The Mule: Film Review

The Mule: Film Review

Cast: Clint Eastwood, Dianne Wiest, Andy Garcia, Michael Pena
Director: Clint Eastwood

Eastwood's back and this time, he's looking somewhat worse for wear.

Walking with a stoop, and a hunch, shuffling along, the 88-year-old proffers his take on the New York Times' piece,  "The Sinaloa Cartel's 90-Year-Old Drug Mule."

Eastwood is Earl Stone, a horticulturist whose specialty is lillies. But his time on the farm tending to the flowers which bloom and die in one day has come at a cost - estranged from his family for choosing work over them, his world is empty when his farm is foreclosed.

Offered a chance to make some money when desperation hits, the curmudgeonly Earl takes up the chance to transport some goods for the Mexican cartel, thanks to his clean record, and lack of criminal history.

But unbeknownst to Stone, the DEA is pulling together a case against the cartels - and his involvement sets him on a collision course with an agent (Cooper) keen to close the group down.

The Mule is a reflective piece, aimed at provoking viewers into thinking about their own propensity for work over family.

It's also one which advocates for Earl Stone, his dubiously racist views and his approach to life.

Yet Eastwood gives the old man something of a relatable edge, and in the latter stages of the film, he delivers a degree of pathos to the man realising he couldn't have bought more time, even if he'd tried.

It's a hard ask in the back portion of the film, because the family are more broadstrokes characters early on, rather than deeply immersive ones that you know he'll orbit. Thankfully scenes with Eastwood and Wiest have a depth that's tangible, and are blessed with a humanity that's hard to ignore.

Eastwood wallows in the stubborn - whether it's railing against the internet, calling people Negroes when helping them, or mocking a Mexican cartel member by comparing him to a Nazi. Regardless of whether you buy into the racist furore in some quarters, there's no denying that Stone is a product of his time, and Eastwood has no difficulty breathing life into the old dog.

Make no mistake, this is no classic cat and mouse chase; there's a more genial gentle edge to the pace, something akin to Redford's The Old Man and The Gun from late last year.

It mutes the message it wants to deliver, and never quite ups the ante in terms of pace, being as fraily presented as Earl Stone himself .

Sure, there's a poignancy here to be had, and maybe some of it comes from how Eastwood looks, but thanks to thinly-etched edges, it never quite scales the heights you would expect this wistful drug trip to take.

2019 Oscar nominations

2019 Oscar nominations

The 2019 Oscar nominations aka the 91st Academy Awards have been announced this morning.

Below is a full list of the nominations, including details of the 10 nominations for Roma and The Favourite and the proof Bradley Cooper was snubbed for A Star is Born.

A Star Is Born and Vice also were dominant in the 2019 Oscar nominations, earning eight apiece, followed by Black Panther with seven, BlacKkKlansman with six and Bohemian Rhapsody and Green Book with five each.

Meanwhile, in the directing category, Spike Lee earned his first-ever best directing Oscar nom for BlacKkKlansman, while A Star Is Born director Bradley Cooper was among the snubs, though he did earn a best acting nomination. Lee will vie with Alfonso Cuaron (Roma), Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), Adam McKay (Vice) and Pawel Pawlikowski (Cold War) for the honor of best director at the 2019 Oscars.

The Oscar nominations announcement took place at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater, with Kumail Nanjiani and Tracee Ellis Ross hosting.

Here is the full list of 2019 Oscar nominations:

Best Picture:

“Black Panther”
“BlacKkKlansman”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“The Favourite”
“Green Book”
“Roma”
“A Star Is Born”
“Vice”

Lead Actor:

Christian Bale, “Vice”
Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born”
Willem Dafoe, “At Eternity’s Gate”
Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”

Lead Actress:

Yalitza Aparicio, “Roma”
Glenn Close, “The Wife”
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”
Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”
Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”

Supporting Actor:

Mahershala Ali, “Green Book”
Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”
Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”
Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Sam Rockwell, “Vice”

Supporting Actress:
Amy Adams, “Vice”
Marina de Tavira, “Roma”
Regina King, “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Emma Stone, “The Favourite”
Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”

Director:

Spike Lee, “BlacKkKlansman”
Pawel Pawlikowski, “Cold War”
Yorgos Lanthimos, “The Favourite”
Alfonso Cuarón, “Roma”
Adam McKay, “Vice”

Animated Feature:

