This Week in GTA Online: The Schyster Deviant Muscle Car, Schyster T-Shirt Unlock, Double GTA$ & RP Opportunities, Weekend Bonuses and More

This Week in GTA Online: The Schyster Deviant Muscle Car, Schyster T-Shirt Unlock, Double GTA$ & RP Opportunities, Weekend Bonuses and More

Southern San Andreas’ roads get a little beefier with the arrival of the Schyster Deviant muscle car, now available at Legendary Motorsport. Players can also log in anytime this week to receive a free Schyster T-shirt, along with opportunities to receive GTA$50,000 and rare vehicle manufacturer and DJ T-Shirts for each delivered Business Battle Crate.

Double GTA$ & RP opportunities abound this week in the new RC Bandito Races and likewise for those looking to settle scores in Trading Places (Remix). Nightclub owners will also receive a 2X Boost on Nightclub Popularity from Nightclub Management missions during the same period, along with a doubling of Nightclub Income.

Players can continue earning a GTA$250K reward for logging in each weekend this February, with the possibility of being awarded up to GTA$1M in total.

Please see below for further details, including discounts on select Properties and Vehicles and more.

Once upon a time the Deviant was considered an underdog in the muscle car field. But in the land of opportunity, an underdog is only a genetically-engineered monstrosity in waiting, and that’s something Team Schyster know all too well. Revamped, remodeled, re-engineered and released on the unsuspecting streets of Los Santos, the Schyster Deviant is back with a point to prove - available now at Legendary Motorsport. 

Challenge miniscule racers at major stakes with Double GTA$ & RP on the recently released RC Bandito Races all week long, then settle the age-old conflict between Beast and Juggernaut to earn double rewards on Trading Places (Remix) for the same period.

Pack the house at twice the speed this week with a 2X Boost on Nightclub Popularity gained from Nightclub Management missions. You'll also rake in Nightclub Income at twice the usual rate - just be sure to empty your safe when it reaches capacity.

To celebrate the release of the Deviant, Team Schyster is awarding all players who log in this week with a freeSchyster T-shirt. 

And for a limited time, successfully delivered Business Battle Crates have a chance of awarding a cool GTA$50,000, along with a hand-picked mix of rare T-Shirts from your favorite vehicle manufacturers and After Hours DJs.

Play GTA Online any weekend this February to earn a GTA$250K reward the following week, up to GTA$1M for the month. So if you played at any point between February 1^st and 3rd, be sure to jump in this weekend to claim your first GTA$250K cash drop.

Make the most of this week's Nightclub bonuses with a suite of After Hours discounts to get you up and running: 

• Nightclubs & Renovations – 30% off
• Nightclub Garages – 30% off
• Nightclub Warehouses – 30% off
• Nightclub DJs – 30% off
• Maibatsu Mule Custom – 30% off
• MTL Pounder Custom – 30% off

And save big on a host of bleeding-edge machinery through February 13th - stage your hacking operations from the safety of the Benefactor Terrorbyte or reign supreme in the Arena with the MTL Cerberus:

• Pegassi Oppressor Mk II – 25% off
• Benefactor Terrorbyte – 35% off
• Benefactor Terrorbyte Add-Ons & Renovations – 30% off
• Annis ZR380 – 25% off
• MTL Cerberus – 25% off
• HVY Menacer – 35% off
• B-11 Strikeforce – 35% off

For more information on all the latest GTA Online bonuses and coming events, head to the Social Club Events page.

The Front Runner: Film Review

The Front Runner: Film Review

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga, Sara Paxton, JK Simmons
Director: Jason Reitman

It's perhaps pertinent that Reitman's film about Senator Gary Hart (Jackman, dialling down his usual dazzling charisma) deals a lot with the so-called intrusion of the press rather than the actual scandal which subsumed the man.

Jackman is Hart, who after a failed campaign in 1984, comes back to try again. Entering the Democratic Presidential Nomination race as the clear front runner, Hart looks like he could be the change that's needed.

But backstage, in the journalism world, accusations begin to swirl ever more strongly of the possibility he's having an affair - and emboldened by a tip off to a local paper, the desire to hold him to account begins to grow stronger as the debate over to whether to ask him divides newsrooms.

It's an interesting discussion about where scrutiny ends and where intrusion begins, and certainly drawing from the source material that covers such a debate, Reitman's film feels more weighted to ethics than the actual drama of what's transpired.

But in some ways, it's also emboldened by a dawdling journey that takes it away from the norm.

Questions over Hart are never clearly answered, even though they're defined, and Jackman's downplaying of the senator certainly helps to create a murkiness and uncertainty over who's right or what actually happened. Reitman's smart enough to only hint at what transpired - and certainly with Paxton's turn as the mistress thrown to the lions, there's always a feeling that the scales are tipped against Hart. But it doesn't quite lend the film to the concept of must-see drama; more overly long set up piece.

However, Jackman plays it well; snapping with intensity as the degrees of arrogance within unfurl - and thanks to an unfussy direction from Reitman, the film's strength lies in its relationships, not its extra-marital ones.

Ethics certainly provoke interest, and while the film's less dramatic than you'd expect, it's still a slow-burning engager at times. JK Simmons delivers strength in a part that becomes less and less as the film plays out - the weariness of his face tells more than a blustering soliloquy could.

There are moments when characters and events feel side-lined but the aforementioned unfussy approach to the story lend it a thoughtful credence and quality of debate over intrusion that plays on the mind after it's finished.

Win a double pass to see WHAT MEN WANT

Win a double pass to see WHAT MEN WANT

To celebrate the release of WHAT MEN WANT, in cinemas February 14, you can win a double pass.

About What Men Want

Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues.

When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world... until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts!

With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test.

WHAT MEN WANT is the latest comedy from director Adam Shankman (HAIRSPRAY) and producers Will Packer and James Lopez (GIRLS TRIP), co-starring Tracy Morgan, Richard Roundtree, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Josh Brener, Tamala Jones, Phoebe Robinson, Max Greenfield, Jason Jones, Brian Bosworth, Chris Witaske and Erykah Badu.

On The Basis Of Sex: Film Review

On The Basis of Sex: Film Review

Cast: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Cailee Spaeny, Justin Theroux, Kathy Bates
Director: Mimi Leder

Swathed in sincerity so tightly that it almost becomes claustrophobic, Mimi Leder's take on Ruth Bader Ginsberg is a film that wants us to embrace RBG rather than earning the right to do so.

In fact, compared to the recent doco RBG which detailed her life with both chutzpah and joe de vivre, On The Basis of Sex is lacking, even if it does choose to dwell mostly on the case which saw Ginsberg make her name.

Starting back in 1956 with Ginsberg wide-eyed and eager to be entering Harvard, Leder's film wastes no time showing the obstacles that she faces from the get go. Whether it's being a woman in a sea of men as the opening shot details or watching as Ginsberg is asked to justify why she was able to take the place of a man, Leder's film is about stacking the obstacles in Ruth's path - and piling them high.

Equally, the health problems faced by her husband (played with ease by a smooth Hammer) simply serve to show Ginsberg's ferocity in the face of it - and her determination for her family. All of which Jones delivers with relative aplomb, even if the film follows a formulaic and occasionally borderline dull execution of the biopic.

Things are crystallised a little more when the movie comes to the Charles Moritz case for which Ginsberg made her name - and while the spark rises a little more here, as the fire comes out, the film's choice of course lends itself to speechifying rather than natural dialogue.

It's very much a case of the usual underdog tropes, and is perhaps underscored more by what's been learned in the RBG doco and what is currently happening in America, but On The Basis of Sex makes a good strong case for a TV movie, rather than a big screen outing. Sure, there's a solid take behind the camera, but there's scant flourishes which render this exciting or enticing, despite the good work delivered by both Jones and Hammer.

Inside Xbox Episode 1 2019

Inside Xbox Episode 1 2019

Overnight, Microsoft announced the date for the next much anticipated episode of Inside Xbox, which will air 11:00 am NZT, Wednesday 6 February. Inside Xbox returns for the year with an all-new episode featuring exclusive news, content, reveals and interviews.

The episode will feature a guest appearance from Crackdown 3 Creative Director, Joseph Staten, who will share details on the game’s campaign mode. The episode will also reveal info on:

• Mortal Kombat 11
• The Division 2
• Sea of Thieves
• Astroneer
• Journey to the Savage Planet
• Jump Force
• Metro Exodus
• Xbox Game Pass

Today, on our February episode of Inside Xbox, we gave fans a closer look at the highly anticipated Xbox One exclusive Crackdown 3, talked to the creative talent behind Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, revealed new titles coming soon to Xbox Game Pass like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and de blob, unveiled a hot new Xbox One controller, and much more. For a full recap, read on below or watch the replay of Inside Xbox episode above when the VOD is available.

Introducing Xbox Game Studios

Matt Booty shared we are changing the name of our game development organization from Microsoft Studios to Xbox Game Studios. In his words: “At Xbox, we believe when everyone plays, we all win. It’s why we’re passionate about building a portfolio of games for players across console, PC and mobile. As we’ve expanded our focus beyond the console, the Xbox brand has also evolved from its original roots. Today, Xbox is our gaming brand across all devices, no matter how or where you want to play, or who you want to play with.” Check out our full Xbox Game Studios announcement post for more information.

Experience Halo Like Never Before with Halo: Outpost Discovery

The team at 343 Industries is always cooking up something for the Halo community, and today’s episode gave us our first look at a brand-new offering. Halo: Outpost Discovery is a touring fan experience for all ages, that brings the Halo video game universe to life like never before. This five U.S. city event lets you step into Halo’s vast and epic world, with enthralling themed attractions, interactive in-universe encounters, playable games and so much more. Experience details, ticket information and more are available right now at HaloOutpostDiscovery.com. You can learn more in our Halo: Outpost Discovery announcement post right now.

Bringing the Boom in Crackdown 3

Crackdown 3 is nearly upon us, so the team took a couple of in-depth looks at the game with some very special guests. In addition to an interview with Creative Director Joseph Staten, Crackdown 3 star and all-around great guy Terry Crews joined us from LA to chat about his role and how he infused his trademark personality and energy into the game. To top it off, we revealed the official Crackdown 3 launch trailer, giving fans a final taste of the game’s boom-infused playground across both campaign and Wrecking Zone. Crackdown 3 will be available starting February 15 on Xbox Game Pass and for Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, so get ready to cause some mayhem!

Complete Your Crew in Sea of Thieves

Ahoy mateys! Rare’s action-packed pirate game is better than ever thanks to a bunch of updates and one of the strongest communities in game, so now is the perfect time to bring more players aboard. On today’s show, we announced that the Sea of Thieves Friends Play Free program will be starting on February 6. All existing players will be able to log in to the Sea of Thieves website to get three codes that they can share with their friends who don’t already have the game. Those friends will be able to play until February 13, and everyone can enjoy a special, limited-time voyage featuring a high-value reward and unique cosmetics. For complete details, click through to our Sea of Thieves Friends Play Free announcement post. All aboard!

Xbox Game Pass Gets Even Better

The monthly Xbox Game Pass announcement is always one of our biggest news beats, and we’re happy to share that this month’s lineup features some truly excellent games. One of 2018’s best games is hitting the subscription service, as Shadow of the Tomb Raider brings Lara Croft’s action-packed trilogy to a close. She’s joined by Clementine, one of our favorite characters from The Walking Dead – Season One, and everyone’s favorite amorphous lump, de Blob. For complete details, take a look at our Xbox Game Pass February games announcement post.

Experience Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 with Two New Bundles

Today, we announced two new bundles with Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 joining the Xbox One family. Pre-order the 1TB Xbox One S ($299.99) or the 1TB Xbox One X ($499.99) Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 Bundle, and experience the ultimate RPG open-world action shooter set in Washington D.C., where exploration and player progression are essential to survival. Jump in on Xbox One and see how the dynamic environment combines the series’ core authenticity with tactical decisions, trading and more.

Both bundles feature an Xbox One console, 1TB hard drive, an Xbox Wireless Controller, a full-game download of Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 and 1-month trials for Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold. Additionally, as part of the Xbox One family, you can enjoy features like a built-in 4K UHD Blu-ray player, 4K streaming with High Dynamic Range and Dolby Vision, and premium audio with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Plus, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 is specifically enhanced for Xbox One X so you can experience immersive true 4K gaming with 4K Ultra HD with HDR and Dolby Atmos support. Pre-order now; arrives in stores starting March 15, 2019.

A Shiny New Controller Appears

The announcement of new Xbox controllers is always a big deal for our fans and collectors, so they’ll be happy to hear that we revealed a brand-new controller on today’s show. The Xbox Wireless Controller – Sport Red Special Edition is vibrant red and features metallic accents, rubberized diamond grip, and built-in Bluetooth technology for gaming on Windows 10 PCs and tablets. For more information, give our Xbox Wireless Controller – Sport Red Special Edition announcement post a read!

Jumping In With Jump Force

Fighting game fans rejoice! Jump Force, the upcoming battler featuring combatants from the Shonen Jump universe, will be releasing soon, and we were lucky enough to be able to reveal some new characters. Jotaro and DIO from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure will be coming to the game, and we can’t wait to see how Stand users stack up against the competition! The team also shared that they plan to keep the game as fresh as possible in the months following its release, thanks to new costumes and stages that will be given to fans for free.

A New Fighter in Mortal Kombat 11

The latest entry in the world’s most brutal fighting game has been announced, and our team was on the ground at the recent unveil event to take a good look at the carnage. What’s more we are now able to reveal that D’Vorah is returning in Mortal Kombat 11. She is a half-human, half-insect fighter who is aligned with Kotal Kahn, the ruler of Outworld. She was first introduced in Mortal Kombat X, where her swift, vicious moves made a (deep) impression on her enemies.

Inside the Minds Behind Journey to the Savage Planet

One of the biggest announcements at The Game Awards, Journey to the Savage Planet takes players to an alien world on which everything isn’t always as it seems. We went behind the scenes at Typhoon Studios to see first-hand what it takes to leave security behind and set out to build both a studio and a brand-new franchise from the ground up.

We hope you enjoyed the show, and we’ll see you next month!

Bad Times at the El Royale: DVD Review

Bad Times at the El Royale: DVD Review

Mashing noir, mystery, Hitchcock and horror, meta-horror The Cabin In The Woods director Drew Goddard's Bad Times at The El Royale's mix proves to be an intriguing cocktail that tastes initially sweet, but slightly sours towards the end.

Set in 1969 and in a hotel that straddles two state lines (Nevada and Califronia "warmth and sunshine to the west, hope and opportunity to the east"), a series of strangers, each with a secret, check in to the El Royale.

Among their number is Jeff Bridges' priest, Cynthia Ervio's soul singer, Jon Hamm's salesman, and Dakota Johnson's mysterious edgy woman. As the night progresses, the reality of what's going on gradually reveals itself, leading to an unexpected showdown.

It's difficult to write too much about the occasionally slow Bad Times at The El Royale without giving too much away.

The sense of mystery is predicated by a "chapters" feel to proceedings which sets up the goings on, before delivering a punchy ending and leaving you wanting an immediate resolution to each vignette.

And in some ways, that's also part of the problem of Bad Times at The El Royale - a deliberately delayed gratification which gradually dulls the shocks as they come. Certainly the first comes absolutely out of nowhere and is breath-taking; but after that, you start to feel dulled to it and expect that each ending will have them.

