Robot Chicken Star Wars III: DVD Review
Robot Chicken Star Wars III
Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Ent
Once more unto the breach of Star Wars gags in this latest spoof series from
the Robot Chicken team.
Taking the usual format of plenty of speedy sketches, this latest doesn't
really deviate too far from the mould to be honest.
This time around, the guys take aim at the likes Obi Wan working Jedi mind
tricks on himself in the mirror, C3P0 taking Spanish lessons, and follows the
antics of Gary The Stormtrooper.
I guess really, it comes down to whether you're a fan of Star Wars and can
recognize the targets this motion capture animation takes aim at - certainly if
you are, you'll get a lot more out of it. But even the most casual Star Wars fan
is likely to raise a few giggles from this 45 minute episode.
Extras: A very generous helping with over 3 hours of nuggets of deleted
scenes, animatics and commentaries. Plus a Sunday in the boardroom with the real
George Lucas gives you an insight into how accepted this parody and mockery has
become.
Rating: 7/10
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Fair Game: Blu Ray Review
Fair Game: Blu Ray Review
Fair Game
Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Entertainment
Naomi Watts and Sean Penn reteam for a third time in this movie based on a true story.
Watts stars as CIA agent Valerie Plame, who works at the highest level within the government. The film begins in the aftermath of September the 11th, with the CIA trying to substantiate claims over who's behind the terror attacks and get the evidence needed to support the US government's stance on a war with Iraq
But when Plame's husband, Joe Wilson (a fiery and defiant Sean Penn) writes an opinion piece in the New York Times in 2003 that the intelligence was manipulated to fit the White House, Plame's cover is blown.
She's revealed to the world as a CIA agent, endangering operations she has in play and lives she has promised to protect.
Not only does it endanger everything she's worked for, but the personal cost on the duo and their young family is crippling.
Fair Game is intelligent film-making, blessed with strong central performances.
While it takes a while to get going, the clever use of archival news footage from that time within the film sees a taut political drama start to unfold. The shaky camera work adds a grittiness (and at times, it must be said, a distraction) but it's really Watts and Penn who shine here. Penn, in particular, gets to vent his spleen well in the character who rages against the injustice - but a more quiet and restrained Watts brings the emotional intensity needed to balance that.
The initial humour ends very quickly as the story changes (on returning from a fact-finding mission to Niger, Wilson's character says he "doesn't feel very 007 right now") and soon, the drama has taken the front stage.
Engrossing and with an ending that certainly packs a powerful emotional punch, Fair Game is an interesting and gripping look into the old David and Goliath argument
Extras: Commentary from Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson give this a level of credence it deserves
Rating: 7/10
Fair Game
Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Entertainment
Naomi Watts and Sean Penn reteam for a third time in this movie based on a true story.
Watts stars as CIA agent Valerie Plame, who works at the highest level within the government. The film begins in the aftermath of September the 11th, with the CIA trying to substantiate claims over who's behind the terror attacks and get the evidence needed to support the US government's stance on a war with Iraq
But when Plame's husband, Joe Wilson (a fiery and defiant Sean Penn) writes an opinion piece in the New York Times in 2003 that the intelligence was manipulated to fit the White House, Plame's cover is blown.
She's revealed to the world as a CIA agent, endangering operations she has in play and lives she has promised to protect.
Not only does it endanger everything she's worked for, but the personal cost on the duo and their young family is crippling.
Fair Game is intelligent film-making, blessed with strong central performances.
While it takes a while to get going, the clever use of archival news footage from that time within the film sees a taut political drama start to unfold. The shaky camera work adds a grittiness (and at times, it must be said, a distraction) but it's really Watts and Penn who shine here. Penn, in particular, gets to vent his spleen well in the character who rages against the injustice - but a more quiet and restrained Watts brings the emotional intensity needed to balance that.
The initial humour ends very quickly as the story changes (on returning from a fact-finding mission to Niger, Wilson's character says he "doesn't feel very 007 right now") and soon, the drama has taken the front stage.
Engrossing and with an ending that certainly packs a powerful emotional punch, Fair Game is an interesting and gripping look into the old David and Goliath argument
Extras: Commentary from Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson give this a level of credence it deserves
Rating: 7/10
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: Blu Ray review
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: Blu Ray review
Spartacus: Gods of The Arena
Rating: R18
Released by Madman Entertainment
The prequel to the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand sees John Hannah and our very own Lucy Lawless take centre stage in a 6 hour miniseries.
