28 Years Later: The Bone Temple: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell, Alfie Williams, Chi Lewis-Parry, Erin Kellyman
Director: Nia Da Costa

After the surprisingly tender and poignant 28 Years Later revitalized the franchise last year, the speed in which its sequel was announced and released was welcome, but unexpected news.

But this latest has a lot to live up to, thanks to its absolutely bonkers ending of 28 Years Later that evoked the ghost of Jimmy Saville.

Suffice to say, this is something quite special. By turns vicious, menacing, theological, philosophical, insane and incredibly moving and yet still, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple begins with Alfie Williams' Spike being captured by Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal (O'Connell, terrifying and terrific) and his cult of white-haired minions.

From the opening sequence in which Crystal sits in a Jim'll Fix It-style chair as he presides over violence and warped cruelty to the crowd-pleasing finale, everything in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is not what you may be expecting. At all.

Ruminating on what happens when the tenets of faith crumble as science or anyone ichallenges them, as well as offering an insight into Samson's life (one of the standout moments of the sequel mixes both memory and violence with aplomb), the whole film is anchored on manipulating a meeting between Fiennes Dr Ian Kelson and O'Connell's Crystal.

But along the way, with unexpected needle drops, philosophical edges, examinations of what it is to be human and selfless, as well as tender moments from Fiennes, there's plenty of pathos and humanity to explore in a civilisation that's teetering on memories of before and living among the brutalities of now.

Much like 28 Years Later, The Bone Temple is best enjoyed unspoiled as it unspools out. It's a singular experience that's anchored by a deeply memorable performance from both Fiennes and O'Connell - but also from Williams and Kellyman (a Jimmy cult inductee), whose characters suffer their own existential crises. 

For a film that's about a virus that turns its victims into raging monsters, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple has an unfeasible amount of quiet silence and magnificence among some of the malevolence. It's evocative, sadistic, compelling, dark, brooding and thoughtful - it's everything a great film should be and a sign that Alex Garland and Danny Boyle's world has massively, cleverly and cerebrally evolved.

At its core, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is 2026's first unmissable film.

Laser 14" Portable Screen: Review

Extra screens come in all shapes and sizes - especially in these work from home times.

But what generally they lack is portability. However, Laser's launched a new portable screen to deal with that very problem. 

At 14 inches, perhaps the first concern is that it barely matches the same size as most laptops. However, rather than simply going for a 16x9 monitor, Laser's delivered a 16x10 experience that adds an extra bit of height to its display.

Simplicity is the key here.

Taking it out of the box, it's obvious what the drawcard is here - weighing in at around just 560 grams, this is the kind of screen that will slide nicely into your laptop bag or under your arm. It's not weighed down by overly unnecessary buttons and with a simple plug in and go mentality, there's no real need to fiddle around - unless you want a second screen to extend.

Inside the box, there's just the screen and the USB-C and HDMI cables, meaning your setup is a simple one, and there's no need to raid that box of cables that you leave lying around. Perhaps the fiddliest part of the setup is the extender arm on the back of the device.

That's mainly because the LED screen is light, there's a feeling that applying any kind of pressure on the front could permanently damage the display. There's also the option to mount this too, should you so desire - though given the real plus of this device is its portability, that would be a little pointless. (And it's worth noting the mount doesn't come as part of the package, which is priced at around $179.)

Straight off the bat, the screen impresses with its display. Its crystal-clear imagery more than does what's needed for a second screen in the office. The brightness may very occasionally work better as a darker room piece of kit, rather than a fully sun-drenched room. It's a bit more of an intriguing proposition as a standalone device, but with HDMI cables, it can be used to attach to a gaming device to avoid a big screen experience.

As a presentation tool though, it's better than connecting to an office bigscreen monitor - and the more close-quarters workers will relish the fact the device can effectively and quickly display any propositions.

If anything, the sound pumped out by the screen's speakers is nothing more than fine - any audiophile who's looking for a more impressive sound experience won't really be investing in a portable monitor anyway, but given the portability is key here, the fact it pumps out sound better than a non-Bluetooth-connected laptop does gives it bonus points anyway. There's a jack on the side to plug in speakers, but when you start adding more tech to this, then it becomes less about portability. However, headphones work fine.

For the price you're paying and given how easy it is to simply set up and get on with what's needed without any fuss, the Laser 14" Portable Screen more than delivers on its promise and premise with ease. 

Marvel MaXimum Collection: PS5 Review

Developed by Limited Run Games
Published by Limited Run Games
Platform: PS5

The Marvel Universe is somewhat of a large beast.

From countless movies to endless TV shows, the Marvel tentacles spread far and wide. So, it's no surprise that there are a series of games for the fans to get their hands on - and this collection of a slew of the Marvel genre is more than a match for any serious gamer and fan - even if some of the gameplay is somewhat repetitive.

Originally released from the 1990s, these five games prove to be as difficult as any arcade game can be - from the movement-based gameplay of Silver Surfer (which is punishingly difficult to the point of irritation) through to the Street Fighter-esque beat'em'up of the Spider-Man games, there's more than enough to keep fans of the button-mashing gameplay busy.

Even with rewind capabilities (as the Ghosts'n'Goblins arcade game did when it came to console), there's no walk in the park for these titles - certainly Silver Surfer, where the slightest touch of anyone can send you back to the start of the game, is one of the toughest games out there and included in this collection.

Graphically, they're faithful to the 2D scroller originals, but lack some of the finesse of the next gen console's abilities to be frank. There's no fidelity upgrade here and while the games don't suffer from frame-rate drop out or the like, they're certainly not something to write home about visually. Except that in many ways, that's not the point - these are extremely faithful adaptations of the 90s titles, 8-bits and all - and on that front, they easily deliver.

This is a nice little collection, perhaps in some ways, it's a little niche - and certainly the repetition of gameplay leaves a fair bit of beat-em-up desirability to go. There's much to be said for nostalgia and given this collects together a wide raft of titles that only had Sega, Nintendo and Game Gear playability, getting them onto the next gen consoles is an X-cellent idea.

The collected games are: Spider-Man/Venom: Maximum Carnage, Venom/Spider-Man: Separation Anxiety, X-Men: The Arcade Game, Captain America and The Avengers, Spider-Man/X-Men: Arcade's Revenge, and Silver Surfer. 

Screamer: PS5 Review

Developed by Milestone
Published by Milestone
Platform: PS5

Sometimes, arcade games can push you to the absolute edge.

Whether it's their addictive nature, their "just one more go" mentality or their ease of play, the genre is one that's always held sway with gamers - and so much so that fiddling with what's on offer can lead to a feeling of why mess with it if it's not broken.

Fortunately, arcade racer Screamer offers something of a halfway house for racing games, mixing both long anime-style cut scenes and cartoon-level racing in an update of the game that was first unleashed back in 1995.

With anime graphics and chapter-led storytelling, this latest from Milestone offers something a little different as it pulls you in with its story of street racing, different gangs and competitive edges. Digging into a dystopian-style future world and sci-fi trappings, it tells the story of rival gangs who thrash it all out on the track, pushing their racing to divulge their tale in a bitesize way that'll keep you engaged throughout.

With cars that feel just a little day-after-tomorrow stylings, and tracks that are like Blade Runner but on speed, the neon-soaked racing will see you needing to concentrate and learn mechanics as you drift around courses and take on other racers.

It's not an easy game to master and there are times when it distinctly feels like the levelling up process has happened to everyone else on the track but you. With its twin-stick system, the game does require concentration and a level head for blatting around courses - one wrong move and you're back to the dredges of the racing pack, destined not to catch up.

There's a kind of lunacy that works here as you battle other racers and take part in a plethora of other race options - and while the cut scenes can occasionally become annoying, skipping them leaves you missing out on some of the game's finer details.

Stripped of the seriousness of other racing sims and meshing anime with Forza Horizon and Wipeout works well here - just don't be surprised if you find yourself caught up in the fact you think you can beat others with just one more race.

The Devil Wears Prada 2: Movie Review

Cast: Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux, Simone Ashley, Kenneth Branagh, BJ Novak
Director: David Frankel

Twenty years ago, The Devil Wears Prada provided a sharp and satirical look at the world of fashion and the behaviour of toxic bosses. But the sequel is as shallow as fashion can be - all sheen and no substance below, a mannequin dressed in haute couture, yet shapeless and without form underneath.

Sure, there are the trademark barbs and bitter remarks tossed about by both Streep's beastly Runway fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly (although she's warned by HR what she can and can't say, a la Scrubs 2026 reboot), but in a tale about the media landscape changing, this feels less insightful and as disposable as fast fashion itself.

Two decades on, Andy Sachs (Hathaway, solid and good at the more comedic elements of the script) has been working as a journalist and is about to receive an award when she's informed that her entire publication is being shut down after a buy-out. Meanwhile, Runway editor Miranda Priestly (Streep, haughty and indignant) is on the cusp of getting a prestigious promotion when an article promoting a brand using a sweatshop goes viral. 

However, when the owner of Runway magazine contacts Andy to head up their features department and tidy up the mess, it puts Andy and her former nemesis Miranda back on a collision path...

There are some things to admire in The Devil Wears Prada 2, a film that initially has ambition before squandering it all for a series of promo shoots, fashion darlings walking in montages and continual location changes that look ripped from a travel magazine's video pages before an antagonising sentimental ending that threatens to drown itself in syrup..

To begin with, the film seems to want to launch barbs at the industry itself, how media has turned on itself, how traditional media has given way to chasing page impressions, a rage against consolidation of media, and how there's no escaping from how one person can make you feel and act, no matter how far in your past they are.

But it throws all that to one side in a truly formulaic movie whose plot twists are ludicrously telegraphed and which has absolutely no consequences are felt. Characters appear and then disappear when their arc appears to be done, and most of what transpires is neatly wrapped up in a feel-good bow that belies some of the tart nature of the dialogue early on.

A Lady Gaga cameo appears to be nothing more than a promo for a song of her own catalogue; there's a Last Supper allegory that becomes literal and there's a railing at one point by Priestly about the dangers of AI. It all feels very timely, but it also somehow doesn't make the film timeless.

