Daniel Ackerman, editor-in-chief of tech news site Gizmodo, has sued Apple and other parties over the 2023 Apple TV+ film ‘Tetris’, claiming that the movie unlawfully lifted content from his book about the classic video game. Ackerman’s book ‘The Tetris Effect: The Game That Mesmerized the World’, published in 2016, delves into the hit game’s origins in the former Soviet Union and the battle for global licencing rights, reports The Wrap.
“Ackerman’s book took a unique approach to writing about the real history of Tetris, as it not only applied the historical record but also layered his own original research and ingenuity to create a compelling narrative non-fiction book in the style of a Cold War spy thriller,” according to the lawsuit.
“Ackerman’s literary masterpiece, unlike other articles and writings, dispelled of the emphasis on the actual gameplay and fans, and instead concentrated on the surrounding narrative, action sequences,...
“Ackerman’s book took a unique approach to writing about the real history of Tetris, as it not only applied the historical record but also layered his own original research and ingenuity to create a compelling narrative non-fiction book in the style of a Cold War spy thriller,” according to the lawsuit.
“Ackerman’s literary masterpiece, unlike other articles and writings, dispelled of the emphasis on the actual gameplay and fans, and instead concentrated on the surrounding narrative, action sequences,...
- 8/9/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Dan Ackerman, the editor-in-chief of tech news website Gizmodo, filed a lawsuit on Monday against Apple claiming that the Apple TV+ movie “Tetris” unlawfully lifted content from his book about the classic video game.
Published in 2016, Ackerman’s book titled “The Tetris Effect: The Game That Mesmerized the Globe” delved into the hit game’s beginnings within the former Soviet Union and the battle for its worldwide licensing rights.
According to the lawsuit, “Ackerman’s book took a unique approach to writing about the real history of Tetris, as it not only applied the historical record, but also layered his own original research and ingenuity to create a compelling narrative non-fiction book in the style of a Cold War spy thriller.”
The lawsuit added, “Mr. Ackerman’s literary masterpiece, unlike other articles and writings, dispelled of the emphasis on the actual gameplay and fans, and instead concentrated on the surrounding narrative,...
Published in 2016, Ackerman’s book titled “The Tetris Effect: The Game That Mesmerized the Globe” delved into the hit game’s beginnings within the former Soviet Union and the battle for its worldwide licensing rights.
According to the lawsuit, “Ackerman’s book took a unique approach to writing about the real history of Tetris, as it not only applied the historical record, but also layered his own original research and ingenuity to create a compelling narrative non-fiction book in the style of a Cold War spy thriller.”
The lawsuit added, “Mr. Ackerman’s literary masterpiece, unlike other articles and writings, dispelled of the emphasis on the actual gameplay and fans, and instead concentrated on the surrounding narrative,...
- 8/9/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Dan Ackerman, editor in chief of tech-news site Gizmodo, alleges Apple TV+ film “Tetris” illegally copied from his book on the popular video game, in a lawsuit he filed seeking at least $4.8 million in damages from Apple and others.
Ackerman’s “The Tetris Effect: The Game That Hypnotized the World,” published in 2016, is about the game’s origins in the former Soviet Union and the fight for its global licensing rights. The lawsuit touted the book as a “literary masterpiece” and described it as “in the style of Cold War spy thriller.”
According to the lawsuit, Ackerman sent a pre-publication copy of the book to the Tetris Co. in 2016 but that the company refused engage in a deal with him for any projects related to the book — and sent him a “strongly worded cease-and-desist letter.”
In the lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Ackerman asked the...
Ackerman’s “The Tetris Effect: The Game That Hypnotized the World,” published in 2016, is about the game’s origins in the former Soviet Union and the fight for its global licensing rights. The lawsuit touted the book as a “literary masterpiece” and described it as “in the style of Cold War spy thriller.”
According to the lawsuit, Ackerman sent a pre-publication copy of the book to the Tetris Co. in 2016 but that the company refused engage in a deal with him for any projects related to the book — and sent him a “strongly worded cease-and-desist letter.”
In the lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Ackerman asked the...
- 8/8/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Nikita Efremov and Taron Egerton in “Tetris, While Tetris, on the surface, appears to be a simple game, most experienced players will tell you there’s much more than meets the eye. And that’s exactly how Taron Egerton felt when he first read the script for the new movie Tetris. Egerton, who stars in the film and is one of its executive producers, told us he was shocked by the story beneath the surface of the game. (Click on the media bar below to hear Taron Egerton) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Tagron_Egderton_script_.mp3 Tetris is currently streaming on Apple TV+.
The post Why Taron Egerton Fell For The ‘Tetris’ Script appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Why Taron Egerton Fell For The ‘Tetris’ Script appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 4/11/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Stars: Taron Egerton, Toby Jones, Rick Yune, Ben Miles, Mara Huf, Nikita Efremov, Oleg Stefan, Roger Allam, Ayane Nagabuchi, Anthony Boyle | Written by Noah Pink | Directed by Jon S. Bird
If you are a retro / 80s nerd in the truest sense then I am here to tell you, my friends, that Tetris is about to become your new favourite movie. Yes, that game about the falling blocks you were obsessed with as a kid on your swanky Gameboy, now has a movie based on one man’s quest to secure the International licensing rights for one of the most, if not The most played games in history.
