Disney’s next Star Wars trilogy gets pushed back, will debut in 2023

Last year Disney set a release schedule for a new slate of Star Wars movies, but things have changed since then. With theaters closed and productions shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s pushing the planned release dates back by a full yea...

How ‘Alita: Battle Angel’ triumphed over the uncanny valley

When the first trailer for the live action Alita: Battle Angel dropped in late December 2017, the internet was abuzz about the eponymous character's large CG eyes. Heck, even we called them "creepy" and "weird." Now that the film's finally here and I...

James Cameron Pays Tribute to Titanic Composer James Horner


James Horner’s work has set the emotional tone for hundreds of films but his legacy is tied to only one director, with who he shared friendship, admiration and accolades for nearly 30 years. This...

Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October (video)

Avatar Bluray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October

Despite being one of the most widely viewed 3D movies, and the highest grossing film of all time, viewers still have not been able to buy Avatar on Blu-ray 3D by itself (without paying high prices to resellers) due to an exclusive pack-in deal with Panasonic, but that will change this fall. Fox just announced the Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collector's Edition will debut globally October 15th, and release in North America October 16th. There's no word on any extra special features, as producer Jon Landau indicates in the press release (included after the break) it will contain the theatrical cut of the flick inside special packaging. Originally, the delay in releasing the movie widely on disc in 3D was blamed on a lack of 3DTVs in homes. We'll see if the prospect of watching the $2.7 billion juggernaut "the way it was meant to be seen" according to director James Cameron, nudges more buyers towards a new display this fall. Check below for a video clip of Cameron sharing the news to the movie's fans on Facebook, plus an extra treat that didn't make it into the movie.

Continue reading Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October (video)

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Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Open source mini sub appeals to our inner Steve Zissou

Open source mini sub appeals to our inner Steve Zissou

Quadrocopters haven't exactly opened the skies for DIY exploration so much as they have for acrobatic feats, but the OpenROV project is hoping to make the briny depths friendlier for aspiring explorers and educators alike. The open source rover, spearheaded by NASA engineer and researcher Eric Stackpole, sinks to depths of up to 300 feet (100 meters), runs on eight C-cell batteries for approximately 1.5 hours and can clip by at three feet (one meter) per second. Within the laser-cut acrylic frame, a sealed cylinder houses a BeagleBone, HD webcam and LED lights. This all weighs in at 5.5 pounds and is piloted using a web browser and video feed. The footage is then piped up to a laptop that tethers the vehicle to the shore. Pre-orders for OpenROV 2.3 kits will be taken through Kickstarter later this summer at $750 apiece, though there are plans to sell fully assembled units. For now, explorers can register their interest at the link below and impatient Jacques Cousteaus will be pleased to know that all files necessary to build version 2.2 are available to download now.

Open source mini sub appeals to our inner Steve Zissou originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 May 2012 02:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Editorial: Despite shaky 48 fps Hobbit preview, high frame rates will take off

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Well actually, the Hobbit preview wasn't shaky, it was smooth -- maybe too smooth -- and that's the point. "It does take you a while to get used to," Peter Jackson has admitted, referring to the surprisingly fluid motion of his 48 fps movie footage. But is he right to think audiences will even give it a chance? The launch of high frame-rate (HFR) cinema is surrounded by publicity in the run-up to the Hobbit's debut on December 12th, but it equally has a lot going against it. For starters, the film's 48 fps preview wasn't exactly received warmly. On top of that, the video-style apperance of HFR has a long history of being disliked by movie-goers -- past attempts since the 1970s have all flamed out.

85 years after the first 24 fps movies, the same number of frames are still going stubbornly through the gate (digital or otherwise) each second, so that must be what "filmic" is, right? Or will we look back on 24fps as the bad old days? Read on to see if these new/old-fangled frame speeds might survive, and though a 48 fps Hobbit trailer isn't available, we've provided a couple of clips to help you judge what two-dimensional HFR looks like.

Continue reading Editorial: Despite shaky 48 fps Hobbit preview, high frame rates will take off

Editorial: Despite shaky 48 fps Hobbit preview, high frame rates will take off originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 May 2012 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planetary Resources reveals plan for prospecting asteroids, creating interstellar gas stations

Planetary Resources reveals its plan for prospecting asteroids, creating interstellar gas stations

The cat got let out of the bag a little early, but Planetary Resources has now officially announced its existence and mission. We already told you that the venture plans to mine asteroids for profit, and is backed by a bunch of bigwigs from Silicon Valley and Hollywood. But now we know a bit more about the company after watching its announcement webcast and speaking with co-founder Peter Diamandis. Turns out, the company sees itself not only as a business venture, but as an entity that will pave the way for extending human influence throughout the solar system. Read on after the break for more.

Continue reading Planetary Resources reveals plan for prospecting asteroids, creating interstellar gas stations

Planetary Resources reveals plan for prospecting asteroids, creating interstellar gas stations originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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James Cameron to create sparks with Robogeddon on Discovery Channel

James Cameron to create sparks with fighting robots, Robogeddon coming to Discovery Channel
Fresh off his return from the briny deep, James Cameron is set to create a television show for the Discovery Channel called Robogeddon. Similar to BattleBots and Robot Wars, the program will feature a competitive death match of sorts, where robots tear each other to shreds in pursuit of being the last machine standing. In addition to Cameron's participation, the show will also feature the stamp of Mark Burnett -- famous for such reality television titles as Survivor, Shark Tank and The Voice. It's also said that Donald Hutson, the two-time Super Heavyweight Champion of BattleBots, will be among the show's competitors. No date is set for when we'll see the sparks fly, but if you want to get in on the ground floor, might we suggest hitting your local scrapyard?

James Cameron to create sparks with Robogeddon on Discovery Channel originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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