Paddington 2 cast announced

Paddington 2 cast announced

HUGH GRANT AND BRENDAN GLEESON JOIN ALL STAR RETURNING CAST

Producer David Heyman and STUDIOCANAL are delighted to announce the start of principal photography for Paul King’s highly anticipated PADDINGTON 2, revealing that Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson join the all-star returning cast of Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy. PADDINGTON 2 is now in production.

The much-anticipated sequel to the worldwide hit family film finds Paddington happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…

Hugh Grant plays Windsor Gardens’ local celebrity, PHOENIX BUCHANAN, a vain, charming acting legend whose star has fallen somewhat in recent years. Grant is a Golden Globe and BAFTA winner, best known for his memorable performances in films like LOVE ACTUALLY and ABOUT A BOY, and was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed Stephen Frears’ comedy drama FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS opposite Meryl Streep.

Brendan Gleeson plays “KNUCKLES” MCGINTY, a notorious safe-cracker and legendary strongman who becomes an unexpected new ally for Paddington. Gleeson received an Emmy award for his portrayal of ‘Winston Churchill’ in HBO’s ‘INTO THE STORM’, and a Golden Globe nomination for IN BRUGES. Other recent credits include the HARRY POTTER series, EDGE OF TOMORROW and CALVARY. Upcoming features include Ben Affleck’s LIVE BY NIGHT, ASSASSIN’S CREED, ALONE IN BERLIN opposite Diane Keaton and TRESPASS AGAINST US opposite Michael Fassbender.

A Heyday Films and STUDIOCANAL production, Paddington’s return to the big screen is helmed by BAFTA nominated director Paul King (PADDINGTON, COME FLY WITH ME, THE MIGHTY BOOSH) written by Paul King and Simon Farnaby (PADDINGTON, YONDERLAND and the forthcoming MINDHORN).
Paddington 2 is produced by multi award-winning David Heyman (producer of all eight of the HARRY POTTER films, GRAVITY, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM).

Universal Media Remote Released for PS4

Universal Media Remote Released for PS4

Unlock the Endless Entertainment of PlayStation®4 with the Officially Licensed Universal Media Remote Released Today

AUCKLAND, 19^TH October, 2016 - PlayStation® New Zealand are pleased to announce the officially licensed Universal Media Remote for PlayStation®4(PS4™) launches in New Zealand today.

Produced by PDP, the Universal Media Remote is designed to give users a more convenient and intuitive way to navigate and control their favourite PS4™ entertainment Apps and Blu-Ray Disc player right from your couch. The remote uses Bluetooth to control your PS4 system and can also be setup to control up to three additional devices, including a TV and audio receiver. 

“The Universal Media Remote is the perfect device for all the family to unlock their favourite content on PlayStation 4. Modelled on the traditional TV remote, it makes navigating your favourite entertainment apps feel familiar and easy. It’s a natural addition to our product range, and a perfect stocking filler as we lead in to Christmas,” said Michael Ephraim, Managing Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia and New Zealand.

PlayStation has been working closely with local streaming service partners to ensure viewers get a great entertainment experience through PS4™.

The Universal Media Remote features the familiar PS4™ Buttons, including the most important buttons for navigating system menus and apps including the Action buttons (triangle, circle, cross, and square), Share, Options, and PlayStation buttons. 

The Universal Media Remote can be used with the following entertainment apps on PS4™ with more to come:

• Netflix
• TVNZ OnDemand
• Lightbox
• QuickFlix
• AnimeLab
• Blu-Ray Disc player
• YouTube

The PlayStation Universal Media Remote is available in stores now with a recommended retail price of $59.95 NZD.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Coming Spring 2017- Watch the Trailer this Friday, October 21st

Red Dead Redemption 2 Coming Spring 2017- Watch the Trailer this Friday, October 21st

Red Dead Redemption 2 Coming Spring 2017 - Watch the Trailer this Friday , October 21st at 2AM (ADT)

                    

Red Dead Redemption 2 will release worldwide in Spring 2017 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems.

An epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland, the game's vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience.

Watch the Red Dead Redemption 2 Trailer at 2AM ADT on Friday, October 20th at rockstargames.com, as well at the official Rockstar Games YouTube and Twitch pages.