Taron Egerton teams up with Cass director Jon S. Bird to bring us a movie that is loosely based (and I do mean Loosely) on the true story of Henk Rogers. No stranger to biographical flicks with movies like Eddie the Eagle and Rocketman,...
If you are a retro / 80s nerd in the truest sense then I am here to tell you, my friends, that Tetris is about to become your new favourite movie. Yes, that game about the falling blocks you were obsessed with as a kid on your swanky Gameboy, now has a movie based on one man’s quest to secure the International licensing rights for one of the most, if not The most played games in history.
Taron Egerton teams up with Cass director Jon S. Bird to bring us a movie that is loosely based (and I do mean Loosely) on the true story of Henk Rogers. No stranger to biographical flicks with movies like Eddie the Eagle and Rocketman,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Kevin Haldon
- Nerdly
Apple TV+ found the perfect fit for its ever-growing lineup with the launch of ‘Tetris” on March 31. The film tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pazhitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is described as “a Cold War-era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes and a nail-biting race to the finish.”
Following its March 15 premiere at the SXSW Film Festival, critics praised the film, earning it an 82% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus reads, “While it’s nowhere near as addictive or fast-paced as the game, ‘Tetris’ offers a fun, fizzy account of the story behind an 8-bit classic.
Following its March 15 premiere at the SXSW Film Festival, critics praised the film, earning it an 82% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus reads, “While it’s nowhere near as addictive or fast-paced as the game, ‘Tetris’ offers a fun, fizzy account of the story behind an 8-bit classic.
- 4/8/2023
- by Vincent Mandile
- Gold Derby
A good rule of thumb for movies about video games is that the movie should be at least as interesting as the game on which it’s based. Apple’s Tetris film does an admirable job reminding viewers of the addictive attraction of the 1980s Game Boy classic, which mesmerized millions. In fact, it’s so successful, that I found myself constantly reaching for my phone, trying to sneak in a level or two while the film meandered from cliché to cliché.
Of course, Jon Baird’s film is not an adaptation of the game of “Tetris;” I’m not even clear how that would work. It’s instead the story of real-life businessman Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) and his quest to bring the game to Nintendo Game Boys and arcade cabinets worldwide in the mid-1980s. The actual machinations to get “Tetris” from the Soviet Union to the free...
Of course, Jon Baird’s film is not an adaptation of the game of “Tetris;” I’m not even clear how that would work. It’s instead the story of real-life businessman Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) and his quest to bring the game to Nintendo Game Boys and arcade cabinets worldwide in the mid-1980s. The actual machinations to get “Tetris” from the Soviet Union to the free...
- 4/5/2023
- by Chris Williams
- CinemaNerdz
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on Wbgr-fm on March 30th, 2023, reviewing “Tetris,” the 1980s origin of the addictive video game. Currently in theaters, since March 31st.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
This film features Chris Pine as Edgin, the leader of a rogue band of thieves that features the warrior Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), the sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith) and the shape shifting Druid Dorie (Sophia Lillis). The gang forms after Edgin and Holga have busted out of prison, and they learn that Forge (Hugh Grant) has taken over the raising of Edgin’s daughter Kira (Chris Coleman) and conned a kingdom into give him Duke status. The new gang’s assignment is to defeat Forge and regain the trust of Kira.
”Tetris” is currently streaming on Apple TV+. Featuring Taron Egerton, Mara Huf, Toby Jones, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle and Nikita Efremov. Written by Noah Pink.
Rating: 3.5/5.0
This film features Chris Pine as Edgin, the leader of a rogue band of thieves that features the warrior Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), the sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith) and the shape shifting Druid Dorie (Sophia Lillis). The gang forms after Edgin and Holga have busted out of prison, and they learn that Forge (Hugh Grant) has taken over the raising of Edgin’s daughter Kira (Chris Coleman) and conned a kingdom into give him Duke status. The new gang’s assignment is to defeat Forge and regain the trust of Kira.
”Tetris” is currently streaming on Apple TV+. Featuring Taron Egerton, Mara Huf, Toby Jones, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle and Nikita Efremov. Written by Noah Pink.
- 4/3/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Believe it or not, game development is not what most people would consider to be sexy. But anyone familiar with the story of Tetris knows there can be exceptions to the rule.
Originally depicted in the 2004 BBC documentary Tetris: From Russia with Love, and now dramatized in the Apple TV+ film Tetris (now streaming), it’s the kind of story that has it all: corporate espionage, personal betrayal, and an outcome that would change the world forever. No, really.
It’s the story of a Soviet-era Russian engineer, Alexey Pajitnov...
Originally depicted in the 2004 BBC documentary Tetris: From Russia with Love, and now dramatized in the Apple TV+ film Tetris (now streaming), it’s the kind of story that has it all: corporate espionage, personal betrayal, and an outcome that would change the world forever. No, really.
It’s the story of a Soviet-era Russian engineer, Alexey Pajitnov...
- 4/1/2023
- by Christopher Cruz
- Rollingstone.com
Who doesn’t love Tetris? There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching those variably-shaped blocks fall perfectly into place, which can turn into nightmarish frustration when they don’t line up. But do you know the tale of how Tetris came to the United States? That’s the focus of “Tetris,” the new original movie coming to Apple TV+ on March 31. It’s a thrilling tale of espionage, deceit and catchy music that you won’t want to miss. You can watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Apple TV+.
How to Watch 'Tetris' Movie When: Friday, March 31, 2023 Where: Apple TV+ Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Apple TV+. 7-Day Free Trial$6.99 / month apple.com About 'Tetris' Movie
“Tetris” tells the stranger-than-fiction story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers...
How to Watch 'Tetris' Movie When: Friday, March 31, 2023 Where: Apple TV+ Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Apple TV+. 7-Day Free Trial$6.99 / month apple.com About 'Tetris' Movie
“Tetris” tells the stranger-than-fiction story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers...
- 3/31/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Video games have been a huge part of popular culture for decades now, particularly following the home console boom in the '80s. In all that time, few games have endured quite like "Tetris" has. It's become an absolute staple of this era, with people playing the simple yet addicting game for hours on end on the original Game Boy, the Nes, or at their nearest arcade. So, perhaps it's only fitting that, in an era when video game movies are finally starting to click in a real way, this beloved title would finally get the big screen treatment. No, it's not an adaptation. Rather, it's more of a biopic in the form of director Jon S. Baird's "Tetris," which arrives on Apple TV+ this week. In a roundabout way, it instantly earns its place as one of the greatest video game movies to date.
"Tetris" is an incredibly...
"Tetris" is an incredibly...
- 3/31/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Nikita Efremov and Taron Egerton in “Tetris,” premiering March 31, 2023 on Apple TV+. The game Tetris seems tantalizingly simple, yet it’s fraught with all kinds of hidden complexities. The same can be said of the game’s history, which is far more complicated than most people realize. Now, the story behind that drama is being told in the new film Tetris. Taron Egerton stars in the film and is also an executive producer, and he told us why he believes so many people — especially those who grew up playing Tetris — will want to see this movie. (Click on the media bar below to hear Taron Egerton) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Taron_Egerton_Teris_Audiences_.mp3 Tetris premieres Friday on Apple TV+.
The post Why Taron Egerton’s ‘Tetris’ Will Find Its Niche appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Why Taron Egerton’s ‘Tetris’ Will Find Its Niche appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 3/27/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Apple Original Films has released a fascinating new featurette for the highly anticipated thriller, “Tetris,” starring Taron Egerton. The actors and filmmakers discuss the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe.
Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes and a nail-biting race to the finish.
“Tetris” is directed by Jon S. Baird from a script by Noah Pink. The film is produced by Matthew Vaughn, Gillian Berrie, Claudia Vaughn, Len Blavatnik and Gregor Cameron, with Zygi Kamasa, Carlos Peres, Iain Mackenzie, Noah Pink, Taron Egerton, Danny Cohen, Amanda Ghost,...
Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes and a nail-biting race to the finish.
“Tetris” is directed by Jon S. Baird from a script by Noah Pink. The film is produced by Matthew Vaughn, Gillian Berrie, Claudia Vaughn, Len Blavatnik and Gregor Cameron, with Zygi Kamasa, Carlos Peres, Iain Mackenzie, Noah Pink, Taron Egerton, Danny Cohen, Amanda Ghost,...
- 3/24/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Taron Egerton and Nikita Efremov in “Tetris,” premiering March 31, 2023 on Apple TV+. Since it became widely available in the 1980s, the video gameTetris has sold hundreds of millions of copies. Behind all that success, however, is an intriguing story of how the game came to be distributed and the disputes that sprung up all over the world concerning its distribution rights. Now, that drama has been made into a movie featuring Taron Egerton, who also serves as the film’s executive producer. Egerton told us he was excited about the story and thrilled with how the film came together. (Click on the media bar below to hear Taron Egerton) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Taron_-Egerton_tetris_.mp3
Tetris premieres March 31 on Apple TV+.
The post How The Pieces To Taron Egerton’s ‘Tetris’ Came Together appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
Tetris premieres March 31 on Apple TV+.
The post How The Pieces To Taron Egerton’s ‘Tetris’ Came Together appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 3/21/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
"Tetris is a cultural zeitgeist, and it's quite exciting to think that the backstory to this phenomenon will finally get its moment in the sunlight." Apple has unveiled a new featurette for the Tetris movie (full trailer here), taking a closer look at the actual story this is based on. "The game you couldn't put down, the story you couldn't make up." Taron Egerton stars in this film inspired by the true story of how one man risked his life to outsmart the Kgb in the 1980s and help turn Tetris into a worldwide sensation. The game was created by a Soviet software engineer named Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. After a battle for rights and a period of publication by Nintendo, the rights reverted to Pajitnov in 1996, who then co-founded the Tetris Company with Henk. In addition to Egerton, the cast includes Nikita Efremov, Sofia Lebedeva, Anthony Boyle, Roger Allam, and Toby Jones.
