Why Watch? So…why can’t Hollywood figure out video game adaptations again? We recently featured Dan Trachtenberg’s Portal short film, and here’s another situation where fans have figured out 1) how to pay homage to a beloved video game while 2) pulling in viewers that don’t know a thing about it. The game in question this go ’round is “Fallout,” and this short film from Julian Higgins and Zack Finfrock is hilarious, triumphant, and holds its tongue firmly in its cheek. Plus, the make-up design and camera work are stellar, as is the acting chemistry. The production here puts most Hollywood video game attempts to shame. To shame! What does it cost? Just 16 minutes of your time. Check out Fallout: Nuka Break for yourself:

Why Watch? This short film is a lie. Dan Trachtenberg set the internet on fire yesterday and auditioned for a slot as the director of a “Portal” film (if they ever make one) with a crisp little film that highlights camera work and a bit of action. In full disclosure, Dan has been a guest on Reject Radio, and we’re friendly acquaintances, but the work here speaks for itself. If you’re unfamiliar with the video game, it mainly involves using a gun that shoots an entry and exit hole into walls and other obstacles, and here it’s put to great use with a charismatically silent leading lady. If you’re familiar with the game, there’s nothing else left to do but fall in love. What does it cost? Just 6 minutes of your time. Check out Portal: No Escape for yourself:

I’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is that schlock producer extraordinaire Lorenzo di Bonaventura is taking his fetish for making big screen adaptations of 80s era properties to a new low by optioning the rights to the arcade game “Space Invaders”. The good news is this feels like it might be hitting bottom. I know that this is a business and that properties people are familiar with sell, but when we’re adapting something that’s little more than a blip shooting little blips at a bunch of other blips then it feels like the well has dried up. Sure, people have heard the words “Space” and “Invaders” put next to each other before, but is that title really going to sell a movie about space ship dog fights anymore than some other title would? Is the young audience out there going to see the first trailer for this film and say, “Hey, Space Invaders! That’s that old videogame my grandpa used to play! Cool!” Somehow I kind of doubt it. When it gets to the point that we’re adapting board games and novelty items into feature films, we have to be nearing the phase when they’re going to start losing money. I feel like we’re only months away from literally getting something like Pet Rock: The Movie. While that will suck, once it becomes a massive failure Hollywood will have no choice but to start buying spec scripts for original stories. Enjoy your Space Invaders Hollywood executives, [Due to Content Scraping and Theft, we have been forced to try abbreviated feeds. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and woud very much appreciate you clicking through to view the full article on FilmSchoolRejects.com]

The first time I uttered a curse word was when I was eight. Perhaps these days that would make me a late bloomer (you kids with your snap bracelets and Ace of Base, amirite?), but back then it was a pretty big deal, and it was attached to a big event — the unfettered hatred of my first self-purchased game – Ghosts ‘n Goblins for the NES. To say this game was a motherf@*ker is a monumental understatement. Capcom’s Ghost ‘n Goblins is widely considered one of the most difficult early arcade titles of all time, and I’ll readily admit that I could only get so far before throwing the controller and screaming myself out — my mother finding me in the fetal position; a mass of burning tears and snot.

It was eleven months ago that Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, the 28 Weeks Later director, took over helming duties for a Bioshock film with Gore Verbinski still bringing his larger than life producing to the project. That means that in one month, we’ll have gone a full year without any serious movement on bringing the video game adaptation to life on the big screen. That also means that it’s about that time for someone with big guns to be talking about it again – and Verbinski is still talking a vaguely strong game about delivering for the fans.

With the news of supposed Hollywood buzz surrounding just such a fantastic game franchise in Deus Ex: Human Revolution, I still remain skeptical. Before I explain why, even with a noteworthy fanbase and three well received games in the bag, that this game will likely never see production — let’s take a close look at the situation.

The film is going the way of a , and that might not be too terrible.

You’d think that by 2009, putting a solid amount of money and known actors into movie might not result in a piece of crap. You’d be wrong.

Maggie Q has joined the cast of King of Fighters, based on the hit videogame series from the mid to late nineties. She’ll be fighting alongside Ray Park, Sean Faris, Will Yun Lee, and David Leitch.

If there is anyone who needs to do a little bit of setting the record straight, it is Brett Ratner. Though, I would surmise that the Rat isn’t really looking to get that spotlight off of himself, as he has been one of the most talked about non-working directors of 2008.

It seems that after those sweaty Jake Gyllenhaal photos made their way to the press, security has tightened up. Now all the media can get hold of are snapshots of large buildings which don’t move around a lot.

I don’t really get it? How is this any different from Halo or any other futuristic, other-worldly, shooter game? While the graphics are pretty dark and creepy, and the content is certainly for a mature audience…is it really that special?

The trades are confirming today what Latino Review told us back in early April, that Jake Gyllenhaal is going to play the title role in Disney’s Prince of Persia.

When you think of the video game Halo, what comes to mind? I think of a lot of time spent in front of my television, eating Cheetos and “socializing” with friends as I dominated 14-year old kids all around the world with the butt-end of my shotgun. You may have a different thought, but that is pretty much it for me.

Mila Kunis (That 70s Show) has been cast to co-star as an assassin looking to avenge the death of her sister.

Time and time again we see movies adapted from video games fail miserably.

The movie may be getting rocked by critics, but there are 3-4 minutes of a nude Olga Kurylenko somewhere in the middle to take the sting off the train-wreck of a story.