Madame: DVD Review

Madame: DVD Review

Trying to blend Cinderella with an attempt at insight into a decaying marriage doesn't quite reap the rewards it should for Amanda Sthers writing and directorial attempt, Madame.

Holding a dinner party for the London Mayor in Paris, pressed Anne (Collette, tart and relatively convincing as haughtiness gets the better of her) forces her maid Maria (de Palma) to step in as one of the guests, fearing 13 at the table is an unlucky number.

But thrust into a world she can only comprehend through servitude, Maria catches the eye of the family art appraiser (Smiley, a welcome presence on screen and a sign that Europe has a differing eye on romantic leads).

As the two grow closer, the lies have to be maintained, but Anne finds her tolerance for the charade shrinking as Maria finds her heart opening to he possibilities of love and life beyond her downstairs role.

Sthers may scatter her film with contemporary references such as Brexit and Aung San Suu Kyi  but her attempts to make something timeless sees her hoist by her own petard.

Madame is not a film that feels for farce or grasps at depth; it feels in some ways incomplete and woefully undercooked in places. Certainly an ending frustrates, even if some may consider it inherently French. 

The trouble is that while Sthers peppers her film with the French approach to offering both unconventional romances their time in the sun and some kind of commentary on what makes France so appealing, its deployment fails to engage and indulge either the sense or the heart.

Ultimately, Madame is more a film that starts off familiar, offers fresh eyes on a tired story but then fails to utilise its differing USP for anything other than the fanciful. 

THEC64 Mini is announced

THEC64 Mini is announced

The World's best-selling Home Computer on sale from 29^th March 2018

• Fully functional home computer
• Comes with joystick and 64 fully licensed classic games
• Connects directly to any modern TV

1^st February 2018 – The fully licensed re-imagining of the 80’s bestselling home computer - THEC64® Mini – will be released on the 29^th March 2018.

Developed by Retro Games Ltd - and distributed by Koch Media – THEC64® Mini is half the size of the original C64 and is a fully functioning home computer that connects directly to your television and comes with two USB ports for the joystick and a keyboard.

Launched in 1982, the C64 home computer went on to dominate the home computer scene throughout the 1980s. Millions of units were sold across the world and have a special place in the hearts of its former owners.

35 years later and it’s back as the reimagined THEC64® Mini.  Plugging into any modern TV via its HDMI port, users can play any one of the 64 licensed classic pre-installed games.  This includes games from developers like Epyx, Gremlin Graphics, Hewson and The Bitmap Brothers boasting titles such as California Games, Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe, Paradroid and Impossible Mission.

Also included is the classic puzzler Boulder Dash®. The game sees ‘Rockford’ cavern crawling in search of gems while trying to avoid creatures, cave-ins and gas explosions. Stephan Berendsen, President of BBG Entertainment GmbH said: “Retro Games and BBG brought back together what has always belonged dating back to 1984 - the C64 and Boulder Dash®.”

Most of these games were rated over 90% by leading publications of the day, with many winning coveted awards. From sports to shooters, platforms to puzzles, there is a plethora of titles to keep the most discerning retro enthusiast happy.

“We are delighted to bring to retail THEC64 mini and let both original fans of the machine, and all-new generations of games players discover this amazing system, as well as maybe even have a go at programming it for themselves!”, said Paul Andrews, Retro Games’ Managing Director. 

Home Again: DVD Review

Home Again: DVD Review

Based on no real kind of reality, other than the fluffiness that exists in the white privilege confines of the movies, Reese Witherspoon's latest unashamedly and unapologetically panders to the female audience.

Witherspoon plays Alice Kinney, the just-turned-40-year-old daughter and single mother-of-two of film-maker John Kinney, who's recently divorced.
Celebrating a night out with friends for her birthday, the eternally perky Alice meets Harry, Teddy and George, a trio of wannabe film-makers who've just been evicted but are on the verge of a big deal.

Nearly hooking up with one and finding the other two in her house the next day, Alice finds her mother (Candice Bergen, making the very most of her very few scenes) has invited them to move in while they search for the big break.
But problems arise in this odd family when Alice's former husband Austen(the begrizzled Michael Sheen) decides he wants her back.

Home Again exists in the kind of bubble that Hollywood rom-coms tend to perpetuate.

