REVIEW: Sense8 (18) (TV Series - Season One - Netflix)

Netflix are going the right way to become some sort of TV power house. They are investing in making their own TV shows – but not wobbly cardboard backgrounds with silly scripts and dodgy acting, oh no! These can take on the likes of ITV, Sky, ABC, CBS or whatever. Dubbed as ‘Netflix Originals’ these shows are becoming hits in their own right and are becoming household names. Shows such as House of Cards, Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul and Marco Polo (oh yeah and Orange is the New Black) there seems no sign of them stopping. They’ve recently sided with Marvel too – and are now are releasing shows like Daredevil and the soon to be broadcast AKA Jessica Jones. However the latest fanfare approach is the ‘Netflix Original’ Sense8 by the Washowski siblings and, you know what? It’s actually pretty good.

So many times we have a show or movie where there is a fantastic idea and it’s executed so badly that the piece of inspiration that grew it struggles to develop. Well, you’ll be pleased to know this is not the case here.  

Sense8 is about a set of 8 individuals who are vastly different and live in different parts of the world. However, they can all share the same consciousness. One of the other 8 can either appear next to the other – in which case appear a bit like Al in Quantum Leap. This means that they can communicate and chat with the other person but no one else can see them. If an onlooker sees them talking it looks like they are talking to themselves. Alternatively they can inhabit their body and thereby gaining the skills of the other person to allow them to achieve a goal or do something cool.

Scattered across the 8 are all in different situations. We have a cat-burglar called Wolfgang in Germany, a closeted Mexican gay actor who is in a relationship with a man, but has a public persona as a ladies man. There’s Riley, a young DJ of Icelandic descent based in London, Will (a police officer in San Francisco), Sun (a Korean business woman who is particularly talented at kickboxing) and Nomi, a trans woman in a relationship with another woman. The final two are a black African man in Kenya who is constantly searching for medicine to treat his mum suffering from HIV and finally, but by no means least, an Indian girl who is due to be married and is a chemist. All 8 eventually meet and when they do it is to fight a bigger force at work. It is then that all of their skills come into play. For example, the guy from Kenya is under attack by the town crime boss and the Korean kickboxer goes into his body and fights all of them on his behalf, even though one is in Kenya and one is in Korea. Who needs FaceTime?

As a creative writer myself, I have thought about this whole mind melding storyline before but it was only with 2 people in a relationship. But to take 8 very different people and meld not only their minds but the story is a big ask and they do it very well. Merely explaining the people who are in this show is madness – what an operation to try and get the locations and actors all together to do this – it’s ambitious to say the least! All of the characters mentioned above are (in the main) played by real life actors of the nationality or situation. They guy who plays Wolfgang is actually from Germany. The trans woman is actually played by a trans performer, etc.

I loved this show – it’s great, creative and the characters are great, The acting is good, the stories are engrossing and it’s such a fresh new idea. However, I found it very slow to begin with and it doesn’t really pick up until about episode five. When they are all working together in the later episodes you can see how great this programme could be.

The Washowski’s have been riding on the coat tails of The Matrix for many years now – and like this, was a work of genius. However the Matrix sequels and some of their recent endeavours have been met with poor critical reception. Cloud Atlas was okay, Jupiter Ascending was good but not right, and let’s not mention Matrix 3. Just don’t.

If you have Netflix, it is worth a watch and I eagerly await season two. Well done Washowski siblings. Well done Netflix. Keep it up.

POPSCORE – 9/10

What am I talking about? ‘Netflix Original’ – Sense8 (TV Series)Where can I find out more? https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/80025744

Anything else?

This first season features 10 episodes and all are available on Netflix now. However, you do have to be a subscriber to get this.

REVIEW: Inside Out (U)

For people of a certain age (by this I mean my age give or take a few years either side) there was a comic strip in the British kids comic The Beano called The Numbskulls. They were jelly bean shaped creatures with arms and legs and lived in the head of people and they would work together to operate the human body. I guess for the following generation you could say it was a bit like a Mech robot with a pilot or two but in a more organic way. For those of you familiar with either or both of these references – this is what Inside Out is kind of like. For those who don’t know what I’m talking about – read on. In fact just read on regardless because I need to tell you a bit more.

Inside Out is Pixar’s latest offering and is based around a young girl of around 11 years of age who is quite happy with her life. Then everything gets turned upside down (as opposed to Inside Out) when her father gets a job and they have to move from the leafy countryside to municipal surroundings of none other than San Francisco.  A simple story you may assume – but this story chronicles the effect it has on this little girl called Riley – in particular from an emotional stand point in ones head. Inside our heads (according to the movie) we have a set of fuzzy creatures that represent some emotions – Joy (glowing, radiant and ever optimistic), Sadness (who’s always feeling (and looking) blue), Fear (who’s always wanting to run away), Disgust (‘nuff sed) and Anger. All of these work together to create Riley’s mindset and, after a whistle stop introduction of human developments (and how these mind creatures appear and develop) they throw our heroine into this situation and this is where the film really gets going. A large potion of emotion, six helpings of imagination and a side of light comic relief in the form of Bing-Bong (Riley’s imaginary friend from when she was little) round off a thought provoking emotional journey of a movie.

I really liked this one and it really made you think. The trailer (of which I have seen a number of times) suggested that we would be bouncing around heads – as we saw her mam and dad talking at a dinner table – but really this visiting of other people’s heads is rare and mainly done for a contrast or for comic effect.  Some of this movie is inspired – and it’s so creative it nearly deserves it’s own genre. This film could easily have been terrible – and it’s a very tough subject to do right. I believe they did well. It would have been so easy for some sort of combat between an emotion like Joy (as a kind of superhero) and, say Sadness (a kind of supervillain) to fight in her head to represent some sort of internal monologue and how the girl would react outwardly. Instead it provides a thought provoking approach of saying there are actually times we need to be angry or sad and by working with the emotions rather than repressing and hiding them, it’s actually really good for you. Yes, it’s actually that deep. From a children’s perspective it’s more of some cute colourful fuzzy characters doing some interesting, and sometimes silly, things. 

Pixar are famous for their awesome movies including classic titles like Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and Cars. However they have recently been off the boil making sequels like Cars 2 and Monsters University which weren’t quite as good as their previous portfolio – however this is definitely a back to form for them. It’s both original and thoughtful on what at first glance seems a mundane plot for a story.

Inside Out is out at all good cinemas now.

POPSCORE – 8.5/10

What am I talking about? Pixar’s Inside Out (movie)

Where can I find out more? http://movies.disney.co.uk/inside-out

Anything else?

Some of the memory balls in Riley's mind contain scenes from other Pixar movies, such as Carl and Ellie's wedding in Up .

In the middle of the control console, the top three buttons form Mickey Mouse, otherwise known as a hidden Mickey.

According to director Pete Docter, each emotion is based on a shape: Joy is based on a star, Sadness is a teardrop, Anger is a fire brick, Fear is a raw nerve, and Disgust is broccoli. He noted that he likes broccoli very much, however.

 

 

REVIEW: The Gallows (15)

The Gallows is the latest found footage horror movie from Blumhouse Productions (who seem to be going from strength to strength).Featuring directors you've never heard of, actors you've never heard of and a story that you probably have, The Gallows is about a set of young people who are running a school play that has a sinister past. The movie is mainly set about a group of them hanging around the school at night time trying to sabotage the play.

The movie starts with some historical footage about the school play, The Gallows, which was ran in Beatrice School in 1993. However a freak accident occurred when one of the young people (who was playing a convicted criminal) was accidently hanged in front of everyone when they were acting out the hanging scene. Cue mass hysteria and a jump to present day.

Nerdy theatre girl, Pfeiffer decided to bring back that fateful school play 20 years later and has the complete backing of the school. Reese, football jock and admirer of Pfeiffer, signs up to star opposite her in the play - but is a terrible actor. Fearing that the play will bomb, Reese's best mate (and arguably the most entertaining character and cameraman) Ryan, hatches a plan to stop the play from happening. This plan includes his ultra hot cheerleader girlfriend Cassidy and him and Reese to go an sabotage the set so the play can't go ahead. When they get accidentally locked in the school in the dark, things start to get a bit scary.

The Gallows is a low budget horror movie but does things rather good considering the fact there's no famous actors, big budget or famous screenwriters behind it. The concept is simple and sometimes predictable - but there are so many horrors being churned out these days it's hard to be original. Even awesome horrors like Saw and Final Destination have so many sequels and copy cats that the impact of the originals have been watered down somewhat from the genius that they were.

The Gallows is genuinely unnerving and there are some jumpy points and it does horror well. It's not an amazing movie but it is certainly worth a watch if you like horrors.  It's not bad, go check it out and let me know what you think.
 

The Gallows is out now in all good cinemas.

 

POPSCORE: 6.5/10

What am I talking about? The Gallows
Where can I find out more? http://thegallowsmovie.com/

If you like this try: Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Unfriended, Creep

Anything else?
Apparently this movie was made by funding from friends of the makers rather than by a studio - the studio only sorted out the distribution.
All of the characters use their real first names in the movie only their surnames are different.

REVIEW: Ant-Man (12A)

Ant-Man (don't forget the hyphen) is out at cinemas now and is the latest offering from the House of Ideas. Starring Paul Rudd as Scott Lang and the inheritor of Hank Pym's (Michael Douglas) suit, Ant-Man is the latest Avenger to have a stand alone movie. Rocked by director fall outs and trouble from the outset - plus living in the shadow of the most recent Avenger's movie - can it live up to expectations... and is it any good?

Ant-Man starts with a nod to the 80's where an aged Peggy Carter and Howard Stark are trying to reach a deal with a younger Hank Pym over his Ant-Man technology - but the plan doesn't go too well. Although the sequence is just a bunch of people in a room - the special effects are subtle but brilliant. Michael Douglas is de-aged to look younger, while the ever pretty Hayley Atwell is computer generated to look older. We then fast forward to present day - a brawl in a prison where Scott Lang (Rudd) is serving time for burglary (not robbery because that implies violence - he's a cat-burglar). He gets released on the a same day and goes back home in an attempt to connect back with his estranged daughter Cassie, who views him as a hero.

Lang gets back to his friends apartment as he needs a place to crash, and by a friend through a friend through a friend (which is done in a comedic fashion) he learns that an old bloke has left his house empty and there's something of value in the safe. Working out that he needs money to get a place so he can see his daughter, Lang reluctantly takes on the job. After a really clever break, in all he finds is "a motorbike suit and a helmet". They escape without incident and Lang decides he's taking the suit anyway and goes back to the apartment.

Lang gets curious over this suit as it is not your run of the mill bike suit so, like all of us would, he tries it on... but for some reason stands in the bath tub. As he fiddles around he finds it shrinks him to the tiniest size and becomes Ant-Man. While small and negotiating a running bath tub, nightclub and falling out of a window, Hank Pym's voice in his helmet explains to him that the place he broke into was the Pym residence and he let him take the suit. He then recruits Scott Lang to take over the mantle of Ant-Man and take on the might of the disillusioned Darren Cross and the YellowJacket suit - built for war and to be able to take on the myth that was Ant-Man.

There's an array of great cast members all working together on this movie - Atwell is in it only at the beginning (again in a flashback) but Evangeline Lilly plays a great Hope Van Dyne - Pym's daughter. The movie is slightly comedic and funnier than the previous Marvel ones and I think they took a risk with this one. There are a lot of people reviewing this movie and hammering it - but to be honest I found this movie quite good. No, it's not anywhere as near as the Iron Man or Avengers movies, not even Captain America. But it's infinitely better than the Marvel's of old - Fantastic Four and Spiderman. I really enjoyed this - though I had my reservations about Rudd as Lang and that Ant-Man would be in a stand alone movie.

The special effects are used in a different way - instead of seeing BIG - which we all know Marvel can do with ease and panache - it's all about the small. Ant-Man controlling ants as allies, clever moments like fighting inside a briefcase or a toy train track are both inspired and funny in a strange way.

I think this movie needed to be made regardless of whether it was good or not because it's needed to take the overall story of the MCU forward. The incorporation of these characters and in particular the tech (suit, Pym particles, etc) will help set up Phase Three. I erroneously stated in my Age of Ultron review that AoU was the end of Phase 2 - but it isn't - this movie is. If you stay to the end of the credits you will know why.

Overall this movie was good. Funny moments, a different perspective and sets up the next phase nicely. Yes it could have been better - but it will do. Roll on next year for Captain America. If you still  want your Marvel fix though, Fantastic Four - or Fant4stic will be out around 8th August.
 

Ant-Man is out now in all good cinemas.

