Grand Theft Auto VI trailer leaks early

The brand new trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI has leaked 15 hours early, prompting Rockstar Games to officially launch it ahead of plan.

Watch the first trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI below, coming 2025.

Trolls: Band Together: Movie Review

Cast: Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Eric Andre, Amy Schumer, Andrew Rannells
Director: Walt Dohrn, Tim Heitz

With some shameless puns, a hyperactive sparkle and a jukebox full of music, Trolls: Band Together knows exactly what it's doing - and does it with reasonable aplomb.

When Poppy (Kendrick, endlessly hyper) discovers Branch (Timberlake) was part of her favourite boyband Brozone, she's shocked. But things get worse when Branch is approached by a former member John Dory (Andre) and told Brozone member Floyd is in danger thanks to new pop sensations Velvet and Veneer (Schumer and Rannells).

Setting out on a rescue mission to reunite Brozone and save Floyd, Poppy and Branch must dig into their family pasts to save the day.

Trolls: Band Together is a film that simply goes for nostalgia - whether it's on the music front with its montage mixes of songs by Lizzo, Dolly Parton and Sister Sledge or whether it's down to the fact the Trolls series goes back to basics, the film's keen to hit all the right (auto-tuned) notes as it plays out.

Eschewing some of the formulaic but also heading into psychedelia overload thanks to its colour scheme and trippy visuals, Trolls: Band Together is a candy-covered confestion that manages to make a case for the franchise continuing. 

At a little shy of 90 minutes, there's no sign that this one feels like the series is outstaying its welcome, but creatively, it all leads up to a shameful marketing ploy for N'Sync's latest film and a feeling that the shine may be coming off the Trolls the next time unless they radically reinvent the perenially popular formula which is in danger of becoming safe and stale.

Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder: Review

The second of the 60th anniversary Doctor Who specials leans heavily on the show's sense of mystery with moments evoking the earlier Tenth Doctor episode, Midnight.

After the end of the Star Beast which saw Donna hurling coffee on the TARDIS and it careering off to who-knows-where for them, the second special was something of a mystery for fans, with writer Russell T Davies revealing next to nothing about it.

Following a random opening, the action shifts to a spaceship of unknown origin and with the TARDIS disappearing due to the possibility of a threat onboard, leaving the Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna (Catherine Tate) stranded.

With no means of escape and no clue what's going on, the pair must discover a way out before it's too late.

Wild Blue Yonder works strongly as a character piece with Davies' writing and way of getting to the heart of people's fears coming headily out in a trippy affair that grows increasingly sinister as it continues.

But it's nothing without a tour de force performance from Tennant and Tate, who readily pull out all the stops as doppelgangers. Sure, Wild Blue Yonder may play at themes already seen in the likes of Us, Midnight and The Rebel Flesh, but thanks to some truly nightmare fuel from inventive CGI, the episode feels fresh in its execution, and unsettling in its on-screen imagery.

There are some truly heartstopping moments within, one involving Tate's Donna, but the episode hangs together because of the interplay and relationship between Tennant and Tate. In among the high production values, there's a sense of the show never really losing sight of what makes it tick - moments that stand together from characters you care about.

Granted, there will be some who bristle at the mention of the Timeless Child and the Flux, but once again Tennant gets to embody the true horror of the Time Lord - witnessing so much and being able to do so little about it sometimes. Rarely has he been better in the role, and the feeling that the Fourteenth Doctor has seen so much still burns brightly within Tennant's darker performance.

Ultimately, Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder is the show at its best - a creepy trapped inside a base story with a monster that lies within - and that's what makes it unmissable even in its 60th year.

KarmaZoo: PS5 Review

Developed by Pastagames

Published by Devolver Digital

Platform: PS5

Pastagames' KarmaZoo offers a gaming proposition seldom seen within the platforming genre - a multiplayer online game that sees you needing others to achieve your ends.

While many shooters and a few co-op games encourage team ups, KarmaZoo's MO makes it a necessity, and even rewards good behaviour.

You play a little blob who works to earn the most valuable resource of all - Karma - by platforming with others to achieve your end goal. From singing at various elements to working as a team to open doors, KarmaZoo has a very simple gameplay that gets trickier as the puzzles continue - but which feels enough to stretch gamers of all levels and abilities.

Working within a big bubble, the need to play nicely with others is a mechanic that sees your character rewarded with karma for helping. It certainly beats being blasted by others like in FPS or competitive games like Fortnite - and it's a welcome change for an indie game to take a more wholesome approach to the idea of gaming.

It is also to be noted that that cooperative approach does require all gamers to be on the same page, and occasionally that can lead to frustrations, but for the large part KarmaZoo's positivity is a welcome change in an environment that's usually more toxic helpful.

It looks nice too, with simple level design that's brightly lit and simply executed. KarmaZoo has an unexpected charm and is possibly one of the few games you'll be willing to undertake an online multiplayer experience that offers something truly different.

 

What's on Disney+ in December

Here's everything that's streaming on Disney+ in December.

1 December

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Disney+ Premiere

Harrison Ford returns to the role of the legendary hero archaeologist for this highly anticipated final instalment of the iconic franchise – a big, globe-trotting, rip-roaring cinematic adventure. Thrust again into a challenge that tests his strength, as well as his patience, Indiana Jones (Ford) risks everything to keep an ancient dial that could change the course of history from those who want the device for their own personal gain. With a stellar cast that includes Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, John Rhys-Davies, Toby Jones, and Mads Mikkelsen, Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is a nonstop thrill ride! This exciting finale is directed by James Mangold and written by Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth and David Koepp and James Mangold, based on characters created by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman.

20 December

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Disney+ Original Series

Premiere

Percy Jackson is on a dangerous quest. Outrunning monsters and outwitting gods, he must journey across America to return Zeus’ master bolt and stop an all-out war. After losing his mother, Percy is sheltered at Camp Half-Blood, a sanctuary for demigod children. He must prove himself and confront his origins once he discovers he too is a demigod, and will take off into the perils of pursuing enemies in search of the Underworld. With the help of his quest mates Annabeth and Grover, Percy’s journey will lead him closer to the answers he seeks: how to fit into a world where he feels out of place, if he'll ever see his mother again, and if he can ever find out who he’s destined to be.

December

Doctor Who: Specials

Disney+ Special Premiere

“Wild Blue Yonder” 3 December

“The Giggle” 10 December

"The Church on Ruby Road" 26 December 

Upcoming specials “Wild Blue Yonder” (3 December) and “The Giggle” (10 December) will reunite the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna Temple-Noble (Catherine Tate) as they come face-to-face with their most terrifying villain yet: the Toymaker (played by Neil Patrick Harris in his “Doctor Who” debut). The Holiday Special: "The Church on Ruby Road" premieres 26 December.

8 December

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Christmas: Cabin Fever

Disney+ Original Series Premiere

The winter holidays are turning out to be especially stressful for Greg Heffley this year. After accidentally damaging someone else’s property with his best friend Rowley, Greg worries he won’t get the gift he so desperately wants for Christmas. To make matters worse, a snowstorm hits the town and the entire family is trapped indoors for days. With Christmas right around the corner, will Greg be able to be on his best behavior?

THEATER CAMP | Official Trailer | Searchlight Pictures

6 December

Theater Camp Disney+ Premiere

Tony Award® winner Ben Platt (“Dear Evan Hansen”) and Molly Gordon (“Booksmart”) star in the original comedy “Theater Camp” as Amos and Rebecca-Diane – lifelong best friends and drama instructors at a rundown camp in upstate New York. When clueless tech-bro Troy (Jimmy Tatro) arrives to run the property — into the ground — Amos, Rebecca-Diane and production manager Glenn (Noah Galvin) band together with the staff and young students, staging a masterpiece to keep their beloved summer camp afloat. “Theater Camp” is directed by Molly Gordon & Nick Lieberman from a screenplay by Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman & Ben Platt, based on their short film. Warning: Some flashing-lights scenes in this film may affect photosensitive viewers.

Also in December…

1 December

Disney+ Original

Timeless Heroes: Indiana Jones & Harrison Ford

The Shepherd

Star Original

The Mill

Monster Inside: America's Most Extreme Haunted House

4 December

Star Original

International

Tell Me That You Love Me

5 December

Disney+ Original

International

Isabel Preysler: My Christmas

6 December

Star Original

We Live Here: The Midwest

International

Their Stories: Season 1

Soundtrack #2: Season 2

Series

Going Fur Gold: Season 1

9 December

Star Original

Maestra: Season 1

13 December

Star Original

Planners: Season 2

Undead Unluck: Season 1

Series

Science Fair: The Series: Season 1

20 December

Disney+ Original

International

BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star

Star Original

International

Dragons of Wonderhatch: Season 1

Series

Black-ish: Season 8

22 December

Disney+ Original

Marvel Studios’ What If…?: Season 2

Special

Black-ish: A Celebration

27 December

Star Original

International

Raffa: Season 1

New Episodes

FX's A Murder at the End of the World New episodes weekly on Tuesdays, finale 19 December

The Santa Clauses: Season 2 Finale 6 December

Black Cake Finale 6 December

The Simpsons: Season 35 New episodes weekly on Wednesdays

Marvel Studios Legends: Season 2 New episode 15 December

The Villains of Valley View: Season 2 9 x new episodes 6 December

Kiff: Season 1 4 x new episodes 6 December

PJ Masks: Power Heroes: Season 1 4 x new episodes 20 December

Tokyo Revengers: Season 2 New episodes weekly on Tuesdays, finale 26 December

Chip 'n' Dale: Park Life: Season 2 1 x new episode 20 December

Hailey's On It!: Season 1 7 x new episodes 13 December

Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends: Season 2 1 x new episode 6 December

My Home Hero New episodes weekly on Tuesdays, finale 12 December

SuperKitties: Season 1 5 x new episodes 13 December

Big City Greens: Season 4 5 x new episodes 6 December

Candy Cane Lane: Movie Review

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Nick Offerman
Director: Reginald Hudlin

Eddie Murphy's foray into the Christmas movie genre for Prime Video is a curious outing.

A little bit naughty and a little bit nice in the directing department, the film about Murphy's Chris Carver, a Christmas-obsessed man who's fired just days before the launch of an annual street competition to proclaim the best-dressed house.

Determined to win the $100,000 prize, Carver goes into a pop-up holiday shop manned by Jillian Bell's Peppermint. Signing what he believes is a receipt, he inadvertently endorses a Faustian-like pact to sell off his soul. Learning of his error, he fights to save himself before it's too late.

Candy Cane Lane takes 30 minutes to completely switch gears into a fantasy-muddled mess that had some real potential for something different in the holiday movie genre.

Instead, taunted by the idea of the 12 days of Christmas haunting the family, the movie becomes an odd family-oriented story that mixes horror elements that feel anaemic. And despite the inevitable syrupy elements that mire in portions over how the parents work so hard for the children as well as concerns about moving away from home, Candy Cane Lane isn't quite sure what sort of message it wants to get across.

Yet there are elements that work within for a family movie - the original edges that the story offer prove to be different from the usual holiday movie fare. There are also clever ways that the 12 days of Christmas come to life, but the hit and miss edges of Candy Cane Lane cause more issues than the positives.

Ultimately, Candy Cane Lane is a film that had will find a different audience for Christmas - but it may never enter the echelons of Christmas classics.

Candy Cane Lane streams on Prime Video from December 1.