Verizon's BlackBerry 8530 and LG Chocolate Touch go hands-on

UpdatedThu, November 5, 2009 at 5:41 PM UTC

Rounding out the flurry of interesting Verizon Wireless launches today are the BlackBerry Curve 8530 and LG Chocolate Touch (pictured). The 8530 is pretty much just the Verizon edition of T-Mobile's 8520, but the LG Chocolate Touch bears closer examination. Basically it's just a war on the eyeballs of anyone who's ever seen the BL40, with the front, back, materials and interface of the device all falling incredibly short of aesthetic pleasure. However, the $80 phone does have a relatively responsive and usable touchscreen interface for a "dumbphone," and we've used worse touchscreen keyboards on Windows Mobile. So it's not a complete tragedy, but we really feel sorry for someone who skips over the DROID ERIS for this just handset just to save $20.

**Scarlett Johansson as Jaina Proudmoore** Two years ago, I'd have never thought to cast the sleek and beautiful Scarlett Johansson as baby-faced Jaina Proudmoore, but with Jaina's sexy new character model in patch 3.3, I'd say Johansson is just right now. Johansson also ensures Legendary Pictures that every guy from 14 to 40 goes to see the *Warcraft* movie, nerd or not.

**Ron Perlman as Magni Bronzebeard** You can do just about anything with prosthetics and CGI these days, but I still want someone who screams "dwarven badass" for King Magni Bronzebead. Ron Perlman is perfect for that, with his distinctive voice and propensity for playing characters with righteous beards. You probably know Perlman for his title role in *Hellboy*, but he recently swung some medieval weaponry around as Felson in *Season of the Witch*.

**Willem Dafoe as Geblin Mekkatorque** With the lack of gnomes in all the *WoW* opening cinemetics, there damn well better be gnomes in the *Warcraft* movie. I mean that, Blizzard! The gnomes demand representation! Anyway, for High Tinker Mekkatorque, I picked Willem Dafoe for his knack at playing eccentric characters and his generally quirky aesthetic. You know it works.

**Angelina Jolie as Queen Azshara** You can't put together a Hollywood blockbuster these days without Angelina Jolie, and the actress' dark sex appeal is perfect for the villainous Queen Azshara. Whether she shows up as in the film as a Highborne or a naga, I'm certan Jolie can handle the role. Granted, she's pretty much already played it as Grendel's mom in *Beowulf*.

**Christian Bale as Varian Wrynn** Just like Jolie, you've got to have Christian Bale in any major picture these days. Bale could tackle several different characters from the *Warcraft* universe, but I decided to cast him as King Varian Wrynn because of how good this guy is at playing a huge jerk while still being likeable. That's pretty much Varian to a T.

**Robert Downey Jr. as Genn Greymane** The characterization of Genn Greymane, the king of Gilneas, has taken place primarily in the *Warcraft* novels, so he's still got a lot of potential to be developed as a character. Should he show up in the film, I figure Robert Downey Jr. would be a nice touch -- if you saw the actor in *Sherlock Holmes*, you'll know why. Not to mention I find the idea of hearing his voice over a worgen model quite appropriate.

**Will Ferrell as Brann Bronzebeard** The master explorer Brann Bronzebeard is a strange combination of comical and obnoxious, and for that, I've cast Will Ferrell for the job. Not that I find Ferrell (too) obnoxious; I just think he's a talented enough comedian that he could figure out how to portray the strange comedy that is Brann Bronzebeard.

**Jessica Biel as Sylvanas Windrunner** Sylvanas has taken on many roles and forms in *Warcraft* history, and for that, I'd think a versatile actress would suit her best. After looking at almost every "it" girl in Hollywood, I settled on Jessica Biel. Biel has managed to snag a huge variety of roles, from screaming for her life in *The Texas Chainsaw Massacre* to playing the non-nonsense Captain Sosa in *A-Team*. After seeing *Powder Blue* and *Home of the Brave*, I'd say she can handle drama, and she's got a great singing voice to boot -- a must-have for the Banshee Queen.

**Milla Jovovich as Tyrande Whisperwind** For the High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, I wanted to go with an actress who had an exotic look. Angelina Jolie (who, as you know, ended up as Azshara) was a candidate for a short while, but I eventually pinned down Milla Jovovich because of those eyes of hers. The actress is no stranger to action and sci-fi (*Resident Evil*, *Fifth Element*), so a fantasy role should be an easy step for her.

**Josh Holloway as Arthas Menethil** Even though the likelihood of the *Warcraft* film's featuring Arthas is low, I still wanted to try my hand at casting him. My first thought was Hugh Jackman (just look at this picture of him), but I figured I'd go for an actor who I knew could pull off being blonde instead. You'll know TV actor Josh Holloway best as Sawyer from *Lost*, where he mastered being simultaneously angry and angsty all the time; that's about all you need for Arthas.

**Mickey Rourke as Thrall** When Blizzard said the *Warcraft* movie was going to be live-action, I don't think they could have envisioned *Avatar*. While I can't be certain, I can't see the *Warcraft* film being anything other than a mesh of live-action and animation now -- and if that's the case, I've got my eye on Mickey Rourke for Thrall. You probably saw Rourke recently as the villain Whiplash in *Iron Man 2*, but the reason I cast him is for his work as Marv in *Sin City*. That voice of his is too perfect. I can already hear him saying "lok'tar!"

**Vin Diesel as Garrosh Hellscream** Just in case I'm dead wrong on the *Avatar* animation thing, I figured I'd typecast the son of Grom Hellscream as action star Vin Diesel. Best known as Dom in *The Fast and the Furious*, Diesel's token shaved head and gruff voice are just right for Garrosh.

**Zoe Saldana as Garona Halforcen** Half-orc ambassador and assassin Garona is one of those characters who moves in and out of the *Warcraft* lore in a way that her story should be flexible enough to get her into the film. If that's the case, Zoe Saldana is a perfect match. You might not recognize her, but Saldana has taken on the role of feisty action babe in many films: Anamaria in *Pirates of the Caribbean*, Aisha in *The Losers*, and Neytiri in *Avatar*. You might also recognize her as Nyota Uhura from the reboot *Star Trek* movie.

**Gary Oldman as Medivh** Since Medivh takes on a couple of different roles and personalities in *Warcraft* lore, I felt a versatile actor should portray him. Enter Gary Oldman. Oldman is probably the best chameleon actor working in Hollywood these days. Everything he does is completely different (and amazing), and half the time, you'll never realize you're watching him until the credits roll. His recent parts inclue Sergeant Gordon in *Batman Begins*, Sirius Black in the *Harry Potter* movie series, and Carnegie in *The Book of Eli*.

**Edward Norton as Illidan and Malfurion Stormrage** I decided to cast Illidan and Malfurion Lindsay Lohan-style, a la *The Parent Trap*, and figured there was no one better for the task than Edward Norton. Now, I know what you're thinking: That guy from *Fight Club* doesn't look anything like either of the Stormrage twins! That's true, but Norton is such a brilliant actor I'm pretty certain he could pull off both roles in spite of this. Hell, he could probably pull them off in his costume from *Death to Smoochy* -- he's that good.

About our ads

Trending:

Verizon's BlackBerry 8530 and LG Chocolate Touch go hands-on

Follow Us