UPDATE: I have been to the cinema to see this a second time in 3D - nothing to write home about but still good fun to watch a second time around.

 

POPSCORE: 8/10

What am I talking about? Ant-man movie
Where can I find out more? http://marvel.com/antman

If you like this try: Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015), Iron Man trilogy

Anything else?
This is actually the end of "Phase 2" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe or MCU. Definitely. I'm right this time.
One of Lang's friends goes undercover as a security guard. He says "Can I whistle?" and Lang comes back with, "No, don't whistle." He does so when he's undercover and whistles the tune "It's a Small World After All."
The movie was originally due to be directed by Edgar Wright, but he left and it's now directed by Peyton Reed.
Thomas The Tank Engine and Baskin' Robbins are featured in this movie.
There IS a sequence a few minutes into the credit sequence so don't leave as soon as the credit roll - and there's an even BETTER bit at the end.
Apparently, Ant-man WILL return...  

REVIEW: Spy (15)

Paul Feig returns with his written, directed, etc the latest spoof spy movie with the name of… Spy! Melissa McCarthy stars as Susan Cooper, a desk dweller in the CIA who is logistical support for suave secret agent Fine (Jude Law). When he goes missing in action, it’s up to Susan to avenge him and go and track down the evil mastermind behind the trading of nuclear weapons.

That’s basically the premise – maybe a little clichéd but you know, it’s not that bad. McCarthy shines as the almost bumbling inept spy – but has moments of brilliance and sass that take this film in a different direction you would expect. But it’s the supporting cast that help out as much as McCarthy’s performance. Jason Statham is simply fabulous as a parody of himself with lines like – “I landed a car, on a moving train, when I was on fire. I was on fire, not the car...” and another classic line – “I had my left arm ripped off and I put it back on with my right arm,” to which a disbelieving Susan Cooper says – “I’m not sure that’s medically possible!” Other stars in close support include British TV’s Miranda Hart (basically playing herself even though she’s a character) and the suitably sinister Rose Byrne playing one of the bad guys.

I really enjoyed this one and although it’s not laugh-out-loud funny, some of the humor is either stupid and silly or clever and inspired. I watched this twice so it’s fun enough to watch again. I was really worried about the Ghostbuster’s remake as I found one of Feig’s previous efforts Bridesmaids (which also featured Melissa McCarthy) to be a bit lacklustre and desperately a shadow of the Hangover and no where near as good. However, I think Spy is superior to that movie and it’s given me a little bit of faith with the Ghostbusters reboot in 2016. 

POPSCORE – 7.5/10 

What am I talking about? Spy (movie)
Where can I find out more? http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/spy

Anything else?
Paul Feig has worked with Melissa McCarthy before in Bridesmaids and will be again in the forthcoming Ghostbusters reboot due in 2016.

REVIEW: Chappie (15)

Short Circuit meets Robocop in Neill Blomkamp’s latest movie. From the director of District 9 (and this movie has a definite feel of that) Chappie (voiced by Sharlto Copley) is set in a world where robotic police men work with real humans to tackle the crime in South Africa. Although there are many actors in the movie – there is also the appearance of Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver within the movie.

The movie starts with series of police robots going into battle against some of the gangland underworld and at one point one of the ‘droids get fired upon by rocket launcher and is damaged badly and gets sent for scrap. Meanwhile a group of designers – Deon (Dev Patel) and Vincent (Hugh Jackman) vie for the best robots. Deon provided the world with these police droids whereas Vincent Moore has an ED-209 style attack droid that can blast, fly and destroy anything in it’s path. Michelle Bradley (Sigourney Weaver), boss of the company, declines Moore’s combat droid in favour of the police droids.

While the invasion occurs with the police droids, Deon goes home and his long term research of creating a robot with sentient abilities comes to fruition. He heads back to work the following day to ask Michelle for permission to try it out and she gives him a big no – something Vincent Moore is used to.  

Over the other side of town the gangland thugs are in deep debt with a rival boss and owe him millions. One of the crew Yolandi suggests commandeering the robots and using them in a heist to get the millions they need for the underworld kingpin. Ninja (another thug) decides this is a good idea and they think of a way to get one.

