Author - Jerry Paxton

2024 Saturn Award Winners Announced

The Saturn Awards show was abuzz last night with A-list celebrities arriving to celebrate the best of the best in genre entertainment commemorated only by The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror since its inception in 1972. Hosted for the second year in a row by actor/comedian Joel McHale, star of DC’s Stargirl and Community, the event was heavily attended by Hollywood stars supporting and contributing to honor the exceptional body of work and talent in these categories of entertainment, most often overlooked by other Award Shows. The 51st Annual Saturn Awards took place last night (February 4, 2024) at the L.A. MARRIOTT BURBANK AIRPORT HOTEL and was available for fans to watch live on ElectricNOW, the premium OTT app and FAST channel from Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment. Fans who missed the event can watch it on the streaming channel as it reruns the momentous event throughout the month.

Christopher Nolan was presented with The Saturn’s Visionary Award by “Oppenheimer” co-star Emily Blunt who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.  The legendary pop icon William Shatner presented Seth MacFarlane with the prestigious Robert Forster Artists Award and Dave Filoni received his George Pal Memorial Award by Ming-Na Wen who won last year’s  Best TV Actress for her role in “The Book of Boba Fett.” Keanu Reeves was in attendance to receive the very first Lance Reddick Legacy Award, presented to him by Titus Welliver star of “Bosch” and “Bosch: Legacy” and Jodie Foster was presented with The Life Career Award by Issa López, writer and director of the fourth season of “True Detective: Night Country.”

Documented as the highest-profile Saturn Awards celebration to date, presenters and winners included Nicolas Cage, Heather GrahamJames CameronNorman ReedusSir Patrick StewartErnie HudsonHenry ThomasRebecca De MornayTodd StashwickPaul WesleyLee MajorsLindsay WagnerDanai Gurira, Xolo MaridueñaHarvey Guillén among many, many others. All attended the Saturn Awards to not only present but to also support this very special community.

This year’s show was dedicated to the memory of the Saturn Awards’ dear friend Lance Reddick, may his memory live long and prosper for generations to come.

Below is the full list of this year’s winners at the 51st  Annual Saturn Awards:

Special Awards

  1. VISIONARY AWARD – Christopher Nolan
  2. ROBERT FORSTER ARTIST’S AWARD – Seth MacFarlane
  3. GEORGE PAL MEMORIAL AWARD – Dave Filoni
  4. THE DAN CURTIS LEGACY AWARD – The Walking Dead Franchise
  5. LANCE REDDICK LEGACY AWARD – Keanu Reeves
  6. LIFE CAREER AWARD – Jodie Foster
  7. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Star Trek: The Next Generation Cast

FILM

BEST SCIENCE FICTION FILM

Avatar: The Way of Water

BEST FANTASY FILM

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

BEST HORROR FILM

Talk to Me

BEST SUPERHERO FILM

Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3

BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE FILM

Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

BEST THRILLER FILM

Oppenheimer

BEST ANIMATED FILM

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

BEST INDEPENDENT FILM

Pearl

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

Sisu

BEST FILM DIRECTION

James Cameron (Avatar: The Way of Water)

BEST FILM SCREENWRITING
Avatar: The Way of Water (James Cameron and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver)

BEST ACTOR IN A FILM

Harrison Ford (Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny)

BEST ACTRESS IN A FILM
Margot Robbie (Barbie)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A FILM
Nicolas Cage (Renfield)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A FILM
Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A YOUNGER PERFORMER IN A FILM

Xolo Maridueña (Blue Beetle)

BEST FILM MUSIC

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (John Williams)

BEST FILM MAKE-UP

The Covenant (Donald Mowat)

BEST FILM VISUAL EFFECTS

Avatar: The Way of Water (Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett)

BEST FILM COSTUME DESIGN

Barbie (Jacqueline Durran)

BEST FILM PRODUCTION DESIGN

Barbie (Sarah Greenwood)

BEST FILM EDITING

Oppenheimer (Jennifer Lame)

TELEVISION

BEST SCIENCE FICTION TELEVISION SERIES

Star Trek: Picard

BEST SUPERHERO TELEVISION SERIES

Superman & Lois

BEST ACTION/ADVENTURE/THRILLER TELEVISION SERIES

Outlander

BEST TELEVISION PRESENTATION

Marvel’s Werewolf by Night

BEST ANIMATED SERIES OR SPECIAL

Star Wars: The Bad Batch

BEST NEW GENRE TELEVISION SERIES

Star Wars: Andor

BEST HORROR TELEVISION SERIES

The Last of Us

BEST FANTASY TELEVISION SERIES

Wednesday

BEST ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES
Patrick Stewart (Star Trek: Picard)

BEST ACTRESS IN A TEVISION SERIES

Caitriona Balfe (Outlander)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES

Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: Picard)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES

Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Picard)

BEST FEATURED GUEST STAR IN A TELEVISION SERIES

Paul Wesley (Strange Trek: Strange New Worlds)

BEST YOUNGER PERFORMER IN A TELEVISION SERIES

Jenna Ortega (Wednesday)

HOME MEDIA

BEST TELEVISION HOME MEDIA RELEASE
Night Gallery, Season 3 (Kino Lorber)

BEST 4K HOME MEDIA RELEASE
John Wick, Chapter 4 – 4K (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)

BEST FILM HOME MEDIA COLLECTION:
Superman 1978-1987 4K Collection (Warner Home Video)

Best Classic Film Home Media Release
Invaders from Mars 4K (Ignite)

Maniac Announcement Trailer

Maniac wreaks havoc across the Steam Next Fest this week! Maniac puts pure chaos into the player’s hands. Time to take out your aggression on the unsuspecting community. Can you survive the cops, loot, and destroy your way to maniacal glory?

Skystone Games is excited to show Maniac, a fast-paced rogue-lite shooter that blends the wild destruction of games like Grand Theft Auto with the addictive ‘just one more try’ nature of Vampire Survivors. Whether running around in a shootout with the police, or driving a bus into oncoming traffic, Maniac allows players to cause total anarchy.

Download the Maniac Demo on Steam Next Fest this week and crash your way into society with no rules to worry about.

V Rising PlayStation 5 Announcement Trailer

Swedish game developer Stunlock Studios has announced that their hotly anticipated open-world fantasy survival game V Rising will be coming exclusively to PlayStation 5 later this year.

Following V Rising’s rewarding Early Access period on PC with more than 3.9M copies sold and sitting on an impressive 88% positive reviews on Steam, the PlayStation launch marks V Rising and Stunlock Studio’s first step in expanding beyond the PC space into the world of consoles. Partnering with Sony and with additional support from Auroch Digital, Stunlock Studios has focused on creating optimal console gameplay with UI improvements, DualSense game controller support, and a much smoother overall experience that will benefit all players regardless of their platform choice.

“As a lifelong gamer, playing V Rising on the PS5 has been a standout experience for me,” said Rickard Frisegård, CEO of Stunlock Studios. “This launch is a significant milestone for Stunlock Studios, as we’ve leveraged Unity technology to push boundaries and elevate our game to new heights. We’re excited for both our dedicated fans and newcomers to embark on this epic vampire journey. With the help of our partners, we’re not just launching a game; we’re setting the stage to keep on rising!”

Darfall Announcement Trailer

Paradox Interactive, a publisher and developer of deep and strategic games for cerebral players, today announces their collaboration with SquareNite to publish Darfall, a roleplaying strategy game with settlement-building mechanics that will be released in Early Access in 2024 under the Paradox Arc publishing initiative.

Darfall is a strategy game where you take control of a hero who must explore and adventure through the land to gain power while simultaneously managing a nascent village in its efforts to expand and grow into a larger town. However, as the sun sets, the dark forces plaguing the land unleash their minions against your base and it is your job as a hero to take a stand in defense of its home. Each night that the forces of evil are thwarted, the more dangerous and numerous the nighttime raids become.

With a mix of RPG, strategy, city-building, and a tower defense game, Darfall is sure to test the players’ mettle and resolve in their quest to hold back the tide of darkness.

For more information about Darfall, visit the Steam page here.

Earthlock 2 – Official Cinematic Trailer

Independent developer Snowcastle Games unveiled their reworked vision for in-development RPG, EARTHLOCK 2, this week with a brand new cinematic trailer, along with details on how the game will allow you to transform barron deserts into bursting oasis’ full of life and take control of cool customisable vehicles called Desert Ships.