- 3/20/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
When we think of video game movies these days, the first mental images that surface are inevitably garish, computer generated characters, over the top, cartoonish performances; maybe the occasional survival horror adaptation. Rarely does one imagine a procedural thriller about hastily written clauses in licensing contracts, but with Jon S. Baird’s Tetris that’s exactly what we get. One of the most popular video games of all time makes its big screen debut in this Cold War adventure written by Noah Pink (Genius) and starring Taron Egerton (Rocketman) and Nikita Efremov (Ballad About the Bomber). Tetris was created in 1984 by a bored Russian coder named Alexei Pajitnov (Efremov), who passed it to his friends leading to its eventual underground success in the communist state among...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 3/18/2023
- Screen Anarchy
Plot: “Tetris” tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes and a nail-biting race to the finish.
Review: Tetris should have been a dumb movie. The sheer idea of making a film out of the worldwide best-selling video game instantly conjured images from Adam Sandler’s bizarre, awful 2015 movie, Pixels. When details came forward that the movie would instead chronicle the too crazy to not be true story of how the game made its way out of Soviet Russia and onto Nintendo’s GameBoy,...
Review: Tetris should have been a dumb movie. The sheer idea of making a film out of the worldwide best-selling video game instantly conjured images from Adam Sandler’s bizarre, awful 2015 movie, Pixels. When details came forward that the movie would instead chronicle the too crazy to not be true story of how the game made its way out of Soviet Russia and onto Nintendo’s GameBoy,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
No, no, it’s not a movie like the titular video game, it’s a movie about the titular video game. Tetris? The ’80s-game Tetris? That gets a whole film about its creation? Wouldn’t blocks falling from above be more dramatic? Well, actually… the creation, discovery, and licensing of Tetris is kind of wild (first hint: it was made by a Soviet software engineer long before the Soviet Union collapsed). But, spoiler alert: It’s not wild enough to engender an often weirdly straightforward historical dramedy dedicated to its legend.
But . If nothing else, you’ll walk away from “Tetris” knowing a heck of a lot more about the game and the many people who battled each other for the opportunity to bring it to the masses.
That’s not to say that “Tetris” doesn’t have some fun. Baird deploys said kicky 8-bit animated graphics from the film...
But . If nothing else, you’ll walk away from “Tetris” knowing a heck of a lot more about the game and the many people who battled each other for the opportunity to bring it to the masses.
That’s not to say that “Tetris” doesn’t have some fun. Baird deploys said kicky 8-bit animated graphics from the film...
- 3/16/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The Game Boy was slightly before my time, but I remember the Game Boy Color vividly. It was an introduction to handheld consoles, and a chance to finally have Mario and Pokémon in my pocket. Yet to my surprise, the best companion for long road trips was neither Pikachu nor those bouncy Italian plumbers; it was a game comprised of falling blocks and the Russian folk song “Korobeiniki.” It was Tetris.
I’d been aware of Tetris before then. It existed on my mother’s computer, but it was barely considered a video game there. Mario or Sonic were games that kids played. But Tetris was for everyone; she’d even play it on occasion. This was the power which made it the second highest selling game franchise of all-time: Everyone gets addicted to visions of falling blocks. Getting those visions in front of everyone, however, turns out to be...
I’d been aware of Tetris before then. It existed on my mother’s computer, but it was barely considered a video game there. Mario or Sonic were games that kids played. But Tetris was for everyone; she’d even play it on occasion. This was the power which made it the second highest selling game franchise of all-time: Everyone gets addicted to visions of falling blocks. Getting those visions in front of everyone, however, turns out to be...
- 3/16/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
There’s a promising and even semi-adult comedy at the heart of “Tetris,” an otherwise corny action-adventure based on the real-life story of how the iconic 1980s computer and video game was licensed outside of Russia. Most of the plot of “Tetris” concerns the political maneuvering and corporate espionage required to smuggle “Tetris,” the iconic brick-laying puzzle game, out of Moscow and away from greedy businessmen.
The lead protagonist of “Tetris” (the movie) also happens to be its main hero, an uncomplicated leading man whose personal motives don’t matter so much as the vague and never credibly represented virtues of “Tetris” (the game). Meet Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton), a fast-talking Dutch-American salesman living and working in Tokyo. Henk needs to license “Tetris” to the Japanese gaming company Nintendo so that his family business, Bullet Proof Software, can survive. Henk also needs to sell “Tetris” to Nintendo so that he...
The lead protagonist of “Tetris” (the movie) also happens to be its main hero, an uncomplicated leading man whose personal motives don’t matter so much as the vague and never credibly represented virtues of “Tetris” (the game). Meet Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton), a fast-talking Dutch-American salesman living and working in Tokyo. Henk needs to license “Tetris” to the Japanese gaming company Nintendo so that his family business, Bullet Proof Software, can survive. Henk also needs to sell “Tetris” to Nintendo so that he...
