Marvel's Wolverine: PS5 Review

Developed by Insomniac Games
Published by Sony Interactive
Platform: PS5

The character of Wolverine has always anchored the X-Men franchise.

Ably bought to life by Hugh Jackman in the movie franchise, the gruff cigar-chomping loner became the focal point of the series as he adapted into the world of mutants and their treatment by others.

So perhaps it was a natural progression that Insomniac Games, the creators of the Ratchet and Clank series and also the acclaimed Marvel's Spider-Man would take on the character for the gaming world - even before a hack in December 2023 exposed the fact they were working on the IP.

But unlike most of the X-Men films, this one strays away from the lineage of Wolverine and his adamantium creation and veers more into the R-rated territory of James Mangold's highly acclaimed Logan.

Voiced by another Aussie, Liam McIntyre, the game throws you into the claws of the amnesiac Wolverine who's returned to help his former teammates Team X (chiefly Raven and Sabretooth) and finds himself slap bang in the middle of a quest to track down some kidnapped mutants who've been taken by Bolivar Trask.

GET DETAILS ON HOW TO MEET LIAM MCINTYRE AKA WOLVERINE IN OCTOBER

In many ways, it's a very generic and typical X-Men story that Insomniac Games has taken for the basis of its Wolverine game - but that's not to dismiss the humanity of what plays out and the continuing tale of segregation and mistreatment of those who are deemed different. It's a theme that Marvel's X-Men has explored for centuries in its comics and as such, Insomniac Games has managed to give it a solid spin with the emotional depth provided by a subtle amd grounded humane performance from Spartacus star Liam McIntyre.

Make no mistake, Marvel's Wolverine is a brutal affair - if you want it to be.

READ ABOUT THE FIRST TWO HOURS OF WOLVERINE HERE

Limbs are hacked off, blood soaks much of the action on the screen and the language certainly doesn't hold back, so long-term fans of Wolverine's gruffer and visceral edges will be happy at what unfurls. (Don't worry, all of that can be turned off in the Accessibility settings, a canny touch by Insomniac to ensure those who loved Spider-Man continue to get their share of family friendly edges.)

Claws combat is violent too, with a varying set of combos unleashing more and more ferocious and feral attacks - this is a Logan who moves like a beast, scampering on the ground in parts and whose more animal edges Insomniac Games has leaned into. From assigning different moves to the L2 and D-pad, Logan's got options to unleash a series of other attacks which can be purchased from upgrades and assigned throughout the game.

Like its lithe combat, this is also a game that lives and breathes, evolving fighting with its story as more unlocks become available. Suits, which can be made from materials found around the various biodomes Logan visits (thanks to his supersonic hearing ability) unlock extra health and can be regularly changed out during missions - there's an ever-evolving feel to the world Logan's in and it's a welcome touch from Insomniac.

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH PROJECT DIRECTOR JESS REINER-REED HERE

Not content to fashion their story around the treatment of mutants and further details (which are spoiler-heavy at this stage), the game also allows you to unlock core memories from Logan's mind after he's enabled into a Nightmare world by Nathaniel Essex, who aims to heal him. These Nightmare Trials as they're known help you shape more of an insight into Logan and range from achieving a certain number of kills in a timeframe to racing to an end-point. It's an interesting way to do things, even if it does occasionally feel like a series of Spider-Man timed-inspired minigames to propel the story along.

And it's nice to be out of the city too, with Marvel's Wolverine taking in heady locations and foreign lands. From the snowy wilds of Canada to the hustle and bustle of Madripoor, every vista sparkles with the atmosphere of its locale - and it gifts Wolverine with the kind of global feel that a Bond movie has as it moves from location to location, giving the story more of a global relevance.

Insomniac Games' ambition has come to the fore here as well, with big cinematic cutscenes full of blockbuster sturm and drang soaking proceedings. These are big set pieces that sit excellently within the brightest and best of the blockbuster ambitions; they're fluid, enthralling and entertaining, full of spectacle. Occasionally they give you a chance to interact with them via some QTEs (bizarrely which complete if you dont fire them or use the wrong button), but mostly they're there for your eyes and story progression.

And it's here that Marvel's Wolverine presents an interesting paradox.

The game very much relies on its pattern of frenetic, adrenaline-fuelled combat before going for either stealth hunting or more contemplative edges (eg the Nightmare trials, choosing music in a bar) before ramping up the action once again to build to the end of a chapter. As a result, very occasionally, the staccato approach gives way to a feeling of a stop-start that affects the overall flow of the game. It's unfair to compare it to Spider-Man, but the connecting tissue here doesn't always gel as well as it could, no matter how playable and fluid sections are.

Most of the mechanics of the Spider-Man game in terms of combat have been ported over too and while they've been given a Wolverine shine over and polished with unique abilities, there's also a nagging feeling that game mechanics don't exactly feel transformational this time. (And a couple of uncanny crossovers with Spider-Man: Brand New Day lend the movie an unexpected surprise.) 

It's not that they're bad to play with or work poorly, more that there's not as much innovation as the previous Marvel formula. Although there's also an argument to be had that given how well these things work, why would you mess with a winning formula?

Overall, Marvel's Wolverine still offers Insomniac Games at its pinnacle, and given the game graphically pushes the limits, it's a thrilling experience when it all gels and one that's worthy of the Logan name and legacy.

Marvel's Wolverine releases exclusively on PlayStation 5 from September 15.

Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger: Movie Review

Directors: Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern

How you'll feel about the latest Oasis movie will largely depend on how you feel about the band itself.

There's already been one Oasis documentary - 2016's Supersonic - which focused on the band's meteoric rise to fame in the heady days of 90s Britpop in the UK before fraternal frustrations caused the group to implode.

The latest documentary, written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, is more of a celebratory piece, heralding the return of the Gallagher brothers Noel and Liam and their triumphant return to stadium shows last year.

A flurry of images from the band's tumultuous past open proceedings, black and white shots of Liam's scornful and blistering stage presence, Noel's older brother ethos and bristling tensions between the pair. It all culminates in the infamous backstage fight at the 2009 Rock en Seine festival that scuppered the band, scattering them as they imploded.

Leapfrogging to the time the world was stunned they'd seemingly buried the hatchet and were about to embark on a series of tour dates where nobody knew if they'd come to blows again, Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger doesn't really hold back on piling on the sentiment and plying everything with a degree of nostalgic sentiment and occasionally trite platitudes.

Whether it's Noel or Liam bigging each other up or pompously praising the band's back catalogue or fellow musician Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, the film's got a kind of later-in-life approach to reflection on the bonds that draw po-faced people together and push them apart, albeit it through rose-tinted glasses.

If you're going in wanting a film that leads to their reconciliation, this is not the movie for you. And in fact, one scene sees them reveal nothing led to a reunion, they just did it - it's an almost dismissive approach to the meteoric rise the group had before their implosion.

Strangely, the film shifts to being a piece about what music means to their masses - and specifically, Oasis themselves. Whether it's the fan who survived the Manchester Stadium bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in 2017 and who's seeing them live for the first time (one of the more bizarre additions to the hagiography through fans' vignettes) or the Japanese fans who've bonded over Acquiesce, the myriad of outsiders portmanteau approach forms the basis of the periphery of this film.

