OLD DOGS RELEASED TO DISNEY DVD AND BLU-RAY 19 MAY 2010!

In a hilarious DVD release about two middle aged buddies trying to deal with the big changes in life, screen legends JOHN TRAVOLTA and ROBIN WILLIAMS team up for the first time in OLD DOGS, released to Disney DVD and in a Blu-ray ^TM /DVD Value pack, 19 May 2010!

Business partners Dan (ROBIN WILLIAMS) and Charlie (JOHN TRAVOLTA) are on the brink of a massive international business deal in Japan when Dan discovers that a short lived romance and marriage seven years ago resulted in the birth of twins Zach (CONNER RAYBURN) and Emily (ELLA BLEU TRAVOLTA)!

With the twins’ mother Vicki (KELLY PRESTON) about to serve two weeks in jail for an activist crime, Dan hesitantly, but nobly, offers to look after the kids and turns to his best pal Charlie for the support he needs.

In no time tests of patience and endurance are placed on these OLD DOGS with a short-lived camping trip, including a riotous cameo by MATT DILLON as a camp instructor, which all ends in disaster. Soon after, a mad mix up of Dan and Charlie’s medication results in Dan making a mess of a golf game with the Japanese, meanwhile Charlie’s face freezes into a smile while attending the grandmother’s funeral of new love interest Amanda (LORI LOUGHLIN)!

Just as the new and extended family begins to form strong ties, and Dan falls in love his new father role, the business arrangements with the Japanese become unstuck.  

Forced to drop everything, Dan and Charlie fly to Japan to smooth things over, and in the midst of their first business meeting, Dan is overcome by remorse for leaving behind his new family. Boarding the next plane home, he turns his back on his old friend Charlie.

With his world now upside down, Dan arrives home to find his new family gone. Although it is clear to him that he needs family in his life, it is also true that Charlie is his family as well. So Dan sets out to make things right in a heart warming finale that shows OLD DOGS can learn new tricks.

Also starring SETH GREEN and packed with special features including bloopers and deleted scenes, don’t miss the chance to bring your family together with OLD DOGS – available on DVD and in the Blu-ray/DVD Value Pack™*, 19 May 2010.

 * Value pack contains a Blu-ray Disc plus a DVD copy of the film in a single package.

Available to own: 19 May 2010

    Rated: PG

     Running time:  85 Minutes (DVD)

    85 Minutes (Blu-ray)

To provide consumers with unprecedented quality, value and portability of their favourite Disney movies, in 2008 WDSHE pioneered the Value  Pack – a Blu-ray Disc^TM plus a DVD copy of the film in a single package.  

Old Dogs is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.  A division of Walt Disney Studios (US), Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures and Buena Vista DVD releases.  Buena Vista is the Australian sell-through market leader and has been a recognised world video / DVD industry leader for over a decade

Street date announce 

SYDNEY, 18^th March 2010 – IO Interactive, a part of Square Enix® Europe in partnership with NAMCO BANDAI Partners Australia New Zealand is pleased to confirm that Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days™ will release on August 27, 2010 in Australia, on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and Games for Windows®.

A raw and brutal crime shooter, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days follows two disturbed criminals, Lynch – an impulsive and reckless self-medicated psychopath and Kane – a tactical but disillusioned and desperate ex-mercenary, through 48 hours of hell.  

“We believe the unique visuals and relentless gameplay has created an intensity never delivered in a videogame before,” said Niels Jørgensen, general manager of IO Interactive. “In a genre where so many games look and feel the same, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will make people double-take. We think it’s going to make quite an impression.”     

Introducing a new visual experience inspired by documentary filmmakers and the user-generated era. Players are pulled into the game world, with every move and shift of the camera capturing the mayhem, in an unscripted style.

Beyond the stylized look and violent story, Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days delivers all-new multiplayer modes as the highly celebrated Fragile Alliance mode returns, along with new Undercover Cop, Cops & Robbers and Arcade modes, with each mode raising the stakes of greed, betrayal, and revenge.

IO Interactive is proud to share the first in-game footage of Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days in a trailer titled ‘Welcome to Shanghai’, which gives players a peak in to the story and situations Kane and Lynch will be faced with.  An extended version of the trailer can be found exclusively on the official Web site – www.KaneandLynch.com

Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows and will be released under the EIDOS® brand portfolio. All formats will release in-stores in August 27, 2010.

Robert Rodriguez’s PREDATORS… coming soon to cinemas, July 8th 2010

PREDATORS, a bold new chapter in the Predator universe, shot under the creative auspices of Robert Rodriguez, stars Adrien Brody as Royce, a cold-blooded mercenary whose only allegiance is to those who pay him.  He reluctantly leads a group of elite warriors who come to realize they’ve been brought together on an alien planet… as prey.  With the notable exception of disgraced physician Edwin (Topher Grace), they are all cold-blooded killers – mercenaries, Yakuza, convicts, death squad members – human “predators” that are now being systemically hunted and eliminated by a new breed of alien Predators.

Cast: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Alice Braga, Walton Goggins

Director: Nimrod Antal

Producers: Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellàn

Wednesday 17 March 2010, Sydney Australia

On Friday 12 March, I attended a viewing of the top 100 entries in a competition run by Dell in which designers were invited to come up with funky, personal designs for their laptop covers. Those attending were also encouraged to enter, the prize being a laptop to keep! Having the capacity only to appreciate art (and definitely not produce it), I wisely stood back.

Robyn Gough, from Hodgson Vale, Qld, won the real competition and gets to keep a Studio 15 laptop emblazoned with her ponderous coffee-cup rings. She also won $5,000. The design can be viewed here: http://www.makeityours.asia/au/ (though that is not her holding the laptop).

The evening also served to showcase the colourful Studio range, including a group inspired by the O.P.I. nail-polish. Swirling variants of red are a dominant motif, as one would imagine. Other designers in the range include Mike Ming, Derek Welch, Deanne Cheuk, Korakrit Arunanondchaiheuk and Andrea Rosenberg.

One interesting fact: did you know that since colours were introduced, only 30% of Dell customers continue to opt for the plain black finish. Perhaps it sees the writing on the wall, but Dell does not currently extend the Studio range to PC boxes.

Personally speaking, if I were in the market for a new laptop, the exterior would not excite me nearly as much as the specs, as well as a keyboard that types well (obsessive will know what I mean) as well as a non-reflective screen.

I’m sure there are many people for whom a colourful personal touch will be extremely appealing. In these days of iPhone madness, it’s nice to make a splash with an unusual laptop.

The Studio range can be viewed (and purchased) here: http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/global/shared/design_studio/en/ap/dell_design_studio?c=au&cs=audhs1&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1. And as always, the insides are customisable.

Felix Staica

Special guests will include Brigitte Böttcher, the winner of the 2009 World Cosplay Summit in Germany, as well as guest performances from previous Australian winners.

Discover more about the art of the anime-inspired, customisable dolls that have gained international popularity across Japan, Hong Kong, and the US. Individually sculpted and hand-casted, they are truly a unique aesthetic. With a showcase for doll owners to display their collection, everyone is welcome!

Saturday March 20, 2010

The Australian Technology Park, Eveleigh (within walking distance of Redfern Station)

10am – 4pm

Adults $26.50 / *Child (5-12 years) $16.50

*Children must be accompanied by an adult; children under 5 free.

For more information visit

Adults $25 / Child $15 animania.net.au

Video documentary series provides an inside look at this summer’s most explosive blockbuster 

SYDNEY – March 16, 2010 – Pacific City needs your help, agents. A new enemy has overrun the city and it’s time to restore law and order by any means necessary when “Crackdown 2” releases this July around the world. Microsoft and Ruffian Games today announced that the exhilarating, open-world action game will hit the streets on July 8 in Australia and New Zealand. 

Developed by Ruffian Games exclusively for Xbox 360, “Crackdown 2” is the sequel to the award-winning 2007 title, “Crackdown.” Offering cutting edge gameplay, “Crackdown 2” will take multiplayer gaming to new heights, providing you and your friends with the freedom to explore, destroy, and play your way as you restore justice to Pacific City. 

To celebrate the road to launch, Ruffian Games invites fans to step into the world of “Crackdown 2” in the first video documentary, titled “Fun with Friends,” from a three-part series exploring different facets of the game. 

“Fun with Friends” features interviews with Ruffian Games creative director Billy Thomson, lead producer James Cope, senior engineer David Hynd and senior mission designer Dean Smith as they discuss what it takes to design a living, breathing sandbox world with the most gripping multiplayer experiences yet, including 16-player player-vs-player and 4-player co-op. The video documentary also shines a light on some of the extraordinary antics and mayhem that players can look forward to, including Renegade Orbs and the PVP mode called Rocket Tag, when they bring their personal brand of justice to Pacific City this July.

NU IMAGE AND UPLOAD MEDIA present in association with LOUISIANA MEDIA PRODUCTIONS and CAPITAL CITY ENTERTAINMENT 

A film by John Carter Cuba Gooding Jr.

THE WAY OF WAR 

Available to rent and own on DVD for $34.95RRP  from 19 May 2010.  

A skilled paramilitary operative seeks revenge after is fiancé is brutally murdered in an attempt to keep him from speaking the truth he has discovered – there is a conspiracy at the centre of the war on terror. 

THE WAY OF WAR is a high-powered, political action thriller set in the underground world of Washington’s political deceit. What becomes of the soldier who sees the secrets of war? 

THE WAY OF WAR is a ripped-from-the-headlines fictional account of one such man. When Wolfe (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) – a young, skilled and deadly paramilitary operative, discovers a conspiracy tied to the war on terror he decides to return to the US and reveal the truth. But those behind the lies will not hesitate to ensure his silence by spilling the blood of his loved ones. When Wolfe discovers his fiancé brutally murdered, his thoughts turn to revenge. Now, the weapon they trained is aimed directly at them. The only question left – will he live to become a hero or a die a death of infamy? 

Special Features:

• None  

Approx Runtime:

87 mins 

Rating:

MA15+

March 16, 2010 – Redwood City, Calif. – Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a wholly owned US subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), announced that following the overwhelming success of the ‘Rising Tide, the latest expansion for flagship MMORPG title Perfect World International, a new server will be opened on March 17th. Archosaur, a West Coast PvE server, is Perfect World International’s seventh server.

“Archosaur gives players new and old a chance at a fresh start with the ‘Rising Tide’ expansion,” said Jonathan Belliss, Product Manager for Perfect World International. “We understand it’s sometimes daunting to begin as a newbie when you’re surrounded by high-level players. This server is the perfect chance for someone new to jump in or for old players to finally roll a Tideborn.”

The recent ‘Rising Tide’ expansion focuses on the re-emergence of the Tideborn—an aquatic race that has only recently surfaced, revealing themselves to the rest of the world. Unraveling the mystery behind the Tideborn will be up to the player as they journey into new zones and undertake all new quests.

‘Rising Tide’ will introduce a range of new and updated features including:

• New Race – “Tideborn”
• Two New Classes – the stealth “Assassin” and support caster “Psychic”
• New Quests – more than 200 new adventures to complete
• Faction Warfare – Additional territories to conquer
• Cooperative Questing – A new public quest system
• New Dungeons – Over 100 new monster types to discover
• New “Recasting” equipment system
• Daily Quests added just for Married Players
• New Fashion Slot—for the hair/hat option
• Newly implemented shared stash system for player accounts

“Perfect World International” is the English-based, international version of Perfect World II with millions of players worldwide. “Perfect World International” offers an immersive online world and now offers four unique races and eight different classes, as well as one of the most extensive character creation interfaces to date.

To learn more about the Archosaur server or the ‘Rising Tides’ expansion, please visit: http://pwi.perfectworld.com/

About Perfect World Entertainment

Perfect World Entertainment, a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), publishes free-to-play, online games and provides online services in North America. The Company primarily publishes three-dimensional, or 3D, online games based on the Perfect World proprietary Angelica 3D game engine and game development platform. The Company’s releases include “Ether Saga Online,” “Jade Dynasty” and “Perfect World International,” a free-to-play MMORPG which is currently played by millions of people worldwide; and single player action RPG “Torchlight.”

In the backwoods Louisiana town of Bon Temps, the mystery surrounding the serial killer has finally been solved. But just as things are settling down, deadly new twists threaten Sookie Stackhouse and everyone around her.

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery and humour, the show takes place in the not-too-distant future, when vampires have come out of the coffin, thanks to the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood that means they no longer need humans as a nutritional source. The show follows the romance between waitress Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts, and her soul mate, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). Alan Ball (creator of the Emmy®-winning HBO series “Six Feet Under”) created and executive produces the show, which is based on the best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris.

Other cast regulars on TRUE BLOOD include: Australia’s own Ryan Kwanten as Sookie’s brother Jason; Rutina Wesley as her best friend Tara Thornton; Sam Trammell as Sookie’s goodhearted boss Sam Merlotte; Carrie Preston as Sookie’s fellow waitress Arlene Fowler; William Sanderson as Sheriff Bud Dearborne; Chris Bauer as Detective Andy Bellefleur; Todd Lowe as Terry Bellefleur; Michelle Forbes as Maryann Forrester; Alexander Skarsgård as Eric, a Nordic vampire; Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica, a new vampire under Bill’s supervision; Mehcad Brooks as Eggs “Benedict” Talley; Michael McMillian as Rev. Steve Newlin; Mariana Kloveno as Lorena; Anna Camp as Sarah Newlin; and Jim Parrack as Hoyt Fortenberry. 

Episodes: 

EPISODE 1 “NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD”

WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER WOO. DIRECTED BY DANIEL MINAHAN.

A shocking murder outside Merlotte’s has the town of Bon Temps, and Sookie Stackhouse, reeling. 

EPISODE 2 “KEEP THIS PARTY GOING”

WRITTEN BY BRIAN BUCKNER. DIRECTED BY MICHAEL LEHMANN.

Sookie and Bill contend with teen vampire Jessica. Jason impresses his Light of Day leaders. Maryann casts her spell at Merlotte’s. 

EPISODE 3 “SCRATCHES”

WRITTEN BY RAELLE TUCKER. DIRECTED BY SCOTT WINANT.

Sookie survives a vicious assault, and strikes a deal with Eric. Jessica finds a willing suitor in Hoyt. 

EPISODE 4 “SHAKE AND FINGERPOP”

WRITTEN BY ALAN BALL. DIRECTED BY MICHAEL LEHMANN.

Bill, Sookie and Jessica head to Dallas. Maryann throws Tara a birthday bash. Jason gets a promotion. 

EPISODE 5 “NEVER LET ME GO”

WRITTEN BY NANCY OLIVER. DIRECTED BY JOHN DAHL.

Sookie maps out a plan to find the vampire Godric. Jason shines at boot camp. Maryann weighs her relocation options. 

EPISODE 6 “HARD HEARTED HANNAH”

WRITTEN BY BRIAN BUCKNER. DIRECTED BY MICHAEL LEHMANN.

Sookie gets company in her search for Godric. Bill confronts his violent past. Sam follows Daphne into the wild. 

EPISODE 7 “RELEASE ME”

WRITTEN BY RAELLE TUCKER. DIRECTED BY MICHAEL RUSCIO.

