While revealing a new partnership with SD card maker SanDisk, Nintendo has also revealed that, moving forward, some Nintendo Switch games will require a MicroSD card in order to experience the full content of certain upcoming games.
In an announcement, Nintendo noted that “a microSD card will be needed for certain Nintendo Switch games that contain an especially large amount of content and require additional storage for players to enjoy the full experience.” At least one upcoming release, NBA 2K18, will be such a game requiring a MicroSD card in the system, as evidenced by the game's updated box art.
NBA 2K18 box art with memory card requirement
Nintendo is making sure not to blindside players who purchase games that need extra storage, though. A representative for Nintendo of America confirmed that box art, like that for NBA above, will have notices of this memory card requirement on the front and back of packaging. And for those downloading on the eShop, there will be the standard information noting how large the game is is.
Nintendo also clarified that games requiring the additional space of a memory card will still allow those without a microSD card to play portions of those games.
“If you purchase a physical version of a game that requires an additional microSD memory card, you will be able to play a portion of the game right out of the box (for example, specific levels or modes),” a representative for Nintendo of America told IGN.
“To enjoy the full game, downloading additional data is required. Depending on the storage requirements for each game, it may be necessary to purchase a microSD card to expand storage space. When purchasing a digital version of the game, it may also be necessary to purchase a microSD card depending on the game’s storage requirements and the storage available on the consumer’s Nintendo Switch console.”
Nintendo's partnership with SanDisk means the introduction of branded microSDXC in 64 GB and 128 GB sizes, with packaging featuring Nintendo characters and a Switch logo branding on the card itself. The Switch supports MicroSDXC cards up to 2 TB.
“Some Nintendo Switch games will require consumers to purchase an additional microSD memory card to play them. Our expanded storage solution offers flexibility for those who need it to play these games. People can choose exactly how much additional storage space they want to buy, depending on the number and type of games they play, and the amount of content they plan to download,” Nintendo said about the process.
IGN's editorial team has already picked the 100 games that defined the last generation of home consoles. You can check out that list in its entirety right here:
But as always with these lists, there's plenty of debate and different opinions. So we thought we'd let you, the IGN reader, have your say. Over the last couple of weeks, over 65,000 votes have been cast and below are the 100 games as picked by you.
Microsoft has 2 million licensed users across 115 countries playing the education version of “Minecraft.” But it turns out that students in kindergarten through 12th grade are just too good at playing computer games. So it had to develop a tougher version of its one-hour “Minecraft” tutorial that helps students learn to code. The company released “Hero’s Journey” this week, ahead of the December Hour of Code event, which will encourage students across the world to complete a free coding tutorial. The education edition of “Minecraft” lets students create avatars and learn to solve problems one step at a time, said Microsoft’s Deirdre Quarnstrom. “Something we’ve heard from students in the past is ‘This is just too easy,’” she said.
As part of its Minecon Earth event taking place this Saturday November 18, Mojang has announced that it will be holding a special event to allow fans to vote for Minecraft's next mob.
The options available are in the gallery below, with descriptions below of each beneath:
Mob A, The Monster of the Ocean Depths – an ocean monster which will attempt to drown you with its “tongue-like tentacle”.
Mob B, The Monster of the Night Skies – a flying, “manta-ray-like” monster which targets players who haven't slept.
Mob C, The Great Hunger – a “cute-looking” mob that sinks into the ground and waits for things to fill into its “huge mouth”.
Mob D, The Hovering Inferno – a master Blaze that appears in the Nether with a powerful shockwave attack.
While all of these sound delightful, it will be up to fans which one is added to the game; details on how votes will be cast have not yet been revealed, other than an instruction to tune in to the Minecon Earth livestream, which begins Saturday November 18 at 5pm GMT/ 12pm EST / 9am PST / Sunday November 19, 4am AEDT, with a pre-show starting twenty minutes before. You can watch the show here.
Now that you've finally scrounged up enough moolah to buy a PlayStation 4, you might want to know what else you can do with it besides playing games and movies. Amazingly, this eighth generation video game console is filled with all kinds of new age secrets that you can enjoy. You might want to put your current game on pause as we show you all kinds of tricks, tips, and yes, even lifehacks, that you probably didn't know you could do with your PlayStation 4.
Charging your DualShock 4 with a phone charger
You'd be surprised at how many people didn't know this: you can charge your DualShock 4 controller with most micro USB cables. This includes micro USB phone chargers that are used on most Android phones. This means you're not limited to that way-too-short charging cord that originally came with your console. You know what else is awesome? You can charge your phone through your PlayStation 4's USB ports. Most phones, whether Android or iPhone, should be able to charge by plugging the phone into one of the USB ports on the console. Some phones may charge faster than others this way, but it's still pretty convenient. Nothing beats charging your controller and Android phone with the same cord.
Syncing your PlayStation 4 to your TV
Many smart televisions have the ability to sync up with your PlayStation 4, including (obviously) Sony's BRAVIA big screens. All you've got to do from your main menu is go to Settings, System, and check the box for Enable HDMI Device Link. Your PlayStation 4 is then ready to accept commands from your TV, as long as it's compatible. You can use your TV remote to scroll through the PS4 main menu and for apps like YouTube and Hulu. If you turn off your TV, the system should go into Standby mode. Likewise, if you turn on your console, it should turn on your television along with it. Of course, the effectiveness of the HDMI Device Link might vary depending on what's connected to your PS4.
PlayStation App: using your phone as a remote/keyboard
Tired of using the on-screen keyboard whenever you have to type in your passwords, or messages to friends? Downloading the PlayStation App and syncing it to your PS4 allows you to navigate the menus from your phone and do all kinds of nifty tricks with your console. Best of all, you can input text from your phone, which is a lot speedier than typing with the DualShock 4. If you don't want to use the controller or your phone for input, you can also use a computer keyboard and mouse. Just make sure the USB device is plug-and-play compatible (or, like, just not really old). For a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, you have to go to Settings, Devices, and Bluetooth Devices to sync the system up to the device (you might have to consult the device's manual for more info). Sure as heck beats typing things in manually with a controller.
Voice Commands through your headset mic
For those jealous of the Xbox One's voice command capabilities with the Kinect, the PlayStation 4 has a solid alternative. If you have your mic plugged into your controller, have a microphone-enabled headset synced, or have a PlayStation Camera connected to your PlayStation 4, you should be able to operate your console via voice commands. All you have to do is say the word “PlayStation” aloud and start barking out orders. It's like having your very own video game butler! Except he sucks at doing laundry.
Downloading free PS Plus games for Vita and PS3 as well
Yes, we all know that the PlayStation Plus' monthly pair of free PS4 games is great. PlayStation Plus is even more awesome if you have a PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita to download the monthly games available for those as well. Even if you don't have a Vita or PS3, you should make it a habit of getting their monthly free games through the PlayStation Store's official website. For the most part, you're not able to download them through your PS4's access to the PlayStation Store and have to do this through a web browser.
As long as you're subscribed to a PS Plus account, you should have access to all of the games you previously have gotten for free, including the PS3 and PS Vita titles. You should make it a monthly habit of getting those PS3 and PS Vita games for free in case you decide to get one of those consoles, so you have a slew of games to download and play for free right off the bat.
You can download pre-ordered digital games prior to release
While it's nice to look at an entire collection of video games on your shelf, it's quite convenient to download games from the PlayStation Store and enjoy them without ever having to set foot outside. Downloading games online reduces the amount of clutter at your place, but it also comes with another big bonus. Most digital games you pre-order from the PlayStation Store are able to auto-download early so that they'll be ready to play once it hits midnight on the game's launch date. Even if you go to a store doing a midnight release, you still have to take the time to make it back home and likely update the game upon first putting the disc in your system. Digital pre-orders can save you up to an hour or two of precious game time when it comes to the midnight release!
Share Play: playing together with a friend
Multiplayer gaming used to mean sitting next to a friend on the couch, playing on the same console. Online gaming changed all that…but the PS4's Share Play brings it back. Let's say you want to play against a buddy in Street Fighter V. You don't both have to own a copy of the game in order to play. You can use the Share Play feature to let them play on your console as Player Two, and then hit Versus Mode together. Likewise, you can use Share Play just to hand over control of the game to your online friend, as if you handed them your controller in the same room. This is perfect for letting a friend get through a particularly difficult part of the game you might have trouble clearing.
Save controller battery life by dimming the DualShock 4 Light Bar
It's true: the Light Bar on the PlayStation 4 is too bright and eats up your batteries faster than you'd like. Well, there's a solution! Once you have your controller and console both turned on, just hold the PlayStation button down. You'll want to select Adjust Devices on the popup menu and select the option to alter the brightness of your DualShock 4 Light Bar. Since the light doesn't really do much, just turn the light intensity to Dim. We're not sure how much battery life you'll save exactly, but it will certainly make a difference in how long you can play before having to recharge.
