For a movie like Avengers: Infinity War, it's definitely best to go in expecting the unexpected. But no matter how well you've tried to prepare yourself, chances are you're still going to be thrown for a major loop at least once. Case in point: Infinity War's Red Skull cameo.
It turns out that the key to the Soul Stone has actually been with Gamora this whole time, a relic of a mission Thanos sent her on years before. She's kept its location hidden as best she could, but unfortunately for her, Thanos has some pretty persuasive ways of getting information out of people, including but not limited to torturing their adoptive sisters within an inch of their life. Reluctantly, Gamora agreed to take Thanos to the Soul Stone, located on a planet called Vormir in some undisclosed far reach of the galaxy.
When they arrive, the planet seems to be pretty much uninhabited--a relic of some ancient civilization that's moved on maybe, covered in mountains and strange rock formations peppered across still bodies of water. As they climb to the top of one of those rock formations, they're interrupted--a figure shrouded in flowing black robes materializes in their path, and, as they step out of the shadows, we see their face.
Or, well, we see their skull. Which just so happens to be red--because, that's right, the Red Skull, the villain of Captain America: The First Avenger, a guy who was last seen seven real time years ago, is back.
Surprise!
In case you're not quite as up on your vintage Cap history, here's the abbreviated version of events from Steve Rogers' origin story. Back in the 1940s, Hydra founder and Nazi science officer Johann Schmidt tried to recreate the super serum that created Captain America. He tested his formula on himself, only to become horribly disfigured with his trademark red, skull-like face. On top of his scientific pursuits, Schmidt became obsessed with occult objects and mythology, leading him on a quest to uncover an artifact known as the Tesseract, or "Cosmic Cube," which we later learned contained the Space Stone.
Schmidt used the Tesseract to create energy weapons of mass destruction for his own personal Hydra splinter cell, which he planned to use to take over the world. This, obviously, was thwarted by Steve Rogers in the accident that left him frozen where he'd later be revived in the present day. Schmidt was less lucky, and, prior to the plane crash took hold of the Tesseract in its raw form only to have its energy tear him apart.
Or, at least, that's what it looked like.
It turns out that the Tesseract did not actually kill Schmidt, but instead the Space Stone used its teleportation powers to move and transform him into some sort of Infinity Stone connected cosmic entity. He describes his role on Vormir as something along the lines of the Soul Stone's keeper--it's his "curse" he says--and he certainly seems to know quite a bit about the Stone. But he doesn't elaborate much beyond that, other than to say that he himself can never actually possess the the Stone because he was judged "unworthy."
What we're left with is the knowledge that the Red Skull has, essentially, been acting as an interstellar Ring Wraith for nearly 100 years without anyone having even the slightest idea. It's all bizarrely poetic: Schmidt and the Tesseract were the heralds of the MCU's very first Infinity Stone, even though we didn't quite know it at the time, so it only makes sense in a book-ending sort of way that he'd be the guardian of its last.
Strange as it may sound, this is not all that out of character, or all that unexpected, for someone like the Red Skull. Throughout his long comics history (he's existed since 1941), Schmidt has been killed off and cosmically reincarnated more times than anyone could really count. His nonstop obsession and association with the Cosmic Cube (not generally called the Tesseract and a separate entity from the Infinity Stones in the comics) has spun him into a sort of unkillable poltergeist to perennially haunt Steve Rogers at every turn. Typically his motivation for doing so involves becoming Captain America, cloning Captain America, or otherwise replacing Captain America with something he's engineered all in order to help topple the country and make way for a new Hydra empire.
It's probably unlikely that the Red Skull is going to be reincarnated back on Earth now that his duty to watch over the Soul Stone's, uh, ritual platform? Home planet? Resting place? Has been fulfilled, but it might be best not to rule anything out. More importantly, Schmidt's survival and return at the hands of the Infinity Stone's powers opens the door for all kinds of previously unthinkable revivals and surprise cameos as the MCU goes on--after all, if Schmidt's been around all this time, who else might still be out there hiding somewhere in the stars?
Sony has released its earnings report for the most recent quarter, which ended on March 31, 2018. This provides us with an updated look at the PlayStation business, which saw another 2.5 million PS4 units sold worldwide during the quarter. That brings lifetime sales of the console to approximately 79 million units, which means the system has now nearly topped the sales total for the PS3, which passed 80 million back in 2013.
Sales for Sony's Game & Network Services division increased 18% to 1,943.8 billion yen for the quarter. The company attributed this in large part to an increase in PS4 software sales, which were up to 52 million units from 50.6 million during the same period last year. That included a major uptick in digital sales, as 43% of games sold were digital, as compared with 37% the year prior. For the full year, 32% of full games were sold digitally.
Sony also made note of an increase in PlayStation Plus subscribers. As of March 31, it has 34.2 million members, up from 26.4 million a year earlier and 20.8 million the year prior. The company announced recently that it will stop offering free monthly PS3 and Vita games as part of the subscription beginning next year.
Image source: Sony IR
For the current fiscal year, which runs through the end of March 2019, Sony said it expects sales for the division to drop about 2%. That's due primarily to a decrease in PS4 sales, which isn't a major surprise given that we're coming up on the console's five-year anniversary. In other words, these earnings provide no indication of an imminent launch for the PS5.
For the full fiscal year, Sony overall saw sales and operating revenue increase 12% year-over-year to 8,554 billion yen. Game & Network Services for the full year also saw an increase to 1,943.8 billion yen, up from 1,649.8 billion yen during the year that ended on March 31, 2017.
It should come as no surprise that Avengers: Infinity War is cleaning up at the box office. However, you might not have expected it to do this well. Thanks to its Thursday night preview screenings, the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie has already raked in $39 million domestically--giving it the fourth best opening night ever.
The news comes from Variety, which reports that Infinity War's Thursday night haul trails only Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 2. That makes it the highest opening night for a movie in the MCU, destroying Avengers: Age of Ultron's $27.6 million from 2015. It also outpaces the $25.2 million Black Panther made during preview screenings two months ago.
Now all eyes are on the opening weekend gross. Infinity War is estimated to earn between $225 and $245 million domestically in its first weekend, though Variety notes there's a possibility it would cross $250 million. Should that happen, it would become the biggest opening weekend of all time, besting the $248 million that Star Wars: The Force Awakens bowed to in 2015.
Whatever the case, Infinity War is going to make a ton of money and Marvel is going to get to do it all over again next year when Avengers 4 hits theaters, concluding the story introduced in this movie. Have you seen Avengers: Infinity War? If so, take a look at GameSpot's spoiler coverage, from an explanation of Peter Dinklage's character to what that post-credits scene means.
Ubisoft has been making games for decades and has established a healthy number of successful franchises during that time. We often tend to look to what's next as gamers, but right now Ubisoft is looking back during its Ubisoft Legacy Sale. This sale puts classic PC games, often ones that helped kick off or popularize current hit franchises, on sale for $5 each. Note that you'll have to access these games through your Uplay library, and that the sale is only live through this weekend. Let's dig in and see what might be worth buying in this sale.
On the same subject, a certain Ubisoft spy turned up in Wildlands recently. His name is Sam Fisher, and you can see where his story began by picking up the 2002 game Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell for $5. Or if you want to skip ahead, you can grab 2013's Splinter Cell Blacklist, the most recent game in the series. It's also on sale for $5, even though it normally retails for $30, making it a great bargain.
Far Cry 5 is one of the hottest games these days, but you can grab the original Far Cry for $5 to see just how much the series has evolved. Also available are Assassin's Creed II and Rainbow Six Vegas, both on sale for--you guessed it--$5. And why not prepare yourself for the eventual launch of Beyond Good and Evil 2 by catching up with the original for $5.
The Marvel universe is vaster than just a team of Avengers. But instead of listing every film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we've taken the liberty of rankingevery single Marvel movie in the universe (including those outside the MCU) according to Metacritic's unique score system.
Let's start with one we'd rather forget. It's not very often Marvel is involved in a movie that so blatantly swings and misses. Shackled by horrible reviews, bad dialogue and lackluster action scene, 2015's Fantastic Four reboot is the lowest-rated Marvel movie ever.
The 2008 reboot of The Punisher is filled with a bunch of gratuitous violence, but little else. Punisher: War Zone is still the worst-performing Marvel film at the box office, with a worldwide gross of $10.1 million.
In this 2012 entry, Nicolas Cage reprised his role as Johnny Blaze, the devil's bounty hunter. The sequel to 2007's Ghost Rider was largely panned by critics, but it was a box-office success nevertheless. In 2013, Cage said that he is finished playing the role of Ghost Rider, and a second sequel was subsequently canceled.
Back in 2004, the unstoppable vigilante known as The Punisher emerged following the brutal murder of his family. After Thomas Jane, the original Punisher, left for creative reasons, the planned sequel was scrapped for the previously mentioned 2008 reboot, Punisher: War Zone.
In this Daredevil spin-off, Jennifer Garner reprised her role as the assassin Elektra. The film was so unpopular that a companion video game was never released because developers feared it would fail. Ouch.
Garner's Elektra was panned, with a mark of 34 on Metacritic.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
42. Ghost Rider
Aside from the stellar special effects and usual greatness of Nicolas Cage, this movie a mess, littered with bad jokes and hammy dialogue. That didn't stop Ghost Rider from being a success as the box office, however.
Cage's Ghost Rider drew a 35 in Metacritic's rankings.
(Photo: Sony Pictures Entertainment)
41. Blade: Trinity
The third entry in the Blade saga is also the most unwatchable. Even with a decent cast that includes Wesley Snipes, Jessica Biel and Ryan Reynolds, Blade: Trinity lacks a much-needed narrative direction.
The worst entry in the trilogy earned a 38 on Metacritic.
(Photo: New Line Cinema)
39. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (tie)
For years, fans of the adamantium-clawed Wolverine were clamoring for a stand-alone film. They finally got one, but this 2009 prequel did not live up to the immense hype. Although Hugh Jackman turned in another top-notch performance as James "Logan" Howlett, the actor expressed how unhappy he was with the film's final product.
Wolverine's first solo film was awarded a 40, per Metacritic's score.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
39. Fantastic Four (tie)
The first feature about Marvel's famed superhero team, released in 2005, to actually get a theatrical release had rousing action scenes, but little else.
The 31st-ranked Marvel film scored a 40, per Metacritic's rankings.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
38. Daredevil
This 2003 feature stars Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer who fights for justice as the masked vigilante Daredevil. Despite Daredevil's success at the box office, the superhero film was filled with generic dialogue and a lack of character development. But we did get one stellar performance from the late Michael Clarke Duncan.
According to Metacritic, Affleck's first superhero film scored a 42.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
36. Blade (tie)
In 1998, Blade became the first Marvel comic-book hero adapted to the big screen. The success of this film also helped popularize both superhero and vampire films, which are two of the most successful movie genres today.
Wesley Snipes' first turn as the quasi-vampire earned a 45 on Metacritic.
(Photo: New Line Cinema)
36. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (tie)
Rise of theSilver Surfer is one of the rare sequels that's actually (slightly) better than the original, according to critics. This film still suffers from a failure to maximize the potential of its talented cast, including Laurence Fishburne as the voice of the Silver Surfer. While the film had some box-office success, a follow-up was canceled in lieu of a franchise reboot.
According to Metacritic's scores, this flick scored a 45.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
34. Blade II (tie)
Here's another sequel that critics believe is better than the original. And moviegoers agree, as Blade II is both the best-reviewed and the highest-grossing film in the saga. What's more, this flick helped introduce Americans to the talents of director Guillermo del Toro, who would go on to helm Pan's Labyrinth and Hellboy.
While this 2014 film might have been a bit overstuffed with plot lines, set pieces and villains, Amazing Spider-Man 2 was still a commercial success. The movie was originally envisioned as a springboard for a shared universe, but it performed below expectations and all subsequent installments were canceled. Spider-Man will instead join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The final Amazing Spider-Man movie earned a 53 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
31. Hulk (tie)
Ang Lee's 2003 art-house rendition of the Hulk is one of the most ambitious Marvel films, with its poignant themes and beautiful cinematography. But it wasn't a good match for the source material. Ultimately, this film just needed more HULK SMASHES!
Poor Thor. The second installment in the god of thunder's saga sits toward the bottom of the Marvel Universe in terms of critical reception. Despite the fact that most of the characters in The Dark World merely seem to be going through the motions of saving the cosmos, when it comes to entertainment value, it could be much, much worse.
Metascore: 54
(Photo: Disney)
29. Iron Man 2 (tie)
Following the breakout critical and commercial hit Iron Man, this sequel left much to be desired. Mickey Rourke's Whiplash couldn't quite reach the level of Jeff Bridges' Obadiah Stane.
The second Iron Man installment received a mark of 57 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Paramount Pictures)
29. Thor (tie)
This film is quite the rousing action-fest, notable for its imaginative take on the breathtaking world of Asgard. However, Thor is slightly flawed, with a plot bogged down in backstory. But it's worth a watch for fans of the Norse, hammer-wielding god.
The final chapter in the original X-Men trilogy is also the worst-reviewed in the saga. The action scenes in The Last Stand were impressive, but the flick was too absurd even for a superhero film.
The third X-Men film received a 58 rating, per Metacritic.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
27. Spider-Man 3
Yes, Spider-Man 3 featured everyone's "favorite" character: Emo Peter Parker. But this film was still somewhat entertaining. Tobey Maguire's final appearance as Spidey was the most successful in the franchise's history, with more than $890 million grossed worldwide.
According to Metacritic, the third Spider-Man film earned a score of 59.
(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
26. The Wolverine
Wolverine's second stand-alone film moved at a glacial pace, but it was still a critical and commercial success. The sixth film in the X-Men saga, and the first without the name "X-Men" in the title, ultimately couldn't live up to its immense potential.
The Wolverine notched a 60, per its Metacritic score.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
25. The Incredible Hulk
This reboot came out just five years after Ang Lee's rendition of the Hulk. The new entry did a considerably better job at depicting the spirit of the green Goliath, and, at the time, its visual effects were unrivaled.
The 18th-ranked Marvel movie received a 61, according to Metacritic.
(Photo: Universal Pictures)
24. Iron Man 3
Following the disappointing Iron Man 2, Marvel bounced back with the third film in Tony Stark's saga. While this movie never quite reached the heights of the original, it definitely injected some much-needed heart that was missing from the previous entry. Robert Downey Jr. has floated the idea that he might reprise his role for a fourth Iron Man film.
The third Iron Man movie scored a 62, per Metacritic.
(Photo: Disney)
22. Ant-Man (tie)
Yes, he's Marvel's smallest superhero, but Ant-Man more than makes up for it with his big heart and super strength. Ant-Man, and the affable Paul Rudd, were easy to root for in this fun popcorn flick.
This 2000 film gave the world its first live-action X-Men flick, and it did not disappoint. Director Bryan Singer's first choice to play Wolverine was Russell Crowe. The actor turned Singer down, but Crowe then suggested his friend, Hugh Jackman, for the role. And the rest is history.
The inaugural X-Men movie received a 64, per Metacritic.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
20. Deadpool (itie)
The fourth-wall-breaking antihero has been a sensation ever since his film, Deadpool, was released. The foul-mouthed film has set a number of box-office records en route to becoming the highest-grossing R-rated comic book film of all time. And a sequel is already on the way.
The Ryan Reynolds-starring movie notched a 65, according to Metacritic.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
20. X-Men: First Class (tie)
First Class represented a fresh revival for a franchise that desperately needed some new blood. The 2011 prequel brought together a perfect combination of stylish directing, a strong script, and powerful performances to create one of the best origin stories in any comic book feature.
First Class kicked off a fresh franchise with a score of 65, per Metacritic.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
17. The Amazing Spider-Man (tie)
The reboot of the popular Spider-Man franchise was met with generally favorable reviews from top critics. However, many reviewers believed that The Amazing Spider-Man reused the same plot points from 2002's Spider-Man. Nevertheless, Andrew Garfield's witty one-liners made this one of Marvel's more entertaining films.
Garfield's first turn as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man scored a 66 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
17. Avengers: Age of Ultron (tie)
While the second Avengers adventure couldn't quite top their first film, its genuine sense of fun and camaraderie helped make Age of Ultron one of the better Marvel movies.
According to Metacritic, the second ensemble Avengers movie scored a 66.
