Friday, February 27, 2015

Games Of Thrones Season 5 Outs Hair-Raising Poster, Featuring Tyrion And Drogon, And Two Clips

April 12 seems a long way ahead and I might be already growing some lichen on me for such a long wait. But thankfully we have an early taste of the season's offering though a wonderful documentary titled Game of Thrones Season 5: A Day in the Life, released last February 8, 2014.

Now this ultra priced trinkets are added by more goodies, one of which is the hair-raising poster of the show, featuring Tyrion aboard a ship on his way to escape, and the now grown black dragon -- which I think can now be ridden upon -- named Drogon.

Checkout the new hair-raising poster for Game of Thrones Season 5.

Game of Thrones Season 5

And how we have 2 new clips from the show, courtesy of The Sight bestowed to us by the Raven.

Jon Snow and Mance


Brienne and Podrick


Synopsis

Summers span decades. Winters can last a lifetime. And the struggle for the Iron Throne has begun.

It will stretch from the south, where heat breeds plots, lust and intrigues; to the vast and savage eastern lands; all the way to the frozen north, where an 800-foot wall of ice protects the kingdom from the dark forces that lie beyond. Kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars, lords and honest men...all will play the 'Game of Thrones.'

Game of Thrones Season 5 premieres on Sunday, April 12 only at HBO.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

How Gamers Can Reduce the Effects of Eyestrain

Games
There are currently over 34 million gamers in the United States that play video games for an average of 22 hours a week, according to BGR. With so much time spent in front of a screen, digital eyestrain is a common problem experienced by many gamers. According to Mayo Clinic the symptoms of eye fatigue are sore or irritated eyes, dry or watery eyes, blurred or double vision, increased sensitivity to light, difficulty focusing and pain in the neck, shoulders or back. If not treated properly, eyestrain can lead to recurring headaches and migraines.

WebMD says that computer-related eye symptoms may be responsible for up to 10 million primary care eye examinations each year. So, what can you do to ensure you don’t suffer from eyestrain? Consider the following precautions:

Position of Screen

The first thing you can do is ensure that the distance from your screen is a proper length away so you eyes don’t have to work too hard while you play. For a PC gamer, this means that the monitor should be directly in front of you at an arm’s length away, which is about 18 to 28 inches. Next, the top of the screen should be just below eye level. For a console gamer, the distance you sit from your television should be twice the length as the size of the screen. So, if you play on a 50-inch screen, you should sit a little over 8 feet away.

20-20-20 Rule

Mayo Clinic recommends adhering to the 20-20-20 rule, which states a person should look away from their screen every twenty minutes for at least twenty seconds at an object that is at least twenty feet away. This helps the eyes refocus and recharge during periods of extended use and helps your blinking cycle return to a regular rate.

Remember, the rule is a general guideline, so find what works for you. Stopping every thirty minutes instead of twenty will still be much more beneficial for your health than playing for four hours straight.

Blue Lights and Glare

Blue light comes from computer screens, mobile devices, indoor lighting and even from the sun. Blue light is on the low end of the visible light spectrum, meaning it has a shorter wavelength and produces a higher amount of energy than colors higher on the spectrum. Exposure to blue light could cause damage to a person’s eyes after extended periods of time, states Blue Light Exposed. Medical professionals also recommend staying away from blue light 2 to 3 hours before going to sleep as it can promote insomnia, according to WebMD.

One way PC gamers can deal with blue light is to install a program that changes the color of the light coming from your monitor. For instance, the program f.lux slowly shifts the color of your screen depending on the time of day. Another solution for blue light is to purchase blue light blocking glasses.

You'll also want to make sure the room you game in has the proper amount of light. If your screen or monitor is the only light in the room, add another light source to the mix by allowing natural light to come through a window or turning on a lamp. However, if the light from the window produces glare on your screen, install shades that reduce the glare without blocking out the sun.

Taking a Break

Even if you observe the 20-20-20 rule, it’s important to stop and take a break after extended periods of game time. Stand up, walk around, get a glass of water or walk outside for a few minutes. There are many apps that remind you to take breaks. One of the more popular ones is called Awareness, which works for both Mac and PC. Awareness reminds you to take a break based on time increments you set and even monitors your app and browser usage during the predetermined breaks to keep you honest.

If you try all of these tips and still experience symptoms of eyestrain, contact your doctor to seek professional advice.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Take A Look At The Fantastic Cover Of Mistborn: Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson

I became an official Brandon Sanderson fan the first time I read any of his books. Of course I started with his debut novel Elantris. And that fandom just solidified with every of his books that I read. I was left hungry when I reached the last pages of the mammoth Words of Radiance... and so I look for more of his books, even the ones especially catered for his younger readers.

