WWE2K 22: PS5 Review

Developed by Visual Sports
Published by 2K Sports
Platform: PS5

It's no lie to say that WWE2K 20 was somewhat of a disaster, a sports sim that was beyond by the numbers and nothing more than an annual rush release.

So WWE2K 22 had a lot to do to put the series back on track, and regain some of the lost love of fans, and revitalise those who had decided to not even bother with the franchise.

Thankfully, WWE2K 22 delivers - and looks incredibly polished on the PS5.

It's evident from the get go, with a reverential trip down memory lane that takes in the wrestlers of the past, and the present in the kind of respectful nod that was also on show during the opening of the 25th anniversary release of the Gran Turismo series.

And it's also obvious from the beginning with WWE instructor Drew Gulak appearing within moments to help with tutorials for the game, and the new combo changes and striking combinations which have been brought in.

The core mechanics is where the game soars a little more this time around, with everything feeling refreshed as you explore new game modes as well as improved mechanics in the ring.

My GM, the refreshed version of the GM Mode, allows you to take big name stars and take on matches in different arena, ensuring that the gameplay feels more universal and immersive.

And MyCareer, re-branded as MyRise, also soars giving you the chance to shape and brand a character, and take them on a journey and progression that feels naturalistic and entertaining. With extra replayability given the branching storylines, there's much to engage in here.

But it's the basics of WWE2K which shine more.

Grappling in the ring is more essential to get right to allow you can lock your opponent into a cycle of beatdowns that can lead to trademark moves. And the transition from the ring simulation to real-life footage is a loving and immersive touch that feels respectful to the years gone by - and the characters you play as.

It's a bit easier to get into the game as well now, with moves being a bit easier to execute, though it still requires some forethought into each attack rather than employing a Street Fighteresque button mashing technique and hoping for the best.

All in all, WWE2K 22 is a welcome return to form and shines on the next gen consoles. It shows that when taken out of the annual cycle of grind and production, a game can be delivered that shows the love and devotion of its creators, rather than the need to satiate a release window.

A review code was provided by the publisher for the purposes of this review.

What the Academy should do to Will Smith following the Chris Rock slap incident

OPINION: Like everyone else collectively holding our breath to see what the Academy does after the attack on Chris Rock at the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night, there's a growing feeling that when it comes to consequences, the Oscars won't act.

But this time, with the spotlight on their ineffectual fumblings after Will Smith stormed the stage and told host Chris Rock to keep his "wife's name out of his f***ing mouth" after he made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith appearing in GI Jane 2, the pressure will be growing to restore some kind of face to the Hollywood organisation.

As the broadcast cut away to adverts after Questlove gave his speech for the award Rock was there to present, it's been reported key members of the Academy were consulted to see if Smith should be removed following the altercation. CNN reported that the key members were so scattered around the theatre, forming a general consensus would prove impossible in time.

So nothing happened. Strike 1 for the ailing Academy, flailing to keep its relevance and stunned that such a moment should occur in its history.

It was left to extraordinary scenes as everyone rallied around the Smiths, from the likes of Bradley Cooper to Denzel Washington offering counsel and comfort, while most left Rock, the victim of the assault to lick his wounds and head back to his dressing room before exiting the theatre. 

Some solace there for the wronged man. 

After all, Smith initially was seen laughing at Rock's comments before catching a glimpse of a clearly hurt Pinkett Smith rolling her eyes. It was only then that Smith's sudden moral compass kicked into action and he stormed the ramparts like the valiant white knight no-one wanted.

But in seemingly offering Rock nothing, the Academy failed again. Strike 2.

And moments later, Smith was on stage to a standing ovation for his Best Actor award for King Richard, tears rolling down his face as he offered a somewhat pitiful apology for his actions and compared himself to Richard Williams, once again robbing Serena and Venus Williams of their glory, already under fire in an awards season that saw revered director Jane Campion belittle their achievements at the Critics' Choice Awards and then hastily offer an apology for her words.

The fact the Academy is already charting a course of ineffectiveness is clearly obvious from its weak tweet hours after the incident, which said "The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world."

It was only when the pressure continued to reverberate from the Slap heard around the world the day after that they announced an investigation was underway. But by then, the vice had already begun to be tightened around their neck. Strike 3 for the better-late-than-never ethos that's clearly evident from this group. 

After all, who can forget the #OscarsSoWhite debacle that should have been foreseen.

What should happen is fairly obvious.

It's too late now to remove Smith from his Oscar. 

That moment has passed, and Smith's mea culpa isn't strong enough, despite saying he was a "work in progress", to satiate the reality of what has happened and the furore around a future for the Oscars.

The Academy has announced it's taking its time in its formal examination of the event and the fall-out, but what it should do is something clear, timely and decisive - it should offer Will Smith no part of the 2023 event when it comes to presenting. 

Traditionally, the best actor winner from the previous year steps up to present the best actress of the current year's crop of nominees. That cordiality should be taken away from Smith and perhaps offered to Jada Pinkett Smith, the victim in all of this, who's sat silently on the sidelines while others have spoken and acted for her.

Make no mistake, this is a crisis crossroads moment for the Academy, but if they're not careful and don't act swiftly, it won't be the slap Will Smith gave Chris Rock that the world hears, it'll be the sound of others slapping them for being too slow and too ineffectual to curb the tide of toxic masculinity that Hollywood is still riddled with - and that has dangerously sat unpunished on their doorstep since the weekend.

Moon Knight: TV Series review

It's a given that a Marvel series or film will have impressive fight sequences, and slick production values.

But in amongst the recent TV series outings on Disney+, it has to be said there's been a degree of storytelling complacency and a lack of surprises as each episode unfolds, following relatively known properties.

However, Moon Knight upends most of those traditions, turning a short run event series into an unpredictable ride that is utterly compelling to watch, thrilling to enjoy and filled with intrigue as its mysteries unfold.

Oscar Isaac is Steven Grant, a would-be museum tour guide who finds himself confined to the gift shop, selling trinkets and critiquing posters on the Egyptian gods, much to the displeasure of his boss. Grant is a loner, but one who hopes to find a connection - from non-talking statues in the centre of London to potential dates, Grant is hopeful of some kind of life.

But he's hiding a secret. Back at his pad, Grant has to shackle himself to his bed nightly, and seal the doors, given he's had a predilection for simply disappearing and waking up elsewhere with no recollection of what's transpired.

However, when Grant awakes on one of these sojourns to find a mysterious man named Arthur Harrow (Ethan Hawke, in a reflective, sinister and manipulative turn) seemingly killing people in the name of judgement of an ancient Egyptian god he's keen to resurrect, he finds his world completely upended and himself central to a race against time...

Combining elements of The Mummy series with a splash of Indiana Jones as well as Split, and an utterly mesmerising turn from Oscar Isaac, Moon Knight is finally the Marvel property the small screen medium was made for.

From a perfectly paced opening couple of episodes that carefully construct a web of mystery without losing sight of Marvel core values, Moon Knight benefits from being cut loose from the Marvel canon and the absolute adherence to aeons of backstory.

While the original Moon Knight character deals with dissociative identity disorder and made some missteps with schizophrenia labels, the TV series seems to place no foot wrong in its handling of the split personality issue, turning it more into an inner conflict that's cleverly reflected in the outside world. It helps that all the characters involved are treated with empathy and that Isaac plays the roles sympathetically.

At its heart though, Moon Knight is a mismatched buddy drama, with the different personalities squabbling for superiority and with each trying to find an uneasy co-existence and acceptance of the other.

Moon Knight is not a series of pomp and bluster, it's a carefully constructed organically-led tale of conflict and belief as well as timely themes on the mass manipulation of those seeking other ways - Hawke makes for a muted menace, one that's perfectly pitted against the protagonist.

But make no mistake, it's the first essential Marvel series - one that revels in its unpredictability and frees itself from the usual shackles of the Marvel conventions. At its heart, it never loses sight of its story's desire for intelligently set up adventures with a stunning turn from a lead that ensures you never look away.

Moon Knight is streaming on Disney+, with new episodes on Wednesdays. Episodes 1-4 of the series were made available by Marvel for the purposes of this review.

Destiny 2: The Witch Queen: PS5 Review

Developed by Bungie
Released by 

Platform: PS5

Bungie's shooter launched with much fanfare initially in 2014, before doling out expansions that were less than essential, but still playable enough.

However, the launch of the latest, The Witch Queen, brings back a sense of life and a sense of depth to the first person shooter. Set on Savathûn's Throne World, it's about Savathûn, the sister of Onyx the original antagonist of the Taken King. Having gained the light, which powers the Guardians, Savathûn is determined to wreak havoc - and as if that wasn't bad enough, the Guardians are beginning to question their place in this universe, and their purpose.

New campaigns and new weapons litter The Witch Queen, but Bungie's desire to do something useful with its game and question its purpose of lore means the expansion feels like the developer's turned a wheel for the game's content and what it wants for its players.

Fast paced and frenetic what Destiny does this time around is make the game feel more essential and more playable. There's an option to play with others or play solo - either way, Bungie doesn't care and has ensured the game isn't just for some people, but now is for everyone.

Along with a new raid, Destiny 2: The Witch Queen is an expansion to own, and one for the developers to be proud of. It feels like a culmination of years of storytelling and perfecting mechanics and it's easily the sole reason to dive back into the game that's probably been languishing in the back of your game library.

A review code was provided by the publisher for the purposes of this review.

Oscars 2022: The full list of the winners

Academy Awards 2022: The Oscar winners in full

Here are the full list of the Academy Awards 2022 winners.

Best picture: “Belfast”; “CODA”; “Don’t Look Up”; “Drive My Car”; “Dune”; “King Richard”; “Licorice Pizza”; “Nightmare Alley”; “The Power of the Dog”; “West Side Story.”

WINNER - CODA

Best actress: Jessica Chastain, “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”; Olivia Colman, “The Lost Daughter”; Penélope Cruz, “Parallel Mothers”; Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos”; Kristen Stewart, “Spencer.”

WINNER - JESSICA CHASTAIN

Best actor: Will Smith, “King Richard”; Denzel Washington, “The Tragedy of Macbeth”; Javier Bardem, “Being the Ricardos”; Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Power of the Dog”; Andrew Garfield, “Tick, Tick … Boom!”

WINNER - WILL SMITH

Best director: Paul Thomas Anderson, “Licorice Pizza”; Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast”; Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog”; Steven Spielberg, “West Side Story”; Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, “Drive My Car.”

WINNER - JANE CAMPION

Original screenplay: “Licorice Pizza”; “Belfast”; “Don’t Look Up”; “King Richard”; “The Worst Person in the World.”

WINNER - BELFAST

Adapted screenplay: “The Power of the Dog”; “The Lost Daughter”; “CODA”; “Dune”; “Drive My Car.”

WINNER - CODA

Best supporting actor: Ciarán Hinds, “Belfast”; Troy Kotsur, “CODA”; Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog”; Jesse Plemons, “The Power of the Dog”; J.K. Simmons, “Being the Ricardos.”

WINNER - TROY KOTSUR

Best supporting actress: Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter”; Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story”; Kirsten Dunst, “The Power of the Dog”; Aunjanue Ellis, “King Richard”; Judi Dench, “Belfast.”

WINNER - ARIANA DEBOSE

Cinematography: “Dune”; “Nightmare Alley”; “The Power of the Dog”; “The Tragedy of Macbeth”; “West Side Story.”

WINNER - DUNE

Costume design: “Cruella”; “Cyrano”; “Dune”; “Nightmare Alley”; “West Side Story.”

WINNER - CRUELLA 

Film editing: “Don't Look Up”; “Dune”; “King Richard”; “tick, tick ... BOOM!”; “The Power of the Dog.”

WINNER - DUNE

Documentary feature: “Summer of Soul (Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)”; “Flee”; “Attica”; “Ascension”; “Writing With Fire.”

WINNER - SUMMER OF SOUL (OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)

Original song: “Be Alive” from “King Richard,” music and lyric by DIXSON and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter; “Dos Oruguitas” from “Encanto,” music and lyric by Lin-Manuel Miranda; “Down to Joy” from “Belfast,” music and lyric by Van Morrison; “No Time to Die” from “No Time to Die,” music and lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell ; “Somehow You Do” from “Four Good Days,” music and lyric by Diane Warren.

WINNER - NO TIME TO DIE - BILLIE EILISH AND FINNEAS O'CONNELL

Best international film: “Drive My Car,” Japan; “Flee,” Denmark; “The Hand of God,” Italy; “The Worst Person in the World,” Norway; “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom,” Bhutan.

WINNER - DRIVE MY CAR

Best animated feature: “Encanto”; “Flee”; “Luca”; “The Mitchells vs. the Machines”; “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

WINNER - ENCANTO

Best animated short film: “Affairs of the Art”; “Bestia”; “Boxballet”; “Robin Robin”; “The Windshield Wiper.”

WINNER - THE WINDSHIELD WIPER

Music (original score) are: “Don’t Look Up”; “Dune”; “Encanto”; “Parallel Mothers”; “The Power of the Dog.”

WINNER - DUNE

Live action short: “Ala Kachuu - Take and Run”; “The Dress”; “The Long Goodbye”; “On My Mind”; “Please Hold.”

WINNER - THE LONG GOODBYE

Documentary (short subject): “Audible”; “Lead Me Home”; “The Queen of Basketball”; “Three Songs for Benazir”; “When We Were Bullies.”

WINNER - THE QUEEN OF BASKETBALL

Production design: “Dune”; “Nightmare Alley”; “The Power of the Dog”; “The Tragedy of Macbeth”; “West Side Story.”

WINNER - DUNE

Makeup and hairstyling: “Coming 2 America”; “Cruella”; “Dune”; “The Eyes of Tammy Faye”; “House of Gucci.”

WINNER - THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

Sound: “Belfast”; “Dune"; “No Time to Die”; “The Power of the Dog”; “West Side Story.”

WINNER - DUNE

Visual Effects: “Dune”; “Free Guy”; “No Time to Die”; “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”; “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”

WINNER - DUNE

What's on Neon in April

Here's everything streaming on Neon in April 2022, including the return of The Flight Attendant, The Cleaning Lady and DMZ.

FIRST LADY (April 18)

A revelatory reframing of American leadership through the lens of the First Ladies, delving deep into the personal and political lives of Eleanor Roosevelt, Betty Ford, and Michelle Obama. Exploring everything from their journeys to Washington, family life, and world-changing political contributions, the impact of the White House's women is no longer hidden from view. 

Starring: Viola Davis (How To Get Away With Murder), Michelle Pfeiffer (Ant-Man And The Wasp), and Gillian Anderson (Sex Education). 

THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT  (22 April)

Season two finds Cassie Bowden living her best sober life in Los Angeles while moonlighting as a CIA asset in her spare time. But when an overseas assignment leads her to inadvertently witness a murder, she becomes entangled in another international intrigue. 

Starring: Kaley Cuoco and Zosia Mamet. 

THE CLEANING LADY (April 13)

A whip-smart Cambodian doctor comes to the U.S. for a medical treatment to save her ailing son. But when the system fails and pushes her into hiding, she refuses to be beaten down and marginalised. Instead, she becomes a cleaning lady for organised crime and starts playing the game by her own rules. 

Starring: Elodie Yung and Adan Canto. 

DMZ (April 6)

In the near future, America is embroiled in a bitter civil war, leaving Manhattan a demilitarized zone, destroyed and isolated from the rest of the world. Leaping off the pages of the popular comic, DMZ chronicles the harrowing journey of fearless and fierce medic Alma Ortega, who sets out on a harrowing journey to find the son she lost in the evacuation of New York City at the onset of the conflict. Starring: Rosario Dawson and Benjamin Bratt.

THE WAY DOWN - GOD, GREED, AND THE CULT OF GWEN SHAMBLIN  (April 29)

After rising to fame with her Weigh Down Workshop, a Christian-based diet program that preached slenderness as next to godliness, Gwen Shamblin Lara founded the Tennessee-based Remnant Fellowship Church. This HBO Max documentary series explores Lara’s fame and power, and the truth behind the controversial practices of her church. 

Barry Season 3 (April 25)

While Barry has eliminated many of the external factors that pushed him towards violence, he soon discovers they weren't the only forces at play. What is it about his own psyche that led him to become a killer in the first place? Season three finds Barry trying to make the right choice. Starring: Bill Hader, Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan and Henry Winkler. 

Better Call Saul S6 (April 19)

The sixth and final season concludes the complicated journey and transformation of compromised hero Jimmy McGill into criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. Meanwhile, Mike, Gus, Nacho, and Lalo are locked in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, and Kim is in the midst of her own existential crisis. 

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Rhea Seehorn, Jonathan Banks, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael Mando, Tony
Dalton and Patrick Fabian. 

Fear the Walking Dead (April 18)

With the group scattered, each survivor is pushed to their limits as they confront a stark new reality. However, in the aftermath of nuclear fallout, Victor Stand has come out unscathed. Reeling from Will's death, Alicia declares war on her old friend. 

Mayans MC (April 21)

The Santo Padre M.C. face retaliation from their failed attempt to align under one King. Without Gaby to ground him, EZ rides down an even darker road. Meanwhile, Isaac's mysterious connection to SAMCRO has unexpected consequences. 

Family Tree (April 1)

Jobless and unattached, 30-year old Tom Chadwick has lost his sense of self. When he inherits a mysterious box of belongings from a great aunt whom he never met, he starts investigating his family lineage and begins to discover who he is and who his real family are. Starring: Chris O'Dowd. 

Grand crew (April 19)

A group of young professionals all trying to navigate the ups and downs of life and love in Los Angeles, always find time to gather at their favourite bar to "wine down” and unpack it all. And just like wine, their friendship gets better with time. Starring: Echo Kellum, Noah Koles, Nicole Byer, Justin Cunningham, Wyatt Fields, Aaron Jennings and Anthony Holmes. 

American Auto (April 20)

At the headquarters of a major American automotive company in Detroit, the corporate executives are at a crossroads - adapt to the changing times or be sent to the junkyard. Shaking things up is the new CEO, whose leadership and experience is only slightly offset by her complete lack of knowledge about cars. Starring: Ana Gasteyer. 

Bluff City Law (April 7)

After her mother unexpectedly passes away, brilliant lawyer Sydney Strait is drawn into her estranged father's celebrated law firm. Despite her lingering resentment and distrust, Sydney knows that working alongside her father is her best hope of changing the world... if they can ever get along. Starring: Caitlin McGee and Jimmy Smits. 

NEON MOVIES

Nightmare Alley  (April 10)

In 1940s New York, down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle endears himself to a clairvoyant and her mentalist husband at a traveling carnival. Hoping to swindle and score big, he soon hatches a scheme to con a dangerous tycoon with help from a mysterious psychiatrist who might be his most formidable opponent yet. Starring: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. 

In The Heights (April 17)

'In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life. Starring: Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera and Lin Manuel Miranda. 

Gunpowder Milkshake (April 24)

To protect an eight-year-old girl, a dangerous assassin reunites with her mother and her lethal associates to take down a ruthless crime syndicate and its army of henchmen. Starring Karen Gillan, Lena Headey and Carla Gugino. 

Breaking News in Yuba County (April 8)

Sue Buttons is a timid woman living in Kentucky along with her husband, Karl. When Karl has a heart attack, she hides the body and takes advantage of her growing celebrity status as the police and the public think he is just missing. Starring: Allison Janney, Mila Kunis and Awkwafina. 

Kimi (April 8)

A tech worker with agoraphobia discovers recorded evidence of a violent crime, but is met with resistance when she tries to report it. Seeking justice, she must do the thing she fears the most: she must leave her apartment. Starring: Zoë Kravitz, Rita Wilson and Erika Christensen. 

Respect (April 3)

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin's career - from a child singing in her father's church choir to her international superstardom - it's the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice. Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Marlon Wayans, Mary J. Blige and Forest Whitaker. 

Out of Death (April 30)

Jack Harris, a retired forest ranger, tries to help a woman after she witnesses a crime and finds herself running from a rural mountain town's corrupt police department. Starring: Jaime King, Bruce Willis and Lala Kent

What's on Prime Video in April 2022

Prime Video is full of drama from all around the world this April, starting with the Josh Brolin led thrilling Western family saga Outer Range which centres on a ranger fighting for his land and family, who discovers an unfathomable mystery at the edge of Wyoming's wilderness.

From the West to the wild drama of the Sydney real estate market,  Luxe Listings Sydney returns for a second season with more glamour and more fabulous Sydney listings - real estate porn at its best!

Shifting to the UK, A Very British Scandal focuses on the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, one of the most notorious, extraordinary and brutal legal cases of the 20th century. Starring Claire Foy and Paul Bettany, the mini series explores the social and political climate of post-war Britain, looking at attitudes towards women, and asking whether institutional misogyny was widespread at the time.

Other titles to note this April are All The Old Knives starring Chris Pine, Thandiwe Newton and Laurence Fishburne and The Outlaws, a comedy-thriller series from Stephen Merchant who stars along with Christopher Walken. 

OUTER RANGE

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 15 APRIL 

Outer Range centres on Royal Abbott, a rancher fighting for his land and family, who discovers an unfathomable mystery at the edge of Wyoming's wilderness. A thrilling Western family saga with hints of wry humour and supernatural mystery, Outer Range examines how we grapple with the unknown.  At the onset of the series, the Abbotts are coping with the disappearance of daughter-in-law Rebecca. They are pushed further to the brink when the Tillersons (the gaudy owners of the neighbouring profit-driven ranch) make a play for their land. An untimely death in the community sets off a chain of tension-filled events, and seemingly small-town, soil-bound troubles come to a head with the arrival of a mysterious black void in the Abbotts’ west pasture. Wild revelations unfold as Royal fights to protect his family; through his eyes, we begin to see how time contains secrets held in the past and unsettling mysteries foreshadowed.

Outer Range stars Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lili Taylor, Tamara Podemski, Lewis Pullman, Tom Pelphrey, Noah Reid, Shaun Sipos, Isabel Arraiza, Olive Abercrombie and Will Patton.

LUXE LISTINGS SYDNEY 

SEASON 2 AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 1 APRIL 

The Sydney real estate market is hotter than ever, with demand for exclusive properties far outweighing the supply. Luxe Listings Sydney follows four elite agents as they negotiate multi-million-dollar deals in one of the most competitive and cutthroat markets in the world; Sydney, Australia. Money never sleeps, and these agents will stop at nothing to deliver the best results for their clients. Luxe Listings Sydney Season Two returns with leading Sydney real estate agents Gavin Rubinstein and D’Leanne Lewis, along with esteemed buyer’s agent Simon Cohen, who will be joined by Black Diamondz Property Founder and Director Monika Tu. A sales and buying agent, Monika is a Chinese-Australian executive renowned for leading the revolution of global buyers into the Australian property market. The six-part second season of Luxe Listings Sydney will follow the agents’ intense professional careers and their extraordinary personal lives, as they continue to grow their operations, opportunities and, of course, their profits.