“Incredibles 2,” Brad Bird
“Isle of Dogs,” Wes Anderson
“Mirai,” Mamoru Hosoda
“Ralph Breaks the Internet,” Rich Moore, Phil Johnston
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman

Animated Short:

“Animal Behaviour,” Alison Snowden, David Fine
“Bao,” Domee Shi
“Late Afternoon,” Louise Bagnall
“One Small Step,” Andrew Chesworth, Bobby Pontillas
“Weekends,” Trevor Jimenez

Adapted Screenplay:

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” Joel Coen , Ethan Coen
“BlacKkKlansman,” Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott, Spike Lee
“Can You Ever Forgive Me?,” Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
“If Beale Street Could Talk,” Barry Jenkins
“A Star Is Born,” Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters

Original Screenplay:

“The Favourite,” Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara
“First Reformed,” Paul Schrader
“Green Book,” Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly
“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón
“Vice,” Adam McKay

Cinematography:

“Cold War,” Lukasz Zal
“The Favourite,” Robbie Ryan
“Never Look Away,” Caleb Deschanel“Roma,” Alfonso Cuarón“A Star Is Born,” Matthew Libatique

Best Documentary Feature:

“Free Solo,” Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
“Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” RaMell Ross
“Minding the Gap,” Bing Liu
“Of Fathers and Sons,” Talal Derki
“RBG,” Betsy West, Julie Cohen

Best Documentary Short Subject:

“Black Sheep,” Ed Perkins
“End Game,” Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
“Lifeboat,” Skye Fitzgerald
“A Night at the Garden,” Marshall Curry
“Period. End of Sentence.,” Rayka Zehtabchi

Best Live Action Short Film: 
“Detainment,” Vincent Lambe
“Fauve,” Jeremy Comte
“Marguerite,” Marianne Farley
“Mother,” Rodrigo Sorogoyen
“Skin,” Guy Nattiv

Best Foreign Language Film:

“Capernaum” (Lebanon)
“Cold War” (Poland)
“Never Look Away” (Germany)
“Roma” (Mexico)
“Shoplifters” (Japan)

Film Editing:

“BlacKkKlansman,” Barry Alexander Brown
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” John Ottman
“Green Book,” Patrick J. Don Vito
“The Favourite,” Yorgos Mavropsaridis
“Vice,” Hank Corwin

Sound Editing:

“Black Panther,” Benjamin A. Burtt, Steve Boeddeker
“Bohemian Rhapsody,” John Warhurst
“First Man,” Ai-Ling Lee, Mildred Iatrou Morgan
“A Quiet Place,” Ethan Van der Ryn, Erik Aadahl
“Roma,” Sergio Diaz, Skip Lievsay

Sound Mixing:

“Black Panther”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“First Man”
“Roma”
“A Star Is Born”

Production Design:

“Black Panther,” Hannah Beachler
“First Man,” Nathan Crowley, Kathy Lucas
“The Favourite,” Fiona Crombie, Alice Felton
“Mary Poppins Returns,” John Myhre, Gordon Sim
“Roma,” Eugenio Caballero, Bárbara Enrı́quez

Original Score:

“BlacKkKlansman,” Terence Blanchard
“Black Panther,” Ludwig Goransson
“If Beale Street Could Talk,” Nicholas Britell
“Isle of Dogs,” Alexandre Desplat
“Mary Poppins Returns,” Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman

Original Song:

“All The Stars” from “Black Panther” by Kendrick Lamar, SZA
“I’ll Fight” from “RBG” by Diane Warren, Jennifer Hudson
“The Place Where Lost Things Go” from “Mary Poppins Returns” by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
“Shallow” from “A Star Is Born” by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt and Benjamin Rice
“When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs For Wings” from “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” by David Rawlings and Gillian Welch

Makeup and Hair:

“Border”
“Mary Queen of Scots”
“Vice”

Costume Design:

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” Mary Zophres
“Black Panther,” Ruth E. Carter
“The Favourite,” Sandy Powell
“Mary Poppins Returns,” Sandy Powell
“Mary Queen of Scots,” Alexandra Byrne

Visual Effects:

“Avengers: Infinity War”
“Christopher Robin”
“First Man”
“Ready Player One”
“Solo: A Star Wars Story”

Green Book: Film Review

Green Book: Film Review

Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardinelli
Director: Peter Farrelly

There are important things to say about racism in America right now, and in its past.

