GeekSugar

Paramount Steps Into the Gaming Industry With Popular Chick-Flick Games

GeekSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:30:52 -0700

Paramount is not only trying to dip into the video-game world, but it's also going after a female audience by introducing three games inspired by girlie movies - Clueless, Mean Girls, and Pretty in Pink. These first few games will be developed in conjunction with Legacy Interactive.

No word on what console the games will be designed for or what the user experience will be like just yet, although BuzzSugar has her predictions!

More games are said to be in the making and even more to come next year!

Vintage Geek: An Original Series Star Trek Tricorder

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:47:36 -0700

Hold onto your spacecraft seatbelts, trekkies, because Amazon has got quite the Star Trek treat for you. For only $45, you can get your hands on an authentic Tricorder role-play replica.

This battery-operated handheld communicator comes with working lights and sound effects taken from the original Star Trek and includes a removable scanner accessory for far away missions. Used by Star Trek's Starfleet to check out unfamiliar territories and take examinations of living things, the mid-23rd century Tricorder was a paramount item in Starfleet travels.

Star Trek Geekery Galore

GeekSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 08:46:15 -0700

Since I'm still on a Star Trek high after seeing the glorious movie, I have to admit, I've been zeroing in on anything related to the film and Star Trek in general - obsessed much? Yes! I've already rounded up some of my past Star Trek stories, but for those of you who want to keep the Star Trek momentum going, I've got some Trek treats that you're going to love.
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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Oscar Worthy Gadgets: Revolutionary Road

GeekSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:02:48 -0800

Concluding this year's Oscar Worthy Gadgets series is a movie up for three Academy Award nominations, including best costume design, art direction, and Michael Shannon's nomination for his performance in a supporting role. Starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, Revolutionary Road takes us inside the lives of a couple who struggle with the mundane realities of living in a Connecticut suburb.

Because the movie is set during the mid-1950s, there were many vintage tech shots. We not only see the classic dial telephones in Frank's office (where he works on computer manuals), but when Frank and his female co-worker are out at a high-end restaurant, Frank is handed a retro phone to make a call - right from his table.

And who can forget the emotional scene near the end of the movie when Kate's character, April, uses the hanging wall phone to call her babysitter? It was simple yet powerful gadget placements like these that made me feel a part of this time period.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Vantage

Premium Cable Movie Channel Tests the Waters Online First

GeekSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:05:40 -0800

Soon there will be yet another premium cable channel competing against HBO, Showtime, and your attention. Offering up newly released movies, Epix will launch its service in October with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at the top of its playlist. But what Epix is doing differently is something any Internet fiend can get behind: they're launching five months early to online subscribers first.

This means that starting in May, you can check out great new movies from MGM, Paramount, and Lions Gate on your computer from wherever you have an Internet connection.

Unfortunately, there have been no subscription prices released yet, and streaming the content on the web isn't the studios' primary business model, but I'm hoping they keep the goods coming online even after the channel launches in October - I'm sure those of you without cable would agree.

She's Your Venus: Serena's New Cell Phone on Gossip Girl

GeekSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:00:05 -0700

The time has come; you know what cell phone Blair has, what Jenny is toting, and where the boys are, so now it's time to focus on Gossip Girl's golden goddess, Serena van der Woodsen.

Serena is a slave to the black sliders; this season she's got the sexily-named LG Venus (trivia tidbit: It's the same phone her nemesis Georgina rocked last season in pink).

I can see why the Venus would appeal to the blonde beauty - it's got all the smartphone-y basics: Music player, touch screen, 2.0-megapixel camera, and of course, it slides, which seems to be of paramount importance to S. How much for this sliding sensation? $150 after discounts.

Looking for more of the Upper East Siders' looks? Check out CelebStyle!

Photo courtesy of The CW

Brush Up On Your Atari Trivia!

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 05:30:21 -0700

We all know that Atari is the grandfather of modern day video game consoles, but here's some interesting geeky news - Leonardo DiCaprio is set to star as the creator of Atari in a new flick entitled Atari! How sweet is that?! Thanks to Paramount Pictures, the famous console (which holds a special place in our hearts) will be hitting the big screen. . . And I couldn't think of a better excuse to brush up on our Atari knowledge! Now let's see how much you remember. Oh and by the way, if you really want to get in the spirit, head on over to Atari Play for online access to all the classic games!

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Movie Geek Mania: What Video Game or Comic Book Do You Want to See Made Into a Movie?

GeekSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:45:36 -0700

My trigger finger for Fandango is all itchy - with so many geeky movies coming out in the next few months, I plan on being at every one of them on opening night. From Iron Man, a movie based on a comic that will be made into a video game, to the high tech-filled feature Speed Racer (which is just begging to have a video game based on it), to an admittedly not-so-geeky, but I-can-make-it-geeky movie, Sex and the City, my movie card's totally full.

It's not enough for me, though! It seems like we have to wait so long for the next X-Files movie, not to mention how bummed I am that Fanboys may not even get a theatrical release. Anyway, with all these geeky films on the horizon, I have to know: What comic book or video game are you dying to see be made into a movie?

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Geek Tip: Beware of the Dreaded Illegal Download Letter

GeekSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:10:14 -0700

Lifehacker reports that a reader recently got a letter from her ISP provider, warning her that Paramount/Dreamworks was aware of her illegal downloading via BitTorrent. And while they weren't suing her, nor was her internet being cut off, the letter from Cablevision was a warning.

This particular reader had downloaded over 30 movies when she received the letter and has stopped downloading and implored Lifehacker as to what's next.

Many commenters reported getting the letter for downloading copyrighted material and not having been disconnected or sued, and therefore felt it was a mere scare tactic (that worked quite well, I might add). On the other hand, a Sugar co-worker tells me that her friend got a warning letter and has been disconnected ever since (including being black-balled in other locations, too). Whatever your downloading habits, just be aware that this could happen to you, too! Be careful, geeks.

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Why Is It So Hard to Open Plastic Packages?

GeekSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:00:37 -0700

Last night I was faced with the task of putting new ink cartridges in my boyfriend's printer and was reminded of how tricky it is to open hard clamshell packaging. It's honestly a battle I confront multiple times a week, so I decided it was time to do a little research. Why do manufactures make it so complicated? It's mostly to detour shoplifters - the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention estimates losses from pilferage at more than $25 million per day so keeping small goods in plastic until they are purchased is paramount. Consumer Reports says:

Federal safety laws require seals that will show evidence of tampering, and child-safety caps on most over-the-counter remedies, though that often makes them adultproof.
Products from abroad must be packed securely enough to withstand a long, bouncy voyage aboard a cargo ship.
With toys, it’s no longer enough to picture what’s inside. Children and parents like to interact with the toy or at least see all the pieces before buying.

All fair points, but that doesn't make getting items open any easier. So how should you get your hard to budge sealed cases open? For my tips, read more

I usually end up using a combination of scissors, a screwdriver and or a knife. It's neither scientific or fail proof, but eventually, I get the package open. Looking for an easier route? Check the package carefully before you start struggling. Many companies have started putting tiny perforations and tabs on their clamshell packages. When you do cut, cut the package along the seam or outer edge, don't demolish the plastic in case you want to return it later.