Flashpoint – A Prelude

Today DC released a preview to The Flash #9, written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Francis Manapul. This Comic kicks off the new Storyline Flashpoint with a murder mystery case called ‘Case Two: The Road To Flashpoint’ and will be released next Wednesday the 2nd of February. Have a look below at the pictures DC released today, and see if you can answer the question – ‘Who dies? Do you recognise the costume?’

GS Reporter: Tom

Source: DC The Source

Follow me on Twitter @Tom_1994

Russell Tovey Appearing at SFX Weekender!

As any regular convention attendee knows, the schedule is always subject to change and SFX Weekender is no different! Due to unforeseen circumstances, Anthony Head and Sylvia Anderson will no longer be appearing at the Weekender. I know a bunch of folks who will be (if they already aren’t) pretty bummed about that.

However, there’s an upside! Everyone’s favorite werewolf, Russell Tovey of BBC’s Being Human, will be attending as a last minute guest. He’ll be taking part in a live Q&A as well as signing sessions.

Source: SFX
GS Reporter: Sharlene

Cardiff International Comic Expo Announces it’s full Panel Listings

The Cardiff International Comic Expo is now ramping up towards it’s doors at the end of Feb. It has also now launched a full line up of panels over on their website and for thr first time the shedule is downloadable as a pdf document.

I think this is a neat little touch as usually I end up carrying around a print out of the schedule of whatever con is I’m attending but this way I can can just download the pdf and stick it on my iTouch to pull up whenever I need it. Nice one CICE!

You can head over to the CICE website to download the panel listing

GS Reporter: Nuge

Source: Cardiff International Comic Expo

Advert Break – Cardiff International Comic Expo Preview Event

The Next Level Episode 24 – The future of gaming

The boys are back this week but all is not well as EPOCH carry out a cyber attack on Ant while we are recording forcing him out of the episode. Not wanting EPOCH to defeat us Amaechi and Barry carry on like the troopers they are. Barry impulse buys his latest gadget toy…… a Kinect system to go with his brand new iPad.

Direct Download: Episode 24

Listen Online:

In the news

·         Metal Gear Solid trilogy coming to PS3

·         The 3DS gets an official US and European release date and pricing

·         Virtua Tennis 4 and Top Spin 4 get Move and Kinect functionality

·         MMO City of Heroes goes free to play

·         A Battlestar Galactica MMO is on its way

Main feature

In our main feature we discuss the future of gaming looking at how the likes of the Move and Kinect will affect it, how will console technology change, will digital distribution dominate the next generation of consoles. We also discuss cloud gaming, streaming games and the types of games we can expect in the future.

Star Wars: The Old Republic, New “Flashpoint” Trailer Released

LucasArts have released a new “Flashpoint” video for Star Wars: The Old Republic. Flashpoints are “action-packed, story-driven adventures that test a group of players to their limits, putting them up against difficult foes in volatile situations”, and the new gameplay trailer/video is taken from Taral V Flashpoint. Boy does the MMO look pretty!

GS Reporter: George

follow me on twitter @condemd

Angry Birds Rio: New Game Announced (With Trailer)

A new Angry Birds game has been announced to be released in sometime in March. Angry Birds Rio will be used to promote the upcoming movie which is due for UK release on 8th April 2011 (in 3D).

This is the full press release from 20th Century Fox and RIOVO MOBILE:

SCI-FI-LONDON’s 48 Hour Film Challenge is looking for the next Gareth Edwards

Sci-Fi-London are again running a 48 hour film challenge, running from the 2-4 April. The full press release details are below, so if you’re interested in film making, and are available on those days, and want to win a kick ASS prize then read on:

———-

“Since 2009, SCI-FI-LONDON Film Festival has run a 48 Hour Film Challenge where participants script, shoot, edit and complete a short format science fiction or fantasy film. In 2008 the winning submission came from a young, London-based director named Gareth Edwards. Gareth’s début feature was the multiple award-winning MONSTERS – the project being green-lit due to Vertigo Films seeing his winning 48 hour short film at SCI-FI-LONDON. They were so impressed with what he achieved in just two days and no budget that they decided to develop a feature film with him. Our 2011 challenge not only sees Gareth on the jury, but the producer of MONSTERS and head of Vertigo Films, Allan Niblo, also joins us.

In our 10th anniversary year, SCI-FI-LONDON is delighted to announce that the challenge’s first prize is a development deal with Vertigo Films. The 2011 winner will have the opportunity to develop a feature film with the creators of STREETDANCE 3D and MONSTERS. Vertigo will either develop the winning short film into a feature, or develop an alternative concept from a slate of projects the filmmaker will be asked to pitch to the team. Also new for 2011 is an Under 21 category run in conjunction with the BFI Future Film Festival. Prizes for this section include the winning film being screened at the BFI Southbank. Did we mention our amazing jury?

• Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim)

• Mary Lambert (Pet Cemetery, Dark Path)

• Gareth Edwards (Monsters)

• Todd Brown (Editor, Twitchfilm.net)

• Allan Niblo (Head of Vertigo Films)

• Rosie Fletcher (News Editor, Total Film)

Taking part is free and easy… Our film challenge is FREE TO ENTER – it seems wrong to ask for money, it’s hard enough work as it is! We give out a randomly generated film title, some dialogue and a prop list. Participants then have just 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a complete five minute film.

The SCI-FI-LONDON 48 Hour Film Challenge takes place 2 – 4 April, 2011 at the Apollo Piccadilly Circus. This year’s festival runs Saturday 23 April – Monday 2 May, 2011.

Full details will be available soon and on www.sci-fi-london.com“

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Looks cool huh? So as I said before, if you’re available at those times, then get involved and see if you can be the next big thing.

GS Reporter: George

follow me on twitter @condemd

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

I don’t know about you, but in an age of remakes and borrowing from other mediums, I get a little tired of constantly seeing ideas re-hashed over and over again. Regardless of how you feel about the subject, a classic place to look to? Fairytales. In particular, the story of Little Red Riding Hood is being brought to the big screen by Twilight director, Catherine Hardwicke and stars Amanda Seyfried (Letters to Juliet) in the title role as well as the amazing Gary Oldman (Harry Potter).

In fantasy thriller Red Riding Hood, Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) is a young woman torn between two men. In love with brooding outsider Peter, but with parents who don’t approve, they set up an arranged marriage to the wealthy Henry. In typical love story fashion, Valerie and Peter want to be together and plan to run away together. However, before they can, the duo discover that Valerie’s older sister has been killed by the werewolf that prowls the dark forest surrounding their village.

For years, the people have offered a monthly animal sacrifice. But under a blood red moon, the wolf takes a human life. Thirsting for revenge, the village calls upon famed werewolf hunter, Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), to help them kill it. But it’s not that easy as the wolf takes human form by day and could be anyone. With the number of deaths increasing, Valerie begins to suspect that the beast could be someone she loves and discovers that she has a unique connection to the beast – making her both suspect…and bait.

Red Riding Hood will be released on April 15th, 2011 – check out the trailer below:

Source: Warner Brothers
GS Reporter: Sharlene

“The Age of Odin” makes the NYT Bestsellers List

Retired British soliders pitted against an army of Norse giants. The last thing Gideon Dixon expects is to find himself fighting alongside the gods of the ancient Norse pantheon as the world is in the throes of one of the worst winters it has ever known, and Ragnarok- the fabled final conflict of the Sagas – is on it’s way.

The Age of Odin follows James Lovegrove’s previous projects The Age of Ra and The Age of Zeus – described by the Guardian as “The kind of complex, action-oriented science fiction Dan Brown would write if Dan Brown could write” – in delivering a unique take on ancient mythology.

And with that, the third stand-alone book in the Pantheon series has made it onto the famous New York Times Bestseller List, coming thirty-third in the list of Mass-Market Paperback Fiction for the week ending 16th January 2011.

The entire series, which are thematically linked but can be read independently of one another sounds incredible. The Pantheon series addresses the theme of “men versus the gods”, which can be turn out to be highly engaging stories or highly disappointing. According to the readers (and the NYT), Lovegrove is doing one heck of a job!

Source: Solaris Books
GS Reporter: Sharlene

Hellacious Acres: The Case of John Glass – 1st Poster Released

The first poster for upcoming feature film Hellacious Acres : The Case of John Glass has just been released! The movie, which was just completed and is beginning the film fest process can be described as a minimalist black sci-fi comedy set in a post-apocalyptic world. It sounds pretty interesting so far and there’s never enough sci-fi in film festivals, so I hope this makes it out to theatres eventually!

