Cast: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, Shazad Latif
Director: Emerald Fennell
The long-awaited Wuthering Heights remake emerges onto the cinematic screen in a mixture of would-be Gothic grotesquerie and lust.
Robbie is Cathy, a headstrong and impertinent child, who longs for more than she has.
When her father (a monstrous Martin Clunes) takes in a boy, she names him Heathcliff and declares him her pet.
Cast: Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi
Director: Dan Trachtenberg
The director of Prey, the Predator movie that revamped the franchise, returns with a new twist on the alien hunter series.
In this latest, shot in New Zealand, the film switches the traditional point of view from the victims of the hunter to the hunter himself (NZ actor Dimitrius Schuster-Kolomatangi.)
The latest Predator starts brutally as the runt of the litter Dek (Schuster-Koloamatangi) is taught to fight by his brother Kwei. Knowing Dek's fate is to be cast out and executed by their father due to his weakness, there's a frisson of genuine heft in the film to start off with as we're forced to side with the killer creature that's terrorised others in the past.
But the shift to a softer predator only belies the general feeling of this film that's essentially an Odd Couple buddy riff with some sci-fi, a large dose of the wider mythology and a cute cuddly Grogu CGI buddy.
When Dek is sent to the deadly planet Genna on his own self-imposed mission to kill a creature, claim a trophy and head home for revenge, the stage is set for a hunt in the vein of prior Predator films.
However, what Trachtenberg does is to subvert expectations, by pitting the planet with all its deadly flora and fauna against him. Dek's mission to self-empowerment is further complicated by the discovery of half-synthetic Thia (a pixie humour-filled Fanning, who gets to showcase two sides of the same character thanks to the story) who promises to help him, in return for reuniting her with her missing torso.
To say more about Predator: Badlands is to diminish the slight narrative and to rob the audience of what unfurls. Needless to say, this B-movie creature feature lends itself more to the comedic than the bloody, but never scrimps on the action sequences (which in truth, become more garbled and amorphous the more CGI is involved).
Yet what emerges from Predator: Badlands is an intriguing expansion of the world that's spawned plenty of films since the first in 1987 - and Trachtenberg is clearly at home as he builds a world that he's clearly intent on populating with critters, threats and camaraderie.
The mix doesn't always quite work and the over-reliance on the CGI-led antics lets Predator: Badlands down in parts. But along the way, the journey is a genuinely enjoyable one that leans into exactly what you'd want from a film like this - and one which has seen its violence dialled down and confined to alien shenanigans to secure an R13 rating.
More than just a perverse coming-of-age film that's set in the Predator universe, and blessed by performances from a truly impressive Fanning and a solidly physical Schuster-Koloamatangi, Predator Badlands shows there's real potential again in this universe - and while it remains to be seen where Trachtenberg will take it next, there's some level of security knowing this is a talent who always surprises within the genre (witness Prey) and yet keeps it in the confines of what's expected.
Predator:Badlands is streaming on Disney+ now.Here's everything that's streaming on Prime Video in March.
Young Sherlock (March 4)
.jpg "What's on Prime Video in March")
Cast: Aziz Ansari, Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh
Director: Aziz Ansari
Aziz Ansari's debut film meshes a look at the gig economy, unions and It's A Wonderful Life with relative simplicity and not too much depth. But that's not to say it's without its vicariouis pleasures and laugh-out-loud moments.
Though perhaps in parts, it could have used a touch more of the absurd.
Ansari plays Arj, a would-be documentarian, who goes from job to job, barely getting by - certainly never getting ahead - and living in his car in various diners. Taking part-time jobs or random assignments, he spends his days living hand-to-mouth and looking for a big break.
But in the background of his life is Gabriel, a low-ranking angel, whose role is to stop people while texting and driving and save their lives. After Gabriel does this for Arj when he loses another job, he decides to follow Arj, believing him to be a lost soul in need of saving.
It's part altruism and also part Gabriel wanting to climb the ladder within his own angel hierarchy.
So when Arj takes an assignment to clear out opulent tech-bro Jeff's garage, he seizes on an opportunity and asks Jeff (Rogen, in relatively-dialled down mode) for a gig as his assistant.
But given a peek into how the other half live, Gabriel decides to swap Arj and Jeff's circumstances in the hope that Arj will find something to cling to, without the need for excess. However, it doesn't quite go to plan....
Good Fortune has its moments - and while the sweetly rendered story is a little too saccharine and soft to truly dig into the economy's failings and the societal issues, it proves to be an amiable ride. It's a satire without real bite, a film of recognition, but one that wraps up everything so neatly at the end, it's almost twee.
Ansari plays an occasionally downbeat version of his Parks and Recreation character, all manic one moment and then loud the next. But he's an engaging character to latch on to and a symbol of what's wrong with the economy's hierarchy for those forced into various degrees of servitude.
Yet, Ansari does nothing major with this set-up, preferring instead to have peals of admonition and frustration from those watching growing in the background. It's a shame because while the film offers some truly hilarious off-kilter moments (including Reeves' angel bemoaning the fact he's gone from a celestial being to a chainsmoker), it never quite has the oomph to savage what it's seeing.
Rogen's understated performance speaks to the maturity he's finding as an actor, and Reeves proves to be excellent comedic fare as the Clarence the angel looking for his wings as the movie riffs on its It's A Wonderful Life-lite premise.
Keke Palmer makes the most of the scenes she appears in, but despite an empathetic performance, she's given too little to work with.
Good Fortune isn't quite as angelic as it wants, and closer inspection may leave you feeling it's not tapped into its full potential. But it has to be said, despite its triteness in places, if you happen to catch this film, you'll consider yourself more blessed by the Good Fortune of the cinema, rather than cursed by its demons.
Disney+ has confirmed the award-winning hit series, “Rivals” will return for its second season on 15th May with even more drama, wit and desire. The second season continues the adaptation of the late and much-missed Dame Jilly Cooper’s beloved novel, “Rivals”, introducing the glamorous world of polo and surprising new twists, alongside heightened boardroom drama and deeper romantic entanglements. The Hulu Original series will return in two six-episode batches, the first will debut on May 15 with a three-episode premiere and the second batch will follow later in the year on Disney+.
The battle for the Central South West television franchise reaches a fever pitch as the war between Corinium and Venturer enters a dangerous new phase. More ruthless than ever, Tony Baddingham is determined to dismantle his rivals piece-by-piece, weaponising scandal and manipulating those closest to him to maintain his grip on power.
Cast: Lee Byung-hun
Director: Park Chan-wook
Talk about eliminating the competition.
Oldboy director Park Chan-wook’s adaptation of novel The Axe delivers a somewhat satirical look at the world of unemployment, emasculation and the continuing rise of the machines in a tale that has a dark heart and a taut execution.
Squid Game’s Lee Byung-hun plays Man-soo, a wealthy patriarch who’s spent 25 years working in a paper company and who’s casually tossed to the side when an American company comes in. (The first use of the No Other Choice motif that runs through this.)
Believing he will be a part of the workforce again pretty quickly, Man-soo gradually loses his way and his sense of self as he futilely plays his way through auditions and applications, before happening on a way to eliminate the competition and ensure he will be the first choice for any future roles.
There’s a comedic edge to the beginning of proceedings which will either suck you in or repel you. Perhaps it’s not dark enough, or the satire is a little too close to home for some, but Chan-Wook and Byung-hun manage to turn a potential killer into a deeply sympathetic character whose motivations are universally relatable. As he struggles to be the family provider, he fails to see what’s falling apart around him, pushing him into more extreme ideas and blackly comedic situations.
But halfway through, Chan-wook tonally shifts proceedings into thriller territory, ensuring that the movie maintains an edge as it hurtles to its conclusion.
Depressingly, this feels like a globally relatable tale – one that takes old age or time served within a business as something that’s to be cast aside and put out to pasture. So in terms of the satire, it’s not as strong as it could be, given the worldwide shift into AI and the reality that abounds.
Ultimately, this is a watchable enough piece of cinema – perhaps a little more darkness would have ensured it hit a level much like Parasite did – but Chan-wook leaves you with No Other Choice but to saddle up for the journey and its conclusion.
|
|
Steel City Interactive and PLAION announced that starting today, Undisputed, the most authentic boxing game to date, is available now on PS Plus as part of the PS Plus Essential subscription.
For players brand new to the series, Steel City Interactive has created the first in a series of tutorials to get them fighting fit and ready to take on Muhammad Ali in Undisputed. Watch the beginner tutorial video here with tips on how to defend, launch attacks, and maintain stamina levels.