Unfortunately Green Book is not that film to do so, preferring instead to tread a middle of the road gentle path as fluffy and as cinematically comfortable as the blanket musician Dr Shirley swathes himself in in his car early on.

Inspired by a true story it may be, but this is Hollywood race relations 101 with every conceivable "twist" coming from a mile off, no matter how pleasantly and pedestrian-like it's executed.

It guarantees not to surprise in its tale of Italian Tony the lip (Mortensen playing the best bullshitter with two ts there ever was) and haughty pianist Dr Shirley (Ali) as this odd couple treads the usual route of a road trip movie, complete with stereotyped characters.

In 1960s New York, working-class Italian-american bouncer Tony Vallelonga finds himself out of work. Co-opted into applying for a job with classical pianist Don Shirley (a quiet and restrained Ali, precise and pristine), Tony finds himself driving the musician from gig to gig - and encountering the best and worst of the American Deep South.

But with some fine performances thrown in from its leads, its brush strokes will be palatable enough to audiences seeking a shot at redemption and unwilling to grasp the ugly realities of Deep South USA's racism from the past.

It's a shame that the script (adapted from Vallelonga himself) couldn't have thrown a few more curve balls into proceedings rather than the cliched set of sequences which unfurl. From the obvious segregation overtones to a police showdown, the film's aware to some degree of what needs to be shown, and hits every rote racism note it can.

However, when it's confined to the banter and the relationship between Tony and Dr Shirley, there's a geniality in this that's hard to deny. Sure, it's all perfectly predictable and safe, but there's a real feeling of an arc between the pair that makes for captivating viewing.

Less than a reverse Driving Miss Daisy, and with the obvious lessons being taught at every level, Green Book's clearly awards bait, a genial gentle throb of a film that's episodic, broad strokes and nothing more.

Win Venom on BluRay or DVD

Win Venom on BluRay or DVD

To celebrate the release of Tom Hardy in Venom, you can win a copy on DVD or Blu-Ray.

About Venom

The Blockbuster Comic Book Hit

Starring Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams and Riz Ahmed

Available on Digital January 2

On 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™

and DVD on January 16

Includes Over an Hour of Special Features including “Venom Mode,” Deleted Scenes, Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes, Symbiote Secrets, and more!

One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex, and badass characters comes home in VENOM, which will make its debut on Digital January 2, and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, and DVD on January16! This must-own comic book blockbuster, which has grossed more than $822 million in theaters worldwide to date, is directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) and features an all-star cast including Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road), Michelle Williams (The Greatest Showman), Riz Ahmed (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, TV’s “The Night Of”), Jenny Slate (Zootopia) and Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, The Hunger Games franchise).

VENOM arrives filled with engaging bonus materials that will give fans even more of the action that they loved in theaters with over an hour of new content. The special features include an exciting Venom Mode, where fans will be able to engage with informative pop-ups throughout the film to reveal hidden references to the comics, deleted and extended scenes, a mini documentary called From Symbiote to Screen that covers the history of Venomin comics and his journey to the big screen. Also a behind-the-scenes peek at some of the stunts, a look at Ruben Fleischer’s journey behind the lens, a featurette about what it took to create Venom on screen called Designing Venom. Symbiote Secrets reveals Easter Eggs and hidden references in the film. Other bonus materiales include multiple pre-visualizaton versions of some of your favorite scenes, Eminem’s incredible video for his hit song “Venom,” “Sunflower” from Post Malone and Swae-Lee (from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), and an early sneak peek at Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

VENOM tells the evolution story of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass character Venom! Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a broken man after he loses everything including his job and fiancee. Just when his life is at its lowest, he becomes host to an alien symbiote which results in extraordinary superpowers - transforming him into Venom. Will these powers be enough for this new lethal protector to defeat great evil forces, especially against the far stronger and more weaponized symbiote rival, Riot?

FIRST LOOK AT MORTAL KOMBAT™ 11

FIRST LOOK AT MORTAL KOMBAT™ 11

WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT REVEALS FIRST LOOK AT MORTAL KOMBAT™ 11 WITH GLOBAL CELEBRATION SHOWCASING CRUSHING NEW GAMEPLAY, ORIGINAL AND RETURNING FIGHTERS AND A MORE PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE THAN EVER BEFORE

First Female UFC Champion, Olympic Medallist and WWE Superstar, Ronda Rousey,

Announced as the Voice of Sonya Blade

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today revealed the first look at Mortal Kombat™ 11 with a showcase of crushing new gameplay, new and returning fighters, immersive story elements and innovative features that offer a more personalised experience than ever before.  Livestreamed to a global audience, the experiential, community celebration featured multiple reveals, including an appearance by UFC Champion, Olympic medallist and WWE Superstar, Ronda Rousey, who was announced as the voice of Sonya Blade.