What's most criminal about The Devil Wears Prada 2 is how much it's abandoned the comedy elements of the story, in favour of something a little more piecemeal. It feels like the dramatic scenes have been bolted together in a myriad of ways (and don't even let's start on the Coke can product placement within) that all feel as slight and trivial as what Priestly's raging against.

Yet within the thinly sketched movie, there are some stand-out moments.

Some truly delicious one-liners are espoused, Tucci has real warmth and heart as Nigel, the perennially put-upon assistant, and both Hathaway and a slightly defanged Streep step back into their original iconic characters with ease. Some of the best scenes are in the cold interactions they have early on and the later thawing of that relationship. Emily Blunt steals the show once again as the vengeful former assistant now working for Dior. Fans of the original will be happy with it, everyone else may find their patience sorely tested in parts.

Early on, Tucci's Nigel delivers the verdict that "villains are always the most interesting" but in the case of this sequel, the devil's not quite in the details. 

As the iconic Madonna song Vogue (which makes its reappearance here) goes: "Strike a pose, there's nothing to it." It's just a shame The Devil Wears Prada 2 used that as a mantra for its own execution.

The Sheep Detectives: Movie Review

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Emma Thompson, Nicholas Galitzine, Patrick Stewart, Hong Chau
Director: Kyle Balda

Imagine a film that takes the talking animal genius of Babe and fuses it with the kind of chocolate box cosy crime dramas, such as The Thursday Murder Club, that have become the norm in this day and age.

In a nutshell, that's what the charmingly wholesome The Sheep Detectives is, a bucolic slice of simplicity that follows shepherd George, who carries two bottles of milk in a holster belt and lives alone in a field on the outskirts of the idyllic English village of Denbrook.

Each night, at the end of his day tending to his flock, George (Messiah-like and gruff with humans, but soft with his animals) reads detective novels to the wooly masses and unbeknownst to him, has a thrilled and captivated audience. When the sheep awake one day to find George slumped in a field, they suspect he has been murdered and raised on a diet of grass and crime stories, Lily (Louis-Dreyfus) sets out to solve the crime.

Chernobyl screenwriter Craig Mazin wastes no time setting up a whole ewe-niverse within Denbrook as he adapts German crime author Leonie Swann's 2022 book Three Bags Full. From the nosey shopkeeper to the malevolent-looking butcher, everyone's a suspect and in the style of Edgar Wright's Hot Fuzz, even the local law enforcement (Succession's Nicholas Braun) is clueless.

This is a story that very much conforms to the norms of the cosy crime world, raising the tropes and acknowledging them without subverting them, before ploughing it all through a wooly prism.

And yet, there's some darkness within the sentimental message of never forgetting those that are left behind. From outcast animals to the sheep's desire to simply stop remembering anything they don't like, along with ideologies on death and the negation of the horrors of farm life, this is a film that teeters on nightmarish moments - even if its key one is ripped directly from the most horrifying moment of George Miller's Babe.

Dame Emma Thomson delivers a perfectly pitched performance as a lawyer brought in to execute George's estate, but the real star of the film is the dialogue which has no qualms or compunction about mixing both silly word play with feel-good heartfelt sentiment.

It's perhaps a little too wooly in its duration, but this tale of a field full of Baa-Gatha Christie animals inspired to see their shepherd's killer put behind baa-rs is perhaps the sweetest intentioned film you'll see all year.

Pragmata: Xbox Series X Review

Developed by Capcom
Published by Capcom
Platform: PS5

If you've ever thought the perfect game would include shooting rogue robots powered by a vengeful AI and a hacking mini-game, then does Capcom have just the thing for you.

This latest sci-fi game is a blast, an incredible looking game that really does take the genre to the moon and back - literally.

When a team of engineers is sent out to the Moon to investigate a malfunctioning research station, disaster strikes. As the only member of the group left, Hugh is tasked with trying to find a way out of the station and back home - as well as solving the problem of the wrecked space station. However, he's not alone in this - when he comes to after the initial disaster, he finds a young girl tending to his wounds, an android on the station who befriends him and promises to help him escape the vengeful mechanical droids which have been awoken by an angry AI.

Glistening corridors and eerie areas mix to potent effect in Pragmata, a game that meshes I, Robot horrors with 2001: A Space Odyssey's aesthetics. It's no lie to say this game looks stunning - every edge of the characters is pristinely drawn and visualised and the marauding robots feel like the sharp creatures you'd get off a 3D printer.

There's a day-after-tomorrow ethos to the look of the game which makes it feel realistic and in its opening moments, the sense of scale on the Moon and within the base is just immersive and perfect. 

The game takes a little while to settle into its mechanics and the hacking ideology that it's pushing. The young girl, whom Hugh names Diana, can scrabble up on his back and hack into robots when they attack and open areas that have been locked. It's no lie to say the minigame takes a bit to get used to, given it happens simultaneously with Hugh being attacked - but once you've got into the swing of what's desired, it becomes like second nature.

If the sci-fi edges are perfect in Pragmata, the more human side of the tale is not lost in the mix. As Diana and Hugh grow closer, a father-daughter style bond emerges, something which is both touching and commendable, without being mawkish. A central hub for upgrades and interactions proves to be a welcome distraction from the fighting and exploration, with chances to build and nurture the relationship.

