The Day of The Doctor trailer is here

The Day of The Doctor trailer is here

This morning, the BBC has launched the latest Day of The Doctor trailer, to tease the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who on November 23rd.

It's the second The Day of The Doctor trailer to be released...

Warning - some spoilers ahead.



The Doctor Who 50th Anniversary trailer is finally here.

To celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, the BBC's released a new trailer teasing The Day of The Doctor episode which will air on November the 23rd.

They've also released an image of all 11 of the Doctors in readiness for the celebration of the Time Lord.

The Wolverine: Blu Ray Review

The Wolverine: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Hugh Jackman returns as The Wolverine.

In the latest, Logan's living rough in the Canadian wilds, bedraggled and uninterested in life as a mutant or as Wolverine after the death of Famke Janssen's Jean Grey in X Men: Last Stand. But, years ago at Nagasaki, he saved the life of a man known as Yashida when the bomb's dropped and now as the ultra-rich Yashida nears the end of his life, he wants to repay the debt to Logan.

So, escorted to Japan by the red-haired Yukio (Fukushima), Logan meets with Yashida as requested. However, after he's asked to look after Yashida's grand-daughter Mariko (Okamato), things start to go awry - a scientist named Viper appears to attack him in his sleep and suddenly, the once invulnerable Logan is now facing mortality, questions about his own life and a very uncertain future. Bound by his word, Logan's thrown into a war against the Yakuza, aimed at bringing down the Yashida empire and Mariko as he tries to work out what exactly is happening to him...

The Wolverine is a different X Men movie to any that have gone before it.

It's a more considered, more introspective piece which favours smarts and story over all action set pieces. It's by no means yet another origin story for Wolverine, but is in fact, an adventure of Logan's from 1982 and one of the first he had as a solo character which has been a much-heralded comic arc for Wolvy. Jackman is at his vulnerable best when Logan's trying to work out what's going on - both in modern day Japan and also in his own life. He brings an understated downplaying of the role this time around (no cigar-chomping here, bub) and it makes Wolverine a lot more realistic as he goes on his journey, faces his lack of immortality and takes on his demons.

Fuelling a feeling of a drifter film, a Ronin (samurai without a master), this Logan's a more melancholy and maudlin character in this latest outing - and while there are some incredible bursts of action (a sequence aboard a bullet train stands out), the overall feeling is muted and not what you'd expect from the sixth outing of the X Men favourite. Swathes of the film pass without any real action or spills and thrills, and it teeters precariously on the dull in places - but the story telling's key here and Mangold's certainly given that the time to breathe and depth to a character that you thought you already knew. It's this side of the film which is infinitely more interesting than the rest of what transpires towards the end - because it forgoes its original path for a finale which is generic, boring and simply a "battle the boss" end. It's almost as if Hollywood's come in and commanded an action beat down ending to provide a blockbuster pay off.

A fantastic final tease sequence sets up X Men: Days of Future Past thrillingly so make sure you stay on for the credits - it's a magnetic piece which concentrates on the three main players of the X Men movies and has got this geek salivating for the sequel.

Extras: Alternate ending, path of a Ronin, and set tour of X Men: Days of Future Past.
Rating:

ZB Movie Review - The Butler, Thanks for sharing

ZB Movie Review - The Butler, Thanks for sharing

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/player/ondemand/2028596221-darren-bevan-at-the-movies---the-butler-

Man of Steel: Blu Ray Review

Man of Steel: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Warner Home Video

Sucker Punch, Watchmen and 300 director Zack Snyder is the latest to dip his toes into the mythology of the red and blue caped crusader for justice - and relative unknown Henry Cavill is the latest actor to don the cape and giant S and stand for truth, justice and the American way.

As the film opens, we're transported to the world of Krypton, a planet about to fall thanks to the greed of its leaders who have mined the core for their own progress. Opposed to them but opting for a peaceful solution is Russell Crowe's haughty Jor-El; also opposed to them but via a diametrically opposed and violent solution is General Zod (a vicious Michael Shannon).