And now another fantastic book of his is coming out that continues the Mistborn story: Shadows of Self. It is already the fith book in the entire series, but the second one on the second arc. And just recently it was also revealed that this one will be followed by at least two others: Bands of Mourning and The Lost Metal.

And before I stray away gain, the cover and synopsis for Shadows of Self have just been revealed. And there is nothing more that satisfies my little OCD -- alright, it's not the little, I admit...

Check out the new cover of Shadows of Self (Mistborn #5) by Brandon Sanderson.

Cover of Shadows of Self (Mistborn) by Brandon Sanderson

Just look how it matches with the cover of The Alloy of Law, the previous book in the Mistborn series.


Synopsis

With The Alloy of Law, Brandon Sanderson surprised readers with a New York Times bestselling spinoff of his Mistborn books, set after the action of the trilogy, in a period corresponding to late 19th-century America.

The trilogy’s heroes are now figures of myth and legend, even objects of religious veneration. They are succeeded by wonderful new characters, chief among them Waxillium Ladrian, known as Wax, hereditary Lord of House Ladrian but also, until recently, a lawman in the ungoverned frontier region known as the Roughs. There he worked with his eccentric but effective buddy, Wayne. They are “twinborn,” meaning they are able to use both Allomantic and Feruchemical magic.

Shadows of Self shows Mistborn’s society evolving as technology and magic mix, the economy grows, democracy contends with corruption, and religion becomes a growing cultural force, with four faiths competing for converts.

This bustling, optimistic, but still shaky society now faces its first instance of terrorism, crimes intended to stir up labor strife and religious conflict. Wax and Wayne, assisted by the lovely, brilliant Marasi, must unravel the conspiracy before civil strife stops Scadrial’s progress in its tracks.

Shadows of Self will give fans of The Alloy of Law everything they’ve been hoping for and, this being a Brandon Sanderson book, more, much more.

Shadows of Self (Mistborn #4) by Brandon Sanderson will hit bookstores on

Saturday, February 7, 2015

George R.R. Martin To Publish 'A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms' In October 2015

Yes! George R.R. Martin is going to publish a new book in October. No! It is not Winds of Winter, which isn't scheduled to be released in any publishing house yet. On the other hand he will be releasing A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms, an omnibus of all three previously released stories of Ser Duncan the Tall, and his Squire, Egg. You may have read this stories from Legends, Legends II, and Warriors anthologies.

So what's new you ask? This volume will be illustrated by Gary Gianni. Martin shared, "We wanted this to be an illustrated book, so we went to the amazing Gary Gianni and asked him to do some art for us, thinking perhaps we could include seven or eight interior illustrations. Gary turned us down. He loved the stories, he said, but he'd only do it if he could illustrate the entire book, with art on virtually every page."

Check out the cover of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Being the Adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, and his Squire, Egg by George R.R. Martin.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R.R. Martin

Synospis

Taking place nearly a century before the events of A Game of Thrones, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms compiles the first three official prequel novellas to George R. R. Martin’s ongoing masterwork, A Song of Ice and Fire. These never-before-collected adventures recount an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne, and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living consciousness.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: Being the Adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall, and his Squire, Egg by George R.R. Martin will be released on October 6, 2015.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Silver Screen Talent Who Made the Jump to Broadway

Center Stage
Universal Studios is turning films like "Animal House" and "Back to the Future" into Broadway musicals, even while stage productions like “Rock of Ages” and "Wicked" are moving to the big screen. You already know that these productions mean big business, but what about the talent behind the scenes? Hollywood’s biggest directors and stars are making their Broadway debuts or keeping a foot in both industries.

Mike Nichols

Best known for directing the Oscar-winning film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "The Graduate," Mike Nichols took the stage to direct "Barefoot in the Park" and "Death of a Salesman." He has worked successfully in both areas and is one of the few directors to have won an Oscar, Emmy and Tony.

Jennifer Hudson

The American Idol 6th runner up has carved out a name for herself as a Grammy-award winner for her 2008 debut album. She landed the role of Effie White in the film adaptation of "Dreamgirls" and won both a Golden Globe and Oscar for her talents. She then went on to act in blockbusters like "Sex in the City" and "The Secret Life of Bees." In 2015, Hudson makes her Broadway debut as Shug Avery in "The Color Purple." She received the role after producer Oprah Winfrey heard her sing "I'm Here" from the production at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2010.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone

"South Park" creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker took their controversial cable cartoon to the big screen with "South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut" and later directed the movie "Team America: World Police." Even with their television and movie successes, most people would never have expected Stone and Parker to become Tony-award winning Broadway directors. However, their original play “The Book of Mormon" grossed $19 million dollars a month in 2013 alone. The duo also launched a $300 million production company to take their Broadway play to the big screen.