Undisputed offers unprecedented authenticity, with strategic fighting mechanics, over 70 licensed fighters, and outstanding visuals with realistic damage and facial deformation.
· True-to-life Career Mode follows the epic journey from amateur boxer to Undisputed Champion.
· Detailed character creator to create your own fighter and customise everything from build, to tattoos, shorts, gloves, and more.
· Revolutionary footwork mechanics and deep fighting system allow for realistic matches, plus multiple attributes and AI styles differentiate between fighters.
· Legends such as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson feature along with modern champions like Tyson Fury and Canelo Álvarez, alongside stars from the Women’s Division, including Katie Taylor and Claressa Shields.
· The WBC, British Boxing Board of Control, and other major organisations are included, along with recognisable boxing brands, and fighter introductions from the legendary Jimmy Lennon Jr.
· Incredibly detailed character models, with realistic damage, progressive sweat, and facial deformation.
Undisputed is also available to purchase on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
2026 marks a special year for id Software as it celebrates its 35th anniversary. Initially founded in Mesquite, TX on February 1, 1991, id Software has become synonymous with the modern FPS, receiving hundreds of awards with landmark titles such as Wolfenstein 3D, DOOM, RAGE, and Quake, right up to last year’s DOOM: The Dark Ages. Major releases from the studio include:
.jpg "iD Software to celebrate 35th anniversary")
You can catch up on the full timeline of id’s many successes in a special feature here.
Celebrations kicked off this past Sunday with tributes across our social channels and continue today, Thursday, February 5, with a special live anniversary stream at 10am AEDT to celebrate id’s legacy, featuring both Marty Stratton and Hugo Martin. Make sure to watch for first details on this year’s QuakeCon, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
Following that, in salute to the 35th anniversary, select id catalogue titles will be on sale across Steam and PlayStation from today, including up to 66.6% off DOOM: The Dark Ages, while titles from the Wolfenstein, DOOM, Quake and RAGE franchises remain available to play on Xbox Game Pass. Additionally, Evercade teased today they will release a collection of classic DOOM products, keeping the retro gaming experience alive for id fans.
There will be more announcements to come throughout the year, which also marks both Quake’s 30th and DOOM (2016)’s 10th anniversary. Stay tuned to the DOOM social channels for further details.
How many times can the fuzzy felt creatures of Frank Oz's imagination get a revival?
If the new one-off (at this stage, anyway) Muppet Show has anything to do with it, the answer is: Plenty.
Playing the music and lighting the lights once again, as well as welcoming musical guest Sabrina Carpenter and cameos from Seth Rogen and Maya Rudolph, Kermit and the gang head back to their trusty theatre to do it all again.
Corraling a show together was always the MO of the original 70s Muppet Show. Along with a cavalcade of celebrity names and musical numbers, the show was a delightfully charming and timeless salute to the brilliance of the Vaudevillian music halls.
The 2026 revival loses none of that, and wastes no time getting down with the show's nostalgia and its core cast. A skit riffing on Bridgerton (and cocking a wink at Pigs in Space), a jealous and angry Ms Piggy taking vengeance on those who've wronged her, and a brief visit to Dr Honeydew Bunsen's workshop do much to pay homage to the show you've likely seen snippets of.
It's joyful and charming, but there's a niggling feeling a whole series of this, while welcome, may feel a little like it's stretching the joke a little too thin in parts. It'd have to be handled carefully by its talent to ensure any future visits don't feel like an extended in-joke for those making it.
There's a charming chaos here, wrapped up in a nostalgia blanket - along with some groan-inducing gags and moments, it's a delight to be back with Kermit and the gang. It may not reinvent what it's done before, but The Muppets 2026 is a gleeful distraction in a world that's gone crazy.
The Muppet Show is streaming now on Disney+
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe today announced that Tales of ARISE, the critically acclaimed JRPG, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on 22 May 2026 with the Tales of ARISE – Beyond the Dawn Edition. This version will include the base game as well as the “Beyond the Dawn” additional content, featuring new quests and various in-game items.
Tales of ARISE immerses players into a conflict between two worlds. For 300 years, Rena has ruled over Dahna, pillaging the planet’s resources and stripping its people of dignity and freedom. The story begins with two individuals, born in different worlds, each looking to change their fate and create a new future. Featuring a diverse cast of characters, an intuitive and rewarding combat system, and a captivating story set in a lush world, Tales of ARISE delivers a first-class JRPG experience.
Players will follow Alphen, a masked amnesic man who can’t feel pain as he encounters Shionne, the cursed woman that inflicts agony upon everything she touches. They will both get to know each other and meet a varied cast of allies to take on the Renan Lords, powerful foes, in order to free Dahna.
Tales of ARISE – Beyond the Dawn Edition is now available for physical pre-orders on Nintendo Switch 2 and set to launch on 22 May 2026. Tales of ARISE – Beyond the Dawn Premium Edition is also available for pre-orders including a Premium Upgrade Pack to the game and additional content. Tales of ARISE is already available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
For more information about Tales of ARISE and other titles from Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe please visit https://www.bandainamcoent.eu, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok. Join the conversation on X.
###
About Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe S.A.S.
Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is a leading global publisher, developer, and distributor of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.
Producing intellectual property for a global audience, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, and production capabilities of Reflector Entertainment.
Based in Lyon, France, Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe is known for bringing many of the entertainment industry’s top franchises such as PAC-MAN™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, ACE COMBAT™, DARK SOULS™, and ELDEN RING™ to EMEA and ANZ markets.
For more information, please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu
Tales of Arise™& ?Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
WWE colour commentator Wade Barrett narrates overview of core gameplay features
Today, 2K revealed a new WWE® 2K26 Ringside Report, focusing on core gameplay improvements including new match types, interactive environments and objects, surprise attacks, start-of-match actions, new A.I. sequences, rivalries, a new commentary team, and interactive entrances. The latest in a planned series of feature set deep dives, including the previous report revealing details of the new Ringside Pass, Ringside Reports build anticipation for WWE 2K26, available starting March 6 for PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™ 2, and PC via Steam.
Narrated by WWE colour commentator Wade Barrett, the Gameplay Ringside Report starts off with a glimpse at four all-new match types: Dumpster Match, I Quit Match, Three Stages of Hell and Inferno Match.
The Dumpster Match is a no-holds-barred brawl in which a competitor must throw their opponent into a dumpster and close the lid before they can escape. The match is demonstrated by footage of Je’Von Evans taking on Ethan Page in a parking lot environment, slamming him into a car before tossing him into the dumpster.
The I Quit Match is a brutal contest in which the first combatant to make their opponent verbally submit claims victory. Competitors can use steel chairs and other objects to apply limb-crushing pressure and physical punishment, wearing down an opponent’s will until they are forced to utter “I quit” into the referee’s outstretched microphone. In this case, Bron Breakker pins Seth Rollins’ arm between the seat and back of a steel chair in an attempt to force the submission.
In Three Stages of Hell, competitors must face off in up to three, back-to-back matches, with the first opponent to claim two-out-of-three falls securing the victory. Three Stages of Hell match types include normal rules, Extreme Rules, Inferno, I Quit, Dumpster, Hell in a Cell, Steel Cage, Table, Ladder, TLC, Casket, and Ambulance matches. WWE Legends “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Triple H are shown doing battle in a normal match, followed by Extreme Rules and finally, a Steel Cage match.
The Inferno Match is a unique and sinister match type, wherein the ring is surrounded by a wall of flame, which burns higher and brighter as opponents slam one another onto the mat. Big impacts cause the flames to rise, adding to the risk and intensity as the match progresses. A classic matchup of Ministry of Darkness-era Undertaker vs Kane ‘98 (available as part of the Attitude Era Edition Pack) is shown in a match type the two know all too well. Undertaker claims the victory, as the referee rushes to douse the defeated Kane with a fire extinguisher.
The Ringside Report next focuses on core gameplay elements. First up, expansive new environments, as well as environmental and prop interactions, are shown. In the new Scrapyard environment, Becky Lynch ascends to great heights to punish Maxxine Dupree, while “Stone Cold” Steve Austin scoops Booker T up in the new, interactive shopping cart. Dominik Mysterio shows further use of the shopping cart by attacking his father, Rey Mysterio, as he lies defenceless in the cart, before crashing it into the ring. Next, Trick Williams takes on Ricky Saints, making his WWE 2K franchise debut, and demonstrates one of the most nefarious new interactive objects: A bag of thumbtacks. Williams is shown dumping the bag out on the ring mat, before superplexing Saints onto the pile of tacks.
Another new roster addition, Rey Fenix, is shown stacking tables, a new way to do damage to opponents in WWE 2K26. Fenix tosses his brother, Penta, over the top rope and through both tables at ringside, resulting in a pile of wood fragments and twisted metal. In title matches, championships are available on a pedestal at ringside and can be grabbed to inflict additional pain, as evidenced by CM Punk smashing Drew McIntyre with the World Heavyweight Championship.
Next, WWE Legend Chyna takes on Rhea Ripley in a fantasy match-up to demonstrate expanded crowd and barricade fighting, including new striking and grappling on top of the barricade. Surprise Attacks, available in certain environments, are on display as franchise newcomer Myles Borne bursts onto the scene to interfere in a Scrapyard battle between Ricky Saints and Ethan Page.
Start of Match Actions allow players to shake hands, take cheap shots, draw energy from the crowd, and engage in other actions that add to the storytelling, before the bell even rings. Pre-match interactions between Jade Cargill and Naomi, Road Dogg and X-Pac, and Wade Barrett and Sheamus are shown. All-new A.I. sequences are up next, allowing players to program a specific set of moves that A.I. will perform in a certain order, customisable in Create-A-Moveset, demonstrated here by Penta vs Chad Gable. Rivalries now extend into Play Now and Exhibition modes, causing matches and relationships to have lasting consequences. Heated exchanges between Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, and Naomi and Jade Cargill show how Universe-style rivalry actions have now extended to more casual game modes.
Presentation upgrades include an updated commentary team of Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, Corey Graves, and Booker T. Interactive entrances now allow players to control taunts, trigger pyro and play to the crowd. New referees and a new broadcast mode also add to the realism and immersion. With all these new and improved features, WWE 2K26 aims to allow players the freedom to live their WWE fantasies, and play their way.
Four editions of WWE 2K26 are available for pre-order now. King of Kings Edition, Attitude Era Edition, and Monday Night War Edition are scheduled for worldwide release on Friday, March 6, 2026, seven days prior to the Standard Edition, which will be available Friday, March 13, 2026.
For more information on WWE 2K26, visit the game’s official website, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on TikTok, X, Instagram, and subscribe on Twitch and YouTube. Official campaign hashtag #WWE2K26.
Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined, a bold remake of 2000’s DRAGON QUEST VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past, is now available for Nintendo Switch 2™, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam® and the Microsoft Store on Windows.
In DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined, set sail on the adventure of a lifetime as a bright-eyed young hero and his childhood friends are swept away from the peaceful island they call home. Sent back in time by an ancient tablet, they learn malevolent forces have sealed away entire lands. As they find more tablet fragments and open new routes to the past, what begins as a quest for answers becomes a fight for the fate of their world, bigger and more beautiful than they could have imagined.
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined builds on the beloved original game to deliver a modern RPG for a new generation. Akira Toriyama’s classic character designs have been reimagined into a charming, hand-crafted 3D art style, complemented by diorama-inspired environments and dungeons. The story stays faithful to the original while offering a more streamlined experience and enhanced narrative depth through optional side quests, stories and minigames. The battle system is more thrilling and dynamic than ever, with dramatic changes, including “Moonlighting” – the ability to use two vocations at once – plus the adrenaline-fueled Vocational Perks and a new Monster Master vocation for summoning monsters.
Key features of DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined include:
Players can experience a free demo of DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined on all platforms and continue their adventure in the full game using carryover save data. Players who possess save data from the demo and play the full release will be gifted a unique in-game “Day Off Dress” cosmetic for Maribel.
Players who purchase the game digitally will receive an in-game Slime Shield unique to each platform. Additionally, a Digital Deluxe Edition of DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined, grants access to the “White Wolf” costume for Ruff and three downloadable content packs:
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined is available now for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store on Windows.
visit https://dragonquest.square-
Wuthering Heights: Movie Review Cast: Margot Robbie, Jacob Elordi, Alison Oliver, Martin Clunes, Shazad Latif Director: Emerald Fennell The ...
%20&%20Edith%20Poor%20(Lizzie%20Moyle)_%C2%A9BBCS%20&%20Bunya%20Entertainment.jpg)
