Author - boothby

2017 Oscar Nominations Announced

LOS ANGELES, CA — Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, joined by Oscar®-winning and nominated Academy members Demian Bichir, Dustin Lance Black, Glenn Close, Guillermo del Toro, Marcia Gay Harden, Terrence Howard, Jennifer Hudson, Brie Larson, Jason Reitman, Gabourey Sidibe and Ken Watanabe, announced the 89th Academy Awards® nominations today (January 24).

This year’s nominations were announced in a pre-taped video package at 5:18 a.m. PT via a global live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org and the Academy’s digital platforms; a satellite feed and broadcast media.  In keeping with tradition, PwC delivered the Oscars nominations list to the Academy on the evening of January 23.

For a complete list of nominees, visit the official Oscars website, www.oscar.com.

Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc.  In the Animated Feature Film and Foreign Language Film categories, nominees are selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees.  All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees.

Active members of the Academy are eligible to vote for the winners in all 24 categories beginning Monday, February 13 through Tuesday, February 21.

The 89th Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.  The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

NOMINATIONS BY CATEGORY – 89TH AWARDS

[mks_col]

[mks_one_half]

Picture 

  • “Arrival”
  • “Fences”
  • “Hacksaw Ridge”
  • “Hell or High Water”
  • “Hidden Figures”
  • “La La Land”
  • “Lion”
  • “Manchester by the Sea”
  • “Moonlight”

Directing

  • Denis Villeneuve, “Arrival”
  • Mel Gibson, “Hacksaw Ridge”
  • Damien Chazelle, “La La Land”
  • Barry Jenkins, “Moonlight”
  • Kenneth Lonergan, “Manchester by the Sea”

Actor in a leading role

  • Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
  • Andrew Garfield, “Hacksaw Ridge”
  • Ryan Gosling, “La La Land”
  • Viggo Mortensen, “Captain Fantastic”
  • Denzel Washington, “Fences”

Actor in a supporting role

  • Mahershala Ali, “Moonlight”
  • Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”
  • Lucas Hedges, “Manchester by the Sea”
  • Dev Patel, “Lion”
  • Michael Shannon, “Nocturnal Animals”

Actress in a leading role:

  • Emma Stone, “La La Land”
  • Natalie Portman, “Jackie”
  • Ruth Negga, “Loving”
  • Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins
  • Isabelle Huppert, “Elle

Actress in a supporting role

  • Viola Davis, “Fences”
  • Naomie Harris, “Moonlight”
  • Nicole Kidman, “Lion”
  • Octavia Spencer, “Hidden Figures”
  • Michelle Williams, “Manchester by the Sea”

Adapted Screenplay

  •  “Lion,” by Luke Davis
  •  “Arrival,” by Eric Heisserer
  •  “Moonlight,” by Barry Jenkins
  •  “Hidden Figures,” by Theodore Melfi and Allison Schroeder
  •  “Fences,” by August Wilson

Original Screenplay

  •  “Manchester by the Sea,” by Kenneth Lonergan
  •  “Hell or High Water,” by Taylor Sheridan
  •  “La La Land,” by Damien Chazelle
  •  “20th Century Women,” Mike Mills
  •  “The Lobster,” by Efthymis Filippou and Yorgos Lanthimos

Cinematography

  • “Arrival”
  • “La La Land”
  •  “Lion”
  • “Moonlight”
  • “Silence”

Documentary feature

  • “Fire at Sea”
  • “I am Not Your Negro”
  • “Life, Animated”
  • “OJ: Made in America”
  • “13th”

Documentary short:

  • “Extermis”
  • “4.1 miles”
  • “Joe’s Violins”
  • “Watani: My Homeland”
  • “The White Helmets”

Foreign language film:

  • “Toni Erdmann,” Germany
  • “The Salesman,” Iran
  • “A Man Called Ove,” Sweden
  • “Tanna,” Australia
  • “Land of Mine,” Denmark

[/mks_one_half]

[mks_one_half]

Sound editing

  • “Arrival”
  • “Deepwater Horizon”
  • “Hacksaw Ridge”
  • “La La Land”
  • “Sully”