Ouija: Origin Of Evil: Film Review

Ouija: Origin Of Evil: Film Review

Cast: Elizabeth Reaser, Annalise Basso, Lulu Wilson, Henry Thomas
Director: Mike Flanagan

There's just something about creepy kids that the horror genre has to keep mining  (just ask The Omen) - and Ouija: Origin of Evil has managed to add another one to the pantheon, thanks to this film, based on a board game (one of the wildest conceits the horror world has perhaps seen).

After a wildly financially successful but critically mauled first outing, the sequel, acting as a prequel heads to 1965 Los Angeles and to a widowed mother Alice (Reaser) struggling to make ends meet after the death of the patriarch. Equally struggling are daughters Paulina (Basso) and youngest Doris (Wilson, looking like a blonde CGI'd younger version of Reese Witherspoon).

Mum Alice is a medium, scamming people who visit but justifying it by offering them comfort for their pain. However, when business isn't powerful enough to keep the foreclosure ghosts away from their door, on Paulina's advice, she gets a Ouija board to use as a prop for her seances. But when youngest Doris claims to have been contacted by her father, something starts to go awry....

Ouija Origin Of Evil is at best a carbon copy horror film, filled with enough references to the past to stop it from being its own thing.

From the start with its usage of the old Universal logo to its vintage setting, use of significant moments from the era in the space age and execution (complete with the circles on the film used in the past to tell projectionists to change reels), this is a flick that's derivative of the genre and that squanders its genuine unease and unsettling set up for something rather familiar.

The deal's sealed when the priest played Henry "Elliott from ET" Thomas shows up outside the house, complete with suitcase and shadow in a blatant rip off from The Exorcist.

It's a shame because aside from the schlock standard jump scares, there's something relatively uneasy about the rather claustrophobic proceedings. From a soundtrack that exudes quiet rather than the traditional blast of a scraping OST to get the requisite jump moments to the evocative period setting, the beginning of Ouija Origin Of Evil is deeply unsettling thanks to tight camera angles and spooky goings on within the tightknit family.

However after Doris is possessed and her mouth starts apeing Munch's The Scream, the film starts to falter and the tropes and inherent illogical silliness that plagues some horror films infects the narrative, and it falls into a trapping of usual stock scares as the back half plays out and the malevolent moppet gets her grips into the family.

While it scores for being a bit more dour and downbeat than the usual fare trotted out for Hallowe'en, there's a feeling that Ouija: Origin Of Evil's more subtly written moments (grief of family, post-traumatic coping) are more successful in hitting the emotional beats than its schlockier edges.

But it still feels like this sequel is possessed by a rogue force rather than a benevolent one intent on ensuring the experience is a smoother ride - it's likely to be as successful as the first, but its derivative edges and reliance on illogical missteps mean it's creatively trapped in the past.

World of Final Fantasy Demo Out Now

World of Final Fantasy Demo Out Now

JUMP INTO THE WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY

WITH NEW PLAYABLE DEMO

SYDNEY, 18^th October 2016 – From today, adventurers can journey into the WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY® with the playable demo now available for PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®Vita from the PlayStation®Store. 

Players can get a feel for the unique evolution of the classic “active time battle” (ATB) system as they capture and raise companion monsters called Mirages, customizing a variety of stacks and upgrading Mirage Boards to unlock special skills and attacks. Additionally, legendary characters from the FINAL FANTASY® franchise, including Faris (FINAL FANTASY V) and Cloud (FINAL FANTASY VII) will appear. Players who complete the demo will unlock the ability to obtain “Magitek Armor P” in the Coliseum when playing the full version of the game.

WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY will be available for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®Vita system from 28^th October 2016.

Goodbye, Pork Pie: First Look

Goodbye, Pork Pie: First Look

Kiwis will get their first peek at the accidental outlaws better known as the Blondini Gang today, with the launch of the official trailer for the film.

PORK PIE is an action-packed reimagining of the iconic 1981 kiwi classic, Goodbye Pork Pie and stars Dean O’Gorman (The Hobbit, Trumbo, The Almighty Johnsons)James Rolleston (Boy, The Dark Horse) and Ashleigh Cummings (Puberty Blues, Tomorrow when the War Began).  The reboot is set to charge into cinemas around the country on Waitangi Weekend, February 2nd 2017, with the dating playing homage to original film (which was released on Waitangi Day in 1981).

Making remarkable progress from his recent injuries, James Rolleston, who plays Luke Anahera, is super-excited for kiwi audiences to see the finished product and is confident that it’s destined to create a whole new generation of PORK PIE fans.

“I had the most fun of my career making this film.” Says Rolleston. “It was great to be involved in a real kiwi comedy with Dean and Ash, and I reckon kiwis are going to love it!   I can’t wait to share it with my friends and family and the wider public of Aotearoa.”

Dean O’Gorman, who plays Jon, a failing writer desperate to win back the love of his life, describes being involved in the project a career highlight.

“I spent almost six weeks in a MINI Cooper with James Rolleston driving the length of the country and it was hands down one of the best filming experiences I have ever had” says O’Gorman. “It was incredible to meet a whole bunch of New Zealanders right across the country and hear their affection for the original and excitement for what we were going to do with it.”

True to its original roots, the 2016 production of PORK PIE was a family affair.  The film was written and directed by Matt Murphy, son of the director of the original film’s director, Geoff Murphy.  Adding to the family connection, Matt’s brother, Miles Murphy, was the second unit director; his sister Robin was the Location Manager; and his daughter, Saoirse was a costume assistant. with Bruno Lawrence’s daughters Veronique and Melissa were script supervisors and his granddaughter Lily worked in the art department.

Director Matt Murphy is thrilled with the finished product.

"I'm really proud of what we've achieved," says Murphy. "I think we've succeeded in harnessing the spirit of Dad's film while delivering some great entertainment for a new generation. We've made our own road to Invers with this film, but theres no mistaking it's from the same family as the original".

PORK PIE Producer Tom Hern, (The Dark Horse) is excited to show the film to audiences:

“It’s a cracker of a roadie!” Says Hern. “It’s got the thrills and spills of course, but it also has a big underdog heartbeat driving it forward. I can’t wait to share the film with audiences both at home and around the world.”

Cafe Society: Film Review

Cafe Society: Film Review

Cast: Steve Carell, Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Blake Lively, Ken Stott, Carey Stoll
Director: Woody Allen

Woody Allen returns to Tinseltown in a film that's very much a case of two halves and which suffers because of it.

Eisenberg plays Bronx native Bobby, who heads to 1930s Los Angeles to see if he can make a go of life by checking in with his agent uncle Phil Stern (Carell). Falling in love with Phil's secretary Veronica (Stewart), Bobby pursues her even though she admits she's seeing a married man.

However, life doesn't go as planned for Bobby and he ends up heading back to New York to run a nightclub with his gangster brother (Stoll, who gets most of the Mafioso throwaway shots and gags). Swept up in the high society and notoriety of the times, Bobby's life carries on - until he's paid a visit from the past.

Allen's lightweight touches and Eisenberg's pure channeling of Allen and his words make the first half of Cafe Society a sumptuous zingy thrill.

Swathed in some truly evocative and brilliant costume detail, the film looks exquisite and is as rich as any of Allen's best work. With fresh one-liners, back and forth dialogue early on that's engaging and quirky (an exchange between Bobby and a lady of the night is as close to pure neurosis Allen heaven as you'll get), it's sad to see that the move back to New York mires the story.

Thankfully, the repartie between Stott and Jeannie Berlin as husband and wife gives the film the zing it needs, but the lift isn't enough to propel you through a saggy second half, riddled with half-baked side plots that are too disinteresting to care about.

It doesn't help that a new pivotal character's introduced briefly in the back half with barely enough time to care about her inclusion into the emotive equation and certainly, the conclusion of the film would have had greater heft were the dynamic introduced earlier on.

Ultimately, Cafe Society is as frothy an Allen piece as they come, with some side trappings of dreamers / what if life thrown in for good measure. It's not a bad Allen piece by far (and certainly, it's not as dire as Irrational Man was), but its lightweight and inconsequential nature means its ultimate pay-off lacks the heft and leaves you feeling unsatisfied.