Shazam!: Film Review

Shazam!: Film Review

Cast: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Jack Dylan Grazer, Asher Angel
Director: David F Sandberg

The DC Extended Universe goes as light and as goofy as it ever has before with the unveiling of the story of Billy Batson aka Shazam!

Teenage Batson (Angel) has been bouncing from foster home to foster home, trying to find the mother who he lost at a carnival when he was younger. Pushed into one more home in Philadelphia, where five other foster kids live, Batson's resentful and decides he doesn't need anyone but himself.

Befriended by superhero obsessed Freddy (Grazer) from within the clan, Billy finds himself literally transformed when he's given the powers of Shazam by a wizard (Djimon Hounsou) who's searching for a champion.

But Batson's still a kid at heart, and when confronted by Mark Strong's evil Dr Sivana who wants his power, he needs more than just puerile intentions to save the day.

Shazam! is essentially Superman vs Lex Luthor, poured through a prism of Big, Harry Potter and Instant Family.

It's fair to say that the DCEU has gone a bit goofier with this origin story, and Chuck star Levi exudes the qualities needed for the big kid in a superhero suit that will resonate with youngsters, who are likely to run round shouting Shazam for their own needs.

Levi packs in the charm, and the innocence while adhering to the conventions of the origin movie as well. But it's left to DC-obsessed Freddy (Grazer) to present the exposition of the mechanics of being  a superhero as the film plays out.

It's here that Shazam! falls into a few problems.

A choppy pre-titles start is flat, the final act showdown goes on way too long and the stakes feel (perhaps refreshingly) low key throughout, with only Shazam and his family being threatened by Sivana - despite earlier hints that Sivana would unleash the seven deadly sins to ravish the world. And a plot line about Batson finding his mother is not only oddly written, but wobbily executed.

Yet the film stays true to its sweet family vibe throughout, and messages of relying on siblings, family et al are nicely contrasted in our the protagonist and his antagonist.

There's an occasional flippancy about the way the extended universe is treated, and given how other films can be, that's no bad thing - but it does make feeling like Shazam could be a long term standalone proposition hard to swallow.

In many ways, this feels like a one-and-done kind of film, with Shazam simply brought in to provide comic relief for other team ups further down the line.

Ultimately, Shazam is a one size fits all superhero family film that packs a friendly vibe, and has fun doing what it does - whether that's enough to sustain a longtime proposition though remains to be seen - it'll need more than just a magic trick to pull that off.

Suspiria: Blu Ray Review

Suspiria: Blu Ray Review

Feeling a lot like a contemporary cinematic bedfellow / brother to Gaspar Noe's Climax, Guadagnino's Suspiria is an odd beast to say the very least.

50 Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson plays Susan Bannion, a dancer summoned to Berlin during post Cold war times to audition for a company run by Madame Blanc (Swinton, in icy enigmatic turn).

Initially holding back, Bannion rises to the star pupil role, as her roommate Sara (Goth) begins to grow suspicious of what's going on at the Tanz Academy.

While Suspiria offers one of the most uncomfortable scenes set to celluloid this year, Guadagnino's homage, less remake, has more of the feel of an art film, rather than a full on horror.

With contorting bodies, some truly impressive choreographed dance scenes and a general feeling of unease early on, Suspiria sets the scene well as it ramps up the feminist vibe.

But it begins to fudge the execution of the film, failing to deliver much suspense and horror in equal measures as it unspools. Leading to a finale that's more ludicrous than terrifying is the final blow for this, thanks to some truly weak prosthetics and laughable dialogue. (Which is baffling given that some of the earlier work on this front is more than laudable, and the hints of the madness of possession that swirl early on.)

Mixing in allegories for the East vs West confrontation in Germany, an ongoing series of radio reports about the Baader Meinhof hostage crisis and an old man's quest to find his wife, the film's tendency to hardly deliver on any of these dallies very close to feeling it's undercooked rather than fully formed. It doesn't help the characters field a once over lightly approach either.

That said, Swinton and Johnson impress mightily; from Johnson's naif lost in the pull of something she doesn't understand to Swinton's performance that is evocative and subtle (to say more is to spoil), there is something to admire about the female led Suspiria (and doubtless there will be treatises on the women-led power piece and how it handles men).

Ultimately though, the 2018 remake of Suspiria is as polarising as you'd expect; it fails as a horror film, succeeds as an art piece, and consequently, feels insubstantial and almost inconsequential. The 1977 film from Dario Argento would be slightly appalled.

What We Do In The Shadows: TV Review

What We Do In The Shadows: TV Review

Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi's seminal What We Do In The Shadows movie was unshakable in its commitment to the absurd and the mundane.

Spawning a TV spinoff in the form of TVNZ's Wellington Paranormal, starring the two inept cops O'Leary and Minogue, the 2014 film has been ripe for a spinoff itself, with talk of a werewolves show evolving, but not quite coming to fruition.

However, the Soho screening What We Do In the Shadows US TV series is every bit as funny as the original movie was - and it's no surprise that Clement and Waititi return (albeit behind the scenes) for the first episode.

Set in Staten Island, and with Brit comedians Matt Berry, Natasia Demetriou and Kayvan Novak taking the leads, the fresh blood approach to widening the universe out works rather well.
Novak is Nandor The Relentless, the de facto head of the household and whose quibbling reminds very much of Waititi's Viago from the movies. His fellow housemates include the ever brilliant Matt Berry and Nastasia Demetriou as husband and wife Laszlo and Nadia.

The series also brings new life to the sidekicks, in the form of Nandor's familiar Guillermo (Guillen, the series' human edge) and the energy vampire Colin. Colin in particular is one of the best additions to the show - a spoof in many ways of the US Office's HR rep Toby, Colin's Mark Proksch is a genius touch.

The show's MO kicks in when after 200 years on Staten Island, the oldest vampire arrives to ask if they've conquered the country, sending Nandor and the group into a tailspin and fearing for their own lives.

It's here that What We Do In The Shadows earns its place as a spinoff; while the first episode feels a little like a compressed version of the film in terms of moments and plot, the subsequent three episodes show a more impressive approach to the mundane humour that's permeated the deadpan ways of the original film.

Laconic, demonic and moronic, the US remake of What We Do In The Shadows is hands down still incredibly funny. While the initial thrust of conquering America falls a little by the wayside in prior episodes, the scripts show real promise and humorous bite in expanding the universe.

Largely overshadowed by Berry's foppishness, Novak brings an A game to the head vampire, and his ineptness. In the first episode alone he uses glitter so that he can shine like the Twilight vampires to impress others. There's a feeling of comedic hubris here which is well-exploited and has been seen in the likes of The Office and Parks And Recreation.

Fangtastically funny, and hopefully worth every episode of its ten episode run, What We Do In The
Shadows US is well worth watching and treasuring. It deserves more than cult love, and thanks to its adaptation of the workplace comedy and the great British sitcoms of oddfellows, it's easily one of the best shows of 2019.

Borderlands 3 is announced

Borderlands 3 is announced

Get ready vault hunters, because here comes Borderlands 3

Win a copy of Wreck It Ralph 2

Win a copy of Wreck It Ralph 2

Disney’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet”

Access Granted on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ & DVD on March 27

Fans can browse exclusive extras revealing the creation of the film’s eye-popping internet

and its off-the-wall content, deleted scenes, hidden Easter eggs and much more!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” the animated adventure featuring video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman), raced to No. 1 opening weekend (the second biggest Thanksgiving opening of all time), winning the top spot at the domestic box office for three consistent weeks and grossing more than $435.1 million to date. 

In the hilarious, highspeed sequel to 2012’s Oscar®-nominated “Wreck-It Ralph,” the besties risk it all by traveling to the expansive, fast-paced world of the internet in an action-packed attempt to save Vanellope’s game Sugar Rush. “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is available on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD Mar 27

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” arrives home with a wide-range of exclusive extras, taking fans behind the scenes at Walt Disney Animation Studios to explore how artists created the film’s vibrant version of the internet — from comical cat videos to the intense online game Slaughter Race to shady characters on the Dark Net.

Features also reveal some Easter eggs — inside jokes and references to other Disney films and characters hidden throughout the film — and filmmakers introduce some never before revealed deleted scenes. 

Dumbo: Film Review

Dumbo: Film Review

Cast: Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Nico Parker, Finley Hobbins
Director: Tim Burton

There are two trains of thought with Disney's continued live action remakes of their cartoon catalogue.

One, that it undermines the beauty and timeless simplicity of the originals and two, that it's just a chance to remake these films for a new generation.

Case in point, Tim Burton's Dumbo meshes together some of the original 1941's simplicity and then unwisely expands it out to encompass more characters, and ultimately robbing the film of its original heart and story - that of the separation of a mother and child.

And yet, the 2019 remake of Dumbo simply soars in parts, when stripped back of the elements that would hold it down.

Farrell plays one-armed war survivor Holt Farrier, who returns to the 1919 US world of the Medici Bros circus to his children (Parker and Hobbins) unsure of what's next.

Given the role of looking after a new elephant bought by circus owner Max Medici (DeVito), Holt finds himself father to an elephant with over-sized ears. But when Dumbo's torn from his mother, and the circus is swallowed up by a rival entrepeneur (Keaton), everything changes for the Farrier family, as they seek to do what's right.

Mixing melancholy with the magical, and centring his Dumbo more as an Edward Scissorhands type, Tim Burton's reimagining of the elephant tale has as many highs as it does lows.

It doesn't help some of the characters feel flatly written and almost dully executed; everyone feels like a once over lightly rather than a fully fleshed out individual. It robs the film of the requisite emotion, and certainly the parts which should have the pull, such as Dumbo ripped from his mother, lack the edge to pull an audience in.

Equally, some of the CGI of the pachyderm being ridden in the air looks ropey at best, a big top marquee moment that's rendered in ridicule rather than digital reality. There are fumbles throughout Dumbo that stop the wonder soaring as high as it should.

And yet, there are moments of Burton's visual wizardry and execution which lift Dumbo up high and pull the movie into the magical Disney stratosphere.

Complete with long-time collaborator Danny Elfman, Burton's shorthand and eye for the melancholy macabre visuals are omnipresent throughout. The retro-future world of Keaton's enterpreneur sparkle with promise and flicker with menace when it all goes wrong - he's lost nothing of his eye for what can be tipped into the nightmarish as the haywire denouement plays out. (There's an irony that
Burton's take on the Dreamland world could be seen as an insidious takedown of how Walt Disney envisioned his original theme parks).

When Dumbo flies solo, and soars through the sky, it's genuinely magical (as opposed to scenes of him being ridden). There's an innocence at play here which is hard to deny, an entrancing touch which will enchant audiences much like the original did.

Dumbo's eyes are his keys to his soul, and the CGI blue eye execution, complete with fish-eye lens for his POV, bring life to the little creature in ways that will affect an audience.

Granted, there are the human moments of this big top escapade that ground the film in a duller edge and tether it when it should rise high above.

But much like a trip to the circus, which is wrapped in wonder and childish anticipation, parts of Dumbo are simply superb spectacle to savour.

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Gets A Turbo Boost With Remastered

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled Gets A Turbo Boost With Remastered

Just when you thought the surprises were in the rear-view mirror, the beloved marsupial kicks things into a higher gear by giving fans even more content to play in Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled!

Now, Activision announces that the new game will feature remastered content from the original Crash™ Nitro Kart (CNK) when it arrives on June 21, 2019 in NZ.

Developed by Beenox, the bonus content will include all thirteen of the game’s tracks which have been adapted to match the original CTR experience. Additionally, remastered karts, battle arenas and battle modes from the original CNK will be included in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and can be played in stunning HD glory.

More information about Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled can be found at www.crashbandicoot.com. Fans are also invited to follow Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as subscribe to the YouTube channel at YouTube.com/crashbandicoot.

CRASH TEAM RACING NITRO-FUELED GETS A TURBO BOOST WITH REMASTERED RACETRACKS, ARENAS, KARTS AND BATTLE MODES FROM CRASH NITRO KART!

Ground-Breaking Kart Racer Heads to PAX East to Give Fans First Hands-On

PlayStation 4 Gamers Get Exclusive Retro Content and Pre-order Item

March 27, 2019— Just when you thought the surprises were in the rear-view mirror, the beloved marsupial kicks things into a higher gear by giving fans even more content to play in Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled! Today, Activision, a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) announces that the new game will feature remastered content from the original Crash™ Nitro Kart (CNK) when it arrives on June 21, 2019. Developed by Beenox, the bonus CNK content will include all thirteen of the game’s tracks which have been adapted to match the original CTR experience. Additionally, remastered karts, battle arenas and battle modes from the original CNK will be included in Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and can be played in stunning HD glory.

To celebrate, Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled will be playable at PAX East in Boston (March 28-31). Show attendees can check out the Sony booth #16031 to be among the first in the world to get hands on time with the new game. At the show, fans will have a BandiHOOT racing against each other on two fan-favourite Crash Team Racing tracks: Papu’s Pyramid and Sewer Speedway and two remastered Crash Nitro Kart tracks: Clockwork Wumpaand Electron Avenue. Fans can also snag super cool swag while supplies last and take part in a victory podium photo op.

“Since the very beginning, we’ve said we’re giving fans a whole lot more in Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled,” said Thomas Wilson, co-studio head at Beenox. “As fans, we know the important role that Crash Nitro Kart plays in the Crash franchise among the community, so we’re thrilled  to be remastering the tracks, karts and even the battle modes to give players an awesome Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled experience.”

In case you missed it, Sony announced today the availability of exclusive retro content for Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. PlayStation®4 Computer Entertainment System players can re-live the ‘90s with retro Crash, Coco, and Cortex character skins, their retro karts, and a soon-to-be revealed retro track. Also, PlayStation players who pre-order will receive an exclusive PlayStation-themed sticker pack to deck out their karts in-game.  The PS4™ exclusive items, including the themed sticker packs will be available at launch.*

Fans that want to start revving their engines can pre-order both Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and the Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled - Nitros Oxide Edition now. Watch the official trailer here. More information about Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled can be found at www.crashbandicoot.com. Fans are also invited to follow Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as subscribe to the YouTube channel at YouTube.com/crashbandicoot.

Us: Movie Review

Us: Movie Review

Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker
Director: Jordan Peele

Us emerges from the shadow of the success of Get Out, and with the weight of crippling expectation as well.

Jordan Peele's debut was a sweeping takedown of America and the societal oppression of African Americans.

For his sophomore effort, Peele's slightly sidelined some of the more overtly racial elements in favour of a more direct horror film that mixes elements of The Twilight Zone (the reboot of which he's helping helm) and doppelganger fears the likes of which haven't been seen since Twin Peaks.

Nyong'o stars as Adelaide, who in 1986, as a child was changed after a visit to a Santa Cruz funhouse at the beach. When she, along with her husband (Duke, the film's necessary and realistic comic relief) and son and daughter returns, the family finds themselves being stalked by four people who look exactly like them...

Espousing an uneasy atmosphere, dousing the whole thing in tension and pumping up the intrigue works well for the large part of Us, with Peele's eye for disorienting shots and moments of fear delivering some memorable big screen imagery.

While the story doesn't quite have as many of the multi-levelled nuances of Get Out, the mystery rides for as long as it can, before being saddled with a necessary exposition-heavy final act. But the disorienting works well throughout, with most of the guessing likely to fall into the "wrong" category even with seasoned genre veterans.

What does emerge from Us is something that has a voice to speak to society, but is hardly the film's driving raison d'etre. A multi-layered mystery, that in turns relies on horror for its propulsion, Peele's approach to the cinema of unease and discord is to be saluted.

Atmospherics help build the feeling of dread and suspense, but it's also thanks to a towering performance from Nyong'o that this smart film gets its human edge. Anchoring the insidious home invasion horror to the more ambitious swerves of the film in the final run, Nyong'o's skill and flair are evident from the get go, summoning two different characters with ease.

Us may riff on the likes of the Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and Invaders from Mars's societal unease that we're being replaced, but its commitment throughout is to psychological edge-of-your-seat fare.

That it achieves that with such ease is a commendation for Peele, and even if the final act's reveals seem a little garbled and rushed with a tantalising hint of a wider mythology to be fleshed out, the overall effect is still a contemplative and relative gut punch that's well-worth sitting through.

Ralph Breaks The Internet: Blu Ray Review

Ralph Breaks The Internet: Blu Ray Review

Mashing elements of The Emoji Movie and a riff on friendship, Ralph Breaks The Internet's deep dive into internet nostalgia, in truth, seems more aimed at an adult audience than kids enamoured with the sugar rush of Wreck-It Ralph.

When someone breaks the controller of the Sugar Rush arcade machine, Ralph and Vanellope spring into action to try and secure the part from eBay via the Internet. But the clock's ticking and the machine faces being permanently turned off.

It's not that Ralph Breaks The Internet is a bad film - in truth, its ode to friendship and the central relationship between Ralph and Vanellope means that it keeps you engaged and makes you forget that it was six years since the last one.

But it does feel shallow and episodic throughout, with a great deal of Disney product placement within. And to be honest, it does feel like the idea of parodying the internet has already been done in many ways with The Emoji Movie - leading to a feeling that mocking viral videos, memes and internet fads feels more tired than it should do.

Central to Ralph Breaks The Internet, is a 10 minute section involving the Disney princesses which led this reviewer to feeling majorly conflicted.

The bastardising of the Disney canon is fair enough, but it seems unnecessarily cheap to mock the princesses who have helped the company make so much money, and have left them so ingrained in our culture. It's almost as if the meta-touches are not needed here, and some targets should be off-limits.

The messages come thick and fast at the end of Ralph Breaks The Internet, and with no subtlety whatsoever, but given one takes on the male toxicity of the internet before devolving into a Stay Puft marshmallow man / King Kong showdown, it's a nice, albeit sledgehammered, touch about bullying and the darker side of the world.

Ultimately, Ralph Breaks The Internet is a solid time at the cinema, albeit a forgettable one.

Its ode to friendship and letting go is commendable, but obvious from the beginning, but to be honest, Reilly and Silverman overcome such lazy tropes and obvious touches with performances that have warmth and emotional depth.

They're cool to hang out with thanks to the nostalgia and some of the gags, but the novelty may be wearing off a little quicker than expected.

PlayStation State of Play is here

PlayStation State of Play is here

New episode of PlayStation's State of Play to reveal details of new PS4 and PSVR games.

Watch PlayStation State of Play below

The Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 Live Performance Video

The Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 Live Performance Video

Watch the Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 Performance from the Red Bull Music Festival

Red Dead Redemption 2 composer and frequent Rockstar collaborator Woody Jackson recently wowed crowds with two intimate live performances of the game's original score at the Red Bull Music Festival in Los Angeles.

“Jackson translated his work from screen to stage in two live performances, giving game and music fans alike the opportunity to experience Red Dead Redemption 2 in a way unlike they’d heard, seen, or felt before,” said Nerdist. “Drawing from the almost 200 missions that he scored for the sequel, the guitarist and composer brought together more than 30 musicians to recalibrate and reimagine his own music in a completely new way. The composer’s broad and diverse influences flowed seamlessly through the cues that comprised the hourlong set, while projected screens enveloped the audience and echoed the game’s dusty, haunting, dangerous landscapes.”

Jackson weaved together select pieces from the score with help from experimental band Senyawa, accomplished singer Petra Hayden, saxophonist Colin Stetson and drummer Jon Theodore. All the while, the audience were treated to a unique and mesmerizing experience, featuring measured lighting and other visual effects intertwined with projected scenes from the game.

"Bursting red and purple lights filled the studio with dynamic energy and fog machines in the back provided an eerie and beautiful touch, said mxdwn. “Little details like that throughout the performance showed how much thought was put into it to give the audience a truly unique experience... The performance was filled with many twists and turns, and the journey was incredible. It was a very special show that felt very remarkable. Jackson and his stellar guests really provided a wonderful night, and it was great to be surrounded by top-notch musicians and artists bringing their best."

"It never ceases to amaze how music can transport you right back to a place, right back to a certain moment, said Gaming Trend. “Woody’s music, and the orchestra, did precisely that. The orchestra was tight and precise, a testament not only to the high quality and professionalism of the musicians, but also the skill of the conductor. Another aspect of the musicians’ performance was how much they enjoyed themselves. They grinned at each other between songs, and bobbed their heads and tapped their feet to the music. You could tell that they were having fun."

Attendees shared their love on social with Funhaus’ Alana’s Pearce and YouTuber @PancakePow sharing their experiences of the night.

Check out the video from our friends at Red Bull above, and look for both official releases of The Music of Red Dead Redemption 2 coming this Spring – the Original Score composed by Woody Jackson featuring contributions by Colin Stetson, Senyawa, Mario Batkovic, Arca and other guest artists, as well as the Original Soundtrack produced by Daniel Lanois featuring D’Angelo, Willie Nelson, Rhiannon Giddens and more.

This Week in GTA Online: Speed Week Bonuses in Stunt and Transform Races, 50% More GTA$ on Import/Export Sell Missions, Free Tee, Discounts and More

This Week in GTA Online: Speed Week Bonuses in Stunt and Transform Races, 50% More GTA$ on Import/Export Sell Missions, Free Tee, Discounts and More

Speed Week Bonuses in GTA Online 50% More GTA$ on Import/Export Sell Missions, Double Rewards in Rockstar Stunt Races and Transform Races, and More

The high-flying and death-defying Southern San Andreas stunt racing scene is offering a double rewards boost this week, with 2X GTA$ and RP on all Rockstar Stunt Races and Transform Races.

For those who prefer their vehicle adventures to be of the stealing and dealing variety, this week you'll earn 50% more GTA$ on Import/Export Sell missions.

And Double GTA$ and RP is also on the menu for this week's Time Trial, "Up Chiliad".

Modern on the outside, prehistoric on the inside. Don't judge a foot by its cover, and get the Toe Shoes T-Shirt for your wardrobe just by playing GTA Online this week.

If cutting edge design and insane speed are the features you want in your next ride, these six exotic titans of the Supercar class are all on sale this week at Legendary Motorsport:

• Pegassi Tezeract – 40% off
• Överflöd Tyrant – 40% off
• Pegassi Zentorno – 40% off
• Grotti X80 Proto – 40% off
• Dewbauchee Vagner – 40% off
• Principe Deveste Eight – 40% off

Corporate expansion comes cheap this week, with Dynasty 8 Executive halving prices on Executive Offices and their Garages and Auto Shops:

• Executive Offices – 50% off
• Executive Office Garages – 50% off
• Executive Office Auto Shops – 50% off

For more information on all the latest GTA Online bonuses, head to the Social Club Events page.

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is available NOW in New Zealand

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is available NOW in New Zealand

Good morning,

Winner of “Best of Gamescom” and “Best Action Game” at Gamescom 2018, Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice is available NOW in New Zealand!

Sekiro™: Shadows Die Twice is the next adventure from developer FromSoftware, creators of Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series.

In the game, players come face-to-face with larger than life foes in a dark and twisted world. 

As the “One-armed Wolf” they can unleash an arsenal of deadly prosthetic tools and powerful ninja abilities while blending stealth, vertical traversal, and visceral head-to-head combat in a bloody confrontation.

SPACE JUNKIES™ Open Beta Available Now

SPACE JUNKIES™ Open Beta Available Now

SPACE JUNKIES™ OPEN BETA IS AVAILABLE NOW

Full Cross-Play Support Available During Open Beta and Launch

Today, Ubisoft announced that Space Junkies™, the upcoming arcade VR shooter, is holding an open beta that is available now through March 24 10PM AEDT on PlayStation^®VR and March 25 10PM AEDT on Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality.

Click the image above to watch the trailer

The open beta gives players the opportunity to try Space Junkies for free ahead of its worldwide launch on March 26. The open beta offers the same experience as the full game, featuring four different PvP modes playable across several unique maps as well as a variety of characters each with unique characteristics.

For the first time, PlayStation VR and PC players are able to challenge or team up with each other thanks to full cross-play support during the open beta and at launch between PSVR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier, Space Junkies is a jetpack-fueled arcade shooter developed exclusively for VR gaming. The game features fast-paced multiplayer action set in three-dimensional space arenas and leverages full VR embodiment to immerse players in intense microgravity battles. Additionally, Space Junkies will receive regular new content beyond release, including new modes, new maps, weapons and customisation items.

For more information on Space Junkies, please visit spacejunkiesgame.com. For the latest news on all Ubisoft games, please visit news.ubisoft.com.

ABOUT UBISOFT

Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2017–18 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,732 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoft.com.

Battlefield V Firestorm trailer

Battlefield V Firestorm trailer

Firestorm, the highly-anticipated new battle royale mode coming to Battlefield V, dropped its official gameplay trailer today for fans. You can check out the brand new, official trailer on Battlefield V’s YouTube channel here. We also have a fresh set of screenshots for Firestorm here.

Firestorm is battle royale re-imagined for Battlefield in a 64-player fight for survival across air, land and sea. Launching on Monday, March 25, Firestorm carries Battlefield’s signature best-in-class gunplay, stunning visuals, devastating combat, vehicles and destructible environments.

To capture the full Firestorm experience, our friends at Nvidia have created recommended competitive specs for PC configurations that meet the needs of performance gaming with high refresh monitors. These specs will provide competitive PC gamers an idea of what it will take to get the best performance levels from their rigs in Battlefield V’s Firestorm.

BATTLEFIELD V COMPETITIVE SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

·  OS: 64-bit Windows 10 or later

·  Processor (AMD): AMD Ryzen 7 2700 or equivalent

·  Processor (Intel): Intel Core i7 8700 or equivalent

·  Memory: 16GB RAM

·  Graphics card (NVIDIA): NVIDIA GeForce® RTX 2070

·  Online Connection Requirements: 512 KBPS or faster Internet connection

·  Available Disk Space: 50GB

We look forward to seeing you on the Battlefield.

Win a double pass to see Pet Sematary

Win a double pass to see Pet Sematary

To celebrate the release of Pet Sematary on April 4, you can win a double pass.

PET SEMATARY Releases APRIL 4, RATING TBC (likely to be R16)

About Pet Sematary 

Based on the terrifying novel by Stephen King (the author of IT); Louis Creed, his wife Rachel and their two children Gage and Ellie move to a rural home where they are welcomed and enlightened about the eerie 'Pet Sematary' located nearby.

After the tragedy of their cat being killed by a truck, Louis resorts to burying it in the mysterious pet cemetery, which is definitely not as it seems- as it proves to the Creeds that sometimes, dead is better.

Directed by Kevin Kölsch, Dennis Widmyer

Pet Sematary stars Jason Clarke, John Lithgow, Amy Seimetz

Win a double pass to WONDER PARK

Win a double pass to WONDER PARK

To celebrate the release of Wonder Park, in cinemas April 11, you can win a double pass and fridge magnets.

About Wonder Park - RATING PG: SCARY SCENES

From Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Studios, WONDERPARK is in cinemas April 11.                                                                                          

Wonderpark tells the story of a magnificent amuesement park where the imagination ofa wildly creative girl named June comes to life.                

DREAM BIGGER!!                                                            

With the voices of Jennifer Garner, Matthew Broderick, John Oliver, Mila Kunis, Kenan Thompson & Ken Jeong   
                                                   

Boomer, Steve, Greta, Gus and Cooper, are the animals who call themselves “The wonder in Wonder Park…”