“I’ve been a lifelong Mortal Kombat™ fan, and Sonya Blade was the first kick-ass, female video game character that I related to,” said Ronda Rousey. “Now I get to voice her in Mortal Kombat™ 11. It’s a dream come true to be a part of the Mortal Kombat™ franchise that I grew up playing.”

“We’re thrilled to showcase Mortal Kombat™ 11 and reveal the gameplay, new features and epic characters to the fans,” said Ed Boon, Creative Director, NetherRealm Studios. “We have an amazing community, and it’s an honour to share this celebration of the Mortal Kombat™ franchise with all of our passionate fans around the world.”

Today’s Mortal Kombat™ 11 announcements included:

·        UFC champion, Olympic Medalist and WWE superstar, Ronda Rousey, was announced as the voice of Sonya Blade. To view and share today’s Sonya Blade Reveal Trailer, visit: https://go.wbgames.com/MK11-Sonya-Blade

·        The first Gameplay Reveal Trailer featuring an original music track created in collaboration with international DJ Dimitri Vegas, titled “You’re Next.” To view and share the First Gameplay Reveal Trailer, visit: https://go.wbgames.com/MK11-Gameplay-Trailer

·        Introduction to the Story Mode, teasing the all-new, time-bending narrative featuring Kronika, the first female boss character in Mortal Kombat™history, who is the Keeper of Time and creator of existence. To view and share the Story Prologue, visit: https://go.wbgames.com/MK11-Prologue

·        Announced new fighter Geras, a powerful and loyal servant of Kronika who is able to manipulate time, along with fan-favorite characters, including,Baraka, Raiden, Skarlet, Scorpion, Sonya Blade and Sub-Zero. To view and share the Geras Reveal Trailer, visit: https://go.wbgames.com/MK11-Geras

·        A montage of Mortal Kombat’s most iconic feature, Fatalities, showcasing the most gruesome, over-the-top Fatalities in Mortal Kombat™ history. To view and share the Fatalities Trailer, visit: https://go.wbgames.com/MK11-Fatalities-Trailer

·        Exclusive Mortal Kombat™ 11-inspired Under Armour Anatomix Spawn basketball footwear showcased via six custom designs by top sneaker artist andMK Kollective ambassador, Mache.

·        Pre-order Mortal Kombat™ 11 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation, Xbox One or Xbox One X to receive access to the beta, available March 28, 2019. Pre-orders will receive the in-game, playable character, Shao Kahn.

Mortal Kombat™ 11 is the latest instalment in the critically-acclaimed franchise, developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, and is scheduled for release beginning April 23, 2019 for PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system, PlayStation® 4 Pro computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including the Xbox One X, Nintendo Switch™ system and PC.

Mortal Kombat™ 11 is available for pre-order now; visit www.mortalkombat.com for more information. Pre-orders will receive the in-game, playable character, Shao Kahn. Those who pre-order on PlayStation® 4, PlayStation® 4 Pro, Xbox One or Xbox One X at select retailers, will also receive access to the beta, which will be available on March 28, 2019 for those platforms.

To learn more about Mortal Kombat™ 11, please visit www.mortalkombat.com or join the community conversation on Facebook (MortalKombat), Instagram (@MortalKombat), Twitter (@MortalKombat), Twitch (NetherRealm), YouTube (Mortal Kombat), Discord (MortalKombat) or Reddit (MortalKombat)

ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN AVAILABLE TODAY FOR PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE

ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN AVAILABLE TODAY FOR PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE

ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN AVAILABLE TODAY FOR PLAYSTATION 4 AND XBOX ONE

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Europe are pleased to announce the release of ACE COMBAT® 7: SKIES UNKNOWNtoday January 18^th, 2019 for PlayStation®4 and Xbox One – putting players in control of the most advanced war planes ever created.

Across the emotive Campaign Mode, players will dive into a world-wide conflict - with blurred lines between who is right and wrong - and experience sky battles bursting with graphical power. 

