REVIEW: Nerve (15)

$200 to go to the city? Seems legit...

Social media – Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram and so on – is now all around us. Some of the generations of humanity remember a time when it didn’t exist – when people sent letters through the post, got birthday cards and a knocked on someone’s door to see them. They didn’t post a status, sent a “selfie” or followed them. Sometimes, because it’s so easily accessible, people think, that by posting something, it’s harmless. But you know what? Social media can be dangerous. And, it can make or destroy you depending on what’s posted. As a blogger and vlogger, I use social media every day to inform and discuss.

But not all of it is great. Sometimes though, something comes out and goes viral. And this could be a meme, a song, a video or… a game. Such examples include Candy Crush, Farmville (am I showing my age here?), Clash of Clans or, more recently, Pokémon Go.

Nerve is a movie all about the above.  Set in the near future, an unknown conglomerate of hidden persons known as the Watchers create a game called Nerve. A cross between Twitter, YouTube and truth or dare, Nerve is a game whereby you can either be a) a watcher or b) a player. If you are a watcher, you pay to watch the constantly streaming show. Apparently it’s $19.99 for 24 hours access which is expensive, I reckon. Anyway, as a watcher you can like the people who play, recommend dares for them to do and post comments as they are doing the dares. If you decide to become a player, then you play Nerve – where you are given a dare to do and if you carry it out you get more likes and a financial reward; but the dares get increasingly stupid or dangerous, but the money goes up. The top liked people get to a “final” where the winner gets to walk away with loads of money, fame and probably a fan club. The players are always being videoed and stalked by the viewing public, and to complete a dare the player has to record the dare on their individual mobile phone or similar. Also, you get quite famous so I guess you could see the appeal.

Now, after explaining all that, young lady Venus (who is known as Vee in the movie cos she’s cool and never uses her full name) is a plain, boring, non-stand out, book reading, non-risk taking young lady. Loving her photography hobby (especially of taking photos of the local football team and one guy in particular) and keeping in the background, she is overshadowed by her best frenemy and Nerve player, Sydney (Emily Meade). Sydney is an interesting character but is someone I think the film wants you to feel sorry for but she is written in a way that is hard to like.

When the gang get together at a local fast food chain, Sydney states that Vee (Emma Roberts) should be a bit more risk taking as you only live once and what have you. Vee is dared by the group to go over to talk to said football blokey but is too shy to do so, so Sydney goes over instead to ask on her behalf. Football boy replied that she’s not his type (he’s stupid – she’s stunning) and this breaks Vee’s heart and she runs for home, both upset at finding his feelings out but also angry at Sydney. In a not quite clear motivation (is it because of her getting back at Sydney or does she want to prove she’s brave or both) she signs up for Nerve and becomes a player.

What follows is a thrill ride backed by a techno soundtrack (which is actually quite good) and outlined in neon. Playing the game of his own accord but crossing paths with Vee is Ian (played by Dave Franco of Now You See Me fame) and both actors have a great rapport with each other. As Vee’s dares start off fairly easy she is knocking them back like no-ones business and is coining it in. But when things start to take a turn for the sinister she breaks the games rules by trying to get the police involved and finds there are not only watchers and players but a third option - prisoners of the game too. How is that for a cautionary tale?

Featuring Juliette Lewis as Vee’s mum as a nice surprise, Nerve is an original, tense action thriller which could have been rubbish but is actually really, really good. The scariest thing about this movie is that it’s so well written that this situation is so close to reality that the scary thing is, this could actually happen.

POPSCORE 8/10

What am I talking about? Nerve movieWhere can I find out more? http://www.playnerve.com/
If you liked this try: Unfriended, Crank, Don't Breathe, Scream 4

Anything else?

Emma Roberts and Emily Meade both starred in a movie called "Twelve" but neither of them shared any scenes.

REVIEW: The BFG (PG) - 3D Version

"The sun always shines on BFG" - The BFG could be an A-Ha fan...

Legendary director Steven Spielberg and award winning actor Mark Rylance find themselves working together once again in the live action remake of Roald Dahl’s classic novel, The BFG. Starring Rylance as the titular character and relative newcomer Ruby Barnhill as the matter-of-fact, insomniac orphan Sophie, The BFG is a gigantic fantasy adventure for all ages.

