Actor Sir Sam Neill, famed for his leading role in Steven Spielberg's dinosaur blockbuster Jurassic Park, has died aged 78.
Born in Omagh, Neill moved to New Zealand with his family when he was seven.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Sir Sam "started out when there was barely a film industry in this country to speak of".
"For more than fifty years, he took New Zealand stories to the world and his talents helped make our film industry into what it is today – one of our greatest cultural exports," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The first film I remember seeing Neill star in was Omen III: The Final Conflict. He played Damien Thorn, son of the devil. During an illustrious career, he auditioned for the role of James Bond and later starred in Peaky Blinders.
In a statement to Variety, Spielberg paid tribute to Neill.
"I owe a debt of gratitude to Roger Donaldson, Gilliam Armstrong, Graham Baker and Phillip Noyce for casting Sam Neill in the roles in which he was so brilliant that brought him to my attention and led to his playing Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park.
“Sam was exceptionally collaborative,” the Jurassic Park director said. “It was a stretch for him to play a character who acted as though children were messy and smelly because this was the opposite of the loving father he was to his children.”
Spielberg concluded his statement by saying, “I adored making all the Jurassic movies with him. Along with Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum, we will always have our Jurassic family and Sam will never be forgotten by us or his many millions of fans around the world.”
To this lifelong Spielberg fan, Neill will always be fondly remembered as Dr Alan Grant!
30 years ago, Doctor Who: The Movie was broadcast on UK TV!
The movie began life when Amblin's Philip Segal took the idea to director Steven Spielberg (Jaws), who ultimately passed on the project. Segal, who had worked on seaQuest DSV, Earth 2 and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, partnered with Universal and Fox.
There was fevered press speculation about spider-like Daleks created with computer-generated imagery (CGI), as seen in Babylon 5 and seaQuest DSV.
In the weeks leading up to its eagerly anticipated premiere, I was scrambling to finish my final year dissertation (should have written about Doctor Who and Star Wars, but that’s a story for another time) and edit my video major for an undergraduate course in BA (Hons) Media Production at Bournemouth University.
The Anglo-American co-production is somewhat of a curiosity decades before Disney+, as it failed to relaunch Doctor Who before Russell T Davies’ successful reboot in 2005. Whilst it was a ratings success on this side of the Atlantic, the Fox Network did not order a full series despite The X-Files' popularity. However, it gave fans (myself included) Sylvester McCoy’s swansong as the Seventh Doctor and introduced Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor.
McGann channelled H.G. Wells’ Victoriana as the titular Time Lord and has subsequently reprised the role on television and for Big Finish (I’ve never listened to any of the audiobooks).
Eric Roberts, brother of Oscar-winner Julia Roberts, played The Master, which was stipulated for the US market.
That day in 1996 was the first and last time I watched Doctor Who: The Movie! Watching with housemates was a poignant farewell to 3 years of university life. I'm looking forward to watching the remastered movie in 4K UHD on Blu-ray.
Buy Doctor Who: The Movie at Amazon (affiliate link).
What are your memories of watching Doctor Who: The Movie? Let me know in the comments below.
A first look at Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg (Jaws), dropped during the Super Bowl.
Read the official synopsis:
"If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people. We are coming close to … Disclosure Day."
The upcoming star-studded sci-fi mystery reunites director Spielberg with composer John Williams (Star Wars). Together, they've brought us blockbuster alien invasions in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and War of the Worlds.
“I’ve always been fascinated with things that cannot be explained, and I’ve made a lot of movies about things that cannot be explained — from sharks to saucers,” Spielberg said.
Based on a story by Spielberg, the screenplay is by David Koepp, whose previous work with Spielberg includes the scripts for Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Combined, those films earned more than $3 billion worldwide.
Disclosure Day will be released in cinemas on 12th June 2026.
Are you looking forward to Disclosure Day? Let me know in the comments below.
