At Darren's World of Entertainment - a movie, DVD and game review blog.
The latest movie and DVD reviews - plus game reviews as well. And cool stuff thrown in when I see it.
DARKEST HOUR is a thrilling and inspiring true story that begins on the eve of World War II as, within days of becoming Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill (Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman) must face one of his most turbulent and defining trials: exploring a negotiated peace treaty with Nazi Germany, or standing firm to fight for the ideals, liberty and freedom of a nation.
As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe and the threat of invasion is imminent, and with an unprepared public, a skeptical King, and his own party plotting against him, Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history.
Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristen Scott Thomas, Lily James, Stephen Dillane, Ronald Pickup and Ben Mendelsohn
All 22 Studio Ghibli films on the big screen, plus documentaries and more - August 24 to September 20.
Madman proudly presents CELEBRATE STUDIO GHIBLI, a month-long celebration of the complete theatrical works, and more, from the acclaimed animation house - in cinemas in Australia and New Zealand, from August 24th to September 20th, 2017.
From the wildly imaginative fantasy of HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE and the Oscar®-winning SPIRITED AWAY, to the high adventure of PORCO ROSSO and the raw emotion of WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE, the films of Studio Ghibli are renowned for their beautifully realised worlds and uniquely imaginative storytelling.
These are some of the most revered and beloved animated works to have ever graced the big screen, and for the first time ever, CELEBRATE STUDIO GHIBLI brings the complete 22 film Studio Ghibli catalogue to cinemas in Australia and New Zealand; including Hayao Miyazaki’s iconic MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, SPIRITED AWAY and PRINCESS MONONOKE, alongside other classics such as POM POKO, MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS and OCEAN WAVES - the latter of which has never screened in cinemas before in either country.
In addition to this, CELEBRATE STUDIO GHIBLI will also offer insightful documentaries (THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS, ISAO TAKAHATA AND HIS TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA), as well as the seldom seen GHIBLIES EPISODE 2 (2002) short film, and ON YOUR MARK (1995) the animated music video for Japanese rock duo Chage & Aska – directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
Finally, Studio Ghibli connoisseurs won’t want to miss the CELEBRATE STUDIO GHIBLI opening night events, where they will not only be treated to a screening of both GHIBLIES EPISODE 2 and ON YOUR MARK prior to MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO, but each ticket holder will take home an exclusive, commemorative CELEBRATE STUDIO GHIBLI B1 print designed by multi-award-winning Australian artist, writer and filmmaker, Shaun Tan (THE LOST THING, THE ARRIVAL).
Tickets for CELEBRATE STUDIO GHIBLI are on sale shortly.
Opening Night event locations and tickets will be confirmed in the near future.
My film is......
What Lies That Way – A film by and about magic. A journey into the spiritual and creative lives of a remote rainforest dwelling community in Papua New Guinea. The film explores the local spiritual engagement with music and dance through the eyes and experience of an outsider, New Zealander Paul Wolffram. In order to obtain knowledge of these practices Paul is invited to initiate into the shamanic practice known as Buai. To do this he must fast without food or water for four days.
The best thing about being at the NZIFF is......
The opportunity to screen this film to my home audience.
The Moment I'm most proud of in my film is......
Survival
The thing that makes me the proudest of my team in my film is.....
Working in the difficult rainforest regions of Papua New Guinea was a real challenge. Without power, running water or transport the cinematographer Luke Frater had to carry his equipment long distances through the jungle in the heat and extreme humidity. Through all this Luke managed to get some extraordinary footage that captures the beauty of the region and unique way of life.
The reason I carried on with this film when things got tough was.....
to find out… What Lies That Way. Can Shaman really travel in their dreams? Can one really communicate with spiritual beings? Will this process really deliver creative powers and imaginative insight?
The moment I think that will resonate most with the audience when they see my film is.......
The film is an opportunity to experience something of another perception and understanding of the world. There is no one moment that delivers this, it is an experience as a whole. The thing I hope most people will take from watching my film is.....
A new appreciation and openness to spiritual ways of being and understanding of life and creativity.