All roads lead to the arrival of Chris Hemsworth's Charles Manson type character, complete with acolytes in the third act of the film. But unfortunately, Hemsworth doesn't quite pull off the menace required, landing more on slightly campy sinister Jim Morrison than actually full on frightening; certainly, the charisma of the leader isn't quite there, even if you're repeatedly distracted by the shirtless sculpting going on.

That said, there are some moments that Bad Times at The El Royale pulls off with veritable aplomb.

The sense of unfolding mystery and off-kilter edges are nice touches throughout, with unease and a sideswipe at authority of the time propelling what's unfolding; more is implied than explicitly said at times, and it works well - even if at 140 minutes, the film starts to flag under its own weight. It ends in a fiery spectacle, befitting of the Hell implications of the Royale, and also showing how characters have to walk the line between right and wrong.

In love with its own soundtrack (even down to Erivo's continually impressive, but sometimes irritating, Motown singing), Bad Times at The El Royale's queasy mix of time hops, false starts and occasional propensity to shock makes it a carny ride of dramatic proportions, as everyone looks for some kind of redemption.

But the MVP of proceedings is easily Lewis Pullman's concierge Miles. Without revealing too much, Pullman imbues Miles with an edgy demeanour of a guy caught in the wrong place at the wrong time - and it's quite unnerving and electrifying.

Not quite the chamber piece you'd be expecting, Bad Times at The El Royale benefits from Goddard's now trademark subversion of the genres involved. It's a notch above pulpy at times, but its ultimate switch at the end isn't quite as strong as the build up would have you hoping for.

It is one hotel to check into though, but you'll be glad it's for one night only. 

Cold Pursuit: Film Review

Cold Pursuit: Film Review

Cast: Liam Neeson, Tom Bateman, Emmy Rossum, Julia Jones, Laura Dern
Director: Hans Petter Moland

Paling in comparison to 2014's black comedic masterpiece In Order Of Disappearance, but still offering enough light to shine on its own, Cold Pursuit marks Liam Neeson's apparent action movie
swansong.

Neeson plays man of the community Nels Coxman. Rewarded for his efforts to keep the snowy regions of the tourist town clear in his plow, Coxman's world is turned upside down when his son turns up dead of an apparent heroin overdose.

And while his wife (Dern, in a handful of scenes and utterly wasted) turns to grief, Nels turns to disbelief and finds his fears confirmed when he's told his son was killed.

Intent on claiming revenge, Coxman ends up on a collision course with Tom Bateman's Viking, the local gangster behind the death.

Cold Pursuit has a muted feel, and if anything, Neeson's restrained gruffness lend it enough gravitas that it needs. But a tendency to overplay the black humour means that what it delivers is more a film that provokes laughter when the original's darker edges shone through.

An over-reliance on title boards delivering funeral notices is supposed to be wry and amusing, but after an initial use, comes across as a crutch rather than a construct.
Bateman veers a little too OTT at times, infusing his Viking with a feeling of the Joker rather than laying on the menace - it's part of Cold Pursuit's MO that overkill is better than restraint (something which the original managed to encapsulate perfectly).

But there are offhand moments that work and add a level of aloofness that sits well with the audience.

However, there are parts of the script that could have been excised or boosted, rather than feeling undernourished.

Chiefly among those is the inclusion of the Native Americans and their resentment of a local ski resort that is on land where their reservations used to be. Granted, it's a common theme rich for the plucking, but it feels included as an afterthought.

And while the police chasing the crimes add some commentary, the darkness isn't dark enough to need the Fargo-esque edges it pursues. Neeson is solid as Coxman, but there's little levels of emotional depth being plumbed in here, and there's a feeling of emotional aloofness.

Overall, Cold Pursuit itself is an intriguing port over of the original, but it does lack some of the sparkle of the first and a grasp of what made it work so well.