Full X Men: Days of Future Past trailer released

Full X Men: Days of Future Past trailer released

Mutants of the world unite, the X Men: Days of Future Past trailer is here!

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods inX-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. 

The beloved characters from the original "X-Men" film trilogy join forces with their younger selves from "X-Men: First Class," in an epic battle that must change the past -- to save our future.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Movie Review

Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Movie Review

Cast: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Redford, Samuel L Jackson, Anthony Mackie
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo

The first Captain America movie in 2011 was an impressive introduction to Steve Rogers and his patriotic derring-do, but left the nagging feeling that maybe the Captain was a little wet behind the ears and a weak link in the Avengers' admittedly strong chain.

Thankfully, this sequel blows that perception out of the water and hits yet another major home-run for the Marvel World.

Struggling to adjust back into modern life, Rogers soon finds his life thrown into turmoil when an assassination attempt on one of S.H.I.E.L.D's higher ups takes place. Thrown into the web of intrigue and in the midst of a deepening conspiracy, Rogers is forced to team up with Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on.

However, the Captain's not sure who he can trust - and when an old enemy, The Winter Soldier, shows up, things get even more complicated.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a sequel that fires on all cylinders and offers up a blockbuster experience that's simultaneously old-fashioned yet also current. Meshing superheroics and action with a spy / conspiracy is a great mix for the film and the audience alike. Throwing in references to other Marvel events so casually means that the film-makers have ensured their loyal fans aren't ignored and the casual viewer isn't alienated (even if a knowledge of Captain America: The First Avenger proves to be a bonus point).

But it's not just a clandestine conspiracy and threats of a New World Order that propels this Marvel movie to greatness - it's the richness of the development of the hitherto slightly weaker Steve Rogers. Questions over transgressions from the past, whistle-blowing, the age old debate over civil liberties and the feeling of alienation in a modern day world all give Evans a chance to flesh out the character that needed a darker moral edge, while proffer him the opportunity to question his position in it all. It also helps sell the whole lack of trust angle that's so crucial to this film working - there are enemies within this time around. Evans also impresses in the action stakes with some serious kick-ass action sequences being pivoted by the man himself (and his shield frisbee).

While some of the twists can be seen coming a little way off and are slightly predictable, the action sequences  and occasional quips more than make up for it. High-intensity, adrenaline filled and yet carefully measured, the scenes work very well - and offer something new without resorting on CGI antics to have the desired effect. A beat-down in a lift, a completely original freeway chase and an opening sequence on board a boat that would make Captain Phillips blush, all combine to provide a real tonic to the genre, while grounding it in a kind of reality that's broadly appealing.

Of the supporting (and vulnerable) characters, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow gets a beefed up role as she's sent on a road trip with the Cap, and Robert Redford's veteran S.H.I.E.L.D bigwig Alexander Pierce keeps you guessing which side he's on. Samuel L Jackson provides the requisite level of cool as Nick Fury giving the character an arc that will no doubt have reverberations for the S.H.I.E.L.D universe as a whole. Marvel universe continuity gets a nod with the introduction of Agent 13 (aka Revenge star Emily Van Camp) and the Winter Soldier himself, who appears to channel the Terminator in terms of his relentless pursuit (no spoilers here, but the mythology follows the line - even if the eventual reveal of who the Soldier is can be seen a mile off thanks to some over laboured flashbacks). A great addition to the team is Anthony Mackie, whose Falcon gets the lion share of the best lines, but who proves to be a vital asset to the team.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a blockbuster of the highest order - accessible, wildly entertaining and truthful to its own canon, it's proof the Marvel juggernaut shows no sign of stopping.

Oh, and watch out for the subtle mention of Tim Tams.... and stick around for 2 post credits scenes.

Rating:

ZB Movie Review - Pompeii, Cuban Fury and Need For Speed

ZB Movie Review - Pompeii, Cuban Fury and Need For Speed

This weekend on Jack Tame on NewsTalk ZB, I was talking ancient history, dancing and fast cars

Reviews of Pompeii, Cuban Fury and Need For Speed follow here...

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/listen-on-demand/audio/1693709455-darren-bevan--at-the-movies

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Blu Ray Review

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Entertainment

Following the massive critical and public success of the first part of The Hunger Games trilogywas never going to be an easy ask.

Suzanne Collins' dystopian take on a world where youngsters from Districts are forced to kill each other while the richer watch on was a stunningly good first film, that wrapped up social discord with an impressive heroine.

In the second film of The Hunger Games trilogy, Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss Everdeen, the winner of the 74th Hunger Games and champion of District 12. But it's not easy being the apple of the eye of the oppressed masses, and Everdeen's victory in the games, coupled with the way she's united the downtrodden, marks her out as a target as society teeters dangerously on the verge of collapse. Especially when the Districts of Panem begin to rebel against years of being beaten down.

Things take an even worse turn for Katniss when thanks to President Snow's interpretation of the rules of the Hunger Games, a new and more deadly version of events requires them to re-enter the arena with other previous winners and once again, fight to the death....

Greyer, grimmer, darker and even more dystopian than before, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is an almost unrelentingly bleak second chapter of the series. Jennifer Lawrence is a more damaged Katniss, traumatised by her role as a killer in the arena, and troubled by ghosts from the past of both kills and colleagues. (A sly commentary on how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affects those whom we send into war - no matter what their age.) So, it's bad enough that she has to live the games' victory over and over in the Victory Tour, and Lawrence brings a troubled touch to her performance; her very first shot sees her crouching ready to strike, with what could be sweat or a tear dripping down her face. Lawrence once again rises to the rich emotional beats of the story and the grit at the centre of this tale of the cost of independence and fanning the flame of revolution.

Having not read the source material, I did have some concerns this latest would be a rehash of the first in terms of dumping the tributes back into the arena and getting them to duke it out again. While to a degree, that would seem a fair criticism, there's much more build up and seething bubbling unrest to get through into the pre-amble before we're dropped gladiatorially into the arena. There's a slightly more expanded role (and pre-requisite shirtless scene) for Liam Hemsworth this time around in the Catching Fire movie, but once again Katniss and Gale's supposedly epic romance doesn't quite hit the mark, faltering in the face of the challenge from Josh Hutcherson's Peeta, who brings into play the pair's inter-dependence as well as the  growing existence of his own feelings toward Katniss. 

Coupled with the fact that some of the other tributes are unfortunately so weakly sketched out that you care not when they fall, some of the emotional beats of the story don't hit the target with the strength of one of Everdeen's arrows. The film prefers to concentrate on the dynamics within Peeta, Katniss and their uneasy alliances - it's a move which just works but doesn't quite give you the massive emotional pull you need and were given in the first Hunger Games movie. Newcomers to the group - Jeffery Wright, Sam Clafin, Jena Malone and Phillip Seymour Hoffman - are given indication they will play greater roles in the finale, but provide solid starting appearances. It's more nature which is the danger this time around - both metaphorically and literally.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fireis more about the enemy within and the politics of life; be it President Snow's implied threats (masterfully seethed by Donald Sutherland), Effie's continued orchestrating of the pair's public appearances, Katniss' own demons (exemplified by Lawrence's restrained yet emotionally rich turn) or the politics of beating down the masses, and dealing with traumatic scars, all of which are bled out into an ominously brooding and at times, distinctly dark, teen blockbuster.

The look and feel of the second Hunger Games movie is one of desperation - even the lush jungle where the Tributes are forced to re-fight for their lives is a place scarred by combat and doesn't breathe new life into the broodingly oppressive and bleak tone of the film. Even the garish OTT costumes have been dialled down in tone and gone are the bright colours, swapped for duller colours, symbolising the troubled world around.

A few shots of the rather Messianic Everdeen are laid on heavily during the action (she's the saviour of the masses dontcha know), and the symbolism is so overt, it's hard to ignore. But the ending of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire leaves you feeling you've seen something special; while it doesn't expand the Panem mythology much further than the first and ends on a downbeat note heading into the final sprint, it's certainly exhilarating to watch it unfold. That's mainly thanks to Lawrence's complex portrayal of a heroine, morally troubled by her place in the world and fighting the pull between teen idealism and a growing awareness of the horrors of the real world around her.

It's another year to wait for the first part of the Hunger Games finale Mockingjay, but given Jennifer Lawrence has breathed so much life and vulnerability into Katniss Everdeen, it looks like the odds are forever in the favour of this franchise continuing to be so successful.
Rating:

The Butler: Blu Ray Review

The Butler: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Ent

In The Butler, Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines, an African-American butler in the White House. Gaines served 34 years in the employ of various presidents. It begins with Gaines reflecting back on his life as he waits to meet Barack Obama.

Taking in his father's death at a cotton plantation and then being taught the ways of servitude before ending up in Washington after being hand picked by a White House head-hunter. Gaines finds his place in the serving world and forms a relationship with fellow butlers (played by Cuba Gooding Jr and Lenny Kravitz).

Against this backdrop of serving eight Presidents from 1957 to the 1980s,The Butler also focuses on the tempestuous Civil Rights movement and race relations as Gaines negotiates his own family woes - from a growing alcoholic wife Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) to a politically active son Louis (a tremendous performance by former Spooks star David Oyelowo), who can't stay away from the fight for the African-American quest for independence.

Lee Daniels' The Butler is of the ilk of The Help; it showcases an ugly chapter in America's history and attempts to use Hollywood to bring to life certain moments which have been swept under the carpet. Based on the life of Eugene Allen, it's nothing short of unsubtle in places to be honest; once again, the message is repeatedly sledge-hammered home when a simple more understated approach would have worked wonders.

Whitaker is venerable as Gaines, and Winfrey is stoic as his wife; but Lee Daniels' The Butler belongs more to Oyelowo who captures the antagonism of the father/ son / Civil Rights conflict perfectly and subtly with a performance that's captivating in among the sentimental, plodding mush of the predictable story.

It's weird as well as thanks to the various castings of the different presidents (Robin Williams as Eisenhower, John Cusack as Nixon, James Marsden as JFK, Alan Rickman as Reagan), you start to become distracted by who will be next in the presidential parade.

Overall, Lee Daniels' The Butler is one of those kind of cloying, race relations, Oscar-baiting films which is servicably made, but lacks the tenacity to bring the subtlety at strong moments, resulting in the direction feeling more heavy handed than anything. It's a shame because after a while, the plodding nature of parts of the film begin to grate and irritate, rather than inspire and appal as it should do.

Extras: Doco, behind the scenes, deleted scenes, gag reel, music video

Rating:

Muppets hit Disney Infinity

Muppets hit Disney Infinity

It’s Time to Play the Music, It’s Time to Light the Lights with the

Disney Infinity “Muppets Challenge” Toy Boxes

“Muppet Babies” Toy Box

Let’s get things started with the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational and Muppetational Disney Infinity Toy Boxes yet! 

To herald the highly-anticipated theatrical release of “Muppets Most Wanted” in April, players were tasked with using Muppets-themed items such as the Muppets Townspeople from the Toy Box Vault and the Electric Mayhem Bus Power Disc to create one-of-a-kind experiences. The top Toy Box of the week is “The Muppet Show” featuring appearances by Kermit, Waldorf, Animal and more.

This week’s episode of “Disney Infinity Toy Box TV: The Official Weekly Web Show” features the weekly top five countdown, Toy Box tutorials and social media spotlights:  http://youtu.be/gsBbUg4wZn0

To download screenshots of the “Muppets Challenge” Toy Boxes, please visit: http://smu.gs/1qWNzm1

Winning submissions include:

1.      The Muppet Show- As guest star you must help Kermit, take Waldorf/Statler to the VIP box, paint Miss Piggy and find Animal's drum set.

2.      Muppet Babies- Join The Muppets adventures! Find Animal Idol and save Piggy on the Death Star. (Hint: Escape through the trash chute!)

3.      Chef's Cuisines- The Swedish Chef has prepared quite a feast! You decide to race through his kitchen instead. Ready, set, BØRK BØRK BØRK!

4.      RainbowConnection- Why are there so many songs about rainbows? Enjoy a race from Kermit's swamp to the streets of Hollywood!

5.      Most Wanted- Inspired by Muppets Most Wanted.  Goal: Escape prison and get the real Constantine. Rules: Don't change weapons and no flying.

Watch_Dogs news...

Watch_Dogs news...

UBISOFT^® AND SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT EUROPE ANNOUNCE WATCH DOGS™ EXCLUSIVE GAMEPLAY CONTENT FOR PLAYSTATION®4 AND PLAYSTATION®3 OWNERS

To view the trailer click image below:

Auckland, New Zealand — March 21, 2014 — Today, Ubisoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe announced that Watch Dogs, the highly anticipated open world action adventure title, will offer additional content only available on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3.

The exclusive content includes four extra missions, representing one hour of exclusive gameplay, as well as a unique ‘White Hat’ Hacker Outfit.  By playing this additional content, players will have a deeper knowledge of DedSec, a key and powerful faction in the Watch Dogs universe. Once complete, a Hacking Boost named Superior Capacity is acquired which gives players one additional Battery Slot.

The scenario takes place after Aiden Pearce, the vigilante hero of Watch Dogs, catches the eye of DedSec, a notorious hacker group fighting for freedom and security in the digital age. Aiden receives an encoded message asking him to help some members of this organisation who want payback. Pearce must use his knowledge of Chicago’s complex ctOS network to discover digital vulnerabilities in Umeni Technologies’ security network and earn his reward.

Watch Dogs will be released worldwide on May 27, 2014 on PlayStation^®4, PlayStation^®3, Microsoft Xbox One^® the all-in-one games and entertainment system, Microsoft Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system and Windows PC. The Wii U™ version will release at a later date.

Stay connected to Watch Dogs by visiting the official website, Facebook page and Twitter account.