Julie Taymor

Julie Taymor made a name for herself in theater after designing puppets and directing “Juan Darien.” The success landed her on the set of “The Lion King” where she directed and designed lavish puppets and sets and even contributed lyrics. Today, her body of work includes lavish films like "Titus," "Frida" and "Across the Universe." She returned to Broadway to work on a musical adaptation of “Spider-Man” with Bono and The Edge from the band U2.

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks holds a long list of film credits, including "Forrest Gump," "The Green Mile," "Cast Away" and "Catch Me If You Can." He also worked with writer and film director Nora Ephron on several movies like "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You’ve Got Mail." In 2013, Tom Hanks made his Broadway debut with Nora Ephron’s play “Lucky Guy,” playing the late Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Mike McAlary. Although Hanks hasn’t returned to the stage since he finished this play, he continues to act in films like the upcoming "Inferno."

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Cover Reveal: Magisterium #2: The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

The cover of the much-awaited sequel to The Iron Trial has been revealed. Big time authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare are gearing up to build up the story in the Magisterium series. The Copper Gauntlet is the second book in this projected five-book series. And as early as now all the titles are already been named.

What happens to Callum Hunt now as he will be turning thirteen this year? Will his closest of friends -- Tamara Rajavi and Aaron Stewart -- survive another year at the Magisterium? Will they make it to the end? All these burning questing will be, at least, partially answered come the synopsis of the book...

Check out the new cover of The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare.

The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare

The synopsis of the book is still in the wraps, but it's release date has already been set. Look for The Copper Gauntlet by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare in bookstores on September 1, 2015.


Monday, February 2, 2015

TV Adaptation Of J.K. Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' Gets A Trailer

The hilariously dramatic novel by J.K. Rowling will hit the tube this year! The Casual Vacancy will be adapted into a 3-part miniseries over BBC. And the trailer has just landed online. Dig into the story that is filled with tension, booze, gossips, back-stabbing and a lot more...

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

The Casual Vacancy stars Michael Gambon as Howard Mollison, Julia McKenzie as Shirley Mollison, Keeley Hawes as Samantha Mollison, Rufus Jones as Miles Mollison, Rory Kinnear as Barry Fairbrother, Emily Bevan as Mary Fairbrother, Simon McBurney as Colin Wall, Monica Dolan as Tess Wall, Lolita Chakrabarti as Parminder Jawanda, Silas Carson as Vikram Jawanda, Richard Glover as Simon Price, Marie Critchley as Ruth Price, Abigail Lawrie as Krystal Weedon, Keeley Forsyth as Terri Weedon, Michele Austin as Kaye Bawden, Sam Redford as Obbo, Hettie Baynes Russell as Mo, Emilia Fox as Julia Sweetlove, Julian Wadham as Aubrey Sweetlove, Joe Hurst as Andrew ‘Arf’ Price, Ria Choony as Sukhvinder Jawanda, Brian Vernel as Stuart ‘Fats’ Wall, and Simona Brown as Gaia Bawden.

Watch the new trailer of The Casual Vacancy, released by BBC.


Synopsis

The Casual Vacancy centres on Pagford, a seemingly idyllic English village with a cobbled market square and ancient abbey. Behind the pretty façade however, is a town at war: rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils. Pagford is not what it first seems.

At the Parish Council meeting the subject of Sweetlove House and its legacy arises. Howard Mollison, the Chairman, heads up the faction who want to see an end to the legacy; the thorn in his side is Barry Fairbrother, who makes an impassioned speech outlining the importance of the legacy, and the services it provides. For now, Barry has won the argument.

When Barry dies suddenly, Pagford is left in shock, and the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the village has yet seen. Three candidates are soon lined up: Miles Mollison, Howard’s son; Colin Wall, Barry’s friend; and Simon Price, Barry’s half-brother.

The Casual Vacancy will premiere on February 15, 2015 in the United Kingdom.

Official Super Bowl TV Spot For 'Jurassic World' Gives Me Goosebumps

It's been months since I've last watch in full the thrilling Jurassic Park III, but even then my love for this franchise never go stale. I am wanting for more and my hunger could only be satisfied by something grander in scale -- that is in terms of the next movie's scope and the bad-ass dinosaur that will be featured this time around.

Jurassic World

Jurassic World does not only bring in a huge beast to match the first three movie's flesh-eating predator, but it will showcase a hybrid unlike anything we've seen before. Steven Spielberg returns are executive producer, with Colin Trevorrow taking the directorial seat. The movie stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Nick Robinson, Ty Simpkins, BD Wong, and Irrfan Khan.

Check out the official Super Bowl TV spot of Jurassic World.


Synopsis

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park (1993), Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. After 10 years of operation and visitor rates declining, in order to fulfill a corporate mandate, a new attraction is created to re-spark visitor's interest, which backfires horribly.

Jurassic World will be released in cinemas on June 12, 2015.