In Multiplayer mode, budding pilots can take to the skies in intense 8-player dogfights or Team Deathmatch mode. From cold, strategic aces to daring, genius pilots, each player will be able to customise their favourite aircraft with more than 100 different enhanced parts, in order to perfectly match their needs. 

ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN is scheduled for take-off on 18^th January for the PlayStation® 4 and Xbox One, and on 1^st February for PC via STEAM.

PlayStation 4 system players will be able to play a full campaign on the standard mode and an exclusive and dedicated experience with specific missions developed for the Sony PlayStation®VR.

To find out more about ACE COMBAT 7: SKIES UNKNOWN, head over to http://www.acecombat.eu. 

Diablo III Season of Grandeur Now Live!

Diablo III Season of Grandeur Now Live!

Diablo III Season of Grandeur Now Live!

Diablo III’s Season 16 is now live, bringing with it a new season theme, rewards, and the latest patch. Read on for more details!

New Season Theme: Season of Grandeur

Unlike previous Seasons, Season 16 brings a brand-new buff to change up the way you play. For the duration of Season 16, all Seasonal players will benefit from the legendary power of the Ring of Royal Grandeur. This means you do not need to farm or equip the item to benefit from its ability! Bear in mind that this buff does not stack with additional Rings of Royal Grandeur, whether they be equipped directly to your character or via the Jewelry slot in Kanai’s Cube.

New Cosmetic Rewards

As per tradition, Season 16 will introduce new cosmetic rewards, obtainable by progressing through the Season Journey. In addition to the Helm and Shoulder slots of the exclusive Conqueror Set, a brand-new series of portrait frames themed around the clarion call of adventure will be available. Also, our most devoted cosmetic collectors will rejoice as they can now earn a pair of wings fit for a monarch. The Wings of Lempo draw inspiration from some of the noblest creatures in Sanctuary.

Seasonal Conquests

The Seasonal Conquest rotation continues! For the speedy, Speed Demon/Need for Speed requires the fastest nephalem to complete a Nephalem Rift at level 70 on Torment X or higher in under two minutes. A Good Day/I Can’t Stop encourages you to get your Legendary Gem grind on; raise three Legendary Gems to level 65 to complete this challenge! For the fiercest demon slayers, Boss Mode/Worlds Apart is a speed challenge where you’ll need to eliminate the following bosses at level 70 and Torment X in under twenty minutes:

• The Skeleton King
• The Butcher
• Zoltun Kulle
• Ghom
• Cydaea
• Rakanoth
• Diablo
• Adria
• Queen Araneae
• Maghda
• Belial
• Siegebreaker Assault Beast
• Azmodan
• Izual
• Urzael
• Malthael

For Curses!/Stars Align, pick any Cursed Chest event that requires killing monsters and defeat over 350 or more at level 70 on Torment X or higher. Finally, Years of War/Dynasty demonstrates your mastery of multiple classes by clearing a Greater Rift level 55 Solo with the full bonuses of any six full Class sets.

Haedrig’s Gift

The Class Sets available for completing certain chapters in the Season Journey courtesy of Haedrig’s Gift have rotated once more. The set you will receive depends on the Class of the character you’re playing when you open each Haedrig’s Gift. To collect a full Class Set, you’ll need to open all three on the same character.

Here are the sets granted by Haedrig’s Gift in Season 16:

• Barbarian – Immortal King’s Call
• Crusader – Seeker of the Light
• Demon Hunter – Natalya’s Vengeance
• Monk – Uliana’s Stratagem
• Necromancer – Trag’Oul’s Avatar
• Witch Doctor – Spirit of Arachyr
• Wizard – Vyr’s Amazing Arcana

Quality of Life Changes

Taken directly from player feedback, we’ve focused on a couple of frequently requested changes to improve the overall Diablo experience. This includes minor changes, such as removing Legendary potions from player inventories so that they no longer take up space, but also more significant changes to celebrating end-game loot, in the form of Primal Legendaries.

Class Set Updates

The balance changes from Patch 2.6.1 have had a few seasons to percolate, allowing most classes and builds to settle in to comfort areas for their best performance. With Patch 2.6.4, we’ve identified some of the best performing builds, like Condemn Crusader and Rathma’s Necromancer, and we’re looking to bring as many of the other class set builds up to par.