If you grew up in the 90s, you are probably well acquainted with the works of R.L. Stine, but if you’re not he has a written output that makes Stephen King and John Grisham look like slackers. Basically, many of Stine’s novels fill a void between the Great Pumpkin and Freddy Krueger, perfectly inoffensive spine-tinglers for tweens, a kind of Twilight Zone meets Are You Afraid of the Dark? kind of thing. But while Goosebumps‘ popularity may have waned in the wake of the likes of Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games, it’s still got that magical name cache that studios love. So let’s take it to the movies!

Director? How about Rob Letterman? The man behind the animated hit Monsters Vs. Aliens is in negotiations with Sony to take over the project. Last year it was reported that screenwriter Darren Lemke (Jack the Giant Slayer) was hired to do a page one rewrite after attempts made to bring the book series to the big screen in 2008 and 2010 by Larry Karaszewski and Scott Alexander (Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters) and Carl Ellsworth (The Last House on the Left), respectively.

So is Letterman the one to make this happen? Good chance. His directing has leaned to the side of youth material that also might appeal to adult moviegoers. Aside from Monsters Vs Aliens, he also directed the animated Sharktale and the live-action Gulliver’s Travels. I would say that he definitely knows how to walk the fine line between kid-friendly and broad appeal, which might produce a focus group proof take on the concept that could get Sony to pony up a production budget. Time will tell.

Goosebumps was previously brought to the screen, be it the small screen, in the mid-90s as a series produced by Canadian cable network YTV. Like the books, it was an anthology series and feature a host of young Canadian talent, some of whom went on to have a career after Goosebumps like Laura Vandervoort (Smallville, V), Shawn Roberts (Resident Evil) and Hayden Christensen (the Star Wars prequels). Adam “Batman” West, also guest starred on a couple of episodes.

More news as it develops.

Source: /Film

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The troubled saga of the Ghostbusters franchise continues. It’s been a little quiet on the GB threequel front since the last time actor/vodka salesman Dan Aykroyd talked about the project moving forward without Bill Murray. Now? Apparently Sony/Columbia Pictures is considering going the animated route for a third crack at busting a few ghosts. That’s what Bloody Disgusting is saying an unnamed source (that I want to believe is Ernie Hudson) told them. Also, this is not the first time the idea has been optioned. Back in 2007 Sony exes looked into firing up the proton packs for an animated feature that eventually evolved into the 2009 video game.

Sadly this nameless source didn’t have much else to say on the project, so let me fill in the end part here myself. Apparently this project refuses to die. It should have long ago, but damn it if you (Sony) are so damn dead set on wringing the last little bit of life out Ghostbusters, make the damn cartoon then. To be honest a CGI Pixar-ish Ghostbusters movie is probably the lesser of all evils. I would rather see Stanz with that annoying Dreamworks face for 90 minutes than a reboot, but I’ll still go on record that Bill Murray‘s involvement is key. No Venkman, no Ghostbusters. Murray has done a CGI cartoon (Garfield) or two (Kitties, tale of) in the past, maybe he’d come on board for this? Voice works pays out well and requires a lot less involvement…

… somewhere an alleged paper shredder just fired up.

Source: Bloody Disgusting

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Clearly, today is a day for Marvel movie news. So far we’ve seen the goods on Iron Man 3 featured in this month’s Empire Magazine and been to set of The Amazing Spider-Man sequel and seen a few shots of Andrew Garfield‘s stunt double in the new Spidey suit. What else could today offer? How about the first look at Shailene Woodley as Mary Jane Watson!

We’re not sure whether she’s in costume or not, though I wouldn’t rule it out. Looks like something Mary Jane would wear, right? The photos come courtesy of Just Jared, as if you couldn’t tell, and were snapped where Amazing Spider-Man 2 is filming in New York City. What do you think of Spidey’s new red head? I wonder if Emma Stone is jealous she can’t sport her lovely red locks?

Source: The Mary Sue

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The basic design hasn’t changed much for Spider-Man in any of his big screen adaptations, but each version tweaks the costume just enough we get excited for a new reveal. Above is our first look at Spidey’s new costume from Marc Webb‘s  The Amazing Spider-Man 2, what do you think?

