Ralph Breaks the Internet and the Worst Product Placement in Movie History
Movies are expensive, and studios are constantly looking for ways to cut down on those costs. And one of the most popular ways to do that is through "product placement," a practice in which corporations pay movie studios to prominently feature their products on camera. The more screen time, the more the characters talk about it, the more it's ingrained into the plot of the movie, the more money the studio generally gets. And now, with Ralph Breaks the Internet hitting theaters - with a slew of (apparently intentionally cute rather than greedy) product placement - what better time to take a look at this strange, if perhaps necessary at times, phenomenon?
And let's be fair, a lot of the time we hardly notice or care. The characters are probably using a cell phone anyway, so it's no big deal if it's the latest iPhone or whatever. But sometimes the product placement goes completely off the rails, forcing filmmakers to bend over backwards to incorporate one or more products into the movie, whether it makes sense or not.
Voice Actor Claims Mortal Kombat 11 Is on the Way
A new Mortal Kombat project, possibly Mortal Kombat 11, is in the works, according to a pair of tweets by Spanish-language voice actor José Eduardo Garza Escudero.
First reported by Game Informer, Escudero says he had originally been tapped by localization company Pink Noise Studios to be the Spanish language voice of Mortal Kombat characters Kung Lao and Reptile in a new game. Pink Noise, however, ultimately removed Escudero from the roles, and the actor took to Twitter to talk about it.
"Well finally I confirm that the 'professionals' of Pink Noise decided to remove my characters from Mortal Kombat 11," reads a Google translation of Escudero's tweet. "How sad that a company that wanted a lot ends up making decisions that affect both you, the consumers. Goodbye Kung Lao and Reptile."
Nintendo Will Sell 63 Amiibo in One Package in Japan
Japanese Super Smash Bros. players looking to build up their Amiibo collections will have a new option next month, as Amazon Japan is planning to sell a box set featuring all 63 Smash Bros. figures.
Spotted by the fan site Japanese Nintendo, the "Dairantou Smash Bros. Series 63 Amiibo Set" will be available on Amazon Japan beginning December 7.
It not only contains every Super Smash Bros. character released for the Wii U and 3DS versions, but also the newly announced Ridley, Inkling, King K Rool and Piranha Plant. Only 50 sets will be produced, and a special poster will also included.
Ezra Miller Completely Misunderstood Fantastic Beasts 2’s Big Twist
Full spoilers for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald's ending continue below, so read on at your own risk. For more on the film's conclusion, make sure to check out our full Ending Explained.
If there's anything you need to know about Fantastic Beasts star Ezra Miller, it is that he is a massive Harry Potter fan, with an encyclopedic knowledge of J.K. Rowling's Wizarding World that can rival any die-hard Potterhead. That's why he originally was very, very confused when he found out the surprise reveal involving his character Credence Barebone that happens at the end of The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Take a Look at Dell’s Live Black Friday Deals Right Now
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Dell's Black Friday deals have already started, much like other major retailers. The prices on laptops and gaming PCs are live right now, and there are plenty of other items on sale for Black Friday at Dell. Dell is low-key one of the best places for 4K smart TV sales, even without the added allure of Black Friday.
This list is being updated as more deals and savings come in, so be sure to check back as we enter the final stretch of Black Friday week. Also check out our comprehensive look at Black Friday 2018 deals on everything from Blu-rays to game consoles and plenty more.
Monster Hunter: Exclusive First Look Photo From the Video Game Movie
Behold this brand new exclusive photo from Monster Hunter, Screen Gems' upcoming live-action movie adaptation of the Capcom video game franchise.
The image below reveals Milla Jovovich as the movie's heroine Natalie Artemis, an original character not from the games, and Tony Jaa as the Hunter. Screen Gems has also released the official plot synopsis for the film: "Behind our world, there is another: a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When Lt. Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her loyal soldiers are transported from our world to the new world, the unflappable lieutenant receives the shock of her life. In her desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers and unstoppable, revolting attacks, Artemis will team up with a mysterious man who has found a way to fight back."
Black Friday Daily Deals: PSVR with Astro Bot Rescue Mission under £170, Nintendo Switch for £249
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Sunset Overdrive Director Joins Microsoft’s New ‘AAAA’ Studio
Sunset Overdrive director Drew Murray has joined The Initiative, Microsoft's new first-party development studio.
Murray, who also worked on Ratchet & Clank and Resistance, made the announcement on Twitter:
Moments away from starting my new job at @MSStudiosBlog The Initiative! pic.twitter.com/NaMsH3Xytd
— Drew Murray (@PlaidKnuckles) November 19, 2018
Here Are the Top 10 Best-Selling Exclusives Since 1995
The NPD Group has revealed the top 10 best-selling exclusives in the U.S. since 1995, and Nintendo holds all 10 spots. You can find each title's North American release date in the gallery below.
Revealed by NPD analyst Mat Piscatella, the list ranks the games based on dollar sales and, from January 1995 to September 2018, it's an all Nintendo list with seven Wii titles, two Nintendo DS titles, and one N64 title.
The top 10 best-selling exclusives since 1995 are as follows;
- #10 - Wii Sports Resort (Nintendo Wii)
Batman and Baby Darkseid Get a New DC Statue
If you've ever found yourself thinking that your Batman collection is woefully incomplete without a miniature rendition of Batman and his sidekick, Baby Darkseid, then you're in luck. A new Dark Nights Metal-inspired statue is among several new collectibles on the way in 2019.
DC has released preview images of several intriguing new products debuting next year, including a gorgeous Wonder Woman statue based on the art of Jenny Frison and a new line of Batman: Black& White PVC figurines. Check out the slideshow below to see everything being teased.
This isn't the first time DC has used Dark Nights: Metal as inspiration for one of its statues. Earlier this year the company released a brutal-looking 12-inch Batman statue based on Greg Capullo's cover art.