Music By John Williams, a compelling Disney+ documentary chronicling the Oscar-winning career of the legendary Hollywood composer, has won a Grammy Award.
Williams' soundtracks are synonymous with the movies of George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws). His scores have been the beating heart from Jaws to E.T. and Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park, and have had a profound impact on my childhood in the wake of a life-changing trauma in 1977. His music, played in isolation, inspired in times of tribulation - years of rehabilitation were my Jedi trials.
Spielberg had this to say about their milestone achievement:
“Thank you to all the Grammy voters, whose recognition of Music By John Williams, means the world to me and our Amblin team, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey and congratulations to our partners at Imagine and the Walt Disney Company. This acknowledgment is obviously deeply meaningful to me because it validates what I have known for over 50 years: John Williams influence on culture and music is immeasurable and his artistry and legacy is unrivaled. I am proud to be associated with Laurent’s beautiful film.”
Spielberg has not yet directly addressed his EGOT status.
An acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, the coveted designation is given to people who have won all four of the major performing arts prizes. Winners include Rita Moreno, Mel Brooks, Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, and Elton John, amongst others.
Williams is currently scoring the soundtrack to Spielberg's upcoming sci-fi movie, Disclosure Day.
Music By John Williams is streaming on Disney+.
Have you watched Music By John Williams on Disney+? Do you have a favourite movie or television soundtrack? Let me know in the comments below.
Universal Pictures has released an official teaser trailer for Disclosure Day. The upcoming star-studded sci-fi mystery reunites director Steven Spielberg (Jaws) with composer John Williams (Star Wars). Together, they've brought us blockbuster alien invasions in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and War of the Worlds.
Read the official synopsis:
"If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to seven billion people.
We are coming close to … Disclosure Day."
Based on a story by Spielberg, the screenplay is by David Koepp, whose previous work with Spielberg includes the scripts for Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Combined, those films earned more than $3 billion worldwide.
Spielberg himself has long believed we’re not alone in the universe, the director has said. “I think it’s mathematically impossible that we are the only intelligent species in the cosmos.”
Disclosure Day will be released in cinemas on 12th June 2026.
Are you looking forward to Disclosure Day? Let me know in the comments below.
Director Steven Spielberg (Jaws) and Hollywood composer John Williams (Star Wars) have a storied history spanning decades.
A lifelong love of movie soundtracks began with Williams' score for Star Wars, and soon I amassed a collection of his works from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to Jaws. To say Williams' soundtracks have played a pivotal role in my life's turbulent journey would be an understatement. His music remains inspirational in the darkest of times.
There’s a profound resonance with Spielberg's and my own childhood (overshadowed by a life-changing trauma) and escaping into a darkened theatre to watch Spielberg’s movies and those of his friend and longtime collaborator, Star Wars creator George Lucas. At the end of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 6-year-old me desperately wanted to board the mothership with Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss).
The creative duo are reuniting for their 30th movie, Spielberg's untitled UFO project starring Josh O'Connor, Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Colman Domingo, and Eve Hewson.
Spielberg's UFO movie is scheduled for release in the summer of 2026. I'll be standing in line.
On Tuesday, it was announced on Instagram that Drew Struzan, a legendary Hollywood artist famous for his collaborations with directors George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws), has passed away at the age of 78.
"It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Drew Struzan has moved on from this world as of yesterday, October 13th. I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art. - Greg, IG manager"
For generations of film fans (myself included), Struzan's iconic movie posters from Indiana Jones to Star Wars were woven into the fabric of popular culture. In the eighties, when I walked into a local video rental store owned by family friends in a pre-streaming world, I would look for his art on the cover of VHS cases. John Carpenter's The Thing always stood out, years before I saw it on ITV.
“Drew was an artist of the highest order,” says Star Wars creator George Lucas. “His illustrations fully captured the excitement, tone and spirit of each of my films his artwork represented. His creativity, through a single illustrated image, opened up a world full of life in vivid color…even at a glance. I was lucky to have worked with him time and time again.”