Sound mixing

  • “Arrival”
  • “Hacksaw Ridge”
  • “La La Land”
  • “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”
  • “13 Hours”

Original score

  • Justin Hurwitz, “La La Land”
  • Mica Levi, “Jackie”
  • Nicholas Britell, “Moonlight”
  • Volker Bertelmann and Dustin O’Halloran, “Lion”
  • Thomas Newman, “Passengers”

Original song

  •  “City of Stars” (“La La Land”)
  • “How Far I’ll Go” (“Moana”)
  • “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” (“La La Land”)
  • “The Empty Chair” (“Jim: The James Foley Story”)
  • “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (“Trolls”)

Production design

  • “Arrival” (Patrice Vermette, Paul Hotte)
  • “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” (Stuart Craig, Anna Pinnock)
  • “Hail, Caesar!” (Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh)
  • “La La Land” (David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds-Wasco)
  • “Passengers” (Guy Hendrix Dyas, Gene Serdena)

Visual effects:

  • “Deepwater Horizon”
  • “Doctor Strange”
  • “The Jungle Book”
  • “Kubo and the Two Strings”
  • “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”

Makeup and hairstyling

  • “A Man Called Ove”
  • “Star Trek Beyond”
  • “Suicide Squad”

Costume design

  • Mary Zophres, “La La Land”
  • Madeline Fontaine, “Jackie”
  • Consolata Boyle, “Florence Foster Jenkins”
  • Colleen Atwood, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”
  • Joanna Johnston, “Allied”

Film Editing

  • “Arrival”
  • “Hell or High Water”
  • “Hacksaw Ridge”
  • “La La Land”
  • “Moonlight”

Live-action short

  • “Ennemis intérieurs,” Selim Azzazi
  • “La femme et le TGV,” Timo von Gunten
  • “Silent Nights,” Aske Bang, Kim Magnusson
  • “Sing,” Kristof Deák, Anna Udvardy “Timecode,” Juanjo Gimenez

Animated Short Film

  • “Blind Vashya”
  • “Borrowed Time”
  • “Pear Cider and Cigareets”
  • “Pearl”
  • “Piper”

Animated Feature Film

  • “Kubo and the Two Strings”
  • “Moana”
  • “My Life as a Zucchini”
  • “The Red Turtle”
  • “Zootopia”

[/mks_one_half]

[/mks_col]

 

Dishonored 2 Custom Difficulty and Mission Select Patch Coming Today

January 23, 2017 – We’re pleased to announce that Dishonored 2’s second free game update with additional Custom Difficulty Settings and Mission Select will be available worldwide today for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Dishonored 2 now offers even more freedom of choice and options to play your own way with the additional Custom Difficulty settings. Further customize your experience with the more than 20 different sliders to tailor everything from how quickly Sleep Darts take effect to how many active enemies are likely to attack you at once. A special slider is also included in the Custom Difficulty settings for those seeking the ultimate challenge with Iron Mode. Toggle on Iron Mode when starting a new game and, without manual saves or loads, live with the consequences of your actions or face permadeath because of them.

Additionally, with Mission Select, you’ll be able to select and replay any mission you unlock after the update is installed, retaining the status of your playthrough at the start of that mission – giving you a better shot at nailing that Ghost or Clean Hands run.

Reprise your role as a supernatural assassin in Dishonored 2, the follow up to Arkane Studio’s first-person action blockbuster that earned more than 100 ‘Game of the Year’ honors. Dishonored 2 has been praised by IGN as “amazing” and “a superb sequel”, declared a “masterpiece”  by Eurogamer, and hailed “a must-play revenge tale among the best in its class” by Game Informer. Recently named ‘Game of the Year’ by PC Gamer, ‘PlayStation 4 Game of the Year’ by IGN and winner of ‘Best Action-Adventure Game’ at The Game Awards 2016, Dishonored 2 has garnered over 100 ‘Best of 2016 Awards’.

When the mad witch Delilah seizes the throne the fate of your Empire is left hanging in the balance, how far will you go to hunt down your enemies – and take back what’s yours? Will you choose to play as Empress Emily Kaldwin or the royal protector, Corvo Attano? How will you combine your powerful supernatural abilities, weapons and gadgets to eliminate your enemies?