GS Reporter: Sharlene

We Have Our New Superman!!

He's definitely got the Jawline

Deadline is reporting that 27 year old British actor Henry Cavill has been cast as Clark Kent/Superman in Warner Bros 2012 Superman Reboot, Created by Christopher Nolan and Directed by Zack Snyder. He has previously stared in “The Tudors” and “Stardust”.

Interestingly Henry was considered by Nolan for the Role of batman back in 2005 but decided to go with Christian Bale. He was also considered for James Bond but lost out as the produces felt he was too young.

Of course we are still waiting for official news from Warner Bros but deadline are normally on the money with this sort of thing. but we’ll keep you updated!

Let us know what you think in the comments or head over to the Geek Syndicate Forums

Source: Deadline

GS Reporter: Matt

Find me on twitter @matpease

Attention Potter Fans: Choose DVD Cover Art for Part I!

If you’re a Harry Potter fan living in the UK or Ireland, you’ve got the chance to choose what the cover art will be for the Blu-ray release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1! To celebrate the countdown to the Blu-ray and DVD release, Warner Home Video UK is running this fun contest via the Harry Potter UK Page on Facebook. Sarah Bird, Director of Marketing said that they’re “…delighted to be offering our UK and Irish Harry Potter fans the chance to get more involved in the film franchise.” and that they want to “… further demonstrates our commitment to loyal fans.”

A poll within the Facebook page will give fans in the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork with the winning choice reproduced on the Blu-ray edition. You can go participate here: www.facebook.com/HarryPotterUK

Part 2 in this epic finale to the Harry Potter film series will be released on July 15^th 2011 and is directed by David Yates, produced by David Heyman and David Barron.  Screenwriter Steve Kloves adapted the screenplay, based on the book by J.K. Rowling.  Lionel Wigram is the executive producer.

Source: Warner Home Video UK
GS Reporter: Sharlene

Flashpoint

Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert will be tackling the mammoth challenge of ‘Changing the whole universe, forever.’ And to put any doubts at bay DC have adopted the tagline ‘This isn’t a parallel universe. This isn’t a mirror world. This is home.’ How can they come back from this now? I guess we’ll have to wait and find out, as, if history is anything to go by, it is only a matter of time before the world is reverted and everything goes back to normal.

An ‘epic’ five issue series and Fifteen three-issue miniseries will be released along side one shots ‘to expand on the events’, starring DCs most iconic characters from Batman and Superman to Wonder Woman and of course The Flash. This story arc will take place all over the globe from the streets of Gotham to Big Ben.

DC have released titles of fourteen out of the fifteen miniseries, leaving one a mystery. (My guess is that it will have ‘death’ in the title) And they are:

FLASHPOINT: BATMAN KNIGHT OF VENGEANCE #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: DEATHSTROKE & THE CURSE OF THE RAVAGER #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: THE OUTSIDER #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: CITIZEN COLD #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: ABIN SUR THE GREEN LANTERN #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: PROJECT: SUPERMAN #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: FRANKENSTEIN & THE CREATURES OF THE UNKNOWN #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: SECRET SEVEN #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: EMPEROR AQUAMAN #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: WONDER WOMAN AND THE FURIES #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: LOIS LANE AND THE RESISTANCE #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: KID FLASH LOST #1-#3

FLASHPOINT: THE WORLD OF FLASHPOINT #1-#3

Well, that is all we know for now and only speculation can tell what will happen. My guess? I reckon that all of The Flash’s will come together and shit will go down.

Source: DC The Source

GS Reporter: Tom

As this was my first Geek Syndicate article (and hopefully there are many more to come), to get to know me better you can visit:

Twitter @Tom_1994 and tombloggs.tumblr.com

Second trailer released for L.A. Noire

Rockstar Games have released a second trailer for upcoming Murder Mystery game L.A Noire. It looks like a lot of fun to me, I love the plot and look of this game, drawing heavily from the Film Noire genre of the 40s and 50s. Anyway, I’m not going to speak to much about it, just let you watch it and enjoy it. I think it looks brilliant, and can’t wait to get my hands on it.

L.A. Noire is due for release in USA on 17 May, and in Europe 20 May.

GS Reporter: George

Source: Rockstar Games