I may be misremembering, but I'm sure his unused poster art for Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi, before the final chapter in the original Star Wars trilogy was renamed at the last minute, was used on toy aisles to promote the latest merchandise. Certainly, it was somehow seared into my childhood memories.
“When one thinks of iconic movie poster artists, Drew Struzan is the first name that comes to mind,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. “Drew’s unforgettable artwork has touched so many hearts throughout the years, and I have been thankful to have worked with him on films such as E.T., Back to the Future, Hook, and the Indiana Jones series. His artwork is so imaginative, so beautiful, it elevated the movie-going experience for those films before audiences even stepped foot into a theater. Drew’s work is timeless, and will undoubtedly inspire both artists and film lovers for generations to come.”
As I write this, I'm poignantly listening to The Spielberg/Williams Collaboration on Apple Music, featuring album art by Struzan.
50 years ago, Jaws, the granddaddy of summer blockbusters, was unleashed in cinemas, becoming a pop culture sensation.
Director Steven Spielberg's shark story, adapted from Peter Benchley’s bestselling book, is regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made. Such was the phenomenal success of Jaws that shark species were hunted to near extinction due to a moral panic. Thankfully, lessons were learned, myths dispelled, and shark conservation has prevailed on Shark Awareness Day.
While I was too young to see Jaws during its original theatrical run, it caught my childhood imagination courtesy of Ideal's The Game of Jaws and John Williams' Oscar-winning soundtrack as I flicked through the pages of a neighbour friend’s shark book before asking them countless questions about the movie - their patience was limitless.
When Jaws was first shown on television in 1981, I wasn't disappointed (traumatised, more like).
Alien and Jaws have the distinction of being the stuff of childhood nightmare fuel in the early eighties. For the next two hours, I didn't move from the edge of my seat. For context, not for the first time, I had my legs in plaster casts as part of rehabilitation following a life-changing injury.
My nerves were as frayed as the carpet beneath my feet, but I couldn't avert my eyes from the horror unfolding before me and that fella from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Richard Dreyfuss (Matt Hooper). The real villain of Jaws isn’t the great white shark; it’s capitalism as the greedy mayor, played by Murray Hamilton, tries to keep the Amity Island beaches open for the 4th of July.
In an era of second screens and artificial intelligence (AI), Jaws remains a masterclass in cinematic storytelling filled with compelling characters we care about. Bruce, the mechanical shark, may have infamously broken down on set, forcing Spielberg to shoot around the titular beast. Yet, Jaws broke box office records, spawned sequels and countless imitators, but never bettered. And generations of movie fans (myself included) can't visit the seaside without hearing Williams' iconic main theme.
What are your memories of watching Jaws? Let me know in the comments below.
John Williams needs no introduction. The award-winning Hollywood composer is synonymous with the films of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. He turns 93 today, and I wish him a very happy birthday.
For seven decades, Williams has written the soundtrack to the lives of generations of film fans (myself included) and continues to influence a new generation of film composers.
When I began the long journey of rehabilitation following a life-changing childhood trauma in 1977, his music for Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Superman: The Movie gave me inspiration and hope at a time of deep uncertainty about the future...
Like many fans, I'll be listening to Williams' soundtracks on Apple Music and watching Music by John Williams on Disney+. Of all the maestro's countless stellar themes, the one that resonated most deeply with me is Yoda's Theme! Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back is not only my all-time favourite film, but it arrived in cinemas as I began to come to terms with a lifelong physical disability. With the help of family, friends and healthcare professionals at Vranch House and the RD&E, I learned to walk again.
From E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to Star Wars. What are your favourite John Williams soundtracks? Let me know in the comments below.
Universal Pictures has released an official trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. It teases an Alien-inspired mutant dinosaur and Indiana Jones thrills.
The upcoming instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and stars Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).
Read the official synopsis:
“Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.”