Dishonored 2 is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. For more information on Dishonored 2 visit: dishonored.bethesda.net.

Players Become Gods in New Conan Exiles Trailer

Oslo, Norway – January 20th, 2017 In just 11 days the barbaric open-world sandbox survival game Conan Exiles launches into Early Access on PC. The past two months has seen the Conan Exiles community grow rapidly as Funcom has revealed more and more information about the game including releasing the first two trailers based on the game’s ‘Survive, build, dominate’ tagline. Today Funcom is excited to release the ‘domination’ trailer revealing how players must engage in savage war and brutal combat to dominate the Exiled Lands.

“Take control of a towering god and drive your enemies before you as you crush their homes and conquer their land,” says Joel Bylos, Creative Director at Funcom. “That is the epitome of player vs. player conflict in Conan Exiles. We are giving players a huge, detailed open world where they can go out build a village, a city, or a vast empire in their name. If you are on a PvP multiplayer server, just remember there is always someone willing to take that from you!”

Combat is a key aspect of Conan Exiles and players will engage in brutal battles using anything from swords to warhammers and longbows. A violent fatality system ensures that they can slice each other in half or even see their own head rolling away from them in what is a savage and bloody combat system true to the spirit of the world’s most famous barbarian. To dominate the Exiled Lands, players will also have to build cities and fortresses to claim land, and they must go out and capture thralls to help them defend their settlements or create special weapons and armor. To truly dominate Conan’s world, they must also build altars to their god and bring them sacrifices to appease them. If they earn the blessings of their god, players will ultimately get to summon and take direct control of huge, towering avatars of the gods that can roam the world and crush both bodies and buildings under their weight. There will be several countermeasures against avatars and players can also choose to run and play on servers without avatars if they want to.

Conan Exiles is an open-world survival game set in the brutal lands of Conan the Barbarian, the world’s greatest fantasy hero. The game can be played on private and public servers, either in multiplayer or local single-player.

Conan Exiles enters Early Access on PC on January 31st and will also become available as an Xbox One Game Preview title in Spring 2017, with PlayStation 4 planned for later. Learn more about Conan Exiles by visiting the official website or the Steam page.

Long War 2 Mod Now Available for XCOM 2

January 19, 2017 – 2K and Firaxis Games today announced that Long War 2, the mod for XCOM 2 on PC from Pavonis Interactive, is now available from Steam Workshop.

Pavonis Interactive, the creators of the Long War mod for XCOM: Enemy Unknown and XCOM: Enemy Within have been hard at work on its successor for XCOM 2.

The Long War 2 mod presents a series of changes to the game’s campaign including the introduction of new tactical mission scenarios like Jailbreak, the Technical class for your XCOM soldiers, and more varied counter-operations from ADVENT forces.

For more information, please see 2K’s official XCOM blog with a Q&A from Pavonis Interactive: https://xcom.com/news/xcom-2-pavonis-interactive-qa-on-long-war-2

A new series of videos going in depth into the features of Long War 2 is also available to view or embed with this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PadaLO8o_P4&list=PL8mfplD2jGg9LjEoySAJQgXQxeKmn60os

Be sure to follow XCOM on Twitter and Like XCOM on Facebook to keep up to date with the latest information on XCOM 2.

Horror Anthology The Field Guide to Evil Film Crowdfunding Announced

(Park City, UT | January 19, 2017) – From the dangerously demented minds that brought you The ABCs of Death, Turbo Kid, and The Greasy Strangler comes The Field Guide to Evil, an entirely new vision of anthology horror inspired by a global exploration of folklore and mythology. The film has launched a campaign on First Democracy VC, a funding portal brought through a partnership between Indiegogo and MicroVentures. This will allow anyone the chance to become a true investor in the production, becoming the very first film equity crowdfunding campaign that Indiegogo and MicroVentures have done through their partnership.

From producers Ant Timpson and Alamo Drafthouse CEO/Founder Tim League, The Field Guide to Evil brings together eight of the most exciting voices in international filmmaking to shine a light on the stories from around the world that have kept people sleepless since before the birth of cinema.