Pragmata may have been announced back in 2020 and taken a while to arrive, but its final destination is one of success - this is a game that impresses emotionally as much as it does visually - and for a new IP, it shows that originality is still key to any game.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Switch 2 and Xbox demo released

Start Playing Today with Save File Carryover; Digital and Physical Pre-orders Galore, Including Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY Zack Fair Card Featuring Variant Art by Tetsuya Nomura for the physical Nintendo Switch 2 edition  

 

Prepare for the Final Entry of the Remake Trilogy, Currently in Development

 

 

Today, SQUARE ENIX released a free demo for FINAL FANTASY™ VII REBIRTH, the acclaimed sequel and second game in the FINAL FANTASY VII remake project, on Nintendo Switch™ 2, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support. Players can start their adventure today and carry their progress into the full game, set for release on June 3, 2026. Downloading and playing the demo rewards players with bonuses for the full game, such as a Kupo Charm that boosts the chance of collecting extra materials, along with a Survival Set.

 

The demo features Chapters 1 and 2 of the full game. In Chapter 1, Cloud Strife recalls a fateful moment from five years ago: “the Nibelheim incident.” Take control of a younger Cloud and the legendary war hero Sephiroth as they investigate the sudden appearance of monsters outside Cloud’s hometown. When a dark truth comes to light, the course of their lives and the fate of the planet will change forever.

 

In Chapter 2, Cloud and his friends set forth on a new adventure across the Grasslands region. Enjoy several hours of thrilling combat, hidden treasures, side stories and the beloved Queen’s Blood card game. Discover the acclaimed battle system featuring new Synergy Abilities and the flexible combination of real-time action with strategic commands. Take advantage of new “Streamlined Progression” features that allow players to focus on the story, such as unlimited HP and MP, always-full ATB gauge and easier weapon ability acquisition.

 

Players can pre-order the full game on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox to receive the following bonuses:

• Digital Edition
• Standard - Includes the Moogle Trio and Posh Chocobo Summoning Materia, Armor: Shinra Bangle Mk. II and Midgar Bangle Mk. II.
• Digital Deluxe Edition - Includes the Standard edition bonuses, plus the Magic Pot Summoning Materia, Accessory: Reclamant Choker, Armor: Orchid Bracelet, Digital Art Book and Digital Mini Soundtrack.

 

• Physical Edition - Those who pre-order the physical Nintendo Switch 2 edition of FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH will receive one Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY Zack Fair card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura, while supplies last.

 

Set across a vast and vibrant planet, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH sees Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith and Red XIII escape from the dystopian city of Midgar into the wide world beyond. To hunt down Sephiroth, a haunting figure from Cloud's past bent on ruling the planet, these unlikely heroes join forces with new companions like the spirited ninja operative Yuffie and the wisecracking, feline-shaped robot Cait Sith. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH delivers an unforgettable experience to players filled with unexpected twists, memorable characters and jaw-dropping set pieces that longtime fans and newcomers can both enjoy.

 

Also available on PS5® and PC, FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH has earned more than 125 perfect scores from media and 40 Game of the Year awards. With this upcoming release on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox, alongside the previous launch of FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE, the FINAL FANTASY VII remake trilogy-so-far will be available across all modern platforms. No matter where they play, fans can catch up and prepare for the third and final installment, currently in production.

 

For more information, visit: https://ffvii.square-enix-games.com/games/rebirth/.

The Blood of Dawnwalker details released - what you need to know

The Blood of Dawnwalker will launch September 3 – Rebel Wolves revealed key details on its upcoming dark fantasy action RPG

 

A story trailer, new gameplay presentation, system requirements, details of each available edition and much more were revealed during the Road to Launch Event.

• The Blood of Dawnwalker is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X on September 3 and is now available to pre-order in stores and digitally.
• Story trailer - meet some of the allies Coen will encounter during his adventures across Vale Sangora.
• Gameplay presentation – over 10 minutes of new gameplay footage from the latest PC build.
• New track from the game’s soundtrack – presented in a video featuring a live band
• Detailed system requirements.
• Presentation of game editions details – available digitally and at game retailers worldwide.
• Dev diary – in-depth commentary on the game’s open world and narrative.
• Motion capture behind the scenes with former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz - one of the antagonists standing in Coen’s way.

Rebel Wolves, together with Bandai Namco Entertainment, revealed a wealth of new information about The Blood of Dawnwalker. The dark fantasy open world action RPG will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on September 3, with pre-orders now open digitally and at major game retailers. The Road to Launch Event also showcased new gameplay footage, story details, game system requirements, and more.

 

The Blood of Dawnwalker – Watch the Road to Launch Event

The new story trailer introduces a cast of characters that Coen will encounter on his journey – some will become allies, others enemies, but all of them play a crucial role in the game’s story. Rebel Wolves also showcased never-before-seen locations across Vale Sangora, a mysterious region in the Carpathian Mountains, and offered deeper insight into the creative process behind bringing the game’s open world to life.

The developers also showcased over 10 minutes of footage captured on the most recent PC build, focusing on narrative-driven open-world activities. Players were shown how exploration can unlock new abilities, reveal hidden secrets, or introduce unexpected challenges that may alter the course of their journey. The gameplay also demonstrated how player actions influence the balance of power within the valley, reinforcing the game’s core principle: in The Blood of Dawnwalker, every action carries consequences.

