The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Wins 14 NAVGTR Awards

The National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers, a 501(c)(3) non-profit media organization, has announced winners for its 15th annual awards program honoring video game art, technology, and production. 

The biggest winner is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with 14 wins, falling just short of The Last of Us' record 15 wins from two years ago.  Rise of the Tomb Raider and Tales from the Borderlands were the second biggest winners with 4 wins each. 

Three games won three awards each: Star Wars Battlefront, Splatoon, and Life is Strange.  Four games won two awards each:  Super Mario Maker, Rocket League, Crypt of the Necrodancer, and Bloodborne. 

By developer, CD Projekt Red led with 14 awards.  Nintendo won six.  Telltale, Gearbox, and Crystal Dynamics won four awards each.  Other top developers were Electronic Arts, Dontnod Entertainment, Psyonix, From Software, and Brace Yourself Games. 

By publisher, CD Projekt led with 14 awards.  Square Enix and Nintendo won seven each.  Other top publishers were 2K, Telltale, Electronic Arts, Warner Bros, Sony Computer Entertainment, Psyonix, and Brace Yourself Games.

Fifty-six creative, technical, and genre award categories recognize achievement in animation, art direction, character design, controls, game design, game engineering, musical score, sound effects, writing, and more as seen at navgtr.org

This year's Honorary Award recipients are Toru Iwatani, creator of Pac-Man, and Mark DeLoura, for developing programs for children to explore coding.

NAVGTR strongly supports the IGDA Developer Credit special interest group (SIG) at igda.org/devcredit to improve crediting practices.

NAVGTR AWARDS logo. (PRNewsFoto/NAVGTR CORP.)

The general voting body of reviewers, journalists, analysts, and writers includes contributors for such varied outlets as Austin American-Statesman, Break, Chicago Sun-Times, CNN, Futurenet, Gamespot, GamesRadar, Gaming Illustrated, Geek, IGN, Los Angeles Times, Machinima, MMO PRG, Moody's, NBC, New Gamer Nation,New York Times, Nintendo World Report, The Ottawa Citizen, PC Gamer, Polygon, Salon, San Jose Mercury-News, Terminal Gamer, USA Today, The Vancouver Sun, Wired News, and hundreds more.

SOURCE: National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers

Michael Mann, Oscar-nominated Filmmaker And Bestselling Author Don Winslow Team Up For Mann Books' First Project

Michael Mann (The Insider, Heat, The Last Of The Mohicans)

Mann / Winslow Tell Epic Organized Crime Tale In A Novel; Major Film To Follow

In his multi-media project under the Michael Mann Books imprint, Mann has teamed up with internationally bestselling author, Don Winslow, author of The Cartel, to co-create an original novel about the complex relationship between two Organized Crime giants, Tony Accardo and Sam Giancana. Mann will produce and possibly direct the film. The film will be based on the novel and a pre-existing screenplay Mann co-wrote with Shane Salerno. The novel's anticipated breadth will be on the scale of Winslow's Cartel.

Winslow will begin work late spring after delivering his next book.

Discussions with publishers will begin shortly and the book will be released in 2017. 

Tony Accardo ran the Chicago Outfit – an efficient, unified and massive organization that was the single most powerful criminal enterprise in America.  In 1959, LIFE magazine estimated that the Chicago Outfit's revenue constituted 6% of the U.S. national income. From Frank Nitti's suicide in 1943, Accardo ran the Outfit. His extraordinary career spanned eight decades from the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre through the Reagan era.

Giancana – mentored and installed by Accardo to front the Chicago Outfit from 1957 to 1966 – elevated the Outfit onto the New Frontier with bold moves that converged national commerce and industry with politics, Vegas, the music industry, Hollywood, and co-ventures with the CIA.

His megalomania elevated him to heights never dreamed possible and to exposure that became radioactive. Giancana was brutally murdered in 1975.

Mann has acquired rights and previously undisclosed material from the Accardo family.

Mann has directed, produced and written or co-written the crime genre classics Heat, Public Enemies, Thief and Manhunter as well as the Oscar-nominated dramas Ali and The Insider and the classic The Last of the Mohicans. 

Winslow's The Cartel is a major international bestseller and was named one of the best books of 2015 by numerous publications, including The New York Times. It was sold to Twentieth Century Fox in a multi-million dollar package and is to be directed by Ridley Scott. In addition to The Cartel, Winslow's The Power of the Dog, Savages, and The Winter of Frankie Machine have won major writing awards, including the Raymond Chandler award in Italy, the Maltese Falcon Award in Japan and the RBA International Prize for crime writing in Spain. 

SOURCE: The Story Factory

Was Jesus Really Nailed To The Cross?

Peter Gertner Crucifixion Walters.

By Meredith J C Warren, University of Sheffield

Jesus’s crucifixion is probably one of the most familiar images to emerge from Christianity. Good Friday, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar, marks the event. But what was crucifixion? And why was Jesus killed that way?

Crucifixion was a Roman method of punishment. Suspended from a large cross, a victim would eventually die from asphyxiation or exhaustion – it was long, drawn-out, and painful. It was used to publicly humiliate slaves and criminals (not always to kill them), and as an execution method was usually reserved for individuals of very low status or those whose crime was against the state. This is the reason given in the Gospels for Jesus’s crucifixion: as King of the Jews, Jesus challenged Roman imperial supremacy (Matt 27:37; Mark 15:26; Luke 23:38; John 19:19–22).

Crucifixion could be carried out in a number of ways. In Christian tradition, nailing the limbs to the wood of the cross is assumed, with debate centring on whether nails would pierce hands or the more structurally sound wrists. But Romans did not always nail crucifixion victims to their crosses, and instead sometimes tied them in place with rope. In fact, the only archaeological evidence for the practice of nailing crucifixion victims is an ankle bone from the tomb of Jehohanan, a man executed in the first century CE.

So was Jesus nailed to the cross?

Gospel accounts
Some early Gospels, such as the Gospel of Thomas, don’t include the narrative of Jesus’s crucifixion, choosing instead to focus on his teaching. But Jesus’s death by crucifixion is one of the things that all four canonical Gospels agree on. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, all include the crucifixion event in their own slightly different ways.

None of the Gospels in the New Testament mentions whether Jesus was nailed or tied to the cross. However, the Gospel of John reports wounds in the risen Jesus’s hands. It is this passage, perhaps, that has led to the overwhelming tradition that Jesus’s hands and feet were nailed to the cross, rather than tied to it.

Caravaggio, The Incredulity of Saint Thomas. Wikimedia Commons

The Gospel of Peter, a non-canonical gospel from the first or second century CE, specifically describes in verse 21 how after Jesus had died, the nails were removed from his hands. The Gospel of Peter also famously includes the cross itself as an active character in the Passion narrative. In verses 41-42 the cross speaks, responding with its own voice to God: “And they were hearing a voice from the heavens saying, ‘Have you made proclamation to the fallen-asleep?’ And an obeisance was heard from the cross, ‘Yes.’” Tradition is clearly of paramount importance to this text.

Over the past few years, several people have claimed to have found the actual nails with which Jesus was crucified. Each time, biblical scholars and archaeologists have rightly pointed out the assumptions and misinterpretations of evidence behind these claims. Curiously, this fixation on the nails persists, despite the fact that the earliest gospels make no mention of Jesus being nailed to the cross.

Depictions of the crucifixion
It isn’t surprising that Christians took a while to embrace the image of Christ on the cross, given that crucifixion was a humiliating way to die. What is surprising is what the earliest image of the crucifixion turns out to be. Rather than the devotional icons with which we are familiar – pictures that glorify Jesus’s death – this earliest image appears to be some late second-century graffiti mocking Christians.

Alexamenos Graffito, Vector traced from Ancient Rome in the Light of Recent Discoveries (1898) by Rodolfo Lanciani Wikimedia Commons

Called the Alexamenos Graffito, the image shows a figure with the head of a donkey on a cross with the words: “Alexamenos worships his God.” This was apparently a common accusation in antiquity, as Minucius Felix (Octavius 9.3; 28.7) and Tertullian (Apology 16.12) both attest. Since the graffito was clearly not made by a Christian, this image suggests that non-Christians were familiar with some core elements of Christian belief as early as the second century.

Gemstones, some used for magical purposes, also provide some of our earliest depictions of the crucified Jesus. This second or third century piece of carved jasper depicts a man on a cross surrounded by magic words.

Magical gem. British Museum CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Another very early image of the crucifixion is found carved into the face of a carnelian gemstone made into a ring.

Constanza gemstone with the crucified Christ, surrounded by 12 apostles. British Musem CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Scholars think that the Constanza gemstone, as it is known, dates from the fourth century CE. In this depiction, Jesus’s hands do not appear to be nailed to the cross, since they fall naturally, as if he is tied at the wrists.

Since the evidence from antiquity doesn’t provide a clear answer as to whether Jesus was nailed or tied to his cross, it’s tradition that dictates this common depiction. Those who have seen the film The Passion of the Christ will recall how much time the director, Mel Gibson, devoted just to the act of nailing Jesus onto the cross —- almost five whole minutes.

The Passion of the Christ.

Given the relative silence on the act of crucifixion in the Gospels, this stands out as a graphic expansion. One of the only films that does not assume that crucifixion involved nails is Monty Python’s Life of Brian, which shows multiple crucifixion victims, though not Jesus, tied to their crosses.

Eventually, Emperor Constantine put an end to crucifixion as a method of execution, not for ethical reasons, but out of respect for Jesus. But in the end, it is the enduring image of the cross, and not the matter of whether nails or ropes were used, that most firmly evokes the death of Jesus in art and tradition.


About Today's Contributor 
Meredith J C Warren, Lecturer in Biblical and Religious Studies, University of Sheffield

This article was originally published on The Conversation.

UK: Chris Evans vs Jeremy Clarkson - The Infographic

Today's infographic compares Chris Evans with Jeremy Clakson, the man he is set to replace as presenter of Top Gear...

Here is what the guys at CarLeasingMadeSimple.com (where we got the infographic from) say about it:

Picking a replacement for Jeremy Clarkson was never going to be an easy task, but you can understand why the BBC plumped for Chris Evans. He's a petrol-head with a long history of hosting big shows but who still has that all important air of irreverence about him. That hasn't stopped the Top Gear community getting nervous about the direction in which Chris will take the show. To help allay this trepidation we've put together this piece comparing Chris with the man he is set to replace. Obviously we're checking up on their love of cars, but almost as importantly we're taking a look at their disciplinary records and how their TV careers compare. 

(Oh, and, by the way, the infographic also includes a quick quiz to see if we can tell our Evans from our Clarkson... Just in case.)

Enjoy...

Loup Dargent

The Infographic

Chris Evans vs Jeremy Clarkson by carleasingmadesimple.com

Breaking News: World War II Is Over, Britain Is A European Country

By Andrew Scott Crines, University of Liverpool

Britain has so far been something of a failure in the European Union. Despite the benefits it has received in terms of investment, social programmes and education, it just doesn’t seem to be part of the club. That’s because the UK has yet to fully appreciate what the EU does.

For decades now, the British right-wing press has presented the UK as a place apart from the EU. It is distant in terms of culture, economy, social beliefs, aspirations and desires. Despite this antagonism, the EU has continued to invest in British infrastructure (look at Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Glasgow), in its culture, and, of course, by allowing access to the single market.

The single market is not the sole function of the European Union. Political union has always been on the cards. Opponents to it only failed to notice sooner because they didn’t do their research in the years leading up to 1973, when Britain first joined the EEC. At that point, Britain joined a union of nations that were already sharing sovereignty.

Yet opponents acted surprised when Britain, too, was called upon to share that sovereignity. It is clear from both Labour and Tory leaders at the time that sharing sovereignty was always on the cards.

But we are told continually by those seeking to depart that it is a market place which has grown too big for its boots. This is a failure of imagination from opponents, rather than a failure of the EU to be what it has always sought to be.

The myth that Britain was somehow different from the rest prevented it from getting more involved at that time and has now prevented it from becoming European.

Romantic notions of imperial glory and World War II help embolden that myth in the minds of Brexit supporters. Britain is seen as a unique nation. It is simply better than the other EU member states.

This uniqueness is not only flawed in a historical sense but also in its contemporary value.

We’re just bally different!
Britain romanticises World War II because it stood against Hitler while the rest of Europe fell. As such, it is seen as a moment of supreme victory – something to be proud of.

This is not to suggest that British people shouldn’t be proud of standing up to tyranny, but from Europe’s viewpoint, World War II was a traumatic period. It was a time of occupation, misery, and of course, death.

Get over it, Nigel. PA/Gareth Fuller

This is, of course, a matter of historical record but opponents of the EU seem to be using this period as evidence of Britain’s exceptionalism and defiance. It sends the message that Britain was better than its European neighbours, not only for avoiding occupation, but also for liberating them.

As accurate as some of these points may be, it is important to see how other EU countries view this period and the harmful impact the British attitude will have, not just on European countries but also on its view of itself.

Failing to adapt
While the rest developed a more cohesive sense of European identity, Britain resisted. And to some extent, the introduction of the euro has precipitated a further breaking down of nationalism. Britain, however, remains apart.

Today, the global financial crash and its ongoing consequences have left the eurozone in an economic mess. But the ideas underscoring it were valid. There is nothing inherently wrong with ever closer union. Being closer enables cross country collaborations, freer trade, cultural mixing, and the essential creation of europeanism.

Opponents view this as a betrayal of nationalism. But given nationalism is, by definition, an inward celebration of a nation’s identity, ever closer union can rein in the urge nations have to compete with each other militarily.

British people have forgotten why the European union exists in the first place. I would argue that they never fully understood.

The EU isn’t just a common market of western capitalism. It is an idea. The idea is one of cultural, social, and economic integration to create a better, more prosperous Europe. The alternative is division, competition, and rivalry between former friends.

Since joining in 1973, Britain has enjoyed the benefits of membership while all the time pushing away. It is the sick man of Europe, pushing away the doctor who is trying to cure a worrying case of individualism.

Today, Britain is seeing the fruits of its exceptionalism. It has listened to opponents of the European Union for too long. Now it is time to grow up, move beyond imperialism, stop glorifying a period of massive death and destruction in Europe, and accept membership of a successful union. That union could be even more successful if Britain stopped distancing itself and accepted its place within it.

And, yes, if Britain votes to remain relevant, it should finally take the leap into the light and join the euro. Who knows – that may make it a stronger, more successful currency.


About Today's Contributor
Andrew Scott Crines, British Politics Lecturer, University of Liverpool

This article was originally published on The Conversation.

Bunker Hill Community College Looks at Racial Inequality with Maria Hinojosa

News correspondent and journalist Maria Hinojasa meets with students at Bunker Hill Community College. (PRNewsFoto/Bunker Hill Community College)

Maria Hinojosa, anchor and executive producer of NPR's Peabody Award-winning weekly program, Latino USA, spoke about racial inequality in the United Stateson March 3, 2016, as part of BHCC's Women's History Month celebration. 

"Your challenge right now is to own this moment in history and to own your power," she told a packed audience, stressing the challenges faced by immigrants in the United States today. "If you can vote, if you can become a citizen, please do. We need you to be voting and we need you to be engaged. The power of history is on your shoulders."

Before her lecture, Hinojosa sat in on a freshman composition class attended by a group of Chelsea High School Early Start students. Associate Provost of BHCC's Chelsea Campus Alice Murillo also attended the class with Hinojosa. Following the classroom visit, Hinojosa enjoyed a lunch in the College's art gallery.

Hinojosa is founder of the Futuro Media Group, which produces both Latino USA and America by the Numberswith Maria Hinojosa, the first public television series to investigate the impact of America's ongoing population change. Hinojosa is the first Latina to anchor a Frontline report, "Lost in Detention," exploring abuse at immigrant detention facilities. "It was inspiring for Bunker Hill Community College students to hear this powerful advocate for social justice encouraging them to join the fight," said President Pam Y. Eddinger, Ph.D.

Born in Mexico City, Hinojosa was raised in Chicago and received her bachelor's degree from Barnard College. She writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column and is the author of two books, including her 2000 memoir on motherhood, Raising Raul: Adventures Raising Myself and My Son.

Hinojosa's more than 25 years of reporting have earned her four Emmys, the 2012 John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism, the Robert F. Kennedy Award for Reporting on the Disadvantaged, the 2012 Studs Terkel Community Media Award and the 2007 Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club for best documentary for "Child Brides: Stolen Lives."

Through Compelling Conversations, Women's History Month, Black History Month, One Book and other speaker series and celebratory events, Bunker Hill Community College hosts high-profile speakers who discuss their professional experience and provide inspiration for students.

SOURCE: Bunker Hill Community College