(Photo: Disney)
17. Captain America: The First Avenger (tie)
This movie absolutely scratches the itch for those looking for a classic World War II comic-book tale. With a pulpy style similar to Indiana Jones, The First Avenger finds that healthy balance between action thrills and nostalgia.
Bigger and brighter than the original, Guardians of the Galaxy 2 packs a ton of action and witty one-liners in the worthy sequel. Don't miss out on the five (!) post-credit scenes.
Here's one sequel that is definitely bigger and better than its predecessor. The follow-up to X-Men features a tight script, solid acting, and the best cliffhanger in any comic-book movie.
Says GameSpot's Michael Rougeau in his review: "Marvel has accomplished something truly incredible here, although at this point it's no more than the absurdly high quality bar Marvel fans have come to expect. It's been a long road getting here, but it was worth it."
Director Joss Whedon brings together an all-star cast of fan favorite Marvel characters in this raucous adventure. Not surprisingly, The Avengers is one of the most entertaining Marvel movies to date, with its witty script and playful acting.
Marvel's first Avengers soared to a 69 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Disney)
12. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
The second entry in the Captain America saga barely edges out The Avengers in a surprising upset. The Winter Soldier also has huge ramifications on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the dismantling of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Winter Soldier scored highly, with a 70 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Disney)
11. Doctor Strange
Marvel took a big risk in green-lighting this psychedelic movie about one of its lesser-known heroes, a doctor-turned-sorcerer. But the risk definitely paid off: The feature took in $85 million in its opening weekend.
Critics loved the film, too, giving it a strong score of 72 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
9. Spider-Man (tie)
This 2002 film signaled the beginning of the avalanche of superhero films, which are ubiquitous today. At the time of its release, Spider-Man had the highest-grossing opening weekend ever; it was the only film to eclipse $100 million in its first weekend. And that upside-down kiss between Spidey and Mary Jane Watson is one of the most iconic smooches in recent memory.
The sixth-highest ranked Marvel film scored a 73, per Metacritic.
(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
9. Spider-Man: Homecoming (tie)
After returning to Queens following the events of Civil War, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) struggles to maintain his school life and deal with the Vulture (Michael Keaton).
The Marvel film also features cameos by Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Jon Favreau, who reprises his role from the Iron Man series.
It's the best-reviewed X-Men film in the series and one of the rare movies to actually make time travel work. Days of Future Past also has the distinct honor of being the only X-Men film in the series to be nominated for an Academy Award (Best Visual Effects). On top of that, the sequel to First Class serves as a resolution to the original trilogy's messy storyline.
The time-traveling feature notched a 74 on Metacritic.
(Photo: 20th Century Fox)
6. Captain America: Civil War
An adorable new Spider-Man and a wickedly suited-up Black Panther freshen the MCU lineup, but the fight scenes alone are worth the price of admission.
Captain America: Civil War soared to a score of 75 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Disney)
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
This fun film delivers a breath of fresh air to the overly serious universe of comic-book franchises. Guardians of the Galaxy features a bevy of lovable losers, along with an upbeat soundtrack that will get your nostalgia juices flowing. This rousing film is simply a Marvel classic.
Guardians earned a score of 76, according to Metacritic.
(Photo: Disney)
4. Logan
In his final appearance as the Wolverine, a grizzled Hugh Jackman delivers one of his finest performance as the adamantium-clad mutant.
RogerEbert.com said of the film, "Logan is the rare blockbuster that could be a game-changer. It will certainly change the way we look at other superhero movies."
Logan clawed its way to a 77 on Metacritic.
Photo: 20th Century Fox
3. Iron Man
Surprise, surprise: The film that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes up slightly short of the top spot on this list. The first Iron Man simultaneously resuscitated Robert Downey Jr.'s career while helping to make comic book movies super cool once again.
The inaugural Iron Man blasted its way to a 79 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Paramount Pictures)
2. Spider-Man 2
All the big players from the original film reprise their roles in Spider-Man 2, but what elevates this feature is Alfred Molina's brilliantly complex portrayal of Doctor Octopus.
This Marvel film scored big with an 83 on Metacritic.
(Photo: Columbia Pictures)
1. Black Panther
More than just a stunningly beautiful superhero movie filled with incredible action scenes, a killer score, complicated characters and a compelling setting, Black Panther is a full-fledged cultural event that asks -- and answers -- some tough but important questions.
It's not just the best Marvel movie in years -- it's the best Marvel movie of all time.
Speculation has been ramping up about Peter Dinklage's mystery Avengers: Infinity War role for a while now, with guesses ranging from Black Order voice acting to secret S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, so the truth has been a long time coming--and it's not the first thing we expected.
Far from a brief cameo or a voiceover, Dinklage was actually a key player in Infinity War's proceedings in the surprise role of Eitri, the king of the Dwarves of Nidavellir, one of the Nine Realms in Asgardian mythology and the home of a legendary forge.
Unlike the other Nine Realms worlds we've seen in the MCU thus far like Midgard (Earth) and Jotunheim (home of the Frost Giants), Nidavellir is less of a planet and more of a strangely medieval space station. It's a planet-sized building constructed around the heart of a dying star--the only known energy in the universe powerful enough to allow the forging of Uru, the mystical metal used to make Thor's old (now destroyed) hammer, Mjolnir.
