Resident Evil: Extinction (2007)

A largely plotless survival horror with wooden 2D characters distinct from each other only in name, outfit, and weapon, this third Resident Evil movie, like the others, is easily dismissed as empty dross, but fans of CAPCOM's survival horror game series upon which these movies are based will derive great pleasure from the details - 3D geometric maps, zombie ravens, tourism posters - that recall so clearly the joys of the game.

★★☆☆☆

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Gameloading: Rise of the Indies (2015)

This documents the rise of the independent game development scene and demonstrates that quite apart from the stereotype of gamers being pasty loner couch potatoes with a worrying love of violence, they are more often connected and savvy, entrepreneurial, doing what they love, producing experimental games, even art, and driving change in a mainstream gaming market obsessed with shootemups.

★★★☆☆

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Gameplay: The Videogame Revolution (2015)

The rapid evolution of the videogame from the first programmable computers (those walk-in ones housed in entire rooms) to today's increasingly realistic A.I. and life-simulations (Second Life), is detailed in this 2013 documentary and along the way there is interesting trivia (Steve Jobs was involved in the development of Breakout), horrifying facts (a Columbine High School Massacre game was made) and there is lots of nostalgia for kids of the 80s who feel the same buzz of excitement today as they did thirty years ago hearing the tinny theme music of Zelda.

★★★☆☆

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