My Spy: DVD Review

My Spy: DVD Review

My Spy knows what it wants to do and it has no pretense otherwise.

Bautista is JJ, a former Special Forces op who now works in the CIA - but whose hopeless ineptitude blows their biggest operation which centres around a potential nuclear threat.

Assigned to watch a family believed to be connected to the terrorists, JJ, along with new tech support buddy Bobbi (Conchords' star Schaal, who gets some of the best oneliners and moments) believes he's been benched.

But when the 9 year old girl Sophie (Coleman, amiable without ever being too precocious)twigs they're operatives, she deploys blackmail to help her settle into her new school and life...

Sure, there's a story we've all seen here before - the mismatched adult out of their emotional depth, and the kid who's looking for a surrogate dad. But My Spy doesn't pretend to radically change the formula, only play up to it, and occasionally, openly mocking it.

Bautista uses some of the same skills as Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy and Stuber to reasonable comedic effect, but in among the pratfalls, and silliness of the wafer-thin story lies a fairly solid piece of family fare that offers a few unexpected laughs, a subtle Indiana Jones gag and a faltering slide into inevitable sentiment (but never mush).

Bautista and Schaal have elements of the Melissa McCarthy comedy flick Spy, but it's Coleman and Bautista's charming double act that may catch you off guard, even if none of it feels utterly original.

It may dip a little unevenly and lean a little heavily into its terrorism plot to power things forward, but charm gets My Spy a long way, and it never outstays its welcome.

Red Dead Online: Four New Showdown Maps, Plus Double XP in all Showdown Series

Red Dead Online: Four New Showdown Maps, Plus Double XP in all Showdown Series

Go Toe to Toe in New Showdown Maps
Double Rewards on All Showdowns Plus Daily Challenge Streak Rewards and More

Keep your wits and your blades sharp this week - Red Dead Online is introducing four new maps to the Showdown Series, each of which sees you armed with just a fistful of Throwing Knives at the round's outset. Keep an eye out for the Shotguns littering the map for a deadly edge in combat. Take part in this week's Featured series - or any Showdown Series - to earn Double XP through April 13th.

Overrun - Pike's Basin

A good, old-fashioned turf war in the arid climes of Pike's Basin. The rules are simple: Capture and retain the most territories to win. It's surviving and holding on that are the hard part

Spoils of War - Roanoke Valley

Just to the north of the Annesburg Mines, the great state of New Hanover plays host to a deadly game of capture. Defend your stockpile from enemies while stealing from them at the same time. Whichever team steals the most wins. Other players no longer appear blipped on the mini-map in this new Showdown map.

Plunder - Stillwater Creek

Take control of unclaimed loot in the long grass and murky waters of Stillwater Creek, returning it to your team's home base to outscore your rivals. Other players no longer appear blipped on the mini-map in this new Showdown map.

Up in Smoke - Kamassa River

The calm waters of the meandering Kamassa River are the backdrop for this frenetic and explosive mode. All players start out carrying a package -- the goal is to deliver said package to your enemy's camp without getting killed. Whichever team delivers the most or all of their packages by the end of the game will destroy the enemy base for good. Other players no longer appear blipped on the mini-map in this new Showdown map.

Look out for fresh maps hitting two more Showdown Modes in the next couple of weeks.

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

A portion of all proceed from Red Dead Online and GTA Online over April and May 2020 will go toward relief for those affected by COVID-19 – see here for details.

NBA 2K20 - New Exclusive Nike shoes for NBA 2K Gamers

NBA 2K20 - New Exclusive Nike shoes for NBA 2K Gamers

MyPLAYER Nation Playoffs Bring New Exclusive Nike Shoes for NBA 2K Gamers

New NBA 2K x Nike’s Gamer Exclusive limited-edition shoes are coming in time for the MyPLAYER Nation Playoffs.

While the official NBA playoff schedule is on hold, NBA 2K20 players will get a chance to compete in the MyPLAYER Nation Playoffs to earn limited-edition digital shoes for their online avatar*. You can read more about the partnership here.

The MyPLAYER Nation Playoffs will feature the top 16 teams on the NBA 2K20 leaderboards, with four exclusive colorways to collect and compete for. The first Gamer Exclusive shoe will be revealed later today, April 9, with challenges beginning on April 11 and in-game playoffs starting on April 18. The rest of the shoes will be revealed throughout the playoff season. Be sure to stay tuned to Twitter.com/NBA2K to see how to earn the shoes. 

For more information on NBA 2K20, please visit NBA.2K.com. 

After Life - Season 2 Trailer and key art debut

After Life - Season 2 Trailer and key art debut

AFTER LIFE SEASON 2

Created by and starring Ricky Gervais

AFTER LIFE returns to Netflix on 24^th April 2020 with 6 brand new episodes

Quote from Ricky Gervais:

"I was blown away by the reaction to season one. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it! It’s been truly heart-warming to see how the show has resonated with so many viewers on an emotional level. I can’t wait for everyone to see season 2 where hope is everything”

 About After Life S2:

Set in the small fictitious town of Tambury, the comedy-drama series follows Tony (Ricky Gervais), a writer for the local newspaper whose life is upended after his wife dies from cancer.

In series 2, whilst still struggling with immense grief for his wife, we see Tony try to become a better friend to those around him. Each grappling with their own problems and only to be intensified by the looming threat of the local newspaper being shut down.

Will the town’s local Am-Dram show lift everyone’s spirits?

AFTER LIFE is a Netflix original series from Derek Productions. The six-part series is created, written and directed by Ricky Gervais. Charlie Hanson is producer and Ricky Gervais and Duncan Hayes are executive producers.

Alongside Ricky Gervais, returning cast includes: Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey, Doctor Who), David Bradley (The Harry Potter series, Game of Thrones),  Ashley Jensen (Extras), Tom Basden (Plebs, David Brent: Life On The Road), Tony Way (Edge of Tomorrow), David Earl (Cemetery Junction, Derek), Joe Wilkinson (Him and Her), Kerry Godliman (Derek), Mandeep Dhillon, Jo Hartley, Roisin Conaty and Diane Morgan (David Brent: Life On The Road), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Eastenders). Also joined by: Peter Egan (Downton Abbey), Ethan Lawrence (Bad Education) and Bill Ward (Coronation Street, Emmerdale).

Playing With Fire: DVD Review

Playing With Fire: DVD Review

It's not just that Playing With Fire is bad, it's also that it's so excruciatingly bad that it extinguishes your will to get through its 95 minute run time.

From Nickleodeon, you'd expect this tale of a group of smoke jumpers, headed up by straight-laced Cena's Jake Carson, to be broad family fare. However, as this mix of Kindergarten Cop and unfunny flat oneliners proves, not everything Cena touches turns to comedy gold.

When Carson and his team rescue a group of three kids, headed up by Deadpool's Brianna Hildebrand, from a fire, they're forced to give them shelter in the firehouse for the weekend.

But the chaos of the kids in the big house causes untold issues for the uptight, emotionally stunted Carson and his compatriots. And it's further compounded when Carson finds his chance for promotion dangling in the balance.

Playing With Fire is a mix of sentimental with the silly, but unfortunately, none of it really gels together.

Slow mo shots of the firefighters early on give way to corny gags and a plot that's threadbare at best, non-existent at worst.

Sure there's the old trope of the emotionally stunted men getting in touch with their feelings, but none of it's presented well enough to be engaging.

From Keegan-Michael Key's over-emphatic No2 to Leguizamo's misquoting and My Little Pony watching firehouse chef, the film's desire to play silly and broad doesn't work, because the gags aren't amusing enough to anyone over the age of 5.

A lack of writing can't be substituted for what's needed within the film, and while Cena et al prove they don't care enough to debase themselves with what the script dictates, Playing With Fire is more an exercise in patience and tedium.

The problem is that the rewards for doing so just aren't nearly enough.

Jumanji: The Next Level: DVD Review

Jumanji: The Next Level: DVD Review

Jumanji: The Next Level is like any video game sequel.

It retains the core elements of what made the original popular, but tries to add in new elements to continue the franchise. In the second sequel to hit the Jumanji franchise, the gang returns to the game to rescue Spencer (Alex Wolff) who's been drifting and feeling lost since the first game concluded.

But this time around, Jumanji faces a new threat in the form of Rory McCann's warlord Jurgen the brutal - and it's up to Dr Bravestone and the group to save the day.

Essentially redoing the first film in many ways (even overtly in the movie's final third), Jumanji: The Next Level takes what works the first time around and retools it (only slightly though) for the sequel. Yet at times, the film feels like it's coasting by and repeating itself, only really allowing The Rock and Kevin Hart the chance to switch it up a little.

In fairness, the relationship between the two of them and the bickering banter works well as they put Danny Glover and Danny DeVito's warring oldies into the game, and giving Karen Gillan the chance to take the lead.

A couple of set-pieces impress with ostriches and mandrills, but in truth, the second is a repeat of the first, no matter how well Kasdan orchestrates them. The game may dwell on its body swap mentality, but the film this time around mixes up the avatars and brings in Glover, DeVito and Awkwafina's characters to relative comic aplomb.

However, the film's disjointed game level style plot tries awkwardly to inject a need for Hart and Johnson's characters to bicker and then try and make up, as the surprise of how and why the avatars work is out of the bag.

Ultimately, Jumanji: The Next Level is fun enough family fare, it offers enough reason to exist for the broad market it's trying to hit - it may not level up enough and will need to shake things up for the teased sequel. 

Sony unveils first look at DualSense controller

Sony unveils first look at DualSense controller

Sony has unveiled its first look at the PlayStation 5's controller.

The Dualsense aims to get more gamers physically feeling things as they use the DualSense, which Sony says will greatly heighten the sense of immersion, along with the console's audio innovations.

"We had a great opportunity with PS5 to innovate by offering game creators the ability to explore how they can heighten that feeling of immersion through our new controller," says PlayStation's Hideaki Nishino.

"This is why we adopted haptic feedback, which adds a variety of powerful sensations you'll feel when you play, such as the slow grittiness of driving a car through mud.

"We also incorporated adaptive triggers into the L2 and R2 buttons of DualSense so you can truly feel the tension of your actions, like when drawing a bow to shoot an arrow."

The DualSense has the following features -

Adaptive triggers on L2, R2 buttons
Haptic feedback
Share button is now a Create button
Built-in microphone
The touchpad has a new light bar
Rechargeable battery

“DualSense marks a radical departure from our previous controller offerings and captures just how strongly we feel about making a generational leap with PS5. The new controller, along with the many innovative features in PS5, will be transformative for games” - Sony CEO Jim Ryan

“To the PlayStation community, I truly want to thank you for sharing this exciting journey with us as we head toward PS5’s launch in Holiday 2020. We look forward to sharing more information about PS5, including the console design, in the coming months.” - Sony CEO Jim Ryan

There's no date yet for the launch of the PlayStation 5, though there is now speculation the console will be two-tone with the white and grey perhaps meshing the original PlayStation 1's colour scheme and giving it a white finish.

The console's expected to launch by Christmas 2020.

New cinema streaming platform Academy Ondemand launches

New cinema streaming platform Academy Ondemand launches

Academy Cinemas have announced the launch of a new streaming service, Academy OnDemand to continue bringing the best independent, foreign and classic titles to Kiwi audiences in a time Kiwis need it the most. 

Planning for Academy OnDemand has been underway for a number of months, but with Level 4 lockdown in effect, the streaming service’s launch has been pulled forward to ensure audiences appetite for high quality, independent film is being met. 

Academy Cinemas, the two time winner of Best Independent Cinema in New Zealand, have teamed up with a number of local film distributor partners to curate an online platform hosting a range of quality new release and classic titles for New Zealanders to rent. 

Key launch titles will include critically acclaimed local films Pecking Order, Waru and Vai. Best of Indie films will range from You Were Never Really Here, Under the Silver Lake and Support the Girls, and foreign titles will include La Dolce Vita, About Elly and The Tribe.   

Callum Freeman, Venue Manager at Academy Cinemas commented: “Even though our cinema venue is closed for now due to COVID-19 prevention, we’re so pleased to reassure our loyal customers that Academy is going nowhere. With the lockdown currently in effect, we’re thrilled to provide a quality selection of cinema for New Zealanders who want to see independent films and cinemas thrive, even from their own living room.”

Gorjan Markovski, Programming Manager at Academy Cinemas added: “We noticed there is a lack of independent and foreign films available to view on our local on-demand services, and it’s our hope that Academy OnDemand will help fill that gap. We’re really proud of the quality cinematic offering available for launch and hope indie-movie lovers around the country enjoy the new service.”

Academy OnDemand will be curated by the passionate team of cinephiles at Academy Cinemas, and will include a continuation of the cinemas popular ‘$5 Wednesdays’, giving customers the opportunity to rent recent titles at a discounted price. Pricing on the platform will vary from $4.99 to $7.99 to rent classic and recent release films for seven days. The Academy is also working to host premium films that are brand new to market and those will be priced according.

Local distributor partners include Vendetta, Umbrella, Rialto, Madman and Hi Gloss. The Academy team are working hard to add more distributors and additional films to the selection over the coming weeks.

Launch titles to include:

Critically-acclaimed NZ titles

Pecking Order

Waru

Vai

Next of Kin (classic)

Come to Daddy

Best of Indie Cinema

You Were Never Really Here

Under the Silver Lake

Support the Girls
The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Melancholia

Acclaimed Foreign Language Titles

La Dolce Vita (classic)

Parasite

The Tribe
Wild Goose Lake
Girl

Website 

https://ondemand.academycinemas.co.nz/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/academycinemas/

Neon Film of the Week - Booksmart

Neon Film of the Week - Booksmart

Neon NZ has a great new arrival in the form of Olivia Wilde's Booksmart.
Here's a review why it's well worth you taking the time to view.

A Neon promotional code was provided to allow the reviewer access to content on the NZ service.

Proving the girls can do it just as well as the boys (and even better), and staying remarkably fresh and vibrant from beginning to end pays great dividends for Olivia Wilde's Booksmart.

It's the story of Beanie Fedelstein's Molly and Kaitlyn Denver's Amy, two high school pals, who've nerded it up their entire time through high school to get to the colleges they wanted.

But upon discovering the lower achievers have also got into impressive colleges, Molly has a meltdown, fearing they've wasted their lives. So determined to cut loose at the end of year party, the duo decide tonight's the night.

However, the one big problem is they don't know where the party is....

It's tempting to categorise Booksmart as the female Superbad, but in truth, it's a lazy comparison.

Whereas McLovin et al set the tone for the genre, the one-last-blast-before-we-quit-high-school genre has been done to death.

Yet Booksmart, thanks to some impressive comedic performances, a zing of direction and a pumping soundtrack that boosts the energy levels throughout, barely falters at all.

Fresh without ever pandering, inventive without ever being cheap and just damn funny, the coming-of-age comedy gets the female touch - and even outdoes most of its competitors. (A drug trip is so excellently inventive, it genuinely surprises.)

Women leads that are relatable, people of colour and backgrounds all over the place and nary a male in sight makes Booksmart one of the genuine glass ceiling smashing comedies out there - without ever deliberately setting out to be "woke" or conform to a feminist agenda. It's in its own league, and as genuine to its protagonists and supporting characters as it should be.

Sure, there's the usual high school message about being true to yourself and suffering self-sabotaging, but thanks to its great leads' chemistry and comic timing, Booksmart is a whipsmart high school comedy that raises the bar substantially.

A Neon promotional code was provided to allow the reviewer access to content on the NZ service.

Final Fantasy VII Remake | Final Trailer

Final Fantasy VII Remake | Final Trailer

Final Trailer from Japan Showcases Memorable Moments and Beloved Characters

Featuring a number of jaw-dropping reveals and glimpses at scenes from throughout the full game, the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE Final Trailer is here.

The story of this first, standalone game in the FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE project covers up to the party’s escape from Midgar, and goes deeper into the events occurring in Midgar than the original FINAL FANTASY VII.

The world is under the control of Shinra, a corporation controlling the planet's life force as mako energy. In the city of Midgar, Cloud Strife, former member of Shinra's elite SOLDIER unit now turned mercenary lends his aid to the Avalanche resistance group, unaware of the epic consequences that await him.

Related Links:

Official Website: www.ffvii-remake.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finalfantasyvii

Twitter: https://twitter.com/finalfantasyvii

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finalfantasyvii/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/finalfantasy

#FinalFantasy #FF7R

This Week in GTA Online: Triple Rewards in the Arena War Series and Select Time Trials, Double Rewards in Premium Deluxe Repo Work, and More

This Week in GTA Online: Triple Rewards in the Arena War Series and Select Time Trials, Double Rewards in Premium Deluxe Repo Work, and More

Triple Rewards in the Arena War Series
Plus Discounts on the Arena Workshop and More

Head to South Los Santos this week and get threefold the benefits from the Maze Bank Arena's most notorious residency - it's Triple GTA$ and RP for the Arena War Series.

In Arena War, contestants do battle across nine different variations of automotive-based combat in an assortment of Arena Contender Vehicles, earning Arena Points to enhance and modify these rolling death machines via the Arena Workshop.

If you’re just starting out in this particularly brutal vehicular pastime, take advantage of this week’s 50% off discount on the Arena Workshop – your home base for storing and upgrading what’s available from the in-game ArenaWar.tv website.

Triple Rewards

To launch a Time Trial, set a waypoint to the marker on your in-game map and enter via the purple corona. Beat par time and you’ll be duly rewarded with Triple GTA$ and RP this week.

• Time Trial: Sawmill
• RC Time Trial: La Fuente Blanca

Double Rewards

Head over to Simeon’s dealership in Pillbox Hill or browse the Missions list in the Jobs menu to take on Simeon’s Premium Deluxe Repo Work, and earn 2X GTA$ and RP.

60% OFF Arena Sasquatch

Once you’ve got an Arena Workshop set-up, you’ll need some muscle, in the form of Arena Contender Vehicles. And this week, all three variants of the Arena Sasquatch are 60% off. Choose from the visionary Future Shock look, the ominous Apocalypse design, or the intimidating Nightmare variation.

Also on sale this week:

• 50% Off Arena Workshop
• 40% Off Invade & Persuade RC Tank
• 60% Off Ocelot Stromberg
• 40% Off RC Bandito
• 50% Off Grotti X80 Proto

Twitch Prime members who link their Twitch Prime and Rockstar Games Social Club accounts will receive 75% off all styles of the Arena ZR380 and MTL Cerberus. To ensure access to these and future benefits, make sure to visit Twitch Prime and sign up.

Look out for more details in the coming weeks on future updates to GTA Online, and head over to the Social Club Events page for all the latest special events, bonuses and discounts.

Check Rockstar Support for details and limitations.

A portion of all proceeds from Red Dead Online and GTA Online over April and May 2020 will go toward relief for those affected by COVID-19 - see here for details.

Life is Strange 2 | Demo announcement

Life is Strange 2 | Demo announcement

LIFE IS STRANGE 2 DEMO OUT NOW

Play the Free Trial and Carry Your Progress Into the Full Game

SYDNEY, 27^thMarch 2020 – SQUARE ENIX®, is pleased to announce a free demo of Life is Strange 2, the critically-acclaimed adventure game from the Life is Strange team at DONTNOD Entertainment and Square Enix External Studios, is available now.

The five stunning Episodes of this BAFTA award-nominated adventure tell the story of two brothers, 16-year old Sean and 9-year old Daniel Diaz, who have to flee their home in suburban Seattle after a tragic event that changes their lives forever. Further complicating matters is the manifestation of an exciting new telekinetic power that has far-reaching implications for Sean and Daniel and puts pressure on the relationship between them. Life will never be the same again.

“Life is Strange 2 is a narrative experience we are extremely proud of. We love Sean and Daniel, our new protagonists, and the socially relevant story of prejudice, loss, brotherhood and hope that this game brings to life,” said Jon Brooke, Co-Head of Studio at Square Enix External Studios. “We’re excited for everyone to have the opportunity to try it for themselves.”

Play the free demo now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The Complete Season of Life is Strange 2 is available now in boxed and digital editions on PC/Steam, PlayStation 4, and the Xbox One family of devices.

Borderlands 3 - DLC 2 Out Now

Borderlands 3 - DLC 2 Out Now

Borderlands 3 Add-on ‘Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock’ Is Out Now

The second expansive and story-rich campaign add-on for Borderlands 3 is available now, along with a free level-cap increase, new ECHOcast extension feature, free bonus weapon, and more

The engagement party celebrating the upcoming union of Sir Alistair Hammerlock and Wainwright Jakobs is now in full swing on the brand new ice planet Xylourgos! Borderlands 3’s second campaign add-on – Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock – is now available on PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Stadia.

Guns, Love, and Tentacles is the second of four campaign add-ons included with the Borderlands 3 Super Deluxe Edition and Season Pass. It’s also available to purchase separately, though you will need to own a copy of Borderlands 3 to play it. 

To view the trailer click the image below

As an honoured guest at this Lovecraftian engagement party, you'll have to fight back the forces of otherworldly evil if Wainwright and Hammerlock are to have their happily ever after. Luckily, the most badass wedding planner in the galaxy has your back: Gaige, a former Vault Hunter who’s inseparable from her robot BFF Deathtrap. And that’s not all:

• Explore multiple zones on the all-new planet of Xylourgos;
• Complete spine-tingling new story and side missions;
• Confront new enemies including alien beasts, mutated occultists, and formidable bosses;
• Add new Legendary Weapons, Class Mods, and other gear to your arsenal;
• Collect new Vault Hunter Heads and Skins, Vehicle Skins, and interactive Room Decorations.

In order to reach Xylourgos with an existing Vault Hunter, you’ll need access to Sanctuary III, the starship you unlock by completing Episode 5 of Borderlands 3’s main story campaign. When you’re ready to travel to Xylourgos, look for the invitation – highlighted with a yellow exclamation mark – in Hammerlock’s study. 

Alternatively, you have the option to create a new Vault Hunter and bypass the opening acts of the Borderlands 3 story so you can head straight to Xylourgos. If you have a campaign add-on installed and would like to play that content with a fresh Vault Hunter, select Play on the main menu, followed by New Game. You'll then be able to choose which storyline you want to jump into.

In addition to Guns, Love, and Tentacles, today also saw the release of some exciting content and features that are free to all players:

• Starting today, the new maximum Vault Hunter level is 57 (up from 53), as revealed on The Borderlands Show earlier this week;
• The Moxxtail ECHOcast Twitch extension event is now live, providing an innovative new way for fans to both interact with and support their favorite streamers;
• The recently announced Takedown Shakedown mini-event continues for one more week, with additional in-game events coming soon;
• Finally, all players who log in to Borderlands 3 within the next 30 days will receive a free steampunk-inspired weapon and weapon trinket through the in-game mail system. Be sure to log in soon to check out the Epic-rarity Short Stick SMG and Vapor Hoodlum trinket for yourself!

And just in case you missed the announcement earlier today, the Borderlands franchise is finally coming to Nintendo Switch™! Borderlands Legendary Collection arrives on the platform on May 29, 2020 and includes Borderlands: Game of the Year Edition, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Each game features local two-player split-screen co-op play and support for up to four players online.