The Wild Bore

NEWS: Xbox Loop/720/NextBox Updates

2012-01-29T02:42:00.000-08:00

Well there's a bit more information flying around the new Xbox system. Mainly that the AMD Radeon technology will be powering the graphics with a similar chipset to the 6670. Therefore it will have six times the raw processing power of the current Xbox 360 and will also make it faster than Wii U. Development kit should be with gaming companies as early as August.

The new Xbox console will also bite the bullet and play Blu-Rays, something it should be doing now anyway but doesn't want to admit total defeat by using a Sony product after the HD war between the consoles.

The big news is that this week it has been leaked that the new console will not allow you to play used games. There was talk an authentication code would be needed, or online verification. The seeds of this have been planted in games already but this really would be a shocking turn for gamers and something I think Sony should get behind the gamers on. It could give them the edge.

Also we're finally getting rid of the ridiculous Microsoft points system and going back to cold hard cash. I still to this day don't know how many points it is to the pound. It's a stupid currency that cheats gamers into thinking it's not real money that they are spending. Tut tut.

So there you have it, anything else people have heard that I haven't mentioned?

NEWS: The Office Spin-Off Series

2012-01-28T15:42:00.000-08:00

Seeing as the US Office has been getting progressively worse since Carrell left, it's good to see that they are willing to cut the old fat and try something new.

The series is going to be about Dwight and him going off to run his B&B on his farm. A lot of the cast's contracts end after this eighth season and it's been a pretty shit one to be honest.

The idea at the moment is that it will probably have one last ninth season, where halfway through Dwight will leave for the spin off. Nothing has been officially announced, but I think everyone knows that The Office is coming to a close, it's just not got any life left unfortunately.

REVIEW: Melancholia

2012-01-28T15:13:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite directors Lars Von Trier makes one of the most interesting and beautiful films of 2011 in what only can be described as a pre-apocalyptic masterpiece.

I won't babble on about how much I swoon over Von Trier films but his work has never been for everyone. It's often slow yet energetic, meticulous yet rough, controversial yet realistic and the main element being that he is never afraid, a character trait that means his intellectual and artistic methods shine through his work and Melancholia is proof of this.

The film on the surface is about a depressive young lady getting married and the subsequent arrival of a hidden planet on a one way course to collide with Earth. Dunst is quite stunning as the crying bride and Gainsbourg plays the loving sister perfectly with every actor in it, even Sutherland, giving their best performance that we've seen for a while.

The opening sequences, and a lot of the movie are treated like living paintings. The scenes at the beginning are apparently famous works of art and they have to be the most beautiful shots I've ever seen in cinema, something incredible from a Dogma Dane. The slowly deteriorating mental health of Dunst is a sad yet beautiful thing to watch, literally melancholia, she has a horrible mother, a strange father and a husband whom she won't allow herself to love.

However, as the planet moves towards them, Dunst makes it clear that in her mania there is clarity, that by being mentally unhealthy you are almsot invulnerable to anything because of your vulnerability. If you're at your lowest, then there's nowhere else to go, even if it is the end of the world. In the mounting chaos surrounding them, Dunst grows calmer and more logical whereas Gainsbourg gets panic attacks and doesn't know how to deal with the situation. The two of them switch places and Dunst has accepted her fate. Melancholia isn't anything you can run from - it will find you.

Everything here is perfect, the story and the characters as well as the subliminal messages about the economy, sexuality, fate, space, time and God all in one film about a wedding. Don't get me wrong though, this won't appeal to everyone and it is quite slow, sometimes a tough watch and often you just want things to move forward - however it is cinema as art and will stay in your mind for days to come. I can't believe how great Dunst looks either and, if you're bothered, you see her naked. Maybe just go see it for that.

Rating: 9/10

REVIEW: We Need To Talk About Kevin

2012-01-28T07:08:00.000-08:00

What happens when you really hate your kid? When he's an absolute monster? Could you still love him?

It's interesting to see a film that takes a book and completely makes it it's own creature. What I loved about this film is that it seamlessly blends in three completely different narratives. The present, the beginning of the family and the 'event' that has dictated the rest of all their lives. However, what is clear is that even though this is essentially about a mothers anguish in her abomination of a boy, it's also her attempt at dealing with her inner demons, the idea that all her faults, anger and issues have been personified into Kevin.

The director Lynne Ramsay who is largely unknown, does an incredible job of telling a moving story that Tilda Swinton relishes in. I've always thought she was somewhat overrated until this film, she really does truly shine and how she has missed out on even an Oscar nomination is beyond me. It's a harrowing tale that makes you wonder about the Catholic idea of Original Sin, if people are born evil, as Kevin's upbringing seems somewhat normal - why is it that he is such a monster? There's no real reason given to it, other than his relationship with his mother which is strange to say the least. Perhaps her hatred of him is just so clear that it twists him? Or perhaps it's some twisted Oedipus complex?

The main issue here is her realisation that she is the same as Kevin. They have the same habits, the same ideas, the same hatred for each other and it is something she can't face, herself. Is she as horrible as Kevin? The only way she can deal with it, is acceptance. She visits her boy in prison, not saying a word but refuses to leave town, she tries to live a normal life but resigns herself to her fate in misery and Hell.

The acting is superb, the script phenomenal and the story takes a subject that is very close to American hearts and shows a different perspective. This has to be every mother's nightmare and it kept me gripped throughout. Reilly was very strangely cast, but his friendly incompetence and lack of authority needed more focus, I also wished it could have been a bit longer. I wanted to see more about Kevin's life, what made him what he was. I also wanted more of Swinton's present life, that itself could have made for a more interesting film. Kevin is slightly too evil to be realistic, especially since this is something that someone would have picked up a long time ago, no matter how much he covers up. But still, great viewing and I'd say an essential watch.

Rating: 9/10

NEWS: Oscar Nominations & Why It's A Sh*t Year

2012-01-28T06:07:00.000-08:00

Oscar nominations below and my thoughts:

Best Picture
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"The Help"
"Moneyball"
"War Horse"
"The Tree of Life"

It's tough to go through this as I still haven't seen a lot of these films yet. However, I do think it comes between Tree Of Life and The Artist. Both have more artistic integrity and this is something that the Oscars will strive for. However, all the films here are quite predictable apart from Hugo, Scorcese's kids movie. Has anyone seen this?

Prediction: The Artist

Best Actor
Demian Bichir, "A Better Life"
George Clooney, "The Descendants"
Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"
Gary Oldman, "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Brad Pitt, "Moneyball"

I can't believe Clooney, the Oscar golden boy for his mock-independent films, will win again this year. I also think it's too much for Dujardin to win, instead it will be between Hollywood veterans Pitt and Oldman. It depends how Hollywood they want to go, but I would imagine Oldman as the older man and in such a well-respected piece of material will probably get the gold.

Prediction: Gary Oldman

Best Actress
Glenn Close, "Albert Nobbs"
Viola Davis, "The Help"
Rooney Mara, "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
Meryl Streep, "The Iron Lady"
Michelle Williams, "My Week With Marilyn"

I'd like to see Rooney Mara win this, but there is much more serious roles here. Close plays a man in Nobbs, and Streep practically plays a man in The Iron Lady but I can't help but think Viola Davis will get it - mainly as a nod towards the film rather than the acting.

Prediction: Viola Davis

Best Supporting Actor
Kenneth Branagh, "My Week With Marilyn"
Jonah Hill, "Moneyball"
Nick Nolte, "Warrior"
Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"
Max Von Sydow, "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close"

How Jonah Hill has got an Oscar nomination is beyond me, but then I haven't seen Moneyball so maybe it really is an Oscar worthy role. However, this time round I can't help but think Plummer will get it unless Sydow is amazing and I don't know it?

Prediction: Christopher Plummer

Best Supporting Actress
Berenice Bejo, "The Artist"
Jessica Chastain, "The Help"
Melissa McCarthy, "Bridesmaids"
Janet McTeer, "Albert Nobbs"
Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

God what a boring line-up, The Help I thought was actually offensive in its portrayal of the issue at heart and the rest are just so boring. So ...

Prediction: Berenice Bejo

Best Director
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Terrence Malick, "The Tree of Life"
Alexander Payne, "The Descendants"
Martin Scorsese, "Hugo"

It has to be Malick right? Allen could get it, but this is really the only interesting category as it could truly go any way. People love Payne and Scorsese might just steal it away, even though he won for The Departed not too long ago. If Hazanavicius won against such director heavyweights I'd be extremely surprised.