It's not an entirely new conceit that Knight has dreamed up for the politely earnest movie and in truth, it sags in parts with the trite bon mots of "music saving lives" which are repeated throughout. Every generation has its band (and perhaps that's what the doco's trying to achieve here) but to those unaware of Oasis and their music, there's little to open up the flood gates as to what causes them such mass appeal.

IT's also a chance to see Noel at his most vulnerable as he reflects on how seeing fathers and sons unite at concerts affects him (a nod to his own past perhaps) and how Liam continues to be the consummate frontman who believes he cares because he doesn't give a flying f**k about everything around him. His swagger lives on and it's a relief to see that for him, nothing has changed at all. 

And yet, there are some astoundingly funny moments. 

From the arrival of frontman Liam Gallagher to the first day of rehearsals after others wonder what will happen (Liam simply storms in, shows no interest in banter, rouses the band off their seats, delivers his vocals and then promptly leaves to everyone's surprise and relief) to some genuinely touching and laugh-out-loud moments between the pair, Oasis: Don't Look Back in Anger does capture some of the reasons why their live shows have been so acclaimed in amid a continuing trend of nostalgia bait tours. (Another more surprising sequence touches on the death of Gary "Mani" Mountfield of the Stone Roses, leading to a few sage words from Liam about why none of the past actually matters.)

It's surprisingly cathartic and the music performances showcase the band at their blistering best (and give access to all of us who weren't able to see them in 2025) as well as demonstrating the multi-generational appeal of the Manchester natives.

Central to it all though is a universal approach to how time and music heal all. 

The handsomely shot doco chooses not to grill Liam and Noel on why and how it went wrong way back when (which is both its strength and a nagging annoyance given how guarded they largely feel on the important matters), instead preferring to offer a tale of redemption and reunion, all wrapped up in a message of forgiveness and all-access emotion and the power of music to its fans, visceral live performances and a sense of mid-life release.

It's not entirely clear what the rock'n'roll bad boys of the 90s would make of themselves - or this - now because unless you're a fan of the band and their raucous past, it's hard to see this has a wider audience - no matter how many fans espouse the group's brilliance or claim their reunion is like the Second Coming.

But for fans,it's an unmissable big screen experience. 

Practical Magic 2: Movie Review

Cast: Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Maisie Williams, Joey King, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest
Director: Susanne Bier

25 years after the first Practical Magic kept audiences spellbound with its tale of the tragedy of the Owens sisters (Kidman and Bullock), the sequel places fans squarely back into their world as the curse lives on.

This time around, based on Alice Hoffman's 2021 novel The Book of Magic, the film follows Sally and Gillian and a new generation of witches (Williams and King) as they look to try and break the spell that's bewitched their family for so long with heartbreak.

Runner: Movie Review

Cast: Alan Ritchson, Owen Wilson, Rodrigo Santoro, Leila George, Adriana Barraza, Peta Sergeant, Scarlett Crabtree, Geraldine Hakewill, Kate Box, Goran D. Kleut, Cecilia Toussaint, and Tommy Archer.
Director: Scott Waugh

Angel Studios takes a swerve away from its more contemplative faith-based fare for this action-led buddy comedy with a darkness at its heart that the filmmakers are too scared to show.

Reacher man mountain Alan Ritchson is Hank, a former navy SEAL who works as a runner in Brisbane, delivering whatever is needed as he tries to work thorough his sobriety and issues with his former wife and dead daughter.

However, on the day he celebrates his first year clear, he's given the job of delivering a medical parcel to a hospital. It should be a simple job as the cargo is a liver for a sick young girl (complete with thick Coca-Cola glasses, blonde hair and lisp), but the pick-up comes complete with a jabbering human element - its courier Ben (Wilson in vaguely irritating form.) 

But Ben and Hank aren't the only ones who want the liver - as a cartel group, headed up by a sneering caricature of a Cartel figure (Santoro) tries to steal the liver, one of the rarest in the world and blessed with golden blood. (No really.)

What transpires is something to behold - in both good and bad ways.

Runner mixes bloodless ultra-violence with the kind of quipping buddy Odd Couple road trip comedy you'd expect. But an extremely odd mix of tone meshed with some laugh out loud moments and some of the cheesiest action sequences and plot turns you'd see make it possibly a contender for somehow both the worst film of the year and yet also the most cheerily entertaining in every throwaway sense of the word.

Solid action and some well-choreographed bouts of kickass action see Ritchson barely flexing the kind of muscle he displays in Reacher, while Wilson doesn't exactly dig deep for his annoyingly upbeat road trip companion.

It's a curious mix of Christian ethics, racist stereotypes, gunshot violence where nobody is left with blood and cloyingly predictable plot twists that follows.

On top of swirling cameras, a cute Coca-Cola glasses wearing kid, sneering villains and kills that suggest violence but show nothing all create a film that is off to an unusual start when pre-titles credits declare that the Angels Guild, a community of 2500 members approve of what's about to transpire.

It's terrible in every sense of the word, yet in among the utter averageness of what transpires, both Ritchson and Wilson somehow manage to acquit themselves in a movie that aims high, fails miserably and yet somehow, you can't stop watching.

What's on DocPlay in October

Here's everything that's streaming on DocPlay in October 2026.

This October, exceptional documentary films from the 20th and 21st centuries premiere on the platform. Alongside two remarkable late-career works from Agnes Varda, the Oscar-winning The Times of Harvey Milk comes to DocPlay. New Danish doc Dear Tomorrow considers the loneliness epidemic in Japan, while Wisdom of Happiness (pictured) gives voice to the Dalai Lama as he approaches his 90th year. Respected veteran journalist Tony Jones makes his feature documentary debut with Sundance-premiering Sentient, which considers the impact of biomedical testing on animals - and their handlers. And from Aotearoa New Zealand, Wildboy follows a young man on a 15-year journey of self discovery.

5 October

Dear Tomorrow (Exclusive)

In Japan, loneliness has turned into a national crisis, encouraging the government to create a Ministry of Loneliness. Dear Tomorrow follows two individuals – Masato, and Shoko – struggling with isolation. Aware of their need for human connection, they embark on a journey toward healing and renewal. 

5 October

Wisdom of Happiness (Exclusive)

A deeply intimate and highly cinematic documentary featuring the Dalai Lama, who, at nearly 90 years old, offers practical advice for navigating the 21st century.

8 October

The Shepherd and the Bear (Exclusive)

High in the majestic French Pyrenees, a conflict is provoked by the reintroduction of brown bears amid a traditional shepherding community. The film follows an ageing shepherd struggling to find a successor as bears prey on his flock, and a teenage boy obsessed with tracking them down. A modern folktale examining humanity’s relationship with a vanishing natural world.

8 October

Wildboy

Brando, a young man with ADHD, embarks on extraordinary adventures in order to escape society and find purpose. At 18, he sets out to walk New Zealand’s coastline, and over the next decade, he tackles epic feats: skiing across Greenland, kayaking around Vancouver Island, and cycling across the Australian Outback. 

15 October

The Times of Harvey Milk

A true twentieth-century trailblazer, Harvey Milk was an outspoken human rights activist and one of the first openly gay U.S. politicians elected to public office. The Oscar-winning The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) was as groundbreaking as its subject. One of the first feature documentaries to address gay life in America, it’s a work of advocacy itself, bringing Milk’s message of hope and equality to a wider audience.

19 October

Sentient (Exclusive)

A moving journey into laboratory research on animals, exposing a hidden world in which it's not just the animals getting hurt. The debut feature documentary from veteran Australian journalist Tony Jones (AU), streaming exclusively on DocPlay after premiering at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

26 October

Baby Doe (Exclusive)

30 years ago, Gail Ritchey, a young woman from a conservative Christian community in rural Ohio, gave birth alone and left her newborn in the woods. Now a mother of three, her quiet suburban life is shattered when DNA evidence links her to ‘Geauga’s Child,’ and she is arrested for murder - despite saying the baby was stillborn.

29 October

The Gleaners and I

By turns playful, philosophical, and subtly political, Agnes Varda’s The Gleaners and I (2000) is a warmly human reflection on the contradictions of our consumerist world from an artist who, like her subjects, finds unexpected richness where few think to look.

Armageddon Expo 2026 reveals Supernatural stars and High School Musical reunion

Jared Padalecki heads a major Supernatural gathering, while High School Musical stars Lucas Grabeel and Bart Johnson reunite as Armageddon Expo returns to Auckland this Labour Weekend.

Armageddon Expo is bringing three major fan reunions to Auckland this Labour Weekend, with stars of Supernatural, Aliens and High School Musical joining a blockbuster international guest line-up at Auckland Showgrounds from October 23–26.

Leading the Supernatural contingent is Jared Padalecki, who starred as Sam Winchester throughout all 15 seasons of the hit series. He will be joined by Felicia Day, Kim Rhodes, Briana Buckmaster, Osric Chau, Matt Cohen, Samantha Smith and Alaina Huffman.

For another generation of fans, Lucas Grabeel and Bart Johnson bring High School Musical to Auckland. Grabeel starred as Ryan Evans across the hugely successful Disney franchise, while Johnson played East High basketball coach Jack Bolton.

The Auckland line-up also includes Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian), Anson Mount (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), Christopher Lambert (Highlander), Christopher Judge(Stargate SG-1, God of War), Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds), Charlie Bushnell (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) and New Zealand-born Lord of the Rings actor and stunt performer Sala Baker.

Armageddon Expo founder Bill Geradts says the strength of the guest list makes this Labour Weekend event something special.

“This is a pretty amazing line-up,” Geradts says. “Having Jared here with so many of the Supernatural cast is huge. Those fans are incredibly loyal and they’ve been asking us for something like this for years.

“Then you’ve got Lucas and Bart from High School Musical, Giancarlo Esposito, Anson Mount, Christopher Lambert, Christopher Judge and this fantastic Aliens group. Some of these are people fans have grown up watching, while others are in the shows and games they’re into right now.”

There is another major reunion in store for fans of James Cameron’s Aliens, with Jenette Goldstein, Mark Rolston, Ricco Ross, Cynthia Scott, Daniel Kash, William Hope and Carl Toop appearing together. The group includes the actors behind Colonial Marines Vasquez, Drake, Frost, Dietrich and Spunkmeyer, Lt Gorman and one of the performers inside the Xenomorph suit.

Gaming and voice performance continue to play an increasingly important role at Armageddon, with Auckland featuring its biggest gaming voice line-up to date.

Alongside Christopher Judge are David Bateson (Hitman), Erika Ishii (Ghost of Yōtei), Jason Spisak(Arcane), Andrew Wincott (Baldur’s Gate III), Lucie Pohl and Carolina Ravassa (Overwatch), Kenny James (Mario), Martin Copping (Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege) and Spartacus star Liam McIntyre, who plays Logan in Marvel’s Wolverine, releasing on PlayStation 5 on September 15.

“Gaming has become massive for us,” Geradts says. “It’s not a niche thing anymore. We’ve got parents who started gaming when they were young coming along with their own kids, mums and daughters, and plenty of grandparents as well.

“The characters matter, the stories matter and now the actors behind them are becoming stars themselves. Fans want to meet the stars of these games just as much as they want to meet somebody from a favourite TV show or movie.”

Beyond the guest line-up, the Labour Weekend event will include gaming, cosplay, trading cards, Artist Alley, K-pop, amusement rides and celebrity Dungeons & Dragons. YouTube creator Hilly Hindi from The Hillywood Show and Marvel Zombies artist Arthur Suydam will also appear.

Geradts says meeting the people behind favourite characters remains a big part of Armageddon’s appeal.

“At the end of the day, Armageddon is about being a fan,” Geradts says. “You come along, meet people you never thought you’d get to meet, dress up if you want to, play games, buy stuff and spend a weekend surrounded by thousands of people who are into the same things you are.”

Armageddon Expo Auckland runs over Labour Weekend, Friday 23 to Monday 26 October 2026 at Auckland Showgrounds.

Tickets are on sale now, with further attractions and events to be announced.

FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION | Experience The Thrilling Conclusion April 8, 2027

During PlayStation’s State of Play broadcast, SQUARE ENIX released a new trailer and extensive new gameplay footage for FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION and revealed the game’s release date. FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, the unforgettable, breathtaking finale to one of the most ambitious projects in video game history, launches on April 8, 2027, across PlayStation^®5, Nintendo Switch^™ 2, XBOX Series X|S and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and XBOX on PC.

Across the new trailer and gameplay footage, witness a world without boundaries. Explore every corner of a truly open planet aboard the iconic Highwind airship. Mount up with Piko, the trusty Chocobo, who grows alongside the party, learning new traversal and combat abilities. Master the perfected version of the series’ acclaimed hybrid combat system, with new playable characters Cid and Vincent and the new FITS system, which bestows new abilities and greater heights of power through the specialized roles of Warrior, Knight, Black Mage and Summoner. See Cid and Vincent wearing the Knight FITS and Summoner FITS, respectively, in the extended gameplay deep dive.

Footage also reveals new gameplay features. Players can freely swap their active, controlled character, as well as their party makeup, at any time while exploring the world. Quickly scale rooftops and nimbly zip through the environment with the new grappling gun. By choosing which party members undertake certain quests, players can customize their narrative experience, impacting how certain events and scenarios unfold.

Physical and digital pre-orders are available now, with digital Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders opening at a later date.

In FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION, Cloud Strife and his loyal companions face a world that teeters on the brink of annihilation. Grieving a beloved ally, and with their nemesis Sephiroth nearing godhood, the party takes to the skies aboard the airship Highwind in a race against time to stop Meteor, the ultimate destructive magic, and the total obliteration of the planet. The final battle has begun. Everything leads here.

Catch up on the series before FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION arrives by playing the first two entries, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, out now across PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, XBOX Series X|S and PC. Players can take advantage of the Streamlined Progression feature in both titles, with options such as unlimited HP and MP, always-full ATB gauge and easier weapon ability acquisition to streamline the experience for those catching up. The two titles have together garnered massive critical acclaim, including several The Game Awards nominations and awards, over 140 perfect review scores and numerous Game of the Year accolades.

