Ratchet and Clank Trilogy: PS3 Review

Ratchet and Clank Trilogy: PS3 Review

Platform: PS3
Released by Sony Computer Entertainment

Ah, the original Ratchet and Clank.

Such a wonderful gaming experience on the PS2 but one which has yet to be fully converted to the PS3 format.

Until now.

While there have been games for the PS3 - All For One, Tools of Destruction, Crack in Time - this faithful duo's outings on the format have been less than successful with narrative and game depth suffering at the hands of trying to show off what the PS3 can offer Ratchet and Clank.

While there's a new game out this year called Ratchet and Clank: Q Force (which will hopefully redress the balance), it's so, so good to have this original trilogy of games back out in a HD Classics re-release.

I will admit I've lost plenty of hours to these original games and fell in love with the series when I first tried it out all those years ago - so perhaps, there was always a nostalgic tint to the possibility of the original format getting a spruce up and outing on the PS3.

And the reason? Because the games are just so much damn fun.

Basically, you control a furry creature called a Lombax, by the name of Ratchet and teamed up with his robot buddy, visit an array of planets, amass a collection of weapons and generally save the day from the baddies - Dr Nefarious, Qwark and a whole horde of marauding creatures.

Pulling together Ratchet and Clank, Ratchet and Clank: Locked and Loaded and Ratchet and Clank Up your Arsenal (the best of all the series), there's plenty of long hours of gaming ahead of you.

There's a charm to powering around using weapons and smashing boxes to collect tokens to buy more weapons; and there's an ease of gameplay too - I lost 3 hours to the game without realising because it's just such an enjoyable outing on the PS3.

It's not perfect with some controls tricky to perfect and with a camera that doesn't always auto correct making some battle scenes a little difficult, it can be an occasionally frustrating experience.

But as a trilogy of games, and a Ratchet and Clank experience it's simply a blast. A reminder that the best games don't always have to be ones which fully tax your mind, cause you to overthink and spend days puzzling about what to do next.

The strength of the Ratchet and Clank series has always been the simplicity of gameplay, the camaraderie between the robot and his furry friend and the humour which is imbued throughout every moment of the game. Throw in an array of good supporting characters and a whole heap of endless fun and the Ratchet and Clank trilogy is a game series your PS3 needs to have. It won't change the world, and while it looks crisp and nicely presented in HD, it certainly doesn't look its 10 year old age.

The Ratchet and Clank Trilogy is a must own gaming experience; nostalgia be damned, this iconic series is as playable as it ever was and will continue to be for generations to come.

Here's hoping Q Force is going to be a blast too....

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V48 Hour winner unveiled

V48 Hour winner unveiled

Turns out gold tastes better than brains for team Noise and Pictures, the brand new 2012 V48HOURS Grand National Champion.
The journey to Auckland paid off for the Wellington team, who took home top honours at the V48HOURS Grand Final, held last night at the Civic Theatre.
There’s no shortage of brains among these guys, who also took out Best Script and Best Makeup. The third time entrants scored $60,000 in cash and prizes as well as the prized Golden Apee for their horror film ‘Brains?’.

The subversive zombie comedy, complete with an awkward dating moment, enthralled the audience and international judges alike, who called it “hilarious, original and surprisingly touching.”
“We’re really ecstatic to have won, and to be here with some legendary competitors is pretty overwhelming,” said team leader Giles McNeill, who finished with, “Thanks mum, finally I’ve done something good.”
Runner up for the second year was team Lense Flare with their one-shot/crime film ‘The Girl With The Clover Tattoo”. Third place and Best Animation was Sir Peter Jackson’s Wildcard, team Mukpuddy, for their romantic comedy ‘Love In Decay’, also mirroring their 2011 placings. 
The competition, far from undead, has clocked its first decade and 4,062 films. There to mark the occasion was Rose Matafeo to present the TVNZ U award for the Greatest 48 Short of All Time to 2011 champs, Grand Cheval.
“The 10th year of this competition has been as fierce as ever,” says founder Ant Timpson.  “Every time I think I’ve seen it all, these guys pull another trick out of the bag.  We have some seriously talented filmmakers in New Zealand, and I’m proud that V48HOURS gets to give them the kudos they deserve.
“Making a film in only 48 hours is no easy feat – trust me I know – and to come out the other side and produce such quality is awesome. Even Sir Peter Jackson doubts he could do the same – so well done guys.”

