Review – Battle: Los Angeles

There comes a time when you have to just sit back and accept the film that is being presented to you. “Battle: Los Angeles” is just that kind of movie. A loud, fast moving boy movie about marines fighting an alien invasion. If you are expecting deep character, magnificent writing or in-depth story telling you will be disappointed. However, if you watched the trailer and saw that it was probably going to be a fusion of “Independence Day” and “Black Hawk Down” then you may just have a great time.

As far as the plot is concerned, a group of marines are sent into the alien invaded, battle torn Los Angeles to rescue some civilians before a planned air strike levels the city. Problems arise when the extraction helicopter is destroyed and the marines and civilians have to make their own way out of the city. The plot is fairly linear and, on the most part, predictable. But let’s face it, we aren’t in that cinema for deep plot, we are there for guns, explosions and video game style action sequences, in other words, we are there to enjoy the ride. Continue reading

Game Review: Back To The Future: The Game (PS3)

The general rule of thumb with movie to video game tie-ins is to avoid like the plague, sterilize any areas they come into contact with and dispose of the offending product in a timely manner. Like all things, there are a few exceptions to this rule like “Spider-Man 2” and the original “Goldeneye” but they are so few and far between that the rule should still stand. There is however one great equaliser: fan-boy-dom nostalgia. Maybe that’s why I jumped at this title the second I saw it pop up on the Playstation Network and started to worry after the credit card payment went through. Ironically, I was beginning to wish I had a time travelling DeLorean before starting up “Back To The Future: The Game”.

Okay, let me start by saying it’s good, even though it is an episodic movie sequel. It’s faithful in it’s substance and TellTale Games clearly have a great love for the movies. The opening sequence mirrors the DeLorean’s test run from the perspective of the camcorder that Marty McFly is holding in the first flick. I found myself fist pumping the air when that immortal line is quoted, “once this baby hits 88 miles an hour, you’re gonna see some serious shit”. Christopher Lloyd even reprises his role as Dr Emmett Brown (“great scott!”) and the fellow they got to play Marty McFly sounds so close to perfect, I was convinced until the ending credits that it was indeed Michael J. Fox himself. So all the elements that made the movie great are there but how does this game fit into the story, I hear you ask. Continue reading

Reader Review: The Warrior’s Way (2010)

Reader JamesFromMelbourne wanted to share his experiences with the movie, “The Warrior’s Way”. Directed by Sngmoo Lee and written by Sngmoo Lee and (an uncredited) Scott Reynolds. The film stars Dong-gun Jang, Kate Bosworth, Geoffrey Rush, Danny Huston and Tony Cox. JamesFromMelbourne Writes:

A long time ago a comic book was made called Lone Wolf and Cub (the baby carriage series), now the theme of this film is contrast and change. A samurai who kills is now given the job of protector of life, a struggle of balance ensues with his soul at the centre. It was also an important comic because it was reflective of the changes in men’s roles at that time. No longer were they the estranged parent, but one that took an active role in the child’s life and from a lot of these images I am sure the movie “The Warrior’s Way” is based. Continue reading

Film Actually Ep031 (123) – Rango and Five Great Animated Characters

Hosts: David McVay & Josh Philpott

This week we review the new animated film “Rango”. We also take a look at a few entertainment news items including the new trailers for “Super 8”, “Kung Fu Panda 2” and Super. We also discuss the possible “Doom” remake and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s future plans. All this and a brand new Lists of Five: Five Great Animated Characters. So sit back, pop a Choc Top in your mouth and enjoy. Film Actually is the official movie podcast of geekactually.com.

*Update 31/07/2012 – Film Actually was a split off from the main Geek Actually show and originally maintained numbering continuity with that show. That logic no longer works as the shows have become two unique entities, so we have gone back and re-numbered the Film Actually shows to reflect their true episode number. This show is now officially episode 31 but when you listen to the show you will hear it referred to as episode 123, this is why. Sorry about any confusion or inconvenience.

Film Actually is recorded live every Saturday. Go to geekactually.com/live for the schedule and to watch it

Your show notes: Continue reading

Teaser Trailer: Conan the Barbarian

I get a really bad feeling about this film. But for good or bad here is the teaser trailer for the new “Conan the Barbarian” remake starring Jason Momoa, Stephen Lang, Said Taghmaoui, Rachel Nichols and Leo Howard. The film is directed by Marcus Nispel, who is such an impressively original  director he made “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (the remake), “Friday the 13th” (the remake), “Pathfinder” (the remake) and the TV movie “Frankenstein” (done to death!). I think he should be able to bring something new and original to this remake of Robert E. Howard’s barbarian warrior (please note the dripping sarcasm).

Anyway, watch the teaser below and then let us know what you thought.

What you think? Comment below.

Trailer: Puss in Boots

Okay, I understand that “Shrek” was a big money making franchise and I understand you want to milk it with as many sequels as possible. But did one of the secondary characters really deserve their own film? Dreamworks seems to think so because here is “Puss in Boots” the new film starring that feisty latin cat from the the ogre movies. Check out the teaser (courtesy of Paramount Australia) below.


Puss in Boots [Teaser] by PoeTiCaL_DeMoN

Okay, I gotta know your opinions on this one, comment below.