Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the founder and editor of Shore News Network. A 28 year media and technology expert, Phil is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

A First Look: Evolve

In a savage world of man vs nature, are you the hunter or the hunted? The creators of Left 4 Dead, Turtle Rock Studios, bring you Evolve, the next generation of multiplayer shooters where four hunters face-off against a single, player-controlled monster. Stalk your prey, execute your attack and prove you are the apex predator in adrenaline-pumping 4v1 matches.

4V1-Grab three friends and hunt the monster or stalk the humans as the evolving beast. Whichever side you choose, you will have access to powerful weapons and abilities that deliver balanced, competitive gameplay.

Hunt Together or Die Alone- Choose a hunter that fits your play style. Whether you play as the Trapper, Support, Assault, or Medic, every role is vital and teamwork is key in surviving an encounter with the monster.

Beast of Prey -As the monster -the lone predator -you are the boss battle. Use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to wreak havoc, kill the humans and prove you are the dominant species.

Savage Planet-Neither flora nor fauna are friendly on planet Shear. Fall victim to natural hazards or use them strategically against your prey. Character Customization- Level up to unlock new upgrades, skins and perks for your favorite class: hunter or monster. Earn your infamy on the leaderboards and become the apex predator.

A First Look: Dying Light

Dying Light is a first person, action survival horror game set in a vast and dangerous open world. During the day, players traverse an expansive urban environment overrun by a vicious outbreak, scavenging the world for supplies and crafting weapons to defend against the growing infected population. At night, the hunter becomes the hunted, as the infected become aggressive and more dangerous. Most frightening are the predators which only appear after sundown. Players must use everything in their power to survive until the morning’s first light.

At night, the world undergoes a deadly transformation: the hunter becomes the hunted as the infected grow more aggressive and numerous, and something far more sinister awakens to stalk its prey.

Free Running Movement ? Whether tracking prey or escaping predators, Dying Light lets players swiftly navigate the world by seamlessly leaping between buildings, grappling up walls and pouncing on unsuspecting enemies

Why use a wrench when you can use a wrench wrapped in electrified barb wire Dying Light’s sizeable crafting system enables players to create a slew of new, more potent weapons and equipment, as well as specialized ammunition

A First Look: Final Fantasy Type-O

One of the most highly anticipated role-playing games of all time, FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0 makes its Western debut on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as FINAL FANTASY TYPE-0 HD. Featuring the immersive story, memorable characters, and production values the series is known for, players are transported to Orience, a dark, FINAL FANTASY world governed by crystals and torn apart by war, as the nation’s youth are swept into its conflict. Step into the fray as Class Zero, a group of fourteen students from an elite military academy whose country is attacked by an aggressive neighboring Empire. Using the powerful abilities and magic of all fourteen characters in fast-paced action RPG combat, players must face the brutality and injustices of war to uncover the secrets of its genesis.

ne of the most highly anticipated role-playing games of all time, Final Fantasy Type-0 makes its Western debut on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. Featuring the immersive story, memorable characters, and production values the series is known for, players are transported to Orience, a dark, Final Fantasy world governed by crystals and torn apart by war, as the nation’s youth are swept into its conflict. Step into the fray as Class Zero, a group of fourteen students from an elite military academy whose country is attacked by an aggressive neighboring Empire. Using the powerful abilities and magic of all fourteen characters in fast-paced action RPG combat, players must face the brutality and injustices of war to uncover the secrets of its genesis.

Choose from 14 playable members of Class Zero to control, each with distinctive weapons, abilities, and combat styles.

A First Look at Mortal Kombat X

Fueled by next-gen technology, Mortal Kombat X combines unparalleled, cinematic presentation with all new gameplay to deliver the most brutal Kombat experience ever. For the first time ever, Mortal Kombat X gives players the ability to choose from multiple variations of each character impacting both strategy and fighting style. And with a new fully-connected gameplay experience, players are launched into a persistent online contest where every fight matters in a global battle for supremacy.
Featuring Klassics such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden and Kano, as well as new characters such as Cassie Cage, Kotal Kahn, Ferra-Torr and D’Vorah, the roster will include fan favorites where both good and evil must battle it out.
Making his first appearance in more than eight years, Goro, the feral, four-armed Shokan warrior will be available day of launch as a playable combatant exclusively to those who pre-order Mortal Kombat X. Code will be delivered upon shipment. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. Amazon reserves the right to change or terminate this promotion at any time.
A deep story mode continues up to 25 years after the events of 2011’s Mortal Kombat and advances the dark tale – introducing new characters such as Cassie Cage, daughter of fan favorites Sonya Blade and Johnny Cage.

 

Battlefield: Hardline Pits Cops vs the Bad Guys in New Direction of Franchise

In Battlefield Hardline, you’re on one side of the law or the other — a baton or bat stun gun or rifle armored police truck or transport vehicle. Right and wrong isn’t always that clear.

