White Men Can't Jump: Movie Review

Cast: Jack Harlow, Sinqua Walls, Lance Reddick, Teyana Taylor, Laura Harrier
Director: Calmatic

The contemporary take on 1992's White Men Can't Jump isn't ashamed to wear its emotional baggage on its sleeve. 

Rapper Harlow plays Jeremy, a gym-based hustler whose two busted knees have seemingly signalled the end to his prospective balling career. Walls is Kamal, a former college hotshot whose career has been derailed and who mow works a dead-end delivery job and who is prone to exploding at customers who recognize him and ask for selfies.

As the two meet up they form a bond that's cemented in ambition on the court and in a drive to change their circumstance. 

But both have prospective internal doubts that could derail their plans and hopes - can the two of them overcome their internal demons?

The 2023 version of White Men Can't Jump may feel like it's changed in its 31 year gap but in truth the core mentality of believe in yourself and odd couple vibes within its DNA hasn't radically readjusted.

Yet it's not quite got the spark and vibrancy of the original which crackled with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson.

Despite director Calmatic's eye for the usual sporting tropes (slowmo shots, a pulsing soundtrack), there's not much which singles out White Men as being radically different from plenty of other similar films of its underdog ilk.

Harlow is laid back, perhaps almost too horizontal, in his delivery as Jeremy, a socks and sandalwearing baller and baiter. He does have an earnestness to his performance though and there's real heart with his female costar. But there's little swagger or memorable moments that cement him in this first time role.

Likewise Walls, his leading man costar has little to play with other than fits of anger and aggression as he deals with internal regrets - while there are soulful touches, again there's little memorable to seal the deal.

More effective is perhaps the vibrancy of the streets expertly choreographed and placed on screen; much is done to in helping the game and the locales to shine - almost like 2K games recent basketball sim NBA 2K Playgrounds.

Ultimately the remake is watchable enough fare that frustratingly has unfulfilled promise and not enough to stand out as its own and thus remains less of the slam dunk you'd hope for after the iconic work of Wesley Snipes / Woody Harrelson combo.

White Men Can't Jump begins streaming on Disney+ under its Star banner on Friday May 19.

Fast X: Movie Review

Cast: Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Jason Statham, Helen Mirren
Director: Louis Letterier

"It's like a cult with cars."

Sometimes, a big dumb film is just a big dumb film.

The Fast and Furious franchise has long moved past any pretensions of grandeur, and instead has focused on providing OTT action and what the fans of the genre want - as well as what the box office expects in terms of the European summer returns.

Fast X fits squarely into the category of big and dumb, with its mix of ACME cartoon violence stylings fitting nicely with its main cast's inability to provide any kind of nuance of emotions throughout.

However, what Fast X has in its arsenal as it reveals the latest film is just the start of a three part finale for the franchise is Jason Momoa's vengeful and flamboyant Dante Reyes, who's determined to visit his father's "never accept death when suffering is owed" mantra on Toretto et al for killing off his dad in Fast Five.

Cue plenty of globe trotting, sequences of retrofitting Momoa's Dante into Fast Five footage and moments of CGI and practical stunts melding together to defy all laws of gravity. 

The Fast and Furious franchise isn't interested in logic, nor is it interested in dialogue in this latest, but is more concerned with splitting off groups of Toretto's fam, revealing unexpected betrayals and setting up future instalments with cliffhanger endings that MCU films would revel in.

Yet, it's hard in parts to take the threat seriously - for in among most of the chaos, and brutal brawls, there are not any hints of any of the characters taking a scratch. 

Cars fly into walls at speed, leaving only broken windows, fights crunch with bloody might but no hint of blood - it's all shifted away from the human level now to reveal Dom Toretto et al are superheroes, protected by the superpower of family and faith.

It would be laughable were it not for a few positive things in the latest. 

Firsly, Momoa's manic character is an excellent antagonist for the series. From revelling in wearing scrunchies and doing nails, to camply taunting Toretto and swinging quickly to menace with demented ease, this Joker-like level performance proves knowing enough and also dangerous enough to provide some menace for the showdowns now - and in future. And while Diesel still can't emote at all during his acting, it's the first time he's gifted his Toretto some vulnerability in proceedings.

Secondly, the action is wall-to-all swirling, twirling cameras that plays up the bigger nature of the stunts and also leans heavily into the cartoony ACME levels you'd expect. (It's a surprise Road Runner and Coyote don't show up, to be frank.) The scale of it all is overwhelming and in fairness to Letterier, extremely crisply choreographed and shot. From a rolling bomb in Rome to street racing in Rio, the visual aesthetics of the series prove once again insanely compelling and crowd-pleasing - no matter how much you're eye-rolling and wondering what next.

But ultimately, alongside the cameos, the returning characters, the peril faced at the end, Fast X is a hollow movie which will be judged on its second half. As a blockbuster, it serves up what's needed, but as ever with this franchise, it's a shallow adrenaline rush that will satiate its fans, will leave some screaming at a post-credits scene and leave others utterly clueless over the appeal of this nearly creatively running on empty series that somehow continues to reinvent itself despite all the odds and despite there being nothing new on offer.