As “Scout 22” is sent for scrap, Deon decides to take destiny into his own hands and steals “Scout 22” and goes to take him home to get him all Johnny 5’d up. But when the thugs intercept him and take Deona dn the droid to their headquarters they force him to create the robot there. Suddenly the robot comes alive, and a curious and scared as a baby he develops his own personality and learns about life the hard way.

 The movie is both thought provoking an entertaining – and the special effects are amazing. Jackman plays a great role as Moore and his distain for Deon being more successful than him. Chappie himself is a vulnerable naive character and it shows you quite graphically of what a child might experience growing up in sucha an environment. The movie is littered with f-bombs and not as family friendly as it may seem. The movie is well made, actors are great and the finale is great too. Chappie is immediately likeable and we want to see him do well but as he is fooled and lied to by various people and treated badly by others you can feel the emotion even though he’s just a robot. The ending is worth waiting for, and once again, Blomkamp has an interesting, thoughtful critique of modern society and it consequences of people’s actions.

POPSCORE – 8/10

 What am I talking about? Chappie (movie)Where can I find out more? http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/chappie/
If you like this try: Short Circuit 1 & 2, Robocop, District 9, Ex Machina or I, Robot. You could also argue Big Hero 6 to a certain extent.

Anything else?Neill Blomkamp is the director of District 9 which also is based in South Africa.

BYTE: Jolly July

It's Just July... or is it? Summer is here!

It's sweltering this week in England, UK - which makes a change really as we're used to dark clouds and rain. So out comes the barbecues and chilled drinks and also some serious fun over the next month or so.

Movie wise we are looking at Marvel's latest offering - Ant-Man, featuring Paul Rudd as the titular character. My fellow Popsters have generally been a bit lukewarm about this movie - but I will assemble the Avengers and we will go to see it and let you know what I think. My TwitterMate (tm) +James Gunn (the director of Guardians of the Galaxy among other things) tweeted "I think @AntMan is my favourite @Marvel film since Iron Man (well, excluding one to which I'm partial). Holy cow is it a blast." I guess we'll have to wait until 17th July to find out!

Meanwhile - Terminator Genysis is out today (as I write this) - so that's 3rd July for you guys in the UK. Magic Mike XXL (I'll skip that one) and Minions also have been released recently. We have Ted 2 to look forward to - and Fantastic Four next month - which is going to be interesting to see. it's all going on in the movie world, it really is.

Let's get to the computers - last months Steam Summer Sale was immense - and sadly I didn't keep any money aside but there were some awesome deals. The challenge this time around was a click mouse to shoot aliens type of game - and my goodness did it play havoc on my fingers and mouse. Still it was a unique way to get involved - even if I was at work for most of it and didn't get the best out of it.

London Film and Comic Con is this month - and it looks unbelievable. The line up is beyond astounding - and I thought they couldn't top when they had Stan Lee (when I went!).  But, if you are interested you have the opportunity to meet Richard Dean Anderson (MacGyver, Stargate SG:1 and all), Marty McFly himself - Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd (GREAT SCOTT!), Ellen Ripley (aka Sigourney Weaver) and... [deep breath] Neve Campbell from Scream! and more besides. You lucky, lucky people! I'm visiting Sheffield Film and Comic Con, so it's not quite as big but still exciting.
 

Let's get to the computers - last months Steam Summer Sale was immense - and sadly I didn't keep any money aside but there were some awesome deals. The challenge this time around was a click mouse to shoot aliens type of game - and my goodness did it play havoc on my fingers and mouse. Still it was a unique way to get involved - even if I was at work for most of it and didn't get the best out of it.

 

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the full game of Plants Vs Zombies on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag (yes, really) and Massive Chalice (still) to download free if you are a subscriber.
 

>  PSN: PS Plus this month hasn't really updated just yet so nothing new to report on this front. But rumour has it the following games will be available from 7th July:

 

PS4 has:

Entwined, MouseCraft, Rocket League, Styx: Master of Shadows

 

PS3 gets:

Entwined, MouseCraft, Rain

 

Vita receives:

Entwined, Geometry Wars 3, MouseCraft

Personally I'm excited for Geometry Wars 3, but that's just me. Of course usual rules apply in that if you stop your subscription those games'll stop workin'.

 

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

 

...AND Marvel Collector Corps in August after July's fantastic Ant-man offering!

It's time to go now but - have a Jolly July and I'll see you soon.

 

Keep being awesome!

 

Until next time

Paul