Friday Roundup

So it's been a busy week with quite a few interesting things appearing online. I've not been able to post stuff up as it's happened so I thought I'd just do a 'Friday Roundup' which may become something more regular.

First up is the announcement trailer for upcoming zombie survival horror game Dead Island. The trailer generated a lot of buzz for it's very cinematic style and it is quite an impressive bit of footage. The use of slow motion, reverse chronology and music really sets is apart from other game trailers. The whole thing owes a nod of gratitude to The Walking Dead, which the trailer apes to a certain extent. I have my doubts as to whether the game itself will deliver on the promise set up by the trailer but it'll be interesting to see if it does. Please note that the trailer is probably NSFW and those under 18 as it does contain graphic scenes of zombie attack. The video comes courtesy of the good folks over at IGN.

Next up is the new trailer for Marvel's Thor due to arrive on screens in April. Thor has always been one of my favourite Marvel characters and the film (directed by Kenneth Branagh) looks an interesting prospect. This trailer ups the action and Natalie Portman content which may be a wise move in the run up to the Oscars where she is hot favourite to walk away with the Best Actress statue. I'm looking forward to seeing this film even though I would have preferred Brian Blessed in the role of Odin.

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Brad Bird Annie Award Winner

Ever since I first encounted Brad Bird's work (it was Family Dog on the Steven Spielberg anthology show Amazing Stories) I've been a fan. To me his work has encapsulated everything that is great and good about animation. I've followed his career with great interest and his work has always been outstanding - from the underrated The Iron Giant to his joining Pixar and giving us one of the greatest superhero movies in The Incredibles, his stories and characters have always been superb.

Now Brad has been awarded one of the most prestigious awards in animation - The Winsor McCay Award. His acceptance speech comes direct from the set of the lastest film he's directing, the live-action Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and even in this his humour and creativeness shines through. 

Brad Bird is one of the most creative and inspiring people in Hollywood and this award is long overdue. 

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Arcade Fire Live

Arcade Fire perform live in this Terry Gilliam directed concert from Madison Square Garden in August 2010.

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Super Bowl Film Trailer Round Up

So during Super Bowl XLV some new film TV spots were shown. These are my pick -

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Cowboys and Aliens

Rango

Battle: Los Angeles

Captain America: First Avenger

Thor

Super 8

Pirate of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

Kung Fu Panda 2

And the film that could be this years Inception

The Adjustment Bureau

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Rango Theme - Los Lobos

Los Lobos have recorded the theme song to the forthcoming Johnny Depp animated film directed by Gore Verbinski. It sounds perfect for the film with echoes of Ennio Morricone and old western TV shows.

Los Lobos - Rango Theme Song by antirecords

Here's a poster for the film -  I'm quite looking forward to seeing this.

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