The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society: Film Review

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society: Film Review

Cast: Lily James, Michiel Huisman, Penelope Wilton, Jessica Brown Findlay, Tom Courtenay, Katherine Parkinson, Matthew Goode
Director: Mike Newell

Already a contender for the most unwieldy title of the cinematic year, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is the celluloid equivalent of a comfy jumper - it starts off feeling snugly and comfortable but gradually begins to rub and irritate.

Set in 1946 post-war London, James stars as successful, but restless, author Juliet Ashton. With a series of successful wartime novels under her belt, although published under a male pseudonym, Juliet is looking for a new challenge, and dealing with the trauma of losing her parents to the conflict.

When a letter from Guernsey arrives one day from Dawsey Adams (Huisman, all smouldering stubble and dark eyed looks), it ignites something in her and a connection with the island. Asked to attend the The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society on the island, she heads over much to the chagrin of her agent (the ever-charming Matthew Goode).

But when there, she discovers a mystery, steeped in tragedy, that she can't help but try to unravel.

Anodyne and the kind of fare that won't trouble an older audience, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society is a film that's content to be pleasant and nothing more.

It's totally predictable from the moment Juliet and Dawsey start corresponding, and there are a few narrative leaps which are probably due to the fact it's adapted from a terribly successful book which employs flashbacks to 1941 to fill out the mystery and the central story.

James and Huisman are fine, but the lion's share of the film's emotional heft and acting goes to Penelope Wilton as one of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society's number.

Her character's story is steeped in tragedy and Wilton does an excellent job of conveying this and much more, swinging from tart dismissal of Juliet's involvement to silent acceptance of what's happened - the old timers of this film, it has to be said, act the youngsters off the screen.

Ultimately, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society won't trouble you - it's a thoroughly down-the-line British dramedy that goes on a little too long, but never loses sight of what it's trying to do. It won't win any awards, but it certainly will fill a rainy afternoon in its comforting old time mystery romance vibe.

I Feel Pretty: Film Review

I Feel Pretty: Film Review

Cast: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Roy Scovel
Director: Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein

You can see what Amy Schumer's self-image I Feel Pretty is trying to do.

A wannabe self-empowerment piece about what lies beneath and how inner beauty and confidence comes from within appears to have noble aims - especially in the ever-growing feminist empowerment times we live in.

But what emerges from the flat, occasionally tedious and definitely overlong I Feel Pretty is a sinking feeling that denying Schumer that bite which helped her skewer perceptions in her comedy show for a downpat traditional rom-com was a seriously bad move and showed those involved had little to no courage of their own convictions.

Schumer plays everywoman Renee, who dreams of working at fashion magazine Lily LeClaire, but who currently resides in their off-site basement in their IT department. Depressed by models which inhabit the gym and a desire to try and change her outward appearance, Renee joins a spin cycle class.

However, after an accident sees her bump her head, she recovers and catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror post-workout wallop, believes herself to be truly beautiful and utterly unbeatable. Imbued with a new-found confidence, Renee sets out for a receptionist job at Lily LeClaire - however, her journey takes an unexpected turn when her self-confidence and forthright opinions are noticed by LeClaire's CEO, Avery (Williams, in a wispy, ethereal and high-pitched Monroe voice).

There are moments to admire in I Feel Pretty.

Certainly, Schumer's relatability to the audience, and the fact she's never shy about showing off a podgy stomach wrapped highly in Spanx and lacking in self-worth proves to be a welcome tonic. Certainly, an early scene where she looks despondently in the mirror at her out of shape form and tears up will hit many a chord.

But where I Feel Pretty goes awry is in its mixed message. (And its potential squandering of the fact that Renee's post-knock change of heart is clearly a breakdown, triggered by depression).

It aims to subvert, telling the world that not everyone at a fashion magazine has to be a supermodel, or that not every guy is the perfect chiselled jaw. It aims to celebrate the nice persona in a time when nice is being ignored and crushed. These are admirable traits - and certainly, Renee's final speech of who we are would clearly have many women punching the sky in relief - were it not for the fact it's part of a make-up product launch.

The inherent problem with the overlong I Feel Pretty is that it's never quite strong enough to dance to its own tune, selling a message that's been told a million times before - and a million times more cleverly. (Any Disney princess movie manages to hit similar highs).

But, as mentioned earlier, the most disappointing thing about I Feel Pretty is crushing and suppressing Amy's acerbic take on life. If she'd been at the script, there would have been a chance of a few more vicious body blows being landed on both the patriarchy and perception.

As it is, I Feel Pretty is content to simply deliver a few paltry light taps to societal perceptions, and proffer some hints at subversion.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider & NVIDIA Collaboration Announced

Shadow of the Tomb Raider & NVIDIA Collaboration Announced

SQUARE ENIX AND NVIDIA ANNOUNCE

COLLABORATION ON SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER

Nixxes Software Developing PC Version of Shadow of the Tomb Raider

SYDNEY, 4^th May 2018 – Square Enix®, Eidos®- Montréal, and Crystal Dynamics® today announced they will be working with NVIDIA to develop the PC version of Shadow of the Tomb Raider™, the latest entry in the critically acclaimed and award-winning Tomb Raider® series.

NVIDIA will lend its gaming and PC development expertise to help bring the PC platform's advanced gaming features to Shadow of the Tomb Raider. This effort will help maximize the performance benefits of the NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 10-series GPUs for PC gamers across the world. This continues the collaboration that began in the series’ previous title, Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Delivering the climactic conclusion to Lara Croft’s origin story in remarkable new detail, developers Crystal Dynamics and Eidos-Montréal are also partnering with the talented studio Nixxes Software for the PC version of Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Long-standing veterans of the Tomb Raider franchise, Nixxes Software will lead development of Lara Croft’s defining moment for PC gamers everywhere. The studio boasts outstanding experience working on past hit Square Enix titles such as Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and many others.

In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Lara must master a deadly jungle, overcome terrifying tombs, and persevere through her darkest hour. As she races to save the world from a Maya apocalypse, Lara will become the Tomb Raider she is destined to be.

Star of the critically acclaimed 2013 Tomb Raider reboot and the award-winning Rise of the Tomb Raider, Camilla Luddington makes her return as Lara Croft with yet another stunning performance in Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Created by a team of veteran Tomb Raider developers at Eidos-Montréal, in collaboration with Crystal Dynamics, the game will be available for Windows PC/Steam® on September 14, 2018.

For full details on pre-order items, the Season Pass, key beats in the upcoming campaign, and more information on Shadow of the Tomb Raider, please visit the official website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Trailer #3

Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Trailer #3

Red Dead Redemption 2: Official Trailer #3

America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed.

After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him.

From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age. Coming October 26, 2018 to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One systems.

Operation Swarm Heading to Call of Duty: Black Ops 3

Operation Swarm Heading to Call of Duty: Black Ops 3

 

 Ahead of the May 17 reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Treyarch has unleashed a tonne of new items in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, to further extend your Black Ops experience. In Operation Swarm, Prop Hunt makes its debut, a revamped map gets a new look, and new weapons and new Specialist themes make their appearance! Read on for details, and then join the swarm:

New Mode

The fan-favourite Prop Hunt mode is coming to Call of Duty: Black Ops 3! Props and Hunters can do battle in hide and seek combat throughout different locations. Starting today, ten maps will be available for Prop Hunt play in Black Ops 3.  As a bonus, Prop Hunt will also come to Nuk3town, but with a different set of rules.

New Weapons & Weapon Camo

Two tried-and-true weapons will be buzzing into Black Ops 3 with Operation Swarm for the first time: the RPK and the Sten! Adorn the RPK, Sten, or any of your favourite weapons with the HIVE weapon camo. This limited time camo puts the sting in Spring. The new weapon camo is only available in the Black Market until May 10 at 5am NZST.

Fringe Nightfall

Before it became a forgotten farm town, Fringe was a small, but bustling community. Now, see it at night, back in its Heyday as a storm rolls in across the horizon, making it the perfect evening for a new conflict.

New Specialist Themes

As if that’s not enough, nine new Specialist themes are also incoming. These sleek new themes will outfit your Specialist in style and identify you as a key agent of Operation Swarm.

And More!

There’s even more planned throughout Operation Swarm, with 2XP playlists, and for a limited time starting today through May 10 ANZ, you can get a unique Operation Swarm Calling Card just for logging in. Operation Swarm is live now and is the perfect way to count down the days until the community reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 on May 17 in LA! Head to CallofDuty.com at 5am on May 18 in ANZ to stay tuned throughout the event.

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius & Dragon Quest XI Collaboration

Final Fantasy Brave Exvius & Dragon Quest XI Collaboration

FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS CELEBRATES UPCOMING DRAGON QUEST XI

WORLDWIDE RELEASE WITH COLLABORATION EVENT

Defeat Classic Dragon Quest Monsters, Earn Medals and Redeem Exclusive Items for a Limited Time

SYDNEY, 1^st May 2018 – With the announcement that DRAGON QUEST® XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ is coming to the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system and STEAM® on 4^th September 2018, Square Enix Ltd. announced today FINAL FANTASY® BRAVE EXVIUS® will have a special collaboration with the DRAGON QUEST franchise. Starting today, FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS players can battle legendary DRAGON QUEST monsters and obtain event-exclusive items.

All players that launch the app during the event may dive into wave battle-type quests where consecutive groups of monsters can be fought for a limited period of time. DRAGON QUEST monsters Golem and Robbin’ ‘Ood can be found in regular battles, while formidable foes Dragonlord and Orochi will be classified as bosses. Medals earned from defeating these monsters in raids may be exchanged for Erdrick’s Sword, among other famous equipment and items from the DRAGON QUEST series.

Players have the chance to obtain the Dragonlord, Liquid Metal Slime, Robbin’ ‘Ood, Golem, Killing Machine, and Orochi units from rare summoning during the campaign period. Also, Slime units will be awarded to all participants as daily login bonuses throughout the campaign, with additional Slime units obtainable by trading medals earned during the event period. 

FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS is available now as a free-to-play app (with in-app purchases) through the App Store® and Google Play™. The game is available in six languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese (traditional) and Korean.

DRAGON QUEST XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age™ will be available for the PlayStation®4 system and STEAM® on 4^th September 2018. For more information, visit: www.dq11.com

ESO | Summerset, Join the Psijic Order for the First Time

ESO | Summerset, Join the Psijic Order for the First Time

In Summerset, the next Chapter in ZeniMax Online Studios’ award-winning open-world saga, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), players will be able to discover the secretive mages of the Psijic Order, and, for the first time ever, join their ranks to learn the ways of these magical masters. So, what is the Psijic Order, a group so reclusive no Elder Scrolls game has truly revealed their mysteries before? Today we’ve released a sneak peek video to help bring Elder Scrolls fans up to speed on one of Tamriel’s most secretive organizations.

VIDEO: Watch the trailer for an insider’s look into the super-secret Psijic Order: 

In ESO: Summerset, players will travel to the isle of Artaeum to find and join the enigmatic Psijic Order for the first time in the Elder Scrolls series. This secret society of mages has returned after a 350-year long absence, bringing with them a unique quest line and story that will have players travelling all over Summerset to close destructive and mysterious time breaches. Once accepted into their ranks, adventurers will have access to an all-new Psijic Order Skill Line – for new or existing characters – that includes unique abilities: slow and freezes enemies in place, meditate to restore your health and resources, or even rewind time itself! With these new powerful abilities, players can explore the isle of Artaeum, visit the Ceporah Tower and Ritemaster Lachesis, and unravel the secrets of both the ancient organization and the history of the Mages Guild.

• For more info on the Psijic Order skill line, please see the article on the game’s website:https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/26377

The Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset is coming to PC/Mac on 21^st May and Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on 5^th June. The new Chapter is welcoming for both new and experienced players, featuring a new tutorial for fresh faces and content appropriate for all manner of veterans. ESO’s level-scaled world also allows for easier social interactions, with expanded grouping options and the ability for players of all levels to quest together, anywhere, and at any time. 

Pre-purchase ESO: Summerset now to receive the Queen's Bounty Pack bonus reward and gain immediate access to the ESO base game and last year’s Morrowind Chapter (digital pre-purchases only – conditions apply). For more information on ESO: Summerset, please visit the game’s official site at www.elderscrollsonline.com.