Author: Martyn

DVD REVIEW-The Sweeney

What you lookin’ at, slag?

In 2007, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg brought us Hot Fuzz. Hot Fuzz was the answer to the question ‘why doesn’t Britain make big, over the top cop movies’. Everybody involved in this has clearly never seen Hot Fuzz.

Now, it’s not that the Sweeney is a bad film, it really isn’t. It just isn’t the Sweeney. It’s directed by the uber-talented Nick Love. the problem is, Love seems to think he is directing the next big classic. But, this isn’t Heat, and Winstone and Plan B aren’t DeNiro and Pacino. However, Ray Winstone is well cast as Reagan and puts in one of his best performances in recent years. But, Plan B just comes across as a poor man’s Tom Hardy. He mumbles his lines and tries to come across as sinister, but just comes across as miscast. The film doesn’t quite know if it wants to be a full-on action film or a police procedural. It doesn’t do both particularly well. There is a fantastically shot, shoot-out in Trafalgar Square that falls flat, due to the fact that there are approximately 11 bystanders, that’s right 11 by-standers in Trafalgar Square, the streets of central London have absolutely no traffic, which means we get cool shots of Winstone speeding along Waterloo bridge, but if you know anything about London, it instantly takes you out of the moment.



The villains are two-dimensional and get interrogated in a white office, with a great view of London, full with the latest Macbook’s and digital video cameras, but they never ask for lawyers.
If you’re a fan of the original series and you’re thinking of watching this, don’t. But, If you’re at a loose end one evening, stick this on and enjoy with the alcoholic beverage of your choice.

The Sweeney is out on DVD January 21st

DVD review-A very Harold and Kumar Christmas

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas is the third adventure from the stoner duo 20130102-091551.jpgand for some reason has taken two years, to arrive on DVD.

The movie is set six years after their escape from Guantanamo bay. They’ve drifted apart, Harold (John Cho) is now married to Maria (Paula Garces) living in a nice house and is working for a successful company on Wall Street. Harold and Maria are planning a nice quiet Christmas with her intimidating father (Danny Trejo).

Meanwhile Kumar (Kal Penn) is still living in the same old apartment, but he has new younger friend. After failing a drug test, Kumar was kicked out of medical school and has slowly become a complete wreck. One day a package addressed to Harold arrives at his door, Kumar takes it to his house, where they have an awkward Reunion. The Christmas tree that Harold’s father-in-law brought for the occasion, is accidentally set on fire and in order to save Christmas, the dynamic duo have to find an identical tree before 2am, when everyone else returns from midnight Mass.

More than anything, these movies rely on the chemistry between everybody involved and, everybody involved works amazingly well. In the hands of lesser writers or actors, Harold and Kumar could be very two-dimensional, but both actors show the depths of their characters and both characters are extremely likeable.

This franchise always offers moments of absurd and unconventional humour. There’s a scene where our heroes get mistaken for actors and end up in a musical with Neil Patrick Harris, who explains how he came back from the dead and hilariously spoofs his own coming out, it was all a PR stunt. At another point, they’re drinks are spiked and they suffer some violent hallucinations, which render them in Claymation.

On its cinematic release the title of the film was ‘A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas’. The movie makes fun of itself for being in 3D, which is funny, but it falls a bit flat when watching the 2D version, but it doesn’t distract you too much. There isn’t a lot of substance here, but there doesn’t have to be. It takes a real genius to do dumb humour so well. If you’ve had a long-hard day at work, come home and stick this in. In the words of Neil Patrick Harris “I’ll see you in the 4th”.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Film review-This is 40

Judd Apatow has evolved as a director, progressing from his earlier works, such as “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” which relied heavily on funny-vulgar humor, to his more recent movies like “Funny People” and “This is 40.” In his latest film, Apatow deftly interweaves deeper subject matters, such as love, marriage, parenthood, responsibility, and family, with his trademark irreverent humour .

“This is 40” is a spin-off to “Knocked Up,” with Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Maude Apatow, and Iris Apatow reprising their roles. Katherine Heigel and Seth Rogen are notably absent, the former having openly criticized Apatow during the press conferences for “Knocked Up.” However, Rogen’s character is mentioned in the movie.

The film revolves around the struggles of the family, with Sadie going through puberty and becoming a drama queen, while they face significant financial difficulties. Pete’s record company is on the verge of bankruptcy, and his deadbeat dad (Albert Brooks) is mooching off him.

The first half of the movie follows the familiar Apatow comedy formula, but as the story progresses, it delves deeper into the characters’ relationships and problems, making it more engaging. What sets this film apart from others is that it lacks the typical Hollywood happy ending. The characters still have their quirks and annoyances, and there is no quick fix or happily-ever-after conclusion, making it a refreshing departure from formulaic comedies.

While the movie was enjoyable, it did feel a bit too long, with some scenes that could have been trimmed. Nevertheless, with the same cast and creative team, “This is 40” could be adapted into an excellent HBO or Showtime series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Episode 78: Ginger Snaps (2000)

Martyn is joined by Paul from The Pharos Project and Hammered Horror, to review the 2000 Canadian werewolf movie ‘Ginger Snaps’. They really do try their best to stay on topic, honest.

The podcast is available from all good podcast services, such as but not limited to Amazon Music, Podchaser, Player FM, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts.

Check out our Youtube.

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Star Wars:Angry Birds-Review

Formats: iOS, Android, and PC
Price: 69p
Publisher: Rovio
Developer: Rovio

This is easily the best Angry Birds game so far. It’s also the best Star Wars game since Lego Star Wars. Angry birds and Star Wars have nothing in common, this shouldn’t work, but, strangely it does.

The game loosely retells the story of the original (and best) Star Wars trilogy. The Red Bird is Luke Skywalker, equipped with a lightsaber. Darth Vader is now a pig, Han Solo is a yellow bird (he shoots first). So far, the levels are only set on Tatooine and the Death Star. There is a Hoth level, due “soon”. But, as of yet no firm date has been set. There are also some unlock-able bonus levels where you play as C-3PO and R2-D2. If you’re desperate for more bird play you can download set of 40 “path of the Jedi” levels, but you have to pay £1.49 to unlock that.

The game is suitable for anyone over the age of 4, my 4-year old son is just as addicted to this, as I am. It has a great mix of new and old features, this still would have been great as a stand alone Angry Birds game and, at 69p, it’s great value for money.
The only negative thing about this game, is the fact that its been designed for iPad and not the iPhone. It isn’t optimised for for the iPhone screen.

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DVD REVIEW-ill Manors

ill manors is the directorial debut movie from the rapper, turned actor, turned film-maker, Plan B, AKA Ben Drew. What makes this such an astonishingly impressive film, is the fact that it comes from a first time director and was shot on the extremely limited budget of £100,000. It looks like a much more polished and expensive production.

Ben Drew insists that this is not autobiographical, but is a party based on real events and local urban legends. The film plots several days in the lives of several Forest Gate residents, who are all in some way connected.
Aaron (Ahmed) is the friend and go-for, to drug dealer Ed (Ed Skrein). Aaron starts to see Ed in a new light when he forcibly pimps out crack-addicted prostitute Michelle (Anouska Mond) in order to pay for the phone, he thinks she stole.



Meanwhile, Kirby, played excellently by Drew’s godfather, Keith Coggins. Has just been released from jail. Kirby used to be the local kingpin who is now forced to work for his former go-for, Chris (Lee Allen). Kirby wants his empire back, but Chris isn’t gonna let him have it. Katya (Natalie Press) is a trafficked sex slave from Eastern Europe who escapes her kidnappers and goes to extreme measures in order to protect her baby. Apart from Riz Ahmed, the cast is made up of mostly unknown actors, which gives the film an added sense of realism and authenticity that doesn’t come with most “urban” dramas.

The direction is slick and inspired, Drew employs a few techniques, such as non-linear storytelling, as well as a mix of mobile phone footage and split-screen action, that could have felt gimmicky or clichéd, in the wrong hands. He flashes us back through the characters lives to show us their childhoods. Even though some of the characters are overly violent and unlikeable, you still care for them. Everybody in this film is a victim in some way. Drew provides the score to the film, but the tracks never feel intrusive. The music has a purpose that adds another layer to the story.

If the film has any flaws, it’s the running time. It’s just over two hours. But, that is a very minor quibble for such an impressive debut.
Plan B announced last week that he is taking a year off, I can’t wait to see what he comes back with.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

DVD Extras:

Documentary
Shorts
Videos

MATT SMITH AND STEVEN MOFFAT CEMENT THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY DURING DOCTOR WHO EXPERIENCE VISIT

Doctor Who star Matt Smith and lead Writer Steven Moffat created their own piece of Doctor Who history today during their first visit to the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff as their hand prints were immortalised in cement, which will be displayed permanently at the new attraction. Matt Smith is the first Doctor to be immortalised in this way, while the fingers of the show’s Lead Writer will also be set in stone.



The casts were in addition to the unveiling of several new exhibits of the most iconic monsters and props from the recently broadcast series including the dress worn by new companion actress Jenna-Louise Coleman (Oswin’s dress and boots from Asylum of the Daleks), Grayle’s Chained Weeping Angel and The Cherub Angels (The Angels Take Manhattan) and the Robots and costumes of Solomon and Nefertiti (Dinosaurs on a Spaceship).

Matt Smith says, “It’s fantastic that the Doctor Who Experience has been given its very own purpose-built home here next to the studios and it feels like a bit of a spiritual home for Doctor Who. It’s been great fun unveiling some of the Doctor’s most fearsome adversaries from Series 7 and with the Christmas special and more episodes next year, there’ll be plenty more props to come down the line”.

On his hand-cast: “I’m honoured to have made my own little piece of Doctor Who history today. It’s a show with so much tradition over nearly 50 years, so to be the first Doctor to take part in something like this is really special”.

Steven Moffat says: “I’m very excited and honoured to have my hands preserved forever. And quite relieved they came back out of the cement! I now know, for all my future crimes, that my fingerprints are readily and permanently available.”

The Doctor Who Experience is the only interactive Doctor Who attraction in the world. It welcomed over 230,000 visitors during a one-year stay at London’s Olympia before moving to Cardiff in July 2012. Since opening in July, over 40,000 fans have passed through the TARDIS doors and taken part in their very own Doctor Who adventure.