Win an Arctic Justice prize pack

Win an Arctic Justice prize pack

To celebrate the release of Arctic Justice, in cinemas November 7, you can win a prize pack, including tickets, bag, and a snowglobe!

About Arctic Justice

Swifty (Jeremy Renner) is a little fox with big dreams, working in the mailroom of the Arctic Blast Delivery Service. 

When Swifty accidentally stumbles upon the hidden fortress of evil genius Otto Von Walrus, he enlists the help of his friends - a ragtag group of Arctic misfits - to help stop Otto Von Walrus' sinister plan to become the world's supreme leader and save the planet – before it’s too late!   

Arctic Justice is in cinemas from November 7.

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

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

Child's Play: DVD Review

Child's Play: DVD Review

There's much to like in the 2019 retooling of the Child's Play series - but there's also much to grizzle about with the feeling that potential has been wasted.

Plaza plays single mom Karen, a shop employee who gives her son Andy (Bateman) a Buddi doll to help the transition to a new home and new life. Buddi is the latest design toy, that imprints on its owner and in this Buddi's case, fixates on him.

Renamed Chucky by Andy, the doll starts to take on a life of its own, mimicking those around, while dealing with defective programming. But things begin to take a murderous intent.

It's clear that Klevberg and co wanted to take some of the electronic paranoia we've been feeling with Black Mirror's technical obsessions and turn it into something that's on point, and through a horror prism.

But what emerges from the 2019 reboot of Child's Play, despite an inherent fear of AI, is just how much that potential is squandered.

Despite a great turn from Plaza, a strong performance from Bateman and some excellent vocal work from Hamill, Child's Play becomes a grubby rote horror that's content to deliver some average jump scares and some lo-fi moments, rather than to build on the idea of a murderous Alexa inspired doll.

The opening's great, inspiring some funny moments, and capturing a kind of 80s vibe that's at odds with the 21st century technology. However, the film's not content to do more with its talent, with a script that doesn't really thrill like it should, or scare like it ought.

There's still the malevolence that Chucky has, and the animatronic doll has some creepy edges, but the script mines every single cliche going before delivering a finale that lacks panache and originality.

That's perhaps the killer blow for Child's Play - it never reaches its potential, and feels a lot like every other 80s serial killer film you've seen before. They've chosen to swap Chucky's USP for a USB - and while parts of it feel like an upgrade, most of it feels, sadly, like a downgrade.

But it is worth it for Mark Hamill's unsettling singing over the final credits...

Little Woods: DVD Review

Little Woods: DVD Review

The "one last job before I retire" trope is as old as the hills themselves, but what director Nia DaCosta and actress Tessa Thompson bring to the hoary cliche is a degree of humanity and empathy in Little Woods.

Thompson is Ollie, a one time opioid dealer to the North Dakota fracking workers. Caught after a border run went wrong and under probation with just 10 days to go, Ollie finds herself facing desperate measures and multiple financial hardships.

But when her struggling adopted sister and solo mother Deb (Lily James) finds she's about to give birth again and needs a place to live, the clock's ticking to get together $3,000 cash to ensure their house isn't foreclosed on.

So, despite wanting a clean break, Ollie is forced back into the one thing she knows well, but doesn't want to do.

As mentioned, the plot isn't exactly original, but what DaCosta and Thompson - and to a large degree, James - bring to the table is a female perspective on middle America, the struggles of those under pressure, and the face of the Opioid crisis.

This is no Breaking Bad though, with Thompson providing subtle contrasts in her Ollie as she debates the morals of the right thing to do. It's very much a story of the times, and told in an unfussy manner, with tension being ratcheted up in a smaller, more intimate setting on the screen.

There's a great deal of empathy radiating from these characters, and while some of the dialogue doesn't feel natural, there's no denying Thompson's natural charm and appeal that she imbues Ollie with.

Refusing to give in, Ollie finds every path possible to explore, and the desperate scrabble to stay afloat has you in her camp from the get go.

The film's ambiguous end is a smart touch too - unsure of who gets a happy end, it's very much a crime tale told under a different lens - and all the better for it. Little Woods may hit a few of the cliche branches as it unspools, but with two extremely solid and plausible leads, it remains watchable from beginning to end. 

Tolkien: DVD Review

Tolkien: DVD Review

The Tolkien biopic is a quietly muted film about comradeship above all else.

It seems apt, given how Tolkien's most famous books are about fellowship, and Karukoski's at pains to repeatedly emphasise this point throughout.

Starting at a young age in J R R Tolkien's life, Hoult takes the mantle of the ultimately famous writer, whose early life is blighted by degrees of poverty and tragedy in equal measure.

When he gets into King Edwards College in Birmingham, he finds his outsider ways alienating him from others at the school, and thrusts him into fights. But gradually taken in under the wing of three fellow students, Tolkien forms a bond and group with fellow artists.

But their world is torn apart by the arrival of the war to end all wars.

Tolkien is a prestige pic, that's slightly hobbled by pacing and a degree of stiffness throughout.
Hoult isn't quite strong enough as the author, but he does convey an earnest turn, and his romance with Lily Collins' Edith Bratt appears to work better on the page than it does on the screen, imbued as it is with a sense of malaise throughout.

More successful is the fellowship that crops up between the college mates. It's here the pre-war bonds and tragedies emerge and flourish. Certainly when Derek Jacobi's linguistics professor shows up later in the piece, the film bursts vibrantly into life, instilling a degree of passion into proceedings that's been occasionally lacking throughout.

However, there are some truly impressive visual touches in the war sequences.

Clearly inspired by what's seen in the shadows and how the mind works, Karukoski brings menace to flames, giving them faces on the fields of war. Tendrils are added to smoke plumes that plague the trenches, delivering a real feeling of both menace and Tolkien's imagination at work.

It's here the film soars, lifted by by small flourishes aimed at providing plenty of insight into how Tolkien's mind has worked. It's just a shame that this relatively traditional biopic doesn't take more opportunities to soar, and grounds its fantastical author in a kind of stifling approach that's ultimately and sadly disengaging. 

The Witcher: Official Trailer arrives

The Witcher: Official Trailer arrives

THE WORST MONSTERS ARE THE ONES WE CREATE

NETFLIX DROPS MAIN TRAILER OF THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW SERIES, 

THE WITCHER, AT LUCCA COMICS AND GAMES

Launch date for the series confirmed as 20th December on Netflix globally

Based on the best-selling fantasy series of books, THE WITCHER is an epic tale of fate and family.  The story of the intertwined destinies of three individuals in the vast world of The Continent, where humans, elves, witchers, gnomes, and monsters battle to survive and thrive, and where good and evil is not easily identified. 

Henry Cavill (Mission Impossible - Fallout, Man of Steel) leads the cast of The Witcher saga, playing the role of Geralt of Rivia, alongside other main cast members,  Anya Chalotra (The ABC Murders, Wanderlust) as Yennefer and Freya Allan (The War of the Worlds, Into The Badlands) as Ciri.  Other previously announced cast include Jodhi May (Game of Thrones, Genius) as Calanthe, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (Fortitude) as Eist, Adam Levy (Knightfall, Snatch) as Mousesack, MyAnna Buring (Ripper Street, Kill List) as Tissaia), Mimi Ndiweni (Black Earth Rising) as Fringilla, Therica Wilson-Read (Profile) as Sabrina, and Emma Appleton (The End of The F**king World) as Renfri, Eamon Farren (The ABC Murders, Twin Peaks) as Cahir, Joey Batey (Knightfall, Strike) as Jaskier, Lars Mikkelsen (House of Cards, Sherlock) as Stregobor, Royce Pierreson (Wanderlust, Judy) as Istredd, Maciej Musiał (1983) as Sir Lazlo, Wilson Radjou-Pujalte (Jamillah & Aladdin, Dickensian) as Dara, and Anna Shaffer (Harry Potter) as Triss.

Medievil: PS4 Review

Medievil: PS4 Review

Developed by Other Ocean Emeryville
Released by Sony Interactive
Platform: PS4

Medievil is the latest remaster to shuffle out of the PlayStation grave.

The early nineties hack and slash platformer was a beloved staple of the first generation consoles.

But in truth time has not been kind to the world of Sir Daniel Fortesque, the eyeball missing, arm-detaching skeleton.

