Review-Man From U.N.C.L.E

I’m a child of the ’80s and ’90s, so I grew up on a steady staple of repeats from the 1960s, I’ve since been a fan of the man from UNCLE.
The show originally ran from 1964-1968 and revolved around a network of spies who worked for the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement, (UNCLE). UNCLE polices the globe from the threat of T.H.R.U.S.H. An organisation, which is erm absent from this iteration.

Henry Cavill stars as Napoleon Solo opposite Armie Hammer as Illya Kuryakin in Guy Ritchie’s and Lionel Wigram’s film adaptation.

Set against the backdrop of the early 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” centres on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin. Forced to put aside longstanding hostilities, the two teams up on a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organisation, which is bent on destabilising the fragile balance of power the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

This is a fast-paced, action-packed, sexy and stylish international adventure, shot through with humour that is as much about the rocky relationship between two sparring super spies, as it about the job they have to do.

The cinematography is breathtaking and details everything that made the 1960s cool – from its art, fashion music and cars. Lionel Wigram and Richie once again prove to be a great team.

The one thing that always bugged me about the series, is that we never really knew how Solo and Kuryakin, became partners, or how U.N.C.L.E. was formed, Ritchie and Wigram fill in the blanks.

Overall, I enjoyed this film, however, I feel they missed a trick not having a cameo from Robert Vaughn or David McCallum.

I look forward to a sequel.

Benedict Cumberbatch urges fans not to use cameras during Hamlet

Benedict Cumberbatch has made an impassioned pleas to fans, not to use cameras during the performance of Hamlet.
He told fans gathered outside the stage door on Saturday that spotting the little red camera lights, whilst he was performing was “mortifying.”
He then urged fans to spread his message through social media. He also warned that the theatre is having camera detecting technolgy installed on Monday, so future offenders would be evicted from the show.

As someone who has acted in the theatre, I have to say that I completely understand where he is coming from.

Cumberbatch made his Hamlet debut last Wednesday, receiving mixed reviews from critics.

DVD Review-Get Hard

What do you get if you put Trading Places, 48hrs, Tower Heist and some prison rape jokes in a blender? The answer is something like Get Hard, which stars Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart.

Ferrell plays millionaire, James King who is wrongfully convicted on 76 counts of fraud and embezzlement.

James assumes most black men have spent time in jail, so when the judge gives him 30 days to get his affairs in order, he turns to the only black guy he knows, Darnell (Hart) and offers him money to get him ready for prison.

In fact Darnell is a loving family man and small business-owner, who only accepts the job because he wants to expand his business and buy a better house for his wife and daughter.

After getting a few tips from his criminal cousin, Darrnell then takes on the role of a bullying sergeant major and starts initiating James with the ways of prison.

Get Hard misses more than it hits, it isn’t entirely unfunny and would have done really well in the 1980’s. Will you laugh? Probably. Could this have been a better film? Definitely.

Criticisms of the film aside, Ferrell and Hart have excellent chemistry and I would love to see them work together on another project.

Get the The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure, early. 

Audio production company Big Finish announced today that they’re bringing the release date forward for The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure, exclusively to Big Finish customers

Older who fans may remember that the Sixth Doctor didn’t have a proper regeneration story. So Big Finish are rectifying that.

If you’re a Big Finish customer you’ll be able to download it via their website on Monday the 17th. Everyone else has to wait six more weeks.

This eagerly awaited box-set chronicles the Doctor’s ultimate battle against the Valeyard (Michael Jayston), the malevolent distillation of the Doctor’s negative impulses. The four adventures involve a commuter train that has lost its way, a werewolf-infested town on an alien world, strange events on the stage of the New Regency theatre in Victorian London and the space station where their rivalry began in 1986’s The Trial of a Time Lord. Check out the trailer below. 

Pride and prejudice and zombies release date announced 

I’m a huge fan of the Pride and prejudice and zombies book and comic book adaptation, so this is a film I’ve been waiting a really long time to see. 

Pride and prejudice and zombies is a fresh twist on the classic Jane Austen novel. 

A mysterious plague has fallen upon 19th century England, the land is overrun with the undead and feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is a master of martial arts and weaponry. Casting aside personal and social prejudices, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy must unite on the blood-soaked battlefield to rid the country of the zombie menace and discover their true love for one another.

The film is directed by Burr Steers and supports an all-star cast, which includes LIlly James, Sam Riley, Friend of the podcast-Matt Smith, Jack Huston, Charles Dance, Lena Heady and many more.  

The film is released in the UK & Ireland on Friday 12th February 2016.

           

Dad’s Army teaser poster revealed 

Growing up in the UK in the 80’s and 90’s meant that I was subjected to many repeats of classic sitcoms such as Steptoe and Son and Dad’s Army. The latter has just been turned into a motion picture by Universal pictures.

It’s always tricky when a much-loved TV series is turned into a movie. But, I have to say that I am optimistic due to the cast list. Every actor is the perfect choice. 

It’s directed by the BAFTA award-winning Oliver Parker and has been written by Hamish McColl. 

Here’s the synopsis:

It is 1944 and World War II is reaching its climax. The Allies are poised to invade France and finally defeat the German army. But in Walmington-on-Sea morale amongst the Home Guard is low. Their new mission then – to patrol the Dover army base – is a great chance to revive spirits and reputation, that is until glamorous journalist Rose Winters arrives to write about their exploits, setting the pulses racing and putting the local women on red alert. MI5 then discover a radio signal sent direct to Berlin from Walmington-on-Sea. There’s a spy on the loose! The outcome of the war is suddenly at stake, and it falls to our unlikely heroes to stand up and be counted.

Dad’s Army is out in UK cinemas on February 5th 2016. 

David Tennant in series 9?

It’s now a well known fact that both David Tennant and former Doctor Who show runner Russell T Davies are in Cardiff. We just don’t know why.
Online speculation has been rife that Tennant is filming for the series 9 finale.

The rumour is that the series will culminate with the Twelfth Doctor returning to Pompeii and finding out just why he has that face. In the first promo picture for series 9, Pompeii is in the background of the right hand side.

The current show runner Steven Moffat has said that will be addressed this series.

A BBC source told us:

“I can confirm that David Tennant has been in the BBC Roath Lock studios twice this week. The number of security has also been increased for next week. So something is happening.”

Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean David Tennant is actually appearing in an episode. Former Doctor Who executives, Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner have just launched Bad Wolf Productions, which is based in Cardiff. It’s entirely possible that both Tennant and Davies are there to talk about working on a new unrelated show. Why wouldn’t they pop in the Doctor Who set whilst in town?

What do you think? Hit me up on Twitter.

Rumour:Affleck to star in Batman trilogy 

This is only a rumour at the moment, but I would be very surprised if it isn’t true. 

According to den of geek, WB want Ben Affleck to star in a trilogy of Batman films. 

Den of geeks sources claim that at a recent cast and crew screening of Batman V Superman:Dawn of justice, which included several of the WB’s top suits, the film received a standing ovation. 

The suits are apparently so impressed with Affleck’s portrayal, that they want to lock him into a “golden deal” that would see him playing the capes crusader for the next ten years.

Check out the Batman V Superman trailer below

Listen to our reviews of Man of Steel and The Dark Knight Trilogy

Meet Wally West

23-year old Australian actor, Keiynan Lonsdale has been cast as Wally West in the second series of the hit show, The Flash.
In the comics, Wally West is Iris’ nephew. After an accident similar to Barry Allen’s, he becomes Kid Flash and eventually, takes over as The Flash. 

Flash Executive Producer Andrew Kreisberg said of the casting:

“Just like when we met Grant [Gustin] for the first time, we instantly knew Keiynan embodied all the heart and courage of a hero. We are so excited to be bringing this much-beloved character onto the show.”

I not familiar with Lonsdale’s work but The Flash producers haven’t made a bad casting choice yet.

It’ll be interesting to see if they keep him as Iris’ nephew. I suspect they will change his origin a little and he’ll be from an alternate Earth, where Joe had a son instead of a daughter. 

Sony announce Bad Boys 3+4 

It’s no secret that Sony, along with the cast have wanted a Bad Boys 3.

The studio announced today that not only will we be getting a third instalment to the franchise, we’ll also be getting a fourth. 

I’ll admit now, I love the first two movies and I’m eager for the third.

Bad Boys 3 is scheduled to hit cinemas on February 17th, 2017, with Bad Boys 4 in July 3rd 2019.

It’s unknown at this point if Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will be reprising their roles.