Based on the bestselling book from the Dahl archives, The BFG is all about orphan Sophie who wanders around at night in an orphanage because she cannot sleep. One night she is distracted by noises outside and inadvertently sees a gigantic man tiptoeing through the streets. In order to keep his existence secret he pretty much kidnaps her and takes her to his home in Giant Land (somewhere a little further north than the Outer Hebrides) and keeps her in his house. After somewhat of a Stockholm Syndrome situation (or as the film portrays it an unlikely friendship blossoms between the two) the Big Friendly Giant and Sophie explore issues that include being so small in a big world and how to deal with bullies.

Fantastical in the classical sense, The BFG is at times silly and over the top but it somehow fits in with the movie and the sort of whimsical far-fetched imagination a child would come up with. It makes me think that, for all an adult’s imagination is limited by sense and the laws of the world, a child’s is not tied down by logic and a background of reality. Anything can happen, even if it doesn’t make sense or is over the top. The BFG is like this – it thinks nothing of going to see the Queen or calling in an army to help with bullies – this is fantasy at its up most.

The giant’s world is breathtakingly done, as we see it from Sophie’s perspective and some of it (especially in 3D) is overwhelming making you feel as small as Sophie is. Not only that, but he might be a Big Friendly Giant, but in comparison to his people, he’s actually little.

Overall the film is quite good, staying true to the book. Rylance does a great job at creating a loveable character – sad in some respects but wise in others. Even his confused and muddled language is brilliantly performed and I give top marks for his acting skills. Barnhill, as Sophie, is great as the sassy little girl and the dynamic between the two is brilliant. Elements of the movie, especially when the both go out to explore and catch dreams is clearly influenced by such classic literature as Alice in Wonderland, and the effects and experience is great to watch too. There’s a few flaws here and there and questions to be asked (like there’s only so many giants on the land, but why are they all broad cockney and the BFG sounds like he’s from Cornwall or something) but overall an enjoyable kids movie.

The BFG is out now at all good cinemas.

POPSCOTTLE: 7/10

What am I talking about? The BFG movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.thebfgfilm.com/showtimes

If you liked this try: James & The Giant Peach, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005), Alice in Wonderland

Anything else?

This is, of course, based on the book by Roald Dahl, who also wrote other books including Matilda, James and the Giant Peach and The Twits.

Steven Spielberg and Mark Rylance worked together on this movie as director and starring actor respectively - and, in 2015, both worked the same on the Tom Hanks fronted Bridge of Spies (which I reviewed here).

My favourite gourmet popcorn brand, Joe & Seph's released a limited edition Frobscottle flavoured popcorn to celebrate the release of this movie. A sharp blend of caramel, mint and raspberry it was certainly an interesting flavour!

BYTE: Awesome August

I'm Paul ... and this is Paul & The Popcorn...

Welcome to an Awesome August - and I hope it is so for all of you!

I'm continuing  my YouTube site and I've started doing unboxings - check me out - for July's Nerd Block on my YouTube Channel and if you'd like to see my Loot Crate unboxing here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDPt2bBqZHQ.

The big news this month is Suicide Squad comes out today (5th August) however it's getting not so good reviews - I'm gonna go see it and make my own mind up.  To keep in with things, Batman V Superman came out on DVD too so that's my monthly intake of superheroes then!

I'm feeling a lot better so we will be having more updates - and don't forget to follow me on Twitter on @paulandpopcorn for up to the minute ramblings and chat - and feel free to contact me to talk about films and geeky stuff and that.

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the usual selection of games, rather than list them I've included the link that's in blue. However, as this links to the current games, if you click the link it is the current games available and maybe not what's available now. Remember though that all the Xbox games have limited availability and are yours to keep once you have purchased them. However, some are only available at the beginning of the month, some at the end and some longer than that. Generally though, there are some games for the first two weeks and then a different set two weeks after, so you need to move quickly.

Every Xbox 360 game that is featured on Games With Gold from now, is now backwards compatibly with Xbox One which means the Xbox 360 games above WILL work on your Xbox one. They are adding new games all the time, so keep checking to see if you can use any of those old 360 games again on your shiny new Xbox One.

>  PSN: PS Plus this month has another selection of games but usual rules apply in that if you stop your subscription those games'll stop workin'. I know this to be true because it has happened to me. However, simply subscribe again and poof! by magic they work again. Also, this is the link to where to download the games, which means that although there's a certain set this month, if you click the link next month there will be different games on offer - so get in while you can. 

Speaking of PlayStation - the PlayStation VR comes out in October - exciting times! I must get to try this and see what all the fuss is about.

As always we have Loot Crate and Nerd Block unboxings to look forward to...

...AND Marvel Collector Corps is coming in August!

It's time to go now but -  I'll see you soon. 

Keep being awesome!

Until next time

Paul

Ps. The links for Nerd Block and Loot Crate above are affiliate links as I have affiliate links with both boxes. However, although I am a fan of them, I will tell my opinion on what I think of them bad or good.

REVIEW: MOVIE BLAST: Now You See Me & Now You See Me 2

Now You See Me

Louis Leterrier’s 2013 movie Now You See Me is part bank heist movie, half thriller.  Four struggling magicians (each with a unique talent) are recruited by mysterious business man, Arthur Tressler (Michael Caine) to become the greatest magical quartet of all time. Also starring Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Mark Ruffalo, Morgan Freeman and Jesse Eisenberg, this movie certainly has star power.

The magicians become The Four Horsemen and become famous after a massive show becomes wold renowned after a spectacular bank heist – and the proceedings go back to the audience in true Robin Hood style (i.e. rob from the rich, give to the poor). After they turncoat on their benefactor at the second act and steal his money to give to the audience (themselves victims of their benefactors company), the FBI are on the case. Mark Ruffalo plays an FBI detective who joins forces with Interpol’s French female officer, Alma Drey (Melanie Laurent). Always one step ahead, The Four Horsemen are planning their biggest show yet. Meanwhile, their antics attract the attention of Morgan Freeman, who is hot on their tails too – to create a multi-faceted storyline and a surprising conclusion.

Full of funky magic tricks, action and excitement, NYSM is a great watch and has a good twist at the end. The cast is fantastic and kept me watching ‘til the credits roll – but stay because there’s another bit in the middle. My only concern is that they did not spend very much time on the Four Horsemen themselves, and this would be nicer as they seemed to have a good comraderie and I think it would have been interesting to see more about them. A great movie.

POPSCORE: 8/10

Now You See Me 2

Now You See Me 2 is once again more of the same from (just about) the same cast as the first one, with the replacement of Isla Fisher with Lizzy Caplan as the sassy Lula, the newest member of the Horsemen. They talk away Fisher’s absence assigning the reason to a falling out with Jesse Eisenberg’s character Atlas – and introduce Caplan’s character as a fan of the Horsemen who wants to be part of the gang with her unique magic tricks too. However, I don't know about you, but surely they missed a trick - this film should have been called Now You Don't.

It’s more of the same story too, set around 18 months after the events of the last movie.  The Horsemen are brought out of hiding to perform a show to bring down a tech magnate and it gets all very Mission: Impossible meets Ocean’s Eleven (or Ocean’s Four or Five in this instance) and leads the viewer on a path through some mind-blowing magical tricks with some action and adventure thrown in the mix.  However, the magical tricks the team use are verging on them actually having superpowers and are a little less believable than the previous film, but it’s still fun none the less.

Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe, also appears in this movie and, although he is sporting an impressive beard, he still seems very Harry Potterish. This is even to the extent that Woody Harrelson describes him as some sort of man-boy in one scene. Speaking of Woody Harrelson – his performance in this movie is fantastic and makes an already great movie even better – especially when we are introduced to his twin brother Chase (who is also played by Woody Harrelson… with hair!).

So yes, I really liked this movie and I would love them to make another sequel – it could be a franchise as I think there’s plenty more to go from here. Ruffalo, Caine and Freeman return with their characters too and, although the ending is nowhere near as twisty as the first movie, it leaves it open for another part to come. There’s only a few niggly bits with this movie – including unforgiveable continuity errors, but watching it for what it is – a bit of fun and excitement with a bit of ooh-ing and ahh-ing thrown in – makes this a magical show worth a watch.

POPSCORE: 8/10

REVIEW: Independence Day: Resurgence

We will not go quietly into the night...

In the current climate of reincarnating and rebooting beloved movies, 1996’s seminal disaster movie Independence Day gets a sequel 20 years later – and probably at least 15 years too late. Original director, Roland Emmerich (Hollywood’s go-to guy for disaster movies) wants a piece of the reboot pie – and brings back (most of) the original cast and some new characters to the fore. However, it seems that to make a sequel, Emmerich thinks that by hiding a very weak (and convenient) story behind mindboggling special effects, a blockbuster it will make.  To a certain extent and to a certain type of audience this may well be true, but for the rest of us, we have a weaker sequel desperately out of time, hanging onto the coattails of a ground breaking original.

