New Man of Steel image unveiled

New Superman Man of Steel image unveiled

Crikey, it's all go today.

A new image of Superman: Man of Steel has been unleashed on Facebook...

Take a look below..

Star Trek: Into Darkness teaser poster

Star Trek: Into Darkness teaser poster

Just released is the Star Trek: Into Darkness teaser poster...

It's due to hit cinemas next year - Karl Urban, Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg and Benedict Cumberbatch are all in Star Trek Into Darkness.

In 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness.

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.

With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.

As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

You've Been Trumped: Movie Review

You've Been Trumped: Movie Review

Director: Anthony Baxter

In this doco, it's David vs Goliath in Scotland.

Well, to be more accurate - it's Michael Forbes and some of the residents of Aberdeenshire vs the Mega Weave and he of the "You're fired" catchphrase and pursed lips, Donald Trump.

Originally a BBC documentary, this piece follows the plans of the Don to build a massive golf course and hotel complex on the sites of scientific interest in Aberdeenshire, and on a piece of coastline which has been untouched by man for years.

Essentially, it's a tale of one man's mega-corporation's push and PR to discredit and destroy the local objectors, of whom there are only a handful - but what emerges is that ever trusty piece of film that benefits from only one side being involved.

Unfortunately, Baxter was unable to get any co-operation from anyone in Trump's teams, or the local police and council to comment or be interviewed for the documentary. So, what emerges is a piece, albeit well told, that is horrendously one sided.

Baxter interviews the locals threatened by Trump's plans and who, in fairness, emerge as espousing more than just the usual NIMBY arguments by looking at the greater good.
But he manages to slightly wrongfoot and over-sentimentalise his argument and case by giving the locals a sympathetic backstory, letting them present footage of their past and links to the land while cutting to shots of the Don and his fleet of black SUVs.

It's not that You've Been Trumped isn't competently and flashily put together; it's a well oiled, slick and sleek piece of film-making. It's just one that means you're never anything but opposed to the plans from Donald Trump and his evil empire. (Cue moustache twirling).

I empathise with Baxter as a film-maker here - there are no options for them to get the other viewpoint from the property tycoon as he tries to bulldoze what's described as the crown jewels of Scotland's coast; and to be fair, they've tried every which way to get that; from turning up on a site, to putting in calls and emails to the Trump's office; all of which are rebutted, refused and end up in Baxter being arrested by the police. To be frank though, Trump doesn't help himself with arrogance, pomp and pursed lips like a badger sucking a lemon, the Don manages to shoot himself in his foot and then shove the other one squarely into his own mouth. Baxter manages to get some top golfers to get their opinions on any course - and so, the case against the Don piles up higher than a sandbank being created by the construction site.

What emerges from You've Been Trumped is a piece which shows the bullying tactics, petty nature and general bluster of anyone involved in the Trump organisation. But what also shows up is a piece which is, unfortunately, never anything but in favour of the residents.

Consequently, Baxter is to be praised for trying to balance a doco as much as he can and pulling together a watchable film which tries to tell the facts but is thwarted by the shut downs of his opposing subject and the refusal of anyone to actually talk about it.

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American Horror Story: S1: Blu Ray Review

American Horror Story: Season 1: Blu Ray Review

Rating: R16
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

It's the horror series which really redefined the anthology TV series.

Friday Night Lights star Connie Britton, Taissa Farmiga, Jessica Lange and Dylan McDermott star in the show, which centres on the Harmon family, rocked by adultery. They move into a new home in the heart of Hollywood, but one which no-one will touch because the last owners were murdered within.

Gradually, the Harmons come to realise something is amiss in this house - but are they strong enough as a unit to see off the various perils and problems?

American Horror Story Season 1 is a game changing piece of TV. Each episode, from Glee creator Ryan Murphy is a masterclass in suspense, horror and intrigue. Throw in a top notch cast, and this is a show which gets it right from get go, with spot on acting, impressive tension and a season long mystery which is gripping and horrifying in equal measures. Part American social commentary, it also dares to go further than some shows have done for a very long time - and for that alone, it deserves to be lauded and seen by all.

Extras: 2 and a half hours of excellent stuff; making of, about the murder house, creating the titles, Paleyfest convention

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Four new Iron Man 3 images released

Four new Iron Man 3 images released

Good news for fans of Tony Stark AKA Iron Man.

Marvel.com's released four new images of Iron Man 3 for you to look at - including a shiny Iron Patriot, Rebecca Hall as Maya Hansen, a broody looking Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark and a rather bloodied Iron Man.

Iron Man 3 will feature Tony Stark aka Iron Man trying to pick up his life after his world is shattered by Sir Ben Kingsley's terrorist, The Mandarin....

Brave: Blu Ray Review

Brave: Blu Ray Review

Released by Walt Disney
Rating: PG

For Pixar's latest outing, it's off to the Highlands of Scotland we go....and into a time of myths and legends.

Kelly Macdonald is Princess Merida, a young girl who's grown up under the watchful eye of her mother, the Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson) and King Fergus (Billy Connolly).

Merida's a free soul; she defies all that tradition would request of her as a potential queen. Daily, her mother tells her "A princess does not" and lectures her so much so that Merida feels overwhelmed by the overbearing nature of her daily life.

So, when the four clans of the highlands come together to seek Merida's hand and to unite the regions, it's the final straw as far as she's concerned. Heading off in a rage, she ends up deep in the forests nearby and upon meeting a witch, unleashes a curse which will have far ranging consequences for her family and the clans themselves.

