casting Archives

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ Available Digitally May 13, on Disc June 24

The Minecraft Movie is in development, aiming to blend the game's pixelated world with cinematic storytelling. It will explore themes of adventure, friendship, and creativity, featuring familiar elements of crafting and exploration along with original characters. While casting details are not yet available, there is speculation about high-profile talent involved in the project. The production team is considering innovative marketing strategies to engage the Minecraft community, including interactive experiences and collaborations with content creators. The film has the potential to influence future video game adaptations in cinema.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

Mucking with Movies: ‘A Minecraft Movie’

“A Minecraft Movie” has sparked a debate among younger audiences and has become popular with teenagers, largely due to Jack Black’s character, Steve, and his catchphrase “Chicken Jockey.” The film is compared to cult classics like “Rocky Horror Picture Show” and may find a place in cult film festivals. Casting director Rachel Tenner successfully paired Jason Momoa and Jack Black, whose chemistry is highlighted by director Jared Hess. Momoa plays Garret, a former arcade champion, and their interactions are comedic, although the film struggles with energy when they are not together. Black’s humor and Momoa’s voice add depth to their characters. The film opens with a monologue from Black, but suffers from pacing issues and underutilized subplots. It has a critic score of 7.5/10 and has successfully engaged young audiences, making it a family-friendly entertainment option.

AppWizard

April 14, 2025

Is seeing ‘A Minecraft Movie’ worth it?

Jack Black attended the world premiere of "A Minecraft Movie" in London on March 30, 2025, with the film set to release on April 4, 2025. The live-action adaptation faced skepticism but found box office success, partly due to a viral TikTok trend. Black's performance as Steve and Jason Momoa's role as Garbage Man received praise, especially for their comedic chemistry. However, child actors Emma Myers and Sebastian Eugene Hansen were criticized for being underdeveloped characters. Danielle Brooks' role as the children's realtor was seen as an afterthought, with concerns about the portrayal of Black women in comedy. The film's plot centers around piglins attempting to plunge the overworld into eternal night, but it was described as predictable and lacking depth. The visual effects and overall aesthetic were deemed unappealing, and the film was criticized for not fully embracing the creativity of the "Minecraft" universe.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

One UI 7 brings Live Notifications for your favorite media apps, including YouTube and Spotify

Samsung's One UI version 7 has begun rolling out, introducing features that enhance media playback, including Live Notifications for real-time control over media applications from the notification shade. Users can receive ongoing media playback notifications from apps like Spotify, YouTube, and YouTube Music, although Netflix does not show notifications during local playback but does support live notifications when casting. To access these features, users must have the latest builds of One UI 7, particularly those with the April 2025 security patch. The update also hints at cross-device synchronization for media playback control without needing to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Currently, YouTube allows playback controls for connected smart devices but typically requires the same Wi-Fi network.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

Minecraft Movie fans ‘robbed’ after learning who originally played Jack Black’s role

Viewers of the Minecraft movie are disappointed with Jack Black's performance, which has received mixed reviews from critics. British actor Matt Berry was originally cast as the lead role of Steve but had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts from the 2023 actors’ strike, taking a minor role instead. Fans believe Berry's comedic style could have significantly improved the film. Social media is filled with reactions imagining how Berry would have delivered the iconic phrase “chicken jockey.” During screenings, audiences have reacted enthusiastically, with clips showing viewers throwing popcorn and cheering during a boxing scene. Cineworld has announced “Chicken Jockey Screenings” for April 13, encouraging fans to dress up and engage with the film.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Get HyperOS 2 Android 16 Beta 2 apps today on any Xiaomi device

Xiaomi has released system apps from the HyperOS 2 Beta 16 Android build, allowing users to enhance their devices without flashing the entire beta ROM. The updated applications include: Productivity Apps: - Note (v1.2.6.8) - Premium note-taking features. - Calculator (v15.3.4) - Smarter calculation functions. - Calendar (v16.0.20.10) - Improved scheduling and reminders. - File Explorer (v7.0.4.7) - Efficient file management. Media & Entertainment: - Browser (v19.1.90312) - Enhanced web surfing speed and protection. - Media Editor (v1.8.10.16) - Advanced photo and video editing capabilities. - Gallery (v25100112) - AI photo organization. - Screen Recorder (v2.14.2.4.1) - Smooth screen recording. System Utilities: - Theme Store (v18.0) - Access to new themes for HyperOS 2. - System Updater (v8.8.9) - Improved update process. - Weather (v16.0.5.8) - More accurate forecasting. - Mirror (v17.00.01) - Low-latency screen casting. - Sound Recorder (v6.2.5) - High-quality recordings with noise reduction. - Mi Share (v3.7.1) - Quicker file sharing between devices. - Quick Search (v10.12.1.03137) - Enhanced search functionality. - Always-on Display (RELEASE-2228.3.0.0) - New designs for the feature. - Security Center (v10.7.3-250325.0.1) - Strengthened device protection. - Mi Wallpaper (v4.4.4.1-ALPHA) - Dynamic wallpapers. - MIUI Home Launcher (RELEASE-5.39.31.10941) - Refined home screen experience. - Package Installer (v5.3.3.0.0) - Safer app installation process. To install these apps, users must download the APKs, enable "Install from Unknown Sources," install each APK individually, and restart the device. Each application has been optimized for performance with reasonable file sizes.

BetaBeacon

April 7, 2025

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – April 2025 round-up

- Songs Of Conquest Mobile is available on iOS & Android for £11.99 - The game was originally released on PC last year - The game features turn-based interactions and pixel art - It involves warring fantasy characters and Final Fantasy Tactics-style battles - The game is challenging and requires players to gather power-ups - The game has a score of 7/10

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

ZeniMax union votes to strike

Members of the ZeniMax Workers United union have voted 94 percent in favor of authorizing strike action in ongoing negotiations with Microsoft. The union, established in January 2023, is advocating for fair wages and improved working conditions amid concerns about underpayment and rising living costs. Union members express a commitment to using their collective power to secure a first contract with Microsoft.

AppWizard

March 24, 2025

Minecraft to Get Vibrant Visuals Graphics Update Soon

Mojang announced the 'Vibrant Visuals' update for the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft, which will enhance the game's graphics with features like volumetric lighting, improved reflections, and subsurface scattering for foliage. The update will also add detail to mobs and items, such as glowing spider eyes and illuminating torches. It is purely cosmetic, leaving gameplay mechanics unchanged and ensuring compatibility for players in the same realm. The update will be tested on various devices, with a beta version to be released soon, and plans to extend it to the Java Edition are in place. The Minecraft With RTX experience offers the highest visual fidelity for players with powerful PCs.

AppWizard

March 23, 2025

Minecraft is getting a visual overhaul you probably don’t need because of all of those mods you’ve got installed

Mojang announced a significant update for Minecraft called Vibrant Visuals, which will enhance the game's lighting while maintaining its blocky aesthetic. The update will introduce volumetric lighting, allowing sunlight to interact more naturally with the environment, and will feature glowing mobs and items. It will initially be available for the Bedrock Edition, with plans to extend it to the Java Edition in the future, although no specific release date has been provided. Additionally, players will soon be able to fly on friendly ghasts, and a live event from March 25 to April 7 will feature mini-games with Jack Black's character, offering a unique cape as a reward for successful participants.