Film Review: Gamer

 Welcome to 2034, a not-too-distant future where gamers have given up conventional gaming for the latest craze - mind control. The creator of this revolutionary technology, Ken Castle, (played by Michael Hall), has moulded this profitable hi-tech phenomena to create the ultimate gaming experience.
 First there was 'Society', a creepy real-life versions of 'The Sims' that allowed anybody with enough money and spare time to become anyone, and do anything. The player's perverse actions are played out live by 'actors', who, controlled by nanites in their brain, will dance, jump, rape or party on command.
 Of course, 'Society' was only the beginning. The world is clamouring desperately for a new thrill. This is delivered in form of the latest gaming sensation: 'Slayers', a multi-player war game-come-reality show, (a' la 'Halo'), where death-row inmates battle for freedom under the control of pre-pubescent teen gaming addicts.
 Gerard Butler is on arse-kicking duty as 'Slayer' superstar and killing machine Kable, controlled by self-diagnosed 'bad-ass motherfucker', 17 year old, trust-fund teen Simon, (Logan Lerman). That is, until game hackers and political activists 'Humanz' persuade Simon to 'turn him loose', thus unleashing Kable on a murderous mission to escape the game, find his wife and daughter and uncover the dark truth behind Castle's twisted technology.


Verdict : This film had real promise; with a brilliant plot line and a talented cast I was expecting the next 'Matrix', unfortunately it fails to deliver. After a decent set-up, the ending seems rushed, and following a seemingly fleeting series of nominal events and a relatively quick show-down at Castle's mansion, (complete with a jazzy dance number), Kable overpowers the 'foolproof' mind control technology and defeats Castle, (whilst conveniently broadcasting his deranged confession of world domination to the general public). However, there are some redeeming qualities; a hefty body count, one or two memorable quotes and a few nicely shot game-player-esque sequences make this semi-decent watch. Just don't set your hopes too high.
 
5/10 Cookies.

T.V. Review: True Blood

 
 The vampire epidemic sweeping the world has spawned books, movies, roughly a billion 'Twilight'-obsessed fangirl websites, and now, it's infecting our television screens. If you, like me have been truly bitten, I suggest you revel in this media bloodbath and sink your teeth into HBO's new hit drama, 'True Blood'.
  Based on the hugely popular 'Southern Vampire Mysteries' series by Charlaine Harris, this show is 'Twilight' for grown-ups. It has it all ; southern belles, fabulously fierce queens, shifters, deities, serial killers, vampire night clubs and most importantly, naughty X-rated vampy action. The plot line reads like a fang-banger's wet dream: following the invention of 'True Blood', (a yummy synthetic blood substitute), vampires have 'come out of the coffin', they are now fully fledged American citizens with their own rights, nightclubs and even a gritty political group in form of the 'American Vampire League'. The series follows our heroine, Sookie Stackhouse, a cute and kind of ditzy, southern chick with some rather unusual abilities, (played by Anna Paquin), and a menagerie of her family, friends and neighbours from the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, as they encounter their first vampire.
 The vampire in question, is a certain 'Bill Compton', (Stephen Moyer), who has decided to return to his hometown after the death of his last relative. Bill's reappearance in Bon Temps and Sookie's apparent perchant for dangerous situations and acquaintances sees them becoming Bon Temps' first inter-racial vamp-human power couple, much to the discomfort of most of its inhabitants. Needless to say they embark on some ... urm... 'unusual', but nonetheless gripping adventures, with the assistance of their loyal friends and Bill's vamp buddies.
 One thing that marks this as different from all those Dracula wannabes is the talent of its actors, (don't get me wrong, I liked 'Twilight' but I definitely found the acting lacking in some places), in contrast, 'True Blood' has some fantastic talent. Their ability to not only portray real emotion, deliver biting, witty conversation and comedic lines but do it all with a semi-decent 'hillbilly accent' astounds me every week. Sookie and Bill are likeable enough as an almost nauseatingly sweet prom-style couple, (who would have thought that a vampire could be such a gentleman?), but the show's real gems lie in the supporting cast; Jason Stackhouse, Sookie's gorgeous but more-than-slightly dim brother, (played by Ryan Kwanten), has some of show's best one-liners - " I want to lick your mind', Lafayette Reynolds, (Nelsan Ellis), shines as the fantastically gay short order cook - construction worker - vampire blood dealer - entrepreneur - go-go dancer extrodinare, Eric Northman, the owner of the wonderfully cheesy 'Fangtasia' nightclub, is a beautiful 1000+ year old, tall, Viking, drink of water, who definitely has that whole 'arrogant bad-ass' thing going for him, (brought to life by sexy Swedish import Alexander Skarsgard), and Pam, (Kristin Bauer), tops up the shows sarcasm scale as Eric's brilliantly dead-pan and fashion-feisty sidekick. If the intriguing plot bombs and the fantastic combination of sex, drama and campy, funny bits aren't enough to tempt you then I have two words for you : Eye Candy.

 Who doesn't love a hot un-dead hunk?

 'True Blood''s third season premiers next summer on HBO, and you can pick up 'The Southern Vampire Mysteries' novels by Charlaine Harris from most bookstores. However, with Season 2 ending last week I will certainly be buying the Season 1 boxset to keep me going until next summer.


Verdict : As the show's rapidly-expanding fanbase might suggest, this one's a keeper. A great mix of themes and a variety of characters means that you'll almost certainly find something to like and someone to root for. To anyone with a case of the vampire-wearies, I prescribe a heavy dose of 'True Blood'. You won't be hating on vampires for much longer.

10/10 Cookies.

Film Review: (500) Days Of Summer

'This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story... '

  Zooey Deschanel stars as the enigmatic, if not slightly kooky, Summer - a girl who doesn’t believe in fate, love, or even dating. Cue the boy, (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) - lovesick of course, and completely adorable, albeit in a bumbling sort of way. He’s the kind of boy who doesn’t think his life is complete until he finds ‘The One’, (you know, the type of guy that all us regular girls dream of - cute, sweet, funny, romantic etc.). For him, everything falls into place when he meets what he thinks is his soulmate… now all he needs to do is convince her that they really are meant to be together, (really).
  In the same vain as ‘He’s Just Not That Into You’, ‘(500) Days Of Summer’ offers a refreshingly different perspective on the rose-tinted rollercoaster of ‘love’ and heartbreak. After all, not all relationships end in church bells and a two-up two-down suburban.
  Beautifully shot, and with a summery, indie soundtrack that will transport you straight to a little 80's, boho café in Paris, the ‘author’s note’ has you laughing before the film even begins: ‘The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman. Bitch.’

Verdict :  This offbeat rom-com gives the reality of love, and life after love without it’s usual chaser of cynicism, and anyone who has loved and lost will definitely recognise themself in our male protagonist. A divine little indie chick flick with a twist, this is definitely one to watch.

8/10 Cookies.