The Artist: Blu Ray Review

The Artist: Blu Ray Review

Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: PG

So, here it is then – the black and white silent film which has entranced the voters of the Academy and netted itself 10 Oscar nominations – which is no surprise given the production notes to said film describe it as: “ a heartfelt and entertaining valentine to classic American cinema.”

The year is 1927 and the place is Hollywoodland. Jean Dujardin (OSS 117) is the crème and toast of the town as silent actor and star of Kinograph Studios,  George Valentin, whose pencil thin moustache, general antics with his dog and derring do on the silent big screen regularly enthral audiences.

On the premiere of his latest film, Valentin meets Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo) when she’s thrust onto the red carpet via a series of mishaps.

The next day Variety’s full of who that girl is next to it guy Valentin – and gradually with a little guidance from Dujardin (and also because of a little attraction), Peppy begins to get bigger parts.

However, the wind of change is blowing through the industry as the idea of the talkies begin to arrive on the screen – and before Valentin knows it, his Hollywood star is on the severe decline – while Peppy’s willingness to embrace the change means she’s on the up….

But will Valentin grasp the opportunity or slide into obscurity?

It’s easy to see why the Academy’s fallen for this nostalgic and charming piece – it’s a slice of old school film and something which doesn’t come around every day thanks to the world of CGI and effects.

At the heart of this though – and it’s a nagging thought many will have – is it worth 10 Oscar nominations?

There’s a lot of subtle and laugh out loud humour in this film – from cute dog antics to a slice of old school slapstick; and there’s certainly plenty of heart, pathos and sadness as Valentin begins his slide out of Hollywoodland’s favour.

Wonderfully shot, stunningly evocative of the era and a superb soundtrack (which all good silent films need) bring a real sense of old school Hollywood vividly to life, which is no bad thing at all.

Dujardin is great and captivating as he mugs his way through the role of a silent film actor (as they were wont to do in that era); and Bejo is certainly a beautifully attractive presence up on the screen and the duo have a great chemistry (as well as acting form in prior outings). 

Sure, it’s a Hollywood piece celebrating Hollywood’s past (and that may be why Oscar’s come a-knocking and critics are loving it) but the Artist is old school cinematic joy for anyone who’s loved a moment out to the cinema. It doesn’t harm it that it’s lit up by two very impressive presences and a story which is engaging, charming and outright funny.

Don’t be put off by the plaudits and afraid of the fact it’s got Oscar buzz – experience it for yourself and see why this crowd pleaser is one of the unlikeliest winners of the year.

Extras: Making of, locations, those behind the artist - a wealth of extras

Rating:

Shame: DVD Review

Shame: DVD Review

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale
Director: Steve McQueen

Fassbender and McQueen reteam after the harrowing Hunger for an equally in your face and provocative film about sex addiction and relationships.

Fassbender stars as 30 something Brandon living in New York, whose life is a series of meaningless sexual encounters which fuel - and quell - his addiction. But he's kind of in control of the daily routine.

Until that is, his younger sister Sissy (Mulligan) moves into his apartment without warning.

From that moment on, Brandon's life begins to fall apart - with inevitably tragic consequences.

Shame is a powerful and ferocious drama, anchored by yet another astoundingly good turn from Fassbender.
 
From brooding to explosive, his Brandon is yet another stunning character portrait as he explores his anger at having his sister invade his space. And he manages in places to get you to empathise with a character who's essentially damaged, which is no mean feat given the subject matter. It's a frightening look at addiction and how it plays out in one man's life.

Mulligan's also an impressive presence as she brings out the tragedy of Sissy and she shows an emotional range as hints are made at a troubled past which informs the duo's current fragility.

It's also a drama about sex which somehow manages to make the sex terrifically unsexy, as it shows how Brandon's addiction controls him and makes his life a maelstrom of emotional turmoil.

It's not for prudes either with the nudity right on show from the start - but it's a provocative start and exactly what you'd expect from the team who didn't flinch in their portrayal of hunger striking in their last film.


Shame manages to never be an easy watch; but it's compelling and horrifying in equal measures from beginning to end thanks to stunning performances by Mulligan and Fassbender.


Rating:

Happy Feet 2: Blu Ray Review

Happy Feet 2: Blu Ray Review

Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment
Rating: PG

Cast: Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Pink, Sofia Vergara, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Hank Azaria, Hugo Weaving

Director: George Miller

Back to the world of the dancing penguin for this latest computer animated outing.

Elijah Wood is back as Mumbles, who's now a dad to a brood of fluffiness and struggling to really work his penguin magic as a poppa to son Erik in Emperor Land.

However, when Erik runs away, Mumbles sets out to rescue him - but the fragile peace of Emperor Land is threatened by a large iceberg which cuts off the colony from the rest of the world.

Facing death, it's upto Mumbles and his son to try and do whatever they can to save the rest of their kind from starvation.

Happy Feet 2 is an okayish sort of kids' movie.

It's brightly animated, the environments look suitably chilly and beautifully animated but yet, it really does take a while to get into the story. It begins with a series of songs and dances which really showcase how well the animators can do crowd scenes but then shifts into a series of disjointed scenes and encounters.

The focus shifts from the penguins to a couple of krill (voiced by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon) trying to escape their swarm and change their lives. Again, these are beautifully animated but it stops any real flow of the story , reducing it to a series of meetings and moments between Mumble and various characters as well as he traverses the land trying to save his kin.

That's not to say the kids won't enjoy this; the colours are bright, the songs chirpy and effective and there's enough to keep them engaged throughout.

Happy Feet 2 looks adorable and scores highly in the fluffy cute stakes but all in all, while the kids will enjoy it, adults may find it a little difficult to keep them amused for 90 minutes during the school hols

Extras: New Looney Tunes short and how to draw Erik plus a few more

Rating:

The Event: DVD Review

The Event: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

Serialised conspiracy thrillers are notoriously difficult to do these days.

We've become a TV audience after a quick fix of answers rather than a long slow drawn out gradual reveal of a few tidbits of tantalising information here and there (Lost, I'm looking at you here).

So it's really no surprise that unfortunately The Event lasted only one full season in the USA before being canned.

But it's a reasonably good season to be frank.

The story centres on Jason Ritter's Sean Walker, who, while looking for his missing girlfriend, discovers one of the biggest cover ups in US history involving aliens, our future and sleeper agents within the US populace.
Obviously with a story like this, it takes a wee while for everything to become evident but gradually, The Event peels back its onion like layers to reveal some answers for people willing to invest 22 hours of their life in the series.

The problem is the early reliance on flashbacks is a little too confusing to get into and while the programme makers pull this idea after about the first 10 episodes, it does need you to stick with it to get the reward you require - but it's initially a little muddled and difficult to follow for the casual viewer.

Overall, The Event finds its feet towards the end of its run but it's unfortunately a little too late - and while the pilot episode is a creepy, twisty affair with some good solid effects, the show falls foul of itself by trying to be too clever by half.

Rating:

NZ Film Festival tickets go on sale today

NZ Film Festival tickets go on sale today

With tickets hitting the streets, I caught up with director Bill Gosden to get his thoughts on the 2012 NZ Film Festival, opening in Auckland on July 19th.

Tickets for the New Zealand International Film Festival's Auckland leg go on sale this morning. It follows the Wellington launch of the festival programme last night.

We caught up with Bill Gosden, the director of the NZ International Film Festival to get his thoughts on the upcoming event, which kicks off in Auckland on July 19th before heading nationwide.

Another year, another NZIFF- how do you manage to keep so many secrets for so long? A simple policy of intimidation reinforced through strategic annihilation of the loose-lipped.