Watching videos and movies on your PS4
The PlayStation 4's Media Player app allows you to open various videos, music, and picture file types. While you can connect via a home media server (we suggest Googling how to connect to that), the easiest way to do this is through a simple USB drive (whether a flash or an external hard drive). Looking at pictures on your TV screen is as boring as it sounds, but being able to play videos on there is a mighty nice feature. You can watch your home movies or whatever videos you downloaded, just as long as they're the right file type (not that we condone movie piracy or anything like that, but yeah you totally can…we're not going to judge you).
Swap your PS4 hard drive for a larger one with more space
If you're taking our advice about going digital for your video game library and downloading all of your purchases, you might want to consider swapping out your system's internal hard drive for one with a higher capacity. This is so you can plug in a hard drive with much more space on it and you don't have to worry about clearing memory all the time. Sony has posted some pretty elaborate directions on how to do this, and we don't recommend doing this unless you're tech savvy to some degree. Nevertheless, it's nice getting a few extra terabytes in drive space. It can be a little bit pricey though, so be sure to do your research before you buy.
Add narrations/voice-overs to your gameplay
Being able to record your gameplay and post it up to social media is always fun, and a great way to brag to your friends about your skills. You know what's even better? Adding your own commentary as you play. When you hit the Share Button to bring up the sharing screen, just hit Options and enable your mic (you can choose between your headset, microphone jack, or PlayStation Camera) for your video captures. It's nice to add in your commentary live as you play, so you have more authentic reactions and things don't feel as staged. But you're also able to add in your commentary after the footage was already recorded. Just remember, you're going to have to sit through your gameplay again in order to add your reactions and comments. Don't forget you can have the PlayStation Camera film your face while you play as well.
Signing in via PlayStation Camera
If you've got a PlayStation Camera, you'll be able to sign into your PSN account for your console just by facing the cam while turning on your PS4. While you might not want the world to see your gorgeous mug, it's still a nice, high-tech feature that makes life just a tad bit simpler. Just remember, you need the camera to be able to see you, so keep a light on. You should keep a light on while playing in a dark room anyway, since it's bad for your eyes, especially during marathon gameplay sessions. That's two tips in one paragraph! You're welcome.
Playing Spotify and MP3s while you game
Getting tired of hearing the same music while getting cursed out by preteens playing Call of Duty? Drown out those prepubescent insults with some better music. The PlayStation 4's Media Player is able to play MP3 files for your music needs. Likewise, you're also able to download Spotify and stream music from there. The music can actually continue playing while you have your game open. You'll need to mute the in-game music of whatever you're title playing, which you can usually do from the game's options menu. After that, you can start fragging fools while playing whatever songs you'd like.
From sci-fi originals to kid-friendly fare, hard-hitting dramas to superlative horror, this year has already delivered a bumper crop of excellent flicks for film lovers. We're still just a few pages into the calendar, but let's take a quick look back at the best movies of 2017 (so far).
The LEGO Batman Movie
Trying to follow up The LEGO Movie was a tough proposition, and spinning off Will Arnett's Batman could easily have backfired. The results could've faltered under the pressure of making this version of the character likable or interesting enough to carry a film, or buckled under the weight of all those DC Comics in-jokes and gags. Happily, The LEGO Batman Movie turned out to be one of the best family-friendly movies in ages, while packing in enough smart comic stuff to keep Batman geeks coming back for repeat viewings. Fun, wacky, and a rollicking adventure in the wild world of LEGO, the movie's been showered with praise from critics who are calling it one of the best animated offerings of the year—and one of the best Batman movies ever.
John Wick Chapter 2
More than 15 years after The Matrix saga began, Keanu Reeves has reinvented himself as an action hero for a whole new generation. This sequel to his surprise 2014 action hit John Wick is a bone-crushing, R-rated thrill ride that finds Reeves' namesake hitman pulled out of retirement to take on a shady international conspiracy. It might sound complicated, but it's mostly just a setup for Reeves to kick a bunch of bad-guy butt. Critics say the film feels like a throwback to the simpler days of action movies, focusing on practical effects instead of distracting CGI. It's also one of the most stylish films of the year, regardless of genre.
