The Deep Blue Sea: DVD Review

The Deep Blue Sea: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

In a repressed world just out of the Second World War and in a flat in a boarding house, Hester Collyer (Rachel Weisz) is on the edge of desperation. As she puts a towel under the door to block it and turns the gas fire on full, it's clear what she intends to do.

But her suicide attempt is unsuccessful and suddenly through a series of flashbacks and current events, the ramifications of what she's tried to do and what's led her to that point are gradually revealed.

The Deep Blue Sea is a terrifically stifled and repressed film - the whole thing reeks of claustrophobia and desperation as flashbacks reveal the reasons for Hester's despair. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a British High Court Judge (Simon Russell Beale) who adores her but is older and clearly aware this is a society marriage, it's obvious that Hester will fall for fly boy Freddie (a brilliant Tom Hiddleston) and find her passion reignited.

However, it's a tragedy that the passion cools for Hester and Freddie because of his post traumatic stress disorder and his (understandable) comfort in living in the past.

As the threads start to tie together, you begin to realise that there's only really been two actors on screen for the duration of this and that the intensity of their performance is intoxicating. Hiddleston is initially all "chocks away" and flyboy bravado, but the bitter frustrations of a repressed age from long ago push his performance more into the slightly monstrous whilst still managing to keep you engaged.

The Deep Blue Sea isn't exactly a joyous film which will leave you feeling a fuzzy after glow as it ends; but with some great performances from Weisz and Hiddleston, it becomes the kind of film that gets under your skin.

Extras: None

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Avatar 3D: Blu Ray Review

Avatar 3D: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Once more back into the world of Pandora for the 3D TV release of the film which was one of the biggest ever.

In case you've been living under a rock, Sam Worthington stars as crippled marine Jake Sully, who finds himself on the world of Pandora and thrust into the middle of a battle between the blue skinned natives and the colonists looking for a mineral called Raritanium.

It's the age old tale of redemption, discovery and love as the fight for the civilisation goes on and to be honest, you're either on board with this story and all its faults - or you're completely put off by the cliched writing, terrible dialogue and lack of distinct originality.

To be frank though, Avatar for me was never about the story - it was always about the visuals and the look of it and this latest release does much to boost that once again by embracing the technology currently on offer in the market place.

It's a relatively light package in terms of the extras (ie none) and is really more about launching the film into the 3D TV waters - so you've been warned if you don't have the technology, you may want to wait a little.

Extras: 3D version of the film, 2D version

Rating:

Brand new Wolverine poster

Brand new Wolverine poster

Exciting news for fans of The Wolverine film, starring Hugh Jackman.

There's been a live chat today with Hugh Jackman and James Mangold about the upcoming film, The Wolverine.

And at the end of the chat, a new poster for The Wolverine film was revealed...

Badassdigest has it first - and here's a look at it below.

The Unfinished Swan: PS3 Game Review

The Unfinished Swan: PS3 Game Review

Released by Sony Home Computer Entertainment
Platform: PS3 via PSN

I have to say I am loving the creativity demonstrated by downloadable titles on the PSN.

Earlier this year, I was completely blown away by the haunting sights and sounds of Journey on the PS3, and now, The Unfinished Swan arrives heralding its creativity in a loud hailer and offering up signs that artistic vision and points of difference are in no way in danger of running short.

Basically, the story begins in the style of children's story book. You are Monroe, a boy whose mother loved to paint but whose artistic visions never allowed her to finish any of them. So, when she died, Monroe was taken into an orphanage but allowed to keep one of his mother's 300-plus paintings. He chooses a favourite, the Unfinished Swan, which was also his mother's fave too.

One day, Monroe discovers that the swan has escaped from the painting and, realising how much it meant to his mother, he sets out to retrieve it.

And if you think that's surreal, wait till the game begins.

From a first person perspective, you are faced with a world of sheer white; a screen of sleek colourlessness stretches before you. That is until you realise that by pressing the R1 button, or using the PS Move, you can launch giant globules of black into the murky world beyond and begin to see the world in front of you take shape as well as navigate your way around this bizarre world.