Most noticeably this costume features larger eye-holes and slight differences in its color and texture. Below you can check out a side by side comparison of this new outfit with what Spidey was sportin’ in the first Amazing Spider-Man.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Dane DeHaan, Jamie Foxx, Martin Sheen, Shailene Woodley, Paul Giammatti, Felicity Jones and Colm Feore,  and hits theaters May 2, 2014.

Source: Coming Soon

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This week on The Bastardcast, Jason and Jeremy trick Badass Digest’s Evan Saathoff into coming on the show and then they talk about Universal Soldier, the best and worst of Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s time on this earth.

Also on the show: Nic Cage bought a pyramid for which to die in, Mark Hamill is going to talk to somebody official about being in Star Wars someday, Kevin Smith wants to teach stoners how to read, and Batman is more hazardous to young boys than a [insert stock catholicism joke here]

Jason and Jeremy also try to form words about the unholy joining of Michael Bay and Megan Fox for a movie about Turtles that may be Teenage Ninjas and Sony’s big invisible video game system is revealed… we think.

The Bastardcast: We’d eat a person if the circumstances demanded it.

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Last night Sony made the announcement we’ve all been waiting for, the PS4 is on its way. It’ll be releasing the end of this year, just in time for the holidays, and features many updates over their current console. But if you were trying to watch the announcement yourself you probably had troubles with the stream, buffering issues, or were just fuckin’ bored because who knew it was going to run for hours! Hours upon hours of praise for the console and its new specs without a single fuckin’ look at thing! To relive the frustration just take a look at our own live blog of the event. I honestly became a little concerned for Jason at about the hour and half mark.

This isn’t to say the whole announcement was a waste of time – yes it was – but those important bits could have easily been covered in about three and a half minutes. Which is what we’ve got here, courtesy of VideoGamer, the entire PS4 announcement in a quick and funny 3:22.

Source: Kotaku

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It’s the announcement gamers have all been waiting for — Sony is revealing details for the next generation, the Playstation 4. Watch the livestream here and check out our live blog.

Live video from your iPhone using Ustream

Live Blog

So far, the biggest reveals have been the new dual shock controller, with a touchpad and a camera that sees the controller. There will also be a dedicated chip for downloads and uploads — something that could pave the way for more direct downloads of content. They’re also promising the death of load times.

Social networking will also be a key component. I don’t see the point in being able to watch a friend game, but they’re highlighting it.

Share button seeks to bring friends into the gaming experience. Help with defeating tough levels and challenges, social messaging on screen while playing a game, sending someone a DM to change your feed bag so you never, ever have to stop playing Skyrim.

They’re talking about the Vita as a companion device, taking a cue from Wii U and their tablet inspired controller. Also, every screen is beautiful.

Usual suspects in terms of streamable content: Amazon, Hulu Plus, Crackle (because, apparently people crave the crackle), and the Netflix.

Talking about putting retro games on PS4 via cloud technology eventually, though you won’t, apparently, be able to play PS3 games on the PS4 out of the box. How pissed are you that you got rid of your copy of Final Fantasy IX?

The Missing Wow Factor So Far

Still waiting for that WOW reveal. That thing that makes me think, I MUST have this system. Quicker downloads is a big deal, but they can only do much on the hardware side to make direct downloads of games a feasible mainstream model. So that feels like an innovation for another day, not something that will matter a whole hell of a lot out of the box in the near future. I imagine that the longevity of the last generation and the rocky debut of PS3 made the need for built in innovations that would matter more as time goes by a MUST. Smart business move, but that won’t get wallets to swing open.

Social network function is neat, but is it going to be practical. Solitary gaming is the proffered way for many.

Okay, the video with developers gushing over the development process has come to an end, back to the live blog.

Live Blog (Continued)

Killzone: Shadow Fall demo on screen. Graphics are impressive, sound and effects like the explosion draw you in. Is this THAT MUCH of an upgrade over current gen? Also, this is a demo. How will it look on MY TV out of the box?

Cars look spectacular on Drive Club, which is a team based game that has been in the works for about a decade. Ooooh, fiber direction map. Snazzy…

Is Sony over emphasizing social gaming?

This game from Sucker Punch looks amazing, but Killzone looked like gameplay, this looked like a cinematic, so who cares what that looks like?