- 3/16/2023
- by Simon Abrams
- The Wrap
At last, a video game movie that’s more than just a video game movie.
In theory, “Tetris” — that primitive and highly addictive block-stacking strategy game — doesn’t lend itself to the big-screen treatment any more than Rubik’s Cube or Tic-Tac-Toe might. But Noah Pink has found an ingenious solution to a classic puzzle. The screenwriter realized that there’s more to Tetris than most people knew. Namely, there’s a terrific backstory about how this Soviet-hatched computer software made its way over the Iron Curtain, and telling it could play like a Cold War thriller as three teams of Western rivals race one another to Russia to secure the rights.
In a sense, the video game movie that “Tetris” most resembles is 1984’s “Cloak & Dagger,” which made an Atari cartridge the MacGuffin that all kinds of untrustworthy people want to get their hands on. Here, it’s...
In theory, “Tetris” — that primitive and highly addictive block-stacking strategy game — doesn’t lend itself to the big-screen treatment any more than Rubik’s Cube or Tic-Tac-Toe might. But Noah Pink has found an ingenious solution to a classic puzzle. The screenwriter realized that there’s more to Tetris than most people knew. Namely, there’s a terrific backstory about how this Soviet-hatched computer software made its way over the Iron Curtain, and telling it could play like a Cold War thriller as three teams of Western rivals race one another to Russia to secure the rights.
In a sense, the video game movie that “Tetris” most resembles is 1984’s “Cloak & Dagger,” which made an Atari cartridge the MacGuffin that all kinds of untrustworthy people want to get their hands on. Here, it’s...
- 3/16/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Full disclosure: Sue me but not only have I never played the iconic ’80s video game Tetris, I had never heard of it before encountering this new film Tetris, which world premiered tonight at SXSW and comes from Apple Original Films. I realize that probably makes me a bit of an oddity to the gamer generation, but I can only say my lack of knowledge on this product did not hurt one bit in being wildly entertained by a movie that tells its origin story. In fact it seems to be part of an encouraging but unlikely new genre this young year: movies all about the backstory of well-known products. BlackBerry from IFC and Paramount, Flamin’ Hot from Searchlight, and now Tetris from Apple have been on display this week at SXSW (BlackBerry actually premiered at Berlin), and if you think watching the emergence of a smartphone, a Cheetos brand...
- 3/16/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Somewhere along the way in Jon S. Baird’s fleet and compelling fictionalized look at the invention of Tetris, you forget that you’re watching a film about a video game. Zippy car chases, farcical negotiation scenes and a tour of 1980s-era conference rooms around the world make Tetris, which premiered at SXSW and airs on Apple TV+ at the end of March, more than an ordinary origin story. Baird (Stan & Ollie) uses the convoluted licensing battle around the game to frame a sturdy and occasionally funny drama about capitalism, intellectual property and the specter of the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Tetris’ willingness to tackle these themes indeed makes it more absorbing than your average streamer fare, but it also makes you wish the film went farther in exploring its ambivalence about the relationship between creative expression and greed.
The story starts in ’80s Las Vegas, where Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton...
The story starts in ’80s Las Vegas, where Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton...
- 3/16/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tetris Trailer — Jon S. Baird‘s Tetris (2023) movie trailer has been released by Apple TV+. The Tetris trailer stars Taron Egerton, Nikita Efremov, Sofia Lebedeva, Anthony Boyle, and Toby Jones. Crew Noah Pink wrote the screenplay for Tetris. “It’s produced by Matthew Vaughn, Gillian Berrie, Claudia Vaughn, Len Blavatnik, and Gregor Cameron.” Plot Synopsis Tetris‘s [...]
Continue reading: Tetris (2023) Movie Trailer: Taron Egerton stars in Tetris’ Origin Story in “a Cold War–era thriller on steroids”...
Continue reading: Tetris (2023) Movie Trailer: Taron Egerton stars in Tetris’ Origin Story in “a Cold War–era thriller on steroids”...
- 2/19/2023
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced its prizewinners Saturday morning, with “26.2 to Life,” directed by Christine Yoo, winning the audience choice award. The Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema went to “I Like Movies,” directed by Chandler Levack, while the international feature film award went to “A Man (Aru Otoko),” directed by Kei Ishikawa. “A Bunch of Amateurs,” directed by Kim Hopkins, won the documentary award.
See more winners here:
Nueva Vision Award for Spain/Latin America Cinema: Manuela Directed by Clara Cullen
Best Middle Eastern/Israeli Film Award: The Taste Of Apples Is Red Directed by Ehab Tarabieh
Best Nordic Film Award: Summerlight And Then Comes The Night (SUMARLJÓS Og Svo Kemur NÓTTIN) Directed by Elfar Aðalsteins
Social Justice Award for Documentary Film: Black Mambas Directed by Lena Karbe
Adl Stand Up Award, sponsored by Adl Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties, the Skinner Social Impact Fund, and Steve & Cindy Lyons...