Firing globs of paint works for the first few levels and then you begin to use water bombs to help see your way - and it's here that the story takes a deeper twist - as you begin to see what the King did while he ruled the land Monroe finds himself in - it's a magical world so think giants, vines and mazes and you'd be on the right track. Each level has pages of a storybook within which you have to find and these help to paint the story as it clears literally in front of your eyes. Plus collecting balloons from around the world give you the chance to boost your paint/ water hurling powers - as well as other bits and bobs

The game designers here have created a world which is like a children's storybook but is also beautifully portrayed and hauntingly evocative - as you launch paint blobs and water bombs, you get to see parts of it unfurl in front of you like a slightly unfinished painting. It's wonderfully evocative as any art lover will tell you and it certainly adds to a unique vision on the screen. With voice work from Terry Gilliam as well as the king, it's definitely something different.

All in all, The Unfinished Swan shows a level of imagination and sophistication, mixed in with simplicity and innocence. It's an intriguing title and while not overly long (as many of these creative ones can be), it's certainly likely to engross you from the moment it begins - although I can't help but wish the game had been a little longer.

Rating:

Dishonored: PS3 Game Review

Dishonored: PS3 Game Review

Released by Bethesda
Platform: PS3

Revenge has never been so stealthy.

In the latest first person game to hit the console, you take control of Corvo, who lives in the district of Dunwall, and is a disgraced former royal bodyguard, who's accused of the murder of the Empress and banged up in jail.

That's when you join the action, trapped behind bars and facing the chop unless you can escape.

But using a combination of stealthy, swarthy hiding in the shadows and killing/ knocking out where necessary, Corvo can escape the jails and start to try and find those responsible for killing the Empress and making off with her daughter.

And this is where Dishonored really starts to get interesting - because, once you've escaped the jails, rabid rats and multiple attempts to take you down, you get a chance to flex some supernatural muscles and use newly acquired powers for breaking into the conspiracy and trying to solve what exactly is going on.

Dishonored is a thrilling one player game; one which is deeply engrossing and totally addictive.

As the game pans out and the scope of it starts to expand, you realise there are different ways to complete each part of what's ahead - as an assassin, you can kill, maim or silently take down your enemies in a lethal - or non-lethal way. Levels are about discovering more of the conspiracy and taking out those who are behind it - as well as discovering, thieving and finding runes to boost your supernatural powers.

But here's the thing with Dishonored - as with InFamous before it - your choices have consequences; every action has an influence down the track and if you decide to go the good route, you'll find a different ending; but an evil route, where you slaughter everything around you, will present you with an alternative outcome. That's the smart move of the developers of this title - you have to be true to what you want to achieve - and it means that you can replay the title as well, encouraging repeat gaming is always the sign of a wise developer.

The look and feel of Dishonored is incredible - from the sewers of Dunwall to the dream worlds where you first get to check out your new powers, to good solid cut scenes, there's plenty to engage in this deeply atmospheric title right from the very beginning. Scratch the surface of the game and you're instantly addicted, thanks to the wide variety of what's on offer and the multiple ways it can be completed.

Every once in a while, a game comes along which is so involving, gets everything right and proves to be a deeply rewarding experience. Dishonored is one of those games - and you really need to have it in your collection if you're remotely serious about gaming.

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ATM: DVD Review

ATM: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment

A horror film, with a fairly simple premise, ATM is a rip your hair out with frustration kind of ride as opposed to edge of the seat tension.

David, Emily and Corey are three friends at a work party at Christmas time; David's got designs on Emily (played by Alice Eve) and they leave for the night. Heading back the group head to an ATM Booth to get some money - and that's when the terror starts as a hooded figure begins to terrorise them, locking them in the booth and thwarting their plans to escape....

ATM is a frustrating film, and one that you should be grateful is mercifully short.

Full of the obligatory jumpy moments and lack of any real coherence, if you like horror and are willing to forgive the gaping holes (like why they don't just run away) then maybe you'll find something to watch and enjoy.

Everyone else will find it predictable, annoying and despite its initial clever premise, descends into every stereotyped horror film cliche you'd expect.

Rating:

New Wolverine pic discovered

New Wolverine pic discovered

Empire's done it again.

A brand new exclusive picture's emerged of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine on Empire Online.

It is apparently a flashback shot of The Wolverine from James Mangold's latest film, which has been filming in Sydney. It's believed the film takes Logan aka Wolverine to Japan as well.

Take a look below: