Battleborn: PS4 Review

Battleborn: PS4 Review

Developed by Gearbox Software
Released by 2K Games
Platform: PS4

The latest FPS from Gearbox is a mish-mash of the multi-player ethos of Gauntlet and the visual sensibilities of the Borderlands games.

Wrapped in the studio's trademark humour, the game's space setting and convergence of the end of the universe vibes in the Solus System means the pressure is on from the beginning. As bad guys the Varelsi consume stars, threatening everyone's very existence, it's up to the usual rag tag group of mercenaries to try and save the day.

The game's cartoony aesthetics and colourful overload at the start could be close to a visual meltdown for many, but it showcases what Gearbox has achieved with this title - a sense of meshing so many different sensibilities and genres into the somewhat traditional FPS.

It's simple to shoot and it's not quite as simple to power up (though it is easy to come across power ups) so it's a slightly confused message on that front. Augmenting gives you a chance to build your powers into something a little more ferocious and when played in tandem with other characters online, it's really where the game delivers.

You can play through the story solo or co-op and either way, it's a chance to get to know the colourful characters a bit more. Playing through as some of them (there are 25 in total for the unlocking) gives you an idea of some of their nuances - one, a heavy machine gun toting lunk head comes complete with stereotyped lunk head dialogue that amuses, but ultimately starts to grate; others are a little more effective such as the Butler-esque character, Marquis, who gives a level of class to the affair.

But that's the thing with Battleborn - it embraces the absurdities of the genres it is sending up and bundles them into a package that's both colourful and playable.

Online activity's been fun as well - with a 5v5 Player ethos worth exploring in its different forms. From incursion (a defence game) to meltdown and arena, there's more than enough to get into - and it's here that the game comes to life, particularly with your ability to augment your powers in tandem with others.

Overall, Battleborn is a tremendous amount of disposable fun; it allows you to immerse yourself as far as you want to go in it all - with aesthetics that will either see you fully on board or will take you a few moments to adjust.  Its lunatic MO and its ease of play are a great boon for it, and while some will dismiss it because of its overall feel, it has the potential to be one of the first truly pick up and play FPS for a very long time.

Hitman: Episode 2: Sapienza: PS4 Review

Hitman: Episode 2: Sapienza: PS4 Review

Platform: PS4
Released by Square Enix and IO Interactive

The Hitman episodic release schedule may have irritated some, but given the depth and breadth of episode 1 and the scope of the Italian Job in episode 2, it's an irritation that is unfounded.

This time around, Agent 47 is hitting the streets of Sapienza, and its gorgeous vistas to take out target Silvio Caruso, a brilliant bio-engineer who's been working on a DNA-specific virus that could signal bad things for everyone around the world.

Sounds simple? And in true Hitman style, once again it is - as long as you have all the right pieces in place for the execution.

Sapienza is a location that is dressed in beauty.

From its wider map and its beach side shops and other settings, it's a level that encourages exploration before you uncover extinction of your target.

As ever the Opportunities system which randomly presents itself to you while passers-by lurk help provide you with clues as to what to do or what you could do, but it's all about the information-gathering before the hit is executed.

In terms of the gameplay, not much changes with episode 2 but what does emerge is that the episodic structure is really working out for Hitman.

In any other game, the zipping through levels that have clearly been designed with time in mind wouldn't serve to benefit this game - these are areas that crave exploration and duly reward you for doing so in the long run. Plus, with something that looks as gorgeous as Sapienza, the pressure's on to take it all in, rather than race to complete it within a certain time level.

From the high profile of the Paris hit to the more relaxed vibe of Sapienza's seaside locale, it's clear the game's shaping up to be something quite special and varied, which is more than a bonus.

As this game rolls out, it's clear Agent 47 is bang on target.

Win a double pass to see X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

Win a double pass to see X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

SYNOPSIS:
Following the critically acclaimed global smash hit X-Men: Days of Future Past, director Bryan Singer returns with X-MEN: APOCALYPSE.

Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible.

Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign.

As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

ONLY IN CINEMAS From May 19th

To enter simply email to this address: darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com and in the subject line put APOCALYPSE. 

Please include your name and address and good luck! NB Competition closes 24 May - editor's decision final!

New Transformers film will be called.....

New Transformers film will be called.....

 

X-Men Apocalypse: Film Review

X-Men Apocalypse: Film Review

Cast: James MacAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Evan Peters, Olivia Munn
Director: Bryan Singer

It's back into X-territory for the latest outing in the mutant franchise.

This time around, ten years after the events of Days of Future Past the mutants of Charles Xavier (MacAvoy) are forced into action when the First Mutant Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) is re-awakened. Intent on destroying the world and unleashing chaos, Xavier's problems are further compounded when Magneto (Fassbender) joins Apocalypse's team...

That the latest X Men film feels a misfire is more a script issue rather than any kind of fault in its execution.

Granted, there's plenty of at times impressive CGI destruction to behold as Apocalypse and Magneto join forces to raze civilisation, but the script's lack of singular focus or clear vision means parts feel muddled and overly saggy without any real reason.

It may be that part of the story's rehash of how a mutant comes to be (in this case, Scott Summers, played by Mud's Tye Sheridan) feels so familiar having been explored before. Other characters in the film such as Angel, Storm and Psylocke have good opening sequences and introductions before falling away into narrative obscurity.

It's symptomatic of so much being juggled but yet nothing being fully fleshed out in X Men Apocalypse, that it leaves the whole thing feeling relatively soulless and without any real sense of jeopardy.

It's a shame because the opening in Egypt feels like a mutant version of the start of The Mummy but gives the film a sense of scale and threat that's lacking elsewhere. 

The problem comes that Apocalypse is a bit of a weaker villain for the piece, preferring to be an enabler of those recruited to his Four Horsemen gang, rather than an actual menace worthy of the series and of the tease that was proffered up at the end of Days of Future Past. Isaac does as much as he can under the blue prosthetics but he's saddled with scenes that simply find him in the action scowling and grumbling, rather than bringing a level of fear that the so-called First Mutant should evoke.

For the sixth film in this revamped series, the latest X-Men curiously defers all the personal interplay that helped lift the previous films in favour of over-egging the pudding. 

Curiously, the best moments of Apocalypse involve Fassbender's sense of tragedy as Erik is forced to abandon his living under cover and working in a steel-works - but even this emotional resonance is ultimately undercut by the ongoing tedium of the ideological battle between Xavier and Erik over their philosophical outlook on life. It's a thread that's repeatedly been explored before and one which finds nothing new added this time around.

Of the younger generation, Evan Peters once again excels as Quicksilver, with his central action piece of rescuing everyone from an exploding building being a visual highlight (even if it is a riff on his previous cinematic appearance) and Game of Thrones' Sophie Turner presents an intriguingly subdued take on Jean Grey, with more pent-up yet somehow repressed psychological damage being the order of the day.

Unfortunately though, with the over-stuffing of the cast, the film's younger generation don't exactly excel - despite all their efforts (Kodi Smit-McPhee's Nightcrawler is a nice take on the Alan Cummings'  much loved mutant) the script confines them to the sidelines or to a pointless excursion to Stryker's hideout and Weapon X, purely for fan service.

Equally, the Apocalypse group (who look like a bad 80s rock band) fall away in the wash. The Newsroom's Olivia Munn makes an initial impression as Psylocke before narratively she is eclipsed. 

It's symptomatic of the wider issues of X-Men Apocalypse, a film which is more concerned with rote CGI destruction (which is visually impressive to start off with, before repeatedly used) than character. If this series needs anything urgently with a 90s set outing planned, it's an injection of heart, soul and humanity, rather than a reliance on FX. 

If it doesn't go back to basics, concentrates on the core elements of the series and delivers a genuinely threatening villain or situation that doesn't feel contrived very soon, the X-Men franchise runs a risk of becoming cinematically and thematically alienated.

Sisters: DVD Review

Sisters: DVD Review

Released by Universal Home Ent

Trading on the Amy Poehler / Tina Fey chemistry that's been such comedy gold at awards shows and seen them collaborate together before on film (Baby Mama), Sisters is at times a free-wheeling blast of frat and humour.

Parks and Rec star Poehler and 30 Rock's Fey play sisters Maura and Kate Ellis, who are summoned back home when their parents (Brolin and Wiest) reveal the familial homestead is being sold and they need to clear out their old rooms.

Poehler's Maura is the more sensible of the pair, a nurse prone to helping all and even imposing when her perkiness is not welcomed; Fey's Kate meanwhile is the party queen, a free-wheeler who's there for a good time and pays no heed to what lies ahead, despite having a daughter.

Returning to their home and overwhelmed by memories of their  Deciding to throw one last legendary Ellis party and revel in their reputation, the party is set in motion.

But with Kate and Maura swapping roles, things soon go awry as the chaos eventually escalates.

Sisters is never funnier than when it lets the central pair freewheel from the script. 

While it sags in parts and could have comfortably trimmed 20 mins off its run time, Sisters trades well on Poehler's perkily optimistic comic outlook and Fey's natural smarts give it a brittleness and freshness which allow for plenty of unexpected laughs and moments that will catch you unawares.

Gently mocking the move from your perception of how life was when you were 21 to now you're suddenly 42, Sisters manages to tap into both a sly mocking of the idea of growing up and the horrifying reality of how we choose to be civilised at these kinds of dos, rather than completely cutting loose.

Cleverly managing to avoid the plot's flimsiness by using the main stars' innate likeability, Sisters also uses the mix of Saturday Night Live cast and friends (Maya Rudolph's Brinda as the bitch determined to crash the party) to good solid effect. Even John Cena plays up the comedy chops he's already demonstrated this year with his appearance in Trainwreck.

Sisters may feel like it lacks an overall coherency throughout (attempts to inject some sentiment and emotion towards the end with Kate and her daughter border on pointless), but its cross-sex appeal make it worth a view - but don't expect to leave with any other impressions than those Poehler and Fey give you. They're clearly having a blast making it and their infectious chemistry and comic friendship will help you paper over the cracks that pepper it throughout.

Rating:

Newstalk ZB Review - Bad Neighbours 2, Angry Birds and Bastille Day

Newstalk ZB Review - Bad Neighbours 2, Angry Birds and Bastille Day

This week, it was talking Bad Neighbours 2, Angry Birds and Bastille Day

Take a listen below!

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-mornings-with-jack-tame/audio/darren-bevan-bad-neighbours-2-the-angry-birds-and-bastille-day/

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-mornings-with-jack-tame/audio/darren-bevan-bad-neighbours-2-the-angry-birds-and-bastille-day/

Alienation: PS4 Review

Alienation: PS4 Review

Released by Housemarque
Platform: PS4

To say Alienation feels familiar is a massive understatement.

Developers Housemarque are responsible for one of the all time best games on the PS4, Resogun. That Defender style shooter has occupied my consciousness since playing it at a launch event for the PlayStation 4 way back when and its weekly challenges and expansions prove to provide fertile territory for anyone invested in shooters.

Which is why Alienation perhaps, feels like such a massive disappointment in some ways.

Essentially, a home guard attack on an alien invasion, this title wants to help kick ass as the hordes attack, but the fact it's just a rehash of Dead Nation (by the same studio) makes it feel massively underwhelming and unoriginal.

Coupled with the fact that tooling up and upgrading is so difficult to understand, this shooter's sole saving grace lies only in its online presence, which breathes a life into the twin stick shooter sensibilities within.

A solo game offers little thrills as you wander through levels, taking on baddies and leaving you facing hordes that are difficult to off on your own, even with your capabilities and using exploding cars and vehicles' radius to pick them off with some carefully timed bombs.

But it's when friends join you and it becomes a co-operative onslaught against the masses that the game begins to thrive and builds itself up into something that's a little more fun.

From dashing to melee, to aiming and shooting, this really is nothing more than a rehash of the mechanics of Dead Nation, a title that echoed out on the PS3 and embraced its zombie cornball 80s action vibe to full glee.

Unfortunately, this time around, with a muddled upgrade system that's confusing as hell and difficult to instigate, it has nothing new to offer the gaming world - and we've already had something similar with Helldivers, a game that works as both co-op and solo play.

Perhaps this is Housemarque's first mis-step in the gaming world, perhaps Resogun set the stakes so high that nothing could match up, but Alienation manages to pass the time while being both playable and perfunctory is to damn it with faint praise.

Doc Edge Festival winners unveiled

Doc Edge Festival winners unveiled

 DOC EDGE FESTIVAL CELEBRATES THE WINNERS

It’s been a momentous year for the 11th Documentary Edge International Film Festival (Doc Edge) with a smorgasbord of film screenings, the introduction of Docs 4 Schools, and a bevy of international guests coming to NZ for the Festival and Screen Edge Forum.
Ahead of Wellington’s final weekend and before the Festival opens in Auckland on the 18^th May, the Festival Judges are proud to announce the 2016 award winners from last night, 12th May.

Miners Shot Down was declared overall winner of Best International Feature Documentary, jurors calling it “an extraordinarily nuanced microcosm of post-Apartheid South Africa.” Filmed over seven days in August 2012, Miners Shot Down focuses on workers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines as they strike for better wages. The International documentaries this year packed a powerful punch with incredible footage illuminating our world, and the real-life struggles and successes people are facing. This made it an incredibly tough choice for the judges to pick a winner. A special mention was given to Among The Believers with jurors noting that the “access and balancing of the tensions between two such extreme worlds is a remarkable achievement”, and Sonita, a “striking” film with a “phenomenal teenager” as the main subject.

The Best New Zealand Feature Documentary was taken out by Loving in Limbo, with director Susan Parker winning Best New Zealand Director as well. The global love story follows Kiwi Hap Cameron and his American love, Mandy Tod, over seven years and several continents as they battle to stay together whilst facing long distance separation, immigration bans and family issues. Awards were also handed out across the NZ feature films for excellent editing, cinematography and to highlight emerging filmmaker, Lisa Burd for her film Monterey.

Mohammed Naqvi and Hemal Trivedi, co-directors of Among The Believers, won the award for Best International Director. Jurors were impressed by the filmmakers’ ability to give the audience a deeper and more insightful look into radical Islam, commenting that “[Among The Believers] takes us way beyond the news bites and daily news stories that populate our main stream media and provides an intimate view of this volatile world providing rare and surprisingly sympathetic insight into both the radical and the moderates.”

The short films ranging from 6 minutes to 40 minutes impressed the judges too. The 2016 Academy Award® Documentary (Short Subject) winner A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness, won Best International Short Documentary at the Doc Edge Awards, judges hailing it as “an example of activist filmmaking at its best.” From NZ On the Backs of Women won Best New Zealand Short Documentary, with humorous short film An Animated Guy receiving a special mention.

Marti Friedlander is one of New Zealand's most acclaimed photographers, with a career spanning over 50 years. This year Friedlander was awarded the Doc Edge Superhero Award for her dedication and skill in documenting Aotearoa through still images. A set of black and white images, taken by Friedlander in the 70s, were chosen to grace the covers of the programme and website. Forty years on and Friedlander is keen to find the grinning kids from the images, which were taken in Grey Lynn, Auckland.

Full list of Winners Doc Edge Awards 2016:
Best International Feature - Miners Shot Down

                         -  Special Mention – Sonita

                         -  Special Mention – Among the Believers
Best New Zealand Feature – Loving in Limbo
Best International Short – A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness
Best New Zealand Short – On the Backs of Women
                          - Special Mention – An Animated Guy
Best International Feature Director - Mohammed Naqvi and Hemal Trivedi, Among The Believers
Best New Zealand Director – Susan Parker, Loving in Limbo
Best New Zealand Editing – The Sound of Her Guitar
Best New Zealand Cinematography - A Kick to Heaven
Best New Zealand Emerging Filmmaker - Lisa Burd, Monterey
Doc Edge Superhero Award - Marti Friedlander

NEW ZEALAND ON AIR AWARDS:
Best TV Documentary or Series  - Target Zero,  Producer/Director: Kathleen Mantel
Best NZ Online Documentary or Web Series  - Loading Docs - Notable Pictures - Julia Parnell
 

Images for winning films available in this dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/jjprbf16n0esy3e/AACD__SB-ylNshAryCpr2Zo3a?dl=0

 

For the full programme and the latest news regarding the 2016 season visit
www.docedge.nz

KEY DATES:
4-15 May 2016 - Doc Edge Festival: Wellington – The Roxy, Miramar
18-29 May 2016 - Doc Edge Festival: Auckland – Q Theatre, Auckland CBD
13 May 2016 Screen Edge Forum: Wellington – Park Road Post, Miramar
18 May 2016 Screen Edge Forum: Auckland – AUT, Auckland CBD

Win a double pass to see Money Monster

Win a double pass to see Money Monster

To celebrate the release of Money Monster, in cinemas 2nd June, I've got double passes to see the movie to giveaway!

About Money Monster

In the real-time, high stakes thriller Money Monster, George Clooney and Julia Roberts star as financial TV host Lee Gates and his producer Patty, who are put in an extreme situation when an irate investor who has lost everything (Jack O’Connell) forcefully takes over their studio. 

During a tense stand-off broadcast to millions on live TV, Lee and Patty must work furiously against the clock to unravel the mystery behind a conspiracy at the heart of today's fast-paced, high-tech global markets.

Money Monster is Directed by:Jodie Foster, with a Screenplay by: Jamie Linden and Alan DiFiore & Jim Kouf

Story by:Alan DiFiore & Jim Kouf, Produced by:Daniel Dubiecki, Lara Alameddine, George Clooney, Grant Heslov. Executive Producers: Kerry Orent, Tim Crane, Regina Sculley, Ben Waisbren

Money Monster stars:

George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell, Dominic West, Caitriona Balfe, Giancarlo Esposito

Money Monster ©2016 CTMG. All rights Reserved. In Cinemas 2nd June.

To enter simply email to this address: darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com and in the subject line put MONEY MONSTER. 

Please include your name and address and good luck! NB Competition closes 2 June - editor's decision final!

HITMAN - First Elusive Target

HITMAN - First Elusive Target

First Elusive Target coming Friday 13^th of May

SYDNEY, 13^TH May 2016 – Later today will see the first Elusive Target appear in HITMAN™. Elusive Targets are part of the live content being published for HITMAN in-between episodes and represent a new game mode debuting for players. The Elusive Targets are specially crafted, unique targets, which come with particular rules:

• An Elusive Target is a once in a lifetime experience
• They are available for a limited time only in game – this first Elusive Target will last 48 hours
• Intel on the target will be limited
• They will not appear in instinct mode, or the mini map and their locations will not be revealed to you – you’ll have to go and find them
• Plan accordingly before you engage your target
• Your target can only die once
• If you die during the mission, that’s it
• When the time runs out, they are gone for good
• If you fail, there are no second chances

As this is the first Elusive Target we wanted to let players know in advance, however there may not be so much warning next time so keep your ears close to the ground, visit the forums or follow HITMAN on social media to ensure you don’t miss out – Bonne chance .

HITMAN is available on the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC.

Final Fantasy XV: Big Bang animation

Final Fantasy XV: Big Bang animation

FINAL FANTASY XV ‘BIG BANG’ Animation

SYDNEY, 13^TH May 2016 - The legendary Final Fantasy artist Yoshitaka Amano expands the Final Fantasy XV universe with a Big Bang!

Yoshitaka Amano is world renowned for his work on the Final Fantasy franchise. His artwork is synonymous with the identity of the series and for Final Fantasy XV he has created another masterpiece called “Big Bang”. This tapestry depicts the universe of Final Fantasy XV and for the first time ever, Amano’s artwork has been brought to life. Join us on a journey through this magnificent piece of art like never before!

Watch the Final Fantasy XV ‘Big Bang’ animation video at: https://youtu.be/g7VR_Lq44zs

Final Fantasy XV will be released worldwide on September 30, 2016 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4.




Meanwhile....

 

LEGENDARY ROLE-PLAYING CLASSICS, FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD REMASTER,

ARRIVES ON PC TODAY

Available Now via Steam With a 20% Discount

SYDNEY, 13^TH May 2016 –   Square Enix Ltd., today announced that FINAL FANTASY® X/X-2 HD Remaster, two fan favourites in the FINAL FANTASY series, is now available on STEAM®. FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster brings two timeless classic forward to the current generation of fans, both old and new alike, now completely remastered in stunning High Definition. FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster for STEAM offers various new features including;

• Characters, monsters, and environments have been refined in HD detail - providing a richer and deeper FINAL FANTASY visual experience.
• Remastered and rearranged BGM
• International Edition content
• Auto-save functionality and 5 game boosters including high speed and no encounter modes
• Full Steam Trading Cards and achievements.

FINAL FANTASY X tells the story of Tidus, a star blitzball player who journeys with a young and beautiful summoner named Yuna on her quest to save the world of Spira from an endless cycle of destruction wrought by the colossal menace known as Sin.

FINAL FANTASY X-2 returns to the world of Spira two years after the beginning of the Eternal Calm. Having been shown a mysterious but familiar image in a sphere, Yuna becomes a Sphere Hunter and, along with her companions Rikku and Paine, embarks on a quest around the world to find the answers to the mystery within.

Watch the ‘FINAL FANTASY X | X-2 HD Remaster for Steam

Alice Through The Looking Glass: Film Review

Alice Through The Looking Glass: Film Review

Cast: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham-Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Anne Hathaway
Director: James Bobin

If 2010's Alice In Wonderland was a mish-mash of concepts and colours, this sequel six years after the last is a drab dour psychological piece.

When Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to land after years away at sea, she finds that she has to head back to Wonderland to escape the confines of Victorian life. However, when she arrives there, she discovers her friend the Hatter (Depp) is no longer the man he used to be due to deep-rooted psychological issues.

When told by the White Queen (Hathaway) and her chums that she may be able to save things if she heads back in time. So setting out to steal the Chronosphere, guarded by time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen), Alice heads off on a dangerous mission to change the past and future.

Essentially riffing on Back To The Future 2, and feeling like every time travel cliche you've seen, the FX laden fantasy Alice Through The Looking Glass is anything but a colourful blast back into Lewis Carroll's world, preferring more to be a Daddy issues film and a sibling rivalry exploration.

With Baron Cohen providing an extended riff on Werner Herzog / Christoph Waltz as Time (and his minions coming together like Transformers when it's needed), and Depp looking like a sullen faced Beetlejuice reject, the film has Tim Burton's breath all over it, even if the Muppets and Flight of The Conchords' James Bobin is directing it.

The themes of escape for Alice and of damage for The Hatter are perfectly fine, but give the whole thing a wash of deep darkness whose hues it's hard to escape. It's a psychologically oppressive piece that darts back and forth through time and is anchored by a relatively strong Wasikowska who has little to really work with.

Despite being told she could do six impossible things before breakfast, Alice this time around is slightly thwarted by a plot that's more about showcasing its effects and costumes than it is about delving into character. Consequently, characters like Hathaway's White Queen waft ethereally in and out without much depth or commanding much attention.

Depp's nicely muted and forlorn as the Hatter whose world is crumbling at the loss of his family, but really he looks like Edward Scissorhands in another get up, and his zaniness that zinged the first film is much missed here.

Moving away from the book's original story was perhaps a brave and bold move, but the fact the film hardly stays in one place for long enough as the protagonists zoom through time in gyroscopes does little to fully engage, despite period details and settings doing much to create an atmosphere that's almost stifled by the over-complicated yet somehow underwritten moments.

Even though the darker and dourer elements of this Alice, What's The Hatter piece are welcome, the film's whole lasting impression, despite the politics of Alice wanting more from her life than conforming or what society sets down for her (a commendable message to young girls), is one of missing Burton's original vision for - and his whimsical touches on - the cinematic Wonderland.

The Spanish Film Festival is coming

The Spanish Film Festival is coming

Spanish Affair 2 movie to open the NZ leg of the Spanish Film Festival.

17 Spanish language films spanning genres from romantic comedies to thrillers will take the stage at the Academy Theatre this May as the Spanish Film Festival returns to Auckland after a hiatus of several years.

The New Zealand Spanish Film Festival will run between May 19th- 5th June at the Academy Cinema in Auckland CBD.

Opening the festival with a gala screening on May 19th  is the Spanish romantic comedy Spanish Affair 2. The film tells the story of Rafael, a Sevillian who has never left Andalucia who decides to leave his homeland to follow Amaia, a Basque girl unlike any other women he has ever known. The film was the highest grossing film for 2015 at the Spanish box office.

Also making its New Zealand premiere at the Spanish Film Festival is the Oscar nominated Colombian film Embrace of the Serpent.  Directed by Ciro Guerra, Embrace of the Serpent film won the Art Cinema Award in the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and it was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards.

 

Embrace of the Serpent

Other festival highlights include Penelope Cruz's starring turn as a woman fighting breast cancer in acclaimed director Julio Mediums (Sex and Lucia, Chaotic Ana) newest feature, Ma Ma, and an indepth behind the scenes portrayal of one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world, FC Barcelona, in Barça Dreams.

Penelope Cruz in Ma Ma 

My Big Night brings together a cast of Spanish superstars, and a hilarious story that could only come from the mind of cult director and former comic book artist Alex de la Iglesia (Witching and Bitching). Eva No Duerme, starring Gael Garcia Bernal, brings an incredible true story to the festival, telling of the movement of Eva Peron’s body through the Argentinean political revolution.

The Spanish film festival runs from Thursday 19th May - Sunday 5th June

More information here - http://www.spanishfilmfestival.com/

Assassin's Creed - Trailer 1 launches

Assassin's Creed - Trailer 1 launches

Watch the first trailer for ‪ Assassin's Creed starring Michael Fassbender

In cinemas January 1^st, 2017

The Walking Dead: Michonne: Episode 3 What We Deserve: Review

The Walking Dead: Michonne: Episode 3 What We Deserve: Review

Platform: PS4
Released by Telltale Games

It ends exactly as you’d expect in The Walking Dead: Michonne Episode 3: What We Deserve.

Having ended ep2 with the decision to bash antagonist Randall to death, the fact his sister was heading to the house where Michonne was holed up and wanting to get him back was never going to be anything short of a mess.

But in this final ep of the miniseries, while Telltale Games do the obvious in many ways, it’s the way it’s played out and the background to Michonne that are the real reasons to enjoy this.

With ep2 being a little heavier on the action and the lead up to the convergence of the storylines of Michonne’s kids and the kids at the house, it seemed like subtlety was being abandoned in the narrative in favour of convenience. And there are times during the concluding episode where it feels more of a coincidence than plotting that conflicts arise, but The Walking Dead: Michonne Episode 3 is very much a culmination of what Robert Kirkman’s created in his own world – a post-apocalyptic world where chances are given and the consequences of actions inform a lot of how the going to hell in a handcart ethos can kick in.

The third episode feels shorter and there’s a lot more exploring the house within to get some depth and context to Michonne and the inhabitants, but these sidelines are optional. It’s the smaller, quieter moments in this episode which stand out more; the brief conversations where you can either be accommodating or abrupt which give the choices an edge. Granted, you can argue that the choices make little difference to the overall outcome, but it’s how you choose to live as Michonne that informs so much of what you take away from this series.

Some of the walking around feels a little clunkier at times as the exposition comes, but there’s a lucidity to the gradual reveals of what happened to the family that perhaps the episodic structure hasn’t favoured. As a whole, the PTSD elements hang together a lot more in one chunk, but it’s the troubled nature of Michonne that feels more engaging this time around. It’s a shame given that some of the lesser characters around her aren’t as well shaped as they could be (Pete being the prime example of what more could be done to build the characters) – but Norma’s interaction is up there with some of the show’s worst. She’s there for love, for the return of her brother, but her behaviour is a testament to doing things the wrong way.

The action in Episode 3 plays out well, but it’s the tension of the gate encounter with Norma that stands out. It’s here the suspense of the piece becomes unnerving and here that there doesn’t feel like there is a right answer/ interaction, which is an interesting dynamic that Telltale Games are instigating into proceedings – the fact that some choices can’t actually be made is a fascinating one to execute in future titles.

While ep3 is not a major mis-step by any stretch of the imagination, the fact it feels rushed in parts and occasionally padded in others means that as an individual ep it doesn’t hang together as well as it could.

However, as a whole and as a final chapter of the mini-series, it’s a more integrated story and part of a wider tapestry. While this mini-series has seen Telltale Games experiment with their format, it shows that at its core, character is still more important than any bells and whistles.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan - Character Trailers

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan - Character Trailers

Activision Publishing, Inc., Nickelodeon and developer PlatinumGames Inc. have released four character trailers from the upcoming action game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™: Mutants in Manhattan.

Each video highlights a different Hero in a Half-Shell, showing off their unique fighting styles and personalities in the heat of combat. Whether it’s Leo’s determined focus, Raph’s explosive attacks, Donnie’s calculating genius or Mikey’s wild energy, every Turtle brings something special to the fight. The series also reveals some of the many distinct enemy types and locations players will have to overcome as they battle the legions of the Foot Clan across New York City, from sewer to skyline.

Made with PlatinumGames’ one-of-a-kind brand of high-intensity gameplay and eye-popping visuals, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan is a third-person team brawler that supports single-player and four-player online co-op. Upgrade and equip your squad with the best weapons and abilities, then face off against the Foot’s mightiest bosses, including Shredder, General Krang, Karai, Bebop, Rocksteady, Armaggon, Wingnut and Slash. The game also features colourful, cel-shaded graphics and an original story with comic attitude from IDW Publishing author Tom Waltz.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan is expected to launch in Australia on May 24^th as a retail and digital release on the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Windows PC via Steam.

Homefront: The Revolution Story Trailer

Homefront: The Revolution Story Trailer

Hello, revolutionaries!

Meet the leaders of the Philadelphia Resistance as we reveal the first details of Homefront: The Revolution's gripping story.

As raw recruit Ethan Brady, you are plunged into a desperate struggle for freedom as the Resistance try to save the one man who can inspire the people to rise up - Benjamin Walker, the 'Voice of Freedom' himself. 

What lengths will the Resistance go to to achieve their goals...and will the end ever justify the means?

Weaving state of the art performance-capture into a 30-hour open world single-player campaign, Homefront's dark and brutal storytelling will leave you reeling.

Homefront: The Revolution will be released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC on May 20th 2016. Pre-order Today and get the Revolutionary Spirit pack!

LEGO Dimensions Adds Three New Fun Packs!sions Adds Three New Fun Packs!

LEGO Dimensions Adds Three New Fun Packs!sions Adds Three New Fun Packs!

LEGO® Dimensions™ Adds Three New Fun Packs Based

on DC Comics, Ghostbusters and LEGO Ninjago

Players Can Grow Their Collection to Create Even Crazier Combinations

with Their Favourite Characters, Vehicles and Gadgets

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces the release of the highly collectable DC Comics Bane, Ghostbusters™ Slimer and LEGO® Ninjago™ Lloyd Fun Packs. Players can customise their building and gaming adventures in LEGO® Dimensions™ with the purchase of these Wave 5 Fun Packs which provide buildable characters, and rebuildable 3-in-1 vehicles and gadgets with special in-game abilities. All expansion packs provide gamers the opportunity to use everything interchangeably, anywhere throughout the game. Plus, any expansion pack character can unlock the corresponding Adventure World of the same brand to provide players with additional open-world gameplay content based on that entertainment property.

DC Comics fans can broaden their LEGO Dimensions gameplay with the buildable Bane Fun Pack.  Players can place the buildable villain on the LEGO Toy Pad to bring him to life in the game, and then activate his Hazard Protection, Big Transform, or Super Stealth abilities to solve puzzles and overpower enemies. His 3-in-1 Drill Driver will boost gameplay, and can be rebuilt into the Bane Dig ‘n Drill and the Bane Drill ‘n Blast for upgraded in-game abilities.

Players who want to slime their enemies can construct Slimer, the glutinous ghost, included in the Ghostbusters Slimer Fun Pack. They can fire his Hot Dog and activate his Boomerang, Sonar Smash, Flying, Dive, Hazard Clean, Illumination, Mini Access and Hazard Protection abilities to solve puzzles and battle enemies. When he needs backup, players can call in the Slime Shooter and rebuild it into a Slime Exploder and Slime Streamer for upgraded powers in the game.

Players can put their ninja skills to the test with the LEGO Ninjago Lloyd Fun Pack, featuring a buildable Lloyd minifigure, two Golden Katanas and rebuildable 3-in-1 Golden Dragon.  Players can use Lloyd’s two Golden Katanas and activate his special Spinjitzu, Illumination, Acrobat, Laser Deflector and Stealth abilities to solve puzzles and take on enemies in true Ninja style!  When it’s time to take the battle to the sky, launch Lloyd’s Golden Dragon and rebuild it into a Sword Projector Dragon and Mega Flight Dragon for enhanced powers.

These Fun Packs round out the first five waves of LEGO Dimensions expansion packs, with many new expansion packs based on more of the world’s biggest entertainment brands to be revealed soon. The LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack will remain the entry point for a gaming system of play that will offer continued compatibility – everything bought today and expansions added tomorrow will continue to work together.  No compatibility chart necessary!

LEGO Dimensions is available for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment systems, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Nintendo´s Wii U™ system.

Win Uncharted 4- A Thief's End

Win Uncharted 4- A Thief's End

UNCHARTED 4: A Thief’s End is the latest installment of the award winning series from acclaimed developer Naughty Dog. 

Launching exclusively for the PlayStation® 4 system, A Thief’s End delivers the most thrilling UNCHARTED adventure yet.

With new gameplay mechanics, larger, more open environments, and enhanced graphics and animations that showcase the power of the PS4 system. 

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End is out in shops now!

To enter to win a copy of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and a Nathan Drake Sackboy, all you have to do is drop me an email, with your name, address and the words UNCHARTED 4 in the subject title!

Email is darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com

NB Competition closes 20 May - editor's decision final!