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'Top Gun 3D' comes with its own virtual movie theater
Paramount has apparently been busy building its own movie theater these past six months -- and it's the kind of you can access anywhere you are, because it exists in virtual reality. According to Deadline, the studio teamed up with cross-platform software Bigscreen and worked with Oculus, Samsung, HTC and Microsoft to create a virtual cinema where it can show its films. They're launching the theater to the public on December 3rd with a showing of Top Gun 3D.
Must See HDTV (February 18th - 24th)
After its run on the internet and then cable TV, Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome is coming to Blu-ray, along with the second season of Game of Thrones and Monsters Inc. Sports fans have NASCAR racing to (try to) replace football, while movie buffs can keep an eye out for the Academy Awards on Sunday. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Top Gun 3D After a short run in theaters, Top Gun 3D is coming home on Blu-ray. We've had the chance to watch it already and came away with (mostly) good things to say about the conversion. The 3D conversion is well done and particularly in the action scenes, as one watches F-14s zooming through the air it enhanced the feeling of speed and depth. Now, it's not all good news as we did notice a slightly different color tint on the 3D version, not necessarily bad, but different. Overall we liked it, so if you're looking for another 3D viewing option and are a fan of the original, it's worthwhile, but probably not required viewing. If you're not a 3D fan, this probably won't change your opinion. ($19.96 on Amazon) Daytona 500 NASCAR is back and in full effect. If you like to see cars turning left then this is the series for you, and in a fresh twist, Danica Patrick will debut as the first female polesitter in race history. This race will also see the new Gen6 cars that are designed to not only be safer and faster, but also more closely resemble production automobiles. Whether you're watching the race end to end (February 24th, Fox, 12PM)
Top Gun Blu-ray 3D details revealed, comes home February 19th after IMAX 3D run
After being delayed, Top Gun 3D will be released by Paramount in 2013. Prior to his passing late last year, director Tony Scott personally oversaw the remastering and conversion of the 80's classic performed by Legend3D. According to the press release, the process of remapping and adjusting the depth of elements in the movie brings additional clarity to its aerial dogfights in both the long shots and cockpit closeups. This comes after the 3D rerelease of Titanic last year, and ahead of the theatrical return of a converted version of Jurassic Park this summer. Before the Blu-ray 3D version hits stores February 19th it's due for a six day IMAX run, although if you're only into it for the 2D (and Tom Cruise, of course) a remastered version is included as well. Check after the break for a trailer and the press release with all of the specs, it's currently available for pre-order from Amazon for $19.96.
Flight sim bubble offers 360-degree view, makes earth seem round
You've got the yoke, you've got the ridiculously over-priced gaming chair, so now all you need is Barco's 360-degree display dome. It uses 13 separate projectors to create a hi-def simulacrum of paradise inside a 3.4-meter acrylic sphere. The pilot sits in the middle, suddenly remembers why he took up aviation, and then connects with up to seven other bubbles to practice complicated squadron missions. More desperately inviting pics after the break.
Beverly Hills Cop comes to Blu-ray May 17th
While we wait for the LOTR EE Blu-rays to get a release date we can mark down a specific one for Axel Foley, since Paramount has announced it will be releasing Beverly Hills Cop on Blu-ray May 17th. It's coming home a week after another 80s classic, Top Gun is rereleased in 25th anniversary form, and promises "nearly an hour" of special features. Besides the 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack, the extras include a look into both the casting and the music of the movie. Check out the details in the press release after the break although we should warn you, there's no info about Beverly Hills Cop II on Blu-ray in there -- we looked.
Paramount and Dreamworks ditch Blu-Ray for HD-DVD exclusivity
The latest blow in the stalemate war: Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks Animation have dropped their Blu-Ray support in exclusive favor of HD-DVD. When the format fiasco initially began, the two studios were already exclusive to HD-DVD, before later deciding to release their films on Blu-Ray as well. This flip-flop means that films such as Transformers and Shrek the Third will only be available on HD-DVD, along with features from Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films.Troops on both sides of the fence can breathe easy, however, as the single greatest American film of all time will still be available on both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD.[via Engadget]
Jet Impulse redeems DS flight sims
The selection of flight simulation games available for the Nintendo DS so far has not only been slim, but shameful. F-24: Stealth Fighter took the fun out of flying, Freedom Wings forced its autopilot mode on players, and Top Gun DS failed to even take off with fans of the original NES game. Nintendo hoped to right the wrongs of these half-hearted, third-party attempts by releasing their own entry into the air combat genre: Jet Impulse (unfortunately titled DS Air in the US). Siliconera previewed the Japanese release and had nothing but praise for the import. The arcade-like flight sim manages to get the formula right with solid d-pad controls, addictive gameplay, and a number of small touches that add to the dogfighting atmosphere. Also, the anime cutscenes and downloadable content really separate Jet Impulse from its low-budget competition.Provided that Jet Impulse doesn't require us to manually land on an aircraft carrier at the end of every mission, we'll definitely be looking out for the game's US release later this year.
After Burner lands on PSP
Back in August, Sega convinced Planet Moon Studios to develop a PSP addition to one of their classic franchises. Specifics were left up to debate, with Streets of Rage, Altered Beast and several other Sega classics touted as being the next to see a strong PSP revival. Eurogamer now reports that the game is, in fact, After Burner: Black Falcon, no doubt an exciting aerial ballet of destruction that has you piloting an advanced plane, shooting down other planes and then being shot down by even more planes. Due for release in Spring next year and stuffed with 19 customizable planes and Wi-Fi play, Black Falcon will have to work hard to eject the original game's addictive gameplay from our minds. If it wasn't possible to relive the arcade experience from within Sega's own Shenmue II, we would likely still be playing After Burner in a seedy arcade at this very moment. Well, either that or ... why yes, we shall try another game of Lucky Hit.
Blazing hot Ace Combat trailer & screens [Update 1]
Famitsu has beautiful new screens of Ace Combat X, an all-new continuation of the Ace Combat series. Famitsu also grabbed a trailer, which is voiced in English so you can fully appreciate the cheese. The graphics are sharp, and features some potentially awesome multiplayer. Makes me want to watch Top Gun again. Wait... I never want to watch that movie ever again. The game comes out September 17th.[Via PSP-Vault][Update 1: Trailer is now embedded after the cut, for your viewing pleasure.]