Patriots Day
Director Peter Berg's dramatic retelling of the real-life 2013 Boston Marathon bombing stars Mark Wahlberg—making his third fact-based thriller with Berg—as a police sergeant thrust into the middle of the chaos and the ensuing investigation. Critics have praised Patriots Day (which also opened in limited release late in 2016) for managing to tell a compelling story without straying into exploitive tropes, and while some reviews question whether it's too soon to bring this particular story to the cineplex, there's no denying it finds Berg and Wahlberg in their wheelhouse.
Split
Pretty much no one saw it coming, but M. Night Shyamalan's surprise hit Split is among the best films of the year. The taut thriller follows a group of young women abducted by a man (James McAvoy) with multiple personalities—whose struggle for dominance threaten to upend his plans…or make things even worse for his captives. Critics have hailed it as an unexpected return to form for Shyamalan, and a big part of the film's buzz comes from its surprise twist (spoiler alert!) connection to his acclaimed Unbreakable. And it isn't just the shocking final act that makes Split so much fun—McAvoy ties it all together with a tour de force performance.
The Founder
This true story tale follows Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) and the twisty real-life saga of how the McDonald's fast-food chain was born. For those who've never stopped to consider the Big Mac's origin story, it's a surprisingly timely tale that delves into the dark side of the American Dream. Critics have praised Keaton for his multifaceted performance, and while some have noted that the movie might have dug a little deeper into its questions of capitalism, it all goes down about as easy as one of those Golden Arches meals.
Get Out
Point to a February horror movie on your average release calendar, and you're probably singling out a pretty lame film—but there's always an exception, and this year, Get Out is it. Helmed by debuting feature director Jordan Peele (of Key & Peele fame), this horror/comedy hybrid follows the increasingly frightening misadventures of a young man (Daniel Kaluuya) venturing into the suburbs to meet his girlfriend's (Allison Williams) parents. They have no idea he's black, which feeds into the film's creeping tension…but of course, that's only the start. Thrilling as it is thought-provoking, this is one 2017 movie no film buff will want to miss.
Logan
Comics fans have loved Wolverine for decades, partly because the character has a dark, violent streak a mile wide—and although Hugh Jackman has played the X-Man just about perfectly, none of those outings have truly captured the grueling angst and berserker rage that help make his saga so poignant. That all changes with Logan, a loose adaptation of the Old Man Logan comics arc that finds our hero in a grim wasteland largely devoid of mutants, called upon to defend a mysterious girl (Dafne Keen) targeted by a passel of bloodthirsty villains. A brooding Western road trip with claws, Logan's been hailed by critics as a fitting farewell for Jackman—and perhaps the best entry in the X-Men franchise to date.
Kong: Skull Island
It's been a long time coming, but Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures knocked it out of the park with the new-look version of King Kong in Skull Island. The story follows a team of explorers and soldiers as they head off to a mysterious island that turns out to be the home of giant monsters. Critics have been raving about the film, which stars an A-list cast led by Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, and John C. Reilly, praising the aesthetics of the 1970s setting and saying it strikes the perfect balance of big stakes, dumb fun, and wildly enjoyable action. It also looks to set the stage for an eventual crossover with Godzilla that'll set up the studio's MonsterVerse. Skull Island is only the beginning.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy sent the MCU soaring into the Marvel Comics cosmos in 2014—and racked up some suitably sky-high box office grosses along the way, along with a slew of positive reviews. It was obviously only a matter of time before the gang returned for another outer space adventure, and while the reviews haven't been quite as kind for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, it's still a solid follow-up—and a wildly entertaining ride in its own right. The original cast is back in action for a storyline that sees Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) faced for the first time with his absentee dad…who just turns out to be the godlike Celestial known as Ego, the Living Planet (Kurt Russell). As he did with the first installment, writer-director James Gunn has fashioned a perfect delivery mechanism for blockbuster thrills balanced against belly laughs and genuine emotion. Bring on Vol. 3 already.
Beauty and the Beast
Disney's winning streak with live-action spins on their beloved animated classics continues with Beauty and the Beast. Everyone loves the tale as old as time, but everyone's also already seen it—posing a challenge for director Bill Condon's update, which uses a lot of the same music and is even, in some spots, essentially a shot-for-shot remake of its predecessor. How did this Beauty overcome its beast of a stumbling block? Partly by rounding up an incredible cast, with a live-action contingent led by Emma Watson and a crew of stellar voice actors that included Emma Thompson, Ian McKellen, and Ewan McGregor. And then there are the resplendent visuals, which add a layer of painterly detail to a timeless love story that captured filmgoers all over again—and shattered box office records along the way.
Fate of the Furious
The Fast and Furious franchise lost a major star when Paul Walker passed away during the filming of Furious 7. And while Walker's death added a poignant note to that film's final act, it also left a major question mark hovering over the future of the series—one partially addressed by Fate of the Furious, which sends the saga hurtling into the post-Walker era. Continuing the series' pivot away from street-racing action and toward heist capers fueled by thrilling (and ever more marvelously absurd) set pieces, Fate amps up the blockbuster destruction—as well as the soapy melodrama tying the ensemble cast together—with a story that sees the gang scrambling to understand a bizarre betrayal by leader Dom (Vin Diesel). Rumor has it the franchise could be nearing the finish line, but don't worry: it looks like there's a spinoff in the works, built around Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham's characters.
Wonder Woman
After 75-odd years of whooping bad guy butt in the comics pages (and one supporting appearance in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice), Wonder Woman finally got her shot at solo blockbuster glory with 2017's Wonder Woman—just in time to either make or break the emerging DC Extended Universe. No pressure, right? Happily, Wonder Woman did everything it needed to and then some, serving as an effective origin story as well as a superhero adventure that stood on its own as a standalone experience while continuing to lay the groundwork for the DCEU's big team-up Justice League picture later this year. The reviews have been almost universally positive, and audiences have turned out in droves. Could we have a real battle for superhero supremacy at the box office between Marvel and DC?
Colossal
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo (Timecrimes), Colossal is one of the strangest giant monster movies ever made, and boy, is that really saying something. In this off-the-walls sci-fi flick, Anne Hathaway plays an alcoholic named Gloria who finally goes on one bender too many. Her boyfriend (Dan Stevens) kicks her out of their apartment, and she winds up back in her hometown, reconnecting with her bar-owning childhood friend (Jason Sudeikis).
So far so normal, but things get weird when Gloria drunkenly stumbles across a playground early one morning. The moment she steps into the tiny park, a gigantic creature materializes in Seoul, South Korea—a creature that mimics Gloria's every move. Initially enamored with her new power, Gloria soon realizes her inebriated antics are going to get people killed, so she resolves to get her act together…and that's when Colossal takes a hard left turn into unexpected territory, sending Gloria towards a final showdown with all the kaiju-sized demons in her life.
We don't want to say much more about the plot—you'll thank us later—but seriously, the film is worth watching for Anne Hathaway alone. Gloria is one of her finest performances, a role that allows her to run a range of emotions from insecure self-loathing to confident rage, with a bit of everything in between. Plus, the plot is so insane there's no way you can sit this one out. Original, emotional, and surprisingly poignant, Colossal is the kind of movie that will leave you whispering to yourself, “Oh my God…zilla.”
Alien: Covenant
Ridley Scott's Prometheus was a pretty divisive movie when it hit theaters in 2012, and while the follow-up, Alien: Covenant, has its own detractors, we can say this about Scott's third installment in the xenomorph franchise: it plays up the franchise's horror element, there's a ton of gore, and we get two Michael Fassbenders for the price of one. Seriously, what more does a sci-fi fan need?
Set in 2104, just a few years before the original Alien, this sequel-prequel follows the crew of the Covenant, a spaceship carrying 2,000 sleeping passengers, all waiting to wake up in a new world. Unfortunately, an accident along the way kills the captain, and when the new commander (Billy Crudup) picks up a strange transmission coming from a mysterious planet, he decides to change course.
Obviously, this guy has never seen a horror movie before, and despite the protestations of our Ripley-like protagonist (Katherine Waterston), the captain lands the ship—and soon, the crew finds themselves besieged by angry aliens. Admittedly, it's nice to see the xenomorph back in action, but pretty much everyone agrees that this is Michael Fassbender's movie. The actor is playing two androids here—one subservient, one Luciferian—and he steals the screen every time he gets into a debate with himself. Couple Fassbender's presence with the facehuggers and the chestbursters, and it's easy to see why critics are saying Alien: Covenant is the third-best film of the franchise.
Okja
From the brilliantly bizarre mind that brought us The Host and Snowpiercer comes a South Korean fable featuring a bubbly Tilda Swinton, a mustachioed Jake Gyllenhaal, and a giant CGI pig. This is the wild world of Okja, a film that starts off feeling like a G-rated kid's adventure and ends up inside an R-rated slaughterhouse. It's funny, shocking, and darkly cynical—exactly what you'd expect from director Bong Joon-ho.
Released through Netflix, Okja tells the story of a young girl named Mija (An Seo-hyun) who's friends with a hippo-like “super pig” named, well, Okja. Together, the duo run, play, and love life together until the porker is captured and taken to New York City. Unbeknownst to Mija, her best friend actually belongs to the all-powerful Mirando Corporation, a business run by evil twins (both played by Swinton). Okja is their genetically modified creation, and they plan on turning the poor pig into the tastiest, most eco-friendly pork chops on the planet.
Of course, when Mija finds out what's really going on, she sets out to rescue her buddy with the help of some bumbling animal rights activists (led by Paul Dano). Written by journalist Jon Ronson, Okja also features names like Giancarlo Esposito, Lily Collins, and as we've already mentioned, a wildly over-the-top Jake Gyllenhaal. And in true Bong Joon-ho fashion, the film has quite a lot to say about the dark side of capitalism. Plus, it's such a powerful film that by the time it's over, even Ron Swanson would reconsider ordering a steak.
Baby Driver
With its eclectic soundtrack and insanely impressive stunts, Edgar Wright's Baby Driver is one of the most exciting films of 2017. This souped-up action flick stars Ansel Elgort as a young crook named Baby, a kid who works as a getaway driver for a smarmy crime boss named Doc (Kevin Spacey). Suffering from tinnitus, Baby drowns out the constant droning with an incredible collection of iPods, and while he's grooving to the tunes, Baby weaves in and out of traffic, dodging cars and avoiding cops by doing 180s in alleyways.
But Baby's life gets a little more complicated when he falls head over heels for a beautiful waitress named Debora (Lily James). He wants to go straight, but Doc wants him for another job, one that involves working with a who's who of psycho killers (played by Eiza Gonzalez, Jon Hamm, and a wonderfully deranged Jamie Foxx). Needless to say, the robbery doesn't go as planned, and Baby is forced to take a stand to save everything he loves.
Thanks to the movie's emphasis on music, the action scenes are choreographed to the tunes on Baby's iPod, with Edgar Wright using songs like “Tequila,” “Bellbottoms,” and “Hocus Pocus” to great effect. Crazier still, almost every stunt you see is real. With its dance-like action and its super cool characters, Wright's sixth feature film is like a mashup between Singin' in the Rain and Walter Hill's The Driver, which means it's got a little something special for everyone.
War for the Planet of the Apes
The conclusion to one of the best trilogies ever made, War for the Planet of the Apes expertly blends the book of Exodus with Apocalypse Now, resulting in a brutal Old Testament-POW story. In the fiery aftermath of the previous film, Caesar (Andy Serkis) has led his followers into the mountains, hoping to escape the wrath of man. But Caesar knows his apes can't hide in the hills for long, so this primate Moses plans on leading his people to a new promised land, where they can avoid any future conflicts.
Unfortunately, humans aren't quite as humane as apes. Led by a mad colonel (Woody Harrelson) on a mission, a group of soldiers attack Caesar's colony, killing several of his loved ones. With his trusted allies by his side, Caesar sets out to get revenge, but instead, he finds himself on a quest to free his troop from a fortress-like prison. This sets up a Bridge on the River Kwai-style showdown between Caesar and the Colonel, escalating in an escape attempt and brutal battle that might end with the world becoming a planet of…well…you know.
Directed by Matt Reeves, War for the Planet of the Apes is the perfect ending to an amazing trilogy, one that features yet another show-stopping performance from Andy Serkis. The English actor has created a character of Shakespearean proportions, and some believe he should get an Oscar nod for his motion capture performance. Really, the only bad thing about War for the Planet of the Apes is saying goodbye to Caesar.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
If you were to visit Rotten Tomatoes, you'd probably notice that, critically speaking, Spider-Man: Homecoming is tied with The Avengers. Both films share a whopping 92 percent approval rating—an impressive feat, but it shouldn't come as much of a surprise. After all, Homecoming is one of the most charming and entertaining films to ever swing its way into the MCU.
Starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker, Spider-Man: Homecoming follows the wannabe Avenger as he tries to fight crime and navigate high school at the same time. Even with the help of his good friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), he's still having a hard time impressing the girl of his dreams (Liz Allan). Of course, things get even more complicated when an honest-to-goodness supervillain shows up. Known as the Vulture (Michael Keaton), this winged baddie is the ultimate thief, and if Peter can bring him to justice, it could be his ultimate ticket into the Avengers.
Directed by Jon Watts, Homecoming even won over Marvel haters thanks to its John Hughes-high school vibe. And all that upbeat energy was largely thanks to Tom Holland, who's kind of the perfect Peter Parker. Playing across from Zendaya, Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr., Holland more than proved he deserves to be a member of the world's mightiest heroes, and we can't wait to see him catching bad guys like flies in 2018.
Dunkirk
Without a doubt, Dunkirk is one of Christopher Nolan's greatest achievements, right up there with Inception and The Dark Knight. In fact, you could make an argument that Dunkirk is his greatest film—some have—which is a testament to the nail-biting power of this World War II thriller.
Shot mostly with 65mm film on IMAX cameras, Dunkirk tells the story of a real-life retreat in 1940. Roughly 400,000 Allied troops were trapped on a French beach, completely surrounded by the Nazis, and the only thing keeping our heroes from home was the English Channel. Unfortunately, the beach was too shallow to accommodate military-sized vessels, so English civilians sprang into action, sailing to Dunkirk in their yachts and fishing boats.
It was an incredible historical moment, and Nolan does a masterful job of capturing the suspense. In true Nolan fashion, the story is divided into three interwoven narratives, all of which have their own unusual run times. Story number one takes place on the beach and lasts a week. Story two takes a day and follows a civilian (Mark Rylance) as he sails for Dunkirk. Finally, story three takes place over the course of an hour and follows the RAF pilots (led by Tom Hardy) as they defend the men trapped on the beach below.
Despite the time differences, the stories are all connected and even shed new light on the same events. And like a master, Nolan uses these three interlocking tales to put audiences in the middle of the battlefield. We feel like we're actually there, trapped on the beach, desperately waiting for a boat to show up and take us home.
Atomic Blonde
What would happen if you combined Imperator Furiosa with John Wick? You'd probably get Lorraine Broughton, British superspy and badass hero of Atomic Blonde. Directed by David Leitch—who not coincidentally co-directed John Wick—this neon thriller takes place in the final days of the Cold War. The Berlin Wall is about to go down, but that doesn't mean the cloak-and-dagger business is all done.
To the contrary, Broughton (Charlize Theron) is sent to Germany to retrieve a stolen list that contains the names of undercover spies. The list has fallen into the hands of the Soviets, and Broughton will have to bash a few skulls in her quest to discover the document. Along the way, she butts heads with an out-of-control James McAvoy and makes love to a sexy Sofia Boutella, all while “Cat People,” “Father Figure,” and “99 Luftballons” play in the background.
But really, the plot isn't important. In fact, as the film goes on, it just gets more and more complicated. What is important is the crazy fight choreography: Broughton beats up dudes using everything from ropes to cooking pots, all while wearing the most stylish clothes imaginable. More impressive still, that's really Theron throwing those haymakers. The actress did her own stunts for the film, adding a touch of realism to the brutal battle scenes.
In short, don't expect something with the intellect of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Instead, prepare to watch Charlize Theron bash somebody in the face with a baton, which is the reason movies were invented in the first place.
It
Andy Muschietti's It isn't the first adaptation of Stephen King's weighty novel. In 1990, Tim Curry made horror history by playing Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the Derry demon with a fondness for floating. But Curry's version played on the TV network ABC, and now that Bill Skarsgård is wearing the makeup, are a lot darker and bloodier.
The first of a two-part tale, It tells the story of “The Losers' Club,” a group of outcast kids who are beaten by bullies and plagued by horrible home lives. But when they're together, these kids are pretty powerful—and they need as much strength as possible when they find themselves facing a flesh-eating clown. Led by Bill (Jaeden Lieberher), a boy who lost his little brother to Pennywise's evil appetites, the Losers eventually head into the sewers to end the evil that's been plaguing their town for years.
While you've got to give Tim Curry credit, Skarsgård takes the nightmare fuel to a whole new level. Of course, you can have the world's most evil monster, but if you don't have sympathetic heroes, then audiences just won't care. Fortunately, the Losers are likable characters played by solid actors, and according to the critics, they truly have a bond with one another. Under all the gore and grime, behind the monstrous apparitions and evil sinks, there's an actual heart beating in this movie…one that a creepy clown wants to tear out and eat.
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