Demolition: Film Review

Demolition: Film Review

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper, Judah Lewis, Heather Lind
Director: Jean-Marc Vallee

Visual subtlety is in short supply in Jean Marc Vallee's Demolition, wherein Jake Gyllenhaal's grieving investment broker literally has to tear his life apart to put it back together again.

Mercifully though, there is a Jake Gyllenhaal performance that enlivens proceedings without resorting to tics and tricks to keep the audience engaged. Charisma here is as obvious as the guy who intones early on that "Everything is a metaphor".

Gyllenhaal plays Davis, whose wife is killed in a smash; he escapes with not a scratch, but starts to wake up from his previous life and behave unusually. Whereas Davis was previously detached from engaging with others, he fixates and forms a friendship with Karen (Naomi Watts) a customer service rep for a vending machine company that Davis has a beef with.

As his resentful father in law Phil (the ever stoic Chris Cooper) tries to get Davis to help create something for his daughter's death, the grief treats him differently and Davis' world changes.

Dallas Buyers' Club director Jean-Marc Vallee relies on his patented looped reflections, backward cuts and dreamlike shots to build this slightly over egged concoction that has as left-field an ending as anything witnessed in 2016's cinematic pantheon.

Mind you, it's to be expected in its treatment of two side characters whose usefulness simply narratively grinds to a halt inside a cliched cul de sac (a son struggling with who he is, played by Lewish and Watts' mother whose connection with all is lost in case you're counting.) It's a shame because the third act's intentions thoroughly derail the narrative train that's been running through - a man in crisis trying to deal with what's around and inside him.

The letters Davis sends to Karen and the vending machine company do an astute job of servicing both exposition and back-story, and add a quirkier edge to proceedings as we watch one man succumb to a degree of sociopathic behaviour, mental illness and incapacity. 

There's little predictability in the earlier moments of the film, but these fall by the wayside as the film tries to wrap up what were hitherto nicely disparate threads that bordered on a poignancy into a schmaltzy gooey end. 

Certainly, the aforementioned ending does little to complement what has already transpired and feels like a betrayal in many ways, offering a redemption that doesn't feel earned or sought after. 

But it's a sensational turn from Gyllenhaal that really anchors Demolition, an eclectic observation of grief and a drama that stands out despite some flaws. 

Star Trek Beyond: Film Review

Star Trek Beyond: Film Review

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana Idris Elba, Sofia Boutella
Director: Justin Lin

So it appears the answer to the question how do you keep the Star Trek franchise fresh and exciting as it enters its 50th year is to throw in a motorbike sequence that has shades of Evel Knievel within.

Perhaps that's no surprise given the helmer of this piece is Fast and Furious' Justin Lin and at times, the action is very much a case of spectacle over sense in Star Trek: Beyond.

In this latest, Kirk (Chris Pine) and the crew of the Enterprise are three years into their five year mission to explore new worlds (the first of Simon Pegg's script references to the original). But Kirk's nagged by a sense of tedium and monotony.

However, just as his apathy is about to see him accept a vice-admiralty, the crew of the Enterprise are lured into a trap by an evil villain named Krall (Idris Elba)....

Star Trek: Beyond certainly has the reverence for the franchise, and the script by Simon Pegg and Doug Jung is clearly steeped in affection, as well as an execution that's energetic.

Some of the greater moments of the series are embraced for this outing too; from the pairing and squabblingly affectionate duo of Karl Urban's Bones with Zachary Quinto's Spock to a lovely visual at the end, this is a film that knows what made the series so beloved by fans. But it also knows that character is what made the Trek universe so vital and why it stands a testament of time. The Enterprise ensemble is a little crowded by Pegg and Jung's script smartly splits them all up when the ship goes down (one of the film's best sequences, both taut, tight and thrilling); and it's here that the character driven moments tend to take over and remind you why it works.

But then it's also a film that bows to fun too, with the aforementioned motorbike sequence likely to polarise and the use of a Beastie Boys track simply confounding any kind of seriousness, opting for silly instead. Perhaps, that's bravura - time will tell, but certainly with some of the FX ships in Krall's swarm flying around looking like iron filings trapped in a blender that's on double time, that debate could be a heated one. Certainly the fun and pace of Justin Lin's Star Trek film allows the spectacle to head over any kind of common sense.

And then there's the bad guy - Idris Elba as Krall, who seems to suffer from Villain Writing 101, where the baddie comes skulking out of the shadows, delivers his disgruntled reason for taking down everyone and retreats off again ready to beaten. Krall is not a memorable villain at all, and it's a shame given the stature of the actor within that he's reduced to a prosthetics once over.

Above it all though, and as Trek so often has, it all comes back to Captain Kirk.

Chris Pine's wearied initial and melancholic approach is a nice touch, and the script's chutzpah to drop them 3 years into the 5 year mission gives the whole thing both a nostalgic gloss and a nod that even the future is space is as dull as the monotony of a 9 to 5 on Earth. But it's never anything less than Pine's film and he delivers it with grace, action hero swagger and a vocal nod to where it all started.

Star Trek Beyond may not be perfect, but it's fun blockbuster fodder that offers up action over smarts. While its franchise's future is never anything less than assured, it's great to see the reverence it treats its own past with - without alienating those who simply want a rip-roaring night out (as long as you beam your brain up).

New Stunt Races and Vehicles Added to GTA Online: Cunning Stunts

New Stunt Races and Vehicles Added to GTA Online: Cunning Stunts

New Stunt Races and Vehicles Added to GTA Online: Cunning Stunts

Try out the new Ocelot Lynx in Zebra, one of six brand-new Stunt Races added today to GTA Online: Cunning Stunts.

The release of Cunning Stunts last week turned GTA Online racing upside-down, and now this week it expands to include six new adrenaline-pumping Races and 3 more stunt-ready vehicles. 

SIX NEW RACES
The Super, Muscle, Sports, Bikes and Off-Road classes can compete, plummet and get airborne through rings of fire in a new collection of Races taking place throughout Los Santos and Blaine County:

Afterburner (Bikes)
There was a time when jumping through a wreath of flame on a poorly engineered chopper was enough to give even the most jaded patriot a semi. Those simple days are gone, but apply the same formula a thousand feet above an urban area in the middle of the night and you stand a decent chance of a sudden rush of blood to the crotch. Spectacular Stunt Race for Bikes.

Go up, over, around and through in Double Loop.

Double Loop (Super)
You can never have too much of a good thing, especially when that thing is a gravity-defying loop-the-loop over Fort Zancudo. Kiss your already fragile grip on the laws of physics goodbye on this intense Stunt Race for Super cars.

Forest (Bikes)
The great woodlands of San Andreas are one of our most bountiful resources, providing an endless supply of endangered timber, plenty of discreet hideaways for doomsday cults, and now some of the most suicidal dirt bike jumps in the country. Stunt Race for Bikes.

See what the view from the top really looks like with the new Western Cliffhanger.

High Flier (Bikes)
Time to ditch the private jet, saddle up, and learn a thing or two about corporate dominance with this Stunt Race for bikes through, around and over almost every skyscraper in central LS.

Trench II (Muscle)
Are you susceptible to paranoia? Feel like the walls are closing in? Often have the sense you're trapped with no escape? Come play this Stunt Race for Muscle cars and give your neuroses something to really latch onto.

Zebra (Sports)
A few massive slingshots and vertical drops around Mount Chiliad will play havoc with a full stomach. Time to skip lunch... and breakfast... and to pack a change of underwear. Point to Point Stunt Race for the Sports class.

The Declasse Drift Tampa, one of the three vehicles added to GTA Online today.

THREE NEW VEHICLES
The livery-clad racing fleet also expands today with the addition of the Ocelot Lynx, Declasse Drift Tampaand Western Cliffhanger, growing the Sports and Motorcycle classes. And for high-stakes racing aficionados, a new Premium Race popping up over the weekend will put your best Sports cars to the test in Zebra (look for the yellow blip at Legion Square).

The new Ocelot Lynx, available from Legendary Motorsport.

BONUS DISCOUNTS: THROUGH JULY 25TH
Expand your collection of stunting attire with the Silver Jumpsuit which comes complete with matching helmet. This unlock is free this week and will appear in the Special Items in your Wardrobe as soon as you log-in. Make sure you log-in before July 25th to redeem!

The 20% discount on all Garages & Properties with Garages continues this week – just what you need to accommodate the 3 new vehicles releasing with this update. If you’re already fully maxed out on room in your garages, don’t forget you can always use your second character (and the shared bank account) to open up to 5 more garages, and 50 more parking spaces.

Where last week’s bonuses were all about performance upgrades, this week it’s all about aesthetics with 20% off Spoilers, Wheels, Tire Smoke, Skirts, Exhausts and Horns. Perfect for making sure your brand new Ocelot Lynx or Declasse Drift Tampa is a show-er and not just a go-er.

