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You probably know that Top Gun 2 begins filming next year. Tom Cruise announced the news on May 23 when on an Australian talk show. My immediate reaction was “why?” and I question if there is a need for a sequel.

Top Gun was released in 1986. Filmed for an estimated $15 million, it made around $8 million during its opening weekend, eventually grossing $356 million worldwide. Based on these numbers, the movie was an unqualified success.

The movie was a milestone for Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, helping propel them both to the ranks of superstars. The movie was made during the middle of a decade considered by many to be the time when the action-packed blockbuster became a genre of its own and helped establish a number of actors as superstars (e.g., Raiders of the Lost Ark, 48 Hours, Conan the Barbarian, First Blood, Terminator, Lethal Weapon, Die Hard). Both Cruise and Kilmer were young, charismatic and talented actors. Cruise already had a number of good performances (e.g. Taps, Risky Business, the very under-appreciated Legend). Kilmer himself had two starring roles (the still hysterical Top Secret! along with Real Genius). Neither, though, had anything comparable to what would come following their performances as Maverick and Iceman. Beyond these two, the remaining cast was a strong group of actors: Kelly McGillis, Tom Skerritt, Michael Ironside, Anthony Edwards, Rick Rossovich, Meg Ryan, and Tim Robbins. Based on the cast’s subsequent body of work, we can again say that the movie was a success.

I was just old enough to see Top Gun in the theater at its release. I remember enjoying it for the flight scenes and because my hometown was the primary filming location. Not much else is memorable with the unfortunate exception of a few humdrum songs. Following the news about the sequel, I re-watched the movie and found that my opinion remains the same: I enjoy the flying sequences but overall the movie is, well, cheesy. The actors provide only decent performances, nothing spectacular, though perhaps this is because the dialogue was uninspiring. There are errors in editing that I didn’t notice as a kid, but now that I am older I just cannot ignore them, and the soundtrack is sleep inducing.

Despite my negative feelings towards the movie, it did enjoy a re-release in IMAX 3D in February 2013 that earned $1.9 million over 6 days. I attribute this to nostalgia (or the awesomeness of seeing the flight scenes in 3D) because the movie has unsatisfying performances, bad dialogue, and a boring soundtrack. The producers must be counting on nostalgia to drive Top Gun 2’s success because there is no logical reason for 12-30 years olds to see a sequel for a bad movie made thirty-two years ago about characters with whom they have no emotional ties.

Apparently, however, just to spite me, they’re making the movie. Perhaps this time around the production will spring for a regulation-sized volleyball net. What are your thoughts on Top Gun 2?

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Archaeology, technology, science, movies and TV shows, video games, government and politics, reading sci-fi and fantasy, '60s/70s classic rock. These are the areas in which I spend my days (somewhere in there are food and travel...).

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Gaming

Sony is reportedly engaged in discussions to form a partnership for a potential bid on Paramount

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April 19, 2024

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There hasn’t been much buzz lately about any new acquisitions in the world of video game intellectual property. According to a recent report, Sony is currently engaged in discussions with a well-funded partner to potentially acquire the renowned film studio Paramount, along with all the exciting possibilities that come with such a merger.

As reported in the New York Times (thanks, ResetEra), Sony Picture Entertainment is reportedly in discussions with Apollo Global Management, an investment firm, as per two sources familiar with the matter. In the past, Apollo had made an offer to acquire Paramount for a minimum of $26 billion, but their bid was ultimately turned down.

The terms of the joint bid are currently under discussion, and there is a chance that the two parties may decide against making a formal offer. Unnamed sources have revealed that Paramount is currently in exclusive discussions with Skydance, preventing any official offer from being made at this time. Investor opposition to the recent deal that Skydance brought seems to have been significant.

The potential impact of such an acquisition is immense. First and foremost, it would introduce adaptations of Sonic and Halo into the expanding media empire of the PlayStation platform holder. Following the announcement, Paramount’s stock experienced a significant 11% surge in after-hours trading.

What are your thoughts on the news? Is there a possibility of Sony acquiring Paramount? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Geek Culture

Fallout Season 2 has been confirmed as the show continues to captivate audiences, making it one of Amazon’s most-watched series

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April 19, 2024

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Amazon has just made the exciting announcement that a second season of the highly acclaimed Fallout TV adaptation is in the works. Fans can look forward to another thrilling installment of the series, which will be exclusively available on the Amazon Prime streaming service. Confirmation has arrived regarding the second batch of episodes for the series, following the acquisition of $25 million in Californian tax credits.

In just four days after its release, Fallout has already captivated audiences, quickly becoming one of Amazon Prime’s most-watched TV shows of all time. It has garnered immense popularity, rivaling even the acclaimed season of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.

The Fallout TV show has caused a massive surge in sales for the newer games, resulting in a staggering 7,500% increase in purchases of Fallout 4 in Europe. Fallout 76, Fallout 3, and Fallout: New Vegas were also among the top 10 best-selling games across the continent last week. Next week, the highly anticipated PS5 version of Fallout 4 will be released, offering players an enhanced visual experience with new graphical modes. Additionally, players can look forward to exciting new content from the Creation Club.

Considering the potential for character development and narrative arcs, it would be intriguing to see where season two takes Lucy, Maximus, and The Ghoul. Without revealing any spoilers, it’s exciting to speculate on the possible directions their stories could go. We would greatly appreciate your feedback in the comments section.

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Gaming

The cast of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film has added an exciting new addition with the inclusion of Shadow, who will be voiced by the talented Keanu Reeves

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April 16, 2024

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After a long wait, it appears that the search for a capable Hollywood actor to bring the brooding Shadow the Hedgehog to life has come to an end. Keanu Reeves, a renowned actor known for his iconic roles in film franchises such as The Matrix and John Wick, as well as his involvement in the highly anticipated game Cyberpunk 2077, has officially been cast for the role.

Speculation has been running wild lately, but The Hollywood Reporter has officially confirmed the casting, citing reliable sources in the know. News of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 being showcased at Cinemacon has quickly spread. Reeves is sure to bring his own special touch to the role, but it’s uncertain how well he will mesh with the mustachioed Dr. Robotnik, as Jim Carrey is set to reprise the character.

What are your thoughts on Keanu Reeves being cast as Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3? Please avoid sharing fan art in the comments section below.

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