The remaster takes you back to Gallomere to try and salvage sir dans reputation which fell at the first hurdle. Once again a sorcerer Zarok (the late lamented and deeply missed Paul Darrow) is back wreaking havoc in the city and it’s up to you to beat the baddies and save the day.

While the cut scenes register a kind of cartoony Nightmare before Christmas vibe, Medievil is not really interested in doing much to break the mould in a remaster that feels like a quick Halloween cash grab rather than a built up from the ground do over a la Ratchet and Clank.

Sure it looks fine, and plays for the lower competency end of the gaming spectrum, but the terrible camera that afflicted the original has been ported over to the latest version.

It’s jarring at best and bone crunchingly annoying at worst, as it spins around giving you little chance to recentre when necessary.

Levels are fairly rote and short too: hack your way through imps and the undead, get a door opening rune and then move on.

It’s not rocket science and while it’s playable enough, for the more seasoned gamer, it’s too basic and not exactly essential.

We may be coming to the end of the PS4’s life but we may also be approaching the end of the remaster necessity as well - unless they add something new or are so beloved we can’t do without them, (Ape Escape, I'm looking at you).

Sony would be wise to take each offer on merit - and to leave some dead and buried like they should and deserve to be.

Terror Fi festival Q&A - James Partridge

Terror Fi festival Q&A - James Partridge

The Terror-Fi festival is now live in Wellington and coming to Auckland and Christchurch.
Director of the festival James Partridge took some time out of being scared silly to talk about this year's festival and his hopes for the future ones.

You've expanded out the festival this year - did you figure it was time the rest of the country got a good scare as well?
After last year, I had a lot of people ask if I could bring it to Auckland and Christchurch. How could I say No? I always planned to expand the fest but didn’t realise it would be so soon. And that’s thanks to people loving the films and supporting the fest.
I think people want to good scare… and a laugh and come edge of your seat excitement. Terror-Fi has something for everyone – horror, thriller, sci-fi, comedy, action…

What's the state of horror films like at the moment?
I think it’s great. There are some really innovative, smart horror films coming out – it’s not just all jump scares and CGI. THE LODGE in Terror-Fi is a great example, following on from the likes of GET OUT, HEREDITARY etc

Some great premieres lined up in this year's festival, what are you keen for?

That’s a tough choice. This is the best line-up yet. Aside from the blockbusters like READY OR NOT, COLOR OUT OF SPACE and THE LODGE, there are some real gems in there. DANIEL ISN’T REAL (from the producers of MANDY) is a brilliant film. THE MUTE, FREAKS and EXTRA ORDINARY are awesome too. And if you like your comedies a little kooky, you can’t go past GREENER GRASS.

Which have already been the big hitters with the public?
It’s no surprise the new Nic Cage film, COLOR OUT OF SPACE is selling well. READY OR NOT is also really popular. And we just announced a late addition to the fest, DOCTOR SLEEP – another blockbuster that’s already proving popular.

What's your preferred horror film and why?
Smart and creepy. One of my favourite horrors growing up was CANDYMAN.

Leon and Nightmare Before Christmas are great blasts from the past - what makes them stand up after all this time?
LEON is one of my all time favourite films. It has everything – great tension and action, matched with great character development and performances. NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS is such a unique film – the wonder and magic holds up every time you see it.

Give us a hint about the Secret Screening - you know you want to.
Don’t tell anyone but it’s….

What's the one film you absolutely shouldn't miss this year?
Again, a tough ask. Of the lesser-known ones, I’d have to say DANIEL ISN’T REAL. I saw it at a festival in the US in September. Went in not knowing much about it (or expecting much) but came out desperate to get it for Terror-Fi.

What are your plans for 2020 for the Terror Fi Film Fest?
A bigger line-up and more fan experiences. We have a themed opening night, custom food & drink menus and also a VR experience this year. Really want to expand that out and make the fest an even more awesome experience both on and off the screen.

Get more info about the Terror-Fi Film Fest at their site - http://www.terrorfifest.com/
The festival runs now in Wellington until Nov 3, Nov7-10 in Auckland at the Hollywood and 20-24 Nov in Christchurch