As confirmed by Deadline, Richard Roundtree, the groundbreaking star of the original "Shaft" franchise has died as a result of pancreatic cancer. He was 81. Roundtree was a gifted athlete who played for New Rochelle High School's nationally-ranked and undefeated football team but later dropped out of college after he was scouted by Ebony Fashion Fair founder Eunice W. Johnson and began modeling for companies like Duke hair products and Salem cigarettes. A few years later, he joined the Negro Ensemble Company theater group in New York City, where he became a fast leading man. This led to a successful career in front of the camera, where Roundtree would become colloquially known as the "first Black action hero."
He appeared in a number of Blaxploitation films in the 1970s, but he became a cinematic icon as detective John Shaft in the films "Shaft," "Shaft's Big Score!," "Shaft in Africa," and the short-lived series adaptation.
He appeared in a number of Blaxploitation films in the 1970s, but he became a cinematic icon as detective John Shaft in the films "Shaft," "Shaft's Big Score!," "Shaft in Africa," and the short-lived series adaptation.
- 10/25/2023
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
There’s sad news to report this evening, as it has been announced that Ricou Browning – who was the last surviving actor to have played a classic Universal Monster, since he portrayed the Gill-Man in the underwater scenes in all three entries of the Creature from the Black Lagoon trilogy; Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Revenge of the Creature (1955), and The Creature Walks Among Us (1956) – has passed away at the age of 93. The Hollywood Reporter notes that his daughter Kim confirmed he passed away yesterday, just eleven days after his birthday.
Born in Fort Pierce, Florida on February 16, 1930, Browning started his career in the entertainment industry by working in water shows at tourist attractions and performing in underwater newsreels. When Gill-Man scenes were being filmed for Creature from the Black Lagoon in Florida, the crew chose Browning to play the swimming creature because he was a strong swimmer and could...
Born in Fort Pierce, Florida on February 16, 1930, Browning started his career in the entertainment industry by working in water shows at tourist attractions and performing in underwater newsreels. When Gill-Man scenes were being filmed for Creature from the Black Lagoon in Florida, the crew chose Browning to play the swimming creature because he was a strong swimmer and could...
- 2/28/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Matthew Byrd Jan 21, 2020
You can download the major games in the Half-Life series for free starting now.
Valve has released free versions of the Half-Life franchise ahead of the release of Half-Life: Alyx.
"Half-Life: Alyx is coming in March, and we are celebrating early by making all games in the Half-Life series Free to play for Steam users, from now until the day it launches," says Valve via a post on Steam. "Half-Life: Alyx is set before the events of Half-Life 2 and the episodes, but the games share characters and story elements. The Half-Life: Alyx team believes that the best way to enjoy the new game is to play through the old ones, especially Half-Life 2 and the episodes, so we want to make that as easy as possible."
One thing that you should note about their announcement is that it seems the catch here is that you'll only be able...
You can download the major games in the Half-Life series for free starting now.
Valve has released free versions of the Half-Life franchise ahead of the release of Half-Life: Alyx.
"Half-Life: Alyx is coming in March, and we are celebrating early by making all games in the Half-Life series Free to play for Steam users, from now until the day it launches," says Valve via a post on Steam. "Half-Life: Alyx is set before the events of Half-Life 2 and the episodes, but the games share characters and story elements. The Half-Life: Alyx team believes that the best way to enjoy the new game is to play through the old ones, especially Half-Life 2 and the episodes, so we want to make that as easy as possible."
One thing that you should note about their announcement is that it seems the catch here is that you'll only be able...
- 1/21/2020
- Den of Geek
A great game series is like pizza: as long as they don’t completely mess things up, any serving is a good one, even if it’s not the best.
Valve (with Gearbox) decided to create one more Half-life expansion before developing the legendary sequel. Unlike the previous iterations, Half-life: Blue Shift doesn’t have you playing as a badass physicist or a tough-as-nails marine. This time you’re put into the shoes of an everyday security officer who should’ve called in sick.
Just like the past two games, Blue Shift features a silent protagonist having to deal with everything hitting the fan. There are some changes, such as the fact that you have armor that has to be replenished by finding other pieces of security armor scattered about. But for the most part, the changes are minor.
After playing Half-life: Opposing Force, Blue Shift feels like a step back.
Valve (with Gearbox) decided to create one more Half-life expansion before developing the legendary sequel. Unlike the previous iterations, Half-life: Blue Shift doesn’t have you playing as a badass physicist or a tough-as-nails marine. This time you’re put into the shoes of an everyday security officer who should’ve called in sick.
Just like the past two games, Blue Shift features a silent protagonist having to deal with everything hitting the fan. There are some changes, such as the fact that you have armor that has to be replenished by finding other pieces of security armor scattered about. But for the most part, the changes are minor.
After playing Half-life: Opposing Force, Blue Shift feels like a step back.
- 5/7/2015
- by Andrew Hudson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
It might be hard to believe considering all of the cash-grab DLCs out there with no real substance, but expansion packs and additional content used to be something to look forward to in video games. Either they added improvements and content to an already-great game (Diablo II: Lord Of Destruction) or they were standalone adventures that could be enjoyed on their own. Half-life: Opposing Force is the latter.
As the title suggests, Opposing Force puts you in the opposing marine’s boots. This time you’re Corporal Adrian Shepherd, whose duty goes from completing a classified mission to fighting for survival, as everything hits the fan.
You might have also figured out from the premise that this game has more emphasis on action (though that’s not to say there aren’t puzzles scattered about).
Fortunately, there have been plenty of big improvements on Half-life‘s combat mechanics in this expansion,...
As the title suggests, Opposing Force puts you in the opposing marine’s boots. This time you’re Corporal Adrian Shepherd, whose duty goes from completing a classified mission to fighting for survival, as everything hits the fan.
You might have also figured out from the premise that this game has more emphasis on action (though that’s not to say there aren’t puzzles scattered about).
Fortunately, there have been plenty of big improvements on Half-life‘s combat mechanics in this expansion,...
- 4/5/2015
- by Andrew Hudson
- FamousMonsters of Filmland
DVD Playhouse—February 2012
By Allen Gardner
To Kill A Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition (Universal) Robert Mulligan’s film of Harper Lee’s landmark novel pits a liberal-minded lawyer (Gregory Peck) against a small Southern town’s racism when defending a black man (Brock Peters) on trumped-up rape charges. One of the 1960s’ first landmark films, a truly stirring human drama that hits all the right notes and isn’t dated a bit. Robert Duvall makes his screen debut (sans dialogue) as the enigmatic Boo Radley. DVD and Blu-ray double edition. Bonuses: Two feature-length documentaries: Fearful Symmetry and A Conversation with Gregory Peck; Featurettes; Excerpts and film clips from Gregory Peck’s Oscar acceptance speech and AFI Lifetime Achievement Award; Commentary by Mulligan and producer Alan J. Pakula; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 2.0 mono.
Outrage: Way Of The Yakuza (Magnolia) After a brief hiatus from his signature oeuvre of Japanese gangster flicks,...
By Allen Gardner
To Kill A Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition (Universal) Robert Mulligan’s film of Harper Lee’s landmark novel pits a liberal-minded lawyer (Gregory Peck) against a small Southern town’s racism when defending a black man (Brock Peters) on trumped-up rape charges. One of the 1960s’ first landmark films, a truly stirring human drama that hits all the right notes and isn’t dated a bit. Robert Duvall makes his screen debut (sans dialogue) as the enigmatic Boo Radley. DVD and Blu-ray double edition. Bonuses: Two feature-length documentaries: Fearful Symmetry and A Conversation with Gregory Peck; Featurettes; Excerpts and film clips from Gregory Peck’s Oscar acceptance speech and AFI Lifetime Achievement Award; Commentary by Mulligan and producer Alan J. Pakula; Trailer. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS 2.0 mono.
Outrage: Way Of The Yakuza (Magnolia) After a brief hiatus from his signature oeuvre of Japanese gangster flicks,...
- 2/26/2012
- by The Hollywood Interview.com
- The Hollywood Interview
The Movie Pool joins the first-ever Opposing Force (aka Hell Camp) DVD!
The Set-up
An overzealous military camp commander (Anthony Zerbe) abuses a female soldier (Lisa Eichhorn) during torture training, leading her comrade (Tom Skerritt) to take serious measures to stop his brutality. Also stars Richard Roundtree.
Directed by: Eric Karson
The Delivery
Originally released under the title Hell Camp, this 1986 military drama pre-dates G.I. Jane by over a decade, but it was more brutal and not nearly as stylized as the later Demi Moore debacle. Golden Globe nominee Lisa Eichhorn stars as Casey, an Air Force pilot who volunteers for a brutal survival training exercise, only to fall victim to a sadistic commander named Becker, played by Anthony Zerbe. Becker decides Casey must learn the harsh realities of being a possible prisoner of war, so he rapes her "for her own good."
This doesn't sit well with Logan (Tom Skerritt...
The Set-up
An overzealous military camp commander (Anthony Zerbe) abuses a female soldier (Lisa Eichhorn) during torture training, leading her comrade (Tom Skerritt) to take serious measures to stop his brutality. Also stars Richard Roundtree.
Directed by: Eric Karson
The Delivery
Originally released under the title Hell Camp, this 1986 military drama pre-dates G.I. Jane by over a decade, but it was more brutal and not nearly as stylized as the later Demi Moore debacle. Golden Globe nominee Lisa Eichhorn stars as Casey, an Air Force pilot who volunteers for a brutal survival training exercise, only to fall victim to a sadistic commander named Becker, played by Anthony Zerbe. Becker decides Casey must learn the harsh realities of being a possible prisoner of war, so he rapes her "for her own good."
This doesn't sit well with Logan (Tom Skerritt...
- 2/22/2012
- by medina.victor@sbcglobal.net (Victor Medina)
- Cinelinx
Los Angeles — In the world of video games, realism reigns supreme, but the makers of a game based on the infamous private security firm Blackwater are intentionally steering clear of it.
There's no blood, the enemies are fictional and civilians can't be killed. With no moral dilemmas in "Blackwater," it's simply a matter of shoot – or be shot.
"It's a game," said Erik Prince, the company's founder. "This is not a training device. This is not a simulator. We're not doing this to teach folks how to conduct military operations in an urban terrain. That's not it at all. This is more along the lines of kids running around their neighborhood playing cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians."
Prince partnered with developer Zombie Studios and publisher 505 Games to create the game using Microsoft Corp.'s motion-sensing Kinect technology for the Xbox 360. The camera-based system detects players' movements as they dodge enemy fire,...
There's no blood, the enemies are fictional and civilians can't be killed. With no moral dilemmas in "Blackwater," it's simply a matter of shoot – or be shot.
"It's a game," said Erik Prince, the company's founder. "This is not a training device. This is not a simulator. We're not doing this to teach folks how to conduct military operations in an urban terrain. That's not it at all. This is more along the lines of kids running around their neighborhood playing cops and robbers or cowboys and Indians."
Prince partnered with developer Zombie Studios and publisher 505 Games to create the game using Microsoft Corp.'s motion-sensing Kinect technology for the Xbox 360. The camera-based system detects players' movements as they dodge enemy fire,...
- 10/4/2011
- by AP
- Huffington Post
The near 15 year on again, off again development cycle of Duke Nukem Forever is stuff of legend. The game was taken on, dropped, re-taken on and cancelled entirely – numerous times – before Gearbox Software took on the mantle of bringing Duke Nukem Forever to life last year.
At a special event at BAFTA last month, Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford revealed reviving Duke Nukem Forever was in large part, a personal quest having cut his teeth at 3D Realms working on Duke Nukem 3D in the late 1990s. It came across as if it was his personal mission to bring Duke Nukem Forever to life after all those years in development hell.
Ever since we discovered Duke Nukem Forever was finally going to be released, Pitchford has banged the hype drum telling us how awesome it’ll be, how the game will be completely different to other first person shooters, how...
At a special event at BAFTA last month, Gearbox Software CEO Randy Pitchford revealed reviving Duke Nukem Forever was in large part, a personal quest having cut his teeth at 3D Realms working on Duke Nukem 3D in the late 1990s. It came across as if it was his personal mission to bring Duke Nukem Forever to life after all those years in development hell.
Ever since we discovered Duke Nukem Forever was finally going to be released, Pitchford has banged the hype drum telling us how awesome it’ll be, how the game will be completely different to other first person shooters, how...
- 6/16/2011
- Shadowlocked
Now that the Taliban controversy plaguing EA's Medal of Honor game seems to be over, it's a good time to recall that the most recent furor isn't the only time that post-9/11 political realities have intruded in to a video game. Kotaku's Brian Crecente does exactly that, talking to sources from the military and other developers who've worked on games set in the wars being fought today.
I really like the following passage from Crecente's piece:
It was the families of fallen soldiers who provoked developer Danger Close's decision to pull the playable Taliban from Medal of Honor.
But the change, framed as one that simply switches out the word Taliban with the word Opfor, for Opposing Force, feels as if it falls in some unsatisfying middle ground - neither a meaningful change for the aggrieved nor a stance for gamers seeking authenticity, backed by freedom of speech.
That's the...
I really like the following passage from Crecente's piece:
It was the families of fallen soldiers who provoked developer Danger Close's decision to pull the playable Taliban from Medal of Honor.
But the change, framed as one that simply switches out the word Taliban with the word Opfor, for Opposing Force, feels as if it falls in some unsatisfying middle ground - neither a meaningful change for the aggrieved nor a stance for gamers seeking authenticity, backed by freedom of speech.
That's the...
- 10/5/2010
- by Evan Narcisse
- ifc.com
Electronic Arts has dropped the Taliban name used in the multiplayer aspect of Medal Of Honor. The Taliban, who were available to select in multiplayer matches, will be renamed the Opposing Force, after numerous complaints were made to EA about their inclusion. In a statement on the game's official site, executive producer Greg Goodrich said that the team had received lots of positive feedback about the game, before adding: "However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. "This is a very important (more)...
- 10/2/2010
- by By Liam Martin
- Digital Spy
EA's "Medal of Honor" reboot has been the subject of a very public debate this year over the game's option to let users play as Taliban fighters during multiplayer matches. Up until this point, the company's official responses have defended the move while trying to remain sympathetic to concerns from U.S. servicemen and women and their friends and families, but they've ultimately decided to eliminate the name Taliban from multiplayer confrontations.
"We've received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas," the game's executive producer Greg Goodrich in a statement on official "Medal of Honor" site. "The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive."
The negative responses won't result in a fundamental change to gameplay, according to the Goodrich, but they have led to an adjustment in faction designations.
"However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of...
"We've received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas," the game's executive producer Greg Goodrich in a statement on official "Medal of Honor" site. "The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive."
The negative responses won't result in a fundamental change to gameplay, according to the Goodrich, but they have led to an adjustment in faction designations.
"However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of...
- 10/1/2010
- by Brian Warmoth
- MTV Multiplayer
Months after the controversy raged over the inclusion of the Taliban as a playable class in their upcoming Medal of Honor game, Electronic Arts has bowed to the pressure and will be renaming the Islamo-fundamentalist terrorist faction as Opposing Force. The statement in full follows:
In the past few months, we have received feedback from all over the world regarding the multiplayer portion of Medal of Honor. We've received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas. The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For this, the Medal of Honor team is deeply appreciative. However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice...
In the past few months, we have received feedback from all over the world regarding the multiplayer portion of Medal of Honor. We've received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas. The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For this, the Medal of Honor team is deeply appreciative. However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice...
- 10/1/2010
- by Evan Narcisse
- ifc.com
Months after the controversy raged over the inclusion of the Taliban as a playable class in their upcoming Medal of Honor game, Electronic Arts has bowed to the pressure and will be renaming the Islamo-fundamentalist terrorist faction as Opposing Force. The statement in full follows:
In the past few months, we have received feedback from all over the world regarding the multiplayer portion of Medal of Honor. We've received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas. The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For this, the Medal of Honor team is deeply appreciative. However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice...
In the past few months, we have received feedback from all over the world regarding the multiplayer portion of Medal of Honor. We've received notes from gamers, active military, and friends and family of servicemen and women currently deployed overseas. The majority of this feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For this, the Medal of Honor team is deeply appreciative. However, we have also received feedback from friends and families of fallen soldiers who have expressed concern over the inclusion of the Taliban in the multiplayer portion of our game. This is a very important voice to the Medal of Honor team. This is a voice...
- 10/1/2010
- by Evan Narcisse
- ifc.com
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