A betrayed Sam finds himself in dire straits. Bill’s attempt to rescue Sookie is thwarted by Lorena. Jason breaks a church taboo. 

EPISODE 8 “TIMEBOMB”

WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER WOO. DIRECTED BY JOHN DAHL.

Sookie finds an unexpected savior in Eric. Sam makes a gruesome discovery. Jason pays off his vampire debts. 

EPISODE 9 “I WILL RISE UP”

WRITTEN BY NANCY OLIVER. DIRECTED BY SCOTT WINANT.

Eric plays Sookie for a sucker, to Bill’s dismay. Hoyt and Jessica meet with Maxine. Sam flies the coop. 

EPISODE 10 “NEW WORLD IN MY VIEW”

WRITTEN BY KATE BARNOW & ELISABETH R. FINCH. DIRECTED BY ADAM DAVIDSON.

Sam and Andy get a chilling reception at Merlotte’s. Sookie tries to push through the darkness consuming Tara. 

EPISODE 11 “FRENZY”

WRITTEN BY ALAN BALL. DIRECTED BY DANIEL MINAHAN.

Bill seeks out a vampire queen to help quell Bon Temps’ maenad crisis. Sam turns to an unlikely source for help. 

EPISODE 12 “BEYOND HERE LIES NOTHIN’”

WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER WOO. DIRECTED BY MICHAEL CUESTA.

Sookie, Sam and Bill form the last line of defense against Maryann’s diabolical plan. 

DVD

Special Features:

• THE VAMPIRE REPORT: SPECIAL EDITION – Check out the past year’s biggest stories in vampire news, politics and popular culture in the special edition of The Perspective with Victoria Davis.
• FELLOWSHIP OF THE SUN: REFLECTIONS OF LIGHT – Rules to live by with Fellowship of the Sun leaders Steve and Sarah Newlin.
• SEVEN AUDIO COMMENTARIES with the Cast and Crew including Alan Ball, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Michelle Forbes, Alexander Skarsgård, Rutina Wesley, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell and many more.

 Approx Runtime:

Feature 646 mins

EC 35 mins

Rating:

R18+ – expected 

BLU-RAY

Warner Home Video Blu-ray Discs offer resolution five times higher than standard definition DVDs, as well as extraordinarily vibrant contrast and colour and beautifully crisp sound. The new format also provides a higher level of interactivity, with instant access to extra features via a seamless menu-bar where viewers can enjoy features without leaving or interrupting the film.

Special Features:

BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVE – STEP INTO THE WORLD OF BON TEMPS WITH TRUE BLOOD® ENHANCED VIEWING ON ALL 12 EPISODES

• CHARACTER PERSPECTIVES: Learn more about what’s going on straight from the mouths of Hoyt, Pam, Karl, and Steve Newlin.
• FLASHBACK/FLASH FORWARD: Move through time in the world of Bon Temps. Flashback to relive pivotal moments or Flash Forward to reveal the significance of a certain scene.
• PRO/ANTI-VAMPIRE FEEDS: Receive news updates and information from both organisations throughout the episode and decide which camp you support.
• HINTS/FYI: Don’t miss a beat with these FYI trivia facts and show hints and clues.

ALSO AVAILABLE

• THE VAMPIRE REPORT: SPECIAL EDITION – Check out the past year’s biggest stories in vampire news, politics and popular culture in the special edition of The Perspective with Victoria Davis.
• FELLOWSHIP OF THE SUN: REFLECTIONS OF LIGHT – Rules to live by with Fellowship of the Sun leaders Steve and Sarah Newlin.
• SEVEN AUDIO COMMENTARIES with the Cast and Crew including Alan Ball, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Michelle Forbes, Alexander Skarsgård, Rutina Wesley, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell and many more.

Approx Runtime:

Feature 660 mins

EC 166 mins

Rating:

R18+ – expected