, MORE POSSIBLE

CHICAGO (WLS) --
The National Weather Service confirmed at least two EF-2 tornadoes and one EF-1 tornado touched down in north central Illinois. Crews are assessing several other areas, and more tornado confirmations are likely, officials said.At least five tornadoes were reported in Will, Kankakee, Lee, Grundy and LaSalle counties from late Monday evening to early Tuesday morning.The NWS confirmed an EF-2 tornado carved a three-quarter mile path just east of Interstate 55 between Grundy and Will counties from Coal City to Braidwood. A second at least EF-2 tornado carved quarter-mile path in Lee County from Woodhaven Lakes to south of Sublette, Ill. An EF-2 tornado is considered "strong" and has winds of 111 to 135 MPH.An EF-1 tornado was confirmed in LaSalle County near Mendota, Ill. An EF-1 tornado is considered "weak" and has winds of 86 to 110 mph.As of 2 p.m. Tuesday, survey teams are still investigating other possible tornadoes in LaSalle, Grundy and Kankakee counties
read more