Hannah is Roman Batiatus, an ambitious man who wants his champion Gannicus to take his rightful place in the arena and earn the house the fame it deserves. But Batiatus, along with his conniving wife Lucretia (Lawless) will do anything to get there - and quite frankly, as politics and rivalries stand in the way, that's a good thing.
It leads to a heady mix of glorified violence, steamy and raunchy sex and a healthy dose of betrayal, lust and mistrust.
Spartacus Gods of the Arena has been described as a guilty pleasure and that's pretty much on the mark; the fight scenes are incredibly well choreographed and simply put, there's never been anything more brutal, more bloodspattered and more watchable on the small screen.
Hannah impresses as the lead and Lawless, along with Jaime Murray, add a level of cunning to the overall production.
If there's to be a criticism in this tale of politicking and honour among the gladiators, the series does recycle its plots a little toward the end of the run, but it's such a powerful run and a compelling pleasure, that you almost forget that.
Extras: A raft of special features with some really interesting looks at how it was all put together and the Blu Ray offers extended episodes (shame you can't watch the cut down ones as well)
Rating: 8/10
Spartacus: Gods of The Arena
Rating: R18
Released by Madman Entertainment
The prequel to the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand sees John Hannah and our very own Lucy Lawless take centre stage in a 6 hour miniseries.
Hannah is Roman Batiatus, an ambitious man who wants his champion Gannicus to take his rightful place in the arena and earn the house the fame it deserves. But Batiatus, along with his conniving wife Lucretia (Lawless) will do anything to get there - and quite frankly, as politics and rivalries stand in the way, that's a good thing.
It leads to a heady mix of glorified violence, steamy and raunchy sex and a healthy dose of betrayal, lust and mistrust.
Spartacus Gods of the Arena has been described as a guilty pleasure and that's pretty much on the mark; the fight scenes are incredibly well choreographed and simply put, there's never been anything more brutal, more bloodspattered and more watchable on the small screen.
Hannah impresses as the lead and Lawless, along with Jaime Murray, add a level of cunning to the overall production.
If there's to be a criticism in this tale of politicking and honour among the gladiators, the series does recycle its plots a little toward the end of the run, but it's such a powerful run and a compelling pleasure, that you almost forget that.
Extras: A raft of special features with some really interesting looks at how it was all put together and the Blu Ray offers extended episodes (shame you can't watch the cut down ones as well)
Rating: 8/10
Black Books: The Definitive Collection: DVD Review
Black Books: The Definitive Collection: DVD Review
Black Books - The Definitive Collection
Rating: M
Released by Shock
Collecting together all three series of this UK sitcom with Dylan Moran is a sensible move.
Packaging it up in a collectors' book box set, is an even better one.
Moran plays Bernard Black, the eccentric bookshop owner who is only interested in being drunk and abusive to customers; Bill Bailey plays his sidekick Manny and Tamsin Greig is a fellow shopkeeper who falls in with their insane ways.
There's so much to love about this comedy from the creators of Father Ted; it's lunatic, funny, bizarre and a little nuts to be honest - but it's eminently watchable and well worth your time.
Extras: A Whole wealth which have previously been available on other collections but with a new doco, this feels like the ultimate collection which fans will adore.
Rating: 7/10
Black Books - The Definitive Collection
Rating: M
Released by Shock
Collecting together all three series of this UK sitcom with Dylan Moran is a sensible move.
Packaging it up in a collectors' book box set, is an even better one.
Moran plays Bernard Black, the eccentric bookshop owner who is only interested in being drunk and abusive to customers; Bill Bailey plays his sidekick Manny and Tamsin Greig is a fellow shopkeeper who falls in with their insane ways.
There's so much to love about this comedy from the creators of Father Ted; it's lunatic, funny, bizarre and a little nuts to be honest - but it's eminently watchable and well worth your time.
Extras: A Whole wealth which have previously been available on other collections but with a new doco, this feels like the ultimate collection which fans will adore.
Rating: 7/10
Friday, 16 September 2011
Game Review - Resistance 3
Game Review - Resistance 3
Resistance 3
Released by Insomniac Games
Platform: PS3
Third time is the charm, right?
In this latest from the prolific and much loved Insomniac Games and the Resistance series, it's four years since the end of Resistance 2.
