Latest Entertainment Movies

After Quantas Airlines announced plans to introduce iPads for use as in-flight entertainment (IFE) devices, can we expect the trailblazing Apple tablet to become ubiquitous within the aviation industry in 2012?

Until recently, most airlines wanting to provide their passengers with handheld devices used non-branded portable media players which could be packed full of movies, TV programmes, music and games. But the enormous popularity of some of the consumer-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices that have appeared on the market in recent years has altered the expectations of passengers.

Devices such as the Sony PSP and Samsung Galaxy have made inroads into the portable IFE market but it’s the iPad that has generated the most interest amongst airlines to date. The allure of the world’s most famous  and best-selling tablet device proving too strong for many.  The tablet is light, robust, easy to use, has a long batter life of approximately 11 hours and is able to store enormous amounts of entertainment content for passengers to enjoy. Throw in the Apple logo on the back of every device which millions of people find irresistible and it’s easy to understand why the iPad is generating so much interest amongst airline execs at the moment.

There are two iPad models currently available to airlines. They can work with a content service provider (CSP) to pre-load a tailored mix of movies, TV shows and music and then rent the devices to passengers or offer them complimentary perhaps to those in first and business class. Alternatively passengers can connect to a wireless onboard sever which will steam content to the iPad on a pay per view basis.

One potential drawback, of course, is the risk of theft. Thankfully, Quantas has addressed this with specially-configured iPads that have no functionality outside of the aircraft. Another tricky issue is power and the need to keep products charged, but a specially-designed case means that the iPad’s already impressive 10 hour battery life is doubled. The case is also fully-branded, helping the in-flight entertainment feel part of the overall airline experience.

It seems likely that in the future some airlines will provide devices in the same way they provide earphones. Some passengers will bring their own iPad or Android tablet, benefitting from the additional pre- and post-flight features, while other passengers will access content on the specially configured devices on-board.

Fans of the video game Resident Evil will be happy to know that the follow-up movie, Afterlife, will be hitting the big screen this season.  The creators behind the series have taken all of the fantastical undead elements of the much-loved video game and injected them into a 3D movie extravaganza.

This is the first video game adaptation of the action thriller and uses the same 3D technology that was used in the infamous box office hit, James Cameron’s Avatar.

The adaptation of the original game is in many ways stunningly contemporary in style.  Fight scenes feature falling three dimensional droplets of water, filmed in slow motion, which aptly stammers the breakneck action sequences. This in turn allows the viewer to fully appreciate the fast moving pace of Alice’s samurai moves.  CGI beasts complete the undead fundamentals of the video game that so many players originally fell in love with.

Alice is played by the stunning Milla Jovovich, who spends her time setting up home in a wasteland overrun by zombies.  Alice has been on the run from the reprehensible Umbrella Corporation that is guided by Albert Wesker, who is played by Shawn Roberts.  The plot follows the evil Umbrella Corporation as they troll the wasteland in an attempt to capture Alice and in turn exploit her DNA.

Alice is joined on her quest to find other remaining survivors by Ali Larter, who plays Claire Redfield.  The camera follows the pair on their mission to save a few fellow lost souls and in turn hijack a plane and hit up an old prison on their way.

Just as the duo are about to give up, they stumble across Wentworth Miller, who is later revealed to be Claire’s long lost brother.

The storyline follows the survivors as they come up with a unique plan to flee this derelict wasteland and find Arcadia, which is described as a utopian world, where disease-free people paint the town red.

There is one problem however; the plane won’t hold everyone, so instead the gang are forced to fight their way through a sewer system in order to find another means of escape.

While you’re waiting for this to come out on DVD, you can watch the previous Resident Evil movies online at LOVEFiLM, or if you’re feeling brave you can even attempt to play the original game!