The stories and filmmakers hail from Austria (Veronika Franz & Severin Fiala, Goodnight Mommy), Germany (Katrin Gebbe, Nothing Bad Can Happen), Greece (Yannis Veslemes, Norway), India (Ashim Ahluwalia, Miss Lovely), Poland (Agnieszka Smoczynska, The Lure), Turkey (Can Evrenol, Baskin), and the United States (Calvin Reeder, The Rambler).

“Tim League and I have been thinking about a global folklore anthology for a few years now – we’re both fascinated with the rich history in certain countries and how well-told oral folklore has evolved over centuries and across cultures. We loved the idea of approaching filmmakers whom we felt had the perfect sensibility to bring to life dark folklore from their country of origin. The tales won’t be familiar friendly fare that others have mined over the years. The filmmakers will be going down untraveled paths to explore tales that are atmospheric, disturbing, and provocative,” said producer Ant Timpson.

This innovative approach to horror storytelling is also offering an equally innovative approach to crowdfunding, becoming the first film to offer equity financing from Indiegogo and MicroVentures through their funding portal First Democracy VC. Along with a list of incredible perks, fans everywhere will now have the chance to become a true partner in the production of The Field Guide to Evil.

“I am incredibly excited to be launching the first equity crowdfunded feature in the states,” said Alamo Drafthouse CEO/Founder and The Field Guide to Evil producer Tim League. “This platform has the potential to revolutionize independent film financing and help visionary storytellers realize their dream projects.”

THE FIELD GUIDE TO EVIL Indiegogo & MicroVentures:
THE FIELD GUIDE TO EVIL Sizzle Reel:
For developments on THE FIELD GUIDE TO EVIL follow:

Three New For Honor Heroes Trailers

January 18, 2017 – Today, Ubisoft showcased three new Heroes – the Lawbringer, Nobushi and Valkyrie – that will be available in For Honor at launch. These Heroes represent the Hybrid Hero type, which will combine features of two Hero types.

  • The Lawbringer: The Lawbringers are the justice in Ashfeld. They enforce the laws and dispense punishment. Their armor is without equal. Their weapon is a grim reminder of the ultimate punishment for lawlessness. They will go wherever they are needed – pray that you are on the right side when they arrive.
  • The Nobushi: The Nobushi are the defenders of the villages too far from the Imperial City for the army to reach. They are elegant fighters with a curious weapon. They have the lightest armor that allows them to move like the wind but cannot take a lot of damage. But don’t let their appearance fool you, they are one of the most effective fighters the Samurai have.
  • The Valkyrie: The Valkyries have made a deal with the gods. They will fight and earn glory so that those who can’t will be counted in the halls of Valhalla. They are scouts and trackers who use their spears and shields to deadly effect. They are chosen by the gods — hope you never encounter one on the battlefield.

The For Honor closed beta will be available from January 26-29, 2017 on current-gen consoles and PC. Those still waiting to pledge their sword can sign up to have a chance to participate in the closed beta at forhonorgame.com/war.

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal in collaboration with other Ubisoft studios*, For Honor offers an engaging campaign and thrilling multiplayer modes. Players embody warriors of the three Great Factions – the bold Knights, the brutal Vikings and the enigmatic Samurai—fighting to the death on intense and believable melee battlefields. The game’s innovative combat system, the Art of Battle, puts players in total control of their warriors, allowing them to utilize the unique skills and combat style of each Hero to vanquish all enemies who stand in their way. For Honor will be available on February 14, 2017.

For more information about For Honor, please follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ForHonorGame and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ForHonorGame. To learn more about other Ubisoft games, please visit www.ubiblog.com.

*Associate Ubisoft studios include Quebec, Toronto and Blue Byte.

M.E.R.C. Now on Steam Early Access

January 17, 2017 – Round up your squad and step into The Sprawl, an expanse of concrete slums bordering Neotopia, humanity’s last standing city – for now. It’s time to rise up against Manta in M.E.R.C., a squad-based real-time tactics game set in a dystopic near future, available now on Steam Early Access!