Sentinel Joseph Capelli has given up fighting the Chimeran menace. Now he's in hiding with other survivors, including his wife and young son.
But when Dr. Fyodor Malikov arrives with the opportunity to deliver a blow to the occupying Chimeran force, Capelli must leave his family and journey the harrowing road from Oklahoma to New York City.
However, the Chimera menace is everywhere to be seen along the way - and Capelli needs to be smart and sensibly armed if he's going to win the day.
A first person sci fi shooter with a 1950s setting, Resistance 3 is playable, terrifying and engrossing to say the least.
But it's not just a case of shooting and running, hoping that tactic will save the day. You actually have to be a little bit smarter than the average gamer and work out how best to use weapons so you don't deplete your ammo while on a killing spree; it's also wise to use your brain to realise when it's best to hide and when it's best to try and avoid the Chimera.
However, that's not always easy - and when some of the Chimera, such as the ones which are essentially suicide chemical blobs target you, sometimes you just can't get away fast enough.
Weaponry such as a Deadeye sniper rifle, a nitrogen freezing ray and various types of grenades all get upgraded with constant use - and so ultimately, Capelli becomes somewhat of a fighting force.
The online components of Resistance 3 are also a boon too - by logging on, you can join others to work together to get rid of the Chimera or try to seize areas in combat simulation games such as steal the flag etc. The player cooperative facilities are a great asset to the game and also give you a chance to feel that the gameplay in Resistance 3 is actually global rather than one man taking on the might of the marauding baddies.
The developers though, have wisely chosen to ground the whole game in a human element as Capelli does whatever he can to protect his wife and young son. It's a nice touch with adds a bit of heart to the cutscenes and a poignant urgency to the campaigns as you immerse yourself in this world.
All in all, Resistance 3 is one of the best FPS games I've played - time to sign up and join to protect the future of the world!
Rating: 8/10
Resistance 3
Released by Insomniac Games
Platform: PS3
Third time is the charm, right?
In this latest from the prolific and much loved Insomniac Games and the Resistance series, it's four years since the end of Resistance 2.
Sentinel Joseph Capelli has given up fighting the Chimeran menace. Now he's in hiding with other survivors, including his wife and young son.
But when Dr. Fyodor Malikov arrives with the opportunity to deliver a blow to the occupying Chimeran force, Capelli must leave his family and journey the harrowing road from Oklahoma to New York City.
However, the Chimera menace is everywhere to be seen along the way - and Capelli needs to be smart and sensibly armed if he's going to win the day.
A first person sci fi shooter with a 1950s setting, Resistance 3 is playable, terrifying and engrossing to say the least.
But it's not just a case of shooting and running, hoping that tactic will save the day. You actually have to be a little bit smarter than the average gamer and work out how best to use weapons so you don't deplete your ammo while on a killing spree; it's also wise to use your brain to realise when it's best to hide and when it's best to try and avoid the Chimera.
However, that's not always easy - and when some of the Chimera, such as the ones which are essentially suicide chemical blobs target you, sometimes you just can't get away fast enough.
Weaponry such as a Deadeye sniper rifle, a nitrogen freezing ray and various types of grenades all get upgraded with constant use - and so ultimately, Capelli becomes somewhat of a fighting force.
The online components of Resistance 3 are also a boon too - by logging on, you can join others to work together to get rid of the Chimera or try to seize areas in combat simulation games such as steal the flag etc. The player cooperative facilities are a great asset to the game and also give you a chance to feel that the gameplay in Resistance 3 is actually global rather than one man taking on the might of the marauding baddies.
The developers though, have wisely chosen to ground the whole game in a human element as Capelli does whatever he can to protect his wife and young son. It's a nice touch with adds a bit of heart to the cutscenes and a poignant urgency to the campaigns as you immerse yourself in this world.
All in all, Resistance 3 is one of the best FPS games I've played - time to sign up and join to protect the future of the world!
Rating: 8/10
Source Code: Blu Ray Review
Source Code: Blu Ray Review
Source Code
Rating: M
Released by Hopscotch and Roadshow
From the director of last year's brilliant Moon, comes a new sci fi thriller which has heart and soul as well as intelligence and action.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Captain Colter Stevens, who finds himself on a train and facing a woman Christina (Bridget Monaghan) he's convinced he's never met before.
To make matters worse, he looks in a mirror and sees the face looking back at him is not his own.
Before he's got time to make head or tail of what's going on, a bomb destroys the Chicago bound train - taking him, and all the passengers with it.
When he wakes up though, he finds himself being questioned by the military (led by Vera Farmiga) and trapped in a capsule.
They explain he's got just eight minutes on the train to find out who is responsible for bombing it and send him back in - and will keep doing so until he's successful.....
Source Code is perhaps one of the best scifi thrillers ever made - but more than that, it's a compelling film which is grounded in humanity rather than just scifi.
Duncan Jones seriously impressed with Moon and he builds even more here with this thrilling and exciting ride. It's a fiendishly intriguing premise which throws you right in at the beginning by giving you few clues and so immediately you empathise with Stevens as he tries to find out what's going on.
Gyllenhaal is mightily watchable as Stevens; as the truth unravels, you understand and really feel his puzzled viewpoint; the thing is, it's all due to Gyllenhaal and his steely determination mixed with vulnerability.
But credit must also go to Monaghan; her Christine becomes the emotional touchstone on the train and the reason Stevens keep coming back - she helps give the story the humanity it needs to keep it from simply being a thriller with a large dollop of sci fi.
The other star is the script - initially complex and layered, it rewards an intelligent audience who are willing to take the ride and embrace the mystery of what's going on on the train as well as what's going on with Stevens.
Source Code is one of the best films of 2011 - it's intelligent, ferociously good film making, and a brilliant experience which rewards with multiple viewings.
Extras: Cast and crew interviews, commentary with Jake Gyllenhaal and writer Ben Ripley
Rating: 8/10
Source Code
Rating: M
Released by Hopscotch and Roadshow
From the director of last year's brilliant Moon, comes a new sci fi thriller which has heart and soul as well as intelligence and action.
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Captain Colter Stevens, who finds himself on a train and facing a woman Christina (Bridget Monaghan) he's convinced he's never met before.
To make matters worse, he looks in a mirror and sees the face looking back at him is not his own.
Before he's got time to make head or tail of what's going on, a bomb destroys the Chicago bound train - taking him, and all the passengers with it.
When he wakes up though, he finds himself being questioned by the military (led by Vera Farmiga) and trapped in a capsule.
They explain he's got just eight minutes on the train to find out who is responsible for bombing it and send him back in - and will keep doing so until he's successful.....
Source Code is perhaps one of the best scifi thrillers ever made - but more than that, it's a compelling film which is grounded in humanity rather than just scifi.
Duncan Jones seriously impressed with Moon and he builds even more here with this thrilling and exciting ride. It's a fiendishly intriguing premise which throws you right in at the beginning by giving you few clues and so immediately you empathise with Stevens as he tries to find out what's going on.
Gyllenhaal is mightily watchable as Stevens; as the truth unravels, you understand and really feel his puzzled viewpoint; the thing is, it's all due to Gyllenhaal and his steely determination mixed with vulnerability.
But credit must also go to Monaghan; her Christine becomes the emotional touchstone on the train and the reason Stevens keep coming back - she helps give the story the humanity it needs to keep it from simply being a thriller with a large dollop of sci fi.
The other star is the script - initially complex and layered, it rewards an intelligent audience who are willing to take the ride and embrace the mystery of what's going on on the train as well as what's going on with Stevens.
Source Code is one of the best films of 2011 - it's intelligent, ferociously good film making, and a brilliant experience which rewards with multiple viewings.
Extras: Cast and crew interviews, commentary with Jake Gyllenhaal and writer Ben Ripley
Rating: 8/10
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Friends With Benefits: Movie Review
Friends With Benefits: Movie Review
Friends With Benefits
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson
Director: Will Gluck
Haven't we already done this before with No Strings Attached starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman in the past 12 months?
Well, sort of.
Mila Kunis stars as corporate headhunter Jamie who first meets graphic designer Dylan Harper (Justin Timberlake) when she's trying to get him to relocate from LA to take a job with GQ in New York. Harper's initially reticent to take the post as he's not convinced the move is the right thing for him. But Jamie takes him for a night on the town and that persuades him to up sticks and move to the Big Apple.
But Harper doesn't really know anyone and so he latches onto Jamie and the two become friends.
Who then decide a little casual sex won't necessarily be a bad thing - as long as it doesn't lead to complications....
As romantic comedies go, Friends With Benefits is a bouncy, fun, light, frothy cappuccino of the genre; it's got a pacy opening and some zingy funny dialogue - as well as young things exposing a fair bit (and butt) of flesh.
That in mind, it's actually got a fair bit going for it - in particular, Kunis who cut her comedic chops on TV sitcom, That 70s Show. She outshines Timberlake in comic timing, playful sexiness and great delivery of some punchy oneliners while batting those big seductive eyes. It's not that Timberlake's terrible, just that he's not on the same level as her when it comes to the comedy and ends up more goofy than plausible.
There's a bit of a lull when the film relocates from the fun of NY to Harper's more serious home family situation in LA and despite another brilliant turn from Richard Jenkin, the energy dip nearly becomes critical for the movie.
A good solid ensemble cast, including a cameo from the superb Emma Stone, a hippyish free loving Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's mother and Woody Harrelson as a gay sports editor at GQ makes this something a little less predictable for the rom com genre. Sure, there's a bit of dissecting of the tenets of the rom-com world by the pair as they scoff at the banalities and predictabilities of Hollywood's romantic world view (even former Grey's Anatomy starlet and now romcom stable Katherine Heigl gets dissed), but it's all part of the overall mix.
All in all, despite the blatantly shoe-horned in product placement and repeated flash mobbing, Friends With Benefits will surprise you - it'll make you laugh when you don't expect it and actually leave you with a fluffy glow as you depart the cinema.
Friends With Benefits
Rating: 7/10
Cast: Mila Kunis, Justin Timberlake, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson
Director: Will Gluck
Haven't we already done this before with No Strings Attached starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman in the past 12 months?
Well, sort of.
Mila Kunis stars as corporate headhunter Jamie who first meets graphic designer Dylan Harper (Justin Timberlake) when she's trying to get him to relocate from LA to take a job with GQ in New York. Harper's initially reticent to take the post as he's not convinced the move is the right thing for him. But Jamie takes him for a night on the town and that persuades him to up sticks and move to the Big Apple.
But Harper doesn't really know anyone and so he latches onto Jamie and the two become friends.
Who then decide a little casual sex won't necessarily be a bad thing - as long as it doesn't lead to complications....
As romantic comedies go, Friends With Benefits is a bouncy, fun, light, frothy cappuccino of the genre; it's got a pacy opening and some zingy funny dialogue - as well as young things exposing a fair bit (and butt) of flesh.
That in mind, it's actually got a fair bit going for it - in particular, Kunis who cut her comedic chops on TV sitcom, That 70s Show. She outshines Timberlake in comic timing, playful sexiness and great delivery of some punchy oneliners while batting those big seductive eyes. It's not that Timberlake's terrible, just that he's not on the same level as her when it comes to the comedy and ends up more goofy than plausible.
There's a bit of a lull when the film relocates from the fun of NY to Harper's more serious home family situation in LA and despite another brilliant turn from Richard Jenkin, the energy dip nearly becomes critical for the movie.
A good solid ensemble cast, including a cameo from the superb Emma Stone, a hippyish free loving Patricia Clarkson as Jamie's mother and Woody Harrelson as a gay sports editor at GQ makes this something a little less predictable for the rom com genre. Sure, there's a bit of dissecting of the tenets of the rom-com world by the pair as they scoff at the banalities and predictabilities of Hollywood's romantic world view (even former Grey's Anatomy starlet and now romcom stable Katherine Heigl gets dissed), but it's all part of the overall mix.
All in all, despite the blatantly shoe-horned in product placement and repeated flash mobbing, Friends With Benefits will surprise you - it'll make you laugh when you don't expect it and actually leave you with a fluffy glow as you depart the cinema.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Very latest post
Honest Thief: DVD Review
Honest Thief: DVD Review In Honest Thief, a fairly competent story is given plenty of heart and soul before falling into old action genre tr...
-
The Last Of Us Part II: PS4 Review Developed by Naughty Dog Platform: PS4 Wracked with but not wrecked by spoilers dropping before rele... -
Sex Tape: Movie Review Cast: Cameron Diaz, Jason Segal, Ellie Kemper, Rob Corddry, Rob Lowe Director: Jake Kasdan Predicated around the ... -
Brand new Oblivion posters unveiled Entertainment Weekly' s got the first look at some new Oblivion posters. The Oblivion posters s...