See more winners here:
Nueva Vision Award for Spain/Latin America Cinema: Manuela Directed by Clara Cullen
Best Middle Eastern/Israeli Film Award: The Taste Of Apples Is Red Directed by Ehab Tarabieh
Best Nordic Film Award: Summerlight And Then Comes The Night (SUMARLJÓS Og Svo Kemur NÓTTIN) Directed by Elfar Aðalsteins
Social Justice Award for Documentary Film: Black Mambas Directed by Lena Karbe
Adl Stand Up Award, sponsored by Adl Santa Barbara/Tri-Counties, the Skinner Social Impact Fund, and Steve & Cindy Lyons...
- 2/18/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay, Julia MacCary, Charna Flam and Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
Apple Original Films unveiled the trailer for the highly anticipated thriller, ‘Tetris,’ starring Taron Egerton.
The movie tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988 and then risks everything by travelling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes, and a nail-biting race to the finish.
Directed by Jon S. Baird, Toby Jones, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle, Togo Igawa, Ken Yamamura, Ben Miles, and Matthew Marsh also star.
Also in trailers – “This hit is for you, Mr Wick…” Bold new trailer lands for ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’
The film will premiere globally on Apple TV...
The movie tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988 and then risks everything by travelling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes, and a nail-biting race to the finish.
Directed by Jon S. Baird, Toby Jones, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle, Togo Igawa, Ken Yamamura, Ben Miles, and Matthew Marsh also star.
Also in trailers – “This hit is for you, Mr Wick…” Bold new trailer lands for ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’
The film will premiere globally on Apple TV...
- 2/17/2023
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Two-time Screen Actors Guild nominee Taron Egerton stars in the “so weird it has to be a true” story of how Tetris became a worldwide sensation. The Tetris trailer reveals that Henk Rogers (Egerton) was hooked the moment he first played the matching game. Henk describes the game as addictive, with art and math working in magical synchronicity. Unable to get Tetris out of his head, Henk becomes obsessed with sharing the “perfect game” with the world.
The thriller also stars Nikita Efremov, Sofia Lebedeva, Anthony Boyle, and Toby Jones.
Jon S. Baird (I’m Dying Up Here) directed and Matthew Vaughn, Gillian Berrie, Claudia Vaughn, Len Blavatnik, and Gregor Cameron produced. Zygi Kamasa, Carlos Peres, Iain Mackenzie, Noah Pink, Taron Egerton, Danny Cohen, Amanda Ghost, Vince Holden, Henk Rogers, Alexey Pajitnov, and Maya Rogers served as executive producers.
Tetris will premiere on Apple TV+ on March 31, 2023.
Taron Egerton and Nikita...
The thriller also stars Nikita Efremov, Sofia Lebedeva, Anthony Boyle, and Toby Jones.
Jon S. Baird (I’m Dying Up Here) directed and Matthew Vaughn, Gillian Berrie, Claudia Vaughn, Len Blavatnik, and Gregor Cameron produced. Zygi Kamasa, Carlos Peres, Iain Mackenzie, Noah Pink, Taron Egerton, Danny Cohen, Amanda Ghost, Vince Holden, Henk Rogers, Alexey Pajitnov, and Maya Rogers served as executive producers.
Tetris will premiere on Apple TV+ on March 31, 2023.
Taron Egerton and Nikita...
- 2/16/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
In the first trailer for the Apple original film “Tetris,” Taron Egerton’s character Henk Rogers is on a mission to bring the addictive game to America. The only problem? It’s 1988, the Cold War is still on, and the inventor is Russian. Rogers must not only line up U.S. investors, he’s got to convince the Soviets he means no harm.
The film, which is billed as “a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes, and a nail-biting race to the finish,” co-stars Nikita Efremov as inventor Alexey Pajitnov. It also stars Toby Jones, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle, Ben Miles, Matthew Marsh and Rick Yune.
Also Read:
‘Extrapolations’: Watch the Trailer for Apple’s Climate Change Drama Series (Video)
“Tetris” is directed by Jon S. Baird, with screenplay by Noah Pink. Producers are Gillian Berrie, Leonard Blavatnik, Gregor Cameron, and Matthew Vaughn. The studio is AI Film.
The film, which is billed as “a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes, and a nail-biting race to the finish,” co-stars Nikita Efremov as inventor Alexey Pajitnov. It also stars Toby Jones, Roger Allam, Anthony Boyle, Ben Miles, Matthew Marsh and Rick Yune.
Also Read:
‘Extrapolations’: Watch the Trailer for Apple’s Climate Change Drama Series (Video)
“Tetris” is directed by Jon S. Baird, with screenplay by Noah Pink. Producers are Gillian Berrie, Leonard Blavatnik, Gregor Cameron, and Matthew Vaughn. The studio is AI Film.