Prediction: Terrence Malick

Best Original Screenplay
Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris"
JC Chandor, "Margin Call"
Asghar Farhadi, "A Separation"
Michel Hazanavicius, "The Artist"
Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Bridesmaids"

In terms of the screenplay, I think Farhadi could pick this up for quite a heavily worded piece of work as opposed to comedy Bridesmaids (a simple nod to women in Hollywood), Hazanavicius (where it's a bit strange for a silent movie to win best screenplay) and the only real competitors I see are Allen and Chandor, but I think Farhadi will nip it.

Prediction: Asghar Farhadi 'A Seperation'

Best Adapted Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxton, Jim Rash, "The Descendants"
John Logan, "Hugo"
George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon, "The Ides of March"
Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian, "Moneyball"
Bridget O'Connor, Peter Straughn, "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"

Surely Aaron Sorkin can't win again? I think Tinker Tailor will nip it, it's amazing source material and translated to screen very well.

Prediction: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Best Animated Feature
"A Cat In Paris"
"Chico & Rita"
"Kung Fu Panda 2"
"Puss in Boots"
"Rango"

No idea. Puss In Boots?

Prediction: Puss In Boots

Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
Bullhead (Belgium)
Footnote (Israel)
In Darkness (Poland)
Monsieur Lazhar (Canada)
A Separation (Iran)

Ummm.... A Seperation?

Prediction: A Seperation

Original Score
"The Adventures of Tintin," John Williams
"The Artist," Ludovic Bource
"Hugo," Howard Shore
"Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," Alberto Iglesias
"War Horse," John Williams

Predictably, it's going to be Bource. Remember, they love The Artist

Prediction: Ludovic Bource

Best Original Song
"Man or Muppet," The Muppets; Music and Lyric by Bret McKenzie
"Real in Rio," Rio; Music by Sergio Mendes and Carlinhos Brown, Lyric by Siedah Garrett

Just two songs? Must be The Muppets.

Prediction: The Muppets

Best Achievement in Art Direction
"The Artist"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Midnight in Paris"
"War Horse"

Hugo looks like a lot of art direction has gone into it, I can't see War Horse doing much as it's not very original, but The Artist does actually look like a silent film and for that, it must win.

Prediction: The Artist

Best Achievement in Cinematography
"The Artist"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"The Tree of Life"
"War Horse"

Prediction: The Tree Of Life

Best Achievement in Costume Design
"Anonymous"
"The Artist"
"Hugo"
"Jane Eyre"
"W.E."

I have no idea really. Let's say ...

Prediction: Hugo

Best Documentary Feature
"Hell and Back Again"
"If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front"
"Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
"Pina"
"Undefeated"

Haven't seen any of them. Let's go by title.

Prediction: Undefeated

Best Documentary Short Subject
"The Barber of Birmingham: Foot Soldier of the Civil Rights Movement?"
"God Is the Bigger Elvis"
"Incident in New Baghdad"
"Saving Face"
"The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom"

Who knows?

Prediction: Saving Face

Best Achievement in Film Editing
"The Artist"
"The Descendants"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"

Prediction: The Artist

Best Achievement in Makeup
"Albert Nobbs"
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"The Iron Lady"

Prediction: Harry Potter

Best Animated Short Film
Dimanche/Sunday
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
La Luna
A Morning Stroll
Wild Life

Prediction: La Luna

Best Live Action Short Film
"Pentecost"
"Raju"
"The Shore"
"Time Freak"
"Tuba Atlantic"

Prediction: Time Freak

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
"Drive"
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"

Drive, one of the most amazing films for years, gets a mention for sound editing ... it's an absolute disgrace.

Prediction: Drive

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
"The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"
"Hugo"
"Moneyball"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"
"War Horse"

Prediction: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2"
"Hugo"
"Real Steel"
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
"Transformers: Dark of the Moon"

Prediction: Hugo

Overall, this year looks awful, it's all about The Artist and The Descendants really. For a years worth of cinema to be boiled down to this shows it's either an awful year for cinema or otherwise the Academy Awards needs a kick up the arse. I'd say we should do our own bloody awards and it will be a lot more on the money than this pile of shit.

Seriously, one Oscar nomination for Drive? The Oscars can fuck right off.

NEWS: Resident Evil 6 Trailer

2012-01-21T03:49:00.000-08:00

And it looks fucking amazing

NEWS: Xcom Trailer By People Who Brought You Bioshock

2012-01-21T03:40:00.000-08:00

2K games have released a trailer for their upcoming game Xcom, a remake of an old 1993 game about UFO's or something. Take a look and see what you think ...

NEWS: Sherlock To Be Remade in States

2012-01-21T03:36:00.000-08:00

Hit series to be made in US by CBS and renamed 'Elementary'.

I've never seen it, but people say it's good. Well it must be good enough to make an impression in America where instead of running around the streets of London, it'll be hitting the blocks of New York.

Robert Doherty, who I don't think too much of, will be writing it. Is this a good or a bad thing?

REVIEW: Paranormal Activity 3

2012-01-21T02:46:00.000-08:00

From the directors of Catfish comes a prequel after ... a prequel.

People who know me know how much I enjoyed the first Paranormal Activity, but the second one was terrible to say the least. However, it's somehow clawed back from the edge to give a somewhat entertaining film that does quite well.

It's tough to suddenly take over the third film of a franchise, especially with something like this. The parameters have already been established, people are returning on the basis of expecting something what they've already seen and already you've got to reach some expectations - especially since the first film was the biggest success story since Blair Witch. Luckily, to follow on from the appalling second film doesn't take much.

What makes this film appealing is that it carries a narrative of sorts, something that was loosely applied to the second film and merely mentioned in the first, this film tries to fill in some gaps but still give a good scare. The main difference here is that, different from the second one, the directors have fleshed out the characters a bit more and carried on with the idea that the entity is a metaphor for a deeper anxiety in the family, this being the stepdad's integration into the family. The clear difference however, is that in this one you kind of even 'see' the ghost, it's given a personality, a character and even a name.

The stepdad films weddings, which gives the idea of filming his family some kind of acceptable basis. They have even used the camera pans effectively to create some quite terrifying moments and the children, who are the main characters in 1 and 2, are actually quite convincing. The story as such was pretty good in that it explains a lot about the basis of the Paranormal Activity history, however it also takes away a bit from the whole 'it could happen to you' element that made the first one so popular, the less you know the better, but when number 2 had royally fucked that up anyway, you might as well try and give it some depth in the third one.

So, putting the story aside, how is it as a horror film? The answer is quite good, the suspense was chilling and the pay-offs were ok. I'm still a little bemused by the fact that the 'old' ghost looks like a little child or something, that it has moods and is around during the day. The idea is that this devil creature also spends more time with the children than the parents do, they even have fun together. In a way, this makes it slightly more terrifying and even slightly perverse. I didn't think this was anything amazing, but this was the best effort that I could imagine for a third in the series, and that has to be congratulated. For me, it still doesn't reach the heights of the first one, but it's a great effort and it's nice to see a film that returns to what horror is essentially all about, pure character.

Rating: 6/10

NEWS: Golden Globe Winners

2012-01-15T23:35:00.000-08:00

Some surprises here. The UK did very well and Downton Abbey proving that people do love a good period piece. The Artist did well but didnt quite clear the floor like people were thinking.

Also, is Homeland actually that good?

Matt LeBlanc? Seriously?

Anyway, have a look...

Best actress, mini-series or TV movie: Kate Winslet, Mildred Pierce
Best supporting actor, motion picture: Christpher Plummer, Beginners
Best mini-series or TV movie: Downton Abbey
Best TV series, drama: Homeland
Best actress, TV series, comedy or musical: Laura Dern, Enlightened
Best actor, TV series, drama: Kelsey Grammer, Boss
Best film score: Ludovic Bourse, The Artist
Best original song, motion picture: Masterpiece by Madonna (W.E)
Best actor, miniseries or TV movie: Idris Elba, Luther
Best actress, comedy or musical: Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn
Best supporting actor, TV series, drama: Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Best original screenplay: Woody Allen, Midnight in Paris
Best supporting actress, mini series or TV movie: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Best foreign language film: A Separation
Best actress, TV series, drama: Claire Danes, Homeland
Best actor in a TV series, comedy or musical: Matt LeBlanc, Episodes
Best supporting actress, motion picture: Octavia Spencer, The Help
Best director: Martin Scorsese, Hugo
Best TV series, comedy or musical: Modern Family
Best actor in a motion picture, comedy or musical: Jean Dujardin, The Artist
Best actress in a motion picture, drama: Meryl Streep, The Iron Lady
Best motion picture, comedy or drama: The Artist
Best actor in a motion picture, drama: George Clooney, The Descendants

Best Motion picture or drama: The Descendants

Golden Globes’ annual Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime of work in film and television: Morgan Freeman

REVIEW: Real Steel

2012-01-15T05:10:00.000-08:00

Rocky With Robots? Or More Like Scrapheap Challenge?

Very strange film this one. Imagine a sophisticated Robot Wars world, where basically the public want to see fights to the death, but without people dying, so what about huge mecha robots instead of humans? Well in this future world thats based on a novella from Richard Matheson (I Am Legend) is Hugh Jackman, a retired boxer who is stubborn, selfish and basically a bit of an idiot. His ex has died leaving him having to sign over the son he's never seen to his ex's rich sister. However, part of the deal is to take his son for the Summer while they enjoy a long holiday. Cue uplifting music ...

This isn't a film that's going to add anything new, but it takes a well tried formula and shows how something cheesy can still work. Jackman gives something which could easily have become quite stupid into something that actually has an emotion pull behind it. You can come away from this film thinking it's just a stupid action film, but I'd argue it's much more of a drama. Which doesn't help by being called 'Real Steel' - but then the title has a bit more meaning behind it. It's saying that you might be tough and think you have balls of steel, but it takes real balls to do something like look after a kid - to become in a way, selfless, that is real steel. Not that Jackman ever completely goes that far, but his transition from lone wolf to Dad is a good one - and it helps that there are massive robots along the way.

As for the robot, director Shawn Levy, known for some far from funny fodder like Night At The Museum, gives their scrapyard robot a heart. Hard for something that basically shows no emotion. However the robot is actually a metaphor for the heart and soul of Jackman. They find him as he is literally holding onto his son, saving his life. He is covered in dirt and memories of old robot boxers (much like Jackman's own past) and the son cleans him up, cares for him, makes him grow. The robot's child like innocence is also apparent in the way it copies actions, it's simple eyes, it's bowl-cut like hair/helmet, his ability to take a knock but not good at fighting back. His weakness is actually his strength. There is some hint that the robot can understand the son, but doesn't want to admit it, much like the way Jackman takes a while to admit to himself that he does indeed care about the son he's never seen. The robot is the true inner strength of Jackman and it's nice that this is acknowledged rather than a Michael Bay slugfest.

The most poignant scene for me was when the robot was left by himself, staring into the mirror - an extended shot that leaves the audience wondering if there is anything behind those blue eyes, be it fear or courage, it's hard to tell, it's literally a blank canvas for the audience to paint their own feelings on, if any. The robot becomes not only a sign for Jackman, but also a very real connection, albeit hobby, for him and his son to connect over. It's quite a touching film that's less about fighting and about their relationship, Jackman turning in front of everyone's eyes from irresponsible to responsible, all the while making it believable that this kid could be his own son. The end becoming literally him fighting for him.

Of course there are stupid moments, there's some awkward dancing, some one-dimensional enemies, a rather predictable and ridiculous Rocky plot - even for robot boxing, in addition to some unnecessary sub-plots. Also the fact you see the robot in the poster and trailers, you're just tapping your foot waiting for him to start using the robot you know he's going to use, which doesn't really happen until halfway through. But that just might be me. The robots actually look quite good and not too cartoony, still quite like Transformers, but in a good way.

Overall, I really enjoyed it and with something that could have easily gone so wrong, it's refreshing to see something that families can enjoy and that doesn't have the gooey syrup of family fodder poured all over it. At the same time, as much as I love robots and watching them fight, I'd rather just watch Rocky.

Rating: 7/10

REVIEW: The Ward

2012-01-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

After years of doing nothing, John Carpenter returns in a horror that's horrible for reasons that aren't good.

It's been a while since after the first 5 minutes of a film, I can guess the rest of it in what is the most boring, slow-paced unexciting horror film or 'psychological thriller' I've seen. The only thrill was when it was over.

This was the worst kind of film for Carpenter to return on. It's a simple, predictable narrative that is completely uninspiring and lacks tension. What Carpenter surpasses at is creating that tension and release, he's a maestro at it, he tries to summon it up here but unfortunately in uncreative, boring ways that lack any kind of satisfying result. There were probably two bits where I jumped but at no point was I scared and at no point was I enjoying the film.

The story is about a girl who has been put into a psychiatric ward after burning down a house, whilst inside the ward she starts seeing monsters and her (hot) friends in there start disappearing. What follows on is the clumsy, atypical horror-fare that Carpenter should be trying to distance himself from, instead he becomes a pastiche of himself. He wrote the rule-book on modern horror and follows it step by step, forgetting that there have been a million films like this since. His slow pace is something that I would normally like in his films but this time the slow transitions, the two dimensional characters and generally everything about this makes me want to kill myself.

There are a few positive things, Jared Harris being one. There are a few good ol' scares, but it's by no means scary. Amber Heard does her best as the protagonist but apart from that, there really isn't much to this film. It's watchable, but from one of the most distinguished horror directors around, this really could not be more of a let down, let's just hope he's finding his feet again before he wows us with a real comeback.

Rating: 3/10

NEWS: Tim Burton To Remake Pinnochio

2012-01-09T06:01:00.000-08:00

Tim Burton and Robert Downey Jr will probably ruin a Disney classic.

Nothing is confirmed yet but both are in talks with Warners to take on the project with Downey Jr as Geppetto. Not much else apart from that! The project has been ongoing for a while so let's see what happens. I imagine it will be an Alice In Wonderland affair.
Aka - shit.

NEWS: PS4 and New Xbox To Be Unveiled

2012-01-06T15:29:00.000-08:00

OK, so the picture on the left is just what someone thinks it might look like. However, it's been confirmed that Microsoft and Sony will unveil the next-gen consoles at E3 this year in June.

Bare in mind that it's been a long time since the current consoles were released in terms of gaming years (think of how far technology has come - the 360 was released in 2005!) so we should be getting something soon. People are suggesting that both of them will have DVR (as in being able to record stuff like Tivo or a Sky box) but when they are announced in E3, it's likely that it will just be an announcement that they ARE doing it, rather than details.

Fingers crossed that it really will be something incredible!

NEWS: The World Of Cronenberg

2012-01-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

Something very strange here in that the Canadian government are developing an interactive retrospective of Cronenberg's work as an Augmented Reality Game. If you don't know Augmented Reality is where you, through a screen, see the world around you ... differently.

Now Cronenberg can interact with the very world around you using this technology in a completely new way being described as 'stylised social media meets psychological-thriller gameplay'. It might be called Body/Mind/Change according to rumours and looks set to be released September this year. Click here for more info on the government website.

NEWS: 300 Sequel Announced

2012-01-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

300 sequel 'The Battle of Artemisium' has gone into development about a three day battle set during the same time as 300. Not much else to say about it apart from that! Let's hope Snyder comes back on board if he's not too busy.

TRAILER: ATM

2012-01-06T14:30:00.000-08:00

I have to be honest, ATM looks like it could possibly be the stupidest, worst film of all time. What do you guys think?

NEWS: Akira Film Cancelled

2012-01-06T14:03:00.000-08:00

One of the most anticipated movies to come about in recent years has had it's plug pulled. Say goodbye to Akira ...

We all hoped the live action version of Akira was going to be something to change cinema, much like the animated version did back in '88, however Warner Bros have decided to stop production and it now looks like it might never happen. It's not just about the money either...

Garrett Hedlund (Sam in Tron: Legacy) was the only person to sign on, but Brad Pitt was always connected to it amongst other high-profile names but a lot of rumours spread that it wasn't going to be one to please the fan boys. Apparently it was going to be a PG13, set in a 'New Manhattan' and be kiddie-friendly, Steve Kloves probably wasn't the best choice - the guy who wrote the Harry potter films, whom I HATE and who has also wrote the new Spiderman, which will of course be awful. So maybe it's for the best.

NEWS: Jeremy Renner In The Bourne Legacy

2012-01-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

Here he is. Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross in The Bourne Legacy.

The spin-off franchise promises that Bourne will not be in the movie at all, but instead take off in a new direction.

As Treadstone has died, a new program has taken its place. Albert Finney, Joan Allen, Rachel Weisz, Oscar Isaac and Edward Norton as the villain are to flesh out the cast. Tony Gilroy will take the helm (known for Michael Clayton more recently) and who has worked on the Bourne films in the past.