Battlefield Hardline’s gritty story will take you through so many twists and turns you won’t be able to wait until the next episode.

Newly christened Miami detective Nick is from the wrong side of the tracks, the first legitimately employed member of his family for generations. Nick’s a loner, a crusader, and is determined to make his way to the top of the pile. His making detective is validation that he’s left behind the man he feared he might become.

A first-generation Vietnamese-American who hails from outside LA, Khai turned her back on the west coast and a rebellious youth to put a star on her chest. Rising quickly through the ranks, she’s established herself to her fellow officers and the usual underworld suspects as a smart, able detective who isn’t afraid to let her temper take over.

A Look Inside the Controversial Movie: The Interview

“The Interview” (2014 release; 112 min.) brings the story of how an entertainment reporter Dave Skylark (played by James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (played by Seth Rogen) get an opportunity to interview Kim Jong-un. the “Supreme Leader” of North Korea. As the movie opens, we see a young girl (maybe 7 or 8) sing a patriotic song for North Korean officials. The song turns hilariously into an anti-America rant. Soon thereafter, we see Skylark interview Eminem (another hilarious scene). When Skylark and Rapoport find out that Jng-un is a big fan of the show, they manage an invite to North Korea. The CIA then pays a visit and convinces the guys that they need to “take out” Jong-un. At this point we’re barely 20 min. into the movie but to tell you more would spoil your viewing experience.

Couple of comments: at this point as much needs to be said about the events surrounding the limited release of the movie as about the movie itself. Let’s start with the movie itself: first and foremost, I had heard and read mixed things about the movie, so when my (grown) kids and I went to see it on Christmas day, I had pretty low expectations. Turns out the movie is actually not nearly as bad as I had been led the believe. Yes, there is stupid “potty” humor and yes, it’s all very much over the top. But there are zingers left and right that will have you smile if not laugh out loud. One of the many, many examples: when Jong-un and Skylark are taking a tour of Jong-un’s place, at some point they come across a huge tank. Comments Jong-un: “That was a gift to my grandfather by Stalin”. Replies Skylark: “in our country, we pronounce that Stallone”, ha! And on and on. Randall Park as Kim Jong-un is outstanding. Kudos also to Set Rogen, who also co-rwote and co-directed the movie.

As to the limited release, I at first was horrified that Sony gave in to the threats, but felt better when the limited Christmas day release was announced. The movie played on one screen at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and it’s a good thing I had bought tickets on-line beforehand, as the Christmas day matinée screening was sold out (as were all other screenings, apparently). The crowd was really into it, laughing and hollering and whooping it up. When the end titles started rolling, the crowd even gave an applause. In all, this truly was a “movie event”, and all three of us were very happy we were part of it. Not so sure it will feel similarly worthwhile if you see it by yourself on Amazon Instant Video or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Review

by Riggy Wallcard

Let me start out by saying that I liked the first two Hunger Games better, but that I liked this one too. Now many people might think that they had only decided to split the third book in the Hunger Games series into two films so that they could make more money, and that is probably the case, but I believe that if you do a good job on a movie, even if the only purpose for the movie is the money, then you still deserve the money.

Now, I must say that like I stated in the beginning, that this was probably my least favorite Hunger Games so far, but it does have good qualities. First of all, it did have a pretty good action scene in District 8, and it did have a grim but truthful statement in it: The price for freedom. The film shows the costs of freeing your country from tyranny; the cost of thousands of innocent lives, and while watching it I realized that if our country ever ended up so bad (which I don’t see as far away), I would have to ask myself, which costs more, slavery or freedom. But it does show the importance of fighting for what is right, and even my mom, who doesn’t like the second Hunger Games, and won’t even watch the first, did seem to like this one.
Now, like I said, it is the least important, and shortest of the Hunger Games so far, but even though it wasn’t the best, I wasn’t disappointed. With the first half of the book out of the way, they now have the whole next film to get straight to the action for the best half of the book, without having to worry about fitting the content covered in this film in there, and possibly making the next Hunger Games the best one yet.

Unbroken an Inspiring Film About One Hero's Journey

by Donald M. Bishop

Californian Louis Zamperini was a young hellion who became a champion high school track star, and he ran for his country in the 1936 Olympics. When the Second World War began, he became a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Forces. After his B-24 went down in the Pacific he endured 47 days on a life raft only to be captured by the Japanese. His treatment in Japanese prison camps was brutal. “Unbroken” brings his story to the big screen. It’s a film that should inspire new generations of Americans.

There’s fine acting by Jack O’Connell as Zamperini, and Japanese rock guitarist Miyavi gives a chilling performance as Zamperini’s tormenter. The sequences in the B-24 well convey the nature of air operations in the Pacific and the coordination of aircrews. You’ll jump in your seat when the sharks attack. And “Unbroken” provides a reminder of the brutality of the Japanese endured by allied POWs during the war. (The recent film “Railway Man” with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman gave more testimony.)