- 2/16/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
’80s babies solely remember Tetris as the video game that inspired countless dreams of falling blocks, but a new trailer for the Apple TV+ film based on its true story reveals the dramatic lengths it took to secure rights for the Nintendo Game Boy.
Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers, an entrepreneur who makes it his mission to bring Tetris to as many people as possible. Describing it as “poetry, art, and math all working in magical synchronicity,” he calls it “the perfect game” while trying to sell the idea to skeptical executives. In order to obtain its rights from the Soviet Union, he teams with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to navigate complicated licensing disputes and puts himself in the crossfire of the most powerful men in the Communist Party.
Watch the Tetris trailer, soundtracked by Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” below.
“Tetris tells the unbelievable story of how...
Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers, an entrepreneur who makes it his mission to bring Tetris to as many people as possible. Describing it as “poetry, art, and math all working in magical synchronicity,” he calls it “the perfect game” while trying to sell the idea to skeptical executives. In order to obtain its rights from the Soviet Union, he teams with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to navigate complicated licensing disputes and puts himself in the crossfire of the most powerful men in the Communist Party.
Watch the Tetris trailer, soundtracked by Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” below.
“Tetris tells the unbelievable story of how...
- 2/16/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
"This game isn't just addictive, it stays with you." Apple has revealed an absolutely amazing official trailer for a Tetris movie – yes, you read that right, a Tetris movie. But um, it's not a movie adapting the square-blocks-fitting-into-spaces classic video game, it's about a guy who brought the game to the world. "The game you couldn't put down, the story you couldn't make up." Taron Egerton stars in a new Apple Original Film inspired by the true story of how one man risked his life to outsmart the Kgb in the 1980s and help turn Tetris into a worldwide sensation. The game was actually originally created by a Soviet software engineer named Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. After a battle for rights and a period of publication by Nintendo, the rights reverted to Pajitnov in 1996, who then co-founded the Tetris Company with Henk to manage the licensing. Taron Egerton stars as Henk Rogers,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Apple has released the first trailer for the upcoming movie Tetris…yes, there is a movie about Tetris coming out.
The very idea of a Tetris movie may sound goofy–suggesting it might be an animated movie about a group of ragtag tetromino teaming up to take on the Soviets–but there is actually a lot of backstory behind the classic game. And while our version sounds like a surefire Oscar winner, let’s let Apple give the actual plot synopsis:
“Tetris” tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by travelling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids,...
The very idea of a Tetris movie may sound goofy–suggesting it might be an animated movie about a group of ragtag tetromino teaming up to take on the Soviets–but there is actually a lot of backstory behind the classic game. And while our version sounds like a surefire Oscar winner, let’s let Apple give the actual plot synopsis:
“Tetris” tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by travelling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Apple Original Films has a bunch of highly anticipated movies on its 2023 release calendar, like Matthew Vaughn‘s “Argylle,” Martin Scorsese‘s “Killers Of The Flower Moon,” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon.” But before those comes “Tetris,” set for its world premiere at SXSW 2023 in Austin next month.
Read More: SXSW Film & TV Adds Donald Glover’s ‘Swarm’ & Emma Seligman’s ‘Bottoms’ Among Second Wave Programming
Taron Egerton, Toby Jones, and Nikita Efremov star in the upcoming film, which tells the thrilling true story behind one of the world’s most popular video games.
Continue reading ‘Tetris’ Trailer: Apple’s Thriller With Taron Egerton About The Popular Videogame Premieres At SXSW 2023, Premieres On Apple TV+ On March 31 at The Playlist.
Read More: SXSW Film & TV Adds Donald Glover’s ‘Swarm’ & Emma Seligman’s ‘Bottoms’ Among Second Wave Programming
Taron Egerton, Toby Jones, and Nikita Efremov star in the upcoming film, which tells the thrilling true story behind one of the world’s most popular video games.
Continue reading ‘Tetris’ Trailer: Apple’s Thriller With Taron Egerton About The Popular Videogame Premieres At SXSW 2023, Premieres On Apple TV+ On March 31 at The Playlist.
- 2/16/2023
- by Ned Booth
- The Playlist
South by Southwest on Wednesday revealed the second half of its lineup for this year’s edition, set for March 10-19.
This includes Visions, the Global section presented by Mubi, 24 Beats, and Festival Favorites plus numerous additions to the Headliners, TV Premieres, Narrative and Documentary Spotlight and other sections.
‘Swarm’
New on the sked is Janine Nabers and Donald Glover’s Amazon Studios series Swarm and Lee Sung Jin’s Beef, respectively the opening- and closing-night TV premieres. They join the previously announced opening-night world premiere of Paramount’s Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
This year’s closing-night film will be announced closer to the event. In addition, there is another movie to be announced for the fest’s Monday, March 13 slot. Given the Oscars on March 12 (note the festival sets their dates five years in advance), I understand that evening’s lineup will ease a bit with amped-up...
This includes Visions, the Global section presented by Mubi, 24 Beats, and Festival Favorites plus numerous additions to the Headliners, TV Premieres, Narrative and Documentary Spotlight and other sections.
