Producer tries to explain why 'Fantastic Four' reboot was awful

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Jun 2, 2016 7:06 PM CDT

With only a few superhero licenses to call their own, Twentieth Century Fox's admiral reboot of the 'Fantastic Four' franchise was a fantastic flop last year - grossing just $167 million woldwide - or roughly half what the slightly-less-terrible original film grossed back in 2005. But where did it go oh so wrong?

Speaking to the Happy Sad Confused radio show, Producer Simon Kinberg attempted to explain what went wrong in a semi apology to fans. "I don't think that there is, in any movie that doesn't work, a single decision that is the reason the movie doesn't work.. I think there were many, many decisions we made along the way that led to a movie that people didn't like and a movie that I would do differently next time." which sounds like a fairly reasonable response to a film that failed to recoup its production costs.

Kinberg went on to explain the very costly lesson learned, "I think the biggest takeaway for me -- and there were many takeaways, and this could be a whole other segment -- is that the tone of the movie, while interesting, ran counter to the DNA of the source material. The source material of Fantastic Four is bright, optimistic, poppy in tone. There's sort of a plucky spirit to those characters and we made a darker sort of body horror version of Fantastic Four, which again, even as I say it now, sounds really interesting and cerebrally ambitious... but it's Fantastic Four. So it's a lesson that I would learn not just for Fantastic Four but for any movie going forward is to be true to the material."

Continue reading: Producer tries to explain why 'Fantastic Four' reboot was awful (full post)

'Star Wars: Rogue One' undergoing lengthy reshoots

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Jun 2, 2016 6:34 PM CDT

It's no surprise that the eagerly awaited 'Star Wars' spin-off 'Rogue One' is undergoing reshoots ahead of its December theatrical release - they were always planned and budgeted, but the true extent of how much will be re-shot has been revealed - and they're expected to be huge.

As reported by 'The Hollywood Reporter', Disney executives reacted less than positively to an assembly screening from a few weeks ago, with comments criticising the tone which jarred with with what audiences have come to expect from a 'Star Wars' film. According to well-regarded 'Star Wars' rumour blog 'Making Star Wars', as much as 40% of the film is expected to be re-filmed, with 32 sets to be recreated and crew working 6 days a week for 6 weeks.

Despite that, the source reveals that the mood is upbeat and the desire to make an even better film is strong. I guess we'll find out when 'Rogue One' hits cinemas in December worldwide.

Continue reading: 'Star Wars: Rogue One' undergoing lengthy reshoots (full post)

See cut scenes in 'Batman v Superman' Ultimate Edition trailer

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Jun 2, 2016 5:46 PM CDT

Critics weren't kind and fans were disappointed, but can another 30 minutes of footage save 'Batman v Superman'? I guess we'll find out next month when Warner Bros. drops an extended version of the superhero epic - but some interesting snippets in the newly release trailer give hope.

With around 30 minutes of additional content adding up to a butt-numbing 3 hours, the 'Batman v Superman' directors cut is widely expected to give the often chaotic editing and pace of the theatrical cut new focus. The film ended up grossing a very respectable $870 million worldwide, but which was far less than studio expectations - as well as competition such as 'Captain America: Civil War' whichamassed a $1.1b haul.

'Batman v Superman: The Ultimate Edition' hits 4K UltraHD, Blu-ray, DVD and digital from next month.

Continue reading: See cut scenes in 'Batman v Superman' Ultimate Edition trailer (full post)

AORUS X7 Pro laptop rocks dual GTX 1080M in SLI, 4K 120Hz display

Derek Strickland | Laptops | Jun 2, 2016 5:10 AM CDT

UPDATE: The Aorus X7 Pro actually features dual GeForce GTX 970M in SLI, not dual GTX 1080M, and the 17-inch display runs at 3K 120Hz, not 4K 120Hz. A GIGABYTE representative reached out to us to confirm the specs, and apologies for the mix up--we were going off of reports from another source.

AORUS X7 Pro laptop rocks dual GTX 1080M in SLI, 4K 120Hz display

Computex 2016 - The new Aorus X7 Pro laptop will be an insane performance powerhouse, packing in what could be dual GTX 1080M's in SLI to power a beefy 4K display at 120Hz.

The Aorus X7 Pro (not to be confused with the VR Ready Aorus X7 DT) will likely be one of the mindbendingly powerful laptops on the market, sporting dual NVIDIA video cards in SLI and a 17.3-inch 3840 x 2160 resolution display at 120Hz with a 5ms response time. Aorus hasn't officially unveiled video card specs for the X7 Pro because they can't yet name the "new-generation NVIDIA GPU" that will power the laptop. Since NVIDIA hasn't announced their new Pascal-based mobile GeForce GTX 1080M just yet, we're betting the X7 Pro uses dual GeForce GTX 1080M's. This isn't the first time we heard about Pascal mobile GPUs at Computex - MSI reps hinted to TweakTown that the new MSI G65 Vortex would leverage dual GTX 1080M's in SLI.

Continue reading: AORUS X7 Pro laptop rocks dual GTX 1080M in SLI, 4K 120Hz display (full post)

GIGABYTE's Aero 14 laptop combines high-end gaming with slim design

Derek Strickland | Laptops | Jun 2, 2016 3:38 AM CDT

Computex 2016 - GIGABYTE has revealed its new Aero 14 laptop, a slim notebook that merges the utility and performance of an Ultrabook with the explosive, high-octane precision of a gaming rig. With the Aero 14, consumers no longer have to sacrifice performance for mobility.