Brave is not the knockabout film that perhaps some of the earlier teaser trailers and clips suggested it may be - and it's great to see some of the central plot has been left for the film to reveal rather than endless trailers.

It's a dark adult tale, likely in parts to terrify some of the younger end of the audience. It's also a tale of family and of a strong bond (or reaffirming thereof) between mother and daughter.

It's also gorgeously animated - from the opening sequences in the forests of the highlands, the cameras swoop and sweep through the landscapes and ramparts of various structures in the land with visual aplomb (perhaps a little too often do the directors rely on this eye popping trick).

Once again, the Pixar animation is truly technically marvellous to behold - from the aforementioned landscapes through to the mesmerising way each of Merida's curls of red ginger hair bounce around her head, this is once again, world class animation at its absolute best. Macdonald gives Merida a touch of feistiness but it's a petulant beast that comes to the screen and one who merely fights until she gets her own way. Thankfully, pairing her up with her Clydesdale horse, Angus, gives a little comic relief here and there.

So, it's somewhat curious to say that this occasionally nightmarish film with its overbearing adult themes is a little lacking in plot in places - there's scant little peril facing Merida until the final portion of the film as the effects of the curse really start to take hold and then the danger becomes real. The male characters in the film are really secondary to anything other than buffoonery as they fight and brawl.

It's not to say that Brave is not enjoyable, it's just that this tale of a mother and daughter essentially rediscovering their bond is not up to the usual high standards of what Pixar tends to proffer up for our enjoyment.

Extras: La Luna short, Various mini docos and extended scenes and commentary


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The Dark Knight Rises: Blu Ray Review

The Dark Knight Rises: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video

It's finally here - the ending of the epic Batman franchise from Christopher Nolan.

Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight and Batman's left Gotham after the death of D.A Harvey "Two Face" Dent. Hunted by the police and blamed for the golden boy's end, the Caped Crusader's become a myth and Bruce Wayne's not much better - a recluse living in Wayne Manor and never seen in public.

But when cat burglar Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway) breaks into Wayne's safe and ends up on his radar and when a masked terrorist named Bane (Tom Hardy) threatens to take over the city, Bats has no choice but to come out of seclusion and save his beloved city.

There's more to the story but to be honest, revealing some of those intricacies, details and nuances of the script would veer into spoiler territory - and being frank, this Bat-threequel is best viewed unspoiled.

Christopher Nolan has crafted an epic ending to the series - and one which is reverential to the source mythology and one which has truly raised the bar for comic book films. It begins with an audacious piece of action and the thrills never let up until the end some 165 minutes later. Visually, the film offers so much, satiating both fanboys seeking the spine-tingling moments and the casual viewer wanting a great blockbuster.

While the film's somewhat disappointing denouement may not stand up to repeated inspection and tearing apart thanks to its conventional story which is spread over a somewhat bloated middle part, two things need to be remembered - one, it's a comic book film (which is bound to have a MacGuffin or two on hand) and two, it's the performances which anchor this film from beginning to end.

Christian Bale's vulnerable Batman is a flawed hero we can readily identify with; he's a tortured soul more than ever who's to be broken spiritually and physically by what's put in front of him; but Bale brings his A game to the performance, providing the emotional intensity during some quieter scenes needed to ground this film and bring a payoff which is rich and satisfying as he becomes the Batman who's an inspiration and a symbol to others. Likewise, when he's kicking ass as the Batman; this is a guy who's given a rounded and powerful performance to a character loved by many.

Gary Oldman's spot-on as a conflicted Commissioner Jim Gordon, a man who takes up the mantle of defending his beloved city; Morgan Freeman, is well, Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox - and Sir Michael Caine is venerable, vulnerable and humane as butler Alfred.

Of the newcomers to the cast, Tom Hardy's anarchist Bane (who sounds a little like your English mate trying to do a Sean Connery style impression through a Darth Vader mask) is impressive; the ferociously intelligence and physical presence are astounding and instantaneous, giving his baddie a commanding feel which doesn't let up until the end (and if you know your Bat mythology, you'll realise how important it was to get Bane so right.) The scenes when Bats and Bane go mano a mano are intense, but not in the over the top way that you may have expected. And it's a performance which is a physical one too, with the eyes conveying a lot of his emotions - Hardy's to be commended.

Equally, Anne Hathaway is perfect as Catwoman (although she's never called such on screen); her Selina Kyle is a slinky, vampy, sly character which is given a few humorous lines to punch through the occasional pomposity which is prevalent. Marion Cotillard offers up some class as a member of the Wayne Enterprises board.

But the real star of the cast is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whose idealistic and very human policeman John Blake becomes a driving force for belief. His Blake has the belief which has become so jaded and lacking in both Batman and Commissioner Gordon - and his character's story arc is thrilling to behold. Gordon-Levitt continues to impress as an actor and seals his place as one of the best talents on offer with this copper.

Sure, it's a fitting send off for the film and the franchise, and to concentrate on a few narrative misfires here and there seems a little unfair because overall, The Dark Knight Rises offers up much for the movie lover; this is a Batman movie which is a grand and satisfying end to an epic series; it's an unmissable event which lives upto its hype and offers a rich spectacle - even on the small screen.

Extras: Over three hours - including the Batmobiles piece, a comprehensive look at how the film was made.

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