Geek Monday: Variety is the Spice of Life

So for this Geek Monday I will look at a few stories that are floating around.

Abrams to Direct Star Wars

So probably one of the biggest stories floating around at the moment is that J.J. Abrams will be the one helming the new Star Wars film.  With this revelation I'm not sure whether to be excited or nervous about the new film.  Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of Abrams having watched all of Lost and loving the new Star Trek films (plus eagerly anticipating the new one) but can he do the same job with Star Wars.  The question is will he make it all mysterious like lost with a tonne more lore and story or will he make it all in your face action like the new Star Trek films?  Also could he remain faithful to Lucas and make a flop like the prequel trilogy?  Well we shall see when it gets released!!    

More reading:

http://io9.com/5979101/can-jj-abrams-do-for-star-wars-what-he-did-for-star-trek-and-should-he
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/01/24/jj-abrams-to-direct-star-wars-episode-vii
http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/jj-abrams-set-direct-next-star-wars-film-exclusive-74596
http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2013/01/its-official-disney-confirms-that-jj-abrams-will-direct-the-next-star-wars-episode-vii/ 

New File Format

So it seems that a long with the hype of 4K TVs there will be a new file format.  The H.265 format will be the successor to the extremely popular H.264 format This new format, called High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), will allow easier streaming of full 1080p HD footage and possibly the future streaming of UHD.  This is particularly exciting for people like myself who, at home, have very slow internet connections due to the inability to access super-fast fibre optic broadband.

More reading:

http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2013/01/the-new-h-265-video-format-helps-chew-up-video-so-networks-can-swallow-it/
http://techcrunch.com/2013/01/25/h265-is-approved/

The Following

So I watched an awesome new show this weekend.  I decided to give the Following a chance and I'm glad I did.  This creepy new show stars Kevin Bacon who is case as a retired FBI agent who is drafted to help capture an escaped serial killer (James Purefoy) who has recruited a loyal army of psychos and delinquents to make Kevin Bacons life hell.  This has the same sort of vibe the Killing had (of which I'm yet to watch the 2nd season) and it looks like it has some potential.

Further reading:

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/12/12/why-the-following-stands-out-on-network-television
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2071645/?ref_=sr_1

Returning Shows

So I'm also looking forward to How I Met Your Mother returning to UK TV this week (having had to wait months after the US to watch it)!!  Unfortunately the show will not be ending this season (which I think would have been appropriate) but I won't complain none the less.  Also Spartacus:  War of the Damned will be starting soon which I am also very excited to see as I am a big fan of the previous seasons!!

Further reading:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442449/?ref_=sr_1
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460649/?ref_=sr_1
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/01/25/spartacus-war-of-the-damned-enemies-of-rome-review
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/how-i-met-your-mother/episode-guide/series-8/episode-1

Thanks for reading everybody and I will be back for Games Wednesday!!