Realising their planet's number is up, Jor-El sends his only son to Earth to save him; but it's too late. Krypton is destroyed, Zod is banished and Kal-El is a loner, drifting from town to town, doing good deeds and hoping to go unnoticed. One plucky reporter, Lois Lane starts connecting the dots though...and things get worse when Zod escapes and turns up on Earth demanding Kal-El.

Threatening destruction of the world he now calls home, Superman has no choice but to reveal himself.

Man of Steel is brash, loud, epic, big, noisy and blockbuster in many ways.

It starts with nothing short of bold and big with the fight on Krypton (which looks stunning and sets out Snyder's visual flair with some considerable aplomb) - though Snyder does his best to give the prelude something of a heart and soul as Jor-El and Lyra mourn the loss of their son but face the potential of the saviour of their race. In amongst the FX and wonderfully realised technology, there sorely needs to be some quieter moments brought to the fore for the benefit of the movie itself and to allow the audience to catch their breath. Henry Cavill is a commendable Superman (with one military type at the end commenting on how his cheekbones and steely jaw are "hot") but he never fully imbues his character with the humanity and potential moral turmoil that he really needs. Sure, he drifts from one place to the next, but could do with a little more humour and warmth as he does so. The brief moments when that does begin to shine through (such as his first flight through the clouds where he smiles with giddy joy) are sorely missed throughout as they bring soul to the piece which is occasionally bordering on the bloated.

But Snyder and the writers are to be commended in how they have executed the comic's 75 year history.

It's a Superman film which is completely respectful of the legend - iconic moments within the character's history are gracefully woven into the narrative via flashbacks here and there; and a future nemesis is glimpsed in a blink and miss it moment involving some tankers in the final showdown between Supes and Zod. The story blends in elements of Superman and Superman IIwith nary a care in the world - or a chance to stop and admire the view.Perhaps, though, it's a touch too much - particularly during the final showdown sequences with General Zod, which see infinitely more destruction than the Avengers did, with very little consequence. It's a little too much smashing, bashing, flying and fighting as Snyder layers level on level of action that's almost constricting. This is a Superman where clearly the S is not meaning subtle. It could have used a few more moments to pause and reflect.

And an ending which has sent parts of the internet into meltdown with its moral dilemmas is to be commended for bringing a level of danger to Supes that has been missing from his do-gooder image for many years.

All in all, Man Of Steel is an epic blockbuster ride. Sure, it could do with easing off once in a while and stopping to take in some of the view but it's a breathless and creatively solid re-imagining of the Superman legend - with a sequel due next year, you'll believe a man can fly once again.

Extras: Explore the characters of Superman, Krypton tech and the action scenes

Rating:

Batman: Arkham Origins: PS3 Review

Batman: Arkham Origins: PS3 Review

Released by Warner Bros Montreal

Platform: PS3

The Bat is back.

One of the best games a couple of years ago was Batman: Arkham City. The combination of a good solid Batman story and some incredible combat action and graphics meant it was one of the most playable games for a while.

This time around though, the game’s been built by a different studio, so any perceived differences are ones wrought by studio creativity – this is a Warner Bros Montreal, prior games by Rocksteady Games.

Set five years before those two titles, Arkham Origins finds a younger Batman facing off against the Black Mask, a baddie who’s assigned eight assassins to take out Bats on a snowy night in Gotham City. It’s a heavy snowstorm which only really the bad guys and Batman seem to be able to glide through but it’s a nice different setting for the game and adds a bit more atmosphere to the whole shebang.

On the surface though, it’s pretty much the same game – there’s plenty of the old combat moves, the stealth skulking about and the villains. Even if these villains predate their actual mythological counterparts – so instead of Riddler, there’s E Nigma causing disruption for the Bat as he disrupts towers stopping Batman from flying around the night skies.  The Bat Cave is a little more impressive this time around as you get to fast travel to locations here and there once the towers have been released from their evil control.

Various assassins such as Deathstroke are to be taken down and these rely on you learning in your combat training rather than just simply mashing buttons and hoping for the best. While that’s a good thing, it can also lead to a level of frustration – a couple of hours was lost taking on Deathstroke at an underground lair and certainly left me feeling riled up with pent-up anger as I was beaten time and time again.

Outside of the missions, the side quests are good fun – tracking down data packs, tagging Anarky’s appearances around the city and generally taking on the thugs loitering on the streets. Combat works as before, with gradual moves building up to a cacophony of ballet-like smackdowns if you play it properly.

There’s a grittiness to this game which is impressive; and a level of playability which may initially appear reminiscent of what’s gone already but fondly reminded me why I utterly adored those two games. 

Complete with gadgets, such as a crime scene replicator, there’s plenty for Batman to do as he scoots around the skies and tackles the baddies. There’s certainly plenty of joy to be had hurtling around the air, looking at the horrors of the world below and exploring the world of Gotham City.

All in all, while Batman Arkham Origins may lack a degree of freshness, it’s a welcome return to the wonderful world of the Bat. Completely solid and challenging, it’s an impressive turn from Warner Bros Montreal and a good start – here’s hoping they develop more of the Batman series and add some of their own unique touches to the gameplay over the years to come.

Rating:

The Place Beyond The Pines: Blu Ray Review

The Place Beyond The Pines: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Ent

The Place Beyond the Pines sees Ryan Gosling once again with the director of Blue Valentine, Derek Cianfrance, who helped put him on the map. Gosling is Luke, a bleach blonde drifter and high-wire motorcycle performer who moves from town to town with a travelling carnival. He shares a connection with former lover Romina (an unglamorous Eva Mendes) but his world is turned upside down when he realises that she's had his son while he's been gone.

With a new family thrust upon him, Luke throws in the adoration of the crowds and the uncertain lifestyle of the carny to try and provide for them. But Romina believes he's unstable and despite Luke's efforts, rejects his push to provide. Working as a car mechanic, Luke's thrust into the world of crime by his boss (played by Animal Kingdom's Ben Mendelsohn) and takes part in a string of bank robberies. But that puts him on a direct collision course with cop Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) and sees their lives intertwined in ways they could never imagine as the tale unfolds.

The Place Beyond The Pines is a film whose three rich narrative strands don't get pulled together until the final third - and when the realization comes, it's devastating. Beautifully shot, compellingly acted by all those within, it defies expectations as this generational tale of fathers and sons slowly reveals its hand.

Gosling, with his bleach blonde dyed locks and tortured silences impresses in a turn which hints at the pain but never fully shows it; likewise, Cooper once again builds on the stellar acting work done in The Silver Linings Playbook and an unglamorous Mendes gives an unmissably restrained turn as the mother.

But it's Chronicle star Dane DeHaan who emerges as the real talent of this piece with his fractured and damaged character shouldering way more emotional intensity than his years would suggest as the final act plays out. Granted, it's a little overlong with its 140 minute running time, but The Place Beyond The Pines has a power and intensity that impresses. It has a haunting quality which endures and is a drama which is weighty, compelling, intriguing and an insightful reminder of the bonds which tie us together long into our years.



Rating:

A Monster in Paris: DVD Review

A Monster in Paris: DVD Review

Rating: G
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

A Monster in Paris feels like it could have come straight out of the multiplexes - a feeling not much helped by the fact all of the voice over work is done by Americanised actors, a decision which to be honest, had me scratching my head and wishing really that it had been left in its native language. 

Set in 1910 Paris, the film follows a projectionist's friendship with rogueish delivery man Raoul after the pair inadvertently create a giant flea monster when a delivery goes a bit awry. 

Throw in a friendship between that giant flea and a French Parisienne singer Lucille and a potential showdown with a police commissioner hell-bent on capturing the Monster of Paris and securing his mayoral campaign and it's all on. 

Gorgeous French computer animation with vivid purples, blues and green hues add beautifully to this tale which is anything but generic and packs more charm than certain other major studio releases this year. Musical numbers add to the flavour of the film and retro throwbacks to horror films, the Phantom of the Opera and the cinema of yesteryear certainly give this piece a much enjoyable and family feel.

Rating: