UPDATE: 14th November 2015

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Hey everyone, just giving you an update on some things that have been happening around and about. I've just signed up to link my blog to Bloglovin (above) so if you are interested in when I update the blog and want to keep up to date on other blogs, feel free to click above so it can keep you in the loop and informed.

Secondly, Microsoft have released an update to the Xbox One which finally includes backwards compatibility. This is blooming awesome as it's something I personally feel very strongly about. I think having such a rich, diverse back catalogue as this should be available to play on the next generation - and I'm impressed that Microsoft have found a way to do this. Admittedly there are only about 100 games supported (most on XBL) but it's a start and more will be added. Speaking of XBL - don't forget to get the second set of free games if you are an XBL subscriber after 16th - if you haven't got the first set be quick - you need to get them now.

Star Wars fever is hotting up and in the cinema, 17th December to be precise! With the final trailer being dropped, the release of Star Wars: Battlefront and more merch available this Christmas than Scrooge has savings, this is guaranteed to be one of the biggest blockbusters in recent memory. It still could be rubbish, but somehow (at least I hope) that will be very unlikely, especially since it features the original cast.  Who is Kylo Ren? And what the heck is he doing with that sword? It all starts in a few days more than a month. Yes, that soon!

Mockingjay Part 2 comes out this week with the final part of Katniss Everdeen's trials and is still the YA dystopian franchise to beat. With the Scorch Trials (film two of The Maze Runner) merely luke-warm, how sparkling will the conclusion be to the much loved trilogy of books? Hot on it's heels will be the third Divergent movie - Allegiant in March '16, though it also may be split into two parts. Personally I hate this trend but, if they must they must I guess. I wonder if they made a quadrilogy would they stretch the movies to five?

Finally I would just like to take a moment to show respect to France and to those in Paris after last nights atrocities. My thoughts are with them and the whole world stands with you.

Be strong as the world unites.

Paul


 

BYTE: New November

I'm Paul ... and this is Paul & The Popcorn - welcome to New November - one step closer to Christmas, but we have bonfire night first and, of course, BLACK FRIDAY!!

Firstly I need to apologise for my scant October updates - so much has been going on that I've forgotten to upload my reviews on the blog, though I do regularly keep tweeting. I've had a busy October including a visit to Pinewood Studios for a recording of British institution, Birds Of A Feather, a One Direction concert (yes, really), a visit to Birmingham and numerous cinema visits. I realised I haven't uploaded my reviews and thought I did - so I'll be uploading a block of them this week!

It was back to the Future day on 21st October 2015 and this would have been when Marty McFly and Doc travelled to the future to see what life was like in 2015. We found that generally some of it was complete codswallop, but some of it was quite prophetic. Did you watch the trilogy on the day like I did? They are still brilliant movies and the first one is one of my all time favourites. When I got to sit in the Delorean earlier this year at Sheffield Film & Comic Con, it pretty much put the icing on the cake.

Let's look to the cinema - the latest James Bond offering SPECTRE is doing really well at the box office and is supposed to be brilliant. Featuring the new Bond them by Sam Smith, The Writing's On The Wall, Bond discovers that there's a sinister organisation at work that has been following him about causing trouble. Featuring star turns from Daniel Craig, the awesome Monica Belluci (who is the oldest Bond girl yet) and backed up by the talents of Ralph Feinnes and Ben Whishaw, I think this promises to be a great Bond movie. Also starring Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux and Drax himself, Dave Bautista, this movie is one to see.

In November, Mockingjay Part II hits the silver screen which will conclude the Hunger games Trilogy (erm, I mean series, or whatever). Word on the street is that they are looking to capitolize (see what I did there?) on the success and want to make more even though they are no books to follow on just yet. Will Suzanne Collins write exclusively for another movie? Will she write more books? And where does this leave Katniss? We will find out one day but not yet.

Let's get to the computers - biggest release going forward looks like the old Call of Duty franchise will be reanimated (as there's probably zombies in this one) with the muchly anticipated Call Of Duty: Black Ops III. And batten up the hatches because in December we will not doubt be having the legendary Steam Christmas sale so better get saving up. New Skylanders game Super Charger looks interesting too - just when you thought we'd ran out of ideas they stick cars into the mix.

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the full games of DiRT 3 and Dungeon Siege III on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Pneuma: Breath of Life and Knight Squad to download free if you are a subscriber. Microsoft have started releasing these games over 2 week periods so the first games listed are available for the first two weeks in November and then the others in the last two weeks in November so you'll have to get a wriggle on for the first. Some of them are on for the whole month (or in the case of Pool FX - for about 8 years lol)

>  PSN: PS Plus this month is as follows:

PS4 has:
the Walking Dead: Season 2
Magicka 2
Dragon Fin Soup

PS3 gets:

Mass Effect 2
Beyond Good and Evil

Dragon Fin Soup

Vita receives:
Invizimals

Dragon Fin Soup

After last months rather lacklustre list, this list really got my appetite whetted! I can't believe Mass Effect 2 is in this list, wow! Well done Sony, well done!

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 December.

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

Keep being awesome!

Until next time

Paul

BYTE: Super September

I'm Paul ... and this is Paul & The Popcorn - welcome to Super September!

As the we leave the summer behind, September springs forth with a number of confusing weather patterns and darker nights - but also my birthday, a few more cool movies at the cinema and the transfer window closes on the football which means only one thing - FIFA is out and people are playing it!

But before we get to the computers let's look to the cinema - now blockbuster season is waning, there is still lots more to look forward to - films such as October's SPECTRE (the latest James Bond outing for Daniel Craig) and November's Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 and December's Star Wars offering, the movies of 2015 haven't quite finished blowing your mind just yet. One on my "to see" list is Matt Damon's latest The Martian which looks superb - but at first I thought it was a sequel to Interstellar. If you've seen that movie, you'll know what I mean.

Let's get to the computers - the Star Wars themed next exciting installment of Disney Infinity 3.0 is now available and not only are we treated to some classic Star Wars charactes to play but also the new ones from the new movie are there too. Mickey & Minnie Mouse are also available as are the cast of Pixar's latest movie Inside Out. This expands the game somewhat and to round it off the Hulkbuster and Ultron are also available for the playset. Cool huh?

I also visited York comic-con which was a fantastic adventure at York racecourse. There was plenty of things to see and buy - and I came home with Jack and Sally Pop Vinyl's from Nightmare Before Christmas.

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the full games of Crysis 3 on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to The Deer God and, surprisingly, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition to download free if you are a subscriber.

>  PSN: PS Plus this month is as follows:

PS4 has:
Driveclub: PlayStation Plus Edition
Grow Home
Teslagrad
Super Time Force Ultra
Xeodrifter

PS3 gets:

Teslagrad

Twisted Metal

Vita receives:
Super Time Force Ultra
Xeodrifter
La Mulana Ex

Of course usual rules apply in that if you stop your subscription those games'll stop workin'.

Origin have another Game On The House which is Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2.

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

...AND Marvel Collector Corps in October.

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

Keep being awesome!

Until next time

Paul

BYTE: Awesome August

It's Awesome August... Hello!

In a month full of sunshine, comic-cons and festivals, here we are nearly at the end of August. Really, I should have written something by now but I do have a demanding full time job I'm doing in between watching all these movies (I have to pay for it somehow! ;-) )so I'm sorry for the late updated.

However lots has been happening in August - including recent movie releases. Although blockbuster season is upon us, a number of movies that have been advertised and released this month have failed miserably to set the stage alight.  Pixels was released to some soggy fireworks and an amazing yet scathing review (parental advisory if you click the link - lots of cursing!) of it too. Not only that the worst superhero movie in recent memory Fantastic Four was also released. Riddled with problems from the outset the final product was terrible too - and I'm saying that! You know how much I love my superhero movies.

There's still some movies to look forward to going forward including Star Wars: The Force Awakens in December and SPECTRE, the new James Bond in the Autumn too. Other movies that recently have come out that you may or may not fancy to see include - The Man From U.N.C.L.E, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation and computer game based action/thriller Hitman: Agent 47. Sinister 2 hits movie screens too if you like your horror sequels.

Let's get to the computers - a new release from Rare had me reaching for my wallet - 30 of their classic games for the Xbox One - starting way back in the 80's to present day. Starting off in the early 80's with the games I grew up with on my ZX Spectrum, Rare Replay starts with Atic Attack and JetPac. Going through the decades via Battletoads and Killer Instinct in the 1990's to more recent 2000 hits like Viva Pinata and Perfect Dark Zero - I found this game pack to be very good value indeed. I purchased the limited edition version with the T-Shirt and, when I get time to play, I'll do a full review for you.

Star Wars will be the theme for  the next exciting installment of Disney Infinity 3.0 and will be available in the autumn too. It's definitely on my to buy list - and there will be more as I get it.

Sheffield Film and Comic Con was this month - and I'll give you a review soon enough as I attended it!   I introduced two of my friends to their first comic-con and they both enjoyed it too. Guests included Michael Biehn (from Terminator and Aliens), horror legend Robert Englund and Darth Vader himself David Prowse. Also there were legendary wrestlers "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase.  It wasn't as busy as other conventions I've been to but it was still excellent.

Looking at the latest stuff as well:

>   Xbox Live:  Games with Gold this month includes the full games of Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light and How To Survive Storm Warning Edition on XBOX 360 and for the posh 'uns who have XBOX ONE you are treated to Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes to download free if you are a subscriber.

>  PSN: PS Plus this month is as follows:

PS4 has:

Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris

Limbo

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

PS3 gets:

CastleStorm

God of War: Ascension

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

Vita receives:

CastleStorm

Sound Shapes

Stealth Inc. 2: A Game of Clones

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 (this months has actually been excellent as I've received it now) unboxings to look forward to...

...AND Marvel Collector Corps in August is based on Secret Wars! Apparently it's been dispatched! 

It's time to go now but - have an Awesome August and I'll see you soon.

Keep being awesome!

Until next time

Paul

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