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AppWizard

April 12, 2025

Adults review: Jack Black energizes the bizarre ‘Minecraft Movie’

“A Minecraft Movie” features Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, played by Jason Momoa, a washed-up gaming champion in Idaho. The film introduces Henry, a new student portrayed by Sebastian Hansen, who builds a malfunctioning jet pack that destroys a statue. Directed by Jared Hess, the film stars Jack Black as Steve, a mining enthusiast who discovers a portal to the Overworld. In this realm, Steve can reshape landscapes and craft weapons while facing dangers like skeletons and creepers. He tames a wolf named “Dennis” and is later imprisoned in the Nether, prompting Garrison, Henry, and two companions to rescue him. Jennifer Coolidge plays a vice principal with a subplot involving an Overworld villager. The film combines CGI visuals with humor, showcasing dynamic performances that enhance its quirky narrative.

AppWizard

April 10, 2025

“A Minecraft Movie” could use some reconstruction– or maybe I’m just getting old

Sophia Noya reviewed "A Minecraft Movie," directed by Jared Hess and released recently. The film features Jack Black as Steve and Jason Momoa as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison. The plot follows Steve's quest to protect The Overworld from Piglins, with a humorous twist as characters are transported through a portal. Audience excitement was noted, particularly for Momoa's humor, but the film faced criticism for its meandering narrative, minimal character development, and stiff dialogue filled with outdated references. Noya rated the film 3 out of 10, suggesting it may appeal more to younger viewers and fans of the franchise.

AppWizard

April 7, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ exceeds box-office expectations, breaks records

Warner Bros.' "A Minecraft Movie," featuring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, earned million in the U.S. and Canada during its opening weekend, nearly doubling initial projections. The film is expected to add another million from international markets. It has set a new record for video game adaptations, surpassing "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," which earned million earlier this year. Directed by Jared Hess, the film has a 47% positive rating from critics on RottenTomatoes.com and an 86% audience score. The story follows four heroes who are transported into the Minecraft world and must navigate challenges to return home.

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 5, 2025

Nintendo should have cribbed from Valve on how to make a good handheld tech demo

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct introduced a feature called Welcome Tour, which is priced at 990 yen (approximately £5), though there are speculations it may cost more. The feature has been described as a "glorified tech demo" or a "digital manual." In contrast, Valve's Aperture Desk Job is a free tech demo for the Steam Deck that effectively showcases its functionalities while incorporating humor and narrative elements from the Portal universe. It takes about half an hour to complete and has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay and clever references. Many players find it both entertaining and educational. In comparison, the Welcome Tour has been criticized for its generic presentation and lack of creativity, highlighting a disparity between Nintendo's past successes and its current offerings.

AppWizard

April 4, 2025

The Best PC Games to Play Right Now (Spring 2025)

PC gaming in 2025 features advanced GPUs enabling ray tracing and AI-enhanced upscaling, with tools like Unreal Engine 5 facilitating diverse game development. Platforms such as Steam and Epic Games Store host tens of thousands of titles, with over 13,000 new games launched on Steam in 2024. Notable games include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077, Valorant, Overwatch 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Warframe, and Apex Legends. Key trends include cross-platform compatibility, free-to-play models, and game subscription services. Optimal gaming setups typically require a mid-range processor, a GTX 1070 or better graphics card, and at least 16GB of RAM. Popular multiplayer games include Valorant and Apex Legends, while highly rated titles include Baldur’s Gate 3, Elden Ring, and Disco Elysium. Classics worth playing today include The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Portal 2.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Danielle Brooks shares the secret meaning behind her ‘Minecraft’ costume

Danielle Brooks plays the character Dawn in "A Minecraft Movie," set to be released on April 4. Her costume, designed by Amanda Neale, features a blend of orange and purple, symbolizing significant colors in Brooks' career. Co-star Jason Momoa admired the jumpsuit and requested a similar one for a film premiere, but it did not arrive in time. Brooks expressed excitement for the film and plans to take her 5-year-old daughter, Freeya, to a private screening in Georgia with family and friends. The movie also stars Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, and Emma Myers.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

The history of the video game that inspired ‘A Minecraft Movie’

On April 4, "A Minecraft Movie" will be released, featuring a cast that includes Jack Black, Jason Momoa, Emma Myers, and Jennifer Coolidge. The film follows four misfits who are transported to a block-based realm and must unite with Steve, played by Black, to protect their world. "Minecraft" is a sandbox game that allows players to explore and create in a limitless environment, rated Everyone 10+ by the ESRB. It has two main modes: Creative, which offers unlimited resources and immortality, and Survival, which involves resource gathering and managing health. Markus "Notch" Persson created "Minecraft" in 2009, launching it officially in November 2011 after successful testing. He sold the game to Microsoft in 2014 for .5 billion, after which Jens "Jeb" Bergensten took over as lead designer. As of 2023, "Minecraft" is the second highest-selling video game, behind Tetris, and has received numerous updates, with the latest being the "Trials and Tales Update."

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Xbox fans lose it as new console is teased in mysterious trailer

A new Xbox-branded handheld console is set to launch later this year, developed in collaboration with ASUS. This device will not be a fully in-house creation but a partnership product. Recent trailers have hinted at Xbox branding on the ASUS ROG Ally gaming handheld, suggesting a fusion of technologies. The official Xbox Twitter account responded to ASUS's teaser trailer, indicating their collaboration. An official release date has not yet been announced.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Jack Black, Jason Momoa square off in ‘Minecraft’ movie

Actors Jack Black and Jason Momoa are promoting their upcoming film adaptation of the video game 'Minecraft,' set to be released by Warner Bros on March 18, 2025. Black plays the character Steve and has a strong connection to the game, having immersed himself in it before the film. Momoa portrays Garrett, and the film includes iconic elements from the game such as creepers, zombies, and villagers. The plot involves four characters discovering Steve's belongings in the real world, leading to their transport to the Overworld through a magic cube. Black was familiar with the game, while Momoa had not played it prior to filming.