In EARTHLOCK 2, you, alongside a band of voyagers, stand at the precipice of danger and glory. A vast desert of mystery and possibility awaits for you to explore and transform into an Oasis full of life. You will explore this world with your trusty Desert Ship. The ship starts out as a humble mode of transportation, but with time and effort, it will become your mobile base of operations, and instill fear into your enemies in the desert. Rise to become the most formidable Explorer of Umbra!

JUJUTSU KAISEN CURSED CLASH – Launch Trailer

Leading video game publisher and developer Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. today released a new trailer for JUJUTSU KAISEN CURSED CLASH, a 3D action brawler based on the wildly popular manga and anime JUJUTSU KAISEN. JUJUTSU KAISEN CURSED CLASH is coming to PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™, and PC via Steam® on February 2.

In JUJUTSU KAISEN CURSED CLASH, players can save the world in style by choosing from a variety of costumes—dress up the iconic cast of JUJUTSU KAISEN in school uniforms, casual apparel and much more. Being cursed with demonic powers doesn’t mean heading to battlefield without the hottest fashion!

The first JUJUTSU KAISEN console game ever made, JUJUTSU KAISEN CURSED CLASH lets fans relive the story and action of the anime’s first season, as well as the movie JUJUTSU KAISEN 0, where Yuji Itadori, Yuta Okkotsu and a cast of unforgettable characters defend humanity against monsters known as Curses in modern-day Japan. The game remains faithful to the anime’s original work through visuals inspired by the series’ distinct aesthetics, intense action and explosive animations. JUJUTSU KAISEN CURSED CLASH boasts a roster featuring sixteen fan-favorite characters, including Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, Kento Nanami, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, Maki Zen’in, Aoi Todo, Mahito, and Ryomen Sukuna.

To learn more about the game, please visit https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/jujutsu-kaisen-cursed-clash

Universal Studios Unveils One-Year Anniversary Celebration of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD

This is a banner year at Universal Studios Hollywood as the destination celebrates the one-year anniversary of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ which opened on February 17, 2023. Guests will enjoy new ways to level up, including the grand opening of the all-new Power Up Cafe, the debut of a commemorative, special-release Golden Power-Up Band™ and a limited-edition complimentary 1-Year Anniversary Button.

The celebratory news coincides with a recent 2024 Theme Park Insider Award in which SUPER NINTENDO WORLD was voted by Theme Park Insider readers as the “Best New Attraction of 2023.”

And the celebration continues in 2024.

On February 15, the all-new Power Up Cafe opens on New York Street, located on the Upper Lot inside the theme park. This exciting original concept venue invites guests to power up outside of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

This innovative grab and go cafe will serve a scrumptious menu of Super Mario™ Power Up themed menu items available exclusively at this permanent new cafe. Guests will be able to order either at the venue or via Universal Studios Hollywood’s official mobile app. Snacks and beverages include:

Snacks:

  • Super Mushroom Calzone: Mushroom shaped calzone filled with pepperoni, sausage, mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce
  • 1-Up Mushroom Calzone: Mushroom shaped calzone filled with spinach, green pepper, mushroom, mozzarella cheese and basil pesto
  • Fire Flower Pretzel: Fire Flower shaped pretzel served with chipotle cheese, mustard and white queso dipping sauces
  • Super Star Popcorn: Butter popcorn topped with edible glitter

Beverages:

Drop in the Power Up sugar shapes to change the color and flavor.

  • Super Mushroom Fizz: Lemon lime soda with strawberry popping pearls and a strawberry Super Mushroom Power Up
  • 1-Up Mushroom Fizz: Lemon lime soda with green apple popping pearls and a lime 1-Up Mushroom Power Up
  • Fire Flower Fizz: Lemon lime soda with orange popping pearls and a mango habanero Fire Flower Power Up
  • Super Star Fizz: Lemon lime soda with lemon popping pearls and a mango pineapple Super Star Power Up

A highlight of the one-year celebration will include a commemorative, special-release Golden Power-Up Band, a perfect addition to the existing six Power-Up Band design options with character themes. The Golden Power-Up Band will be available for purchase within the land and at SUPER NINTENDO WORLD retail shops located in the theme park, starting on February 17.

For a limited time, guests can also get a complimentary 1-Year Anniversary Button. This special commemorative collector piece will be available, beginning February 17 and while supplies last, at Guest Relations, located inside the theme park.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is a visually spectacular land, located within an expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood. Within the vibrancy of colors and architectural ingenuity, the land features the groundbreaking “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” ride, as well as many thrilling and interactive activities to engage the family within the captivating Mushroom Kingdom.