Many viewers will have come to this film after reading Laura Hillenbrand’s book of the same title. Every screenplay writer and director must condense, and those who know the full story will notice that director Angelina Jolie did some trimming. The movie ends with Zamperini’s return to the U.S. and the embrace of his family. That he could not shake off the demons of his imprisonment is left unshown. It was Billy Graham that turned him away from the alcoholism that was devastating his postwar life. “Unbroken” needs a dramatic sequel to finish its tale of heroism and faith.

That said, the story of Louis Zamperini’s running career and his “unbroken” spirit as a prisoner of war is enough to make this a compelling film.

Night at the Musem: Secret of the Tomb Review

by D.S. Thurlow

This is the third and perhaps last of the “Night in the Museum” series, featuring Ben Stiller as Larry Daley, the night watchman at an American Museum of Natural History which comes to life each night. Much of the cast from the first two movies returns, along with a few new characters. In this outing, Larry discovers the magic tablet which animates the people and animals at the museum seems to be running out of juice. A couple of clues lead him to Cecil Fredericks (Dick Van Dyck), the former night watchman, who gives Larry a reason to go to London’s British Museum.

The expedition to London turns into a madcap scramble around the British Museum, dodging its animals and characters come to life, through a performance of “Camelot” (featuring Hugh Jackman as King Arthur), and finally to a rooftop showdown over the tablet with Lancelot from the Knights of the Round Table (an excellent Dan Stevens). Along the way, Larry must deal with a teenage son who doesn’t want to go to college, a boss who loses his job over Larry, and a bored British security guard who gets in the way in London. The ending is bittersweet, as Larry decides to move on with his life, and as the audience knows this was the final movie appearance for Robin Williams and for Mickey Rooney. However, there is plenty of fun left in the franchise, with sight gags galore and the impressive CGI that makes it all work. Recommended as decent entertainment.

An Inside Look into the Space Shuttle Atlantis

RT-After traveling more than 126 million miles, the Space Shuttle Atlantis has come to rest at the Kennedy Space Center, where anyone can view the historic craft up-close. Having survived 25 years of service when other shuttles suffered catastrophic failures, the time for the technological wonder to reach its final destination was long overdue, and a fitting memorial for its storied past now finally exists, as RT’s Ameera David reports.

Explosion at Fireworks Warehouse Caught on Camera

RT-An explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Colombia on Sunday knocked a local cameraman off his feet and filled the sky with whizzes, bangs and a display of dazzling colors.

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The blast was caught on camera and lasted several minutes before the last of the fireworks were launched.  The shock wave from the explosion knocked the camera man off his feet.

New Jersey Reporter Arrested for Not Allowing Police to Seize Video Equipment

by Phil Stilton

LACEY TOWNSHIP-It was at the scene of an accident in Lacey Township when Lacey Reporter freelance journalist Andrew Flinchbaugh was approached by officers from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office who demanded the seizure of the reporter’s video equipment.

Officers told Flinchbaugh they were seizing his camera as evidence, but Flinchbaugh denied, instead offering the officers to watch the video and offered to provide a copy of the video to the officers.

Flinchbaugh’s recording of the video started after the arrival of police officers and the medevac helicopter which transported the patient, but not of the actual crash itself.

The officers interrogated Flinchbaugh who was permitted access to the scene by local firefighters blocking off the road.

“This is not a negotiation, I’m not negotiating with you,” the unidentified officer told Flinchbaugh.”

Flinchbaugh identified himself as a member of the media and the outlet he was working for, the Lacey Reporter, but officers insisted that he turn over the camera for evidence.

“What are you going to do with the video?” the officer asked.

“It’s for publication,” he responded.

After explaining to the officer that he could not give the officer his camera, the officer said, “I’m going to explain to you that I’m a law enforcement officer…there might be evidence on it.”

The matter was escalated to an unnamed higher ranking officer, claiming to be a lieutenant with the Prosecutor’s Office.   Flinchbaugh explained to the officer that he is a freelance journalists for the Lacey Reporter.

Flinchbaugh told the higher ranking officer he would be happy to share the footage with the prosecutor’s office and said he would fully comply, but he would not allow the officers to seize the camera.

The situation appeared to be diffused, but officers returned shortly after,  and presentede the journalist with an ultimatum.

“You can leave now….but not with the camera,” the officer told Flinchbaugh.

The officer then placed Flinchbaugh under arrest after his refusal to allow the officer to seize the camera and seized the camera.  He was charged with obstruction after being handcuffed and booked at the local police station.

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato  said, “We’ll probably be dismissing the charge against him.”

“I refused because I believe it’s our first amendment right,” Flinchbaugh said. “I don’t think they would treat other members of the corporate media this way.”

Coronato said the incident will be used in future training to Ocean County area law enforcement on how to hand situations involving video cameras at the scene of an investigation.

The Prosecutor’s Office offered no further comment on the incident.