‘Swarm’
New on the sked is Janine Nabers and Donald Glover’s Amazon Studios series Swarm and Lee Sung Jin’s Beef, respectively the opening- and closing-night TV premieres. They join the previously announced opening-night world premiere of Paramount’s Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
This year’s closing-night film will be announced closer to the event. In addition, there is another movie to be announced for the fest’s Monday, March 13 slot. Given the Oscars on March 12 (note the festival sets their dates five years in advance), I understand that evening’s lineup will ease a bit with amped-up...
- 2/1/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2023 South by Southwest Festival has officially unveiled its second wave of headliners and TV premieres, including Opening and Closing Night episodic selections.
Set to take place March 10 through 19, the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals launched the 2023 Film & TV Lineup including all Visions, Global presented by Mubi, 24 Beats, and Festival Favorites plus numerous additions to Headliners, TV Premieres, Narrative and Documentary Spotlight, and other sections. Highlights include Donald Glover and Janine Nabers’ “Swarm” opening the TV program, with Lee Sung Jin’s TV series “Beef” debuting Closing Night.
For the film side, “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” was previously announced as the Opening Night feature. This year’s Closing Night film will be announced closer to the festival.
New Headliners additions include queer “Fight Club” film “Bottoms” and biopic “Tetris” about the videogame of the same name. Disney+ series “American Born Chinese,” starring the Oscar-nominated “Everything Everywhere All at Once” trio Michelle Yeoh,...
Set to take place March 10 through 19, the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals launched the 2023 Film & TV Lineup including all Visions, Global presented by Mubi, 24 Beats, and Festival Favorites plus numerous additions to Headliners, TV Premieres, Narrative and Documentary Spotlight, and other sections. Highlights include Donald Glover and Janine Nabers’ “Swarm” opening the TV program, with Lee Sung Jin’s TV series “Beef” debuting Closing Night.
For the film side, “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” was previously announced as the Opening Night feature. This year’s Closing Night film will be announced closer to the festival.
New Headliners additions include queer “Fight Club” film “Bottoms” and biopic “Tetris” about the videogame of the same name. Disney+ series “American Born Chinese,” starring the Oscar-nominated “Everything Everywhere All at Once” trio Michelle Yeoh,...
- 2/1/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
South by Southwest Conference and Festivals is nearly upon us, as it runs from March 10-19 in beautiful Austin, Texas. And as such, the second wave of the 2023 Film & TV Festival Lineup including all Visions, Global presented by Mubi, 24 Beats, and Festival Favorites plus numerous additions to Headliners, TV Premieres, Narrative and Documentary Spotlight, and other sections, have been announced.
Additionally, SXSW also announced that Janine Nabers and Donald Glover’s “Swarm” and Lee Sung Jin’s “Beef” will be the Opening and Closing Night TV premieres. The Film & TV Festival’s opening night film is the previously announced “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” This year’s Closing Night Film will be announced closer to the event. (What will it be?)
Where else can you see the world premiere of a Hollywood blockbuster like “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” as well as documentaries on the Blackberry smart phone and Canadian music channel MuchMusic?...
Additionally, SXSW also announced that Janine Nabers and Donald Glover’s “Swarm” and Lee Sung Jin’s “Beef” will be the Opening and Closing Night TV premieres. The Film & TV Festival’s opening night film is the previously announced “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.” This year’s Closing Night Film will be announced closer to the event. (What will it be?)
Where else can you see the world premiere of a Hollywood blockbuster like “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” as well as documentaries on the Blackberry smart phone and Canadian music channel MuchMusic?...
- 2/1/2023
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
Donald Glover’s Amazon show Swarm, Apple’s making-of Tetris movie and Disney+ series American Born Chinese are among the new additions to the TV and film lineup at the upcoming SXSW festival.
The Elizabeth Banks-produced MGM movie Bottoms, from the team behind Shiva Baby, is set for the headliners section, joining the Taron Egerton-fronted Tetris and previously announced titles Problemista, from A24, franchise flick Evil Dead Rise, and Eva Longoria’s directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot. Dungeons & Dragons will open the fest.
As for TV premieres, in addition to Swarm and American Born Chinese, Lee Sung Jin’s Beef, and David E. Kelley’s Love & Death will screen at the festival. Also notable on the TV front: The fest will screen Demascus, which was recently axed by network AMC amid an ongoing shake-up at the network and its hope to write down around 400 million of content...
The Elizabeth Banks-produced MGM movie Bottoms, from the team behind Shiva Baby, is set for the headliners section, joining the Taron Egerton-fronted Tetris and previously announced titles Problemista, from A24, franchise flick Evil Dead Rise, and Eva Longoria’s directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot. Dungeons & Dragons will open the fest.
As for TV premieres, in addition to Swarm and American Born Chinese, Lee Sung Jin’s Beef, and David E. Kelley’s Love & Death will screen at the festival. Also notable on the TV front: The fest will screen Demascus, which was recently axed by network AMC amid an ongoing shake-up at the network and its hope to write down around 400 million of content...
- 2/1/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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