As a mercenary commander for hire, you must infiltrate The Sprawl to cut off Manta’s rise to power and change humanity’s fate. Direct a four-person squad to challenge Manta’s control in real-time combat, and enlist your toughest recruits to join your allies in cooperative multiplayer. Adapt to Manta’s strategies with the use of multiple classes, complete procedurally generated side missions, and keep the unsteady peace.

M.E.R.C. is available now on Steam for $19.99 USD!

For the latest news and updates be sure to follow @tinymobgames on Twitter or visit www.playmerc.com

Aaero Gets New Screenshots

Twain Harte, CA – January 17, 2017 – Mad Fellows and Reverb Triple XP today released a new selection of screenshots from the upcoming console/PC pulsating music action game, Aaero. The screens feature a variety of levels from the game, with every level designed specifically around each bumpin’ electronic music track in the game. Each level features musical tracks from superstars of the bass-music genre, including: Noisia, Flux Pavilion, Katy B, and others. Download the new screens and check out the stunning world of Aaero.

Screenshots

Viridian Announces New Gun Camera Units

Minneapolis, MN—January 16, 2017 — Viridian Weapon Technologies™ officially announced today at SHOT SHOW 2017 a revolutionary new product category that fills a crucial gap, not only within the firearms industry, but for society as a whole.  Introducing FACT™ weapon-mounted cameras for law enforcement, conceal and carry, and self-defense.

“No product introduction at SHOT SHOW 2017 is more relevant than FACT,” said Viridian® President and CEO Brian Hedeen. “FACT can reveal what really happened in situations when a firearm is involved.” Hedeen went on to say, “FACT is not a replacement for a body camera; but with it being uniquely positioned under the muzzle of a firearm, the high definition video and audio captured by a FACT camera may better tell the real story of what occurred. Who knows, the footage might even be powerful enough to stop a riot before it starts.”

FACT™ [Fast Access Camera Technology] is designed for law enforcement, private security and the legally armed citizen and incorporates Viridian’s proprietary INSTANT-ON® activation to ensure the HD video and audio capture automatically records every time the weapon is out of the holster.

Three different FACT models will be introduced in 2017.

  • FACT DUTY™
    • Law enforcement, duty-grade model with HD camera, forward facing audio plus 500 lumen taclight for full size firearms. ADMIN data evidence integrity built-in.
  • FACT COMPACT™
    • Universal rail mounted model with HD camera, forward facing audio plus 140 lumen taclight for compact firearms.
  • FACT MICRO™
    • Trigger guard mounted model with HD camera and forward facing audio for subcompact/pocket pistols.

Viridian Weapon Technologies will be launching FACT™ weapon-mounted cameras at SHOT SHOW 2017 at booth #653.

For more information, go to www.ViridianWeaponTech.com/FACT.

Farming Simulator Announced for Nintendo Switch

January 17, 2017 – After having enticed millions of players on PC and consoles, Farming Simulator comes back in 2017 with exciting new announcements.

First of all, the most complete Farming Simulator experience makes a grand return on PlayStation®Vita system and Nintendo 3DS™ as Farming Simulator 18. Developed by GIANTS Software, Farming Simulator 18 brings a load of new features for virtual farmers to harvest fields in the palms of their hands!

Immerse yourself in Farming Simulator 18, the premiere pocket farming experience in gaming. Farming Simulator 18 gives you access to a huge selection of over 50 farming vehicles and machines, faithfully recreated from over 30 of the biggest names in the industry, including AGCO’s most respected brands: Challenger, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra.

Finally, as revealed during Friday’s Nintendo event, Farming Simulator is a stand-out entry in the line-up of Nintendo’s upcoming console: the Nintendo Switch™. Eager to share the Farming Simulator experience with the greatest audience possible, GIANTS Software and Focus Home Interactive partner up with the famous Japanese company to bring Farming Simulator to the next generation of Nintendo consoles.

More information to come for Farming Simulator on Nintendo Switch™.

Farming Simulator 18 will be available in 2017 for PlayStation®Vita system and Nintendo 3DS™