With everyone looking incredibly perfect and somehow incredibly bland, Nancy Meyers' daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer's assembled a veritable piece of fluff that trades largely on Witherspoon's eternal likeability and girl-next-door-could-be-your-best-friend sheen to maximum effect.

With little attachment to any reality and some perfectly pristine house interiors, Home Again is a sort of wishful piece of life porn, where the very troubles that arise aren't actually really troubles and everything ends nicely at the end of the day for everyone.
It's so detached from real life and drowned in a sort of saccharine appeal that it's likely to give you diabetes.

That said, its target audience will lap up the tenuously underdeveloped love triangle, will laugh riotously at the bristling of the generations when Austen returns and swoon as the nice guy gets the girl by launching a charm offensive that culminates in him fixing a wonky kitchen cupboard and entering Alice's heart and affections.

It's not that Home Again is anything other than what it aspires to be, and while there are a few moments which will garner some amusement, there's a nagging feeling that any male will find this dangerously intolerable at times and any female will wilt in its presence and perpetuation of the Witherspoon appeal.

Broad and yet bland, Home Again manages to be just about inoffensive over its 90 minute run time - however, its lack of developing plots and desire to indulge only the slightest of plot developments inside its bubble mean Meyers-Shyer's debut is about as appealing as flat champagne - there are moments of sparkle, but the after taste is anything but pleasant.

Brand new trailer for Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP

Brand new trailer for Marvel Studios’ ANT-MAN AND THE WASP

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes "Ant-Man and the Wasp," a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink. In the aftermath of "Captain America: Civil War," Scott Lang grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he's confronted by Hope van Dyne and Dr. Hank Pym with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside the Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from the past.

"Ant-Man and the Wasp" is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walton Goggins, Bobby Cannavale,  Judy Greer, Tip "T.I." Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Douglas.. .Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Charles Newirth, and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari wrote the screenplay. "Ant-Man and the Wasp" hits NZ cinemas on July 5, 2018.

 

Extinction Smashes Its Way to Stores on April 10th, 2018

Extinction Smashes Its Way to Stores on April 10th, 2018

Extinction Smashes Its Way to Stores on April 10th, 2018

Pre-orders Available Now for Standard and Deluxe Editions

Sydney, Australia – January 31, 2018 — Originally announced in June of 2017 and followed by a strong showing at E3, Iron Galaxy and Modus Games are excited to announce the release date for Extinction. Prepare to save humanity from the formidable Ravenii on April 10th, 2018.

Pre-orders are available now for the standard and deluxe editions of Extinction. The game comes in both Standard Edition as well as Deluxe Edition, which includes the ‘Days of Dolorum’ season pass. Players who want the season pass at a later date can purchase it separately.

In Extinction, players take on the role of the hero, Avil. The last of the legendary Sentinels – the only warriors capable of toppling the Ravenii – he is all that stands between the towering ogres and the survival of the human race. Featuring insane skill-based combat that’s not for the squeamish, you’ll have to traverse the environment with precision while executing devastating attacks on your enemies. Use your whip to launch Avil into the air while dispatching a full-scale assault on monstrous beasts who want nothing more than to decimate you and your world. Annihilate all that stands between you and rescuing the people of Dolorum from extinction.

Extinction will be available on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One and PC on April 10, 2018.

For more information:

• Head to Extinction.com
• Like the Facebook page
• Follow along on Twitter
• Watch the previous videos on YouTube

About Turn Left

TLD is a privately owned independent software and accessories distributor providing quality, innovative interactive software titles and accessories across Australia and New Zealand. The company's main objective is to provide its clients and customers with category leading software and accessories brands that deliver a highly satisfying entertainment experience.

About Iron Galaxy

Located in Chicago and Orlando and founded in 2008, Iron Galaxy is a leading independent video game development studio that focuses on tech outsourcing, porting and developing quality games. The company’s most notable products include Killer Instinct, Wreckateer, Divekick and Videoball. For more information, please visit www.irongalaxystudios.com.

About Modus Games

Modus is a premier global publisher of video games across all major physical and digital entertainment platforms. The label prides itself on collaborating with talented developers around the world to bring innovative games to the masses. For inquiries, please email press@modusgames.com.

Game Info

Name: Extinction

Publisher: Modus Games

Developer: Iron Galaxy

Street Date: April 10th, 2018

Platforms: PlayStation®4 / Xbox One / PC (Windows)

Category: Action

Age rating: MA15+

NEW IN GTA ONLINE: PFISTER NEON SPORTS CAR & HARDEST TARGET MODE

NEW IN GTA ONLINE: PFISTER NEON SPORTS CAR & HARDEST TARGET MODE

NEW IN GTA ONLINE: PFISTER NEON SPORTS CAR & HARDEST TARGET MODE

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PFISTER NEON NOW AVAILABLE 

Forget what you know about electric automobiles, all those ridiculous eco-vans and toddler-sized sedans have been foreplay. A revolution is coming: this is your chance to be on the right side of it. Charge into the future with the Pfister Neon, available exclusively at Legendary Motorsport. 

NEW MODE: HARDEST TARGET

As it turns out, those imaginary haters you're always ranting about are real, heavily armed and totally out to get you. Jump into Hardest Target, a brand new mode now available in GTA Online with a clean objective - slaughter the other team's Target and protect your own at all costs. Only the Target's life matters (and you can rack up bonus points for Target-on-Target violence), so the gung-ho approach is strongly recommended. Keep an eye on the timer though - the designated Target switches every minute, meaning you could find yourself attracting some unwanted attention at the drop of a hat. Earn Double GTA$ & RP in Hardest Target now through February 5th.

BONUSES & DISCOUNTS 

CEOs and Gunrunners alike are set to profit this week with 25% more GTA$ on Special Cargo Deliveries as well as a 25% boost on Gunrunning Research & Manufacturing through February 5th. And if your current setup is missing a certain je ne sais quoi, get in gear with discounts on select Bunkers, Special Cargo Warehouses and more:

BUNKER DISCOUNTS

·         Farmhouse Bunker – 25% off

·         Thomson Scrapyard Bunker – 25% off

·         Bunker Renovations – 25% off (styles and add-ons)

·         Mobile Operation Center Cabs – 25% off

PROPERTIES & RENOVATIONS

·         Special Cargo Warehouses – 25% off 

·         Executive Office Renovations – 25% off 

VEHICLES & ARMOR

·         Cargobob – 35% off

·         LF-22 Starling – 25% off (Buy it Now & Trade Price)

·         Grotti Cheetah Classic – 25% off

·         Vehicle armor – 25% off

·         Bulletproof tires – 25% off

PREMIUM RACE & TIME TRIAL SCHEDULE

Drift through the Grand Senora Desert in this week's Premium Race or sprint through Vinewood Hills for big a GTA$ payout in this week's Time Trial, both available through February 5th:

·         Premium Race – "Rally" locked to Sports

·         Time Trial – "Casino"

Launch Premium Races through the Quick Job App on your in-game phone or via the yellow corona at Legion Square. The top three finishers will earn GTA$ and you'll get Triple RP regardless of where you place. To take a shot at the Time Trial, set a waypoint to the marker on your in-game map and enter via the purple corona. Beat par time and you'll be duly rewarded with GTA$ & RP.

South Park™: The Stick of Truth™ will be available digitally on PS4 & Xbox One

South Park™: The Stick of Truth™ will be available digitally on PS4 & Xbox One

SOUTH PARK™: THE STICK OF TRUTH™ WILL BE AVAILABLE DIGITALLY ON PS4 & XBOX ONE

Ubisoft® has revealed that South Park™: The Stick of Truth™ will be available for purchase digitally on PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and Xbox One on February 13, 2018. This will be the first time the award winning title has been available as a stand-alone purchase for next gen consoles. South Park: The Stick of Truth is rated R18+ and will be available for $44.95AUD.

Click the image below to watch the South Park: The Stick of Truth E3 trailer

South Park: The Stick of Truth, the winner of numerous 2014 game of the year awards, transports players to the perilous battlefields of the fourth-grade playground, where a young hero will rise, destined to be South Park’s saviour. From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes an epic quest to become… cool.

Arm yourself with weapons of legend to defeat underpants gnomes, hippies, and other forces of evil. Discover the lost Stick of Truth and succeed in earning your place alongside Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny as their new friend. Fail, and you will forever be known…as a loser.

More information on South Park is available at: www.southpark.ubisoft.com