It's replacing Mjolnir that drives Thor (and Rocket and Groot) to Nidavellir in the first place--though what they find is a little less than the bustling, grand Dwarven city any of them expect. Instead, the realm has all but crumbled after a visit from Thanos, where he forced the Dwarves to use their forge to craft the Infinity Gauntlet and then unceremoniously (and unsurprisingly) murdered everyone there except the king. Eitri has been stranded there, forced to shoulder the burden of his guilt over arming the Mad Titan.
To make matters worse, the forge has gone dark, which means it's now up to Thor and Rocket to reignite the furnace and get the Uru flowing once again--even if they're only able to do so long enough for Eitri to pour some into the mold of a new weapon. Unsurprisingly, despite being nearly fatal, the team manages to produce Stormbreaker, an ax with the power to potentially kill Thanos. It may not have Mjolnir's mythological cred or cool "whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy" inscription, but it'll certainly do.
Over in the comics, Eitri and the rest of the Dwarves of Nidavellir have a slightly more protracted (though ultimately less bleak) history. On that side of the Marvel Universe, Eitri was not responsible for crafting the Infinity Gauntlet (Thanos did that himself), but was responsible for making Mjolnir--an event that was so cataclysmic that it actually, in some versions of the tale, caused the extinction of Midgard's dinosaurs. No, really.
Over the years since their early 1980s debut, Eitri and his people have been on-again-off-again key players in Thor's adventures, usually coming to the aid of Odin when there is unrest in the Nine Realms that requires the construction of new armor or weapons. All in all, the Dwarves have historically remained on pretty good terms with the Asgardians in that sense, and have generally always been happy to lend a hand. However, when things started going south for both Earth and Asgard during the 2011 Fear Itself crossover, things went a little off the rails and the Dwarves and their forge had to briefly step into the spotlight in a major way.
Following a sequence of events relating to, in no particular order: the destruction of Asgard in its Earthbound location of Broxton, Oklahoma; the toppling over The Avengers by eccentric billionaire Norman Osborn; the dissemination of multiple evil mind-controlling enchanted Uru hammers all across the globe; and a prophecy about actual, literal Ragnarok carried out by a possessed daughter of the Red Skull; the Avengers found themselves in desperate need of some big guns. Tony Stark, who has some experience in the arms dealing industry, took it upon himself to figure out the solution to that problem.
The answer took him to Nidavellir and to the Dwarves, where he convinced them to create nine special Uru weapons that would be strong enough to combat the oncoming apocalypse. He also coated his own Iron Man suit in Uru before he returned to Earth and doled them out to a group of heroes nicknamed "The Mighty:" Captain America, Black Widow, Ms. Marvel, Wolverine, Iron Fist, Red She-Hulk, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, and Hawkeye.
Obviously, the MCU isn't going to completely borrow from the Fear Itself model--half of the featured "Mighty" characters are either off the table or nonexistent in the film universe and Thanos isn't exactly mythological Ragnarok (we saw that already with, well, Thor: Ragnarok last year). Still, Eitri's introduction and the time spent on Nidavellir, as well as the confirmation that Stormbreaker can do some real damage to Thanos, puts some real potential on the horizon.
The newest Avengers movie, Infinity War, is in theatres now. If you've seen the film and stayed for the credits (as you should, this being a Marvel movie and all), you might have noticed that the credits include mention of a "character from Arrested Development."
Yes, really. We failed to spot the reference ourselves--it's a blink-and-you-miss-it one. But according to Independent.co.uk, a blue-skinned, mustachioed man can be spotted in the Collector's chamber during the film. And there's only one person that could be.
Anthony Russo told HelloGiggles that diehard Arrested Development fans will see it on their first viewing, though he said you'll need to pay "careful attention" to notice it.
Infinity War directors Joe and Anthony Russo directed multiple episodes of Arrested Development, so it's not completely out of left field. Also, they included an Arrested Development reference in Captain America: Civil War, so this is expected at this point.
"Marvel has accomplished something truly incredible here, although at this point it's no more than the absurdly high quality bar Marvel fans have come to expect," reviewer Michael Rougeau said. "It's been a long road getting here, but it was worth it."
By Anonymous on Apr 27, 2018 11:02 pm Ben and Jean-luc set up to try to get the Rebellion Charge Blade as well as the Dante armor in Monster Hunter: World.
Following the first official image for Fortnite's Season 4, developer Epic Games has now released an updated version. Like the first, this also features the likeness of what appears to be a superhero, further reinforcing theories about what's likely to be the theme of Season 4 in Battle Royale.
The newly updated image still features the first superhero, but now the streak across it shows a female character who looks a bit like Wonder Woman. Epic Games hasn't explicitly said anything about Season 4, though it stands to reason that these are previews of what skins we can expect to be available for Battle Royale players.
Like the first version, the image on Fortnite's website still has the words "brace for impact" on it. That would suggest that these superheroes and Season 4's theme might be related to the meteor that players have believed would crash into Tilted Towers (or somewhere on the island). Just recently, meteors have begun hitting land, although nothing of any real significance has come of that yet.
With Season 3 wrapping up on May 3, Season 4 is expected to follow immediately after. Based on what we've seen from past seasons, we can expect this to introduce a new Battle Pass (presumably purchased with V-Bucks for about $10/£8) that offers a new batch of skins and other rewards. Season 3's theme has primarily revolved around space, which makes sense given the ongoing events with the meteor, though it's also fueled speculation that aliens may show up in some fashion. As of yet, that hasn't happened.
The end of Season 3 means this is the final chance for players to complete the current batch of weekly challenges. A small number of these are available to all players, while the majority require you to own the Battle Pass. We've got a complete guide on how to complete them all, including the new Week 10 challenges.
Netflix's interstellar family vacation, Lost in Space, is a seriously fun show to watch. Based on the cult classic TV show from the 1960s, this new take is riveting, exciting, and looks beautiful--even if this distant planet they've landed on looks a lot like the wilderness outside of Vancouver, where the show was filmed.
So while it's a good show--GameSpot's review of Lost in Space is proof of our love--it's not perfect. In fact, some of the show is downright silly. Time and time again, terrible things happen in and around the Robinson family as they cope with life on this new planet, proving Murphy's Law is as strong as the laws of gravity in this corner of space.
Whether it's Will Robinson falling into an ice hole in the pilot or his parents sinking in a tar pit while out for a drive--down to the possible destruction of the planet itself--things happen again and again throughout season 1. In fact, it's so constant that you can't help but laugh.
After digging through the first season, we were able to come up with 45 different times everything went absolutely wrong on Lost in Space. Follow along, though do beware of spoilers if you haven't actually seen the show.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
The series stars off with Murphy's Law immediately sticking it to the Robinson clan when their friendly game of Go Fish turns into a space emergency, as they lose control of their ship.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
During that very crash, Maureen--the matriarch of the Robinson family--breaks her leg when a case slams into it.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
After crash-landing on a strange, new planet, the Robinsons quickly try to escape their battered ship. Of course, they don't get far due to a damaged hatch that temporarily keeps them stuck.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Not long after finally getting off of the ship, they realize it crashed into a lake of freezing water that is swallowing it whole. This is still in the first half of the first episode.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Before it gets frozen, though, eldest daughter Judy goes back into the ship to retrieve power cells to keep the family from freezing to death. Naturally, because only bad luck exists on this planet, she doesn't make it back in time and gets frozen in, with only her spacesuit keeping her alive.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Will, the youngest in the family, had a plan to free her. Instead, though, he fell down an ice hole.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
They do find a way to melt the ice, though. However, then it starts to rain and the temperature plummets again, causing the water around Judy to freeze again.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Meanwhile, after climbing out of his ice hole, Will ended up in a jungle being chased by a scary robot.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
He made friends with the robot, but then forest fire threatened to harm him--again, this is still the first episode. Thankfully, the robot turned out to be friendly and saved him, then took him back to his family, where it saved Judy. Thanks, Robot.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
The beginning of the second episode introduced another crashed ship on the planet, with a crew in a similarly disastrous situation.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
There's is a different kind of disaster, though, as the ship they're on hangs over the edge of a cliff.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
The Robinsons are looking for other survivors, though, and instead find fire and a destroyed ship, meaning not all of their people made it out alive.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
With her family off looking for other survivors, Penny sees a massive storm rolling in because nothing is ever simple.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
Naturally, her family gets caught in the storm. This isn't your run-of-the-mill rain, though. The hail can pierce your skin and cause some scary damage, as John quickly learns.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
Once they finally escape and get clear of the storm, seeing a flare from another survivor leads them right back into it as the Robinsons try to be heroes.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Because they simply cannot catch a break, after getting back to their ship safe and sound, the Robinsons realize damage has been done to their engines that must be fixed before they can leave the ice.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Additionally, a portion of the ship has flooded, making certain places impossible to reach.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
To make matters even more difficult, Maureen realizes that their fuel is disappearing somehow. Without fuel, they'll never be able to power the ship.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Where's the fuel going, you might wonder? These scary-looking snake creatures that have now infested the ship are eating it.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Thankfully, they're able to fix the engines and power the ship enough to rid them of the creatures, but not before Judy becomes trapped underneath shifting cargo.
Season 1, Episode 4--The Robinsons Were Here
Another group of survivors are working their way to the Robinsons, only to fall prey to... a dead battery. Seriously.
Season 1, Episode 4--The Robinsons Were Here
That's probably better than the trouble John and Maureen run into, though, as a massive dish falls on top of them. It's astounding to look at, but one of the worst things that could happen. Luckily, they survive without a scratch.
Season 1, Episode 5--Transmission
As Maureen tries to conduct some weather and atmosphere experiments, a gust of wind and her trusty weather balloon nearly pull her to her death over the edge of a cliff.
Season 1, Episode 5--Transmission
Not long after, she uses that same balloon to float into the planet's atmosphere. It's there that she realizes the planet's gravitational pull means it will soon be destroyed. So not only is the planet trying to kill them, it's also trying to kill itself.
Season 1, Episode 5--Transmission
But that's all in space. Down at ground level, the survivors are menaced by--what else--a big creepy, lizard monster.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
As the sixth episode kicks off, Judy and some of the other survivors find a cache of fuel they can use to leave the planet. The problem is, it's stuck in a ship that's about to topple over a cliff.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
As the group drains the fuel, Don finds information to show that Dr. Smith is an impostor. Unfortunately, almost all of it slid right out the door in a box as the ship went over the cliff. This particular moment is almost comical.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
Back at the home base, a particularly unstable survivor got their hands on a gun--thanks to Dr. Smith--and put pretty much everyone in danger in her quest to get to Robot.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
Where else would that lead but to Robot going temporarily mad, which left John badly injured. Again, thanks Dr. Smith.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Thankfully, by the next episode, John is largely healed and Robot is taken out of commission. Unfortunately, John, with Maureen this time, quickly lands back in danger when their space SUV gets stuck in a tar pit.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Meanwhile, the mission to rescue the fuel hits a snag when the transport vehicle is damaged by gaseous explosions. Evan heroically springs into action, lest the entire mission be doomed.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
That goes about as well as you'd expect, given how this show operates, when the transport hits more rough terrain.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
A particularly nasty explosion topples the tanker, crushing Evan underneath. Not all hope is lost, though, as Judy puts her medical skills to use to save him.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
However, by removing the tanker crushing them, the group also loses all of the gas they procured--mission not accomplished.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Meanwhile, Maureen and John sink all the way into the tar. In theory, that should seal their fates. Of course, they find a way out right before running out of air.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Sadly, after sacrificing the fuel to save him, Evan still dies.
Season 1, Episode 9--Resurrection
As Episode 9 kicks off, John uses what little fuel was left to return to space in an effort to signal to others that there were survivors on the planet. As you can tell, that went really well--the ship he was in blew up. He didn't die, though. Instead, he and his co-pilot were left floating through space on a small sliver of the vessel.
Season 1, Episode 9--Resurrection
As if one parent in danger isn't enough, Dr. Smith also kidnapped Maureen. You know, because she's a crazy person. Her plan was to rebuild Robot so he would be loyal to only her--and it worked.
Season 1, Episode 9--Resurrection
The rest of the survivors, though, found a source of fuel to help power their ships into space. However, upon retrieving it, they were met be these creepy and deadly alien creatures. This planet is full of monstrosities.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
While the Season 1 finale wrapped up a lot of storylines, it wasn't without its calamities. Like when the Robinsons thought they had defeated the now-evil Robot, only for him to creep back onto the ship--and destroy the hatch that keeps the cargo bay airtight.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
He wasn't alone, though. In case you thought one unstoppable killing robot was too easy a task, two of them came to play.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
While ultimately Will's Robot remembered its loyalty to the youngest Robinson and destroyed its fellow machine, it wasn't without damage to Maureen's helmet, which sucked away at her air supply.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
Likewise, the space SUV that Judy and Penny were hiding in was damaged in the fight, leaving their air supply in doubt.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
Will went outside of the ship to repair the hatch only to, in true Robinson fashion, end up in an even worse position than before when he lost touch with the ship and floated away. It's a good thing John chose that exact moment to make his way back to the ship, saving his son and rejoining the family.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
Unfortunately, just as the Robinsons and Smith were about the rejoin the rest of the survivors, a piece of alien technology on their ship instantly sends them to another galaxy--meaning they are only again lost in space.
By Anonymous on Apr 27, 2018 10:12 pm Super Smash Bros Switch is getting the spotlight in Nintendo's briefing, while we also learned more about Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
While horror movies have never really gone out of style, their popularity has never been higher than it is right now. 2017 saw the release of the most successful horror movie of all time--the blockbuster Stephen King adaptation It--while the Oscar-winning satire Get Out was the year's most profitable movie in terms of the budget to box office ratio.
This year has already had one massive horror hit in the shape of A Quiet Place, with a worldwide gross of $214 million to date, and a sequel is already in the works. In all, it's a great time to be a horror fan, and there are plenty more terrifying treats to follow over the rest of 2018.
So from serial killers and demonics nuns to ghosts, ghouls, and witches, here's a look at the must-see chillers heading our way over the next eight months...
1. Revenge
Rape-revenge movies make for one of horror's most disreputable sub-genres, but occasionally a film come along that subverts expectations. The French shocker Revenge sounds like it will be exactly that movie; following rave reviews from festivals last year, it hits the streaming service Shudder next month. It's the debut movie from writer/director Coralie Fargeat, and stars Italian actress Matilda Lutz as a young woman who sets out to avenge being assaulted in spectacularly gory style.
Release date: May 11
2. Hereditary
There's plenty of buzz about this tale of a family who move into the house of a dead grandmother and find themselves under threat from grandma's ghost. It might sound generic, but early reports suggest that Hereditary is anything but, and uses its familiar set-up to deliver something truly unexpected and terrifying. The cast is led by Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne, and it's directed by first-timer Ari Aster. We'll find out just how scary it is when it arrives in June.
Release date: June 8
3. The First Purge
The Purge series has proved to be one of the most successful horror franchises of recent years, and expectations are high for this fourth entry. The First Purge looks set to continue the mix of scares, action, and biting social commentary. As the title indicates, it's a prequel that looks at the creation of the single night of legalised crime known as The Purge, and the first trailer suggests that it's lost none of its gory, satirical bite. Purge creator James DeMonaco has handed the directorial reins over to Gerard McMurray, but he remains on board as the writer.
Release date: July 4
4. Slender Man
Slender Man is the fictional horror character that first appeared as a viral internet myth in 2009 and has gone on to become a notable part of modern pop culture. It's somewhat surprising that it's taken nearly a decade for an official Slender Man movie to be made, but August finally sees Hollywood's take on this urban legend. The movie's first trailer makes it looks like a pretty traditional teen horror movie, with disappearing kids, freaky long-haired children, spooky woods, and lots of weird, quickly cut imagery. But there are plenty of horror fans who have been waiting a long time to see the character onscreen.
Release date: August 24
5. The Little Stranger
Director Lenny Abrahamson is best known for acclaimed movies such as the absurd musical comedy Frank and the Oscar-winning drama Room, but The Little Stranger sees him step into spookier territory. Based on the 2009 novel by Sarah Waters, this is a ghost story set in the 1940s, about a country doctor who comes to work in an old hospital, where, inevitably, spooky things are afoot. Domhnall Gleeson--best known as Hux in the recent Star Wars movies--stars, and the cast also includes Will Poulter (Detroit) and Ruth Wilson (Luther).
Release date: August 31
6. The Nun
James Wan's The Conjuring was one of the most successful horror movies of recent years, inspiring not only a prequel, but two spin-offs focusing on the spooky doll Annabelle. The latest movie in this horror series is The Nun. It's set before the other four movies in the series so far, and focuses on the investigation into the earlier life (and death) of Valak, the terrifying demon nun from The Conjuring 2. Wan co-wrote the screenplay, and it's directed by Corin Hardy, who previously helmed the acclaimed low-budget shocker The Hallow and is about to start shooting the remake of The Crow.
Release date: September 7
7. The House with a Clock in Its Walls
After a brief diversion into action territory with this year's Death Wish remake, Eli Roth (Hostel, Cabin Fever) returns to the genre he is best known for with this gothic fantasy. It's an adaptation of the much-loved 1973 novel of the same name about a young orphan boy who helps his uncle and a friendly witch find a magical clock with apocalyptic powers. This is a more family-friendly slice of gothic chills than Roth's usual brand of gruesome horror and the impressive cast includes Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, and Kyle MacLachlan.
Release date: September 21
8. Halloween
The Halloween series might be one of longest-running and most profitable horror franchises in movie history, but most fans would agree that every entry hasn't necessarily been a good one. The last time Michael Myers stalked the screen was in Rob Zombie's hugely divisive remakes a decade ago, but now, on the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter's original movie, the killer also known as The Shape is back. It's directed by acclaimed indie auteur David Gordon Green, with a script co-written by actor/comedian Danny McBride, and original star Jamie Lee Curtis has returned to the role that made her famous. The movie is reportedly a direct sequel to the original movie, and if that wasn't enough, Carpenter himself is providing another iconic soundtrack. Could this be the Halloween reboot that finally gets it right?
Release date: October 19
9. The House That Jack Built
Lars Von Trier remains one of the most provocative directors in the world, best known for such controversial, divisive films as Dogville, Nymphomaniac, Dancer In The Dark, and The Idiots. Von trier has made one horror movie to date--2009's harrowing Antichrist--and he returns to the genre in 2018 with The House That Jack Built. This is a '70s-set serial killer movie that follows the gory exploits of a man named Jack over the course of a decade. Matt Dillon plays the killer, and his victims include characters played by Uma Thurman and Riley Keough. Von Trier has said that the movie celebrates "the idea that life is evil and soulless," so expect something truly shocking.
Release date: November 29
10. Suspiria
Halloween isn't the only late-70s horror classic getting a remake from an acclaimed director in 2018. Dario Argento's supernatural masterpiece Suspiria has been updated by Luca Guadagnino, the Italian filmmaker behind last year's Oscar-nominated Call Me By Your Name. This is a tale of a ballet school run by ancient, evil witches, and it stars Dakota Johnson and Chloë Grace Moretz as students who uncover the school's dark secrets. Argento's original movie is noted for its incredible visual style and thunderous soundtrack; we already know that Radiohead's Thom Yorke is providing the score for the remake, and hopefully Guadagnino will deliver something just as stylish. No footage has been publicly released yet, but a first poster was recently released, which you can see above. In addition, this report of a scene revealed at a recent convention sounds truly harrowing.
Release date: Fall 2018
11. Tigers Are Not Afraid
This Mexican ghost movie has been compared to the work of Guillermo Del Toro in the way it mixes supernatural thrills and real-world horrors. It focuses on a group of orphaned children who are trying to survive amidst a brutal drug war, and who can also see the ghosts of the dead around them. It's picked up some tremendous reviews at festivals, with critics praising director Issa Lopez's skill at creating a scary, moving modern fairytale.
We're in Golden Week right now, a week when a number of Japanese holidays just happen to be bunched together on the calendar. To celebrate, Square Enix has dropped prices on a number of PC games, notably on many entries in the Final Fantasy series. (Sony is doing a Golden Week PS4 sale as well). Below are the standouts from Square Enix's sale, but you can find the full list here.
Just about every Final Fantasy game available on PC right now is currently available for half off. Core installments III - VI are $8, while the later games range from $6 to $10 each. Those are great prices on some of the best RPGs in history--even if you don't prefer the art style changes Square Enix made to some of the games.
In non-Final Fantasy news, Dragon Quest Heroes and its sequel are also on sale for between $20 and $30, and a handful of other more niche titles are on sale as well.
You can now dress up like everyone's favorite paranormal mercenary thanks to a new Monster Hunter World event. The latest in Capcom's cross-promotional quests lets you play as Dante, if you're able to grind out enough materials from a relatively tough battle on PS4 and Xbox One.
The official Twitter account announced the new events. Dante is tied to the "Code: Red" event, a rank 14 Arena quest that has you slaying Anjanath, Odogaron, Rathalos, Teostra. Beating them all will net you Red Orbs, a special material used to craft Dante's equipment. Each individual piece of armor needs one Red Orb, and his signature Devil Sword needs two, so you'll need seven in all to get the full look. The full armor set is called Dante α, and his sword is a Charge Blade. The event quest will be available until May 10 at 5 PM PT / 8 PM ET.
By Anonymous on Apr 27, 2018 08:30 pm Joey and Rob take to the stage with Fallout 4's graphics, proving that even in The Wasteland, there's still magic in the air (or maybe that's just the radiation).
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Ben and Jean-luc set up to try to get the Rebellion Charge Blade as well as the Dante armor in Monster Hunter: World.
Super Smash Bros Switch is getting the spotlight in Nintendo's briefing, while we also learned more about Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Joey and Rob take to the stage with Fallout 4's graphics, proving that even in The Wasteland, there's still magic in the air (or maybe that's just the radiation).
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