PlayStation All Star Battle Royale: PS VITA Review

PlayStation All Star Battle Royale: PS VITA Review

Platform: PS3 / PS Vita
Released by Sony Computer Entertainment

When it comes down to it, haven't you always wanted to know who would win in a fight between Sackboy and Ratchet? Between Parappa the rapper and Jak and Daxter?

If not, then jog on, because you're not needed here.

If the answer's yes, then the right beat'em'up has just arrived on your doorstep. There's no real plot here to be honest - you just pick a player of some of Sony's greatest and most rated and fight your opponents to the death, building up power and strength of smackdowns to finish them off. The one with the most beat downs, wins and goes on to the next game.

Rocket science it ain't - great fun, it certainly is.

On the VITA, the graphics are clear and concise and while occasionally the scope of the battle arena means you're looking at a smaller character to take in the gorgeous backgrounds from other games - but it's a visual sacrifice worth taking as you unleash a smackdown on the baddies.

From the likes of Nathan Drake, Sackboy, Sly Cooper, Fat Princess, Ratchet, Jak, Kratos, there's certainly one hell of a talent roster to call on. And each has their own set of skills to bring down on the opponent. Using the super moves, (a tiered power move) you have more at your disposal to help you win your bout. From combo moves to slick graphics, it's a game which visually hits all the right buttons. With the concise OLED screen, it means that the eye never really suffers as the game goes on. It takes time to get used to the best of the characters and at first, that's hard as the majesty of the game unfolds.

Away from arcade mode, there are other challenges, moves to complete, games to resolve and content to unlock - plus there's also the hint that further downloadable content is on the way in the form of other unlockable characters (I'm hoping for Crash Bandicoot to be frank with you), so there's certainly a long life ahead in this franchise. Online gaming and multiplayer modes exist to give this title a bit more of a social feel as well

PlayStation All Star Battle Royale reminds you of the great talent and iconic characters created by Sony and now you can make them fight for your pleasure. Fun and cartoonishly violent, this is a simply playable game which is portable and guaranteed to keep you amused either at the bach or in the car on the way to the beach this summer.

Rating:

The Grey: Blu Ray Review

The Grey: Blu Ray Review

Rating: R16
Released by Icon and Roadshow

Forget Bear Grylls, here comes Wolf Neeson.
In this film adaptation of short story, Ghost Walker, Liam Neeson stars as John Ottway, who's hired by a corporation in Alaska to take out the wolves preying on the men as they work.

Along with a group of other workers, he's sent on a plane to another job - but in a truly terrifying scene, the plane goes down, stranding only seven survivors in Alaska. With nothing but their wits, the men try to survive and get to some form of civilisation and escape.

But standing between them and safety is a pack of wolves, which gradually begin to pick them off one by one.

The Grey is a stunningly good film - and it's entirely unexpected.

Through opening shots of white mountains to the sudden fade to black at the end, it's a constant surprise - and not what you would expect from the director of action packed films like The A Team and Smokin' Aces.

Carnahan's crafted together a subtly philosophical action film which explores spirituality as it forces the characters to confront their own mortality in horrifically extreme conditions. There are a couple of jolts and shocks here and there too - with moments that really catch you off guard.

Neeson is outstanding as the weary Ottway, a man who's weary of life and who starts the film with the desire to commit suicide after admitting "I've stopped doing this world any real good.

Thanks to Neeson's dialled down and restrained performance amid the piercingly arctic conditions of white out, he's mesmerising as the leader from the get go - and unfortunately, the rest of the plane survivors don't get as much characterisation as he does.

That's a real shame though because you really just focus on Ottway's character but it doesn't fully give you the pull for the rest of the group to make it through.

Via flashes back to Ottway's past, we see a woman, but gradually Carnahan drips out the pieces of their backstory all the way until the end - it's a clever directing tactic which continually reminds you Ottway is an enigma as well as an expert on wolves. Neeson delivers a pitch perfect performance as the leader of this ragtag bunch of ex-cons trying to survive.

But it's the film which is the star really - it's a nicely put together piece which you can read more into if you want to. There's certainly a fair amount of philosophising on hand as the wolves close in on the gang and you can maybe read into the potential allegories which are hinted at but at the end of the day, The Grey is one heck of an adventure pinned by a great central performance from Neeson.

Extras: Some featurettes, but nothing exceptional which is a shame

Rating:

Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150AD: DVD Review

Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150AD: DVD Review

Rating: PG
Released by Vendetta Films

It's 1960s Britain and a new TV series has swept the country by storm.

That series is Dr Who - and this release from Vendetta Films is a technicolour film version of a classic TV Serial which saw the Daleks invading Earth and trying to enslave us all.

Peter Cushing takes on the role of DoctorWho in this 80 minute film which is all colour and sees the pepperpots making their presence felt. It's the first ever colour incarnation of the Doctor and it's fairly watchable stuff in a nostalgic kind of way. Cushing gives a good take on the old Doc and Bernard Cribbins brings a bit of charm as the sidekick.

Daleks: Invasion Earth 2150AD is a nice nostalgic piece which fans of Dr Who will want to own; others may struggle to see the appeal but to be frank, it's perfectly good fodder for the kids as the Christmas holiday comes about.

It comes with a definitive Dalek Documentary which is enjoyable too.

Rating:

Marley: Blu Ray Review

Marley: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Ent

The reggae legend gets his own doco and it appears the seal of approval from all involved with comments from a myriad of family and friends. In fact, the scope of this doco is epic, respectful and insightful to the non fans (I'm counting myself here) and fans alike. 

Director Kevin MacDonald's pulled together a piece which is vibrant, and relaxed at the same time (more to do with the music than the collective toking on Marley's life) and one which is at pains to point out why Marley was such a success. It's a snapshot of a melting pot which gives this musical profile some feeling of why Marley was such a hero to some and even illuminates a lot about the politics of Kingston at the time of the 70s.

There's also sly humour throughout with much mirth espoused with laconic deadpan style by many - and a shot of one white boy rocking out to Marley is something akin to major face-gurning but is hilarious. Relying on archive footage, snippets of interviews with the man himself and a cracking OST, it's clear to see why Marley's appeal lives on for many (even a scene of Marley experiencing the marae welcome garnered a cheer). 

It's not all roses and smiles though with tensions highlighted between Marley and his Wailers - as well as his amorous ways - but they're handled in such a well presented way that you're drawn into his life more than you could ever expect. 

While the doco's a tad overlong (perhaps a necessity so everyone could have their say about this brief life which burned so bright) it's obvious Marley is a talent - so too is MacDonald for pulling together one of the most complete musical profiles committed to celluloid in a very long time. 

One love, y'all.

Extras: Interview with director and photographer.

Rating:

Comic Con - Episode IV: A Fan's Hope - DVD Review

Comic Con - Episode IV: A Fan's Hope - DVD Review

Rating M
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

Morgan Spurlock returns in this new doco put together with Stan Lee and Joss Whedon, examining the phenomenon that is San Diego's annual Comic Con and the masses who descend upon it.

Spurlock stays behind the camera on this one, opting to use a whole heap of famous talking heads and the people who attend the nerd fest to explain its appeal. Interestingly though, he chooses to follow the Con through the eyes of some different attendees - two wannabe comic book artists, a fan wanting to propose to his girlfriend during a Kevin Smith panel, a comic seller who goes every year and is now facing the possibility of needing to sell a rare comic to stay afloat and a troop of costume designers looking for an award.

If you're a fan of the convention and know a little of it all from attending the NZ Armageddon event, you'll know what to expect in this - and to be frank, if you're au fait with it all, it offers nothing new - but to everyone else, it's a fascinating, well executed fun doco which is reverential and respectful rather than mocking and taking cheap shots at people dressed up in costumes.

From great talking heads - Joss Whedon, Stan Lee, Kevin Smith, Olivia Wilde, Robert Kirkman - there's plenty of insight and it's well paced and extremely watchable.

Spurlock's pulled together something which offers up a world some may never see and balanced it with giving fans of the genre more access to the event that they may not have had before.

Extras: Extended interviews and stuff from the cutting room floor - not much in the way of bonus content but a way of extending the experience more than anything.

Rating:

The Golden Globe nominations are out

The Golden Globe nominations are out

Yesterday we had the Screen Actors Guild nominations, today it's the turn of The Golden Globe 2013 nominations.

And it looks as if Lincoln starring Daniel Day-Lewis is becoming a serious contender for award glory.

Here are the full list of nominations for the Golden Globes for TV and Film...

Best Motion Picture — Drama
Argo
Django Unchained
Life of Pi
Lincoln
Zero Dark Thirty

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama
Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Richard Gere, Arbitrage
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Joaquin Phoenix, The Master
Denzel Washington, Flight

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama
Jessica Chastain, Zero Dark Thirty
Marion Cotillard, Rust & Bone
Helen Mirren, Hitchcock
Naomi Watts, The ImpossibleRachel Weisz, The Deep Blue Sea

Best Motion Picture — Comedy Or Musical
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Les Miserables
Moonrise Kingdom
Salmon Fishing in the YemenSilver Linings Playbook

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture — Comedy Or Musical
Emily Blunt, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Judi Dench, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Maggie Smith, Quartet
Meryl Streep, Hope Springs

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture — Comedy Or Musical
Jack Black, Bernie
Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook
Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Bill Murray, Hyde Park on Hudson
Ewan McGregor, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Amy Adams, The Master
Sally Field, Lincoln
Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Nicole Kidman, The Paperboy

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Alan Arkin, Argo
Leonardo DiCaprio, Django Unchained
Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Master
Tommy Lee Jones, Lincoln
Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained

Best Director — Motion Picture
Ben Affleck, Argo
Kathryn Bigelow, Zero Dark Thirty
Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Steven Spielberg, Lincoln
Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture
Argo, Chris Terrio
Django Unchained, Quentin Tarantino
Lincoln, Tony Kushner
Silver Linings Playbook, David O. Russell
Zero Dark Thirty, Mark Boal

Best Original Score — Motion PictureAnna Karenina, Dario Marianelli
Argo, Alexandre Desplat
Cloud Atlas, Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimet & Reinhold Heil
Life of Pi, Michael Danna
Lincoln, John Williams

Best Original Song — Motion Picture
“For You ” (music and lyrics by Keith Urban), Act of Valor
“Not Running Anymore” (music and lyrics by Jon Bon Jovi), Stand Up Guys
“Safe & Sound” (music and lyrics by Taylor Swift, John Paul White, Joy Williams and T Bone Burnett), The Hunger Games
“Skyfall” (music and lyrics by Adel and Paul Epworth), Skyfall
“Suddenly” (music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Schonberg and Alain Boublil),Les Miserables

Best Animated Film
Brave
Frankenweenie
Hotel Transylvania
Rise of the Guardians
Wreck-It Ralph

Best Foreign Language Film
Amour
The Intouchables
Kon-Tiki
A Royal Affair
Rust & Bone

Best Television Series — Drama
Boardwalk Empire
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
Homeland
The Newsroom

Best Television Series — Comedy Or MusicalThe Big Bang Theory
Episodes
Girls
Modern Family
Smash

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series – Drama
Steve Buscemi, Boardwalk Empire
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Damian Lewis, Homeland

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series – Drama
Connie Britton, Nashville
Glenn Close, Damages
Claire Danes, Homeland
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Julianna Margulies, The Good Wife

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionKevin Costner, Hatfields and McCoysBenedict Cumberbatch, SherlockWoody Harrelson, Game ChangeToby Jones, The GirlClive Owen, Hemingway and Gellhorn

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Nicole Kidman, Hemingway and Gellhorn
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum
Sienna Miller, The Girl
Julianne Moore, Game Change
Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
Max Greenfield, New Girl
Ed Harris, Game Change
Danny Huston, Magic City
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland
Eric Stonestreet, Modern Family

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionHayden Panettiere, Nashville
Archie Panjabi, The Good Wife
Sarah Paulson, Game Change
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey 
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series — Comedy Or Musical
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Lena Dunham, Girls
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Amy Poehler, Parks And Recreation

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series — Comedy Or Musical
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Louis C.K., Louis
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionGame ChangeThe Girl
Hatfield & McCoys
The Hour
Political Animals

Cecil B. DeMille Award
Jodie Foster

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits box office gold

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits box office gold

In news which will be of little surprise to people living in New Zealand, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has hit box office gold.

(Just like Bilbo below in this still from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug)

In its opening night alone, it's amassed a wealth of $$782,695, beating out the likes of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Return of The King.

Here's the full release:

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY TRAVELS WELL AT THE NEW ZEALAND BOX OFFICE

13 December 2012 – Auckland, New Zealand

The eagerly anticipated first film in The Hobbit Trilogy was released in cinemas yesterday and has already enamoured audiences all across the country.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), opened to a box office result yesterday of $782,695, making it the biggest non-holiday Wednesday opening of all time. 

The box office takings compare favourably against The Lord of the Rings Trilogy on the records charts, with Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring grossing $720,933 on its opening day and The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers grossing $757,887.

Many fans took the opportunity to be amongst the first in the world to experience the film on the big screen at Midnight on December 12^th, with several cinemas reporting unprecedented demand and sell-out midnight sessions up and down the country.

Joel Pearlman, Managing Director of Roadshow Film Distributors, stated, “We are thrilled that the film has already resonated so positively with so many New Zealanders.”

“It is a spectacular and immersive visual experience,” Pearlman says.  “The film is available to be enjoyed in a variety of formats depending on each audience member’s preference.”

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has released on 203 screens, in 98 different locations nationally from Kaitaia to Invercargill.  It makes this film the biggest release on-screen on record in New Zealand.  Included in the total are 39 locations showing the film in the new High Frame Rate 3D (HFR 3D) format.