The cast includes Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs. Lopez) as Reuben’s family. The film also features, as members of Zora and Krebs’ crews, Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF) and Ed Skrein (Deadpool).
“Jurassic Park is a horror film in the witness protection program,” Edwards says. “Most people don’t think of it like that. We all went to see it as kids. But I was scared shitless, to be honest, when I was at the cinema watching the T-Rex attack. It’s one of the most well-directed scenes in cinema history, so the bar’s really high to come on board and try and do this.”
Jurassic World Rebirth will be in cinemas on 2nd July.
Are you looking forward to Jurassic World Rebirth? Let me know in the comments below.
John Williams needs no introduction. The Oscar-winning Star Wars composer's stellar career is explored in a new documentary on Disney+.
"It’s no exaggeration to say that John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time," Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy says. "His music has transcended cinema and become a part of our global culture, touching the hearts of billions, both young and old. John’s music has done as much to keep classical music alive as it has to shape the world of film."
Williams' soundtracks are synonymous with the movies of George Lucas (Star Wars) and Steven Spielberg (Jaws). His scores have been the beating heart from Jaws to E.T. and Jurassic Park to The Fabelmans. Then, there are sensational soundtracks for the Star Wars saga, Superman, Harry Potter, and many more.
Williams had a profound impact on my childhood in the wake of a life-changing trauma in 1977. His music, played in isolation, inspired in times of tribulation - years of rehabilitation were my Jedi trials.
Music By John Williams is streaming on 1st November on Disney+.
Are you looking forward to Music By John Williams on Disney+? Do you have a favourite movie or television soundtrack? Let me know in the comments below.
Universal Pictures has released the first images and an official synopsis for Jurassic World Rebirth.
The upcoming instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and stars Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).
Read the official synopsis:
“Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.”
Jurassic World Rebirth will be in cinemas in July 2025.
Are you looking forward to Jurassic World Rebirth? Let me know in the comments below.
Happy 4th of July to all our US-based readers! Today the LEGO Group announced the LEGO Ideas Jaws set based on Steven Spielberg's seminal blockbuster movie featuring John Williams' unforgettable soundtrack.
Speaking about how he approached the design for the set, fan designer Johnny Campbell, reveals: "JAWS is my favourite movie of all-time, so I really wanted to recreate it in LEGO bricks. LEGO building has always been a part of my life in some shape or form but in order to get all of the finer details, I actually freeze-framed JAWS as I watched it so that I could catch a glimpse of the finer details taking notes as I went along. It is just mind-blowing that my design is now an official LEGO set. I can't wait to stand in a LEGO shop looking at the shelves and seeing a set that I have been involved with and watching someone buying it. It’s every LEGO fan’s dream!”
LEGO Ideas Jaws is available from LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).
Will you be adding LEGO Ideas Jaws to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.
The next instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is expected to be filmed this summer at Sky Studios Elstree with Gareth Edwards (The Creator) at the helm.
Edwards is no stranger to blockbuster monster movies after directing Godzilla and Star Wars.
"Watching ‘Star Wars' as a child, I always assumed blockbuster filmmaking was just a distant dream for someone growing up in the UK. But then, as I watched the behind-the-scenes, I suddenly realized it was all filmed in a studio just outside of London. And that making ambitious commercial films is totally within the reach of British filmmakers," he said. "When I finally got to make my first film ‘Monsters,' it was made in the true independent style - with a small cast and crew, a tiny budget and shot in just a few weeks. I learnt so much, so fast, and would definitely describe it was one of the most creative experiences I've ever had. Without that opportunity, I would never have been given ‘Godzilla,' ‘Star Wars' and ‘The Creator'… And now as we organize shooting the new ‘Jurassic Park' film in ‘a studio just outside London,' I hope we inspire other new filmmakers to shoot small but always dream big."
The upcoming sequel is executive produced by director Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park).
Are you looking forward to Jurassic World 4? Let me know in the comments below.
Apple TV+ is increasingly likened to HBO and not without merit. The Cupertino-based tech titan's streaming service is home to prestige television from For All Mankind to Silo.
Masters of the Air is the latest series from executive producer Steven Spielberg (Jaws). It follows a group of World War II pilots. Unlike Spielberg's sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, these pilots aren't abducted by benevolent aliens and returned home decades later to a fanfare from legendary Hollywood composer John Williams (Star Wars).
Nick Smith, our US-based stellar scribe, is on a break from monster hunting and takes to the skies.
Guest post by Nick Smith
After reminding us that war is hell in Band of Brothers (2001) and The Pacific (2010), Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg have bankrolled a new nine-part World War II miniseries called Masters of the Air. This time the story is set in Norfolkshire, where bombers set off on daring raids to destroy Nazi targets.
With a reported average budget of $27 million per episode, you’d better believe this show looks grand and glossy, with fraught air combat sequences, painstaking attention to detail, and squadrons of proficient actors, including Austin Butler (who acted his blue suede shoes off in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis) and James Murray (Primeval). The greatest challenge, for the storytellers and the viewers, is to keep score of all the characters, with dozens sacrificing their lives in the line of duty.
Part One is a slow burn with an ensemble of seemingly insipid non-entities. The ending is strangely low-key, a common issue in our era of binge TV (thanks to Netflix). Stick around for the second episode, though, and the show hits high gear. The characters become more engaging and their bravery is brought to light (they fly during the day instead of bombing at night, to make sure they only hit military sites). The insanity of war is highlighted, along with the skill required to operate gremlin-gummed analogue equipment, and the heart-breaking youth of the crewmen – one is called Babyface, to hammer the point home.
By Part Four, we’re in ‘Allo ‘Allo territory with airmen hiding in occupied territory, aided by the Resistance. This allows writer John Orloff to bring wilful female characters into the show, while back in England more lives are lost and the ethical weight of war hangs heavy on the survivors.
Based on a book by historian Donald L. Miller, Masters of the Air caught the flak of development hell in 2013. Six years later, Apple took the series from the reluctant grasp of HBO, which released the first two minis. In 2021 filming finally began, only to be stalled by a different kind of threat – the COVID kind. All this turbulence shows in some loose narrative rivets, but the effects are better than most recent CGI-heavy air battles (shame on you, Red Tails) and the central characters rise from a herd of pretty boys to engage the audience.
Standouts include Lt. Harry Crosby, played by Irish actor Anthony Boyle; Lt. Curtis Biddick, portrayed by Barry Keoghan who is also from Ireland; and Lt. Roy Frank Claytor, played by Spielberg’s son Sawyer. The opening credits tease the appearance of Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who), who will undoubtedly bring a breath of fresh air to the show with his brash personality.
The dogfights are tense and the cockpit action is thrilling, reminiscent of the Star Wars space battles they inspired. The in-flight entertainment is filmed using virtual production, with LED screens standing in for the unfriendly skies.
Masters of the Air has a long way to go to match the grit and power of Band of Brothers. The new series looks too pristine, an issue with modern drama series. In the early episodes, the lack of strong female roles is a side effect of focusing on the B-17 boys. For another perspective on World War II heroism, I recommend Big Finish’s audio series ATA Girl. The 100th Group bombers were not the only aces in the war.
Are you watching Masters of the Air on Apple TV+? Let me know in the comments below.
Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).
On Thursday, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle was officially revealed during Xbox Developer Direct. The upcoming Xbox and PC first-person exclusive from MachineGames (Wolfenstein) was originally announced in 2021 as one of the first titles under the relaunched Lucasfilm Games brand.
Read the official synopsis:
"Uncover one of history’s greatest mysteries in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a first-person, single-player adventure set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade. The year is 1937, sinister forces are scouring the globe for the secret to an ancient power connected to the Great Circle, and only one person can stop them - Indiana Jones. You’ll become the legendary archaeologist in this cinematic action-adventure game from MachineGames, the award-winning studio behind the recent Wolfenstein series, and executive produced by Hall of Fame game designer Todd Howard."