All of the presented features, gameplay mechanics, and story details are explained in depth by members of the Rebel Wolves team, including Piotr Kucharski (Writer), Daria Bury-Zawada (Lead Gameplay Animator), Maciej Wiśniewski (Senior Level Designer), and Dorota Rutkowska (Producer).

Developers also prepared a behind-the-scenes video featuring former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed to motion capture performances for one of the game’s antagonists, Bakir, a vampire from Brencis' clique. In the feature, Błachowicz explains how his combat expertise helped bring authenticity and weight to the game’s fight sequences, ensuring that every swing, stab, and punch feels impactful and believable.

Pre-orders are now available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Details about the upcoming editions, including the limited Collector’s Edition, have also been shared. In addition to the standard digital edition and the Day One Edition available in retail worldwide, players can purchase the Eclipse Edition, which includes digital bonuses such as a world compendium, game soundtrack, and a comic book.

 

Also revealed today were the official PC system requirements

.

 

Finally, players got to hear a brand-new piece of music from the game - “Uphill Battle”, presented as a music video featuring the musicians behind The Blood of Dawnwalker’s soundtrack. The full recording from the Road to Launch Event is available here LINK.

The Blood of Dawnwalker, the first game by Rebel Wolves, is developed using Unreal Engine 5 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game will launch on September 3 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-orders on all platforms are already available, and players can add the game to their wishlist. More details can be found on the official website: dawnwalkergame.com.

To stay up to date with upcoming news from the Rebel Wolves pack, follow the official Dawnwalker social media channels: X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch, or join the community on Discord or Reddit.

More about The Blood of Dawnwalker

Fourteenth-century Europe is engulfed in chaos – bloody wars tear the continent apart, and the Black Death takes a deadly toll. This moment of weakness is seized by a clique of powerful vampires. The time of great change is coming - for everyone.

You play as Coen, a young man who has become a Dawnwalker – no longer human, but not fully a vampire, sharing the strengths and weaknesses of both worlds.

Players follow Coen’s journey as he fights to save his family from Brancis, the vampire lord who rules his homeland, Vale Sangora – a mysterious region in the Carpathian Mountains. Along the way, he navigates uneasy alliances and dramatic confrontations, forging his own path in a world where every choice shapes both the story and the gameplay.

  

---

About Rebel Wolves

Rebel Wolves is a studio built on talent and ambition. A mixture of gamedev veterans and fresh blood that aims to create the dark fantasy games of their dreams. Established in 2022 in Warsaw, Poland, with a plan to bring RPG adventure to the next level. Fueled by strong vision and fascination with story-driven approach to games.

For more information please visit: www.rebel-wolves.com.

What's on Shudder in May

Here's everything that's streaming on Shudder in May 2026.

Tales From the Crypt – Shudder Exclusive Series

Series Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 1 May

Tales from the Crypt, the popular 90s horror anthology series inspired by the 1950s EC Comics, is back exclusively streaming on Shudder! Each episode is a self-contained story often featuring well-known talent and directors – and hosted by the Crypt Keeper (John Kassir), a wisecracking corpse known for his macabre puns. With its signature unrestricted gore, profanity, and dark irony, the show’s episode styles range from comedy to drama and deliver twisted moral lessons where "bad people" meet poetically horrific ends – and issues like greed, lust, and moral decay lead to tragic consequences. The series features a long list of A-list guest stars including Brad Pitt, Demi Moore, John Lithgow, Christopher Reeve, Catherine O’Hara, Steve Buscemi, Brooke Shields and many more. Several episodes have been directed by well-known talent including Rober Zemeckis, Tobe Hooper and William Friedkin, as well as acclaimed actors such as Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael J. Fox. 

Heresy (2024) - – Shudder Exclusive Film

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 1 May

A folk horror centered in a medieval Dutch village, follows a young woman who is caught between her faith, fanatic townsfolk and the dark forces lurking in the woods. Starring Anneke Sluiters, Len Leo Vincent and Reinout Bussemaker. 

This is Not A Test – Shudder Exclusive Film

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 22 May

Sloane (Olivia Holt, Heart Eyes) and a small group of her classmates take cover in their high school to escape their suddenly apocalyptic hometown. As danger relentlessly pounds on the doors, Sloane begins to see the world through the eyes of people who actually want to live and takes matters into her own hands. Adapted from the popular YA novel of the same name by New York Times best-selling author Courtney Summers. Also starring Froy Gutierrez (The Strangers), Luke MacFarlane(Bros), Corteon Moore (Overcompensating), Chloe Avakian (John Wayne Gacy), and Carson MacCormac (Clown in a Cornfield).

In Search of Darkness 1990-1994 

New 6-Hour Documentary Film Premieres on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 15 May

Film icons and genre experts share observations, experiences and analysis to help reframe, deconstruct and re-contextualize the “lost” decade of horror: the ‘90s. Fans will hear first-hand stories from a long list of genre favorites including Heather Langenkamp (Wes Craven’s New Nightmare), John Carpenter (In The Mouth of Madness), Frank Henenlotter (Frankenhooker), Tim Balme (Dead Alive), Michael Gross (Tremors), and many more.

Smothered – Shudder Original Film

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 29 May

Alif is a micro-painting artist who has an accident and loses part of his memory. After returning home, an old woman appears claiming to be his mother, but Alif doesn’t recognize her and is suspicious of her intentions. 

Starring Rio Dewanto, Faradina Mufti and Vonny Anggraini.

New To Shudder's Film Library

1 May

Suicide Club

A detective is trying to find the cause of a string of suicides. Winner of the 2003 Fantasia Festival’s Most Ground-Breaking Film Award.

Pulse (2001)

Two groups of people discover evidence that suggests spirits may be trying to invade the human world through the internet.

Cure

A frustrated detective deals with the case of several gruesome murders committed by people who have no recollection of what they’ve done.

Noroi: The Curse

A prominent paranormal journalist Kobayashi goes missing shortly after completing a documentary.

What begins as an investigation into strange noises soon evolves into the chilling mystery of a demonic entity named Kagutaba.

Uzumaki

The inhabitants of a small Japanese town become increasingly obsessed with and tormented by spirals.

Logitech G releases G512 X Gaming Keyboard

Logitech G has just announced details of its latest innovation in gaming - the G512 X Gaming Keyboard.

The G512 X gaming keyboard arrives as the next landmark in Logitech G’s  relentless pursuit of breakthroughs in PLAY, continuing the momentum of the  revolutionary HITS technology introduced with the PRO X 2 SUPERSTRIKE. Just as  SUPERSTRIKE redefined the limits of gameplay in esports, the G512 X establishes a new frontier  in versatile performance. By becoming the first major global brand to introduce DUAL SWAP  technology, Logitech G continues to drive the industry forward with a keyboard engineered for  a new generation of players who redefine performance through customisation. 

The G512 X is our love letter to gamers who never stop tuning, tweaking, and chasing mastery.  Inspired by the rise of custom keyboard culture, the G512 X provides control at every level and  introduces a series of innovations. It is the first Logitech G keyboard to feature TMR (Tunnel  Magnetoresistance), Dual Swap capability, a Global Light Bar, and fully assignable and  customisable Dual Dials. It also debuts SAPP (Second Actuation Pressure Point), enabling two  distinct actuation points per key to unlock unprecedented control and layered inputs within a  single keystroke. 

Together, these breakthroughs culminate in the most adaptable keyboard we’ve ever built—a  completely customisable performance system designed to evolve with the player. Analogue inspired precision and software-enabled intelligence allow players to fine-tune actuation  depth, reset points, and performance curves, bringing controller-level nuance into the  competitive keyboard space. 

Launching in both 75 and 98-key layouts, G512 X is designed to be the perfect partner to the  iconic G502 X gaming mouse and the G522 immersive headset. Together, they form the first  true G5 Series lineup, an ecosystem built for players who demand that their performance  adapts to them, not the other way around. To further enhance the keyboard’s allure, both  layouts offer gamers the opportunity to accessorise their setup with a premium acrylic palm  rest. More than just a support, the G512 X palm rests are prisms of comfort, designed with an  intricate laser-etched pattern and a translucent acrylic mould that catches and amplifies  RGB lighting into a brilliant, crystalline display. 

Bold, with game-enhancing capabilities for legendary performance, the G512 X, and its  accompanying palm rest, becomes its perfect keyboard partner and the new command  centre of every G5 Series battle station. 

KEY FEATURES 

● DUAL SWAP BETWEEN ANALOG & MECHANICAL: Enabled by TMR sensors, players can  use BOTH analog and mechanical switches in any of the 39 hybrid switch beds. It is  compatible with almost all popular analogue and 3-pin/5-pin mechanical switches. 

● NEW TMR ANALOG SENSORS: High-Resolution sensors offering unrivalled precision,  rapid-fast response, and outstanding durability. 

● RAPID TRIGGER: Enables faster repeated key presses, giving players quicker  movement stops, starts, and inputs—especially useful for advanced mechanics like  counter-strafing. 

● KEY PRIORITY: Players can set priority for when two opposite directions are activated  at the same time to prevent conflicting inputs. 

● PER KEY ACTUATION: Set specific actuation distances for each analog switch from 0.1  mm to 4.0 mm. 

● MULTIPOINT ACTION & SAPP RINGS: Set two different inputs/actions to the same key  that trigger at different actuation points. Included "SAPP" rings provide physical  feedback when you reach the second actuation pressure point. 

● TRUE 8KHz REPORT RATE: Built to give a true 8K wired connection report rate at  0.125ms, providing speeds faster than what’s actually possible for a human to register.

● DUAL PROGRAMMABLE DIALS: Two clickable, bidirectional turn dials that are fully  programmable via Full Key Control. 

● BOLD LIGHTSYNC RGB LIGHT BAR: A new PVD coated light bar with a slash pattern that  matches the keyboard's design and remains vibrant even without lighting. 

