Modern Family S2: DVD Review

Modern Family S2: DVD Review

Modern Family: Season 2
Rating: PG
Released by Universal Home Ent

It nabbed a slew of Emmy awards and to be honest, it's easy to see why.

Following 3 families, Modern Family is the first appointment viewing comedy in a very very long time which everyone can enjoy. Rather than being reliant on smut for the laughs, this goes for the smarts and it hits the target every time.

The mockumentary style casts its eye on Mitchell and Cam, the gay fathers trying to find their way, Claire and Phil with their brood of three and family patriarch Jay, who's trying to keep his sexy Cuban wife Gloria and son happy.

It's rare for an entire season of one show to keep you entertained but 24 episodes of this show do just that. Thanks in part to the outstanding ensemble cast and very smart writing, this is one of the shows that's got the magic right from beginning to end.

Extras: Table reads, videos, extended scenes and gag reel - nothing sensational to be honest, but given how good the show is, you can't imagine there'd be much else left to give

Rating: 8/10 

The Killing: DVD Review

The Killing: DVD Review

The Killing
Rating: M
Released by Madman Entertainment

Four years after being first released in native Denmark, and to universal critical acclaim, the 20 part first series of The Killing is released here.

And what a scorching series it is.

Over 20 episodes, a homicide unit follows the killing of 19-year-old woman, Nanna Birk Larsen - by the intrepid Detective Inspector Sarah Lund, who as the series begins is about to leave for Sweden. But as she looks further into the case, the death has serious implications for an ongoing mayoral campaign.

The pilot of The Killing pretty much lays its atmospheric cards out on the table - with iconic backgrounds and Nordic landscapes, it does feel a little like The Millennium Trilogy in tone; but it's its own beast.
It's captivating, engrossing, intelligent and enthralling television at its best with a central protagonist who's prone to wearing chunky jumpers and because of that, ends up in the pantheon of quirky yet brilliant detectives.

Simply put, The Killing needs your time - set aside 20 hours for some of the best TV you'll see - and then beg Madman to release the second series...

Rating: 8/10

Rio: Blu Ray Review

Rio: Blu Ray Review

Rio
Rating: PG
Released by Universal Home Ent

From the creators of Ice Age, it's the story of the last male macaw in the world Blu (voiced with geeky overtones by The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg) who's kidnapped when young from his Brazilian habitat. An accident leads him to be cared for by Linda (Leslie Mann) in Minnesota - and Blu's quite happy in his domesticated lifestyle.

However, when Tulio, from Brazil's department of Conservation shows up on her doorstep, pleading with Linda to let him mate Blu with the last female Macaw Jewel (Anne Hathaway), Blu's life is thrown into disarray.

Dragged to Rio for a romantic liaison, Blu's birdnapped once again - and along with Jewel and a few feathered friends, he's determined to escape back to Linda and the comfort of his normal life.

Colourful, passionate and full of heart, Rio is an animated delight. From its opening song which soars with birds covering the screen in a wealth of vibrant colours, Rio will get you onside right away.
Even if the sight of most of those birds being kidnapped minutes later will terrify the young...

With a story which is sweet but not cloying, Rio manages to move and amuse in equal measures.

Throw in a great performance from Jesse Eisenberg (who's really cornering that geeky style) as bird nerd Blu - and a menacing turn from Jemaine Clement's Nigel, a cockatoo who used to be the in thing but who's now bitter and angry, and you've got the mix for a fun time for all the family at the cinema. Which is a rare thing.

But, it's an all family affair too - from the wondrous animated backdrops of Rio itself to the cast of supporting characters, (monkeys, dogs, toucans, birds) there's plenty for everyone to get lost in here.

The script has smarts too - with witty dialogue, great songs (the stand out of which is Jemaine Clement's bird rap) charm and animation that is easy on the eye and not reliant on 3D, you can't go wrong with Rio.
Rating: 7/10 

Drive: Movie Review

Drive: Movie Review

Drive
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Ron Perlman, Bryan Cranston, Christina Hendricks, Albert Brooks
Director: Nicholas Winding Refn
Bathed in acclaim from the Wellington leg of the NZ International Film Festival and from Cannes, this action drama film has a lot to live upto.
And it doesn't disappoint.
Gosling stars as an unnamed stunt driver who finds himself drawn to his neighbour, Irene (Mulligan) and her young son. However, Irene's husband Standard is on the verge of being released from prison - and when he gets released, the seedy underworld catches upto him again.
The driver decides to help Standard do one last job to help rid him of the past - but soon finds himself in a world of trouble.
Violent, slick and masterful and one hell of a ride, Drive is not what you'd expect - which is a great thing.
Beginning with one of the best pre-credits scene in years, it's clear what kind of movie Refn wants to make.
Whereas most action films involving cars and heists throw everything at the screen and often overwhelm with screeching tyres, wailing police sirens and loud explosions, Refn's gone for the more considered and realistic approach - which is greatly beneficial and makes it thrilling from the get go.
Coupled with a steely performance from Gosling as the calm and measured driver, this visceral opening is stylish and suspenseful.
Everyone in this occasionally violent film steps up; Gosling deserves the lion share of the praise but the rest of the cast all bring their A game. Unfortunately though, there seems to be little chemistry between Mulligan and Gosling which is a shame given how pivotal their relationship needs to be to fuel the plot. That said, the ensemble cast are particularly impressive with Bryan Cranston rolling out a very solid, very empathetic performance as the Driver's friend who scores him work; equally, Perlman and Brooks add the level of menace to the crims which comes not only with age but also with experience.
Drive is effortlessly cool and is probably one of the best films of the year - it's not exactly what you'd expect from a heist movie but it's rapidly becoming a classic in the way Bullitt and other films of its ilk were back in the day.

Also, I am painfully aware there's a growing fan movement behind Gosling - and quite frankly, this role will cement a lot of people's opinions of him; be it chewing moodily on a toothpick behind a wheel or wielding a shotgun to take someone down, this is the role which is going to send his star well into the stratosphere.

The Inbetweeners S2: DVD Review

The Inbetweeners S2: DVD Review

The Inbetweeners Season 2
Rating: M
Released by Roadshow and Hopscotch
Back for another year and with a successful film in tow, the four awkward school lads return for more antics of the excruciating kind.
Over the course of six episodes, Will, Jay, Simon and Neil continue to mine as much excruciating discomfort as they can muster - peppered with foul language, puerile humour and occasional outrage. Throw in birthdays for Will, exams and clubbing and to be honest, you've covered much of the horror of the teenage years.
The thing is though with The Inbetweeners, it's so well written, acted and put together, that you can't help but feel for these four loveable losers as they negotiate their way through the teen years, the misery of high school and the drudgery of a lack of acceptance. Every episode has a laugh out loud moment - and it's usually at their expense.
At the end of the day, you can't help but love this series - because through all four of the central characters and all six of the episodes, I bet some of you will recall some of your own horrific school day moments.

Rating: 7/10

Game Review: Ratchet and Clank - All 4 One

Game Review: Ratchet and Clank - All 4 One

Ratchet and Clank - All 4 One
Platform: PS3
Rating: 7/10
The Lombax and his metal buddy return in this latest outing for the phenomenally popular duo.
Ratchet and Clank have had some brilliant outings on the PlayStation and fought some pretty impressive nemesis, but this newest adventure for the duo sees them forced out of retirement - along with President Qwark - to apparently collect the Intergalactic Tool of Justice Award.
However, when the trio arrive on Luminopolis, it's clear it's a trap laid by nemesis Dr Nefarious who's after revenge.
But things go awry, the gang's captured and Nefarious is forced to team up with the three people he's just tried to destroy to ensure they can all escape...
Ratchet and Clank All 4 One is clearly aimed at the co-operative contingent - and it's a nice touch to be able to take control of each of these key characters and their strengths, stupidities and weapons.
In a one player person campaign, the computer takes control of the second player (necessary to complete certain areas of the game) and it's great to report that for once, when the machine's running your helper, the helper actually works really well. There've been other games where a second player is run by the PS3 and they don't end up killing the baddies or doing what they need to and it adds to a real sense of frustration. Thankfully that's not the case here and that automatic co-operation gives you the chance to play the game solo if you're a Norman no-mates and don't fancy going online to get a group together.
That said, the co-operative side of this game can be fun with a group - but it's also got to be said, it gives it some of its drawbacks.
When running around with 4 other players, occasionally the screen can't cope with all the action and suddenly the freedom you had to traverse is cut a little short by the constraints of the environment around. It means some of the time, you can't explore as much as you want and really, you do need to take some control of what the other players are doing.
There's a degree of simplicity to the game as well - some of the puzzles seem aimed more at the younger end of the gaming spectrum and it may be the more hardened gamers will feel a little patronised in places as everything can be solved easily thanks to graphics on screen revealing what buttons need to be pressed and in which order. Whilst it makes the game easier to traverse, it does also mean there's no real challenges to gameplay which is a shame.
Also frustrating is the saving element of the game. Unless you time it right, occasionally you find yourself having to repeat large sections of the game to catch up on where you left off.
These niggles aside, All 4 One is a solid and playable outing for Ratchet and Clank and will give a lot of fun to the family gaming side. It's certainly likely to keep you entertained with hours of solid gameplay and lots of the trademark Ratchet and Clank humour - as well as some beautifully designed environments and cut scenes.

But you can't help feeling that for the next outing, the designers will have to pull something very special out of the bag to ensure the franchise feels fresh.

Water For Elephants: Blu Ray review

Water For Elephants: Blu Ray review

Water for Elephants
Released by 20th Century Fox
Rating: M

RPatz tries to put the vampire sparkle behind him in this adaptation of the Sara Gruen historical novel.

Set in Depression times in America, Pattinson plays Jacob (yes, we're aware of the irony too) a vet student who's about to sit his final exams at Cornell University
However, when his parents are killed in a car accident just moments into his exam, his life changes as he loses everything - not just his family, but his home

So, running away he jumps on a train which turns out to belong to the Benzini Brothers circus troupe.

Convincing the owner August (a mightily impressive Christoph Waltz) that he can contribute and showing his vet knowledge, Jacob is soon welcomed into the upper echelons of the carny society.
However - that also includes an attraction to August's wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) which proves dangerous as August is a brooding man, prone to explosive outbursts and abusing the animals....

Water For Elephants starts off well - the Depression era is brilliantly captured and recreated and the tone is perfectly set for a nice historical love story.
But that's where the problems begin with Water For Elephants.

For a story like this to work, you need to have sizzling chemistry between two leads - and to be frank, Pattinson and Witherspoon have as much chemistry as a wet weekend. And that really lets the tale down and brings the whole thing crashing into an average reality.

While RPatz and Witherspoon fail to bring any real spark, there is some consolation in Waltz. He is fantastic; bringing the horrendous menace and explosiveness needed to an evil man but also showing hints of a man conflicted by his behaviour. Water For Elephants is massively disappointing after such a good set up.
Rating: 4/10