Author: Martyn

Review-Raiders of the Lost Ark live. 

I’ve been a long-time fan of the Indiana Jones franchise. I remember being transfixed, aged 8-when I saw my first instalment of the Saga (The Last Crusade). Steven Spielberg’s 1981 movie is still as exciting over thirty-years on.
  
This event was a world first, John Williams full score was performed by the 21st century Orchestra and conducted by their founder, Ludwig Wicki. 

I’ll admit, I was sceptical when I first heard about this film/orchestral mash up. Just how would it work? It turns out, tremendously well.
  
The film played on a suspended screen, above the musicians. The dialogue and effect sounds were intact, with the Orchestra performing the soundtrack live. It wasn’t always successful, the Orchestra did very occasionally drown out some of the dialogue, but to combat this the film played with subtitles. 
  
Not only are these amazing musicians a sight to behold on stage, but the evening provided a phenomenal audio experience too-that no Blu-Ray can possibly live up to. I’ve watched Raiders of the Lost Ark, a thousand times over but this felt like the first time.

  
My personal highlight of the evening, was by far the Orchestras performance of The Raiders of the Lost Ark theme, for which they received a four minute standing ovation. 

  
What I took away from this event, is just how beautiful and timeless John Williams’ score is. This is an experience I will cherish for a life time. 

I highly recommend attending one of these screenings. Click here to find out information about the next one. 

Listen to us discuss the event here.

Watch us discuss the event here.

Sony are making a Jump Street/Men in black cross-over 

When the Sony hack happened in 2014, we learned they were planning to develop a cross-over between Men in Black and Jump Street.

Now, According to Variety, the studio is pressing a head with their plan. James Bobin (The Muppets/The Muppets most wanted) is in negotiations to direct the movie.

Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum will reprise their roles as Jenko and Schmidty. However, we won’t be seeing Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones in their roles as Agent Jay and Agent Kay. The plan in to reboot the franchise with a younger cast. 

I don’t have any problems with a men in black reboot. But, why cross it over with Jump Street? That just seems like such an odd pairing. Sony own Ghostbusters, surely a Ghostbusters/Men in black cross-over makes more sense? In the comics the men in black investigate all manor of paranormal activity. So the reboot could set that up and have them appear in a ghostbusters movie. 

Tom Holland shows off Spidey flips

It’s hard to believe that we’re just two short months away from seeing Captain America:Civil War. The thing I’m most excited about seeing in this movie is Tom Holland’s take on Spider-Man. Back in August, the actor posted a video on his instagram account which showed him practising some moves.

Yesterday, he posted a video of himself doing something called a “side summy” it’s pretty impressive.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCabs9msdrS/?taken-by=tomholland2013

We still haven’t seen the new Spider-Man costume, but I assume that’s because both Sony and Marvel are still ironing out the finer points in their contract.

I’m sure Holland will be great in the role, but personally I would have brought Andrew Garfield back. In my version, Peter Parker would now be in his late thirties, retired and married to Mary Jane. Something would have happened that made him put on the famous suit again, I would have then killed Peter Parker off. Given him a heroes send-off, he would have died saving The Avengers. I would have then introduced Miles Morales in the post credit scene and kicked off a new franchise, with a new Spidey.

Rakhee Thakrar rumoured to be the new companion

Ex-Eastenders actress Rakhee Thakrar is rumoured to be the front runner for the new companion in Doctor Who.

According to the Radio Times, a source told them that the BBC are keen to snap up the 32-year old actress.
I don’t watch Eastenders, so I haven’t seen any of her work. But I have spent the day reading up about her, I have to say, I’m very impressed.
Although the rumours about her casting are yet to be confirmed, if she does take on the role, Rakhee will be the first non-white companion since Freema Agyeman in 2008. No, Danny Pink doesn’t count. He didn’t travel in the TARDIS.

Ben Affleck confronts fans who say Superman is better

Last week, we saw Henry Cavill asked kids if they prefer Batman or Superman, this week Ben Affleck hid inside the batmobile during a tour of the warner bros studio and confronted fans who say Superman is better than Batman.

The video made me laugh and, it’s all to raise awareness for a good cause. Find out more information here.

Henry Cavill asks kids if they prefer Batman or Superman

“Who is better Batman or Superman?” That’s a question that comic book geeks have been asking for well over seventy years. We’ve seen them team up many times in comic form, but in just a few short weeks we will see the two icons battle it out on the big screen in, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, and Jesse Eisenberg have partnered with Omaze, to give fans the chance to enter in the “Ultimate Batman v. Superman Experience“.

In participation with Durrell wildlife park, Cavill interviewed a bunch of kids, and asked them who they prefer.

 

Big Finish reveal artwork for their tenth Doctor range

Big Finish has just given us our first look at the cover art, for their Tenth Doctor Adventures, which is due out in May.

The Tenth Doctor range sees the highly anticipated return of The tenth Doctor and Donna Noble, with David Tennant and Catherine Tate both reprising their roles.

1.1 Technophobia by Matt Fitton

When the Doctor and Donna visit London’s Technology Museum for a glimpse into the future, things don’t go to plan.

The most brilliant IT brain in the country can’t use her computer. More worrying, the exhibits are attacking the visitors, while outside, people seem to be losing control of the technology that runs their lives.

Is it all down to simple human stupidity, or is something more sinister going on?

Beneath the streets, the Koggnossenti are waiting. For all of London to fall prey to technophobia…

 

1.2 Time Reaver by Jenny T Colgan

Calibris. The spaceport planet where anything goes. Where anyone who doesn’t want to be found can be lost, and where everything has its price. Where betentacled gangster Gully holds sway at the smugglers’ tavern, Vagabond’s Reach.

The alien Vacintians are trying to impose some order on the chaos. Soon the Doctor and Donna discover why. An illegal weapon is loose on the streets. A weapon that destroys lives… Slowly and agonisingly.

The Time Reaver.

 1.3 Death and the Queen by James Goss

Donna Noble has never been lucky in love.

So when, one day, her Prince does come, she is thrilled to have the wedding of all weddings to look forward to. Though the Doctor isn’t holding his breath for an invitation. And her future mother-in-law is certainly not amused.

But on the big day itself, Donna finds her castle under siege from the darkest of forces, marching at the head of a skeleton army.

When it looks like even the Doctor can’t save the day, what will Queen Donna do to save her people from Death itself?

Written By: Matt Fitton, Jenny T Colgan, James Goss
Directed By: Nicholas Briggs

All three stories are also available to pre-order in the Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Volume 1 – Limited Edition set. Limited to just 5,000 copies and available exclusively from bigfinish.com. The lavish book-sized box set includes exclusive artwork, photography, articles and a one-hour documentary featuring interviews with the stars and production team.

You can pre-order the set now at the special price of £30 on CD or £25 to download.

Ryan Reynolds interviews Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman is currently doing the press rounds for the upcoming sports drama, Eddie the Eagle. On one of those junkets he was surprised to find Ryan Reynolds in the interview chair. Reynolds crashed the junket and asked Jackman a bunch of questions, most of which were sly digs at X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Reynolds shared the video on his YouTube channel, which you can view below.