Most Popular Films Based on Video Games

One of the main lures of video gaming is the ability for players to enter alternative realities. When playing a video game, a player is sucked into an imaginary world where they become a character taking on challenges and creating or following a story or adventure. Because it is an imaginary world, extensive liberties are taken that often make the storyline and circumstances fantastical and extreme.

Because of the many common properties between the video game screen and the big screen, many film makers have taken these incredible stories and characters and transformed them into blockbuster movie adaptations.

Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular video games that have made it onto the big screen.

• Tomb Raider- The Tomb Raider video series became a blockbuster hit when it was adapted into Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) with Angelina Jolie as the heroine. Lara Croft goes in search of mysterious artefacts around the world, overcoming obstacles and challenges along the way. In 2003, a sequel was released. The Tomb Raider video series was originally for the Sega Saturn console and then for Playstation.
• Prince of Persia – This video game franchise hit the big screen in 2010 with the blockbuster Prince of Persia – the Sands of Time . The film starred Jake Gyllenhaal and was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.  While the film’s plot diverges from that of the video game, it is still set in Persia and involves treachery and drama around the ‘sands of time’. The video game was originally developed for the Apple II computer, but was adapted for a number of different platforms including Nintendo, Playstation and Xbox.
• Resident Evil– Resident Evil is a survival horror video game in which the player is part of a special law enforcement taskforce who must make their way out of a mansion crawling with dangerous and mutated creatures. The Resident Evil films have three sequels and involve the main character – played by Milla Jolovich – getting herself out of difficult situations. The first Resident Evil horror film was released in 2002.  Resident Evil was originally played on a Playstation, followed by Sega Saturn and Nintendo.
• Mortal Kombat- Mortal Kombat was a series of fighting games that has been played on Playstation, Nintendo and Xbox consoles. Mortal Kombat has been made into two blockbuster adaptations – Mortal Kombat (1995) andMortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997). The films have a loyal fan base.
• Super Mario Bros. Super Mario Bros. was developed in 1985 by Nintendo for their console. In Super Mario Bros., one player is Mario and the other is Luigi, and the brothers make their way through Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from the evil Bowser. The film adaptation of Super Mario Bros. in 1993 was a flop at the box office, but the plot was based loosely around that of the video game.

If you want to relive or retry these popular video games that made it onto the big screen, then try the latest generations of these classic games that are usually available for a number of different consoles. It is likely that if you want to play Prince of Persia, you can buy  Xbox games equivalents. Alternatively, dust off your old console and buy Nintendo DS games.

Celebrity Jewelry Trends – Big, Bold & Colorful

Thinking new jewelry? Look out for bright colors, big, bold, eye catching, along with geometric shapes. This year’s Academy Awards was a great indicator for the latest jewelry trends. As usual, Angelina Jolie was ahead of the fashion pack with her eye catching over sized emerald jewels. In fact, Angelina’s green gems covered several criteria for newest jewelry.

One of the biggest trends we are seeing in jewelry fashion this year is colorful stones. Another feature we are seeing a lot of is big pieces and geometric shapes. Angelina’s drop emerald earrings came in at an impressive 115 carats and were so large, they almost resembled something out of one of her daughter’s dress ups box. Angelina wore the matching 65 carat emerald ring as the perfect accessory. The emerald jewelry highlighted her simple and elegant black strapless gown to perfection. A splash of gorgeous color in just the right amount.

Featured Celebrity Jewelry Trends

Another great example of colorful gemstone jewelry was the bib necklace that Amy Adams wore. This amazing piece of Fred Leighton jewelry contained diamonds, sapphires, rubies and emeralds weighing in at a very impressive 630 carats. Amy selected a red frock to highlight her neck candy. (This was the same necklace that was featured in InStyle magazine in November 2008, with Beyonce modeling the stunner on that occasion.)

Another jewelry fashion forward celebrity was model Heidi Klum. Heidi combined multiple large pieces of coral and diamond jewelry for maximum visual effect. Heidi also managed to add another popular and current jewelry trend, that of floral shapes.

Green and yellow are two of the more popular colors we are seeing. Eva Mendes stunned onlookers at the Golden Globes with her choice of a turquoise and diamond 4 tier bib necklace that she used to accessorize a white strapless gown. Also at the Golden Globes we saw yellow floral jewelry from Christina Applegate who wore a vintage diamond necklace that featured large flowers made from yellow diamonds.

So for the latest jewelry fashion, think colors, drama, and statement pieces. Bold solo colors can look breathtaking with black, a la Angeline, white as with Eva, or in Heidi’s example, bright red. Multi-colored hues will look best when teamed with an outfit featuring one of the colors from the item of jewelry.

Jewelry trends right now are headed for dramatic colored stones in bold or big settings. Those who prefer their jewelry a little more feminine have floral shapes and settings to select from. These jewelry knockouts are a fantastic way to liven up last year’s little black dress.

Mae Smith is passionate about jewelry like custom handcrafted jewelry, tacori settings and engagement rings. Check out her website now: http://www.rokstok.com

Article Source: UnArchived Articles

Jennifer Aniston $27m Richer, Jolie $14m, Swift & Spears Earnings Reported

Jennifer Aniston isn’t hurting for cash.  The actress earned a whopping $27 million last year, Parade magazine reports in its April 12 issue. (She made the same amount in 2007 as well — out-earning Angelina Jolie, who made $14 million.)