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS 

● PC with Windows 10 or above, masOS 12 or later and USB-A port 

● Internet access for Logitech G HUB Software 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

● Low-profile key switch actuation distance: 1.3 mm 

● Actuation force:  

○ Linear: 43g 

○ Tactile: 45g 

● Total travel distance: 3.2 mm 

● LIGHTSYNC RGB Lighting 

● Rechargeable lithium polymer battery 

PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS 

● Length: G512 X 75, 330 mm; G512 X 98, 387 mm 

● Width (both layouts): 150 mm 

● Height (both layouts): 47 mm 

● Weight without cable: G512 X 75, 880 g; G512 X 98, 1000g 

● Tilt: 8° with keyboard feet extended, 4° without feet 

● Cable length: 1.8 m 

WHAT’S IN THE BOX 

● G512 X Gaming Keyboard 

● USB-C to USB-C detachable charging cable 

● USB Extender 

● Full set of MX Mechanical Switches (pre-installed) 

● 9 Magnetic Analog Switches (in storage) 

● Full set of PBT Keycaps (pre-installed) 

● 5 SAPP Rings 

● 5 Additional Black Keycaps 

● Keycap Puller (doubles as 8° tilt feet) 

● Switch Puller (doubles as 8° tilt feet) 

● User documentation 

● 2-year limited hardware warranty 

PALM RESTS

● A keyboard accessory sold separately 

● Material: Solid acrylic with matt UV coating 

● Length in coordination with keyboard size: G512 X 75, 324 mm; G512 X 98, 387 mm ● Width (both layouts): 86 mm 

● Height (both layouts): angular, 19 mm at highest point 

● Weight: G512 x 75, 420 g: G512 x 98, 490 g 

SUSTAINABILITY & RESPONSIBLE PACKAGING 

● Made with PCR plastics 

● The paper packaging for G512 comes from FSC-certified forests

On Shelf Date: May 2, 2026

Formats: 75 and 98 key layouts, both available in black or white

Price: G512 X 75, $349.99, Palm Rest $79

G512 X 98, $399.99, Palm Rest $89

Available at: LogitechG.com

Ball X Pit releases new update

BALL x PIT’s free The Shadow Update is available now, bringing more balls, more characters, and more everything to all platforms

Think you’re done with Kenny Sun and Friends’ million-selling, ball-bouncing roguelite BALL x PIT? THINK AGAIN. The Shadow Update is available now, free for everyone who owns the game, and brings with it 2 new characters, 11 new balls, and a whole lot more besides.

11 game-changing new balls including some that can bend time, freezing enemies in place or teleporting unpredictably around them. 

2 new playable characters: the Tiptoer, a deadly ninja who stays undetected by enemies at close range, and the Tunneller, a miner whose balls don’t stop at the edge of the screen but wrap around it and come back in from the other side.

4 new Passives including the chaotic Full Metal Rapier, which sees each ball scaling its damage based on how many baby balls and enemies are currently on the battlefield, or the Arrow of Fate, which makes you immune to incoming projectiles and fires back a burst of baby balls whenever you’re hit.

 A new building to construct in your base: the Guildhall. Build one of these and you can re-roll previously chosen character upgrades.

Experience all of this in The Shadow Update, available now on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, and mobile platforms.

Point your balls towards ballxpit.com for more information.

House of the Dragon debuts bloody season 3 trailer for HBO Max launch

Season three of the HBO Original drama series House of the Dragon debuts Monday, 22 June, only on HBO Max. The eight-episode season will air new episodes weekly, leading up to the season finale on 10 August. 

HBO Max will be the only place to watch season three of House of the Dragon, arriving just days after the platform launches in New Zealand on 16 June.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the series, set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, tells the story of House Targaryen. 

Season three cast includes  Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, Abubakar Salim, Tom Cullen, Tommy Flanagan, Dan Fogler, Joplin Sibtain and Barry Sloane.

Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Vince Gerardis, David Hancock, Philippa Goslett. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.

The third season of House of the Dragon debuts Monday, 22 June, only on HBO Max. 

Sgt Haane: Movie Review

Cast: Alex Tarrant, Vinnie Bennett, Niwa Whatuira
Director: Tearepa Kahi

The oral traditions of the likes of Homer inform much of the start of Muru director Tearepa Kahi's latest, a docu-drama about a 28th Maori Battalion member whose bravery has been largely neglected.

Beginning with a swathe of modern-day people remarking on Haane Manahi's prowess, strength and skill, the film swiftly begins to build a picture of someone who was more than a man before flashing back to the day he led the charge to take the mountain on Takrouna in Tunisia, supported by his 28th Maori Battalion comrades on April 19, 1943.

It's an intriguing start to what is a usual tale of derring-do in wartime, but with a stronger emphasis on whakapapa and the impact on others.

But using a split narrative isn't quite the devastating storytelling weapon that the film really needs - and much of Sgt. Haane feels like a very muted and quiet approach to saluting a would-be hero.

Tarrant portrays Haane well, but there's little to go on for the guy who's seen dishing out sympathy and cabin breads to terrified natives of Tunisia much to the chagrin of his cigarette-smoking colleagues. And there's definitely a feeling that perhaps budget stymied some of the intentions of the recreations of the attacks, with on-screen graphics building a sense of scale and stake, as opposed to celluloid action which is all close quarters and close-ups.

Yet, there's a decency to the acting within that proves to be largely compelling, and thanks to footage early on of the Maori Battalion being recruited and their attitude of goofing around for the cameras, a sense of camaraderie is fleshed out where there is little. It's no Band Of Brothers-style story, but there's a palpable sense of ebb and flow between the characters.

Perhaps more effective are the framed portraits of the Battalion members which are wheeled out by relatives at commemorations and whose timeless stances show the Anzac spirit and the war-torn bonds that are created. A scene of the images being packed away towards the end of the film provides a sense of emotional heft that seems to be largely lacking throughout. And testimony from a relative in Tunisia, telling Haane's story to his own son goes a long way to backing up the oral traditions and maintaining of the lineage that this film clearly wants to achieve.

On top of it all is a tremendous score by Mahuia Bridgman-Cooper, whose soundtrack is evocative and resonant, landing when it needs to and threading the story together when the story is somewhat lacking. It's a triumphant touch that elevates the film.

For all its intentions, Sgt. Haane delivers the kind of muted punch you'd least expect from a film like this - it's a testament to his legacy that he was denied the Victoria Cross for his bravery, despite commendations, but the portrayal of what happened feels sadly like it's more suited to a TV movie than a big screen.

Mouse, P.I. For Hire: PS5 Review

Developed by Fumi Games
Released by PlaySide Studios
Platform: PS5

Cuphead has a lot to answer for.

The game that took Mickey Mouse-style hand-drawn graphics and turned them into a run and gun platformer which was one of the hardest ever released was a sensation, thanks to a clever mix of both visuals and gameplay.

So it's no surprise that Fumi Games took the general aesthetic and applied it to the Gumshoe way of the world and the 1930s noir genre that became so popular. The result is Mouse: P.I. For Hire, a black and white game that takes FPS mentality and fires it through a prism of 1930s visuals and rubber hose cartoon aesthetics. 

You take on Jack Pepper, a former war hero who's become a private investigator in the city of Mouseburg, who's drawn into a missing persons case that soon spirals out of control. So far, so noir - and in terms of the storytelling, a lot of Mouse, P.I. For Hire hits all the genre spots you'd expect, dabbling in both the cliches of the time and also the lighter narrative touches that famous movies deployed.

But where Mouse, P.I. For Hire differentiates itself is by using its gorgeously sumptuous 2D animation to bring people into a world that feels both alive and animated (pun very much intended). From black ink as blood to some of the baddies looking like they're descendants of Goofy, the game very much throws players into what feels like a complete world, one that's easy and quick to be immersed in.

And the combat's solid too, meaning that Mouse, P.I. For Hire lives up to its FPS sensibilities, even if the baddies often just feel like marauding waves of bullet sponges ready for the offing. With a whole wheel of weapons to play with and collect, there are plenty of options for slapstick chaos and carnage.

Homages to some of the animated world's 1930s offerings are a nice touch too, ensuring an authenticity that makes Mouse, P.I. For Hire feel like it's been created by those who love the genre, rather than those who are simply exploiting it for commercial gain. It's a major plus point for the game, which, in truth, is more aimed at shooting than simply doing the investigative work.

If anything lets down Mouse, P.I. For Hire, it's the fact the story's not exactly a new one - but it really does seem like the creators wanted to nail the aesthetic of the game and the feel of a FPS meshed with Cuphead.

On that front, Mouse, P.I. For Hire is no Mickey Mouse outing - it's highly playable, delightfully violent and beautifully presented.  

JBL Tune 680NC review

Ear-on-ear headphones very rarely deviate from what's expected.

You're after a comfortable fit, quality sound and also the ability to ensure there's noise cancelling, decent call quality and a battery that serves all your needs.

In many ways, the JBL Tune 680NC doesn't deviate from much of what's expected of it - the lightweight frame supports day-long wear, the sound quality is impressive enough for what's needed from headphones like this and the comfort of the ear-on-ear cups is more than enough to ensure you won't really notice that you're wearing them or be left with sweaty ears.

But the thing which sets the JBL Tune 680NC apart is really its incredible battery life. Checking in at 76 hours, this ensures that you won't need to get them charged up for at least 2 weeks if you're using them 8 hours a day. That's an almost unfeasible amount of battery time that such a small headset can offer - and it's such a welcome boost for those who get tired of having to keep charging daily.

(Though that battery life is dependent on the noise cancelling tech being disabled. When enabled, that slips down to a more market-familiar time of 50 hours.)

Charging of the headphones still relies on cables, but a 5 minute blast and boost can add up to 5 hours of extra power, so the minor inconvenience of needing a cable is still there - but the reward for doing so is clearer.

The Adaptive Noise Cancelling works to correct your surroundings, and ambient noise is dragged out by the headphones and the tech within, making the JBL Tune 680NC the kind of gear you can take anywhere and not expect a real change in any kind of performance. That stability and reliability is not something to be sniffed at in the marketplace, it has to be said.

While the output for music may not be to purists' high specifications, the quality is good enough for the casual user and even though the music doesn't pause once the headphones are off, they deliver an impressive specification of spatial sound to ensure quality isn't really a noticeable issue.

Overall, the JBL Tune 680NC are the kind of headphones daily commuters can use - with comfort and quality, as well as that impressive battery life, plus the ability to fold them up and go wherever whenever, these are the kind of mid-priced products that make audio life a pleasure.