Luxe Listings Sydney will be available to stream here and you can view the official trailer here.

A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 22 APRIL 

Written by Sarah Phelps (The Pale Horse; Dublin Murders), A Very British Scandal focuses on the divorce of the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, one of the most notorious, extraordinary and brutal legal cases of the 20th century. Famed for her charisma, beauty and style, Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, dominated the front pages as a divorce featuring accusations of forgery, theft, violence, drug-taking, secret recording, bribery and an explicit polaroid picture -all played out in the white-hot glare of the 1960s media. A Very British Scandal turns this scandal inside out in order to explore the social and political climate of post-war Britain, looking at attitudes towards women, and asking whether institutional misogyny was widespread at the time. As her contemporaries, the press, and the judiciary sought to vilify her, Margaret kept her head held high with bravery and resilience, refusing to go quietly as she was betrayed by her friends and publicly shamed by a society that revelled in her fall from grace.

 A Very British Scandal stars Claire Foy, Paul Bettany, Olwen May, Albertine Kotting McMillan, Julia Davis, Richard McGabe and Amanda Drew.

A Very British Scandal will be available to stream here and you can view the trailer here.

ALL THE OLD KNIVES 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 8 APRIL 

When the CIA discovers one of its agents leaked information that cost more than 100 people their lives, veteran operative Henry Pelham (Chris Pine) is assigned to root out the mole from among his former officemates at the agency’s Vienna station. His investigation takes him from Austria to England to California, where he is reunited with his one-time colleague and ex-lover Celia Harrison (Thandiwe Newton). The pair are forced to blur the lines between profession and passion in this riveting tale of global espionage, moral ambiguity, and deadly betrayal. Directed by acclaimed Danish director Janus Metz and written by Olen Steinhauer, the film also stars Laurence Fishburne and Jonathan Pryce.

All The Old Knives stars Chris Pine, Thandiwe Newton, Laurence Fishburne, and Jonathan Pryce

OUTLAWS

SEASON 1 AVAILABLE FROM FRIDAY 1 APRIL 

Comedy-thriller series from Stephen Merchant. Seven strangers from different walks of life are forced to work together to renovate a derelict community centre. They resent the menial physical labour and they resent each other. But when one of their number gets dragged into a dangerous world of organised crime, they unite in ways none of them thought possible. 

Outlaws stars Christopher Walken, Stephen Merchant, Rhianne Barreto, Darren Boyd, Gamba Cole, Eleanor Tomlinson, Charles Babalola. 

APRIL 2022 FULL TITLES (IN DATE ORDER)

LUXE LISTINGS SYDNEY S2 1/04/22 (TV)

THE OUTLAWS S1 1/04/22 (TV)

THE SOCIAL NETWORK 1/04/22 (MOVIE)

DADDY'S HOME 1/04/22 (MOVIE)

SULLY 5/04/22 (MOVIE)

SUPERBAD 6/04/22 (MOVIE)

ESCAPE ROOM: TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS 6/04/22 (MOVIE)

1883 8/04/22 (TV) 

ALL THE OLD KNIVES 8/04/22 (MOVIE)

MAN OF THE MATCH 8/04/22 (MOVIE)

GANGSTER SQUAD 12/04/22 (MOVIE)

MEN IN BLACK (1997) 13/04/22 (MOVIE)

MEN IN BLACK 2 13/04/22 (MOVIE)

MEN IN BLACK 3 13/04/22 (MOVIE)

OUTER RANGE S1 15/04/22 (TV)

LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT S14-S15 15/04/22 (TV)

A VERY BRITISH SCANDAL 22/04/22 (TV)

A VERY ENGLISH SCANDAL 22/04/22 (TV)

BLACK HAWK DOWN 27/04/22 (MOVIE)

BANG BANG BABY S1 28/04/22 (TV) 

Halo: TV Review

Derivative and disappointingly dull, the much-heralded Halo TV series comes thudding down to TV screens with nary a whimper.

While the game's eternal popularity persists (20 million alone played Halo Infinite the last game to launch on the XBox), the arrival of MasterChief on TV seems unlikely to attract anyone outside of its core fan base, painting a worrying picture for any potential future.

As the series' premiere begins, it's off the to the far-flung world of Madrgial, a planet on the outer edges of the UNSC-run alliance. A sand world with seemingly no redeeming features, the inhabitants live in suspicion of the Spartans, a war-like race of soldiers owned by the UNSC who enforce their iron will.

But when Madrigal is suddenly invaded by the Covenant's forces, the inhabitants find themselves forced to rely on MasterChief to oust the marauding forces and save the day. However, the Spartans are only focused on what the Covenant's doing on Madrigal, and all bar one of Madrigal's populace is wiped out.

When the one survivor Kwan (Yerin Ha) follows MasterChief as he investigates an artefact the Covenant had found, she finds herself in need of his protection. He, in turn, by handling the artefact is given glimpses into his own past, and begins to question his allegiances to the UNSC. Vowing to protect Kwan, suddenly MasterChief finds himself on a new mission - and with new enemies he once thought he could trust.

It's not that Halo is bad, it's more that it follows a very familiar route, and in its pilot episode, offers scant reason for anyone other than fanboys to continue to tune in.

From the Dune-like world of Madrigal that could be Tattooine, to the Mandalorian and Leon-esque "protect my charge" plot, most of what you'll see in Halo has been done before. And in some examples, done infinitely better.

For fans of the game, there's a thrill to be had to see the iconic weapons and hardware brought realistically to life. With the blue crackles of the laser swords burning through bodies, the production has worked hard to ensure there's a reverence which is needed.

But thanks to reams of exposition masquerading as dialogue and reports back to MasterChief's HQ, the pilot episode comes thuddingly to a halt, with any kind of early action replaced by Farscape-esque creatures and the usual mix of conspiracies and hidden agendas.

The Spartans themselves are a relatively formless bunch, with MasterChief aka John barely offering much emotion or depth outside of a typically military grunt and a run-and-gun series of sequences that are ripped from the games. Pity Pablo Schreiber who early on has little to do, and yet somehow doesn't manage to achieve or convey any of the depth of his Mandalorian equivalent.

Complete with some ropey CGI, some rote action sequences and some appalling jump cuts or action, the whole first episode of Halo is lacking a polish that would be worthy of further viewer commitment.

It's hard to shake the feeling that Halo the TV series has already lost its sheen early on and will struggle to stick the landing. Newcomers to the franchise will wonder what the fuss is about, and will hardly receive a massive reward for any investment of their time.

For fans of the game, there's maybe a perverse pleasure in seeing their beloved hero brought to life - but there's little possibility that the series will be heralded as a classic.

Halo is streaming now on TVNZ OnDemand, with new episodes released on Thursdays.

Ghostwire: Tokyo: PS5 Review

Developed by Tango Gameworks

Released by Bethesda

Platform: PS5

Tango Gameworks is more known for its somewhat dark and sinister Evil Within series.

But in truth, it should receive some acclaim for Ghostwire: Tokyo, a sort of throwaway game that makes great fist of its fantastical premise, and clever use of its mythology and the PS5 hardware.

You play Akito, a seemingly dead man in the middle of Tokyo's Shibuya district, who is possessed by a dead spirit after a mysterious fog transports everyone in the hustle and bustle of the area away. As the supernatural forces rise up and begin to stalk the streets, it's up to Akito and his possessor pal to save the day from the mastermind of it all - a menace in a Hannya mask.

But while Akito is just an everyman, whose sister seems to be connected to events, the possessor spirit, who goes by the name of KK, soon reveals he knows more about what is going on - and gifts Akito some of his beyond the grave powers to fight off the interlopers, rescue the spirits in Shibuya's skies and save the day.

There's a lot going for Ghostwire: Tokyo - from its neon-soaked aesthetics, to its slightly oddball side-quests and characters, there's a lot to engage with - and surprisingly, either in a short playing session or a longhaul game.

Side quests are relatively disposable and fun, from petting and feeding dogs, buying food from shop-owning floating cats to freeing spirits of missing family members, there's plenty to do around Shibuya and plenty to put down and do later, if you're so inclined. And there's a surprising depth to each individual story, even if graphically, they're just misshapen blue floating orbs of light and former life.

But that is also Ghostwire: Tokyo's curse - its ease-of-entry playing means that it never quite fully feels essential or reaches dramatic heights, but is content to settle for being just playable enough. Yet, that's no bad thing for Tango Gameworks' latest, which feels like moments of Detroit: Becoming Human has been mixed with a supernatural cocktail.

From foes that look like Buffy The Vampire Slayer's infamous Gentlemen to flying creatures that you can grapple onto to get around the city, Ghostwire: Tokyo makes great use of its open world (and brings to mind elements of the WatchDogs series)- even if sometimes, it starts to feel a little repetitive in tone and missions as it deals with after-effects of a mass rapture style event.

Graphically, the game's palette of supernatural neons and spooky colours serve it well, ensuring Shibuya is a place that while deserted, feels vibrant and alive in ways you'd never expect. Atmospherics work well, with the controller rumbling when foes are near, and the voice of your possessor coming from within the controller - it's little touches like the use of this 3D surround sound which helps Ghostwire: Tokyo achieve a sense of purpose and a clarity of vision that's worth engaging with.

Ghostwire: Tokyo may not seize the mainstream as perhaps other games have, but thanks to a real feeling of doing the basics right, it may be a cult title that endures long after the Game of the Year titles have come and gone.

A review code was provided by the publisher for the purposes of this review.

What's on Netflix in April 2022

Summer may have come and passed, but this April we’ve got more than enough stories to keep you entertained as the cool autumn nights settle in!

 

Based on a best-selling book and starring Sienna Miller, Naomi Scott and Michelle Dockery, Anatomy of a Scandal is a brand new psychological thriller which will have you on the edge of your seat. This courtroom drama infiltrates Britain’s elite with a personal and political scandal, where the wife of a powerful politician’s life unravels as he stands accused of a shocking crime.

 

And if Season 1 wasn’t enough, Russian Doll: Season 2 is dropping this month which takes audiences into another bewildering existential adventure you never could have imagined was possible!

 

Narrated by America’s 44th President Barack Obama, new docuseries Our Great National Parks shines the spotlight on some of the planet's most spectacular national parks - including Australia’s own Kakadu National Park. Perfect for some holiday inspiration!

 

The New Zealand made drama Cousins takes viewers through the very different lives of three Māori cousins through tumultuous decades, after one of them is taken from her family and raised in an orphanage.

Here's what's playing on Netflix in April 2022

ORIGINAL SERIES

Trivia Quest (01/04/2022 episodes releasing daily)

Test your knowledge of history, art, science and more across varying levels of difficulty in this interactive trivia series.

Get Organized with The Home Edit: Season 2 (01/04/2022)

Clea and Joanna return to tame the clutter of celebrities and everyday clients with their signature rainbow style — and open a door into their lives.

Tomorrow (02/04/2022)

Made half-human and half-spirit by accident, a young man joins a company of grim reapers in the underworld to carry out special life-saving missions.

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On (06/04/2022 Episodes 1-8 & 13/04/2022 Episodes 9-13)

Get hitched or call it quits? Couples put their love to the test — while shacking up with other potential matches — in a provocative reality series.

Green Mothers' Club (07/04/2022)

Five mums in a competitive grade school community keep their enemies close, and one another closer, as envy and secrets tangle and unravel their lives.

Dirty Lines (08/04/2022)

In 1980s Amsterdam, an enterprising college student stumbles into a new career at a phone sex line started by two wildly different brothers.

Elite: Season 5 (08/04/2022)

At Las Encinas, a new semester means a new victim, a new perpetrator and a new mystery as the students find themselves drowning in secrets.

Our Blues (09/04/2022)

Romance is sweet and bitter — and life riddled with ups and downs — in multiple stories about people who live and work on bustling Jeju Island.

My Liberation Notes (10/04/2022)

Three siblings, exhausted by the monotony of day-to-day adulthood, seek to find fulfilment and freedom from their unremarkable lives.

Hard Cell (12/04/2022)

Events planner-turned-women’s prison governor Laura Willis documents the thrills and spills of life behind bars in this delightfully dry comedy series.

Smother-in-Law (13/04/2022)

Living with her family since the pandemic struck, the meddling Isadir does her best to disrupt the lives of her bumbling son and rival daughter-in-law.

Almost Happy: Season 2 (13/04/2022)

Sebastián gets another chance to romance Pilar, who's now pregnant with Rocha's twins. But many life lessons still await him.

Heirs to the Land (15/04/2022)

Resourceful young Hugo Llor works to make a name for himself in 14th-century Barcelona while keeping a vow he made to the Estanyol family.

Anatomy of a Scandal (15/04/2022)

Sophie's privileged life as the wife of powerful politician James unravels when scandalous secrets surface — and he stands accused of a shocking crime.

Mai (15/04/2022)

A grieving mother discovers the criminals behind her daughter's tragic death, and transforms from meek to merciless to get the real story.

Yakamoz S-245 (20/04/2022)

After disaster strikes Earth, a marine biologist on a submarine research mission must fight to survive with the crew as a conspiracy comes to light.

Russian Doll: Season 2 (20/04/2022)

After enduring the wildest night of their lives — over and over — Nadia and Alan stumble into another bewildering existential adventure.

The Marked Heart (20/04/2022)

A man hell-bent on exacting revenge on the organ trafficking organisation that murdered his wife becomes involved with the woman who received her heart.

He's Expecting (21/04/2022)

When an ad executive who thinks he's got it all figured out becomes pregnant, he's forced to confront social inequalities he's never considered before.

The Seven Lives of Lea (22/04/2022)

Léa wakes up in the past seven times, in different bodies. Plunged into the mystery of a young man's death, she tries to prevent it — with consequences.

Heartstopper (22/04/2022)

Teens Charlie and Nick discover their unlikely friendship might be something more as they navigate school and young love in this coming-of-age series.

Selling Sunset: Season 5 (22/04/2022)

New loves. Old foes. An exciting fresh face. With the luxury market on fire, competition comes to a boil at the brokerage. Who'll shine — or stumble?

Bullsh*t The Gameshow (27/04/2022)

Contestants strive to correctly answer difficult trivia questions. And when they can't, they simply move on to plan B: lying through their teeth.

Ozark: Season 4 Part 2 (29/04/2022)

Marty and Wendy are rid of Helen and climb to the top of Navarro's empire. They find another opportunity to get out of the Ozarks but some past sins won't stay buried and the most dangerous threats come from blood.

Grace and Frankie: Season 7 - The Final Episodes (29/04/2022)

Seven years ago, Grace and Frankie’s lives turned upside down when their longtime husbands left them for… each other. Both sparring partners and partners-in-crime, Grace and Frankie formed an unlikely and unbreakable bond as they faced uncertain futures head-on, and hand-in-hand. They’ve laughed together, cried together, did shrooms together, and twice-over became successful entrepreneurs together. A history-making 94 episodes later, Grace and Frankie continue to show themselves, their families, and their fans what it means to live life to the fullest, fearlessly and unapologetically. Here’s to seven seasons of laughs, tears, mood-enhancers, and good vibes. And, as Grace and Frankie would say, fuck it. This may be their final chapter, but they’re just getting started.

Hold Tight (Coming soon)

A teenager's disappearance disrupts the seemingly perfect lives of families from an affluent Warsaw suburb, slowly unveiling their darkest secrets.

NETFLIX FILM

The Bubble (01/04/2022)

Comedy about a group of actors and actresses stuck inside a pandemic bubble at a hotel attempting to complete a sequel to an action franchise film about flying dinosaurs.

Battle: Freestyle (01/04/2022)

Amalie is elated when her and Mikael's dance crew is selected to compete in Paris, but becomes distracted when she reunites with her estranged mother.

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood (01/04/2022)

A man narrates stories of his life as a 10-year-old boy in 1969 Houston, weaving tales of nostalgia with a fantastical account of a journey to the moon.

Forever Out of My League (01/04/2022)

Life hangs in the balance after Marta's operation, with true love just within reach. But can the heart prevail against old secrets — and fickle fate?

Furioza (06/04/2022)

A policewoman makes her ex-boyfriend an offer he can't refuse: Either he infiltrates and informs on a gang of hooligans, or his brother goes to gaol.

Dancing on Glass (08/04/2022)

When immense pressure threatens a ballerina in a new lead role, she and another dancer escape into a friendship that isolates them from the real world.

Metal Lords (08/04/2022)

For teenage misfits Hunter and Kevin, the path to glory is clear: Devote themselves to metal. Win Battle of the Bands. And be worshipped like gods.

Yaksha: Ruthless Operations (08/04/2022)

On assignment in a perilous city to inspect a Black Ops team and its notorious leader, an upstanding prosecutor steps into a deadly war between spies.

Choose or Die (15/04/2022)

Tempted by a chance to win unclaimed prize money, two friends reboot a mysterious 1980s video game and step into a surreal world of next-level terror.

Man of God (16/04/2022)

Samuel forsakes his harsh religious upbringing to live his own life — but his soul remains caught between the world and the faith he left behind.

The Turning Point (20/04/2022)

A slacker who does his best to avoid confrontation strikes up an unlikely friendship with a dangerous thug who suddenly forces his way into his life.

Along for the Ride (22/04/2022)

The summer before college, studious Auden meets mysterious Eli, and — on nightly quests — he helps her experience the carefree teen life she was missing.