FINAL FANTASY XII: The Zodiac Age - Out Now Launch Trailer
EXPERIENCE IVALICE LIKE NEVER BEFORE IN
FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE NOW AVAILABLE
SYDNEY, 12TH July 2017 – Newcomers and fans alike are invited to dive into the magnificent world of Ivalice today with the release of FINAL FANTASY® XII THE ZODIAC AGE™ for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system. This title introduces a multitude of modern advancements, including not only remastered HD graphics and soundtrack, but also a revamped battle system and more, making FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE the definitive version of a beloved series classic.
In FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE, players are transported to the grand world of Ivalice where magic is commonplace and airships fill the skies. War has engulfed the kingdom of Dalmasca, leaving it in ruin and uncertainty. Princess Ashe, the only surviving heir to the Dalmascan throne, devotes herself to the resistance to liberate her country. Accompanied by Vaan, a young man who lost his family in the war, together these unlikely allies and their companions lead the fight for the freedom of their homeland.
FINAL FANTASY XII THE ZODIAC AGE features the unique and innovative gambit system, now updated and joined by the brand-new Zodiac Job System, which overhauls the original Licence Board system and gives players the ability to develop two of 12 jobs for each character. These updates, alongside the newly implemented speed mode, auto-save functionality, and shortened loading times, means players will be able to experience a grand adventure that spans the world of Ivalice in an entirely fresh and improved way.
Maximum Games' Mythical Adventure Lands on Nintendo Switch
August 15th With New Improvements
Video game publisher Maximum Games, in partnership with developer Spiral House, today announced that Troll and I - the adventure that pits the dynamic duo of Troll and Otto against a Scandinavian forest of wilds - will be available on Nintendo Switch on August 15, 2017. Additionally, the game receives a major patch for console and PC versions on the 21st July.
"Troll and I is the perfect first entry for us into the Nintendo Switch system," said Christina Seelye, CEO of Maximum Games. "The cooperative gameplay lends itself perfectly to the local co-op features of the platform, where two friends can work together to battle the challenges they face as a team."
Troll and I invites players on an enchanting journey with the game's two main heroes: the nimble, adventurous, adolescent Otto and the powerful, elusive Troll. With the ability to play solo or with a friend in local couch co-op, players must guide Otto and Troll through the majestic mountains and lush forests of the Nordic wilderness as they try to dodge and defeat various enemies, including mythical orcs and ruthless hunters.
The game was previously released on PS4™, Xbox One, and PC in March of this year. Those versions will receive a major patch on 21st July. Implementing the following changes: addition of a mini-map; additional checkpoints; Easy, Normal and Hard difficulty settings; increased crafting speed; new tutorials; additional text hints; increased resources for crafting and survivability; overall balance improvements. The Nintendo Switch version of the game will also see these changes when it launches in August.
Troll and I was developed by Spiral House and is published by Maximum Games. The game is available now Australia and New Zealand for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and PC, and will be available on Nintendo Switch August 15th, 2017. This title has been rated M - Violence.
Please visit www.trollandi.com for more product information. For the latest news on Troll and I, please follow the official Facebook and Twitter pages. For more information on Maximum Games, please visit: www.maximumgames.com.
Devastate Foes with The Enhanced Battle System in Utawarerumono: Mask Of Truth
Sydney, July 12th - Civil war is on everyone's lips now that a usurper has seized the Yamato throne and seeks to conquer all before him. With a world thrust into turmoil and chaos, you can bet that plenty of scores will be settled on the battlefield.
So what's different about the battle system in Mask of Truth? First, there's going to be a lot more battles. Nations and generals will be scrambling to either join the Yamato Empire or resist its iron grasp, so expect a fight to break out at any moment. The familiar faces you'll be guiding are now seasoned adventurers, so they've definitely learned a thing or two about combat. Extended Action Chains, a higher-level cap, and the introduction of Co-op Final and Co-op Chain attacks add a new layer of strategy to the turn-based battles. Plan everything right and you'll be using devastating offensive attacks to wipe the floor with your enemies in no time.
Need more practice? No worries! New game modes featuring training exercises can expand your tactical skill set in a jiffy. Gain experience and BP with the Red vs. White mock battle mode or test your military aptitude through various tough challenges in Munechika's Trials mode.
Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth Features
• An Epic Scope - Mask of Truth is an 80+ hours long experience that features more fascinating characters, dastardly creatures, exotic locales, and important battles than ever before!
• A Story at Its End - The rich Utawarerumono visual novel tradition continues in Mask of Truth. The landscape has changed and there are new nations, people, and truths to discover during this uncertain time. The dramatic events of Mask of Deception have set up the story for a climactic and thrilling conclusion in Mask of Truth.
• Enhanced SRPG Battle Mechanics - Since war is on everyone’s agenda, expect plenty more battles to partake in. Turn-based tactics make a return and an updated battle system make fights both strategic and fast paced! Utilise new extended Action Chains, a higher-level cap, and more to gain the upper hand on the battlefield. Additionally, certain characters can team up and dish out some devastating offence with Co-op Final and Co-op Chain attacks. Oh, there’s also now a Mock Battle mode that can be used to practice new combat tactics and gain EXP/BP.
• A Fantastical Atmosphere - The gorgeous art style, beautifully rendered cutscenes, and rousing score (recorded and remastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios and EastWest Studios) make a return. Dive into a magical storybook that comes alive before your very eyes!
Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth, to be released on September 5th 2017, will be available for PlayStation®4, originally published/developed by AQUAPLUS, will have its original Japanese audio.
HOW PROJECT CARS 2 TEST DRIVER TOMMY MILNER WENT FROM SIM RACING TO WINNING THE LE MANS 24 HOURS FOR CORVETTE
The “Built by Drivers” series of automotive films that highlight the close working relationship between drivers and developers Slightly Mad Studios on this year’s most anticipated racing game, Project CARS 2, gets its third installment today with the release of “From Sim to Pro” Featuring Tommy Milner.
Following-on from the successful debut in this series of films, “As Close As It Gets” featuring McLaren’s test-driver, Chris Goodwin, and on the heels of the latest instalment (“Porsche Passion” featuring Porsche factory driver Patrick Long), this third chapter explores Corvette factory driver and two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tommy Milner’s decade-long involvement with the sim-racing community through a series of interviews with Slightly Mad Studios’ CCO, Rod Chong.
Project CARS 2: BUILT BY DRIVERS—“From Sim to Pro” Featuring Tommy Milner tells the story of how Tommy Milner went from a 12-year-old playing amateur racing game mods created by the founders of the development team that would, a decade later, develop the best-selling Project CARS franchise, to a two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner driving for the full factory Chevrolet Corvette team.
The film explores how the career trajectories of Tommy Milner and developers Slightly Mad Studios have paralleled each other through the years: from humble beginnings as a mod group on which Tommy collaborated as a young boy, through to becoming a professional studio with a string of hits as Tommy’s racing career exploded on the back of his first Le Mans win, studio and driver have experienced parallel trajectories on the road to success.
“From Sim to Pro” further shows how Tommy Milner retains a close working relationship with the studio 15 years after “Turbo Tom” first came onto the sim racing scene as a keen and passionate motorsport fan, and how his world-class driving skills, continuously sharpened by racing games, combined with his intimate knowledge of simulation, makes him an indispensable member of the team behind the world’s most authentic and technically-advanced racing game, Project CARS 2.
This fascinating profile of Tommy Milner, alongside the unique story-telling gifts of film-makers Donut Media, make this third instalment in the “Built by Drivers” series must-watch automotive content.
“Bringing up memories of those old, carefree days with Rod and the gang at Slightly Mad Studios was a little bittersweet,” said Tommy Milner. “We’ve kind of grown up together and gone on to bigger and better things, but at heart, we’re still the same passionate, motorsport-crazy guys we were 15 years ago. Working with them on Project CARS 2 has been a phenomenal experience as always—though nowadays they probably listen to me more than they did when I was 12-year-old ‘Turbo Tom’!”
“Tommy honed a lot of his skills on sims before he went on to becoming a pro’ driver,” said Rod Chong. “That gives him a unique talent-set that he brings to evaluating the cars and tracks in Project CARS 2. Having seen the process behind development of racing games first-hand for all these years, he instinctively understands what kind of feedback we’re looking for, and that makes Tommy an invaluable part of our development team. We’re really fortunate to have met Tommy all those years ago.”