I loved the first movie and using talent like Will Smith, Jeff “The Goldblum” Goldblum and Bill Pullman was brilliant as they are all fantastic actors. Sadly, Will Smith doesn’t reprise his role as we are suggested to that his character has been killed in a test flight and is no longer part of the team. However, those who are disappointed in this can be rest assured that they have cast a suitable replacement as his son – who is basically a cardboard cut-out likeness of a younger Smith but without the sass and Smith-ness that we come to expect from him. However, we could have had Jayden Smith as the heir to the character, but based on his previous performances in other movies I think we dodged that worry.

New cast members are younger, as if taking the reins from Goldblum and co. and such whippersnappers include Liam Hemsworth. He heads up the next generation, fresh from the Hunger Games and does a good job. The remaining young ‘uns are all there to tick off boxes really – token black guy (the Will Smith dude), hot Chinese girl for the geeky sidekick and the girl who becomes the love interest for Liam’s character. Goldblum and Pullman reprise their roles and great comic relief from Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Brent Spiner add some gravitas and links to the previous film, but although it goes some way to smooth the ride, it’s still not enough to let it stand aside its predecessor.

The story goes that 20 years on, Earth has learned to put aside its differences after winning the war against the aliens – and we have been using their technology to bolster earth should they return (which Goldblum is convinced they will). As we need something to happen in the story, of course, they come back! However, the technology is better and we are again in a hopeless situation – and what follows is what you would expect – and that is where the film isn’t as good as it could have been.

The biggest problem is that the movie is a basic paint by numbers of a disaster movie/sci fi invasion movie with overwhelmingly convenient moments to help the main characters out.  And, like previous Emmerich movie 2012, the characters face certain doom on multiple occasions but the 1% chance of survival ALWAYS comes through. As a result you are left with an ‘on the edge of your seat’ style movie without the tension because you know the characters will always survive. It also has an undercurrent of patriotism and a little bit too much of “yay, America” -this sentiment might have worked in the 90’s but the world has moved on from such isolated views (maybe).

Overall though, even though it has its faults, it’s an enjoyable sci-fi/action adventure – a bit predictable but very exciting even so. Worth a watch, I reckon.

POPSCORE: 7/10

What am I talking about? Independence Day: Resurgence movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/independence-day-resurgence
If you liked this try: Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012 (oh hang on they are all Roland Emmerich movies ain't they?), Mars Attacks, San Andreas

Anything else?

Will Smith isn't in this one, though you might see his picture on the wall of the White House.

REVIEW: Warcraft : The Beginning (12A)

Legendary MMORPG computer game World of Warcraft hit’s the silver screen albeit a little bit later to cash in on its heyday a few years ago. Firmly planting itself as the go-to guy for fantasy movies (in the gaping hole left by The Hobbit trilogy), Warcraft: The Beginning features more CGI than (probably) the game itself, and has plenty of little nods and nuances to the game if you’re a seasoned player. However, it tries to cram as much as it can into its decent runtime and leaves the casual viewer slightly perplexed and thinking that it’s not as good as Lord of the Rings.

My alarm bells started ringing when I saw the trailer for this movie – ages ago, and since then I’ve probably seen it a hundred times to the point I started to get sick of it. A concern of mine is that many movies release a couple of different content trailers to whet the appetite of potential cinema goers – but the trailer for Warcraft never changed so we never saw anything new. I’m not sure if the person who made the trailer was so proud of it they never wanted to change it – but this wasn’t a good sign – I mean surely there were some more good parts to the movie we could get to at least see more than the orcs and the same dialogue over again. However, even though I had reservations, the movie wasn’t as bad as I expected.

Warcraft: The Beginning promises that there will be a sequel purely from its tag line – and if they make Warcraft: The Middle and Warcraft: The End then I think I will boycott them. However, it’s also seriously sassy to assume that there will be a sequel regardless. I guess Blizzard could probably afford to make another even if this one bombs since they have a best-selling game on their hands.

I am not an avid Warcraft player, though I have dabbled in it, and I’m not very familiar with the lore of Warcraft either. I have played other MMORPG’s but not spent enough time with the characters of Warcraft to be familiar with them. As a result, some of what I’m about to tell you I have been told by others, so if it’s incorrect or slightly out, I apologise in advance.

The movie starts with some weird necromancer Orc person (think a dodgy Emperor Palpatine) who has been sucking the life out of the world in which he lives with other Orcs and as a result the world is dying. He decides to open a portal to another world and decides to take over it using his army so he can continue to get power and continue to live. Meanwhile, top dog Orc, Durotan, takes umbrage at this, and wants to protect “his people” and starts a mini uprising within the ranks as he knows that this Necromancer Orc is bad news.

Durotan is not the only person to not be happy about this impending invasion. The humans on the other side of the portal aren’t happy about this evasion either. King Llane Wrynn (Dominic Cooper) gets wind of this through Khadagar, who was once a really good wizard, but for story purposes isn’t now. Arranging an army to tackle this head on, the Guardian, Medivh (who I would describe as a poor man’s Gandalf) and Anduin Lothar (Wannabe Aragorn) join forces to help their king against this oncoming Horde. However all is not what it seems – some alliances are forged, some friendships are broken, and there’s a green baby somewhere involved in proceedings.

The king, played by Dominic Cooper, seems legit, but doesn’t have the feel of power or clout you would anticipate with a king and looks a bit too pretty in his armour to be taken seriously. The grand Guardian looks like he should be in a rock band, and is too young to be an awesome wizard he is supposed to be. The only characters who hold any defining characterisation are the wannabe Aragorn, the turncoat orc and a half human/orc fighter woman, Garona (Paula Patton). Even so, they seem to be woefully under developed, especially human/orc woman who could have been used so much better than she was, even though she is literally two letters away from actually being Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy – with funky teeth.

Overall this movie is a special effect laden movie that is a decent fantasy movie that holds extra value if you are a Warcraft fan but can be a bit confusing if not. However, it’s called Warcraft: The Beginning for a reason, so expect some more soon. Lord of the Rings for the gamer generation; this movie is a decent stab at the fantasy genre but is far too paint by numbers fantasy to be considered a classic. Fans of the game will enjoy the nods and Easter eggs hidden or referenced in the movie, but for the casual movie goer it's a medi-Orc-re fantasy flick that'll make up for the lack of new Lord of the Rings movies. Not bad.

POPSCORE: 7/10

What am I talking about? Warcraft: The Beginning movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.warcraftmovie.com
If you liked this try: The Hobbit trilogy, Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Mummy trilogy

Anything else?

Warcraft: The Beginning is based on the World of Warcraft MMORPG, and includes characters, places and spells from that games lore

REVIEW: Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie

Kate Moss is CHANGING HER PR! 

After Dad's Army (previously reviewed on this site) the next uber popular TV series to get the movie revival treatment is Jennifer Saunder's classic British sit-com, Absolutely Fabulous. For the fans of the show it's more of the same, but for everyone else that's where it stays.

The movie starts with Edina Monsoon living the high life in London in a posh house resplendent with a swimming pool and swanky décor. However, she falls on hard times when her sources of revenue dry up and now needs some money desperately. When eternal best friend Patsy arrives to cause her usual chaos, comedy ensues. Older and less wiser, the infamous duo hatch a plan when Patsy finds out supermodel Kate Moss needs a new PR person. Believing she is right for the job, Eddie goes to the do and tries to speak with Kate. As usual chaos ensues and she knocks Kate off the ledge she was sat on and into the Thames below. After a frantic search Kate is nowhere to be seen, and believing her dead, Eddie has the finger pointed at her for what happened. Cue a movie that involves escaping to a foreign country (France actually) as these two go on the run.

The story is simple and the movie is peppered with the great and the good from both the fashion industry and British TV - and nearly every scene has a cameo in it. It's great to see Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones Brianne/Capt. Phasma from Star Wars) as her original talent at being a model (even someone shouts out that there's Brianne from GoT!) and other people besides.

Absolutely Fabulous was a great innovative TV show in the 1990's and I watch many of the episodes. This movie is just like an elongated episode with a bigger budget but the similar premises and characters. Although it is generally amusing, there weren't many laugh out loud moments and I felt that some of it was a bit too daft. It seemed like something Jennifer Saunders had to do - and it felt like she just got all of her famous friends together to have a laugh without anything too deep or meaning full. The best parts are where Patsy (Joanna Lumley) leads everyone astray and you are never sure what she will do next.

Overall, it is mildly amusing and has some great cameos, but the TV series is much better.

Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is out at all good cinemas now

POPSCORE: 5.5/10

What am I talking about? Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie movie
Where can I find out more? http://www.absolutelyfabulousthemovie.co.uk/
If you liked this try: Absolutely Fabulous (TV Series), Bridesmaids, anything by Reeves & Mortimer

Anything else?

Dawn French appears on a TV show in the film, and she used to work with Jennifer Saunders as comedy duo French & Saunders.
Rebel Wilson (Fat Amy from Pitch Perfect) plays an air hostess in the movie - and is absolutely hilarious.