Silverton Siege (27/04/2022)

Tensions collide when a bank heist goes awry after an anti-apartheid strike. Based on a true story.

Honeymoon with My Mother (29/04/2022)

Dumped at the altar, a brokenhearted man is coerced into going through with his honeymoon... with his overbearing mother.

Rumspringa (29/04/2022)

Travelling to Berlin, a young Amish man on his rite of passage connects with his roots, falls in love and makes a big decision.

The Taming of The Shrew (Coming Soon)

When a heartbroken scientist moves back home to start over, her scheming brother hires a handsome stranger to convince her to sell their land.

NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIALS

Celeb Five: Behind the Curtain (01/04/2022)

Jokes and improv take centre stage as comedian girl group Celeb Five brainstorms material for a comedy special in this behind-the-scenes mockumentary.

Ronny Chieng: Speakeasy (05/04/2022)

In this stylish follow up to his highly acclaimed debut Netflix stand-up comedy special, Ronny Chieng performs live in New York City in the intimate setting of the Chinese Tuxedo bar and restaurant. With a unique blend of intelligence, rage and physicality, Ronny shares his take on the pandemic, race relations, cancel culture and stories from his experiences as an international touring comic. Directed by Sebastian DiNatale and produced by All Things Comedy, Ronny Chieng: Speakeasy premieres globally on Netflix on April 5.

Michela Giraud: the Truth, I Swear! (06/04/2022)

Career success. Fame's shortcomings. The cringeworthy label of "curvy" and tough ballet days during her youth. Michela Giraud has a whole lot to unpack.

All About Gila (21/04/2022)

Popular Spanish comedians take the stage — and pick up the phone — to honour the esteemed Miguel Gila, recreating his most beloved stand-up performances.

David Spade: Nothing Personal (26/04/2022)

Hot off the beach from his guest hosting duties on Bachelor In Paradise, David Spade makes his Netflix comedy special debut with Nothing Personal. From sharing his disdain for crabs to his unique approach to turning down drugs, David proves that no topic is off limits. Filmed at the Pantages Theater in Minneapolis, David Spade: Nothing Personal premieres globally on Netflix on April 26, 2022.

NETFLIX DOCUMENTARIES 

Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story (06/04/2022)

TV star Jimmy Savile charmed a nation with his eccentricity and philanthropy. But sexual abuse allegations expose a shocking unseen side of his persona.

Return to Space (07/04/2022)

Elon Musk and SpaceX engineers embark on a historic mission to return NASA astronauts to the International Space Station and revolutionise space travel.

Senzo: Murder of a Soccer Star (07/04/2022)

Soccer player Senzo Meyiwa was a national hero before his killing shocked South Africa. Who did it, and why? This docuseries dives into the evidence.

Our Great National Parks (13/04/2022)

An epic five-part series narrated by President Barack Obama that invites viewers to celebrate and discover the power of our planet’s greatest national parks and wild spaces.

White Hot: The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch (19/04/2022)

All the cool kids were wearing it. This documentary explores A&F’s pop culture reign in the late ’90s and early 2000s and how it thrived on exclusion.

The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (27/04/2022)

In this documentary, an investigative journalist reexamines the mysterious death of Marilyn Monroe, sharing his extensive audio interviews with the people who surrounded her.

NETFLIX KIDS & FAMILY

The Last Bus (01/04/2022)

After embarking on a life-changing field trip, a group of whip-smart students fight to save humanity from an army of ruthless drones.

Green Eggs and Ham: Season 2 (08/04/2022)

A secret story, an unsolved mystery, a new beginning — and spies! Settle in for a second helping of Seuss-inspired fun and epic adventure.

The Creature Cases (12/04/2022)

Special agents Sam and Kit hop the globe with their sleuthing skills, science facts and cool gadgets to solve the animal kingdom's many mysteries.

Battle Kitty (19/04/2022)

A warrior kitten must defeat all the monsters on Battle Island in order to be crowned a champion. An interactive animated adventure from Matt Layzell.

Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles (28/04/2022)

An impulsive, samurai-wannabe rabbit and his new warrior friends join forces to protect their city from monsters, ninjas, gang members and evil aliens.

NETFLIX  ANIME

Tiger & Bunny 2 (08/04/2022)

Mismatched hero duo Wild Tiger and Barnaby lead the way in keeping the peace and getting sponsors as heroes from around the world enter the fray.

Ultraman: Season 2 (14/04/2022)

Ultraman is joined by Seven, Ace, Zoffy, Jack and Taro and together, the united Ultraman brotherhood takes on a new alien threat.

Pacific Rim: The Black: Season 2 (19/04/2022)

Piloting Atlas Destroyer with Mei and Boy in tow, Hayley and Taylor continue their journey to Sydney, but first, they must get past a bloodthirsty cult.

Bubble (28/04/2022)

In an abandoned Tokyo overrun by bubbles and gravitational abnormalities, one gifted young man has a fateful meeting with a mysterious girl.

NETFLIX GAMES

Relic Hunters: Rebels (Coming Soon)

In an abandoned Tokyo overrun by bubbles and gravitational abnormalities, one gifted young man has a fateful meeting with a mysterious girl.

LICENSED HIGHLIGHTS

Mad Max: Fury Road (01/04/2022)

In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Max helps a rebellious woman and a band of female prisoners flee from tyranny, fend off threats and seek their homeland.

Cousins (01/04/2022)

Separated as children, three cousins with an unshakeable bond confront their painful pasts and embark on an emotional journey to find each other. 

Sex and the City: The Movie (03/04/2022)

When Carrie's big step forward in her relationship goes awry, best friends Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha are there to help her pick up the pieces.

Sex and the City 2 (03/04/2022)

Best friends Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte take a break from their busy New York lives for an all-expenses-paid luxury vacation to Abu Dhabi.