by Stone Marshall | Nov 5, 2015 | Awesome Book News |
WASHINGTON – APRIL 05: British author J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter fantasy series, points to the place on her forehead where her title character has a scar while reading ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ during the Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 5, 2010 in Washington, DC. About 30,000 people are expected to attend attended the 132-year-old tradition of rolling colored eggs down the South Lawn of the White House. (Photo : Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling has finally revealed exciting details on “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” the much-awaited play based on the series of novels.
Last Friday, the author shared on Pottermore that the play is actually a sequel–the eighth story in the “Harry Potter” series, taking place 19 years after the story ended.
The official synopsis reads:
“It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
“While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.”
In the epilogue of the series’ last book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” readers were introduced to Albus Severus, Harry Potter’s middle child, who he named after two Hogwarts headmasters, Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape. Both Dumbledore and Snape were important characters in the series, and it is interesting to note that Harry witnessed the death of the two.
Coinciding with the release of its official synopsis, Pottermore also revealed its official poster through Twitter. The poster shows the “cursed child” sitting on a nest, which takes the shape of a golden snitch. “The Eighth Story. 19 Years After,” the tagline reads.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is written by Jack Thorne, in collaboration with Rowling. Olivier and Tony award-winning John Tiffany will direct the play.
After the books and the movies wrapped up in 2007 and 2011 respectively, “Harry Potter” fans are wondering why Rowling took another direction with its much-awaited sequel.
“I’m confident that when audiences see ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ they will understand why we chose to tell this story in this way,” the best-selling author wrote on her website.
Talking to the Daily Mail UK, the play’s producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender added that they intend to go back to “basic story-telling,” but will also incorporate magic and fantasy, which the series is widely known for.
“Because it’s a play, it’s worth stressing that at this stage of the process it’s not our intention to have a high-tech show. We very much hope to deliver magic – but in our unique way,” Friedman and Callender shared.
In addition, Rowling revealed that due to the “epic nature of the story,” the play will be divided into two parts. Viewers can choose to watch both on the same day (matinee and gala) or over two consecutive days.
Avid Potter fans can catch “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” once it opens at the Palace Theater in London on July 30, 2016 with preview performances starting on June 7, 2016.
Tickets go on sale online on Wednesday, Oct. 28 on a first come first served basis. For the preview performances, tickets are priced at £20, £50, £80 or £100 (for both Part 1 and 2). Regular shows are priced at £30, £70, £100 or £130.
Harry Potter Play ‘The Cursed Child’ Updates: Official Synopsis, Show Dates, and Ticket Prices
by Stone Marshall | Nov 4, 2015 | Awesome Book News |
“Microsoft Monday” takes a look back at the past week of news related to Microsoft. This week, “Microsoft Monday” includes details about the Windows 10 upgrade becoming automatic, the Windows 10 Preview Build 106576, Xbox One backwards compatibility, ‘Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 2 – Assembly Required,’ the benefit of the Halo 5 “T” Rating, a Halo 6 rumor, the Xbox One Kinect Bundle price drop, an issue with the Surface Book flickering, the Skype iOS app update, the integration of the Sunrise app into Outlook and more.
Windows 10 Upgrades Are Now Automatic For Windows 7 And Windows 8
Did you know that Microsoft MSFT +1.89% automatically downloads Windows 10 on every Windows 7 and Windows 8 PC? And earlier this month, an “accident” caused Windows 10 to install without user authorization. But now it appears that Microsoft will be pushing for mass Windows 10 upgrades on the older versions of Windows.
Windows and Devices Group executive vice president Terry Myerson wrote a blog post saying Windows 10 installations will now be a two step process. Windows 10 has been reclassified as an “Optional Update,” meaning users that have Windows set up to accept all updates will notice that the new operating system installs automatically. To cancel the upgrade, users will have to make sure to cancel it manually. “In an effort to streamline the process, we will automatically kick off the upgrade process once you have made a reservation. Before the upgrade changes the OS of your device, you will be clearly prompted to choose whether or not to continue. And of course, if you choose to upgrade, then you will have 31 days to roll back to your previous Windows version if you don’t love it,” wrote Myerson.
Here is what the upgrade screen looks like:
In the next few months, Microsoft will make Windows 10 a “Recommended update.” This means that the upgrade process will automatically initiate on your device depending on your Windows Update settings. You will be prompted to choose whether or not to continue and you will have 31 days to roll back to the previous Windows version also.
Even pirated copies of Windows 7 and Windows 8 can be upgraded to Windows 10. And Microsoft will offer a “one-click opportunity to get Genuine via the Windows Store or by entering an activation code purchased elsewhere.” Depending on how well this experiment goes, Microsoft will expand upon it.
Microsoft Acknowledges Windows 10 “Spying” Is Not Stoppable
In an interview with PCWorld, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of the Operating Systems Group Joe Belfiore acknowledged that Windows 10 tracks how it operates and what the user is doing. Details are also sent back to Microsoft by default. And the core data collection cannot be stopped even if you switch off some of the tracking elements, according to Forbes contributor Gordon Kelly.
Why does Windows 10 collect data? If serious problems arise in the system, the data collection makes it easier to pinpoint where the issue is occurring and how to fix it. I believe it is admirable that Belfiore acknowledged the data collection aspect of Windows 10. There are many other companies that are not as transparent and forthcoming about the data it collects.
“In the cases where we’ve not provided options, we feel that those things have to do with the health of the system,” said Belfiore in the interview. “In the case of knowing that our system that we’ve created is crashing, or is having serious performance problems, we view that as so helpful to the ecosystem and so not an issue of personal privacy, that today we collect that data so that we make that experience better for everyone.”
If you are interested in tweaking your privacy settings on Windows 10, you can go to Start Menu > Settings > Privacy.
Microsoft Windows 10 Preview Build 106576 Released With Edge Improvements
Last week, Microsoft released two Windows 10 preview builds for Windows Insiders — one for desktops and one for mobile devices. Windows 10 Preview Build 106576 has several new features, bug fixes and minor improvements.
One of the most notable changes is a Media Casting feature in the Microsoft Edge web browser. Windows Insiders will be able to cast video, photo and audio content to Miracast and DLNA compatible devices that are connected to their home networks. However, content from Hulu and Netflix is not yet supported in the Media Casting feature.
The new preview build also includes a Cortana feature that was not available before. Now when you highlight text in a PDF within Microsoft Edge, you will be able to right click and select “Ask Cortana” to find more information about that content.
And there is a new voiceover recording feature that has been added to the Xbox beta application for Windows 10 — which can be found in the Game DVR. An issue that caused the Xbox app for Windows 10 to consume several gigabytes of memory on a PC when a game is being played has been fixed. Windows Insiders will be able to download the preview build from the Fast ring.
Microsoft Xbox One Backwards Compatibility
During the Halo 5: Guardians streaming event last week, the Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb confirmed that the Xbox One console will start supporting backwards compatibility starting November 12th. The update is known as the “New Xbox One Experience.” Essentially, the console will be updated to Windows 10 on that date.
Backwards compatibility will be supported on over 100 Xbox 360 titles this fall and hundreds more will be followed in the months to come. Most of the games that will be supported initially are published by Microsoft, but the Redmond giant said that games made by third party companies will follow shortly after.
When the Xbox One is updated to Windows 10, Cortana will be added to the console as well. You will be able to speak commands to Cortana such as Internet search queries and find out whether a friend is online. However, Cortana will rely on the Kinect to work.
By offering backwards compatibility, Microsoft is expecting tens of millions of people to buy an Xbox One. Those potential customers are most likely existing Xbox 360 owners that held off because they still want to play games on the older console.
‘Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 2 – Assembly Required’ Released
Telltale Games released ‘Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 2 – Assembly Required’ on Tuesday for all platforms. ‘Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 2 – Assembly Required’ follows up ‘Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 1 – The Order of the Stone.’ You can buy ‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ — which will have five episodes — on the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, PC, Android and iOS. Below is the trailer for ‘Minecraft: Story Mode Episode 2 – Assembly Required’:
Halo 5 “T” Rating Could Help Sales, Says Aaron Greenberg
Aaron Greenberg, a senior director of the Xbox marketing team, was recently interviewed by GameSpot where he said that Halo 5 having a “teen” rating could help improve sales. “Being able to have a T-rated game will sort of put this game on the ‘approved’ list for a broader audience,” said Greenberg in the interview.
Halo 5 received the T-for-Teen rating from the ESRB instead of M-for-Mature. Greenberg said that he was surprised about previous Halo games receiving an M rating, but he is happy with the T rating because a broader and younger audience will be able to access it.
Halo 5 officially launched on October 27th and it has received solid reviews across the board. It received 9/10 from Forbes contributor Erik Kain, 8/10 from GameSpot, 4.5/5 from Metacritic and 4/5 on GamesRadar.
Aaron Greenberg Is Confident That Rise of the Tomb Raider And Fallout 4 Will Both Do Well
Aside from Halo 5: Guardians, Rise of the Tomb Raider is also exclusive to the Microsoft Xbox One. Both Rise of the Tomb Raider and Fallout 4 will be launching on November 10th. But Greenberg believes that both of those games will be successful on that date.
In an interview with Kinda Funny Games (video below), Greenberg said that the challenge is that you have “to look at the production schedule.” If Rise of the Tomb Raider was released two weeks earlier, then it would be at the same time as Halo 5: Guardians. And one week earlier would be against Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. One week later than the release date would put it against Star Wars: Battlefront.
“We felt like the Fallout audience and game, while both fantastic games, they’re not direct competitors per se,” said Greenberg during the interview via TechTimes.
Microsoft Monday: Windows 10 Upgrade Now Automatic, Xbox One Backward Compatibility And Halo 6 Rumor
by Stone Marshall | Nov 3, 2015 | Minecraft News |
Everyone loves free updates, right? They make games more fun and cost literally nothing. What wonderful things.
Excitingly, one of them is landing on Minecraft this week. On the first of July, all console versions of Minecraft will be updated to a new version, bringing a heap of exciting tweaks and additions.
Here are a few highlights:
-Offended by mountains and caverns? Worry not, strange crafter, because now you have the option to customize your super-flat worlds so they’re only as vertical as you desire.
-New blocks! Oak, Spruce, Birch and Jungle wood types. Fences, Gates and Doors! Create the log cabin of your dreams.
-A heap of new game options! Change the game mode, difficulty, time, player spawn position, ambient cave sounds, and weather without leaving your game session. Very handy.
-Classic crafting! Now console players get to craft items just like their PC buddies on Java Minecraft. Some players find this style of creation more satisfying. Check it out.
-New stuff! Iron Trapdoors, Inverted Daylight Sensors, Book & Quills, and Stained Glass have arrived. Use them wisely, and for good, please.
The Minecon 2015 Skin Pack
Even more DLC news for y’all! To celebrate the awesomeness that is this week’s Minecon 2015, we’re releasing a free bundle of skins for consoles. This pack is extra-special because it features Alex and Steve wearing a selection of smart Minecon capes.
The Minecon 2015 Skin Pack will be available for just 15 days from the 1st of July onward. Download it from the Xbox Games Store while it’s still hot. You’ve got nothing to lose but your bandwidth!
Minecraft: Console Editions are Getting Flatter, Woodier, Optionier!
by Stone Marshall | Nov 3, 2015 | Awesome Book News |
As the Marvel Cinematic Universe expands into Phase 3 with some bold new event films (
Avengers: Infinity War) as well as some much-needed new solo characters (
Black Panther, Captain Marvel) there are also a lot of MCU superheroes we already know and love to catch up with. Among those heroes is Thor Odinson, who (unlike his teammates) headed for far off places following the events of
Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Thor: Ragnarok will catch up to the Thunder God when he returns home to Asgard, only to find his homeland in a state of peril. [Thor 2 Ending SPOILER approaching…] With Loki (Tom Hiddleston) now seated on the throne in impersonation of his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) – not to mention the doomsday implications of the title – it’s probably a good thing that Thor is bringing Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk along for the fight.
Ruffalo recently elaborated on what we can expect from Thor 3 – at least where Hulk is concerned – speaking with NY Daily News:
“I don’t really know that much about it, but I think it’s going to be a buddy picture with Thor and Bruce Banner. I think they’ll probably fight. There’s no doubt, everyone wants us to fight at one point.”
Hulk and Thor had a very memorable fight scene in The Avengers, as well as one of the biggest and best team action sequences (space whale kills #FTW) – which was forever immortalized by arguably one of the best superhero comedic moments to date (Hulk’s Thor-punch). That dynamic between the two titans is something Marvel has certainly taken notice of; the company’s Avengers Assemble cartoon series plays up the Hulk/Thor relationship big time, with entire episodes dedicated to the duo’s competitive camaraderie.
Of course, in a cartoon series it’s easy to have Hulk’s primary buddy be a Thunder God; harder to paint that picture on the big screen, where creating Hulk and/or Thor’s powers come at much higher cost. Having Bruce Banner and Tony Stark be buddies (for example), is much more cost-effective, because it’s essentially two actors talking until their CGI counterparts take over for limited screen time. That’s all to say: it’ll be interesting to see how Thor 3 makes the buddy dynamic work between Banner and Thor, assuming Ruffalo himself will be onscreen a good deal of the time. There’s also the slight disappointment of seeing Chris Hemsworth’s Thor once again having to split duties in his own solo franchise – lest we forget the “buddy comedy” between Thor and Loki that arguably was Thor: The Dark World….
In a larger sense: this growing impression of Thor: Ragnarok as a Hulk/Thor team-up film is raising a valid question: are Marvel’s ‘standalone’ solo film sequels even qualified to be called that anymore? Captain America: Civil War is basically Avengers 2.5/Iron Man 3.5, and now Thor 3 is pulling double duty as a the Hulk solo film sequel we never saw; even Ant-Man is sharing the marquee for his “solo” film sequel, Ant-Man & The Wasp, so what’s really the gameplan at this point? And will new films like Doctor Strange or Black Panther or the Spider-Man reboot be more standalone – or will they too become delivery systems for multi-character event films?
Thor 3 Will Be a Hulk and Thor ‘Buddy Pic’
