Disney Infinity Announced

Disney Infinity Announced

It looks as if Disney is going to infinity - and beyond.

Disney Infinity has been announced today - and here's the full and exciting press release.

MELBOURNE, Aust. – (JANUARY 16, 2013) – Disney Interactive today unveiled its most ambitious gaming initiative ever, Disney Infinity. This all new game platform unlocks the freedom to create stories and play experiences starring beloved characters from The Walt Disney Company and Pixar Animation Studios. Disney Infinity allows players to both experience original adventures in some of their favourite Disney and Pixar worlds and to build their own worlds using the power of their imagination.

“Disney Infinity introduces a new way to interact with the best of Disney on one game platform, both now and in the future," said John Pleasants, co-president, Disney Interactive. “With this innovative approach to gaming, Disney Infinity will bring to life new characters, stories and environments from The Walt Disney Company over time in a way that will delight fans and gamers alike.”

In a way that only Disney can, Disney Infinity integrates collectible character figures that come to life in the game.  These figures provide experiences that are true to these characters and stories, as well as the opportunity to bring characters from various Disney and Pixar films to play together in a virtual “Toy Box.” This all-new game universe will launch in Winter 2013 across all consoles and will have a phased roll out across mobile and online devices throughout 2013.

Throughout each story-driven experience, called a “Play Set,” players will solve challenging puzzles, battle enemies and explore iconic locations from famous Disney properties, while collecting unique characters, vehicles, and gadgets from each world and saving them to a virtual “Toy Box.” Players can access their “Toy Box” and build and customize their own unique virtual world using their favourite characters, vehicles, settings and accessories. Disney Infinity allows players the opportunity to share these unique creations in the “Toy Box” mode with friends both online and off.

The Disney Infinity Platform includes:

·         Disney Infinity Interactive Pieces – Initially a line of 40 collectible interactive pieces will be introduced that allow players to expand and customize their play experiences.

·         Disney Infinity Interactive Character Figures – Seventeen character figures will allow players to experience a variety of their favourite characters in true to property experiences and in “Toy Box” mode.

·         Disney Infinity Base – When figures are placed on the Infinity base, they unlock the world and play experiences of Disney Infinity.

·         Disney Infinity Power Discs – Interactive discs can be placed on the Infinity base to power up characters and “Toy Box” with unique powers, customizations and gadgets.

“Disney Infinity combines prominent Disney and Pixar characters and scenarios in a way that mimics how kids play in real life,” said John Blackburn, vice president and general manager, Avalanche Software. “With our platform’s unique gameplay mechanics and innovative approach to user generated content within the “Toy Box” mode, Disney Infinity will spark imaginations and provide endless hours of fun and creativity.”

Development for Disney Infinity is being led by Disney Interactive and Avalanche Software. The game currently is unrated by the OFLC. For additional information, please visit www.disney.com/Infinity, join the Disney Infinity Facebook Community (Facebook.com/disneyinfinity) and follow us on Twitter (twitter.com/disneyinfinity). 

Moonrise Kingdom: Blu Ray Review

Moonrise Kingdom: Blu Ray Review

Rating: PG
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

Wes Anderson's latest whimsical outing collects together eccentricities, visual gags and quirks aplenty as it unfolds on the screen.

Set in 1965 New England, a tale of first love blooms as scout Sam (first time actor Gilman) breaks out from his troop and meets his love Suzy (also, first time actress Hayward) who frees herself from the shackles of her lawyer family (played by the ever deadpan Bill Murray and a stoic Frances McDormand).

But the 12 year old pair's escape doesn't go unnoticed in the small New England time and a search is launched for them as a hurricane approaches.

Moonrise Kingdom is trademark Anderson with his usual idiosyncratic quirkiness still present but dialled down a little. 

The music of Benjamin Britten forms a major backbone of this lightly deft piece which is dazzlingly funny and heartfully humorous throughout, despite dealing with slightly precocious kids and more innocent times.

A star-packed cast offers up the very best of what's given to them but the film belongs firmly to the two leads and Anderson, whose eye for the artfully insane and utterly charming are once again spot on in this crowd pleasing sure-fire audience winner.

The main duo of Hayward and Gilman work very well together in this film which is drenched in the yellow tones of the 1960s; their performances are cute and watchable, as the little moments in the film make you laugh. It's a comedy of deadpan deliciousness in places which is sly and wry.

Moonrise Kingdom is a delight; it's a salute to the simplicities of childish times as we view the unfolding romance. Coupled with some delightful comic rhythms, it's nothing short of a major treat.

Extras: Set tour with Bill Murray, a look inside and tour of the island 

Rating:

Whole Lotta Sole: Movie Review

Whole Lotta Sole: Movie Review

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Colm Meaney, Martin McCann, David O' Hara
Director: Terry George

In this independent comedy from Ireland, it's off to the world of hapless robbers and, erm, fish markets, for this flick.

Martin McCann is Jimbo, a man with a major gambling debt to the local mob and who, when threatened with the theft of his son by impotent mafioso Mad Dog Flynn (O'Hara) to pay back the debt, decides to rob the local fish market, figuring that it'll be rife in cash on a Friday in a predominantly Catholic area.

However, he bungles the robbery and is forced to go into hiding in an antique shop, run by Brendan Fraser's Maguire...

Soon, a hostage situation escalates and all manner of capers begin.

Whole Lotta Sole goes for British gangster comedy, but emerges with tedious, predictable "comedy" which is in no way amusing and whose schtick devolves rapidly into something testing your patience.

Fraser turns in a performance which is verging on the somnambulent and ever so slightly bored; and McCann isn't much better in a performance which screams first time actor, more than anything. The comedy of the piece is lacking and tires quickly, meaning the hostage situation is defused of suspense, tension and anything resembling a good story.

Predictable and outstaying its relatively short run time, Whole Lotta Sole blunders its comedy premise and settles for something which is far from enjoyable and, unfortunately, quite muddled, forgettable and messy.

Rating:

First Despicable Me 2 image released

First Despicable Me 2 image released

It's your first official image from Despicable Me 2 - and unsurprisingly, it features one of the stars of the original film.

The minion.

Voiced by Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan and Al Pacino, the film releases in New Zealand on 4th July.

Lincoln: Movie Review

Lincoln: Movie Review

Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Director: Steven Spielberg

It's already received a slew of Screen Actors Guild Awards and Golden Globes nominations, and now it's out on New Zealand cinemas.

Daniel Day-Lewis takes on the role of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States of America.

Choosing to zero in on the last few months of PotUS' life and set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, it's the story of how he decided he wanted to abolish slavery by passing the 13th Amendment in the US constitution. It's also the tale of the fractures between the Republicans and the Democrats as Lincoln looks to get this bill through - come what may.

Lincoln is like watching a history lesson brought vividly to life before your very eyes.

It's also one which, if you don't have more than a basic grasp of American history, could sail over your head. Occasionally, it's like a somewhat stuffy school lesson as it's quite dialogue heavy and will require you to pay attention over 150 minute running time. This sounds like a couple of criticisms being levelled at the film, and it's not directly; merely, just a warning that this veers more into the worthy but dull territory.

Thankfully, in among a sea of bearded and relatively faceless US officials who swoop in and out of the film at on so many occasions, it's one man's performance which stands head and shoulders above everyone else. Thanks to mightily impressive make up, a scholarly and erudite performance by a soft spoken Day Lewis, you can't help but watch him as the political machinations and extreme talk of deals plays out on the screen. But he also breathes life into a character whose attitude to his rivals was not one of scorn, but one of respecting their viewpoints - and by doing so, it makes Lincoln more of a rounded man than a man doggedly pursuing his own selfish political gains.

While retaining a lot of the backroom politics and information (and by letting it play out naturally as opposed to some quick fix deals), Spielberg's also wisely managed to humanise the man giving the audience outside of America (and outside of those who've studied Lincoln) a vital in road that's needed for the duration of the quite long film.

Lincoln's working toward a resolution of the American Civil Wars as well so that he can stop his son Robert Todd (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) signing up to partake in them. Also, when the key vote is going down on the abolition of slavery, Spielberg shows Lincoln reading to his youngest son. It's these touches which greatly make a relatable figure; a figure so mythical to so many and give the film the softness that it really needs in places. Also the occasional humour from James Spader and John Hawkes as Bilbo and Latham, who lobby for Lincoln's bill brings a much needed laugh to a dour and serious film. Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field also need commendations for their turns as Thaddeus Stevens and Lincoln's wife respectively.

All in all, Lincoln (based on the book Team Of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin) stands by the utterly wonderful character performance of Day Lewis, which anchors this moment in history which defined America - but it's a long road to that in the entire duration of the film. Expect it to a) leave you feeling a slight amount of inadequacy on your knowledge of American history and b) take home some accolades as the awards season begins.

Rating:

Golden Globes 2013 Winners

Golden Globes 2013 Winners

The winners of the 2013 Golden Globes have been revealed.

Here's the full list of Golden Globes 2013 winners.

Best Motion Picture (Drama) - Argo
Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) - Daniel Day Lewis
Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Drama) - Jessica Chastain
Best Motion Picture - comedy or musical: Les Miserables
Best Actor in Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: Hugh Jackman, Les Miserables
Best TV Series - Comedy or Musical: Girls
Best director: Ben Affleck
The Cecil B DeMille Award: Jodie Foster
Best Actress in a TV comedy or musical: Lena Dunham
Best Animated Feature: Brave
Best actress, TV Series: Claire Danes, Homeland
Best foreign film: Amour
Best actor in a TV Series, comedy, musical: Don Cheadle
Best screenplay: Django Unchained
Best supporting actress, Motion Picture: Anne Hathaway
Best actor in miniseries, TV or comedy: Ed Harris
Best actress in musical or comedy: Jennifer Lawrence
Best performance in mini-series: Kevin Costner
Best Original Song: Skyfall
Best Original Score: Life of Pi
Best TV Series Drama: Homeland
Best Actor - TV Series: Damian Lewis
Best actress in mini-series: Julianne Moore
Best mini-series: Game Change
Best supporting actress: Dame Maggie Smith
Best supporting actor: Christoph Waltz

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 Musical
The 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 Television
Kevin Costner, Hatfields and McCoys
Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock
Woody Harrelson, Game Change
Toby Jones, The Girl
Clive 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

Gangster Squad: Movie Review

Gangster Squad: Movie Review

Cast: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Giovanni Ribisi, Mireille Enos, Nick Nolte
Director: Ruben Fleischer

Back to the world of the gangsters we go, with this latest summer release.

It's 1949 Hollywoodland to be precise - and inspired by a true story (ie, most of what you're about to see has an element of truth, but little else).

Former boxer and Mob boss Mickey Cohen (Penn in an occasionally cartoonish performance) is making a move on the Los Angeles scene, gradually manouvering himself to take off most of the rackets of the town and increase the tentacles of the bad old guys.

Sick and tired of the corruption within the system hindering the police's attempts to foil Mickey's plans, Chief Bill Parker (a grizzled and gruff Nolte) calls on former Army soldier and current Sergeant John O'Mara (Brolin) to go beyond the means of the law and do whatever he can to prevent the criminal underbelly from winning the day.

So, O'Mara pulls together a motley crew of five, known as the Gangster Squad to try and help save the day, putting the gang of those operating outside of the law on a collision course with the corruption and the Mob.

Gangster Squad is a pulpy, trashier version of The Untouchables.

It's a film which guns for stylish, but chooses to go for cliche and full on violence while eschewing a subtle and smarter approach to the Mob vs police story which has been told time and time again.

So, in many ways, unfortunately it brings nothing new to the mobster genre and certainly does little to break the mould despite a fine ensemble cast and stylish overall feel.

That's not to say it's not enjoyable - merely, that if you're going to Gangster Squad expecting to see the 21st Century version of The Untouchables, you'll be disappointed with script and dialogue which is straight out of the 1950s RKO TV and Radio serial world. With cliched dialogue, the rat-a-tat-tat of tommy guns and fairly predictable story choices, mixed in with a gratuitous cacophony of bullets and plenty of slow-mo moments during the action sequences, it's eschewed subtlety for a predominance of violence. There's no sense of the bad guys being outsmarted - merely out-gunned by the opposition (a fact remarked on by one of the Squad.)

Of the ensemble, Josh Brolin and Ryan Gosling impress most - from Brolin's stoic family cop, who's got a pregnant wife at home and a penchant for rescuing the dames, to Gosling's suave copper (although the scene where Gosling's character decides he'll sign up for the Squad is so cliched, it's laughable), they're the ones who shine out in this over-the-top and at times, cartoonish world. And as they're the ones who get the most screen time out of the ensemble, it's hard to really care for any of the others.

Emma Stone, while looking impressive in a series of vampish outfits, doesn't quite have the chops for the femme fatale/ damsel in distress character  unfortunately - and Penn's trying to channel some of De Niro in his baddie but fails to do so in this wannabe crime noir which is too pulpy for its lofty ambitions.

All in all, the Gangster Squad movie is no slick and sophisticated crime noir, and is more of a popcorn blockbuster, aimed at satiating the masses. It is so superficial, you'll fuhgeddaboutit the minute you leave the cinema.

Rating: