A Dog's Way Home: DVD Review

A Dog's Way Home: DVD Review

It's not exactly rocket science - a film about a dog's bond with their master that transcends the obstacles put in their place.

Throw into that mix a 400 mile journey, and you've got some idea of what A Dog's Way Home is about - it's like a Nicholas Sparks version of an animal love tale - dog meets boy, dog and boy separated and will they be reunited?

Bella (voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard) is a young pup, living under a house with a group of stray cats. When Bella meets Lucas (Hauer-King), it's puppy love on both sides, and the pair forms a bond that can't be broken.

But when a nasty animal control officer condemns Bella under city law, Bella's forced to leave the city for her own safety - and leave behind her new family. However, she decides that it's important that she gets home to Lucas, and so she sets out on an incredible journey to get home.

A Dog's Way Home is aimed young, and it hits every level that the book from W Bruce Cameron would want to.

From simplistic voiceover to narrative simplicity, this is a film that knows what it wants to do and how to avoid a majority of mawkishness to get there. But it's also not above throwing in montages with middle-of-the-road soppy songs and cover versions along with some ropey CGI animal work to pad it out. Its short episodic feel does hurt it in places, and while there are elements of The Littlest Hobo for when Bella comes into people's lives, it's harmless family fluff.

Interestingly, there's also a few threads of tolerance seeded for an audience that are younger - from the inter-racial relationships to the message of tolerance towards army veterans and acceptance of their plight, A Dog's Way Home has its heart in the right place, even if its execution is questionable at times.

It's a very familiar journey for the tried-but-true animal friendship film, and while the cougar and dog relationship is unusual at best, A Dog's Way Home is really about the bond between man and dog - and is what is likely to resonate with the audience. 

Escape Room: DVD Review

Escape Room: DVD Review

Less torturous than the Saw franchise, but still none the less suspenseful, Escape Room's premise is a nicely executed mystery box, awaiting to be opened.

Zoe (Russell) is a college kid, who finds herself at a loose end at the Thanksgiving break, and not going home. Upon receiving a mystery box, she cracks it open, eventually, to discover an invite to an Escape Room meeting, where the prize is $10,000 for escape.

Upon arrival, she finds a clutch of others in the waiting room as well, destined to be her colleagues in the escape. But each has a secret, and as the reality begins to settle in, everyone has everything to lose.

While Escape Room is a case of some fairly weak character work (everyone's a stereoptype in some form or other), thanks to the lead's empathy, there's a bit to latch on to in terms of emotional stakes.

And what Escape Room may lack in depth for leads, it more than makes up for in terms of execution.

Essentially a series of five chamber pieces, the claustrophobia and suspense of an escape machination is given a taut and well-executed edge. Certainly, the aesthetics of the third room is brilliantly conceived and nonchalantly realised. To say more is to spoil that reveal, but needless to say this one central set piece more than makes for the price of admission.

What's not as great about Escape Room (aside from some of the aforementioned characterisation) is the fact its ending feels deliberately conceived as a cash-grab, scene setting for anything future. It's massively disappointing that this cynical approach is deployed, robbing the audience of a feeling of completion and a film that deserves another on its own merits, rather than lazy writing by studio fat-cats.

Ultimately, Escape Room provides some knotty moments, gives the torture-porn series a welcome non torturous approach, but fails the finale intensely. 

NZIFF announces film retrospective Vive la Varda!

NZIFF announces film retrospective Vive la Varda!

The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) presents a retrospective celebrating the life and work of French New Wave filmmaking pioneer Agnès Varda.

Varda’s experimental features are seminal works of feminist cinema, French New Wave and neorealist filmmaking.

Her contributions to cinema have been widely applauded, especially since her last autobiographical documentary premiered at the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival, shortly followed by her passing away in March 2019 at the age of 90.

NZIFF programmer Sandra Reid says “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate the late Agnès Varda by presenting her final film, Varda by Agnès, accompanied by a mini retrospective spanning several decades of her career. Each title is a vibrant testament to the great filmmaker's radical and unique approach to cinema and it's terrific to have them in the programme.”

The five films featured in Vive la Varda! Retrospective are:

Varda by Agnès

2019 | 115 minutes | DCP

The late, great French filmmaking icon’s swansong is a magical self-reflection on art, movies, invention and Varda’s own lust for life inside and outside of the cinematic frame.

“[Agnès Varda’s] curious spirit and merging of radical politics with personal life made her one of contemporary filmmaking’s most inspiring figures.” — Artforum

View on website here

Daguerréotypes

1976 | 80 minutes | DCP

Bakers, grocers, butchers and other local characters pose for this lovely portrait documentary of the residents of a humble street in Paris whichAgnès Varda called home for over 25 years.

“Varda’s affable, curious portrait of her neighbors and acquaintances on Rue Daguerre… is at once one of her warmest, most quietly affecting movies.” — Film Society of Lincoln Center

View on website here

Jacquot de Nantes

1991 | 114 minutes | DCP

An affecting, gorgeously rendered cinematic love letter from Agnès Varda to her husband, the great The Umbrellas of Cherbourg director, Jacques Demy.

“Extremely evocative… an engrossing, moving tribute.” — Time Out

View on website here

Le Bonheur

1965 | 76 minutes | DCP

Agnès Varda’s beautiful, quietly unsettling depiction of a young marriage strained by an affair examines the complexities of love and happiness.

“[Le Bonheur] emerges as a harsh critique of free love, as well as an empathetic exploration of its allure.” — Andrew Chan, Slant

View on website here

Vagabond

1985 | 105 minutes | DCP

An unforgettable Sandrine Bonnaire won the Best Actress César, and Agnès Varda received Venice Film Festival’s top prize for this defiantly feminist masterpiece.

“[This] story of a young woman’s short, troubled life is cool, enigmatic and as gripping as any thriller… An unmissable film.” — Peter Bradshaw,The Guardian

View on website here

NZIFF is run by a charitable trust and encourages lively interactions between films, filmmakers and New Zealand audiences in 13 towns and cities around the country. The full NZIFF programme will be available online from Monday 24 June 7:00pm for Auckland, and Friday 28 June for Wellington. NZIFF starts in Auckland on 18 July and in Wellington from 26 July in 2019.

Win a double pass to see ANNA

Win a double pass to see ANNA

To celebrate the release of Luc Besson's Anna, in cinemas June 20, you can win a double pass to see the movie at the cinema!

About ANNA

Beneath Anna Poliatova’s striking beauty lies a secret.

Her indelible strength and skill leads her to become one of the world’s most feared government assassins.

An electrifying thrill ride unfolding with propulsive energy, startling twists and breathtaking action, ANNA introduces Sasha Luss in the title role with a star-studded cast.

ANNA is in cinemas June 20

Cast: Sasha Luss, Luke Evans, Cillian Murphy, and Helen Mirren

All you have to do is email your details and the word ANNA!

Email now to  darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com 
Or CLICK HERE NOW  

Competition closes 27th June.

Win Captain Marvel on Blu Ray

Win Captain Marvel on Blu Ray

THE BARRIER-BLASTING, INTERGALACTIC ORIGIN STORY THAT GOES 
HIGHER, FURTHER, FASTER

MARVEL STUDIOS’
“CAPTAIN MARVEL”
LANDS IN BLU-RAY™ COLLECTIONS JUNE 19

Extensive extras explore the universe’s most powerful hero and future Avenger, Nick Fury’s influence on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fan-favorite Goose the Cat, deleted scenes, gag reel, commentary and much more!

The spectacular, 1990s-era Super Hero adventure, which electrified and inspired audiences worldwide and surpassed $1 billion in ticket sales, lands on DVD, Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD™ June 19.

Arriving home with extensive line-up of extras detailing the development of this highly anticipated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), “Captain Marvel” includes Featurettes that highlight the transformative journey of Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) and her character’s impact on audiences around the globe; the influence of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) on significant events within the MCU; the perfect pairing of directors Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck; the ongoing conflict between the Skrulls and the Kree; and the raw talent behind the fetching feline named Goose. Viewers also gain access to six deleted scenes, director commentary, a gag reel loaded with funnies, flubs and Flerkens, and never-before-seen concept art and production photography. 

Starring Brie Larson as Carol Danvers and Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury, you can win a copy of Marvel's Captain Marvel!

All you have to do is email your details and the word MARVEL!

Email now to  darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com 
Or CLICK HERE NOW  

Competition closes 28th June.

Men in Black: International: Film Review

Men in Black: International: Film Review

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, Liam Neeson, Rafe Spall, Emma Thompson, Kumail Nanjiani
Director: F Gary Gray

It's easy to forget the Men In Black series was a franchise of goofy aliens versus straight laced G-men, dour faced, suited and booted.

Yet the original film with Will Smith fast talking his way into stone-faced Tommy Lee Jones' world was a blast of family entertainment, propped up with a peppy rap song that lived on for years.

The latest, Men in Black International, is the final nail in the franchise coffin, a film that should neuralise its entire audience after its car-sponsored credits have ended. It would be the only decent thing to do.

Hemsworth and Neeson are the original Men in Black, H and T, who back in 2016, saved the world by ridding it of the threat of the Hive atop the Eiffel Tower. Two decades earlier Tessa Thompson's science-smart and ferociously intelligent Molly had a run-in with the MIBs and has been determined to join their ranks, but has been rebuffed repeatedly.

When Molly and H cross paths, they're put on a mission to investigate whether MIB's been infiltrated, and once again, save the world.

The depressing thing about Men in Black International is that the potential's so inherently there.

Both Thompson and Hemsworth have a good rapport, as Thor and Valkyrie can attest. Yet, a weak script, with twists that can be seen coming from literally the opening minutes do nothing to exploit their chemistry, and in fact, choke it in a cloud of lame weak gags that fall flat.

Once again, the script lazily points to Hemsworth's necessity to derobe, and while an Avengers-inspired gag is amusing, its weak execution sees it fall flat. Hemsworth's done comedy well, as Ghostbusters can prove, but essentially, it's a boorish himbo in parts that outstays its welcome long before 15 minutes is up.

Tessa Thompson is more successful, giving her Agent M a more rounded feel, even if she spends most of the film seeking validation from a male. (Seriously, this film with its female needing approval and two middle Eastern villains feels like a queasy throwback at times.) And Emma Thompson's snarky boss is wasted in a book-ending turn that feels like it could have had the spark and spunk the script so desperately needed.

While Men in Black International is a family film, its commitment to the kids comes in the form of Kumail Nanjiani's Pawny, a CGI character that irritates initially, but is soon saddled with the lion's share of the and best lines. To be honest though, he's no Frank, and pales weakly in comparison.

Ultimately, at a sagging two hours, the film doesn't proffer nearly enough - it may be positioned as a comedy action movie, but it offers up little enough of either, and is a depressing end to the franchise that began with such bluster 22 years ago.

When it goes goofy (as it does towards the end) and cuts loose with its script, Men in Black International offers up a good reason to exist. Sadly, it's too late in the piece, and as the depressing Lexus car product placement shots pile up, the feeling is one of utter despair, and wasted opportunity.

Crash Team Nitro Fuelled post release content plans

Crash Team Nitro Fuelled post release content plans

CRASH TEAM RACING NITRO-FUELED KEEPS FOOT ON THE GAS POST-LAUNCH WITH FREE SEASONAL CONTENT FOR ALL PURCHASERS

Grand Prix delivers new tracks, characters, items, and challenges to all owners

Fans will have access to even more content after launch from other beloved games

June 12, 2019— Crossing the finish line in Crash™ Team Racing Nitro-Fueled doesn’t mean the Bandicoot has sung! Today, Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) and lead developer Beenox announced that for the first time ever, purchasers of the remastered game will be able to take part in free bonus seasonal content with its Grand Prix in-game offerings post launch. Giving gamers another reason to play, the first Grand Prix will kick off on July 4, 2019 in ANZ, and will include a new track for all players, unlockable characters, karts and various customisation items.

Today, in a first-look of CTR TV, hosts Chick and Stew revealed all the fun awaiting players in the Grand Prix. They also revealed that fans will get a brand-new track with each Grand Prix. The first track is called Twilight Tour, which takes players on an epic journey by day and night  through the middle east. That’s not all, Chick and Stew also spilled the news that Tawna will in fact be coming to the CTR universe, as an earnable character in the first Grand Prix. There will be new items and characters dropped into the game’s Pit Stop rotation each Grand Prix, including members of the Nitro Squad in the first season (formerly known as the Trophy Girls). These racers come from regions around the world and are ready to represent their countries with speed and strength! Chick and Stew also let fans know about the content they can expect in the two following Grand Prix Seasons, including the most anticipated event of the century…Spyro’s induction to CTR!

Additionally, in the South Lobby of the Los Angeles Convention Center at E3 (June 11-13), show attendees can test drive Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled. Passersby will be among the first in the world to race on remastered Crash Team Racing tracks: Tiny’s Arena and Hot Air Skyway and reimagined Crash™ Nitro Kart tracks: Jungle Boogie and Thunderstruck.

“Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled was designed to deliver fun in unexpected and exciting ways.  The Grand Prix does that by giving players a reason to fall in love with the game over and over again,” said Thomas Wilson, Co-Studio Head at Beenox. “Crash Team Racing was an iconic game in the ‘90s that influenced how gamers played kart racer games, and we’re thrilled to continue that tradition with Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled by introducing new content to players in ways they haven’t imagined yet— the race definitely isn’t over once you cross the finish line.”

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled features all the remastered tracks, characters and modes from the original CTR game, and all the reimagined tracks from the original CNK game -- all playable in stunning HD!  In addition to this, with the in-game Pit Stop and the Grand Prix seasons, players will be able to race with their earned karts and characters from CNK, as well as content inspired by Crash Tag Team Racing to get the best of the Crash racing universe! Get ready to trick out your ride, complete N. sane battles, get lost in the adventure mode, and race against your friends or frenemies in online multiplayer and more. Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled launches on June 21, 2019, and will be available for the PlayStation® 4, PlayStation® 4 Pro, Nintendo Switch™, and the family of Xbox One devices from Microsoft, including the Xbox One X.  Racers that want to start revving their engines can pre-order both Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled and the Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled - Nitros Oxide Edition now.   Watch the official trailer [here]. More information about Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled can be found at www.crashbandicoot.com/crashteamracing. Fans are also invited to follow Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as subscribe to the YouTube channel at YouTube.com/crashbandicoot.