Thou shalt not poo poo immense, open worlds. The Witness is aiming to be dense, all killer, no filler. I am skeptical. I’m a Fallout junkie, I need a 45 minute walk from outpost to outpost damnit.

I understand the need to show a broad range of game options, but for something like this, I think showing games that push the graphical edge  would have been wiser. Also, familiar franchises.

David Cage from Quantic Dream, aka Hard Rain and Beyond: 2 Souls creator talking now. Could get what I’m asking for in terms of innovation and beauty.

Hey, by the way, this presentation is far too long.

Do gamers care about the past of Sony, or is this about the future? Less about the talk, more about the show.

90 minutes in and they finally announce that “nearly” every 3rd party developer will support PS3. No-brainer, but still, it would have been nice if it came up front.

This guy just said the word tweet… he is clearly one of us.

Explain to me how Capcom’s past use of tech on the PS2 is going to sell me and you on the PS4?

A thing I missed before: HOW ON EARTH DOES THE AWFUL MOVE CONTROLLER SURVIVE INTO THE NEXT GENERATION!?!?!

Right now, all I want to know is: what does it look like, how much will it cost, will it play used games, and how long will they offer support on the PS3 so I can avoid buying this new thing.

Watching the stream on Twitch. Lots of “these guys look gay” on their comment system. Oh yes, lets make gaming MORE of a social experience.

Talking about Watch Dogs now, one of the most buzzed about games from E3.

Watch Dogs looks good. This is something we already knew.

Blizzard and Sony have aligned. Then, the Blizzard guy called out for applause from the audience — there was silence.

Blizzard announces a Diablo port to the PS4. So… that worked out well last time they did that.

Activision guy comes out, vows to support PS4 in launch window, which will be…

Bungie and Destiny coming to the PS4. So far, this is my favorite bit of news.

And it’s done. Yes. It’s done.

Summation

Apparently the next generation looks a lot like this generation. Also, way to piss off gamers and sour journalists against your system by putting out a 2 hour dog and pony show with little substance. No look at the system, no specific release date, no set price point. Basically, all the games looked like something off a PC dev kit and there were tons of cinematics and little gameplay.

Basically, Microsoft can rather easily grab a lead in the next gen race with a presentation that is less flair and more fact. And also, show us the damn system.

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Sure, you read that headline and said, “Come on! Who cares?” Don’t deny it, we know you did. We know you enjoyed The Amazing Spider-Man just a little bit more than you enjoyed The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II. Well regardless, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (or The Spectacular Spider-Man if you rather like that rumored title), is now before the cameras as of yesterday, the knowledge of which director Marc Webb shared via Twitter:

But perhaps more interesting than the news the production has begun on Amazing 2, is the news that Webb will be shooting the film on actual film, and not in 3-D digital like he did on the first Amazing. The film will still be in 3-D, but it will be converted in post, which is the general direction of the medium now. Interesting that just three short years after everyone went 3-D crazy to pad their returns, they’re now looking for cheaper ways to do 3-D for less.

Why, you may ask. Apparently, Webb himself was less than thrilled about the RED Epic 3-D cameras he used on Amazing 1, he considered them too bulky to do what he want to do. Perhaps, Webb was able to use over three-quarters of a billion dollars of clout to let him do what he wants to do on the sequel.

So is this good news or bad news for Amazing Spider-Man 2? Well, the look of the film, I don’t think, was the problem with the first Amazing Spider-Man, but more control by Webb has to be a good thing, right?

Right?

More news as it develops.

Source: Screen Rant

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Note: We seem to be having an issue with our regular embedded player, so please use the Stitcher.com one below or visit us over at RadioBastard.com

This time on The Bastardcast, Jason and Jeremy get in touch with their feelings and talk about a bedridden hedgehog, dildo carnival workers, Indiana Jones and the Quest for the Destroyed Legacy, more premature statements about the death of Nintendo, stupid Senators and the jackasses who love them, the great Taco revolution, and re-animated space monkeys. Also on the show: Ahnold’s “Ohhhhh” face and a handy guide to self surgery. All of that, plus:

THE GREATEST TRIBUTE TO THE GREATEST MAN IN THE HISTORY OF GREATNESS AND MEN! FEBRU-MURRAY. A month long tribute to Bill Murray in 4 parts.

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With reports that Sony will debut the PS4 in three weeks and with a possible holiday release on the table, the next generation has begun. Soon, Microsoft will follow with their Xbox 360 follow-up and Nintendo will sit there, their latest system not even a year old, their gamble foolish from the start.

A few years ago, when the Wii pioneered motion gaming — making it a must have system for casual gamers, families, and a lot of people who had never before owned a console before — it seemed like they could do no wrong.

Back then, the mobile gaming market wasn’t dominated by smartphones and tablets. Back then, Sony and Microsoft got caught on their heels, fighting a war over half the available market.

Then, back then ended. Android and Apple seized the mobile market and Sony and Microsoft eventually lowered their prices, marketed their systems as home entertainment hubs that could do things that the Wii could not, and then they entered the motion gaming market as well, with the Move and the Kinect, robbing Nintendo of the one thing that made them unique.

What makes them unique now? Their lack of foresight, and their pending irrelevancy.

See, when Sony and Microsoft had Nintendo beat, the House of Mario doubled down and brought a new system to market, even as it’s peers were writing off this generation and preparing to move into the future.

Will that system, the Wii U, be able to stand in against competition that will surely have them beat in every facet of the game? All signs point to no.

The End. 

Companies die. It’s a sad thing because it means jobs and legacies vanish, but Atari just filed for bankruptcy, and Sega abandoned the console game years ago, fully aware that smaller companies cannot compete in the console wars against companies like Sony and now Microsoft — a lesson that Nintendo is now learning more fully.

Why am I so confident that the end is near for Nintendo, the home of NES and Gameboy, one of the industries’ forefathers?

I’m confident because they’re already beginning to erode, even before the next Sony and Microsoft system hit the market. From a report on Forbes.com:

Nintendo cut sales forecasts for all of its hardware and software today, most notably the Wii U. The company slashed shipping estimates on the Wii U from 5.5 million to 4, and software estimates from 24 million to 16.

The article goes on to say that, despite a profitable holiday season quarter, that Nintendo still suffered an annual loss last year. Again, this is in the last days of disco for an ending generation, and Nintendo couldn’t even live up to their own expectations with it’s new, shiny product (with current gen performance capabilities) that they are now locked into.

What about the DS and the 3DS? According to TGDaily:

The company also cut forecasts for its other consoles. 3DS sales are now likely to be 15 million by March – 14 percent fewer than predicted – with DS sales down eight percent on their forecast at 2.3 million.

Now, I don’t want to sound like I’m eager to dance on Nintendo’s grave. I grew up with an NES in my living room and adored the N64, but the past is the past and Nintendo’s corporate overlords have demonstrated a lack of vision and painful ineptitude when it comes to reading their own marketplace.

Who is the Wii U for anyway? As I said, motion gaming is now available on every system, so they have no edge there. What about hardcore gamers? Turns out they require top-line graphics and strong third party developer support — things that the Wii U doesn’t provide. Home entertainment fans? The Wii U doesn’t have a Blu Ray player. Budget conscious shoppers? You can buy a 500 gig PS3, with the Blu Ray player for the same price as a base model Wii U with only 8 gigs, and that doesn’t even count the cost of an extra tablet controller.

Is Nintendo pondering a price cut to try and gain a foothold? No, their doubling down on their failures once again.

Like I said, I don’t want Nintendo to fail, but they’re handheld products are equaled by other multi-functional products that are viewed as essential by most consumers, something that renders their products in-essential. Furthermore, they released an overpriced, under-performing, awkward to use console that doesn’t meet the demands of the average consumer, a consumer whose expectations are set to rise when Sony and Microsoft announce their new products, products that I imagine will one day host Mario and other Nintendo properties as the company stumbles down the same ravine that Sega did.

It didn’t have to be like this. The future was plowing toward the station and instead of waiting, Nintendo jumped too early and fell right onto the tracks.

They could have strived for innovation, they could have aimed for a niche, any niche, but instead, they relied on the strength of brand loyalty and the assumption that Wii owners would rejoice over backwards compatible peripherals, and everyone else would wait for the system to offer a healthy library of games.

Sadly though, the market doesn’t wait, and now Nintendo’s window has closed and they are a cautionary tale.

Game Over.

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