Every year you manage to secure some of the best from Cannes - and this year's no different. Of the big hitters, what's the film you're most pleased to have got? The ones that were the hardest to get and came in very late accrue extra value in the process, dammit.
The restoration of Hitchcock's Blackmail involved innumerable clearances so early in its new life. The Chilean No on the main programme and Ben Wheatley's Sightseers on Ant's were major eleventh-hour coups. Big ups to Ant for scoring the latter.

There are a few older films in the line up as well this year - what was the thinking behind that? I've never wanted NZIFF to be confined to the new. Sadly, we can't afford full director retrospectives these days, but the opportunity to showcase new digital restorations of three very different Hollywood classics is irresistible. Away from Hollywood, The Flight of the Norge is an amazing novelty. It's such a beautiful restoration that its enthusiasm for what seemed futuristic in 1926 still seems bright and fresh.

Why the choice of a Hitchcock for the live cinema this year? Hell, this is something I wanted the moment I heard it was being restored - and that Neil Brand would be composing an orchestral score. The repertoire of silent-era movies worth showing is extensive - but the repertoire available in Civic-worthy prints with terrific written scores is something we are constantly scouting.

How would you define the spirit of the festival and the festival goers? Inexhaustible - I hope!

The technology of the festival has changed a little this year - what difference will DCP (Digital Cinema Projection) bring to the screenings? The change has been massive and swift. Last year, we contrived temporary arrangements for a mere three digital screenings at the Civic. This year it's the other way around.  There are three 35mm prints programmed there and everything else is on DCP.  Focus problems in projection will be a thing of the past, which is not to say that DCP does not bring a whole new set of technical challenges that may from time to time impact on presentation.

The New Zealand contingent is particularly strong this year - including the premiere of director Costa Botes' latest. It must be quite the boon to have such strong local films to push? You bet. This year we'll have a lot of New Zealand filmmakers jostling for attention. We were astounded as the films came into us and we watched the numbers grew. And don't forget we just premiered Mental Notes and Te Hono ki Aotearoa at the Showcase. It's been a busy year.
 

What's the one section of the film festival this year that you hope people will embrace? Every seat sold for the Slow section feels like a vindication. 

The best thing about the festival is the surprise of seeing something unexpected on the big screen - what are this year's films which knocked you out of your seat? Vivan las antipodas!, Beasts of the Southern Wild, The Minister, In Darkness, Neighbouring Sounds.
And there are so many more, especially Cannes films, that I expect to have a similar impact - which disqualifies them from your "unexpected" category. There are also films I seriously relish which could never be called knockouts, because their force is so much more subtle:  I Wish, for example, and Alyx Duncan's The Red House.
 
What would be an ideal day of viewing at the festival for you? A perfect Sunday at the Festival begins when I look out my window, check out the sky and ascertain that across Auckland it's a perfect day for indoor pursuits.
A morning documentary at the Civic, Raymond Depardon's Journal de France perhaps, is followed by a SKYCITY Theatre World Premiere of a new Kiwi film. The filmmaker is delighted by the projection. The audience is delighted by the film. The Q+A is lively.  An exercise break at this point would pay dividends ahead of the Australasian premiere of one of those Cannes winners I've yet to see. Then it might be time to sneak into something of Ant's.

The international guests this year are quite the choices as well - Lee Hirsch, one of the West Memphis Three and Sir Peter Jackson, as well as Mads Brugger - what are your hopes for their time at the festival? Because we're so far off the beaten path audiences have too few opportunities to meet filmmakers.  I sometimes fear it makes us detached and passive filmgoers. It's so good to break down that wall so festival goers have the chance to engage with the life that fuels the life on screen.

Just finally, what would you say to people umming and ahhing over a film choice and not sure whether to go and see something totally alien to them? If it sounds totally alien, then best ask yourself why you're even thinking about it. You might be on the brink of finding out something very interesting about yourself.


The New Zealand International Film Festival begins in July before heading nationwide.