PS3 Fanboy

I recently sat down to watch Reign Over Me, a drama with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle. Not a bad movie, a tug-at-your-hearstrings affair about about a man whose wife and daughters died on 9/11 and the friend who, running into him 5 years later, tries to help him cope with the reality he has withdrawn from. Somehow I managed to miss the discussion during the film's release about the role of Shadow of the Colossus in the film, so I was a bit surprised and delighted at what I assumed was a mere cameo. At the same time in the back of my mind I thought this might be another gross misrepresentation of games that further promotes gamism - negatively stereotyped portrayals of video games and video gamers. Doesn't this send the not-so-subtle message that games are escapist tools that players use in a mentally unhealthy way to ignore the reality around them?

Speaking to UGO, Hollywood director Brett Ratner confirmed that the God of War movie is in fact a project that he's currently working on. The only thing is, he's still waiting for the "green light" and the go signal to start destroying filming the Greek epic that is the story of Kratos. So what's keeping Ratner from going into full production? That little problem with a certain lawsuit over God of War's "copyright infringement" is probably the main cause. What do you think, dear readers? Are you happy that Ratner will be working on the God of War movie?

[Via 1UP]

Variety's video games reporter Ben Fritz looked into Sony's announcement yesterday about their video download service; turns out Sony has been in talks with all the major movie studios, but none have signed onto the PS3 download service just yet. It seems that Sony is looking to compete with Xbox Live Video Marketplace by adding extra features, such as allowing the owner of the download to transfer a copy of the movie to their PSPs, similar to their plans for Blu-ray. However, more features means more complicated contracts with studios, possibly leading to less content for the video download service on launch date. Fritz feels that if the PS3 download service has the same or better features as Xbox Live, it won't have problems getting major studios to participate.

Sony does have at least one studio backing it up though, and that is Sony Pictures. If they can convince just one other studio to sign on, they will have the same amount of studios Xbox Live Video market place had when it begin at the end of 2006. What do you guys think? Should Sony opt for more features, but have less content at launch? Or should they forget about the features and get as many studios to sign on as possible?

So, with Blu-ray finally the winner of the HD race, you'd think there'd be a huge celebration with tons of great releases this week, right? Well, not so much, unless you're a big fan of watching music on TV, that is.

• Michael Clayton
• In the Valley of Elah
  
• Run Lola Run
• Santana: Hymns for Peace, Live at Montreux 2004
• Deep Purple: Live at Montreux 2006
• Yes: Live at Montreux 2003

However, Blu-ray owners may be interested in Michael Clayton or Run Lola Run. Both seem like they could be interesting pick ups. On the brighter side, if these movies don't interest you this week, just rest in assurance that there will be some really great releases the following week and in to March.

It's probably fair to say we're all tired of hi-def movies coming on two formats, and we just can't wait until this silly war is over. Thankfully, the end is in sight, according to Forrester Research, which released a report stating it believes the high-def movie format war will finally end in 18 months with Sony's Blu-ray eventually coming out on top.

However, Forrester Research analyst J.P. Gownder said Sony still has some work to go before it can be crowned, beginning with cutting prices. "Blu-ray needs to offer a viable hardware model at the $250 price point by Christmas 2007," he said. "Failure to alter strategy would open up Blu-ray to a possible upset defeat at the hands of HD DVD."

Although Paramount's defection to the HD DVD camp certainly was a blow to Blu-ray, companies have been ramping up support of Sony's movie format, both with increased movie support and shelf space. Either way, we just hope it comes to an end long before their prognostication.

This is a huge week for Blu-Ray movie release, with NINE new movies hitting the stores. Headlining the pack are the two highly anticipated Pirates of the Caribbean movies. There are also a healthy variety of other genres as well, from Mel Gibson's controversial Apocalypto to Clint Eastwood's critically praised Letters from Iwo Jima. Here's the full list of releases:

North American Blu-Ray releases:

• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
• Apocalypto
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• Flags of Our Fathers
• Closer
• Mission Impossible
• Mission Impossible II
• Freedom Writers

The Pirates movies have been getting fantastic reviews for their audio/video fidelity, so I think I'm gonna be picking both those up. Also I'm pretty interested in Apocaltypo and Closer as well, so it looks like it's going to be an expensive week for me. Ah well, not like there's a plethora of games to spend my money on ...

Anything that has John Woo's name on it should automatically come with a warning label. You're almost guaranteed to walk away with a bruised noggin... if you walk away at all. Enter Stranglehold: his brand new PS3-powered videogame sequel to none other than the oh-so-action-packed Hard Boiled.

IGN got the chance to chat it up with Jason Kaehler, who is the Art Director on the game. They talked about how much effort is going into just creating the detailed characters you will see in the title. For example, instead of relying on sketches and concept art alone, Midway actually had a casting call where hundreds of extras came in to have their likeness captured via photographs.

So next time you see a call for "Gritty, rugged, mean-looking bad asses," keep your options open because you could find yourself immortalized in the next interactive cinematic videogame. Check out the article for more (and some new screens too).