Rise of the Tomb Raider 20 Year Celebration PS4

Rise of the Tomb Raider 20 Year Celebration PS4

RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER: 20 YEAR CELEBRATION

LAUNCHES ON OCTOBER 11

Ultimate Rise of the Tomb Raider Experience Features New Story Chapter, New Co-Op Endurance, Limited Edition Art Book, and In-Game Content Honoring Classic Lara Croft Games

SYDNEY, 20^TH July 2016 – Crystal Dynamics® and Square Enix® continue to celebrate 20 years of Lara Croft®, the gaming world’s iconic heroine, with fans around the world by announcing today that Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration™ will launch on PlayStation®4 on Oct. 11, 2016. Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration will include the award-winning Rise of the Tomb Raider® game, a completely new story chapter entitled “Blood Ties”, new co-op Endurance gameplay, PlayStation VR support for “Blood Ties”, all of the previously released DLC, more outfits, weapons, and Expedition Cards.  The Limited Edition of the game will also feature a limited edition art book*.

With the exception of VR support, all of the new content in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration will also be available for Xbox One and PC players. Current Season Pass owners on Xbox One and PC will automatically receive the content for free, and moving forward the existing Season Pass will be updated to include the new content. There is no Season Pass on PlayStation 4, as all of the content is included in the initial release.

“The studio is celebrating with all Tomb Raider® fans, thanking them for being on Lara’s 20 year journey with us,” said Scot Amos, co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “The team has packed in surprises, new story, and the top-requested special features into this 20 Year Celebration edition.”

“Blood Ties,” a new premium DLC, beckons players to explore Croft Manor in a new story mode; then defend it against a zombie invasion in “Lara’s Nightmare”. When Lara’s uncle contests ownership of the Manor, Lara must explore the estate to find proof that she is the rightful heir, or lose her birthright and father’s secrets for good. Players can then test their zombie-killing skills in the replayable “Lara’s Nightmare” mode: a haunted Croft Manor where players have new challenges and must rid the Manor of an evil presence.

Additionally, support for PlayStation VR empowers players to unlock the mysteries of Croft Manor in first person.

“This year we celebrate 20 years of the iconic Lara Croft,” said Ron Rosenberg, co-Head of Studio at Crystal Dynamics. “This provided the perfect opportunity for us to deliver a new Tomb Raider experience. With the addition of PlayStation VR support, you can play the world through Lara’s eyes for the first time in franchise history.”

In addition, for the first time in a Tomb Raider game, a new online co-op expansion to Endurance mode lets fans raid tombs in a brutal wilderness together. Two players must team up to survive the harsh elements by day, as well as lethal threats from enemies by night. Fire takes fuel, food restores health, and every resource must be hunted, collected, or crafted. Battle to the top of the leaderboards, as others try to beat your longest survival run.

Working with long-time partner Nixxes Software, the development team has also created a number of additions that celebrate Tomb Raider releases through the years, including a re-envisioned version of the cold-weather outfit and the Hailstorm pistol that Lara donned in “Tomb Raider III”. A special classic Lara card pack will allow fans to replay the game with five classic Lara models from the games over the years, including the original Lara model that started it all in 1996.

At the special request of hardcore fans, the main game becomes even grittier with a brutal new “Extreme Survivor” setting. This new difficulty level takes the toughness of Survivor and ratchets it up several notches starting with all checkpoints being stripped out of the game. The only way to save the game is forage enough resources to light campfires.

All previously released DLC will be included, including the three hour story addition Baba Yaga: The Temple of the Witch, Cold Darkness Awakened in which players must combat waves of infected predators, 12 DLC outfits, 7 DLC weapons, over 35 Expedition Cards, and more.

Rise of the Tomb Raider, currently available for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC, is one of the most celebrated games of the past year. The game was nominated for more than 75 awards, winning 27. Rise of the Tomb Raider was also nominated for nine DICE Awards, more than any other title in 2015.

For more information on Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, please visit the official website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

BATMAN - The Telltale Series' Steps Out of the Shadows release date is....

BATMAN - The Telltale Series'  Steps Out of the Shadows release date is....

'BATMAN - The Telltale Series'  Steps Out of the Shadows on August 2nd First Look at New Series in Motion in World Premiere Trailer;  Game to Debut During San Diego Comic Con with Live Audience

Today we can unveil the digital release date and world premiere trailer forBATMAN - The Telltale Series. The first of five episodes in the season, Episode 1: 'Realm of Shadows' will be available digitally worldwide starting Tuesday August 2nd on PC and Mac from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital distribution services, on the PlayStation®Network for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, on the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One® and Xbox 360®, for compatible iOS devices via the App Store, and for compatible Android-based devices via Google Play and the Amazon Appstore.  The series will also be available to purchase at retailers starting September 13th in North America as a special Season Pass Disc, which will include the first of five episodes in the season, and will grant access to the subsequent four episodes as they become available for download via online updates. The series will then be available to purchase at retailers across Europe on September 16th.  Rendered to look like a living, breathing comic book, Telltale's vision of Batman will feature an award-winning cast of talent, including Troy Baker in the role of Bruce Wayne, Travis Willingham as Harvey Dent, Erin Yvette as Vicki Vale, Enn Reitelas Alfred Pennyworth, Murphy Guyer as Lieutenant James Gordon, Richard McGonagle as Carmine Falcone, and Laura Bailey as Selina Kyle. Additional cast and characters will be revealed as the season progresses. The game will also debut ahead of public launch at a special crowd play event during San Diego Comic Con. While RSVPs for the general public are at capacity, interested media may email telltale_batman_sdcc@telltalegames.com using subject line "BATMAN SDCC Crowd Play - MEDIA" to register for entry.  For more information on Telltale Games, and more news surrounding the series, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow Telltale Games on Twitter@TelltaleGames.

Minecraft Ep 7 release date is...

Minecraft Ep 7 release date is...

Artificial Intelligence Runs Amok in  'Minecraft: Story Mode - A Telltale Games Series'  Episode 7: 'Access Denied' Second 'Adventure Pass' Episode Downloads July 26th

Today we can announce the release date and a special guest star for the seventh episode in Minecraft: Story Mode - A Telltale Games Series. The second episode in the 'Adventure Pass' add-on series, Episode 7: 'Access Denied' will be available digitally worldwide starting Tuesday July 26th on PC and Mac from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital distribution services, on the PlayStation®Network for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3, on the Xbox Games Store for Xbox One® and Xbox 360®, for compatible iOS devices via the App Store, and for compatible Android-based devices via Google Play and the Amazon Appstore. The episode will also be coming to the Windows Store. This episode may be purchased digitally as part of the Adventure Pass for $14.99 USD or equivalent, which includes access to Episodes 6, 7, and 8 as they release. The episode will also be available individually for $4.99 USD or equivalent. Players need to own at least Episode 1 in the series, or the season pass disc, in order to purchase Episodes 6, 7, and 8. In Episode 7: 'Access Denied', continuing their portal journey in search of home, Jesse and crew land in a world entirely controlled by PAMA - a sinister "thinking machine" determined to command everyone and everything in pursuit of optimal usefulness and efficiency. Forced on the run to avoid capture and assimilation, you'll need to work with a new ally to defeat the corrupted computer and free the population it has enslaved. The all-star cast gets another new addition for this episode, with Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) as Harper, PAMA's creator in hiding. Minecraft: Story Mode - A Telltale Games Series - Episode 7: 'Access Denied' is rated 'E10+' (Everyone 10+) for Violent References and Mild Language by the ESRB. Future content in the season is yet to be rated by the ESRB. The series is published by Telltale Games in partnership with Mojang. For more information on Telltale Games, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow @TelltaleGames on Twitter.

Xbox One S Arrives August 2

Xbox One S Arrives August 2

Xbox One S Arrives August 2

Last month, we revealed a new member of the Xbox One family, the Xbox One S. Today, we’re excited to announce that the highly-anticipated 2TB Xbox One S launch edition will begin hitting shelves in New Zealand and other regions on August 2. That means that all pre-orders will arrive on August 2 and, for those of you that haven’t yet, you can still pre-order a 2TB Xbox One S launch edition through microsoftstore.com and select retailers. Availability is limited and demand is high so you’ll want to check with your local retailer for more information and pre-order your console soon.

Xbox One S is the most compact Xbox yet, 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, and includes a built-in power supply. We also shifted one of the three USB ports and the pairing button to the front of the Xbox One S alongside the newly added IR blaster for increased accessibility. 

Beyond the fresh new design, Xbox One S is the first and only console that allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and stream video in stunning 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR). That means you’ll get to enjoy your favorite shows and movies in the clearest, most realistic video possible. With HDR support for video and gaming, Xbox One games like Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, and Scalebound will look even better thanks to a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, bringing out the true visual depth of your favorite games.

Xbox One S also comes bundled with the new Xbox Wireless Controller featuring textured grip, improved Xbox Wireless signal and added Bluetooth* support. The controller can be purchased as a standalone item. All Xbox One games, accessories and Xbox Live services will work with Xbox One S. 

The 2TB launch edition Xbox One S will be available in limited quantities for NZ$649 on August 2 in New Zealand and the following regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and United States. Xbox One S will also be hitting store shelves for additional markets later this year.

With the biggest blockbuster lineup of games in Xbox history coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 this year, platform updates to help you stay connected with friends on Xbox Live with even more games across your favorite devices and more hardware options available, 2016 and beyond is looking to be an incredible time to be an Xbox gamer.

*Bluetooth capabilities require Windows 10 devices running the Windows Anniversary Update