GIGABYTE's Aero 14 laptop combines high-end gaming with slim design

Although GIGABYTE's new Aero 14 is just 19.9mm thick, it packs a serious hardware punch. The Aero 14 rocks a 14" QHD IPS display at 2560 x 1440 resolution, and is powered by a discrete GeForce GTX 970M under the hood for higher-end notebook gaming. An Intel quad-core i7 H-series CPU alongside up to 32GB of DDR4-2133MHz RAM (2x 16GB modules) ensures optimum Ultrabook-level performance. Two onboard M.2 SSDs provides blazing fast bootups and data transfer rates. The Aero 14 can also output video on up to two 4K displays at up to 60Hz via HDMI 2.0 and Mini-DisplayPort.

When outfitted with higher-end components like these, Ultrabooks tend to trade off performance for battery life. GIGABYTE promises users won't have to worry about battery life with the portable Aero 14--the laptop sports a massive 94.24Wh battery that will last up to an entire day when running "resource-demanding applications."

Continue reading: GIGABYTE's Aero 14 laptop combines high-end gaming with slim design (full post)

Nintendo NX will support VR at launch, sources claim

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 2, 2016 1:37 AM CDT

When the Nintendo NX launches in March 2017, it will feature VR support in some fashion, likely with a Nintendo-branded smartphone-powered VR headset.

Nintendo NX will support VR at launch, sources claim

Nintendo's next-generation NX console was delayed to 2017 so that the Japanese console-maker could add in VR support, according to reports from DigiTimes. Sources from the console's "related upstream supply chain" told the publication that Nintendo plans to add in full VR functionality to the NX, further adding the NX will be a combination Wii U-like gamepad with mobile 3DS-like capabilities.

"The device features a 5- to 7-inch display, controller and joystick for users to play as a mobile gaming product, but it is also able to connect to a TV for users to play as a video game system," the sources told Digitimes. "Nintendo is now planning to add VR function to the device to satisfy the popular trend in the gaming market."

Continue reading: Nintendo NX will support VR at launch, sources claim (full post)

New MSI liquid-cooled AEGIS X barebones PC is optimized for VR, gaming

Derek Strickland | Computer Systems | Jun 2, 2016 12:25 AM CDT

Computex 2016 - MSI has launched its new AEGIS and AEGIS X barebones PC systems, providing a stylish and performance-driven DIY solution for high-end gaming and VR.

New MSI liquid-cooled AEGIS X barebones PC is optimized for VR, gaming

With MSI's new AEGIS and AEGIS X barebones PCs, gamers can pack in potent, enthusiast-grade desktop PC hardware in a compact design that's perfect for LAN parties. The AEGIS duo can house full-sized powerhouse video cards like NVIDIA's new GeForce GTX 1080, with support for Intel's 6th Gen Skylake CPUs and an onboard 600W 80 Plus Silver PSU. Up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM can be slotted into the onboard motherboards, with room for two NVMe PCIE-E SSD's in Super RAID 4 configuration to enable blistering-fast data speeds of up to 3300MB/s. MSI's new Silent Storm Cooling 2 thermal system ensures "exceptional cooling and silence even under the most stressful battles" with two separate intake chambers that cool individual components.

The AEGIS X is fully optimized for hardcore VR and gaming performance, sporting one-touch overclocking with the Dragon OC button. The AEGIS X also rocks a liquid cooling solution to keep thermals at bay, with a full Z170 motherboard that fits Intel K-series CPUs (up to a Core i7-6700K) along with 32GB DDR4 RAM support. A front-facing HDMI-out pass through port enables easy VR headset hookups.

Continue reading: New MSI liquid-cooled AEGIS X barebones PC is optimized for VR, gaming (full post)

Samsung now offering free Gear VR headsets to new Galaxy S6 owners

Samsung recently highlighted the fact that they've captured 1 million Gear VR users, and it looks like they want to snag even more with a Father's Day-themed promotion that lets new Galaxy S6 users in on the free virtual reality fun.

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge phones, it coupled it with a tantalizing freebie: an Oculus-powered VR headset. Now through June 19, they're dramatically expanding that promotion to let a wider range of mobile phone consumers in on the action. The promo still includes the Galaxy S7 phones, but It now encompasses the Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6, and the Galaxy Note 5.

The offer is valid for a huge variety of retailers and carriers, and apparently the promo also includes a $150 "VR Content Experience."

Continue reading: Samsung now offering free Gear VR headsets to new Galaxy S6 owners (full post)

Strike a pose in our 'Zoolander 2' Blu-ray giveaway

Ben Gourlay | Contests & Giveaways | Jun 1, 2016 7:55 PM CDT

To celebrate this week's release of 'Zoolander 2' on Blu-ray HD and DVD, we have ten Blu-ray copies to give away thanks to our friends at Universal Sony Home Entertainment.

Derek Zoolander is back and better looking than ever in this outrageously funny sequel to the smash hit. Derek and Hansel were once top male supermodels, now reunited to uncover an international conspiracy against the world's most beautiful people.

To go into the running to win a prize, simply answer the following question in 50 words or less:

Continue reading: Strike a pose in our 'Zoolander 2' Blu-ray giveaway (full post)

MSI's Backpack PC is ready for the VR LAN party of the future

Computex 2016 -- MSI's aptly named Backpack PC enables portable VR experiences and removes that pesky cable from the floor. It may not be an exercise in practicality, but it is a bold glimpse into the near future.

I feel like VR backpacks are the punchline to so many jokes in the industry right now. After all, as much as I may love and believe in virtual reality, it's not necessarily a widely adopted technology. Yet. So you'd think a custom hard shell backpack stuffed with a specialized, battery-powered PC might be about as niche as things come right now. You'd be right.

However, I really think specialized system mods like this might inspire VR game developers to push the envelope even further, especially in the realm of arcade-level multiplayer experiences at home. VR LAN party, anyone?

Continue reading: MSI's Backpack PC is ready for the VR LAN party of the future (full post)