Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield Sizzle In "The Amazing Spiderman'

Article first published as Gwen Stacy Inspires 'The Amazing Spider-Man' on Technorati.

Spider-Man is back, finally. It's been five years since we last saw "Spidey" on the big-screen. The Sam Raimi directed Spider-Man trilogy from 2002 - 2007, captivated audiences worldwide and generated $2.5 billion in box office gross.

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone star in Sony Pictures 'The Amazing Spiderman'

Spider-Man fans awaited the fourth installment, when Sony Pictures Entertainment announced to the world in 2010, their decision to reboot the franchise. Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) was tapped to direct, with Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) cast to replace Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. As if that wasn't enough, the reboot focuses on Gwen Stacy as the love interest for Peter Parker, not Mary Jane Watson. Peter Parker/Spider-Man without Mary-Jane?

Actually, yes. In fact, the Gwen Stacy character portrayed by Emma Stone, might end up being the difference maker in this reboot. Gwen Stacy, is not a new character in the Marvel comics Spider-Man. In the comics, Gwen Stacy has a profound effect on the life of the teenager Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Director Marc Webb sums it up best:

Gwen Stacy in 'The Amazing Spider-Man' film, is beautiful, popular, loves science and is the valedictorian of her class. Sounds like a girl that would interest Peter Parker, right? Of course, the challenge is how does an orphaned teenager with a less than solid sense-of-self, and a big secret, attract his dream girl?

As much as Spider-Man is about the adventures and battles of a high school student with amazing arachnid superpower,  it's also always been about a boy and his love for a girl. Marc Webb is a director that knows how to capture the ebb and flow of relationships between the sexes. Intelligent, beautiful, strong-willed females and the impact they have on the men in their lives is a specialty of Webb. Emma Stone as Gwen Stacy and Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man have genuine chemistry in the film. Take a look at this clip from the film:

Sony's decision to reboot the beloved Spider-Man franchise is a bold move. Will the Gwen Stacy/Peter Parker relationship coupled with a tweaked backstory be enough for Spider-Man fans worldwide? Will audiences embrace Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield in Marc Webb's reboot?

'The  Amazing Spider-Man' opens on July 3, 2012 at 12:01 a.m on Imax screens across the country. 

New Orleans Hornets Score In The 2012 NBA Draft

Anthony Davis the #1 pick in the 2012 NBA draft (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

"With the first pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets select Anthony Davis."

"With the tenth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets select Austin Rivers from Duke University."

Those two sentences uttered by NBA League Commissioner David Stern during the 2012 NBA draft, immediately changed the fortunes of the New Orleans Hornets. The Hornets have come a long way in a short period of time. Woeful, might be a word used to describe New Orleans, just a few months ago. Today, two of the most exciting players from the college game are taking their talents (thanks LeBron) to NOLA.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Anthony Davis anchored the Kentucky squad in their 2011-12 NCAA Championship season. Austin Rivers, son of NBA Head Coach Doc Rivers, was polarizing at Duke. He'll be remembered for the shot over rival North Carolina's Tyler Zeller, with time expiring for the incredible comeback win.


New Orleans resident guard, Eric Gordon is probably smiling today, in anticipation of playing with his new teammates. Actually, the city of New Orleans should join Gordon in welcoming Davis and Rivers to the Crescent City. If the rookies live up their billing, New Orleans just might be a team to watch in the upcoming season.

In other draft notes, history was made when Kentucky's Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were drafted #1 and #2. It's the first time ever, the top two picks in the NBA draft came from the same school. Kentucky and North Carolina each had four players selected in the first round of the draft.

Speaking of smiling, David Stern may have the biggest smile of all. LeBron James finally has his crown as King. New Orleans is no longer league-owned, and rebuilding with a good nucleus of young, talented players. Last but not least, USA Basketball will be on full display, for the world to see, during the 2012 London Olympics.

It's good to be the King (thanks Mel Brooks)

Tiger Woods Roars To Win Memorial

(Photo: Lisa Marie Miller/Columbus Dispatch)

Thank you Tiger!

Thank you for reminding the world of golf that you're still Tiger. Down one with three to go, at the par-3 16th, you drive your ball into the grass behind the green. A sand wedge shot later, the roar of the crowd and your trademark fist-pumps celebrating the amazing 50-foot birdie you'd just holed, left us saying - WOW! Tiger your flair for the dramatic was on full display Sunday.

The 2012 Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village hosted by legend Jack Nicklaus was historic. Tiger Woods entered the tournament with 72 PGA tour victories, one short of Nicklaus' 73 career wins. What a possible scenario for golf fans -Tiger tying Jack for career wins at Jack's tournament. Woods play this year has been at best erratic. After three rounds, Woods walked off the 18th looking completely drained and four shots behind the leaders. Sunday afternoon, on the back nine, Woods was still trailing the leaders. 

Tiger seemingly reached back in time and summoned the Tiger Woods of old, birdieing three of the last four holes, to tie for the low round of the day, roaring past Spencer Levin and Rory Sabbatini. The improbable became the incredible. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods standing side-by-side tied for career victories. Admittedly, i'm a fan of Tiger Woods as a golfer. I've missed the roar of the galleries, incited by astounding golf play by Woods. Well, at least for one afternoon, it was fun again.

(Photo:Reuters)


Thank you Tiger!

E3 2012 - Will Nintendo's Wii U Impress?

Article first published as Will Wiii U Impress at the Electronic Entertainment Expo? on Technorati.

All eyes will be on Nintendo, at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo, June 5-7 in Los Angeles. The big question is...

Will Nintendo's Wii U impress?

Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft are battling for supremacy in the $80 billion videogame console market. When Nintendo unveiled the orginal Wii console in 2006, the industry was turned on it's head. Traditional non-gamers flocked to purchase the easy to use gaming system. The Wii is a game console the entire family can enjoy. Nintendo enthusiasts welcomed legendary titles such as the Legend of Zelda, Metroid and Super Mario for the Wii.

Ninety five million units have been shipped lifetime - impressive indeed; however, Sony with it's PlayStation entry and Microsoft's XBox have dented Nintendo's once dominant position. Last years release of Nintendo's 3DS handheld has been a disappointment. Nintendo posted an annual loss for the first time in more than 30 years. These are unfamiliar waters for the gaming giant.

Enter Nintendo's Wii U. The new console, scheduled to be released in Q4, has incorporated the current form factor of choice -the tablet- in it's design. In addition, Wii U will be the first Nintendo console to feature 1080p HD graphics. Most importantly, Wii U is backwards compatible with the original Wii and it's periphials.

The industry is in need of a catalyst, as Sony and Microsoft are a year or so away from their console reboots. Both companies will showcase how to maximize the household media experience, using their hardware. Nintendo strikes first with it's next generation Wii console. Technically, Wii U was unveiled at E3 2011. Underwhelmed is a word that might describe the response. Nintendo is taking anther shot at this year's E3 2012, June 5-7. We all want to know.....

Will the Wii U impress?



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