Renner has also been accused of being in a bar fight with 6 other guys in Thailand hospitalising one man and walking away unscathed. The next Bourne indeed.

NEWS: Benedict Cumberbatch In Star Trek 2

2012-01-05T04:45:00.000-08:00

Holmes is The Villain In Star Trek 2!

As well as starring as Smaug the dragon in The Hobbit, the cumbersome one is set to play the evil villain in Star Trek 2 which probably means it isn't Khan. Any ideas who he could be? Will it be a new villain entirely?

TRAILER: Pingu's The Thing

2012-01-05T04:37:00.000-08:00

Do you like John Carpenter's The Thing? It's one of my favourite ever films, and apart from perhaps Die Hard it's the film I've seen the most number of times. In any case, here's what would have happened if the events of The Thing would have occurred within the world of Pingu.

REVIEW: American Horror Story Season 1

2012-01-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

What happens when you take something amazing and really fuck it up? You get the first season of American Horror Story that's what.

When I began watching this, everything was in place. It had a lot of weird, freaky stuff, it mixed all those primal fears needed for a good horror; sexuality, physicality, commitment, family and the classic idea of 'home'. It was a melting pot of anything that has worked within the horror genre and it really felt like they were onto something.

However, as the series progressed it got worse and worse to the point where it was painful to watch. The main reason why is that it turned itself into a drama and slowly became void of anything scary as they constantly gave you backstory and explanations. Why did all these weird things happen? Don't leave it up to your mind to imagine what horrible things happened, leave FX and AMC to spell it out for you. They humanise absolutely everyone and everything and explain any 'secrets' of the house right away. For someone to explain constantly throughout the series why dead people come back is despairing. Also a lot of things don't make sense. Why are the ghosts all so bloody human? They have a chat, move around, argue, have a laugh and all sorts, yet what are they then doing when they are not swanning about? Want to know what's lurking in the shadows? Oh it's a scorned woman who is a bit upset and not very scary. It beggars belief, and not because it's supernatural.

I don't know why they decided to take it in the direction it went in, perhaps it's because all the Glee writers really had were ideas, and all they know how to write about is 'relationships', they lost the core to what made the series interesting, it went from a horror to a normal drama pretty quickly and without much respect for it's original viewers.

Saying that, it does have it's moments and it's worth watching the pilot at least just for enjoyment value. Jessica Lainge does a remarkable turn as the neighbour and is perhaps the true protagonist of the series, the sexy young maid is probably the hottest thing I've ever seen on TV and the title sequence is an admirable example of framing and sound. I just can't comprehend how it could fail so much to the point where I doubt I will watch the second series at all. The final episode was even stolen straight from Beetlejuice!

If you're a true horror fan and feel you can sit through the pain of the latter part of the series, then it might be worth a go, however if you're looking to sink your teeth into a new series then move on. It's a disappointment and is a good example of how writers lose their way, or perhaps how a studio never knows what they are doing. Whatever might be the case, something must have happened for it to go so wrong and so, well, boring. I can only hope they remember why they made this series in the first place and try and concentrate on the evil weirdness rather than the 'poor souls' trapped in a house because I don't care about whiny kids, mums missing their babies, the 'other' woman, the lovelorn freak or any of that stuff - I want to see some proper fucked up shit and until then, this can go straight to Hell. Literally.

Rating: 5/10

TRAILER: Casa De Mi Padre

2012-01-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

Will Ferrell stars in this Mexican comedy about a man living on his fathers farm that is in desperate need of saving. Have a look and see what you think. In my honest opinion, it looks awful, there's hardly anything funny about it!

NEWS: Girl With Dragon Tattoo Premiere

2012-01-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

Have a look below at the Premiere report from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, this is something new that we might be introducing, so would be good to hear your thoughts.

NEWS: The Last Guardian Postponed AGAIN

2012-01-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

As people who had pre-orders for the game find out that it's being postponed, we suddenly see that The Last Guardian might be in more trouble than we think. Customers have been offered money back or another pre-order, but the great worry is that the game might not be made at all.

Creator, and the most important figure behind Team Ico Fumito Ueda has 'vacated his position' leading speculators to believe it is either going to be cancelled or postponed indefinitely. Seeing as this game was announced in 2008 I believe, it's been a long time coming and no-one knows what's going to happen by the looks of it.