Along with themed dining at Toadstool Cafe™ and shopping at the 1-UP Factory™ retail store, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is an inspiring, game-changing addition to the world-famous theme park.

From the moment guests pass through the iconic green pipe, a journey filled with exploration, discovery and play awaits that is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced. Their journey begins as they enter Peach’s Castle before venturing further into the colorful Mushroom Kingdom.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD sweeps guests into the 360-degree world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach where they become an integral part of their exhilarating universe.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD was conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

For more information and details, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com; like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Don’t Be Afraid 2 Announcement Trailer

Eneida Games and Cat-astophe have spine-chilling news: Don’t Be Afraid 2 is creeping to PC this summer! This sequel to the 2020 nerve-racking hit, Don’t Be Afraid, continues the tale of David, plunging him into a fresh, blood-curdling mystery. Dare to explore a mansion shrouded in shadows, where mind-bending puzzles and a monstrous entity – that’s more than just a bump in the night – await. Those who dare can wishlist on Steam.

“David’s story has only just started, and we’re excited to step back into his shoes and show what happens to the young man who fought so hard to survive,” said Krzysztof Szymański, narrative director. Don’t Be Afraid 2 explores how living through something terrible changes you. It’s a game about trauma and violence and what it takes to survive a nightmare.”

Don’t Be Afraid 2 masterfully stitches together a tapestry of haunting puzzles, exploration, and facing your worst nightmares. For years, David has tried to cope with the trauma of his early childhood. While unable to move on, he’s sucked into a new mystery when his psychiatrist recommends he goes back to the start of his misery– with dire consequences.

Echoing the nostalgic terror of early 2000s ‘escape the room’ games, Don’t Be Afraid 2 balances horror and puzzle elements to create an immersive experience. David’s objective is to solve puzzles to escape the house while avoiding the clutches of a crazy and deranged monster toying with his life.

Last Train Home’s Legion Tales DLC Launch Trailer

Departure time is now: the critically acclaimed historical RTS, Last Train Home, gets its first DLC, the Legion Tales, today!

Immerse yourself in 10 legendary missions, each recounting combat encounters that have become the stuff of legends among the legionnaires. Each mission has its own unique story, making every encounter worth retelling. Experience the only naval battle in history Czechoslovak soldiers ever fought. Descend into the depths of a mine for an explosive encounter with your enemies. Or witness a true machine-gun priest mowing down the forces of evil in the name of the Lord. And you can even try to capture a tank and let all hell loose!

Get the launch discount
The Legion Tales DLC releases today, February 1st, 2024, with a suggested retail price (SRP) of $14.99 / €14.99 / £11.99. During the first week, until February 8th, the DLC will have a 10% discount. Additionally, the Legion Tales DLC is included in the Last Train Home Deluxe Edition, which will be on sale on Steam from February 1st to February 8th with a substantial 34% discount. This discount also applies to the standard edition of the game.

DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH Reveal Trailer

KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS revealed today the latest trailer for the highly anticipated sequel to DEATH STRANDING at Sony Interactive Entertainment’s State of Play confirming the title of the game, DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, arriving exclusively on PlayStation®5 in 2025. View the new trailer here.

In DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH, embark on an inspiring mission of human connection beyond the UCA. Sam—with companions by his side—sets out on a new journey to save humanity from extinction. Join them as they traverse a world beset by otherworldly enemies, obstacles and a haunting question: should we have connected? Step by step, legendary game creator Hideo Kojima changes the world once again.

DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH sees Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, and Troy Baker return to Hideo Kojima’s genre defying universe. They will be joined by Elle Fanning, Shioli Kutsuna, and Academy Award-winning film director George Miller.

Hideo Kojima is joined by longtime collaborator Yoji Shinkawa who will direct character and mechanical design, with Ludvig Forssell and Kyle Cooper reprising their roles as musical director and title designer, respectively.

In conjunction with the release of the new DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH trailer, be sure to visit the PS5 Game Hub to add the game to your wishlist and stay tuned for more information!

Fans eager to get a deeper understanding of Hideo Kojima and get a behind the scenes look at the original DEATH STRANDING, be sure to check out the forthcoming documentary, HIDEO KOJIMA: CONNECTING WORLDS available next month on Disney+.