Teen country star Taylor Swift took home $5.5 million — more than double the $2.25 Britney Spears made.  Read the full story at USmagazine.com

Jennifer Aniston Poses Naked in GQ

Jennifer Aniston poses in nothing but a necktie on the cover of the January GQ.

The actress, 39, also continues to slam Angelina Jolie in the magazine, which hits stands Dec. 23.

Compare all of Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie’s magazine covers.

(The interview comes out days after Aniston told USA Today that her personal life is none of people’s “(expletive) business.” She also recently…  Read the full story at USmagazine.com

Angelina Jolie in Tears After Visiting Afghan Refugees

Looks like Angelina Jolie is about to start the adoption process for a kid from Afghanistan, after visiting earlier this week. Ya, she’s not really adopting – as far as we know – but her “trips” usually result in some type of baby news. Either she’s pregnant again (rumors are out there) or she’s going to adopt.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie made her first post-twin trip to Afghanistan earlier this week to appeal for more support for refugees who are returning home.

Watch the above footage (courtesy of Entertainment Tonight) as she documents her trip, which ran from Tuesday to Thursday.

At one point, she gets choked up after witnessing the refugees’ poor living conditions. “When you… Read the full story at USmagazine.com

I mean, after seeing the refuges, how could you not… you’re filthy rich, you’re already working on a solid 10-pack, so why not go for it. What’s the worst that could happen?

Angelina Jolie’s Breast Feeding An Inspiration to Other Mothers?

Thanks to her new W magazine cover, Angelina Jolie will inspire more new mothers to breast-feed, according to officials from various breast-feeding support organizations.About 70 percent of American mothers breast-feed their newborns, but the rate falls dramatically after six months, Reuters reports.

Dr Shannon Fox, a psychotherapist with Momlogic.com, said, “If someone as popular, beautiful…

Read the full story at USmagazine.com

Angelina is still beautiful, despite the numerous babies and the breast feeding.  The photos by Brad Pitt are exceptional and show the softer, homey side of Jolie and their babies.

Eastwood Says Jolie’s Gorgeous Face Holds Her Back

Clearly, Clint Eastwood, who is getting up there in age has no idea what real beauty is. Angelina Jolie as the most gorgeous face in the world… I think not. Look at the Victoria Secret catwalk, TV, etc. Sure, Jolie is gorgeous and one of the most beautiful women in the world, but age is certainly starting to catch up with her.  She’s moving forward with a big family, both through natural birth and adoption w/ her husband Brad Pitt, but she doesn’t quite have the same star power that she had back in the early 2000′s.

Angelina Jolie suffers for her beauty!”She is an actress hampered by her gorgeous face, I think the most beautiful face on the planet.” Clint Eastwood said at the New Yorker Festival on Saturday. “People sometimes can’t see past that, to her talent. She’s on all these magazine covers so it’s easy to overlook what an amazing actress is underneath.”

Eastwood, who directed Jolie in Changeling,… Read the full story at USmagazine.com

Angelina Jolie Not a Barbie Girl Says Dad

Angelina Jolie‘s estranged father is surprised she became the mother of six young children.”You know she wasn’t the kind that played with dolls and then all of the sudden she has all of these children,” actor Jon Voight, 69, said on Fox & Friends Thursday on the Fox News Channel.

“She loves kids though,” he added. “She’s very playful. It’s wonderful.”

Jolie and beau Brad Pitt welcomed twins…

Read the full story at USmagazine.com

This isn’t too surprising, considering Jolie’s movie work (action star, etc.). I wish people would quit talking to Voight about her kids though, since he really has nothing to do w/ them at this point.  You might recall, his infamous quote on at a red carpet event mis-quoting their names even.  Perhaps Jolie was into girl toys, including barbies, but he was too busy to notice them…

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt to Have Twins

In an interview w/ the Today Show on Wednesday, actress and mother, Angelina Jolie confirmed that she is having twin babies w/ fellow actor Brad Pitt. The pregnancy is only the 2nd for Jolie (both w/ Brad), but the couple will have 5 children after the birth (3 of their own & 2 adopted).

The news originally slipped courtesy of her Kung-Fu Panda co-star, Jack Black, who referenced “multiple babies” during their promotion interview.  Jolie and Black’s exchange was quite comical, as she confirmed that he leaked the info (kinda):

“You’re gonna have as many as (the) ‘Brady Bunch’ when you have these,” Black joked.

“It’s confirmed? Is it two?” Morales asked.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ve confirmed that already,” Jolie responded. “Well, Jack’s just confirmed it actually.”

“Is that true?” Black said jokingly.

“Yeah, you did,” Jolie replied.

“Sorry,” Black concluded.

Read more…

Now that the rumors have been confirmed, the follow-up question was presented to find out if the babies would be boys or girls. Of course, Angelina preferred not to answer that question – this will surely lead to more speculation and media hype surrounding the pregnancy (good strategy IMHO).

Kung-Fu Panda opens on June 6th nationally.  The movie is a story about a panda that learns martial arts, and along w/ his other furry buddies, battles enemies in a somewhat comedic format.  The film co-stars Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman and is a Dreamworks picture.