Players with save data from FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE and/or FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on their console or PC will also unlock special bonuses in FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION:

• FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE:
• Summon Materia: Chocobo & Moogle
• FFVII REMAKE Weapon Skin Set
• FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH:
• Summon Materia: Phoenix
• FFVII REBIRTH Weapon Skin Set

FINAL FANTASY VII REVELATION launches April 8, 2027, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, XBOX Series X|S and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and XBOX on PC. This title is not yet rated. For more information, visit: https://www.square-enix.com/ffvii/en-us/games/revelation/.

EA SPORTS FC 27 expands partners, leagues and stadiums ahead of September 2026 launch

Electronic Arts has announced an expanded roster of leagues, clubs, partners and stadiums coming to EA SPORTS FC 27, bringing players closer to the football they love through one of the most authentic representations of The World’s Game. Additions include new and renewed partnerships with a number of major European clubs, the highly anticipated return of Liga MX, and the continuation of EA SPORTS FC’s long-term relationship with the Bundesliga, the ROSHN Saudi League and the A-League.

“With EA SPORTS FC 27, we’re building on years of bringing our community closer to football,” said James Salmon, Senior Director Partnership Marketing, EA SPORTS FC. “New and renewed partnerships bring more of the clubs, leagues, players and stadiums fans care about into FC 27, with the authenticity they expect from us. Together, they make The World’s Game feel even more connected to the football our community follows and loves.”

EA SPORTS FC™ continues to expand its authentic representation of European football, with the return of S.S. Lazio bringing the number of officially licensed Serie A Enilive clubs to 17. New and renewed marketing partnerships with Aston Villa and Liverpool FC, respectively, further strengthen EA SPORTS FC’s connection to the English top flight. Fans can exclusively experience the Premier League in EA SPORTS FC™ 27, with all 20 clubs, managers, stadiums, kits, pundit commentary, and more.

“EA SPORTS FC is one of the most recognised and iconic brands in the sports gaming space and has been for many years,” said Francesco Calvo, President of Business Operations at Aston Villa. “We are delighted to be partnering with them to give our supporters a true and representative experience of playing as Aston Villa and are looking forward to exploring ways in which we can work to bring fans closer to the club that they love."

Liga BBVA MX joins EA SPORTS FC™ 27, bringing all 18 clubs from one of the most passionate and culturally significant leagues in world football to the game in a fully licensed experience.

"EA SPORTS FC has become one of the most important platforms for football fans globally,” said Mikel Arriola, Liga MX Commissioner. “This partnership allows us to continue expanding the reach of Liga BBVA MX, connecting with new generations of fans and showcasing the passion, talent, and identity of Mexican football on a global stage."

EA SPORTS FC™ also announced a new era in its partnership with the Bundesliga, extending one of the longest-standing collaborations in global sports and entertainment. The partnership brings fans closer to the heart of German football, providing fans with new ways to authentically engage with Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 in EA SPORTS FC.

Building on their existing collaboration, EA SPORTS FC™ also announced a renewed partnership with the ROSHN Saudi League (RSL). The agreement brings the energy and identity of Saudi football to life, allowing fans locally and globally to authentically experience every RSL club and player in EA SPORTS FC.

EA SPORTS FC™ have also confirmed a renewed partnership with the A-League. The agreement allows fans to authentically experience the A-League across EA SPORTS FC™ and EA SPORTS FC™ Mobile, complete with updated team sheets and kits following the A-League season launch in October.

In EA SPORTS FC™ 27, fans can step onto the pitch in more authentic stadiums, as the iconic arches of AS Monaco’s Stade Louis II have been recreated in FC 27 alongside Real Oviedo’s Estadio Carlos Tartiere and the Legia Warsaw Municipal Stadium. Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and VfB Stuttgart’s MHPArena have been reconstructed in-game, while players will be able to enjoy all three promoted Premier League clubs’ stadiums: Ipswich Town’s Portman Road Stadium, Hull City’s MKM Stadium and Coventry City’s CBS Arena at launch.

EA SPORTS FC™ 27 delivers unrivalled authenticity to fans across The World’s Game, featuring 21,000+ players across 800+ clubs and national teams, 140 stadiums, and 35+ leagues, all powered by the support of over 300 global football partners.

Only EA SPORTS FC™ 27 brings together the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, UEFA Women's Champions League, CONMEBOL Libertadores, Premier League, Bundesliga, and LALIGA EA SPORTS in one game, alongside the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga, Liga F Moeve, Barclays Women’s Super League, Ligue 1 McDonald's, Arkema Première Ligue, and the National Women's Soccer League.

PRE-ORDER EA SPORTS FC™ 27 TODAY

Pre-orders are now available for EA SPORTS FC™ 27, which will launch on PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. EA SPORTS FC™ 27 will be available worldwide to play on September 25, 2026 with Ultimate Edition and Ultimate Plus Edition early access beginning September 18, 2026.*

 

Also starting September 18, 2026, EA Play** members can be among the first to step into The Grounds and experience more true-to-football gameplay in the EA SPORTS FC™ 27 10-hour early access trial. EA Play Pro members get day 1 access to the EA Play Pro Edition, which includes all the content and benefits available with the Ultimate Edition.

 

All members score recurring Football Ultimate Team™ Draft Tokens and new vanity items in The Grounds. Plus, save 10% on pre-orders, EA digital purchases, including game downloads, FC Points, and DLC. For more information on EA Play, please visit https://www.ea.com/ea-play.

 

For more information on EA SPORTS FC™ 27, please visit ea.com/fc27 and ensure you’re following our global social channels for all the latest upcoming news and announcements for EA SPORTS FC™.

 

*Conditions & restrictions apply. See ea.com/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-27/game-disclaimers for details.

**Certain content & features, including The Grounds mode (including Clubs) is available only on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2 versions. Conditions, limitations and exclusions apply. See EA Play Terms for details.

HOT WHEELS™ Infinite Rush Reveals Post-Launch Content Roadmap Featuring New Vehicles and a Ferrari Expansion Pack

Milestone and Mattel have revealed the post-launch content plan for HOT WHEELS™ Infinite Rush, featuring a major Expansion, premium DLCs, and more than a year of additional content designed to expand players’ collections and racing opportunities.

Vehicle Pass - Expand the garage with 44 additional Hot Wheels™ released across more than a year of content updates, including iconic Hot Wheels Originals, fan-favourite vehicles from the Acceleracers™ and Highway 35™ World Race series, and legendary real-world automotive brands.

Ferrari Expansion Pack - Explore a brand-new island inspired by the world of the Prancing Horse, featuring iconic Ferrari landmarks recreated at Hot Wheels scale. The expansion also includes eight exclusive Ferrari vehicles, spanning the manufacturer's history from the Ferrari F40 Competizione to the Ferrari TESTAROSSA.

HOT WHEELS™ Infinite Rush launches on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™ 2, ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Xbox Ally X, and PC via Steam, Microsoft Store, and Epic Games Store on September 10, 2026, with Early Access beginning September 7.

Metro 2039 launches February 5, 2027

The long-awaited next chapter in the METRO saga, METRO 2039, will launch simultaneously on all platforms on February 5th, 2027.

Revealed during PlayStation State of Play, METRO 2039 premiered console gameplay, captured exclusively on PlayStation® 5 Pro at 4K 60FPS with ray traced visuals. At launch, a Performance Mode with 4K, 60FPS and ray tracing will be available across PlayStation® 5, PlayStation® 5 Pro and Xbox Series X™ consoles. More details about METRO 2039’s technical specs and graphical modes will be revealed in the coming months.

Captured from the same campaign content playable at gamescom, the trailer focuses on raw gameplay, environmental detail, kinetic combat, and the technological advances that have been made to the 4A Engine since 2019’s METRO Exodus. 4A Games’ impressive new gameplay comes just days after METRO 2039 was awarded “Best Visuals” in the gamescom awards and secured more award nominations than any other title at the show.

4A Games is known for its technical prowess as an early pioneer of ray tracing on PC with METRO Exodus and on consoles with METRO Exodus Enhanced Edition. We’re happy to announce that Metro Exodus is now available in the PlayStation Plus Extra Game Catalogue.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone HBO Max trailer arrives

HBO has released the official second teaser for the eight-episode season of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The series will debut Christmas 2026, only on HBO Max. 

There is nothing special about Harry Potter - or so his Aunt Petunia tells him. But when a mysterious letter of admission to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry arrives, it opens the door to a hidden world of magic, friendship and adventure. Yet behind Hogwarts’ enchanted walls lie dark secrets. Harry must find the courage to prove himself against the darkest wizard of all.

The series stars Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom,  Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, Leo Earley as Seamus Finnigan, Elijah Oshin as Dean Thomas, Tristan Harland as Fred Weasley, Gabriel Harland as George Weasley, Ruari Spooner as Percy Weasley, Alessia Leoni as Parvati Patil, Sienna Moosah as Lavender Brown, Finn Stephens as Vincent Crabbe, William Nash as Gregory Goyle, Warwick Davis as Filius Flitwick and Sirine Saba as Pomona Sprout.

Additional cast includes Daniel Rigby as Vernon Dursley, Bel Powley as Petunia Dursley, Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch, Johnny Flynn as Lucius Malfoy, Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge, Luke Thallon as Quirinus Quirrell, Katherine Parkinson as Molly Weasley, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Gracie Cochrane as Ginny Weasley, Richard Durden as Cuthbert Binns, Louise Brealey as Rolanda Hooch, Bríd Brennan as Poppy Pomfrey, Leigh Gill as Griphook and Anton Lesser as Garrick Ollivander. 

The series, based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, is written and executive produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV and David Heyman of Heyday Films.

HBO Original series Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone debuts Christmas 2026, only on HBO Max.

NBA 2K27 launches | Aussie Player Ratings and unreleased Dom Dolla track feature revealed

The NBA 2K27 video game is now available on PlayStation 5 (PS5), XBOX Series X|S, PC via Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. 

Australian player ratings

2K has also unveiled the top 5 Aussie NBA Superstars in NBA2K27. Chicago Bulls sensation Josh Giddey tops the pack with an 84 Overall. Giddey’s strong 25-26 season, where he averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists, has been rewarded with the NBA 2K team increasing his rating by two points compared to his NBA 2K26 starting rating (82 OVR). 

Defensive stalwart Dyson Daniels follows Giddey at 81 Overall. Dyson Daniels (alongside Matisse Thybulle) has NBA 2K27’s highest Steal rating at 98, and Daniels also ranks equal-third among the game’s top Perimeter Defenders with a 94 Perimeter Defence rating.

See the top five players below:

Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls) - 84 OVR

Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks - 81 OVR

Jock Landale (Atlanta Hawks) - 75 OVR

Matisse Thybulle (Los Angeles Lakers) - 74 OVR

Josh Green (Utah Jazz, formerly Minnesota Timberwolves) - 73 OVR 

Former NBL next-star Karim Lopez also reacted to his first NBA 2K rating of a 70 Overall via social media here. Meanwhile, Kiwi Stephen Adams has a 74 rating.

Dom Dolla in NBA 2K27

Additionally, NBA 2K27 will see the official premiere of Australian DJ Dom Dolla's New York Knicks rally cry, What's Up New York. Throughout the 2025-26 NBA season, the song became an unofficial anthem for the eventual 2026 champions, played throughout critical moments in the Knicks' miraculous NBA Finals run.

About NBA 2K27

NBA 2K27 features three editions, including San Antonio Spurs Centre Victor Wembanyama (Standard Edition), Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark (Deluxe Edition), and Chicago Bulls legend Derrick Rose (Ultra Edition, limited-time availability) as cover stars.

This year's iteration of the world's most popular basketball simulation game showcases a full slate of community-driven updates across every mode, including:

The most balanced gameplay yet, featuring a reworked, physical defence, step-through up-and-unders, a Dynamic Layup Engine, and Expanded Dribbling Customisation;

The first-ever Co-Ed City, bringing together both male and female MyPLAYERs across Rucker Park, Crew HQ, and redesigned environments;

Fire & Concrete," an expansive new MyCAREER story spanning 11 chapters featuring rapper and actor Vince Staples, plus the ability to play through one of five MyCAREER Eras and first-ever Co-Op play;

MyNBA Legacy, an all-new 100-year single-player RPG experience alongside a back-to-basics franchise overhaul with realistic CBA rules;

Dedicated single-player experiences in MyWNBA and The W, giving players full control on the court and in the front office;

On Nintendo Switch 2, players will have a 60 FPS Performance Mode for the first time and new motion-based mini-games.

2K announced that NBA® 2K27, the latest iteration of the NBA video game franchise developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K, is now available on PlayStation®5 (PS5®), XBOX Series X|S, PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch™ 2. NBA 2K27 arrives with overhauled gameplay and new depth across every mode, from the court to The City to the front office.

“With overhauled, balanced gameplay at its core, this year’s release introduces a depth of content and features to satisfy every kind of player,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. "From the new MyCAREER Eras mode and the first Co-Ed City in franchise history, to a 100-year MyNBA Legacy and Player XP on every MyTEAM card, every aspect of NBA 2K27 has been built to give players more ways to compete."

What's New in NBA 2K27

Gameplay - Overhauled, Balanced, and Driven by Skill: NBA 2K27 overhauls both ends of the floor, powered by ProPLAY®. New offensive tools give players the creative freedom to separate from defenders, from step-through up-and-unders to a fully customizable dribbling suite. On the other end, defensive stoppers will experience redesigned hands-up defence, an overhauled shot contest system, expanded defensive cutoffs, and a new collision system while a revamped Takeover system and smarter AI bring every possession to life. Philadelphia 76ers’ guard Tyrese Maxey and Gameplay Director Mike Wang detail the latest gameplay improvements in the NBA 2K27 Gameplay Courtside Report Video.

Welcome to the First Co-ed City: For the first time, players can build a female MyPLAYER to take to The City. Now male and female MyPLAYERs compete side by side across every multiplayer mode in The City - with all MyPLAYERs built on the exact same framework for on-court performance parity. Inspired by community feedback, The REC, The Theater, Ante-Up, and Seasonal Parks all feature brand-new environments. The REC now rotates between five distinct venues each game, a legendary court joins Street Kings, and new Daily Rivals mode puts daily standings on the line. The City also adds the all-new Crew HQ, a dedicated home base for squads to practice, ranked competition, private games, Crew progression, and seasonal tournaments, and Casual Corner, an optional rookie-friendly hub for players to find their footing. Jaylen Brown and Erick Boenisch of Visual Concepts break down the latest updates coming to The City in the NBA 2K27 City Courtside Report.

MyCAREER: NBA 2K27 delivers one of the biggest updates to MyCAREER in years giving players unprecedented control over the path they take to the top. Players can run the NBA across one of five legendary eras in the brand-new MyCAREER Eras mode, live out a modern comeback story in "Fire & Concrete," the most expansive cinematic narrative in the series to date, or team up with a friend in the first co-op* MyCAREER in franchise history.

Back to Basics in MyNBA: MyNBA gets back to basics with a rebuilt core franchise experience: community-requested roster tools, improved CBA contract negotiations, and an all-new GM Trust system that puts a player's executive reputation on the line. Topping it off is MyNBA Legacy, a brand-new player-locked RPG experience spanning a 100-year universe. Jeff Schrader of Visual Concepts breaks down the latest updates coming to MyNBA in the NBA 2K27 MyNBA Courtside Report.

More MyPLAYER Builder Versatility, New Female Builds: The most versatile MyPLAYER Builder in franchise history. Shaped by strategic Badge Tokens, reworked Badge Progression, and the all-new Synergy system. For the first time, players can create female MyPLAYERs and take them into the now co-ed City. San Antonio Spurs’ Centre Victor Wembanyama and Gameplay Producer Bryant Colon break down the biggest MyPLAYER Builder updates in the NBA 2K27 MyPLAYER Builder Courtside Report video.

Level Up In MyTEAM With Player XP And Expanded Exchange: MyTEAM in NBA 2K27 is built around a single idea: that every card has value. An expanded Exchange now accepts any Player Card (Free Agent cards excluded), an all-new Player XP system lets every card level up through play, and the Auction House is unified across PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch™ 2, creating the largest pool of community-listed cards in MyTEAM history. Fan-favourite modes Triple Threat Online and Clutch Time Online also return as part of a rotating slate of limited-time modes. San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle and Jonathan Smith of Visual Concepts break down the latest MyTEAM updates in the NBA 2K27 MyTEAM Courtside Report video.

Call the Shots on the Court and From the Front Office in The W and MyWNBA: MyWNBA and The W include dedicated single-player experiences. Updates include a Build-as-You-Go progression model, an updated Game Attribute System, all-new Team Badges and Teammate Badges and tools to run a WNBA franchise. Check out the NBA 2K27 The W and MyWNBA Courtside Report.

NBA 2K HQ App. Players can download the NBA 2K HQ app to create builds from anywhere and upload them directly to their console, or share with friends via QR code. The app also includes Crew and friend messaging, daily leaderboards and rewards tracking, improved Face Scan, and mobile-exclusive daily login rewards.

What’s New for NBA 2K27 on Nintendo Switch 2

On Nintendo Switch 2, NBA 2K27 delivers a 60 FPS Performance Mode for the first time, with Fidelity Mode also available. The Switch 2 version adds party-style motion mini-games built around Switch 2 technology, including a 3PT Contest, Blacktop-style games, a Dunk Contest, and Pop-a-Shot. It also supports GameShare, and full mouse support.

Enhanced Visual Fidelity on PC with NVIDIA DLSS 5

NBA 2K27 supports NVIDIA DLSS 5, raising the bar of visual fidelity even further by introducing 3D-Guided Neural Rendering exclusively for GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs. Developed in close collaboration between NVIDIA and Visual Concepts, DLSS 5 boosts the visual quality of materials and lighting to deliver a jump in photorealism across the game all while preserving the integrity of athlete scans. DLSS 5 is optional for those with GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs GeForce NOW Ultimate.

Visit the NBA 2K27 official website for more information. Follow NBA 2K27 on TikTok, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Facebook for the latest NBA 2K27 news.

Developed by Visual Concepts, NBA 2K27 is rated M.

Visual Concepts is a 2K studio. 2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO). 

NBA 2K27 is officially licensed by the NBA, the WNBA, the WNBPA, and PLYRS UNTD, the consumer-facing, commercial brand of the NBPA.

*Prices based on 2K’s suggested retail price. Actual retail price may vary. See local retailers for more info and availability.

**Online play requires an Internet connection and NBA 2K Account. Console online play requires separate paid subscription. Terms apply.

Finding Emily: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Angourie Rice, Spike Fearn
Director: Alicia McDonald

The British romcom is back with this novel take on the fleeting attraction genre and the concept of what you were looking for being right under your nose in the first place.

When lovesick musician Owen (Fearn) gets the number of a dream girl he's met while working as a sound technician at his local student union, he soon realises the digits are ever so slightly wrong. Teaming up with fellow student Emily (Rice), he begins a quest to find his dream girl, sparking a campus-wide search and a romantic frenzy.

There's considerable charm in this film that makes great fist of its campus setting and its lead. 

Fearn feels extremely natural as the love-struck boy who's struggling to come to terms with losing his mum and who is refreshingly uncynical about love and ambitions for relationship. Rice is a little less successful as the agnostic part of the friendship, whose dissertation surrounds the idea that love causes self-sabotage.

But as McDonald's film plays out, it lays on the charm and warms the audience to both its setting and it's somewhat corny premise. For the first half of the near 2 hour experience, at least, there's a refreshing edge to proceedings and an offbeat sense of humour at play, with a great deal of heart beating underneath.

It may go through the campus film tropes and the romcom hope moments, but by playing into the idea of the TikTok viral-obsessed youth of today, the film finds a different way to spin the story. On goes from meet cute guy to vilified sex pest within moments - and the real-life parallels and condemnations are cleverly laid out.

Unfortunately though, the second half of the film lays on the sentiment a little too hard as the predictable edge of what's transpiring comes into play. It's a shame, but with the incredible earnest performance of Fearn, the film coasts to the finish line a relatively triumphant success for a genre which has been lacking a new poster child for far too long.

Supergirl to stream on HBO Max in September

DC Studios’ Supergirl will make its global streaming debut on Thursday, 10 September, only on HBO Max.

Supergirl stars Australia's own Milly Alcock, Matthias Schoenaerts, Eve Ridley, David Krumholtz, Emily Beecham, with David Corenswet and Jason Momoa. 

In its inaugural flight into the new DC Cinematic Universe, Supergirl  reveals the origin of the interplanetary nomad Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, cousin of Kal-El, better known as Superman. Headstrong, worldly-wise, and often reckless, Supergirl exudes a brand of heroism all her own — truthful, relatable, and always on her own terms. But when an unexpected and ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion. Together they undertake an epic, interstellar journey, struggling to balance one’s need for vengeance with the pursuit of justice — and to save the life of Kara’s best friend, her dog Krypto. Ultimately Supergirl will prove that doing good can be tough… and it doesn’t always have to be nice

The film is written by Ana Nogueira and directed by Craig Gillespie. DC Studios heads Peter Safran and James Gunn produced the film, which is based on characters from DC, Supergirl based on characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film is executive produced by Nigel Gostelow, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars P. Winther.

The Christophers: DVD Review

Cast: Sir Ian McKellen, Michaela Coel, Jessica Gunning, James Corden
Director: Steven Soderbergh

American director Steven Soderbergh's latest goes into the high-stakes world of art, with a commentary on creativity, the crippling power and effect of criticism and the cost of legacy.

In a commanding performance, Sir Ian McKellen plays former art enfant terrible Julian Sklar, a master painter who's in the twilight of his career. Sklar gained notoriety in swinging London for a series of portraits known as The Christophers but has yet to finish a third run of them, despite everyone's insistence and demands.

 

Wallowing in his dingy London flat, Sklar spends his days donning a beret and recording cheap off-the-cuff video messages for would-be art students whose parents have requested them. But when his children Sallie and Barnaby (Baby Reindeer's Jessica Gunning and Gavin and Stacey's James Corden) hire art restorer Lori (a poker-faced Michaela Coel) to pose as Sklar's assistant, they have another motive in mind - steal the Christophers they believe are hidden in Sklar's flat.

Eschewing a traditional heist movie for a lean verbal jousting match, Soderbergh sets the stage for what emerges as a tense, clever and verbally heavy piece that plays to the dynamics of a power struggle. 

When Lori first meets Sklar, she barely gets a word in, as he dismisses, scolds and scoffs at her, saying he doesn't want an employee who's a fan. But as The Christophers plays out, there's more of a hidden motive that comes to the fore - something which proves to be as compelling as the canvas the movie's painted on.

And while Coel is impressive, she has to hold her own against a McKellen who's rarely been better. He stays the right side of monstrous with his Sklar, whether it's demanding extra money from his video subscribers for an air autograph, dismissing his "harridan" children or bellowing at Lori over her claims of a broken throuple (“I was once in a throuple, back when it was merely called infidelity,” he chides), he holds the screen and deliciously delivers writer Ed Solomon's script.

The Christophers may have a little to say about legacy, but based on this greatly entertaining double act, neither McKellen nor Coel need worry about theirs.

Serious Sam: Shatterverse: PS5 Review

Developed by Behaviour Interactive
Published by Devolver Digital
Platform: PS5

The multiverse concept has a lot to answer for.

It's provided homecomings for Spider-Man, and chaos for the Avengers - but it's also proved to be fertile ground for the gaming world too.

The latest to make use of the concept is rogue-like Serious Sam: Shatterverse, which brings the mayhem of the Serious Sam franchise and dials it up a notch with the chance to take on other Sams from previous games.

This time as series villain Mental breaks the walls between universes, he unleashes shifting universes in his desire for power - and only one person can stop him. That person - or in the multiverse case - is Sams, the heroes from the original shooters.

Essentially a FPS which forces you to play through a series of levels before fighting off a boss and then making you do it all again to fight an even bigger boss, Serious Sam: Shatterverse's commitment to gun-soaked anarchy is admirable, even if the end result is occasionally irritating and tougher than expected.

Built for one to five players, the game's better as a multiplayer proposition, rather than a single player which ends far too quickly as you're offed by the hordes of bad guys and lack of cumulative fire power.

Instead of being a campaign over levels, Serious Sam: Shatterverse is more about runs, sending you into collision with enemies and worlds from Sam's past, present and future. Along for the ride are alternate Sams and their endless quips - but Serious Sam: Shatterverse is more concerned with a run'n'gun approach to the game which does play off, but as mentioned, if you're solo, requires an element of skill that may prove too difficult to master at times.

Fortunately, the game's not too bothered about taking itself seriously and the Dead by Daylight developers know a thing or two about hordes and dealing with endless creatures. It makes this part of the game stronger than you'd expect and while Serious Sam: Shatterverse is a solid FPS at a very reasonable price, it's also one which proves to be more disposable fun than you'd expect.

By Any Means: Movie Review

Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Mark Wahlberg, Giancarlo Esposito, David Strathairn, Josh Lucas

Director: Elegance Bratton

There's a kernel of a great idea in 1960s-set crime drama By Any Means. 

Unfortunately, this tale of a mob turned FBI stooge and enforcer (played by Wahlberg with increasing inflection as if he's been possessed by Andy Samberg) and his team up with an overlooked black FBI agent (Wonder Man's intense Abdul=Mateen II) delivers a script and tropes that are as plain to see on the screen as the large prosthetic nose on Wahlberg's character.

Abdul=Mateen II's G-man Special Agent Wayne Strider is a returning hero to his Mississippi home town - but unfortunately, despite the adulation of the locals who see his rise in the force as something to be proud of, his superiors are holding him back from cases.

However, he gets his big break when American Civil Rights movement leader Vernon Dahmer (an all-too brief appearance from Esposito) is murdered during an attack by the Ku Klux Klan for his work trying to help recruit Black voters to the polls.

But he soon finds he's forced into a partnership with mafia hitman turned FBI informant Gregory Scarpa, who's already helped uncover what happened to three young people trying to sign up voters years ago in the same town.

As Strider deals with his growing resentment of Scarpa's methods (while housing his own righteous anger at what's happening), he soon finds himself caught in a powderkeg of a situation as their investigation is stonewalled.

Director Elegance Bratton could have brought a seething anger to this story, but mixing the kind of relationship that was central to Oscar winner Green Book and giving it a broad Mafia twist proves to be anything but potent in this formulaic plodding approach to a story based on true events.

The underwritten story is sizzling with potential, but delivers a flat, uninspired and predictable piece that just lacks any kind of hint of tension or suspense. Wahlberg is nothing but cliche in his performance as Scarpa, using the broadly written story to deliver little to no nuance to the Mobster who clearly is from the streets, but appears to have been written as an outtake from Goodfellas.

Abdul-Mateen II delivers some gusto, but the conflict within him is never really given time to build to a crescendo, and while he brings some of the boiling moments that are needed, the script fails him badly.

Most of the film uses its overly familiar soundtrack to do the hard lifting, even if it rolls into familiar grounds with an almost Jan Hammer-inspired music score for a chase sequence that feels like it's taken from the 1980s.

The most interesting part of the film comes in the footnotes that accompany the credits, hinting at what could have been a sensational story and a great origin tale for Scarpa's informing. But sadly, By Any Means delivers what it wants to - it's just a shame that it does it by any means other than justice to its leads and its inspiration.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu: Disney+ Movie Review

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, Steve Blum, Martin Scorsese
Director: Jon Favreau

The question of how to expand The Mandalorian's world hangs deeply like Damocles Sword over the cinematic version of the Disney+ series which began back in 2019.

Unfortunately, what emerges from this romp through the Star Wars galaxy is little more than an extended episode moulded into a TV movie of the week. And certainly, neither Din Djarin (Pascal, helmeted throughout save for 13 minutes) nor Grogu go through deep arcs or take their respective characters anywhere particularly new.

However, that's not to say that this adventure isn't widely accessible and offers a sporadically fun return to Mando's world.

In the ashes of the demise of the Empire, the New Republic is trying to chase down Imperial Warlords who are determined to revive the evil ways. It's into this that the Mandalorian and his childlike charge Grogu are thrust, taking on bounty hunter contracts for Weaver's Commander. Determined to track down the Ace of Staves from the New Republic's most wanted pack of cards, at the behest of a pair of Hutt twins, the Mandalorian and Grogu find themselves caught up in a scheme to free Rotta the Hutt (The Bear's Jeremy Allen White), a gladiator son of Jabba the Hutt.

However, what seems to be a simple job soon turns into something more complicated...

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu isn't exactly the creative film perhaps Lucasfilm were looking for when they decided to launch the first cinematic film since 2019's The Rise of Skywalker. 

It's not that it's entirely bad, more that aside from looking incredible in swathes of sequences on the IMAX screen, it doesn't really serve a wider purpose. Long-term fan Favreau has kept most of his enthusiastic edges reined in throughout (apart from a very familiar finale set piece) and delivers some impressive CGI-heavy action sequences, worlds filled with a myriad of creatures and a sense of expansion within the Star Wars universe. Characters from Star Wars: Rebels make an appearance and there's a genuine feeling the film's shifted from the insular Skywalker origins that began to be a creative albatross around its neck.

But a third act shift sees the already overlong movie suffering from a pace change that feels out of place - even if it does provide a chance for Grogu to shine and parallels to Yoda to emerge. 

Three seasons of The Mandalorian provided diminishing creative returns and it's hard to see how this latest will boost an adult audience, though families with small children will likely get some thrill from it. It's telling that Ludwig Göransson's score does a lot of the emotional heavy lifting that's missing from the story - and that Grogu is nearly acted off the screen by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese as a nervy, four-armed street food vendor.

In among the gunslinging and the father-son messages, Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu begins to feel depressingly light - there's a feeling that perhaps this story belongs in a time and a galaxy far, far away.

The Blood of Dawnwalker: PS5 Review

Developed by Rebel Wolves
Published by Bandai Namco
Platform: PS5

RPGs have largely felt like they've had stale mechanics for a while - and in terms of storytelling, the narratives have all began to drift into each other, all a variation on a theme.

So it's refreshing to say that The Blood of Dawnwalker takes the mechanics and the staid narrative and drives some new ambition and idea into it.

Set in the 14th Century Carpathian mountains, in a world riddled by plague and also with famine nipping at the door, it's the story of Coen, a peasant whose life is changed when he encounters some local vampires known as the Vhrakhiri. With the creatures offering the humans an escape from a world that's on the edge of extinction, Coen soon finds himself converted to their ilk and driven by a desire for revenge, as well as blood.

After a fairly exciting prologue which hints at what's ahead for Coen, and introduces some of the combat, The Blood of Dawnwalker settles into familiar tropes and mechanics of the RPG world. From chopping wood for the family at night to various fetch quests, the game breeds a kind of familiarity for anyone who's ever had cursory interactions with their ilk.

It's no surprise you'll likely recall The Witcher 3, given the fact Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, the former game director for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, is in charge of proceedings. (And the fact Coen looks like kind of Alan Wake Geralt cross won't exactly harm that perception either.)

But make no mistake, The Blood of Dawnwalker is no lazy ripoff or addition to the genre, thanks to a 30 day and night timer that clicks down for Coen. With time ticking against him as he races to save his loved ones, the game bestows on players both a sense of foreboding and urgency as it plays out.

Whether it's making every decision feel like it truly counts or adding pressure to any side-quests you may choose to indulge in, this mechanic shakes up the gameplay and even brings a level of poignancy to the idea of a Dawnwalker, a vampire who can exist in night and day.  

Graphically, the game occasionally dips below its frame rate and there are a few moments when it feels like interacting with the world around Coen doesn't quite gel as it should. But the pull of the time deadline, which is split into 8 parts during the day and 8 parts at night means you're willing to forego some of the occasional drops.

The sharp focus of the gameplay means that every moment feels like it's dripping with potential and also opportunity. It also means no two players will have the same experience as priorities will differ over each mission and every twist and turn.

Combat deals with striking and blocking, with every move feeling like it's more urgent than just button-mashing as the time ticks away in the background. Whether it's draining blood from his enemies to regain health or scrapping away, there's a feral nature to Coen that befits the transformation he is undergoing and the life that has befallen him.

Coen himself benefits from a feeling of tragedy when his world falls apart and he's gifted the curse that will aid his quest and fuels his desire to defeat those who've oppressed his land, his family and his own future. It's here Rebel Wolves' writing comes to the fore and while interactions usually lead to further questions and dialogue options, it's worth noting that none of it ever feels surplus to requirements or like padding in any form.

There's a subtlety at play in The Blood of Dawnwalker that proves to be engaging for even casual fans of the RPG genre and the idea of adding in vampires to the mix is a potent one that the developers have used to their advantage.

What works most about The Blood of Dawnwalker is the fact the game feels like a real world. It's full of people who are suffering, who have a story and who have a say in the ultimate dispatching of those oppressing them - consequently, Coen feels of the people, rather than just a lone wolf who works for the people 

It may have plenty of familiar elements wrapped up in its gameplay, but The Blood of Dawnwalker:benefits from adding a burst of bloody freshness and ambition to a genre that's become tired and stale and less appealing as time goes on.

I Swear: DVD Review

Cast: Robert Aramayo, Shirley Henderson, Maxine Peake, Peter Mullan, Scott Ellis Watson

Director: Kirk Jones

There's plenty in I Swear which feels formulaic.

Beginning with a present-day event (meeting the Queen, before swearing at her) and then zipping back to his earlier years, this feel-good film about Tourette Syndrome sufferer John Davidson takes on a more poignant and tragic edge, given his recent appearance at the 2026 BAFTA Awards.

Yet, this at-times heartbreaking underdog biopic is extremely uplifting, thanks to a compassionate direction and an extraordinary performance from both its leads - Watson as the young Davidson and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's award-winning Aramayo as the older version.

In 1980s Galashiels in Scotland, John is a happy boy. On the cusp of starting secondary school, he's the apple of his dad's eye, thanks to his goal-keeping prowess. But a few days into a new life, it all begins to unravel when involuntary tics emerge and his life devolves into mockery and ostracism at the hands of others - including a family break-up and a cold, clinical mother (Henderson) who's incapable of any empathy.

Things change for Davidson when he meets Dottie (Maxine Peake), a mother dying of cancer, who gives him the sympathetic support he's been denied by society.

What happens next is very easily telegraphed in the world of movie-making - a series of obstacles to be overcome, before inevitable success. (Though any success will feel bittersweet after Davidson's use of the N-word at the BAFTAs).

And while you'd expect a film about this subject to use the Tourette's as a punchline of absurdity thanks to its appearance at the most inopportune moments, every outburst is utterly demoralising and hard to behold.

If Watson is deeply moving as the younger version, Aramayo absolutely knocks it out of the park as the older Davidson. From hints of sadness and frustration behind his eyes to a physical performance which is difficult to watch, he is astounding, while never losing any of the likeable everyman who has a wicked sense of humour.

But rather than mocking Davidson, the film - and by default Aramayo - give him wide berth to show the reality of living a life like this, the isolation and the utter frustration at an inability to just have a normal day. This so easily could have been a film that made a mockery of its subject matter - instead, it becomes a touchpoint for discussion, a window into humanity and a relatably human story about dealing with what life's delivered you.

A truly moving and joyful experience that could have easily lost some of the film's back third, I Swear is the kind of life-affirming thing British cinema does so well so often. It throws open a window into a world we barely know, floods it with pathos and delivers something that's truly unforgettable.