The Indiana Jones franchise, from George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, spawned classic LucasArts point-and-click adventures during the 16-bit era. Most notably, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, which I last played with my best friend, Professor Michael Williams, on his Amiga A500. Alas, Indy is still lost in a frozen tundra thirty years on. In the mid-eighties, I vividly remember playing Atari's Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in the arcades. The adventures of the man in the hat would go on to inspire Tomb Raider and Uncharted action-adventure franchises.
Troy Baker (The Last of Us) channels Harrison Ford as the titular archaeologist later this year on Game Pass.
Are you looking forward to Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? Let me know in the comments below.
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of this blog! Early on, I wrote about how Atari was a gateway into playing video games when I was gifted an older cousin's unwanted VCS on my 8th birthday in 1980.
After school, I avidly played Space Invaders, Frogger, Donkey Kong, Pitfall, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and many more with childhood friends.
Atari has a storied history with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Atari/Lucasfilm Games was founded in 1982, and the infamous E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial video game tie-in never reached the UK (I had to settle for the Parker Brothers board game for Christmas).
Nintendo popularised mini consoles with its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 2016. Others wanted in on the throwback action. PlayStation Classic, Sega Mega Drive Mini (Sega Genesis Mini if you're in the US), PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini (TurboGrafx-16 Mini if you're in the US) and more soon followed to scratch that nostalgic itch.
Fast forward. Retro Games, the company behind the mini Commodore VIC-20, Commodore 64 and Amiga A500, has announced THE400 Mini in association with Atari. A miniaturised version of the chunky classic Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range, including the 400/800, XL and XE series home computers and the 5200 home console.
“We have a rich history in creating re-imagined, iconic home computers, and we very much hope that THE400 Mini will become an important part of that legacy. The original home computer was a gaming hero to many, and it’s important to us to re-create the machines that helped define the video games industry and are thus worthy of preservation. We believe that serious collectors and retro gaming fans will love what we’ve done, and should take the time to discover the odd Easter Egg or two as they embark upon a journey into 1970s and 1980s gaming”, said Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Retro Games Ltd.
Key features of THE400 Mini include:
• A half-sized version of the distinctively styled Atari 400, emulating the whole 8-bit Atari range from the 400 to the 800XL, and the Atari 5200 home console.
• Also included is a recreation of the classic Atari CX40 joystick, with an additional seven seamlessly integrated function buttons.
• The ability for players to side-load their own games via a USB stick, with support for cartridge, disk and cassette ROMs.
• Players can rewind time and save their games.
• HD TV output via HDMI, with 50/60Hz compatibility.
• 5 USB ports which allow for the addition of a modern keyboard, extra joysticks and more.
• Look and feel of 1979: THE400 Mini has been lovingly crafted using modern technology, from the hard-to-match colours of the original machine to the authentic textures of the plastic casing and membrane keyboard, no compromise was made relative to the iconic 1970s look and feel of the original Atari 400.
Stuart Chiplin, Head of Commercial Evaluations at PLAION said “We’re excited to be working with Retro Games Ltd. to bring back an iconic machine that meant so much to so many. Cherished memories from the past must be treated with respect, care and attention – THE400 Mini has been designed to retain the look and feel of the original home computer, while benefitting from robust design and manufacturing and an obsession with attention to detail.”
THE400 Mini comes with 25 titles preinstalled spanning Atari’s 8-bit era. Announced games include: Berzerk, Millipede, Miner 2049er, Lee (Bruce Lee was dropped for licensing reasons) and Star Raiders II (originally developed as a tie-in with The Last Starfighter movie). My favourites from the Atari 8-bit era are Dropzone, Rescue on Fractulas!, Ballblazer and Pitfall II.
