Absolutely Anything: DVD Review

Absolutely Anything: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Icon

It could have been so good.

Using the remaining Monty Python team as the voices for aliens and having Simon Pegg as a hapless human caught in their plan, Absolutely Anything is a film that never quite reaches its potential.

Pegg plays sadsack teacher Neil, who's desperately in love with his downstairs neighbour Catherine (the ever radiant Kate Beckinsale) but who lacks the edge to do anything about it.

One day on a whim, a group of aliens presiding on high choose a random human to be granted the powers to do "absolutely anything" with - and end up bestowing this on Neil....

Riffing on Bruce Almighty, Absolutely Anything is another of those movies which had some serious comic potential, but ends up feeling like a sketch the original Monty Python team would have jettisoned or used as an ongoing non-sequitur gag in one of their films.

Boasting an incredible Brit cast (Joanna Lumley, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Eddie Izzard) who are largely wasted, Pegg flounders as Neil, trying to imbue the usual loser character with a bit of edge, but floundering around dealing with a series of silly scenarios that border on the tedious rather than the chucklesome in this what if an idiot had all the powers in the world. Pegg channels his usual charm as the hapless guy caught in the middle, and he gels well with the gorgeous Beckinsale's just looking for a decent guy Catherine, but it never quite hangs together as it should.

Rob Riggle pushes things over the edge as Catherine's stalker and even Robin Williams, in what would be his last role, adds to the syrupy mess as Dennis, Neil's dog, who's biscuit and trouser-leg obsessed. The Americans add little to this comedy except to compound the clumsiness of its execution.

Channeling some of Douglas Adams' Hitch-hikers Guide To The Galaxy's Vogons, the Python's CGI renderings are nicely executed, but poorly scripted and fail to build on the premise of their return.

Quite frankly, Absolutely Anything would have worked better if the story had put aside its more fart-obsessed silliness and embraced its childish premise; as a kids' comedy, this film would have had some real legs and a more amused audience as it heads towards its Python-esque elements of silliness in its final stages.

NZ Audiences may get one moment of laughs when there are declarations of war towards the end, but quite frankly, Absolutely Anything offers very few laughs elsewhere. It's a mess of a film and a travesty of wasted talent.

Rating:

Broforce: PS4 Review

Broforce: PS4 Review

Platform: PS4
Released in March by PlayStation Plus

Broforce was the game chosen by the community to be part of the March PlayStation Plus line up.

And after it's over-ridden my life for the past few days, it's easy to see why this pixelated shoot-em-up is so popular.

Essentially just taking on the side-scrolling shooter, this run and gun platformer is a blast of fun and a blow to the head for any kind of logic.It's very much a salutation of the 1980s action film and sees you taking the guise of various heroes from the action world and shooting your way through to freedom.

But the catch is, each time you free a victim of the terrorists, you get a new Bro unlocked. You see, you get to play as Bro versions of action heroes - from Rambro to Robrocop, no hero from yesteryear is saved from the terrible puns on display. Each has their own superpower (accessible in only short bursts) and each is facing a variety of baddies, whose one desire is simply to shoot you to bits.

From marauding mega goons with guns to suicide bombers, this 8 bit quick pick up and play game is a tremendous blast.

For the large part.

Sometimes, the frame rate drops and you end up freezing in mid action - usually at the start of a level of the game - and it always ends in your death by a single shot from one of your nemeses. It's beyond frustrating and makes the game a bit of a pain at times. Equally, an inability to select a Bro for playing a level is a pain - it can mean instead of using someone with real power to blast away, you can be stuck with the likes of Indiana Brones, whose power is simply to wield the whip.

That said, a game that can give an entire cut scene dream sequence to a suicide bomber reflecting on his life before going back to 8Bit reality where he blows himself up, is ok in my book.

You can take the Bros online too - and the multiplayer is a hell of a lot of fun with others involved. With everything being pretty much there to be destroyed, it can be hard to rein in the desire to go mental and ultimately, if you don't, you end up with no ground to achieve and leap your way to glory.

Essentially a gaming equivalent of leaving your brain at the door, Broforce is a tremendous little title, packed full of silly puns (BA Broracus, Brommando, Chuck Brones) but it's also a great paean to those who made the action genre great.

Trust me, once you pick up Broforce, you won't put it down.

Newstalk ZB: Hunt For The Wilderpeople Review

Newstalk ZB: Hunt For The Wilderpeople Review

This week on Jack Tame, I took a look at the brand new Taika Waititi film Hunt For The Wilderpeople

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-mornings-with-jack-tame/audio/darren-bevan-hunt-for-the-wilder-people/

The Wolfpack: DVD Review

The Wolfpack: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Madman Home Ent

Six figures, all with long hair, boyish grins and all movie fans.

All of them suited and booted, engaged in acting out scenes from Reservoir Dogs within the confines of their Manhattan apartment. All of them fully enthused about the projects and all of them clearly happy in their outlook on life.

Except that The Wolfpack is anything but.

Director Crystal Moselle's film takes a look into the lives of the Angulo brothers, and reveals they have never ventured outside of their apartment, at the command of their father. What follows in this doco mixes home footage of the boys throughout their years of tenure inside their Lower East Manhattan apartment and never quite fully answers why it's turned out like it has.

Thankfully, the subjects are engaging - both as they tentatively head out from under their oppressed lives within and with their interactions from home movie footage of the past. One even intones a thought many watching will share - "If I didn't have movies, life would be boring." But its double meaning won't be lost on those watching the story, as the growing concern manifests that the Angulo brothers have been imprisoned and unable to experience what many believe to be the formative years of their lives.

It takes Moselle a long while to get to the father, and to question some of his motivations for the home-schooling of the kids, his paranoid tyranny given a gentle prod, but it appears that Moselle shies away from asking some of the bigger questions of the father and his reasons. That she lets him cite the fear of the government, the fear of living in New York, and the fear of what may happen to his sons to be all the reasons she needs to understand. Sadly, the audience wants more, and it's only because the subjects shine, that The Wolfpack reaches the heights that it does, with so many mysteries left unanswered.

We're given an in-road into the world of The Wolfpack, and what transpires is ultimately troubling (one Angulo brother reveals that "we were frightened kids", something that's backed up by disturbing home footage from their youth) but yet is also optimistic in its resolution. Trips to Coney Island have a thrill to them as we experience the Angulo Brothers' joy at being out in the world, but their reactions and inevitable withdrawal reaction to the world around them is never quite fully probed; one suspects that Moselle's friendship with the group may have compromised some of her objectivity to her subjects.

Ultimately, The Wolfpack offers a tantalising view into a world of insular bonding, but never quite fulfils the promise of explaining how it could happen - it appears that the Angulo Senior's oppressive reach may also have affected Moselle's ability to tell the story she always suspected was lurking within.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III: Eclipse is coming

Call of Duty: Black Ops III: Eclipse is coming

CALL OF DUTY: BLACK OPS III ECLIPSE COMING FIRST TO

PLAYSTATION 4 ON APRIL 20

Call of Duty: Black Ops III’s Eclipse Features Four New Diverse Multiplayer Maps, Including the Re-imagining of the Call of Duty: World at War Classic, Banzai

All-New Terrifying Zombies Experience Sends Players to the Shores of the Pacific

In Next Chapter of Epic Zombies Saga

Auckland, New Zealand – April 1, 2016 – Call of Duty®: Black Ops III Eclipse, the second DLC pack for the No. 1 top-selling console video game of 2015, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, is set to release on April 20, first for the PlayStation 4 with other next-gen platforms to follow*.  In addition to a thrilling array of four new multiplayer maps, Eclipse features an all-new Zombies experience that immerses players in an undead World War II Pacific theatre.

“The incredible amount of engagement and response to Black Ops III from our fans continues to inspire all of us at the studio,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head, Treyarch.  “Eclipsecontinues to demonstrate our commitment to delivering the most exciting gameplay experiences possible with each DLC pack.  We are pushing ourselves at every turn to craft new and unique ways to play.”

Eclipse comes packed with four new multiplayer maps: Spire, Rift, Knockout; and Verge, a re-imagining of the Call of Duty®: World at War classic, Banzai.

·         Spire: Spire takes Multiplayer combat to a futuristic sub-orbital airport terminal set high in the clouds. Multiple levels and open areas promote intense, mid-range combat around a clean, high-tech civilian environment. Watch your step, because one wrong move could send you plummeting back through the stratosphere.  

·         Rift: Head to the core of a harsh futuristic military complex, set high above an active caldera. Rift funnels and forces tight, intense engagements, where the only way through is forward. Utilise the unique core movement opportunities to outsmart and outplay enemies as you traverse the suspended rail system.

·         Knockout: Housed in a traditional Shaolin Temple with a retro twist, Knockout sets the stage for a bloody Kung Fu tournament. This mid-sized map showcases a sharp contrast between the mid-range engagements of the traditional exterior architecture and the tight close-quarters of an eclectic 1970’s styled interior. 

·         Verge: In this re-imagination of the classic Call of Duty: World at War map, Banzai, Verge drops Multiplayer combat into the centre of a distant post-apocalyptic future, where two warring factions are entrenched in constant battle. Take control of the key bridge, fortresses, tunnel systems and waterfalls as you engage in high-speed action through this medium-sized map.

Eclipse also sets the stage for Zetsubou No Shima, the highly-anticipated, all-new entry in the Call of Duty: Black Ops III Zombies storyline that spans the four DLC Map Packs for Black Ops III this year.  The Origins characters continue on their mission to stop the zombie apocalypse not only in this universe but in all universes.  Our heroes find themselves stranded on a remote Pacific island which is home to the Division 9 facility: a secret biological research lab whose experiments with Element 115 and its effects on human, animal, and plant biology has created horrors beyond belief.  Zetsubou No Shima features a foliage rich island map including new terrifying zombie enemies, a variety of innovative transport mechanics, more devastating traps and classic Zombies side quests.  
Call of Duty: Black Ops III Eclipse is scheduled for release on PlayStation 4 games and entertainment system from Sony on April 20, 2016 with other next-gen platform availability to follow*. 

The Call of Duty: Black Ops III Eclipse DLC Map Pack is available at a discounted rate via the Call of Duty: Black Ops III DLC Season Pass**, which features four DLC Map Packs planned for the year, as part of the discounted bundle offered at a suggested retail price of $69.95 NZD. Individual purchase of DLC Map Packs is at a suggested retail price of $22.50.  Call of Duty: Black Ops III is rated R16 (Violence, language & horror).

*Eclipse DLC content not available on PS3 or Xbox 360.

FINAL FANTASY XV UNIVERSE unveiled

 FINAL FANTASY XV UNIVERSE unveiled

SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES FINAL FANTASY XV UNIVERSE:

A FULL-SCALE CG MOVIE, ORIGINAL ANIME SERIES AND

NEW MOBILE TITLE BASED ON FINAL FANTASY XV

FINAL FANTASY XV Confirmed for 30^th September Release;

PLATINUM DEMO - FINAL FANTASY XV Now Available

SYDNEY, 31^ST March 2016 - Today, at the “UNCOVERED: FINAL FANTASY XV” event in Los Angeles, SQUARE ENIX® revealed that FINAL FANTASY® XV, the latest entry in the iconic FINAL FANTASY series, will release worldwide on 30^th September 2016. Square Enix also announced a series of additional surprise, large-scale projects from the FINAL FANTASY XV Universe.

KINGSGLAIVE: FINAL FANTASY XV™ is a CG feature movie, presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Square Enix. The animated feature weaves together the complexities of kingdoms at war, royal relationships and epic battles in a tale that will set the stage for the main FINAL FANTASY XV narrative. The film features an all-star cast with Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) voicing Regis, the King of Lucis who has sworn to protect his kingdom, Lena Headey (300, Game of Thrones), voicing Luna, the princess who has been entrusted to deliver the royal ring of Lucis to Prince Noctis, and Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad), voicing Nyx. The film will be released digitally worldwide before the game’s launch. The announcement trailer is available on YouTube.

  

BROTHERHOOD FINAL FANTASY XV is a new anime series that consists of five standalone episodes that delve into the extraordinary friendships between crown prince Noctis and his three comrades, setting the stage for the adventure players will set out upon in the action-packed RPG. The first episode is available now to stream on YouTube. Subsequent episodes will be released before the game’s launch.  All episodes will be free. The series announcement trailer is available on YouTube.

PLATINUM DEMO - FINAL FANTASY XV is a free download demo that whisks players away to the fragmented dreamscape of Noctis as a child. This storyline is unique to the demo and provides a standalone experience which will not be available in the main game.  Players can take control of young Noctis as he masters various weapons, magic skills and driving.  To overcome the many monsters within this fantastical dream world, young Noctis will have to build a bond with Carbuncle - his magical guide. Players who complete the demo will unlock the exclusive Carbuncle summon DLC for the full game at launch. The demo is available from today via the Xbox Marketplace for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and through the PlayStation®Store for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. A new trailer showcasing the demo is available onYouTube.

A new trailer for FINAL FANTASY XV narrated by King Regis, titled “Reclaim Your Throne,” was also revealed, showcasing never-before-seen gameplay accompanied by music from composer Yoko Shimomura. Florence Welch of Grammy-nominated Florence + the Machine has also created her own rendition of the Ben E. King classic “Stand by Me” with SQUARE ENIX to soundtrack this new trailer, which can be viewed via YouTube.

Finally, SQUARE ENIX also announced JUSTICE MONSTERS FIVE, a pinball game for mobile devices combining role-playing elements with some of the series’ most iconic monsters.JUSTICE MONSTERS FIVE will be available to play at petrol stations in-game in FINAL FANTASY XV when it launches in September. The mobile version of JUSTICE MONSTERS FIVE will be coming soon, and players can enjoy Noctis and company’s favourite pinball pastime in solo or co-op play by downloading for free from Google Play for Android devices, the App Store for iPhone and iPad, and on Windows Store for Windows 10 devices.  Pre-registration for this game is available at the following links:

·         Android: https://prelaunch.me/android/NDU4

·         iOS: https://prelaunch.me/ios/NDU5

As part of the global launch of the ultimate FINAL FANTASY experience, and for the first time in series history, the game will feature English, French, German and Japanese voice options in addition to Russian, Spanish, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.

Related Links:

UNCOVERED: FINAL FANTASY XV Event page: www.finalfantasyxv.com/uncovered 

FINAL FANTASY XV Homepage: http://www.finalfantasyxv.com/

FINAL FANTASY XV YouTube: https://YouTube.com/FinalFantasyXV

FINAL FANTASY XV Twitter®: @FFXVEN

FINAL FANTASY XV Instagram: @FFXV        

Secret in Their Eyes: Blu Ray Review

Secret in Their Eyes: Blu Ray Review

Back in 2009, an Argentinian film surprised the world when it took home the Oscar beating out the favourites.

At the time, The Secret In Their Eyes was hardly well known, but it began to garner a reputation as a drama that was explosive and emotionally involving.

Sadly, the remake is unfortunately a reasonable, rather than gripping, drama.

Set against the backdrop of a post 9/11 world (making for an odd experience as prism viewing in the week of events of Paris), the narrative flips back and forth between 2002 and present day as a Eijofor's Ray investigates a murder.

13 years after the crime was never solved, Ray turns up with a new lead having devoted over a decade of his life post the case trying to get answers. Despite the protestations of DA Claire (Kidman) and because it's contra to the counter-terrorism team he worked on in 2002, Ray believes this is the lead they've been missing and could now solve the case in 2015....

To say more about Secret In Their Eyes is to dip your toes in spoiler territory and to those unfamiliar with the original Argentinian flick, the key part of the film is the unfurling like a narrative onion of the layers of the plot.

Slow, drawn-out and to a degree, dawdling, Secret In Their Eyes is never as engaging as perhaps it should be. Not exactly a crime thriller, this is a movie about regrets, politics, the passage of time and the horrific bonds between Ray, Claire and Juliet Roberts' detective Jess.

Against a continual backdrop of 9/11 imagery and potential overkill of the fact the terrorists are really bad people, the film's inability to escape from its inevitability hampers it. Flashbacks are fine, but the reveal early on of how that investigation plays out causes narrative impotence, garnering the film with a laissez-faire sheen that audiences won't fully invest in.

It's not helped by a lack of chemistry between Eijofor's Ray and Kidman's Claire. We're supposed to believe the duo shared a spark that was left unexplored and burned bright for 13 years but scenes with the duo don't garner the fizz or hints of a fizz that would have helped propel any potential powderkeg along.

It's a shame because Eijofor chiefly delivers some great dramatic moments; his reaction on the discovery of the body simmers with tragedy and horror; equally Roberts' grieving mum is as restrained a turn as she's ever given - but she's not on screen for as much as is required during the melancholy maudlin movie. Kidman and Molina stand out for the wrong reasons and whileBreaking Bad star Dean Norris adds a degree of humanity to the film, there's simply not enough to help you through the darkness.

Ray's direction is workmanlike with no real moments standing out - but this is a thriller that rarely thrills as it should and whose emotional candles burn on mute.

Ultimately, when the end comes, it feels more of a deflation than an elation of shock; whereSecret In Their Eyes should have raged, it merely blows pathetically in the wind when compared to the original's power and ability to shock.