Star Wars: Jedi Survivor: PS5 Review

Developer: Respawn Studios
Publisher: EA
Platform: PS5

Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order was a great reintroduction to the Star Wars universe and a sign that the gaming world can do a great job of creating a narrative-driven Star Wars IP and making it successful.

So it's back to Cal Kestis' world once again, and you're thrown straight in in the middle of a heist that really fuels the narrative of the game as Cal has to seek out those who've wronged him and vengeance for fallen comrades.

But what Star Wars: Jedi Survivor does well is put you back into the boots of a fledgling Jedi and send you running back into the world of the Force and the Empire. With no shaky need to get reacquainted with Cal's previous powers, the game builds on the skills and kills of Cal with ease. New stances, double lightsabers and big chunky fights make this a game that does challenge as much as it does thrill.

Proffering up the kind of human elements a good Star Wars story does (betrayal, vengeance, growth), the game's emotional depths make it well worth the time investment. The game's smooth graphics on the PS5 allow cut scenes to sizzle, especially in HD TV terms. It works in the way a best Lucasfilm game can - taking elements that gel and improving on them without alienating the player.

From extra stances that allow you to slip between light sabre battle styles to a sprawling map, Star Wars: Jedi Survivor knows exactly what it wants to do and delivers in spades. Unlocking abilities as you go while building on prior skills from Fallen Order, the game's not interested in holding back players, but merely enabling them to be the best they can be during their playing.

It's a rudimentary difference that doesn't alienate new players, but equally doesn't infuriate others who've spent prior hours working their way up. Fights need you to focus, building on Jedi skills you've acquired, but they also require you to think about what you're doing and employ the best stance to survive the conflict. There may be a little more of the platforming elements in this one, but that's no bad thing.

It's thrilling heady stuff that Star Wars: Jedi Survivor looks to bring to the table - and the fact it does it in such a way that proves to be both immersive and compelling is testament to both Respawn and EA. In trusting in their own Forces within, they've enabled this Star Wars game to be one of the best narrative games ever produced.

What's on Disney+ in June

Here's what's streaming on Disney+ in June.

Avatar: The Way of Water (June 7)

The wait is almost over! After a historic theatrical run, James Cameron’s global phenomenon “Avatar: The Way of Water” will debut June 7 on Disney+ and will include bonus content featuring filmmakers, cast and crew.

 “Avatar: The Way of Water” debuted in theatres across Aotearoa on December 15, becoming the #1 film of all time at the local box office. It is also the the third highest-grossing film of all time worldwide with nearly $2.32 billion at the box office. Nominated for numerous Academy Awards® including Best Picture, the film also set a new benchmark for visual effects. Produced by Cameron and his longtime partner Jon Landau, the 20th Century Studios-Lightstorm Entertainment production stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet. Joining the illustrious adult cast are talented newcomers Britain Dalton, Jamie Flatters, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Bailey Bass and Jack Champion. The screenplay is by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, with story by James Cameron & Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver & Josh Friedman & Shane Salerno. David Valdes and Richard Baneham serve as the film’s executive producers.

 “Avatar: The Way of Water” reaches new heights and explores undiscovered depths as James Cameron returns to the world of Pandora in this emotionally packed action adventure. Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” launches the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. All of this against the backdrop of the breathtaking seascapes of Pandora, where audiences are introduced to new Na’vi cultures and a range of exotic sea creatures. 

14 June

The Full Monty: Season 1

STAR Original Series

Premiere

It’s 25 years since six ordinary men bared all in “The Full Monty.” The world has changed a lot since then, but what’s become of the Monty gang? Gaz is now a grandad but he’s not growing old gracefully. He’s as full of mad schemes as ever and his teenage daughter’s following in his footsteps. Dave plods along, devoted to his wife Jean and their dog Tallulah. But Jean needs more from Dave than his daily updates on Tallulah’s toileting, especially now she’s headmistress of a school plagued with issues. Lomper and Dennis are married and trying to keep their dwindling café afloat. Retired Gerald is baffled by the modern world, but it’s Horse who’s truly been left behind. When his attempt to fight back misfires, the Monty gang pull together to pay tribute to the friendships of a lifetime.

21 June

Secret Invasion: Season 1

Disney+ Original Series

Premiere

In Marvel Studios’ new series “Secret Invasion,” set in the present day MCU, Nick Fury learns of a clandestine invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury joins his allies, including Everett Ross, Maria Hill and the Skrull Talos, who has made a life for himself on Earth. Together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity.

21 June

FX's Class of '09: Limited Series

STAR Original Series

Premiere

Class of ’09 is a suspense thriller, limited series that follows a class of FBI agents set in three distinct points in time, who grapple with immense changes as the U.S. criminal justice system is altered by artificial intelligence. Spanning multiple decades and told across interweaving timelines, the series examines the nature of justice, humanity and the choices we make that ultimately define our lives and legacy. The series stars Brian Tyree Henry as Tayo, one of the most unorthodox agents to ever join the bureau, and Kate Mara as Poet, one of the most successful undercover agents of all-time.

9 June

Flamin' Hot

STAR Original Movie

Premiere

The story of Richard Montañez, the Frito Lay janitor who channelled his Mexican American heritage and upbringing to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into an iconic snack.

7 June

Saint X: Season 1

STAR Original Series

Premiere

The series, which is told via multiple timelines, explores and upends the girl-gone-missing genre as it explores how a young woman's mysterious death during an idyllic Caribbean vacation creates a traumatic ripple effect that eventually pulls her surviving sister into a dangerous pursuit of the truth.

Also in June…

7 June

Series

Critter Fixers: Country Vets: Season 4

International

Blood Curse: Season 1

9 June

Special

Pride from Above

14 June

STAR Original

International

Full Count: Season 1

International

The Zone: Survival Mission: Season 2

Series 

The Owl House: Season 3

BUNK'D: Learning the Ropes: Season 6

Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet: Season 11

16 June

Special

Stan Lee

21 June

STAR Original

International

Special Force: Anarchy

Series 

Home in the Wild: Season 1

Raven's Home: Season 6

23 June

Disney+ Original 

World's Best

STAR Original

International

Revenant: Season 1

25 June

STAR Original

International

The Protectors: Seasons 1-2

28 June

Disney+ Original 

Weekend Family: Season 2

STAR Original

International

Freeks: Season 1

Series 

Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog: Season 3

Critter Fixers: Country Vets: Seasons 2, 3 & 5

Great Expectations: Season 1

Home Improvement: Seasons 1-8

Party of Five: Season 1

30 June

STAR Original

International

548 Days: Abducted Online: Season 1

Special

Saving Notre Dame

New Episodes

The Clearing New episodes weekly on Wednesdays

The Kardashians: Season 3 New episodes weekly on Thursdays

The Company You Keep: Season 1 Finale 7 June

Grey’s Anatomy: Season 19 Finale 7 June

Will Trent: Season 1 Finale 7 June

Good Trouble: Season 5 New episodes weekly on Wednesdays, finale 14 June

Bob's Burgers: Season 13 New episode on 7 June 

The Simpsons: Season 34 Finale 7 June

Marvel Studios Legends: Season 2 5 x new episodes 14 June

Dr. Romantic: Season 3 New episodes weekly on Fridays and Saturdays, finale 17 June

Firebuds: Season 1 3 x new episodes 14 June

Kiff: Season 1 5 x new episodes 28 June

Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: Season 5 6 x new episodes 21 June

Race New episodes weekly on Wednesdays, finale 14 June

Tomorrow, I'll Be Someone's Girlfriend: Season 2 New episodes weekly on Tuesdays

Tengoku-Daimakyo: Season 1 New episodes weekly on Saturdays, finale 1 July

Spidey and His Amazing Friends: Season 2 New episodes 7 and 14 June

Dead Island 2: PS5 Review 

Developed by Deep Silver, Dambuster Studios
Published by Deep Silver and Plaion
Platform: PS5

Zombie games are a dime a dozen.

The hack and slash mentality of many of them makes the genre itself feel like it needs some kind of reinvention or to at least ensure the latest game plays well and does what it needs to.

Deep Silver's Dead Island 2 is a sequel to the 2011 game which has taken some time to arrive and in truth, while it's playable enough, it doesn't quite do what it should to reinvent the franchise - but it does provide some relatively playable braindead thrills.

Set 10 years after the events of Dead Island, you find yourself quarantined in Los Angeles as the zombie outbreak continues around you. As LA settles in to life under strict controls, it all goes wrong when an evacuation flight's shot down and you find yourself back where it all started - with the bitey undead snapping around your ears, trying to take you down.

As you shamble from one location to the next, a variety of weapons and paraphernalia are all available to your player of choice but in truth, all you really need is the ability to craft a few weapons and then the dead can be dispatched in very similar ways.

Yet, if you're in a creative enough mood, you can work out better ways to kill them off rather than just punching them or slicing them. Early on, there's a chance to use an environmental kill as an offing tool as you can chuck a battery into a swimming pool. It's this kind of anarchy that Dead Island 2 needs a little more of, rather than its fairly generic and repetitive go here, unlock this, upgrade that mentality that persists in much of the game's execution.

There is a very real throwback quality to this arcade beat-em-up and if you're in the right mood, it can prove to be a persistent thrill that's puerile and amusing enough to wile away the hours. With skill cards to collect and play styles to adjust, there's much to keep those looking for simpler pleasures amused - and graphically, the game has the feel of something of an arcade game you'd get in olden days.

Ultimately, Dead Island 2 is better when it doesn't try to be something it's not - while its protagonists (whichever one you choose) mocks your own style of play, the game doesn't take itself too seriously. It may be a little too underdeveloped for some and not risky enough given its genre, but there's still fun to be had punching zombies in the face when the mood takes.

Jason Momoa at Fast X Premiere

Jason Momoa made an appearance at Auckland's Fast X Premiere, welcoming fans to the new Vin Diesel film before screenings of the movie hours after its Rome premiere.

Watch the video of Jason Momoa at the Fast X premiere as he visits each cinema to introduce the film below!

Fast X opens in cinemas May 18.

(Video courtesy of Moviearmy.com)