Pre-order THE400 Mini (affiliate link) today. It's released on 28th March with a suggested retail price of £99.99. I hope to bring you a review in the future.
Will you be adding THE400 Mini to your retro collection? What are your favourite Atari 8-bit video games? Let me know in the comments below.
Paramount+ has dropped a final trailer for the second season of Halo The Series.
Read the official synopsis:
"In season two, Master Chief John-117 (Pablo Schreiber) leads his team of elite Spartans against the alien threat known as the Covenant. In the wake of a shocking event on a desolate planet, John cannot shake the feeling that his war is about to change and risks everything to prove what no one else will believe – that the Covenant is preparing to attack humanity’s greatest stronghold.
With the galaxy on the brink, John embarks on a journey to find the key to humankind’s salvation, or its extinction: the Halo."
The first season of Halo The Series fell somewhat short of expectations surrounding a Steven Spielberg-produced live-action series based on the successful Xbox video game franchise. There were many meme-worthy mistakes. However, Cortana (voiced by Jen Taylor) and Dr Catherine Halsey (Natascha McElhone) were great.
After watching the spectacular final trailer, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next to Master Chief, Cortana and the Spartans in their epic battle with the Covenant exclusively on Paramount+.
The second season of Halo The Series begins with a two-episode premiere on 8th February on Paramount+.
What did you think of the trailer? Are you looking forward to the second season of Halo The Series on Paramount+? Let me know in the comments below.
Legendary Hollywood composer John Williams (Jaws) said he would consider scoring a new soundtrack if the right film came along. This follows the Star Wars composer's candid comments about potentially retiring after scoring Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
Williams, 91, told The Times newspaper: “If a film came along that I was greatly interested in, with a schedule that I could cope with, then I wouldn’t want to rule anything out. Everything is possible. All is before us. Only our limitations are holding us back. Or, to put it more simply: I like to keep an open mind.”
On the subject of commercial versus classical music, the Oscar-winning composer said:
“Thirty or 40 years ago, when I would take a programme of film music to one of our big orchestras, there might be condescension. I understood it; I understand the value of things made in the commercial world and their place in the art world. But now things are different. I’d love to come back in 50 years’ time and see what cinema is contributing to the development of new music, because I think young composers will want to work across both.”
A new Star Wars movie, following the continuing adventures of Rey (Daisy Ridley), is currently in pre-production at Lucasfilm. Could the maestro return to a galaxy far, far away?
What are your favourite John Williams soundtracks? Let me know in the comments below.
Mattel Creations has announced an exclusive Steven Spielberg action figure from the collector-acclaimed Hammond Collection celebrating 30 years of Jurassic Park.
From Mattel Creations:
"Thirty years ago, Steven Spielberg recreated dinosaurs on the big screen and started a global phenomenon. Today we’re celebrating the man, the myth, and the movie with the Jurassic World Hammond Collection Man Creates Dinosaurs Steven Spielberg figure. He even comes with a camera, personalized director’s chair, and a Dilophosaurus with a removable frill and animatronic stand to reenact the magic of the original movie."
George Lucas was immortalised as a Star Wars Black Series Stormtrooper action figure by Hasbro to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lucasfilm. As a lifelong fan of Spielberg's movies too, like many, I would love to add this Mattel action figure to my collection. However, I'll have more luck discovering a new dinosaur species on the Jurassic Coast.
Mattel VP and Global Head of Action Figures PJ Lewis says, "To celebrate the 30th, we wanted to honor the visionary that brought Jurassic Park to the big screen. Spielberg is a legend and we’ve never seen an action figure of him before, and he is just as much a part of the legacy as the dinosaurs and characters in the film. The team created the first-ever action figure of Steven Spielberg based on a behind-the-scenes photo from filming Jurassic Park."
The Jurassic Park 30th Anniversary Steven Spielberg Figure will be available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) and in limited quantities on Mattel Creations.
Will you be getting the Steven Spielberg action figure? Let me know in the comments below.
